051: The Tools of Acquisition – Six
"Alright, the broadcast is looking good," Elytra said, the face plate of her Augury helmet slid up and her hood down as she monitored the stats on their socials, "Rhea and Guthan just went inside, and the viewer count is already over a million!"
Across the bridge from her, pacing in front of one of the gunner stations, Malakh asked, "And there's no way any of these viewers are going to rat them out to the Necupole, right?"
"Watchers must pay before they can do any watching," Pryseia told her from where she was sitting on the edge of her captain's chair, elbows on her knees, "And the Kith are careful to screen these accounts for signs of law enforcement or other such maliciousness. Any who watch these broadcasts does so because they wish to continue to do so."
Her tale flaring behind her as she made another agitated loop, Malakh shot back, "Then what's there to stop someone like Lauter from selling us out outta spite?"
"The threat that the rest of the Kith would hunt them down," Nevara said calmly from the pilot's seat, "Betrayal has been dealt with swiftly and fatally the handful of times its happened among their ranks, which has contributed directly to there being so few instances of it in during the Kith's existence."
"Meaning that it very well could happen to us here and now, unlikely though it may be," was Malakh's immediate response, "I mean, whatever happened that lost the Sudoxe one of their own was a betrayal that they won't even talk about, so it's even more likely than the statistics would have us believe!"
As Malakh turned to begin another loop, Pryseia lashed out with her tail, coiling it around the other woman's and jerking her to a halt. "Rhea will be fine. She's dealt with worse situations, and she isn't alone."
Taking a deep breath as she prepared to argue to the contrary, Malakh caught herself, shutting her mouth with an audible clack before she covered her face with her hands and screamed into her palms.
"I know," she said after she'd vented her frustration, "I know, it's just… this is the first time we've been apart in a meaningful way since we escaped from the Thalatte, and I'm handling it a lot worse than I thought I would."
Though she currently had her red axe avatar on display, Viatrix's voice was glitch free when she told her, "Given your treatment at their hands, that's more than understandable."
Malakh let out a mirthless little laugh at that. "Yeah. Ugh, I'm sorry, this isn't the time or the place."
"As if we fault you." Nevara said, turning in her seat to give Malakh her full attention.
Malakh closed her eyes, taking a slow breath before letting it out, curling her tail around Pryseia's. "I appreciate it. And I appreciate all of you. I need to say that more."
"A mutual sentiment." Elytra replied with a small smile.
Malakh returned it with one of her own, and then she resolutely shook Pryseia's tail before letting it go. "Okay, we've got more pressing things to worry about at the moment. How are things looking down there?"
Turning back to the feeds before her, Elytra scanned the live broadcast coming from Miasferr. "Rhea's just entered the Aaur Niikaschlde Centre. At least we can be certain that the fake ID she got from the Sudoxe works."
"And now it's up to Rhea and Guthan to take possession of their targets." Pryseia said as she settled back in her seat, "Nevara, please bring us into position. We want to be ready for when they make their grand exit."
The Aaur Niikaschlde Centre's interior, much like its exterior, had been decorated to make it look like a more upscale establishment than the warehouse it actually was. The far end of the building had been roped off, all the items up for auction tantalizingly out of reach.
As for the rest of the space, it had been filled out like a conference hall, a live orchestra playing at one side of the building, and an open bar across from it. Decorative sculptures and potted plant had been artfully arranged along the edges of the room, with lush drapery hanging from the walls in order to make them look less like a warehouse.
Mingling everywhere were necupole dressed in similar colours to Chancellor Bathory - platinum was clearly the colour of the event. Some were mingling, others standing off aloof with drinks in hand, and yet more were queueing up towards the roped off area, taking in the tools of war they would soon be betting on.
AVERRAL: As much as it pains me, this is where we part ways. I'll signal when I'm in position, or of I need help getting there.
BATHORY: Relentless, aren't you?
AVERRAL: A trait many have found appealing.
BATHORY: Stick to the mission. We both have our own goals.
AVERRAL: Such a shame.
The Chancellor allowed herself only the quietest exhalation of laugher before she made her way to the bar, flagging down the bartender with a casual wave of her hand.
The automaton ambled over, tilting its head expectantly as it waited for her order.
"I'll take a coronal loop." The Chancellor ordered, not in any human language, but in the flawless dialect of one of the largest Necupole civilizations.
With machine precision, the bartender had her drink mixed and placed before her in moments, a bubbly gold concoction in a glass cut like the facets of a gem.
AVERRAL: I had no idea you spoke their language.
BATHORY: The amount you don't know about me could fill oceans.
Casually leaning against the bar, the Chancellor sipped her drink, scanning across the crowd.
I'm serious, when did you learn a Necupole language?! :GUTHAN
You can thank med school for that. They're not quite up there with what the Bernetigan are capable of, but Necupole medical research is some of the best in the galaxy. And they don't bother making it easy to read for anyone but themselves, so you've gotta understand their language to understand the research. It came in surprisingly handy when I was forced to work for the Thalatte. :RHEA
We really did luck out with you! No wonder you chose "chancellor" as your fake profession. :GUTHAN
I have many skills that could apply to that role: RHEA
I hope small talk is one of them, because you're about to have some company :GUTHAN
Her solitary vigil didn't last long, as a necupole woman dressed in a low cut suit that looked like it had been woven out of sunlight sidled up to the bar next to her, flagging down the bartender for a drink of her own. Once she had it in hand, she turned to the Chancellor, giving her a polite nod and saying, "Yara Nabischlde."
"Saela Monischlde." Returned with a nod of her own.
Yara gave a hum of recognition at that. "You operate closer to the Thalatte side of the Plutocracy, don't you?"
"With how constantly they're throwing themselves into wars with their neighbours, how can I not?" The Chancellor replied with a smirk.
The other woman let out a knowing laugh at that, raising her glass in salute before she took a sip from it. She then cast an appraising look her way. "A sound business strategy. So tell me, Saela, which piece are you hoping to walk home with tonight?"
"From a practical standpoint, the gunship is my goal," the Chancellor said with a nod to the in-atmosphere three person fighter craft of Thalatte make, "Though that Hyttan mech does intrigue me."
"Ah, yes, tonight is its debut on the open market." Yara told her with a slight frown, "I know the sellers - they've been trying to get that thing to work for years, but it refuses to move. I'm afraid if you throw your money at that, you'll walk away disappointed."
The Chancellor gave Yara a lingering once over before saying, "A pity. Perhaps I'll have to leave here with something a little more… responsive."
"Perhaps you shall," Yara replied with a long, lingering look, "Hildiv Hildschlde and Vadna Chanschlde are who you'll want to speak to if you are interested in that mech, but be warned, they're as likely to try and sell it to you before the auction even has a chance to start, they're so set on getting rid of that thing. As for myself, I'll be retiring to the Far Zenith Hotel once all the bidding's done. Room 32L, if you're in the neighbourhood."
"I have a feeling I will be," the Chancellor smirked over the rim of her glass, "Until then, Yara."
With one last, heated glance, Yara took a sip of her drink and walked off, the sway of her hips leaving promises in her wake.
AVERRAL: Masterfully played.
BATHORY: Don't you have a mission of your own to get to?
AVERRAL: Excuse me for wanting to ensure that you're skills are as you claim.
The Chancellor swirled her drink briefly before downing it, leaving the empty glass at the bar while she began making her way through the crowd.
BATHORY: Program, do you copy?
[NULL]: Confirmed.
BATHORY: Hildiv Hildschlde and Vadna Chanschlde. I need images. Now.
[NULL]: Confirmed. Processing.
It was all the Chancellor could to to maintain her composure as a chaotic flurry of images momentarily filled her vision, staged and candid photos of necupole flickering before her too fast to register. The visual noise stopped almost as soon as it started, settling on an image showing a couple dressed in what must have been casual wear for high society, all the warmth of a promotional photo.
BATHORY: Next time, try not to be so obstructive with your search.
[NULL]: Next time, word your search more carefully.
The Chancellor didn't bother reacting to that, instead casting her gaze across the room, searching for either of her targets.
Oh I liked that a lot! :RHEA
Sorry if it was a little jarring, I was trying to come off passive aggressive! :VIATRIX
It's all good, bet it was fun for viewers. How's that end of thing going, anyway? :RHEA
We've got A LOT tuning in, a bunch of new paying customers! :VIATRIX
So I better not get stage fright? :RHEA
Unless you're keen on freezing up in enemy territory. :VIATRIX
Probably best not to. I'm gonna see if I can track these two down. The sooner I can get in that mech, the sooner we can get the fuck out of here! I'd forgotten how much I hate these types of events. :RHEA
You have a history of sneaking into auctions under a fake ID? :VIATRIX
My parents were entrepreneurs, so I ended up at a lot of conferences. Spent most of the time schmoozing to keep myself occupied. Once I was past my mid teens, I'd find someone like Yara as an excuse to leave early, because these type of events are absolutely not my scene! :RHEA
Well look on the bright side, you'll get to leave this event very dramatically! :VIATRIX
Believe me, I'm really looking forward to it! :RHEA
On the bridge of her ship, Captain Sharp stood behind Claret, the both of them monitoring the situation in the Aaur Niikaschlde Centre while the rest of the crew was in the cargo hold, preparing their mechs, just in case.
"So far, so good," Claret said as she nervously tapped her fingers against the steering yolk, "Averral's on her way to her target, and I'm monitoring everything to make sure no surprises fly into us. Everything's going just as we planned."
A readout on one of her screens showed that the Sudoxe was hanging idle in the air above a different warehouse, far enough to not set off any of the buildings security systems accidentally, but close enough that their chances of encountering another ship flying this low were greatly reduced.
A different console showed a simple rendering of the inside of the Aaur Niikaschlde Centre itself, half of the space filled up with gold points of light, with two ruby red pips making their way through the throng.
"And yet you're vibrating yourself out of your carapace," Sharp said, placing a hand on Claret's shoulder, "What's going on? I've never seen you this jittery mid mission."
Reaching a hand up to hold Sharp's in place, Claret closed her eyes and took in a shuddering, steadying breath. "Sorry, after what happened the last time one of our own was sent off on a solo mission… I just keep imagining worst case scenarios."
"I- yeah." Sharp said quietly, moving to loop her arm around Claret's shoulders and pulling the other woman into her side, "But this is different. She's not alone down there, and the second things turn for the worse, we'll hit them with everything we've got to get her out of there. I'm not losing anyone else."
Claret just nodded against her, looping an arm around Sharp's waist.
Captain Sharp heaved a sigh, her gaze turning back to the screen displaying the interior of the building where her crew mate was surrounded by enemies on all sides. All she could do was clench her jaw and wait.
On the bridge of the Pelekys, an array of information was displayed on the main view screen - their position, like the Sudoxe, as hovering over a nearby warehouse, and a map of the Aaur Niikaschlde Centre highlighting two dots in motion.
From her seat on the throne, the Hand and Augury stood to the left and right of her respectively, Queen Kaizoku sat slouched with one leg crossed over the other, the fingers of her metal hand tapping against the armrest on which it lay.
"No changes to the situation?" She demanded, the barest undercurrent of unease to her voice.
"Their actions haven't seemed to raise any suspicion," General Grim said from the pilot's seat, tapping up something on her console briefly, "Live coverage of the event from the Necupole side of things hasn't shown anything amiss."
A glitching laugh rang out through the room before the Program said, "And they revel in drama, so if our agents were discovered, they would be tripping over themselves gloating if they managed to find two of the Lesser among their ranks."
The Queen scoffed at that, before she rose from her seat. "The only ones who shall be gloating by this event's end will be us. Signal if anything goes awry, we shall prepare our Storlayacas for combat."
And with that, Queen Kaizoku strode from the room, the Hand and Augury falling into step behind her.
A darker, quieter laugh sounded from the Program once the doors to the bridge had shut. "Just the two of us now, General Grim."
"Stick to your monitoring, and I'll stick to mine," was the General's dispassionate response, "Unlike the Necupole, I have no taste for drama."
"And that's what makes you such an easy target." The Program shuddered out with another broken chuckle, but as she promised, the General paid it no mind.
Even with the reference image hanging in the corner of her vision, in this sea of pale blondes, Rhea was having one hell of a time trying to locate either of her targets.
Keeping up the Chancellor's confident facade as she wove through the crowd was easy enough, mingling briefly with this knot or that of arrogant pricks high on their own egos unexpectedly nostalgic. Thoughts of the family she'd lost to the passage of time while in captivity lay just under the surface, and Rhea had to forcefully keep them down. The last thing she needed was to get randomly teary eyed as she made her way through this swanky event.
She couldn't help but reflect on the similarities between human and necupole as she mingled among them. The people around her were acting exactly as human entrepreneurs she'd been forced to socialize with for much of her youth, the only major differences being the language spoken and the fashion on display. As she watched one necupole stumble into another and drunkenly begin flirting, it really went to show just how arbitrary the 'Enlightened' and 'Lesser' labels were when it came to their two species. Rich idiots were the same no matter where they came from.
Hey, are you busy? :GUTHAN
Trying to find the Storlayacas sellers, but I'm not having much luck. What do you need? :RHEA
I haven't been noticed, but I'm caught behind a bunch of drunks, and I don't think I can get by them without blowing my cover. :GUTHAN
Where are you? :RHEA
East side, about midway between the roped off area and the orchestra. I'd say behind the group of blondes, but that really wouldn't be helpful in this case. :GUTHAN
I'm headed over now. Let me know when I'm close. You want this as part of the narrative, or kept under wraps? :RHEA
Once you're closer I'll ping you as Averral. Wanted to set up a plan first so it would look more suave when we solve this with minimal effort, as far as the audience is aware. :GUTHAN
Neat trick. I'll have to keep that in mind. On my way. :RHEA
She kept her steps unhurried, stopping to chat here and there, keeping up the pretense of scanning the crowd for the people she was looking for. Well, she was still looking for them, but they weren't her top priority at this moment.
AVERRAL: It seems the fates have conspired to bring us together again.
BATHORY: Oh?
AVERRAL: I'm hemmed in by a bunch of drunks. Would you be a dear and break them up for me?
BATHORY: Too much for you to handle?
AVERRAL: I'd have to get physical, and these aren't the blondes I want to get my hands on.
Rhea let out the barest breath of laughter at that, not bothering to respond as she continued on her path, now with more intent.
She still kept up the casual appearance of a woman getting her mingle on, chatting here and there with people who wouldn't give her the time of day if she actually had her naturally darker skin tone. Just another similarity between their two people.
AVERRAL: The loud group to your left, by the sculpture that looks like a molten bird giving birth to itself.
The sculpture was easy to spot, crowded by a group of gigglers as it was. Some of them were clinging to it in order to stay upright, already shitfaced enough for that to be a necessity. Rhea suppressed an eye roll at that.
But then she caught sight of one of the drunken revellers, and it was all she could do to keep a neutral expression.
Vadna Chanschlde was among the group keeping Guthan pinned.