Recap
In the last instalment: Flux had a one on one chat about her intentions for the High Flyer meeting. She wants Flux to subtly plant a seed in the leader of the High Flyer's mind, about wiping out the Militia's headquarters.
The transporter descended from the sky, to land in the large courtyard at the back of the least delipidated looking building in the surrounding area.
There were levels to it, Flux noticed as he looked around. A large opening led inside, looking in he could see that there were many different types of speeders. All being worked on simultaneously. Many windows and balconies dotted the surface of the large warehouse. Above and around the large opening.
The sound of compressed air erupted, as the door of their transport started to open. The place was crawling with people. Each balcony had a number of High Flyers standing and leaning on railings. Their many eyes glared at Flux and his counterpart Bo-Daki as they stepped out into the yard. The courtyard had high, half-destroyed ruins for walls surrounding it. In some places, clear breaks had been replaced with the wreckage of old ships.
There were some large vehicles parked up, obviously too large to fit inside. One though stood out to him. It was a mass of steal and odd parts, that seemed to be mashed together in a disorganized embrace. Merging it all to become one ship. I doubt that is able to fly. Was the only thing that came to Flux's mind when he inspected it.
He was so busy looking at the ships, he barely had time to notice the welcoming party, who were walking toward them. "Flux. That must be the leader Razor-Jax." Bo-Daki whispered, snapping him out of his trance.
"Admiring the ship? That's my personal speeder, Sky-Fortress. I assume you're Flux and the one standing behind you is Bo-Daki Shun." The badly scarred Trisken leading the posse said. He wore the same kind of black armour the rest of them did. His was slightly different though. Mismatched pieces attached here and there. Flux was too busy looking at his attire to notice the exposed steel plating, holding his face together. Flux hoped his expression didn't reveal how startled he felt when he noticed. That's the last thing I need. Attempting negotiations with someone I've just offended.
"It's some ship. I assume it's a custom." Flux said while glancing back at it. "Beskin's know their ships. Or is that a stereotype?" The leader asked.
"I know enough about them. I never worked on ships, but my father did." Flux responded. A vision of his father snarling at him washed over his mind.
"Yeah. It's custom. Firepower, speed, defense and beauty all mixed into one package." Razor-Jax said proudly. I don't know if I would describe it as beautiful. Monstrous would be more accurate.
"If we're going to talk business, let's go inside. I'm sure your transporter will be safe here." "Lead the way." Flux said as he extended a hand to the entrance of the building.
They all walked together. Flux walked closely with Razor-Jax. While Bo-Daki followed, as well as the entourage. Who surrounded them on all sides. Like a forcefield, directing their walk. "When I heard the name Ember's Gunners. I expected to see a small army arrive. Not just two men. Was I mistaken in thinking she held a larger force?"
"She has a large force. But, why send a force to negotiate?" Flux responded. "I was expecting you to say something like. The two of you are a force to be reckoned with. That's what a High Flyer would have said." As he spoke Flux wanted to choose his words carefully.
"I don't see the need to boast." He answered slowly. "Are you saying the High Flyers boast?" Razor-Jax responded, Flux could hear a hint of venom in his words.
"I think if someone has something to boast about, they can. I just rather not." Flux tiptoed through his words. Razor-Jax's throat rumbled. "That didn't answer my question." "I don't think the High Flyers boast. I've never known any after all." Razor-Jax grumbled after Flux finished.
They walked through the dock, through an adjacent door and up a hallway. Into what he assumed was their main hall. Flux continued up the steps to a higher level at the end of the room.
Razor-Jax stopped at the top of the steps. "Your friend doesn't say much. So he may as well play with the others while we talk." Flux turned to nod to Bo-Daki. Who, shrugged and turned around to walk to the others. Flux noticed him make a B-Line to a Doshan woman, with long red hair. She was beautiful Flux thought to himself. *No wonder Bo-Daki is so infatuated with her.
With him gone, Flux turned around to continue walking and sat down with the others. The seats were comfortable, the lighting was dim and there was music playing in the background, but, not loud enough to disturb thoughts.
"Drink?" Razor-Jax asked. He wasn't sitting too far away. To his left was a Gnosian, who just stared at Flux. Surrounding them were humans and other Triskens. All scarred in one way or another. "I'll have whatever you're having." Flux said as he leaned back in his seat.
"Ratcher. Get us a few bottles of Trisken Fizz." He ordered. To which, one of the humans jumped up and walked away. Razor-Jax turned his full attention to Flux then. "This business. What is it?" He asked suspiciously.
"Ember wanted to open a dialogue with you and your men." "And woman." One of the others sitting around added to Flux's words. "You and your men and woman." As Flux finished a man returned and handed Razor-Jax a bottle and then handed one to Flux. He grabbed the ice-cold bottle, cracked it open and took a drink. It tasted disgusting. But, it was better than nothing.
"Ember isn't known too well. The High Flyers have a reputation though. Sounds to me she is looking to earn some credibility by involving herself with us." Razor-Jax spoke while paying more attention to the bottle in his hand.
"Friendships are always valuable." Razor-Jax lifted his eyes to Flux as he finished speaking. "That's true. But, why would she want to be friends with us? Has she befriended The Underworlders? Tunga Char?" Razor-Jax asked with the fakest smile Flux had ever seen.
"No one yet. She sent me to talk with the High Flyers only." Flux responded. "We just fix ships. Maybe get into a little mischief here and there." Some of the others started to chuckle. "Why us?" He asked again. I better give them something. Some reason that isn't. We want you to run a suicide mission into the largest militia base in the city.
"Ember believes out of all the factions of Jex, the High Flyers and The Gunner's ambitions are in line without conflicted." Flux said and the others around them went silent.
"What's our ambition?" Razor-Jax asked. "It's no secret that you don't like the militia. Neither does she." Flux said as he took another swig of his drink. "So what? I can't think of any faction here that likes them. Why doesn't she speak with one of the others?"
Flux knew he needed something. He wished he'd had done some research on them before arriving. Maybe appeal to his boastful side.
"She doesn't want to work with one of the other factions. Because none of them has the skill the High Flyers have when it comes to building and designing ships." Razor-Jax's face turned from impatience to slight joy. "We don't make ships. Ships can leave the planet. Speeders stay in the atmosphere." One of the others said. Razor-Jax shut him up with the flick of his hand.
"Ships. Speeders. It all means the same thing. Ember wants us to build speeders for her?" Flux nodded as Razor-Jax finished. "What do we get?" He then asked.
"Whatever you need. Weapons, FST's, recruits. We have an influx of recruits looking for some work." "Is that so." Razor-Jax finished the last of his bottle.
"I need something to liven the mood. Let me think about it, but, I think we could work together." He said while standing up and walking to one of the doorways at the far end of the room. Leaving Flux alone surrounded by High Flyers.
How am I supposed to subtly bring up the militia headquarters? Flux wondered to himself as he sat staring at his bottle, ignoring all the eyes on him.
What's Ember going to say about this deal for speeders?