QUEEN'S RESOLVE, Edge of Galactic Space.The massive cruiser hung over a broken and barren world. They had come far to meet with the Cryptomancer, to the very edge of the yawning abyss outside of galactic space. Preliminary scans didn't detect anything. Just dust and floating rock. The Queen of Saiyans wondered what secret or ambush she was walking into. Despite that, her face betrayed nothing but brimming confidence. Her crew on the other hand kept glancing back at Stone.
The human leaned against the bulkhead, clad in his mechanized armor. The look of panic on his face told a tale of a man desperate and on the run.
Radia knew how much of a sleaze he could be. This wasn't the first deal she had made with him. However, in previous engagements he at least had the backing of Capsule Corp. Most of the early Dominion fleet was composed of Capsule Corp Cruisers or retrofitted Arcosian Destroyers. They had to make due with what they could afford and scrounge together from the mercenary crews and bands that Saiyans used to belong to. The Dominion had given them a unified purpose, brought together bands from all over the galaxy. Capsule Corp had agreed to build automated production facilities on New Sadla, a way to expand their business empire into the Western and Southern Quadrants. Unfortunately, the deal had never gone down in full. Stone's aspirations carried him to become the Regent of Earth, where he earned himself exile after nearly blowing up West City during an assassination attempt against him. The attempt came as a coat-tail of him giving orders to the Earth Military to wipe out Arcose's population with a nano-virus. Big suprise there.
So, most deals with foreign governments were rescinded by Capsule Corp after that fall out. They returned to being the exclusive manufacturer of the Kingdom of Earth, in hopes to repair the scar on their reputation. It was too late though. The Saiyans hired engineers of their own and able to reverse engineer the Capsule Corp designs and make ships of their own, in the vain.
"I think this human betrayed us. We should throw him into the black," Captain Quash spoke up first. Beside him stood the newly promoted Sergeant Okata, the Saiyan that had recovered Stone and completed the mission. Yama and Null were still on the run. The Queen had sent for them, but no response She had heard about the... complications of the mission. Despite her disappointment, she couldn't blame them wholly. She picked the wrong tools for the mission. Using a
hammer where a surgeon's knife was necessary, always made for a bad time.
Stone shifted, but tried to remain composed.
"No," Radia said. "My gut tells me the Cryptomancer is here. Stone has knows just how far he has fallen, I doubt he would stoop any lower. He needs all the friends he can get."
Stone pretended to laugh, but the squeak in it betrayed his obvious anxiety. "Your Majesty is wise as ever."
"I will gone alone. As the Cryptomancer requested."
The Saiyans on deck seemed to balk at that, but Radia held her hand up to advise them to need not worry. She was far stronger than any of them, and they knew it. So went back to their stations.
She was already clad in her royal armor, a bright crimson cape draped off of her shoulders. The skin tight jump suit beneath it would protect her against the harsh vacuum. She needed only slip a helmet over her head, sealing shut with an audible click. Breathing cool oxygen, she stepped out the air lock and let gravity do its handiwork.
She fell for a silent eternity before reaching the barren surface, using her ki to guide and correct her close, also to slow down. She came to a sudden pause at a ledge atop a shredded fissure, barely stirring a mote of dust off of the rock with her precise landing.
Palms rested upon her hips, she waited. The minutes went by, ticking slowly. She listened to the sound of her breathing and mechanical clicking of re-breathing mechanism. Finally, in the distance she saw a faint flicker. The heads up display in her helmet revealed tiny nano-machines flying towards her. They stopped on the other side of the fissure, projecting forth the image of a man clad in archaic armor.
A hologram. She considered wiping away the nano-machines projecting it with a blast, for this affront. But, decided against it. There was no way the two could speak with a vacuum between them, so the Cryptomancer opened a private line-of-sight channel with her.
"You've come alone, Queen of Saiyans. I appreciate the gesture. I will not waste any more of your time. What is it you need from me?" His voice was both distorted and strange, as though it were speaking through vintage speakers.
"I will pay Stone's debt to you. Also, I ask for your help in breaching the defense network on Abbayor. Is that in your ability?"
The Cryptomancer said nothing for a long moment, his hologram unflinching. "Yes, it is. But, why should I do this for you? It comes with great risk."
"You've stolen money from both the Empire and the Kingdom of Earth in the past. Robbed them blind. I imagine you have something against them?" Radia suggested.
"No. They just have more riches than they will ever need. What shall you do with Abbayor, should you capture it?"
"I will deny the Empire its symbolic capital. And use the opportunity to finally unify this galaxy."
"Noble desires. I still am uncertain what differences you have with this new Empire. Your goals are amiable, you should ally instead of war against each other."
"Reckless hate separates the Empire from us. They see us as barbarians, hell bent on their destruction. We must show them it is nothing further from the truth. If you side with us, we will pay you handsomely. If money is what you desire."
"Saiyans aren't very materialistic, so I've heard. Money is nice, but if you win--there is something even better I would ask of you."
Radia nodded."Speak it and I shall tell you if its in my power to grant."