They all watched Kala, expecting her to continue. When she didn't Cantenelli shrugged.<span style="color: Blue">Is that it? Were you expecting us to take your own money from you? Its your money, do with it what you want.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">It could help, sure... but no ones going to take your private account's balance from you any more than they are mine.</span>Mickey added.<br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">Even so, we need a lot more than 30,000 to get Acheron back in order. And, if we're looking for more hire-ons, we should probably head back to Omega. I'm sure my friends can still get us the more difficult tech quietly... though I might have to pull a few favors.</span>Taseer said with a smirk.<br/><br/>Cantenelli nodded.<span style="color: Blue">It sounds like as good of an idea as any... I'd rather dock in Omega space anyway. Less Turian Fleet eyes watching everything. Objections?</span><br/><br/>Ashana shook her head. She wanted to suggest they go to the Citadel, the stories she had heard about it for decades made her ache to see it, but ultimately it was the smarter choice. Ashana knew people on Omega, as did the others on the crew. A visit to Omega could also be leverage to use against Kalga.<br/><br/>Firas had none to add either.<span style="color: Blue">Mercenaries will certainly be plentiful enough.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Indigo">Jobs too.</span>Shira noted.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">Good enough. Ashana, I'll leave Kalga to you. It'll be a while before we're back in Omega space. Everyone relax, get something to eat from whats left in the kitchen.</span>Cantenelli said, giving Ashana a nod.<br/><br/>Ashana stepped up to the console beside the command post looking over the CIC and opened up a list of previous contacts. Kalga's name was right at the top, just under Vega and the Shadow Broker agent. She tapped it and waited as the display ran through the connecting protocols and links.<br/><br/>Firas watched her, slowly heading for the elevator. He could keep his silence for only so long about what happened in Vega's tower. It was the second time she had nearly gotten herself killed, and the second time he had to drag her out of fire. She was dangerous, but Firas had realized she didn't understand her own limits, she had spent so much time being a predator, a lone hunter, that she couldn't work with a pack. And after what he saw today, he didn't think she'd survive another suicidal charge like that. But, as he stepped into the elevator to go down to the Crew Deck, he deiced it would have to wait.<br/><br/>Ashana watched the display slowly make the connection to Omega, just as Mickey disappeared into the pilot's chair in the cockpit. A familiar voice filled the CIC, one that Ashana never enjoyed hearing.<span style="color: Red">What, who is this?</span>[inhale]<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Oh Kalga, forgotten us so soon? That's unfortunate.</span>Ashana started, laying on the sarcasm.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">Ohhh, yes...</span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">My dear mercenaries. I can only assume you've found my cargo.</span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">Why else would you waste my time?</span>Ren Kalga answered.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Because your done wasting ours. We want our money, Kalga and your going to give it to us.</span>Ashana said coldly.<br/><br/>Laughter interspersed with the sound of mechanical inhalation filled the CIC<span style="color: Red">You don't have my cargo, so no...</span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">no I don't think I will you silly Asari.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Your cargo is currently in the possession of a council SPECTRE.</span>Ashana replied dryly. It was only a half lie.<br/><br/>Silence. Cantenelli who was watching from the sidelines smirked ever so slightly.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">You're lying.</span>Kalga responded, all humor from his voice gone.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Ask Vega himself. We just concluded some business with him. He didn't have a lot of positive things to say about you. Something about being a half wit that couldn't even keep a small prothean artifact safe. Honestly, I was too busy enjoying his company. We got along <i>very</i> well.</span>Ashana continued.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">So, as your cargo is no longer within reach of anyone outside of the Council themselves, I'd say our business is concluded. So you'll be paying us what you us now.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">The deal was for the cargo, </span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">not for excuses of failure or lies. And I'd advise you to watch what you say.</span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">Eclipse is still very much interested in that ship, and I know where you are after this little call so you had better -</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Call them. Please do, in fact. The ship's Captain would like to have a word with them about the lengths they went to in losing his ship.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">What are babbling -</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">A man name Cantenelli? I think you've heard of him. We're in a business arrangement now. He liked how we handled the warehouse situation. Eclipse won't come near the ship now that its been returned to him. So, Kalga, again, this will be the point where you pay us.</span>Ashana chuckled, enjoying how the table shad turned on the Volus. He had nothing to hide behind anymore.<br/><br/>When the volus hesitated to respond, Ashana pounced.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">Now Kalga, your not stupid. That warehouse raid you staged was clever. So, stay clever and pay us. I don't really want to go over all the threats of what this ship can do to your operation, or what Eclipse might do if we told them you staged the raid... I've had a rather long day, and I'm not interested in making it longer.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">You already have the ship. If you want credits, sell it.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">The ship was a down payment, Kalga. I want the rest of what you owe us. I believe the exact words were "A sum beyond what any of could imagine."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">Fine. 100,000 credits and don't bother me again.</span>He stated.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Try a million.</span>Ashana countered.<br/><br/>There was a loud hissing inhale from the Volus.<span style="color: Red">A <i>million?!</i> You're out of that blue head of yours if you think I would ever pay a group of mercenaries who <i>failed to complete their job</i> a million credits!</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Well, Kalga...</span>Ashana admitted.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">I suppose your right. Since we didn't get your cargo back, we can talk discount... 750,000 payed in full. One deposit.</span>Ashana's goal was 500,000, but it was easier to knock the payment down than to argue it up.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">No deal. If you want more, then fine. 200,000 and I won't waste a single credit more on you!</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">750,000. We've been through more trouble on this job for you than any job is worth, Kalga. I want my money, and I swear to  goddess if you keep trying to screw me, I'm going to crack that stupid suit open and rip off whatever genitals you have!</span>Ashana threatened. She smirked again as another pause came over the line.<br/><br/><span style="color: Red">I can't do 750,000. Not on a job like this. there's no way.</span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">I've gotten nothing out of it.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">On the contrary. You don't have to worry about Vega or his connections coming after you for losing the cargo, and Eclipse is down one very valuable ship. That's a big contribution to your business, Kalga. 750.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">No! 750 is too high. I refuse to give you anything over 550! I can't, I won't! </span>[inhale]<span style="color: Red">And don't you dare demand more!</span>The Volus seethed over the channel.<br/><br/>Ashana let a silence settle in for a few moments.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">Fine. 550,000, one deposit and we're finished. We don't hear from you, you don't hear from us.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Red">Fine.</span>Kalga growled and ended the call.<br/><br/>Ashana looked over at Cantenelli who was watching her with raised eyebrows.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">I can't give you all of it.</span>She said with a sideways smirk.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">We need to get paid for our time too. But lets say... 450 to the ship and hiring?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">That should be just fine.</span>The human said with a nod.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Oh... for my room... I want it nice. Lounge couches... double bed, that sort of thing. I'll see what I can find on Omega.</span>Ashana smiled at him as she ordered the elevator up to get her.<br/><br/>When the elevator opened on the Crew Deck, Ashana followed the voices to the commons where Firas was sitting across from Sorv at the large table.<span style="color: DarkOrchid">550,000. We've got 100,000 to split between us. The rest is going to ship outfitting.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">I'll give you my cut if you get naked and dance for ten minutes.</span>Sorv half joked. Ashana actually paused to consider it.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrchid">Maybe later. Tell me when we get to Omega.</span>She turned and left, heading for the port side observation room that she had claimed as her own.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>