Cantenelli leaned against the wall, watching the Asari at the bar intently. She was armored more than one would expect of a patron in Afterlife. In fact she looked ready for a firefight, save the partially empty glass in front of her. He gave only a momentary glance at the other three he knew in club, who looked to be enjoying themselves thoroughly, but his attention was focused predominantly on the Asari, Maethia, was her name. He watched her idly play with a deck of cards, measuring her up, looking for any behavior that might suggest she was dangerous to the safety of his ship. He made no effort to hide his observations.<br/><br/>After a time, he approached the bar casually, taking the empty stool next to the Asari. The bartender asked him what he wanted to drink.<span style="color: Blue">Nothing.</span><br/><br/>He looked at the armored Asari.<span style="color: Blue">Your Maethia?</span>he asked.<br/><br/><span style="color: Blue">I'm Armand Cantenelli. I captain a ship called the Acheron. I was told you were looking for work, and you may be someone who understands discretion. Is that information accurate, or do I have the wrong person?</span><br/><br/>Cantenelli, watched the Asari closely, measuring her answer.<span style="color: Blue">We've got a job... various high profile parties are interested in a device of Prothean origin... A device which we know very little about. Our job is to investigate this device, starting with where it was found; A new excavation in the traverse. We've encountered <i>extreme</i> resistance so far, and we're looking to add some firepower. Word has it you've got Commando training which could be helpful in our situation. Interested?</span><br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">Shit.</span>Taseer sighed as the two retraced their steps.<span style="color: Navy">That was a pile of bad news. Crew's gone, Devik's dead... Devik supplied the parts the Acheron needs that you can't find in the average corner shop. Asari components, the rare Salarian hardware interface. This day just got a lot longer. If you wanted to relax, then I don't think I'm going to be able to help with that anytime soon. Not if I've got to renegotiate unlisted transfers of high profile parts.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Indigo">Mickey, you have a dry dock set up yet?</span>Taseer asked her omni-tool.<br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Not... quite. Shouldn't be much longer. Why?</span>He responded.<br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">I've got to set up a new supplier, and the crews gone.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">What? How many?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">All of them, it sounds like.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">Shit.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">That's what I said.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: MediumTurquoise">While I'm down here, I'll see if there's anyone worth poaching, huh? You want any backup for the new supplier? </span><br/><br/><span style="color: Navy">No. Kala and I can handle it. Out.</span>She lowered her omni-tool.<span style="color: Navy">This could get uncomfortable, Kala. If you just want to relax, you may want to find another party. </span><br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>The dancer in front of Darion grinned and stepped off the table onto the booth straddling the mercenary, hips swaying as she got lower, until she was eye level with Darion, hips straddling his legs.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">I could get used to this.</span>Sorv said, watching the Asari on her keens in front of him, back turned move her ass.<br/><br/><span style="color: DeepSkyBlue">So... what'd you guys do that earned you this kind of treatment...?</span>The Asari in Darion's lap asked, draping her arms around his neck and bringing her breasts within inches of his face.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">Well...</span>Sorv started.<span style="color: DarkOrange">There's the <i>secret</i> Prothean device we're tracking.</span>Sorv said so melodramatically that it would be hard to take him at all serious.<span style="color: DarkOrange">But I think Ashana had mo-</span><br/><br/>One of the dancers looked at him, gasping.<span style="color: DarkOrange">What?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: DeepSkyBlue">You know Ashana? She used to work here! I'm going to have to be <i>extra</i> nice to you now.</span>She grinned.<br/><br/>Firas didn't say anything, just watched the dancer with her arms draped around the pole, dropping low and moving her hips, then standing slowly, lifting one leg against the pole doing a standing split.<span style="color: DeepSkyBlue">You know, we're allowed to let you see more in a private booth...</span>she said, winking as she moved.<br/><br/><span style="color: DarkOrange">Sounds reasonable to me.</span>Sorv said, leaning forward, as the Asari bent over backwards in front of him. He tipped the girl a few credits then sat back, relaxing.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>