Verahl:
"Alright, I'm not going to sugar coat this or make it easy like I normally do. We're in deep. We're in deeper then we've been before with people who pose a lot bigger of a threat. Aria's got me working as a fucking dog for her by molding a bunch of new recruits. She's assembled the worst of the worst though and left it to me. I know two of them have already been responsible for 'friendly' fire incidents and another is a well known butcher amongst Omega's lower wards. She's essentially going to have either me or them breaking, and she still comes out on top no matter what."
He paused as he pulled the chair to his desk out. He sat down and slowly brought his arms onto it to rest. He was about to start up again before stopping himself and reaching for a bottle sitting at the corner of the table. He grabbed the bottle and two of the glasses sitting in front of it and poured out part of its content. Each glass was now filled with a dark liquid that was hard to tell if it was more red or more purple. The drink's strength was apparent though, even from a distance, as the stench of alcohol suddenly filled the room. Verahl pushed one of the glasses across the table towards Raven, before taking a sip from his and continuing his briefing.
"The reason she's doing this however, is because she wants to be able to use them as a strike team for however long they'll last. People go missing often around Aria, even when they try to go into hiding. Our old friend Mayli is now on her list. She was the price we agreed upon. In exchange for her location, she wants me to have the team I'm making come to kill her. Once this is done, we'll be free from her service, except for Sal. She's holding Sal's services to a later, undisclosed date. Now, I'll hopefully be able to return here nightly, but if not there are a few matters I want to discuss."
Verahl stopped again to pour himself another glass of the drink. The bottle's label could now clearly be read by Raven. It was a strong wine made by Hanar brewers. The bottle would have cost a small fortune, and wouldn't be something that could have been bought at a local bar.
"Before, I would normally entrust duties such as this to Lux. Recently however, he has proved himself rather rash, and is for now being suspended from being this company's alternate commander. Essentially what I mean, is at the moment, the only one holding a higher rank then you in this company is me. You've been with me since near the start of this company Raven, don't let me down. In the meantime however, that means you also have a few other duties. Mostly though, you're in charge of the place when I am gone. Anything happens during this, it's your responsibility. There are a few things I want done before my return tomorrow however. First, I want Dray to pick up whatever he needs to cook us a nice meal. Let him leave tomorrow, but make sure he's got someone to accompany him. I don't want him wandering the streets of Omega alone. Second, I want you to bring a few people with you and scout our old headquarters. Keep your distance, and don't use the Gauntlet. I just want to be sure it's still standing. Finally, there's a duty I've been putting off to a later date, but I feel I can't do it any longer."
He quickly shot back the rest of his drink before getting up from the desk and moving towards the window. He stood to the sides of one of the drawn curtains and pulled it away and gazed out into the depths of the station.
"Just know I wanted to have their memory kept better then this. We can't hold onto them any longer though. We have to let them go. I would have liked a proper ceremony for each of them, but it won't do us any good any longer. There's an envelope on my desk. Inside is a card that will say where to go. Take it once we're done here. It's for a certain type of... shipping... service located here on Omega. Here, unclaimed dead only take up space. There are no proper cemeteries on this station either. Only plaques and memorials, normally a few in each district, where names might be inscribed. I want to have Zar sent back home to her family. The location I want her sent to is on the back of the card. There is also a letter from me to the family in there. Make sure it is sent with her. I already notified them of these events so they know to expect her. But..."
He had to stop himself. He took a few breathes as he tried to collect himself. He was starting to lose control, and he would not lose himself in front of the company, even if it was now only Raven.
"Xandus on the other hand... I don't know where his family is. I don't know what colony he was even from. I will arrange for a memorial to hold his name later, but I want you to dispose of him for now. A place for... disposal... is also inside the envelope. Have them take his body. They'll take it from there. Keep his armor though. I'd prefer to not let that go."
He stood facing the window still. He wouldn't let Raven see his face when he was in this state. His jaw lightly trembled as each of his eyes were now barely holding back tears he would not let himself shed.
"The money for these services will be transferred to your account. There's nothing more for me to say. You can rejoin the others now."
