Chapter 14: A Deal with the Devil

“So, I’m guessing that we go our separate ways from here?” Luke asked, slicing through a juicy steak.

They were having dinner in a corner of the Sailor’s Rest.

Unlike most of the establishments around, this bar was big on wood decor. Rough planks lined the walls, boasting paintings of actual sailing ships. Logs served as stools and tables. A polished timber counter ran across one end of the room.

In a far corner, an old-fashioned jukebox played a slow, melancholic melody.

If not for the huge burger made of multicoloured LED lights hanging above the bar counter, Yan might have thought that she had been teleported into another world.

Hearing Luke’s words, she paused, a forkful of steak halfway to her mouth. Ever since she stepped into this world, she had only ever eaten nutrient bars. While filling, they were hard and dry, possessing the consistency of a brick. This steak was seared to perfection. Every bite was a burst of flavour.

Isabella was not lying when she said that the bar made good steak.

Putting her fork aside reluctantly, she replied, “Yes. I’ll gather my strength, then head back to the portal.”

No matter how good the food was, she still could not shake the discomfort this farewell gave her.

Neon looked up from his burger. He had been snared by those bright LED lights the moment he walked in. “To Prometheus? You just don’t listen, do you?”

She shrugged. She did not have to justify herself.

They ate in silence for a while.

Then, Luke spoke again, “Dr. Regina isn’t around anymore and what’s left of Prometheus is scattered to the winds. Does that mean that my contract with Prometheus is over?”

“I guess that’s true,” Neon replied, frowning. “I never thought of it that way. Dang, who’s going to fund my research now? Argh!”

“Ah, you’ll be fine. There’s headhunters everywhere looking for someone of your calibre.”

“Yeah, and some of them will actually lob your head off and shrink it.”

Luke let out a bark of laughter.

“And you? Luke? What are you going to do?” Yan asked.

He frowned. “Oh, you know… float around. Maybe keep Neon’s head on his shoulders. Get a contract or two to escort freighters.”

Luke was being evasive, Yan knew. The man was still looking for revenge. And for his death.

Suddenly, it dawned on her. Here was a man with a vendetta against Aramia. Here was a man with the smarts to begin the research that would get her home.

Did she… did she actually need their help?

Lost in thought, Yan almost choked on a forkful of unchewed steak as Isabella popped up beside her. “H - Hey! Are y’all enjoying your meals?”

Unlike earlier, the younger woman was now all smiles.

“Oh, look who decided to join us!” Neon said.

“Sorry! Mum and Dad wanted to talk to me.”

“Mum and Dad?”

“Oh! I didn’t tell you?”

“Nope. You just rushed into the bar, hugged everyone behind the counter and disappeared,” Neon deadpanned.

“Oh… M - My family owns this bar.” Suddenly, her smile dropped. “I just realised how this looks… This isn’t a tourist trap, I promise! It’s all comped!”

Yan sighed inwardly. This girl was too pure for her own good.

“Well, then I won’t stand on ceremony! The finest wine, please!” Neon shouted, wide grin forming across his face.

Isabella’s eyes widened. “But… but… we don’t have wine…”

Luke shook his head. “Just ignore him, please. He’s prone to bouts of insanity.”

Isabella just looked confused, eyes darting between Neon and Luke. Once again, she was frozen like a deer caught in the headlights.

Taking the opportunity to put off her own need for help, Yan pulled a stool out from under the table and patted it. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Isabella took the seat gratefully, obviously happy for a way out of that social encounter. “Y - Yes! You see, I heard all about how you saved the Silent Sail single-handedly… I was in the engine room but the sailors told me that you were a fearless swashbuckler! Oh! And they said you could shoot lasers from your eyes!”

Adoration leaked from the younger woman and Yan felt distinctly uncomfortable.

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Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Neon stifle his laughter.

“Look. I don’t know what people have been saying about me but everybody helped. I didn’t do it alone. And I definitely cannot shoot lasers from my eyes.”

There was a little chime in her mind. Sierra was back. “Hi ImYan! This is a gentle reminder that the Bionic Eye model X-09 is fully capable of firing both continuous and discontinuous lasers. All you need is the correct Modu -”

Unaware of Sierra, Isabella replied, “Oh, I know some of it is exaggeration but that’s not the point. I was just wondering… i - is your crew hiring?”

“Crew? I hate to break it to you but there isn’t a crew here,” Yan stated.

“Oh, but… I thought there was…”

A rasping voice that Yan had never heard before sliced through the conversation. “Well, that’s disappointing. I thought there was a crew here, too.”

The entire table looked up to see a tall, wiry man walk into the bar. His face was bronzed as if from a lifetime spent working under the sun. A single scar ran down his right cheek and he was dressed in an impeccable black tuxedo and matching fedora.

Even with the distance still between them, Yan could feel this man’s presence.

A hush fell over the bar. The smattering of patrons shrank in on themselves, trying not to be seen. Even the jukebox fell silent.

As the man stepped in, he swept off his hat and deposited it onto an unused stand beside the door. Following in his footsteps were two familiar figures: A scowling woman with a braid of blonde hair and a menacing hulk chiselled from stone.

Beyond the doorway, Yan spied other figures lurking out on the street.

“Awareness +1”

She tensed and she could feel Neon and Luke exchange glances.

Muscles stepped forward and growled, “The Sailor’s Rest. Is now closed. To the public. All customers. Leave. Your bills. Will be. Taken care of.”

Isabella stood. Her hands were balled into fists.

The hulk put out a huge hand and she immediately quailed, sinking back down into her seat. “Not you. Lass. Sir Faust. Would like. A word. With you. And yours.”

The other patrons were only too happy to leave.

As they streamed out, Muscles moved a single stool to an open space at Yan’s table.

Sir Faust walked up slowly, admiring the decor. “Your parents have built a fine establishment here indeed, Isabella. And a fine reputation for themselves too, I must add.”

Isabella shifted nervously in her seat.

“It is always so interesting to see the fruit fall so far from the tree.” Yan noticed that Faust shot a look at Braid as he said that. “To think that you would be trying to run with a crew of misfits. I still remember when you were a wee lass. Ah, how the times have changed.”

Finally, he sat.

Muscles and Braid stood behind him, towering over the gathering. Braid, in particular, was glaring daggers at Isabella. Yan noticed that the wrench Braid had taken to the head did not seem to have left a mark. Which, given the existence of Quick-Heals, was somewhat unsurprising.

There was a tense silence in the air.

“A little bird told me that my men encountered some trouble today while doing their job. Would you happen to know anything about this?” Faust asked.

Braid flung Isabella’s wrench onto the table. It clattered noisily as it landed.

Isabella paled further.

Yan bristled. “Their jobs? Is that what you call extortion and kidnapping?”

“My, my. What accusations. They are mere toll collectors, keen to revitalise Narius Port with the generous assistance of travellers. Unfortunately, it looks like they were assaulted and one of my men was killed. Would you care to explain?”

Internally, Yan winced. She had hoped for Reed to survive Luke’s attack. “Your men attacked me first. We were just defending ourselves.”

“Be that as it may, a death is no small matter. There is recompense to be made.” Faust glanced around the table, letting his words sink in.

Under the table, Yan clenched her hands into fists. She had no blade but if her count was correct, she had enough mana left for five Tier 1 spells.

“However.” Faust’s voice cut through the growing tension like a sharp knife. “I am nothing but fair. I have heard good things about this… non-crew. I may have a job for you all.”

“And why should we work for a mobster?” Yan asked.

“Mobster? How crass. My associates and I, we work for the good of Narius Port. We are the authority that governs, that administrates, that punishes.”

“Yeah, right,” Neon interjected, finally looking up from his burger.

“Oh, and here I was convinced that you were all mute.” Brushing Neon’s comment aside, Faust continued, “But let me put it this way, Yan - or is it Regina? Overlook the employer if it makes you feel better. This job is for the greater good. For the people.”

Yan was taken aback. How did he know who she was?

Almost as if he could read her mind, Faust smiled as he replied, “There are few things within my domain that I am unaware of.”

This was a man to watch.

“Let me sweeten the deal for you. You have lost Prometheus. I can help you take it back - or, I can make sure you never do.”

The thought of working with a mobster left a bitter taste in Yan’s mouth. Still, if he could help her take back Prometheus, she might have to compromise. “How do I know that I can trust you?”

“My dear Yan. My promises are ironclad. If I say that I can, then I can. But if my promises thus far are not enough, then let me make one last promise. Fight or run away and the Sailor’s Rest will feel my wrath. I am a patient man but even I have my limits.”

“Are you threatening me?” Yan asked. Immediately, she knew that she had given away an important piece of information: That she even cared about this place. This place should be none of her concern; however, her bleeding heart told her otherwise.

“No. I’m merely stating the facts,” Faust smiled triumphantly as he spoke.

The fear written on Isabella’s face was the final straw that broke Yan’s resolve. But she could not speak for the rest. They were not a crew.

She looked around the table.

Isabella was practically begging her to accept with her eyes. Neon had gone back to his burger. He did not seem particularly bothered either way. Luke was glaring at Faust but when Yan locked eyes with him, he simply shrugged.

The decision, it seemed rested once again on her shoulders.

“Fine. What do you need us to do?”

“Very good. First, I must know that I can trust you and your abilities. You will run a little errand for me.”

He waved and Braid pulled a tablet out from within her suit jacket. With a glower, she set it on the table.

“This contains the details of your first contract, as well as a way to contact me when you are done. Do not disappoint me, Yan.”

She gritted her teeth.

Faust continued, “But I know you won’t. I have never erred in my judgement and you… you and I have the potential to go a very, very long way together.”

He looked around the table. “Or a very, very short way. It is your choice.”

His point made, Faust got up from his chair and stepped towards the entrance, scooping up his fedora on the way. His two henchmen turned to follow.

Suddenly, the gang leader stopped. Turning around, he said, “Oh, Isabella. Where are my manners?”

A credit chip appeared in his hand and he flicked it to her.

Isabella caught it, fumbled and finally clasped both hands back around it. Looking at the chip in her hands, her eyes widened.

“As recompense for the loss of custom during this meeting. Keep half for your new crew. Consider it a gift.”

Before he finally left, he looked the party up and down, expression unreadable.

“And, please. Get yourself better gear.”