"So, it’s decided. We’ll be taking the escort mission to the Phregon System."
After hashing out the details of their upcoming journey, Avery, Kasandra, Kaiden, and Ezra had all agreed on their destination.
A planet in the Phregon System was currently undergoing terraforming, and as such, many rchant vessels were constantly flocking there to deliver goods for the budding world.
In three days, a fleet of cargo ships that were carrying millions of tons of refined tals was heading there from the Yuson System.
With such valuable cargo, the rchants naturally wanted more protection and had sent a high paying request to the rcenary Association for guards ranked three star of higher.
Of all the available jobs currently being offered, this one offered the best money. And the fact that it would bring them a bit closer to the capital system was another bonus. Since Avery needed to make an appearance there in about five months to keep up his end of the deal with Storren Corp.
"To think that they’d pay us collectively two hundred seventy-five thousand a day. For a twenty-two-day trip, that’s quite the chunk of money." Avery said, looking over the already accepted contract one more ti.
Due to him and Ezra being the only four star rcenaries in the system, their group had received a hefty increase in pay.
rchants carrying goods worth hundreds of millions Krenin obviously wanted strong guards, and they were willing to offer a bit extra to get them.
Of course, this ant that they would be expecting them to perform well. Pirates were always looking for big scores, and the resources being brought into systems with a planet undergoing terraforming were always a juicy prospect for them.
"I’m just glad that Kaiden accepted the proposed split. I was worried for a bit that he might throw a fuss since he was getting the lowest cut." Kasandra comnted.
After so deliberation, it had been decided that Avery would be getting one hundred five thousand Krenin per day since he was the leader of their group. Ezra would get ninety-five thousand. And Kaiden would receive seventy-five thousand since he was still a three star rcenary and the lowest ranking mber of their squad.
Kasandra was still receiving her three percent from Avery’s cut, and the two of them had decided that Jasmine would be getting one and a half percent based on the skills she possessed.
While these amounts might not seem like much compared to the overall pay, it was still fair compensation considering Avery was the sole owner of the Dauntless. Also, they would still be making more than most colonists working an average job.
"Speaking of Jasmine, are you sure it was the right move not to introduce her?" Avery asked.
Having been exhausted, she had slept through the eting. Right now, she was still off in dreamland.
"Yeah, it would have only served as a distraction to what our main objective was today. We can just tell the others about her later. It’s not like the addition of crew mbers to your ship is all that big of a deal for them."
Avery nodded in understanding. Unless one of them added a secret mortal enemy of one of theirs to their crew, he doubted any of them would bother caring much. It was ultimately their decision to allow people aboard their own vessels.
"I suppose the real problem then is getting Jasmine registered as a rcenary." Avery said, turning his head and looking in the direction where the latest mber of his crew was resting.
When he had added Kasandra to his crew, it had been a fairly easy process since she was already a rcenary.
However, Jasmine would need to go to a branch and be registered in person. That ant leaving the safety of the ship.
The people that had been following her likely had not given up simply because she found a place of refuge. Once she showed herself again, they would be back on her imdiately.
"We could try going to Yuson Pri."
Kasandra’s suggestion was certainly reasonable, but there was a possibility that whoever was after Jasmine might have agents on Yuson Pri as well. And if they were going to be dealing with her stalkers anyway, Avery would prefer to do so on his ho station where he was more familiar with the surroundings.
Once the two of them had co to a conclusion on what to do about Jasmine’s registration, they went to work taking care of preparations for their coming departure.
They needed to be fully stocked up on food and water. Make sure that the Dauntless’ ammo supply was topped off and have the vessel undergo maintenance. Even a high-quality spacecraft would break down eventually if it was not properly maintained.
"When Jasmine wakes up, we’ll also need to figure out what to do about her personal effects. She ca here with only a small bag and the clothes on her back." Avery said.
Jasmine’s situation remined him a bit of Kasandra’s. Both had ended up on his ship with very little in the way of possessions.
"We should defiantly pay your parents a visit before leaving too. They would probably be heartbroken if their son just up and left without saying goodbye" Kasandra pointed out.
Avery had already been thinking about this himself but had found it difficult to find the ti when so much kept ending up on his plate. First was the competition with Ezra, and now the situation with Jasmine. Unexpected things continued to occur and require his attention.
Nevertheless, he knew he needed to see his parents at least one more ti before leaving.
’They’ve been keeping updated, but I’d like to see dad’s progress recovering, and I need to settle a few things with them as well. Ugh, and I should probably introduce Jasmine to them since she’s going to be joining my crew.’
With his thoughts racing, Avery put together a list of everything he needed to accomplish before leaving Yuson II for the foreseeable future.
Eventually, Jasmine woke up and ca to the cockpit where Avery and Kasandra were busy preparing for their trip.
"I’m sorry that I missed out on the eting. I had ant to get up." Jasmine said apologetically.
"Nah, don’t worry about it. I already said it was fine for you to sleep in. I’m just glad that you were finally able to get so rest."
Avery made sure to assuage her worries and then told her about the decisions they had co to.
"I see." Was Jasmine’s only response.
There was a clear tension in her expression. Clearly, she did not want to leave the Dauntless for fear of the people that had been following her.
"I understand your hesitancy, but there’s no real reason to worry. Avery and I will be with you the entire ti. And our captain’s quite adept at helping out damsels in distress." Kasandra said while glancing over at Avery with a wry smile.
Jasmine chuckled a bit at this, and her deanor visibly relaxed.
After that, the three of them got their things together and headed out. Their first stop was the rcenary association, and following that, they would head to Jasmine’s apartnt to pick up so of her things.
"Are they still nearby?" Avery whispered to Kasandra once they stepped out into the hangar.
"Not from what I can tell. They’d seem suspicious if they waited around out in the open for a prolonged amount of ti. If I were them, I’d set up watch from sowhere outside the hangar, or if possible, get my own ship in here and keep an eye out from there."
Avery was in agreent with Kasandra. He could not be certain, but he was fairly sure that they were not being watched right now. Probably whoever had been stalking Jasmine had been forced to wait outside of the hangar.
’I’d bet that they’re also keeping a lookout for in case we leave. All they’d need to do is post a single ship outside the station and monitor outgoing traffic.’ Avery though, considering what their adversaries would be doing.
Nevertheless, there was hardly much need to be concerned. So long as they stayed within safer areas within the colony, the people after Jasmine would be unable to make a move. And once they left the station and joined the rchants they would be escorting, it would require a military fleet to take them down. Sothing he highly doubted would happen.
Without incident, the three of them made it to the rcenary Association branch.
Heads turned toward their group, and so of the n glared at Avery with jealousy. He did have two attractive won standing on either side of him after all.
"Oh my, aren’t you popular." The sa receptionist Avery had worked with ti and ti again said when he saw Kasandra and Jasmine next to him.
"It’s not like that. I’m just here so that she can register as a rcenary and join my crew." Avery said with a sigh and motioning towards Jasmine.
"Sure, sure. I believe you"
The clearly sarcastic tone of the receptionist’s answer wore on Avery’s nerves, but he simply ignored it. Trying to argue any further would only make things more aggravating.
Fortunately, it was easy enough to get Kasandra registered as a new zero star rcenary and mber of Avery’s crew.
"Okay, everything is squared away, and your account is set up to receive automatic paynts. Enjoy your new life as a rcenary, and make sure to get along with your senior." The receptionist said, glancing towards Kasandra.
With Jasmine now an official mber of Avery’s crew, the three of them exited the building and made their way towards her apartnt to collect her things. And if the people stalking her made a move, they were ready to deal with them.
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