"It ain't much, but it's honest work" aka "The freelancer's woes"

[Demonic]

Finnean MacRory
Planet Manhattan
10/08/830

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It is interesting how a random encounter can shift someone’s perspective. At the beginning of his artefact smuggling run to New York, Finn was convinced flying his Serenity full of highly illegal cargo through Liberty Space was the most nerve wracking experience one could ever had, maybe with the exception of an actual fight for one's own life. The brief encounter with what he believed were nomads completely changed that.

Nothing could compare to that nerve wracking flight. Sure, he was a bit anxious, especially the last stretch through New York was really uncomfortable, but with a bit of luck and using an unusual route he managed to pull it off. Now, the containers with relics waited in a storage depot his ‘customers’ arranged.

“Mister MacRory!” a familiar female voice greeted him. “You are full of surprises, mister. We were fully expecting you’d try to hide in some deep corners of sirius. In fact, we were betting on where exactly you’ll try to hide.”

Finnean turned towards the voice. Its owner wasn’t hiding behind an intercom anymore, though the woman still covered her face with some holo mask. Finn shrugged. “What can I say? I like civilization. I did actually consider running, but I figured you probably already knew all the good hiding spots anyway.”

The woman laughed. “We sure do mister, we sure do. Still, we’re impressed. Not everyone has the courage to work with corsairs. They’re a dangerous bunch.”

“Well yes, they are,” Fin countered, “but unlike certain someones, they were not actively threatening me. It was just a matter of trust. But enough smalltalk. I did what you asked. You have your relics, I hope that means our business is finished.”

“Well, mister MacRory, that’s up to you.” she said in a seductive tone. “We can certainly use a skilled smuggler like you. And we can pay a lot of credits for the relics… or provide other… compensation if that’s what you want. ”

The question lingered in silence for a moment. Then Finn sneered.

“No, thanks,” he replied dryly. “I still feel the treatment you gave me when we first met. Your offer might be… tempting, but I have standards. Working with someone who tortures you for something someone else doesn’t meet them.”

The woman gave him a long silent look, probably considering if she should push him harder. When she finally spoke, the sultry undertone in her voice was gone, replaced by a cold steel.

“As you wish, MacRory, as you wish. But you’re letting go of a once in a lifetime opportunity. We do not offer second chances. Our offer stands until you leave New York. I hope you’ll reconsider.” Then, without any more words, she turned around and left the warehouse.

Finn’s eyes followed her out. ‘Yeah,’ he thought. ‘Sooner the hell freezes over then I’ll reconsider.’