An Opportunity

[Nametaken]

The elevator came to stop with a heavy thud. "Junkers. They can make machines from anything, but it doesn't mean said machines will function." The doors slid open and clanged as they came to the end of their runners. Brokenclaw stepped out into a surprisingly well lit hallway. The lighting was the only positive thing he noted about it. Machine parts, crates, barrels and pools on miscellaneous liquids of varying colours decorated the extensive corridor. "And I thought Freeports were ill kept."

"Barret! I come all this way and you don't even have the decency to be here." Brokenclaw yelled down the hall. The sound of struggling seemed to creep out from behind a particularly large hunk of metal. Eventually the piece tumbled over with a clang that resonated throughout the halls. It turns out that the debris was covering a doorway. "Lazy sons a always leaving their crap in my way." said a man who was slouched in the doorway. The man was wearing what may have once been a white suit; it was now covered with stains and other blemishes. "Are you Barret?" The man stood up and extended a possibly clean hand. "That's me alright. You can call me the best damn pilot the Junkers have got if you'd like, but Barret's fine too." Brokenclaw took his hand and shook it firmly. "I understand you have something for me."
"Oh you bet. I've got just what you're looking for."
"Would you be willing to show me what that is?"
"Oh of course, right this way."

Barret lead Brokenclaw through the doorway into a rather narrow corridor. "You think things could get any tighter?"
"Interior design isn't really a Junker strong point my friend."
Brokenclaw ran his hand along the wall panels and found one that was not completely secure. He gave it a gentle push and it slid off.
"You got that right."
Eventually they came to a what appeared to be a store room. It was a spacious room that contained the best bits of the Junker's salvage. "I'll just grab your merchandise; don't touch anything." Brokenclaw observed the room. The back wall was lined with computers and other electronic devices, the left wall with weapons and the wall to the right with miscellaneous treasures.

Barret retrieved a small silver case. "Here it is." Brokenclaw rubbed his hands together, it was the moment he had been waiting for. Barret popped open the case and removed a small, blue sphere. He held it up with pride. "One nomad thingy ma whatsit." Brokenclaw held his hand out to take it, but Barret drew the artifact closer to himself. "Not so fast, I want to see my payment."
"But of course." Brokenclaw pulled out a small black datapad from his coat. "A database of every Junker known to the LPI, BPA, RFP and KSP."
"Uh huh, and the codes?"
"And of course the master code to KNF depots."
"Ah excellent."
"The KNF aren't stupid, that code will only be in use for another week. After that, it's useless."
"Gotcha. I'm sure we'll be able to do something in that time."
"Now my artifact please?"
Barret held out the artifact once more. Brokenclaw placed his hand upon it. For a moment both of them held the artifact. Barret hesitated for a moment before letting go. He knew the artifact could bring harm to many in the hands of Brokenclaw, yet he gave it to him anyway.
"I believe that concludes our business."
"I believe it does."

---