Greed Knows No Limits

[aerelm]

Most of the guns were damaged from the freighter's explosion, and on top of that, they used a totally different wiring system than freelancer's Sabre. But he wasn't giving up. He had risked his life, nearly got his ship blown up twice, and had only gotten a bunch of useless guns. So his plan was to at least get to use some of those guns to make up for the trouble it caused him.

Asking around for someone who could possibly know how to repair the guns, he finally found out about a Gallic Junker on Yanagi who called himself 'Jacques le forgeron'. Deciding to try his luck, the freelancer moved to Sigma-13, hoping to find the Gallic Junker and get him to fix the guns for him. When he finally reached Yanagi, he managed to find that same Junker half-drunk in the bar.

aerelm: Jacques le forgeron?
Jacques: Oui?
aerelm: I was hoping you could help me with something.
Jacques: I can't, so get away.
aerelm: Not really good in keeping business going, are you?
Jacques: I don't need a business running from a random stranger who's probably here looking for some tizonas.
aerelm: Tizonas? Nah, I've got something better!

Then leaning toward the old man and whispering in a low voice that only the Junker could hear, he continued.

aerelm: I have a whole bunch of Gallic weaps with me, and I want you to repair them for me.
Jacques: Holy mother of...! Stop joking with me kid, I'm not in mood for silly jokes.
aerelm: I'm not joking. As a matter of fact, I'm totally serious.
Jacques: And if you really have "a whole bunch of Gallic weaps", what are they?
aerelm: Why don't you come and see for yourself?

Leaving his drink unfinished, Jacques followed aerelm to the hangars, where two workers were already unloading the weapon racks from the freelancer's Sabre. After moving the weapons to Jacques' workshop, he started scanning the guns and said without taking his eyes off the screen.

Jacques: Seems you had a busy day with the Council, son...
aerelm: Sure as hell busy it was!
Jacques: So what do you want me to do with these?
aerelm: Install 'em on my Sabre?
Jacques: Easier said than done. Plus, these guns are mostly scrap.
aerelm: Can't you repair them? Then change the wiring system or something?
Jacques: Hmm... Depends on how heavy your pocket is!
aerelm: Heavy enough to buy at least ten of these workshops.
Jacques: I'll see what I can do then... Give me four days.

Nodding and pointing '4' with his fingers at the Junker, the freelancer walked out of the door and back to the bar.

Four days later, when the freelancer returned to the workshop, the Junker was busy working. So, just like the other time, he started talking to the freelancer without even looking at him.

aerelm: So, any progress monsieur?
Jacques: Oui, Oui. Not as much as you'd like though.
aerelm: Tell me anyways...
Jacques: Well, these were two full sets of Bastard IIs & Falcons - Just so you know the names -...
aerelm: Already knew, so?
Jacques: So... The whole rack of Bastards was fried, cause of an explosion or somesuch.
aerelm: *Mutters 'Explosion or somesuch...'*
Jacques: But! I managed to repair two of the Falcons using parts from the other two.
aerelm: Good, but does that mean they're usable now?
Jacques: Oui!
aerelm: Nice, how much?
Jacques: Well monsieur... What about I ask for less credits, but in return you let me keep these antiques? *Points at the rack of Bastard IIs*
aerelm: That's ok with me. Long as I know you'll be able to repair the Falcons if I'll ever need.
Jacques: Oui, repair won't be a problem. Just come here whenever you get out of a fight and I'll sort out your guns for you.
aerelm: Very well... How much?
Jacques: Ten million plus the rest of the guns.
aerelm: Eh, that's too much but I won't argue. Get 'em installed on my ship and you'll get your cash right after.
Jacques: *Nods*

After paying for the guns when they were finally installed on the ship with a bit of trouble, the freelancer entered his ship and undocked from Yanagi. First thing he did after undocking was to activate the weapons system and fire a few shots at open space. Surprised by the blaze of his new guns, he mumbled 'That old bastard knew his job well it seems!' and activated cruise with a smirk on his face.