The ship was violently rocked by the ensuing explosion. The crew was flung across the bridge only because they were wearing five-point harnesses. The force of the impact was close to a kiloton. Although Nayla Zantara confirmed that all critical systems were still operational, she reported that the front left wing's armor integrity had dropped to 73%. As their adversary drifted dead, neatly sliced down the middle by the quantum missile blast's sheer destructive power, Nora Rahmyn watched on the sensor display. No life signs were found by infrared scans; if the crew had not been killed by the initial blast, they had undoubtedly been killed by the subsequent explosive decompression.
It was a little rougher than usual when Kieran Ravy brought the slightly shook crew in for docking. The previous firefight was not mentioned by the Tyran port authority.
Unfazed by the encounter, Luna Trevyn said that the people of the station would now respect them much more, having seen that they could defend themselves. She suggested that everyone arm themselves thoroughly before disembarking, leaving only their most powerful weapons, such as Kieran Ravy's shotgun and her M-16, on board Kyara.
They found the area Luna Trevyn's contact frequented after a long search of the station's filthy hallways and cautious questions of a few infrequent but generally amiable locals. She reminded them that her contact, Derev, would only deal directly with them if he felt threatened. They found that instead of having a physical store or booth, he just waited for clients on a specified street corner. While her companions formed a loose semicircle around them, ostensibly browsing nearby stalls but actually keeping watch for potential threats, Luna Trevyn walked straight up to him. Five feet away, Nayla Zantara's improved hearing made it easy to hear their conversation over the noise of the crowd.
"I'm telling you, Luna Trevyn," Derev growled uneasily, "I'll have a lot of issues if people see us together. Let's move quickly."
When Luna Trevyn said, "I need a standard issue Core Army infantry pulse laser," she was abrupt. "Do you have one?"
Derev looked around surreptitiously before answering. "No. Have none. You should probably leave right away. He turned away.
His upper arm was grabbed by Luna Trevyn's outstretched hand, which spun him back around. "You would offer to get me one in a few weeks if you really didn't have one," she said in a voice that was dangerously low. Derev, I recognize you. You're not the type to turn down a contract this lucrative. Have you got one?
Her eyes seemed to make the man shrink. "Yes! Yes, all right. However, it won't be inexpensive if you want it.
"Oh, I think it will," snapped Luna Trevyn back. "How much?"
There are 45 trivenium bars. Not any less. The most widely used currency in the galaxy, Trivenium, was made up of metal ingots that were standardized into coins, strips, bars, and blocks. Fifty units of one denomination were equivalent to one of the next largest (for example, 50 coins were equal to one strip).
"Thirty," said Luna Trevyn.
"Forty. The last offer. At what time can I pick it up?
"Storage Area 14, 1000 hours tomorrow." Shaking his offered hand as though it were a dead fish, Luna Trevyn sealed the deal.
"There are a few other items!" From the edge, Nora Rahmyn yelled. "In addition, my friends and I need one OICW, two silenced 12-millimeter Uzi submachine guns with 200 rounds each, and a 40-millimeter grenade launcher with a five-shot clip and 100 rounds. Are you able to supply those? These extra weapons were to be purchased with personal funds by Kieran Ravy, Nora Rahmyn, and Yan Zantara for their own arsenals.
Derev said, "No problem," in a tone that changed suddenly and sounded almost like that of a regular convenience store employee. "The lot will consist of one block. The entire cost is forty bars, or one block.
Derev was formally introduced to her companions by Luna Trevyn. He cautiously shook each of their hands, obviously careful not to squeeze too hard, acutely aware that they were all much taller than him. However, he looked her up and down with an appraising expression when he took her hand, which caused Nayla Zantara to bridle.
"Is she yours?" Derev nodded to Nayla Zantara and asked Yan Zantara. "I'll give you two blocks for her!" Luna Trevyn had forgotten to mention in her pre-mission briefing that women were frequently treated like commodities due to their scarcity on Tyran.
"Three, no less," Yan Zantara shot back without considering.
Nayla Zantara kicked her brother hard in the face with a roundhouse kick before anyone could react any further. After that, she bounded into action, throwing a smooth series of punches, flips, kicks, and leaps that ended with a knockout blow to Derev. Derev was already crumpled on the dirty floor, bleeding and obviously hurt when Kieran Ravy and Nora Rahmyn hurried forward to restrain her. He had at least one broken rib, as evidenced by his painful, shallow breathing. As Derev stumbled to his feet, Nayla Zantara kept hissing and symbolically clawing at the air. Her eyes were still enraged, but she seemed to relax a little when she saw how badly hurt he was. Right in front of him, she spat on the ground.
She yelled, "I. Am. Mine!" in a voice that could have broken glass. Then, without turning around, she strode into the crowded area. Unwilling to take the chance of being separated in such a volatile situation, the others soon followed.
The following day, the required money was placed in a bulletproof briefcase that was handcuffed to Kieran Ravy's wrist. The money was taken from a government-provided reserve for the pulse laser and from the personal accounts of Kieran Ravy, Yan Zantara, and Nora Rahmyn for the additional weapons. With each member fully armed, the group moved through the streets of the station under strict guard. No one dared to approach, but a number of onlookers eyed the briefcase with unmasked hunger.
With a big crate on a repulsor cart behind him, Derev was waiting for them in the assigned empty cargo area. His torso was heavily wrapped in bandages. Before releasing the cuff from Kieran Ravy's wrist and fastening it to Derev's, Luna Trevyn gave him the key to complete the transaction after letting him confirm the payment inside the case. Derev moved aside to let Yan Zantara and Kieran Ravy hoist the bulky crate off its cart and place it on their shoulders. Luna Trevyn approached Derev, gave him a firm handshake, and gave him one last reminder.
"Remember, I was never here."
"Who are you again?" Derev answered right away. Luna Trevyn grinned to herself. He may be completely disagreeable, but at least he knew what discretion was.
The group returned to Kyara without any problems. The size of one's weapons frequently determined one's social standing in a lawless place like Tyran, and bladed weapons were especially significant. Now that their new arsenal had been added to their current equipment, the companions were perhaps the best armed people on the station. Everyone eager to get out of the seedy station, Kyara left as soon as Kieran Ravy finished pre-flight checks.
Kieran Ravy, Yan Zantara, and Nora Rahmyn started integrating their new acquisitions on board the ship right away, which led to a friendly arms race among the team members. Without a doubt, Yan Zantara had the advantage in terms of raw firepower thanks to his new OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon). This modular system combined a 30-round 5.56-millimeter submachine gun component with a five-shot 20-millimeter grenade launcher that could fire HEAT rounds. His offensive capabilities were enormous when combined with his already-existing broadsword, pistols, and flamethrower.
As per the Fire Element's tenets, Kieran Ravy closely trailed Yan Zantara in terms of power but continued to dominate in defensive strength. His upgraded shotgun's six-shot magazine was cleverly connected to the pump-action cocking mechanism, and his new 40-millimeter grenade launcher was skillfully bolted beneath the barrel. He was extremely effective in combat when his pistol and bladestaff were taken into account.
Nora Rahmyn, who now carries two silenced, laser-sighted 12-millimeter Uzis in addition to her high-capacity pistols and katana, was ranked third in terms of sheer ballistic output.
With the addition of these new weapons, the team's combat specializations became more pronounced, reflecting their affinities with the Elementals: Luna Trevyn had unmatched endurance (Death); Nora Rahmyn had the best overall balance (Water); Kieran Ravy dominated defense (Fire); Yan Zantara ruled offensive power (Earth); and Nayla Zantara led in stealth and speed (Air).
Over the next few days, as each warrior became proficient with their new weapons, the ship's firing range simulation was heavily used. Nora Rahmyn rapidly attained an impressive level of proficiency, firing both Uzis with accuracy at the same time. After adjusting to the much higher recoil of his shotgun/grenade launcher combination, Kieran Ravy found he could successfully fire both weapons simultaneously. Yan Zantara loved the OICW from the first shot, having coveted one since he first saw its design specifications. However, he took some time to become acquainted with its intricate array of dials and switches.
The purchased infantry pulse laser was wrapped with care and sent to a designated military pickup point on the Rim via an armored, encrypted message pod. Having achieved their main goal, Kyara turned and sped up to full speed, moving in the direction of the hidden manufacturing facility's coordinates.