literature

Arkangel: Always a Deal

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“Mister Anderson, status report.”  First Officer Eric Anderson no longer was the first officer on an Imperial Battleship, and status report had come to mean something far different for him the 20 years since the ship he was standing in had moved. Nonetheless, he still found the order familiar and the man who had spoken it was well aware of that.  It was why he had said it. As Anderson walked into the room his saw the speaker.
 
The rogue trader Marcus Walsh was standing in front of the great glass window looking out over the planet.  He was dressed in his normal attire, the blue dress uniform of an Imperial Navy captain though he had long since left that rank behind.  In his hand was a glass of colored liquid and as the first officer approached him he took another swig of his drink.
 
It was from his own distillery a few dozen decks below him and Marcus thought he could tell which vat from the taste. He took another sip and thought it over. Number 14 perhaps?  Anderson stood next to him, a list in hand.
 
“My Lord, as of yesterday all outposts have reported in, all men accounted for.  The same for the motor pool and the local garrison accepting those on loan to the Dominion.”  He paused and consulted a list.  “In the last month we have lost some 200 slaves, mostly due to infighting, and acquired 140 more.  I expect no appreciable change in productivity.”  Marcus frowned at that but continued looking out the window.  

“None at all? Sixty is a fair number.”  He scratched his white bearded chin.  “See to it that there are fewer deaths next month.  Tell Goreag that if he cannot control his people I will do so personally.”  He paused and took a drink.   “We’ll have to contact Gertung in Watchtower in the meantime.  His debts to me continue to add up so he will pay in laborers.”  The first officer looked back at his list.  

“Sir, If I may I have some news of the west.”  Marcus looked over at his aide and raised an eyebrow.  After a moment he nodded and motioned him over to a nearby table and chairs.    
“Go on.” They sat down and Anderson consulted his notes.  

“Rak Johsen, a bartender on the 12 level overheard a conversation from a traveler from Viek Kingdom.  The man claimed that their army is on the march east.”  Marcus frowned.  

“Including their knights?”  Anderson nodded.  “Then their serious.  Gertung will not live to pay his debts to me.”  He took another drink, 9 maybe?  “See to it that Johsen receives a bonus.  What news of the other players?”  Eric consulted his list again.
 
“The Dominion and the Alutians may be at it again soon, the word downstairs has it that they are both patrolling in the wastes between them, but nothing major has happened yet.”  He flipped a page.  

“One of our outposts reports the discovery of an undamaged tunnel entrance near the Lirean Mountains, possibly connected to those used by the Northern warband.”  Another page.  

“More ‘Seekers’ have been showing up in the bars.  Perhaps there is more going on at the Foundry then we thought.”  He flipped a page.
 
“Nothing substantial from the northern continent, but the ice connecting the Psyker’s kingdom to the north is breaking up.  Whether that pushes the chaos warband towards us or not is to be seen.  For sure though, Ilta will have resources to spare without that direct threat.”  Anderson looked up from his notes to indicate that he was done.  Marcus said nothing for a moment then set down his drink.  He extended a hand forward and Anderson handed him the notes.  The rogue trader looked them over before spreading them out on the table between them.  

“Somewhere in here is a deal, waiting to be made.”
Trying to give a better feel for my Rogue Trader and the way he does work. Remember everyone, a rogue trader is always open to a good deal...
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sciencevsart's avatar
That was beautiful.

You and I will have many deals to make, comrade.