" For someone I've seen nude more times than clothed, I don't know much about you." I say in between bites of my greasy burger.
An excellent nutritious breakfast.
" For one, why are you in Naze's harem for one. Maybe it's just me but you don't seem as infatuated with him like most of the others here."
"Infatuated?" she echoed, amusement lacing her voice as the bitch stole my fries. I shouldn't have taken the memes for simple jokes. Keep your fries safe boys. "Sweetheart, I like the guy well enough; he's fair, treats us good, and he's got charisma for days but I ain't one of those girls who dreams about being his number one."
She paused to take a few gulps from the champagne bottle."Truth is, I grew up on Mars eating scraps and running scams just to stay alive. Cassady was my ticket out of that. She vouched for me, got me a spot here, and in return, I play along. Simple as that."
I nodded. Made sense. If I were a girl, I would have done the same. They live good lives here. Most have their own rooms, get paid well and if they want, they can have fun with other guys.
"Besides, being part of the Turbines has perks. Steady food, a warm bed, and plenty of…entertainment." She winked at me at that last statement.
Did she just read my mind?
"So, tell me, Mr. Co-Leader of Tekkadan, what's your deal?"
" Nothing much to say. I'm a martian street rat too, with ambition. Worked in a gang with those idiots you normally see me come with from time to time. Didn't see much of a future there so I joined a paramilitary company. Worked my way up the ranks and when we got the chance, had a coup."
Stopping to take the last bite of the burger, I wiped my face and took a sip of the water I opted to have instead. Gotta keep healthy after all." Though as you could guess, people don't wanna work with rebellious children so this is the only mission we got worth a shit. "
Harley let out a low whistle. " Now look at you. Got a deal with Naze, got a fancy title, and now you're rubbing elbows with all the right people. And here I thought you were just a talented lay with a pretty face.Turns out you've got a brain in that head too."
I snorted, earning a few chuckles from the half-naked girl.
She had finished her own burger and had brazenly just taken my fries. "So, what's next? You looking to climb even higher, or are you just enjoying the ride?"
" What is this, twenty questions?"
Still, I thought about my answer but I decided that I had done enough talking. "How bout you tell me what's next. Gonna stay here forever or something?"
Harley huffed a laugh, taking a moment to think on her answer. "Forever's a long time, sweetheart. Don't know if I'm built for that."
She looked to the side then glanced at me in the corner of her eye, lips curling in a small smirk. "But I don't have a possible grand plan like you. I go where the fun is, where the credits flow, and where I don't wake up starving in some gutter."
Her fingers tapped absently against the table. "Naze and the girls? They're a good gig. I get food, a bed, and all the action I want, in and out of a fight. But I ain't tied down." She turned her head fully, eyes sharp despite the lazy grin. "If something better comes along… well, I'd be an idiot not to take it, wouldn't I?"
She punctuated her statement with her foot sliding up my leg, reinvigorating something inside me. This was clear bait if I've ever heard and felt one. Now, maybe I'm just looking too far into it, but I had a feeling this girl was more cunning than I originally gave her credit for.
If this was her plan all along, it was working.
" Now this just may be my lower brain talking but if you want, you could join Tekkaden. You don't have to decide now, especially since the Turbines are escorting us to earth but if you ever want a change, it's an option."
She hummed. "I'll think about it. Not saying yes, not saying no. Just… keeping my options open."
Her eyes gleamed with something playful yet calculating. "But if I do join, you better be ready. 'Cause I don't do boring, and I sure as hell don't do orders unless they come with a damn good reason."
I think I made a mistake.
" Who's joining what?" Cassady asked, exiting the bathroom in her birthday suit while drying her hair. That was when a few bangs resounded, coming from the door, causing everyone to jump.
" Harley, you better have a good Fuckin reason why you didn't show up for your punishment!"
Ooo, wonder what she did?
" Shit, not her." Cassady said, running into the bathroom to hide.
Well, this was an excellent way to start a morning. "Ugh… that woman needs to get laid," she mumbled before sighing dramatically.
Stretching lazily, she slowly made her way to the door, completely unbothered by her lack of clothing. Cracking it open just enough to peek out, she leaned against the frame with a slow, lazy grin. "Martha, babe, I was very busy yesterday. And trust me, it was important work."
The older woman at the door's face twisted in irritation. "I don't care what nonsense you were up to! Get your ass down to the hangar before I drag you there myself!"
Harley sighed dramatically, glancing back at me over her shoulder. "Guess duty calls, huh? Think you can handle being without me for a few hours?" she teased, before winking at me and shutting the door to get dressed, though not before making sure Martha got a good look at just who she had in her bed.
I could only wave in slight amusement at the annoyed woman.
I felt like I needed to be mad at that but I felt more amusement than anything. Well, today was the day we needed to continue our journey anyway so I guess things worked out.
Standing, I walked up to the sexy girl and gave her a proper morning kiss. " I need to prepare for our departure today anyway. Join me in the shower will you?"
Harley smirked against my lips, looping her arms around my neck as she pulled me closer. "Mmm, tempting..." she purred, nipping at my lower lip before pulling away. "But if I do, we both know we're not actually gonna get clean, and I really don't feel like dealing with Martha's nagging for another hour."
She ran a hand down my chest before giving me a light shove toward the bathroom. "You go ahead. I'll join you next time... when we don't have a ticking time bomb outside my door. Oh, and tell the coward the prison warden is gone."
Turning on her heel, she sauntered back toward the bed to start getting dressed.
Damn, is this what they call pussy whipped? Sighing, I got my business in the bathroom done, Cassady having exited when I told her the news and eventually needed to leave. On my way out, guess who I ran into. " You fucker, where have you been for the past day?"
Andre gave me a cheeky smile, rubbing the back of his head with a dreamy look on his dumb face telling me all I needed to know. " Go on. Who's the victim of your puppy love today."
" Remember that girl we first met in the four, the purple haired girl that looks like Azusa. She's perfect. Her name is Misami and-"
Oh god.
"Before you tell me about her, do you know where the others are?"
" Last I remembered, Robby is in his room recwasering from his wounds and David is some,where on thwasship too. The two of u,s came together before we split up."
" Oh, well he knows how to get back then."
With the report over, Andre began blabbing on about how many interests he and his new love shared, how she was a, I don't really give a damn, maybe a medic or comms woman, I couldn't be bothered at the moment.
Then he began mentioning our lack of a medic so it was meant to be and some other bullshit. Andre liked to act like a ladies man which he lady'st he, was also a s,ucker for love when he would eventually fall.
Exiting the transport ship, still ignoring the blabbermouth, I was called by stinky Pete, saving me from this hell. " Pete my boy, what's up?"
" Darius, I think we've helped you quite a bit don't you think? Five contracts now last time I checked. This however has taken away from my operations and I haven't received anything in return. "
He didn't have to say any more. I could guess the reason for the call. " Alright. You can begin calling on Cody however, I want you to know this here and now. They aren't your meat bags to be thrown around. Until I return or say so, they shall only be used in supportive roles on smaller operations. Anything bigger needs my express approval. "
There was a pause on the line then a huff. "Yeah yeah, relax. I'll treat them like my very own."
With that he dropped like the rude bastard he was. I sent a message to Cody stating how he's allowed to help Pete but he needed to inform me of every mission asked of him and the rest as well as the restriction.
" Oooo, I wonder if tOhs an Orga approved deal?"Orga-approvedlittle. I entirely forgot that I was travelling with someone."Shut it. This is a necessity and he doesn't need to know what doesn't hurt him."
Andre hummed, making me turn around and point my tablet at him with a 'don't you dare look' look on my face. He simply raised his hasurrender. Entering the command room, we entered into an interesting conversation.
" Who cares about family messages, I'd rather get one from a woman. Oh, I miss you Eugene, when will you come back to me."
You could guess who said that.
" Well, you have fun with your dream girl. I'll settle for boobs I can actually get my hands on." Norba, the second guy in this peak male conversation stated.
" You're so dumb. Those are nothing but skin bags. Don't you know that love and kindness are what's important. "
" Oh, I had no idea. That's a lot coming from someone who just got his cherry popped. "
Andre nodded, wrapping an arm around Eugene." No, no, Eugene knows what he's talking about. "
I did the same with Norba. " As the most experienced guy around, I stand with Norba. You guys are just hopeless romantics. You need to be real."
I turned to Orga who had been playing his best Drax impression with a knowing smirk on. "How about you, oh fearless leader. What does your experience with women say?"
Orga, clearly trying to act cool, tilted his head up and looked to the side. "My experience? I don't waste time talking about it like you guys do."
Norba snorted. "Yeah, 'cause there's nothin' to talk about!"
Eugene let out a loud laugh, while Andre whistled like he'd just witnessed a brutal takedown.
I rubbed my chin, a toothy grin on."If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're dodging the question."
Orga just rolled his eyes. "I've got bigger things to focus on than chasing skirts."
I shook my head like a disappointed dad, walking up to Orga and clasped his shoulders. "Well, don't worry, fearless leader. We'll make sure you don't die a lonely old man. I ain't no Naze but I might have a few tips and tricks that can help you."
Norba laughed. "Yeah, yeah, we'll find you a real nice lady, one that won't be scared off by that scary glare of yours."
Orga rolled his eyes. "We're done with this conversation."
*******
Merribit Barriston.
Besides being an excellent teasing spot for Orga was a boon. I normally handled all the banking and finances of Tekkaden with the help of Richy and occasionally Biscuit which gave me a lot of freedom and power to do as I wished, not that I've abused it…yet.
That unfortunately meant alot of my time was spent taking care of said finances. Even with all this, I still liked to keep it all to myself but that's not how one rules. You needed to give work that could be done better to the betters even if some of my freedom is taken.
My highschool knowledge with a few courses from my previous life as well as on the job learning both in the gang and under Dexter wasn't exactly sensational. Which is why said woman was in my newly acquired office I had on the ship sitting across from me, straight after a whole meeting about her being a representative for the Turbines and our route to Earth.
After some thought, I decided being direct with her made the most sense.
" Now, I wasn't trained at some fancy school of accounting so things may be run a bit inefficiently but I try and it's been working so far."I took out the tablet I used for the finances and was about to hand it to her before pausing, my smile dropping for a more serious look.
" Now, I have my misgivings and I'm sure you shall too, working for kids and all but I'm sure we'll have a cordial relationship. I am not an idiot to ignore even with your expertise. Please run any changes by me first as well as any problems you find. That's a non-negotiable."
"Of course," she said simply.
We had a little stare down before I nodded and handed it over. So long as it was clear and she listened, then we wouldn't have problems.
I watched as her fingers glided over the tablet as she skimmed through the reports, receipts, and budgets. She glanced up at me. "You're self-taught?"
I allowed a proud smirk form. "More or less."
"Then I'll give credit where it's due. You're handling it better than I expected."
My proud smirk widened. "I do try."
"But," she continued, tapping on the tablet, "I can already see some areas where you're losing money unnecessarily. Small things that add up and somethings here are done a bit…messily. I recognise the methods you're using and its a bit outdated."
"That's why you're here, isn't it?"
She nodded, going over it all. She sighed, rolling her shoulders. " I'll run my assessments and bring the results to you. We'll see what adjustments can be made."
Nodding, I decided to leave all of that to her. I planned to learn from her along with Richy so I could have trusted hands on it but right now, there were more important things to focus on.
After all, unless things changed, I now have pirates to deal with.
*****
With a bit more time on my hands, I decided to patrol the ship. Good to see everyone and ensure they see you too.
Passing a hallway, I paused when I spotted the princess of mars and the reason for our journey staring out one of the observation windows.
"You're awfully quiet," I remarked, coming to stand beside her.
She exhaled softly, watching the stars. "Just thinking."
I scoffed. "I'd be more worried if you weren't."
She finally turned to look at me. "Do you think I made the right choice?"
I assumed she was speaking about the Mic-offer she accepted. I didn't answer right away. Instead, I studied her, trying to sense what she might wanna hear.
I finally sent her a smile, deciding to go with what all wise men do. Be vague and state the obvious. "I think you made a choice. Whether it's the right one? That depends on what happens next I guess."
Kudelia let out a small, breathy laugh. "That's a very Darius-like answer."
That is because I am a wise old master, my child. " You are literally talking to said guy."
She smiled, turning to face the observation window." I guess I am."
I turned to, stroking the small stubble growing on my chin.
Master Oogway and Uncle Iroh would be proud.