Li hesitates a little, straightening her posture as if challenging the assumption, but then her gaze falls away from Jason and she offers a few small, rapid nods.
#RedrockAgency – November 16, 2022
Lucy swallows hard, a complicated mix of emotions warring in her hazel eyes, which remain locked on Ilyna while she shakes her hand. "You too, Ms. T'Rea." she says quietly, forcing a polite smile into place. She takes a seat next to Senya on Jason's side, while Pivin and Elena sit on Ilyna's side, the salarian the closer of the two.
Ilyna returns a brief smile before Lucy lets go, and returns to her seat with a small nod of greeting to Pivin. She glances towards the doorway for Jason to momentarily distract herself from the mutual discomfort with the Jack's crew.
Jason lets out a deep breath and offers a few small nods of understanding. "Yeah..." he offers softly, "I get that. It was a pretty scary situation..." His gaze briefly settles on the open conference room door before turning back to Li. "...I think you should know that the Co-... the monsters..." he corrects, using the shared title they've settled on for the Collectors, "...hurt them, too. They tricked Lucy and her friends into
thinking they were helping you. When they figured out the truth they-..." a small sigh slips out as he recalls his many conversations with Lucy, his voice growing a little quieter, "...well, they felt real bad about it. That's why they tried so hard to help us bring you back home. Even let us use their ship." He does his best to choose his words carefully, stopping short of going into the sort of losses the crew of the Jack
incurred in their effort to assist in the rescue. Conversing with a 7 year old isn't exactly his area of expertise, but he's getting better at it. And it's a skill he's going to have to hone, after all. Thankfully he's got about 7 years to do so.
Li doesn't look up, the silence that permeated the aftermath of her abduction returning as she hugs the toy gun in her arms loosely to her chest. Her only ackowledgement of Jason's words is another nod.
Vasquez ' gaze lingers on the door for a moment longer, slightly puzzled, before retaking her seat and letting her gaze wander across the attending members of the Jack's crew.
Pivin offers a polite smile of his own to Ilyna. While tinged with a bit of awkwardness it comes easier than Lucy's.
Senya 's good eye scans across both Vasquez and Ilyna in an assessing manner, organic and synthetic hands interlocked on the table.
Elena has planted an elbow on the table, a mechanical fingertip scratching behind her ear as she waits with poorly concealed restlessness.
Vasquez casts one more glance towards the doorway before sighing. "I'm... not sure where my husband disappeared to, but let's get started. We've looked over your amendments to our offer, and the concerns you've raised..."
Ilyna turns her attention back to Vasquez when she begins to speak, though the curiosity as to why Jason hasn't returned remains in the back of her mind.
Jason's frown finally surfaces, manifesting across his face. He had hoped to provide a bit of comfort. To show Li that she doesn't need to fear Lucy and her crew. Not conjure up memories of everything that she's been through. "You trust me, right small fry?" he asks.
Li 's gaze darts up to meet Jason's for a brief moment. She shifts, and then she looks up again, this time followed by a couple of firm nods.
Vasquez ' gaze drifts to Lucy. "I want to reassure you that we have no expectation that the Jack of Diamonds or her crew participate in any combat operations or other work that exceed the level of hazard you're used to encountering. For all intents and purposes, very little would change for you, aside from having a steadier stream of work, and occasionally being asked to transport Redrock personnel and equipment should the need
arise. We have no interest in putting your crew in danger. In fact, we hope to make your work safer by posting a Redrock security detail onboard your ship."
Ilyna gives a nod at the last statement but has nothing to contribute, and she turns her attention towards the crew once Vasquez is done speaking. She does worry about involving them in Redrock's operations, but the risks should hopefully be lesser now that off-world missions won't involve the collectors and their nightmarish creations that have followed them onto the ship home in the past.
Jason allows a heavy smile to cut through his frown, if only briefly. "Then I hope you know that I'd never do anything that might put you in danger. Neither would Linda. And I'm sure you don't need any convincing when it comes to Ilyna." he snickers. "My gut is telling me that Lucy and her crew are good people. They just want to help people, same as us. But right now?" he draws in a breath, casting another quick glance back
towards the conference room, practically feeling Linda's side-eye for his absense through the wall as the sound of muffled voices escape the room. "They need our help." He lets that sink in for a moment, studying the young girl. "That's why they're here." he explains. "We're hoping that we can all work together. Put everything that happened behind us and help each other. But you're a part of this team, too." he assures,
propping his smile back up as he gives her shoulder a playful little jostle. "And that's why if you tell me you're not okay with them being here? I'll march in there right now and tell them that the deal is off. End of story." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "But-... I really do believe that we're all on the same team. So?" he gives another jostle. "Whaddya think?" he asks, as if this is a decision they're making
Li hangs onto every word spoken by Jason, listening closely. His question makes her eyebrows furrow, but she doesn't have to think long. Her back straightens, standing as tall as she's able as she nods with great determination. "Yes." she says firmly.
Lucy remains silent as she listens, eyebrows furrowed deeply, but the final comment makes her straighten up in her chair and open her mouth to protest.
Vasquez pre-empts Lucy's interjection with a slight raise of her hand. "You'd have final say in any personnel assignments to the Jack of Diamonds, and my people would be under your command while onboard. I understand the importance of crew cohesion on a ship, and I have no intention of undermining your authority as captain."
Lucy settles back into her seat, eyebrows furrowing as she chews on Vasquez' words, after a glance towards Elena she nods. "I reckon we can accept that."
Ilyna keeps her eyes between Lucy and Elena, a small smile showing up as the captain seems to be on board with the proposal. Her attention very briefly goes to the doorway as Jason's absence grows longer.
Jason's smile spills over, lopsided grin plastered across his face as he gives an equally firm nod to match Li's. "Well, it's settled then." he agrees, letting out a deep breath as a weight lifts from his shoulders. Both for Li's sake and for his own. He isn't exactly prepared to explain to his wife why a 7 year old is making financial decisions for their company, so crisis averted. "Alright, I've held up your patrol for long
enough and I should probably get back in there-..." he explains, indicating the conference room with a dip of his head in that direction, "...But the meeting shouldn't take long, so how about we rendevouz in the rec room at around 0200 hours and you can update me on your patrol over a bowl of ice cream?" he continues, keeping up the charade. Fergus knows where Li can and can't go, after all, so there's not much trouble for
her to get in by playing soldier in the halls. Besides, after everything she's been through, right now she just needs to be a kid for a while.
Li gains a big, bright smile of her own, her earlier apprehension dispelled as she nods again. She dons her best serious face and attempts a salute, slightly hampered by the need to balance the massive Facemelter in one arm. "Affirmive!"
Vasquez offers a pleased nod before she continues. "Of course, if anyone on your crew has an interest in working for Redrock in an expanded capacity, that's something we're open to exploring." This is said with a glance towards Elena and Senya.
Elena sucks in her lips slightly and offers a faint nod, making no attempt to hide her interest in this possibility. A chance to make more credits without having to leave behind the people she's lived alongside for the past few years would be a blessing.
Senya seems considerably less interested, continuing to observe with a sharp eye. Between her experience, her biotics and her medical skills its not hard to see why Redrock would be interested. It's harder to see why she should be.
Jason rises to his feet, trying- and failing- to completely hide away his smile. He gives a stern dip of his head. "Carry on, soldier." he offers as he starts back towards the conference room, ear-to-ear grin slipping back out as soon as his back is to Li. A stealth re-entry isn't exactly possible, so as he reaches the door he steps just inside of the room, silently scanning the room as if to make sure he's not interrupting
Vasquez ' attention shifts to the door as Jason reappears, shooting him a questioning look, but she doesn't comment, instead continuing to address the crew of the Jack: "It's my understanding that you had something you wanted to discuss as well?"
Elena looks a little curious as she spots Jason out of the corner of her eye, but she's quick to look back to Vasquez.
Lucy nods and leans forward, drawing Vasquez' attention as she does. "That contract of yours mentions that Redrock operates in both the Terminus and Citadel space. Now, I've got members of my crew that ain't welcome in Council territory. Is that-"
Vasquez shakes her head. "Redrock possesses the necessary paperwork for operating in Citadel space. Lack of citizenship is a non-issue as long as you're on Redrock business."
Lucy grimaces slightly, gaze darting in Senya's direction for a split-second under the brim of her hat. "Well, it ain't... it ain't exactly citizenship that's the problem for all of 'em..." she clarifies, trailing off into a meaningful silence.
Ilyna looks up at Jason with a questioning tilt as he returns, but her attention snaps back to the crew as Vasquez asks her question. The implications of the answers evoke a frown from her, but she defers to Vasquez for an answer.
Jason looks between Vasquez and Ilyna briefly, giving them a small shake of his head as if to indicate that nothing is wrong, but his attention quickly bounces to the others and he gives an apologetic dip of his head. "Sorry about that..." he offers in something of a non-intrusive mutter as he returns to his seat and drops into it while the conversation continues. Seems he's just in time to catch the look shared between Lucy and
Senya, drawing an amused smirk back to his lips. "Sounds like someone has a few skeletons in their medical cabinet." he muses as he shifts his seat back towards the table, his chair letting off an annoying squeak as he does. "How bad is it, doc?"
Senya 's lips thin when she realizes that the timing of Jason's return allowed him to catch the glance that Lucy shot her. She straightens her back and looks his way. "I can assure you, as long as I don't enter Citadel space it will not be a problem." The words are spoken through gritted teeth - she'd rather not be speaking of this at all, but she's keenly aware of the importance of this deal to the rest of the crew, and
Ilyna winces slightly as Jason asks the question in such a direct manner, but she is fine with not pressing her for more details. "Dr. Halisi could step into your role on the ship for missions in Council Space," she offers. "If both you and her are fine with that arrangement, of course."
Jason seems to recognize that it's not something Senya is willing to delve into, causing him to suck in his lips, brows furrowing for a moment as he considers it. Ilyna's suggestion garners a glance her way. "Might be a big ask considering the schedule they've got her keeping at the hospital. Guessing she can't just step away to go on cargo runs at a moment's notice. But I don't think it'll be a problem regardless. We can stick to
Terminus contracts with the Jack and let Vicky's people prioritize anything passing through Citadel space." he muses with an unflustered shrug. "Simple." The way his attention fixes to Vasquez probably gives away who gets the final say in this discussion.
Vasquez looks less than pleased with this tidbit of information, staring Senya down as she replies - or, at least she's trying to. "I'm going to need more information."
Senya returns her gaze with equal intensity, unfazed by the scrutiny. "I've told you all I'm going to. My past is my own, and irrelevant."
Lucy swallows and leans forward a little. "Senya's been a reliable member of my crew for years." she interjects. "Saved every soul aboard one time or another. She's got my full trust, and I can vouch for her."
Vasquez doesn't seem particularly put at ease by Lucy's assurances, and looks about to plow ahead from where she was interrupted.
Ilyna frowns as Vasquez grills Senya about her past, perhaps drawing parallels to her own situation. She does not want to prolong the discussion anymore, however, so she remains quiet.
Jason looks between those speaking, wincing slightly as Vasquez' irritation becomes clear. In an attempt at de-escalating things, he chimes in once again before his wife has a chance to. "I don't think anyone is calling Senya's reliability into question." he says, gaze turning sharply from Vasquez to Senya & Lucy. "I mean, shit, we saw it first hand." he continues, indicating Ilyna with a glance her way. "Linda is just-..." he
trails off, searching for the right words which ultimately results in a deep sigh slipping out. He shoots another glance Vasquez' way before shifting his seat to better face Lucy and Senya, arm resting against the conference table. "...We've got a history of somehow getting pulled into other people's shit. And we've spent our fair share of time, credits, and manpower trying to dig our way out from under other people's
problems. She doesn't mean anything by it." he says flatly. "She knows damn well that we might not be here today if it wasn't for you, Senya." he continues, seeking out Vasquez' gaze in a subtle, non-confrontational attempt at convincing her to rethink whatever she was about to say. "We just need to know that whatever baggage you're carrying isn't going to become a problem for our people. That's all. You say it's
irrelevant-..." he gives a small tilt of his head to one side, "...then it's irrelevant. But if it's not? Then it's best we put it out on the table right now and get out ahead of it before it becomes something bigger than it needs to be. Right?" His final word doesn't seem to be directed at anyone in particular, gaze scanning across the faces at the table as if to make sure they're all on the same page.
Vasquez draws in a deep breath through clenched teeth, obviously not too happy, but she hears Jason out, and the last look he sends her makes her unruffle a bit, going as far as to nod her agreement as he finishes, looking to Senya and Lucy for a response.
Lucy studies Jason as he speaks. She doesn't say anything, but there's a soft upward tug at the corner of her mouth.
Senya nods again, welcoming Jason's diplomatic tone. "I understand your concern, but it won't be an issue. I would not be on the Jack of Diamonds if I believed my presence put anyone else at risk." she says, choosing to direct the appeal to Jason. "Hopefully you can see that."
Pivin remains a silent participant in the meeting, although he looks more at ease once some of the building tension seems to lift.
Vasquez chews on the inside of her cheek as she thinks. She opens her mouth to speak, but just lets out a breath before closing it again and turning to Jason with a look that says it's his call. This whole deal was his idea, after all.
Ilyna relaxes a little as Jason manages to defuse the tension, and she also looks his way as Senya's appeal is directed at him.
Jason's shoulders seem to loosen up a bit as Vasquez eases her stance and he offers her an appreciative dip of his head. "I don't doubt that for one second." he says, sincerity in his voice as he looks back to Senya. He's seen how close they all are. How much they care about one another. A bond like that helps to lend more credence to Senya's words. He looks to Ilyna, attempting to get a read on her opinion, but finds himself in
the spotlight when he realizes her attention is already on him. The last thing he wants is to force this deal through without the support of the others. And while Vasquez' approval is obviously important, she isn't the one that Lucy and her crew targeted. "You good with this...?" he asks as his gaze meets the asari's.
Ilyna looks a bit uncomfortable at the question. There is a lot of tension in the room already before considering Ilyna, and she does have concerns about how this partnership would work. She knows the pain they caused Li was not their fault, but that does little to help her discomfort around them. However, she does not want it to get in the way of this partnership, so she gives a small nod, "Yeah."
Jason returns Ilyna's nod with one of his own, finally allowing a lopsided smirk to fully manifest, letting out a deep breath. "Well-..." he begins, sitting up a bit straighter in his seat and passing another glance at those gathered around the table, his attention coming to rest on the woman beside him, Lucy. "...then I guess all that's really left to say is: Welcome to Redrock." His smirk widens as he shifts in place, swiveling
Lucy actually smiles as she shakes Jason's hand. It's brittle and weighed down by grief and exhaustion, but sincere nonetheless. Up close like this a faint whiff of whiskey can be detected. "Thank you, Jason." she says in a relieved sigh. It's hard not to see the offer as a kindness, even if it is mutually beneficial. They've been adrift for the better part of a month, with no clear course. "Thanks y'all. Really. Ya won't
Elena pumps her fist, a grin crossing her lips. "Damn right you won't." she chimes in before adding with a look to Vasquez: "And I'm taking you up on that extra work offer, just lemme know what you need, eh?"
Senya seems pleased that she hasn't proven an obstacle to the deal, a faint hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, but continues to observe in silence.
Pivin smiles, giving Elena's shoulder a pat before looking to Ilyna in the seat next to him. "Yes, thank you for your amenability, considering..." An awkward little grimace.
Vasquez just smiles a little and nods in acknowledgement of Lucy before letting her gaze wander across the people around the table. Elena's words elicit a faint snort and a nod. "I'll be in touch."
Ilyna offers a smile at Lucy, but Pivin's words do put her in an awkward place. "Thanks to you, as well," she says, looking around the group. "I believe this partnership will benefit all of us."
Jason gives a dismissive shake of his head. "Nothing to thank me for." he assures the woman beside him. And it's not hard to see that he means it. It would be an understatement to say that their friendship got off to a rocky start, but the crew of the Jack of Diamonds suffered losses that they'll probably never really recover from in the pursuit of making things right. Sacrificed more than he would have ever asked. Their people
fought beside him and died beside him. That's not something he takes lightly. It's not something that he thinks can be repaid with a favor. You don't 'balance scales' with the people that bleed with you. You just take care of each other, however you can. But those are thoughts that only lead back to dark places, so he's careful not to let himself drown in them. Thankfully, he's a pretty good swimmer. Given the rise in
spirits around the table, he's unable to keep from looking Vasquez' way, that stupid, oh-so familiar smile of his plastered across his face.
Vasquez can't help but return Jason's smile with a slight curve of her lips, warmth entering her otherwise professional expression. "We look forward to working with you." she says as her attention shifts to the others.
The meeting comes to an end not long after, with a promise from Lucy to share details about the Jack of Diamonds and the repairs, and a plan to rent the hangar its occupying long-term and shifting the contents of Redrock's current spaceport hangar over there instead. Senya is tasked with exchanging patient data with Halisi in the coming days. The logistics of this deal are sure to take time to work out, but all things considered spirits
are high as the crew of the Jack departs. Even Lucy seems less burdened with the guilt of knowing that she's not providing the leadership that her crew needs right now lifted from her shoulders. They have a path forward. They'll be okay, even if she never will.