The diplomat chamber seals behind Avarice as a broad-shouldered middle-aged woman, with close-cropped black hair, a weathered face, and a brass cybernetic eye in a weathered copper coat raises a black relic above the negotiation dais. Its surface crawls with dead starlight.
The Smuggler Captain
I am Mara Vey, captain of the Wayward Comet. Whoever pays highest gets the relic, and my engineers get six months to turn it into a superweapon.
The relic unfolds a ring of metallic light. It scans the chamber, then snaps toward the silver diplomatic seal worn by a severe older woman, with iron-gray hair in a tight braid, a narrow angular face, and a dark navy diplomatic jacket at the central table. Every communication panel goes dark.
Sera Venn
That seal is mine. I have never seen this relic before, and I did not authorize its presence.
The Blue-Scarfed Delegate
Neither have I. Someone brought it here under false credentials.
Four delegates recoil as concealed shutters descend over the exits. The relic pulses once, and targeting glyphs appear across the chamber, touching every living signature in turn.
The Smuggler Captain
Nobody fires. The first bidder to make a move becomes the weapon's first demonstration.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure the black relic
✓ Quest Accepted
Obtain the relic
“"Now why would I fire, little captain? You have what I want, I could make a fortune with such a weapon." Avarice spoke out, not even afraid of the captain as she slowly moved towards them in a non-threatening manner. "I came here to do business, so let's keep it that way, yes?"”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Avarice
Now why would I fire, little captain? You have what I want. I could make a fortune with such a weapon. I came here to do business, so let’s keep it that way, yes?
Avarice advances at an even pace, hands visible and empty. The targeting glyphs remain fixed on her, but Mara lowers the relic a fraction, reading confidence instead of aggression in the approach.
The Smuggler Captain
You have nerve, I’ll grant you that. Fine. Nobody fires. We negotiate like professionals.
The metallic ring contracts around the relic, dimming its targeting glyphs to a dormant amber. The chamber’s communication panels flicker back online, and the shutters stop descending.
Sera Venn
You would sell a superweapon inside an imperial diplomatic chamber?
The Smuggler Captain
I would sell it wherever the price is serious. Avarice understands that. The rest of you can either bid or leave us to it.
The delegates fall silent. With the immediate threat contained, Mara turns toward the negotiation dais and gestures to the vacant chair opposite her, making room for the first offer.
− Scene Quest Removed
Obtain the relic
“"The Empire for many centuries has been a pain on my side, with them hunting me down in fear of what I am.. So I will treat my life as such, and give them what they're asking for, by having the relic made into a superweapon and selling it to their enemy." Avarice sat down, a devious grin on her face forming. "Twelve Million Credits." Avarice offered the captain.”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +2)
Avarice settles into the vacant chair, hands relaxed on the armrests. Her devious grin sharpens as the delegates recognize the danger beneath her human appearance.
Avarice
Twelve million credits. You deliver the relic to my buyer, and your engineers make it into a superweapon for the Empire’s enemy.
Fear moves through the chamber before anyone answers. The delegates keep their distance from Avarice, their caution confirming that the Empire’s hunt has made her reputation a weapon of its own.
Sera Venn
You would arm our enemies with an imperial relic, right in front of us?
The Smuggler Captain
Twelve million buys discretion, construction, and delivery. Done. The Wayward Comet will build your superweapon and sell it to whoever can hurt the Empire most.
Mara extends her free hand across the dais. The relic settles into a guarded containment cradle, and a secure contract blooms above it, marking the sale accepted.
The Blue-Scarfed Delegate
Then every power in this chamber now has reason to fear her.
“"Miss Smuggler, Once you sell the weapon to the enemies, I will require a cut for the superweapon once it's sold. How about a 60/40 Split? I take 60%, and you and your crew get 40% from the sale of that superweapon once its constructed and sold~" Avarice now looked over to the Delegate, taking out her Magnum, aiming it at her chest and firing off a shot, aiming to hit her heart. "Yes, Yes I would."”
FAILURE (Good Blaster Combat, rolled -2)
Avarice
Miss Smuggler, once you sell the weapon to the enemies, I require a cut. Sixty percent for me, forty for you and your crew after construction and sale.
The Smuggler Captain
Sixty percent? You are expensive, Avarice. But if your name opens the enemy markets, I can make that profitable.
Avarice draws Mammon's Retribution and fires at the severe older delegate's chest. Fear of the hunted fiend-celestial ripples through the chamber, spoiling the aim as the severe older delegate jerks aside.
The black shot misses the severe older delegate and strikes the hovering contract instead. Unholy energy drains its light, collapsing the accepted sale into fractured red symbols while the relic's containment cradle unlocks with a violent chime.
Sera Venn
Yes, yes you would. Now you have fired inside a diplomatic chamber and destroyed the contract. Guards will seal this station around you.
The Smuggler Captain
That was not the sixty-forty arrangement. Move, Avarice. The exits are closing, and I am not dying for your negotiation style.
The shutters slam down again as the remaining Diplomatic Delegates scatter from the dais. Mara snatches the relic's cradle handle, while the ruined contract spits sparks across the floor and leaves no settled ownership behind.
“"Miss Smuggler, Once you sell the weapon to the enemies, I will require a cut for the superweapon once it's sold. How about a 60/40 Split? I take 60%, and you and your crew get 40% from the sale of that superweapon once its constructed and sold~" Avarice now looked over to the Delegate, taking out her Magnum, aiming it at her chest and firing off a shot, aiming to hit her heart. "Yes, Yes I would."”
FAILURE (Good Blaster Combat, rolled -3)
“"Miss Smuggler, Once you sell the weapon to the enemies, I will require a cut for the superweapon once it's sold. How about a 60/40 Split? I take 60%, and you and your crew get 40% from the sale of that superweapon once its constructed and sold~" Avarice now looked over to the Delegate, taking out her Magnum, aiming it at her chest and firing off a shot, aiming to hit her heart. "Yes, Yes I would."”
SUCCESS (Good Blaster Combat, rolled +1)
Avarice’s Magnum bucks. The severe older delegate’s fear of the hunted fiend-celestial makes her flinch too late, and Mammon’s Retribution drives its black shot into her chest, draining the strength from her body.
Sera Venn
Sera Venn. Remember that name when the Empire comes for you.
The recoil slams through Avarice’s wrist and numbs two fingers. She keeps her grip, but the sharp pain travels up her forearm as the ruined contract scatters burning fragments across the dais.
The Smuggler Captain
You hit her. Fine. Now move before this station turns us into evidence.
Mara hauls the relic free and kicks open a narrow maintenance hatch behind the dais. Cold station air pours through, carrying the distant alarm of mobilizing security forces.
The Blue-Scarfed Delegate
You cannot leave us with this disaster!
The shutters remain sealed behind them as Mara slips into the service passage with the relic. Avarice follows, leaving the diplomatic chamber and its fractured bargain to the arriving guards.
“"Fend for yourself boy scout, Ciao~!" Avarice would make her escape with the Smuggler. "I hope you're a good pilot."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)