"Firstly, I'm not on this planet entirely be choice. I'm on the run from the Matran. I'll give you the short story for now, but essentially a non-consensual business transaction forced on me resulted in my causing substantial property damage and stealing... Well, several million Guarners worth of gold and other valuables. I'd like to add, my business prior to these acts of piracy was very legitimate. And, with that said, the only people I stole from were thieves." He chuckled slightly to himself.
"Secret number two, my partner is with child. It's only been a short while since we found out, but we're trying to keep this a secret. She, and the baby, mean the whole universe to me. Speaking of which, don't try anything stupid with them. I might be trapped on this planet, but I can be very resourceful, especially when it comes to keeping my family safe."
Ash gave a firm nod. "You're here, so I assume you trust us to value innocent lives, and to not consider putting your family at risk. Having said that, these are all fine secrets to tell, if they're true. But we really don't have any way of verifying them." The Captain was blunt. "Have you got anything more substantial to tell us to help us trust you?"
Price grinned and nodded. "Indeed I do. If the other two secrets aren't enough in your books, perhaps the fact I saved your lives will be a little more convincing?"
The Captain snickered, unconvinced. "Oh yes? By bringing us our belongings perhaps?"
"No. By shooting at Zambob's men and causing the all out war in front of the Holy Land." Price was matter-of-fact in how he spoke. "Mr. Arubak has taken to telling everyone that you folk double crossed him, that you robbed him. 'Bunch of thieves' is the phrase he uses I believe. Only, I saw the double cross that went down. How he wanted to trade the bullets, and all of you, to the Knights and Zambob. And surely you must know that the only way I would know about that is if I were at the battle." He paused and looked at each of the Lords of Rock.
Price gave a slight shrug. "Perhaps putting my safety on the line to protect yours is a fair trade?"
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Past:
"An ant?" Ash queried, quite confused. What exactly was he supposed to do with an ant? Was that some kind of currency here? Food? He was fairly lost on that matter. At this point, the Captain hadn't had the chance to witness what the primary modes of transportation were on The Rock.
Ash considered Alarisset's offer carefully, but remembered the comrades he'd left behind... He needed to make sure they made it off this planet alive and unharmed. How was he supposed to do that? He wasn't sure. But for now, perhaps playing along with these people lead to that. Made him wonder what was going on with reinforcements...
"I'll have to more deeply consider your offer Miss Alarisset. For now... Well I suppose I could consider helping you all. But I need to know more about the situation, I need a better idea of what you and your people need, and... Well, I need to be a little more mobile than I currently am." He smirked as he clumsily tried to wave his tied hands.
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Past:
Dervene slicked back his dark, damp hair as the group approached the river. He made his way over, taking a few sips from the cold stream, then dousing his head, neck, and upper back in it. As refreshing as it was, it would only provide temporary respite from the desert. The young Legionnaire felt knots in his stomach. The Captain was still out there somewhere, and while he may not have been as skilled in ground combat... Dervene would have felt a lot better with him there.
"If he's a Phoenix, you think he can help us get the Captain back?" He asked bluntly.