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All space-faring traffic in and out of Wing City arrives and departs from here. There are launch towers for older models of spacecraft, and quantum-distortion field panels for the newer gravitational assistance systems.
Customs
There are currently no customs in place.
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He looks around, trying to see if the person is here.
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He knows through Terra's dark web that he is looking for 'The Courier', but an extensive deep dive through several personal firewalls across the galaxy told Xavier the man's relative age and his first name. James. He had seemed to be dependable enough, and his interactions were admittedly difficult to trace (perhaps because of a lack of experience) which Xavier appreciated. Not as if anyone would have an interest in this transaction, it was harmless enough. It was an idea Xavier had that would require a certain amount of elusiveness.
Immediately Xavier saw the one who would be his 'Courier'. He was wearing a trenchcoat, a fashion choice Xavier had once trialled with the Detente to look more menacing. It was a week of ritual bullying before he decided to return to his own dependable attire. He knew James would be looking for him, which Xavier had made difficult by not revealing any aspect of himself. He did, however, explain in great detail the times and places for the Courier to be to pick up the package and exactly where and when he should be to drop it off. The sum of his reward outvalued the ease of the request, a quarter paid upfront and the rest on delivery.
He produces a small disposable comms unit from the pocket in his hoodie. A device mass produced for business firms, Xavier had bought a bulk pack of 50 the majority of which remained in its box at home. He had tried suggesting the Detente use them, but as with most of his suggestions they had been ignored. No longer. A message is sent to The Courier's own communicator.
"GREEN HOODIE. BACKPACK. BY THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE. - X"
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His voice exuded a childish sort of obnoxiousness, although his intonation seemed to imply he was at least trying to be intimidating. It wouldn’t be so bad if this man wasn’t so physically imposing. Of course, he didn’t know about Xavier’s enhanced biology.
“I’ve sent the rest of your pay wirelessly, as promised. You’ve done well. Much faster than Escargo Express. Here’s hoping the manufacturers have done their job as well.”
Xavier examined the package for any damage or signs of scuffing. It looked well enough and had obviously not been opened. Xavier put the package into his backpack, mostly empty beside his laptop for this situation. He smiled.
“You didn’t tamper with the package. You don’t seem to be too concerned with legality. Tell me, James, how flexible is your morality when compared to your wallet?”
The term ‘wallet’ was hyperbolic, of course. Very few carried around physical currency. And mentioning his name? Well, that was Xavier showing off.
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“Really, it’s more a question of skill than morality. If the job is done perfectly, then no one will get hurt and no one will even know it happened.” He said. “My affiliates- subordinates, really… Have an interest in the blood banks of Wing City. We’re scientists, and the blood is necessary for our research. There is one in Wing City central that I’ve always felt charged a little too much for the product they delivered. Now when there are foolproof ways of attaining as much of the stuff as we could need, for no charge, it doesn’t seem sensible, does it? Here, have a look at this.”
Also coming from his hoodie pocket, Xavier offered the Courier a ‘USBat’, an inconspicuous little black USB with two needles on one side and a modular adaptor on the other.
“I just need you to infiltrate the bank, find their server room and pierce any of their servers with that device there, see? Once accomplished I will have a driver waiting to return you to the spaceport and our business would be concluded. Assuming you agree and all goes well, you will receive what my and my subordinates would have paid the bank. Easy money for someone like you. Am I right?”
He was very sure he was.
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No, not like last time, he thought.
“50,000 Terran credits.” Xavier was bluffing, somewhat. His intention was to redirect the Detente’s next payment to the Courier. However previous payments matched the ballpark and he was satisfied that even if he was off by a couple thousand, the Courier would be satisfied as well. “You'd be headed to 75th Street, which you’ll find in the business district. Public transport will take you. You’ll head south onto northern Main Street, then east to reach the business district. From there you should have no problem heading into 75th street where our blood bank is. Not an overly popular area, but hardly devoid of human life either. I’ll send instructions via communicator once you arrive. I promise that if you follow them perfectly, you’ll have your money within 24 hours. Do we have a deal?”
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He approached one of the terminals to take a look over the latest listings.
he opined, looking towards Main Street, towards the south.Hrm... seems like the market is still stable.
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James let out his hand to shake his, something that almost seemed unnatural to him at this point. After a wave of confusion washed over his face, Xavier took his hand and shook it with childlike fragility. This could be the start of a friendship, even.
Don’t be stupid.
“Perfect. Perfect. I’ll accompany you to the bank. Then we shall part ways, although as I said I’ll be in constant contact with you until the job is done. No time to waste.”
Xavier stood up, swinging his backpack around and heading outside to the public shuttle centre.