Elias poured two steaming cups of tea from the pot sitting on the table between them, an old fashioned tea candle burning underneath it. A barely perceptible smile flickering across his face. ?Let’s just say I have my ways.“, he said, his voice a low rumble. ?And you just confirmed that my sources were spot on.“


    Red stared intently at the surface of her tea, the swirling steam blurring her reflection while she was clearing her thoughts. She didn''t look up as Elias continued.


    ?Yezz is only thinking of her profits.“, the tinkerer continued, ?But this has the potential to put Binary Bloom on the radar of forces that may not be interested in its continued existence. I, for one, am rather fond of this little den. Which means resolving this problem and getting the thing off the station, fast.“


    Red grunted, while carefully planning her response. It was not unusual for inhabitants of Bloom to have more than one day job, to have connections to one or more often several of the factions within the station. In spying and intrigue the pirate hideout could compete with any medieval royal court. But they had walked to the market directly from their meeting with Yezz, and spent less than half an hour browsing before coming to Elias. That was an impressive level of being informed, and well above what Red would have expected from the average resident.


    After another moment, with Elias patiently awaiting her response while sipping his own tea, Red spoke up as if thinking aloud: ?Selling it quickly to an off-station buyer would get it away, wouldn’t it? And move the interest of the Xylars or whoever to that buyer, right?“


    ?They aren’t known for grudges, so I would think that once you have entirely untangled your crew from this matter they wouldn’t bother pursuing you any longer, yes.“, Elias agreed.


    ?Ah, and you merely intend to help me unburden myself, out of the goodness of your heart, of course.“, Red stated plainly, finding Elias’s gaze and holding it. The sounds of the market outside became background noise as the smell of fresh tea and tense conversation filled the room.


    ?Oh, not at all.“, Elias leaned back while giving his answer. ?On the contrary, this will benefit me more than it benefits you and your crew, but it’s still a better deal than what Yezz offers.“


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ?I’m listening.“


    Elias leaned forward slightly. ?Who do you think Yezz’s buyer is? Why do you think the Xylars are not ignoring this one? Could it be that losing it is bad, but having it end up in the wrong hands is even worse? Might that not bring about even more trouble for you?“


    ?You’re doing business with the Xylars and offered them to retrieve the core for them!“, Red exclaimed, a look of surprise crossing her face. ?We were in transit for two weeks. More than enough time to put the pieces together and broker a deal. You didn’t find out about Yezz’s offer in the past hour, you knew it for days!“


    Elias picked up his tea in an obvious attempt to buy time, examined Red’s face and finally, with his head tilted the slightest of angles, responded ?Parts of that are not entirely false, but most of it is idle speculation. Now, I do understand that you value your relation to Yezzania, her reliable intel on possible heists and her ability to fence stolen alien tech at good prices. I believe we can convince her that for the good of Binary Bloom, and thus her own business, this particular good should be sold off into the right hands.“


    ?Then why not approach her, instead of me?“


    ?Because the object of all of these talks is in your cargo hold, not hers. You work with her, not for her, and could decide to sell it to someone else.“


    Silence filled the room while Red contemplated. Finally, she lowered her gaze back to her tea, a thoughtful frown creasing her forehead. ?What exactly is your offer, Elias?“, she said, her voice calmer but laced with curiosity. ?Not that you should see this as agreeing. I need to know what alternative you are offering before I can consider it fully.“


    ?Off course. I won’t ask for the price that Yezz has offered“, Elias continued, with a well-hidden probing glance at Red to see if her expression would give a hint away, ?but I am confident that my buyers can match it, if not more. In addition, I can have a cover story created that will point the Xylars or whoever else cares to investigate away from Binary Bloom, and from you and your crew.“


    ?All upsides and no downsides? Where’s the catch?“


    ?There isn’t one, really.“, Elias said while leaning back and taking a sip of his tea. ?And if you find any, I’m sure we can sort them out. I can assure you, and you’ve known me for years, haven’t you?, that both me and my buyer are interested to protect this station from the fallout that the aliens just might cause.“


    Red caught on to him not naming the Xylars, leaving it open whether or not he was referring to them or some other galactic race. But she kept her observation to herself.


    ?I will think about it and discuss it with my crew, Elias.“, she answered him, ?That is the best I can offer right now.“


    The tinkerer gave her a silent glance and took another sip of tea, stretching the silence in the room that was punctured by occasional noises from the market outside, before he nodded: ?Fair enough. Please do.“


    He put down his tea and stood up.