Ralval Manais
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Posted - 2010.03.12 04:17:00 -
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The dark light of the distant star streamed through a small window, casting a gloomy aura in the sparsely decorated room. A pair of dark green eyes peered over the rim of a glass at the man in front of them. ôà Isà there a problem Mr. Haidfiel?ö Haidfiel, a tall man with a weathered face pitted with scars stared at him coldly. ôThe problem, as you put it Vais, is that youÆre hiring petty mercenaries to accomplish your goals!ö
The man, known as Vais, clucked his tongue idly, vaguely disapproving. ôPetty mercenaries? Really, Mr. Haidfiel. A small pirate band led by a Capsuleer is a little more then a group of petty mercenaries, donÆt you think?ö Vais peered at him over the rim of his expensive-looking glass again, as if he was trying to understand him at some primal level. Haidfiel snarled angrily but reined himself in.
ôYou expect a group of greedy pirates to obey you? Do you really think they wonÆt turn on you the moment somebody offers them more money?ö Vais gave him a disappointed look. ôI am well aware of the natures of mercenary employment, Mr. Haidfiel.ö The voice was blank and empty of any emotion. Haidfiel winced slightly. Realising he had said something he shouldnÆt have, he took a small step back. Vais swirled the gold-blue liquid in his glass before downing it calmly.
ôMr. Haidfielà what is loyaltyà?ö The unexpected question made Haidfiel blink.
ôItÆsà wellà Loyalty is following a cause and not betraying itàö Vais nodded.
ôCorrect. That is Loyalty. Nowà are Mercenaries loyal?ö Haidfiel paused. He had to choose his words carefully. Vais was obviously getting somewhere with thisà and if he answered wrong, his employment would be terminated. ôNoà they arenÆt loyal to anybody but themselves.ö Vais smiled coldly.
ôSoà Mercenaries are loyal. They are loyal to themselves. Is that right, Mr. Haidfiel?ö Haidfiel nodded unsurely. ôNow, if mercenaries are loyal to themselves, who do they serve?ö Haidfiel blinked. That wasà kind of obvious, wasnÆt it? It wouldnÆt hurt to be cautious though. ôTheyà serve themselves, Vaisàö
ôà Yes, thatÆs right.ö Vais nodded again, that cold smile still on his lips.
ôA mercenary will always serve himself. That is what mercenaries do, Mr. Haidfiel. If somebody was to offer them more money, they would switch over, would they not?ö Haidfiel nodded, still unsure of where this was going but all too aware that Vais was building up to something. ôWrong.ö
Now that was confusing. ôà Wrongà?ö Vais nodded calmly.
ôYes, Mr. Haidfiel, that is wrong. A mercenary will not switch over. Do you know why, Mr. Haidfiel?ö The now highly nervous man shook his head from side to side slowly. ôSurely you do? You said it yourself. Mercenaries are loyal to themselves and themselves alone.ö
Haidfiel was seriously confused. Vais was abstract and vague at the best of times, and completely silent with that smile of his at the worst. ôà IÆm afraid I donÆt follow.ö Vais smiled again. ôOf course you donÆt. ThatÆs why IÆm the Leader, and you arenÆt. Nowà if Mercenaries serve themselves, but somebody offers them more moneyà what does a mercenary value more then his bank account, Mr. Haidfiel?ö
ôà His life?ö Vais clapped slowly, and mockingly.
ôCorrect. A mercenary values their lives above all things. No point being rich if youÆre dead.ö Haidfiel paused, his mind working through all the information he had received. ôà If they leave we kill them?ö Vais shook his head calmly, vaguely disappointed. ôNot quite, Mr. Haidfiel. We will not be killing them. The other mercenaries will.ö Haidfiel frowned at his superior. Vais clucked his tongue in that idle, vaguely disapproving manner.
Rest of Story
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