Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary
Chapter 203 203 Forcing Consequences

"That's really all you're going to do?"

Avery, along with the other members of his team, were currently sitting in the branch manager's office and informing the manager of what had occurred with the other mercenaries.

Every one of them clearly wore upset expressions, and the reason was quite simple.

"Yes, a fine and a warning is the best that we can do here for this situation. It's unfortunate what happened, but there was no damage done to your vessel, and it will be impossible to prove intent. Accidents happen all the time during chaotic battles. I'd recommend that you let it go at that." The branch manager, a mousy man with slicked back dark brown hair by the name of Luca, who seemed disinterested in Avery's complaints.

"I see, so that's going to be how it is. I thought my being a five star mercenary now might have given me a bit more consideration. But I'll drop the matter and hopefully it doesn't happen again. Though if it does, as you said, accidents can occur during chaotic fights."

This implied threat certainly got Luca's attention, and he started shaking and his teeth began clattering.

Obviously, he was nervous that things might really escalate. The last thing he needed was a feud between two powerful groups of mercenaries building up in his jurisdiction.

"P-please don't do anything rash! I can up the fine a bit higher. But that's really all I can do." Luca said pleadingly.

For being a branch manager for the Mercenary Association, he certainly caved under the slightest bit of pressure too easily. Avery thought it likely that he had already been intimidated into compliance by the members of the mercenary company that were causing problems.

"Again, I don't think that is good enough. How about a public reprimand against the company that will be on their record for all their current and future clients to see, and a reduction of ten percent of their earnings that will be taken as a fine by the Association." Avery said, stating the minimum terms he was acceptable with.

However, as fearful as he was, Luca stuck by what he said earlier and told Avery that what he wanted would be impossible.

In response, Avery sighed before smiling deviously. His mind functioned far faster than it used to, and he had already formulated a counter strategy to force Luca's hand.

"It seems that I'm not going to be getting anywhere here. Perhaps I should start rallying the other aggrieved mercenaries behind me. I already know that the group that was harassing me has done the same if not worse to others. Target stealing, collateral damage, willful negligence, and plenty of other infractions against their fellow mercenaries. I hear that they also like to give the local establishments a hard time. Everyone's afraid of them because their leaders are high ranking mercenaries, but I'm sure that since my rank is higher, I can reassure them."

Avery was feeling angry and vindictive enough to push this matter and not let it go. Had it just happened once he probably would not have cared that much. Still, he felt that he could not allow the troublemakers in the involved mercenary company to get away with what they did.

Should he, there was a possibility that it would negatively affect his reputation.

Mercenaries needed to be strong and confident and have a record to prove their worth. If he backed down against lower ranking mercenaries after they had insulted him, then it would weaken his position.

"I-I could push through the ten percent fine for three months… no a twelve percent fine. But an official reprimand really isn't possible. They're the most capable team in this region of the Dramid Alliance. I can't afford to have trust in their abilities called into question." Luca said, finally getting to the crux of the problem.

The mercenaries that had shown no regard for Avery belonged to the only large group that was based in this part of space.

They did not have a main system that they used as a base, but they typically operated within twelve nearby systems. One of which happened to be the Etania System.

When there was a big job that needed to be taken care of, these mercenaries were the ones that the Association reached out to in order to handle it.

Yes, some of their members had attitude problems, but their abilities were the real deal. They were a necessary evil, which was why none of the branches in the area could afford to chastise them too heavily.

"Ah, but if your team wished to stay and take over this region of the Dramid Alliance as your main base, then things might change."

Luca looked towards Avery hopefully. Getting a team that had not just one, but two five star mercenaries in it to stick around would be a major victory for Luca.

He had glanced at Avery's team's record briefly, and while they had not been active long, they had already been instrumental in resolving several major incidents. Their skills and reputation spoke for themselves. There were few places in the Dramid Alliance that would not be ecstatic to have such a capable group around.

For a brief moment, a smile formed on Luca's face as he imagined himself being the hero of the Association branches among the nearby systems.

Yet before he even answered, it was clear from the look on Avery's face that he had no intention of sticking around. There were some mercenaries that would find a good spot and set up shop there, but most of them were transient and liked to go wherever they pleased.

Obviously, one of Avery's main reasons for becoming a mercenary in the first place was a desire to go out and see what the galaxy has to offer. He was not going to be settling down just a few months into his career. The Etania System was just another stop on his journey. Once his team had finished up their current job and made a decent payday, they would be on their way.

Avery expression said as much, and Luca visibly deflated. His brief hope of a competent and more respectable team working in the Etania System was shattered.

"Okay, I understand the position that you're in." Avery finally said with a sigh. "Just go ahead and push the fine through and give them the sternest warning that you can. Make sure to tell them that they messed with a five star mercenary this time and that only because of my magnanimity that they are getting off so easily. And that I won't be so lenient again."

"Yes, of course. Thank you for being willing to settle this matter. I promise I'll get together with the other branch managers and make sure that they are onboard."

With visible relief, Luca smiled and started preparing the necessary paperwork to fine the group the squad of mercenaries that had provoked Avery were a part of. This was not the first time that it had been necessary to penalize them monetarily, and usually it was not that big of a deal. The unruly members causing problems in the first place pretty much considered it simply being a price to be paid to complete their jobs.

'The penalty is larger this time than normal, but surely, they'll understand when they realize they got on the bad side of a five star mercenary. They aren't completely stupid, so I'm sure that they won't try and escalate things.' Luca thought, blissfully unaware of how things were soon to be getting out of hand.

Now that their business was taken care of, Avery and the rest of his team left the Association building and headed back to their vessels.

"Whew, I'm beat." Avery muttered as he flopped down on his bed.

He could feel his body complaining about how much he had strained it today. He could tell his muscles were more sore now than they had been over the last couple of days. Fully recovering from his augmenting was still a ways off it would seem.

As he closed his eyes to get some sleep, he felt a warm and soft sensation coming from his left side.

"You did a good job back there. I was ready to help out if you needed it, but you handled everything well. I really am glad that I followed my instincts to join you back when you first rescued me."

Kasandra nuzzled up against Avery and put her head on his chest. Softly purring in contentment.

Feeling her hair brushing against him, and smelling the soft scent of her shampoo, Avery felt himself beginning to relax.

Soon he felt his eyelids becoming heavier, and his consciousness slowly faded away. A blissfully expression on his face thanks to Kasandra's soothing presence.

…

When Avery woke back up, he found that Kasandra was still next to him and had fallen asleep herself. Except, it was no longer just the two of them. A third party had invaded his bed while he slept and occupied his right side.

Turning his head, Avery saw Jasmine sleeping next to him, softly snoring.

'I really am a lucky man, aren't I.' Avery thought, a goofy grin on his face.

It was hard to imagine that he had been a down on his luck space salvager just under a year ago. His life had chaged drastically since he found the Dauntless. Of course, he could not be happier. Things may not have gone exactly the way he had planned, but he would not trade what he had now for anything in the galaxy.

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