Mordecai was starting to settle in to the routine of life and work with SadTech - inasmuch as anything about it could be called routine. There were board meetings, social outings, and enough missions and intrigue to keep things exciting. Atira bore a strong resemblance to certain quarters of London, as well as certain rendezvous points in Series One - in essence, if not in technological specifics. It was the kind of place Mordecai knew well, where certain people, if approached in a certain way, could assist in the acquisition of certain items with a minimum of questions. None of those certain individuals were known to Mordecai in the way that the Wraith's network of associates had been, but there were airs by which one knew another that transcended worlds.
They had kept a low profile, per instructions. One advantage of this world was a lack of the homogeneity of the London Mordecai knew. No one looked twice at either of them, drinking at one of the local watering holes and inquiring about where one might discreetly come by certain upgrades. “My employer is very concerned with discretion,” Mordecai informed their current contacts across a scratched and dimly lit table. “And with speed. He's operating on a deadline, and he doesn't want any hiccups delaying delivery.” The fictitious client was currently engaged to be married and anxious that his bride's family not be aware he was seeking any enhancements. “We've heard there can sometimes be disruptions.”
There was nothing of that sort to worry about, he was assured by one of the contacts. This outfit was nothing like the ___'s who couldn't secure their own shipments. “Loose lips sink ships, and they were talking too much to anyone that asked.”
Last time, Kate had stayed on the ship to provide protection for their assigned mission healer, Luna. Obviously, it had lacked any kind of excitement and Kate knew she’d been chosen to stay back because she did not possess the exact necessary skills for the mission. Part of her wondered if she possessed the necessary skill set for this one either. Mordecai was the lead on this mission and he at least possessed the ability to blend in here. Kate, while dressed and done up the best she could to fit in with the certain European flare Atira provided, still felt like a ‘fish out of water’ so to speak. Then again, it didn’t matter how she felt personally. It was about the image they projected and Mordecai was doing an excellent job selling it.
Kate leaned in as their contact spoke, eager to soak up everything exchanged between them. They were being reassured there would be no hiccups. Which was what apparently went wrong in a previous shipment. It was...interesting. Kate was curious as to exactly how that shipment ended up going haywire. “And you guys don’t talk to anyone?” Kate asked quietly. “No loose lips?” After all, their client required strict confidentiality. Or lack of a client.
“We can keep our mouths shut,” their contact assured them, despite all evidence to the contrary. Mordecai had no intention of pointing out the hypocrisy, however. This was part of what they'd wanted to know. “When that refugee came asking questions, he didn't hear anything from us.”
Mordecai raised an eyebrow in Kate's direction. That was not what they’d come for, but it was certainly interesting to know. He wondered which of the refugees had been on Atira recently. “Our client is willing to pay well to keep his affairs private,” he said, instead of asking who else had been making inquiries. “I imagine some destinations are more troublesome than others.”
“Some are, but you get what you pay for,” said their other contact with an insincere smile. “If those folks on Titan want real service, they'll up their bribes and pick a better courier next time.”
It would have to be verified, perhaps by a visit to the rival courier or at least to their records later, but that was information they'd come for. “That isn't something we need to know,” said Mordecai, although he very much wanted to know who had been paid to do what. They didn't want to be remembered for asked questions, however. He led the conversation in the direction of logistics for awhile, and then he turned to Kate. “What do you think? Do we have enough to present to our client?”
Kate too was surprised by the answer. While she was aware that other refugees did missions and jobs for Thea, she had not expected any of those to be tied to their mission. Their mission was a “simple” fact finding mission, intel, with no real threat of complications. Then again, maybe Kate should not have been surprised nor Mordecai about hearing another refugee had been asking questions. Still, she thought Thea would have at least mentioned if she sent a team regarding Titan before sending them off. Either way, she didn’t think it best to press on the matter and part of her didn’t want to. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt a nagging feeling in her chest, the kind only a certain Gecko could cause even if there was no proof it was Seth in the least.
At Mordecai’s question, Kate nodded. “I think we have sufficient information to present to our client to aid in this important decision process,” she replied as sincerely as she could. “You have been most helpful.” Okay, so part of Kate did want to know more about who had been asking questions because that could be something to bring back to Thea that perhaps she was not aware of. It could be helpful. Of course, that was if these guys offered any other details. “I don’t suppose you know any other sorts of details about the refugee? Just something a little extra for our client to be aware of? If not, that’s perfectly fine. After all, you seem discreet which is what is most important.”
Mordecai nodded his agreement with the question. Their fictitious client would certainly want to know who might be snooping around.
Their contact shook his head from side to side musingly. “Medium to tall,” he said. “For an Earther, not Belter tall. Like you two. You don't get that kind of build on an asteroid, but he knew his business, either way. Black hair, dark eyes, little bit scruffy.” He closed his eyes, as if pulling up a memory. “Lefty. Didn't get a name,” he added, opening his eyes again and nodding. “But I'd know him again.”
Mordecai considered what he knew of the inhabitants of the Sadler Complex. He raised an eyebrow at Kate. He remembered his flippant remark to Thea about making an enemy of Seth Gecko by bringing her along. Mordecai didn't need more enemies. Be that as it may, she’d been helpful, and she was certainly the most capable of confirming that their contact had indeed described her - friend, partner, erstwhile beau?
Little bit scruffy. The comment echoed throughout Kate’s mind. The build could have fit any profile of any guy and Kate was not even making a connection to anyone at the Sadler complex until “scruffy” came into the mix. Scruffy was the perfect, ideal comment to describe Seth Gecko, Her roommate. Her partner. She felt Mordecai’s eyes fall upon her and a look over revealed an arched eyebrow in her direction. She wasn’t aware of how much Mordecai knew about Seth. From the look, maybe more than Kate was originally aware of when she took this mission. In either case, it was too late to take back the question or the answer. Kate heard it; they both did. And she knew it was Seth...and he hadn’t told her anything.
Of course, to be fair, she hadn’t been just as forthcoming either, but still Kate could not help, but feel somewhat hurt by it. She had thought they had come further than obviously this moment was showing her now. And it was clear that he might have been here before she’d taken her first mission even. She’d have to confirm the said timeline, but still, it didn’t matter in the end, right? She still felt hurt, betrayed in a way even if she shouldn’t have. Lefty. Seth was a lefty too. Kate swallowed; she had to keep it together though. For this mission. “With a description like that, he’d be easy to spot I’m sure. I suppose we should thank you for the bonus information,” Kate replied carefully.
“We aim to be helpful,” their contact replied winningly.
“You certainly were,” Mordecai replied. “We'll speak to our client and be in touch, but I have a good feeling.” He stood and held out his arm to Kate. It was partly a matter of manners and partly support in case the information had shaken her, although she seemed to be handling herself well. Mordecai himself was rather inured to shocks. ‘Need to know’ had always been a byword of his employment, no matter who was giving the orders. Certainly, they would pass along the information to Thea, and if she didn't already know, she would no doubt have a use for it.
Some additional confirmation would be useful. Mordecai had a mind to try slip into the records office for the transport operation once they were back on the ship and he could attempt a trance. One of the advantages of a world with very little magic was a lack of wards to keep out a determined magician.
Because she knew him, Kate was not shocked. No, more so, she was hurt even if she knew she had no reason to feel injured considering her own set of extracurricular activities in which she engaged in. Of course, most of the refugees were aware of the missions Thea sent certain parties on and Kate suspected after this round, Seth already had a pretty good idea of what she was up to, but as for himself? Well, he hadn’t dropped a hint of it at all and maybe Kate shouldn’t have been hurt by that...not anymore. Secrets were their thing right? Or his and his brother’s thing. Should it really have made her feel terrible that he hadn’t brought her into his confidence? He was always protecting her and this felt like another moment where he was doing just that even if it pissed Kate off to a certain degree.
Mordecai’s reply pulled Kate from her sullen thoughts and when he extended his arm, Kate took the offer even if she was probably capable of standing on her own. The extra support, even from a party in which she was not completely familiar, was comforting and helpful. Right now, it was all she had. “We’ll be in touch,” Kate reconfirmed before turning her gaze towards Mordecai. She was ready to depart when he was and in this instance, she did allow him to take the lead.