“So, let me get this straight.” Dave began as Tevura put her head in a hand. “You want us to avoid going to the Rosetta Nebula.” Tevura nodded. “Yes.” “You do realize that if we go and we find the artifact we’ll be rich beyond our wildest dreams?” “Yes.” “So explain to me again why we aren’t going? Or, at the very least, I’m not going?” The Asari sighed. “I’m not weakening the fleet’s defense enough that you can have a chance of surviving the madness that’s about to grip the Rosetta Nebula. Every fool with a ship and dreams of riches is going to be heading there. And when the fools with big fleets and bigger guns realize that they have competition also searching for the artifact, they’re going to begin firing upon each other. Four Frigates would last longer than most, granted, but eventually you’d be destroyed. And besides, you’d draw unwanted attention.” 

Everyone in her inner circle knew what ‘unwanted attention’ she was speaking about. Even though she had killed her Justicar pursuer, there had been ample time for the Justicars to realize that the one they had sent was dead, and send another after her. They were like a charging Krogan. Tenacious and damn near unstoppable. 

“You don’t think we could take on a Justicar?” Dave’s one eye lit up with excitement at the prospect, even as he gave a cocky smirk. Tevura rolled her eyes, even as she repressed a shiver of fear at the memory of the Justicar. “Let me put it this way. We have about as much of a chance of killing a Justicar in a straight fight as we do of destroying two Dreadnoughts. None. Go raiding in any other part of the galaxy. Just don’t go hunting for a Prothean Artifact that would put a giant target on our backs. I’d suggest avoiding the Attican Traverse. Alliance Navy is stepping up patrolling there.” Dave shrugged. “I saw that news report. Luckily, however, I have no intention of going to the Attican Traverse. You’ll have your wish though, I won’t head to the Rosetta Nebula.” With a salute and a wink, he cut communications. 

Tevura looked over at Rebekha, wearily. “He’s still going to go to the Rosetta Nebula, isn’t he?” Her sister nodded. “He’s a greedy pirate. I’d be surprised if he didn’t.” The Ardat-Yakshi sighed, taking a step back from both the communications and her sister, as if distance would protect her from the problems she was facing. Protect her from both the very real possibility that Dave’s actions could destroy them all, and the desire to go over to her sister and fry Rebekha’s nervous system. Centuries of living with that desire and training her will to be strong enough to resist it, and still it clawed at her. A curse she would never be free of. A disease she would eventually be killed for. 

Shaking her head, she stepped back towards the communications and brought up Tasi. “Tasi, have you reached Omega with Kalros yet?” The Quarian nodded. “It took us longer than expected because about a dozen pirates tried to hijack the ship. Kalros and I killed all of them but one, well Kalros killed most of them, and I made sure the attack was just random.” Tevura eyed her. “You tortured him didn’t you?” Tasi nodded happily. “Yep, yep, yep! He wasn’t a good one though. Bohtesh lasted only a couple of hours.” Tevura had the distinct feeling that Tasi was frowning beneath her mask. Before she could comment, however, the Quarian continued. “So, what did you want us here for again? Please tell me it’s something fun.” 

Despite her full knowledge that Tasi’s idea of fun was a slow death for multiple beings, preferably Batarians, Tevura had to smile at the childlike pleading tone. “Go with Kalros to the Cartel we run security for. They have a job that will benefit the both of us. A job you’ll find fun.” 

Tasi clapped her hands. “Okay! Kalros lets g-“The Quarian’s yelling was cut off as Tevura turned off communications. “And where are we going to be headed, while Dave chases a rumor and Tasi has fun?” Rebekha asked. Tevura looked at her, and smiled. “Tell me, sister. Where was the last known location of the Lonely Spacer?”