[b]Above Ques[/b]
[b]1030 hrs, 16:6, 4 ABY[/b][hr]

Elias would find himself privately called by Ken as he was in transit, but this time, the tone was harder but still amicable. Something had happened, which was clarified as the young man said:

“Hey, uh, Mr. Folen? Sorry about this, but my group of child soldier freed slaves has been ‘activated’. We have to attack a slaving ship that has captured a few thousand or so Vodrans and that ship is going to be outside Paradise. To complicate the situation, we have to free the slaves through any means possible even though it will get Mr. Graeff’s ire, meaning that we cannot just attack the slavers after they made their deal. Normally, I would just attack anyway...but I don’t want my team-mates enslaved again or worse.”

Ken managed to sound sheepish as he continued, “Sorry to ask for this even though you owe me nothing, but...I need help. Lots of it.”

Elias sat within the cabin of the Ark, preparing to give his men their briefing, before his RTO came up to him, commlink in hand, mentioning someone calling. Elias took the receiver, listening in and fashioning a reply.

“Elias Folen, Viper Security Solutions here… Right. Kid, I don’t know how to say this, but I’m not exactly able at the moment. My employer is splitting my team in two and sending me to deal with another contract. I’ll see what I can do. My second squad is still on-planet holding the fort. I may be able to get them to assist.” Elias stopped speaking, rubbing his face as he thought.

Ken’s happiness was evident. “Thanks! I knew I can depend on you, Mr. Folen. I and my team will be departing off-world once the arms deal is done. I may know a few others, including [i]another[/i] person named Elias ([@Zarkun]) who is infamous for freeing slaves. If we time this right, we might be able to gather a coalition which would satisfy my superiors’ request for slaver blood,” It was then that Ken realized he mistrusted his remote superiors more than Elias, “and yet free the slaves while respecting Paradise’s neutrality.”

Then, a pause. “Also, a few more moments. My old trainer in weapons has just come here, also from off-world. She’s a good person, but not prone to accepting orders even though I am technically commanding the mission - she’s older than me and also suffered worse than me in slavery. She also craves slavers’ blood. How do I manage her?”

Yes, part of him hurt at having to refer to Lez in that way. But that was how he saw things; he may not be actually right.

“Make your authority known and your position clear. Be stubborn, but not an ass. Be confident, but not egotistical. Respect her and let it be known you expect respect back. That’s about all the advice I have for ya’.” Elias responded, cutting off and still surfing his datapad as he spoke.
Ken’s smile stayed on his face; he now knew what to do.

((OOC: I am assuming that Lez didn’t come with Ken and Puevi to the communications room after all.))