The guard Molly hugged nearly goes for his weapon, but before he can move more than a hair the Pasha rests their delicate fingers on his arm in a staying gesture; the large man tenses for a second, clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but makes no further moves towards violence.

(The other guard eyes Ijin. His too-knowing gaze rest on the xeno's face, then his rifle, and something in the man's expression changes. Both Ijin and Quintus have seen enough combat to know what it is--he's just dismissed the sniper as a threat.)

The pasha moves past their bodyguard and smiles at Cho-Tyrek, then up at Quintus. For his part, the former assassin says nothing, nor does he make any attempt to resist.

(When the Pasha looks away, though, he does turn his head back towards Quintus. Just for a moment.)

"Your payment, yes, of course." Arlox holds up a hand to someone behind them without looking, and an elderly man in robes similar to (though not nearly as fine as) the Pasha walks up holding a briefcase. He shuffles forward, then holds it out and opens up the latch and presents its contents: neatly stacked rows of Hegemonic cred-sticks. From the looks of things, it's all there.

The old man closes the case, then hands it off and shuffles back behind the Pasha. That worthy spreads their hands. "It's a pleasure doing business with professionals, but unfortunately I cannot ask you to stay for tea. The longer I remain in this system the more likely it becomes that my fellow Knives will be able to prove I was involved in this little excursion into their territory." They waved a hand airly. "Which they surely already know, but knowing and proving are very different things. I trust that I will be able to count on your discretion." It's a statement, not a question, and Arlox doesn't wait for an answer before retreating back into their ship, flanked by a portion of the airlock's guard detail.

[hr][center][h3][i][b]Mission One:[/b] Cho-Tyrek[/i][/h3][/center][hr][center][h3]COMPLETE[/h3][/center]

[b]CRED EARNED: 6[/b]
[b]UPKEEP: [i](System Quality(6) + Crew Quality(0))/4 =[/i] 1[/b]
[b][u]TOTAL:[/u] 5 CRED[/b]

[b]HEAT:[/b] [i]Rin System,[/i] +3 Heat

[b]ENTANGLEMENTS:[/b] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/rolls/28975]5 - Cooperation[/url] [i](You don't yet have a +2 relationship with a faction, so you get off free this time.)[/i]