[h2]Commander Stader Volger
Aside with Mika Ganishka[/h2]
[quote=@Wernher]

"...Why don't we make a deal? You wish to conserve your fighting strength to do what you must do should the time come, but considering you did that space walk earlier I'm assuming that also means you can't refuse the prince either when he orders you in the line of fire. Weeeell, I happen to have under my employ a bunch of psychopaths who are happy to do all the dying for us! Like, literally, pay is for the group so they make more the fewer of them survive, they're all high out of their mind, they don't give a shit. So, when a situation looks hot, I let you borrow my guys. Send them in the grinder first, let them draw in fire and trigger the ambushes so you and your guys do your thing. And in exchange, well... I work with you and you work with me."

She offered, a predatory smirk on her face as she extended a hand to shake on this deal.
[/quote]

Volger was stuck between two sayings his father had always said. One was about swimming with sharks. The other was that a thief beside you was better then one behind you. 

The captain’s grin reminded Volger of the ice sharks of Europa. Gleaming intelligent eyes above a toothy maw in something approaching amusement. Her hand waiting for his, if he accepted. 

Which Volger considered.

She might be an opportunistic, pirate chasing a title and riches. But she was also right; he needed to preserve his troopers. Especially, if this was the prologue to a prolonged campaign. 

Besides; better he found ground with the former pirate sooner rather then later.

“Alright…” The commander pulled his right gauntlet off; bare skin exposed as he reciprocated the handshake. Finding what he expected. Strong but calloused grip that accompanied the amused gaze. “… well team up for now. Swing by infantry company tonight so we can iron out the details.” 

The soft chirp of his TacPad signaled a message. Volger casting a glance at the device to find it came from Lt. Diaz. His second having been supervising the initial round of interrogations. The information coming from the more ragged pirates that the professionals had abandoned.

Most of it was the usual chaff the intel section would collect and puzzle together. But a few things stood out. Namely…

“Tell me [i]Mika[/i]…” Her name slightly enunciated. “Does a group called ‘Medusa’ sound familiar?” 

On the TacPad two of the interrogations were still underway. One interrogator obviously a graduate of the Amazon based school of torture; at least judging by the array of syringes they were cycling through.