>>5850437You push the Vanilla Skyline as fast as she goes. The Yushi and Shishi's silhouettes retreat into the distance until their engine plumes are but small dots of light. That single Marlin certainly had its job cut out screening the convoy from two Yonaoshis. Roquefort got out of gravwell and warped out first. You will follow once he has sent back the scouting report.
The fourth digit of your stopwatch has flickered on. You can wait no longer.
You aren't quite sure what to expect. Still this is worse than your half-formed guesses. The man stares at you icily, “Captain Thornton, I thought we have come to an understanding? Where are the Qyngurs you have lured away?” Your tablet screen lights on, somehow without chiming, “Tell him the truth. Roquefort already spilled everything.” If you get out of this, a certain Directorate frigate commander is going AWOL very soon. You match his gaze, “I have help. You do not. Not so far out here. Or do you really think your coward will stand up for you?” Only slightly off-balance. Still, in this silence everyone on both bridges can hear the bounces of your every dice. Another challenge, “As I have said, we privateers are loyal servants of the Directorate as well. But only as long as the Directorate is deserving of our support.” This is a dangerous gambit you are playing. Even if you cannot lie convincingly in his presence, there's no guarantee offering a grain of truth will work better. But then again, you are only following Jean-Pierre's advice.
His features soften, not in the way a cat tires of mouse, but rather one's wary respect when meeting its feline equal. And one day, perhaps friend. He does not smile, still there is certain mirth in his voice, “Very interesting, Commander Thornton. Very interesting, indeed.” He lowers his voice, “I will pretend to see nothing. And if a certain coward has something to say, he should say it now. Or else hold his peace. Permanently.” No reply. Peace it is then.
The convoy is still where you have left it. Ienaga only needs to know there's a freshly abandoned listening post over in M-131. With his help, you make short work of the remaining few escorts. Time to split the salvage.
<span class="mu-s">How much should Ienaga get?</span>
>Keep only what he kills, as is tradition. Not a lot, since your ship did most of the work.>Half of the convoy. Keep him busy, hopefully by the time he's done Jean-Pierre has already picked the research station clean.>More than his fair share, in exchange for you getting everything from the station.>Write-in 