Wing Commander Privateer: Tayla

Tayla: Ah. You look just like your picture. Too bad.

Tayla: Call me Tayla. I used to do business with Sandoval.

Tayla: Nothing, except the police have it plastered all over the holos. Sandoval is dead, and they want you for questioning. Tough break, but I’m here to offer you work now that you’re… between jobs. I need you to make four special deliveries for me.

Tayla: And lucrative. The first run pays 10000 credits.

Tayla: Right, the artefact. You have it, but you don’t know anything about it. I could fill you in… after you fly my missions. How about it, Captain?

Tayla: Good, but you don’t get paid until you finish.

Tayla: After you’re done. Now listen, the first mission is easy. Your cargo will be a legal load of plastics. Although your manifest will say you’re running it to Newcastle, you’ll deviate from your course along the way and deliver it to Oakham, a hidden pirate base where I have connections. While you work for me, the pirates will leave you alone. Count on it. Leave your ship unattended and I’ll meet you there in the bar.

Tayla: Bad choice. You’re in danger as long as you hold on to that thing… and you’re walking away from more money than you ever dreamed of!

Tayla: Back, huh? I guessed you’d change your mind.

Tayla: Look, it’s a great deal. Your cargo will consist of nothing but plastics… completely legal. Supposedly you’ll be running it to Newcastle, but actually… you’ll divert to Oakham, a hidden pirate base, and dock. You won’t have any trouble with the pirates because you work for me. Once there, leave your ship unattended and meet me in the bar there at Oakham for your pay. In exchange for the service, I’ll pay you 10000 credits. And don’t forget… I have information on the artefact, info I’ll share… if you fly for me. So… is it a deal?

Tayla: If you don’t want the job, just leave me alone!

Tayla: Hey, I just spoke with my contact on Oakham. They told me you still haven’t delivered the cargo!

Tayla: Sure do. Unless you transport that load of plastic to Oakham – deviating from your flight path to Newcastle to throw off pursuit – you can forget about the 10000 credits!

Tayla: Consider it a competency test. You know the rest…?

Tayla: If you want to make a profit, yeah. And don’t go shooting up any pirates there! You work for me, so they’ll leave you alone… unless you get trigger-happy. Meet me in the bar at Oakham when you’re done. And step on it!

Tayla: What took you so long? Rough day at the office?

Tayla: Relax. The first instalment is right here.

Tayla: Maybe he got a sore neck from watching his back all the time. How’s your neck feeling? Getting sore yet?

Tayla: Wrong, ace. I’ve never whacked anyone for profit. Now, your next job is to run a load of Brilliance to Hector mining base in Troy. The run pays 15000 credits, too much for such an easy job, if you ask me.

Tayla: Minimal. Maybe a few militia patrols, nothing you can’t handle.

Tayla: While you work for me, no one’ll hassle you. If you make it back, meet me back here in the bar for your pay.

Tayla: You’d better reconsider, Captain. You’ll need all the help you can get. Someone knows what that artefact is. And if it was worth killing Sandoval, then killing you will be no more to them than… overhead.

Tayla: So… you want the mission after all?

Tayla: Smart move. You’re taking a load of Brilliance to Hector mining base in Troy. Just hit Hector, leave your ship docked, and meet me back here in the bar when you’re done. I’ll pay you 15000 credits for the mission… and tell you a little more about your treasure. How about it?

Tayla: If you don’t want the job, just leave me alone!

Tayla: You haven’t flown the mission yet? What’s the problem?

Tayla: Unless you fly that load of Brilliance to Hector mining base in Troy quick, the only thing that’s gonna hit you is hard times.

Tayla: Just make sure you complete the delivery. Soon.

Tayla: You took your sweet time, Captain.

Tayla: I won’t say anything that will tip my hand prematurely… but I can tell you that Sandoval got it by killing its previous owner. Before that a spice merchant named Deiter obtained it from his own father. Death follows this thing. Feel lucky?

Tayla: I’ll pay you 20000 credits to make another delivery of Brilliance. I’m putting you on my main supply route to New Constantinople.

Tayla: Some Confed patrols, but I’ve paid some major bribes to make sure you’re left alone.

Tayla: You’re taking a bigger risk keeping that artefact with so many willing to kill for it.

Tayla: I’ve always paid you on time, so quit whining. Are you gonna fly my mission… or not?

Tayla: Good. You’ll transfer the cargo from here to New Constantinople. Once you arrive, leave your ship unattended for an hour…

Tayla: A hot-shot pilot with brains. Wonders never cease. Hurry back. I’ll be waiting right here with your pay.

Tayla: Stay alive without my help… if you can.

Tayla: Hey, I really hope you’ve changed your mind about flying this mission. I need someone good to fly some Brilliance to New Constantinople, taking over my standard supply run from someone who… didn’t work out. I’ll pay you 20000 credits to make the run, dock and leave the ship unattended…

Tayla: Yeah. I’ve spread a few bribes around InSys to pave your way… though if you hit some Confed patrols, watch out. So how about it?

Tayla: If you don’t want the job, just leave me alone!

Tayla: Please, tell me you’ve completed the delivery to New Constantinople.

Tayla: Time is money. How much is how soon, get it?

Tayla: I told you, InSys has been taken care of. Just run the Brilliance from here to New Constantinople… dock there, leave your ship, take a stroll… and then meet me here in Oakham for your 20000.

Tayla: You look terrible.

Tayla: Keep your shorts dry, will you? Here, take it.

Tayla: I see it as an investment… with a penalty for early withdrawal.

Tayla: You’ll have to kill a lot of people to hang on to it. And I’m no murderer. Anyway, I’ll tell you all I know about that thing after you finish this last job.

Tayla: Nope, I save the really lucrative jobs for myself. Actually you’re running more Brilliance to New Constantinople. It pays 10000 credits.

Tayla: Well, I’ve got an idea which will help prevent that this time out. But I’m sick of holding your hand while you whine. You want the job or not?

Tayla: I’ve gone over the schematics of your ship. I’ve located a space where we can install a secret compartment. It’ll be completely undetectable and make smuggling much easier.

Tayla: Just make the blasted run. I promise you won’t have any problems.

Tayla: Just handle your end, and report back here for your pay.

Tayla: Are you kidding? You’ve almost completed your part of the deal! You back out now, and we’re both screwed!

Tayla: We’ll install a secret compartment in your vessel and pay you 10000 credits… if you’ll run some Brilliance from here to New Constantinople. You know the routine by now, right?

Tayla: Exactly. So… is it a deal?

Tayla: Great! I’ll have your ship modified and loaded right away. Good luck!

Tayla: I can’t believe you haven’t made the drop yet. You think I had that secret compartment installed in your ship just for kicks? Get on the ball, will you? I’ve had enough of your waffling!

Tayla: Just make the run and come back here for your 10000. Is that so tough?

Tayla: Here’s your final payment, 10000 credits.

Tayla: Glad to hear it. This is our final meeting, Captain.

Tayla: The person you need to talk to is Roman Lynch.

Tayla: He may be a thug, but he’s also an expert on exotic and valuable items. I set up a meeting with Lynch. He’s expecting you in the bar on New Constantinople. I really don’t know any more about that thing than I’ve already told you… but play your cards right with Lynch, you’ll be a rich man.

Tayla: Uh uh. You’re a bad pony. I can’t afford to bet on you any more. You screwed up the last mission. I’m cutting my losses. You’ll have to take your chances with InSys. I’m out of here.

Tayla: You should’ve thought of that before you choked up. Later.