Freja was still stomping down through the underground base when Eirik caught up to her. "Freja, wait!" He called out as he laid a hand on her arm. He barely had time to avoid the backhand swing aimed at his head.

"WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN BACK THERE?" Freja screamed

"Nothing!" Eirik defended himself, keeping a safe distance from her hands.

"It sure didn't look like nothing from where the rest of us was standing!" Freja went on and Eirik felt a hint of guilt. She was right about that.

"I will happily admit she caught me off-guard back there, but didn't I call you all as the very first thing? Didn't I immediately run after you, after telling Jesper to take care of the prisoner?" Eirik retorted.

"I saw the way you looked at her!" Freja insisted and Eirik once more felt guilt tear at his insides. Freja was right, he wanted that woman with a burning desire. But he also knew that it was only lust and what he shared with Freja was much deeper than that. It was not worth the risk.

"So I was overwhelmed by seeing a beautiful woman when I expected a hardened mercenary! Wouldn't you have been if you had discovered her first?" Eirik said defensively. It was not the entire truth, but it was true enough.

"...I suppose I would..." Freja admitted hesitantly. "But I still don't like it! You have looked at women before and that was not the same, You would have taken her right there if she had only asked you!" Freja was not willing to let him off that easy!

"I told you I was momentarily overwhelmed! At least I was prevented from committing a stupid mistake by the woman I love." Eirik tried his luck and hoped it would help remind her that he still loved her.

"...At least you think of it as a possible mistake. I guess you are not completely irredeemable!" Freja said sternly but Eirik knew that tone of voice. He had cracked the shield of anger and now he just had to be patient. Maybe he should cook a meal for her. She always loved the gesture.

He slowly approached her with his arms spread out for a hug and she snuggled up in his embrace. The clanking of the bulky armor made it awkward, but neither of them cared.

___________________________________________

"You work fast," Jesper said as he escorted Sif to the entrance of the base. He had her walking in front of him, as was protocol to keep an eye on the prisoners during transport, but this time he appreciated the rule for much different reasons.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Sif snorted dismissively. She had no use for another underling.

"Barely captured and already trying to worm your way into Eirik's bed. You work fast." Jesper continued in an amused voice. "Your presence on the ship should provide me with plenty of entertainment.!"

"When I see something I want, I get it. If not, I take it. I always get what I want!" Sif said in a matter-of-fact voice.

"Oh, Freja is going to have a field day with you!" Jesper laughed as they continued walking. "You got some stiff competition! She will cut you to ribbons if you try to lay a hand on him!"

"I won't have to. He will come to me!" Sif said with confidence. "If nothing else, to get the information on the database. And you can stop staring at my ass. This is as close as you will ever get!"

Jesper was surprised she knew where he was looking. She had not turned around at any point and they had kept walking this entire time. There was more to this woman than met the eye. He fell back a step, increasing the distance between them slightly, just in case she got any funny ideas. "Better make sure to get the best look possible" He answered mechanically. Better to keep up the appearance of being a dumb brute.

"I will admit, your speed surprised me. After hanging above the planet for such a long time, you land a shuttle in the city, move the 15 kilometers(roughly 10 miles) on foot, take out my guards and take over my base. All within a 2-hour time span. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it myself." Sif carried the conversation as they walked.

"When the wolves hunt, they do so until completion," Jesper said vaguely.

"And the leader leads from the front. A fitting man." Sif answered.

"Please, let Freja hear you talk like that. And make sure I am nearby when you do. That fight is going to be legendary in its brutality!" Jesper said with a laugh. "Especially if my suspicions about you are true..."

Sif stopped and turned around to look at Jesper. "What is that supposed to mean?" She asked in a small innocent voice.

"Cut the bullshit! I saw the dead guy in the corner of the room and you were completely unbothered by it. You were standing in front of a man with a reputation for violence and unpredictability, clad in armor still not available to most of the galaxy, and not only were you fearless, but you were also horny and playful, despite knowing he was there specifically to capture you!" Jesper snarled, his face contorting into a grimace of anger. "You are more dangerous than you appear and rely on your innocent demeanor and good looks to lure people into a false sense of security before you strike!

I respect the technique and admire you for making it work. But know this. Try anything like that against Eirik and you will find yourself in a world of pain you will not be able to escape!: I will fucking sell you to the slum gangs of Terra and face Eirik's wrath as a consequence if I have to. I still got some old friends in those circles. What do you think they are going to do with a sweet little thing like you?"

Sif felt a cold bead of sweat run down her spine. She knew all too well what those gangs would do to her. She used to run one of them and had many enemies still alive amongst them. "You are bluffing! No way a twerp like you used to be a Slummer!" She said as forcefully as she could manage. Even in the armor, she could see he was rather skinny.

"One-eyed Jason and The Preacher from the "Hel Rejects" might disagree with you on that one," Jesper replied with a chuckle.

"You are not a former "Hel Reject"! Those nutcases are Slummers for life. It's part of the pact to join!" Sif protested. Everyone knew that the "Hel Rejects" were the most insane and bloodthirsty gang on Terra. Even the military was hesitant to start trouble with them.

"When you are born into the gang, you get the opportunity to leave once you become a legal adult. You have an open pass to return at any point in life. It is a nice safety net to have if this whole Security Advisor to the Emperor of Libertalia thing doesn't work out. So cut the act! You are good, but I am better and I tire of this conversation. Move, or get moved!" Jesper said and took a step forward, causing Sif to spin around and start walking without further trouble.

She was not about to mess with someone that was raised as a slum ganger. Those people could smell danger before it even thought of them and if this man was indeed Eirik's security advisor, he was extremely well protected. She would have this situation purely from a seduction standpoint. Killing him was out of the question, there was no way she could get away alive. If this ticking timebomb of a psychopath behind her didn't kill her immediately, he would hunt her down and kill her soon after.

Slum gangers rarely allowed themselves to get close to anyone, but Eirik ha managed to drag him into his inner circle and earn the man's loyalty. This was news to her, as nothing had suggested Eirik possessed nearly enough charisma for such a feat when she had done her research.

The rest of the trip out of the base was spent in silence. Jesper watched Sif's every move and Sif was busy planning how best to ensnare Eirik. Her feminine guile was her only weapon now.

______________________

The base was emptied and Signe was as ecstatic as Eirik when she learned that none of the databases had been wiped before they took them. They were immediately sent on a shuttle back for her to go through the information and another 2 shuttles arrived to transport prisoners and soldiers back to the city square. A public spectacle was made, showing that the supposed messengers were not all-powerful. It was also important for Eirik to show them off in chains, cementing his complete authority. He needed to get things done here and to do that he needed the support of the local people.

Narvik had spent the time from he arrived until Eirik returned, answering questions both from his family and from everyone else gathered. Jeanette had played with the kids that were too young to be interested in, or understand, what was going on, something none of the mercenaries had done before. The respective parents had been worried in the beginning, but the laughter of their children soothed their fear soon enough. It also helped that she was stationary on the ground, allowing the young to use her as a climbing obstacle and they were having a blast.

The shape of the human form presented them with many new angles of climbing they would normally not have access to. Almost like monkey bars for Terrans.

It didn't take long for Signe to get everything hooked up back on the ship and she sent a message to Eirik only a minute later.

Files are encrypted. A decryption key is needed. Databases are useless without it. Suspect the enemy commander has critical information.

________________________________

Sif smiled wide when Eirik approached, flanked by Jesper and Freja. Jesper had his eyes everywhere and Freja had her eyes fixated on Sif, the air between the 2 women positively electric with hostility.

"You need the decryption key," Sif said as they approached. She knew why they were here.

"We need the decryption key," Eirik confirmed. "I had my suspicions when you surrendered the database so willingly. Now I know why."

"You can have it. But I want something in return!" Sif declared.

"Freedom is out of the question!" Freja cut in. Eirik knew better than to contradict her.

"Forget freedom. What I want, is a dinner for 2." Sif said with a triumphant look in Freja's direction. Freja instantly knew what she meant and jumped forward to attack Sif, but was stopped by Eirik and Jesper. "You are not getting a dinner with him as long as I live!" She snarled at Sif who smirked back without saying anything, adding to Freja's anger.

"Why would you want that? It makes no sense!" Eirik said, getting in between Freja and Sif, taking control of the conversation.

"My reasons are my own. I have put my price on the table. Pay it or don't." Sif said.

Eirik turned to Freja and spoke, "A dinner is just that. A dinner. Who I eat my meal with is not important. Who I think of while I eat it, is!"

Freja was shaking with anger but she nodded in agreement. Eirik turned back to Sif. "I agree to your terms."

"Perfect, I expect to be picked up from whatever cell you stick me in. at 8. Don't forget that I will need an evening gown from my wardrobe, which is no doubt somewhere among the loot from my base. Be a darling and pick out something appropriate." Sif said and turned her attention to stare at the horizon, signaling that she was more than done with this conversation.

Eirik sighed inwardly. This woman was going to get him into so much trouble!