Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary

"Aargh!"

Iniquus had just received multiple unfavorable reports from the team he had sent out to recapture Grito.

Not only had they failed to bring in the young Baccigan, but it had recently been discovered that the base on Phregon III had been infiltrated and an unknown amount of data downloaded from its communication system.

Normally when he was frustrated by less than good news, Iniquus had a bad habit of hitting his desk and leaving dents in its durable metal frame.

This time, however, his fury had exploded past the point where he could control himself, and he picked his desk up over his head and threw it against the room's far wall with every ounce of strength his physically enhanced body was capable of.

A resounding slam echoed through the room as the desk impacted against the reinforced wall and crumpled like foil.

Computers, tablets, and data drives all went flying from the desk. Most ending up smashed beyond repair.

"How could this have happened?! Where did I go wrong?!" Iniquus shouted, his destructive outburst doing little to quell his rage.

He had mobilized just about all of the forces at his disposal within the Phregon system, even going so far as to request assistance from another member of his organization, and he had still failed to achieve the results he wanted.

The terrorist attack on Phregon III had caused damage to his rivals as planned, but since he had been forced to start before all of the preparations were completed to create a distraction to retrieve Grito, the destruction had fallen far short of initial projections.

And he would have considered this a necessary lose, if the teams meant to recapture Grito had been successful.

Now, without Vi'ivando's nephew as a bargaining chip, the stubborn genius engineer would stop working on the emitter that was necessary for a future mission Iniquus had accepted.

Vi'ivando had already proven himself strong-willed enough to resist a great deal of pain, and more coercive methods risked leaving his mind damaged. There was no point in breaking someone if they could no longer complete the task they were needed for.

"If only he was as easy to control as those mercenaries. But I know he would choose death over continuing to work on the emitter. The only thing he cares about more than himself is that damned nephew of his."

Iniquus was beginning to regret keeping the Grito on Phregon III. It would have been easy enough to bring him to the orbital station he was currently using as a base.

Of course, there had been some risk in doing so. Baccigans were a crafty lot, and none more so than Vi'ivando.

To build the device Iniquus wanted, Vi'ivando had been given a lab that utilized some of the most advanced technology currently available in the Dramid Alliance. While he was being constantly monitored, Iniquus did not put it past his "guest" to try and escape if he thought it was possible to secure his nephew. Hence why he had kept them in separate locations to prevent this possibility.

As Iniquus' anger was about to boil over again, his close aide that had been keeping him up to date on the current situation walked into the room.

"This had better be good news or you should turn back around and leave." Iniquus said, his voice oozing with rage.

"You certainly are like your father. He was prone to bouts of anger as well when he was your age." The old aide said, his face devoid of any fear. "Fortunately, as it so happens, I do come bearing some pertinent information. The full details about the band of mercenaries that have been making a nuisance of themselves."

Grateful to finally be receiving at least something beside reports of failure, Iniquus grabbed the tablet his aide was holding out to him and began reading through it.

"So, it's the same group that spearheaded the defense of the Moonrise fleet. They've been getting in my way since before they even arrived in the Phregon System." Iniquus growled.

However, as he continued to read, he found that he was not the only one that had had his plans thwarted by these mercenaries.

Both Adder and Camila had taken losses from their involvement.

"Still, this does present a new opportunity. The SCXD-011 is quite the prize that has slipped from my colleagues' hands multiple times now. Should I acquire it, my setbacks will be overshadowed."

Iniquus greedily looked at the data of the ship that the organization had painstakingly tried to obtain. Being a vessel that Storren Corp. had put an immense number of resources into creating, there was no doubt that it contained all manner of advanced systems and technology.

Seeing as how it had managed to stand up to and trounce several far larger warships on two occasions, the craft had already proven itself to be exceptional.

"That may be true my lord, but our forces are depleted and our position unfavorable. I believe that it might be best to take Vi'ivando and the uncompleted device and return home. As for recapturing Grito and dealing with these mercenaries, that can be done after regathering your forces. It may not be to the degree desired, but your position in this system is already secured now that all of your competitors have been dealt a heavy blow. Now is the time for caution" The aide said, giving his experienced advice.

"Your reasoning does have merit, and I appreciate your service that has extend for two generation of my family. But I cannot run away in disgrace after so many failures. This is my chance to cement myself as a true force in the organization, just as my father before me was. We've still have enough forces to 'persuade' these mercenaries to see things our way. Now that we know who exactly we are dealing with. I don't expect to be outdone by simple mercenaries when they no longer have the element of surprise."

Thinking that he could easily outsmart Avery and his team, Iniquus began formulating a plan to obtain both Grito and the SCXD-011.

Except, as he was getting ready, the very people he was conspiring against contacted him to make a deal.