Working with Lilith was... interesting. My character had a history of dealing with either civilians or mercenaries; in this case, it was probably something in between. The girl definitely had experience in survival and, well, not professional mercenary work, but something close to it, so she didn't have problems inherent to civilians like insecurity and tendency to panic, and she knew how to use weapons well, and any kind of weapon (although she preferred SG), but she had her own problems that needed to be corrected. First of all, she had very little, if any, experience in teamwork. And only half the trouble was with role-sharing and the like; more problematic was that she nearly fried me when she used her ability. Fortunately, she has a fair measure of control over the fire that occurs when she uses her ability, so it's a matter of practice and consideration, but the difficulties are there.

  The second problem... well, this too is a matter of practice, generally speaking. Simply, the girl didn't know Pandora very well, and tended to underestimate it. I'm not an expert on the planet myself, obviously, but in the short time I've been here I've learned to respect it - in a bad way - and to be wary of it.

  All in all, working together with the girl was good for me - especially for the future - but it was good for her first and foremost. Whatever "mysterious cosmic powers" the "siren" possesses, I'm 100% sure that Pandora is more than capable of chewing her up and digesting her without even noticing. Much more in her favor is the fact that she's obviously one of the main characters in the story. Plot armor is stupid to underestimate, even if AlBa honestly intends to play honest, pardon the tautology. And he does seem to be playing along with that, though it's hard to tell how much.

  As for the "siren" abilities - they were entertaining, albeit rather odd. I didn't really question her - we're not that close - but some things were obvious. Her main ability, outwardly similar to delayed teleport, was actually closer to invisibility, with the addition of waves of fire when entering and exiting this sorta-invisibility. From what I understand, modern technology is quite capable of recreating this, at least in appearance; personal cloaking systems are rare but not unknown, and similar fire blasts are an option on some shields. All of which raises some vague questions about the nature of her powers.

  That wasn't the only thing Lilith could do, however. For example, she could create an energy blast from her hand, which I had mistaken for a weapon when I first met her. It was only about half a meter long, not very powerful, but it was spectacular. She also seemed to have the rudiments of pyro- and electrokinesis, and used them almost unconsciously, both for defense and attack. The latter, however, in a rather odd way: nothing obvious, but as we worked together, I noticed again and again that her preferred elemental weapons were clearly more effective than they should be. I even checked; yes, in my hands, the same SG hits weaker. Interesting.

  Anyway... I've held off on the "main quest" for now, especially since it's kind of progressing as it is - Tannis is working on the Eridian records. In the meantime, I'm going to try to more or less get the main characters, and them, to cooperate with each other. Lilith's call, so, was a surprise, but a pleasant surprise. And money is money.

  The client we met in person was a large broad-shouldered man with a limp on his right leg. As he said, "I used to be a security guard for a corporation, but then a bullet hit me in the leg, and I realized that I'd rather be on the road of adventure... And then I settled down as a farmer." In general, a deserter, quite well, judging by the size of the farm and the order, settled down on this crazy planet.

  As for the order - to clean up the territory, to fix the mobile drilling rig, to send the indicators, depending on them to conduct a second test drilling in another point. Nothing special, but Lilith couldn't handle the technical part herself - she had no knowledge or licenses. In fact, the only reason she took the job was because she remembered me.

  Come, kill, leave. Routine. Only livened up by incidents like the time the siren nearly fried me, and a smattering of conversation along the way and in the process. Obviously, we didn't pour our hearts out to each other, but no time passed in silence.

  I found out that the girl had never heard of the planet Earth, but she knew the planets Water, Mud, and Peanut Butter. She found out that most of an engineer's work is coffee makers, and that I get tangerines from my nominal boss instead of a salary. All in all, a very informative conversation.

  - What can you tell me about the Vault? - Finally, the girl got to the point. I shrugged.

  - It's there. And I strongly suspect I may get a lead on it after a while. Initially I was not going to bother with this venture, but life is so twisted at times... There is, however, a hitch. I'm a tough guy, but not tough enough to compete with all the people who want to get their hands on the treasury on their own.

  - Are you recruiting? - Lilith asked.

  - Informing, - I told her. - For now, it's still just an opportunity that may not materialize. If you think it's better to try on your own, it's up to you. If anything, we can always leave each other alone. We also have to live up to the issues of sharing the spoils. It's just that it's easier to live up to it as a team. Quantity turns to quality, after all.

  - Vladoff's slogan? - Lilith asked.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  - This too - i agreed.

  We split the fee for the work equally. Objectively speaking, I did a little more, but I wasn't picky - money is money, relationships are relationships. I mean, in terms of the prospect of further free work. In terms of personal relationships, I'm not going for anything... especially not after Moxie anytime soon. And frankly, until I'm sure Lilith can control her abilities, I wouldn't risk it anyway.

  All in all... Well, aside from making contact with Lilith - working contacts - I've gotten some ideas. Dahl's abandoned equipment might well be put to good use; it might be worth doing something like that. At least probe the ground, for starters, and take an inventory of what I've seen and where. Find some laborers, surround the camp with turrets... If i aim them inside, the workers won't even need to be paid. We could take out the bandits.

  Hmm. It's an interesting prospect, but it's something we'll have to feel out and think about.

  - There's not much use for raw materials on Pandora, dearie, - Moxie pointed out. - Without fabricators, it's of little use, and the fabricators are all in the hands of corporations... almost all of them.

  She thought for a moment; tapped her neat, long fingernails on the counter.

  - You know, sugar... What do you think of unverified information? - she finally asked.

  - I think it should be verified - I remarked. The woman nodded.

  - That's a good point. I have certain information that relates to your questions, but it needs to be verified.

  She tapped her sleeve, then a few taps on the holographic interface that appeared, and an image appeared of a lanky man with an elongated face and a lopsided mustache, one side shorter than the other.

  - Michael Slap - she informed me. - Was a storekeeper for the Dahl, now storekeeper for a gang, undecided on a name.

  - Not decided on the name or its called so? - I clarified.

  - Did not specified - replied the woman, looking at me and making sure that I am serious. - You can find out for yourself.

  I nodded, and she continued.

  - He might know where to find the Vanguard Support Fabricator and the keys to it.

  О. That piqued my interest, to say the least. A Vanguard Support Fabricator is basically a field factory that's supposed to provide advanced units cut off from supply lines with whatever they need. First of all - low quality hand weapons and ammunition, but even the typical set of schemes includes various things, including household items, and the set can be expanded. It is true that new schemes are difficult to introduce, but even so - the thing is very valuable. Hell, just the ability to produce ammunition is enough to live on! On Pandora, ammo blocks can be used instead of money.

  Which raises the question.

  - Given that you did not hold on to this information - everything is complicated? - I inquired. The woman shrugged her shoulders.

  - It's just unverified information. And even if it turns out to be true, it's just a first step.

  I nodded.

  - I see. Well, I guess I'll give it a try, but still - what's your interest?

  Moxie smiled.

  - Worried about me? That's nice. But don't worry, I won't let you down.

  I'm sure you will.

  - I don't doubt your abilities, and I don't mind that it's good for both of us, - I said. - Even if you end up with a bigger profit. I'd just like to know if there's anything I should be wary of separately.

  - Nothing that could be considered a trick, sugar, - Moxie said. Despite the lighthearted words, her tone became more serious. - My interest is in the very elimination of this gang. I should have gotten rid of them a long time ago.

  I frowned. Her last words didn't sound lightweight at all. It was either personal, or she needed something on their property (more likely the latter, since she didn't know the exact name), but either way, if Moxie hadn't gotten rid of them yet, they were strong enough.

  - A lot of people, or well entrenched? - I inquired. - Or are there pros?

  - All together - Moxie didn't disappoint me. - A few dozen people in a Dahl outpost with infrastructure and defenses intact, including fixed turrets, and Dahl officers at the head, with licenses to run the defenses.

  I grimaced. It wasn't worth it to go at it alone, even with heavy weapons, which I had trouble with.

  - I'm not badass enough to storm a fortress alone, - I said. - The subject is probably sitting there unseen, isn't he?

  - As far as I know, - Moxie agreed. It's getting better and better... If I was holding the defense alone, that would be fine. But my "character class" is much better suited to defense than offense.

  No, I can't do it alone.

  But if not alone… Hmm. There are options. Theoretically, I could even hire someone... but I'd have to either pay or share. I don't have much money, I don't want to share. How can I make it so that I can be rich and healthy, and preferably without getting paid for it...?

  The door of the bar opened, and in walked-- Oh. Roland.

  Moxie and I looked at each other.

  - Mr. Dethlove, Miss Moxie, - the black man nodded to me, and focused on the hostess. Uh... Well, if I were the main character, that name would be appropriate, I guess. I could tell he'd misheard.

  I didn't correct Roland, though, not yet.

  - Do you have a job? - The black knight asked. - I've heard that you can do it.

  - Actually, sugar, you're just in time, - Moxie said. - We were just talking about that.

  Well, there you go. Now all that's left is to contract the main character to do an impossible quest for a ridiculous small amount of money.

  Simple as that.