PROSPECT
Subtitled by ear :-) by Geoion
How are you?
I just stepped out...
I told you not to leave.
I couldn't sleep.
I will get help... Like you do.
Clean it please. Scrub the filters.
The schedule says that... This is the last run.
Our line is shutting down.
You didn't tell me that we could be stranded.
We won't.
We have three cycles for the job before we have to catch the sling back.
Plenty of time.
Clean the thrower.
You look like your mom.
I need you to (???)
Your mother broke her water
before you were supposed to come
On Mau.
We didn't think you could come so early.
I didn't know that.
You were tiny, I had you in my hand.
You were just red and furious.
Fuzzy and covered in hair.
I was born on Mau?
I thought it happened in Camarea.
Well we were on holiday
our last holiday before the baby came.
I wish we'd go back.
- You can't swim, you have to swim on Mau. - No, back home, to Camarea.
Camarea... You don't even know how to say it.
It's not our home.
It's where we lived with mom.
We're gonna run behind the sch.. soon...
And get a...
Got our job to just... You know... It's temporary...
I'm sorry I didn't tell you.
I should've told you.
Tell me what?
Hey!
Three cycles?
Mhm...
27-42 requesting release.
Read start 27-42...
(???) rised, PG pivot is pickups only.
I know... I know line is dead... We'll be back in the other end of the sling.
What was that?
Ah.. shit!
That's atmosphere.
Ah... Shit!
What happened?
I don't know.
We're off course.
Here...
I don't know where we are.
(???) cycle, we can have a cycle harvest.
This piece of shit put us out of range.
Right here.
Are you all right?
Yeah..
Suit up.
Wh... What about the instruments?
We just burned one of the gels.
It's fine.
We still have enough time.
We need to move out now though.
Or already be late.
Clear?
Clear.
All right, you got the good filter.
But watch your saturation.
Here.
You do it.
I need to keep hands on the thrower.
It's an old orolac dig
Leftovers from the rush.
On my last tour the forest was full of these fren(?)crank teams
Not many knew what they were doing.
Got pretty scrappy.
Do we have time for this?
This is amateur work.
They may have left something behind.
Ahah...
Bring me the kit... and the water.
Hold that up.
You wanna cut it?
Yeah.
OK.
Right here in the middle.
Good.
Mix equal part in the squeeze for the phaser.
The blister is punctured, it releases caram(?) acid.
If it comes in contact with the gem the whole pool is compromised.
Hey!
If the phaser touches meat the whole dig blows.
Be more careful.
D'you hear?
Now any minute (???) pull back into rush.
The hard deposit is gonna pull at least heck a ton grade.
That will rake in at least a few thousand... maybe even ten.
Ten thousand?
Ahah...
Ten thousand would be enough to cover the loan.
Right?
An.. And the pug lease?
If we head back now there will be enough time to make sure we don't miss the sling back.
Mhmm...
Why?
Ten thousand gets us back to pugger(?) bench for maybe half a stand
then we're scanning boards for the next one.
I like the pug.
You don't like the pug.
This deposit that we have pinned
the queen's lair
is very special.
Gems five times this size, maybe bigger.
With only 15 points in the pool our net gains could easily be in the millions.
That's "back to central" kind of money.
But...
If we miss the sling...
This is not up for discussion.
We will never ever have a chance like this again.
We've been here too long, we'll refill the bladders, we got to move out.
Someone is approaching.
Looks like two men, they're armed.
Canal zero, mute your mike, stay in there.
I'll meet you back on three when I get the chance.
(???)
I only just arrived.
I was passing through and spotted this old dig.
(???)
You two guys, do you need anything, like a filter or some food?
I don't see too many tubes(?) around these woods any more.
I got word of the fade, couldn't resist one last quick job.
(???)
I (???) it up for a time during the peak of the rush.
What's he doing?
Is this a serious question?
- I told you, I just arrived, I don't have anything. - I don’t believe you!
Temper, man!
My partner always needs a little convincing.
He'd just kill me if I let you go without a thorough search.
I didn't caught your name... Friend!
It's Damon...
Nice to meet you Damon.
I'm Ezra.
I can't tell you how refreshing it is
whoo
to encounter another talker.
It's been quite some time since we (???) in motion
Where are you from... Damon?
Nowhere.
Capoerdeck (?)
Kategi Euro (?)... Hmm...
Floda (?)
Freelance?
You don't look very friendly.
I need those!
Yeah, don't we all?
I told you, I don't have anything, I just arrived.
All right Damon.
You don't understand.
Understand what now?
Damon, it's truly been a pleasure, but
pleasantries past, it's time to get defensive(?)
To be completely candid
this all(?) has proven to disappointing, me and my partner, both, feel we deserve
satisfaction.
You understand?
So how did you get here, Damon?
What?
Your ship?
Where is it?
Oh, perhaps your ship is a tick too rich for you (???)
A pug.
Yes man... The starters if you don't mind.
Where is it?
Don't make me root for it Damon!
I guarantee you I'll make it an unnecessary painful process.
Get off! Get off!
If I give you the key you’ll just gonna kill me
That is not necessarily true.
Nevertheless continuum within the act of killing is a broad spectrum of technique
So there is still incentive for you to acquiesce 'cause that's what you're getting at.
I have a counter offer.
A twist.
Go on.
I'm not here to prospect.
I'm here to harvest.
Why would you be so cryptic under rails?
You are lucky.
I am not immune to intrigue.
But be careful you don't overplay this technique.
I have the precise location of a massive deposit of oralac.
By my estimation is the largest anyone's ever seen.
I have seen my share.
The queen's lair.
This is eerie.
I've been hired by a crew of mercs who've stumbled upon what they describe
as a deposit the size of a hyper(?) turbine.
They're here on some kind of prisoner escort, found the queen's lair on accident
Now they camp down on the site.
They needed a digger so I'm on contract to harvest it for a cut
With the three of us... That rail gun...
Couldn't we just take it off for ourselves?
Funny I don't see any mercs...
Where are they?
I'm not gonna tell you.
But I can lead you there.
OK.
I'd like to believe you.
Admittedly more out of desire than good sense.
But Damon...
It is talking the queen's lair.
Accepting is already momentary(?).
Even split?
And there's the three of us.
We split it in thirds, that's an even split.
Fine...
This is so exciting.
You there?
Yes.
OK. When we depart get the thrower and follow up.
Watch for me the channel check. When I do, they should stop.
When they stop slide in and target the big one
Remember, only one shot per cap. Clear?
Clear?
I need to hear it, clear?
Clear.
What did you have for (???) back in the day? You always run solo?
Family crew.
We have a base-camp orbiter.
Fancy...
We had a full crowing(?) party when we arrived in
You know, one of your freighter (???) A testing screamer.
Mercs in the green, huh?
Last time got a word on mercs was way back when (???) hit up on the corporate expeditions.
We were hired by Carolclam (?) for one of their ceremonial executions.
Carolclam (?)
You're friendly with these fellows?
(???) this crusty (???)
Drop it! Drop it!
Tell him to drop it!
Drop it!
Get back.
Get back!
Now this is something I've never seen
You know... My time in the green.
Little girl.
Damon, I clearly underestimated you, I must stop doing that.
All right... Drop the packs... Both of you.
All right... Sit down. Right there.
Damon.
Is this mean that the plan is off?
You had me all up and bought over the queen's lair, Damon.
- Open it. - All right, you can have your fabled spoils all to yourself.
Look, if your talk of the queen's lair is true
this is just a scratch.
Dad!?
Can we go?
The girl is scared.
You should listen to her.
No harm done yet.
Open it!
It's a shame, Damon.
We could've been rich together.
You got a field kit?
Hey!
Field kit!
You gonna shoot?
You killed my father.
Maybe is
technically true
Cable waits, girl! Shoot or help!
Just make a move.
Here's what is going to happen.
You will lead me to your ship and fly me into connection orbit
for the (???) sling back.
In exchange for this I will not kill you.
This is a good deal.
You killed my father so I'm being very generous.
I suggest you take it because I will kill you otherwise. Don't think that I won't.
Give me a kit and we can talk.
Your offer is indeed generous
And I would be more than happy to sign and seal, safe for one glaring slip.
My ship...
You don't have a ship?
Oh, I did...
Then there was an event with my crew concerning a bit of oralac and...
Words and metal flew...
and now I don't.
We're in the same trough you and I.
Can't say I was pleased to find your narrow(?)...
(???) as she supposed to be my redemption as well.
Whoa, whoa!
Just... just...
Slow down a bit there, little bird.
At least wait for the counter offer.
I don't think I should listen to you.
How is it you intend to get on?
That is the goal.
- Am I right? - That's n...
I'm not telling you.
The mercs.
They're real, aren't they?
Mhm...
And the queen's lair.
Mhm...
You ARE making a run for them.
Listen...
I know well the lure of vengeance.
I, myself, have...
frequently indulged
and I have not often found regret.
And in this moment right here
I'm afraid for both our sakes and most repulsed.
I say we go to your mercs.
I'll play the prospector.
And together we ravage the queen.
You're trying to trick me.
And I help you.
I can harvest.
I can offer protection.
A girl your age, a child, wanders into a camp of fringely mercs (???)
At the end of tour what happens, you appeal to their sympathies?
They have none.
They are ruthless profiteers.
You must have something to offer or they will find something to take from you.
Why should I trust you?
You stole from us.
- We did nothing in the end... - That's The Fringe, girl.
If you are one to point fingers at extortion
well, there's not much I can say.
And then you killed my father.
Hold on. I'm keen to make the case that Damon killed himself.
We were trying to escape.
Was trying to steal my trophy cases, what he was trying to do.
A man's work is no petty thing.
To you, his daughter
I truly apologize for my contribution to his passing.
But he was stealing my entire harvest.
And actions like these foment a thread of appropriate reactions
Your father knew that...
and if he didn't then he had no business in the green.
You're a killer.
I am indeed.
But are you?
It was all in the name of self preservation, birdie, it was nothing personal.
Shut up.
- I'm your safest... - Shut up!
...and in the end we'll both be rich.
Even split.
Of course.
There's one more thing.
My filter is spent, gonna need a hook up.
What is your name?
Do you mind if I take a look?
I can handle a map.
What do you know about these mercs?
When did they do arrived?
How many are there?
I don't know.
He didn't tell you anything?
It's bad practice keeping you in the dark, if you ask me.
What? If it just doesn't suit you?
A good partnership is only made so by candid discourse.
Like you did with your mute friend?
Number two is more of a utility
than a partner... Seems like your father treated you the same way.
Stop talking about my father.
What is your name?
I'm gonna have to call you something.
Oy! Number three!
Watch with the tube, girl, straight finger.(?)
Thank you!
If you don't know the thing about tunnel rats (?)
it's when they fornicate
They excrete a hormone substance, I don't know what it's called.
But it is uncannily sticky.
It clogs up electrics
and it smells exactly like, but significantly more potent than stale human urine.
Could you stop?
Anyways, we stripped every panel in that ship.
And clubbed those (???) to death two to ten
It was a toilsome marathon of carnage.
We knew what this (???) is.
You know, eventually, you gonna have to trust me.
Let's go.
- What's wrong with you? - Just give me a moment.
(???)
Keep the thrower low, we could be surrounded.
What?
I said keep it low.
- He's coming closer. - Don't show any sign of aggression.
Drop it.
- Put your hands above your head. - What?
Just do it!
- Why? - Just do it!
Now!
We have to follow.
Why?
It would appear
Had a (???) bite...
Still has some venom.
The dust.
It turned into a (???) an now it festers.
(???)
And tedious scavengers.
There should be a minimal(?) to trade for medical supplies.
We don't have time.
We don't have a choice.
You don't.
Shoot me then.
(???)
I sustained a wound.
There due to inadequate treatment... now festers paint(?).
I was hoping you have some juice.
We got juice.
Thank you sir.
We are tremendously grateful.
No!
No (???)
I thought perhaps we might've anything interesting for trade.
No...
(???)
Oh, why, is an understandable measure.
We shall store them at your discretion and return, shortly, unarmed.
Is that acceptable to you and your colleagues?
All right...
Here.
I was once a man like you.
Who came with the mind to strike oralac.
That man died down there, in the green.
On anew amongst friends
bonded into lairs, beyond the ability and (tireless) to perceive.
And now our son will play for you.
That was beautiful.
Juice.
It's good for you, cleanses the dust.
Thank you for your kindness.
Now, as you can see I sustained a trauma to my shoulder.
And would much like to flush it with your magic juice.
And to keep straight
we would also be very much interested in proper dressing
and filter refreshers if you have 'em and can spare them.
In return, for your gracious offering
we are prepared to compensate with generosity in equal measure.
Here is our offer.
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
For the girl.
That is a bold offer.
It has been determined
you cannot see it 'cause (???) fills you eyes.
But it is inevitable all the same
that she will be reborn, just like me.
That is the reason why you were brought here.
Not the oralac.
What do you need her for?
We lost our mother.
In the vast past it is time to rebuild.
The (???) have felt our loss and pulled you here.
To reclaim the balance.
Hello...
Hello to the green.
(???)
It might be funny.
(???)
trying to make a bad deal with the right holdout
If anyone is out there
don't hesitate to click on.
Take your helmet off.
You look like shit.
Eat it.
This case (???) here.
Here.
I need your help.
After you left those (???) weren't too keen on helping me out
so I had to treat myself.
I botched the excision.
I wasn't able to clean scrap the blackness.
Now, if I don't lose my arm, it will kill me.
And I can't perform the procedure by myself.
Were you going to give me to them?
No.
Ever used one of these before?
It' easy.
Prime it like this.
And there are five levels of intensity.
Two for flesh.
Four for bone.
You got it?
Thank you.
Will it hurt?
I won't feel a thing, hack away.
Quick... Confidence... Strokes are best.
Try to go full circuit on the first cut.
Never had to use these (???) before.
(???) a knife.
Tingling.
Almost (???)
Oh shit. Oh shit.
- Oh shit! - Word!
Oh shit!
Oh shit, oh shit.
Does it hurt?
No... I don't know... Keep going, you're doing great.
Keep going until you hit bone.
I'm gonna miss 'im
My primary weapon, made with me my whole life.
Always there. Ready to help.
No job too gritty.
No love...
too intimidating.
Sorry, that is bone
Up to four.
As soon it is off give my stump a hardy coat in juice then cream it all shut.
Clear?
Clear.
How are you so calm?
You've done this before
I was twelve
We've spent a season processing (???)
Once they chopped all the big meat cuts they had me cut inside the body cavity to clip the organs.
(???) without mangling 'em
Took an hour to wash the blood out of my hair overnight.
This is pretty straight compare to that.
Done.
So where is home?
I don't have one.
Spoken like a true flooda(?)
What's that book you carry around?
It's The Streamer Girl(?)
Streamer Girl...
It's a novel.
You wrote a novel?
No, no, I'm just writing it out.
You really don't know The Streamer Girl?
Is not a lot of literature in circulation out here.
Well is so good.
It's about this group of friends that grow up together at the (???) of conservatorium (???)
Follows their lives to school and graduation, master...
(???) my favorites they end up...
I shouldn't tell you in case you read it someday.
Now it seems I must!
It's my favorite.
I lost my copy in (???)... I'm working on a new one,
I'm not done yet.
You memorized it?
Not exact wording... But I know every scene.
Sometimes...
I imagine that I live in the (???)
I like to think about what happened in between was already written.
So I have new scenes sometimes.
I just then I get to spend more time in their world... and...
So they're like more real to me, like...
Like I can have conversations with them.
You must think I'm strange.
Not at all.
It's quite impressive.
When I lost the book
he said that it was for the best.
Then he said that it was a distraction and I was wasting my time re-reading the same book.
And that I need it to focus.
Focus on what?
Like cultivating skills relevant to my field.
Maybe he was right.
Maybe if I had then he wouldn’t be dead.
(???)
He didn't think like that.
(???)
It's not good.
You need someone to blame, you blame me.
You need to think about your next move.
Be on that freighter in a tick.
My name is Cee.
It's nice to meet you, Cee.
Well...
There's our ride.
Stay clean and close and I talk us through.
When it comes time to dig I need you sharp.
I never harvested one handed before.
I'm gonna need some help.
Gonna keep it creamy(?)
And it'll all be fine.
Damon - here for the dig!
You wouldn't believe the time that we had getting here.
I wholeheartedly apologize for being late.
But after the storm (???) us off mark...
We're already a cycle back (???)
You're late.
I wholeheartedly apologize, you wouldn't believe...
You're ready to dig?
Well, actually...
before we get started (???)
I hadn't been completely candid with you, yet.
After an err in landing, toilsome trick, is one more significant detail to our story.
One that forces us to leverage our talents for a little bit more than agreed upon price.
15 points.
It's not more that (???) we're after.
The point are more than adequate payment for the two of us.
Rather it's the means of transit we lack.
We need a ride up to the freighter.
Can't help you.
Then we're not going to dig.
Well, now...
What she means is while transport is a requisite part of the deal
we are willing to forgo two points.
Which by any reckoning is exorbitant compensation for a hop into orbit.
I said we can't do it. Take off already picked and we ain't swinging your weight in payload.
Aw, come now. And the price grab will of the weight of the passenger and a half.
Cargo breaks this, that's 100-130 V right over there.
Place is already being (???)
What about the water reservoir?
She a (???) joker, bare bones.
Engine skirt.
Skirt ain't but 30 V.
A... a... bus converter
How we're gonna live with no converter?
My father once (???) the spare battery and punched the orbit squares in the hand pads so the...
(???)
We'd also wait for a freight to pass and now you are looking (???)
The job hasn't changed so keep the 50 and get to digging.
Before we miss the last train home.
Your way off isn't our problem.
You are not understanding me.
Everything's changed.
If you're not willing to scrap payloads scrap crew for all I care, but you will find a way!
If you want that buried treasure.
(???) here s'been looking for a way out since (???)
I reckon you best jump to it if you're trying to keep your pay.
And your girl.
I'm the gatekeeper to more wealth than any of us ever seen.
And you've done wasting in the green for far too long to let that slip away.
Afraid I am the only means to the successful end of your adventure.
And I say the terms are changed.
30 plus a ride for me and my partner on your handsome craft...
or no deal.
Find a way!
I did not intend to breach my station, but...
perhaps the secondary hydrogen (???) offers a viable solution to this stalemate.
One that will keep us all in pay.
My boy, this is a winner.
I think a little backup thruster is an easy drop under the circumstances.
What you say, boss?
Fine...
(???)
This way.
Gentlemen...
and women
leave your rig. (?)
Strange method for an execution.
What did this fellow do to land in the box?
Don't know,
(???)
Had to slow all away out here to just leave him here to die.
Apparently is tradition.
How convoluted!
Don't need to tell me.
But the pay is good so I don't miss-care.
There she is.
Somebody ought to give her a go.
Found a dig (???)
(???)
So we called you in.
That's a (???) for a dry breach.
(???)
Hello, sweet heart.
It's a big one.
Good.
Nice and tight.
Hold it like you lovin.
That's perfect.
Slippery son of a bitch.
Shit!
Not to worry, we go again.
(♪$%&^♪?)
you do how to do this?
It's a little difficult to (???) we candid.
What you say?
Sounded like you said you can do this.
Now hold on.
All right, you (???) can't dig for shit.
We're done here.
(???) to bring the rest of a men.
What do we do?
I don't know.
Greedy fool.
Couldn't help myself.
Took a stumble to get a closer look.
Now time presses.
And I am gonna need assistance if we are...
Go go go!
I'm out.
If we uncouple
You can run a distraction opening me up for the back-stab.
Are you sure?
I can do it!
You run fast
And you don't stop
(???)
we go straight back here
as soon I make the kill.
So here we recouple.
You clear?
Clear.
You need to go.
You grab the gun and you go.
You can make it.
Get outa here.