If you want to do business with someone, you need an introduction. Without that, there's no foundation of trust. You can't just show up unan
If you want to do business with someone, you need an introduction. Without that, there's no foundation of trust. You can't just show up unannounced and say, "I want to make a big deal." Even idiot street mercs check who they're dealing with first. And this? This was a deal that could involve the NCPD, 6th Street, and the Aldecaldos.
Once the idea took shape, Karl and his team acted quickly. Over the course of a few days, they arranged separate meetings with Mr. Johnson and the newly appointed leader of 6th Street, Nottingham Winry. Both expressed full support. If it was just a smuggling route, they agreed to take responsibility and were even willing to grant Karl's team full operational authority.
With two out of the three parties onboard, only the Aldecaldos remained. They weren't exactly close with them—so they needed someone to bridge the gap.
That was easy enough. For mercs like Karl's team, there was no better fixer for Badlands affairs than Dakota Smith. Anything that happened out there went through her.
When they contacted Dakota and asked her to introduce them to the Aldecaldos, she didn't let them down. Having relied on Karl's crew for clean, precise jobs in the past, she trusted them. Once she confirmed they weren't planning anything hostile, she stepped in as the broker and set up a meeting.
To reassure the Aldecaldos, the location was set in an abandoned town of their choosing out in the Badlands.
Coincidentally, it was the same town where Karl and his crew had first met V.
Seems nomads all have a good eye for terrain—remote, open, good for hiding. A place with escape routes in all directions. Everyone liked that sort of place.
"We're almost there," Oliver said.
Over the last few days, the crew had worked hard to get the Sky Hera back in working shape. Though some upgrades had to be scrapped due to time constraints, the formerly scrapped vehicle now had restored power and structure. As usual, Oliver was driving, and their ride was approaching the town.
They'd arranged to meet the Aldecaldos at 10 a.m. But by 9:30, they were already close. Through the armored windows, they could see several figures already waiting—clad in practical, dust-resistant long coats marked with Aldecaldo insignias.
"You nomads always show up early? I remember our first meeting going the same way, V. Is this what you call sincerity?" Oliver asked, clearly surprised.
"Wouldn't say it's sincerity," V replied, eyes scanning the weathered town. "It's precaution. You scout the place early to check for ambushes. In the Badlands, that's the fastest way to wipe out a clan—surprise raids on their camps."
"Don't let the number of people you see fool you," he added. "I'd bet there's a backup crew in hiding, just waiting to either pull everyone out or start shooting if it goes south."
"A cautious partner is a good partner," Karl said. "At least it shows they're serious—and just worried we might be the ones playing dirty."
"Every nomad clan is struggling right now," V murmured, watching the cautious preparation. "Even a maybe-deal, one brokered through a fixer, still gets this kind of mobilization..."
It was a bit ironic. His own clan had done the same. Life in the Badlands meant fighting tooth and nail for every glimmer of hope.
The car rolled to a stop. Karl and his team disembarked.
The Aldecaldos were ready. As soon as Karl's crew exited the vehicle, a man stepped forward—flanked by several others.
Karl looked up and saw a figure emerging from the dust—a middle-aged man with a commanding presence. His short hair was neatly trimmed, his skin a weathered tan, his face covered by a thick beard. He wore a cropped leather jacket and had the strong frame of someone used to physical work.
This was Saul Bright—the Aldecaldo leader whom Dakota had connected them with.
"First time meeting. Let's skip the pleasantries," Saul said bluntly. "We cleared out a room in the town. Let's talk there. You said this was a big deal in comms—I want to hear the details in person."
"Sounds good," Karl replied.
Being invited deep into an Aldecaldo-controlled town, into a room they'd set up, might've sounded like a trap. But when it came to business, some compromises had to be made. Since they were the ones approaching through Dakota, it only made sense to follow the Aldecaldos' arrangements.
During negotiations, the crew always followed Karl's lead. No one had objections. Under watchful gazes, they entered a house on the edge of town.
It was clean, carefully prepared. Structurally sound. Clearly, the Aldecaldos had taken time to make the place presentable. Karl saw no traps, no hidden observation points—another sign of sincerity.
Despite their wariness, the Aldecaldos were showing real intent to talk—or maybe they were desperate to strike a deal. Their courtesy bordered on excessive.
Any corpo would immediately spot this and know it was time to push the price down. But knowing how nomads think, you could probably haggle and still leave them feeling satisfied.
Karl dropped the thought and took a seat beside a recently placed steel table. Facing Saul, he opened the conversation:
"Aldecaldos… interested in a long-term, high-stakes deal?"
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