#5 by Carnifex

Carnifex sat in one of the bars on Deshima. A station as large and with as diverse a range of people as Deshima needed all kinds of bars. This one was dark and the air was poorly circulated, an atmosphere well suited to many of its patrons. Whispered conversations at dark corner tables were a staple here at the Gunpowder Regret. The Regret’s operator and bar keep, Charles Morgan, walked up to where Carnifex had sat down on his own at the bar.
“Carnifex, been a while since you came down here, I thought you fancy BN post would have you all tied up,” commented Morgan as he held a glass up questioningly.
Carnifex nodded, “They would have me scouting out LWB in Rheinland but I’m still not used to taking orders,” he explained while watching his drink being poured, “I like to sneak back to where the action is and read up on the bounties. Sheffield is quiet now that the SDN have consolidated ties, except for the odd Hacker who is more likely to blow himself up then let himself get caught.”
“Which explains your coming to Deshima,” said Morgan, “Any interesting bounties you put your eye on?”
“Not one,” Carnifex replied, “Which is what I find interesting. A few months ago the Houses were on the point of destroying each other and now the SDN are sitting behind their border systems as though they were waiting for an excuse to avoid the conflict they banded together to have.”
“The lack of explosions is odd,” said Morgan chuckling, “but the houses will pick up the bounties again eventually. After all, why risk your own life when someone else with do the job for you?” confidence in his words showed on his face.
“You know, I’m not so sure,” said Carnifex thoughtfully, “some of the more experienced and influential hunters are starting to take bounties from criminal organisations outside of house bounds. Normally no one cares but what happens these days if those bounties are from Outcasts? The SDN is already paranoid about them and their cardiforming, if they thought that any hunter they hire could be out to assassinate them then they will stop dealing with us.”
“Oh come on, how many bounties taken from Outcasts did you ever hear about that didn’t end in either the hunter or the cardimine sucker being riddled with holes?”
Carnifex glared at Morgan for a moment, the slur creating mixed emotions, “The Outcasts are pulling the strings of the Empire. Unless you haven’t noticed, Chuck,” his voice momentarily caustic, “we’re currently sitting inside Empire territory,” Carnifex let this sink in, “you’ve been doing business in their space since the fall of New Tokyo, practically. How much longer do you think backstabbing Outcasts will be a good idea, or killing them for that matter?”
Morgan smiled knowingly, “I’m just a bar tender, not going to be my problem.”