Why do I get the feeling that "negotiate" actually means "throw you around a room until you agree with me"? [ And there's a bitterness there he can't quite mask. ]
[ He stops when she does, and try as he might to examine her face, he can't get a feel for what she's thinking.
Peter's a pretty shitty mercenary, honestly. For most guys, the idea of a higher wage would mollify them, get them to shut up. But Maya's offer falls flat with him; he's suddenly realized he has a moral code, when he thought he'd lost that damn thing a long time ago. And she's right, in a way -- the thing with the kid has fucked this whole deal up pretty badly.
(A part of him says he's upset because killing children is fucked up. That's easy enough reasoning. But deep down, there's a selfish part of him saying he's upset that if she can kill kids without batting an eye, then there's no way in hell he's as safe as he once thought he was.)
He gives up trying to get a read on her. Instead, he puts on his own poker face, shoulders set and back straight. ]
I'd prefer we set an end date to my contract instead of you trying to buy me off.
[ He nearly walks right into her when she spins abruptly, and he jumps back in surprise. That was-- well. It's about the reaction he expected, actually, so he takes on that calm demeanor again. Or as best as he can, anyway -- she's making him nervous. ]
... I'm pretty sure we both know I wasn't in the hangar just for fun.
[ That makes him fall quiet again, because-- is she actually listening to him? Really? ]
What, about the contract? I dunno. We just-- set an end date. When that time rolls around, we-- discuss what happens then, whether we terminate it or we renew it.
[ Terminate, for sure. There's no doubt in Peter's mind. ]
[ He regards her again, and-- well, okay, this is an interesting change of pace, and the corner of his mouth twitches up a little in a small smile. He nods slowly, then holds out his hand. ]
[ When he pulls his hand away, he actually looks somewhat pleased. Maybe she can listen to reason, maybe she isn't the lost cause he thought she was. Granted, it's not as though he's the best moral compass, considering all the decisions that brought him here, but-- better than nothing, right?
He takes a deep breath, nodding. ]
Well. At the very least, then, you've got me for another month.
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I can always up your pay. We don't have to resort to throwing.
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Peter's a pretty shitty mercenary, honestly. For most guys, the idea of a higher wage would mollify them, get them to shut up. But Maya's offer falls flat with him; he's suddenly realized he has a moral code, when he thought he'd lost that damn thing a long time ago. And she's right, in a way -- the thing with the kid has fucked this whole deal up pretty badly.
(A part of him says he's upset because killing children is fucked up. That's easy enough reasoning. But deep down, there's a selfish part of him saying he's upset that if she can kill kids without batting an eye, then there's no way in hell he's as safe as he once thought he was.)
He gives up trying to get a read on her. Instead, he puts on his own poker face, shoulders set and back straight. ]
I'd prefer we set an end date to my contract instead of you trying to buy me off.
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Is that really what you want?
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... I'm pretty sure we both know I wasn't in the hangar just for fun.
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You ever heard of the phrase "the straw that broke the camel's back"?
Imagine it was like that. Only-- more of a cinder block than a piece of straw.
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What would you have me do, then?
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What, about the contract? I dunno. We just-- set an end date. When that time rolls around, we-- discuss what happens then, whether we terminate it or we renew it.
[ Terminate, for sure. There's no doubt in Peter's mind. ]
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... it's probably that one. ]
And what seems reasonable to you?
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One more month. [ He's been here for several months already. It's way beyond time for him to move on. ] After that-- we'll talk it over, I guess.
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Very well. One more month.
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... Really? That simple?
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Deal, then?
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Come tomorrow, she's having his ship dismantled.
But for the moment, she flashes him a smile in return, and takes his offered hand ]
Deal.
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He takes a deep breath, nodding. ]
Well. At the very least, then, you've got me for another month.