Super Spender

“We’ll have to ask the captain when the warp jump ends,” Dunn Monty said, scratching his head. “But at the fastest, I estimate it will take three days. The cruiser is quite old and can’t stay in warp jump continuously. Plus, the warp jump range is highly limited. Part of the journey, we still need to use a Wormhole to proceed.”

“Alright, thanks,” Finn Lewis responded with a smile.

“Um, Your Highness, do you want me to get that money back?” Dunn Monty hesitated for a moment before asking. Even though he still didn’t understand Finn’s source of star credits, it was clear that Finn was previously unaware of the true value of star credits.

Now that he knew, that money was obviously very important to Finn Lewis. So, that’s why Dunn Monty suggested it.

Finn laughed, waved his hand, and said, “No need. I never try to recover the money I’ve spent. Plus, that sum isn’t much for me. Oh, by the way.” From the clothes he had taken off beside the bed, Finn pulled out a bundle of star credits and tossed it over.

Automatically, Dunn Monty caught the bundle of star credits that Finn had tossed. After catching it, he was somewhat dazed, not understanding Finn’s intention.

“You can keep this money. You’ve been away for a long time and certainly have matters to deal with. Plus, you’ll need money to help me handle some things. Take this for now. If it’s not enough, just let me know”, Finn said with a smile.

“Your Highness, this is too much. And money isn’t needed for your authentication. The relevant institutions absolutely have the right to serve the royal family,” Dunn Monty said, appearing lost for words.

“Just keep it if I told you to. Consider it your tip,” Finn said with a laugh.

“Oh, so generous! In that case, young man, don’t forget that you’re on my ship now. Do I also get a bit of fare?” With a sudden voice, the door to Finn’s room was flung open, and Jasmine Davis walked in wearing high heels.

Dunn Monty’s face changed immediately, “If I remember correctly, the room’s door should be soundproof. Outside shouldn’t be able to hear our conversation, correct?”

“This is my ship. Anything I want to hear, there isn’t a thing I can’t hear. Of course, there’s also no place I can’t enter,” Jasmine said unapologetically.

“Can you have some manners?” Dunn Monty muttered in frustration.

“.

Jasmine Davis laughed, “Manners, huh? Do correct me if I’m wrong. You do remember what I am, don’t you? And you’re asking me, a pirate in the cosmic sea, to observe ‘manners’? From the primitive world to now, have you ever heard of pirates having manners?”

Finn Lewis almost bit his tongue. Damn, pirates! No wonder this spaceship was in such a dilapidated state. Finn had assumed they were mercenaries, but clearly, they’re a long way from being that.

“Greetings, even in the absence of manners, surely you must keep your promises? We agreed that you’re to drop us off at the Milky Way zone. Surely you’re not intending to renege so soon?” Dunn Monty blurted out, his face turning red.

“Aw, are you upset? You know, I might omit manners, but I am true to my word. However, there’s a big difference between ‘getting you there’ and how you ‘get there’. I could kill you both and toss your bodies near the Milky Way zone, that technically still constitutes as ‘getting you there’. On the other hand, I could deliver you both politely and in one piece. These offerings naturally command different prices,” Jasmine said, grinning from ear to ear.

“What do you want?” Dunn Monty’s face turned serious at once as he asked, his eyes narrowed.

“Nothing much. I just want to discuss the issue of the ship fare with His Highness here. Do you know the risks I’m taking to go to the Milky Way zone? As a high-ranking space pirate, do you realise how badly those established family armies want to capture me? Isn’t it reasonable for me to charge a little fee?” Jasmine’s smile disappeared as she stated flatly.

“Dunn Monty, don’t be angry. Since Commander Davis is ferrying us over, it’s normal for her to ask for a fee. I may not have much, but I do have money. Please, Commander Davis,” Before Dunn Monty could say anything else, Finn’s voice sounded from behind him.

Dunn Monty paused, then stepped aside. Jasmine Davis walked straight to Finn, sat directly across from him, and both remained silent. They merely stared at each other quietly. After some time, Jasmine suddenly laughed, and with narrowed eyes, she said, “Your Highness, you’re indeed a member of the Nine Star royal family. Your demeanor is truly extraordinary.”

“Too kind, Commander Davis. Who’s to say I’m not just petrified?” Finn Lewis responded with a chuckle.

Afraid my ass! Do you look afraid? Frankly, Jasmine was now intrigued by Finn. His behavior was far from that of someone from a primitive planet. Even if Dunn Monty had informed him about certain things in advance, he couldn’t possibly have been this prepared.

Besides, Dunn Monty was expelled from the Inspectorate and didn’t have much money. Where could he have found so many star credits? That said, the credits certainly didn’t come from Dunn Monty. So this was getting interesting. Jasmine was certain that Finn hadn’t left Earth, she would swear on it. Getting someone past the Inspectorate’s examination was not impossible, but very tough. Especially when trying to acquire star credits, it seemed even more challenging.

If star credits were so easy to acquire, would they be living in such penury? At the moment, Jasmine’s entire pirate group account balance was not more than 50,000 star credits. A considerable chunk of this sum was allocated for purchasing repair parts for her fleet.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t think I’m a fool. I’ll be straight with you. Since you’re so generous, I won’t ask for much. Give me 50,000 star credits, and I guarantee to get you safely to the outskirts of the Milky Way star zone. Even if the Inspectorate and the nine major royal family fleets are nearby, I’m confident I can get you there safely, ensuring a comfortable journey,” Jasmine said, pausing before speaking directly.

“I do have a lot of money, but how do I know that after I’ve given you the money, you won’t go back on your word? You said it yourself, it’s foolish to negotiate manners with a pirate like you. Once I’ve given you the money, what guarantees me that you won’t just kill me, throw me into space, take the 50,000 star credits and leave? That’s surely easier than going all the way to the vicinity of the Milky Way star zone. Perhaps, by killing me, you might even get more money from someone else,” Finn Lewis calmly replied, staring at Jasmine Davis.