Once Avery’s meeting with Cerise had concluded, he had all of the information that he needed for the job.

It was going to be a long-term endeavor as he first needed to be picked up by the Odium Syndicate and work his way deeper into the organization.

’Not that I mind it taking a while. Earning eighteen million a day certainly doesn’t feel bad.’ Avery thought, his lips turning up into a smirk as he thought about how much money this mission was going to bring in.

When eh returned to the Intrepid, he went around inspecting the changes to the carrier vessel.

Parts of the interior had been modified to make the place look a bit worn down and more lived in.

His new identity stated he had taken possession of the ship for several years, and that it was already two decades old when he had obtained it.

Obviously, someone that was supposed to be in massive gambling debt would not be spending money to perfectly maintain his vessel and outfit the rooms with quality furniture and appliances.

"The people that Cerise brought really did a number on this section. No one is going to want to live in this part of the ship even if its only for theater every now and then."

Turning around towards the voice, Avery saw an unfamiliar human woman standing there.

She had a bald head and a scar running down her left eye.

However, while her appearance may have been unfamiliar, he recognized her voice immediately.

"You certainly went with an interesting choice for your disguise, Kasandra." Avery said, looking her up and down.

"Yeah, I wanted to look mysterious and dangerous. This mask fits the bill. Plus, my fake identity’s backstory apparently alludes to me having been a hitwoman for some gang located on the far side of the Vanmir Republic. But I’m on the run after botching a job and getting on the bad side of the gang’s leader for not sleeping with him."

"That’s certainly... interesting. But was something so convoluted really necessary?" Avery asked.

"No, which is why I just made it up." Kasandra said proudly.

She then explained that her new identity was just a kid from a broken home who ran away at a young age and worked menial jobs on different ships for most of her life.

At least until she saved up enough money for some bodily augmentations and managed to become a security officer for a certain company. One that had apparently gone out of business now. Something Cerise had chosen because it would be harder to track records, just in case the Odium Syndicate heavily looked into the identity.

"But I got fired for pilfering a few goods for myself a few years before they went belly up. Which is why no respectable enterprise will take me on and how I ended up working for a man like Ferdinand Karas."

The real background of her new background was a lot more believable than the first. It would also explain her presence if he brought her around with him.

She was an augmented security officer, so she was the muscle he had hired to protect himself.

"Sounds good, and not as farfetched as the first tale you were spinning. What about the others? Do you know what their undercover identities are like?"

Kasandra just shook her head.

She had been busy working on her own persona and the moment she was finished had rushed over to show Avery.

"Jasmine messaged me that she was working up something wild, but I don’t know anything beyond that." Kasandra said with a shrug.

"I guess that’s something that I’ll have to look forward to." Avery sighed. "By the way, why are you disguised as a human? Aren’t your ears uncomfortable, and a potential liability." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"It’s not too bad. I’m just keeping them folded down on my head. As for being human, it’s simply because they’re a lot more common than Felis Therianthropes. Don’t want to leave any clues that might give myself away. Oh yeah and make sure to call me Vicky while I’m in disguise. That’s the name that came with this identity."

With "Vicky" in tow, "Ferdinand went around to inspect the main cargo bay of his ship.

When the two of them arrived, they found that most of the items that were normally stored there had been cleared out and that teams under Cerise command were going around making sure that everything was set up properly and the area looked like it was well used from years of service.

As for what had been stored here before, it had mostly been moved to smaller cargo holds throughout the ship and empty living quarters that were not currently in use.

"It’s probably a bit late to bring this up, but our smaller cargo space than a typically Ontembaar vessel isn’t going to be a problem, right? Normally, most of the craft would be for storing goods, but we’ve got two hangars and dozens of other facilities instead." Kasandra said, bringing up a valid concern.

"Cerise and I discussed that, and we don’t see it being an issue. It’s not like the Odium Syndicate is going to do a full inspection of the ship. Most people would refuse even if they did, for obvious reasons. At most they might want to see where we’ll keep their product to make sure that it’s up to their standards. It’s more believable that this is a secondary cargo bay that’s been specially outfitted for smuggling."

Kasandra found this explanation reasonable and the two of them continued on.

Yet, as they were about to leave a very colorful character made her appearance.

"Ferdy, what are you doing with that hussy next to you?! Was it all a lie when you said your time with me was the most enjoyable of all?!"

Avery grabbed the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes as he heard Jasmine’s voice ringing out through the area in a far louder and more exaggerated manner than usual.

He could already tell that she was going to be portraying a very unique role just from hearing her.