Chapter Text
Things were not going to plan. The plan, in fact, had all but fallen apart. Were they going to make it off this planet alive?
Jimin considered his options ducking behind an empty crate, narrowly avoiding a barrage of bullets an entire town seemed to be aiming straight at him. Popping open his revolver to reload, he waited for a pause in shots to make a break for the ship - which he prayed would be soon as the crate was only protecting him so much. It was thick, to be sure, but time had worn on it, likely sitting in its position for years, exposed to the unrelenting heat and radiation of the very near stars. Gritting his teeth, he snapped the cylinder back into place and, sensing a lull, sprinted to the ship.
"I'll cover you, c'mon!" Namjoon hollered over the firing of weapons. He was back at the the ship, taking cover behind the large quantities of food stuffs that were supposed to be delivered to this planet. Key word: Supposed.
Closing in, Jimin was deterred by a large explosion, veering him left for cover.
"Take that, wandering scum!" A local holding a rocket launcher cursed at Jimin. "That's what you get trying to rip off the good people of this planet!" That stirred some feelings in Jimin's gut.
"We did NOT try to rip you off! There is a misunderstanding!" Peering his head over the cover to throw his voice, quickly ducking once the barrage of bullets began again. Seemingly, he was the main target - and only about fifty feet away from refuge.
No, this was not the ideal situation. He needed a distraction to get to the ship. Looking to Namjoon for a plan, Jimin spotted the Outsider who caused all of this crouching next to his friend.
If it weren't for this guy, Jimin and Namjoon would be drinking at the saloon with these locals making plans for another shipment, not trading fire and burning bridges.
When they arrived on planet, things were hopeful and cheery. Practically sunshine and rainbows. Jimin had stepped off the ship in high spirits, the bright weather only lifting him further as he neared the saloon, Mashida, where all business was handled in this town. Namjoon sent Jimin to open bargaining with the town leader. They were not daft, the man obviously had a thing for Jimin. Seeing him should certainly open the discussion in their favor. They got a pretty fresh shipment from the overabundant planet Miscus only last week. Of course, the obvious place to bring it for a prime trade was the desolate planet of Samak. Not many traders knew or considered the planet - the settlers were few and poor. But for smaller ships, like Namjoon's reliable Byul, it was a worthy deal as it was along the route to their next mission on Nuek.
Entering Mashida, Jimin took a moment to allow his eyes to adjust and take in the characters at play. Surprisingly empty, very few patron were inside the establishment. The planet hardly ever saw night. With two suns, there wasn't really an "early" or "late" - it was always five o'clock, sort of speak. The planet was mined for archaic energy sources, which was needed for very niche reasons - usually science or medicine. It was difficult to mine, and the settlers on this planet were rough and rugged, often drinking their difficulties away. Jimin made his way to the bartender to get the scoop. The kind old man had seen better years. His face was ridden with age, grey eyebrows long and shaggy - same as his beard. Jimin approached him, stopping at the counter with the kindest smile he could muster and posed his question.
"Excuse me, sir, where would I find Town Leader Chong this fine morning?" The old man paused his wiping of the already clean bar to suck in a sigh.
"There's a name I haven't heard in months! No, boy, he is not in charge any longer." The man chuckled and slid a shotglass in front of Jimin, uncorking some liquor and pouring it for him to drink.
"Ah, no? I apologize sir, it's been a few months since I've been on planet. To whom would I inquire about trade?" Jimin asked, followed with knocking his drink back, wiping his face with his sleeve.
"Quiet alright, youngblood. I'm glad recent events haven't deterred you from business with our settlement! Not many off worlders stop by anymore, not that we ever had many visitors." The man lamented while stroking his beard. After thinking for a beat, he crossed his arms. "But the new business hall is just across from the well in the center of town. I would start there."
"Thank you sir, but I must ask...recent events?" It was good to go into any bargaining situation well informed.
"Why the coup of course! Madame Gwangyeoul had enough of Old Town Leader Chong's antics and axed him right on the very steps to this establishment! I can't say it's been good for business, but I'm not one to argue with the powers that be in place, son."
Axed? What a way to go. This planet was a backwater, though.
"That is..." Jimin struggled for an appropriate comment, not wanting to give away his concern. Chong was a lecherous drunk, but he seemed to keep his community's needs forefront. "...wild, sir. Any tips for a well meaning traveler looking to strike a fair deal?"
The old man chuckled, "Well now you smell of liquor already, she won't like that."
Jimin picked his arms up to inspected himself, only smelling the liquor still on his tongue. "Ack. Great. Thank you sir."
"Sure thing, youngblood. Another?" The old man asked, shaking the bottle.
"I'm not-" Jimin began to decline, although he was abruptly cut off.
"For us both, please." Another shotglass slid up next to Jimin's and the old man poured them both.
"Ah, almost forgot about you over there, Jeongguk. You started brooding early this morning, hm?" Jimin looked up the person who saddled up next to him at the bar. Handsome, young, slick. He would tread careful with this player.
"You know me, Don. Early brood gets the..." his eyes glided over Jimin, "...Worm." Jimin was confused. Was he the worm? Did he have this guys worms? Was this guy rich with worms? Worms were a common nutritional source on this arid planet, they farmed well in the soil. Maybe it was a trading currency now, he just wasn't aware of it yet.
Although Jimin was lost, wise old man Don caught the hint. "I'll leave the bottle here for you kids, I've got some cleaning in the back."
"Convenient. Thank you, Don." Jeongguk threw back his drink as Don took his leave.
"And to what do I owe this acquaintance?" Jimin asked, a bit irked that he was forced into this meeting with a rando, but hopeful he could get something out of it.
Jeongguk smirked, leaning against the bar he grabbed the bottle of liquor and poured another shot for them both. "Well, you see, dear, I overheard you are here to trade with the settlement." Fine, yes. Jimin could agree this was true, but eavesdropping was in very poor form.
"You heard correct." Jimin replied shortly, taking his shot.
"You also seem like the type to stay quiet with sensitive information. I'm guessing discretion is a part of your business."
Jimin wasn't one to shy away from opportunity. Discretion paid well. "State your business."
Jeongguk turned eagerly to Jimin, enthusiast to share, "We have some freedom thinkers in a bit of a pickle and we've been jammed up in it for some time. We could use your assistance. In return, I can arrange a meeting between you and this settlement's supply representative." Jimin liked to bargain, his interest was piqued.
"What sort of assistance do you need?"
"The sort that gets us off this planet." Jeongguk shrugged like it was not only obvious, but also no big deal.
"I don't know who you think I am, but our trade ship has very limited space. It's not a passengercraft -"
"We only need four spots." Jungkook interjected.
"You don't even know where we are headed."
"Doesn't matter, we'll figure it out." Well he seemed eager. Eagerness also paid.
"What do you have to trade for this assistance of ours if we were to consider it? Surely arranging a meeting isn't payment enough, I know where to go to make my own deals." Jimin most definitely could consider it. Nuek was a month away. They were well stocked. They had a couple spare rooms on Byul. It could work. Logistically, of course, if there was opportunity to maximize the profits, he would take it. More work now, less work later.
"This." Jungkook held up a pendant, a wolf with inlet with black diamonds for fur and rubies for eyes. "I give you this, you help convince your captain to take us." Beautiful as it was, Jimin wasn't impressed.
"Hm, I was expecting something more along the lines of credits you could pay us. Gems aren't that precious, I doubt the Captain would even take one of you let alone fou-"
"The value isn't in the gems, it's in the artifact itself." Jungkook stated simply.
"And should I be familiar with this?" Jimin asked, skeptical.
"No." Jungkook unlatched the chain and motioned to put it on Jimin's neck, which he obliged with a slight uplifting of his chin. "Its from one of Earth's forgotten civilization. Human, technically, but more magnificent. They were more in tune with nature. Our advances in technology and space travel five hundred years ago signaled the demise of their way of life. Families were chosen to integrate into human society, to wait for an opportunity to come together and live life attune with nature once again. This pendant was passed down generations to signify when it was time to bring the clans together as a proper pack. Ultimately, this pendant has become a symbol that strength will be birthed again."
"And how would you know about ancient civilization's clans and packs?" Jimin inquired, inspecting the pendant. It was growing on him. It had a cute story.
"It was passed down to me."
"Oh, so you are from this long lost civilization?" Jimin asked, on the verge of mocking, picking invisible dust off the pendant.
Jungkook shrugged, "I really don't know, probably. Seems old and is a cool story."
"Why give it up so easily?" Jimin clenched the pendant, feeling oddly attached to it. It was, factually, kind of weird to just give up a family heirloom. It also felt weird. Not in a bad way. Jimin was struggling to understand why he liked it. He didn't think he normally enjoyed parting people with sentimental goods - it seemed cruel. But for whatever reason, he was happy to hold on to this trinket. It felt intimate, private, even. He would not even tell Namjoon about it.
"Cuz your pretty." Jeongguk smiled, lightly flicking JImin's nose. "It looks good on you - keep it. I'll scrounge up some credits for your captain." Jimin reddened at the comment. He didn't fair too well with outright flirting. He usually experienced it one way, never too interested in flirting back. He wasn't sure what to do with this man. He was certainly very handsome and most assuredly Jimin's type - he was unaware he had a type.
Jimin tried acting like the pendant was no big deal. It definitely should have been. But he liked it on his neck, and was happy Jeongguk told him to keep it - he couldn't imagine taking it off or even parting with it now. "Captain will probably want some labor or something, also." He directed his focus to getting some more out of this deal. The mighty Byul did need a good scrubbing, and Jimin was usually burdened with duct taping the engine room together for most of their travelling - part of why they needed such a big payday.
"Everything I have to give is yours." Jeongguk offered openly.
Odd thing to say when negotiating. "What in the world are you saying?" Jimin giggled, the liquor definitely hitting him. He had to wrap things up here before he ended up drunk. He tucked the pendant into his collar. "Whatever, okay, I'll introduce you to my captain and then you'll introduce me to your supply rep - kapeesh?"
"Kapeesh."