After narrowly escaping the authorities on Targ, Leona and Ren made plans for their next move.
"We can't get to Vanda with the supplies we have now. We didn't get a chance to fully restock last time." Ren said as their ship was sailing through space.
"Yeah, but it's going to be a lot tougher to stop now that they have wanted posters up for us now." Leona said. "What are we going to do now?"
"Well, I know a place where we can stop where they won't care about wanted posters. I'm not sure you're going like it though." Ren said.
"I don't care as long as it's a place that we can resupply." Leona said dismissively.
She quickly changed her mind when she saw the place that he was talking about. It was the planet of Artnosia. Artnosia was a lawless place run by cutthroats and criminals. It was the same kind of place when it was conquered 50 years ago by Toro and the 7 Elements, but it had never been cleaned up by the Empire like many thought it would. In fact, it had only gotten worse.
"Are you sure it's safe to land here?" Leona asked as she worriedly looked at the planet they were about to land on.
"Safe? It depends on your definition of the word I guess." Ren said as he was preparing for landing. "If you mean do we need to be worried about murderers and robbers, the answer is no. If you mean are we safe from the authorities, then the answer is definitely a yes." He said confidently.
As if to directly contradict that statement, Leona and Ren were immediately detained by the local authorities and brought to the royal palace.
"Was this part of your brilliant plan?" Leona asked sarcastically. "I don't know why I still listen to you."
"You've already said that before. A joke isn't funny if you over use it." Ren said seemingly unfazed by their current predicament. Before Leona could respond, they were brought into the throne room and were standing in front of the Queen, Delphiria Valessia.
The Queen was a beautiful woman scantily clad in a bikini like dress made of fine jewelry. She had long black hair and wore a twisted smile as she watch the two enter.
"So there's two of you, I was only expecting the one from the wanted poster. And certainly, YOU were the last person that I expected to see here." The Queen said as he pointed a jeweled finger at Ren.
"She knows Ren? Why? What's going on here?" Leona wondered.
"I didn't know that people around here cared about whether someone was wanted or not." Ren retorted.
"We usually don't. Of course, it's a different story when the reason that person is wanted. Is because they attempted an assassination on the Great Hero, Toro Fernandez." The Queen replied.
"The wanted poster didn't say what see was wanted for. How did you know about that?" Ren asked.
"Oh don't be silly Ren. You know I have my sources." The Queen giggled.
"I also know that the people of Artnosia aren't friends of Vercheg. Their Navy patrols the Universe as a sort of policing force. I know that I'd be a lot easier for you to conduct your "business" without someone like Toro Fernandez breathing down your neck. So why don't we just skip to the part where you tell us why you really brought us here." Ren said.
"Tch, this brat has a smart mouth. I'd have his head on a spike if it wasn't for who his sister is, and more importantly, who is father is." The Queen thought. "Very well, as you don't seem to be in the mood to mince words, I'll cut right to the point." The Queen said seemingly a bit annoyed.
"As you know, the people of Artnosia take part in some, misunderstood, forms of business." She continued.
"You mean crime." Leona interjected.
The Queen didn't even react to Leona's comment. She acted as if it was so far beneath her that it wasn't necessary for her to respond. "It would be in the best interest of our business if Toro Fernandez, and the Vercheg Military weren't interfering in our affairs. In other words, if your goal is to kill him. Then I believe that we might be able to mutually benefit from our situation. Though, there is one issue of course." The Queen said.
"And what's that?" Leona asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" The Queen said. "I doubt that you actually have the capability to kill a great hero like Toro Fernandez. I doubt even you could do that Ren."
"Of course Ren couldn't do it, but I'm stronger than him." Leona said.
"Hmm, yes it would seem so." The Queen said as she scanned their auras. "Well, she's stronger than the "current" him at least." The Queen thought to herself.
"Anyway, to cut right to the point, we think that we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement." The Queen said.
"So what exactly would that agreement include?" Ren asked
"It's quite simple really. We'll provide supplies for your journey, and we can help smuggle you into places you wouldn't be able to get to. We'll get you anything that you need to help in your mission." The Queen replied.
"That's awfully generous, what's the catch?" Ren asked.
"Obviously the catch is you have to follow through with the task of killing the Old Bull, Toro Fernandez." The Queen replied. "Oh, and of course, I'd like for one of my associates to accompany you. After all, if we're going to invest in you, I'd like someone I trust to make sure that there's going to be a return on my investment."
"I assume that you two agree to my proposal?" The Queen asked.
Ren and Leona looked back and forth at each other before they both nodded in agreement.
"Brilliant! Allow me to introduce you two to your new traveling companion. She is my daughter, her name is Celeste." The Queen said as her daughter made her way into the room.