The Bounty Hunter Guild leader is here for your meeting, Maiya," Sata said as she entered Maiya's office.
"Show her in," Maiya replied, to which Sata nodded before leaving the room.
Sata returned a short while later with a female Leonian who sat opposite Maiya and was about to speak when Maiya beat her to it.
"What the fuck were your bounty hunters playing at, attacking the Dwarfinian delegation that was here for the UMB Cup's opening ceremony?" Maiya angrily asked with a frown.
"According to my information, the group in question calculated the time it would take the target ship, namely the E D F Zero Zero One dash Spector, to travel from the Oasis Galaxies jumpgate to our own galaxies jumpgate and then planned to ambush the ship by disabling it as soon as it emerged.
Unfortunately, it seems that they miscalculated because it was not the target that emerged, but the ship carrying the Dwarfinian delegation. For this, you have the Bounty Hunter Guild's apology."
"You think I couldn't figure that out myself? What I mean is, why the hell are they trying to disable the ship carrying Diva Lorelie, who is supposed to be performing at the opening ceremony? Please tell me how she's supposed to perform if her ship is dead in space and she can't even arrive here."
"The bounty only stipulates the ship's captain, one Adam Spencer and a crew member, Stacey Sinclair, along with capturing the ship if possible. I believe they planned to transport Diva Lorelie and the other passengers here to Felinia Seven after they had completed their job."
"Are they stupid? Not only is the ship captain known to be Diva Lorelie's boyfriend, but Stacey Sinclair is Diva Rowena's granddaughter, who also happens to be travelling with them. Did they really think the two divas would be happy to see their loved ones killed right before them?"
"I suppose not," The Bounty Hunter Guild leader replied uncomfortably.
"You suppose not? Then, do you think that Diva Lorelie would have been in the right frame of mind to be able to perform at the opening ceremony? No, wait, scratch that, do you think Diva Lorelie and the other passengers would even want to attend the opening ceremony after that?"
"Probably not," The Bounty Hunter Guild leader replied, growing even more uncomfortable.
"Probably not is right. So, how do you think the rest of the universe would view us if the ship carrying two divas were disabled before it even fully entered our galaxy?"
"..."
"Said divas and the dragon Tephe had to watch, or at least learn that their loved ones and friends had been killed."
"..."
"Only to then be made to transfer to another ship, the ship belonging to the very bounty hunters who killed their loved ones and friends before being transported here?"
"..."
"Then what do you suppose would happen after the three of them arrived here? Not only is it highly unlikely that Diva Lorelie would perform at the opening ceremony, but I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them decided to immediately leave our galaxy.
Then what about if they publicly announce that they can never again return to the Felidae Galaxy because of the terrible memories this place has for them? Do you think that the countless number of fans the two divas have will ignore that? Or that, like their idols, they too will also start to boycott the Felidae Galaxy?
"..."
"Oh, and what happens if Diva Lorelie is so emotionally damaged from the death of her first love that she can no longer perform or ever again sing? Who do you suppose the universe will blame for that?"
"..."
"It seems that you don't have anything to say in which to defend yourself, so let me make something perfectly clear," Maiya said as she shot the Bounty Hunter Guild leader a look before continuing, "I don't want bounty hunters attempting to collect the bounties on either Adam Spencer or Stacey Sinclair until the opening ceremony is over."
The Bounty Hunter Guild leader took a breath to calm herself down before looking back at Maiya and saying calmly, "I'm sorry, matriarch Maiya, but as you are aware, the Bounty Hunter Guild is a separate entity and is not required to obey or listen to requests made by the leadership of any planet or galaxy the guild resides in."
Maiya closed her eyes and took a breath to calm herself down so that she didn't snap before she opened them and shot the guild leader a dangerous look while saying, "I am fully aware of that fact, Guild Leader Kuxau, however you should also know that the planet or galaxy in question has the right and authority to reclaim the land Bounty Hunter guild stands on and remove the guild from said planet or galaxy."
Guild Leader Kuxau's eyes widened in surprise before asking, "Are you saying that if any bounty hunters attempt any more attacks on Adam Spencer or Stacey Sinclair, that you will eject the guild from the Felidae Galaxy? I'm sure you're aware how much revenue the guild brings into the Felidae Galaxy. Are you really willing to sacrifice that for two individuals?"
"I am, of course, fully aware; however, it seems that you are not aware of how profitable a Diva Lorelie concert is now. Just the seven concerts alone that she performed in the Oasis Galaxy generated more income than your entire guild brings into the Felidae Galaxy in an entire year, and that's with one of the seven concerts essentially being free."
Guild Leader Kuxau gaped at Maiya in shock as she heard that; however, Maiya just ignored her and continued.
"Then there is the UMB Cup's success, which will be seriously impacted if Diva Lorelie does not perform at the opening ceremony. I'm sure you're aware as to why Diva Lorelie was invited to perform in the first place?"
"Director Opalbeard is hoping that Diva Lorelie's performance will bring the UMB Cup attention from those other than just mech fans, and that many of those who watch the opening ceremony for Diva Lorelie's performance will gain an interest in mech battles or may even become fans." Guild Leader Kuxau replied while coming to a realisation.
"Exactly, so tell me, what do you suppose would happen to Director Opalbeard's idea should Diva Lorelie no longer perform at the opening ceremony?
Actually, allow me to answer that for you, he would be pissed, and I highly doubt that the UMB Cup would ever return to our Felidae Galaxy. Not only that, but I expect that other events would reconsider hosting said events in our galaxy since we can apparently not be trusted to keep our promises and guests safe.
So tell me, Guild Leader Kuxau, does your branch of Bounty Hunter Guild compare to the damage our galaxy's reputation will take should Diva Lorelie not perform at the opening ceremony?"
"No, no." Guild Leader Kuxau replied in shock.
"No indeed, that is why I want your bounty hunters to be well-behaved until after the opening ceremony."
"Understood, Matriarch Maiya."
"Good, then I believe our meeting is concluded. Sata, please show Guild Leader Kuxau out."
"Yes, Matriarch," Sata replied before she escorted Kuxau out of the office and returned a few minutes later.
"Why did you only tell her not to touch them during the opening ceremony and not the entire time Diva Lorelie is here?" Sata asked after returning.
"Because getting them to do that would be impossible, first off, the bounty on those two is too big and appealing, so there is no way to permanently stop those greedy bounty hunters, even at the threat of removing the guild. In the end, they would just move to another guild. At least this way, they know that they can still claim the bounty; they just need to be patient for a little while.
Honestly, with how big the bounty on them is, it might be best for them to leave our sector of the universe sooner rather than later. That's assuming that the guild doesn't extend the bounty to the next sector they enter."
"That's true, the other galaxies won't be as peaceful for them as the Oasis Galaxy. The only reason they were relatively safe there was because of the respect Diva Lorelie has from her own race, and even then, they were still attacked a couple of times."
"Very true, though I would also like to avoid carrying out my threat to remove the guild if possible, since it does bring in substantial credits to our economy."
"Won't the worst still come to pass should those two die and Diva Lorelie leave our galaxy and refuse to return?" Sata asked.
"Perhaps, but I can at least try to prevent that by informing Diva Lorelie that I have done what I can and also to let her know the situation. Contact Diva Lorelie at the hotel she is staying at and request a meeting with her for me, please."
"Of course."