Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary

"I'm sorry, but I can't join the Kaizer Fleet. Your great great grandfather may be an inspiration to me, and I do respect you. However, my goal is to build my own force and rise up through the ranks as a mercenary by my own efforts. I'd be abandoning this path if I came to work under you."

Liesel did not look surprised by Avery's rejection. Yet, it still left a sharp pain in her stomach.

This had really been her last big chance to try and bring some strong allies with her before she returned home.

Just a few days ago, she had been informed that after she completed a couple more high-profile jobs, she would be advanced to the rank of five star.

Her initial plan was to win the competition to raise her notoriety and increase her worth, but that had not gone well.

Not only had she failed to ever reach the top spot once during the competition, it had ended in a very anticlimactic way.

If Liesel wanted to, it would be possible to bring in a few decent people as subordinates to try and build a faction for herself in the time she had left.

Yet, it was already clear to her that Avery was by far the best choice.

The forces that he commanded were already strong, and he was a greater rising star in the mercenary world than she was.

With his skills and growing fame by her side, it would have been possible for her to completely flip her position within her family.

Due to her father not pursuing the role of a mercenary, and her mother just being a common crew member on her aunt's ship, this left Liesel often receiving either ridicule or pity from her family.

She had never been considered to be on the same level as her cousins. Even the aunt that supported her only wanted her to be one of her cousin's subordinates so that his bid to be the successor would be better.

What she craved was recognition, and she had set out on her mercenary journey to claim it.

Unfortunately, while she had been taught the necessary skills to be a good mercenary, the ability to be a competent leader was something she had needed to learn the hard way.

In the end, among the geniuses of her family, she was only average.

"Are you really certain? What I'm offering is for you to eventually be in charge of the largest mercenary fleet in the Alliance. I'd even be willing to have you as a co-leader rather than second-in-command. If you want to become the greatest mercenary, this would put you on the fast-track to it." Liesel said pleadingly.

"Don't get me wrong, it's tempting. The problem is, that's just not the way I want to achieve my goals. I'd forever be remembered as Avery Asteria of the Kaizer fleet, rather than as someone that rose up on my own merits and built a mercenary company. Of course, I would be able to help you out a few times since I do owe you. But I can't commit to joining you."

Now that Avery had given her a definitive answer of no, Liesel visibly deflated and slumped back in her chair.

She knew that continuing to ask would not get her anywhere, and that making a fuss would only chip away at the goodwill she had built.

At the very least, she had received a promise of aid from Avery, but that likely would not be anywhere near enough.

Her only option now was to try recruiting people again, but at best, she figured she would get around eight or ten actually competent people to follow her if she put in some real effort.

There just was not enough time to build a truly large force.

Rising through the ranks of the mercenary association quickly had somewhat backfired on her.

When she reached the five star rank in a couple of months at the latest, her family would hear about it and order her to return if she failed to herself.

Trying to delay her advancement would only bring her reputation down and look suspicious.

While she did not have any proof, she had a feeling that some of her cousins had played a part in sabotaging her past recruitment attempt.

Seeing that they were done here, Avery and Kasandra got up and headed towards the exit.

Except, as he looked back at Liesel and saw the hopelessness on her face, he figured that he could offer her a different option.

"You know, since you were doing some talent, scouting, I think I'd like to do the same. Come join my group. I'll promise you an executive position and fair pay for your work. Plus, no one's going to look down on you for what your parents do. I highly value everyone on my team, and I'd go to war for any of them." Avery said, flashing Liesel a reassuring and confident smile.

"Avery! What?! Why?!" Kasandra said, baffled by his sudden offer and practically stunned by it.

Liesel was likewise shocked by this and simply stared wide-eyed at Avery.

She had never even considered that he would counteroffer her request by trying to recruit her for his team.

However, for some reason, the validation he gave her washed away the growing negative feeling that had been growing inside of her.

In fact, she felt her heart starting to beat faster and her cheeks beginning to heat up as he smiled at her.

"Well, I was actually reminded of the first time that you and Kaiden approached me. Back then you wanted to try and recruit me but later joined me instead. I just kind of felt like doing the same for Liesel in the moment." Avery replied somewhat sheepishly at Kasandra's reproach.

His own forces were only going to continue growing, and getting another adept upper ranking mercenary that he could trust with a command position was something he could not pass up on.

He had already fought side by side with Liesel and knew that she was skilled and trustworthy. From his point of view, there was no reason to not try and bring her along

"Well, I'm sure that it's something you'll need to consider carefully. I be staying in the capital system for at least another week, so just try to get an answer to me by then. If I don't hear anything, I'll take that as your decision."

Visibly a bit upset that he had not conferred with her first, Kasandra dragged Avery out of the room now that the conversation was truly over.

"Are you okay, Liesel? You're not seriously considering his offer, are you?" Casey asked, speaking now that it was just the two of them.

"I-I don't know. I never even thought about something like that." Liesel responded indecisively.

Her long-time childhood friend was clearly surprised by Liesel's reaction.

She knew Liesel better than anyone else and could see that she was uncertain about what to do.

The path ahead of her had always been clear.

Either she would build up a force for herself to create a new faction for herself, or she would return home back to the status quo and become her cousin's subordinate as her aunt intended.

Striking out on her own was not something she had ever considered.

It would mean leaving behind everything she knew and breaking the tradition of her family.

Naturally, there had been some of the Kaizer lineage to do so, but most of the time it had not ended well for them. Losing the support of the family was not easy when it was something they had always had.

Nevertheless, as she imagined what her life would be if she returned home, it turned the fluttering feeling Avery had left her in sour.

"Casey, I'm probably about to make the biggest mistake of my life, But I feel like I'll regret it if I don't. You don't have to keep following me. I'll make sure you can get home."

"Heh. It's a little late for me to bail on you now. You remember the promise that I made to you before you left. I'm going to stick with you to the end and pull you out of any holes you dig yourself into. If this does turn out blunder, I'll be there to drag you back." Casey said supportively.

This was the last push that Liesel needed.

Hastily she got up from her seat and rushed out the door.

It had only been little longer than a minute since Avery and Kasandra had left, so they should have still be in the building.

Running without a care for her appearance, she rushed down the shortest route to the five star mercenary hangar. Intent on catching up with Avery before he took off.

Fortunately, she caught sight of them just as they were about to enter the hangar.

"Wait!"

Avery and Kasandra suddenly stopped when Liesel called out to them.

"What is it?" Kasandra asked abrasively.

She still had her suspicions about Liesel's intentions and was wary of her.

Even if Avery had no problem diving into trouble for other people, that just meant that those close to him needed to be careful of those that could easily turn into landmines.

Still, Liesel only spared Kasandra a glance before turning towards Avery.

Her gaze was more passionate than even she expected and lacked the calculative nature she had displayed earlier.

"I've already made my decision. I'm going to join you."