[Yamantau Corp. Offices] "A Matter of Grave Urgency..." (Closed)

Why am I doing this? Why?

Max was regretting this before his car had even touched down in front of the offices of Yamantu Corporation. Ever since he got the cryptic email from Akane Takahashi the day before, he'd been suspicious of this entire situation. It all seemed really off, like it could be a trap of some sort.

Of course, he'd be overly suspicious and paranoid regarding any public outing ever since his incognito foray into the Bliss Festival earlier that year. But that had been a completely different situation to the one he was in now. Still, he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Hopefully he'd be proven wrong and this would be a boon to him.

But he'd believe that when he saw it.

The air car landed in front of the building and Max stepped out. Telling the driver to park the car around the corner and wait for him, he straightened out his suit, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Into the abyss.

Max was almost immediately met by a young Japanese woman decked in a modern businesswoman's attire. Grabbing the politician by the arm, she escorted him away from the watchful eye of the front desk worker. "Max, we don't have a lot of time. I need you to follow me and do exactly as I say." Bringing him down a hallway off the side of the lobby and into another set of doors, Max was lead into a darkened room.

The lights were turned on, revealing a boardroom table and a slick-looking elderly Russian man. The Japanese woman was nowhere to be found at this point, having ducked out just shortly before in the darkness. The Russian leaned forward, getting a good once over of the turian politician. He spoke.

"I want to help you win Citadel Assembly."

The moment he stepped in the door, things were a whirlwind for Max. He was ushered through the halls at a brisk pace by a young woman, and before he knew it, he was sitting in a dark room with an old human man across from him, wondering he had gotten himself into. It was only after he spoke that Max started to relax, arching a browplate incredulously at the old man.

"Is that what this was all about? Well, I mean, if you want to make a campaign contribution to my campaign, you're more than welcome to sir." There was a brief pause before he quickly leaned forward, raising his hands defensively. "...within the limits of the Citadel's strict campaign finance laws of course."

He still couldn't shake the feeling something was amiss. If there was, he was sure he'd find out in the next few minutes.

"We paid him to become extreme candidate so people turn to you, who is more moderate. That way, we can scratch each other's back. You will receive five million credit from anonymous PAC committee, we will quietly pull out funding from idiot's pocket. You help us with some irritable trade regulations, we ensure you get re-elected. It work out for both of us." He put out his cigarette, stamping it out into the center of an elaborate cybernetic hand.

"Do we have deal, Max Vallario, Citadel Assemblyman? I hope you realize what opportunity this is."

Max just stared for a moment, only blinking as he processed what he had just heard in his head. Finally, he spoke:

"Wait, Buzzsaw, or whatever the hell his name is? You guys are the reason he?..." He shook his head, blinking rapidly. "And the only reason you supported him was because?..." He trailed off again, flabbergasted. It was like something out of a drama vid.

Max stared for a little while longer, and after silent reflection, sat up straight in his seat, smoothing over his clothes and regaining his composure. "Well, I had planned on raising questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the Citadel's trade regulations in my second term. After all, how are we going to finish reconstruction without robust trade to support our local businesses?"

The Turian smiled, extending a claw to the mysterious Russian man- whose name he didn't even know at this point. Hell, he was already in bed- literally and metaphorically -with a shady Asari businesswoman. Why not add a shady human businessman to the list if he was going all out?

...except only metaphorically in this case. Max wasn't willing to go THAT far to get re-elected.

...Yet.

It all depended on how bad the polls got.

"It is good we are in agreement, Max Vallario." He slowly stood up with the assistance of his cane, reached over, and gave the turian a firm handshake. "Be warned. I am helping you win election. You will help me with my shipping problem onto Citadel. You fuck me, I destroy you." He spoke with a stern tone, then immediately flipped to a joyful one.

"You drink, yes? I have bought Turian liquor for this occasion!"

"Don't misunderstand me sir; I never forget my debts, or my alliances." Max shook his hand firmly in return, looking right into the Russian's eyes. "The same thing goes in reverse. You pull the rug out from underneath me, and I'll make sure we both come crashing down. And don't think for a moment that you're my only rich, powerful friend in this campaign..."

His face shifted back to a smile as Turian liquor was brought up. "Well, you came prepared. Thank you for your generosity. I suppose it's customary to toast on a occasion such as this..."

With two bottles before him, the Russian poured himself something from the motherland, and then poured Max something more in line for turians. Lifting his glass, he spoke briefly, "За нашу дружбу!" before taking drink. Setting his glass down, the man took his seat. "It is good that we are doing business together now, Max Vallario, Citadel Assemblyman. You go now, I will contact you on the eve of the debate. We make Buzzsaw Buckner look like idiot. Shouldn't be hard."

"Right. What you said..." Max replied awkwardly to the man's Russian, raising his glass in a salute and downing whatever liquor was in there quickly. Just like that, the meeting was abruptly over.

"Alright then. I'll wait to hear from you." He was looking forward immensely to putting that upstart Buzzsaw in his place and teaching him a lesson about messing with Max Vallario. He turned and started to walk out, but suddenly stopped and turned back around towards the strange man when a thought struck him.

"I just realized, I never got your name."

"If I felt that necessary, I would have told you. Good day, Max Vallario."

Max stared for a few more moments, and then simply nodded, turning and seeing himself out.