Supply Corps Meric

"I heard fresh meat was being sent over. Who did Asi say was coming?"

Meric asks, looking around.

"Don't remind me of the last batch of reinforcements! What was I supposed to do with that bunch of lazy, weak idiots? They couldn't even defeat the worker ants! Pah! For everyone's sake, I hope this new recruit's got what it takes!"

"So you're the one Asi was talking about!"

Meric looks at you and appears happy with what he sees.

"Your timing couldn't be better. I was in the middle of dealing with a supply issue."

"Asi recently sent a request for Giant Ant Poison Sacks and Giant Ant Antennae to be delivered to the Demolitionist's Garrison."

"Unfortunately, we were ambushed by a group of Worker Ants along the way. They made off with the cargo and in return I was left with a sprained ankle and a colossal headache,"

Meric grumbles.

"I need you to retrieve some Giant Ant Antennae for me."

"After putting up with so much incompetence, I could really use someone who'll get the job done right."

"What's that? What do I need the antennae for? Trust me, don't ask!"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you..."

Meric grins jokingly.

"Excellent work! You're certainly a cut above our previous recruits!"

"Now I can report to Asi that the goods are on their way, and perhaps even nab a little bit for myself..."

(You watch as Meric stealthily removes a few Giant Ant Antennae from the container and stuffs them in his pocket.)

"Mum's the word! If you agree to keep this our little secret, there might be something in it for you!"

"You say you're here to help out with the supply requests?"

"All right, then. Deliver the Giant Ant Antennae and Giant Ant Poison Sacks to Aja. Do that and he'll assign you another task."

"Some of it's missing, you say? I'm quite sure it's all there!"

Meric smiles sincerely at Aja, then quickly shoots you a look reminding you to stay silent.

"Ah... I love the smell of coins in the morning. Like I always say--another day, another hustle!

And because I'm feeling generous today, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret--you

see, these 'rare' ores come and go all the time, and some people will pay a fortune for them... even though they're actually quite worthless. Hah!" Meric flashes you a mischievous grin.

Meric takes the bill of goods and examines it for a moment.

"So our astute Demolitionist Deputy Leader found there were goods missing, after all. Well, well...

I wonder if Aja had a hand in this. It wouldn't surprise me. I did ask you to give him everything, didn't I?" Meric asks, eyeing you suspiciously before relaxing.

"Of course, you did. But seeing as Aja is so unreliable, I'm going to personally deliver this next batch for Burr.

If I don't, Aja will screw this up, and Asi will be unhappy... and that's just bad for business.

Go and fetch me some hard shells as well as some acid from the tame worker ants. That ought to satisfy Burr."