Stranded Merchant

Stranded Merchant is a major Story Vignette. It will appear on a random Moklumnue planet. It tends to appear later in the game in the 3rd Century Era or later. The Captain will be alerted to it by his or her officers on landing and Tuemette a Spice Trader Contact will appear. Talking to her will begin the story.

## Synopsis

Nikolai Ramius is hiding on a Mok landing zone under the protection of the Spice Trader Tuemette. She is wary of your visit, despite your inquiries of the Merchant Nikolai, an unfortunate soul who angered the wrong Prince (?). Now Nikolai is waiting for his moment to escape, as he is being hunted down by the most feared Bounty Hunter in the galaxy, Zerod. You will have a short window in which to help poor Nikolai and earn his freedom, along with establishing a relationship with Tuemette. You can meet with the angry Prince (?) and try to negotiate and reason with him; or you can throw caution to the wind and hunt down the hunter himself, Zerod. Decide quickly. And don't flinch.

## Walkthrough

Reveal/Hide SPOILERS

There are a few ways to achieve success and a few different outcomes depending on what you want to do.

The Situation

* Talk to Tuemette and she'll tell you about how Nikolai was set-up and fled to her for protection.
* Tuemette will demand that you have 20 personal rep with her before she'll let you meet Nikolai. Luckily she buys Intel so if you have some it won't be too hard.
* Once you have the rep, you can talk with Nikolai and find out what he has to offer. You will also discuss how you can help him with Tuemette
* Letting her suggest the solution will get you +2 personal rep with her.
* There are two basic options.
	+ The first is to travel to visit Adax Thule the Rychart Prince who is hunting Nikolai and negotiate his freedom. You are warned that you'll have to pay something around $50,000 to secure his release.
	+ The second option is to fight off Zerod and escape with Nikolai.

Most. Expensive. Officer. Ever.

* If you decide to negotiate for Nikolai chose this mission from Tuemette's mission screen and go visit Prince Thule.
* On arrival at Thule's world you will have the "Life Bargain" mission indicator.
* On speaking with Thule he will offer you the opportunity to double-cross Nikolai and Tuemette, but luring Nikolai on to your ship and then turing him over to Zerod. He will offer you $30,000 for this.
	+ If you accept this, return to Tuemette and tell her the "good news"
	+ You'll have to make room for an officer on your ship and take Nikolai on. You will gain +120xp across the crew.
	+ When you take off and enter the quadrant map screen you will immediately be greeted by Zerod
	+ You will of course lose significant rep with Tuemette and Moklumnue if you pursue this course.
* You can also negotiate for Nikolai's life and then you will be free to return and take him on board, gaining rep with Tuemette and Moklumnue.

The Ole Double-double-cross

* If you're not concerned about your rep with Rychart there is another final option. You can accept the mission to double-cross Nikolai from Thule (and get the money for it) and then refuse to turn him over to Zerod at the last minute.
* If you do this, it has the advantage of directly facing Zerod in ship combat without going through his lieutenants first.
* You will gain +120xp across the crew when you tell Zerod no.
* Fight Zerod in ship combat, he will be fairly high-level with a good ship.
* If successful you can get the Hunt the Hunter unlock here if you've already defeat Zerod with Valencia Faen onboard.
* You will lose 100 personal rep with Adax Thule and around 75 rep with Rychart for following this path.