Having returned and recovered from the incident at Godwin, the characters are surprised to find someone has sent Stavos a letter… after reading it, Stavos decides to come clean with his own past. Much to everyone’s surprise, he was a former member of Nikosia’s infamous “Companions”… until he realized that the job was not that different from the occupations of the individuals he was fighting. After talking to a few friends, he decided it was not worth the effort, and decided to quit outright from a profession that typically does not take one’s resignation gracefully. However, there are always wheels-within-wheels, and Stavos took the opportunity to record the activities of quite a few “loyal” members in a little black journal book… keeping the book to himself was the leverage he needed to get out and keep the constant pursuers at bay. Before he left however, he found a friend in Pasquel Kooch, an actual reformer that sought to turn the organization into a legitimate police force… fearing that Pasquel would be dead within a week Stavos continued with his efforts.

...Except, as the letter confirms, Pasquel is not only still alive, but gaining serious momentum. Though a serious power broker, the Companions still require fresh blood, and typically use the traditional methods of recruiting the worst of the worst. What no one counted on was that these dregs-turned-Companions were quite aware of the role the Companions played in their life. Pasquel, who is an inflammatory speaker and has gained a reputation for caring for his fellows, has found an unexpected ally in the newer, younger, Companions. The letter is a request, from Pasquel, to bring the “little black book” to Nikosia in the hopes that it’s volatile information could aid in an upcoming protest over the behavior of the Companions… one that will climax with a series of demonstrations at various Companion offices.

Stavos, has had some time to think, especially since his near-death enounter in “A long and stormy Flight” and decides it is time to end the hunt. He asks for the characters to stop in Nikosia… but does not expect them to aid him.

The gang heads to Nikosia, landing near the city of Larnaca, it’s an unconventional landing site that will grab attention… but give Stavos a chance to prepare himself for Companions both good and bad. In the process they also encounter Jason Casul in a local bar. While downing a few rounds with Jason, Stavos vanishes, by the time they return to the Aspiration she is surrounded by Companions under the leadership of William and Pasqual. What starts to look like a “good-cop bad-cop” routine turns into a genuine examination of both characters, William would rather lock the characters away and confiscate the ship… but Pasqual argues for a bit of leniency… at least until the exact nature of Aspiration’s mission can be determined. In the end William stalks off to the town while Pasqual watches over the characters.

A few hours later, from the passenger section, the gang overhears an interesting political debate between Pasqual and several Companions over the duties of the Companions… it nearly turns into a fistfight between different members of them. Moments later the already chaoitic scene is added to with the arrival of a Deathlands Dive car that looms out of the night and pulls up nearby. Jason appears and claims he has an “order” for the characters, as everyone tries to figure out what is going on, Stavos pops out from a side hatch and covers the surprised Companions with a shotgun. The gang manages to re-take the ship in the chaos, and take to the air, but celebration is short as they know the local military blimps can catch up to them. Pasqual debates with Stavos over the issue of the Companion’s role, though Stavos appreciates the effort to make the organization right, he doubts Pasqual can found the organization he wants on intimidation alone. Stavos then decides that if there is any hope of reforming the Companions, as well as settling accounts with them, he has to remove the source. He pulls out the LBB and asks the characters to free their prisoners… asking William to meet him at the dam at the Kyrenian River.

Their meeting occurs in a few hours, Stavos offers William the book in exchange for his calling off the hunt, as well as the blimps following Aspiration. William instead responds with a quick gunfight that mortally injures Stavos. As the characters watch in shock, Pasqual shoots and kills Willliam, while Stavos tosses the LBB into the resouvire. Pasqual demands to know why he did it, Stavos explains that his cause is simply too important to soil with a program of intimidation.

Stavos’es body is buried at the town he was born at. The political fallout regarding the confrontation between Companions is enough to make the characters of the Aspiration a minor matter, and with Pasqual vouching for them they are allowed to leave. Jason is allowed to accompany them, it’s probably for the best given the attention he has given. And to the surprise of the citizens of Nikosa… Pasqual leads a protest march against Companion policies.

Unknown to Pasqual or the Companions… the crew discover an interesting final present from Stavos. The original black book. Too dangerous to leave in the hands of the Companions… but useful should the gang encounter them again….