"Just saying there might be ample opportunity to turn people even further against Liberty. Open new markets. That kind of stuff...though I suppose you're only interested in the Orange Dream. There certainly is a market there for that and some Zoner pilots might be willing to dabble to increase their reaction time with a little bit of that dream. You feel me?"
Erebos's communicator buzzed briefly. He picked it up, looked at the communication and smiled.
"Seems we picked up another station. Seward Station in Bering. Might be a better place for your people to frequent considering it's outside of House space. You could drop the cargo, we could run it the rest of the way into Liberty. Our pilots get a profit by running it the rest of the way and yours don't have to risk their necks getting past the boys in blue. Plus, your Orange Dream gets spread into Liberty with our assistance." Erebos thumbed the hair on his chin in thought. "Your boys could pick up some Basic Alloy from our Scrap refineries too. Might help some of your facilities out with repairs out in deep space."
Erebos dropped his hand from his chin and leaned back with a cheshire grin, arms crossed across his chest.
I must say that is not... quite what I was looking for.
There are... alternative methods in which the Zoners would want to deal with us. Most notably the fact that we could supply them with all their dreams and more worth of munitions provided they point it at the right people. That alone should be sufficient, I would imagine, for some hotshot "Freedom Fighter" to deal with us, while looking to throw themselves against the Liberty steamroller.
Harabero gave a slight smile but it quickly went away. While he didn't pity the Zoners - there were only a very rare few Sirians he did - They would certainly be useful to distract Liberty a little longer, away from the Cardamine routes.
Nevermind Liberty. The connections were built up, there was something more... particular he was looking for.
Bering... that's a long way off.
Of all the places an Outcast could or even would want to venture, the border worlds between Liberty and Rheinland just about scratched the bottom of the bucket.
And out of the way too. I don't see the reasoning behind planning so much off of so little extra resources. The basic alloy is not more than a drop in the bucket, and there are closer intermediaries.
While it was in planning for the opportunity to reveal itself, the Don guessed now would be as good a time as any.
However, there is something a little more... particular that could be had. Perhaps you might say uncharted?
Since you came here, it is not a large guess to assume you are looking for a deal. Something to make you rich. Something to make you... sought after. Above the others.
Harabero looked at the confident, almost smug pirate in the eyes.
Erebos thought about the Outcasts comment. Bretonia. They had been working on an arrangement with the Molly's in Dublin but he felt that he should keep that closer to the chest for the time being. Truthfully, Erebos had passed through Bretonia many times with Slaves destined for Malta. He had also passed through there on the way to the Omegas and back. He was familiar with the house and many of the holes to hide away in if things got...hot.
The added problem was he wasn't interested in the scrap and basic alloys they had to offer. He wasn't completely surprised. Bering was after all a long way off for the Maltese. The only time they were ever sighted that close to Rheinland was when they wanted to give their Corsair cousins a black eye...besides, they had more to offer than simple scrap and refined materials. He grinned.
Erebos shrugged and smiled, closing his eyes as he did. "Dated a broad from there once. I've passed through there myself on many occasion bringing Slaves from Liberty to Malta and returning back with Cardamine for a few years. Passed through there on the way to the Omegas too. Plenty of routes through there into the Omegas and Omicrons beyond that. I know some of the haunts around there to lay low in if shit gets too hairy too. I've had dealings with the Molly's at Tralfagar on occasion but nothing serious. More of a passing courtesy than anything.
"Why do you ask? You have something in mind? Something of the 'illicit' variety, perhaps?" he asked with a smile.
The Don listened intently. While Erebos closed his eyes, Alejandro held up his hand to gain the attention of the other two Outcasts on the table one away from the meeting. Harabero gave him a nod, and one of them clicked a device, and hid it back in his pocket, just within earshot of the conversation.
As Erebos refocused and looked back at him, Alejandro allowed a small cunning smile.
I just thought if you knew it well enough, there might be some.. opportunities for you.
There is a fledgeling market to be made. Raw, untapped, untold amounts of credits waiting to be grasped. However, Maltese cannot exactly walk unhindered. That is where you and your group come in.
Should you accept, we can uproot their desire for Cardamine, and establish a network. You would be one of the veins, and can tap into the immende profits. This will increase your prestige as well, should you desire.
Haraberos grin faded and he looked straight in his eyes.
Well?
One way or another, the Don was sure this would go through.