Sunny pondered for a moment but then nodded. "You make a good point at that, though I've only said this since I trust you. Should I be wrong in my judgment? I've been dealing in all sorts of lucrative items and of course, some profiling is required."
Hebishima was sitting comfortably, taking in the first bits of ideas and clues that the others were providing. The collection of goods that Sunny provided showed evidence that the racers did made an effort to explore possible ventures, and had mainly settled on running the corsair routes. Arms smuggling and artifact shipping were one of the favorite pastimes of the smuggling rings on the Liberty borders.
He was aware of the Nox substance, and it's relation to the Gallia syndicates as well. The curious remarks from the woman with bretonian hints and her following reaction indicated that the Corse didn't managed to create ties in Bretonia, nor had been successful in exporting the concept of Nox. Whether this was due to an increasing Outcast influence, or due to Gaian exclusion from common channels and markets in Bretonia was only a guess to Hebishima.
Hints of "heavier" commodities piqued the interest of the Hogosha, but he refrained to comment on the topic yet, preferring to follow up on the matter that Xalo brought up.
“A cruiser? What sort of cruiser? A warship, military made?” - he questioned - “Not sure if it's wise to cross Kusari with such a warship in these agitated times, but surely Kepler is not a favorable place for a Cruiser...”
Xalo turned to Hebishima and began to explain the situation about the warship. "Well, its a cruiser we got from some of our employers in Rheinland. Its a Hel cruiser made by the Unioners. We don't plan on staying in Kusari or Kepler for a long time. We just need to get it there, after that the Liberty Police will escort us to California. Once there the trip to Coronado will be a fast and, hopefully, safe one."
"In any case..." Sunny continued while letting them first talk and finish. "With a bit of research and some looking around in Gallia, the local bars and such, you're gonna find some rumors on who sells what. I haven't told you where they make it, or where the bacteria comes from, have I? Even I don't know about that. The Union Coarse has their backs covered to protect themselves against rumors. Even with information from me, you wouldn't get far at all. In any case, you're all representing your groups and I like to be as transparent as I can with business on such matters without spilling anything too critical."
She was still sitting quite far from others, however she could hear conversation quite well. Unfortunately, last few statements from all parties left here quite dissatisfied.
Sell Gallia drugs in Kusari? Kemwer Munitions? Like Kusari goods are not well enough or our people need another addiction.
She was feeling like this whole meeting is not for her, indeed, it was a pit, a meeting of dirty peoples who doesn't care about welfare of others, only their pockets. Ofcourse, she also enjoyed some smuggled materials, but it was wine, jewelry, not drugs. She joined association to obtain connections, however feeling that it was a bad decision was rising within her. She decided to change her position to see all the materials, but distance between her and others still remained.
I'll see where this is all going and decide if I should stay with the association.
Going off of Xalo's comment, Sunny wanted to continue.
"Lets think of some applications for a moment of what this kind of cooperation between our groups can do besides the obvious profit. You have people like Xalo who needs something done and he'll have some people to turn to for help. It doesn't need to stop at just cargo and flying together has its benefits. We can also focus on some projects collectively that are off the mainstream. The Club's been for a while aiding in Leeds with some resistance supply, for instance. There's still a fight going on down there and lots of casualties too. Not a popular job either. I've heard planet Harris was over-run as well by the gallics too, wasn't it? It they did so much damage on Leeds, who knows how much they could do there, and with all the wildlife too. "
Xalo refilled his glass and turned to Sunny. "I don't really know what the wildlife is good for. I normally like animals in my plate, but i wouldn't mind helping Harris's wildlife to solidify an alliance between our groups. However, i have to ask, how do you plan on helping something stuck on a system under gallic control? " Xalo took a sip from his scotch and continued to speak. "I know that it is possible to get to the bretonian resistance forces in Leeds using the Manchester jump hole network, but i don't know how to get to Harris safely and undetected."
- Why would the gallics demolish a world they already hold? What could they possibly damage as badly as they did on Leeds? Why do you want to haul Harris' wildlife out of there? Mister Sunny, I'd like to notice that you do not seem to be very informed on the Tau situation. Nor do you actually seem to have a solid plan on what this "alliance" is meant to do beyond, among other things, trafficking highly addictive drugs for profit.
"Perhaps you've read wrongly. It's not -just- drugs ... or rather, it is just an option if you'd be interested."
Sunny paused for a moment before continuing.
"The point is, I'm sure you can see a good benefit in working together and forming a more formal alliance among us for various smuggling opportunities. You're right though, I dont know everything about the Tau situation, though I'd counter by saying that since you do, we'd all be better informed about it in the end. Everyone here has their own connections and own strings they can pull to contribute to an interesting strengthened friendship."
Feeling that the conversation was straying a bit from the main point, he decided to intervene.
“I kind of understand the concept of what you are proposing, Sunny-san. But other than having mutual acquaintances, the relations between most of the groups present here can be vaguely described as "occasional trading partners". An "alliance" feels like something that would be based on more solid links... at least for the Hogosha. Someone who shows a few good deals is not turned away, but it's not reason to welcome him as a long time friend. Trust requires favor, and respect. Favor is opportunely given, respect is diligently earned.” - Hebishima mused - “If you want to talk about favors, you gotta provide something that earns my trust. If you wanna talk about business, we can talk details.
For example, let's say I'm interested in some of the wares you shown. What would you bargain them for? Simple cash, other goods?”
As an aside to Xalo information, he added.
Regarding that cruiser, for example. Since it's the result of endeavors with the Unioners, I believe we would feel no need to disrupt said operations. If it's desired by mister Xalo, I believe we could provide some assistance with the trip. I would expect that would be enough to get some good words about us spread around the Unioner ears, wouldn't be so, mister Xalo?"