To: Leadership of (C~ - Printable Version

Toronto Station

SUBJECT:
TO: Jack Light

Ontario, Liberty Space

Greetings,

From what I can see here, this is outright extortion-ism. Giving you funding, a place to sleep and to not know who you are?

No, from what I can see here benefits Deep Space Engineering in no way at all. Sure, you'll shoot us down no matter what but I can tell you now being shot down by devil I don't know isn't as bad as being shot by the devil I do.

We get caught even working with you and we die, our business gets destroyed, our credibility ruined and foremost we then cannot help anyone.

So unless you provide me with more of what I want, I will not do what you want.

Sincerely,
President Jack Doe

|Incoming Transmission
|ID: Bassam Hussaini
|Location: Unknown
|Encryption: BBL-223

Mister Doe,

My name is Bassam Hussaini, also an affiliate of the Commune, and I've been selected to continue these negotiations in mister Light's stead. In reviewing the previous string of communication I have indeed concluded that the deal offered was markedly one-sided. However, I still believe something could be salvaged here. I was initially against these negotiations, however, continued discussion with my peers and some silent contemplation on my own part has made me reconsider. And how could I not? The Deep Space Engineering is an entity with sector-wide fame and reputation for producing great marvels of Sirian engineering. I'm sure this reputation isn't entirely undeserved either. Though I guess it must be uncomfortable to always be at a disadvantage when dealing with organizations of lesser renown, such as us.

You wish to know more about us. That is fine. I cannot divulge much, but I will say this. We're citizens of Malta, but more importantly, we're a tight brotherhood of individuals working towards a common Great Work. We're visionaries, mister Doe, visionaries who seek all peace and all prosperity for all mankind. Though in these years we've regretfully been forced into less savorable activities in order to keep the Great Work going. An all-pervasive atmosphere of hostility and deceit that rules the outer border worlds has created a malaise of paranoia and distrust within our organization, and we have a policy of secrecy in place, in order to thwart those who oppose our views and block our efforts every step of the way. And though this might make us seem less approachable, this is also why you don't have to worry about anyone other than us being privy to any arrangements we may develop.

We've outlined a possible direction for this cooperation, future projects pertaining to your organization's expertise that will most certainly benefit your organization's coffers. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Let's start slowly.

What does the DSE want us to put on the table, mister Doe?

Until then, I look forward to hearing from you again.

Toronto Station

SUBJECT:
TO: Mr Hussaini

Ontario, Liberty Space

Greetings,

I must congratulate you to this completely revised method of interaction. As you are undoubtedly aware, we didn't receive your last communique very well due to poor wording at best.

As it seems at this point, there isn't a lot you can offer us except the notion of your individuals not pirating and extorting us. Needless to say, you wouldn't be the only ones. However, as a businessman the only thing that can benefit us is something we can use.

Too be fair, I am actually very interested in different ship designs and seeing how we can make them better. Considering you wish to stage research from our facility in Kansas, how about we trade off a little?

The bottom line is that we simply cannot have vessels resembling your tag in and around our facility so in an act of co-operation, I am prepared to allow some of your citizen researchers a small research lab aboard Lansing Logistical Hub where you can conduct your research in exchange for a light vessel we can research ourselves.

The matter of getting your researchers on station is something to be worked out, however I have contacts in various fields of that industry who will be willing to help us out if you find this proposition favorable.

What say you?

Sincerely,
President Jack Doe

|Incoming Transmission
|ID: Bassam Hussaini
|Location: Unknown
|Encryption: BBL-223

Mister Doe,

The Commune has reached consensus on the matter. It's quite a dangerous task you're asking us to perform since I'm assuming it's Maltese ship technology you're after. If someone were to find out we even considered this, we'd be marked for treason under the tyrannical kingship of the National Council. Very dangerous indeed.

However, we are reasonable people mister Doe, and we understand that short-term risks are nothing in face of the grand future rewards we envisioned. Therefore, we concluded that a certain light-fighter could potentially be stolen from one of our lower pilots, and delivered to interested parties by a neutral and very discrete third party. We already have contacts that could accomplish this, and avoid incriminating either of us in the process.

Though we will be expecting a return on this risky investment, mister Doe. We'd have to know about anything interesting you find out about the craft, it may come in handy if in the future we find ourselves...even further distanced from the Nation due to the aforementioned tyrannical tendencies of the President and her old boy club. Though this should simply be a matter of willingness, our researchers on your station will be more than happy to hear about it all and relay the information to us.

Speaking of the researchers, the lab will have to be outfitted with a small listening post, as we previously outlined, for the simple reason of keeping an eye on the activity of some dangerous...undesirables. That way our spaceborne corps won't even need to be physically present with the system, and our little secret will be safe.

[he fiddles his pen between his fingers and audibly inhales, then leans back into his chair]

We'll also be expecting that funding we talked about. Now, this is in no way extortion mister Doe, think of it as an investment that you will most definitely get a return on, and very soon. Those who made it their business to do business with us, quickly realized how beneficent it can be to have us on their side. We will, of course, go through with our promise and cease all hostilities towards DSE personnel, if we haven't done so already, and we'll even throw in some blocks of intel for good measure, the kind that will make your voyages much safer. And who knows, if everything proceeds well and this contract proves to be a fruitful one in the future, we may even start protecting you directly against common foes.

Until then, do tell me whether you find all this perfectly agreeable, mister Doe, and I'll notify you about the strikecraft arrangement and how to best finalize it.