Buenos días y un cordial saludo. I had the pleasure of speaking with several of your members this evening concerning a possible strengthening of Maltese-Commonwealth relations. Pero, due to an unfortunate ion storm, our communication channels were disabled whilst in space. I wanted to express my sincerest apologies and delve into whether those “communications” can continue.
I, along with the rest of my crew aboard the Castilla, greatly appreciate your hospitality on Freeport 10. This channel will remain open on sub-space frequencies for a response or possible exchange of S.K.Y.P.3. protocols. Until then, we shall continue enjoying the beauty of Sylvania Dome.
"Apologies for any mild slight that my… neglection of your transmission may have triggered, I took the liberty of utilising yesterday as a day of rest, and I wouldn’t really have wanted any of the other Commonwealth affiliates to address a subject upon which I may be best suited to elaborate upon, hmm? Rest easy Contari, I’ll make a self-notification to answer any latter communiques post-haste, especially to persons as important as yourself, yes?
*Shuffles in his seat slightly*
....But perhaps... such listings can wait. Anyway, you did present me with an alternate offer, so to business it is! I’ve been mulling over our little exchange with the rapt attention that it was due, and I believe we may have a possible business proposition at play here, if all hands have been positioned as I, we, have illuminated. Essentially Sir, we have a viable trade of interest here, or more precisely a focused interpretation of what each has to offer the other. That’s steroids for dialogue monsieur; it builds common strength.”
“So, Sir, let me remove the veil of anonymity and present to you what exactly what services the Commonwealth can currently offer the Contari (notwithstanding we could quite possibly offer more if the exchange was suitable). I’ve even taken the liberty to list it eruditely, in the name of clarity and common understanding..."
*The crack of a mouth gives another inch*
“So, Sirs; Contari that you are. Before we table any more suggestions or even indeed slide smoothly back towards the topic of our initial discourse, surely It’s best if attempt to know each other a little more intimately, yes? After all; we are mere acquaintances, and the pursuits we would have each other peruse are far-reaching and potentially detrimental, if undertaken rashly. I'm sure you understand, indeed, perhaps more than we do ourselves, taking into account the exact nature of our… common commodity."
"To be frank sirs, our usefulness to the Contari (indeed, our very survival) depends on the introduction of some form of middlemen if we are truly going to skirt around any diplomatic unpleasantness with my particular parent house. So, Sir, I'm open to suggestions; perhaps the introduction of some form of middle-men, maybe?"
"For the benefit of any further agreements, let me table this fleeting query: does the Contari Lance possess any other… acquaintances operating in the trans-Gallic border regions, or are we alone in our kind?"
It is indeed good to hear from you, and it would be insulting to consider a short wait a slight – particularly when we have enjoyed your hospitality so. It seems we live in time where words come before thought, and bitter feelings thus erupt more often than not.
*Laughs slightly to himself*
Pero, please excuse the rhyme. Our previous discussion left many hands on the table, and I believe each can be beneficial in the right game. The Lance concerns itself with the welfare and influence of La Nación to the detriment of individual glory or prestige. I do not, on my own, speak for the Lance in its entirety. As we discussed briefly, my skills lie in more economic ventures than sending escape pods home to the four – is it it five now? – corners of the sector. In the game of negotiation, someone has to show their hand first.
Malta relies on her distribution networks of particular substances to cement relationships with trusted partners and dissolve the various social and economic infrastructures of those who view La Nación with less favor than she deserves. Spreading it extensively and properly is paramount. It is my understanding that the Commonwealth is currently planning on expanding its operations on Freeport 10. I have several proposals for possibly facilitating that growth when the time comes. I have keen insight into similar “operation expansions” myself. Should you choose to move forward, I offer my abilities to you – diplomatic and supply-chain oriented alike.
In return, of course, I would like to see the Commonwealth become an integral part of our efforts to spread Malta’s influence into your “particular parent house,” as you describe it. My priority would be to make such an arrangement beneficial for the Commonwealth first with Malta and her servants retaining a beneficiary interest. To be short, any deal must be economically and diplomatically satisfying to the Commonwealth – partners in a venue are partners at all times.
As to the middleman issue, I admit, I am unfamiliar with the Commonwealth’s current relationship with other Trans-Sirius or House-specific groups. I imagine the fact that you raise the topic means your connections with your parent house may be less than direct. To my knowledge, we have not worked with others that might qualify as “middlemen” in that regard, but relationships are made to be built, and perhaps, between the two of us, we could find someone – or a few “someones” - willing to do the job.
Simply let me know your needs and the assurances you require.
"Ah, bien! Clearly monsieur, you are a man after our collective hearts, or quite potentially our collective wallets…"*Shrugs indifferently*"…quand même, this is no impediment ; so long as we end up with our respective coffers mutually fortified. To die rich sir, is a luxury reserved for the few… *grins self-indulgently* "…And after all sir, isn't uniqueness a valuable trait? It's very human to be rich, sir…"
*Notices he's digressing slightly*
"…Ahem, anyway Mr Ala…*appears to lodge himself over the consonants*…cantra, yes that's it (it's not too much of a liberty to call you Mr Mansel is it?)… I'm pleased that you saw fit to consult with me over the Commonwealth's House-to-House, party-to-party relationships, because it's exactly these… hm, petits détails which are the primary bolster force within any hypothetical (and I certainly hope, soon to be factual) relationship between our two agencies; namely via the trade avenues for Maltese exports… and imports of course, which the Commonwealth may certainly be able to ferry for you. Put simply, as with most Zoner parties, our relations hinge upon total neutrality (or at least, to open eyes; clandestine friendships are acceptable so long as they don't openly alienate anyone). I'm sure you appreciate that, Sir, after all; I'm resting my continued survival upon it. You see Mansel, as Zoners, our military might is rather trifling - not that we would wish it otherwise of course - and due to the somewhat… oppositional relationships of some of our clients, say, yourselves and the Independent Miners Guild, we'd like to expand upon our relationship under certain terms that would permit us to operate in a way that wouldn't imperil the very cargo we wish to exchange."
"Picture it situationally; a pilot of the Lance has encountered an IMG miner filling a Commonwealth whale with the very ore for which they are so famed. By all means Sirs, we're not going to impede your right to pirate/vent the ships of your enemies; just we wish assurance that the relevant Commonwealthian transport captain wouldn't also suffer the same fate as the miner, namely; being taxed for the cargo intake. Mind you, I do realise the situation is highly unlikely Sir (the honour of your brethren is not in question here), but the question is only pitched in the sake of co-mutual security and equanimity. If this form of, well, let's call it insurance can be extrapolated for any Commonwealth personal passing through the unrestricted sectors of the Empire, then so much the better! We'll happily indulge in your economic war for that alone, monsieur. Remember Sirs, we're happy to have an agreement, so long as the entire thing is kept relatively clandestine. Certainly, the Commonwealth would prove a more… appetising trading partner if we were permitted to preserve our historic neutrality to… well… seemingly everyone. Albeit we're still minority regulated by the somewhat draconian implementations by the - may Lucifer bless them - esteemed Gallic Royal Navy stating that Zoners will be unequivocally… well, you know… if encountered in the house of my birth, but do not worry Sir, we… *smiles*have plans to the contrary. If only permit us a little time sir, to balm old wounds."
"Anyway, to the final dictum. The Commonwealth is willing to import (note, import) goods and services to the Maltese general populace from this moment forth, finding Zoner neutrality suitably appropriate to that task at least. But a certain… manner of your tone, shall we put it, and our previous discourse betrays to us that that's not all you have in mind for us Monsieur Mansel. May I be so bold in stating Sir, that you wish to leave the planet with a particular… something else… bulging from our cargo holds? Express delivery to a certain monarchy, by it's particulars? Non monsuir, my words betray us, and surely this neural-net transmission, heavily encrypted as it is, is not nearly secure enough to sooth my sensibilities. Sir, I think I'll take up your offer of conversing privately, say, in person, at another little encounter at '10 itself, if all seems appropriate.
Bien. Let us make our individual preparations as suit's the moment.
Au devoir my compadre, and may Fortuna prove fortuitous. She makes for quite the mistress."
Je suis désolé for the unjustifiable wait. Given the current, unstable state of Malta at the moment, particularly with what might be called the Ghost Rebellion, I have had to disrupt my scheduled requisitioning runs to put all available ships toward Malta’s military efforts. Ending this Ghost menace is necessary for La Nación’s well-being, but I see it as a minor disruption.
Por supuesto, now to business. Though the Lance is entirely devoted to Malta’s efforts to rid itself of those who threaten its glory, I will personally be available to participate in our common endeavors. After a thorough reconnaissance effort in Orkney and with the backing of our operatives at Kirkwall, the High Command has given its blessing. I have several personal observations yet to make, such as the distance and timing between Tau-37 and Lorraine through Malta. But those will be completed shortly. I will also provide escort through Malta for your trafficking agents and any supply line escorts I can spare. Economic power is as important as pure military might, and our growing relationship is a boon to Malta. I hope it will be to the Commonwealth as well.
I am also forwarding available information regarding Order incursions and movements of the Traitors throughout the Sector. My eyes see all, and I ask that the Commonwealth consider the current state of diplomatic affairs as we determine the best way to move forward. I am, of course, available by transmission at your convenience, and I can readily make myself available for more proper meetings on Freeport 10.
“Sir, firstly I would never demand a man possessing the dignity you do yourself to lower yourself to a servile state; if anything, our concurrent partnerships should be two-way, the Nacion should indeed gain for whatever gains we render ourselves...”
“...But Bien, it is benign of the Contari to inform the Tau Commonwealth as to the... hmm, exponentially overt flashpoints which presently afflict the Nacion Maltese. Unfortunately I, as an individual cannot serve to merely elaborate on the Commonwealth’s (our Commonwealth, that is) end motives as of yet, so I cannot utter any direct statement as to the Fraternity’s situational reaction as much as it pains one. I implore you monsieur Cantara, to wait on our return transmission. As you could quite realistically comprehend we require a degree of internal consultation”.
“Merci Sir, and muchas gracias amigo Alcanatra for the offers and the impeccable liaison you have offered, provided, and indeed continue to propose even in when the times prove unforgiving. It is to your credit Sir.”
“But oui, permit me, ahem, permit us the time to formulate an official statement; one which can prove both virtuous and felicitatious for everyone with any possible intrest...”
“...You’ll hear from us again within twenty-four hours, from either I or one of our alternate representatives.”
THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's Shipping Unions, retired from a life of piracy.)
|Directing the following transmission ||| to both Mansel Alacantra and his| |||fellow Lanceri|||
"Sirs, we've come to the considerably apt conclusion that it's probably more proactive if we converse face-to-face over the current warstate rather than over the neuralnet proper, especially with the fraternity's recent... observations of your conflict of interest within Tau 37 proper. Need one state much more, Sirs?"
"...Hopefully our next exchange of pleasantries may occur face-to-face, this way we can validate the security of our co-mutual discourse, hmm? We still have services to render."
THE SYNDIC LEAGUES
(A co-operative of Rheinland's Shipping Unions, retired from a life of piracy.)