Sender: Nicole Burton Recipient: Interspace Commerce, Liberty branch Subject: Business offer
Greetings!
My name is Nicole Burton, perhaps you remember me from my time as a PR spokesperson for Interspace Commerce. In any case, I am currently the Chief of Staff of Universal Shipping Incorporated and we would like to make a business offer to our good friends and close partners in Interspace.
After extensive legal battles with the unscrupulous opportunists of =DSE-, which we won, Universal recently acquired the full ownership of Sirius Base Construction, a Core 3 modular station in the prime spot of Planet Houston's orbit. The station has ample storage space and is protected by the nearby Battleship Mississippi as well as Houston International's heavy defenses.
As it is well known, compared to other Liberty systems, Texas is a hive of criminal activity, gangs and self-perpetuating poverty. We thus feel that it is unsafe for extremely rare items, bank notes, basically anything that is valuable and not in digital form to be stored in a planet-based facility. Not unlike the prison facilities of Texas which are also located in-space. In addition, due to our shipping expertise, Universal has extensive knowledge in space station storage methods. So we are designing to modify Sirius Base Construction into a bank reserve for Texas system.
Interspace Commerce as the direct owner, or indirect one (through your multiple subsidiaries) controls most of the banking institutions of Houston. We would like thus to inquire whether you are interested in such partnership or not.
Nicole Burton
Chief of Staff
Universal Shipping Inc.
We will send a team of infrastructure investigators and in house management consultants over to Trenton Outpost to examine the blueprints to see what steps we can recommend from our end to improve the security of the station's upgrades. Our board has discussed your offer and we are looking forward to working with you on this and being your client for this project.
For now, our marketing team has recommended that our logo and involvement with the station's upgrade's could be advertised, if USI agrees of course.
Sender: Nicole Burton Recipient: Interspace Commerce, Liberty branch Subject: Business offer
Director Wardwell,
That is excellent news! We will expect your security consultants on Trenton to show them all the security measures we are going to apply in order to ensure the absolute safety of the items on our vaults. Furthermore we would also like to discuss in person the interests rates you wish to impose to the funds your banks or other clients wish to save on the Texas Bank Reserve. These profits will of course go directly to your corporation.
Finally, on an unrelated matter I would like to discuss with you the matter of Ageira Innovations. As you are well-aware Rheinland has started building Gallic Jump Gates and Trade Lanes directly impacting our exclusive profits and influence. We tried contacting President White about working together on this matter with no success. That goes without saying that we are extremely disappointed with Ageira's overall attitude. Not too long ago Rheinland also destroyed the Honshu Jump Gate in Sigma-21 system, a project which was undoubtedly insured by Interspace, forcing you to pay billions to Kusari government.
Nicole Burton
Chief of Staff
Universal Shipping Inc.
I believe that a 5% interest rate should be appropriate for the money that bank will use to invest in local businesses. As for Ageira, what exactly did you have in mind? Sovereign House space was once a secure investment but the geopolitical situation in Sirius since the violation of the Boorman Treaty and the Tau War has deteriorated significantly. Our analysts believe that Rheinland is using Gallic jumpgates to hedge against Liberty - in other words, we no longer have a monopoly, but we do have competition.
The only way to bring back...monopolistic levels of profits on this demand inelastic good would be too form a cartel with EFL Oil and Machinery. Due to the ongoing war, I would be risking treason (as would EFL) if this were actually to happen. I am not so sure I am prepared to do that.
We sent out unofficial feelers to the growing republican and imperialist movements in Rheinland. This seems to be the one issue that they agree on - not letting Ageira gain its monopoly on the jumpgate and trade lane market back.
If you have an alternative idea, then do let me know.
Sender: Nicole Burton Recipient: Interspace Commerce, Liberty branch Subject: Business offer
Director Wardwell,
Thank you for your prompt reply. You are probably referring to 0.5% rates as 5% would drive us out of business. In any case I would like to ask you to reserve judgment until the refurbishment of Sirius Base Construction is complete and our shop page is up and running.
As for Rheinland, I believe it is vital that we preserve our monopoly that we held for more than 500 years. Our position in Sirius depends on our actions. Universal Shipping is exploring all options, from supporting political powers that would give us such outcome to sabotage of EFL's construction projects. In any case however, it is good to hear that Interspace is on our side and shares our concerns. Pressuring Ageira's inadequate and incompetent leadership into action is paramount for any plan to succeed.
Nicole Burton
Chief of Staff
Universal Shipping Inc.
I apologise for my mistake, yes, I did mean 0.5%. According to our auditors, this rate should help make the Texas Reserve Bank profitable within a reasonable timeframe.
As for Rheinland, we are currently handling back-channel negotiations with several political parties, including the Imperialist Party. We have extended a workable deal for them however it seems that they are taking their time to decide. Given the sensitive nature of the situation there, I have given them as much time as they need as we have given them some very firm conditions should the situation in Rheinland change. I will keep you posted as soon as I have something more...concrete to share.