Open Transmission

[Dieter Schprokets]

"Some specific Brigands have been giving you trouble, or so I had heard.."

"Les Vampires?"

Billy picked up his wine, with a smile.

God, Gallic wine was good. He might have to take a case or two back with him.

---

[xavier]

"Ah yes"

Xavier picks up an olive from dish at the center of the table and chews it casually.

"This matter has been resolved for the moment I believe..."

Xavier paused, took a sip of wine and gazed off into the distance for a moment.

"Though..."

Xavier swirls the wine in his glass.

"Non, I am afraid their is really nothing we currently need your help with. The only assistance I think you may be able to offer would be to protect those friendly with the council, either traders or explorers, from Outcasts in Orkney, and keeping them away from Reunion. I say we do not need your help with this as it has not been a problem that I am aware, but it never hurts to be cautious. Would you be interested in this?"

[Dieter Schprokets]

Billy thought for a moment.

"We could help with this, but not in the way you think, perhaps."

"We have many outcast, um, "organisations" as clients."

"We could use our influence with them to protect people in Orkney, obviously we would not engage members of our client organisations, but we could protect traders without resort to the sword, in most cases."

"If an Outcast who isn't one of our clients insisted on harming traders, well, that would be different, wouldn't it?"

"What of terms of payment? Garrisoning a system can be expensive."

---

[xavier]

"Your methods in protecting those who wish to trade with the Council or explore Gallia are unimportant to us, merely that the job is done."

"I would also like to clarify that we do not require the whole system to be locked down, merely the corridor between the Tau-23 jumphole and Reunion Station."

"In terms of payment, I must say that the majoprity of the resources of the Council are required to help stave off the Gallic Royal Navy. I was thinking perhaps a fee system based on kills and protected parties."

[Dieter Schprokets]

Billy looked up from the table and shrugged.

"Well then, our usual terms are 2 Million per enemy downed, when assisted, and 5 Million when not."

"Also, it would seem reasonable to apply the same terms when a pirate is driven away, yes?"

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[xavier]

"I dont think I will be able to convince the leadership of the Council to pay 5 million credits for a pirate that was "driven away" if there was never even any real risk to your pilots or equipment, due to well established working relationships."

"I propose 3 million if a pirate is turned away by a single craft with no combat. If you have additional fees in a situation like this, we may be able to be flexible though."

"Finally I would like to say that you are not to engage any Brigands, except in self defense of course. However, if you do gain any evidance of a brigand threatening someone who is interested in dealing with the Council... well, let's just say we would be grateful in more ways than one."

[Dieter Schprokets]

"What if a Brigand were to threaten a trader under our protection?"

"What then?"

---

[xavier]

Xavier paused. These brigands where causing even more difficulty then he had anticipated. The main forces of the council were more concerned with matters such as the occasional pirating of a trader in an isolated system...

"The Brigands have helped us in the past, they are not our enemies and we will not pay for any actions against them. If you wish to make a deal with oyur escort at the time we cannot stop you but otherwise you are to have more profitable business elsewhere. As I said we cannot pay much and I'm sure a more profitable opportunity for a group with your skills could arrive at a moments notice, if you catch my drift. As I said before though, we expect to be notified of anything of this sort.

[Dieter Schprokets]

Billy smiled, and nodded.

"Sir, I believe we have a deal."

He extended his hand and shook Xavier's.

"I will inform the Mandalore immediately."

---

[Dieter Schprokets]

Mandalore William Bishop returned to Quillan, docked, filled his Gunboat up with as much wine as he could carry, and launched.

Once in orbit, he asked to be placed in contact with Xavier Richilieu's Office.

Once contact was established, he cleared his throat, and began to speak.

"Sir, I regret to inform you that due to a conflict of interest, we can no longer maintain our contract with the Council."

He then turned and high-tailed it to Orkney, before the implications of that could be digested by the Council.

He sighed, looking at his stockpile of wine in the hold.

"Now WHERE am I gonna get Cab Sauvignon?"

He consoled himself with the thought that Junkers could smuggle some out. It would be dear though.

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