As Harabero speaks Chenzo is intrigued by his apparent misunderstanding of how highly addicting and afterward permanently dependable drugs work. Or perhaps Chenzo just assumed everyone has in-depth knowledge in tune with his own? His chair warm and comfortable by this point, he begins to speak.
"Senor, there isn't a market in Bretona or anywhere else in Sirius apart from Liberty because the Maltese of my time had deals in place, to not target them. The very seeds of foundation within Liberty were placed before the 101st, of course. The expansive network which exists today only does so because we, the 101st made it so, believe what you like but it's the truth. We also built Valetta, Corsica and numerous other stations across Sirius, many of which today aren't there. Please take me for no fool when I say I do nothing by half measures.
Sadly, one of the major stations within Bretona capable of servicing our capital vessels I've not seen trace of, most upsetting. All of this was possible prior to my departure due to the solid network between the three controlling Maltese factions working together directly as I've mentioned before. It's no surprise that the Maltese Empire is but a fraction of what it once was.
On that note, what does Senorita De Marco bring to the table other than being aesthetically pleasing?
On a totally separate note, but ever so relevant. I wish not to offend on anything I say, but more particularly by what I'm about to speak;.
It only takes but a taste of the abilities, powers and unnatural immunity to ill health which comes hand in hand with Cardimine to instantly hook new users in to its warm glow. Once a few have it in them, their desire and need become greater. After a while, those who learn to live with the life changes which ultimately come about due to it's negative stigma will then in turn seek, to interact with others and this is a key stage. Then pedal it onto others to try and make themselves feel happier about it and of course, fund their addiction.
Why I mention these stages is because they directly impact the prices we can demand on the product. The first deliveries are to happen personally to corporations directly by our ships to keep prices low and quiet. Otherwise, the Cardimine we think is going to Bretona ends up on the Liberty market instead. We keep prices low there for now until there is a larger demand.
We need to have a large number of people both in positions of pedalling and then of course a larger number of users they can supply, this takes time.
You may laugh, but one of the early stages is planting propaganda, false testimony's of people claiming that Cardimine has cured their life long illness, saved the lives of young children, the only side effect being they need a regular dose of the drug that without the use of, would have died. CEO's in edge worlds reporting major mining profits due to workers being able to work much longer hours due to Cardimine use.
Another is having groups of an unsavoury viewing by targeted house space work for us, but have no affiliation to the orange dream itself until later on. The stress generated on military forces causes desperation, take less of an attentive eye toward us and our dealings. This is something the Corsairs are actually good for, the desperate rabble they are.
That is but two of many things being worked on my side. It's at this point I hope you can offer a full answer about De Marco and her relevance of any kind? Can you advise of anything she may have done worthy of noting?
As for the Molly's, well.. They're on very good terms as far as I'm concerned. I'll be re-establishing connections as I've spent quite a few years under their transponder in my younger years.
Although I've stated I'd be happy to work with De Marco and see what she can offer, I'm speaking to you directly as you are the man with a few cards which make my plans easier. I'll succeed regardless but I'd see it as a total waste for you not to be involved directly.
Senor, working together means working together, not offering to oversee a venture and say 'yess, that's good' once work is done."
He sits back with a warm glow on his face, it's clear Chenzo really would like Harabero to look at the bigger picture of setting things up correctly. What it means and what benefits it could hold going forward
Harabero smirked. This would be fun. Surely he was not suggesting an ability to single handedly establish an entire market in Bretonia on his own? No. That would be a humorous thought. A joke, perhaps? However, there was nothing to suggest such. The Don wasn't sure if he should laugh or not. He couldn't resist a chuckle, however.
Heh, it is always a good idea to lighten the mood with a joke. I am at a loss for words if it is not. Honestly. I would not grace that with a response.
On a more serious note, while the Mollies are not hostile with us, they definitely are not our "friends". I do not know how different things have become in Bretonia from "your days", as I expanded my priorities beyond my Cartel fairly recently, however now they are not the most... receptive of our dream. Nor do our patrols reach toward their territory in the Dublin system often enough for us to have establish anything more than a 'truce'. If you like you may expand upon that. I personally do not see any growth within them, however.
As for you working with ourselves and by extension De Marco, if you do not wish to, that is fine. We have the capabilities and have set our sights upon Bretonia and some other houses for some time already. Despite what you may think, Bretonia does have connections to the Orange Dream, however, most of the traders have simply used those to go to Liberty. It just needs to be rerouted. Why I am offering this is to give you an opprotunity to voice your opinions and work with us, together, as we are a united Maltese nation, to bring something together that would establish the benefit of all Maltese lives.
You would give us a unique opinion and so called "connections" in Bretonia. You are not one to tackle a house "solo", as much as you may like to think so. The Ghosts are long gone. And you aren't offering this to us out of pity. Do not mistake this. If you wish to work together, leave a more "open minded" approach. If not, leave it.
How could Chenzo have been so blind, so stupid? Harabero was a man in power yes, but clearly had no idea of how large the force at Chenzo's command was. What he was capable of, what he intended to do. The unscalable might of his ambitions met only with the passion and methods to achieve them. Chenzo was glad that Harabero had refused the initial offer to show him Nuevo Amanecer So much could have been lost in that error.
The only thing Harabero had genuinely correct was that The 101st, Ghosts of Razgriz as it once existed for whatever reason were gone. Chenzo had yet to embrace this loss and take it in properly. They had ceased to be not long after his departure and as per Hacker confirmed records, no sign of genuine ghosts until his return.
He himself was but a relic of a time once passed. Harabero advertised himself unwillingly as a weak character, he'd have answered questions directly if the nature of their context didn't threaten him in some way. He could be wrong, but this was the image given off. Questions had been totally ignored multiple times now, it was enough to confirm Chenzo's thoughts. Perhaps this would change going forward with future dealings with De Marco and whoever else.
Chenzo listened as a major epiphany hit him. A grin beams across his face before he chuckles and begins to speak
"You liked that, si? Senor, I do like to exaggerate to make points abundantly clear, this whole conversation I've been doing just that. You clearly knew that, si?
In any case, yes I'd be delighted to work with Senorita De Marco, yourself and whoever else may find themselves useful and I'm sure you will find my input useful also. I place my knowledge, skill sets and transport based assets at your disposal, along with anything else you may wish for.
The expansion of Cardimine is indeed a large venture, far too large for me on my own. Perhaps we can arrange a meeting with De Marco and other figure heads that be?
Senor, do you have anything else to ask or questions? I do appreciate your willingness to look at the things I've asked so far as time goes on, my intensions are pure in motive"
Meetings will be arranged, of course. After our own, I will contact any other members we wish to bring, and find our stance and first objectives from there. We have a few informers and "Asesinos" within Bretonia ourselves, if you want anyone removed before we can plant more of a real presence there, they can remove those undesirable meddlers if you contact them.
Beside that I believe this will unfold afterward our meeting. Unless you have anything left to add to this. I would say that is all of Bretonia.
Chenzo liked the straight forward and to the point response, it was just what was needed. He'd always faced such ventures alone only calling on others for additional muscle once he'd worked out all of the logistics. Seeing as things were indeed very different now, perhaps much greater things could be achieved with the locked minds of others all giving their input and resources together, this could indeed be something quite spectacular. A warm expression falls over his face as he speaks
" What you have suggested for Bretonia is more than acceptable, it's quite nice to not be alone in planning, let's see how that goes."
He sits back as his expression turns more concerned
"You haven't any direct plans for Rheinland yet do you? It's very early days but I'm attempting to organise something a bit more elaborate there which could open doors to resources on further plans I have to vastly expand our warring capabilities.
You'll have to forgive the subject change, I believe we are on agreement on Bretonia. there is a lot I've been planning and working on, building in my absence, fitting together all the pieces in ones own mind"
It was at this point Chenzo had revealed a weakness, his plans are always elaborate and work just fine, but he had revealed he is indeed the sole conspirator in their development. He used Cardimine, credits and other methods to influence other groups outside of those under the Maltese banner to get what he desired
"There really is a lot going on between these ears, laying things into motion may be something you perceive to be rash, fast and not thought out well, but in time I'm sure you'll grow to appreciate it. Tell me about Rheinland, senor? For now I'd like to be left alone to see what I can build upon. Your thoughts?"
His hands on his knees, an inquisitive look on his face
Bretonia was finished, then. This was only the vapors of the beginning, but at least they had a start. Afterward would provide the bulk of any operations to uproot and find their craving of Cardamine. As for Rheinland...
You would be right about Bretonia. I believe that is all there is to discuss about it. Afterward, we may start operations within. But that is for another day. Rheinland on the other hand, may be a little more difficult. At least for Bretonia we had strings and ties to some corners, just not directed in the right places. Rheinland...
He holds his hands up and shrugs his shoulders. Harabero takes a more thoughtful glance.
We would be building upon new. The closest contacts we have would be in Sigma 13 in a nigh abandoned Junker station, which is under the eyes of the GMG. To gain access we would need to further fronts against the Corsairs and the Guild. However, Rheinland seems to be distracted more on our enemies than us - if we could find a way inside of it, we would have relative freedom. If you prefer, I would be fine with allowing you to "see what you can come up with" inside of there. If you need any assistance inside of it or getting to it, I would be the person you can talk to.
Harabero relaxes himself and prepares to hear what Chenzo has to say. Rheinland is pretty much a new frontier - he would be open on anything that could be said on it - either way, it would expand the Orange Dream, the ultimate goal.
Chenzo listens intently as Harabero speaks, things were looking up. He was becomming increasingly more intrigued what others could bring to the table
"Thank you, senor. I'll await your call and I can also offer Comercio Fantasma to host such meetings and talks. As I'm sure you are aware, it's nearing the final stages of completion at a rather heightened rate. But that is just a minor detail for now."
He sits back straight, takes a deep breath and looks Harabero directly in the eye, as he continues to speak eye contact moves to not make it awkward, but he was trying rather hard to persuade a point
"Of all the houses, Rheinland in my opinion is the strongest in industrial capacity. I wish to take an entirely different tact which will only offer Cardimine if they want it. This does indeed sound odd given our topic of conversation, but their space offers much more than an income, it has the potential to boost our warring abilities entirely. Senor, I think on many fronts, not just one"
He places his head in his hands, unsure if he'd be supported in his thinking, he looks up and begins to speak
"I've been monitoring them for some time, they seem to have some form of gripe with the GMG as well but I couldn't get close enough to hear exactly what, the gas clouds which have served our ancestors in piracy also shadowed my observation. I've also managed to loosely work on large transports with one of their corporations which are also part of multiple different plans in progress"
He chuckles briefly before looking directly back into the eyes of Harabero again
" All I ask for is the time to work alone on that front for now, if nothing good comes from it we've lost nothing, si?"
Hm. Rheinland could be used in more ways, although Harabero highly doubted they would accept. That was the way of the world, wasn't it? To deny themselves of the Orange Blessing until it caught up with them. One day...
It might be worth a try, although I am doubtful of how effective it may be. Be very cautious not to alert them of an increase in our activites in the area. While some of their people may not hate us as much they hate the Corsairs, they are still openly hostile to us. Overall, I trust you can be more coordinated and clever than anything they might try.
If you wish to work alone on Rheinland, then I would be fine with it. Overall, it might help to have an undetected presence of only one. Our forces in the Sigmas are unable to penetrate into that territory, and infiltration is extremely difficult due to large Corsair and Guild presences that we have to go through to get to Rheinland. Not including the dangers of a "civilian" in Rheinland alone...
He presses his hand to his chin for a short time, before removing and resting it.
What I am trying to say in all of this is, whatever your presence maintains, keep it quiet. Very, very quiet. I trust you can keep that, but I have seen one to many operations get crushed because of a single backstabber selling you out.
Besides that, it should work fine for you to begin alone. Indeed, anything dug up is better than none.
Harabero hoped what he said would find Chenzo in good favor. Living as an Outcast meant living in the shadows, and when one departs from the darkness safety, they usually fall or are very well prepared. And if they aren't, they meet death.
A deep sense of relief is felt as Harabero speaks. He was used to pressure & dangerous situations, life threatening, even. Conversations with Harabero proved to be much more testing than what he’d experienced before, than he’d ever expected.
“As stated Senor, being aware & allowing movement in the direction of Rheinland is not something I thought you’d want to happen. Thankyou. If things are to go in the direction one would hope, your involvement would be most necessary for it to fruit properly at which point I’ll be sure to advise of for your input”
Seemingly happy, he sits back, relaxes. Takes a few moments to have a sip sip from the vial within his jacket once more
“Do you have any questions about this? I have more on a different subject, however let’s settle anything you wish to know, goals you may wish to set out”
Why would I not want movement toward expanding the Cardamine trade, even to Rheinland? One day even the Corsairs will be covered with the Orange Dream. However, yes. Once again, I would happily contribute to any endeavors that strengthen Malta and the Orange Dream. Besides that, I would say that is all I have to say on Rheinland.
There was still, actually, some data upon Rheinland that could be said. However, for the time being, that wasn't relevant. It could always be transmitted later, if needed. He wondered how the venture would go. Rheinland was too far and too sheltered by the Corsairs and Guild, and most forces could not penetrate into it. Perhaps this would be the first steps? If anything were to go wrong however, there would be no support. That was the risk, that gave the expansion the price.
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