They weren't killed. He wasn't angry. What was wrong? As he spoke, they nodded stupidly in agreement, slowly drinking the Sake, their faces contorting at the odd taste. As they finished, their expressions turned to shock at the mention of private servants and suites. That word they understood.
"O-oui. We'd love to!" Their excitement showed in both their voice and their expressions.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
The small man nodded, turned on his heals and quickly moved toward the doors, confused the men had no choice but to hurry and follow. Twenty minutes later the men followed the small Kusari man into a large common room, linking several large suites, several staff members hurried around, doing various odds and end. The small man spoke, "Please enjoy gentlemen, if you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to call for me. Any of the staff can get in touch with me as well if you need, again, please enjoy."
Jethro had made his way back to his office, and then after about an hour or so, he made his way down to the IND offices. Heading for a small office well off the beaten path, Jethro softly knocked on the door before entering.
"Have they done anything yet?" Otis asked a man sitting in front of a large bank of monitors. "Nothing yet sir, I am not even sure they are going to be able to make up their minds about staying, I give it fifty-fifty odds at this point. I'll keep you updated, but if they stay, we have the suites fully wired, we will have access to their movements the entire time they are here." The man said, quickly changing the viewing angle on one of the monitors.
"Fair enough, keep me posted." Jethro relied on his way out of the room.
Half of them decided to leave after a week of hospitality. The welcoming Sirians and the non-oppressive atmosphere had been overwhelming. A few reveled in it, the others had grown uncomfortable, not used to thinking for themselves.
The main speaker, Jacques Cygne, was one of the few who left. He had bid a Otis a fond farewell, pain in his voice as he turned down a life of fortune, good treatment, and possible business opportunities. He politely explained his duty to Gallia and the Police, shaking Otis' hand and leaving as quick as possible with his compatriots to escape the pain.
Shortly after, approximately another week, eight ships of Civilian, both Sirrian and Gallic, design showed up at Roppongi, this time not as dubious around their Interspace friends. Jacques walked with his new colleagues, each looking about eagerly as he did a few weeks before. Around their shoulders they carried the message satchels, a new submissive for the IND and a deal that would be most favorable, according to Chloe, to them.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
The small man came into Otis's office, and nodded, "They are here then," Otis started, "Take them down to the conference room, I will be there in a minute." With that the small man quickly left.
Jethro made a call and arranged for food to be laid out in the conference room and the headed down.
When Jethro arrived the men were all sitting in the room enjoying the food the small man had offered them. "Welcome." Otis started, "You asked to see me?"
Jacques happily finished his meal, the letter satchel set in front of him. Otis was a man to be trusted. He then cleared his throat, standing up and taking the satchel in his hand, delicately plucking the piece of rolled-up paper from within. Madame Dupont believes you would like this one, Monsieur Otis. She seemed proud as she gave me this message.
Without even waiting for Otis to reply, he spoke clearly,
Bonjour, Monsieur Jethro,
I write this message to inform you that I have recently acquired two vessels that would be very beneficial for both our parties.
The ME-UH Vache is a prized vessel amongst the higher corporations of Gallia that ferries goods to and fro amongst contested space. The Council also employs a various number of these for their own trade and smuggling routes, vandalizing our proud ships and using them to support their war.
We have repossessed two of these vessels. The Cest La Vie and the Renault are now moored with Gap Station as we try and figure out what to do with them. This is where you come into play.
We had not granted you docking rights with our bases for obvious reasons. Now we can meet, literally, in the middle. I am allowing you to maintain and operate these vessels under a puppet crew for use of shipping goods to Royal Police bases and buying our exports for your own profit.
In order to explain the phenomenon of missing or spontaneously gained cargo, we will use the piracy and confiscation argument when questioned by higher forces.
The written agreement is as follows:
1. Both vessels will only operate when there are no superior officers of the Royal Navy in close proximity.
2. When a hostile target is in close proximity of these vessels, it will immediately land to avoid suspicion. Same applies for the Royal Navy.
3. Any and all goods will only be collected from Royal Police bases and planets. The guise will be held as official police work and shall go unhampered by ground-based officials.
4. All transfers between Royal Police and Independent Nationale dGallia will be carried out at a minimum distance of twenty-two clicks from any Royalist structure(Stations, battleships, trade lanes, jump gates)
5. A sum of twenty million credits will be paid for the licenses of each transport and any that will arise later.
I hope that this is acceptable. If you wish to amend this contract, send a message back with Jacques informing me of this.
Signed,
Directeur Chloe Dupont, Margrave dBastille
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
"Thank you Jacques, once again you have shown yourself to be a more than able emissary for the Director. I hope you will carry my message with such diligence" Otis stood up and began to pace the room. Jacques, if you would please tell the Director that her offer is wonderful, and we at IND accept it without reservation. In addition to that, I would like you to carry this letter to her. I had my people translate it into French." Jethro pulled out a folio and pulled a document from it. He handed it to the other man to read.
Quote: Madam Dupont,
I am overjoyed to see the development that our conversation has brought. Gallia has become a very profitable place for the IND to operate, and for that, we have you to thank in great part.
As to the Vache transport, we will gladly take possession of these ships, and am dispatching a fine man to Capitan the Renault. Scott Hill is one of my best, and he shall serve our mission well. I would ask the the proper documents be arraigned in the name of Remy Gagne for him. He is fluent in French, English and Kusari, and has learned as much as possible in the short time available about operating in Gallia. He should fit in well and not draw attention to the operation.
One last thing Director, and this is more of a long term thought of mine that I wanted your opinion on. The current situation in Gallia is to a degree untenable long term. The Council's opening of the minefield fundamentally altered Gallia, and it will have to adjust. While Sirians are not currently welcomed by the Royals, at some point, I am quite certain that they will open Gallia to traders from Sirius. When that time comes, there will be discussions on all sides of the matter about who to allow access to and who to withhold it from. I want IND to be on the top of the list when it comes to access, I want IND to be the first ones in, to be the first to bring the jewels of Sirius to the Gallic people. When that time comes, Madame Director, your voice will hold much weight, your opinion will be valued in those discussions. I would ask, that when that time comes, that you support IND's access into Gallia, and then, of course Mon Cher, we could actually meet in person.
Once again, my thanks, and Mr Hill will make contact with you, discreetly when he is in position to take command of the Renault.
Otis
Jethro waited until the letter had been read in full. "Jacques, you will carry my message to Madame Dupont, yes? Of course, the suites remain for any of your party who wish to stay for a while and get some rest and relaxation."
Jacques nodded as Jethro spoke, happily taking the letter and tucking it into the satchel.
"Oui, Monsieur Jethro. Although, I think we can make arrangements with you. Madame Directeur wishes to speak with you. Another reason we brought so many people was to smuggle you into Gallia. If you give the okay, we can make this happen," Jacques inclined his head slightly, "Unless you think it's too dangerous..."
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Otis thought about it, going into Gallia was a dangerous thing, as he had found out, but it would be exponentially harder if he were going to Gallic lawful space. Otis did fancy himself an adventurer, so he came to the conclusion that it was fitting. "I would love to." he started, "Mr Hill is here on Roppongi at the moment, hopefully we can take him as well, and get him set up at the help of the Renault. Give us a few hours and we can be ready to go. You may as well take that time to rest up and enjoy Roppongi, might I suggest the botanical gardens on level 45? I can have someone escort you?"
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