A lanky tattooed man stepped off the mooring platform into Freeport 10 and surveyed his surroundings.
"Pinche place, ya dig?" he said as he adjusted the collar of the only suit he owned. "Frickin' Zoner stations always make me chafe. So many uppity holier than thou Zoners around makes me feel like I'm gonna catch a case of stickin' my tail between my legs." he laughed to himself and shugged. "Them Zoner ladies are always freaky in bed though, maybe I can find me a nice lay after this meetin'."
He entered the bar and ordered a Bourbon...or somethin' that at least resembled it. Smelled more like watered down Vodka with food coloring, but the effect was the same even though it tasted like shit.
"Now I just wait for this Outcast gentlemen and see what arrangements we can make to make us both rich." he said with a laugh as he downed the glass in one gulp.
Flaring orange engines extinguished as a Rapier class fighter hovered in the landing bays of Freeport 10. An aged black haired man stepped out onto the solid ground. Stony eyes glanced around, keeping watch over a group of Zoners talking repairs for their ships with a stocky equipment dealer. There was a meeting with a supposed intermediary of theirs, and if fruitful, could gain access to new contacts across the Cardamine trade. He just hoped the subject was here yet. He didn't like waiting.
Entering the bar, Don Alejandro Harabero quickly scanned for the least friendly looking person there. A usual sign of a pirate. All he recognized so far were a couple Outcasts that were planted there to keep a watch on him and his ship. Now if Alejandro could just find this pirate...
Erebos noticed the Outcast when he entered the but he stayed back a bit watching him. He scanned the room a couple of times after he entered, looking for Erebos. He watched the Outcast for a few moments longer before shrugging with a smile and approaching the man.
"Salutations are in order I believe? My name is Erebos." he made a small bow but it was hard to tell if it was sarcastic or meant seriously. "Pleasure to meet you, sir." the way he said sir made it apparent that he wasn't used to siring anyone.
Erebos was lanky, dark skinned man with a plethora of tattoos and piercings. He didn't look much like a Junker but that was because he wasn't born into the life but rather inherited the job title. While some Junkers focus primarily on the scrap trade, Erebos was of the stock that had his interests planted firmly more on the side of smuggling and money making. He may have used to be a slaver, but Frostbyte, (his erstwhile boss and "friend") had nipped that in the bud as soon as he had begun working for her. That didn't stop him from still doing it on the side when she wasn't looking.
"Some things have changed since that communication I made to you. I now represent my boss, Frostbyte as well as Beaumont Spire in Texas and our fledgling group known in small circles for now as the Lone Star Scrappers. When I told her about this little get together, she wanted me to continue on as normal as a representative and envoy for our little endeavor in Liberty. She felt we could work together to both make some money off the backs of the people there.
"Still sound like something you'd be interested in, senor?" he asked with a grin.
His previous assessment did not exactly prove to be correct, he thought. Although, not entirely. There was still definitely a few worse looking individuals there, who looked like they'd been through things that couldn't be mended. Whether the difference boded well or not for first impressions he didn't know.
At least he seemed excited.
Hmm. I would like to know more. I can't form any judgements off of wisps. Although, you can take that as a yes, I suppose.
Alejandros eyes flashed something like a smug determination, then settled, quickly flickering over Erebos.
There are a few things I would like to mention, but as you know, the primary factor is Cardamine. How much you want and can supply, what that looks like for us, the money we will both make... all of it. The Orange Dream is not something that comes easy toward someone. If you have already as it seems and want some opportunities... we can certainly make a contract.
You sought us out, after all. We will be sure to fulfill anything you desire of smuggling opportunities, the Orange Dream and the profitability that goes with it.
The last statement had a slightly chilling undertone.
Regardless- shall we take a seat? It seems unfit for us to stand and talk business - especially if we are to be here for a time.
Harabero motioned to a table with a couple chairs. It was in a quieter section of the Freeport, with a couple presumably Outcasts a table over.
"Cardamine, Cardamine, everyone wants Cardamine. Good reason too, it fetches a good price in many places, senor." he said with a large grin as he followed the Outcast to the table and took his seat. After which, he began speaking immediately.
"We recently made an arrangement with a fellow Junker involvin' Premium Scrap and the Relics he has on his slice o' paradise out on the outer reaches of the Omicrons. He brings us his trinkets and sells 'em at a profit, he carts back Premium Scrap at a discount for his factories or whatever else he uses it for. He makes a profit, and stocks up his base in return. We run the Relics the rest of the way to good ol' Manhattan when no one is looking and make a profit ourselves. Everyone wins. Now, that's one option. It would benefit us both here, see? If you have any shipyards in Alpha, you get some Premium Scrap that aids with your manufacturin' and you get to spread the Orange Dream into Liberty via the Spire at the same time. We pick up the Cardamine from the Spire and cart it the rest of the way to Manhattan, netting us a small profit as well, and taking the heat off of your guys bringing it into the heart of Liberty.
"Now if that don't tickle your fancy, I'm sure we can figure somethin' else out like bringing the materials to you ourselves, but that increases risk on our boys flyin' all the way up there and merits an increased cost. I'm sure you understand that."
A waitress saw her opportunity and approached the two. Erebos held up his hand before she began speaking but rewarded her with a winning smile. "Nothin' for me, dearie. Already had a drink a little bit earlier. Although, my friend here might be amenable to a drink if he were so inclined." he said motioning to the Outcast sitting across from him.
As she passed by Alejandro leaned in and rested his hands together.
That is all well and good. I am sure we could work out some deals with you and your partner, as long as they wish the best for the Orange Dream, there are, however, some other considerations I would like to be assured of first...
Now, you have my trust as you have gone out all this way and I have gained some... intel on your past. However, I would like to know more about your partner... If she does play as big of a role as you say. You can never be too sure, after all. If you know what I mean.
Moreover if there are any "complications" with other unlawful groups within Liberty... Or any undesirable past experiences with law enforcement that might threaten unwanted knowledge of future Cardamine operations.
"My past, huh? Maybe the one I wanted you to know about." he thought to himself. Even he scarcely remembered his birthname at this point. He shrugged, continuing to smile.
"I'm an open book, ya know? My past is my past, I move on." he grinned. "My boss though, a pretty little thing named 'Frostbyte', is more than she seems. She's a vicious woman when the mood strikes her, clever when it warrants it, and absolutely diabolical when the results suit her. Don't be fooled by her stature, she's larger than life." he frowns for the first time since the meeting had begun. "Though I would be remiss if she didn't piss me off sometimes. I guess that's just how having a boss is." he shrugged. "She's been in the smuggling game most of her life and is a prodigy where it counts though, so I follow her despite her age. She knows her shit, after all.
"As for complications inside Liberty. We've had none with any parties. Even with the boys and girls in blue. We're damned careful when transporting illicit goods in any house. We do our best to sneak into Kusari sometimes but them 'honorable' folks up there seem to not be so honorable when a Junker shows up on their sensors. That's the rub though, ya dig?"
"What do I know about her past? Hah. I know she used to be quite the hacker. Not a Lane Hacker, mind you, but just a simple hacker. She's quite the engineer too. Beyond that, I know she's been a Junker her whole life. Hell, she grew up on Beaumont Base right next door. Her being a pirate though? She doesn't really do that kind of stuff, she just focuses on smuggling and the occasional blackmail with what information she finds.
"...and a horrendous death?" Erebos laughs. "I don't much think that'll happen. If it does, it won't be her fault. I'm convinced I'll die because of a pissed off, jealous husband putting a hole in my head." his laugh turns into a subtle cackle.
"In all honestly, 'byte is good people. She might be a royal pain in the ass at times, but she's trustworthy as they come."
Erebos took a quick look around the bar while maintaining his mask of carefree attitude. No sense being caught unawares. Freeports were mostly safe places, but this close to Outcast space made his skin itch. A Maltese could be your friend one moment and have a buddy bury a knife in your neck the next. He hated being paranoid but sometimes that saved your ass.
"Not to change the subject, but you seen that shit going on down in Liberty? I can't say I'm surprised that Liberty decided to take Erie from the Zoners though. Surprised it took them that long. Might be other smuggling business down there in Pennsylvania before long to help the Zoners out. Definitely a market there now."
Erie was a fun topic. After its seizure by Liberty forces, there was quite the uproar in the area. Zoner freedom movements occasionally outright brawling with the Liberty Navy and police forces. Some had spilled out onto the New York system itself, and it seemed just about the whole house was against its authorities. Besides the main press, of course, although that was run by the bigwigs in power anyways. Although, most had been quickly put down, there were some other opportunities...
Yeah. Although I can't say I am particularly intrigued with it. Common smuggling there might be a nice credit grab on the side. I am more interested in the Zoners themselves and the nuisance they are to Liberties law enforcement. If you can hand someone a blaster who will shoot it at your enemy, I would gladly give them ammunition as well.
He paused, wondering where the conversation would go. He would not like to stray too much from the original conversation. But, if he could have a mole in the side operations that wouldn't be too bad either.