I fielded some talk from an Outcast Rep named De Marco. She seemed to really not like you, and the things she had to say about you were red flags. "Impetuous" and "waste of resources and effort" is not something you say about the ones who control Buffalo Base, the lynchpin of Liberty crime since 672, unless you're trying to purposely turn people against them. Now, while I'll admit that it's dead funny how every time I hear about you, it's always "mrr mrr that mean ol' Hemlocke and his mean ol' Rogues grumble grumble", this one stinks of Princess Syndrome that is bound to get out of hand, so I'm just here to ask what the hell her damage is.
If it's something "big", let me know, I'll find something to make this a trade deal.
"First Maroon, now aquamarine. Fancy colors, for a rainbow of the fanciest of fools. I'm starting to feel like I got kidnapped and dropped in Los Angeles' neon district. What's next, you'll pull out a cane, give it a twirl, say "come on down" and introduce me to your best girl?"
"I already told Mildred to shove off, what the f*ck are you contacting me for."
Whyyyyy the hell did Mildred contact you? Why do Assassins feel the need to chitchat, ever? Can't they stick to Assassining? Drake too, what's with Master Assassins taking up Intel for a hobby? Am I a joke to them? It is my JOB to do the talking. I AM an INTEL.
I'm going to assume that it didn't go well. She also dropped in when I was trying to handle De Marco, and De Marco hasn't responded since. I am running out of ability to cope with Assassins doing the talking. It simply doesn't go well. That's why they're Assassins. They kill people with fashion and style. I do the talking and the party attending.
Anyway, all that aside, it was just about De Marco. She gave off suspicious vibes when the topic of you crossed the conversation, because Rogues will cross conversations about smuggling in Liberty and you happen to lead them. I spend most of my time around people with inflated egos, and I also happen to be one of them, so I know how to pick out the subtext when people are talking. She really doesn't like you, and her attitude makes me suspect she f*cked around and found out, especially with her choice of insults.
"I thought word of this would have spread by now."
"A mouthy legion, spilled the beans of the Outcasts searching for.. "alternative sources of distribution." One of De Marco's underlings I'd imagine. "Asuncion" or some such. From day one I knew which way the wind would blow."
"I told her majesty that those that lay in bed with snakes are not welcome to my abode, and that if she did not alter her course of action, I would butcher her for it. Just as I butchered the Asuncion, and one of the Legion aces they sent after me to "set an example"."
"That was the day the Outcasts proved their hubris was insurmountable, and that they'd rather kill us for protecting the trade, than see it prosper."
"The Princess and the Beast, a lovely story. She thought me blind, and lame, lied to my face, and thought she'd get away with it."
"Though the story of why she dislikes me could be as simple as the fact I told her to go get medicated by Cryer when she said "The Xenos don't want to change Liberty."
"You and the Outcasts have many things in common, one of which is being allergic to the idea you aren't as smart as you think you are. I reminded them of that."
That is... funny. I should have stayed in the damn Taus.
Alright, I'm going to call this a trade of information. I was tasked with putting out word to the wealthier Cardamine users to "Never fear, Outcasts are here", so to speak. She was pretty specific about it being to elites, celebrities, and politicians. The big shots and big names. She also specified that it should be through "channels that are not too conspicuous", and that we should "convince them not to fear for their own existence if they choose to use Cardamine".
Putting these contexts together with what you said, I would guess that she wants to cut the lower tax brackets out of the Cardamine trade. Without them, I guess she thinks that her portfolio wouldn't take that big of a hit, and she could cut Junkers and Rogues out of the trade. Then, from there, I guess she would assume that she can ship to Xenos, who'd distribute to Hackers, who would then deliver to these elites. Except that Xenos are on LSF's tab, as Mildred found out. So it's all in all doomed to fail.
I guess I need to go find metrics for how much of the Cardamine trade goes to average individuals. Street gangs, the entirety of Houston, sad middle class workers with boring wives. And I need to get a read on the Dons of Malta, see who's signed off on this idea, if any of them have. See if there's some bigshots I can convince that this is a dumb idea in the making.
As if it would be that simple. That "The Xenos don't want to change Liberty" line seems like the point of no return. I'll keep tabs on her, though. Friends close and enemies closer.
"Don't know why you're speaking like you're doing me a favor. I'm past the point of caring, and this "dumb idea in the making" is already three years progressed."
"You missed your shot to cut out the tumor."
"Like I told Mildred, my people will endure, with, or without them."
"Enjoy your damage control, cowboy. The party's over."
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