Gabbie let out a frustrated sigh I'm thinking. Right now, the best idea would be making a run for it, during patrol. I'll work something out, maybe cash in a few favors.
She looked at Charlemagne as if her looks would give her some divine sparkle, but nothing came into her mind, so she changed the subject.
Charlemagne studied the bottle. "Storming fortresses is not my forte. You have probably guessed that" she said and then took a sip from it. "None of this is I suppose."
"I am here because I am trustworthy to the person in charge of this. For many and very complicated reasons. So yeah. All tips are welcome."
Mostly just strategic speculation, mind you. She leaned forward, and lowered her voice down. The Feds are going to seek an alliance with Liberty. Even if they weren't total sellouts, they've pissed off both Bretonia, and Kusari recently. Plus, According to the news, they still control Stuttgart, which is basically SynthFoods property. The easiest way to keep Liberty out of it, is striking a deal with another Mega.
She looked around, the bar was noticably empty by now. Every smuggler, pirate, and mercenary were about to pour into Rheinland, as the curve carried them towards it. Gabbie couldn't help, but think how many of them would die by the week's end.
One the home front, The Ring. Take it, and you've got Rheinland. And personally, IF all goes crashing down, have an escape plan. You'll never know when it will come in handy.
"They probably will. This is a wet dream for Liberty after all. A fractured Rheinland. The best bet for Imperials is probably to cooperate with Bretonia. It is the only house we have not pissed off in the recent history. Plus they need our industrial output and we need their money. And they are royal as an added bonus." she said studying the bar. "But politics is not my forte, that's Kelsen's field. Also the Ring is his little castle so if that falls, I think the Imperials will be done for. she said for the first time mentioning his name out loud.
"What is in this for you? I cannot believe you are in just for the credits. You seem more vested than just a simple cash job." she asked Gabbi straightforwadly.
Gabbie sighed Yes, this is a bit further from my usual "fixer jobs", I'll admit it. Thing is, it's complicated. I'm getting these kind of offers, the same job what I do now all the time, but I don't really like them, so most of the time, I deny.
She swirled her drink again, looking at nothing for a moment, before continuing But this one's different. The person who's backing me on this, is one of my best clients, and is a friend from long before that. And worries that another war comes, and their family would lose another home.
So it was personal for her. Charlemagne found that interesting. "Alright, you got me convinced as far as a shady - no offense - stranger can convince me." she said.
Guess this was not a Buro operation after all. It mattered less, now that she could actually shoot back since they were branded enemies of the state. A cheering thought even though she would have no chance against a well-trained commando.
"Hit me with you proposal, plan and details when you are ready. Especially the Buro part."
She paused for a second. "Plus it would be nice to see you again, this was actually the first fairly friendly conversation I have had in a long time." she chuckled and felt immediately stupid afterwards. That was just pathetic thing to say and she should know better.
Believe me, the pleasure is all mine. My usual clientelé sometimes "neglects" basic necessities, like bathing more than once in a week.Laughed.
She swirled the remainder of her drink, before taking it down in one go. As for my proposal, I can tell it now: I'll supply you with the equipment I've mentioned, along with the information. Actually, I'll hear the man's proposal of the price first. She laid back, looking at Charlemagne for a few seconds. I know where your loyalties lie, but if you'll ever go freelance, hit me up. Maybe I can help you out.
Charlemagne laughed. "Seems our daily routine is a bit similar. I deal with a lot of miners who employ the same life philosophy." she said.
Sensing that this meeting is over she followed Gabbie's lead and finished her drink in one go as well. "I will send you the credit offer once I relay all of this my boss. I think he will be pleased with this meeting."
She stood up and took her helmet and the device from the table. "Name's Leonie by the way. Be seeing you Daniels" she smiled lightly and then put on her helmet and walked towards the bar to pay for their drinks.
Gabbie watched Leoine walk away, and took a last look around the bar, while she began typing a new message into her PADD. After finishing the draft, she checked her calendar for the next meeting, which was a couple days away with yet another corporate interest.
About a hour later, as she waited for the carrier to charge it's jump drive, and drag her ship along for a system untold light years away, she opened another message, and typed two words: "They're in." And hit send, as the alarm sounded in Gabbie's ear, warning for the imminent jump. A few moments after that, the first photons of the stretching blue and white of the Barrier hit her retinas, and she quickly launched her ship towards the next destination.