Monsieur "Hemlocke", Maître of the Liberty Rogues,
I apologize for the unannounced and unscheduled intrusion upon your valuable time, monsieur. If we are at all alike, I am sure there are many who would see your sparse free periods consumed with utter, grating banality.
However, I offer an even greater apology for delaying our introductions until now. I'd have much preferred to meet you in person following your activities in Picardy, the activities that resulted in the wholesale destruction of a Royal Navy battlegroup. A man so far from home, yet willing to wreak untold havoc, can certainly be a useful tool, if they do not wish friendship outright.
Sadly, due to your hasty departure from Gallia following your show of force, neither myself nor my daughters were able to reach you, to our mutual detriment. Shortly thereafter, the dissolution of the Royaume and the departure of our once-King threw many of my plans into disarray. Luckily, I possess many baskets within which to keep my eggs. For certain, many doors sealed tight, never to be reopened, but just as many opportunities have presented themselves. Opportunities which I believe may benefit us both, should you show the slightest inkling of interest.
If you would be so kind, please contact me via this channel. I look forward to meeting you in person, sooner rather than later, should you find such a thing agreeable.
Ah, one more item! To my shame, I must admit your full name eludes me. Perhaps this issue could be resolved?
Recipient(s): -Yolande Cartier- Sender: <|> Josie "Rose" Hemlocke <|> Location: <|> Dark Matter Interference <|> Subject: <|> New Acquaintance <|>
"Yolande Cartier."
"Sorting through the intriguing and unimportant can be taxing indeed. You don't strike me as the latter."
"To say that it's come as a bit of a surprise to be contacted on the grounds of mutual benefit, hailing from Gallia no less, would be an understatement. Bringing mention of the bloodshed that seemed all but forgotten to the years, even more so. If it's taken you this long to contact me following the "skirmish" with the royals at the time, then I would say the word "delayed" was used rather aptly."
"No disrespect meant, In this line of work there are many who would see me dead for personal gain. So you will have to forgive my caution with an in person meeting of a woman I have never met or even heard of prior to this moment. It is not often an invitation of this nature is put forth, so time is needed to prepare. However I must disappoint, if it is your desire to meet with me in person as soon as you say. Then you'll find yourself invited upon the vessel that orchestrated the "show of force" as you put it."
"I'll give you the courtesy of picking a time convenient to your time frame."
"Do inform me if you find the minor condition of our meeting agreeable."
In my time as the Cartier matriarch, I've spent many nights in unfamiliar châteaus, aboard unfamiliar ships, and in unfamiliar beds. If it is your desire that our meeting take place aboard your vessel, a complaint will not cross my lips. This "Republic" is your territory, not mine. Were our positions reversed, I am certain you would be more than willing to step aboard my Taureau unguarded. That is the nature of respect.
As for a threat to your life, I hope our meeting will assuage your fears. I come bearing nothing but goodwill, and I will depart as such, should you demand it. I play a delicate game, mon amour. Posturing, thrashing about, and spewing vitriol rarely serve as well as a caress and a smile. The galaxy would be a much kinder place were humankind to recognize such a thing.
I've taken the liberty of ordering my daughter Sauvanne to your homeland prior to dispatching this communiqué, in order to search for a suitable location for our meeting. I hope my preemptive intrusion upon your place of residence can be excused. She has reported to me that the Galileo system, within the so-called "Raiden Cloud", would serve our ends well enough. However, the ultimate decision is in your hands, should you prefer a more remote locale. As for a date, my vessel should be arriving in the bordering-worlds between Kusari and your Republic within a few days. My ship is well-stocked and more than capable of remaining in situ for a month or more, should you find your attention diverted by other, more pressing matters.
However, I do have one, minor request. The business I wish to discuss is sensitive to an extreme degree. I would be eternally grateful if, should my proposal not bear fruit, both you and your soldiers remain with lèvres serrées.
Recipient(s): -Yolande Cartier- Sender: <|> Josie "Rose" Hemlocke <|> Location: <|> Dark Matter Interference <|> Subject: <|> New Acquaintance <|>
"Very well."
"A much kinder place. Perhaps, though not as exciting."
"The Raiden will suit our purposes well enough, I'll provide exact coordinates and see you just as soon as you arrive. As you said. Sooner rather than later."
"None aboard my vessel will speak word of what we discuss, though for your privacy and mine, my chambers aboard the vessel are well suited for matters that require discretion."