Freeport 1, Omega-3. The diplomatic station of the old Freeport 1 stood dormant for the day, as BMM's Security Director Darcey Jameson and CEO George Collins strolled through the station's cold corridors and lifeless rooms.
"Where are we going?" inquired George, only being told of the situation and, as usual, being left out of the specific details. Simply opening a door and issuing him through, indicated that Darcey had finally found the right room.
Under a large ceiling light, sat a projector and a long metal table, at which four chairs, two on each side, sat opposite to each other. Darcey connected the tablet to the projector, drew a chair for George and sat himself down too.
Ignoring George's consistent questions, Darcey sat with his hands folded on the table, awaiting the entrance of the Daumann Directors.
Muscular bodyguard stepped into the room, gazing at the two men, before leaving. Behind him was an eye-patched somewhat elderly man, who entered the room now instead. Newcomer ordered with hand gesture his bodyguard to stay outside, and turned to BMM executives.
Standing before two directors looking at him, Von-Geld with no word sat on the opposite side of the table.
"Greetings." Cold face was visible evidence Rheinlander wasn't exactly fond of his today's interlocutors, and organized the meeting out of pure necessity.
The man was confronting at the least. While the communication hid his raw face behind a layer of safe screens, in the flesh his presence was much more frightening. At least, George thought so, but apparently Darcey had other thoughts.
"Hello, Mr Von-Geld. You'll know me as Mr Darcy Jameson and my colleague here, or employer, is Mr George Collins. He is the CEO of BMM." Darcey stood up, then started the presentation on the tablet. An image of the nearby Aland Shipyard appears on screen. Without much delay, Darcey jumps into the speech.
"Gentlemen, here is the IMG Shipyard, Aland. It produces large amounts of IMG class ships, such as transports and even combat ships, like Gunboats and Cruisers. It is slowly becoming apparent to us that we aren't in power in the Omegas." He flicks the slide across, revealing the next image, a map of the Omega Star Systems.
"Here we can see the Omega systems and our influence in these systems." he presses another button and orange fields surround the system of Omega-3 and Green fields surround the Omega-7 and 11 systems. "Here, we see both of our corporation's influence within the Omegas. Keeping in mind that these are the corporations that are feeding the nations of Rheinland and Bretonia, now look at the proportion of systems we have a presence in and the systems we do not. We can see that for all the rich resources that the Omegas hold, we're only extracting from 3 of those systems. Something here has to change."
He presses a button and a red field surrounds the systems Omega-3, 7, 11, 9, 5 and 49.
"This represents the influence of the IMG. While this data may appear accurate, with the estimated amount of systems in the Omegas succeeding that of those currently listed, we can suspect that their influence spreads deeper into the great unknown. This Guild of loosely affiliated miners is bringing our corporations down, one system at a time. The more time we spend exhausting our fields they are using to bolster their defenses of these systems and keep us out.
"Which is where you come in, Mr Von-Geld. While BMM is an expansive company, we cannot drive the plague from our fields alone. So we're asking you to help remove them from the environment of the Omegas, uproot their activities and throw them aside like the weeds they are. It is obvious to us that they're causing issues for your operations too, we are aware of the economical situation in the Federal Republic."
He moves back to his seat and leans on it.
"But such security operations cannot be made without corporate profit involved. Which is what we will discuss now. We need a treaty, Von-Geld, and we need it now. Let's talk."
"I think you're overestimating IMG's strength." - Von-Geld said. "Aland? That small shipyard producing large amounts of ships? *sigh* Some say Zoners are powerful entity, because somehow, out of nowhere, they managed to construct one or two colony ships as strong as some of House warships. I don't think IMG fielding "cruisers" as you say so is powerful. It is that same small insignificant Guild it used to be. All they need is showing them their place."
Von-Geld stopped for a while, and took a sip of his coffee.
"Of course, if we worked alone, in current situation it -could- require more resources and forces than normally. I'm not sure can you in BMM do that right now, with all those Gauls. I'm not speaking about direct confrontation here, but silent raids done by unknown vessels."
"You also speak of Omegas. Omega-9 is useless according to our research. Why your House signed that worthless "pact" about its division with IMG, is beyond my imagination. Omega-49 on the other side, is something worth fighting for in your curent situation. I'm surprised you Bretonians don't have any foothold there yet."
Eyepatched man went silent and started analysing situation in Omega-49 in his cunning mind...
George silently agreed with Von-Geld, but Darcey just twitched.
Skimming over the matter of IMG's strength, Von-Geld pressed onto the operations that would be taken to ensure their evacuation of the Omegas. It was pleasing to Darcey, but seemed dangerous to George.
"You'd be right, Mr Von-Geld. We're hard pressed from both sides in this conflict, not only from the Gauls, but also from the Corsairs in Cambridge, Mollys in Dublin and now, the IMG in the Omegas. Of course, while they avoid open conflict, we can see that their rapid expansion into the Omegas is something... frightening to our Board of Directors."
Darcey clears his throat.
"Mind you, the Omega-9 treaty was signed between the Government and IMG, unfortunately, we had little involvement in it's claiming. Not it is a bad system, initial surveys tell us that we just might have some resources hidden in its fields, but the issue that it's created for us is that we have to split a system with the IMG. Also, Mr Von-Geld, if you could have the respect we show to your Government for ours, it'd be greatly appreciated."
George spoke up about the situation in Omega-49.
"We're well aware of Omega-49. We see that the ol' Mollys are goin' in and outta that place with great speed, which is quite concernin' for us, so we've kept away from the system primarily for that reason. The other issue is the large Zoner Colonies and Corsairs present, as with the Zoner's neutral stance on everything, Corsairs could easily be hiding in their arms. But of course, that tis but suspicion within' the Directors.
But, if we were to have the backin' of another large company, we might just have the ability to snuff out Omega-49 in its full then proceed to establish operations in the system if necessary." George smiled at the Daumann Director, awaiting his response.
"I must say the actions your government takes sometimes seem...illogical. Not only that pact we just mentioned, but we were refused when offered your government humanitarian aid deliveries and an offer of more weapons sold by us. Apparently, as some of your admirals claimed in private discussion with me, you managed to evacuate virtually all of Leeds before the Gallics encircled totally the planet, and managed to relocate majority of its factories elsewhere. I understand the need for propaganda for your own people, but I felt offended one of your military men tried to feed it to someone like me. Did he believe own propaganda, or what?"
With a little irritation in his voice, Von-Geld continued:
"It seems some of your government and armed forces personnel either refuses to accept reality, or is under powerful influence from IMG lobbyists. Almost as if they used private communication channels to lobby their interests, and your leaders just agreed to their proposals, without actually thinking neighboring Colony may not like some steps undertaken."
"With that being said, after informing you about our concerns, I trust you will rely them to the proper people in your government. Back to actuall business, that's why we contacted you in the first place, we need clear agreement between our both corporations. Without worrying much about IMG's imaginary strength in ships or numbers, I'm curious how do you receive Niobium deliveries at the moment. Omega-49 idea is also interesting one, tell me more about that aswell."
An awkward silence fell between George and Darcey. While they tried to tiptoe around Government business, Von-Geld was far too willing to diverge opinion. After a mutual exchange of glances between the two Bretonians, Darcey spoke.
"With all due respect, Von-Geld, we aren't here to discuss the options of the government, but rather our own endeavors. BMM's opinion on the Guild hardly, and most unfortunately, doesn't reflect that of the entire nation, therefore it would be unjust for us to speak on behalf of the house that doesn't even know about this meeting. But we can also combat your views on our parliaments as we are well aware of the low corruption within Bretonia. George and I both doubt that the IMG has infiltrated their way into our nation on such a large level. Moving on."
Darcey re-positioned himself, trying to maintain his offended nature and rage.
"To admit, most of our Niobium supply is coming in from various suppliers, such as the Guild. BMM tried many mining expeditions into the Taus, but were met with armed force, understandably. Omega-49 on the other hand is the heated grounds for unlawful trench wars, as our studies are suggesting. We have reason to believe that the Mollys, Corsairs and even the Communist Coalition have bunkered into the system and are fighting tooth and nail. Of course, we doubt the situation would be that simple. Why do you ask, Mr. Von-Geld?"