To: Unione Corse [UC] | From: Natio Octavarium | Neighborly Introductions

[Thexare]

[ Incoming Transmission ]

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Identification: Taskmaster Escher
Affiliation: Octavarium Intelligence Commission

To: Unione Corse

Subject: Introductions
Encryption: Bitmask Protocol v.017
Location: Nearby

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Good day.

I represent the Octavarium Intelligence Commission, the security arm of Natio Octavarium. I believe you are familiar with our benefactors, the Crayter Republic. While Crayter is inclined toward directly fighting Gallia, Natio Octavarium is small and her resources are limited; I would not risk them on direct confrontation.

Not when there is instead business to be done.

Unione Corse have a reputation for discretion, and are known to control the Gallic black market. Caution and discretion are what have kept us alive for these last few years, and I believe those same attributes can bring us a shared prosperity.

While there are no specific needs at the moment, since we're focusing on reconstruction and repairs, I believe our people might appreciate some fine Gallic luxuries to celebrate our new beginning. And it is far better to establish business connections before they are needed than to wait for times of crisis.

Taskmaster Escher
Octavarium Intelligence Commission

[Thexare]

[ Modifying encryption, resending ]

[Lanakov]

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From : André Nivaggioni, membre and tribun of the Unione Corse.
Location : François Coti stadium, planète Marseille
Encryption strength : Brocciu
Recipient : Monsieur (madame ?) Escher
Sujet : RE : Introductions.

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The video feed begins and displays the perpetually grinning André Nivaggioni.

Taskmaster Escher,

The Unione Corse has heard of your... I'm not sure what to call it. Your gentleman's club ? Anyhow, we've heard of your arrival in the sector with some degree of curiosity. The Taus are a fascinating region, rich with all manners of characters. Not all have the courtesy of reaching out to us with such pleasant dispositions, and the Unione appreciates the courtesy deeply.

I must point out, however, that though our reputation for securing just about anything from anyone to anywhere is well justified, those alarming rumours you've apparently heard of a so-called Gallic black market being controlled by us are untrue. And dangerous. While we enjoy a large freedom of movement in how we conduct our business, we remain obedient to the Roi's law as do all Gallic citizens. Regardless, this freedom certainly allows us to work together, in the cautious and discreet capacities that you've evoked : in that, we certainly are alike for a myriad reasons.

Therefore, on behalf of the Unione, I wish to thank you for reaching out to us. Consider us interested and willing to pursue a business partnership with your band. Expect only the finest of what Gallia has to offer.
Once our friendship is cemented and that we've gotten to know each other better, we will discuss certain... possibilities with you. Not before.

A prestu.

Nivaggioni's bemused visage becomes darker and darker as the transmission fades.

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Feedback, insults, marriage proposals and declarations of fealty

If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.

[Thexare]

[ Incoming Transmission ]

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Identification: Taskmaster Escher
Affiliation: Octavarium Intelligence Commission

To: Unione Corse

Subject: Introductions
Encryption: Bitmask Protocol v.027
Location: Still Nearby

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The visual feed is still garbled, but the voice has cleared enough that you can tell it is male.

Ah, an unfortunate mistake on our part then. My apologies, Gallia has been a somewhat... impenetrable matter for us, and clearly that applies to what we had thought was a useful informant as well.

We will have to work on building our own sources in the future, now that we're in a better position to do so.

Regardless of the apparent error, we are still interested in business. We will be in touch in the future with a more... concrete proposal, and the channel will remain accessible should there something of interest to Unione Corse arise.

Until then.

Taskmaster Escher
Octavarium Intelligence Commission

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[ Transmission Ended ]