Barrier Gate teemed with the usual hustle and bustle of commerce. The bazaars were buzzing with activity as traders calls echo'd across the crowded corridors. Three levels above, sat in one of the scarcely used conference rooms Edward Brisbane awaits the arrival of Ronaldo Benitez.
A swirl of cigar smoke hung above Brisbane's head before disappearing into the ventilation system. The meeting wasn't for several minutes but he'd always made it a point to be the first to be seated at a negotiations. It gave him the position of power, the top dog, the big kahuna, the proverbial king of his domain. It was an old power play his mother taught him, something subconscious that associates the first person you see with having control. She'd had plenty of experience working with Interspace Commerce negotiating deals all over Sirius, naturally she embellished her stories when he was younger including one were she had sold horn insurance to a herd of rampaging bulls. Odd he'd think of that old chestnut at a time like this, he looked down at the transmissions from Senor Benitez, the logo looked very similar to a rampaging bull...
Brisbane hadn't had dealings with the Corsairs, at least not in such a formal fashion. He knew they were a powerful and determined people, how else could they of survived out in the Omicrons?
It was almost time, Brisbane tapped the ash from his cigar, clasped his hands and waited...
An odd yet intriguing place this station Ronaldo thought to himself. He had arrived on Barriers gate several hours ago. A lone Decurion in the Border between Liberty and Bretonia, no-one would expect the Commandante of the Benitez Family to pilot it. He had been under heavy escort all the way to edge of Manchester and that’s where the escort remained.
The local security detail had been flown in by a contractor and was awaiting the Commandantes arrival at the docks. As they made their way across the base the locals hardly paid attention to them. They sounded like the regular outcast visitors and everyone thought they were.
The bazar was buzzing as the group made their way across the main corridor. “Where’s the entrance to this conference rooms the gringo talked about?” Ronaldo asked to one of his security detail. “Down the corridor to the right, mi commandante.” The commando answered in an almost barking manner. Ronaldo Slapped the commando on the back of his head and hissed: “Don’t call me commandante here you stupido! How the hell did you pass your situational awareness tests.”
The group arrived on the third floor, 15 minutes late as is customary in Corsair culture. “Sweep the room, no need to check the gringo, if this was a set up they would’ve made their move by now.” Ronaldo ordered, knowing that the base administrator airlocks anyone who causes trouble in the trade center. Without a word being two commandoes checked the room for bugs and explosives before Ronaldo Entered.
“Buenos dias senor Brisbane, good to finally meet you in person. You wanted business, we Benitez love business. Quite a flight out here but luckily without incident. I see you’ve already started smoking, let me follow your example si.”
The two shook hands and sat down again. Ronaldo went through his jacket and took a cigar from a holder which seemed to be made from Alien artifacts and lite up.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
"It is a pleasure Senor Benitez, I'm glad you had an agreeable trip. I see you enjoy a good cigar as much as I and a rather exquisite case you have too."
*Brisbane's eyes wander over the artefact case* He stroked his chin contemplatively, if the Corsairs can make cigar cases out of these artefacts they must stock thousands of them. Excellent, the more they have the cheaper I'll get them...Easy now Edward, keep the table open.
"These artefacts seem to be a highly valued commodity among your people, I must say I'm intrigued by their origins and somewhat wary. Tell me Senor, how did your people first find these mysterious items? And how much would you want for them?
*He took a slow drag from his cigar, savored it and gradually exhaled obscuring his face for a moment behind a cloud of smoke. As it cleared Brisbane smiled gently as he inclined his head in polite interest*
Ronaldo put his cigar holder on the table. The purple colouring and the lighter symbols glittered in the lights of the room.
"Cigars, rum and Women are what makes life worth living senor, wouldn't you agree. Alien artifacts can come from several sources from within the corsair empire. We have several major quarries on planet Crete as well as numerous finding spots in space held by the Empire."
Seems he wants to deal in artifacts, lets show our top products. Ronaldo thought turning his cigar holder in his hands before passing it to Brisbane.
"This fine specimen was found in a quarry near our main spaceport on Crete. It was polished and worked into its current shape and now is perfect to hold cigars. Besides your run of the mill artifacts that pretty much flood the markets of Tokyo we've developed an industry that crafts luxury products that use all kinds of artifact. Something truly unique on the market for now!
Depending on what you want to buy from us and at what locations you'd want to take control of said shipments the prices vary from several hundred credits per unit to several thousand credits per unit. It all depends on how far from crete you want the products and how many other parties I need to get the stuff to your destination of choice..."
Ronaldo rubbed his chin as he thought how much effort it would take to get a shipment onto Manhattan and shiverd.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Brisbane manipulated the cigar case carefully, examining each facet in great detail. The craftsmanship was remarkable, no abrasions on the corners, no scratches or chunks missing, if it wasn't for the hinges he would of thought the Corsairs had dug this up fully formed. Satisfied he handed it back to Benitez.
Simply exquisite Senor, naturally items such as those would fetch a tidy sum in the upscale markets of the House systems, particularly Manhattan as I understand the fashions are leaning towards what they call 'retro.' An awful term used to describe the dress of gentlemen such as ourselves, apparently good taste is a fad.
*Brisbane allows himself a quiet chuckle*
"Ah c'est la vie, such is life in the Gallic tongue which I'm sad to say is far more poetic than Bretonian but far less robust than Hispanic."
*He bows his head slightly toward Benitez in acknowledgement*
"Now as for the artefacts, we are willing to purchase them directly from Crete, for a reasonable fee of course. In return I would ask for an introduction to your allies, the Gaians and I believe the Hogosha also support you. Oh and one of those fine cases for myself if possible."
Brisbane leaned back into his chair taking a few puffs from his cigar, the deal was going smoothly and he had taken a liking to this Benitez fellow. He smiled at the Corsair, the time had come to offer the full extent of his services.
That is only one half of our usefulness however, we can offer you and your people the bounties of the four Houses and beyond. From the basics such as food and water, to starship components and eletronics, to the finest cigars and luxuries money can buy. Tell me Senor Benitez, does that interest you?"
"Ah so you want to buy straight from the source! Costs you less and saves us the hassle, muy bueno! Markets on Crete always have demand for an assortment of basic and luxury products, the merchants pay wealthily for products that arrive there unharmed. Mi Familia often requests specific goods and our allies and other parties can't always deliver on a short notice from directly inside the houses. I think this will become an interesting relationship."
Ronaldo thought to himself how he could best introduce mister Brisbane to other partners.
"I can introduce you with the Gaians quite easily, they're always interested in doing business. The Hogosha however, stick to themselves and their own kind. On top of that they seem to protect their business very aggressively. I've heard they've shot down independent smugglers in the past that had not paid protection.
If we can prove to the hogosha that we've worked together quite successfully over a period of time I might be able to introduce you to several of our contacts, until then I'd suggest you keep your vessels out of Kusari."
Ronaldo stood up briskly.
"How about I invite you to visit Crete? Perhaps get you a tour of an artifact quarry. I'll get a standard trade unit full of the premium artifacts and assorted products. As a token of our good will." My transport here is not equipt to take multiple people however. If you arrange your own transport to Freeport 1 in omega 3 or Luxury Liner Hawaii in sigma 19 I will arrange for a transport to the empires territory. "
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Brisbane sat stunned for a moment, he had just been plotting how to contact the Hogosha when Benitez had made his audacious offer. The negotiations were going well, great in fact but the sudden shift in venue made it all to clear that Senor Benitez wanted to end this deal on his terms.
"Yes, I think a trip to Crete would be most agreeable Senor , a small vacation away from this *He gestured around the room* would be a welcome change. It is a pity that the Kusari still hold on to their xenophobic ways after all this time, legitimate trading in their space is an ordeal beyond reason. Each ship is searched a dozen times, usually with little regard to crew privacy as I can tell you from personal experience."
Brisbane stood up, leaving the smoldering remains of his cigar on an ashtray. He approached Benitez offering his hand.
"Allow me a few days to set my affairs in order and I shall be on the luxury liner Hawaii by the end of the week."
"Muy Bueno senor! Contact me when your near Hawaii and I'll send a Vessel to pick you up on Hawaii. I'm sure we can strike a beneficial deal for both of us! Buenos dias and see you in a few days."
Ronaldo shook mister Brisbanes hand and walked out. The speed at wich he walked towards the elevator and the brief time passed during the negotiatons shocked the security detail. Who had to run to catch up.
"Get my decurion ready and hitch a ride home Hermanos, this meeting is moving to Crete!"
An hour later Ronaldo had left Barriers gate and was on his way back to Corsair territory.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
The footsteps of Ronaldo Benitez melted away down the corridors of Barrier Gate leaving Brisbane alone with his thoughts.
The negotiations had been far more relaxed than he anticipated, he had expected the Corsairs to be blunt, vicious even. A brutal barbarian swinging threats and demands with reckless abandon. They had the power and the ability to take rather than trade, so why had they sent Ronaldo? Instead of a savage melee he'd gotten a fencing match with a partner of great finesse, equal or greater than himself.
He picked up his cigar and tumbled it between his fingers.
The gentle swirls of smoke entranced him for a time allowing his mind to sift through the days events without conscious interruption. Nothing stood out to him, the banter had the ebb and flow of normal negotiation, the body language was measured and eye contact remained polite yet constant. Good, at least he wouldn't be killed the moment he set foot on Crete.
Clamping the cigar between his teeth Brisbane headed back into the throng, it would take a while to set the company on track for his absence.
***
The cyan clouds of Sigma 19 raced past as Brisbane activated the tradelane sequence, the route from Honshu was mercifully quiet he had thought of taking a jumphole directly from Sigma 13 but these were contested systems frequented by all manner pirates, several with whom he had not made contact. The gas miner Ogashawa came into view as the nebulous gases thinned, the tradelane spat him out as an automated request for ID was transmitted from the gas miner. He sent the details and was cleared immediately, one of the perks of being legitimate, less ID hassle.
He kicked his freighter into cruise and headed into open space, the luxury liner Hawaii was in orbit of planet Hiran several sectors away, an hour or two at top cruising speed. Brisbane set the autopilot and settled in with a good book, the complete works of William Shakespeare.
He had just reached the third act of Henry the Fifth when the Hawaii sent an ID request, unwillingly Brisbane sent off his details and contacted the dock master.
"Boundless gold alpha four four one. Requesting permission to dock."
"Permission granted Mr Brisbane, welcome aboard the Hawaii, I hope your stay with us will be a pleasant one." "I'm certain it will."
The auto dock systems took over as Brisbane gathered his belongings into his luggage. The ship was swept up into the dock and towed into an individual airlock. Before long he was settled in a business class suite, the message to Benitez was on its way, now all he had to do was wait.
The shipwide clock had just struck 19:50 hours, ten minutes until dinner with Trueno Benitez. Brisbane slid on a cream suit jacket over a light blue shirt and golden crosshatch tie, it blended perfectly with the matching trousers.
'Thats the good stuff.'
He straightened his tie and checked the time, five minutes two eight, one final look and he was out the door. He had no intention of being on time, it would be impolite to arrive so precisely to a casual dinner especially one being hosted by a powerful Corsair family.
He felt like lighting a cigar but decided against it, the restaurant may not allow smoking. He continued down the corridor towards the middle of the ship and the only way up to the Star Pool restaurant. The central lift stood in the middle of a cathedral sized hall, complete with exotic plants and fountain. This was luxury in the extreme but far too much for Brisbane's tastes, he stepped in to the lift thankful to be out of it.
***
The door slid open on the first floor revealing a stunning restaurant fit for a head of state. A voice snapped him back to reality.
"Reservation sir?" "Pardon me I was admiring your establishment. quite breathtaking. The table is reserved for Senor Trudwig."
The concierge stiffened at the name, this was obviously a regular occurence as he motioned for Brisbane to follow without asking a name. They weaved though the mass of tables and finely dress guests until they reached the back of the room. This was unmistakably the V.I.P section, the tables stood on a gently raised platform surrounded by a golden handrail. The concierge gestured to the middle table and retreated as quickly as politeness allowed.
Brisbane tugged on his cuffs and approached the table smiling, he offered his hand and spoke softly.
