G'day to you. Specifically Aspen Harlow and one called 'Bowman' that I'm yet to meet in person, but we'll get there when we get there.
I'm going to assume that Aspen has told you that I'm in town, doing my part in giving the people a fighting chance against Liberty's bloody Navy. In case they didn't, well... hi again, name's Caliban and I'm here to kick some arse and chew bubblegum while representing the interests of the one we're going to call "Mr.Client" for the time being.
Mr.Client likes you lot very much for standing up to old lady Liberty, and would like to meet you in the Kansas system for a nice discussion. Will you be joining?
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__"Caliban"
Subject:__Charity Work
Rendering transcript...
A proper, weathered man's voice tinged with the Bretonian accent - Londoner? - filters over the comm.
Message received - I was informed of your offer, and of a supposedly intrigued party to our work.
You seem to be acquainted with my pilot. Another "mercenary with a heart", is that how it is?
If you were an unknown quantity, this would look rather like an LSF honeypot. In this case, however...
... Kansas, then. I will make the necessary travel arrangements and can be starside by tomorrow at the earliest.
Provide the time and coordinates. LSF headhunters have been known to prowl the Vespucci-Pennsylvania corridor. If the meeting site appears too exposed, rapid relocation to remain distant from their predicted zone of operations may be necessary. I trust that will be an acceptable condition, considering the risk.
Perfect. I'll put Mr.Client in the loop. He'll be departing from Bethlehem Station himself and meet you there. And by there, I mean a set of coordinates I'll share as soon as you send me a burner number of sorts. I'm a fan of keeping things of this sort away from the Neural Net.
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__"Caliban"
Subject:__Re: Charity Work
While Mr.Client is preparing his fleets to deliver you what you've asked for, I'm going to send you a list of what I believe should be in your best interest to acquire every week. It's the kind of stuff that should give you an edge against Liberty ships, or at the very least put you on a more even playing field.
Have a nice read on this week's offers. The document has been attached to this transmission.
ILLUSION - A discarded prototype made by Daumann Heavy Constructions. I've managed to bust open a huge cache of these Countermeasure Droppers. They're not as good to use for ships that want to actively avoid trouble, but they do have a nice advantage during active combat. It cycles out CMs' a lot faster than other existing models on the market, letting you dodge Firestalkers, Sidewinders, Peacekeepers... you name it. And at a pretty good range, too. The price for one of these is 1.000.000 Credits.
CLOAKING DEVICE (LIGHT) - As the name implies. A cloaking device that makes your ship stealthy. Not many of these are in production, but you'll find what few models you can get to be very useful in surprise attacks. One of these will cost you about 4.500.000 Credits.
"RAGE" TORPEDO LAUNCHER - Have you fired Novas? - ... have you ever fired Novas on steroids? That's what they are. Twice as mean than the original and also twice as loud. These torpedoes will put a dent in anything larger than a cruiser. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of this monster. One of these launchers will cost you about 1.600.000 Credits.
"Test the sharpness of your sword against another. And when that is not enough, unsheathe your cunning as the hidden dagger that ends the fight."
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__"Caliban"
Subject:__The Arms Bazaar Is Open
Rendering transcript...
You're a resourceful pair, that much is obvious. These are the kind of advantages that will prove critical... when the time is right. On examining your catalogue, and then glancing at my disposable funding, I'm getting the distinct impression that I've a bit of work to do first before I enter your price bracket in earnest.
We are after all primarily a ground-based operation, and a smaller one at that within the larger movement. Outfitting my few spacecraft to sink an Atlantis-class isn't yet critical. However, there may be other cells out there that can put those torpedoes and countermeasures to use sooner than us. If they can, I'll gladly play middleman - if funding allows for it.
The cloaking device, on the other hand, grants our little revolt utility we don't yet have. A vital tool for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. For such an item, I'll gladly part with the sum of 4.500.000 SC. Acquiring one or two of the larger transport variants remains in my interest, of course.
I will arrange for a freighter contact to meet and retrieve the item, at the prior meeting point or another, as needed.
Don't bother. I've asked a friend of mine to set up shop on Pinnacle Station. He's going to act as a fence there, trading in what goods I have to offer. Money goes to me, and he'll see it that the goods end up where they're supposed to -- in your hands.
And before you ask: no. I didn't tell Mr.Client about your hideout. I may be the middleman, but I'm not going to leak info to either side on a whim. I'll see the cloak delivered to you in person. Don't forget to send the credits.
Z-NET ACCESS 4.0 | S E C U R E | CLARION version 0573.9523711B. Copyright Alex Maccabelli, 832 A.S., Confederacy of Freeports - You are using PRO edition.
User ID:__"Bowman"
Target ID:__"Caliban"
Subject:__Re: The Arms Bazaar Is Open
Rendering transcript...
I see. Well, you've conducted yourself professionally thus far. I've no reason not to trust you'll continue to do so. As for the credits, you'll find a record of the transfer kept below for posterity. Your NeuralNet account will speak for itself.
Typically, we have at least one smuggler docked on Pinnacle at any given time. They'll be standing by to receive the device in earnest. I hope your man is every bit the professional you seem to be, as the last time our circle widened unexpectedly during a deal, disaster struck hours afterward. The standard you're setting is much preferred.
We'll look forward to weighing him up.
In fact, regarding Mister Client. I expect we'll be receiving a direct transmission from him as well, about his "specialties"?
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