"Hehe." Lucendez smiled a bit after tasting his shake.
"You know, I did have an ulterior motive in coming here. I've been to many places in Kusari and the Edge Worlds, but the Alliance definitely makes the best Sake around." He sets down his milkshake and crosses his hands, supporting his chin as he speaks.
"Unfortunately, struggles are won by more than just foodstuffs. Although we are in need of precious rations, I won't demand from you the reason for fighting in the first place. The other House corporations flood the market daily with their pastes, and your farmers are struggling to make a living. Selling solely to the Corsairs would invalidate the Alliance and give your enemies reason to attack more of you."
Lucendez then popped his eyes open and started to rummage through his jacket, distracted by the need to find something in the pockets. Finally he found his curly straw and leaned back in the chair with his shake, sipping and smacking his lips afterwards.
"However! We have succeeded in rebuilding after our engagement with the Rhienland Military, but we have a problem." The Corsair took a sip and put his glass on the table. "Our ships are ready for departure, but with no fuel to take them anywhere. This is where you come in. Deliver shipments of H-fuel to Tripoli Shipyard and consider a handful of Tizonas yours."
The Elder wrapped a braid of hair around his index finger and awaited the ambassador's response.
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."