The Tinker and The Flame

[Thyrzul]

Pierre smiled a bit too when Phileas burst out laughing. He had his reasons of asking, while it is true he knows how to dodge the wrath of the Gallic Crown it is safer to assume things work differently in Liberty, then find how how exactly things work in Liberty. He didn't mind the trader using his own words to prove the naivity behind his proposal, the more Tukker has spoken the more LaFlamme knew, and that was pretty much what he wanted.

During the history lesson Pierre was mostly just nodding and paying attention to the storyteller, showing interest mostly in the last two centuries of the history of Liberty. He noted the coincidence of the year 738 with a slight smile: 738 AS was the founding year of the Lane Hackers while 738 AGS was the present year, the faction was as old as Liberty herself was when the Gallia made landfall.

Then something changed. Excitement filled LaFlamme, eyes became slightly wider when he heard that his partners may know where the Hacker hideouts are, which then quickly changed to surprised confusion and disbelief, making him frown when Tukker said that Liberty forces know about those hideouts too. - Why haven't they taken them out yet then? - He didn't have time to think too much into it though as the trader continued with the flow of information. Base locations, allegiance to the Maltese, Pierre nodded on the thought of the local alliance between the lower-Tau factions, but discussing that was planned for a later event when all the relevant parties are present.

Yet Piere was still thinking about what Tukker said about those hideouts, gazing into the distant void, only looking back at him upon his finishing thoughts about Liberty. Thoughtfully he narrowed his eyes and without any circumstantiality he asked: How is it possible?

I mean, - he began explaining - you used my own words, that I know well what's on the other side of the law, et I indeed know, but the only thing in Gallia we could defend so far without having to hide it from the Crown was the Champagne system. We have several other outposts around the Kingdom to operate from where secrecy is a key part of the defenses. Et the same can be said about Roussillon, if GRN would find these hideouts there would be a massacre in no time. I find it hard to believe the Liberty Navy haven't done the same yet if they really know the location of these hideouts. - for a few brief seconds he pondered about possible explainations, again gazing away into the distance. - Where are these bases exactly? How well are they protected? - Pierre was more thinking out loud than actually asking, of course he didn't forget that Tukker himself did not know the answers. What was next is to make contact with either McScrap or Bailey, but of course common courtesy demanded to finish the current meeting.

He had to weight his two options up and consider the effects of his decisions: briefly interrupt the chat to try to make contact with the other two T&T and get the information he needed, or stay courteous to the one who's been courteous to him as well and delay that contact until after the meeting. He then remembered what's actually at stake here, Roussillon, also remembering Tukker's stance towards the Hackers. Pierre made his decision, preparing the explaination too should his actions be questioned, and looked at Phileas with calm seriousness in his eyes: Monsieur Tukker, can we make contact with either Monsieur McScrap or Monsieur Bailey at this moment?

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