To: FTP :: From: El Rey Enrique

[Gardarik]

Incoming Message

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Sender: El Rey de Montañaria, Enrique Herrera

Recipient: Free Trade People

Subject: Terms of business

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I am the King of Montañaria on Crete, Enrique Herrera. You may feel flattered that a king himself addresses you. Recently, I have received reports from my trusted caballeros that you are doing business with Crete. Que bien. Yet I feel a bit underappriciated because me and my fellow men do not get the needed respect in the form of presents and gifts. And you know, it is not very good for business when the King with a nickname "the Butcher" is feeling underappreciated. But I am merciful and feel that since you are trading artefacts you deserve a chance of vindication and prove your loyalty.

You have three options:

1. Firstly, you can swear fealty to me and become a "business vassal" of the Kingdom and the Empire. In doing so, me and mis hombres will know that you are loyal to us and our cause. As a vassal you will have certain obligations to your liege, that would be me, like paying taxation and delivering food to Crete. You will, however, be also entitled to our protection as I care about our subjects. The tax would be 2.500.000 credits for full 5000 cargo, 500.000 paid for every 1000 cargohold filled with artefacts.
   
   
2. You can refuse to swear fealty, but that would disappoint greatly me and mis caballeros as it would mean you are not quite loyal. In that case we will not be sworn to protect you in our space and the taxation would reflect our unhappiness regarding your decision: 5.000.000 credits for full 5000 cargo, 1.000.000 paid for 1000 cargohold filled with artefacts. And our tireless patrols will enjoy the right to take additional 1 million credits for themselves from all your vessels to compensate for their sleepless nights patrolling in space.
   
   
3. And, of course, you have option 3, which is the least preferable if you ask me. You can refuse to cooperate and in that case you will make me and mis amigos very sad. Making corsairs sad is equal to signing your own death warrant, so if you decide to ignore my kind offer - we will gladly welcome you in our space as targets for shooting practice. Besides, one of my trusted guerreros recently spotted some installation in Omega 55 which is very close to your sightings, so I presume it might be yours. It would be so sad if suddenly a few warships appear there and by mistake make a few holes in the said station, right?
   

Think of my offer carefully. I believe you can make a wise choice. And por favor, do not make me or my hombres sad. Ever.

Yours truly,
King Enrique

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End of Message