To Bretonian Guildmaster "Stoat", Sheffield Station

[Dieter Schprokets]

Attn : Bretonian Guildmaster "Stoat"

Sir

Guildmaster George Graves advised me to discuss this with you.

This is further to our previous discussions with the Guild regarding the use of your equipment.

Our previous request to use BHG Gunboat-class vessels was turned down. This is regrettable, but we respect the decision.

We now have aimed our sights lower, namely:

1) We would like to continue to use the "Buckshot" Weapon and its variants on our vessels.

2) We would like to continue to use BHG fighter and bomber class vessels. Our existing ships require extensive maintenance.

We expect the first item is not at all onerous and hope that the second one is acceptable as well.

We can offer many concessions, which I present here for your consideration.

a) A lump sum up front payment,

b) A lump sum payment for each BHG fighter/bomber purchased from Sheffield.

c) Negotiation of a contract for the Mandalorians to provide assistance to the Guild (as requested) at our "preferred client" rates, namely 1 million credits a kill, 2 if unassisted.

d) Negotiation of a formal co-operative understanding, or at the very least, a non-aggression pact.

I suggest a combination of (a) or (b), plus and (d) above.

Consider: The Mandalorians have never hunted a BHG member (save those rogue ones which you also hunted) nor shall we. We once made our primary port of call Sheffield Station, in the days before Barrier Gate was constructed. Our existing BHG fighters and bombers were purchased there. We primarily hunt Corsairs, your greatest enemies.

I like to turn problems into opportunities. I regard the Guild's lack of faith in our intentions as a problem of the first order. So let us mitigate that problem; enlist us as your allies.

You will not regret it.

Mandalore William Bishop.

---

[Stoat]

Incoming transmission

Comm ID : Stoat, Bounty Hunters Guildmaster
Location : Planet Leeds
Target : Mandalore William Bishop

Mandalore Bishop

My apologies in the delay in responding to your transmission. I am actually based on Leeds, rather than Sheffield station, and there was a delay in forwarding your message to my office.

I am currently in discussions with the Guildmasters with regards to your request. I am hopeful that I can persuade them to look favourably upon it this time. I will contact you as soon as I have any further news.

Stoat

Transmission ends

---

My Stories

[Stoat]

Incoming transmission

Comm ID : Stoat, Bounty Hunters Guildmaster
Location : Planet Leeds
Target : Mandalore William Bishop

Mandalore Bishop

Given my own relationship with the Mandalorians, I would grant your request in a heartbeat. Your support and assistance has been invaluable in Bretonia, and I owe my life to several of your pilots already.

However, I am not the voice of the guild. I have, however, spoken on your behalf at length, and the Guild has been able to come to an agreement with regards to the following arrangement.

1) The Mandalorian Mercenaries are hereby granted permission to use the Buckshot Particle Cannon and the Reaver Laser Cannon, and their derivatives, on their vessels.

2) The Mandalorian Mercenaries are hereby granted permission to lease a limited number of Manta, Hammerhead and AP12400 Bomber vessels for their use. You may have in your ship roster a maximum of six of these ship lines at any one time. An upfront payment of 25 million credits shall be paid to the Guild directly, and a further monthly sum of 3 million credits for the provision of a highly skilled unit of Guild mechanics who will service and repair those guild ships free of further charge.

3) The Mandalorian Mercenaries shall aid and assist the Bounty Hunters Guild on an ad-hoc basis. Preferred client rates shall be payable to the Mandalorian Mercenaries, unless said assistance is given in a Guild vessel. In this instance, a payment of 50% of the preferred client rate shall be payable (500,000 credits for an assisted kill, 1 million credits for an unassisted kill).

4) The Mandalorian Mercenaries shall never take any leased Guild vessel into a combat situation against any of the House Militaries or Police Forces. Any failure in this matter shall result in an immediate withdrawal of any Guild ships that have been leased to the Mandalorian Mercenaries. The Guild cannot be seen to be supplying vessels that are used against our allies.

With regards to the formal co-operative understanding, you should open a dialogue with Guildmaster Graves

I hope that the terms detailed above are agreeable to your organisation. I look forward to working more closely with the Mandalorians in the future.

Stoat

Transmission ends

---

My Stories

[Dieter Schprokets]

Attn : Bretonian Guildmaster "Stoat"

Sir

This is all quite satisfactory.

I have an alternative counteroffer, which will frankly make for easier accounting.

Instead of the monthly fee of 3 million credits, and the reduced fee for Mandalorian service when flying BHG ships, can we agree to a larger up-front fee? Perhaps 50 million credits?

If that does not suffice, please indicate what amount would be satisfactory.

All other terms are perfectly reasonable; I merely wish to simplify the payment terms. Gives Accounts Receivable less to screw up, frankly.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mandalore William Bishop.

---

[Stoat]

Incoming transmission

Comm ID : Stoat, Bounty Hunters Guildmaster
Location : Planet Leeds
Target : Mandalore William Bishop

Mandalore Bishop

Apologies for my tardiness in getting back to you on this. Entirely my own fault this time.

The up-front fee, as opposed to a monthly sum, will not be a problem. After taking in the concerns of my associates and colleagues within the Guild, it has been agreed that a sum of 75 million credits should be paid. This will cover all fees and maintenance costs for the six Guild vessels, and we shall be paying the standard "preferred customer" fee for all assistance rendered by yourselves, regardless of the ship that is flown when rendering that assistance. Hopefully this covers everything.

You may forward payment directly to myself at Leeds (BHG|Stoat) if this is an acceptable sum.

Stoat

Transmission ends

---

My Stories

[Dieter Schprokets]

Done, and done.

---