Druce Faolan liked the way it sounded. The story that started from incident that could cause a lot of troubles for their operations in Dublin turned the most beneficial way. When Johnathan Sanders started talking about the financial side of a question, Druce already had the complete scheme in his mind.
"Sounds logical. In addition, we had been using a certain number of companies established in ofshores, putting legal money into various deals and manipulations with bank accounts. That way via a serie of transaction we get the traces dissapear... in Kusari. Let me show you the general scheme." Druce put the touchscreen on the table and in a minute drawn something complex and looking like an octopus as daft as a brush for someone who wasn't familiar with economics. But Sanders clearly read what Faolan had in mind - the plan included over hundreed of little independent companies involved in operations in Taus and the buyers of their products at Narita Outpost and seemed rather logical. "Concenring the bounties, Sequoia may organise them in the best way, right?"
Sequoia noticed Druce motioning to her and nodded in return, "In fact, aside from the general contracts, placed on our Bounty Board, currently still closed due to", she coughed, "maintenance, aside from the bounties on shooting and blowing up ships, we can pay for information. As I said, we noticed a certain degree of cooperation between Bretonian Army, Bretonian Mining and Machinery, and... Outcasts. You know what I am about. In other words, we can use that to set public opinion against the status quo. What do you think, mister Sanders, mister Henderson?"
"The level of cooperation between the Armed Forces and BMM is nothing that I am concerned with, miss Hart. BMM is, after all, a company that belongs to the crown, and the armed forces are the military extension of that. The only thing that does concern me is the occasional report that the armed forces are showing more then bias towards BMM, going so far as to bar IMG from the mining fields. Yet that's best dealt with through other channels. As said before, any cooperation between us has to be covert.
The Outcast cooperation with the Armed Forces... I've in the past requested a reaction on it from the various houses. Kusari's response was as expected. Rheinland basically dismissed it as not being their problem. And Liberty seems to condone it, for the present - a typical Libertine reaction when it comes to being confronted with an inconvenient fact about an ally. No, best we simply ignore the Outcast presence, although how you deal with them, is of course your business. I've received field reports that many low-ranking Armed Forces members expect the Outcast tolerance in Bretonia to cease once the war is over. I suspect the general populace in Bretonia feels likewise. Perhaps this is something your political wing, the Green Front, can better address. I'm more worried that BMM will do something likewise to what we are doing here, for instance, trying to set the Outcast lapdogs, the Mandalorians on us - there would not be much we could do about that.
As for putting mercenaries to work... you have some experience with that I believe. But best have Druce doublecheck any new offers for loopholes. We would not wish for a repeat of the instigation of these talks, mh?"
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.
"Even in the times of war people are not that short-sighted, mister Sanders, or at least they are a bit more short-sighted than our work requires. Even with all the baloney Prime Minister Mountbatten gives to them, even if they are not those who supports us directly or indirectly, they still won't like to see criminal cartels at their backdoor. Day by day people lose their faith in such a useless leader and the government he represents.
I believe that in perspective every little step matters." Sequoia smiled softly and proceed to her seat, adding, "Excuse me, when it comes to politics, I have a rather vague understanding of things, so I shouldn't talk about it too much."
Sequoia sat down and leaned back, trying to relax. Apparently, she should better talk less, listen more. Good that they came to understanding, good that they agreed on some things that may be vital for their future work. On the other hand, her heart is throbbing and the back was damp with perspiration. Now she wanted just to close her eyes and get home to her bed while Druce was taking care of the remaining issues and answering Sanders's questions.
"I completely agree with Mr. Sander's words and I'd like to add that there are already reports of incidents resulting in actions against IMG assets that might be related with some form of 'dirty war' against us." Jack says in a serious tone.
"The reports are vague as the perpetrators never state who paid them, so it is mainly guesswork. But..." he leans formward, putting the elbows on the table, lookign at the Gaian delegation...
"... it would be rather normal for the BMM to take measures against us covertly. It takes no genius to guess that the increasingly successful and painful hits against BMM assets might have something to do with a change in power constallation in the mining business in Dublin."
"So, we should expect our rivals to resort to the same means of combat as we do..." he shrugs, then displays a wolfish smile: "We just have to make sure we hit the fat target harder and - being a small target - remain harder to hit."
"Consequently I am all in favour of a covert cooperation against BMM."
"I'd also say that IMG in Dublin can actively try to exploit difficulties in the Outcast-BAF relationship to work towards a break in their relations. I have some ideas regarding that, which will need further thought."
"We are also trying hard to seperate BAF and BMM interests by discrediting BMM extremists. This has yet to be successful, even though some BAF Commanders who sided openly with criminal elements associated with BMM haven been sent out of Dublin permanently. So... we are making progress there as well." he concludes and leans back again.
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