Ask Slightly Newer Bargains

[Gentis Freem]

Following the events of 'New Bargains'...

Once again the Fortune had returned to hyperspace. The bridge was nearly empty, bar for a skeleton crew of the watch, as Captain Freem held a bottle of spothka and a deathstick, and wondered on his next move. Since the Imperials would not pay him twice for the same job (rude!) he would need to find someone else to meet his requirements for wealth, fortune, bloodshed, and sundry others.

He languished in his command chair.

"Hm." he hmm'ed.

Punching in a code to the communcator, he opened up a link to someone very very far away. Some Sith? Shith? Seeth? He wasn't sure, but he had got their comm details from a black market board a few days back, and decided it was worth a shot.

Sitting up in his chair, he put on his very best menacing face, and introduced himself "Captain Freem - I understand you could do with some, extralegal assistance?"

 

[Karys]

The Sith had a unique interest in watching and ensuring the Empire was weakened and crumbled. It wasn’t that they trusted the Hutts any more than the Imperials, but at least criminals could be worked with. With the war between the Cartels and Empire in full swing, Karys noted that independent forces were being drawn to the front. Mercenaries seeking fame, others seeking fortune.

Karys reached out to a captain known for hunting the former.

When the captain accepted the holo-request he’d find an advanced payment waiting for him to accept. The 0s at the end told of the sender’s influence and wealth. The baritone voice would speak once confirmation of the payment being accepted pinged through.

“There is more to be made.” The robed figure stated plainly. “I will pay for holo-footage and unique ident tag of each Imperial supply vessel you destroy.” It continued. “Consider that payment an initial investment for your time, captain.”

@Nor'baal

 

[Gentis Freem]

That was certainly a way to open a negotiation. Gentis didn't let his surprise show as he accepted the payment, before addressing the man directly.

"You certainly have my interest." attacking Imperial transports and being paid for doing so was something he could certainly get behind, there was just the small matter of details.

There was always risk with attacking a galactic superpower.

But that meant there was a prize to be claimed! "Any particular sort of transport? Food, fuel? Plus - we'd expect say, five camtono of peggats for each standard frieghter we took out, and the rights to the cargo and slaves." he added, broadening the terms and seeking to sweeten the deal in his favour still.

 

[Karys]

Karys smiled beneath his hood at the pirates boldness. Five camtonos was an outrageous ask especially with full rights. The colossal figure shook his head slowly at the initial demand.

“Half that with split rights would be a more than generous compensation to any captain worth their salt.” Karys replied cooly. “But I like you, I’ll bet on your worth. Three camtonos, full rights to slaves with two thirds rights to the cargo.” He continued, it was a fair-ish deal. “Your targets will be freighters containing ship fuel and tibanna gas.” Karys stated. “You will also transmit the original shipment logs of each raided vessel.”

Karys knew even a quarter of the value of tibanna and fuel would more than cover the costs of these raids. He also expected the pirate captain to haggle here, he was more than happy to engage. His goal was to begin slowly crippling the Imperial Navy.

@Nor'baal

 

[Gentis Freem]

A counter offer? And it was a good one to. This Sith new how to drive a hard bargain - and Gentis sort of liked him for it. "Three camtonos, full rights to the slaves and two thirds the cargo?" he mulled the offer. It was a good one to be sure, the camtonos would cover the costs of his fuel and any injury payments, and the the rest could be seen as clear profit.

He pretended to think, deeply for a few moments, making the Sith sweat a little perhaps.

"We'll need to report the shipment logs a few hours after the raid, in case of interception as we make out escape." he tried to lie as best he could. In truth he needed the delay to lie about the cargo, so he could try and rob the man of his fair share. But, the Sith didn't need to know that.

 

[Karys]

Karys waited patiently for Gentis’ reply. There was no rushing the process here, bluffing, haggling, and cheating were all part of the affair. Karys wouldn’t deny the captain that part of their little game. Karys’ terms were largely agreed to, now the next item on the agenda. Timing.

Karys rose a single finger in response to Gentis’ offer.

“An hour to transmit the ship logs.” He replied. “If you the time stamps on the holo footage don’t align with the transmit times of the data, you forfeit the value of the camtonos.” He explained, it would be a net neutral gain for the pirate. “At the end of each standard galactic week, I reserve the rights to cancel our contract with amounts due payed in full, of course.” Karys added at the end.

Karys figured the pirates would try to cheat him. The trick here was to give them enough time to cheat him a little bit. He had to let them skim enough off the top that they felt it mattered, that they had won something. But not enough to impact his take home.

“Payment will be delivered upon my portion of the cargo being transferred.” Karys stated. “That way both parties are certain no one is scamming the other.” He pressed. “Do we have an accord, Captain Gentis?”

@Nor'baal

 

[Gentis Freem]

This was a good deal.

Captain Freem pondered whether there could be a mood for the Sith to teach the Imperials how to handle business? Maybe that would make life a lot easier for all of them? He pushed the thought to one side, focusing on the matter at hand. As it stood, his crew stood to make good money robbing the Imperials of high-value cargo, with a split of the sale weighted in their favour.

He'd been a fool to turn that down.

"We have an accord!" Gentis nodded, to the joy of his bridge crew who no doubt had already started to guess at the share of the plunder they'd be able to take.

Gentis would need to make sure the crew was rested, and then they could head to the Imperials fringe sectors and bag themselves some plunder. "Always a pleasure doing business." he doffed his hat at the man, and cut the transmission,

/exitthread