>>5840035Now that is an interesting offer. The warlord in you wants to ask for a capital-class vessel, a truly worthy flagship to lead your company from. But realistically, void's chance the Directorate would so easily relinquish one of its precious fleet anchors. Asking for even more credits is also tempting, but what for? A lowly privateer like you has rather limited access to domestically produced equipment anyhow, and your busy schedule can hardly wait for imports to clear customs. Those Jaguar-class destroyers recently outfitted and sold to the Navy, however... They should already be running trials in Lighton by now.
“His Directorship recently acquired some modern destroyers, a little bird told me.” Little bird here being the Lighton Digest All Hours, the largest Liteian news channel. “Perhaps I could help him put some of them to good use.” You don't like licking boots and neither do most spacers, but certain elements of the Navy have shown more loyalty than the Directorate deserves.
“Oh yes, the Jaguars, eagerly sold off by the sons of Bolivar to raise cash for the coming war with the Al-Saudites. You know, those caudillos can certainly put up a good fight, if only they think more about killing their enemies than lining their own pockets. Every single one of these destroyers had been bled out from the defense force of their ‘brothers’. Thankfully, here in Liteia we are much more united in our struggle against the xenos, so to speak. We certainly must be so, yes Captain?” The comparison between the caudillo's sales and your own request is obvious, but is he being sincere or ironic? Either way this whole conversation will surface again in the future, whether you like it or not.
The damage already done, you can only prevent him from learning too much more, “We privateers are the Director's instruments too, you know.” The glint in the agent's eyes softens, like a cat already bored from chasing down a not-too-crafty mouse. “Oh, yes, indeed. Go to Dock 17-A on your return to Lighton. I hope what awaits you there will be to your liking, Commander." With a final send-off, "If there is nothing more, I will leave you and Commander de Tassigny to discuss the upcoming operation,” the cat wanders off-screen.
Jean-Pierre appears again, “I will come over to your ship, Commander, if you agree.” You nod weakly. “I'm sorry... for not assisting you more directly back in Zeta Dantalion." Even apologies must be evasive in that man's presence. Oh Sylvie, what have you gotten yourself into now? Silas, at least, is more blunt, “Naval Intelligence are vipers like that. You did well, boss." Maybe that honesty's why he never made it in the Navy.
