008: Reunion at Collace

[helvorn]

"You are quite astute," Ciencia said with a smile. "We are very recently married. Only a little more than a week as man and wife, as a matter of fact."

She will defer to William as he broached the subject.

William smiled and squeezed Ciencia's hand. "Recently and quite happily married." He took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "I bring a message from the highest levels of Imperial government. The news I have will be breaking in a a few days to a week so this is not top-secret knowledge but rather a courtesy and gesture of cooperation as well as a wish for further peaceful dialog. There is a new Imperial based megacorporation that is going to be initially focused on small-scale but widespread improvements in living standards and technological levels in District 268. The actions of the principles of the organization are meant as philanthropic rather than cover for a power grab in the subsector. Obviously this is not a place for the detailed discussion but I will be happy to explain the details here for later at a location of your choice."

"Perhaps not a message from the government," she disagreed with a shake of her head. "This is a private enterprise, and the message is from those behind the company. The Imperial government can either approve or disapprove, but we will be proceeding anyway. Though, to be clear, there will be additional commercial activity that will probably cause some disruption as well."

William chuckled and shook his head. "She always gets the nuance better than I. It's a gift."

[terrymixon]

"We'll see," your mother said. "At the least, meeting the factor and seeing the technology is something we can do. We'll have to take a personal day from our jobs, and get the kids out of school, but I believe it is worth it. We will be there."

Jaelah smiles. "Now that the business is settled, I'd like to take you all to dinner. Where would you like to go?"

"Since you can afford it, why don't you surprise us?" your father said. "Your treat."

[terrymixon]

William smiled and squeezed Ciencia's hand. "Recently and quite happily married." He took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "I bring a message from the highest levels of Imperial government. The news I have will be breaking in a a few days to a week so this is not top-secret knowledge but rather a courtesy and gesture of cooperation as well as a wish for further peaceful dialog. There is a new Imperial based megacorporation that is going to be initially focused on small-scale but widespread improvements in living standards and technological levels in District 268. The actions of the principles of the organization are meant as philanthropic rather than cover for a power grab in the subsector. Obviously this is not a place for the detailed discussion but I will be happy to explain the details here for later at a location of your choice."

"Perhaps not a message from the government," she disagreed with a shake of her head. "This is a private enterprise, and the message is from those behind the company. The Imperial government can either approve or disapprove, but we will be proceeding anyway. Though, to be clear, there will be additional commercial activity that will probably cause some disruption as well."

William chuckled and shook his head. "She always gets the nuance better than I. It's a gift."

"You'll think it a curse someday," she said with a grin.

[Thumper]

Walt / Frank

Walt nods. Thinks a minute while turning to view the Zho across the room. He returns to the conversation nodding his head "yes" and grinning.

"Excellent suggestive selling, Tourmaline. Well played.' The smile slowly fades. "In all seriousness, how about the two of you come to our ship tomorrow. I'll make the intros to the two individuals you might really like meeting. I really do think there is a chance we can fix this problem for you."

He reaches to shake and clink pint mugs with all.

Tourmaline says "Well, you have 4DC Mercs - if you can convince Colonel Cross of SEMC then the Aslan will fall in with us on the grounds of sound investment". She then introduces the Colonel of the "other" human Merc Unit who is accompanied by the attractive blonde wearing a fine evening dress made up in Iyhula clan pale blue silk (and who appears to be the PA to Yugure The Twilight, wife of the Aslan Warlord).

Frank returns after a couple of minutes and nods at Skeet before turning to those around Skeet he doesn't know "My apologies ladies and gentleman, you certainly now have my full attention. I am Colonel Frank Cross, commanding officer of the SEMC, and this is Polly Iyhlua Maguire, absolutely my better half. It is a pleasure to meet you all." he nods and smiles.

Walt gesturing to Bona-
”Colonel Cross, a real pleasure to meet you too.

This beautiful lady is Bona. Countess Bona of Vincenzo…my, uh, well that hasn’t been quite established yet…hopefully very soon.”.

As he extends a hand to Cross:

”Slaine, Walter Slaine. Friends call me Walt. Warriors call me Growler. Imperial citizens call me Count….when we’re in the Imperium. Take your pick.

I hear you have a team for hire. A good one, though some say they are a little better.”

He grins a crooked smile.

”We’re putting together a little expedition. I’ve never been one for small talk. Want to discuss getting in on it?”

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

Frank sketches a short bow at Bona "Lady Bona, a pleasure."

He shakes Walts' hand, firmly but not overly so. "How about Growler then?" he says with a smile "My people are good at what they do, other groups are good at what they do. Sometimes what we do overlaps, sometimes it doesn't. I tend not to worry about what others say, too much. An expedition? I'm certainly interested to hear what you're looking for."

[Thumper]

Walt-
”Great!

And you, Polly. I presume you speak for the Aslans? This offer is extended to them as well.

Ya got a place that’s safe to talk?”

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

"Some of these tables have privacy screen." he looks around for an empty table.

[Thumper]

Walt walks with his arm around Bona’s waist to the selected table, holds her chair, then takes his seat
.
”So, tell me about SEMC. What are its strengths and specialties? What unique capabilities do you bring? What numbers do you have? What numbers of what flavors could you deploy within a week or so? What are your limitations?

What does SEMC value?

We have a little problem with squatters taking up residence where they do not belong. Could use a little help in evicting them.“

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

"Why don't you tell me more about your problem and any preferences you might have for the means of evicting them, and I can let you know what SEMC could bring to the table to help...and I've never been asked what the SEMC value before."

[terrymixon]

Aster pokes Garvin. "Those Sword World tarts are eying us. Let's go make nice and see if they are worth the counterintelligence effort to seduce them."

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Frank sketches a short bow at Bona "Lady Bona, a pleasure."

Bona smiles and does a light curtesy. "Likewise."

[terrymixon]

Walt walks with his arm around Bona’s waist to the selected table, holds her chair, then takes his seat.

Bona sits and listens closely.

”So, tell me about SEMC. What are its strengths and specialties? What unique capabilities do you bring? What numbers do you have? What numbers of what flavors could you deploy within a week or so? What are your limitations?

What does SEMC value?

We have a little problem with squatters taking up residence where they do not belong. Could use a little help in evicting them.“

"That and a longer-term commitment to provide security in a number of colony situations while training a self-defense force that will replace you," Bona added. "A significant number of currently uninhabited worlds that will be getting people and building up in a way that might attract people looking to cash in as the area is a bit rough and tumble and the neighbors can be a bit... forward. The worlds are unclaimed and in unaligned space, and we would provide transportation, as well as fully outfit the recruits that would be getting the training with gear at high Imperial tech level." She smiled. "And the trainers, too, if needed."

[joertexas]

"Since you can afford it, why don't you surprise us?" your father said. "Your treat."

"Is that Swordy fusion place still open? It's not overly fancy, but the food was good. We can go Upspire to Dina's or one of the others if you want something more formal."

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

Walt walks with his arm around Bona’s waist to the selected table, holds her chair, then takes his seat.

Bona sits and listens closely.

”So, tell me about SEMC. What are its strengths and specialties? What unique capabilities do you bring? What numbers do you have? What numbers of what flavors could you deploy within a week or so? What are your limitations?

What does SEMC value?

We have a little problem with squatters taking up residence where they do not belong. Could use a little help in evicting them.“

"That and a longer-term commitment to provide security in a number of colony situations while training a self-defense force that will replace you," Bona added. "A significant number of currently uninhabited worlds that will be getting people and building up in a way that might attract people looking to cash in as the area is a bit rough and tumble and the neighbors can be a bit... forward. The worlds are unclaimed and in unaligned space, and we would provide transportation, as well as fully outfit the recruits that would be getting the training with gear at high Imperial tech level." She smiled. "And the trainers, too, if needed."

"Security and training, that sounds generally acceptable. We've four companies, a reinforced battalion battlegroup of regular mech-grav infantry. Specialities, particularly recon and we are highly adaptable. If you're planning on hiring 4DC as well then our experience of working with them means we can seamlessly integrate into their command structure. As for what we value, apart from a client with deep pockets..." he smiles "...is openness and honesty from our client. It's my people out there putting their lives on the line, it's what they are paid to do, but we can't do it to our best ability if we don't have a true picture. That openness goes both ways, from our side too, it's a matter of trust. Our name, the Slightly Ethical Mercenary Company, isn't just a gimmick. We are selective in our job choices. Don't get me wrong, we're not knights in shining armour, we're mercenaries who are ultimately paid to shoot people, but we aim to operate under commonly accepted rules of engagement and we would look to impart that integrity into whoever we are training." he takes a swig of whiskey "In the spirit of that openness, the following thoughts spring to mind. Firstly, do you have a feeling for how long this security and training will be needed for? Secondly, If you are looking for your people to be trained at high-imperial tech-levels then that is higher than the tech level in sector 268, so we will have to work out how we can remedy that short-fall, lastly I'd like to know more about who needs to be evicted."

[Tiglath]

William & Ciencia

William smiled and squeezed Ciencia's hand. "Recently and quite happily married." He took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "I bring a message from the highest levels of Imperial government. The news I have will be breaking in a a few days to a week so this is not top-secret knowledge but rather a courtesy and gesture of cooperation as well as a wish for further peaceful dialog. There is a new Imperial based megacorporation that is going to be initially focused on small-scale but widespread improvements in living standards and technological levels in District 268. The actions of the principles of the organization are meant as philanthropic rather than cover for a power grab in the subsector. Obviously this is not a place for the detailed discussion but I will be happy to explain the details here for later at a location of your choice."

Ambassador Vlezpridliashav states with level precision "You speak with an authority... that I recognize... Mr. Larsson. The Consulate always welcomes courtesy and cooperation and shares your wish for further peaceful dialog. It would be most unfortunate if these gestures were no more than that. While we welcome the goodwill that emanates from Rimward it seems that, more locally, expansionism and aggression as well as heinous crimes against humanity committed by your megacorporations seem to present observers of Imperial policy with... what is now... some rather mixed messaging as to the benefits of Imperial rule".

"I very much appreciate your candour regarding forthcoming events but I can not help but wonder if the appearance of a new Imperial megacorporation will be welcomed by a people who have just so valiantly thrown off the oppressive and strangling yoke of another?"

"Perhaps not a message from the government," she disagreed with a shake of her head. "This is a private enterprise, and the message is from those behind the company. The Imperial government can either approve or disapprove, but we will be proceeding anyway. Though, to be clear, there will be additional commercial activity that will probably cause some disruption as well."

Vlezpridliashav responds smoothly "Forgive my confusion but I am taken aback. Is there dissonance within the highest levels of Imperial government? Or..." he smiles fondly "...just the joy of a couple learning each other's mind on certain matters?" He adds "You seem of independent spirit Lady Ciencia. How wonderful!"

William chuckled and shook his head. "She always gets the nuance better than I. It's a gift."

"Spirited, yet perceptive with it and also with an eye for the commerce which benefits all just as surely as worthy philanthropy. You are indeed a most fortunate man, Mr Larsson".

[Tiglath]

Garvin and Aster vs Styx and Lethe

Aster pokes Garvin. "Those Sword World tarts are eying us. Let's go make nice and see if they are worth the counterintelligence effort to seduce them."

Garvin sighs "I read up in "Relationships Monthly" that it's 'ow one partner responds to a, perceived mind you, unreasonable demand by the other that really cements or undermines a relationship. So, even though it might seem like an 'ardship, I'm just goin' to throw meself in 'ere full of buoyant positivity!"

He then adds "They're "players" alright. Styx is the more dominant twin but might not be the brains - that'll be Lethe". He twitches a smile at his wife "You got their names and personalities straight during our last encounter, right? She's also got a micro pistol in a pouch in 'er fur wrap. Struck me as nowhere near 'eavy enough for a tart's derringer. More like a covert piece for someone 'oo can really shoot - but you know guns aren't my thing..." he smiles "...people are".

[terrymixon]

Garvin and Aster vs Styx and Lethe

Aster pokes Garvin. "Those Sword World tarts are eying us. Let's go make nice and see if they are worth the counterintelligence effort to seduce them."

Garvin sighs "I read up in "Relationships Monthly" that it's 'ow one partner responds to a, perceived mind you, unreasonable demand by the other that really cements or undermines a relationship. So, even though it might seem like an 'ardship, I'm just goin' to throw meself in 'ere full of buoyant positivity!"

He then adds "They're "players" alright. Styx is the more dominant twin but might not be the brains - that'll be Lethe". He twitches a smile at his wife "You got their names and personalities straight during our last encounter, right? She's also got a micro pistol in a pouch in 'er fur wrap. Struck me as nowhere near 'eavy enough for a tart's derringer. More like a covert piece for someone 'oo can really shoot - but you know guns aren't my thing..." he smiles "...people are".

She grinned. "Then let's go people."

[Tiglath]

Walt walks with his arm around Bona’s waist to the selected table, holds her chair, then takes his seat.

Bona sits and listens closely.

”So, tell me about SEMC. What are its strengths and specialties? What unique capabilities do you bring? What numbers do you have? What numbers of what flavors could you deploy within a week or so? What are your limitations?

What does SEMC value?

We have a little problem with squatters taking up residence where they do not belong. Could use a little help in evicting them.“

"That and a longer-term commitment to provide security in a number of colony situations while training a self-defense force that will replace you," Bona added. "A significant number of currently uninhabited worlds that will be getting people and building up in a way that might attract people looking to cash in as the area is a bit rough and tumble and the neighbors can be a bit... forward. The worlds are unclaimed and in unaligned space, and we would provide transportation, as well as fully outfit the recruits that would be getting the training with gear at high Imperial tech level." She smiled. "And the trainers, too, if needed."

Polly places her fan neatly on the table top and speaks softly keeping her eyes lowered "Just as my husband Warlord Cross speaks for SEMC I speak for Teahleikhoi, the Regiment of the Falling Night of the Iyhlua Clan. I am also the humble voice and hand of Yūgure, The Twilight, wife of Warlord Ikazuchi “Thunder” Commander of the Teahleikhoi".

She continues "Teahleikhoi supports SEMC in this enterprise and as equal partners. Teahleikhoi will offer up to three full battalions of warriors with mechanised support manoeuvre elements under independent command and direct and indirect Regimental support artillery battalions under the hand of Yūgure's appointed Bannerman. Our contribution is vital to bring your force to viability for the conquest of worlds by giving you a Divisional sized military asset. The Teahleikhoi brings a unique battlefield speciality in which neither 4DC or SEMC can afford to excel: Direct Assault. This is a guaranteed solution to the "unruliness" of neighbours. The Regiment will be paid in Imperial currency as the pharma currency has lately suffered fluctuations in value or negotiated land grants in perpetuity within your colonies. I hope you give our offer due consideration and I remain at your disposal should any additional information be required".

[terrymixon]

William & Ciencia

William smiled and squeezed Ciencia's hand. "Recently and quite happily married." He took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "I bring a message from the highest levels of Imperial government. The news I have will be breaking in a a few days to a week so this is not top-secret knowledge but rather a courtesy and gesture of cooperation as well as a wish for further peaceful dialog. There is a new Imperial based megacorporation that is going to be initially focused on small-scale but widespread improvements in living standards and technological levels in District 268. The actions of the principles of the organization are meant as philanthropic rather than cover for a power grab in the subsector. Obviously this is not a place for the detailed discussion but I will be happy to explain the details here for later at a location of your choice."

Ambassador Vlezpridliashav states with level precision "You speak with an authority... that I recognize... Mr. Larsson. The Consulate always welcomes courtesy and cooperation and shares your wish for further peaceful dialog. It would be most unfortunate if these gestures were no more than that. While we welcome the goodwill that emanates from Coreward it seems that, more locally, expansionism and aggression as well as heinous crimes against humanity committed by your megacorporations seem to present observers of Imperial policy with... what is now... some rather mixed messaging as to the benefits of Imperial rule".

"I very much appreciate your candour regarding forthcoming events but I can not help but wonder if the appearance of a new Imperial megacorporation will be welcomed by a people who have just so valiantly thrown off the oppressive and strangling yoke of another?"

"Only time will tell," Ciencia said. "I am taking notes of the ill-behaved, though."

"Perhaps not a message from the government," she disagreed with a shake of her head. "This is a private enterprise, and the message is from those behind the company. The Imperial government can either approve or disapprove, but we will be proceeding anyway. Though, to be clear, there will be additional commercial activity that will probably cause some disruption as well."

Vlezpridliashav responds smoothly "Forgive my confusion but I am taken aback. Is there dissonance within the highest levels of Imperial government? Or..." he smiles fondly "...just the joy of a couple learning each other's mind on certain matters?" He adds "You seem of independent spirit Lady Ciencia. How wonderful!"

Her smile widened. "You are exceptionally well informed, Ambassador. A little bird must have flown straight from Glisten to chirp in your ear so promptly. My new posting there was only announced eight days ago. Or was it nine? It is difficult keeping track of fast-moving events."

She leaned forward. "I would say that we are still finding out footing. We aren't necessarily disagreeing, but finding our comfort zone." Her smile widened. "You are very smooth and polished, but I'd wager the new technology that brought the news was an unexpected surprise. Maybe even more than finding out I was sitting at your table talking to your friendly associates. Would you agree that this counts as a diplomatic encounter? Should we speak more plainly and actually accomplish something or politely continue dancing around the big points?"

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Walt walks with his arm around Bona’s waist to the selected table, holds her chair, then takes his seat.

Bona sits and listens closely.

”So, tell me about SEMC. What are its strengths and specialties? What unique capabilities do you bring? What numbers do you have? What numbers of what flavors could you deploy within a week or so? What are your limitations?

What does SEMC value?

We have a little problem with squatters taking up residence where they do not belong. Could use a little help in evicting them.“

"That and a longer-term commitment to provide security in a number of colony situations while training a self-defense force that will replace you," Bona added. "A significant number of currently uninhabited worlds that will be getting people and building up in a way that might attract people looking to cash in as the area is a bit rough and tumble and the neighbors can be a bit... forward. The worlds are unclaimed and in unaligned space, and we would provide transportation, as well as fully outfit the recruits that would be getting the training with gear at high Imperial tech level." She smiled. "And the trainers, too, if needed."

"Security and training, that sounds generally acceptable. We've four companies, a reinforced battalion battlegroup of regular mech-grav infantry. Specialities, particularly recon and we are highly adaptable. If you're planning on hiring 4DC as well then our experience of working with them means we can seamlessly integrate into their command structure. As for what we value, apart from a client with deep pockets..." he smiles "...is openness and honesty from our client. It's my people out there putting their lives on the line, it's what they are paid to do, but we can't do it to our best ability if we don't have a true picture. That openness goes both ways, from our side too, it's a matter of trust. Our name, the Slightly Ethical Mercenary Company, isn't just a gimmick. We are selective in our job choices. Don't get me wrong, we're not knights in shining armour, we're mercenaries who are ultimately paid to shoot people, but we aim to operate under commonly accepted rules of engagement and we would look to impart that integrity into whoever we are training." he takes a swig of whiskey "In the spirit of that openness, the following thoughts spring to mind. Firstly, do you have a feeling for how long this security and training will be needed for? Secondly, If you are looking for your people to be trained at high-imperial tech-levels then that is higher than the tech level in sector 268, so we will have to work out how we can remedy that short-fall, lastly I'd like to know more about who needs to be evicted."

Bona considered the Colonel for a moment and then nodded. "Cards on the table it is. There are some details of our situation that I cannot share with out consulting with the others and that have little bearing on the mission and work we're talking about, but I need to put that out front. Everyone has secrets, and we are no different. Well, maybe we are a bit different in the nature of our secrets, but it's not something that requires mustache twirling if you know what I mean. I'll tell you what I can and then you can tell me if what I've said is good enough or if I need to expand on anything. Agreed?"

Assuming that he says yes, she will continue. "One of our companions is a scientist from Vincennes. He is a leader in robotics and other technical fields that frankly make just about everyone's head spin. He's a man with many interests and some of those have brought us here. Part of what he has mastered is the ability to use devices called fabrication units to manufacture literally anything that someone can think of out of raw materials in the space of just a few minutes. Needless to say, that is going to change a lot of things once the technology begins percolating through society. You need a new weapon? Just get one printed. A grav vehicle? The same. Need a special design, he and his people can work something up and create anything that you can imagine. Literally anything that science can build today he can create in a matter of minutes once he has a pattern.

"That includes spaceships. Do you need an eight-hundred-ton mercenary cruiser? He has a fabricator large enough to build those at Glisten, and as I've indicated, the process takes minutes. In addition, one of the technologies that he has broken his way into is a revolution in jump technology. He calls it the hop drive. It's the same size as a jump one drive but can take a vessel up to ten parsecs. We made the trip from Glisten directly here. It works and it's going to change a lot of things even though it is twice as expensive as a comparable jump drive."

She waited for a few seconds to let him absorb that before she continued. "In exchange for allowing access to this technology to the imperial government, we have been given leave to set up an imperial client state or an aligned independent government that doesn't have to have the formal relationship on a series of worlds just at the edge of the rift in the Reaver's Deep sector. One of those worlds currently has mining vessels and extraction facilities in a rather large asteroid belt that are owned by Sternmetal Horizons. The system they are in is literally directly next to the worlds that we have been granted leave to colonize. They are the unruly neighbors that we are speaking of to begin with but if you do any research on the deeps, you'll find that there are a lot of pirates and rogue nations there that will take an interest in the tech level 16 society that we intend to set up on about fourteen worlds. It's that large of an undertaking.

"At this time, none of those worlds are occupied. Using the hop drive, we can go directly across the rift into the Ilish sector and then across to the worlds in question. The journey will take huge colony ships to get the people there but can be completed in several months. Once we start setting up shop there, we anticipate that we will quickly begin gathering interest and that's where we hope to have assistance in protecting ourselves and our people from depredation until we can stand up our own defensive forces. We're not looking to cause anyone else trouble, but if someone wants to start some with us, we need to have people that can put the hurt on them and make them reconsider their ways. Boiled down, that is what we're doing and why we need this level of protection.

"As to how many mercenaries we need and how they're equipped, I honestly couldn't answer that question. This is the situation we find ourselves in and it would be better for you to tell us what we need. I can imagine that Sternmetal Horizons is not going to be pleased when they are ejected from what is undoubtedly a very lucrative secret project. We've already crossed swords with them once and even though it's going to take time for word of that to reach their central offices, they will eventually figure out who we are and they will likely take an interest in our technology and their losses.

"Honestly, protecting the colony vessels and the large manufacturing fabricator that can make ships and other goods at unbelievable speeds is also something we're interested in. Allow me to show you a picture of Yamaguchi Starport. It's currently located in the Glisten system and although we did not build it, we own it. How we came into that ownership is not something that I can speak of but it is legal and ethical. Services were provided to the Imperium, and this was our reward."

She takes out her mobile com--a very high-tech unit that is more advanced than anything you've seen to date--and displays a holographic image above it. The structure you are seeing is a giant cylinder and it has something to put it in scale right beside it. Floating nearby is a Tigress dreadnought. You know that they run half a million tons. It looks like a toy next to the other structure. A small toy.

"This is Yamaguchi Starport. It masses thirty-five billion tons. There are just short of a billion people who live and work aboard that ship. And I mean ship. It has a hop drive and a fabricator inside of it that can construct anything up to one hundred million tons. That means that it can build a colony vessel of one hundred million tons as long as we feed it the appropriate raw materials which are gathered from asteroids and refined by the fabricator itself. That admittedly takes a number of refining sessions but it can certainly build a ship like that every week or so, and do it in a matter of minutes once the process begins. The refining process produces an incredible amount of raw materials that are quite valuable and it's almost a joke how much money we have at our disposal. That is what we need to protect and how we intend to both fund the colonization effort and set up our own interstellar polity in the Reaver's Deep."

Polly places her fan neatly on the table top and speaks softly keeping her eyes lowered "Just as my husband Warlord Cross speaks for SEMC I speak for Teahleikhoi, the Regiment of the Falling Night of the Iyhlua Clan. I am also the humble voice and hand of Yūgure, The Twilight, wife of Warlord Ikazuchi “Thunder” Commander of the Teahleikhoi".

She continues "Teahleikhoi supports SEMC in this enterprise and as equal partners. Teahleikhoi will offer up to three full battalions of warriors with mechanised support manoeuvre elements under independent command and direct and indirect Regimental support artillery battalions under the hand of Yūgure's appointed Bannerman. Our contribution is vital to bring your force to viability for the conquest of worlds by giving you a Divisional sized military asset. The Teahleikhoi brings a unique battlefield speciality in which neither 4DC or SEMC can afford to excel: Direct Assault. This is a guaranteed solution to the "unruliness" of neighbours. The Regiment will be paid in Imperial currency as the pharma currency has lately suffered fluctuations in value or negotiated land grants in perpetuity within your colonies. I hope you give our offer due consideration and I remain at your disposal should any additional information be required".

Bona turns her attention to Polly. "Some of the worlds that we will be colonizing are quite pleasant, and I am certain that something can be worked out to pay you either in money or land though I am uncertain how that would play when you're inside another's political area. Perhaps you could enlighten me how something like that would work? As I told the Colonel, we don't intend to execute direct assaults upon our neighbors with the exception of kicking Sternmetal Horizons out of our area, but no one can guess what the future brings. If someone hits us, we want to be able to survive that and to hit them back even harder. Would that be a direct assault on someone else? Potentially. That's a bit far in the future though for our planning purposes. My question to you is now that I've laid out what our needs are, how do you see yourself and your people fitting into them?"