An offer I can't refuse. But I can still negotiate.
25 Sep 2023Argon Shadowstar
I was interdicted today, which isn't anything special in itself, but it's what happened afterward that was unusual.I expected it to be another pirate, but as soon as we hit normal space, the ship boosted away out of weapons range and opened comms. The transcript tells the story:
Milne: Greetings, Mister Shadowstar. I bring a message from Don Benito Drevelli.
Argon Shadowstar: I have plenty of ways to make money that don't involve working with the mob.
Milne: Ah, yes. The Don knows that money is not your motivation. He respects those for whom money is merely a means to an end. That is why he has sent me with this offer.
Argon Shadowstar: Get to the point.
Milne: Oh, I can see why the Don likes you. Yes, the offer. You recently did a significant amount of damage to one of our enemies, and this has opened up an unprecedented opportunity for the Drevelli Family to exploit. Of course, the Don knows that our fortune was most likely not your intent, however it seems quite clear that we can both benefit from working together.
Argon Shadowstar: If you're trying to recruit me into your little band of goons, you're barking up the wrong tree.
Milne: No, no, nothing like that. The Don understands that you have many enemies. Some of those enemies are also our enemies. While those enemies are at the top of our priority list, they may not be at the top of yours. The Don would simply like that to change. In return, he offers use of our facilities and access to our special services not normally available to just any commander.
Argon Shadowstar: I don't do hits unless the client can offer something a bit more tangible that I can use for my campaign.
Milne: No, this isn't a hit. The Don has plenty of men for that kind of work. He knows that you are a very unique kind of person and recognizes your abilities. He does not think of you as some thug or hitman, but rather a fellow strategist. He recognizes that you see the big picture. He simply wants to ensure that you will continue to do what you are already doing, but in a way that more directly benefits us.
Argon Shadowstar: I see. And these services you're offering, I have no interest in petty comforts, shallow luxuries, or inebriations.
Milne: Oh, it's nothing like that, though such things could be made available for you free of charge if you choose to accept the Don's offer. But no, what we are offering is access to our armories, including a motorpool we have stockpiled for over a century, some of it even predating the Quirium bust. You will find custom personal weapons and battle weapons which could be quite powerful in the hands of a rebel group. Resources you won't find anywhere else. These are the kind of thing factions tend to keep to themselves. Imagine what kind of change you could bring with access to such technology. And, our stockpile will only grow as we gain access to more stations, planets, and facilities. The Don only wants to work together. This is a win-win as they say.
Argon Shadowstar: And why haven't you used this technology against your enemies, if it's so powerful?
Milne: Well, the truth is, we would like to, but the Don is very "selective" about who he will give it to. The Don has been unwilling to trust his lieutenants with it since the Tenebris Incident, and hasn't trusted the Pilot's Federation after we lost some of our best guys to PFed bounty hunters. But you - you kill bounty hunters, and Omnipol. And you kicked Congressus Tenebris out of Vorduli, and took away their assets in many other systems. The news travels fast. The Don likes you.
Argon Shadowstar: Yes, I have been targeting them because they have shirked their responsibility as leaders, even as pandemics, famines, and war tore though their systems. They sit idly by, wallowing in their opulence and luxury while their people suffer sick and victimized by the worst the galaxy has to offer. I am returning control to the people, liberating them from old, lethargic systems that are driving humanity to destruction.
Milne: Ah, you need not justify your crusade to me, friend. We have our own reasons for hating them, and you are the first commander the Don has liked since they came to power in this part of the bubble. Plus, he says that some of our people have a shared ancestry with you. Ah, but I'm not really one for history. Maybe you can ask him about it someday. I am sure he will summon you at some point in the future if we are going to work together.
Argon Shadowstar: I will respond to his summons at my convenience, but yes, I will accept his offer on two conditions. One, I will only prioritize your current enemies. I will not target anyone you choose to piss off in the future. Two, I am not beholden to you or your Don or anyone in your faction. I am not joining you or working for you. I retain the right to execute my campaign as I choose and I will remain an independent operator. Our arrangement will be a simple business agreement which will end when our mutual enemies are no longer enough of a threat for me to justify working against. I expect by that point they should be weak enough that you can handle them yourselves. And if not, then you have little to threaten me with either.
Milne: Ah, the Don was right. You are a shrewd and wise man. While I cannot speak for the Don, I feel he will be intrigued by your reply. I will deliver it to him at once. You will receive a response soon, I am certain. Until then, our proposal will remain in negotiation status. Farewell, Mister Shadowstar.
End Transcript
I've never liked the idea of working with organized crime, but I have to admit that they are always well positioned to both exploit and support a revolution. I suppose it was inevitable that I would receive an offer like this. Perhaps the real surprise is that it didn't happen sooner.