personal 2

Even before the first jump, the cruel reality of numbers hit me like a sledgehammer: considering what I knew of the Gray Death Legion story, I would never make it to Helm in time before they left for Galatea. The only chance to get a copy of the database was to intercept them in Galatea and convince Carlyle to give or sell me a copy of the data core. As for the hardware, it was better to forget about it, that ship was already gone and out of reach.

May 20th, 3028

Galatea VI, Galatea City

One of the advantages of having to wait for GDL to arrive in Galatea was that I finally had time to take care of business.

Several companies from all States had shown interest in obtaining production licenses for the Leclerc line. They clearly had a good idea of the value of a line of Omni combat vehicles as the proposals were all (or almost all) interesting.

Due to the current political situation, it was impossible to negotiate with anyone from the Federated Suns or after the 'warships incident' with anyone from the Capelan Confederation as for the Calderons House Liao was behind said incident.

The Earthwerks Incorporated representative of the FWL was the first to make a proposal with several production license agreements rang in from full Mechs to components and/or a considerable amount of money. We agreed on a mix of both and although no specific design was selected (they didn't interest me at all), the license to produce several components and a considerable amount of money sealed the deal.

On behalf of Draconis Combine, Luthien Armor Works representative, an old negotiator, sealed an agreement in exchange for the production license for the Jenner BattleMech and for the excellent Lord's Light PPC.

The first offer from the Lyran Commonwealth came from Defiance Industries new representative, obviously a problematic but influential young man who had been dispatched to Galatea not to cause problems elsewhere. God, rarely had I met someone so arrogant and ill-prepared. Only rigid self-control prevented me from sending him out, but clearly we didn't do business, nor did I intend to even though we left with 'after I study your proposal, I'll get in touch'.

Strangely enough, a few hours later, the representative of Coventry Metal Works presented herself to negotiate the same subject. Although CMW did not have a line of vehicles, they seemed interested in entering this area of business and found nothing better than my Leclerc Omnis. Unfortunately they produced nothing of particular interest to me, so we came to an agreement in which I gave them the rights in exchange for a massive amount of kroners.

I was not expecting anything from a common proposal from Aldis Aerospace and Krupp Armament Works. If at first I had no interest in selling Omnis to ComStar, a second thought told me that sooner or later they would get all the necessary information and that it would be better to get something from them.

From this unexpected deal, I obtained the production rights for the Kamov VTOL and Schrek PPC, various types of weapons and equipment as well as some money.

Two other companies contacted me to acquire the rights for the Leclerc: MMM of Canopus and Blackwell Heavy Industries of New Valencia. MMM had nothing that interested me nor did they have the money to buy the licenses, so initially their offer was very weak. Until I proposed that if the Magestracy wanted my licenses so badly, it could pay in Arano Restoration bonds, to the great perplexity of the MMM representative. After exchanging messages with Canopus, my proposal was accepted and I received a private message from Anne-Marie 'Well played, Jean-Luc, well played. And congratulations on your relationship, she's well worth it.'

BHI was a different case - although technically located in Federated Suns territory and as such covered by the sales ban, their exclusivity with the Wolf's Dragoons made them legitimate for the Concordat.

My initial proposal was an exchange of Leclerc licenses for Badger or Bandit, but this was not accepted. In their counter offer, they gave me the Marauder II (3012 model). Even though I did not have access to Omni tech based on ideas by technicians from the Clans, which was my real goal, I decided to accept the proposal.

Having finished the series of negotiations (and quite pleased with the results), I noticed that a young woman in a spent uniform of Chu-i had just left the Toro-2C simulator (the Panther-like model). With a certain curiosity, I asked the person in charge of the simulators who she was and what her results and impressions were.

Apparently ex-Chu-i Kaneda Arisa came every day to use this simulator, taking advantage of being one of the very few with free access in Galatea, a practice of the manufacturers when they were eager to promote a new model, like VMI Toro-2C. As for her impressions and results, she considered Panther slightly superior (not surprisingly) and had by a comfortable margin, the best results in the simulator. Asking more about her, I found out that she was the last survivor of a force that had attacked a Steiner world during one of the various 3rd​SW raids and that she had been reported dead. After being released by the LCAF, she had come to Galatea in search of a contract. But without a 'Mech, she hadn't succeeded until now.

Considering her grades in the simulator, it was not difficult to make her an offer the next day when she showed up for another session, offer that she accepted after asking for a few clarifications.

June 4th, 3028

After several days of waiting, the Gray Death Legion finally arrived. So far so good I thought, at least I was going to be able to talk to them and hopefully, as in the original story, they had copied the data core or it would have been a long and expensive trip for nothing.

And suddenly, there he was, tall, thin and blond, well muscled, the perfect image of a 'MechWarrior, the legend himself, Grayson Carlyle. Accompanied by a tall beauty with long blond hair - Lori Kalmar

'Colonel Carlyle? Lieutenant Kalmar ? My name is Jean-Luc Bassot, I'm from the Taurian Concordat. May we speak in private?' I said, directing them to a luxury limousine. 'I believe I have a proposal that might be of interest to you.'

'For sure, Mister Bassot, do you have somewhere in mind?'

'Yes, you see I have access to the installations of VMI in this city, one of the biggest military manufacturers in the Concordat. I believe we can talk calmly there. I promise you, I am not going to waster your time'.

Some time later in a comfortable room at the VMI facility in the city.

While at first I didn't tell them about my position, the people at the reception desk at VMI had addressed me by my title, meaning they both knew I was one of VMI bosses.

'Colonel, Lieutenant, I'll get straight to the point. I know about the data core you got in Helm and I have a reasonable idea of its contents. I also know that Duke Ricol of the Draconis Combine has a copy and that you have been distributing it through the Inner Sphere, not trusting ComStar for obvious reasons. My goal is to get a copy to take to the Concordat. We need the data inside, that kind of information is vital to revitalize our nation. So, name your price and I'll do my best to satisfy it.'

'For someone from the Periphery, who has never met us, you are very well informed, Mister Bassot.' was Carlyle's response after a short pause and an exchange of glances between the two of them. 'We've just come from Helm, and you are already here, coming from much further away, and knowing everything?'

'Well, to be precise, I arrived here two weeks ago on a routine visit when I was informed about the Helm Crisis. As you might have guessed, someone in my position has access to above average means of information for a price. Knowing that you were coming here, I delayed my departure, so I could receive you and make you an offer on behalf of the Concordat. Nothing extraordinary on my part, unlike your adventure.' I said with my best innocent face.

Apparently they accepted my explanation.

Carlyle was going to start talking but Lori put her hand on his arm, and he let her talk. 'This information doesn't come cheap, Baron. After all, it cost us many lives to get it. How much is the Concordat willing to pay?' she asked with a calculating look on her beautiful face.

Oh, man, and I was expecting to play on Grayson's idealism, but I had no luck. Well, since I couldn't go back now and really wanted the data core,while being pretty sure I could pass the bill on to Thomas, I decided to play the game 'ten million in C-Bills or the 'Mechs that are available at this facility for sale, 2 Talos one 2B and one 2C (the standard model but upgraded to current tech and the modified version) and 2 Toros one B-2 and one C-2 (again the standard model but upgraded to current tech and the modified version), all factory new.

LOL, it was nice to see the two of them shaking, looking at each other and smiling. This time; it was Grayson who answered. 'On behalf of the Gray Death Legion, I accept your proposal, Baron. Ah, we will go for the 'Mechs.'

'It was a pleasure doing business with you, Colonel, Lieutenant.' with that part done, now came the second one 'Tell me, would you be interested in a contract in the Concordat? It would be mostly a guarding and training one, with options for some anti-piracy missions. You would benefit from the support of VMI and V4RU, for new 'Mechs and repair/refit operations. I think you would greatly appreciate the level of support they can provide to your forces.'

Carlyle and Kalmar again looked at each other but this time it was Carlyle that took the initiative. 'To be frank, we need time to rest and refit before taking any contract, Baron. And I'm a bit more inclined for a contract with one of the big Houses of the Inner Sphere. I have nothing against the Concordat, mind you but it is a bit far away. But, for the sake of argument, what kind of payment and contract are we talking about?'

Ok, let's talk about numbers, I really want these guys on my side. 'The contract would be for one year, starting as soon as you arrive, with options for renewal. The transport costs would be included, your DropShips can take a ride on my JumpShips and I'm scheduled to depart next week, as well as the services of V4RU and with the possibility to buy from VMI at preferred client prices, that's about 20% discount. All that with a line of credit and any activity not included in the guard and training contract, like raids against pirates would be negotiated as a secondary contract. For the rest, I would offer standard options.'

After a few moments, Carlyle look me in the eyes and asked a question 'Why us, Baron? You already have your military unit and there's no lack of other units here, many with good reputation. I can understand the data core business, but why this contract?'

'For starters, you are one of the few units specialized in combined-arms operations, with an well deserved reputation in that area. My unit is also one of that kind, so you have the experience to train it. I'm prepared to pay you a bit above standard fares (well, in truth, more than a bit) because I understand few units want to go to the Periphery or to pass so much time in transit. I think my conditions are good enough? At the end of said contract, your unit would be fully refitted, that must count for something, Colonel.'

'Oh, the conditions are good, no doubt. But before I accept, I need to talk to my people, if you don't mind Baron.'

'No problem at all, Colonel, lieutenant. When you achieve a decision, be it in my favor or not, please call me back. You know where you can find me, after all.'

With that they both departed.