JaeThe flickering light of dozens of candles plays across Jae's face, making her small smile appear even more mysterious. "Shereen! The Exalted One Himself brought us together the day you crossed Vladaym's threshold. He led us to the cargo and gave His blessing for its return. Do you know what people on my world say when such a thing happens? 'What's gained is to be shared with your neighbour.'"
JaeShe points at the containers in front of her. One contains a polished Aeldari rifle, a rare model, and the other holds an ornate sword. "I am sharing what I've gained with you — please accept these humble gifts in honour of our wildly successful, though suddenly struck, friendship."
YOU"A truly wonderful gift. I accept it with gratitude."
Jae"I knew you would appreciate the xenos' mastery of their craft!" Jae beams at you, curling a lock of black hair around an augmented finger.
JaeAfter a brief pause, she awkwardly continues, "So... The matter I wanted to discuss with you is related to my business. You know that I sell xeno-artefacts to interested Imperial subjects, and Imperial trinkets to xenos. Business is going well, my network runs even without my participation. But when it comes to expansion... well, that is where I hit a wall."
Jae"Rivals, envious of my success!" Jae throws up her hands. "Falco especially. I am certain the theft of the cargo was his doing. But I can never predict what that ashmag will do next. And while the Imperium's authority may be fragmented in the Expanse, it could crack down on people of my... profession at any moment."
YOU"Go on."
Jae"If the Rogue Trader put in a good word for me with the servants of the Adeptus Administratum, I could become an official trade representative of the Imperium. Just imagine it — a little scrap of paper will offer me and my agents protection against ashmag schemes, far better than any refractor field! And even the Inquisition will have to think twice before they mess with me, because I'll be a representative of the law in my own right."
Jae"And the best part of all is that this will cost you precisely nothing, shereen! All you have to do is stop by the Administratum Palace and obtain a certificate from the Master of Seals. My informants tell me that the palace is located on Dargonus, your capital world! You see how everything has aligned so wonderfully? And, of course, I will repay you in kind."
YOU"How do I benefit from your gaining official status?"
Jae"Besides being in receipt of my eternal gratitude, shereen?" Jae playfully raises a brow. "Won't it be beneficial to have someone in your retinue with the weight of authority behind them, rather than just another pawn? One slip of paper and I will be able to extend my network to systems far beyond Footfall. My agents will be your eyes and ears throughout the Expanse."
YOU"How do I benefit from your gaining official status?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That sounds simple enough. I will help you."
Jae"Exalted One bless you, shereen! I couldn't find a better business partner in all the Expanse!" Jae ponders for a moment, and then graces you with a dazzling smile. "Friendship is a gift from the Exalted One, and we must cherish it!"
Jae"And you will have no complaints about our friendship, shereen! I may not be a trade representative of the Imperium just yet, but I can still help you with whatever you need. You must have some faction in mind that you would like to establish relations with? The severe Drusians? The hot-headed pirates of the Kasballica? You merely need to use the right words, like a key for a lock, and people will open their hearts to you. Or their wallets. I will arrange everything, you merely have to ask."
YOU"Help me to establish cooperation with the Kasballica."
Jae"Not a problem, shereen! I will have my people put in a good word for you in the right circles."
Jae"I will humbly wait until you steer your vessel toward Dargonus! The Mercatum Tabula Officiale... It sounds almost as majestic as the Warrant of Trade!"
end of branch
Jae"And if you change your mind about my proposal, you can always find me nearby on the bridge. Just say the word and I'll come, shereen."
end of branch
YOU"I wish to develop friendly relations with the Drusians."
Jae"Not a problem, shereen! I will have my people put in a good word for you in the right circles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Adeptus Mechanicus — they are the partners I need now."
Jae"Not a problem, shereen! I will have my people put in a good word for you in the right circles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wouldn't mind having closer ties to the pirates of the Expanse."
Jae"Not a problem, shereen! I will have my people put in a good word for you in the right circles."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not need your help in such matters."
Jae"I humbly accept your will and the will of the Exalted One, shereen."
Jae"I will humbly wait until you steer your vessel toward Dargonus! The Mercatum Tabula Officiale... It sounds almost as majestic as the Warrant of Trade!"continues where this line first appears above
Jae"And if you change your mind about my proposal, you can always find me nearby on the bridge. Just say the word and I'll come, shereen."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I would never allow your ilk to lay so much as a finger on true power! You are an ulcer on the body of the Imperium — thank your Exalted One that I have not yet incinerated you in righteous flame!"
JaeJae lets out a low whistle. "My, my, shereen! Perhaps I should have softened you up first with a glass of dammassine? No matter, I will not trouble you with any more requests of this nature — unless you have a change of heart, that is."
Jae"Perhaps your thoughts will move in the right direction with a little encouragement from me, shereen. You must have some faction in mind that you would like to establish relations with? The severe Drusians? The hot-headed pirates of the Kasballica? You merely need to use the right words, like a key for a lock, and people will open their hearts to you. Or their wallets. I will arrange everything, you merely have to ask."
YOU"Help me to establish cooperation with the Kasballica."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to develop friendly relations with the Drusians."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"The Adeptus Mechanicus — they are the partners I need now."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wouldn't mind having closer ties to the pirates of the Expanse."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I do not need your help in such matters."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you really think I care one jot about the travails of Kasballican scum?"
JaeA wince flickers across Jae's face. "I did not mean to anger you, Rogue Trader. I but dreamt of turning our cooperation onto a more profitable track."
Jae"Perhaps your thoughts will move in the right direction with a little encouragement from me, shereen. You must have some faction in mind that you would like to establish relations with? The severe Drusians? The hot-headed pirates of the Kasballica? You merely need to use the right words, like a key for a lock, and people will open their hearts to you. Or their wallets. I will arrange everything, you merely have to ask."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall take it into consideration."
Jae"Perhaps your thoughts will move in the right direction with a little encouragement from me, shereen. You must have some faction in mind that you would like to establish relations with? The severe Drusians? The hot-headed pirates of the Kasballica? You merely need to use the right words, like a key for a lock, and people will open their hearts to you. Or their wallets. I will arrange everything, you merely have to ask."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"That sounds simple enough. I will help you."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I would never allow your ilk to lay so much as a finger on true power! You are an ulcer on the body of the Imperium — thank your Exalted One that I have not yet incinerated you in righteous flame!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Do you really think I care one jot about the travails of Kasballican scum?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall take it into consideration."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I think I follow. You wish to use me?"
Jae"Exalted One forfend, could such a lowly servant of the Emperor use the radiant bearer of the Warrant, like some kind of tool! The other way around, however..."
Jae"If the Rogue Trader put in a good word for me with the servants of the Adeptus Administratum, I could become an official trade representative of the Imperium. Just imagine it — a little scrap of paper will offer me and my agents protection against ashmag schemes, far better than any refractor field! And even the Inquisition will have to think twice before they mess with me, because I'll be a representative of the law in my own right."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"If you were slightly less useful to me, I would have brought you to justice myself."
Jae"But you keep me around because you need my capabilities, shereen. And I can offer you more..."
Jae"If the Rogue Trader put in a good word for me with the servants of the Adeptus Administratum, I could become an official trade representative of the Imperium. Just imagine it — a little scrap of paper will offer me and my agents protection against ashmag schemes, far better than any refractor field! And even the Inquisition will have to think twice before they mess with me, because I'll be a representative of the law in my own right."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Get to the point! I do not have time to spend all day chatting with you."
Jae"If the Rogue Trader put in a good word for me with the servants of the Adeptus Administratum, I could become an official trade representative of the Imperium. Just imagine it — a little scrap of paper will offer me and my agents protection against ashmag schemes, far better than any refractor field! And even the Inquisition will have to think twice before they mess with me, because I'll be a representative of the law in my own right."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Yet more xenoheresy? You have some nerve trying to peddle this filth to a true servant of the Emperor!"
Jae"You are free to do whatever you like with my gifts, shereen. If you so desire, you can have them ejected through an airlock or given away to the needy." Jae strives to affect a nonchalant expression, but your words have clearly wrongfooted her.
JaeAfter a brief pause, she awkwardly continues, "So... The matter I wanted to discuss with you is related to my business. You know that I sell xeno-artefacts to interested Imperial subjects, and Imperial trinkets to xenos. Business is going well, my network runs even without my participation. But when it comes to expansion... well, that is where I hit a wall."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"We are not here to exchange pleasantries. What is it you wanted to discuss?"
Jae"Straight down to business? Not even any prelude? Oh, shereen, if there were more dealers like you on Footfall instead of people who just like to hear themselves speak, I'd get twice as much done!"
JaeAfter a brief pause, she awkwardly continues, "So... The matter I wanted to discuss with you is related to my business. You know that I sell xeno-artefacts to interested Imperial subjects, and Imperial trinkets to xenos. Business is going well, my network runs even without my participation. But when it comes to expansion... well, that is where I hit a wall."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You consider these gifts? My lowliest enforcers are equipped with deadlier weapons than this."
JaeJae smiles bitterly. "Next time I will try to present you with a worthier gift."
JaeAfter a brief pause, she awkwardly continues, "So... The matter I wanted to discuss with you is related to my business. You know that I sell xeno-artefacts to interested Imperial subjects, and Imperial trinkets to xenos. Business is going well, my network runs even without my participation. But when it comes to expansion... well, that is where I hit a wall."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Shrug]
JaeAfter a brief pause, she awkwardly continues, "So... The matter I wanted to discuss with you is related to my business. You know that I sell xeno-artefacts to interested Imperial subjects, and Imperial trinkets to xenos. Business is going well, my network runs even without my participation. But when it comes to expansion... well, that is where I hit a wall."continues where this line first appears above