Blade of Ession
Tags: Isla Draellix-Kobitana , Eina L'lerim-Vandiir, Geiseric, Isidor Justeene , Eric Vales, Dispara, M Mark Air Gami , Cass Gemini
"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I have done my time and more, and I don't expect to return to a cage any time soon."
The statement wasn't untrue, but it wasn't the whole story. Heinrich hoped that perhaps the idea of staying out of captivity would create some level of commonality with these pirates. They may be avoiding the law, but he was avoid another Sith cage. Then again, no matter the situation, a cage is a cage.
"You clearly know your way in and out of a ship, as well as the extraction of goods from said ship. The Crusade could put those skills to use."
He switched his demeanor to maintain a slightly more casual tone.
"The Sith may be gone from this region, but their stench remains. We are actively trying to root them out, but just like a common pest, they have scurried away into their little holes."
Heinrich took a moment to tap a few buttons on his personal console, producing what appeared to be a large list.
"This is a list of known supply lines and commonly used routes by the Sith remnants. I am willing to send you this information to use at your leisure. If you wish, we never have to speak again, but should you raid these vessels and provide us with proof, we would be more than happy to reward you for your efforts. Should the task ever prove... difficult, we will be willing to compensate you more."
Another small grin.
"We will need adequate proof, of course, to confirm the validity of your efforts. Beyond that, should you obtain any information that could be useful to the Crusade's efforts, we would pay double."
The grin disappeared as he leaned forward once again.
"The one stipulation of this deal is that you are not to impede our efforts any further. Should you break that condition, the deal will be off, and we will spare no expense to hunt you down."
His hand extended toward the direction of the convoy.
"In fact, should you accept my offer, I will even allow you to take what you want from these ships. Call it a sign of good will."
Heinrich leaned back in the chair, hoping that the offer would be enticing enough to diffuse the situation. There would be those within the Ashlan hierarchy that might frown upon such a deal, but Heinrich was nothing if not a pragmatist. If these roving bandits could provide the Crusade with valuable information, it would allow their aims to stabilize the Tingel Arm come to fruition much sooner. If nothing else, it would help to keep the remaining Sith elements in the region at bay until the Crusade could root them out.