Raidon Makoto
Coffee Shop, Gateon Port
Orre
Affected RPers: @Neo Emolga

Harlan Ericson approached the coffee shop in a trench coat and sunglasses, obviously wanting to protect his identity. To his credit, he dropped everything to meet Makoto once he called him "on behalf of Orson Barkley." The dread lord of the Deathwing figured that if one of your primary investments calls to talk about "the state of their relationship," it would be paramount to have that meeting post-haste. Makoto hoped that Ericson didn't think Barkley was breaking up with him, though to his own credit, that would put Ericson off guard just enough to succeed.

Ericson recognized Makoto by the description the commander had given him over the phone and sat in the coffee stool directly behind him. The two sat sideways in their stools, leaning one arm on the backseat of the chair and another on their expensive frappuccinos. The DyneTech shill inserted a BlueTooth headset and started speaking to Makoto whilst still looking forward, pretending he was on the phone. "What do you want?"

"Well, you see Mr. Ericson, my boss The Honorable Orson Barkley sent me over you to explain a predicament he's in right now. Now, he is aware that your payments hinge upon his keeping Hoenn out of war with Orre, but the Hoenn military is adamant about punishing Orre for harboring refugees. Not at all DyneTech's fault, but he is aware your business is going to suffer," Makoto got out his phone and texted Finch Reynolds one word: "Now." "So Hoenn is looking to test the waters. The military has sent one of their most skilled assassins to take out Darwin Lynch, an executive at DyneTech and one of the highest targets on their most wanted list to test the waters. They want to see how Orre will react. If they lash out, Hoenn is going to have an excuse to charge in and ruinate Orre. On the other hand, if you can ameliorate the government into playing cool. Mr. Barkley is confident you can avert a war."

Ericson was silent for a moment, taking in what Makoto was telling him. A moment later his phone buzzed. He looked down at the phone and then looked Makoto in the eye, shocked. "Well, like you said. Lynch was just iced. I'll speak with my contacts right away and see what I can do about preventing the war. Please extend our gratitude to Mr. Barkley and tell him the payments are going to continue."

Ericson began to get up. Makoto put a hand on his arm, "Wait, there's something more."

"What?"

Makoto took a deep breath, "Mr. Barkley is looking to deepen his relationship with DyneTech since they have been such loyal partners over the years. He has sent me to... invest my efforts in the company. What can Mr. Barkley do for you to make this happen?"

Ericson collected his thoughts and said, "DyneTech is currently in the process of buying unused capital from what's left of Harper Industries but the lawyers in charge of the liquidation are being particularly resistant about pricing. Could Mr. Barkley give them a reason to lower their prices?"

Makoto smiled. "I think he can do that." He paused for an awkward silence. Both men realized that their business was concluded. The dread lord of the Deathwing offered a tacked on, "It's been a pleasure," before both men parted company. Ericson left first. Makoto finished his drink and then left the coffee shop, leaving a $20 bill in the tip jar for the barista. Once he was a good distance away from the building and the crowds, he made a conference call between Tyrus Hale, Finch Reynolds, Noah Ashfield, and Reg Lando.

"I just made contact with Harlan Ericson. Finch and I were able to play our way into his good graces, but we're going to need to go a bit further to keep our patron saint happy with us. DyneTech wants to bleed Harper Industries to force them to liquidate some capital cheaper," Makoto explained to the Captains' Conference. "Captain Ashfield, as the expert on Special Weapons and Tactics, would you have any suggestions on how to go about this?"