We demand a certain level of couth among our private security partners. If Helix can maintain a level of public confidence while getting the job done, I see no reason why the Board should deny you a contract with the Security Division.
"
We proceed at the amount of couthness, or lack thereof, that our clients stipulate. If you wish my troops to behave in a certain manner while under your roof, so to speak, then it will of course be so. I believe in accommodating my clients to the fullest extent possible in this manner." He nodded, pleased. He'd read his man well. Crane seemed refreshed by his frankness, as Helix had predicted. It had been something of a gamble to proceed in so bluff a manner. Some corpo types were deeply enamored with the delicate language and technical jargon of their trade, rather than simple brute honesty.
He just hadn't suspected it would be that simple. The man must have been truly in dire need to snap the offer up with such gusto. All he had to do now was make sure he didn't disappoint, which would likely be simple enough. Methods aside, he seldom failed. Though he had to admit, acting with restraint would be a new experience.
That was well and good. It was hardly the strangest thing he'd been asked to do. Part of him wished to raise the point that battle was generally anything but "couth". He'd fought on a thousand battlefields on as many worlds, and knew this more than most. It was ugly, messy, and chaotic, and the sorts that Crane was worried about would not hesitate to use most uncouth tactics indeed. He'd heard stories of the Dark Empire and their doings that curdled his lubricant fluids. There were few blacker hearts in the universe. He was under no illusions that he could single-handedly halt them, should they decide the Corporate Sector was a tempting target. Certainly not while hamstrung in his tactics, but they didn't need to know that.
"I do have a concern, with any potential partnership with Helix Solutions. Intelligence Reports from Ryloth paint them as very much an avid supporter of the Sith Order, a state hostile to commerce and free trade. It does bring to mind a potential scenario, that the Sith could utilize the aforementioned contract to sabotage our efforts of restoring the corporate sector to its former accolades."
Then Grimmin spoke up, his intent obvious. He wanted the deal for himself. Helix regarded the devious businessman blankly. He made an affectation of clearing his nonexistent throat. It was going to be like
that, then. He'd do something businessmen usually didn't: admit it.
"
Mr. Grimmin's well-intentioned concern is not entirely misplaced." He began, keeping his tone even. "
I can see where the confusion arises. I have taken contracts from one member of the Order, with whom I share a personal association. My contract was, and is, with him for his own private matters, not with the Sith Order proper, nor does that organization sanction any of my doings. I believe they even find me quite inconvenient." He leaned back a bit in his chair, adopting a relaxed posture. "
I do not believe in discriminating against my clients for their political or religious stances, within reason. However, it does seem odd to me that Mr. Grimmin only now seems concerned about association with the Sith Order, when I am reliably informed he is closer with them than he is perhaps being honest about. Most likely a benign mistake of memory on his part. In his hypothetical world, one could be equally concerned about the Trade Federation's contributions mysteriously vanishing should Carnifex or Solipsis come calling. Indeed, should we disqualify anyone who has had any commerce with the Sith, this table would likely be empty. Of course, it is not for me to judge another's business dealings. As I said, I do not discriminate. That privilege lies with you alone, Mr. Crane."
There was a key difference between him and the Trade Federation: Money was a means, not an end unto itself. This was a game the Minister would find it highly unprofitable to play, and he'd stoop far lower to inconvenience anyone that became a problem. "
That said, if Mr. Crane does find my client list unsavory, then he is of course free to reject my proposal, and I will part company with no ill will towards him. An open invitation remains should he change his mind. Such is his prerogative."
"
As for that mission, I would only offer in my defense that I was assisting a personal friend in rooting out Hutt criminals during the Ryloth campaign. The mission was unsanctioned by the wider Order, as indeed, all of mine have been. Would some proof put your mind at ease, Mr. Grimmin?" He placed a small holo-projector disk on the table, and tapped a few buttons. It flickered to life, and displayed a large-scale aerial holorecording of himself and his droids gunning down armed thugs and cracking open slave pens to release unwashed, sobbing citizens. One woman even embraced the
B1H droid who had disabled the lock, and it awkwardly responded, patting her on the back with the hand not holding a weapon. That last heartstring-tugging image had been taken from a different campaign some time ago, but so what? That couldn't be proven. Any images of his client were carefully avoided. "
Sometimes my work does involve working for questionable people, but occasionally some good comes from it. I apologize for the violence on display, but that is the reality of my career, and of what is on your own doorstep."
If he'd read Crane as correctly as he thought, this openness might just turn things around in his favor again.
"
Mr. Grimmin's regrettable sympathy for, and troubling familiarity with Hutts notwithstanding, I can say no more about that mission without violating my client's confidence, even should it compromise our deal." He folded his hands serenely on the table as he concluded his eloquent barrage of polite character assassination and shameless self-aggrandizement. Now to reel in the others. He'd prefer not to make an enemy here today, but sometimes one had to break a few Nuna eggs to make an omelette. He thought he might be able to speak with bribery before violence, though.
"
As I said, I am quite willing to work with anyone here, and even cede to the Trade Federation and others present the majority of the profits to be had. Their history does not interest me. It is, after all, a matter of principle. We can't very well just let the various marauders in this charming little galaxy run free, can we?" He hoped this would prick up some ears. It wasn't quite a lie. The connection was more valuable than the money. The unspoken message, however, was clear: take the peace offering, and take most of the money into the bargain, or make an enemy, one capable of brazenly making war with such a well-funded enemy as the Hutts and walking away intact. "
As I've shown, I am not afraid to get my hands dirty personally, nor to take on even the mightiest enemies. I don't much care how frightening they believe they are. I believe the Sector has value, and should be preserved. Money and risk are no objects."
He finished his little speech, and fell silent. Only time would tell if this explanation secured the deal or destroyed it.