If you didn’t know, it takes a long time to write out a contract. System ones take even longer.
There are sooo many variables to take into consideration: how many goods and in what quality and quantity, delivery times, pricing formulas, territorial patrol routes, loan repayment schedules, specific personnel doing specific things for specific people at specific times, and much, much more. The granularity is incredible, and I’m glad Mayordomo Nagi is on our side.
The Braycott people are consummate professionals. Again, I’m not sure if it’s System abilities making them seem more genuine or not, but either way, I like them. Especially Illana Maple. She’s sweet, cute as a button, and seems to take an interest in whatever anyone is saying. Eric Breckenridge is similarly friendly, though he’s more reserved. Both listen intently to our wants and desires, then help craft contract language that benefits us both. It’s impressive, especially since it makes Mayordomo Nagi look like an amateur in comparison.
We spend the rest of the day discussing specific terms without putting anything to paper. We put everything on the table, from the smallest want to the largest need. The goal is to form what is technically referred to as a cooperation agreement, but it’s being informally called the Tri-Alliance. Mostly because it sounds cool.
Braycott’s looking to purchase eggs. Lots and lots of eggs. One of their Bakers received a rare recipe drop from a monster, and it requires, among other odd things, three dozen eggs. The recipe, Feast of Leavening, makes a dramatic amount of fresh, hearty, bread. We’re told it’s not good, but it will feed their conscripts for cheap.
Since Cluck You, Two, the children’s chicken business, is producing eggs in such volume as to almost drown us, I agree. We hash out an agreement where we don’t charge a delivery fee and they provide us with ¼ of the bread they make. I assume Carcosa will get conscripts before too long, and having cheap, plentiful food to feed them will be prudent. Not that we really need it, but I’d rather use the food we produce for our people, and not galactic criminals on a penal detail.
VTR’s looking for administrative help. Malkav isn’t a great leader, paperwork wise. It hasn’t been a problem yet, but Mayordomo Nagi is convinced it will be once the Settlement reaches Hamlet status. Another thing he’d like is to gain access to Braycott’s Shop. Though VTR isn’t wealthy, its people have a decent amount saved up. Ketrell offers a great deal, but his inventory is limited by his status as a Settlement Shop.
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Carcosa’s needs are few. We’ve got plenty of food, defenses, and supplies. Situated away from the city keeps us safe from the most dangerous monsters of all: humans. Braycott’s offer of dungeon access is accepted, and I also ask for administrative help.
Though my class is combat oriented, I did enough management as an officer in the military to know how to make things work smoothly. That being said, I’m no dummy. Having a System powered individual with literal magic managerial abilities is something to not turn down. Braycott agrees to lend us one of their Administrator classed people for a few weeks to help get things running as efficiently as possible. We have an Administrator, Amanda, but she’s a bit overworked. And stressed. She isn’t doing well in the apocalypse.
The next two days are the actual writing of the formal paperwork. The Braycotts and Mayordomo Nagi, using their considerable knowledge of legalese, make the document thoroughly unreadable to either Malkav or I. System checks and balances ensure us the wording isn’t completely fucking us, which is comforting to some degree.
Besides our specific requests, the cooperation agreement includes standard provisions for trade, immigration and visitation, defensive obligations, and other important, but boring, aspects.
In the end, everyone agrees and signs.
*****
“King Malkav, Leader Jordan, it has been our sincere pleasure to work with you. This alliance will only benefit our communities. We look forward to working with you and exploring the full extent of our newfound friendship.”
Breckenridge gives a deep bow, holding it for several seconds. Maple speaks next.
“Leader Jordan, we would be privileged to travel to your Settlement. Please send word when it would be convenient, and we will bring gifts for your residents.”
Maple gives a similarly deep bow as I reply. “Thank you. Carcosa will do the same.”
Mayordomo Nagi, Malkav, and I give bows and wish the Braycott delegation a safe return home. Once they leave VTR’s throne room, Malkav lets out a long, dramatic breath and nudges me on the shoulder.
“I’m assuming you checked your alerts?”
“Oh, no, I turned them off a long time ago. Damn things are annoying.”
“I’d take a gander.”
Opening my menu, I find an unsuspected surprise: I’m level twenty.