Encryption accepted and decoded.
Rand. We are pleased to hear of your continued existence. News of the Bureau has spread slowly throughout the Galaxy but we have now become aware of the threat it represents to you. Bureau Agents will be considered for Retirement in the correct circumstances, but for now a risk assessment as to their value is taking place.
I must regret, however, that we are unable to fulfill your request. We find the situation very alarming.
You requested more information on the state of affairs between the Mecrossan Order and the Golden Serpent. I shall remind you of those affairs, Every year, the Serpent pays us a considerable retainier; the return on the deal is that all Serpent members are exempt from being targetted by our operatives. This is an arrangement that suits us well- to be clear, although the retainer is considerable, we could reasonably expect to make far more by accepting contracts, for leading Serpent members have many affluent enemies. But it is simply not worth the hassle and danger involved in making an enemy of the Serpent. Previous differences were buried a long time ago when both sides were in danger of being fatally compromised.
You will understand then, therefore, that it would be highly inappropriate for us to offer any help. In fact, there is considerable feeling that you should be instructed to not proceed, under threat of expulsion and targetting. However, your previous good service to us, and the unique asset you represent, is not to be ignored. We shall take efforts to disavow you if necessary; luckily, the Serpent is more likely to think you are acting as part of your own group than as a member of the Mecrossans; needless to say, that you are a member must not be allowed to be known.
We hope you will not be too downcast by us being unable to offer aid. However, we do have some advice for you.
Rand, it is the opinion of the Order that you should not go on this mission. Amidst the underworld of the Galaxy it is an established rule that entangling yourself in the Serpent only ever brings destruction. They have a saying on the western fringe, where the Serpent has an iron grip.
Those who would play with the Serpent, ALWAYS get bitten
Whatever resources the Bureau can confront you with in terms of sheer offensive power and technology, the Serpent can match with their cunning and duplicitious ways. The Eyes beguile, the Coils entrap, the Jaws kill. If you must go, trust nothing in the Ghost Citadel- the people are no more reliable than your eyes, in that place, and many are the people who have found themselves entrapped despite having taken all poosible precautions.
Do not play with the Serpent, Rand.
Message Ends.
Oh well,Tanic, your guy can give you a general appraisal of things.
First of all, of course, he gives a certain amount of concern about your plan, reminding you that the last place someone like you should think about going is INTO the Serpent's Lair.
"And it could reflect upon me badly as well," he adds. "It's not unknown that I got my position off the back of your actions; I had to pay up my dues to the Serpent when I took over this segment, and I don't go near their operations here, and they leave me alone in return. My predecessor started to get big ideas about recruiting Serpent members, which is why you ran into them, but his talents gave him a survival edge in doing that- I want to do nothing but stay clear. If you mess this up, their punishments will be severe and my... family might have to re-consider backing this whole organisation."
After a little bit, he calms down, though, and admits that the Serpent has been becoming a little stale of late.
"Plenty of talented people IN it," he says. "But the word from the top isn't inspiring anything new. Vigo Lantarnas is solid but unimaginative. Worst of all, his eldest son Yago is a moron. The Lantarnas line hasn't ever been pure, of course; a thousand years down the line the name is almost an affectation. They all have SOME claim to descent but it hasn't been like a continual monarchy. If Siva's talent went anywhere, it certainly didn't all go down into those guys."
He can give you the details of a Serpent cell close to his space that you guys can impersonate being from. You know the area, Tanic, so you can impersonate such people quite well.
"So long as they aren't given cause to check, you might well get away with it," he says. "Just don't cause any trouble. And seriously... watch those guys. A lot of people have got burned dealing with the Serpent."
As for rivalries...
"Well, as I say, there are a lot of talented Serpent members out there. Some might say that the real power of the Serpent isn't in the Ghost Citadel any more. Just like any criminal organisation, a lot of these people would want the top spot from Vigo, but like I say, he's solid, and besides, there is an ancestral feel of power by right to the Serpent that makes that impossible. Yago is going to get the job next, and everyone else is just going to have to deal with that. If you are thinking about trying to exploit that, I'd forget it, you'd only get caught up in a convuluted mess, and the Serpent will certainly unify against any meddlesome outsider before it turns on its own. You'll be in enough trouble there as it is- just get in, do the job, get out, I'd say."
"let's hope we won't get to the necessity of having to deal with anyone, galder." says Takuan.
(takuan always disaproves you killing everyone, rex..you know that 😛)
"so...Jena is most likely to inherit the lead of the serpent....that would, make her our most valuable hostage. If we are ever to get to that.."
adds Takuan suddenly having thoughts of Jena in the middle
😛