Subject: The Captain

From: Rigel

To: Archenar

Archenar,

I trust it has been hectic at the headquarters in the light of the upcoming operation. As per your request, I write to discuss the matter of the Captain, formerly known as Walker Brice, one of the most experienced caravaneers of Rock Head. His favoured trade route is the one that links Rock Head and mutant territories, thus making the him a person of crucial importance in our operation to proverbially kick the chair out from underneath the mongrels.

You would not expect it from a former mercenary, but our Captain fancies himself a visionary, as the name Antecursor Trading Company might suggest. It is ironic that the Captain's decision to start it was apparently borne of a wish to forge connections with other civilizations as well as expand Rock Head’s area of influence… and resulted in little more than a steady supply of mutants and whatever venom they squeeze out of wasteland fauna. But if we are to approach him with an offer, you need to remember that his belief in what is he is doing is firm.

Another piece of intel our contact at the trading company has shared is that he hails from the outskirts of Rock Head: its tradition of commercialised gang violence forces the less fortunate closer to the outer walls where they are more exposed to dangers of the wasteland. In hindsight, for Walker it was an advantage given the way he had managed to develop survival skills through scavenging and get connected in the black market trade, but he is disinclined to talk about his trips to pre-Blackout junkyards. I suggest having a chat with his former companions if they are still alive to tell the tale. See if there is leverage still to be gained on that front.

It has also been noted that one thing he is particularly good at is putting the screws on other people - both his partners and his employees. He is what we call an excellent Rock Head diplomat, where definition also covers blackmail, coercion, intimidation and flashing guns at just the right moment. He is disagreeable, authoritarian and will stop at nothing for the sake of maintaining airtight discipline and subordination in company’s ranks.

While the Captain has developed a keen understanding of the mutant territories and their unpredictable inhabitants, it is primarily for the purpose of ensuring the safety and success of his caravans. His resourcefulness and self-sufficiency have earned him the respect of those who rely on him, but his loyalty remains with Rock Head and money. He does not seem to have any particular sensitivities or strong opinions about mutants. However, I doubt he will be willing to throw his deals with mongrels out of the window after a sermon or two. We do not have time to sway him to our side by opening his eyes to the truth. Try to come up with an offer that will eclipse his current trading agreements without compromising his principles. Make a play for him by appealing to his superiority complex.

Keep me informed on your progress. Once we ensure that he is receptive to what we have to say, we need to dismantle the trade route in a timely manner. Should we fail to secure an alliance, the focus will be shifted to sabotaging the existing partnership through other means.

Yours in solidarity,

Rigel