The Meeting and Partnership of Hannibal Lethe and Ferrick Nelson

[18 YEARS EARLIER...]
A young man in a Sargent's uniform sits alone in a bar. White morning sunlight spills in through the windows. It's too early to be drinking. His name is Hannibal Lethe. His illegitimate father, the vastly influential Count Burgess, paid for his education and allowed him to pursue a military career, but then used his immense connections to have him demoted and blocked from higher positions after he began openly challenging the Burgess Clan's involvement in Senatorial politics. No one will give Hannibal a position, or even a chance. What he needs is an opportunity. A stranger enters the bar as he takes a drink. What he needs is an ally...
He recognizes the stranger but doesn't show it initially. It is Ferrick of Clan Nelson, one of the high families. Ferrick is less subtle when he sees Hannibal. "My goodness, Hannibal Lethe, is that you?" Ferrick introduces himself and buys a round of drinks for the both of them. As it turns out, Ferrick is on the outs with his father for financial mismanagement, and has been removed from his family's line of succession and left with but a meager pension to survive. Ferrick could use an ally as well.
Cut to a booth, where both men are now sitting.
Hannibal: "And where do I fit into this scheme of yours, Nelson?"
Ferrick: "In order to regain my position, I need to show my family that I can make a wise investment (and it wouldn't help to gain them some land and capital either)."
Hannibal (not looking up from his drink): "Well, isn't that interesting. I'm not a businessman"
Ferrick: "No, Hannibal, you're a soldier. And the way things are going, I could sure use a good one. Soon."
Hannibal: "Oh I'm sure you could use a lot of people, Ferrick."
Ferrick: "Ah-hum... (clearing his throat) I see my reputation proceeds me."
Hannibal: "Unfortunately for you it does. (Taking a long swig from his drink and finishes it) So let's try this again... (looks Ferrick in the eyes) What do you want from me?"
Ferrick: "It's a simple job. I'm preparing an expedition to Mendabal, establish a foothold for trade with the Natives there. And I need a commodore."
Hannibal: "Mendabal's a big place. Where in particular?"
Ferrick (smirking; a faint, wild gleam in his eyes): "Dante's Cove"
Hannibal (showing no reaction): "'The Heretic's Coast'...So that's why you came to me"
Ferrick (narrows his eyes, then continues): "Three brigantines, fully stocked, heavily armed. I've a two-year contract with their crew and captains and enough rations to last us three"
Hannibal: "How'd you manage that, I thought you'd been cut off?"
Ferrick: "My name still carries some weight."
Hannibal: (raises an eyebrow)
Ferrick (lowering his voice and glancing to the side):"...And I've got connections for when it doesn't"
Hannibal(lowering his head and turning back to his drink): "What do you propose?"
Ferrick: "As I've said, the contract I have with the crews is only good for two years. If I am to make my fortune, this voyage has to create enough profit to entice them into a longer contract. So must the next voyage, and so on and so forth until I have successfully bought their loyalty and effectively attained my own private fleet."
Hannibal: "And you want me to lead that fleet?"
Ferrick: "No, I want you to lead this expedition."
Cleaver, thought Hannibal, as Ferrick taunted his pride.
Ferrick: "This maiden voyage is a risky one. When it's finished, then we can discuss the future of your employment. As I'm sure you know, there's been no official contact or trade between any civilized powers and the tribes of the Cove in decades..."
Hannibal: "Centuries"
Ferrick: "Officially..."
Hannibal: "Unofficially?"
Ferrick: "The natives still maintain trade- as they always have- with the Pirate Gangs and smugglers operating out of the Heretic's Coast and outlying, unexplored regions. The goods exchanged therein make there way to the black markets here."
Hannibal: "I suppose you intend to make contact with the Pirates first, before braving the shores of The Continent"
Ferrick: "Arrangements have already been made to meet with one of them."
Hannibal: "What the hell makes you think you can trust him"
Ferrick: "Well, of course I don't trust him- he's a pirate; that's why I need you"
Hannibal: "At the risk of stating something painfully obvious, this all sounds highly illegal."
Ferrick: "Oh, it is. We'd likely be imprisoned or hanged if anyone here were sober enough to remember or even understand our conversation well enough to report it."
Hannibal: "So you're asking me to commodore a swag-laden fleet on an illegal expedition into the Pirate-infested coastal fog banks of a hostile Continent; all so you make contact with local tribes who're more likely to kill us than trade?"
Ferrick: "Well if you want to put it optimistically, yes; that's precisely what I'm asking you to do."
Hannibal (gazing at his empty glass): "Well... I suppose there're worse places my career could've gone"
Ferrick (grinning triumphantly): "Shall I buy us another round to celebrate your new employment?"
Hannibal: "No" (setting his glass down and getting up) "I've had enough"