Snow whips around the windows of the warehouse.  The cold seeps through the cracks in the dilapidated building.  Sheets of rusted metal are stacked around the warehouse.  Jackal sits at a large table next to a radiator.  On the table are dossiers, charts and maps.  Jackal taps his fingers as the guests trickle in.  

Good evening, everyone.

Spain will be at war in the coming months.  My official contact within the Spanish Royal Family has informed me that on July 17th, a coup will be attempted by the Spanish Army.  This is some months away from our dreary winter.  You lucky few have realized the business opportunity this will present.  Any and all commodities can be sold for a profit in a war torn country and if war is waged in Spain, it will be a long tortuous war.    There a myriad of factions on both sides.  Political ideals have polarized political thought in Spain into two categories, right and left.  I have printed reference materials for you all.  

Jackal passes out dossiers concerning the upcoming conflict.  All the guests take a glance at the papers.

Factions

Right

Monarchists (either for Alfonso or Carl)

Falange (fascist group)

CEDA (Catholic and Political Right within Spain. Confederaion Espanola de Derechas Autonomas)

Left

Republican Government

Esquerra Republicana De Catalunya (Catalan left party that was both for liberal ideals,Catalan nationalism and autonomy)

Partido Socialista Obrera de Espana (PSOE, Spanish Socialist Party)

Partido Comunista de Espana (PCE, Spanish communist party. Heavily for soviet style communism )

Partido Obrero de unificacion Marxista (POUM, Trotskyesque communism, not as authoritarian as the PCE and conflict often with the PCE)

Confederacion Nacional de Trabajo (CNT, anarcho-syndicalist trade union.)

Partido Nacionalista Vaca (PNV, Basque nationalism and autonomy)

The factions of Spain will be great contacts to conduct arms and commodity deals.  There people will be starving, soldiers battered, and arms obsolete.  Medical supplies, food, industrial goods, and arms are all fair game.  Arms will be hard to get across the border of France, or through shipping lanes.  The British will do their best to appease the fascist powers and will most likely institute an international committee concerning the war.  From rumors abroad, it is most likely that the British and French will have a non-intervention policy and will do their best to keep the conflict isolated.  This is in our best interest to maintain since the small supply of arms will allow us to earn a heftier profit.  

Now, I assume none of us here are expert geographers of Spain so on the back of that page you will notice a map.  

The map of Spain details the Nationalist territory in Pink, and the Republican territory in blue.  It showcases the entire Iberian Peninsula.

This map is a prediction based on statistical modeling from my friends in Toledo, Spain which pulls it's data from regional faction membership.  This map is a projection for September of 1936.  It is expected that the Regulares, the Moroccan section of the army will land south of Cadiz and cut through to Merida.   Francisco Franco will lead the excursion.  

Before we start discussion on operations within Spain, we need to establish ground rules.  This thing of ours requires us to be cut throat, and I understand that.  However, for me organizing this foray there are rules that need to be followed.  These rules will ensure that business conducted is civil and I don't have to worry about repercussions from your bosses because you can't keep your gun in your pants.  The rules and their reasoning are detailed in the dossier as follows.  

Rules of Engagement 

• No shooting of any mafioso operating within Spain
• You will not participate in the front line of the war.  I'm not having Bosses breathe down my neck as to why their men are taking up arms rather than earning and taking care of business state side.  
• No chemical weapons deals.  Our fathers fought in the great war, we know the stories.
• Don't get shot.

The rules are pretty simple and protect me from any unfortunate meetings with awkward conversation.  

Personally my plan is to sell arms to the CNT.  I'll operate mainly out of Barcelona where the CNT is headquartered.  We have months to get our logistics in order, officials bribed, and favors cashed in.  So I suggest that we plan now to get a good head start.  

Jackal set down his dossier on the table and looked at the participants.

Thomas picked up and looked at the dossier on "CEDA". After thumbing through it for a moment he looked to Jackal. "I've heard wind o' t'is group. A few o' me broders be gearin' up ta try an' help. I'll work wit' dem. If we be sellin' arms ta bot' sides o' t'is, there can be huge profit, boyo. Seen yeh done yer research. Am here ta listen an' see what yeh think."

Thomas took a seat around the table Jackal was heading. He offered a cigarette as he lit one himself, waiting for the other to arrive.

Jackal nods his head and Thomas and accepted the cigarette.  He played with it in his mouth as he spoke.

The Greenshirts loved their god and country almost as much as they hate the Bolsheviks.  O'Duffy will most likely lead the Irish Brigade.  The right is a lot more centralized than the left.  It won't be hard for you to start selling arms to CEDA and end up with contracts for the whole Right.  

Jackal lit the cigarette

Thomas nodded in reply to Jackal as he put his cigarette pack away. "I remember O'Duffy. Good ta hear he still be kickin'..." Thomas looked toward the door, "I know yeh had ot'ers in mind, but before t'ey get here..." Thomas returned his gaze to Jackal, "...yeh have any intel on whar me kin be stationin' t'emselves before headin' ta Spain?"

He took a long drag off his cigarette before thumping the ashes into a tray on the center of the table.

Jackal pulls up the map and points toward Cáceres.

They're going to move through Portugal and base in Cáceres.  

Setting up munitions for training exercises would be a great start. Expect between 500-1000 men to enlist from Ireland. 

Billie looked for an open space and plopped herself down wherever her small frame would fit. She gave the reference sheet a perfunctory glance before unclipping a pen from her blouse and beginning to scribble notes. Thomas shot her a curious glance, and Billie shrugged, smiling back at him. "You know I'm just here for the girls. They always get the shittiest end of the stick in these affairs." She turned to Jackal, "Leftist obviously,"  she offered, indicating herself.  "I'll be moving medical supplies, food, water, clothes... necessities. Funding training and education. And providing satellite support for women coordinating defensive positions. I want to make life as easy as possible given the situation and insinuate myself - at least by name - into the feminist ranks. My endgame is long term. I want them to remember who they can turn to when things get the worst, during and after the initial ignition. With any luck, I'll be able to do what I do best once the dust settles." She smiled again. They all knew what that was.  "I have contacts in France, but that's as close as I'll be getting to the actual ground operations."

Kate listens intently to Jackal speak with Thomas_OShannon and Billie_Faegan as she looks at the map.

"Sounds like we'll be playing both sides, which should be profitable. I doubt we'll be staring each other down across a battlefield. And we can still look out for each other, no matter which "side" we're on."

Kate crosses her arms, looking at the map.

"I'd like to work with the Republican government, I think. Coordinate some shipments of weapons, medical supplies. And once the ships I've rented have landed and made deliveries, I figure I'll ship passengers back to the US. I'm guessing there are going to be lots of rich folks willing to pay a premium who don't want to be around when the shit hits the fan, Jackal? What city or cities should I focus on?"

Billie perked up when Kate spoke, "Ms. Logan, I f I may..."  she interrupted with an excited but apologetic smile. "If you'll be arranging passenger transport anyway, I'd be most interested in procuring a spot for at least a couple of... well, less-than-rich individuals. Assuming my contacts can locate willing women. I'll be more than happy to cover any costs personally. I'm sure that their regular income and wages stateside will more than cover our investment." 

Billie bit her bottom lip, looking around shyly. It only seemed natural given her current business arrangments. And even if Kate said no, Billie was committed to the long term prospect of smuggling women out when the war subsided. She'd have her enterprise started one way or another. 

Kate smirked.

"I'm sure we could work something out. And I know you like high end, independent, classy girls. But crossing the Atlantic takes a few days. Could be a lot of bored rich guys, if any girls are feeling particularly ambitious or have experience in that line of work. If you catch my drift. Just sayin'. Your show, of course. But we'll make something happen, though I can't just guarantee you unlimited spaces. If I've got rich folks beating down the door and starting bidding wars for passages out, I want to get as many of them as possible. But hey, we'll find a balance."

Billie nodded, "Absolutely. I'd never dream of cutting in on such profitable, high demand affairs. Thank you."  She smiled and went back to scribbling notes, giving Jackal the nod to continue whatever was necessary, positively beaming. 

Thomas stood and looked over the map where Jackal had been pointing. "Cáceras, hi? Seems as good a place ta start as any. I'll send one o' me IRA boyo's that way ta insert himself inta t'eir society. Get me some eyes an' ears there." He puffed on his cigarette again. "Am sure me lad would love ta start trainin' wit' some o' tha lewis guns again." With a chuckle Thomas turned away from the table and moved back to his seat, lifting the dossier from his seat and plopping down, the dossier finding it's way to his lap. Turning to Kate, "As fer werkin' bot' sides o' t'is fight, I been thinkin' tha same t'ing. Fuel tha fire an' see how it turns out."

He grinned and leaned forward, thumping his ashes in the tray again before shrugging and putting the cigarette out.