A deal one can't decline

Instructions

Things could be going a lot better for former General Simon Ketz. While he got a high political position and a say in Blerper politics in the aftermath of the civil war, that didn't last very long. Just weeks after the treaty, the new government purged the military of Ketz's followers. Without allies, he couldn't do anything but watch helplessly as the Blerper government decreed for him to be essentially banished following the war he kindled. But that was okay. He accomplished what he wanted with the civil war, so he didn't see any use in dragging things on. Using the money he was allowed to keep, he moved deep into the countryside somewhere, buying a little house and living somewhere in relative isolation. So it came as a shock when, one early morning, the former general saw two black SUVs driving down his sparsely used driveway. He had barely gotten himself composed when the knock on the door came. Answering the door, Ketz came face to face with a shady looking man; well dressed, with a hat shadowing his face, and by extension, his identity. Armed men surrounded him. "Well, you look important." Ketz's voice was tainted with disgust - what else could Blerpusdorf want from him? "Come outside, Simon. We need to discuss something." The shady man looked unbothered. "If van Dak wants something from me, tell him to come here and ask me for it himself!" The man chuckled. "You must be mistaken. I have nothing to do with the government. As a matter of fact, I've come to you to ask exactly the opposite of what you think." He adjusted his hat, revealing the well-known face of- "Jonathan Schayr... Couldn't find you no matter how hard we tried back when we were looking for you, and now you show up at my doorstep? What could you possibly need from a retired, disgraced, middle-aged man?" Schayr handed a file to Ketz, the thing nearly bulging with papers and photos. He skimmed through it, his eyes widening in surprise. How did he get his hands on all of this? "You see, the new government's not... ideal, for business. They're preparing import taxes, security crackdowns, and increased safety regulations. I can't have that now, can I?" Schayr motioned for two of his henchmen to come forward. "I hear you still have some old contacts in the Blerper Armed Forces. Is that correct?" Ketz, staring at a photo he had kept secret for years suddenly revealed to him, was barely paying attention. "...yes, I do. Some old friends. Of course, though, I don't feel like meddling any further. I've cleaned my hands of that place, as much as I'd like to kick it back into shape. What are ya' going to ask, for me to pull some strings or something?" The answer was immediately and painfully obvious. The two guards stepped onto either side of Ketz, and stared deep into his eyes. He knew the tactic from his army days; they were blocking off the escape routes. The disgraced commander knew the consequences of saying no, and so did they. "Unless you'd rather me throw you under the bus too." "So do we have a deal, Simon?"