Listening to her continue, could see that she wasn't too thrilled about opening up. Definitely more business and straight laced compared to himself, but most usually were. A product of his past, his outlook now more cheerful than years past.
"So not a slave... and from Gallia? The plot both unfolds as well as thickens it seems! But, I take it you're not one for story time. Perhaps another time should our paths... cross. "
He chuckled at his own pun in reference to the Crimson Cross Sipping more of his drink, he straightened himself up.
"The thing is simply that everything I tell can come back to me," she stated with amusement in her voice because of his pun. "And to be fair, I don't trust you enough not to make this information end up with the Order. No offence, but I'd prefer my family not murdered or kidnapped to blackmail me." Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked over to the big window, looking out of it, inviting McCool to join her if he wished. "Which reminds me: I'm curious. What made you work with the Cross, given that they are effectively worshipping the Nomads?" she asked, looking at him from the side.
It was strange to her that a man like McCool, a Zoner for all she cared, had actively helped the Cross develop something that had to do with singularity cores. The Zoners were one of the prime targets of Nomadic assaults. Their ships might be large, but hardly really intended to fight.
"Were you simply unaware? Don't get me wrong: On Malta, the Nomads are 'ardly as feared as they are in the colonies, or anywhere else for that matter, which is why we prefer not to fight each other. We don't provocate them and they don't provocate us. Does your organisation have a similar agreement that I'm unaware of? You mentioned your position as 'ead of the Confederacy. Last I checked, Zoners were still a valid target for them."
Gazing out the viewport to see the vastness of Malta, Finn couldn't help but chuckle about her worry of information ending up with the Order. Had Finn ever disclosed information on who he was working with to other parties, he'd probably be dead at this point, though of course she wouldn't have known such.
Glancing over at her when she finished, Finn spent a moment collecting his thoughts. he had heard rumors of people worshiping Nomads, but it was never confirmed outright to him, nor did he press the issue.
"When we first were contacted by the Cross, we had heard rumors, but nothing specifically of the Cross nor t' what extent that belief would stretch. Plus our conversations were purely project based, and had little time for actual chit chat, like we're having right now. Knowing about such though... I find intriguing, given that there is somehow an understanding or cease fire if I can use such a term in regards the Nomads."
He shifted a little onto his other leg, and leaned into his right arm against the railing bordering the viewport.
"As far the IRG or CoF is concerned, we do not have such agreement, no. T' be quite honest, I was under the impression that the purge of all intruders is their goal. Obviously I have seen them toy with others, instead of outright destroying them, but never imagined they would make an agreement such as the one you mentioned. I'll have t' inquire further it looks like. While many have the immediate and understandable reaction of 'oh my god a Nomad! kill it!', my interest is less... violent if you will, and more curiosity and understanding of their biology as well as technology. Hence why I think hearing of such rumors did not immediately end any cooperation between us and the Cross."
Since Geneviève had arrived at the window, she hadn't looked away from Malta while McCool talked beside her. As he chuckled, one of her eyebrows slowly wandered towards her brow but she otherwise remained calm, listening with one ear while thinking. His ignorance of the Cross' beliefs had intrigued her quite a bit and she intended to find out more about how he thought of it, more out of curiosity than the actual usefulness of the information.
"I wouldn't call it an agreement," she began with a small hum. "It's more a silent understanding that doesn't really need talking. This actually interests me more than most Maltese since the Nomads are actually not known at all in Gallia. At least not that I know of. While most outsiders seem to either fear them or want to study them, like yourself, the Maltese just shrug for the most part. Of course, there are extremes in either direction but they 'ave appeared in the system and even the atmosphere, if rumors are to be believed, since forever."
From a pocket on her grey mantle, she withdrew a small box of cigarettes, turning it in hands, deliberating how much she should tell this man.
"You don't mind, right?" she asked and raised the box of cigatettes to signal her intent to smoke before continuing. "Since you mentioned an agreement, I should dispell the idea that there were some sort of formal negotiations. The records of the first successful contact are interesting but resemble a weird, sub-par fantasy novel." That made her hawk a laugh. "Y'know, I do enjoy my perspective as quasi-outsider. Gives me the chance to enjoy this topsy turvy wonderland from a unique angle. You should delegate someone to study the culture. I would read those papers."
Nodding at her respectful non-silent request to smoke, Finn reached into his backpocket and pulled out a small greenish-silver cylinder, and emptied it's contents into his hand. Unfolding the cutter, he snipped the end off his cigar, and motioned a request for her lighter. Raising his eye brows and head in a nod of thanks, he took a couple puffs to fuel the ember slowly starting to grasp hold. Leaning more into a informal, comfortable position against the railing, he turned his attention back to the conversation at hand.
"I find it interesting that Nomads would, I don't want t' say honor, but follow such an understanding. But again, as I said, most experiences people have are fear or violence, which more often then not is justified given their encounters. I'm intrigued as t' know more on why Nomads don't invoke the same fear in Maltese citizens. This is something wholly unique about your... or well, Maltese culture. T' have such a incredibly different view than the rest in Sirius. Hell, even Gallia I'd imagine."
Turning towards the viewport directly, elbows resting on the railway and backlegs crossed behind him, he stared out into the vastness of space. A calmness swept over him, relaxing his demeanor ever so slightly. His mind wondered, and soon found himself verbalizing his thoughts.
"We get so caught up in the politics and day t' day responsibilities and duties, that we often forget... this. The vastness of space. You can stare ahead into one patch of space and only catch a glimpse of all that encompasses it all. The mysteries the void holds, and yet so many just pass it by and don't take a second thought. .We get swept up in our own dealings that it's sometimes difficult t' pull back the veil and gaze upon something so much bigger than any of us."
Chuckling and looking down, he took another puff from his cigar, and gazed out again as a wing of Maltese ships flew by, patrolling the space between Valletta and Planet Malta.
"That t' me is why the study or in it's most basic form the fascination of the Nomads holds so power. It's an unknown. It's a foreign concept t' the day t' day hustle of Human life. I can understand why some would worship them or revere them. It's uncharted discoveries and knowledge. T' borrow what you just said, about being a Quasi-Outsider... We all are outsiders here. We are but a small blip in the expanse and vastness that is the void. Whereas many would fear that unknown, I thrive in it. I yearn for it. I fear ignorance, of not knowing or understanding. "
Smiling and looking down, he positioned his body back towards her.
"But yes, I agree that studying the culture here and reviewing the records of the first contact would be fascinating t' read and share with non-Maltese, just as a history point if anything... "
It was a little enigma to Geneviève why people were so keen on smoking cigars when all that smoking really necessitated was the intake of nikotin. Still, she offered the lighter to him after she had lit her own cigarette.
"Uh, sorry if I don't really share your enthusiasm for the 'unknown', as you call it. In my experience, the unknown isn't something good or worth exploring by virtue of itself. Then again, I've never liked adventure parks as well when I was small, so maybe it's just me." With a shrug, she went over to the table and pulled an ash tray towards them. "I don't really know if such records are intended to be shared, but I guess I'm making the rules in that sense. We can maybe work something out, but you probably may not be allowed to take originals from the archives on Corsica."
She interrupted herself to clear her throat forcefully, remaining next to the table and in reach of the ash tray.
"My onlook in things is likely more sober than yours, and it's fine this way. I'd probably really loathe going into space if I were awestruck each time I look into the void. If you're planning to actually conduct studies about culture, be prepared that people aren't really willing to cooperate with you. Maltese are a proud people and don't like 'aving their customs and 'abits questioned. As for the Nomads, I 'ardly think they're leaving us just for the fun of it. There is probably some reason, though who can really tell? Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, and it is evident that they don't want people to understand them. Why not indulge that simple desire, right?"
Taking one last pull from her cigarette, she put it out in the tray and retrieved her glass of water, holding it in hand as she cantered back up to him.
"And one more thing: Freedom of religion is something valued by the National Council. Do try to not offend religious tendencies, because that can very easily get your people in trouble if you anger the wrong family."
Her warning struck Finn as somewhat odd, though he immediately sought to clarify what he meant.
"No no. If such an attempt would take place, it would be more about learning history, rather than dissecting knowledge and prying where it is not needed. It would be more t' provide an outlook on Maltese society from an outsider. I understand that many do not wish t' be in the spotlight so t' speak, but in this case it would be in an effort t' provide clarity as well as paint a picture that is more than drug-addicted criminals that is common place thinking in many cultures in Sirius. "
Continuing enjoying his cigar, he meandered back towards the table, and motioned her to join him back sitting down.
"But we'll see such an endeavor is feasible. Regardless, of course any involvement regarding religion will be treated delicately and carefully, so as t' not upset those with specific beliefs. Anyway, I think it's about time we conclude this... meeting I guess you'd call it? I hope though I've eased your mind, and you have found no threat from myself or the IRG. Of course in the future, any attempt to enter the Omicron 85 system will be with the permission and with escort from the Nacion, though I don't expect seeing myself venturing there anytime soon."
Following him back towards the table, she deliberated whether to sit down or not, but ultimately decided for it, since he invited her and it would be improper to decline.
"I'm aware that I'm making the religious seem like delicate snowflakes, which they aren't. At least not all, but you know 'ow this sort of stuff can go. Better safe than sorry, right?" Emptying the glass of water she had still been holding, she placed it onto the table. "By the way, in case you liked that drink, you can take it with you. It's just probably laced with Cardamine." There was a snicker that involuntarily escaped her throat at these words, finding the idea of him having swallowed that due to ignorance really funny. How was that for a researcher? "I mean, that 'drug' is actually really good for you. A man like you could use increased brainpower, right?"
Not pressing the issue further, she returned to the obvious matter at hand.
"In case you're interested in that Outsider's Guide to Outcast Culture, I would 'elp you in terms of records and so on, but there is a limit to what I can do and to the time I can muster. Regardless of your impression of me, it is still my job to ensure Malta's prosperty in places where people don't want to look." She extended a hand towards him, offering a handshake, intending to grasp his hand firmly. "You are free to go. The Signor outside the door shall escort you to your ship and, uh, one more thing." She gave him a flat look. "Research vessels the size of Corvos are banned from Maltese space and require permission as well. You should look into getting a formal permit from the Council as well."
Knowing the drink more than likely was laced with Cardamine, he looked at the drink, shrugged and smiled at her, and continued drinking. He knew the effects of Cardamine, and it's addictive nature. He was also well aware that trace amounts within a drink would not have adverse affects on him, nor render him dependent on such.
"Thank you for the offer. I'll see about dedicating a small portion of IRG resources, and have someone reach out t' you at a later time if that's alright with you?"
Standing up from the table, he shook her extended hand, returning the firm grip.
"It's been a pleasure Miss Mercante. I'll actually see about using a terminal here, if available, and send a comm t' the Council about authorizing IRG assets access t' Maltese space. Within reason of course. Until we meet again though, safe skies."
Walking towards the door, he started to reach out to open it when the guard stationed on the other side opened it for him. Smiling, Finn nodded towards the guard and followed him down the hallway. As they continued on, he was glad to find a terminal in one of the main lobby areas. Quickly typing up a comm, he sent it off, and continued on towards the mooring points.
As they walked through the hanger doors, he saw the Ingenuus in all her glory, and couldn't help but smile.
"Let's see what other adventures we can get into, shall we?"