Chenzo sat in a stunned state state for around 30 seconds after Haraberro had left the meeting room. Demarco still sat looking smug with herself. Frustrated, and with Demarco in full earshot sat at the table still' He pulls out his PDA and begins sending a transmission to Haraberro.
"I don't think you quite understand the full situation here, senor. By no means do I expect you to take my view of the Spirits, however I asked for proof of even a single person who has been infected or infested in Maltese history in which the bumbling Demarco here cannot provide. It hasn't happened, it's biologically impossible for Maltese, our minds are not so weak as to be susceptible to it, as it has never happened. Furthermore, she wishes to work with those we are actually hostile with? I wouldn't be surprised if she was peddling information to the Corsairs at this rate!
The mere suggestion that DeMarco has done any good, let alone stating she has done more than me in her short existence? I presume at this point your goal is to enrage me, but I will not rise to it.
You sat with me in one of my private meeting rooms, Club Abyss, Ibiza for a good couple of hours, looking me dead in the eye saying you'd have no issue with my efforts with Rheinland authorities, but then you send a bloody fleet to attack a few of those I'm working with? If you didn't send them, you don't have control over your staff. For the record, I have the body count of that excursion- Total Maltese loss. What a waste for zero gain apart to go directly against me.
From this point fourth, I will advise of you of goings on and I'll seek assistance in transportation of Cardamine flow for transports under my control. I will of course fight to the death to assist you and your forces in the face of any actual enemies, as well my pilots. This goes without saying, but given the gravity of the insults you have thrown my way, I'd see fit to highlight them. Maltese life is sacred, when the Spirits show up and engage first I'll be the first person to announce them as hostile, kill on sight. I seek to preserve Maltese history, genuine Outcast values of old and keep Malta safe at all costs. If the Spirits make you feel uneasy, I'd suggest you train your troops to ask them to calmly move themselves away from Malta, rather than shoot immediately. You'll more than likely get a calmer response without risking any life.
By taking the stance you do, you are forcing them to be hostile which is a fight we simply do not need. Wake up man.
Your words and actions this evening sing clear; you have chosen to continue attempting to pull the wool over my eyes as if I'm stupid, for which I will not stand. I will hold no grudge against you or Demarco sat here infront of me. But when we've had meetings where you both turn and suggest the creation of more warships and stronger defences "is a bad idea" - It makes me question your motive. Let's not forget that the singular penetration of Maltese defences within our entire history has been under the Hyperspace Star Fleet's soul command.
I am officially launching the Old Guard. You will be seeing additional security measures fall into place over the coming months for which I'll give you a detailed breakdown of how they work and their intentional use. I'm choosing to overlook the insults the pair of you have thrown my way this evening and move on with more important Maltese matters,"
The don salutes to finish the transmission as he always did, before sighing in disbelief, turning to Demarco who is still sat in place.
"As for you, senorita. I'd ask you see sense, lose your irrational false belief's of Maltese history in acceptance of what is real. If you can provide me with actual proof of any Maltese who matches your unproven claims of infestation, I'll change my view entirely. I've personally saved your life before and it's not in me to ignore my duty to protect you should the situation require."
He places his head in his hand and sighs again before continuing.
"Just do me the basic decency of not working against me or Malta again. If I catch wind of you working with the Corsairs or any of our other enemies, I don't think even Haraberro will save you from the general population placing your head on a spike. I'm not threatening you. If you actually knew the general population of Malta then you'd never seek to betray them talking to actual enemies. My words here are to actually keep you alive.."
The don gets up gently, Salutes to Demarco and walks out of the room at normal pace; calm and cool. Eventually arriving unchallenged at his Sabre, making swift pace to Corsica.
Fiorella de Marco, too, was preparing to take her leave from the brief meeting, listening intently as Chenzo finished. The moment he fell silent, it was plain she had already begun composing her reply.
“Signor Chenzo, as I have said more than once: I am a diplomat. That obliges me to respect and protect my sources when information is given in strict confidence. Much as I would prefer these beings were incapable of stealing our bodies and souls, the opposite is true. Biologically, we are not so distant from humanity; many Outcasts have attempted, and even managed, to found families with Sirians, as you are very well aware.”
She paused to smooth her suit jacket -- a surgical, almost pathological fussing that erased the slightest imperfection.
“There is little cause to threaten me with inflamed crowds on Malta, per favore. My loyalty to Malta was never in question. You may label me as overly ambitious, which is fair, but a traitor?”
Fiorella did not answer her rhetorical question. Instead, she shook her head and moved toward the door and offered a polite farewell.
“Thank you for the invitation. Despite a few shortcomings, the exchange was beneficial. Buona giornata.”
![[+]](/forums/images/collapse_collapsed.png "[+]")
Comms log between Chenzo and BDM, all contact names and locations hashed out to prevent any chase-up from Haraberro or anyone else
