The Don's Office

[Carlos_Benitez]

"You were summoned here in this manner..." Don Carlos replied "because it was necessary for the Benitez Council of Elders to be informed, in no uncertain terms, that I am back in action."

Carlos was surprised at his friend's attitude. Clearly the abrupt arrival of his personal guard in the Council chamber had ruffled some feathers.
"I wished to speak to you in private, hermano. I certainly couldn't have come down there myself."
Carlos pulled the neck of his shirt down, revealing a network of pads and wires.

"It seems, though, that you wish to skip straight to business. A shame, but if you wish, I'll cut to the chase." Carlos looked down at a pad on his desk, then back at the Commandante.

"A few weeks ago, you recovered a pilot from a drifting Zoner vessel. A pilot... of unknown loyalty."

"A lost hero." Ronaldo interjected,

"So he claims to be! A long lost explorer, of OUR familia, no less, who happens to have been holed up on Malta since the time of my predecessor! A lost hermano, who happens to be totally dependant on cardimine!"

Carlos paused for a moment to calm down, and began again in a more moderated tone.

"Since this man was recovered, the familia has devoted significant resources to his rehabilitation, and his protection, yet we have no proof that he IS who he claims to be, or that he is sincere in his claims to be loyal to this familia, and to the Empire. An individual who has provided every possible reason to be mistrusted by us, has had familia resources lavished upon him, and has been given free reign of this facility"

The Don paused, trying to stem his growing breathlessness.

"You are Commandante, hermano, and I accept your right to make decisions concerning the day to day business of the familia. I may not agree with the wisdom, but I must accept that such decisions are yours to make."

Carlos glanced towards the door, then returned his gaze to the Commandante.

"But what I cannot accept, is that since the arrival of this individual, one threat to his safety has sparked a witchhunt within the familia. Accusations have flown around, and honourable, trusted members of this organisation have been made to feel like traitors. Have your investigations uncovered anything concerning the threat to Mr de Orellana? Or, as I believe, are we being manipulated?"

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