OSI Corporate Offices(InRP)

[Dourden4]

Duncan sat in silence, his outward appearance disguising his growing anger as Ezio continued to speak. He listened as Ezio raged about the past of the Corsairs, listened as he mocked the Zoners, and listened as spoke his ultimatum plainly. Once Ezio had finished, Duncan took a deep breath and steadied himself. Standing, he addressed Ezio.

" Mr. Fransesca, Do not seek to patronize me. The history of the Empire is a subject that I am all too familiar with. The misfortune of the Corsair people, while heavy, is largely irrelevant. Yes in the beginning, you all had no choice but to scrape whatever living you could out of the stars. But that was four hundred years ago, and it would seem that the Empire has advanced very little in those four hundred years. Your people remain thugs and barbarians, rather then the mighty 'Imperio del Corsario' you claim to be. Any people worth the respect you demand would indeed understand when it is time to move on, and time to rethink how things are done. Had your people moved from base piracy to more civilized methods of dealing with outsiders, rather than starting wars with everyone you encounter, the empire could be a mighty house. Rather than the backwater group of thugs it is."

Duncan narrowed his eyes, bringing his gaze up to Ezio.

" Do not stand there and treat me as a child. I know all too well where your money comes from, and the most likely uses for the items we sell. You could say that people like us fuel the blood flowing by our inclusion in the equation. As far as I am concerned, you would have likely killed those people and stolen that mans money anyway, regardless of whether I was involved or not. So why should I not stand to benefit? All life is a balancing act, balancing ones good fortune with someone else's misfortune. Out in these reaches of space, death is a constant companion. Why should I abstain from things solely because, big surprise, a corsair murdered somebody?"

"Perhaps the Empire would have found its way here to Gran Canaria first, had it not consumed all its time in petty, pointless wars. But regardless, you did not find this first. We Zoners did. And we have always tried to live in relative harmony with the Empire, never barring you access, never working against you. And yet time and again, the Empire has antagonized the Zoner people, has attacked us and persecuted us because we did not follow your ideals. Now the Empire shows its true colors it would seem. The Empire consists of little more than power hungry and bloodthirsty savages, taking by force that which their limited minds can not attain in more civilized ways."

" And while we are on the subject, you need not fear that the Coalition shall emerge as 'heroes' from all this. I am all to familiar with there people as well. I was there for the Nerve staple incident. I witnessed firsthand the results of that event, and the resulting wars. I know how they operate, and like you, they too seek little more than power, influence and resources. The only difference is that they, unlike you, understand the importance of diplomacy and subtlety."

Duncan stops to take a breath, shaking his head gently.

"You can take what you will from this conversation, and I am quite sure you will spin the tale to the Council to make me sound like an unreasonable Coalition loving warmonger. But know this. We Zoners will act how we choose, and no amount of threats from you and yours will change that fact."

Duncan's gaze shifts to rest firmly on Ezio.

"If I know anything of the inhabitants of this world, they would sooner glass the entire planet than allow the Empire to conquer it. Thus the choice is the Empires. Keep the resources they have currently flowing, and allow themselves to get stronger. Or try to take this world, and lose not only the potential resources they would gain, but also one of the few peoples that will actually deal with a Corsair. You will find that even the 'mighty' Corsair Empire will have to deal with the repercussions of its actions, and that the Zoners are more dangerous than you give us credit for."

Duncan Sighs loudly.

"If your view given today is also the view of the Council, then it heralds the beginnings of much darker times indeed. Regardless, take this back to the Council. We will not sit idly by as the Empire attacks Gran Canaria and its people. The question they must answer is whether the benefits of this new campaign outweigh what could be lost. The choice is theirs."

Duncan's posture stiffens up, and his gaze reflects a fierceness he rarely shows.

"This meeting is over, Mr. Fransesca. Now get out of my office."

After Ezio had left, Duncan reached for the button for the intercom to his secretary. He had plans he needed to set into motion.

"Kelly, would you mind locating Doctor Holliday and asking him to come back into my office? I also need you to locate and inform all the other directors to come to my office immediately. Thank you."

With that, Duncan sat back in his chair, his mind racing with the implications of what has just transpired.

---