The zoner stopped walking, and turned around to face Robert. His expression was serious, but not angry.
"Look, Robèrr... You know I don't want to give in Canaria to the Corsairs! Or the Bretonians, for that matter... But of course I am thinking of the most beneficial outcome to the Commonwealth. I was born in Gran Canaria, but I lived far more time on Freeports and other stations then I've spent on the planet." While he talked, he waved his hands in the air, Maltese style. His cigarette was still in his left hand, and it was leaving a trail of smoke in the air in front of Robert's face. "You can't imagine what hell was to have a Maltese family name in a planet where almost a third of the population is from corsair origin. But the thing is that I've seen this before. Since I can remember the corsairs have tried to invade Canaria. The population always stood against them, even most of the corsair residents. And they will try again. And when this happens, OSI and the TAZ and probably Phoenix and most of the other small factions will unite to fight the corsairs, like they did a few months ago against the Brotherhood. And when this happens, it will be bad for ALL zoners. Even the Commonwealth. Even more 'cause they probably know about our 'close' relations with some outcasts."
He took a deep smoke on his cigarette, holding the air for a little, feeling the pressure in his lungs. That made him feel more confortable. He was waving his hands a little less when he started talking again.
"In this last time, the Brotherhood even destroyed a ZHR whale and their base in Omicron Theta. More than two hundred dead. And they weren't even involved in the fight. So you see how this can go south fast." While he talked, little clouds of smoke would go out from his mouth. At the end, he released the rest of the smoke with a sigh. He made a gesture with his right hand, inviting Robert to continue the walk.
"So, that's what I'm saying. I think its better to help this underground resistance movement in Canaria, making it too costly for the corsairs to make any advance towards invading the planet, and with this avoyding becoming targets ourselves while making a good amount of money from this venture. That without mentioning the increased relations and good image with the omicron factions without getting into direct conflict with the corsairs."
He took the last smoke of his cigarette, that at this point was almost totally burned out, and trew it in a trash dispenser on the walkway.
