Affari Esteri

[Reeves]

Ames Research Station; Kepler System; Independent Worlds

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Decades.

It took decades to get here, a full circle of irony that started with the sacking of Rochester and the revelation of the fact that Liberty's underworld was experiencing growing pains. It was no longer a static situation, an endless status quo that could be taken for granted and there were clear signs of cracks beginning to form. It was obviously prominent enough that this meeting was actually taking place, set to the backdrop of scenery that had changed drastically in recent history, perhaps an omen of things to come?

It wasn't as if that mattered, Morreti was not a man for superstition and he'd arrived here on time, suspecting that despite this fact his counterpart was already here and waiting. It would certainly fit his impression of her, and convey a posture of dominance, rooted in the fact that she'd arrived here earlier than he did and had time to survey the surroundings of their venue and take control of the situation.

The walk from the hangar deck to the venue wasn't long, it would only take a short ride in the elevator with nosy strangers eyeing up his flight suit and its displays of allegiance to put him outside the door that was his destination. Small but well furnished spaces like this were reserved for regular visitors of the Freeport to conduct their business in, whatever business that may be. And as such he'd reserved it to be theirs for an hour, presumably long enough to get through whatever was going to be talked about at this juncture. If it seemed like it would take longer, he was more than able to pull a string or two and extend the reservation, albeit at a slight markup in terms of pricing.

Walking through the door in front of him was a point of no return and he was well aware of it. He'd made his mind up the day he was elected, there was no sense in trying to change course now and especially not with everything at stake. Since she was on the other side of that door and already waiting, two things were immediately clear. His attire and the fact that he'd kept his word and left his gun behind, an empty holster on his hip to confirm that fact. He was not as lightly built as perhaps initially expected, a pilot first and foremost but hardened from the years of rigors that this life had put him through.

Before he spoke, he started ridding himself of his gloves as the door closed behind him, it would make getting the helmet off easier considering how it was fastened in place with seals. The few seconds he spent getting his hands free were used to carefully gauge the attitude of the person he was here to meet, eyeing them cautiously from behind that darkened visor. It would only be there for a little while longer, so he may as well get what he could out of it. When he approached the table positioned towards the middle of the room, that was her cue to join him there as he set his gloves down neatly and began undoing the seals of his helmet.

There were formalities to go through and ice in need of breaking, but he wasn't going to do that hidden behind his kit. Her approach would be punctuated by a thematic hiss as the seals surrendered to pressure. It gave his gloves company at the edge of the table as he turned to face his counterpart, silver hair and sharp facial features enunciated by the well-lit nature of the room they were in. Deep blue eyes seemed to regard her with no clear intent before his face somewhat softened to convey politeness and respect. "Signora de Marco." The words came with an outstretched hand, smoother to the ears in person and denoting that business had started.