Insurge To Fear

[Fab]

PALACIO IMPERIAL, Crete

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Tavros looks around the crowd dimly lit by the stage's lightning, scanning left to right, until he notices captain Cross lifting his hand.

" Yes? Ask away. "

Captain Cross stands up, wearing his blue jacket. He questions about if Crete can sustain the refugee population that were brought by the captains from Veracruz. After hearing all of Cross' questions, he looks down upon the podium, picking up his folder containing his files. He quickly goes through the pages, stopping on Captains Cross' file. Given a quick read, Tavros nods and puts down the folder. He walks around the podium with his fingers interlocked and refers to Cross:

" What makes you think that, Captain? [Tavros looks at Cross, seemingly confused by his question] The Empire is vast. We have everything Veracruz had, a million times over and better. What makes you think that the Empire can not tend to the needs of a few refugees? Anyways, like a good captain, señor Marrok, you'd do anything to provide your people with what they need. "

The Captain returns to the podium, looks around and asks for the next question, which doesn't up being one. Captain Spire eagerly gets up from his seat and reaches for Tavros' hand, shaking it. Tavros gives Spire a smile back, after hearing his thanks.

" I think you're the most enthusiastic here, captain Spire. [Tavros lets out a quick laughter] I like it. You know you've made the right choice."

[Tavros returns behind the podium]

" Any further questions? I'll proceed with my speech. "

The enormous projection at the end of the auditorium comes to life, showing pictures of the refugees of Veracruz when they were checking-in. Dirty, wounded, hungry men, women and children.

" Some of you might recognize these people. They are the crewmen of your ship, and the refugees brought onboard. "

Another slide shows: It's the individual pictures of the previously shown people, all healed, fed and with new clothes.

" The Empire has given these people another chance at life. It's up to the representatives here to keep their smile on their faces... "

More and more slides showing people that have been healed are shown. There are also slices showing the refugees taking on Spanish and Greek classes, and learning about Corsair culture. Work on the captains' ships are also shown, with parts and equipment being analyzed and disassembled and being replaced by new ones of Corsair origin.

" ... by formally becoming an arm of the Empire, these people will have their needs taken care of. "

[Tavros stops looking at the projection and looks back towards the crowd]

" Any observations? "

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