As the assembled sat around the room gathering their various drinks and data pads Laowai stood.
"My fellow Corsairs" he said "Events have transpired recently that i believe require a firm and resolute course of action"
The other Elders in the room now gave him their attention and he continued. "Last week, you will recall there was a raid on Omicron gamma by elements of the Outcasts 101st and SOB groups". Murmurs of acknowledgment circled the room and several Elders nodded quietly. "You will recall also, that we had intelligence from various sources that a Nomad vessel accompanied the Outcast forces; and while we could not verify that it took part in the fighting, it was nevertheless here, and it wasn't shooting at them".
Gesturing to Gentle Laowai went on; "This evening, several Nomad vessels were lingering in Omicron Delta, midway between our base at Yaren and the Freeport - they seemed to be observing, however, one of our pilots, the captain of the... " he looked down at the data pad before him....."Independencia", i believe, reported that the Nomads had communicated with him - their manner of communication is, as some of you may already know, abstract and disjointed by our standards, but he was able to glean several things - the image most relevant to our discussion here this evening is that their communication alluded to Outcasts"
Several people mumbled, a few whispers cirlced the room, however Laowai had their attention. "I called in reinforcements, Gentle was already enroute with the Torquemada and seeing our forces so massed the Nomads withdrew, however, We led a foray into their space, with the purpose of delivering them a message and a stark, unmistakable display of our resolve - we were bloodied, but they saw no fear in our eyes, they know, that to come to us, will bring them only death".
There were a few chuckles and nods of agreement; He waited till they subsided then went on "However, one of the Blueskins communicated with us, while attempting to shift the weight of their collusion onto the outcasts, it nevertheless confirmed our suspicions: The Outcasts are now in collusion with the Nomads."
"There can be no mistake my friends, They have sold out the Human race. They have no honour, no pride, no dignity - these things we have always known, and now? in a last final display of their wretchedness and their treachery, they ally themselves with the blueskins."
"This demands a firm response from us, for if it falls on our shoulders, to be the ones on the front line of our race, then we must do so with no looking back. The Zoners will do nothing without hard proof of Outcast collusion, which we will provide them - i urge all of you to call in your contacts - keep your ears to the ground. We must expand our intelligence networks now more than ever.....
Our Military response should be firm and aggressive, there should be no mercy for those with no loyalty to their own flesh and blood"
The room was quiet and Ben leaned over the broad table " Our response to this, requires all of our wits, our skills... ... however.." and he nodded to Gentle, "This is now a time for blood, let treachery be answered as it should be, with the head of every captured outcast pilot nailed to the front of a corsair vessel, so that they and their Nomad masters know, WE ARE CORSAIRS!"
He slammed his hand down and there were nods and calls of approval, sitting himself down he handed the floor over to the next speaker.
