Tombstone Estate

[Doc Holliday]

Location: Tombstone Estate, Planet Gran Canaria, Omega 49

Mayor Pablo Perez entered the Estate after receiving a personal request from John Holliday himself. Pablo was mayor of the local Corsair population. He wasn't the most cordial person around but he knew his place and held much respect for the Ambassador.

"A drink, Sir?" asked Grady McCue as he entered.
"Please, Senor," he answered, "some Bourbon would be fine."
With that, Grady served him and escorted him to John Holliday's personal office. Grady closed the door behind him and went about his business.

Inside, John Holliday stood in his full robes of diplomacy and his floor length cape. He didn't look happy. In fact, he looked like he was doing all he could to keep from exploding.

"It is good to see you again, John," greeted Pablo, "to what do I honor today's visit?"
John had no verbal answer. He just through a file folder on the desk in front of Pablo, placed his hands behind his back and turned to his window that overlooked the distant mountains. He was furious and didn't want to say anything or at least, as little as possible.

"What is this?" asked Pablo as he put his glass down and opened the folder.
"Just read it, Senor," softly answered John, still staring out his window.

Pablo began reading reports and viewing pictures of Planet Cork. A twisted smile crossed his face as he read it but he kept himself professional as possible. A moment of silence in the room seemed eternal as the only sound was that of the sliding of papers from within the folder. Pablo just looked up as he spoke, "Mister Ambassador, this issue is really none of your concern" before he returned to reading the reports.

"Oh I beg to differ, Senor," he said, still looking out the window, "when my people start coming under fire for the resentment they hold for you because of our friendship, it is every bit my concern." He then reached down for a glass of water before him and took a sip.

Pablo looked to him again, "I see. I can have them taken care of if you like?"
John gritted his teeth as he closed his eyes in disgust before he turned to him.
"You just don't get it, do you Pablo?" he began as he pointed a finger at him, "an entire population of people just wiped out. Innocent men, women and children just gone.......and for what? They were fighting for the their own freedom against the Bretonian Crown and you...........nuked them. Why? Something tells me you weren't an enemy before that." Tasting disgust, he again turned to his window, his hands still behind his back.

Pablo put the folder back on the desk and attempted to answer, "The Mollies opened fire on Corsairs in the Dublin gold fields. They fired first. We merely preserved our people."
"Women and children?" asked Doc softly over his shoulder, trying not to lose his short temper.
There was a pause. Eventually, Doc just nodded out his window and said in almost a whisper, "Just as I thought."

He then turned and made his case, "You know, Pablo, I spent months defending your people here as people who are trying to make a new life for themselves. Men, women and children farming for a new life style, to get away from the life of old. I got rebuked for it. Many Zoners died for it and many ships destroyed." He turned back to his window, "It was I who was the fool apparently."

Again, silence loomed as the two men thought. Pablo asked of his friend, "I hope that our relationship doesn't change to drastically." John Holliday only gave him a quick look, unsure of what to make of the question. "The only change that you will see is that the only aid the Corsair nation will now receive is food and water. I'll be doing my part to keep it from happening again."

"Well, Doctor," answered Pablo with some understanding, "I guess I can understand as that is all we have ever asked. I just hope some of the Elders feel the same."

John Holliday turned, "Or what, Pablo? They'll nuke Canaria as well? Just make sure I'm on it when it happens. I'm getting a little tired of the arm twisting and force-of-will. So, please, just go for now. We will talk again later."

With that, Pablo walked out. On his way out, he handed his glass to Grady and passed stopped as he encountered the very pregnant Midori at the door.

"Senora, Holliday," he greeted.
"Konnichiwa," she answered with a smile.
Pablo scanned her, looked back at the office from where he came and looked at her again, "Mrs. Holliday, I do hope you can calm your husband a bit. I would hate to see something.......tragic....happen to someone he cared about."

With that, he left, as Midori stood confused but frightened.

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