"Quite an operation Ronaldo, again you surprise me with your openness in such matters. We have something similar though greatly scaled back on Barrier Gate, we only have a single relay buoy that transmits into Cortez piggy-backing onto the tradelane network. One of the few benefits our legitimacy."
Brisbane viewed the screen with a look of mild fascination, the position of the wings did not interest him it was the buoys he wanted to see. They weren't displayed, he wouldn't ask their position directly, why would a smuggler need to know the location of comm buoys? Time to go fishing.
"A buoy system all the way to New London is quite a substantial investment and an impressive feat in it's own right. From what I've been told the BPA are extremely thorough in their investigations, granted the war with Gallia has turned their heads somewhat. Perhaps we could use the same methods to hide our buoy in Cortez, if it is not too presumptuous of course."
He glanced at the cargo being collected by the raiders and wondered what Gateway would be doing in Cambridge, a route he wasn't aware of perhaps? He made a mental note to scan the next Gateway ship heading to Bretonia.
"Is there some room for negotiation over certain items of liberated cargo? A topic for later perhaps. Were are we headed next Senor?"
" The exact location of the buoys is highly classified. Even I don't know where they are. There is an independent group of operatives busy with maintaining them all the time. How they keep the real usage of the buoys and the maintenance of them secret is a question to me as well. Piggy backing trade lane comm networks has never been easier. It is as if they were designed them to be this opened..."
Ronaldo smiled at the question of purchasing of the cargo.
" We don't really steal per request but we can keep our eyes on for specific cargo if you wish. But we can discuss that during dinner. Perhaps its time for a short siesta, prepare for dinner. We will continue our discussion there si?"
A butler walked into the command and control room to guide mr Brisbane to his room. On the way there they passed by another guest room being guarded by 2 marines.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
"Mmhm, yes that sounds most agreeable, as you can imagine our business ventures span the entire spectrum, a topic best discussed over a fine meal. Thank you for the tour Ronaldo I certainly hope it didn't take up too much of your valuable time."
The two shook hands before Brisbane was led towards his room. Passing by the guards he felt an urge to inquire about its occupant, the butler however walked on seemingly uninterested.
"Your room Senor. Should you need anything, the comm panel is next to the door. You will find a small cooling unit with refreshments under the vid screen and someone shall call to collect you before dinner. Will there be anything else?"
"No, that will be all thank you."
The butler nodded, locking the door behind him. Brisbane toured the room before sampling the fine view, the massive rose bushes drew his eye for longer than the impressive vista spread out before him.
* * *
Brisbane brushed off a piece of lint clinging to the arm of his suit, a light grey with thin blue and white pinstripes, low cut with a deep blood red shirt underneath. He unbuttoned the collar to complete the casual feel. Taking his small glass of water on to the balcony, he sipped it and awaited the call to dinner.
A knock on the door announced the presence of one of Senor Benitez's butlers.
" Senor, the familia is waiting for you"
The voice said from the other side of the door. Mr Brisbane and the Butler made their way to the dining room. Again passing the guest room with the guards in front of them. The door was open as another servant brought in a trolley with food. Bretonian miner accents could be heard from the other side.
"Oh my, they are really spoiling us. If this is what it means to be a hostage I'd like to stay here for longer!"
The doors were opened for Mr Brisbane and a large set table was in the centre of the room. Ronaldo at the head of the table. Several chairs we're still left empty but the places were set.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Out of nowhere Brisbane hears a voice straight behind him - Trueno obviously has snuck up on him!
"Brisbane! You are joining the familia for dinner? What? Don't look at me like a ghost! Si,we Corsairs do have enough food to feed you, you are not the main course despite what the rumors say."
He winks at him and gestures him over to the table while nodding in Ronaldos direction.
Jose walked along the corridor. Usually he hated these formal occasions but this one he hoped would be a bit different from the more usual official dinners.
Looking at the invite he was holding he smiled. He suspected that there was a reasonable chance that he’d only received the invite because one of the Elders was away somewhere.
Never mind, a free dinner was a free dinner, and if Ronnie was trying to impress the visitor then there was a reasonable chance he’d of got some of that excellent Rum out of the store.
Arriving at the entrance to the dining room Jose took a deep breath and entered. Looking around the room Jose was pleased to see that there was indeed a bottle of the good stuff available. It looked like this was going to be a good evening.
“Good evening Commandante, Elder Trueno and a good evening to you Senor Brisbane”
Nodding toward Brisbane, Jose moved around the table toward his seat.
“I trust your journey here Senor Brisbane was without incident?”
Sitting at the table Jose caught a very slight smell of what he hoped would turn out to be dinner. If it was what he thought it was, then the Commandante really was pushing the boat out and making this a special evening. Senor Brisbane was clearly a man in which the Benitez should take a keen interest.
Francisco straightened his dress uniform, opened the door to the banqueting hall and marched in. It'd been decades since he'd attended a formal dinner and he was thoroughly looking forward to good company, good food and most importantly, good drink!
Approaching a seat opposite Elder Jose, he turned to Ronaldo. "Buenas tardes Commandante, I apologise for my delayed arrival, I'm afraid that arranging tomorrow's shipment kept me rather longer than I'd expected.”
Turning towards Brisbane, Francisco bowed. "Good evening Senor Brisbane, I'm very pleased to finally you. I am Francisco de Orellana, but please, call me Franco.”
Nodding towards the other familia sat around the table, Francisco took his seat. Judging by the smells wafting into the room, whatever was cooking was clearly not ration packs or more damned Kyushu rice!
Ronaldo Looked at Franco and Jose and started laughing
"Madre mio! Where on the invitation did it say formal wear mi Hermanos? You know me! I'm not much for uniform if the situation doesn't ask for it!"
His attention moved towards Mr Brisbane.
"Welcome to the dining hall, in casual wear as per requested, muy bueno! Please take a seat between Senor Jose and me. "
The wild waving motions of adressing the people to their places had put the waiters on edge. Ronaldo was known for being a spilly drinker at times and the glass of wine in his hand that was filled to the brim made them more nervous.
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
From the direction of the hall way lighter steps could be heard and moments later a woman walked into the dining hall dressed in casual summer wear, as per request on the invitation. After entering through the door way, she stopped a moment to look around then proceeded onwards to the dining table.
"Buenos tardes, mi hermanos, senor Brimsbane." She inclined her head and then quietly moved to a seat near the Ronaldo, Trueno and Jose.
"Trueno! Don't do that, you scared the daylights out of me! And what do you mean me as the main course..."
Trueno winked at him as Brisbane brandished a roguish finger, before he could say another word Jose entered the room.
"A pleasure Senor, oh yes without incident, Trueno and Ronaldo have both been very welcoming indeed."
A man in full dress uniform entered.
"Good evening Senor Franco, the pleasure is mine."
Brisbane stood, unsure as where to sit or to await another Benitez thankfully Ronaldo came to his rescue.
"Thank you for the invitation Ronaldo, for a moment there I felt a bit under dressed."
He took the seat between Jose and Ronaldo keeping a cautious eye on the glass of wine. A lady entered the room and inclined her head towards him before sitting, he nodded back.
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