"I assume you just have questions that you want answered. I'll try to do that to the best of my ability," Icarus spoke as he took a seat opposite of Weber. "It is within my interests to have someone deliver at least a bit of truth about the Corsairs to Bretonia. I believe the Bretonians had enough of their own government's propaganda in that regard."
''Tell me about that then'' he said opening his case and pulling out paper and a voice recorder ''Properganda seems to be everywhere nowadays, would you say Crete has it's fair share of it? The government going on about the evils of the other houses and the like?''
Icarus shook his head. "I don't know about the Cretan government, because I don't follow their local affairs with much interest, however the Custodi one doesn't for two reasons. First, it doesn't have the means to and second, because it simply doesn't concern us. The general populace are more concerned with providing for their families and less with outside matters of the Houses. Surely, some of them may be interested enough to follow news from other, outside sources - but for most, well, they don't care enough."
He put the recorder on the table and mucked around with it's old fashion switches for a moment before replying ''Why wouldn't they care? Have they got other troubles to worry about?''
"Matters of the Houses are way below things such as the weather or the current grain prices on the list of interests of any Custodi commoner, very much like the grain prices on Crete aren't particularly absorbing to any Bretonian commoner," he shrugged. "There isn't much more to it."
Without any pomp he pushed the record button and continued where they left off. ''By rights however, was it not a conscience decision by the Cretian peoples to wage a war of vengance against the Four great houses so long ago? Is it not still that way? If so, I would Imagine nothing short of propaganda from the Government, encouraging the long war that has raged for so long.''
Icarus combed through his beard, clearly considering his answer. "To my understanding, the Dorians don't view it as a war, but merely an on-again, off-again conflict. A series of gambit skirmishes in order to reap profits from unassuming transports in the Border Worlds, if you will. For us, the situation is more complex, as we at least try to put in the effort to understand the reasons why those conflicts are there in the first place -- as you might recall, we only interested ourselves in the external matters recently. After all, no nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war."
He drummed his fingers on the table, wondering if he should reveal more. The practical reasons for the prolonged war with Bretonia were clear as day to him, but perhaps not to Weber. He would not mind sharing them with anyone else, but, of course, revealing plans about the inevitable destruction of his interlocutor's home would be simply impolite.
''But why fight? what is the reason? If what you say is true, that is no one has benefited from a prolonged war, then what would be the point in contining the struggle? War isn't fun for anyone.'' he paused to adjust his glasses ''I suppose this would be a good time to ask why you fight, is it..personal?''
The concept of war had long been an interesting issue for Weber, although he knew better than to make sweeping assumptions about the nature of conflict, especially when speaking to people who actively took part in it. That said, he was often disturbed by the thought that some people fought for nothing aside from the love of violence.
"The only active conflict we are engaged in, the one with Bretonia, is simply fought due to balance between profits and losses. We haven't got much to lose, but a lot to gain. And besides, many Corsairs, both Custodi and Dorians alike, fight in the Omegas against your Armed Forces simply because they wish to see their life become at least slightly better than dying of starvation or turning into the life of crime in the slums of Cayambe or Velasco."
He rubbed his cheek. "I am not responsible for this war, I only command Custodi forces in it. I am in no power to stop it. However, considering this situation rationally and with cold blood, I am, unfortunately for you, of the opinion that between the Gallic assault and domestic tensions from groups like the Gaians or Mollys, Bretonia will have a hard time surviving. Gallia fights because of burning hatred, need for expansion and blood. We fight for the good of our people, this is our overarching goal, forever has, is and will be."
He nodded, unsurprised at the Corsair's personal opinion, but somewhat uninterested, although maintaining a professional detachment was more often than not, easier said than done. ''So in your mind, how does the conquest of Bretonia go? You take over, say, Cambridge....what would happen to the civilian and military population? What changes would come about?''
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