The Fourth Interview

[Victor Steiner]

He lent back into his chair, musing over the multitude of questions that suddenly flooded his mind. Lady Raven, Politics, her family....such topics were truely without end. He resolved to ask more about Raven and Loyola's family later, for now, politics was the question, although he did have a burning question to make. ''One of our research fellows, a Leftenant Commander Victor Steiner once met with the leader of the Maltese exiles who claimed that you were infected, likewise, the Bretonian government has asked you to attend this facility to undergo testing for infection. So my question is, are you infected, and if not, what are your dealings with the 'spirits'?'' He hoped that by calling them 'spirits' he would appear to be less offensive.

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[Loyola]

Enma grinned and looked at him with a huge portion of irony in her eyes. "I believe in God, not any spirits. It will be less confusion with our public if we call them commonly - the Nomads. Excuse me, but leader of the 'Maltese Exiles' needs to hide get her tongue somewhere deep. Same goes for rest of the people who spread such disinformation to gain some doubtful political benefit.

I do have a connections with the Nomads. Rationally I can't see end of this war now. But the time will come and both sides will need negotiations and naturally, negotiators.

I am ready to work with Bretonian intelligence on equal partnership conditions. But I am not going to humiliate myself by running some tests on me. I honestly feel sorry for people who believe into those fabrications, but I can't help them. "

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[Victor Steiner]

He raised an eyebrow at that ''I did not take you for a religious person'' such a concept surprised him, how religion could survive down the centuries to the present day was quite interesting. ''May I ask what 'connections' you speak of? I'm not concerned, but the Nomads have long since been a source of secrecy, to know something about them would be quite useful.''

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[Loyola]

This question was going a bit too far for a public interview. "You see, no one would work with me, if I gave up secrets so easily." She paused to sipped her orange juice.

"Connections? I have an ability to contact with them and somehow communicate. It is not so rare on my planet as it is here, but... I have other things to say, but not in the format of public interview and not without preparations. You will agree that this topic is sensitive and it's better to dose information. I think we can make a separate event in Cambridge and New London later, we could invite more experts. It's important to always keep professional approach."

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[Victor Steiner]

He nodded slowly, as much as he didn't like not knowing something, he had to admit it would be wiser to follow her advice on this matter. He swiched topics altogether, feelling that the nomad topic would be more or less fruitless. ''Tell me about Maltese society then. Seems that there are four or five 'great families' that run most of what happens there, so tell me, is Malta in your opinion, a desierable place to live for the average citizen?''

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[Loyola]

Enma is rolling her head a bit back, making a bit childish face, thinking of a better reply. "A conglomeration of oligarchic clans and cartels, this is what it is by nature. Of course you can word it in a more polite correct way, but I just gave you an essence. I think that some of information about Malta is intentionally hidden, here in Bretonia. I do believe that your politicans would have to spend way more time explaining the reasons of current neutrality to a popular masses."

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[Victor Steiner]

''Yeah probably..if they told us at all.'' he chuckled. ''So the rumours go along the lines of 'Outcasts are few in number, with a high female population, enslaving all sorts of people for their own, evil purposes. They have a low birth rate, but are far more skilled than most pilots they come across, enhanced by their addiction to cardimine.'' He paused for a moment, attempting to suppress a wry smile ''How do these rumors stack up to the real thing?''

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[Shiki]

Enma is looking at something beside doctor while replying. "Well, I can tell that some Outcast pilots are awful. We do have some good pilots like "Extreme" fighter wing, Valdez, maybe Aquila also known as Katana. That list can go on, but often selection is based on family privilage and not talents. Forced labor is also a thing. That's general wording, some details can be shocking, so the information is not available for your people. About 20 years ago we got the same threatment in Bretonia like Corsairs, we fought for black market share and piracy spots. I don't think it has been forgotten by both Outcasts or Bretonians. Those diplomats can draw you some very optimistic picture, but there was a bloodshed and we all remember about it. "

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[Victor Steiner]

''Well it was a war really. and like all wars, it wasn't plesant. Still, we're not at war anymore and it's time to be moving on. Although I must ask, given the politics and the bloodshed that happens, both internally and externally, is it safe to say that Maltese people...or rather their leaders, care about their people? In ancient times, even slaves had certain rights and were, eventually, granted their freedom. Is it like that in Malta?''

He made some sutble attempt to see what she was looking at but failed to see anything, the only thing he could spot was a bookcase, with several old tomes on mental disorders that he kept for some reason that even he had forgotten. Although he did spot a vase which was populated by a very dead bouquet of flowers, he made a mental note to get some fresh ones at some point.

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[Loyola]

"My family did not have any slaves on my memory." She said remembering something. "Maltese are protected by the law, workers who are arriving there are not. There are simply no law that would regulate it, so it's usually up to a Don. So if you happened to be in such posiiton, it all depends on your luck."

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