The don listened carefully to De Marco. He admired her courage but disliked her beliefs founded on mistruths. It was his perception that she literally lived in her own world where she made the history up to suite her own made up needs for self validation. He gestured toward Harabero to offer him the chance to speak. Noting he did not, Chenzo began to talk.
"Senorita, you are correct on quite a few things there, but I do believe I can accurately point out that you have arrived at the wrong conclusion.
It's without any doubt that the Nomads do indeed wish all of humanity dead and gone, or enslaved to their own needs by means of full body infestation. The line, however is that we are not part of Humanity. From the moment the generic chain is broken via Cardamine, we are far, far more than humanity can ever hope to be. I dare say, that the goal of Sirius wide domination is not at all dissimilar than our own goals to control Sirius with the Orange Dream, si?
I must confess I'm not familiar with Senorita Loyola you speak of. Was she an infectee? I wasn't aware it was possible for Maltese to become infested?
I would most certainly agree, that if anyone was to be unwillingly taken captive in such a manner then it would spark an unquestionable line of discomfort, for which the reaction could only be hostility.
You do however, senorita seem to have completely overlooked a key turning point in the Nomads behaviour toward the Maltese, for which Senor Harabero agreed would be a valid reason for their actions.
It was long agreed by our forefathers & foremothers of the 101st long ago of an invisible barrier which existed between us entering Nomad space unless invited. There was however never any agreement which stated they would not enter Alpha or Beta, only that they were to make use of their abilities to ensure none of our customers for Cardamine were present if they were to be present near the planet. It was deemed mutually agreeable it could be bad for business and in turn the spread of the Orange Dream, so to speak. I care very little for those who don't take cardamine or anyone outside of those who maintain those crucial supply lines, like the Zoners and Junkers Congress.
Part of the agreement was also to never meddle in the Corsair craft of grave robbery, messing with relics of any kind. I can honestly say that I've lost count how many times the Spirits have saved Maltese lives in times of combat. Likewise, the Maltese saved their physical forms against our common Omicron closest enemies, the Order, Bounty Hunters, The Core and of course our Primary enemy, the Corsairs. I mean no disrespect Senorita when I ask you to remember how many more times I've personally been on the front line defending our space and at the very front of assaults against our enemies than you've had hot dinners or days alive.
Now, to address senor Harabero's extremely valid remark over the technological advancements gained for messing with Xeno Relics. This is by far the most compelling thing for me. If there are advancements to be made with their use, I can almost support it.
However, I would like the opportunity to present this information to the Spirits themselves, ask them what they can offer us as a replacement for these Corsair mined Xeno Relics. More often than not, their guidance of understanding has seen the Maltese with more cutting edge technology to match our genetically superior abilities over humanity.
To directly also address your comments, Haraberro of why would we be willing to potentially find peace today only to be at war again the next week or so.
If
And I mean IF
we are willing to actually take the bull by the horns in this situation then we can make progress. Progress potentially within technology, progress with having that extra support against our foes within the Omicrons. Also, not having a direct enemy locked into open war on our doorstep which is what you and De Marco are suggesting our stance should be from here on out I find to be very, very scary indeed.
I will state now, I cannot, will not bring myself to shoot any of our people, nor them unless attacked first. These two circumstances are never to pass as they have not done so up to now. Not personally, at least."
The Don responded with an amused smirk to the exchange between the other two. He attempted to suppress his grin, completely unsuccessfully.
Good day, De Marco. I must say that your introduction is unexpected, yet always welcome. Please, take a seat. We are glad to have you here.
Alejandro remained content at the moment to listen to the contrasting perspectives of the two. His smile faded and was replaced with a more serious tone as they returned to the topic at hand. His then relaxed demeanor was traded for a thoughtful, but firm, posture. While De Marco and Chenzo, exchanged their points, he decided to leave them the floor for the moment to address each others concerns. When there was a slight break in the dispute, he responded to Chenzo's concern.
While I wish your claim to be true, Senor, I really do, that the Nomads were benevolent to us even in recent past, I cannot say that it is off our past experiences. I have had the... unique privilege of being in the know of military operations in all corners of Maltese space, for years, and being informed of past events by the previous Alpha Explorer Audaz Alarcon. While there were certainly times in which the Spirits have aided us in combat - especially before the increased hostilities erupted - they were far outweighed by the danger and the abrupt conflicts which broke out. Even in those days when we had peace with them it wasn't a restful, benevolent peace like you are envisioning. It was filled with worry, doubt, and even fear whenever they were around. Fear that we might do something that would upset or offend them. Fear that they could turn on us. It was as entrusting a wild, man-slaying animal with your life, that you barely even knew, you could have no way of interpreting their next move. They may have helped us certain times, but it was far outweighed by the danger and unknown that came with them.
I don't have any issue with peace with them - I just don't see it viable for us in neither the short nor the long term. Is the cost accompanied with it a risk worth taking, for what benefits it offers us in the short term?
There was something, though, that he did wish to know more about.
There is... something however. What do you mean that you could contact the Spirits to offer their knowledge on technology to lend to us? Would you have the reputation amongst them to do such a thing? Should you be true in your ability to negotiate with them, I would be willing to... reconsider my stance should you be able to show in your own, tangible negotiation with them that they would be willing to offer as an alternative in technological advancement to Xeno Relics. That they would not just abstain from attacking you directly but that they would listen and be open toward dealing with us. My biggest issue with the Spirits is the unknown, the danger. While it wouldn't change my long term position, I would be more... open to reconsider should you show this possible.
Harabero awaited his response with interest, but also found it suitable to allow De Marco and Chenzo to first continue in their discussion.
Fiorella de Marco watched the debate unfold with mild concern, tapping her finger quietly on the tabletop from time to time.
“Truly, our kind can be infested in the same way as other humans, and they have been doing it for decades. I have met one of those being during my travels.”
“If we are truly not part of humanity, then why do the Nomads infect our people, steal their spirits, and employ their faces and memories for their own ends?”
“You must understand how gravely this issue affects us. Physical death is not our final chapter - our spirits are immortal. Yet the Nomads disrupt this sacred cycle with their infestation far more profoundly than any human adversary ever could.”
“Peace with the Nomads is acceptable on two condition alone: they must reveal every infiltrator they have placed on Malta and eliminate them, grant these unfortunate being final rest, and they will limit their presence to Zonas Sagradas only. If they have different intentions with us than they do with the rest of humanity, they have no need for such operatives, do they?”
“That is the only chance I would offer them. The single opportunity to prove their sincerity, rather than merely attempting to manipulate us. Should they refuse to address our concerns, I might begin serious negotiations with the Order.”
She fixed her dark brown gaze on Don Harabero and Chenzo as she awaited their response.
The points raised by Demarco generated a cloud of confusion over the points raised by Harrabaro
"I do not wish to get off topic here, but why is your answer always to contact enemy's? What fascination do you have with taking such steps? You literally request others to shoot our Kusarian sisters of the GC, you crap all over our long standing allies in Liberty in favour of our enemy's the Xeno's causing them to want your head and every move you make seems to be to undermine Maltese interests? Why is this? I really would love to know your thinking? At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if you'd been talking to Corsairs during our most recent campaign against them to ensure our security"
The don sits back in his chair, trying to peice together the motive for Demarco's intent
"The Xeno fiasco is a time bomb waiting to explode. That alone is one of the largest concerns here. We cannot control them as they do not take Cardamine, they openly share their disgust and distaste for it, for as long as I can remember they seek to stop the flow of Cardamine and now, by your doing if they are to control the vast majority of the flow of Cardamine to our largest cash pot, they would literally have us by the balls so to speak. We will most certainly get back to the original topic here, but first I really would love you to share why you think our enemies are more trustworthy than our allies and what proof you have to ensure they won't back stab us"
The Don raised his hand with a slight look of concern.
Perhaps we should keep to the original topic at hand, Senor Chenzo. You two can discuss this all that you want - outside of the time we have here. We have a bit of a more... pressing topic at hand. And after all, we do want to finish this meeting at some point, do we not?
Harabero grins as he folds his hands once again.
De Marco raised a good point. I would like to know some more about what you allege their response to her proposal would be. It seems it would be a fair gesture of goodwill, after all.
Fiorella de Marco waved her hand dismissively and shook her head in mild amusement.
“Fear not, Don Harabero. Signor Chenzo’s baseless conjectures regarding my loyalty to Malta are precisely that - groundless speculation. After all, in this very room, it was not I who sided with those uninvited Nomad intruders in orbit over planet Malta. It was not I who justified their presence, and it certainly was not I who urged our brethren to lay down their arms in the face of aggressors who, without so much as a second thought, laid claim to our home system, our planet - and, indirectly, to our very selves.”
She paused for a moment, altering both the tone of her voice and the pace of her speech.
“The Nomads infiltrate our society in precisely the same way they do the rest of humanity in Sirius. It makes no difference whether they abduct our people or employ ‘volunteers’; in either case, the outcome is the same. There is someone masquerading as an Outcast, wielding influence over our society despite belonging to the Nomad collective mind, merely feigning loyalty to us at every turn.”
“Should you harbor doubts about the Nomads’ intentions toward us, Don Harabero, simply revisit what was stated - by them or their thralls - while in orbit over planet Malta. Their consciousness is collective, so what transpired there could not have happened without the consent of the whole.”
The don looked at each in bewilderment, have they truly gone mad? Was Haraberro on some form of controlling or mind altering drug? Time would tell.
"We have been here all but twenty minutes or so? For such important and hugely mishandled matters, I think time spent making things correct is very well spent indeed, for the issues stemmed from De Marco's actions, the pit is deep and festering. The very notion that an organisation who has openly hated and meddled with us for decades potentially being in control of our largest cash-cow and having zero actual control over them, nor assurance not raise alarms, you've lost your marbles."
The seasoned don cleared his throat before continuing.
"The very fact that in the past I've saved your life DeMarco should tell you all you need to know that I'd fight to the death for any Maltese, even one as lacking in care for how the Maltese came to be here. The insult that you'd suggest my incapacity is rather shocking. Alas, let us return to both of your direct points before circling back to my additional concerns which should be obvious to see"
He jabs at the table raising a projection of bullet pointed meeting minutes, selecting the individual points raised before addressing them individually
Demarco's remark; Infested/Infected Outcasts.
"I asked before if you have any proof of this, any examples; you haven't given us any. One confirmed case please? If you are right about this, I am genuinely terrified. I am certain that just as their mind controls do not work on us, they cannot infest or infect us. They can share their visions with us, but not control us without contact like the lesser strengthened minds of the general population of Sirius. Your entire argument is flawed by the fact they -cannot- infect us. If you can provide us with actual proof of any Maltese in the past who had been infected or infested, highlight them to me now and I will support your campaign. I do not say this lightly, I mean actual proof, not speculation."
Demarco's remark; Intensions/actions of Nomads made as a collective
"From what I have studied and witnessed, they truly do have the ability to move as one unit, to share thoughts and experiences that each individual nomad has never experienced themselves, across the millennia's they have existed. One fresh and young form once it develops a solid connection with the rest of them, it has access to all of the information and past experiences of the very first one. It's fascinating.
But, their presence from my interpretation was curiosity, such a small force despite the fact each one of them is a lethal threat to anyone, they simply defended themselves against those who started the attack. It is without any shadow of a doubt that not a single bit of hostility would have come from their presence if the 404th retards didn't start shooting. Demarco, you also stated that they have never been this close? Senorita, they have been in Malta's orbit more times over the centuries than cringy remarks you have made."
He shakes his head, resting his forehead into the palm of his hand thinking of the cringe witnessed from Demarco's actions
"Forgive me, I will end the back and fourth of insults. It was wrong of me to join in with that nonsense. My distaste is from your clear lack of knowledge of our history yet claiming to know it all. I've literally lived it whilst you Senorita were in nappies and Haraberro had not yet come to power. I will cease and desist, if you can stretch to"
"To this very day, we send our greatest deceased hero's in their ships to orbit the Spirits gravitational anomaly gateway out of respect for them. Do you have no idea why we have always done this? I hope to join them one day if a foe is to strike me down"
Haraberro's remark; Sharing of their technology
"This..... is something I've been after for a very, very long time. Any advancement to set us even further apart against our enemy's is something I highly value. Before this conversation started today, I'd not had something to ask about. Regardless, this would be a total impossibility if we are to be warring with the force on our doorstep. "
"I'm not sure what it is you want of me; I will always stand for the values Maltese society was literally built on. I've suggested the reasoning behind hostilities based on decades of observation and mutually beneficial coexistence. If you choose to ignore the clear information in front of you, there is no hope. Senor, Senorita, if you poke the bear enough times quietly and then scream blue murder when it bites you, I'd say you deserve to be bit"
Harabero's grin died soon after he finished speaking. After the two way tirade he had just witnessed unfold, he rested his head in his palm. He felt a tingling headache beginning to build up.
Alejandro sighed as his eyes crossed the room to each member present. Then the window. He set his hands firmly on the table that separated the three and he looked straight toward Chenzo with an unamused manner.
If the two of you came here to try and posture over each other then I have no business carrying this meeting on. Theres a wonderful local diner about two minutes away by spacecraft that I can direct you to, if you wish. You have not actually answered any of the concerns brought forth to you, instead you've chosen to circle your reasoning.
You misunderstand your position. Your word on what you've done and what you can do gets trumped by the firsthand experience of knowing that it doesn't mean anything if it can't be utilized for any good purpose. I've yet to see it be manifested in a useful way toward our nation. Your word is worth little when not paired with tangible action. And thats something that we are just not finding. Currently your reasoning is based upon your word, and that is something that doesn't hold enough weight to make me reconsider lowering our defenses.
I believe we have served our purpose and my judgment is more clear than ever. Unless you can give me some actual reason why we should trust the Nomads, then I have more important matters to attend. If they wanted to extend their hand, they would have and they still have the ability to. Don't entertain me with the facade that they only needed us to "understand them" first. Unfortunately, you took the opportunity to engage in a meaningful discussion that may have made me rethink my position, no less, and tried to use it to slander a Maltese Don who has expanded the Orange Dream far more than I've seen you accomplish. I don't care about emotions, I care about results, Señor. And you can't promise me any results.
Fiorella de Marco narrowed her eyes, suppressing any urge to continue the verbal dispute with Chenzo. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Don Harabero, who was just then rising from his chair.
“What will be your decision concerning the Nomad threat to planet Malta, Don Harabero?”
“Here is my suggestion - I would confine them to the Zonas Sagradas; pushing them beyond our system’s borders would demand excessive resources on our part and might offend traditionalists. For a start, I would extend anti-Nomad measures solely to planetary defense installations and key strategic decision-making hubs. Any additional facilities or estates would be safeguarded on a voluntary basis. However, if our primary defenses remain free of Nomad agents, it shall suffice for the time being until more Outcasts decide to join this initiative.”
“It might take years, even decades to fully protect the majority of our population, but it is a start.”
My decision? Things will remain as per normal until new information surfaces. We'll leave an eye open for any attempts to cooperate from the Nomads, but we aren't hopeful for anything at the moment, and all unwelcome guests who enter our citadel will perish. At the moment there remains no reason to allow them further access into our homeworld. If the Spirits stay in the Zonas Segradas we will be lenient toward them, but I don't harbor the belief that they will be content to stay there. As for the alleged Nomad Infiltrators among us?
The Don's eyes coldly crossed the room
Exterminate all of them that you find. We cannot allow such a security risk to plague us, if it ever occurs. We will do the same should we find any among the people of Malta.
He strode toward the doorway, stopping just short of the exit.
Goodbye until we meet again. Inform me if you receive any updates.
