After many days of waiting around, the insurgent leaders and representatives are individually reached by a courier and an escort detachment. They're asked to leave their temporary quarters on the orbital stations they reside and depart towards Crete at once.

They're debriefed with the situation: Their crew and civilians they brought aboard have been treated accordingly on medical and specialized mental health institutions, were given clean clothes and took on mandatory Spanish and Greek classes, along with the story of the Empire, their customs and laws.

However, the Corsair representative accompanying them on the shuttle, tells the captains that the Corsair's help ends there, for now. The future of their crew and the refugees shall be decided soon, in an assembly - which they're headed for.

Depending on where the insurgent leaders were, the trip takes half a hour to a couple hours. Arriving on the Imperial City, they're escorted out of their shuttles, stepping foot on a magnificent palace, adorned with classical architecture. They take the elevator down towards their respective floor, where they are presented their individual luxurious rooms, dotted with the most polished and pristine xeno artifacts and sculptures. The furniture is lined with gold, probably from the rich system of Dublin. The beds and seats are covered in the most exquisite furs from planet Gaia. Whatever the Empire is trying to say, their message is bold and blunt.

They're left alone in their quarters for a hour to settle for the atmospheric differences and accommodate. Not long after, well-dressed Corsair representatives reach for each of them saying that the Empire is waiting for the final wave of refugees to begin defining their future via the assembly. they're given a personal tablet that gives them access to things such as room service, general information and a direct line to the Deterrence's offices, in case any questions or issues arise.

Afternoon of this very day. The representatives of the Insurgent movement are taken from their individual rooms, and escorted towards an enormous auditorium at the center of the imperial palace. Their seats are labelled with their names on it, all on the front rows. After they take their seats, they're given water and seasoned bread while they wait for what is coming.

A few minutes later, the crimson red curtain covering the stage is drawn open, revealing a projected screen on a black wall. A podium rises from the wooden floor, at the same time all the other lights on the auditorium shut off. A lone light from the ceiling shines down the auditorium, pointing at a double door, which soon is opened by the guards on each side. A male figures walks towards the podium, dressed in a formal, civilian apparel. He flicks his wrist, checking the time at his vintage analog clock. He nods, adjusting his tie. He picks up some papers from the podium, reads them briefly and looks at the insurgent audience. He puts the paper down and places both of his hands on the sides of the wooden podium. He speaks:

Tavros looks around the crowd dimly lit by the stage's lightning, scanning left to right, until he notices captain Cross lifting his hand.


Captain Cross stands up, wearing his blue jacket. He questions about if Crete can sustain the refugee population that were brought by the captains from Veracruz. After hearing all of Cross' questions, he looks down upon the podium, picking up his folder containing his files. He quickly goes through the pages, stopping on Captains Cross' file. Given a quick read, Tavros nods and puts down the folder. He walks around the podium with his fingers interlocked and refers to Cross:


The Captain returns to the podium, looks around and asks for the next question, which doesn't up being one. Captain Spire eagerly gets up from his seat and reaches for Tavros' hand, shaking it. Tavros gives Spire a smile back, after hearing his thanks.




The enormous projection at the end of the auditorium comes to life, showing pictures of the refugees of Veracruz when they were checking-in. Dirty, wounded, hungry men, women and children.


Another slide shows: It's the individual pictures of the previously shown people, all healed, fed and with new clothes.


More and more slides showing people that have been healed are shown. There are also slices showing the refugees taking on Spanish and Greek classes, and learning about Corsair culture. Work on the captains' ships are also shown, with parts and equipment being analyzed and disassembled and being replaced by new ones of Corsair origin.

After there is no response to his question, Tavros proceeds with his presentation, and moves on to the next slide. It shows refugees being interviewed.


Next slide shows something resembling a gated apartment complex in one of the cities of Crete, surrounded by a rocky desert.



Tavros pauses for a moment, adjusting his suit.



He looks back towards the projection, and another slide glides in. It shows the crew under the command of many of the captains present.



The captain takes a deep breath, getting ready for his next lines. Another slide is shown: It is the flag of the Corsair empire and the Liberty Insurgency's Insignia.



Tavros stops and looks towards the crowd, scanning.