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Freeport 10, Tau 37, Conference Room 1
Doc was speaking to the bartender.
"I will be in in conference room 1," he explained. "Mr. Vin Chenzo will be looking for me so please direct him my way if you would." He then generously tipped him.
By his reaction, Chenzo was well known and as feared as he was respected.
"Yes, Mr. Holliday," he answered. With that, he went to the room.
While waiting, he went through his thoughts. What did he want? No doubt he had some hard questions for him. Doc knew this wasn't about old times when he was TAZ administrator. Unlike many, he respected Chenzo but did not fear him. He felt that respect was a better measuring stick and Chenzo had earned it. He sat in a chair near a window to wait playing some Solitaire with a Scotch while he waited.
A meeting had been set on Freeport Ten with a trusted old friend. Doc Holiday, a Zoner known almost Sirius wide in one way or another. The exact reason the Doctor chose to meet at the freeport as apposed to within Maltese space was unclear, regardless both men posed zero threat to one another. The two had first met when Holliday was at the head of the TAZ, Temporary Autonomous Zoners nearing around two decades previous where Doc and his staff challenged the export of people in the form of Slaves and passage through the Baffin system at Chenzo's command.
At first, the Slaves were considered a disposable workforce by the upcoming Don of Malta, however through numerous talks a whole new understanding had been reached for the care of the workers, a freedom policy and it's without doubt that for the inbound workers which ended up on Granja Justa at least, conditions and future prospects were significantly higher, almost seen as desirable after Doc's input. Those who had found themselves caught in the Hacker's and Rogues human trafficking efforts were without exception, in the direst of times before they were captured due to a countless series of poor choices within crime and drug addiction.
There were a few pressing matters which Chenzo thought would be best to run by Holliday before taking action with the others in power on Malta. An achilles heel of a conscience for life other than Maltese which the Doc has bestowed upon Chenzo without him realising it long ago.
The don always travelled by his personal Sabre, a murder squad of bombers and fighters at his tail for escort as usual. Even the most daring of Maltese foes knew it was suicide to attempt anything daring against him. This was reinforced by the fact he'd been in power for so long and still breathing just fine.
On the approach to Freeport Ten, he lowered his cruise speed and without a word spoken two light fighters broke away from the squadron and rocketed toward the Freeport, making external scans of the ships docked before boarding the station. after a few minutes it was clear all was fine and Chenzo with all bar a few of the fighters docked. Chenzo calmly communicated with the dock master requesting that nobody else be permitted access to the hanger they docked in, all bar four of his guards remained in the hanger. A generous tip left with the man as he left toward the bar.
Passing through the bar, onlookers tried not to stare as the room went silent. There were still a few of the free'd slaves on board from Crayters efforts previously. He casually announced that a shipment of Cardamine would be left in the hanger for anyone who wants it and that any food and drinks served from the freeport's bar were on his wallet during his stay. excited chatter followed with people rushing to the bar to order, albeit keeping a wide berth around the man.
The two pilots which had docked first had already confirmed Doc's whereabouts and after advising the don, made their way back to the hanger.
As Chenzo entered the meeting room, he graciously greeted Holliday gesturing his guards to leave the room.
"Thankyou for meeting with me at such short notice, old friend. I trust your journey was pleasant?".
He took a seat opposite the doctor and awaited his response.
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"It was," replied Doc. He watched the guards leave and then turned back to Chenzo. "I know those gentlemen were not on my account." Doc then shook Chenzo's hand, taking his hand in both of his. "It has been a long time. It is good to see you well." He released Chenzo's hand.
He was dressed in some travel robes. He always kept something on hand for the off meeting that might be asked of him.
"Quietly, Freeport 10 has always been a favorite place of mine," he stated. "One can look out these windows and see forever and most of the time, it is quiet here but....." He became more on target. "....I know you are here to do more than see how I have been so um, what is on your mind?"
Both men seated, Chenzo makes himself comfortable and leant back as Doc spoke. Tau-37 had been the host to many bitter battles in the past. Accounts of fleeing & badly wounded bounty hunters making port at the Freeport desperate for aid. Chenzo knew why Doc was how he was, selfless and caring for all. The man sat in front of him was personally responsible for countless lives lost yet due to Doc’s nature, he still couldn’t bring a negative thought against him. He was the very definition of what it is to be the absolute best of medics.
“We’ve seen little of one another but your name pops up more frequently than you might think. Word on the street is you’re the underground governor of Erie too”
He chuckles lightly
.
“I came across a couple of independent Zoners but a few days ago who advised that there is growing tension between Zoner groups in Theta, the over all worry of Corsairs taking over Corfu & Pygar”
He paused for a moment, trying to choose his words carefully.
“Don Haraberro & I had absolutely zero intension over removing Maltese forces from the initial assault to free Freeport Nine from capture. I know you are a man who truly does believe that any conflict can be resolved without violence. That said, I do wish to apologise for any Zoner life lost caused by Maltese withdrawal. It was wrong to think there would be any other outcome than the Corsairs exacting their form of uncivilised & self entitled version of justice with the enslavement which followed.”
He calmly reaches into his jacket & lights a cigarette, ensuring smoke is directed toward the air filtration vent.
“It’d also be foolish to think they would ever stop at just Freeport nine. I’m certain that their sights are on Pygar & of course Corfu. It’s only a matter of time, senor. If such darkness is to pass, what next? Direct attacks on Malta? Livadia & Freeport 11 falling to the same?
I’ve not spoken with anyone except yourself on the subject thus far, but I’d like you to advise of your thoughts on the situation out there. It’s right on the Maltese door step after all”
He continued to enjoy his cigarette as Doc took in what he’d said.
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Doc gave a snicker about being the governor of Erie. "Well, one can dream can he not? I do have a home there and the population of Erie is mostly Zoner so yeah, I like the idea and that is all it is, an idea. Liberty would never allow it in as much as they owe me for training the 46th in combat medicine."
He thought on his words. Chenzo wasn't stupid and Doc wasn't one to lie. Tact was often his best weapon.
"Zoners talk too much," he stated. "They often sit in a bar and let the alcohol talk but I will not lie, there is tension in Omicron Theta but nothing that we cannot handle." He again thought on those words. "Tensions are not so much between groups themselves but actions taken and right now, it is an internal Zoner matter."
He knew that Chenzo wouldn't like his personal stance regarding the Corsairs. "Mr. Chenzo, I have maintained good relations with both the Outcasts and the Corsairs. There are those on Crete who feel that the Maltese would take this freeport for their own use if for no other reason to keep the bounty hunters away. That has not happened nor do I think it will. Over the years, Freeport 9 had a target on it because of Outcasts raiding parties gathering there before they head into Omicron Gamma. That I have seen on my own and it was also why the late Elder Miguel Sephardi told me that was why they wanted it. The Corsairs have their own shipyard and a planet that is much more habitable than Pygar, a planet that is not for the claustrophobic and one that has little of value on it."
He sipped his drink.
"I will be honest. I have more dislike of the Bretonian Crown and right now the Liberty government than I do anyone else," he stated. "At least with you or the Council of Elders, I get a fair shake. With the two mentioned governments, I get the law quoted at me and a demand for respect that they have not earned."
He sat back and sighed. He realized his dislikes were clouding his thoughts. "I apologize, Mr. Chenzo. I have no right getting short with you."
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