To: Enma Loyola | From: B. Contari | CC: The Fedeltà

[Foxglove]

Miss Loyola. *He nods into the camera briefly, respectfully.*

I believe that congratulations are in order. While for the longest time our great nation suffered more in our own inability to come together in cooperation to take what could already be ours, there has always been something that kept the status quo... suspended. Unable to move it, people learned to live with it. Not all, it seems. Oh, allow me to introduce myself. Benito, Miss. You might know my niece, Elaria.

You might have noticed that during the takeover of the former Council's compounds, any and all Contari personnel were — mysteriously so — rather easily persuaded to lay down their arms. While perhaps a strange admission, it really is not as odd you might believe. I have lived long enough to see cartels and other oligarchs come and go. It might be an entertaining game to watch, if it weren't for the price of our home. I would be amiss if I would not add that I was curious as to what would happen if we allowed the inevitable to happen with a little less, well, bloodshed. It was all suspended — another cartel wanting to seize control? Maybe the religious fanatics finally gathered their men and courage to retake what they last had under Espinosa and the Tarxien.

Make no mistake. At this point, everyone is pretty much aware of what you are, which makes the fact of this not having turned out in the religious' favour even more of a joy. You can rest assured that I stand behind what is to come. Let the old finally rest, the jealousy, the strife, the petty bickering, and let us finally, as one, stride gallantly towards a radiant tomorrow on Malta's orange meadows.

Antes del Dominio fue nada, y después del Dominio será nada. *He raises a glass of wine in the direction of the camera before the feed cuts out.*

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[Loyola]

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Hello, Benito.

Your congratulations are appreciated. I do have a good relationships with Elaria, but I don't think you happy to lose a power you once had. Ironically, the council have collapse as easy and fast as it was created, and your political role on Malta just collapsed with it. At this point I'm just wondering why do you sending this message, because I don't think you honestly believe that I'm interested in observations of some old men. You probably deserved more respect, but at the same time I don't want to spend my time on formalities or good manners.

I want to disappoint you, I'm not looking for partners, so you can forget about it right now. I can share some power with you and your family, but I need to know what you can offer. In any case, I expect boundless loyalty and something worthwhile. The times when you held power only for your personal benefit are gone. You need to realize it very clearly.

- Loyola

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[Foxglove]

I believe you are... labouring under the assumption that I want to, as the old customs demand, secure a place in the sun. Miss Loyola, maybe it is your own youth, but after a certain age, it is almost with a certain perverse apathy that such things only concern you as long as it, well, maintains a status quo in one's life. I ask you this: What are you left with when, for the longest time, you've been at the top of the food chain? At least my answer is wallowing in self pity and indulgence, and I think we can both agree that this is the mindset that has riddled our nation with dissent and spiteful hatred just at the flip of a coin's gleam.

What I can offer you is the wealth of the Contari family that has so long fuelled the engine of the National Council so far. Not more and not less. Regardless of how great your vision — one that I of course wholeheartedly support — you will notice that you will soon find limits unless you involve industry in your plans. Atlantis Manufacturing of the NCM has long since been subsidized by our Cardamine profits. Weapons and ship hull planels have to be molded somewhere. While I am not as arrogant as to say that all this was possible solely due to us, I would insult myself if I said that my family hasn't been a driving force in the industrialization of the recent months. Take it or leave it, Miss Loyola, just don't deny a helping hand when extended in good faith.

[Loyola]

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Maybe young I am, but even at that young age I've reached more than you will ever do. Your instructive tone is also becoming pretty tiresome. You see, your wisdom is not worth anything until it convertes into either power or money. Personally I'm not taking money, but believe me I will have really a lot if I only desire.

If you wish to help me and Malta, we can speak about that, since you have managed to hit my one weak point, which is an economy. Because to be fair, I'm not a competent ruler, which is normal, I believe. Where have you seen competenr rules in Sirius last time? Maybe only Heinrich with her partisan war in Omegas and some particular Gauls. But that besides the point.

I can accept your service, in economy sector at least. I want to have some more guarantees and warranties from you. I am quite curious what will you choose as the collar for yourself. Don't get me wrong, I can think of something on my own, but it will be more painful at any point.

- Loyola

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