Señor John Holliday! How many years has it been?
I hope those years have treated you well!
You must be surprised, no?
Ever since I had to leave the Corsair Empire due to... political forces gathering around me, I have kept quiet.
Do you know how difficult it is for a hombre such as myself to stay quiet?
I can tell you, it was not easy.
Instead of sulking on the dark side of some moon that humanity forgot, I decided to put my time away from the council of elders to good use.
I have traveled Sirius, I have seen the mountains of Planet New Tokyo, drank an espresso on Java Station, I have eaten a Durum Kebab on Planet New Berlin that was as big as my head, and I've dipped my toes in the endless tropical ocean of Planet Curacao. Life has been... interesting, to say the least.
But, Doc, as you well know, a man cannot live on curiosity and adventure alone. There comes a time when one must return to their roots, to confront the past. And that time, my old friend, has arrived.
The Corsair Empire has weakened, and under my good friend Gutierrez's leadership the Brotherhood, once a symbol of strength, is now a shadow of its former glory. My absence has only served to expose the cracks in our once-proud society. There are those who believed I would never return. Perhaps they thought they had seen the last of me. But, as you and I both know, the Brotherhood is never truly gone, it simply lies dormant, waiting for the right moment to rise again.
I do not blame Gutierrez. He is a great and wise man, the most loyal right hand I have ever had, but I had to abandon him, an act that I wish to undo. That decision, forced upon me by the ever-encroaching enemies within my own ranks, is one I regret deeply. Now, I seek to return to the Brotherhood, not just as a shadow of what I once was, but as the man who will restore it to the greatness it deserves. Together, Cesar and I will rebuild what has been lost.
I seek your assistance, Doc. I need refuge in Omicron Theta, close enough to the heart of the empire but far enough to remain unseen by the enemies that still linger in the shadows of my past. A place where I can plan my next steps without fear of a knife in the back. But once I have found that refuge, once I am secure in your protection, I will need more from you. You have always had a way with people, Doc, an understanding of how to mediate the deepest of conflicts.
The situation between César and me will not be easy to navigate, but with your help, we can avoid bloodshed. I need you to broker a peace, to guide us through the tensions that are sure to arise as I return to the fold. You know better than anyone how fragile the balance of power can be among us Corsairs. Help me, and I will be in a position to offer you my support in ways that only a Corsair Elder can. I understand the delicate balance between our peoples, and should I return to my rightful place, I will ensure that our mutual interests are respected, for the benefit of both the Brotherhood and the Zoners.
Until then, I remain,
Elder Juanez ''el Presidente''Buonocore
Posts: 8,312
Threads: 737
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Doc Holliday
Location: Med Force General and Research, Baffin
To: Elder Juanez Buonocore
Encryption: Unbreakable
Senor Buonocore,
Hola, Senor. Como esta?
It has been a very long time, Senor. Yes, your transmission finds me well. Med Force Enterprises has grown and continues to do so. I have a good staff that makes this possible so I cannot claim all of the credit. If you have not seen by now, we have a large facility in Omicron Theta where we research and teach medicine. Out here in Baffin, we keep a small facility as well as we do in Omega 3 and of course, Med Force One is about. Our latest accomplishment is not just an MFE accomplishment but for those of us living in Theta, we live in peace with the Corsair. Of course, as you know, I always have going back to my residency on Gran Canaria.
So I was reading through your situation. I am not sure how I can be of help but am willing to try. The Corsair Brotherhood and I go way back to the days of Elder Miguel Sephardi, a man I miss and respect to this day. I do not know Elder Gutierrez as well. I respect him as we have exchanged transmissions and he honors his word. Do I need to mediate a meeting between you or something? I have done this before and if it strengthens the Brotherhood and improves the security of the region, I am in favor. My only advice at this moment is not to try and replace him as leader. He has earned that and will get better with experience. Also, there are other Corsair groups in the region that with good leadership could work together. The Deterrence is an honorable group of people and the Black Sails are about as well. I have had no real interaction with the latter. I would not say to unify everyone but at least restore the mighty empire to its glory with all three at the table working in concert.
As to refuge, I am assuming you seek quarter. I will have to see what is available. As you might guess what we have is mostly medical and I have no jurisdiction over Pygar nor do I know the status of Freeport 9. At the very least, I am willing to sit done and figure things out, perhaps with Elder Gutierrez present. Let us keep in touch.
It warms my heart to hear that there are men like you who dedicate their lives to humanitarian and medical work. You have certainly earned my respect over the years, and I believe many of the enemies of the Corsair Empire will soon find themselves in need of the services of a fine doctor like you if my plans come to fruition. But of course, that was merely a joke! I recently visited a comedy club on Planet Manhattan, and the experience left quite an impression on me. I try to joke like a Libertonian too now, from time to time.
In all seriousness, however, I have not forgotten the vital work you did on Gran Canaria. I hear that the temperatures have dropped there recently, which could affect your ranch. I sincerely hope this does not impact your operations too negatively, as I know how much that land means to you.
You are right to mention Elder Sephardi. He always spoke highly of you, and I believe he still may be out there, somewhere in the Sigma’s. Perhaps he simply needed a break from the backstabbing and treacherous nature of Corsair politics as it is a feeling I understand all too well. Sephardi was a man made of steel; I cannot imagine anything getting the better of him, even in this age.
As for Elder Cesar Gutierrez, I agree with you. He is indeed a man of merit. However, should we meet face-to-face on Crete, I fear his first inclination would be to end my life. And if that is the case, I would be forced to defend myself, and soon, others would be involved. This, as you well know, is the Corsair way: a cycle of violence that has existed since the very first settlements on Crete.
But, my old friend, the Corsair way is no longer enough to resolve this situation. That is where I look to you. You are a wise, neutral outsider, intimately familiar with our ways, yet not entangled in the webs of familias or clans. You understand the political intricacies of our world, but you are not bound by them. For this reason, I humbly ask for your help in mediating a meeting between Gutierrez and myself. I would be forever in your debt if you could ensure that this meeting takes place on neutral ground where both sides can speak freely and, most importantly, without the risk of things escalating into violence.
I have no hunger for personal power. I live a comfortable life now, and my ambitions are not driven by selfish desires. However, the Corsair people are suffering, and it is that which drives me to seek the restoration of the Brotherhood. My goal is to unite our people, to strengthen the Corsair Empire, and to return it to the glory it once knew. I do not seek to replace Elder Gutierrez; as you said correctly: he has earned his place. Instead, I aim to work alongside him in restoring the Brotherhood and the Council of Elders to its former might. In order to accomplish this, these are the requests I wish to make from Elder Gutierrez:
Absolution and Restoration of My Reputation: I wish to be absolved of the crimes that have branded me as a persona non grata within the Brotherhood. It was a small amount of gold and a ship nothing more. I spent the gold wisely, and my crew and staff care for my ship. I fail to understand why this remains such a point of contention.
A Seat on the Council of Elders: As an Elder of the Corsairs, I believe my seat on the Council of Elders is rightfully mine. I wish to have this position restored.
Villa Sephardi: The Villa Sephardi Estate, once belonging to Elder Sephardi, is something I hold dear. It is a piece of our heritage, and I wish for it to be returned to my care. Elder Sephardi would not want to see it fall into ruin, and I would ensure its preservation. Perhaps he will return to it one day.
Recognition of My Role as Pontifex Maximus: I still hold the title of Pontifex Maximus of the Order of Santa Muerte. This position should be acknowledged and respected by the Corsair Brotherhood, as I have done much to elevate the Order and its influence among our people.
Control of Battlegroup Magreb: We may have lost Gran Canaria, but there is still much to be done in the Omegas. Battlegroup Magreb is essential for our continued presence in the region, and I wish to take control of it. The Brotherhood has been slacking in this regard, and I intend to rectify this oversight.
Absolution for My Daughter: Lastly, I wish for my daughter Eliza Buonocore, also known as Baila Morena, to be forgiven for her crimes against the Corsair Empire. She has been a thorn in my side for nearly a decade, but I do not wish for her to be branded as a persona non grata. It reflects poorly on me, and it causes unnecessary tension within our ranks. Many of the Corsair people still celebrate her, despite her actions. And John, she has a son, who is the child of the late Elder Espingarda of the Black Sails. The boy is fourteen now, almost old enough to take to the skies. I wish to leave the legacy of the Buonocore family to him, so one day he might take my place.
Many thanks for hearing me out, old friend. I trust you understand the gravity of these requests. I would be eternally grateful if you could assist in navigating these delicate matters.
May Santa Muerte watch over you and your familia.
Elder Juanez ''el Presidente''Buonocore
Posts: 8,312
Threads: 737
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Doc Holliday
Location: Med Force General and Research, Baffin
To: Elder Juanez Buonocore
Encryption: Unbreakable
Hola, Senor Buonocore,
Elder Gutierrez has accepted a meeting with you. He was surprised that you were even alive. I am not sure what to expect in this meeting but as mediator, I am setting the terms of the meeting.
It will be you, Elder Gutierrez and myself in a conference room aboard Med Force One. Once aboard, I will have the ship relocate and remain cloaked for security and the ship from which you arrive in will be cloaked with us with your transponder deactivated while aboard. Security will blend in with everyone else so they will not stand out but their will be more of them.
None of us will have weapons. I am taking a big risk in doing this but I think the juice is worth the squeeze for a stronger empire. I will send you a short message when the meeting is set up.
No matter the outcome, I am forever in your debt. Your plan is sound, and I trust you implicitly. You have my word that I will do everything in my power to reward you for your assistance in this delicate matter.
I have already instructed my helmsman to set course for Baffin. You can expect my yacht to arrive in a few days. While I may hire the Reaver Mercenary Company for added security on my journey, I will make the final approach alone. I trust you with my life, and I place my fate into your capable hands.
I look forward to our meeting, and to whatever future may come from it.
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