' Wrote:The old man walked across the room to the Zoner. He grasped the man's arm, pulling him closer, the old man showing a deceptive amount of strength considering his age.
"Senor Franks," he began in a soft yet firm voice,
"I hope the people you represent are actually interested in peace with the Corsairs. We in the Council will tend to our side, all we can do is hope you all tend to yours. After all the ups and downs between our people, I don't think either side will be able to come back from the brink if things should get hot again."
Franks was used to people trying to literally strongarm him, but he did not expect this. The Corsair Elder had pulled him close and issued a warning. Franks was not a tiny man. He dwarfed the Elder physically and whilst he would not try to intimidate the Elder excessively, he gave as good as he got.
"Elder Sephardi, I must state things as they are." Franks straightened himself, returning the strength equally when he gripped the Elder's arm in turn and towering over the old Corsair's frame.
"There is a peace now. On my side, it will hold for as long as the Omicroners and Zoners consider this peace to be advantageous. Just like the Corsairs who attacked us, when they felt we were no longer useful. Those ones who have disappeared magically. So, I will keep this peace as long as I am told to, and no longer, and I will not fail at it.
I do not hope for war solely, but at the same time I do not hope for peace solely. My allegiance is with the Omicroners. I will do whatever is best for us. Nothing else and no-one else. Just like you Elder, for the Corsairs. I am not a sellout and I am not an overly proud man. I support my men. Just like you. If this peace is good for us Omicroners and Zoners, it will be kept. Right now, we want peace, and so we have it.
But, make no mistake, the Omicroners and Zoners are a power in the Omicrons. We will treat those who treat us well in turn, and we will treat those who abuse us in turn. That is how things are. We will not seek hostility, but if it is shown to us, we will return it in kind."
With that final word, all three men left the room and it was locked behind them.
Franks went to the bar and dropped an envelope in the bin. It contained a scrambled phrase "HIT MLCOLDS" and he boarded his transport for Omicron 74.
Sephardi walked down a corridor, presumable heading to the hangar as well.