Protagonistic Tendencies

[aerelm]

"Yes and no... Wish it was that simple, actually."

Getting up and leaning against the glass fence of the terrace, with the glass of scotch in one hand and his cigarette in the other, he continued while eagerly studying the man's facial expression for the rush of surprise he was so waiting for,

"You know the type of man I am. I wouldn't aim for such petty, and even if I did, wouldn't have been wastin' your time for it... What I'm going for is considerably bigger than that. It's not just dropping my ship there for some adjustments, it's full access to the team and their facilities for a couple of months - The cost, of course, being no problem at all. Think that's something you can pull?"

[Ryummel]

"I could suggest using some space located at Cartagena shipyards, there in Eighty-One. The famiglia hired one of the many shipyard's modules so that our few transport ships could be repaired and upgraded whenever their time came. I think that this way your little project would have more privacy, compared to what Valetta could provide."

The Maltese man diverted his glance at the companion lady he had brought with him, shrugging quietly at the indifference that aerelm had displayed toward the gift that, as guest, he had prepared for the host. Nevertheless, it was the least of his concerns.

"Of course, it would come with an extra cost if this team had to move equipment from Valetta to Cartagena, but then again, it was a proposal. If you don't mind prying eyes..." He paused for several seconds. "What kind of 'adjustments' do you have in mind?"

[aerelm]

"You know my stance on prying eyes..."

Pointing at the mansion with his glass, implying the obvious that a man choosing to live in such a place of course values his privacy, then throwing a brief glance at the silent woman, continued,

"But my concern when it comes to having the team operating anywhere other than Valetta is whether or not that may slow them down. I, of course, would be more than glad to rearrange stuff to move the plans to Cartagena, but would the team then manage to operate at full capacity?"

[Ryummel]

"The truth is, I cannot tell you whether the chief engineer would accept to move elsewhere than Valetta, as he may be involved in bigger projects related to capital ship production. And more important, whether he would accept to work willingly on something that 'we' are yet to know about its repecurssion within the Maltese space. With that I mean, we may buy his services, but not his silence. "

He casted a light grin at aerelm upon noticing the guy's swift look at the lady, who remained silent and staring down at the floor. With that Santoro hoped a situation between the two of them to ensue, but having seen that aerelm's companions were light years away from becoming flesh, he figured it had just been some kind of joke to bring her.

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[aerelm]

"Hmm... He sure sounds like a gifted individual, but a loose mouth is sure something I do not like. Either way, he would not be essential for this plan to work, as I happen to have a close friend dropping by in a couple of days who'd be more than capable and willing to get the job done and do it quietly... Ashtray!"

Pointing his cigarette at the robot standing by the other end of the terrace, he watched with a playful expression on his face as the robot picked up an ashtray from the table next to it and rushed toward him in a hurry. Putting his cigarette out with a chuckle, he continued,

"I like it when they do that. Anyways... As I was saying, this is going to be a personal project and I'd of course would prefer if it remains as "personal" as possible, as you'd understand. If you think Valetta would be too high profile a place to get this done quietly, or the chief engineer might go on in the hallways yapping his head off about it with a bottle of Ale in his hand, then redoing a few minor arrangements to have things moved to Cartagena shouldn't be a problem."

Lighting two cigarettes and silently passing one to the woman, he sits down again,

"Which brings us to the more important stuff... As always you've been an individual one can count on, and so what would the individual like to count on the one for?"

[Ryummel]

"Needless to say that once everything is in place at Cartagena, you will need to find a new overseer on your own. But finding the right people had never been an issue to you. Otherwise, as you said, we would not be here."

Santoro crossed his arms, leaning back onto the glass fence as he began monitoring the actions of the lady. She took the cigarette from aerelm, answering with a shy smile at him before taking a puff and then exhaling it slowly. That was a start, Santoro thought.

"Speaking of my side on this business. Let's say I've got something that I expected to be a short-term plan, but turned out to be a... complex project that requires careful steps to be taken. Rest assured, amico, that when the time where I need your aid comes, I will surely summon you."

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[aerelm]

"Perfect. You know where to find me."

aerelm added the second sentence after a short pause, and with a chuckle. Then tapping a couple of times on his notepad, continued with a smirk as two of the robots went back into the mansion and headed toward the second floor stairway,

"Now as it appears we're concluded for the time being, and since I wouldn't want to disrespect you any further by putting back getting to enjoy this fine little treasure you've brought me - and believe me, I'm not just saying that to be polite - shall I accompany you to the door?"

[Ryummel]

Marco released a soft chuckle, straightening himself from the improvised seat that the glass fence had offered.

"I was starting to think that these robots had made you become numb. Be gentle, eh?"

He shot a last glance at the girl, who somehow had managed to feel comfortable in the always hostile environment that Malta proved to be for everybody who was taken down there against their will. She already knew it, and would not see Santoro anymore.

"Anyway, we are done for now. As always, it's been a pleasure setting a new business opportunity with you."

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