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"My concern is not the Delta system, Miss Jones," replied Doc, "It is the Taus, namely, Freeport 10. It is as much a powder keg as Freeport 11 forever will be." He adjusted himself into his chair a bit. "You have two very good administrators out there who will work together for common problems, Commander Chara of Freeport 6 and Administrator Malakai. As I understand it, they are putting some plans together to tackle that issue so give them time to work together." He gave a hmph, "Blaine is tough but fair and will be a good asset to Administrator Malakai."
"I once thought as you do, Miss Jones," he replied, sitting back in his chair and speaking factly. "When my old friend, Malaclypse, gave me my first job as an ambassador for TAZ, I would call things as I saw them and I did not always stick to the Zoner way. It is difficult if not impossible at times but we have to find a way. I found mine when he fired me." He then gave a laugh and a nod, "Yes, my good friend fired me. I had to earn my position back by gaining my trust back with him. Mal also became my best friend." Doc sighed and for a moment, spoke solemnly. "I miss him. He was taken from us too soon but TAZ still lives on."
"If we are going to work together, take the advice of someone who burned himself once and let a lot of the things that are immoral or unethical that may create conflict go. It is not easy but it is something we must do." He smiled a bit, "Trust me on this, it will work."
Melissa nods, obviously enjoying the conversation, although currently short with Doc is. Something about the way he talks makes her feel more comfortable. As if talking to a friend more than a potential business partner. After taking another sip of her coffee she looks at Doc, dead in the eyes.
"I think what Velvet needs, is people to slap me down when I get too big for my own boots. Jerard has been amazing for this. He's experienced in diplomacy, he's honest and is as true a man as any. But I think having you onboard in any capacity, is another potential filter for my constant mistakes, gaffs and heavy handed approach a lot of the time. Having more people with the experience you and Voncloud have are just too invaluable. Turning a blind eye is definitely something that over time, I will learn. I guess you know as well as anyone, that doing so is tough. And I was never truly cut out for what I've got myself into... Doc, I'll be honest. I'm scared."
She pauses, something about her letting go of her emotions currently felt right. She speaks in a more worried tone.
"I'm scared for my people, Doc... I'm a career LSF agent, who's never truly been a leader. I've been in and out of Nomad space more times than I imagine... I'm a soldier, an agent and not a diplomat or a leader. Since starting Velvet, I've made many mistakes, paraded as a Zoner which does not suit my ideals, and since then... I'm learning to let go of what made me who I am... Was. And now, I don't know anything. The people of Malta who I've been so used to being in open conflict with... I brought my people into that. When I should have sat by and played nice. I've had to make decisions that have sent good men and women to their deaths on missions against Nomads, had to watch as my old life fades away for this new one that I know nothing about... I think without Jerard and those who I've got around me... We would not be having this conversation."
She chuckles lightly as she lets the emotions flow away from her, becoming a bit more professional again, but still relaxed. Taking another sip from her coffee, she again looks at John.
"My ultimate question to you Doc, is if you would want someone like me as a business partner, given what I'm sure you've already heard and seen of me?"
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"I guess the better question is, can you adjust to a partner's ideals?" he responded. "I have partnered with the most vile of villains and the best of the law. Both know where I come from and what I expect. They know where I stand and that their problems are not mine."
He leaned forward a bit to look her face to face and nodded a little. "Your fear is what will make you succeed. It will give you the edge you need and make you see your mortality. Out here, help is hard to find so someone smart will not be so quick to pull the trigger." He gave another nod, "You will change and not notice it. Men like Jerard Voncloud have been there as have I and I would be a liar to say that I am not scared each day." He paused a moment, still leaning forward, "Sending people to their death is not by design. It happens. You will hear it often that space is a dangerous place." He then settled back into his chair and smiled a bit.
"Jerard. He is a good man. How is he anyway? It has been a long time since we spoke."
A soft sigh comes from Melissa, as she spends a bit of time thinking over what Doc has said. After about 10 seconds of pondering, she finally responds confidently, in a manner that would inspire Doc that she's absolutely certain of what she's saying.
"There's no doubt that I'll adjust to your ideals, Doc. Even if I have to let go of my morality every so often, it doesn't stop it from being there. I will, and can promise however, that I will adjust, as I still am. Jerard has been my primary anchor, when I've wanted to revert back to how I was in the Liberty Security Force. But, having you as another advisor, a friend... Saying I need your experience is an understatement, Doc."
She chuckles as she shakes her head chuckling. It was obvious she was stalling a bit before asking another question, but she carries on regardless. She takes a sip of her coffee. After putting it down, she looks at it, then Doc, then back down at her coffee before she carries on speaking. Her cambridge accent making her sound probably a bit more jovial than intended as she speaks about Jerard Voncloud.
"Jerard has been well. I dare say suffering from numerous headaches because of me. To be fair, people forget I'm only 26 years old, Doc... I'm still young and have so much more growing up to do. I'm going to be prone to mistakes. And having people there who are more experienced to help either prevent the mistakes, or help me learn from them... What more can anyone ask for."
Melissa looks him dead in the eyes, asking in a blunt but friendly tone, she smiles as she speaks.
"So... Doc. Are you and MedForce going to be a part of the growing team?"
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Doc finished off his coffee and held the cup in his hands, his hands resting on his lap. He sat silently in thought, taking in everything Melissa had said. She was indeed young and had much to learn. This concerned him because learning on the job in a hostile environment often produced deadly consequences. Still, he saw her as someone who was moldable and saw Velvet as a group that had potential.
He then rose to his feet and went to fill his coffee cup. Taking the pot, he warmed up hers as well before he turned and faced her.
"You are someone who has much to learn." He nodded a little before continuing, "but you also show a willingness to do so." He then gave a smile, "I will make a good Zoner of you yet."
He took a sip from his cup. "That said, I will work with Velvet as a partner. I am sure you can understand that Med Force Enterprises has made a solid name for itself and is recognized for its work. We will alter our transponders to reflect the partnership, say adding a V before the MFE on our tags and we will need codes for Velvet comms."
He sat back down but leaned on the edge of the table, gently smiling at her. "I will not lie. I have my concerns so I will be watching and will pull out if my enterprise is going to suffer from the actions of someone else. I will also request that the Taus be left to Administrators Chara and Malakai. They are well versed out there and know how to handle the crowds there. In exchange you get the best medical found anywhere and a lot of researchers looking to broaden their horizons and knowledge." His smile grew a bit, "And you have me to consult with."
Melissa pauses for another few seconds, as if speechless. She initially tries to talk but it's obvious she struggles. Instead she just simply nods. After a few seconds after nodding, she takes a sip of her coffee and clears her throat.
"I think this is absolutely fair, and graciously accept this offer, Doc."
For a moment, it almost seems like she is still unsure of what to say, as if meeting a hero or being given the best news ever. She chuckles, shaking her head to get herself back into the conversation.
"As far as the stations that we aren't involved with, we only assist at the administrator's behest. A mistake we made in the past was assuming we had a right to operate in places. Now... Things are becoming much more different. We need to focus on our own struggles. Specifically with the nomads and helping Order and Core only against that, as well as the safety and security of our own people. Doc, with me and my people, you will only get what backing you need, beyond that, we will only assist you when needed. If you want a security detail, you've got it. If you want funding, you've got it. You need a personalised ship... Rest assured, be it a small ship we can do on Corfu it will be done, if it's a capital vessel, Livadia is as much open to you as it is the rest of the leadership. Of which now, I would be honoured if you would accept the position along with Voncloud as my advisor should it be needed or you want to weigh in. Voncloud sort of has... Veto powers over me. If I have an idea, everyone else likes it and he doesn't, his word is now final. I made the mistake in the past of thinking I knew better, and often sometimes do. But I would like to think that as you say, 'something I have to learn.' And... I can't thank you enough for the trust you're showing me."
Melissa bows her head respectfully, it's obvious from the way she was speaking and her body language that this was something that meant a lot to her. She looked up at Doc and smiled, lightly laughing as if still trying to get over what was still happening.
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With the business end of things finished, Doc wasn't sure what to say at this point. "For now, I do not intend to make any changes. I have medical staff in most Freeports, we are running Canaria Medical, have a medical cruiser here, one in the Taus, an office on Planet Orleans and a hospital and research facility in Baffin so yes, we are spread out but it gives us a toe hold just about everywhere."
He did have a thought, one of concern. The Core. He didn't dislike them but he found them the hardest crew to deal with. "Tell me, how are things with the Core? I know they can be quite the challenge."
He sipped his coffee while he waited with a light smile of his own. It gave him a chance to take in the view that was sitting in front of him but he didn't make that obvious.
Melissa nods, understanding were he's coming from especially with not making changes yet. When he mentions about things with Core, she chuckles lightly and smiles. Her voice is more friendly and back to being more social than business, soft, calm, friendly.
"I would be surprised if you did want to make any changes so soon. Let me know when you do, and I'll send any assistance you require. On to the Core... Well. It's a mixed bag. I get on well with the existing Guildkeepers. Tricia Reyes, John Darius Guerra and the Core's current advisor, Enma Layola are all very good friends. Between those three, I would say relationships are incredibly strong. As far as Supreme Guildmaster Archos... Nathan is. Well, he feels absent a lot of the time. I spend more time dealing with the second in commands than I do speaking leader to leader. I guess that's down to the 'lack of importance' that Velvet is in his eyes. We all know how Core are, at the end of the day. Good people, just driven by greed.."
Melissa took a sip from her coffee, almost finishing it off. After putting the cup down, she leans back, closes her eyes for a few seconds, allowing the few moments of business to subside. She looks back at Doc before carrying on.
"Any particular concern on the Core on your side, Doc? Should they see you flying alongside us, I've no doubt any past tins would be overlooked and forgiven, should there be any. It won't make any difference, the main Guildkeepers because of how close we are. We have a lot of work that we do alongside each other especially in regards to the securing of the Delta system from the Nomads and their influence."
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"The Core can be extremely difficult," he replied. "It is not so much the Zoners themselves as it is they dislike the neutral stance or worse, what they see as a lack of a spine when enemies of theirs loiter in an NFZ or worse than that, build a base within it. I need not remind you about that. As a rule of thumb, I try to not have anyone not Zoner escort any of my ships. You will see Alicia flying solo a lot as we do not seek to appear as if we are choosing sides. All that said, I respect the Core which is better than fearing them."
A thought crossed his mind. He snapped his fingers and pointed to her. "Oh! I need to get ahold of Jerard. A friend of mine has a bomber as a security ship at Pygar. I funded it. He goes by Ringo."
Doc snickered, "He named it that to tease me I guess. He keeps to himself so you may have to catch him in space. He has no allegiance so he may join you but his priority is the safeguard of Pygar.
"I am also going to put you in a chat with Miss Cook, or Alicia as you know her. You will quite likely see more of her than me as she is based out here. I will set that up shortly."