Buonocore's look turned from the large screen towards Flora. For a moment he seemed lost in thoughts, but he quickly regained his posture.
"Si, I suppose it might have been a bit too much of a dramatic gesture. Here I was trying to impress you but you seem hardly moved. You are brave.
Then again, in light of what is unfolding in Omega-49... it is just one dead man on a chair si? A dead man who received what he deserved.
The people of Gran Canaria on the other hand, they do not deserve that, we can agree on that much I am sure."
He smiled and nodded towards the guard with the strange hairdo, who quickly dragged the lifeless body out of the room.
"Let us speak like civilised adults then, let us start with these accusations. The Custodi here claim Gaian forces are teaming up with the Bretonian armed forces. Tell us what is true of this, tell us of your motivations, and tell us why these accusations are in your own wording -idiotic- Senorita. You have our listening ears, and no one shall interrupt you whilst you have your say."
The elder leaned back in his chair and sighed while looking at the dead man's chair.
He then added:
"My apologies senorita, In my culture we do get carried away sometimes."
Flora regarded Buoconore for a few silent seconds.
- I'll rely on your imagination, elder. Think of a purely theoretical situation, where the relations between the Brotherhood and the Custodi crumbled to the point of direct warfare. The state of affairs lasts for some years, we like you, don't like them, whatever. The Core eventually decides to capitalize on this mess and moves in. They march through Kappa, move towards Crete and boom, you have a fleet right at your doorstep. Logically, I'd expect you and the Custodi to band together despite whatever bad blood you might've had in the past, right? Well, here's the fun part. We still don't like them, so we decide to happily throw our lot in with the Core, and stand with them at the gates of your home. And while we're busy gunning Custodians down alongside your sworn enemy, we tell you to piss off. Just like that. Piss off because it's none of your business, that's what we say. And when you obviously don't, we pull the trigger on you as well. - she sighed quietly, pausing for a second. - If this actually happened, you'd be out for our blood, Buonocore. Not attending some stupid summits on Torshavn. Yes, it's true. We fight side by side with the Armed Forces. - she said with a nod. - We have an agreement and we are working together to remove the gallic threat, including anyone overtly supporting it. Regardless of who they are. - silence followed her final words, the woman then just looking at Buonocore with an irritated gaze.
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As distraught as Doc was, he listened to the exchange between Flora and Buonocore. His knowledge of Gaian politics was limited and it was one of the few groups whom he knew little about. It wasn't a snub but more like a respect of their space. Hearing that they were actually working with the Bretonian military concerned him. Granted, Gaians too were pushed by the Gallic but to side with the enemy was concerning. Re-filling his glass, Doc turned to Flora.
"Miss Flora," he began respectfully, "We do not know each other but I do find it concerning that the Gaians have sided with the Bretonian Military in an effort to push back the Gallics. I am curious what you might get in exchange for your cooperations. Do forgive my bias but Bretonia is not to be trusted. I have had way too many dealings with them in a negative light to trust them. I mean, you can see what they are doing to us."
He then turned to Elder Buonocore.
"Senor. Maybe it is not my place for this sort of information but where does the Corsair Empire stand in relation to the Gallics? I have heard only that the empire has a positive relationship with them. If it matters, Senor, I may be of assistance. I have an office on Planet Orleans in the Orleanais system. With all due respect, I think you best serve your people here. I would be willing to meet with Gallia as an emissary for the Corsair Empire. With what has happened on Gran Canaria, I might have a huge sympathy vote with them." He paused a moment, thinking of the Cretans that would be slaughtered for their heritage before he finished his speech. "For the Cretan families, Senor. I care about them as much as you do."
- Doctor, I would just like to mention that most of us are bretonians. People have a tendency to want to protect their homes and families, you know. I'd expect you, of all people, to understand this the best these days. - Flora addressed Holliday's doubts, then returning her attention to the elder.
Buonocore looks at his glass of wine and takes a sip.
"Gracias señor Holliday, but I would like to point out that the Gaian has a point. Blood runs thicker than wine. Personally, I feel little for the Gallics, we have no assurances that they will not stab us in the back once they have toppled the Bretonian government. Likewise, the Gaians have no insurances that the Bretonian government will not betray them once they outlive their use. That puts the Gaians and us in quite a similar situation, with one exception.
The way I see it, señorita, you are fighting their war while they are invading Gran Canaria. Without passing judgement I would like to mention that it does appear you are enabling them to commit atrocities against señor Holiday's people, while you sacrifice your lives fighting an enemy you share with the Bretonian government. The Corsairs that support the Gallic invasion are present here in this room, I am not one of them and I do wish for them to elaborate on their course of action. For now señorita, I wish to learn what your views are on the current situation in Omega-49 and how that rhymes with your new found agreement with the Bretonian government."
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He nodded in respect to both Flora and the Elder. For the moment, he took a seat and listened as he had little to offer, at least, for now. He had the one thing he needed for now, a place to be where he wasn't flying around or risked being shot at.
Martin Silenus watched Doc Holiday slump into a chair on the far side of Flora. The man looked positively exhausted, though not physically. Martin uncrossed his legs and sat forward. He placed his empty goblet on the floor at his side and spoke, occasionally waving his wrist for emphasis. Looking at the Elder Buonocore and to Doc, he began:
"Leeds is just the beginning"
"If it wasn't a smouldering lifeless husk before it certainly is now"
"The Bretonians won't submit overnight. Even with their fleets decimated the populace will continue to revolt under gallic occupation. So the Gallics will solve that problem as they've solved every problem until today, with ordnance."
"Today it's Leeds. Tomorrow, New London? Cambridge? Gaia? Gran Canaria?"
"The fact that the Bretonians "claimed" Omega 49 for Bretonia is excuse enough for the Gallics to follow them there on their conquest campaign."
"One way or another, we'll all be facing up to a Valor at some point"
"The Bretonians will get what's coming, but for now, better the devil you know..."
- Is this a joke? "Enabling them"? By this logic, your own soldiers are fighting Gallia's war, enabling them to commit atrocities on us. And honestly, a simple annexation is a much lesser crime than glassing thousands of people from orbit. But I suppose Gran Canaria is somehow suffering from it a lot more than we do. Oh, well. I digress. As for your question, I understand why they are doing this. I don't like it, but I understand. We are not really in position to do much about it, though. Fighting Gallia and our own allies alike is a big enough strain on our resources.
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Between the small talk and the talk of business, he listened carefully. He was no stranger to a double edged sword. On one hand, working with the Gallics against a common foe would have its benefits but once the alliance was complete, would they keep their word? It was definitely something that was a risk either way. What was worse? Bretonia with a strong foothold in the Omegas and closer to the Corsair Empire or Gallia and would Gallia's presence in Omega 49 be one of Liberation or occupation?
Then there was the Gaians. Doc had much sympathy for them. In the beginning, their concern was that of Planet Gaia and keeping it natural. If anyone wanted an example of Bretonian ruin of a planet, look no further than the polluted Leeds. Gallia showed the Gaians no mercy in their initial conquest. Doc understood why they would place blood over water but still, if through negotiation and working with what could be a former enemy, Doc saw opportunity.
Doc himself was angry...VERY angry to the point where he now sat on the planet that was the source of methods he didn't agree with but understood. On the ground, Doc was as tough as they came but in the cockpit, he was weak. Around him he saw two groups of excellent and skilled pilots. They had to be considering they had to fight to live. It was that where Doc held his respect for them all.
"Leeds is in ruins," Doc stated. "I made a couple of trips there to save children. Between Kusari and Gallia, it may as well be a lifeless moon. It is littered with the dead, starving and razed buildings. With the arrogance of Corinna, New London will suffer the same fate."
He then addressed Flora, "I can respect protecting family and your homes. I can respect that despite the Gaian differences with the Crown, their is a common enemy. However, in time, the war will end and the Gaians will be fighting the Crown, the Gallics or possibly both but I do not see the BAF winning out against Gallia." He snorted, "Heh, they could not even beat Kusari."
He then addressed all. "As to which side of a Valor one wants to see, well, it can be decided in these chambers. Until a few days ago, I did not care for either side but with the Crown working on annexing what was once my home, slaughtering any who resist or just doing so to people based on heritage, I have picked my side. Bretonia has thumbed its nose at me too many times and insulted me. While my first dealing with Gallia did not start well, I have found them to be reasonable. At least, they can be. I have nothing to offer them except my services hence why I have an office on Planet Orleans."
"Senor Buonocore, Senor Ximenez, I do not know what your dealings are with the Gallic Crown but I would like to think that the enemy of your enemy is your friend," he explained. "Perhaps some talks with them, some re-assurances, would make decisions easier."
He then returned to Flora, "I know that you have no really good options but perhaps siding with the Gallics and your Corsair Allies, favor could be won and Gaia put back in full control of the Gaian people. Personally, the best medicine for Corinna would be a hard lesson in humility, one that I would be honored in helping to deliver."
Doc then sat down and took a drink before cracking a smirk and muttering, "Dr. John Holliday, Dean of Cambridge Medical." He smirked some more, "I like the sound of it."
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