But by no means was this list exhaustive. Living within the darkest corners of Edge space, tempered by centuries of hunger, hardships and intense radiation, surrounded by wolves and snakes in every direction, the Corsairs have garnered a reputation to being the strongest and most ruthless criminal organization in all of Sirius. Like el grande fénix, the Corsairs are destined to rise from the ashes of their departed ancestors, stopping at nothing to chisel their name into the annals of history as the House that shall not fall easy to any obstacle thrown at them.
Yet when was there a time you've ever heard these terms describe a Corsair?
The rest of the galaxy now views the Corsairs as less than human. Little does it know that they still are fundamentally human. They still have families. They still have celebrations. They still have musicians, painters, thinkers, cooks, innovators, researches, historians, patriots, heroes, leaders, entrepreneurs. All of them working hard towards the glory of the Imperio. All of them hopeful. All of them unwavering in their spirit and zeal.
Though we've excelled in the arts of war and violence, I fear our victories will eventually amount to nothing, without considering another important factor. To win, to truly win, we must garner not only superiority in strength over our foes, but must also dominate over their hearts with the spirit that drives us forward. The spirit that gives us song in every foe we slay. The spirit that bonds our familias through thick and thin. The spirit that keeps our leaders straight and true to their promises. The spirit that inspires trailblazers like me to cross boundaries to new heights.
The spirit of Corsair culture.
I am Don Ricardo Barcelona. And I feel it's my duty to make the colonies realize that even in the harshest of climates, the thorny cactus also grows some of the largest and most beautiful flowers in all of Sirius.
----------
"... Your Excellency?"
"Hm? Ah, Commandante." I turned from my self-distant stare through the window to see Rosalinda in her purple uniform, her blonde hair flowing down her shoulders as she poised straight with a datapad on one arm. "I see your meeting with the Juanito familia went optimistically, considering you're here half an hour earlier than I expected."
A cheeky grin parted her lips, revealing those whitish teeth of hers that complemented her tanned skin as she said, "Trentino had a coughing fit during that meeting. Don't suppose that package Your Excellency asked me to deliver had any part to play in that?"
I gave back my own grin, studying her carefully with furrowed eyebrows and narrowed eyes, "And what would you be implying with that statement, Commandante?"
"Why, I imply nothing, Your Excellency. I simply wish to remark that if said package did play a part in causing his ailment, it sure made my job that much easier. Hence why I'm here early, and am therefore grateful." She shot back her own narrow stare, and for the next few moments we continued this silent, non-verbal contest between ourselves, seeing who would back done from his or her position first.
Unfortunately, it was I who gave up first, an elated grunt breaking the stalemate as I slowly turned my attention back to the window. I stared outwards through the fiberglass window and into space, my focus on the inch-long silhouette of a Shukensha liner that grew bigger with each passing minute as it slowly neared itself to Freeport 9.
I could feel my Commandante's silky breasts puff softly against my back as she wrapped her powerful arms lovingly around my sides and hips. Leaning her head and chin on my shoulder, I could hear her gently moaning to my right ear, "Your Excellency... What's wrong? You've been sighing to yourself and been staring at the void these past few weeks."
I grinned half to myself, "Well for starters, you're making my back caress those luscious mallows of yours. If I didn't know any better, I'd say such an act is very unbecoming of a Commandante to her Don, si?"
"I don't see, or hear, or even feel You complaining, Your Excellency... In fact-" Her tongue licking shortly on my earlobe made me slightly shiver, "-I think You'd be willing to promote me if I followed Your unconscious orders to the letter."
"The only thing that'll get any promotion out of this would be my manhood... after it's done with demoting you of your virginity."
The two of us laughing at that last statement gave us both some measure of peace. I've always delighted in us constantly teasing each other's tension to the limit, yet never really pushing forwards with it. Honestly, I'm surprised we've kept our drives back for so long it's a wonder we haven't upped and tied the knot after all these years.
Sadly, we both knew we had jobs to do, stuff to accomplish, things that married life would only complicate without the necessary preparations. A pity, really.
I sighed as I stared once again at the approaching liner, "... It's a great task, Commandante, to be fighting a different war on behalf of the Imperio. This'll be my greatest gamble in my entire career as a Corsario. I've already poured out half the Barcelona treasury into this single liner. I know I'll do my best not to let my familia down, but I'm not yet completely sure as how to approach such a unique enemy."
The hum of the station's life support systems were the only sounds to answer me for the next several moments, but it was a peck on my neck that stirred me from my heaviness as Rosalinda said, "You know... We don't have our own science vessel yet, Your Excellency. I've checked the liner's schematics and consulted with our experts. There's potential we can turn the Madrid into a weapons lab, away from the prying eyes of competing familias."
"No." I closed my eyes, not letting her finish as I continued, "That tactic sounds too stable, too predictable. This tourism venture, however... There is an entire, almost-untapped market both for the Imperio and abroad, Rosa. Mi amigos are losing their traditions, ways and their heritage from their constant struggling. Hermanos and hermanas are growing weary, flocking to the outside worlds for enjoyment. Eventually, they'll defect due to promises of greener pastures. Even the old are starting to ignore long-held celebrations and fiestas simply because there's little-to-no audience to cater them.
"The Elders may say only the weak doubt their heritage and deserve to flee like traitors, but I see the greater threat. An enemy that seeks to turn our own children against us with temptations of comfort and complacency. Now is the time to be proactive... not reactive, Commandante. Now is the time our artisans deserve some time in the spotlight. Now is the time our amigos are reminded of what it means to be proud of being called Corsario."
I paused my proclamation, hoping my words sink themselves not only in my Commandante's heart, but also my own. The Shukensha on the other side of that window seemed to represent the task that was laid out before me. The Madrid was a gigantic, expensive, yet elegant endeavor that did not guarantee success. It looked spectacular on the outside, yet was completely empty from within. A blank slate, if you would. But I knew such emptiness would be the perfect datapad for an entire House to paint its past, present, and future on. A canvass of unknown capabilities waiting to be realized.
Both I and my Commandante looked at the mooring Shukensha, its size now as large as a city. Though we now had the ship, the next phase was now to fill it up with amenities. "Shall I ask the Marketing Division to set up an advertisement about the Madrid, Your Excellency?"
I motioned to grasp my Commandante's hands as I replied, "No. I'll convene with the Council first, and inquire their advice on what products and services they want the Madrid to have and focus on, before we finalize anything. Perhaps the familias will also see fit to set up offices within the liner. This may be a private business venture, but if it's to at all succeed as a representative of our people, I must draw blessing and strength from the entire Imperio, from the highest elder to the lowliest civil.
"Meanwhile, I want a full sitrep on our familia contacts and public relations. By now, they ought to be knowledgeable about my new toy, so ask them if they have any potential artists and/or businesses willing to set up shop in the liner."
Rosalinda laid on my cheek a final peck, before unfurling herself from me and chopping a formal salute. "Understood, Your Excellency."
Footsteps began to sound and fade out as my Commandante left me to my thoughts. I folded my arms and gazed back at the Madrid, which was now fully moored and ready to receive me and my escorts. I gave one last hopeful look at the pristine liner, and somehow, I felt that it too stared wishfully back at me, like a child full of promise and hope in its eyes.
And like any self-respecting father, I replied back with a proud, reassuring smile.