It's been a while, and I think it's likely you forgot about our little encounter. I'm the guy with the remote controlled drone ship you had met infront of Manhattan, with the Zoner girl, the Bundschuh girl and the Maltese pilots around. You know, you said your transponder was just not working correctly. But I'm pretty much sure about you being an Oracle anyway, and a funny one, if I may say so.
You know, I'm interested in the Oracles and their work, but there isn't much known about them, really. At least not to me. I guess there are more information available to Maltese, maybe? Anyway, I wanted to kindly ask you some things. Basically, I would like to know about the two religions of Malta. The Holy Faith of Tarxien and the Church of Malta. Can you send me some data about those? Everything would be interesting to me, just tell me what you would be willing to share.
Of course I don't want to waste your time, so I guess I can pay you for those information. The more you can give me, the more you will get. I'm sure the Oracles won't deny the donation.
COMM-ID: Marie Mercier TARGET-ID: Signor Ezrael Vertiga
INITIALIZING MESSAGE
A pleasure to 'ear your voice again, signor. I 'ave to admit that I nigh forgot it altogether, but, well, that is 'ow it is with seeing someone in passing. Pardon me if I go catch my eyebrows real quick, since they decided to travel all the way back to my neck, but why the sudden interest in the Church? Last I recalled, you already 'ad contact and were even offered to take our path. It makes me wonder where the sudden change of 'eart comes from, given that you were so keen on declining any involvement with the Church. Far be it from me to insinuate ulterior motives — because, you know, that would be rude — yet it begs the question what prevented you from asking all of this when you 'ad the chance.
Furthermore, why the interest in the Tarxiens? The Cross in its former appearance is not there anymore, and while its dogma still permeates Maltese culture, as it is considered a majority religion alongside the Church by the National Council. Yes, it almost seems as if you want to conduct a study, signor. Now answering your question, I am in fact able to give you what you want, but you know 'ow it is with religious people: Money ain't really a thing most of us are keen on. Look, I'm not looking to embarrass you or anything, I'm just curious what makes you ask now. Do you seek the path of the Oracle?
It's somehow sweet to hear your gallic voice again.
Yes, it's a study. Someone asked me to write two in depth dossiers about those religions. While I don't know what's this entity's intention with those information, it somehow seems it is not in a position to show interest in it in a more public way. Since I owe that entity one - and that is binding - I was asked to gather information about the said topics. You would do me a favor if you could help me here. If you don't want money for it, that's okay.
To hit two flies with one stone, I thought about contacting you instead of Laguna. Just to maybe know you a bit better. I'm still intrigued by the fact a gallic woman is an Oracle. Not that one thinks it's not possible. It just makes you a bit more of a special snowflake to me.
COMM-ID: Marie Mercier TARGET-ID: Signor Ezrael Vertiga
INITIALIZING MESSAGE
My voice, you say? I 'ave always found it to be rather obnoxious, as there is virtually no more surefire way of giving away one's 'eritage. I gotta admit that your request 'as me a bit in a bad spot. On one 'and, you literally admitted to me that you are collecting information for third parties that may or may not wish us 'arm, and on the other, you make it seem as if it were quite important to you. Say, whatever did you get your ass into?
Tell you what: I'll confer with people and see what can be done. Does that sound like a deal for now? That or you could actually tell me everything I need to know.
Since you seem to be informed about me already having had a number of other encounters with the Oracles, you surely now I have something special in my possession. While it possibly means nothing to you, I think the third party isn't interested in harming you but just wishes to know more about those religions. I have no other choice than leaving you the choice of what you wish to share with me. The entity wishes to learn about religious customs, teachings, authority figures, followers, notable followers of the faith, if possible, and anything else you want to tell. I believe sharing such information can really harm anyone too much, but on the other hand, you surely know better if that can cause trouble.
The thing is, if I am able to provide those two dossiers, the entity will ensure my safety from consequences the acquisition of said object may have or can cause. And, just to have it said, I myself am not interested in endangering the Oracles and their allies in any case, as they always have shown their openness and friendliness to us. They have given freedom to someone who was born to wage war. That's a very special gift. And a unique one.
COMM-ID: Marie Mercier TARGET-ID: Signor Ezrael Vertiga
INITIALIZING MESSAGE
To be fair, I am not too sure 'ow to really deal with this, signor. People being ignorant of us is, well, a huge plus when it comes to the way we can sashay around. I 'ave a counter-offer for you, signor. I will visit you to get a picture of you myself and we'll see what comes of it. Keep in mind that there are a lot of things I can't tell you, since we don't disclose who's in the Church to third parties, for example, as freedom of religion includes the right to not disclose that one is religious, so if you came expecting me to tell you this, you will be disappointed.
Name a time. Also, the comm topics are atrocious. I swear I don't sound like that at all.
Are you saying the Church has no official people representing them to the rest of Sirius?
Anyway, a meeting seems fine to me, if it is really neccessary. Our home ship is currently near Omega-49, so give us a call when you're around. Practically, you can come around whenever it seems fitting to you. I'm sure you will enjoy meeting Little Blue.
COMM-ID: Marie Mercier TARGET-ID: Signor Ezrael Vertiga
INITIALIZING MESSAGE
I never said there aren't representatives. I'll be around in the next few days, maybe. I still got a few things to do right now, like moving to a new place. You know, looking at the wallpapers, screaming because there's still 'air in the sink. It's really bad moving in after another woman who apparently never cleaned the bathroom. Bloody 'ell.
NAME: The Church of Sirius DESCRIPTION: The Church of Sirius is run by the Oracles of Malta and is one of the two major religions practicized by Malta-related people. The entire religion is based on the believe of the nomads being closer to transcendence than we humans are. Worshippers of this religion try to be close and get in touch with the 'spirits', as the Maltese call the nomads, to learn from them. So, they seek co-existance with the nomads. They seek to watch their way of evolution, as they take it as guidance for their own evolution, knowing the nomads will always be ahead of them.
They claim the use of Cardamine opens the mind towards the 'spirits', and they claim a Cardamine-user can hear them, if they listen closely. They call them spirits based on myths and traditions that began with the planetfall of the first Maltese on Malta, as the nomads were already there, according to them. Sights of nomads were a rare thing back then, and since this is pretty much the case of the first contact between humans and an alien race, it is understandable people build myths around those 'spirits'.
When the nomads call, the Oracles will follow, as they worship them this way. With the use of Cardamine, the Oracles claim to be able to communicate with them, on rare occassion it is said some people even joined the nomad Mindshare in a trance-like state. My question about whether the Oracles receive orders from the nomads was answered as following: "They are teachers, so of course there is homework." This includes diverse things, from trivial things up to playing diplomats or mediating between two sides. If not even more.
The Oracles pray to the Nomads, however without ritualistic chanting. According to the Oracles, the nomads can share visions of the future with them. This is, by the way, something I heard from other sources as well. According to this, the nomads are able to predict the future. However, whether this is true or if this is just a claim someone made, I can't tell. It is said the Oracle Master Teacher Thomas Aquintas is one of the individuals that made this experience.
The Church of Sirius is basically open for anyone, however, the Oracles are opposing the Order. According to the Oracles, if they had the power, they would also oppose those who actively fight and exploit the nomads - the Core, Auxesia, Lane Hackers and so on.
NAME: Thomas Aquintas AFFILIATION: Oracles STATUS: Master Teacher - whatever that means. HEIGHT: Unknown HAIR: Unknown EYES: Unknown PLACE OF BIRTH: Unknown DATE OF BIRTH: Unknown
Oracle Master Teacher Thomas Aquintas is... well, good question. What is he? From what I have heard, he is neither humand nor nomad, but something between that. Someone once said he has no nose, so I asked an Oracle about it and learned more about it. According to that Oracle, Thomas Aquintas sacrificed parts of his human body in order to be what unifies humans and nomads. He is said to be the middle ground between Tolomon, who mirrors the human aspect of the Oracles, and Saturnia, who mirrors the nomad aspect of them. A trinity.
NAME: Tolomon AFFILIATION: Oracles STATUS: Unknown HEIGHT: Unknown HAIR: Unknown EYES: Unknown PLACE OF BIRTH: Unknown DATE OF BIRTH: Unknown
Tolomon is said to be the personification of the human aspect of the Oracle's trinity. According to my information, he is the one who handles the Oracle's related things on Malta.
NAME: Sajuuk AFFILIATION: Oracles STATUS: Unknown HEIGHT: Unknown HAIR: Unknown EYES: Unknown PLACE OF BIRTH: Unknown DATE OF BIRTH: Unknown
I'm pretty sure I heard this voice somewhere before, but in fact, I have no idea who this is. Like Gemini, this Oracle showed up during a major battle between Core, Order and nomads in Omicron Delta in 823.
NAME: The Holy Faith of Tarxien DESCRIPTION: The maltese family La Torre is a family that managed to make many other families swearing allegiance to them. That way, they became very powerful. Tarxien La Torre was their lord and he professed to ba a prophet, with the vision to conquer Sirius with Malta as the place of government to rule over Sirius, alongside with the spirits. He gave the religion the name. Holy Faith of Tarxien.
The Holy Order of the Crimson Cross is what we know today, or knew, as it's influence is decreasing each month, with the National Council gaining more and more power. During my time in the Core, we had a few neutral-to-hostile encounters with the Crimson Cross in Delta, however I didn't see any of them around anywhere in the late 823. According to my information, La Torre got sick and Erika Espinosa represented the Tarxiens in the end, while the Cross' supporters left over time, feeling the weakness.
The Nacional Council acknowledged both religions as majority religions on Malta and protects them.
According to the Oracles, the Crimson Cross lost most of their spaceborne assets as the noble families moved to support other causes.
The Tarxiens are said to be fond of dramatic public speeches. Also, it is said they were able to enter nomad space without much problem.
NAME: Tarxien La Torre AFFILIATION: Crimson Cross STATUS: Unknown HEIGHT: Unknown HAIR: Unknown EYES: Unknown PLACE OF BIRTH: Unknown DATE OF BIRTH: Unknown
Tarxien La Torre is said to be the founder for the Crimson Cross and the lord of the La Torre family of Malta. He claimed to be a prophet, with the vision to conquer Sirius and establish Malta as governing body. He managed to get the grace of many families of Malta, using them to unify their power under the flag of the Crimson Cross. According to the Oracles, La Torre got sick and had to give up the lead, making place for Erika Espinosa, who did not manage to ensure the integrity of the Crimson Cross.
NAME: Erika Espinosa AFFILIATION: Crimson Cross STATUS: Unknown HEIGHT: Unknown HAIR: Unknown EYES: Unknown PLACE OF BIRTH: Unknown DATE OF BIRTH: Unknown
Erika Espinosa is the last known leader of the Crimson Cross. According to the information I received, she took the lead of the Crimson Cross when Tarxien La Torre got sick. I guess there is a direct connection between her taking the lead, the sickness of La Torre and the decreasing power and influence of the Crimson Cross.
If I wouldn't know better, I would think you forgot a dossier. I'm grateful for that. To be 'onest, most of the latter is conjecture at most, but it'll work to the ends of that person. Who said it needs to be the absolute truth, right? There's nothing from my side, so please do proceed.