To: Massimo Insigne CC:Black Sails | From: Elder Juanez Buonocore

[Madvillain]

Transmission origin: Planet Crete, Omicron Gamma
Transmission Location: Villa Sephardi, Malathiros
Transmission ID: Elder Juanez ''El Presidente'' Buonocore
Transmission Target: Massimo Insigne, Black Sails
Encryption: Heavy

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Señor Insigne Though your name strikes familiar, I do not believe we have crossed paths before, have we? Your warband has chosen to bear the name of old friends of mine, fallen heroes whose legacy runs deep in the veins of Crete. I will assume this was done out of respect, a tribute, si? For no Corsair worthy of his salt would dare steal valor or bask in the glow of accomplishments that are not his own. Anyway, enough about that. Times change, as do morals and judgments, and perhaps I am getting old... Old enough to see how far things have drifted from what once was. The Brotherhood, rusted and rigid as it may seem, remains a beacon of stability. It is what the people of Crete need: stability, tradition, and respect for the old ways. Pride, one of the three tenets of our fellowship, has at times consumed certain Brotherhood Elders, creating an imbalance where honour and dignity were overshadowed. And just alike them I see in your warband plenty of pride, an abundance, even, but little honour, and for taking the name of fallen heroes without standing in their shadow, I see even less dignity. I think you should learn to love yourself a bit more muchacho. Yet I am not blind. I know that the Empire has need for hombres like you. The Council of Elders, once a towering pillar of strength across Sirius, has become a shadow of its former self. I bore witness to the Penitence’s escape from Dresden: a defeat that strikes at the heart of our Imperio. Such wounds cannot be ignored or they will fester. More recently, I reclaimed my place within the Council of Elders. With it comes responsibility, a burden I do not shy away from. But the Brotherhood, as steadfast as it is, cannot veer too far from its path. We are a ship that sails slow and steady, even when storms threaten to sink us. That is our strength, but it is also our limitation. You, however, have the freedom to act with daring, and for that, I applaud you. The bravery of your people is unquestionable. This is why I extend my hand to you, muchachos. Unity is strength, and a fractured people are an easy target. If we work together, if we find common ground, I will be the first to fight for your place in the Council of Elders. Representation brings responsibility, and responsibility demands accountability. These are the foundations of an Imperio that lasts. Now don't become cowards and deny this opportunity. You wish to hold the Brotherhood accountable for its weaknesses? I welcome it, it is only through utmost honesty and competition that we can raise the empire to greater heights together. Have your voice be heard before all Elders, and have them see you as equals. It is a fine offer that only an imbecile would refuse. Now, about Omicron Theta. I have heard troubling rumors: whispers that your warband has taken actions against a ship ''the ZCV-Kaldra'' carrying Jerard Voncloud. Let me be clear: this man is of value to the Empire. His role in dividing the Zoners of Theta has been invaluable. Thanks to such division, we keep the Zoners weak and unable to unite against us. If the likes of Voncloud, Doc Holliday’s Med Force Enterprises, OSI, and the New Covenant Church were to ally with the Phoenix, they could pose a serious problem, unlike the minor annoyance that Phoenix is right now. Diverting firepower from Omega-5 to crush their resistance would be a costly distraction. Keeping Phoenix around but weak on the other hand,is nothing more than profitable for cargo liberators such as yourself. Phoenix is nothing more than an annoyance right now. It is a hornet’s nest we can swat at our leisure. But why kick that nest while also angering the others? Why would you shoot yourself in the foot, muchaco? Here’s my proposal: I will pay your warband 500,000 credits per Phoenix ship you destroy, up to the first five kills. That should send the right message. I have a contract made for you already, all you need to do is do what you love, and claim your rewards. On top of that, if you happen to come across Voncloud’s escape pod, treat him well and deliver him to Battleship Prox, manage that and I will personally reward you with 1 million credits. In the meantime, If there’s anything else you need. ships, weapons, reinforcements, let us discuss it. But do not forget: our enemies thrive on our division. Keep the Zoners fragmented, keep them weak, and together we will ensure the Imperio remains unchallenged. Viva el Imperio. Viva los Corsarios. -Elder Juanez Gonzalez Perez Aguilar Garcia De la Santa Maria Buonocore

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Baila Morena | Toilet Trouble | Elder Presidente[TBH] | The Titan Combat Manual | Confession
♰ Join the Corsair Brotherhood ♰

[vladimir26]

Incoming transmission

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Recipient: Juanez Buonocore
Sender: Massimo Insigne
Location:Cruiser Vendetta

Elder,

Not so long ago I explained one of your fellow elders why you bear this title. I can repeat myself, unless he shared it with you. It's not the first, nor the last time I hear this bullshit about the Black Sails. Luckily, I got an easy solution to it, and it involves a lollipop.

If you don't mind, I'll just skip the part that involves stability. During my latest visit to Omicron Theta, 2 days ago, the system was overflowing with signs of stability. Corsair wrecks flowing around Freeport 9, an Outcast fleet mopping the floor with the valiant Deterrence defenders, and a treacherous Zoner lying in a warship next to the Freeport, indifferent to the Outcast slaughter. If that is what you call stability, then I'll leave you to your own devices.

Don't mistake us for a band of mercenaries, cabron. You will indeed have a very big use of the Black Sails, but for that you need to start thinking. Cut the crap and bravado, and let's talk. I am not sure how you managed to assume so fast that we found Jerard Voncloud, but we did. I would also like to thank you personally for disclosing his importance to the Theta situation. I bet you're sticking your fingernail in your throat now that we hold him, so I suggest employing better manners and diplomacy in future talks, if you want him back, of course, because we won't exchange him for credits, nor will we take on your contract against the Phoenix. You can do better, I hope. If not, bring me someone who can.

I hope I made myself clear. In the meantime, be kind and let the Deterrence know of our little conversation. I expect you both to be perros obedientes if you want your precious Treaty to endure, and to ever see Voncloud again. It would be such a pity if the Black Sails would drop him on Pygar.

We will be in touch, once the Brotherhood and Deterrence will be open for negotiations.

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[Madvillain]

Transmission origin: Planet Crete, Omicron Gamma
Transmission Location: Villa Sephardi, Malathiros
Transmission ID: Elder Juanez ''El Presidente'' Buonocore
Transmission Target: Massimo Insigne, Black Sails
Encryption: Heavy

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You mistake my prior restraint for weakness. A mistake I will not allow you to repeat. Let me clarify your position... You are not my equal, Massimo. You are not even worthy of my contempt. Your name, your actions, your band of misfits, all are a blemish on the honor of Crete. I thought you were brave but clearly you are too much of a coward to take responsibility for your treacherous actions. The noble blood of the Ventru is wasted on the veins of rats and traitors. You, señor, have been offered a path of redemption but chose to be nothing more but a cucaracha scuttling in the shadow of titans. The Black Sails you claim to represent were lions, a pride of heroes who carved their names into the annals of Corsair history. You and your rabble are corpse picking scavengers, gnawing at the bones they left behind, unworthy even to speak their name. Every cowardly breath you take is an insult to your familia, your people and your empire. Voncloud, you say, is in your possession. Do you think that gives you any power? He is a tool, useful to the Imperio only as long as he is in charge of Pygar. Yet even that use pales next to the greater good of our people. If it comes down to choosing between tolerating your pathetic attempt to blackmail an Elder and annihilating you, I assure you, señor, I will choose the latter without hesitation. You will bring him to Battleship Prox and release him. Not because you desire peace or because you value diplomacy, no, those concepts apparently are far beyond the grasp of your petty, squabbling band of backstabbing beggars. You will release him because I command it, and because to defy me is to hasten the complete obliteration of your pathetic existence. You have 24 hours. Comply, or you will find your extended familia rotting in the dungeons of Nova Magerit. On top of that, refuse and you will find every Corsair base, ship, landing path and casa locked and hostile to you, and every Corsair weapon aimed at your head. The Empire does not tolerate your treason, Massimo, and neither will I. -Elder Juanez Gonzalez Perez Aguilar Garcia De la Santa Maria Buonocore

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Baila Morena | Toilet Trouble | Elder Presidente[TBH] | The Titan Combat Manual | Confession
♰ Join the Corsair Brotherhood ♰

[Chxlls]

Incoming transmission

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Recipient: Elder Buonocore, The Brotherhood
Sender: Lisset Vazquez
Location: Battlecruiser Santander

Elder,

If I may, I’d like to bring up a point that neither you or my kin have decided to bring up in this conversation. I’m surprised that no one has decided to discuss it, especially regarding our most recent events in the Omegas and Omicrons.

The Santander.

Obviously, your group’s failures surrounding the Penitence haven’t gone overlooked by us. Word tells of hundreds of corsair losses that spanned from the Sigmas to the Omicrons. A good Elder would bear the responsibility of his men on his shoulders. Clearly, you are more resigned to dealing with petty squabbles over a pawn, rather than facing the actual problems of Crete.

As you’re well-aware, the Black Sails have mas-o-menos maintained the Corsairs’ Bretonian offensive in recent months, with very little help from your group, or from the Deterrence. We’ve even defended the Deterrence’s most recent installation into Dublin, without pay, on their behalf. The situation here is all-too-quick to destabilize, with the Bretonians becoming increasingly inpatient with the Mollys’ control of the system, and the bounty hunters and Mollys threatening our footholds we have worked so hard to secure.

If I’m entirely honest, I have no clue why our ships even came to Theta in the first place. I have instructed my people to hold the line in Dublin, while you and your second-rate pilots do your best to mitigate losses of capital ships in systems where they shouldn’t be.

Should you declare hostilities between our two groups, the fate of the Santander is sealed. Think carefully before you make another irrational decision that will cost the Imperio another one of its flagships. In the meantime, we will hold our ground in Dublin.

Should you like to open up negotiations with regards to current events in Theta, feel free to do so. Otherwise, don't bother reaching out to us again.

Time is short, Elder. I’d think quickly.

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[Madvillain]

Transmission origin: Planet Crete, Omicron Gamma
Transmission Location: Villa Sephardi, Malathiros
Transmission ID: Elder Juanez ''El Presidente'' Buonocore
Transmission Target: Lisset Vazquez, Black Sails
Encryption: Heavy

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What have you become? A parade of puppets parroting hollow lies and excuses, hoping I will forget the blade hanging above your heads? No, muchachos, this show of payasos ends now. I hear you speak of the Penitence as if you had any hand in its defense? Tell me, where were the Black Sails when the Empire bled? Did a single one of your ships answer the call? No, you slinked in the shadows, waiting to pick at the scraps like vultures. And in Theta, when the Deterrence faced a fleet of Outcasts, where were you? They saw no Black Sails to fight for Crete. No, instead, you chose to betray your brothers in the same system by attacking an asset under the Empire’s protection. You abducted a foreigner protected by Corsair law and did nothing to prevent the spilling of Corsair blood. Furthermore, you boast of Dublin, of your noble “sacrifices,” defending our foothold "without pay." Spare me your cuentos, niña. You are not warriors of honor. You are scavengers, you pick corpses for profit. In Dublin you fight not for the Empire, but only for your pockets. Why are you not already here, in the Omicrons, standing before the Council of Elders to defend your honour? Do not hide behind the Santander for its fate right now is none of your concern. It will thrive with or without you, and if you fail to comply with our demands, it will thrive despite you. You say that time is short and it is short indeed: for you. Deliver Voncloud to Battleship Prox immediately. The Brotherhood will not speak of treaties with traitors who have broken our laws and defy our Elders. The Black Sails have made their choices, and now they will face the consequences. Refuse, and the entire might of the Empire will turn upon you. Your houses will burn, your familias will cry out in despair, and there will be no refuge for the desterrados. You will be cast out, hunted, and erased from Crete’s memory as if you never existed. Our second rate pilots will see to it. We have many of them, and they are very disappointed and angry. Stop trying to weasel your way out, this is your last chance. Submit to the ultimatum. Obey the will of the Elders. Or face a reckoning the likes of which you cannot imagine. -Elder Juanez Gonzalez Perez Aguilar Garcia De la Santa Maria Buonocore

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Baila Morena | Toilet Trouble | Elder Presidente[TBH] | The Titan Combat Manual | Confession
♰ Join the Corsair Brotherhood ♰

[vladimir26]

Incoming transmission

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Recipient: Juanez Buonocore
Sender: Massimo Insigne
Location:Battlecruiser Perdition

The video feed starts, finding Massimo hiding under the bar, visible shaken by the threats made by elder Buonocore. He proceeds to crawl out, helping himself to the backrest of a chair to stand up, as his knees are shaking violently. Once he's back on his feet, he lights a cigar and proceeds to address the elder's wrath.

Well, that was bloody scary. We thought we hit a mine, due to the speakers being on max output. Alas, with the jokes out of the way, let's get to serious matters.

As I understand, your priority out of this whole mess is to turn the Black Sails into the scapegoats of your own imbecilty. Let me sum up one last time of what we stand accused by your pathetic Brotherhood and the Deterrence of Wisdom:

- we stand accused of engaging an ex OSI representative, Jerard Voncloud, after failing to submit to our modest demand. The OSI and the Deterrence face charges of high treason, by putting up a secret supply chain, where Mollys and BMM would mine Gold Ore, drop it on an undercover RPA installation in order to be refined, then OSI would ship it to Omega-3, from where the Deterrence will pick it up. At the time of this discovery, the construction of Fort Torrelavega didn't started, as a Deterrence imbecil suggested. So, who are the traitors here, cabron?

- The fucking Gaians. We sent the proofs we gathered to one of your lap dogs, but so far we failed to hear any feedback. Proofs clear as daylight, Gaians attempting to take shelter on Connacht from where they previously bought gold from. In both cases so far it is the Black Sails who bear the consequences in increased Molly attacks, while you bark like a rabid dog trying to portray yourself a ruthless leader, but to me you look like a chimpanzee suffering from Tourette syndrome;

- the same ruthless approach involving ultimatums was pushed over Phoenix as well, in order to, what? Gain control over a planet devoid of resources or any industry? It seems the Brotherhood and Deterrence have started doing charity for the zoners, but that's a bit against under our laws, isn't it? If memory serves, all food surplus and any useful commodities will be sent to Crete, while any non-corsair is to be shipped on the nearest neutral installation in order not to waste the Empire's scarce resources to keep him alive. To me, diverting precious food and supplies is nothing more than supporting an orphanage of refugees. And Pygar? Wasting yet more precious Corsair assets to hoist a flag in a cavern system makes as much sense as you weating your sunshades;

- as senora Vazquez mentioned, leaving the Penitence stranded deep behind enemy lines clearly shows your strategical planning capacity. If it were up to me, I wouldn't let you even take my he-goat out for a walk, cuz even that might prove to be too much for you, but I can consider letting you milk it. Wasting so many precious lives over your failure makes us look weak to our enemies. Expect dark days ahead. The Brotherhood and the Deterrence will be the bane of the Empire;

- it was your big mouth who mentioned Voncloud's worth for your petty plannings in Theta, yet all you do to see him free is to start being hysteric. To me at this point it's clear that your pride outweights the better good of the Empire you're supposed to serve, but instead you will lead it to ruin, as nothing that the Brotherhood and Deterrence engaged in was fruitful;

- last but not least, you would see the Dublin front collapse rather than work out with the Black Sails. We're very close to see history repeating itself with the Santander as it happened with the Penitence. But, what does that matter to you? A couple hundred corsairs lost, one more capital ship in need of capital repairs. Last I checked our resources were stretched as thin as they could get, but you throw them away recklessly to satisfy the pride of the combined Deterrence Brotherhood.

That preety much sums up the crossroads we face ahead. If by a miracle you choose the path of diplomacy for the greater good of Crete, proceed to Omega-5 where the Black Sails is hosting talks. Should you consider going to war against the Black Sails ignoring the highlights I made, consider your ultimatum expired.

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[Madvillain]

Transmission origin: Planet Crete, Omicron Gamma
Transmission Location: Villa Sephardi, Malathiros
Transmission ID: Elder Juanez ''El Presidente'' Buonocore
Transmission Target: Massimo Insigne, Black Sails
Encryption: Heavy

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Massimo, cariño You speak with the bravado of a hombre who thinks a cigar and a few cheap insults can hide the truth. But I see through your little show. Beneath the trembling knees and the shaking voice, it’s clear: you’re scared, hermano. And you should be. Your attempts to justify your treachery are as hollow as your sudden newfound claims to loyalty. Do you know the meaning of "show, don’t tell," Señor Insigne? You were offered a seat in the Council of Elders, your very own representative. I would have elevated one of your ranks to become an Elder, granting you the respect you could never earn on your own, even though the Black Sails are nothing more than an insignificant gathering of bottom feeders. But instead of grasping the lifeline handed to you, you mocked the Elders, insulted the Empire, and bit the hand that feeds you. Now muchacho, you speak of diplomacy, but your record is one of scorn and defiance. You squandered every opportunity to reconcile, sneering at the Empire you claim to serve. Diplomacy, Massimo? Of every hombre in Sirius, there is none less equipped for it than you. The ultimatum stands. You have until the clock strikes the 24th hour since its declaration to deliver Voncloud to Battleship Prox. This is not a request. It is not a debate. It is the will of Crete, the Council of Elders, and the Empire itself. You can throw as much mierda at the wall as you like, but none of it will stick until you submit to the rule of the Elders. Deliver Voncloud. Surrender yourself to a trial by the Council of Elders for your crimes against the Empire, and perhaps.... perhaps, some of you may find use beyond mining artifacts or scrubbing the slaughterhouses of Nova Magerit. For if nothing else, your incompetence is entertaining, I will give you that. Alas... refuse, and you will never see Crete again. The choice is yours, Massimo. The clock is ticking, no more distractions, make up your mind. -Elder Juanez Gonzalez Perez Aguilar Garcia De la Santa Maria Buonocore

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Baila Morena | Toilet Trouble | Elder Presidente[TBH] | The Titan Combat Manual | Confession
♰ Join the Corsair Brotherhood ♰