Ayem pressed fingers against his temple. This mornings headache throbbed with merciless vigour. His elbows, hidden by the sleeves of a peach silk shirt slashed open from the throat to the sternum, rested on the leather surface of his table. The study in his northern villa, the Villa Censina, offered a view of the lazuli swimming pool, the flower gardens and the town beyond. One of the ibn Sina Pilgrim class liners made its slow descent to land at the port and offload its generous supply of goods, both human and inanimate. More paperwork, he thought with regret.
On the table, lay the screen of his terminal, a flat, sleek, black number with a blue display. Four words marked the otherwise blank screen: The ibn Sina Familia. This was not going well. Perhaps it would be best if he pardoned that creature. Though that would foment unrest in Susa, and there was enough of that to deal with as it was. Hed let the woman fly off, expecting her to return in a pod, suitably chastened. Her repeated success was something he would just have to live with. A number of the slavers that supplied the Familia had expressed their thanks for so vigilant a gunship, and praised its defence of their vessels against the Abolitionists and their dogs.
Very well. It shall have to be done.
"The ibn Sina Familia, hereafter referred to as the Familia, offer a declaration of intent for the execution of the pilots of any vessel marked with the Hostile.Intent or "ProjectX" embellishment. The alien who guides these ships has wrought grievous insult on the Familia, and has expressed a desire to murder Outcasts. While the alien claims Outcast identification and captains vessels constructed in the docks of Valetta Shipyard, the Familia questions the right of this alien to hold any position in the military organisation of Malta.
Evidence of the creature's intent may be found attached.
Due to the aliens forked tongue, it staved off the destruction of its Storta class Destroyer while facing a combined bomber force of 101st and Familia. Due to the desire of the Familia to protect relations with true Maltan organisations, I, Ayem ibn Sina, expressed the desire to pursue the execution of this rogue alien under the sole flag of the Familia until such time as the creature is named an enemy of Malta.
The Familia wish to assure the people of Malta that the greatest care will be taken to ensure there is none, or little, collateral loss of life and to say that though the creature pilots Outcast designed and built ships, it does not crew with Maltan nationals.
Oh dear me... This is unacceptable! May I remind you, calling yours truly a 'morsel' is one of the greatest insults that could be given to me! I AM NO MORSEL! I AM A SOLDIER!
*Clears his throat* On a lighter note, this... Impressive message will make your deaths more satisfying... Good day, fool.
--//End//--
--//Trace-: Blocked//>
Incoming secured transmission... Identified as "TETR15" Encryption. | L [] ,-'
Sender: Captain Ayumu Ishida, Mirage Squadron
To: Ayem ibn Sina
Subject: Observations
An ex-Mirage had a run-in with this "Hostile Intent", I believe.
Magician's Falcata is in for repairs, and our warships Apparition and Phantasm are rather useless against other capital ships. We will, however, make every effort we can to gather intelligence on this vessel.
From a strictly legal perspective, you don't seem to have quite enough evidence to mark him as an enemy of Malta. From a less rigid viewpoint, you'll probably have bombers lining up to turn his Storta into a small debris field.
Let me know when Hostile Intent finally explodes. The Phantasm could use some spare parts.
"Ayumu, how far that one has risen." Ayem held a glass of wine by the stem and tapped a fingernail against the side enjoying, for a moment, the sound. A slave dressed in silks of crimson and gold raised his head, and lowered it when Ayem made no further motion, maintaining his position beside the maple door.
Incoming Transmission...
Encryption consistent with Outcast protocol.
Decrypting...
Sender: Ayem ibn Sina, Familia.
Location of Source: Malta
To: Ayumu Ishida, Mirage Squadron
Subject: Regards, Observations
Dear Ayumu,
I understand the position of the Familia in this unusual situation. As I informed the 101st officer who approached with regards to the execution of the ProjectX creature, the ibn Sina Familia are quite prepared to undertake this mission alone. Though it shall be to the detriment of our profits, I may resurrect the Sicarius, that mourned ship, in the form of a Storta class destroyer. I would hope that you will understand I am not keen to raise such a weapon of war, but in the situation it appears warranted. A pity that the creature forces my hand to the hammer, where I would prefer the knife.
Perhaps it is part of his tactical forecasts that I would choose this option, due to the creature's current preference for New York. If so, I face a more cunning foe than I at first gave credit. Rest assured, the Sicarius would not violate the sovereign territory of the Houses, at least to their knowledge. The reprisals against the Maltan nation as a result of such an action would become expensive and bloody. Know however, I am committed, as is the Familia.
![[Image: whoisavicenna.jpg]](http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv75/locusani/whoisavicenna.jpg)
![[Image: greyscaleplanets.jpg]](http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv75/locusani/greyscaleplanets.jpg)
