//This is a response between Akiyama and Shade in the Former LTH Research Facility.
Akiyama was glad that the Omicroner topic was not pressed further. Their absence meant a geopolitical struggle as various groups tried to fill the power dynamic. It also meant she lost a lot of her self-identity in the process.
"No it's not common news. Most people here have fight left in them. If I tell them that a former Omicroner is held hostage by the TAZ.... well chances are that most will jump straight to Baffin and rip Shasta apart." Akiyama spoke of the delicate balance, where most of the Freeport was made from hardened veterans who lived in edge space, "It's family out here. One of our own, trapped, would start a war. We would win, we have more experience than mere space hippies, but it would come at a cost. One I am not willing to pay for. One that we shouldn't have to pay for."
"So, here we sit. Preventing a leak. If John Douglas dies in Baffin, whatever excuse the TAZ cook up will not stop a Zoner civil war." Akiyama spoke more impersonally this time as if this was a matter of fact.
"This is why we need your help. We must prevent a militant or infected TAZ from weakening the Zoner populace with violence. We need to get John Douglas back, regardless of which way this swings." Akiyama's voice had a tone of pleading to it. Anyone could see how precarious the situation was.