----------Incoming Transmission-----------------------------------
To: The Lane Hacker Leadership
Comm ID: The Syndicate
Source: Unknown
Sirs, I am speaking to you today to address an issue that seems to have arisen between the businessmen we represent, and the Lane-Hacker organisation.
Today we where contacted by one of our associates, a man who has been heavily involved in transporting goods through House space on behalf of a range of criminal organisations. The one of whom I speak has been running this business for many years, having taken up the mantle of his father, who was sadly executed during the conflict of 812 AS.
Over the past few years he has transported cargo ranging from Engine Components and Counterfeit Software to Artefacts and Synthetic Marijuana. During his time, he has enjoyed a good relationship with the lane-hackers and provided occasional assistance in the form of supply shipments.
However, this man today reported to us that, while passing through Magellan hauling a shipment of Alien Artifacts obtained in Bretonia from an associate, he was harassed by a pair of Lane-Hacker pilots. He does not wish to name-drop, though mentioned to us that one of the pilots wore the colours of a member of the elite LH wing.
Our associate reports that he was repeatedly slandered and falsely occused of being a Corsair, despite no evidence being present to support the assertion. Attempting to appeal to the businesslike nature of the Hacker group, he offered them a cut in his profeits, for safe passage.
However, the hacker pilots did not accept his offer, and clung to a strange belief that Artifacts can only be found in the hands of Corsairs. The fighters attacked, and much to his regret, our associate was forced to defend himself. His on-board defences destroyed the two ships, and another that arrived shortly after shots where first exchanged.
Our associate rescued the pilots and attempted to negotiate their hand-over in exchange for an audience with the Hacker leadership, but the hacker representatives proved uncooperative.
Our associate claims the pilots are still in his custody and have rooms rented at one of his haven-bases in Liberty.
Our associate informed the Syndicate with the hopes that we could negotiate resumption of the Lane Hacker's tolerance of the artifact trade.
Unlike the Outcast drug Cardimine, the contraband that the Corsairs are overwhelmingly associated with; Alien Artifacts, is not solely transported by their ships. Unlike the Outcasts with their Cardimine, the Corsairs do not have a stranglehold over the market of Alien Artifacts, and indeed, Corsairs will never be seen carrying them into Liberty.
It is normal practice for the Corsairs to offload Artifacts on neutral bases, selling them to middle-men such as the Junkers, who then give them over to unaffiliated smugglers such as our associates in exchange for a middle-rate fee. Thus, Artifact smugglers ought not be denounced as Corsairs, or even associates of the corsairs.
In addition, if any of your men have ventured to the Edge Worlds, you may be aware of entire planets and nebulae that are in no uncertain terms brimming with harvestable alien finds.
Put simply, we can vouch for most of our associates when we say that the majority of them have never collaborated with Corsairs.
It would seem to us that the Lane Hackers have nothing to gain from obstructing the flow of artifacts into Liberty, unless they are receiving a significant reimbursement from the Outcasts for such a service. Afterall, only the outcasts and Liberty corporations such as Ageria gain from smuggling of alien technology into Liberty being hindered. Are the Outcasts rewarding you for such a great help to them? If not, I would suggest that it's very poor business indeed.
Like the Hackers, we smugglers have a distain for house corporations, and their infringement of our liberties. This is, in part, why we attempt to assist criminal organisations such as the Lane-Hackers through supply shipping.
If the Lane Hackers are willing to allow safe passage to artifact smugglers, the Syndicate can attempt to organise frequent supply shipping to Hacker bases, and perhaps even provide regular financial aid vire subspace-balance-transfer. It goes without saying, of course, that all involved would make great effort to ensure the Outcasts never got wind of the agreement, so that your alliance is not endangered. Naturally, we will attempt to ensure that the pilots held by our associate are released to you safe and sound.
To miss out on an opportunity such as this, out of some misbegotten loyalty to the Outcasts would be foolish, and very bad business.
If the Lane Hacker leadership are interested in our offer, please use these contact details and a meeting of some kind can be arranged. ::::UPLOADING:::::