I have an... Unusual proposition. I understand that in the chaos and Sirius-wide outpouring of respect and solidarity with inhabitants under your Confederacy, you may have your hands full. I at least request that you hear me out.
I'm essentially... "Commissioning" the construction of a Freeport in the system known as either "Luneburg" or "Sigma-15", depending on who you ask. The parameters are as follows...
Planet Nuremberg is experiencing a massive exodus of its surface population to Botzler-knows-where at a rate possibly unprecedented in all of human history. The neighboring system of Luneburg was formerly entirely under the control of the Bundschuh Party but evidently was discovered by the rogue Bundesrepublik at some point in the past half-year or so. Refugees from Nuremberg quickly followed in desperation, and due to the Party's general refusal to harm Rheinlandic civilians, we were all-but-forced to cede our supremacy over the system simply to ensure that the lives upon the newly established colony at Hammersee would not be unduly caught in a crossfire.
To the best of my knowledge, however, Rheinland has yet to formally "annex" the system, nor does it commonly experience "law enforcement" of practically any caliber. The reasons I am requesting your consideration on the project are thus...
Firstly, the establishment of a Freeport has in historical cases established a sort of "frontier" for outward expansion of a House, and reprisal against the neutral and ultimately civilian population of Zoners to a Core-esque extent are, as we see, almost universally negatively received. While this would of course be of great benefit for the Bundschuh in keeping our standing territory "remote" by Rheinlandic standards, it would additionally permit both refugees in need from both Nuremberg and Freeport 11 to have a fallback location to reside should the danger in the Omicrons prove to be far too much. I wholeheartedly assure you that Sigma-15 is completely dormant and is presently subject to none of the chaos and piracy experienced by the rest of Rheinland.
Secondly, the concentration of a number of Confederate forces at Sigma-15 severs one of the main supply lines of The Core; this system is adjacent to their holdings at the system named Omicron Rho. We've been unable to fight both The Core and their supporters in the Bundesrepublik on our own, and as such the Widerstandsarmee has been unable to completely blockade this flank. Provided that the ships involved in these hit-and-fade raids are no larger than the occasional gunboat, Zoners stand to cause severe damage to the Core's logistic fleet while the brunt of their forces are tied up at Delta.
Should this be acceptable, we may compile a list of necessary payments and materials and I will see to it personally that the Widerstandsarmee keeps any and all Zoner shipments safe from The Core, at least in our territory.
I remember working with you sometime ago in relation t' Heisenberg Research Station. A pleasure t' hear from you again.
While you are correct, our hands are tied, a message like this cannot be ignored. We are intrigued, and eager t' hear more. Obviously we cannot dedicate any resources right at this moment, but we can begin the planning stages. I'd like t' also bring in my own organization, the Ingenuus Research Group, for help in construction as well as the designing of such a Freeport, if that is acceptable.
In the meantime, I await whatever documents and list of materials and payments, and once this crisis has simmered down, we can address this with our full attention.
Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports
My apologies for the delayed reply; the Nuremberg Exodus has demanded mine and the Party's nigh-undivided attention for the past several weeks now. I hope that things are continuing to progress in your favor regarding Freeport 11, and know that you have the Bundschuh's support in the matter.
Having consulted with our presently-overworked Party Quartermasters on the logistical requirements for such a massive undertaking as an "impromptu Freeport", they've prescribed the following for a chassis, human occupancy notwithstanding.
60,000 High Performance Alloys
60,000 Optronic Arrays
60,000 Quantum Arrays
45,000 Plasmonic Metamaterials
150,000 Industrial Hardware
150,000 Magnetic Superconductors
30,000 Plasfoam Conduits
30,000 Critical Temperature Alloys
30,000 Gravity Field Stabilizers
60,000 Robotic Hardware
60,000 Reinforced Alloys
30,000 Hull Segments
I recognize fully that this is all a tall order; and that is why I recommend opening up this project to both the Independent Miners Guild and ALG Waste Disposal should their convoys accept the contract. If you agree, then I will open up this transmission to their respective leadership.
If all goes well, the construction of the Freeport can be done in seclusion without the uncommon Federal patrols of the system or The Core recognizing it. Take some time to review what our Quartermasters prescribed, and we'll determine whether both the Widerstandsarmee and the Confederation are up to this task.
Quite a tall order indeed, but one we have accomplished in the years past. While the Zoner organizations that make up the bulk of the CoF are capable of delivering such materials, the situation around Freeport 11 have tied up quite a bit of our vessels. Luckily though, things are looking up, and more and more vessels are being freed up for non-emergency aid t' the Freeport. As such, we can begin soon, though I'm sure the faster the better. With that in mind, we would welcome such help from the IMG and ALG.
As far as the materials - please send us a location for dropoff, best route t' take, as well as any other relevant information you can provide. I assume you have the design schematics in place? If not, we will be able t' supply such designs.
Regarding control over such station - Zoner Freeports have indeed long been viewed as neutral ground, allowing civilians and all sorts of people a safe haven so t' speak. Many organizations make use of them, and one of the main reasons why they are not outright destroyed is due t' the fact that Zoners have administrative rights aboard such stations. That carries a certain weight t' it, in that it truly is and will remain a neutral ground for all passing through. Given that fact, once the station is complete, would the Widerstandsarmee be in agreeance that the Freeport be operated officially and on record by Zoners? If that is acceptable, we would of course come t' a mutual agreement as t' who the administrator will be, and ensure they work with the VWA during their administratorship.
We look forward t' receiving more information, and beginning construction of this new Freeport.
One last thing - it's designation. All Freeports are assigned a number. Given it's close proximity t' the destroyed Freeport 7, might I suggest Freeport 8 as it's number and name?
Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports
Lena Atzenbruck here, President of ALG Waste Disposal.
As we've already informed both of you, we fully intend to grant all possible support to ensure the safety of Zoners, traders, and visitors in the East Omicrons. We've lost any reason to avoid antagonizing the Core, and we are fully committed to supporting the Zoners and their allies in the Omicrons, just as we will be happy to commit to the construction of a new Freeport in Sigma-15.
It is strongly within our interests to have an open station in the area, inaccessible to the Core and not dominated by the Federal Republic of Rheinland.
We have already pledged direct material support to the Order, so we are gathering ships and planning convoys to the region. I suggest moving the project forward as soon as possible, since the Republic will likely try to seize control of the system as it rapidly develops. For the time being, we should be able to directly supply a new Freeport in the area with no opposition save the Core. To deal with them, we will heavily increase our military presence in the region, a process that is already underway.
I'm sure we can arrange further details in the various channels we share.
Thank you for patching the IMG into this thread and bringing it to my attention again. I'll be honest: I think that the Delta Freeport and the conflict is of higher priority than any works on the Sigma-15 Freeport. I would prefer to focus IMG money and assets on the front line of the conflict, which is Delta. Do you fear imminent attack against Freeport 8 by the hands of the Core or any other attackers? If this is the case, I would suggest reinforcement and an improvement of defensive capabilities might be more useful at this moment.
With such improval of defensive capabilities the Guild can assist. We have a history of getting ourselves into situations in which bases face the threat of surprise boarding attacks. Therefore Guild expertise might come in handy and we are able to provide this on short notice as our experts on the topic are in Omega 7, Freistadt. Material is also stored there, as it is a flashpoint for conflict for us.
In case there is no imminent necessity and danger, I would prefer keeping IMG's main focus on Delta. But fill me in on the security situation and your assessment of priorities in the conflict. A broader view can never be bad.
Jack Henderson
IMG Operations
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There may need to be a mild change of plans. I would recommend that shipment of materials to Freeport 8 be mitigated and its budget cut to an extent, due primarily to this caveat,
§2. Rheinland space is defined as the combination of the following systems: Bremen, Dresden, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Koeln, New Berlin, Munich, Omega-7, Omega-11, Sigma-15 and Stuttgart.
Needless to say, too quick a buildup will... Trigger the Rheinwehr's infamous heavy-handedness. The caveat in this matter, of course, is that I doubt the Core would be stupid enough to launch an attack upon a civilian freeport in what it is evidently the rogue Republic's territory. Of course, the Core has proven an immense disconnect with reality time and time again, so I might be completely wrong.
The Freeport will need tradesmen and commodities to be considered "economically viable" by the Bundesrepublik, and if nothing else I advise the station's administrative team to focus on "making themselves useful" at earliest possible opportunity. This may serve as a bargaining chip when the "wrong" kind of people are inevitably sighted taking refuge there, as it will create controversy amongst the business-minded loyal to the standing government.
The Widerstandsarmee will do what it can to lead The Party in the general direction of intensifying guerilla raids on government assets within Frankfurt, Munich, Sigma-15 and perhaps further westwards. If I can be of service in any other way, don't hesitate to contact me.