Hello to whoever you are. I am Duncan Stow, One of the older Directors of OSI. But given what I seem to have walked into, I am quite sure you dont care about that. Imagine my surprise to return from a lengthy vacation, only to find that my company has somehow run afoul of the Rhienland government. Now, I would like to think that OSI and Rhienland have had a amicable past, with our occasional shipments to DHC or other entities as they came. At the very least there have never been problems between us to my knowledge.
This latest fiasco has eluded my understanding however, and I was hoping that perhaps we could work to shed some light on this issue for me. I understand that there have been some tensions caused by the demeanors of my fellow directors, and I have heard the story from them as well. However, I am a firm believer that every story has too sides, and that each side has its own version. Therefore, I would ask for your telling of events. Perhaps through a breakdown of the events and an examination of the issues we can discover where the breakdown occured.
As far as I am aware, this trouble started after an OSI vessel was discovered supplying a Hessian Base. The Rheinland government sought fit to impose a fine, which was agreed to be payed under protest. It is at this point where I start to lose the flow of events and fail to see how things have escalated so quickly.
Perhaps you would be so kind as to enlighten me as to the logic and process of the Rhienland government, so we may still find a solution acceptable to both parties.
Respectfully,
Duncan Stow
//Fixed the subject line to allow posting. Who knew there was a character limit?
I am Eckhard Schenke and I represent Rheinland Bundestag.
It is surprising OSI contacts us again after all what happened. Shortly speaking, Director Von Cloud refused to pay levied low fine, quoting his own words "OSI won't be funding Rheinland" and "he would be unable to hide that fact from shareholders". Questioned about it Director Von Cloud confirmed OSI will not pay fine, instead he was willing to "donate to charity organisation", at least he assured us OSI will honor monthly Omega-11 entrance ban, while we agreed on fine issue will be settled later. Bundespolizei however caught another OSI transport undocking from Diamant station, exporting illegally mined diamonds.
It was clear and obvious proof in fact Industries works with hessians and do not intend to honor previously made agreements.
Federalrepublic does not deal with terrorists' suppliers and cooperators, Herr Stow. Without major change of policy and approach towards our House, connected with hefty this time fine, I do not see possibility for Industries to resume its activities in Rheinland space in the closest future.
Is it really so surprising that I would rather have a cooperative mutually beneficial relationship with House Rheinland rather than the alternative? Regardless, I can see you wish to get straight to the point, Ill not tally words then.
In regards to the first incident, I have been given access to the communications transcripts from Mr. Vonclouds previous discussions with you and your collegues. As such I am aware of the words that were said. This incident is well logged, and regardless of the circumstances surrounding the arrival of the Northern Star, The government of Rheinland saw fit to assess a fine, despite Vonclouds assurances of the illegality and non-endorsed actions on the ship.
Upon reading the transcripts, I have seen that Mr Voncloud was perfectly willing to pay the fine levied against OSI by one Admiral Weismann; a sum of 15 million Sirius credits. Mr. Voncloud even asked for the account to transfer the payment into. From the transcripts, it seems this was the point where this escalation began. After Mr. Voncloud stated that OSI would be making use of its own security forces and hiring more to protect our transports within Rheinland from further interference, which as far as I am aware is perfectly legal within Rheinland, Said Admiral deemed that OSI be banned from Rheinland Space. I put it out that such a ban was unjust and unfounded, and we were not ever given the actual opportunity to pay the fine that was levied. Mr. Voncloud did indeed agree to pay the Fine, under protest. Which basically translates to he wasnt happy about it. But I am quite sure that all those who are fined by the Rheinland Government are tickled pink that they were fined.
Now as to Mr. Voncloud's alleged refusal to pay fines and wanting to make donations instead. In this case it seems that all problems stemmed from semantics. Personally, I believe Voncloud should not of concerned you with OSI shareholder concerns, but that is me. By my research into company records, Mr. Voncloud is a retired mercenary, diplomatic skill is not his strongest suit. In this case he was merely attempting to alter wording to ensure both groups could achieve there goal with minimal further troubles. Perhaps his choice of words was a bit off, not everyone can be a perfect diplomat.
I would like to ask for any proof you may have concerning this second transport you claim violated the ban and docked with a hessian station. OSI takes our obligations very seriously, and if you can provide adequate evidence, I will see that pilot punished and ship dismantled for gross misconduct myself.
OSI has always held a policy of mutual respect and understanding with the Rheinland Government, this is no different now. OSI has no intention of nor ever has actively supported Hessians or any other terrorist organization. This can be supported by the fact that they still harrass us, still attack our transports, and terrorize our pilots. Now if we were the allies of those same terrorists, would we not be free of such harrassment?
The whole meaning of this message was to attempt to promote mutual talks through which we could arrive at equitable solution for both parties. Unfortunately, your tone does hint at a lack of interest from the side of the Rheinland Government. I sincerely hope this is not true, for OSI would like nothing more than to resume our lawful business throughout Rheinland.
It's hard to believe your company is truly willing to repair its mistakes such as supplying terrorist organisation responsible for death of thousands of Rheinland citizens every year, destruction of dozens of vessels and great losses in trade, yet you may get chance for it. Naurlich, this time our terms are not that generous, but I am sure you understand our concerns and are ready to redeem OSI's wrongdoings.
We may suspend our decision given to our stations and patrols to treat OSI transports as hostile crafts under following terms:
1. Omega-11 entrance ban is prolonged for the next three months.
2. Omega-11 and Dresden entrance permission is given only with Militar, Buro or Bundespolizei escort craft.
3. Uncut diamonds may only be hauled from proven core Daumann corporate origin.
4. Shipping Basic Alloys inside core Rheinland space, as well as in neighboring and/or claimed by Federalrepublic systems is forbidden for Industries' vessels.
5. Fine of 850 Million Sirius credits is to be paid to NeuralPay account [RM-ARM]-Behemoth-001
6. OSI will officially confirm a sirius-wide message from Rheinland Federal News that the OSI-Northernstar was hijacked by barbaric hessian terrorists and its crew threatened to death to commit illegal supply transports.
Make no mistake Herr Stow, OSI commited lethal sins, if any of aforementioned terms is broken, we will make sure our station defences and patrols treat Industries' crafts as hostile contacts, with company itself being ultimately and irrevocably banned from Federalrepublic.
But Rheinland in its indescribable generosity gives you the last chance, we do not wish to escalate tensions, but we are able of defending ourselves, when forced to.
I believe after what happened between your company and our House, these terms are understandable and acceptable.
OSI is indeed truly willing to settle this matter and make reasonable amends for its actions. But only so far as those amends remain within a reasonable amount.
The Board has recieved and reviewed your terms extensively, and while the majority of your terms of where found to be acceptable, their were issues that came up.
Firstly, The issue of the fine was called up. Frankly, the amount you have chosen to fine us is outrageous, little more than extortion. To be quite honest, the so called Terrorist Hessians are less extortionist than the Government of Rheinland if this is your idea of a just application of law. OSI was prepared to pay a fine, but nothing of this extraordinarily insane amount. Not for two vessels buying non-combat related materials and the simple matter of a misguided pilot breaking a ban. Quite simply, after review of company dossiers, we have come to the conclusion that House Rheinland holds nothing in the way of incentive to justify such an expense to open trade there. This fine is little more than bureaucratic extortion, and we will have none of it. Should you wish to revise your outlandish figures, we will listen.
In essence, OSI has determined that given these as your demands for reopening trade, the House Rheinland is no longer worth the trouble that its bigoted, short sighted leaders create for its trading partners. Your government's attempt at such an unlawful extortion attempt marks you as worse than the pirates you claim to so detest. The board has decided that we will leave Rheinland to its fate, and take our chances with the Hessians and the Corsairs. They are least are reasonable people.
As a parting assurance, House Rheinland need not worry about OSI vessels causing any further issue, as we will be avoiding anything remotely Rheinlandish like the Ancient Earth Disease 'The Black Plague'. But also know that should your people feel it necassary to continue to hunt us, we will defend ourselves as well.
OSI holds no ill will toward the people of Rheinland, and in that vein we wish to convey that should House Rheinland wish it, we are willing to reenter reasonable negotiations at anytime.
Good luck with your multiple wars while you continue to alienate the people who would assist you.