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I would like to adress all of you, Zoners of all colours, of all regions and I would like to offer not only an explanation of what happened in Omicron Delta, but also a hand: The Corsairs are not the enemies of the Zoners.

The small group of IRG, who only claim they are Zoners, have betrayed you - you, the free Zoners who just want to live their lives outside of House laws, without power politics, far away from conflicts and bloodshed. They betrayed you when they bartered away the neutrality of Freeport 11 to the Core.

The IRG never told you what the plan was. Under the disguise of a combined Core-Zoner installation, the Core would have crept right to the heart of what would have been a Freeport only in name. This annex station would have become armed and the Core - known for its ruthlessness and its disregard for Zoners - would have taken control of the automated guns. The base would have become a Core-controlled checkpoint to fire at everybody who keeps the Core's imperialistic, fascist expansive ambitions in check: Order, and Corsairs.

The IRG and Core propaganda try to paint this attack as a barbaric strike against a civilian Zoner installation.

The reality is that the Corsair fleet freed the Freeport from an iron shackle of absolute control that the IRG allowed to Core to wrap around the Zoner's freedom, and they did it willingly. It is called treason in my culture if you betray your people and your values for whatever sinister motivation. The Freeport would have ended to exist as a 'Free'-Port once the Core would have taken over the control of the automated defenses.

The IRG betrayed you and they tried to sell you out to the Core, the force that killed scores of innocents on Freeport 11, blew off a biodome and caused more suffering in all of Delta than at any point in history before. Siding with the Core forces in the battle, the IRG made their choice.

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This is why the IRG is the only Zoner group excluded from what the Corsairs offer to all other Zoners:

Zoners from near and far, the Corsairs are not your enemies. We have been working together forever, and we want to continue working together. We mean you no harm, not to your ships, nor to your families and your livelihoods.

1. Most of you were not involved in the conflict, and therefore you share no responsibility and no harm shall come to you.
   
2. Some of you were lied to and manipulated into assisting the treacherous plan of the IRG and Core. We will not hold that against you, as long as no further steps are taken against the Corsairs. Mistakes happen, and the Core propaganda is strong and the IRG's treason runs deep.
   
3. Some of you chose to fight us willingly, and even to those we offer the hand of peace. If you want to return to the status quo antea, to how the Corsairs and the Zoners were before this conflict, we will not hold your actions of the past against you or your crews. You were victims of a powerful manipulation machine. We will not come for you for what happened if you cease hostilities from now on.
   
4. The Corsairs will not attack any Zoner installations. The fear of a follow-up attack against Freeport 11 is totally unfounded. We are not the Core.
   

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The important part for the Corsair Empire is that the roots from which the treason grew, namely IRG, is removed. And we hope for the CoF and all the good-hearted Zoners who live by their true ideals to remove the festering IRG influence from their midst.

1. The traitor Kyu Akibara sold his soul to your enemies and now has lost his mind by threatening to strike a second time with nuclear warheads. He has to surrender his post of Freeport 11 Administrator to a true Zoner and remove himself from the Omicrons.
   
2. The same goes for Dr. James Erzie whose actions are unforgivable. As long as these two traitors stay within the Corsairs' sphere of influence, they will be hunted down mercilessly for their crimes.
   
3. Furthermore, IRG control over any Zoner installation in the Omicrons cannot be accepted after the IRG so openly and willingly threw themselves into the arms of the Core.
   

We urge the CoF to restore order in its structure of Freeports by removing the IRG leadership from stations that are inside the Omicrons. We do not wish for confrontation with any Zoner group, with the exception of the IRG. They have made their choice and the price that is to pay has been decided on.

But all of this is not your fault, Zoners of all other fractions and groups. And we are not your enemies and will never be if you chose to accept the hand that I am offering and refrain from hostilities.

Respetuosamente,

It seems the situation is moving towards a calming down.

In times of conflict, clarity is important to keep the fog of war and the Core propaganda from clouding the judgement and from pushing their false narrative onto those they want to instrumentalize for their imperialistic fascist ambitions.

Situation Update:

The self-imposed exile of the treacherous ex-Administrator of Freeport 11 Kyu Akibarais a sign that the IRG has understood the severity of the situation. This is a first step to dismantling IRG's attempt of selling out the Zoner's sacred neutrality and exchange it with a beautiful chain and collar inscripted with Core lies and IRG vows of servitude.

The Corsairs have declared IRG the enemy of the Corsair Empire. So be it known that every IRG vessel inside the Corsair Zone of Influence is marked as a target and will be hunted. There is no safe place for traitors within our reach.

The Corsairs are still waiting for a statement by the CoF. With the situation in flux, it is understandable that this takes some time, however the Corsairs are not patient indefinitely.

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Communications:

to Dr. John Henry Holliday:

Quote:It is good to know there are still those Zoners that remember how to survive - by staying out of the confrontations. It is even better when Zoners like you can actively help in overcoming the disasterous aftermath of conflicts. While you are always a honoured guest on Crete, I assume your skills can best be used around Freeport 11 at the moment. I doubt that any entity except Nomads or Wilde would attack your well-known vessels.

Good luck, Mr. Holliday.

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to: Gray Williams

Quote:I agree with your assessment on the false nature of the IRG. The facts in Delta are proof enough. It comes as a mystery how the IRG could so quickly lean towards the Core when the bodies of those they killed on Freeport 11 are still warm. I know for sure that the Corsairs do not forgive this quickly, and it seems that Star-Enterprises also knows where to see an enemy and where a friend.

We are also watching the re-appointment of a new Administrator carefully and have yet to get word on the issue from the CoF. I share the hope that a real Zoner will take command and return the Freeport to its only possible setting: complete neutrality.

Your offer of aid is always welcome and you know what Crete imports and exports. However, at the moment it would likely also be useful to ship relief to Freeport 11 and help overcoming the terrible aftermath of this IRG-inflicted tragedy.

Good luck, Mr. Gray Williams

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Respetuosamente,

It is good to have a member of the CoF comment on what has happened, Mr. Jerard Voncloud. It is also good to know that you commanded the White Fox, so that there is a first hand report from the Zoner side.

I would like to comment on your message and add some questions:

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It would be understandable that Zoners wanted to defend the installation if it really had been that neutral Zoner installation that you claim it was. As a matter of fact, the Corsairs would have defended the installation if it really had been a neutral Zoner installation. Yet it was not.

I am surprised to see that you led your crew into a futile battle to defend an installation that the Core would have taken over at some point to control the Freeport. You cannot be naive enough to believe that the perfect positioning and the cooperation with the Core was conducted by them without a plan. The Corsairs and the Order recognized that danger the very moment this modular station was deployed and I find it hard to believe that the Zoners were ignorant about the destructive impact that this project would have on the fragile Omicron Delta.

To conclude: It does not really matter whether those who built it were too naive to understand the consequences of their actions or whether they ignored these consequences intentionally, thinking they could get away with it with the help of the Core. Whatever it was, the attack and all the consequences are their full responsibility. They must have or should have known that nobody would accept anything else but total neutrality from Freeport 11 Zoners.

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Thank you for clarifying that the ex-Administrator was not a member of the IRG. Furthermore, the Corsairs distance themselves of any threats like those you mentioned. We will find other means of enforcing our laws and safeguarding our interests, and there will be no need for threats against innocents. We will focus our actions on those who deserve it, however those actions will be forceful and swift.

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I have trouble understanding your last point. You write that the Zoners were slaughtered and were losing due to dwindling effort of Corsairs and Order. Do answer me: Why can't I find a single message reporting this deterioration to the Council? Why can't I find any request for help in the archives?

Still, I can understand that the Freeport 11 Zoners wanted to make peace with the Core and the Corsair Empire would not have opposed this at all. We still do not, as long as it does not result in an alliance between Core and Zoners of Freeport 11, but in full neutrality and accessibility of Freeport 11.

The central point however is: if we had been informed about the peace plan, the Empire could have put in some military effort to push the Core into a weaker negotiation position and the Zoners could have negotiated from a stronger position. Without that, it is not surprising that a weak FP11 position in combination with treacherous personnel in the Zoner ranks allowed for a Core check point to come up right in front of their station.

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About the responsibility of the IRG, I have to contradict you. You claim the base was not constructed by IRG, yet this plea by the OSI to spare the installation does not back your claim up. The IRG had a major hand in the Zoner-Core adventure.

Our last doubts vanished when IRG vessels began harrassing and attacking Corsair ships even before the major confrontation in Delta. The aggressive stance before and the offensive nature of leading IRG figures resulted in the Councils verdict on the IRG group. They have embraced the Core and therefore abandoned the Zoner way of neutrality and therefore they are enemies of the Empire. Everybody who joins their path of allying with the Core enemy will receive the same judgement.

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A personal question, Commander. You were on board of the White Fox, so you saw it. Did you feel joy when the NEMP-warhead was launched out of the attack formation consisting of Core warships, your CoF vessel and IRG ships? Did you laugh when the warhead impacted and destroyed the flank of our fleet, ripping through multiple ships? How did it feel to move into battle in formation with the Core, while the Corsairs - your former allies against the Core aggression - were reorganising their fleet from the impact?

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I will tell you one thing, Commander and you better listen: You should be grateful that the Corsairs are willing to ignore all the lies, half-truths and excuses and accept the justifications about this suicidal Core / Zoner project and your and the CoF's role in it. We do this because we think that the CoF might still be useful in the future.

However the Council of Elders demands in return:

Public condemnation of...

1. the use of the NEMP by the Zoner / Core fleet against the Corsair fleet
   
2. the abandoning of neutrality by the Freeport 11 Zoners by allying with the Core
   
3. the construction of an outpost without consultation of relevant regional powers
   
4. the hostile actions of those Zoners who attacked the Corsair fleet together with the Core
   

Furthermore, we demand a complete cessation of any and all hostilities towards the Corsair nation and a swift takeover of any IRG installation in the Omicrons by the CoF. This needs to be followed by a re-assignment of Administrators that have no link to the IRG.

Especially the last points are essential to avoid the Corsair Empire taking action in Omicron Kappa against installations that are allegedly under IRG command.

This is the CoF's chance to lead the Zoners back towards neutrality and safety by proving its ability to keep harm from the Zoners and to steer their fortune towards a better future.

Respetuosamente,

Gracias for your quick answer, Mr. Voncloud, and also your cooperative and thoughtful stance. I am convinced that we can find common ground and avoid more unnecessary bloodshed in the process.

I would like to conclude the point about "repercussions after construction" with an attempt of a summary: the Zoners involved did not expect such a strong reaction to a Zoner/Core modular base close to the Freeport.

Reasons do not matter now, mistakes in judgement neither. It's in the past. The dead will stay dead.
I am also sure that such a misconception would unlikely repeat itself. Therefore, I would close this chapter.

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I would like to conclude the point about "not calling for help" with an attempt of a summary: There was no call and the Corsairs did not realize the gradual shift of power in time.

Again, responsibility and judgement aside: Next time you need to let us know when the situation in a disputed place like Omicron Delta shifts. The Corsairs have stated in words and actions many times that only a 100 % neutral Freeport is acceptable, and we have proven that we are willing to fight for the Zoner's independence. But we need to know.

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I would like to conclude the point about "not informing allies about the construction plans" with an attempt of a summary: Mutual information and consultation on the plans should have happened, it did not.

Any actions taken that could lead to a shift in the fragile balance of power needs to be assessed and debated carefully. It is not impossible to find common ground even in Delta, but unilateral or bilateral actions are doomed to fail. More to that further down.

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I would like to conclude the point about "IRG's violent actions against the Corsairs before and during the crisis" with an attempt of a summary: The IRG has overstepped the lines and the Corsairs are not willing at this moment to reconsider the damning judgement passed by the Council of Elders.

And yes, I agree that they need more leadership if they want to remain part of the Zoner community as their actions clearly have the potential to threaten all Zoners, which again makes it a CoF matter. Personally, I hope the CoF can manage to reign them in.

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I would like to conclude the point about "COF is no one's puppet and is important for Crete" with an attempt of a summary: We would not be having this conversation if there was no Corsair interest in Zoner's existence and well-being and I never said that usefulness cannot go both ways. There is no need to get defensive about it, as it was not said in disrespect. the CoF is useful to the Corsair interests, as much as the Corsairs at some times might be useful to CoF interests. That's the game we play.

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About the condemnations in general: The Council of Elders prefers it if these condemnations were broadcasted at a later stage - when everything is fixed and discussed with all parties - publically in a strong and unifying CoF statement. That way, all Zoners that were in some way involved would have a chance to see the guiding hand of the CoF and the willingness to overcome the crisis. But I assume that this makes more sense once you have finished your diplomatic session with the Order and the Core about this complex issue.

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About the refusal to condem the "surrender of Zoner neutrality by making Core the protector":

This is a grave misjudgement on your side, and I hope the CoF does not share this view. You cannot claim neutrality of the project when the project itself would annihilate said neutrality by its existence. The Core would have taken control, they even announced they would send troops and place guns - the threat of destruction was just a way to make them show their cards faster. I can only urge the CoF to think again because there cannot be peace without full neutrality, which means that there cannot be an alliance that would remove access to Freeport 11 for any of the parties. This would have happened, sooner or later, with Port Carthage - and you even did not doubt it yourself.

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About the refusal to condem the "actions of the Zoners that sided with Core to attack Corsairs":

I understand that this is a personal issue for you as a commander who was in this battle. Going by your own description of feelings, you knew it was wrong. You still did it because you felt you were defending something that was yours. I understand and respect that decision.

The Council of Elders is convinced that the CoF can find a wording that may not be a condemnation, but serve the same purpose, which has to be: Tell Zoners in a way they understand that teaming up with Core to shoot Corsairs is not an option in the future. All we have to guarantee is that this does not happen again. The Empire has no ambition to cut through joint Zoner/Core formations again. Once is already once too much.

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In regards to the "Corinth station and steps taken", the Council of Elders is content. It is good to see that another point of conflict is being worked on and that the explosive potential is being defused. The Council asks to be updated on the progress of the changes.

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I would like to end on a constructive note, that's why I would signal to you something that might be of interest.

The Corsair Empire would not oppose a rebuilding of a modular station under the following conditions:

1. It can never have the potential to serve as an area denial station.
   
2. Therefore it cannot be closer than 10k from the Freeport.
   
3. It can have weapon turrets to defend against Wilde and Aliens only.
   
4. It has to be a Zoner installation showing Zoner flag.
   
5. It has to be 100 % neutral meaning that every party in Delta can dock (Core included).
   
6. It has to follow the full range of Freeport laws.
   

If the peace between Zoners and Core - which the Corsairs do not oppose - needs some joint project, so be it.

If the Core just wants to assist the Zoners in their economic recovery, they will not have any trouble accepting the above mentioned criteria for such a station.

If the Core refuses, you at least have clarity about the intentions they had with Port Carthage in the first place.

If the criteria are met, the Corsairs would - as we did before - defend such an installation against every threat to its existence and neutrality.

I wish you good luck.

Respetuosamente,

I think we are approaching a point where we have a very solid basis for an agreement on how this crisis could be de-escalated and perhaps ultimately solved, yet it requires a lot of work and more sensible, cool-headed diplomats that have a clear goal and know how to achieve it.

As for the conflict on our hands, one of these goals has to be to avoid the conflict in Delta from spilling into Kappa or any other systems. It is hard enough to contain at the moment. Therefore, we agree on a goal in Kappa.

The Council of Elders show a cautious willingness to engage in diplomatic contact with the AI if the Corsair interests in Kappa are met.

That would mean the removal of IRG influence, and - as you said in your last message - an IRG move to take responsibility themselves for their actions. I firmly believe that innocent Zoners should not find themselves in the crosshairs. Not in Delta, not in Kappa, not anywhere. The target has to be clear: the perpetrators. And only them. Not all Zoners.

I can only encourage the CoF to keep working on holding the IRG accountable, to make them step up to the table and to retract their claims and administration of Kappa assets as fast as possible.

Completion of such a move would allow me to convince the doubtful voices in the Council of Elders to initiate negotiations with the Kappa AI to avoid another round of senseless conflict in an already fragile area of space.

And once the acute danger is over, Mr. Voncloud, let us meet and work on a statement that is carefully crafted to meet the interests of CoF and Zoners and Corsairs. It will have to be well-balanced, yet your stance has convinced me that this effort is worthwhile. And with 2 parties of the conflict already agreeing on how to proceed, a process of drawing more into a bloodless solution will become easier. But let's focus on the urgent Kappa threat first.

I wish you good luck, Mr. Voncloud, however I believe that the CoF is up for this challenge. Because in times of challenge, men can truly show who they are.

Respetuosamente,