Comm ID: Edward Hawkins
To: CoZ Representative
Re: Treaties and such.
Good day, as-yet-nameless representative of the Council of Zoners. This is Edward Hawkins, and I have been granted the dubious honour of representing the Queen's Privateers in these negotiations.
I understand you have already received our initial proposal. Please feel free to ready your own counter-proposal and send a copy through this comm channel.
Sincerely,
Edward Hawkins
//Everyone but the single chosen CoZ representative and myself, keep out.
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc Holliday
To: Mr. Edward Hawkins
RE: Treaties and such
Good Day, Mr. Hawkins,
I need not introduce myself. The Council has decided to have me sit with you and discuss our differences and hopefully iron them out. I do apologize for my delay as I have been in Port Jackson much of the day providing medical services to the people there.
I am gathering the necessary documents and such and working on a response. If you like, we can meet at my Estate or if you prefer, a neutral location.
Thank you for your patience.
Dr. John Henry Holliday
Council Chairman
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc Holliday
To: Mr. Edward Hawkins
RE: Treaties
Encryption: Very High
Greetings, Mr. Hawkins,
I have found what I need. I will post your original demands and work from there. Rather then submit a counter proposal, I would like to work a final draft for both our peoples. So, sit back, grab a drink and we can get to work.
The Original QCP Proposals:
1) Both the QCP and BAF are to be given the right to hunt down and kill anyone considered hostile to Bretonia within the NFZ of Freeport 1, as well as within the system of Omega-49 and the NFZ of Planet Gran Canaria.
We have the NFZ in place for the safety of all people. BMM and Bowex each have an office on FP1. Are you willing to compromise their safety or anyone elses by having the base take fire? The Wilde recently injured hundreds and killed several by assaulting it. The same applies to Gran Canaria. If you want to hunt hostiles in the system, feel free. We do maintain patrols to enforce the 5k rule. I will add that the NFZ rule is being edited by some other council members.
2) The Zoners will allow the delivery of Bretonian refugees to the Port Jackson colony at no additional cost to Bowex or any other organization (attempts to 'send the bill' to Kusari is welcomed, however). Said refugees will continue to remain Bretonian citizens, if they so wish, and will remain under the sovereign rule of the Crown of Bretonia. Refugees will be allowed free reign to travel on Gran Canaria outside of the Port Jackson colony, but will be expected to adhere to Zoner laws while doing so.
The Port Jackson agreement was the product of many days of hard work between the leadership of Bowex and the Zoner Council. It is completed, signed by both parties, recognized by the Bretonian government and the refugees are being well taken care of, the money received being used for their care. My medical team spends much time amongst them as well and they are greatful. If they want to travel outside the Port Jackson facility that is fine. Mind you, a lot of areas of the planet are purposely left unspoiled so there are a lot of natural hazards to consider.
Send the bill to Kusari? That would be neat but wouldn't get far I'm sure.
3) Those Mollys and their families displaced by the Cork Massacre wishing to make a new life for themselves will be allowed to settle their own sovereign colony on Gran Canaria, at no charge. If unable to supply their own sufficient defense measures, the Zoners will be responsible for keeping them safe from any possible Corsair hostilities towards their fledgling colony, as well as towards any ship hauling refugees or supplies to said colony.
I received a transmission from Molly leadership yesterday asking that they not be a part of this agreement. Here is a piece of the transmission the Consul sent: I'm just asking you to try to exclude those bits involving the Mollies from the QCP treaty that was just published. They certainly don't have any right to do that, as much as we appreciate it.
But, the mere thought of money covering over the wounds of the souls lost in the Cork bombing is so repugnant that I refuse any of your generous offers! You shall not give me a single penny, no sir!
We will respect their wishes. As it is, we do some business with them so if they wish to approach us with something, they can do so of their own free will.
4) A public apology will be issued to the families of the Cork Massacre from the Zoners for any unintentional part they may have played in the tragedy. A number of Sirius Credits in the amount of 50 million will be payed to the Molly Republic to be distributed among those affected, to assist them in the rebuilding of their lives.
The Zoners had nothing to do with the Cork Massacre. Many of us know nothing about it so why should we apologize or pay for it? Again, the Mollies requested that they NOT be a part of these proceedings so again, those wishes will be respected.
5) Bretonia Mining & Minerals (BMM) will be granted rights to prospecting and mining within the western half of the Omega-49 system. BMM will not initiate hostilities towards any other miners or traders in the Omega-49 system, save for those known to be an enemy to Bretonia. If deemed to be desirable, BMM will be allowed to construct a mining base within the western half of the Omega-49 system, with a minimum of 10k distance from the Dublin jump hole.
While BMM are already visitors to the niobium mining fields, if they wish to retain a contract to do so, they can contact us and work out an agreement. The IMG did so and have not only flourished but have provided it's own security. This also applies to any facilities they may wish to build. IMG requested permission, Bowex reached to us for an agreement, why shouldn't the BMM?
6) Any and all bounties placed by Zoners on the QCP or any lawful Bretonian faction will be immediately rescinded. A number of Sirius Credits in the amount of 50 million will be payed to the QCP as restitution for the damage already caused by such bounties.
I believe, Mr. Hawkins, the bounties placed on either side have been declared illegal and dissolved. 50 million credits as restitution? I know of one Zoner ship, the Moonstone, was destroyed at your hands as were some others. It cost more than 50 million to replace it. I suggest we forget it and move forward. Nothing will be gained by living in the past.
7) The QCP agrees not to accept any 'blanket' bounties against Zoners. However, individual bounties against Zoners proven to be aiding the enemies of Bretonia will still be viable.
This is acceptable nor will accept any against the QCP. As with Zoners in house space or other areas, if they violate laws, they are not protected and are on their own regarding consequence. We have seen the animosity created by these blanket bounties. We can smooth that by not issuing these bounties at all on either side.
8) The QCP agrees not to 'pirate', for credits or cargo, any Zoner vessel not hauling goods to or from the base(s) of those deemed to be an enemy of Bretonia (Kusari, CR, Corsairs, etc.), or those caught hauling slaves or artifacts, or those within the borders of Kusari. Proof of destination may be requested, and the QCP may choose to 'escort' Zoner vessels to their destinations to be sure of their legality. Zoner vessels proven to be liars will be forever open to piracy and/or destruction.
We would be greatful if the QCP would leave us to our peace and not pirate. It would be one less thing to worry about. I know the Kusari route of which you speak as I fly it frequently, the deuterium route we use going to Ames research in Kepler via the Taus/Kyushu/Shikoku/Kepler. It is a route and nothing more as there is really no place to stop on the way that buys deuterium. As it is, many of us try to keep our routes FP to FP as much as possible and it does take us through house space more often than not.
My only problem with a QCP escort through Kusari is if say, the KNF stopped them, that Zoner could be deemed "guilty by association." So, that could be more of a problem than anything, being escorted by a Bretonian in Kusari space. You have the route used, that should be sufficient I would think.
Mr. Hawkins, I'm sure there is more work to be done so let's keep the lines of communication open.
Yours in Eris,
Dr. John Henry Holliday
Council Chairman
Right, lets take things case-by-case, in no particular order.
First, with regards to possible QCP 'escorts', that is only so we may verify that the Zoner's destination is indeed the destination they tell us, and not a base of our enemies. The only other option in this situation is to continue 'levying fines' and/or confiscating cargo of any Zoner trade vessel found within Kusari or heading in that direction. Frankly, we have better things to do with our time, so in most cases I doubt we would opt to 'escort' traders, unless we have reason to be suspicious.
Now, about the Mollys. We were trying to do a little good, for a group of Bretonian citizens (whether or not they recognize that citizenship, we still count them) terribly wronged by Corsair atrocities. If they don't wish to accept said help, then I suppose we'll drop it. But don't let it be said that we're nothing but greedy bastards, we're looking out for the good of all of Bretonia's people.
About Port Jackson... It was my impression, confirmed to me by an old friend in Bowex, that the money paid by them for the Port Jackson colony is merely to 'lease' the land, and indeed, that Bowex is handling the care and wellbeing of the citizens there. I'm sure your medical assistance is appreciated, but I assure you, Bretonia has doctors too, and Bowex is shipping in the best possible. Now I do have a question for you: Why do you charge Bowex to lease a limited portion of 'your' land on Gran Canaria, yet let the Corsairs colonize freely? Corsairs who are not, supposedly, allies of yours.
I'll now move right along to the most important issue, and we can discuss the other minor points later on. The No-Fire Zones. First off, if the Wilde damaged your Freeport, then it was assuredly a directed and continuous assault, not a few stray shots. If your base lacks the armour to protect it from an occasional energy blast, then it has no business staying in operation. If you like, we can supply you with some new armour plating, pioneered on the Leeds front, which should prove more than adequate. Likewise, stray weapons fire from anything short of a battleship has no chance of harming the surface of the planet. Even a battleship's weapons will be little more than a pretty light-show. Leeds has had its share of combat in orbit, and has not had any problems with surface-side casualties.
Bretonia is beset on one side by Kusari, and on the other by the Corsairs. We cannot afford to let our enemies escape alive to fight another day when we have a chance to end them today. The Zoner's NFZ-defenders are not always present and available, and if they're not, they most likely can't show up quick enough to take care of those who choose to flee to the 'safety' of a Freeport or Gran Canaria. If the chance to strike them down is there, and the Zoners aren't there to enforce their own laws upon them, then we must be allowed to act.
Yours truly,
Edward Hawkins
Greetings Again, Mr. Hawkins,
First:
Quote:First, with regards to possible QCP 'escorts', that is only so we may verify that the Zoner's destination is indeed the destination they tell us, and not a base of our enemies. The only other option in this situation is to continue 'levying fines' and/or confiscating cargo of any Zoner trade vessel found within Kusari or heading in that direction. Frankly, we have better things to do with our time, so in most cases I doubt we would opt to 'escort' traders, unless we have reason to be suspicious.
Then I think we have an understanding here. The route I mentioned to Ames is an old route that is still popular so there would be no reason to suspect otherwise.
Quote: But don't let it be said that we're nothing but greedy bastards, we're looking out for the good of all of Bretonia's people.
No one said that of you at least not to me anyway. Let's not put words in each others mouths.
Regarding the Freeport incident awhile back, it was a direct assault with heavy bombardment. It was repaired and deficiencies were corrected and yes, the armor plating was purchased in Leeds and some of our own production as well. I shipped some in from Leeds myself.
We also do our best to maintain security of the bases. Some of the NFZ rules are being re-addressed. As with anything good, it takes time for a positive change.
Now for these matters:
Quote:About Port Jackson... It was my impression, confirmed to me by an old friend in Bowex, that the money paid by them for the Port Jackson colony is merely to 'lease' the land, and indeed, that Bowex is handling the care and wellbeing of the citizens there. I'm sure your medical assistance is appreciated, but I assure you, Bretonia has doctors too, and Bowex is shipping in the best possible. Now I do have a question for you: Why do you charge Bowex to lease a limited portion of 'your' land on Gran Canaria, yet let the Corsairs colonize freely? Corsairs who are not, supposedly, allies of yours.
You would be correct. The agreement made by Bowex was indeed a lease of 10 years which will be renewable if they want it to be with another meeting. Yes, Bretonia does have doctors, I have several of them on my staff working with me. We learn much from one another and we don't charge nor have we ever charged one credit for the work we do.
As for why the Corsairs colonize freely? I'll tell you why.
The Corsair settlement is on the far side of the planet which we have left alone as the Zoners who settled the planet wanted to leave as much of it unspoiled as possible. It was then largely ignored for decades. A short time after the settlement of Port Jackson was finalized, we started getting reports of a Corsair colony on the far side. Sure enough, there was but they weren't the pirating types you know of. They too had farms of their own and were leading a life the same as we were, one of a peaceful existence. The only way we knew who they were was when we were told by their leadership that they had left Crete to find fertile lands to settle on. They also recognized that our sovereignty of the planet and agreed to live by our laws and ways. We have not had one problem from them since.
Also in the mix is a group known as The Brotherhood. I'm sure you have heard of them. They approached us as well. Their leader as he explained, had also left Crete for a more peaceful existence. They do not live on the planet but elsewhere. He explained that he wanted to be "A different kind Corsair, A bridge builder."
I know you find such thing hard to believe I'm sure. Perhaps one day you should speak with him. He won't bite if you show some respect. He will return it.
We have no alliance with the Corsairs as so many claim. When one has so many borders with so many different people you have to learn how to live amongst each other. If you don't at first greet someone with gunfire, you might find a better result. Try it sometime.
I just find it disturbing that you would give a blanket sentence of innocent people who have abandoned their origins to seek a new life, a new way, a peaceful existence. There are some who would call it racism and that is an attitude no Zoner can welcome. If I judged all Bretonians based on the actions of the QCP, then all Bretonians would be vigilante pirates. They are not. I think you get my point.
So think about what I say. I'm sure there is room to work things out.
Dr. John Henry Holliday
Pardon the lateness of my reply, I've found myself stretched for time over the past several days.
Of course the Corsairs on Gran Canaria are farmers, the Corsairs have been starving on a barren rock for hundreds of years, it only makes sense that they would grow food on another planet when given the opportunity. But your description of those 'peaceful' Corsair farmers is somewhat misleading; while they might not be the exact same Corsairs who invade Bretonia and murder innocents, they certainly support those Corsairs in both thought and deed. Gran Canaria has a near-constant stream of Corsair warships flying to-and-from the docking ring, and you wish to tell me that they are all merely peaceful farmers? The Corsairs are using Gran Canaria to feed their murderous raiders, and the Zoners are either completely ignorant, or choose to ignore the facts in favour of profit. And whatever else I may think of the Zoners, I don't think they're ignorant.
I just find it disturbing that you would require payment from innocent civilians fleeing from the horrors of war, seeking a new life on a new planet far from the chaos and bloodshed which had been forced upon them. And yet, you allow a nation of thieves and murderers to set up farms and granaries at no charge whatsoever. There are some who would call it 'war profiteering', and that is an act no Bretonian can welcome.
How about we cut to the chase, shall we? I think we both know that the CoZ will not compromise their NFZ laws, am I correct? And they also seem opposed to many of the other points I have brought up. Therefor I ask this: What does the CoZ offer for the sake of this treaty? And please know that the QCP has no need nor desire to make use of Zoner ports, so offers to allow us docking rights on Freeports and such are mostly worthless to us.
From Bretonia With Love,
Edward Hawkins
Greetings Again, Mr. Hawkins,
I understand being stretched. We are both busy men. My apologies for my delay as well.
I will address the NFZ laws first. Obviously, we have them in place for the safety of all. If we relax them for one group then we must for all. That would compromise safety for all personnel. We have been however, re-writing some of those policies. They will be minor but we do hope they will be a bit more palatable. It will take some time but we are doing so.
You ask what the Council has that it can offer. If you don't wish to land on our ports, that is your prerogative. I will say this, when there is no other place to land in hostile ground, it is nice to know there is one safe haven around. As it is, we supply the government you so love with iridium to Southborough Station in Newcastle. Mind you, we are the sole suppliers of this product. We also supply deuterium to locations in Bretonia. Now, we can increase these shipments. But, if we are going to have to look over our backs everywhere we fly because someone is shooting up our transports, we will have to cease these shipments. I have been to Southborough and without iridium, they would have to shut down and cause unemployment OR make a lower quality ship hull. Something to think about.
If you are like so many others, I guess you just want to open our wallets for us and take what you see fit. It seems to be the norm.
One other thing on the Corsair farmers. Not one Corsair transport has left for Crete from our planet. I think I have well pointed out that they are people who left Crete for a peaceful existence and many have abandoned their heritage for this. They farm for themselves. Note that many Zoners refuse to run food anymore into the Omegas as they are often taxed at 50% and their cargo taken. If you want to target their suppliers, I would suggest the QCP do what they have done well in the past, visit Kusari. The supplies are coming from their and NOT on Zoner ships.
Unlike Port Jackson, they live on Zoner land and under Zoner law. Port Jackson, as stated by the lease, is Bretonian land for 10 years and they have their own code of law having not wanted to live under our own. If they leave the Port, then they do fall under our jurisdiction. Those farmers are happy in their existence and don't seem to mind keeping their feet on Canarian soil.
And if we're guilty of harboring Corsairs then so is the Liberty government. On Planet Manhattan is a restaurant named "The Pampered Glutton." Why the name I don't know. It is run by some former Corsairs who decided to change their ways and lead a peaceful existence. I didn't believe it until I went to it but the food was rather good. So as you can see, there are many who seek that peaceful existence in many different ways.
A report crosses Doc's desk as he is working. He reads it and gets visibly angry. He then looks up in disgust
Mr. Hawkins, what is this? Just what the hell is this? Your leader, Mr. Andrew Stuart, making threats against Zoners while you and I try working in good faith?
Hands Mr. Hawkins some photos
http://s1.directupload.net/file/d/1902/8oexzw7q_jpg.htm
http://s2.directupload.net/file/d/1902/t3a5wqw9_jpg.htm
That was a new ship being re-located to Omega 49 under permission from the Bretonian government. We do that periodically you know. I would really like an explanation.
Yours in Eris,
Dr. John Henry Holliday
A pleasure as always, Doctor.
Quite frankly, Bretonia does not rely on the Zoners to supply anything essential, Bowex keeps us well-supplied with all that we need. While your occasional shipments of iridium to Scarborough Station is useful, Bretonia has thrived for hundreds of years without your ore, and will continue to do so even if you choose to stop your shipments. It's also come to my attention that more than a few of your shipments go right past Scarborough and end up at Belfast, which is hardly of benefit to the Crown.
Hawkins takes a cursory glance at the photos, consults his neural-net, then tosses them aside with a shrug.
I see. My esteemed leader was upset at the presence of a Zoner battleship within Bretonia, and you wonder why? Wherever it came from, there was no permission granted by either the BAF or the Crown, of that I am positive. If you want to re-locate a ship to Omega-49, then you had best move it there through the Omegas, and not through Bretonian space. Count yourself lucky that the ship was not destroyed and everyone on board left to die in hard vacuum. If it or another warship is seen within Bretonia, we will destroy it without mercy.
Now, back to the subject at hand: What do the Zoners have to offer us? Not necessarily monetarily, but what makes it more worthwhile for us to leave you be? We have offered peace to Zoner vessels, even when we would normally interdict another ship in the same situation, and we have said we would not take any 'blanket' bounty on Zoner vessels, no matter how lucrative . What have you to offer in return?
As always,
Edward Hawkins
*nods* Mr. Hawkins,
I took a few days to get my thoughts together and to attend a meeting with Bretonian authorities in New London. We got a few issues sorted out.
*hands Mr. Hawkins a computer chip*
If you plug that into your com you will here the dispatch message between Mr. Dix Rivan of the Zoner Consortium and BAF headquarters where he called for and received his clearance to pass through Bretonian space, just as I told you he had. If anyone is owed an apology, it is Mr. Rivan by your esteemed leader.
We have been told to keep these through flights to a minimum of any ship but should we need to, request via com clearance and take a route away from heavy populations which is something we practice anyway.
More recently, a Mr. Michael Geare destroyed an OSI transport in the Taus killing two crewmembers. Why? Because he was transporting deuterium to Ames research via the Taus and using jumpholes throughout Kusari to get to Kepler? I find this dispicable. We talk in good faith while your men commit murder!
Now, I would like to ask of you, how do you feel working for a man who has admitted to being a racist against Zoners? Again, how can we possibly talk in good faith with this thought in mind? Are these talks just a way to go round and round with no resolve? A smoke screen if you will by Mr. Stuart with no intention of ever achieving a peaceful solution let alone keeping his end of the bargain when and if an agreement is reached? Know this, Mr. Hawkins, if he is targeting Zoners over the Corsair issue on Gran Canaria, I suggest you all start turning your gun sights on some others that do business with them like the Junkers at Trafalgar. Or is it just hatred of Zoners that blinds him to the truth? I'm rather curious myself.
Now, you asked what we can offer? Well, apparently, we have nothing you want. You don't care for credits nor do you want use of our bases so I guess I can't offer you anything of substance. But, I will do this. Since Mr. Stuart claims to speak for all of Bretonia, even though the government says he is not, I will recognize him as the Ambassador of Bretonia. Mind you, I have given you a note from the Mollies saying they do not want others representing them so we will honor it. I'm sure Mr. Stuart knows that when you are in leadership, EVERYTHING is your fault. I get that often. So, as a result of his new position, here are some things to remember.
-For every ship destroyed or harassed by the QCP, an unknown ship will suffer the same fate. Maybe not by our hand but it will.
-If our trade routes are disturbed, the House Mr. Stuart represents will suffer for it. Remember, we control some of the much needed commodities the house needs and don't deny we do. He will get to explain to the Queen his actions.
-Also keep in mind that it is I who holds the lease agreement in my vault for Port Jackson. In as much as I don't care to act without consulting my colleagues, I hold the right to exercise executive power over it.
Your efforts to bring us to our knees before the Bretonian Crown will not only fail but they will cause more resentment of Bretonia itself.
Your efforts to force us to turn on the Corsair colonists only will push us further towards them which is the opposite effect of what you seek.
Your efforts to break us only makes our resolve stronger.
*starts getting visibly angry*
Frankly, I'm having a hard time working with someone who represents a racist and who allows the attack of ships while two people sit and work in good faith. I may or may not return. If not, I will have someone take my place. I have people to work with who WANT resolve!
*Stands up, grabs his case and heads for the door. Before exiting, he turns with a look of disgust*
Damned Bretonians. The only group of people whom I can't through to.