Comm ID: J.Archer,
Chairman of the Zoner Council.
Subject: Liberty Blockade.
brothers, sisters and fellow delegates,
as we all have heard the liberty gate is locked down, but we have no worries
there are many backdoors to bering wich we can use to get where we are needed, the unioner Council also relies on our suply's there,
they are proberly willing to sell some of their secret routes to us wich we can use.
and for as far I know the rheinland gates arent locked yet.
thank you for your attention,
J.Archer
Comm ID: Captain Trogdor
Subject: Re: Liberty Blockade.
Chairman, and fellow delegates,
While the gate is indeed still open from the Rheinland side, we'd do well to start thinking about alternatives.
Rheinland could implement a similar policy at any time.
Bering is a rocky system. Navigation through it without the use of a tradelane would be very difficult for the large transports that our Freeports need to survive.
Further, our less-than-legitimate visitors are not known to use these ships. And they're also not known for transporting your everyday goods that a station needs. Water, for example.
For now, I would suggest that we go with the idea of persuading Liberty to allow Zoner ships through.
**End Transmission**
===INCOMING TRANSMISSION===
Transmission ID: ZO-0113-01
From: Alan Mosinger
To: Members of the Council of Zoners
Subject: Zoner Freeports, Zoner Supply Corps.
Members of the Council
The wars between Kusari and Bretonia, and now Liberty and Rheinland, puts in danger the inhabitants of our Freeports in those areas. Most specifically, Freeport 2. I've heard reports of shortages if Deuterium fuel from that. Although Major fighting has not broken out between the two houses of Liberty and Rheinland as of yet. It is with the utmost certainty that the Hudson and Bering systems will be the main battlefields. We must protect and enforce the no fire zones around our freeports as well as protect the supply convoys that supplement the base.
I therefore propose that a volunteer group to supply and defend the Freeports and the surrounding areas known as the Zoner Supply Corps. The ZSC would also be responsible to evacuate Refugees from planet Harris and planet Leeds to more suitable environments.
Comm ID: Malaclypse, for the TAZ
Fellow Delegates and Gentlefolk, I decided to go have a squint for myself. I loaded up with consumer goods, H-fuel, and a few Amulets for the Freeport, and looked for an LN or LPI escort in New York.
Har! This so-called "blockade" could be better accomplished with a stale piece of swiss cheese. There wasn't a single LN or LPI vessel to be had in New York, Texas, or Bering. I finally had to conscript Deputy Director Carpenter of the LSF to accompany me on an inspection of Freeport 2.
We arrived to find no exterior damage to the facility. I docked briefly to meet with the Station's Commander and Staff, who didn't seem too concerned about conditions there at present.
Two Unioners and an Outcast were present when I undocked, but they observed the NFZ, one of them moving off to engage the =LSF=Fluid.
While I waited outside the station, I saw at least one load of cardamine, one load of slaves, a shipment of Engines northbound, and several vessels bringing legitimate supplies to the Freeport. Apparently they were all as impressed by the effectiveness of the "blockade" as I was.
Finall, the Conference of Salem Jansen arrived, and I left monitoring of the Freeport in his capable hands. I myself decided to visit Pacifica Base, to speak with the Unioner leaders regarding the rumors of their plans to "appropriate" the Freeport. I find the rumors amusing, but I plan to remain here until I can discuss the matter with the local Burgermeister.
I shall report back to the Council at that time.
Comm ID: Captain Trogdor
Hm.. Mayhap you caught the Liberty military at a time of changing of the guard, or mayhap they were chasing off after someone that managed to break through the blockade.
We can't really count on security always being so lax.
Additionally, I caught glimpse of something disturbing while sitting at the bar on Freeport 1. Looking out the window towards the tradelanes was an anomaly; Normally traders passing between Bretonia and Rheinland fly solo. Seeing one with a single escort is rare.
But here were two Advanced Trains, escorted by two fighters, headed toward Rheinland space. As I wasn't at the bridge of the Burninator I could not determine the IFF of the trains, but it was quite obvious that the fighters were both heavily armed Liberty Guardians. Therefore, I can only assume that the trains were of Liberty employ.
Seeing four vessels traveling together is nearly unheard of in this system. The last time I can remember was months ago when several BAF and Corsair fighters battled near Sprague.
This convoy was well planned, and so it follows that there will be more convoys of this sort in the future. This would lead Rheinland to increase its border security even more, or even adopt a similar policy as Liberty.
On the matter of meeting with the Unioner Burgermeister... please do your best to resolve that matter peacefully, Mal. The last thing we need is MORE problems in Bering. That system is too cramped with asteroids for us to place more than just a few cruisers or destroyers at Freeport 2. As much as I wouldn't mind seeing just a little bit of action, Bering is not the place for it.
And bring back some burgers when you're done, eh?
--Incoming Transmission--
--ID: Rashida--
Rashida appears, red-faced and spluttering,
"Wazza...wha?...Ya not actually tellin' me ya want dere ta be conflicts around our 'Ports, are ya, Mistah Trogdor? ...'I wouldn' mind seein' jus' a li'l bit o' acshun'...what da 'ell are ya sayin, 'ere?!
"I's...I's...speechless...a member o' dis council advocatin' use o' violence? Pah..."
She flops down into the chair behind her and takes several minutes to compose herself,
"Now, as ta dis Freeport blockadey thingie...jus' so 'appens I was takin' Da Gremlyn down fro' Aimes ta Freeport 2, an' wha' 'd I pass in Texas, but a pair o' dem LN fellers on patrol. Dey din't bat an eye at me passin', laden wi' supplies for da 'Port, dho it may 'ave summat ta do wi' all da uvver sundries I usually 'as clutterin' up me cargo 'old...
"Anyways, seems from me an' Mal's experiences dat we ain't got nuffin' ta worry 'bout wi' regards ta Libertee Law 'nforcement, an' dat Mistah Trogdor can go back ta polishin' 'is gun barrels fer anuvver day."
--Transmission Ends--
Incoming Transmission
Comm ID: Doc Holliday
For those who haven't seen the blockade in action, I have. I did so aboard another ship as a passenger. The LN and even the LSF will set up a few trade rings on the Texas side of the Texas/Bering jump gate and will turn back one and all and make everyone go all the way back through Bretonia. This could explain why Captain Trogdor has seen Liberty escorts headed by Freeport 1. I guess it all depends on when you plan on passing through the system as too whether or not you'll see a blockade.
I also visited FP2 as the ship I was in, a mercenary ship, had free run. The Zoners on the station are greatly concerned although they remain optomistic. A lot of freight ships won't do well running the asteroids by taking alternate routes through the field. My ship, the Mary Kate will but for some who aren't in at least neutral standing with the Rogues, Unioner or Xenos, it's a possible death sentence.
One other thing I witnessed was a Rheinland destroyer sitting not far off the Liberty side of the tradelane. They didn't answer hails but I found this to be curious. I think this issue is for more serious than many may believe.
Doc
Comm ID: Captain Trogdor
Around the Freeports? Nay, of course not. But, the houses seem to see fit to make policies that make things difficult for us. Should we not show that we can make things difficult for them as well, mm? I also did not necessarily mean violence when I said action, miss. You read too much into my words. And there are others before me that have expressed similar sentiment.
Heck, did another member not say he was moving his guard ship up to Pennsylvania?
You need not fear, Rashida. I'm not about to go rambo or anything. This ship's too big a target for that!
**End Transmission**
--Incoming Transmission--
--ID: Rashida--
"Ahem, sorry fer reactin' all dramatic like, Mistah Trogdor, jus' I dun' like violence, an' I musta mis-interpreted yer words...glad ya ain't intendin' anyfin' 'asty. Of course, da mere presence o' one o' dem big ships is usually 'nuff ta make people re-fink dere acshuns."
She pauses for a moment and looks at the floor, deep in thought. After a short while, she raises her eyes and continues,
"Dis blockade an' war fing requires much more contemplashun an' observashun. As o' yet, I 'ave yet ta witness any transports to or from da 'port bein' 'alted or turned back by eiver side, nor 'ave I witnessed any 'ostile acshuns agin' our folks or in a place what can cause 'arm ta our fellow Zonas.
"Mistah 'Oliday paints a rather gloomy pictur o' events, an', while I do not doubt 'is observashuns one bit, I'd like ta point owt dat dose veree same folks as make it 'ard ta bring supplies in could be worked wiv in order ta make sure supplies do get in. After all, 'tis not just us dat dey 'elps...many a Unioner or a Xeno trades wi' da 'Port...any decrease in supplies ta it is a decrease in supplies ta them..."
She leans back and sighs "Aah, wars...'tis a nasty business, killin', an' 'tis darn 'ard ta make sure we dun' get caught up in 'em...but dey's also veree profitable..."
--Transmission Ends--