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Comm Id: Chairman Mal

Fellow Delegates,

The vote on Elder Sephardi's propsal regarding Omega 49 has been tallied. I'd like to again thank Secretary Reynolds for his diligence in recording the vote.

Here are the results:

For the Proposal: 0 Votes
Against the Proposal: 28 Votes
Abstentions: 3
Not Voting!: 18

The "Sephardi Proposal" is defeated.

While I feel that Elder Sephardi and the Brotherhood sincerely wish to maintain good relations with this Council, I must sadly agree with the majority that the time may not be yet right for such sweeping changes in our diplomatic standings with not only the Corsairs, but with those groups who might see this Proposal as a threat to Zoner neutrality for all.

I have received a private message from Elder Sephardi requesting permission to address the Council following its decision, and have agreed to his request. Please stand by for his transmission.

Due to the large number of non-voting Delegates in the last two votes, I would like Secretary Reynolds to review the Archives, with a view to expelling those Delegates who have been "inactive", pursuant to Council policies.

Thank you again, Delegates. I will present our Revised Draft of Council Policies immediately after Elder Sephardi has concluded his transmisson to the Council.

To the delegates of the Zoner Council

While I am disappointed in the outcome of this vote, I cannot say I am surprised in any way. I came here to the Zoner Council hoping to start something, to start mending old wounds and help strengthen ties that would help both our people stronger, and more at ease with each other. While it was heartening to see some members of your council looking to start negotiations between our groups, it seems the Council as a whole did not see fit to discuss this matter further with us at this time. We accept that, we are disappointed this could not in fact be the start of a new stage of comfortably between Zoners and Corsairs. Alas, right now it would not seem to be in the stars. Now, while I understand the motives of the Council, it must be said, that this will have an effect, already I have begun to talk with representatives of the Farmer's Alliance and Hogosha to become the preferred carrier of food to the Corsair nation, effectively ending the Corsairs long dependence on the Zoners for food.

Please do not take this as a threat, as your members clearly said they do not make much profit on food, they should not be upset to no longer be responsible for transporting it. This is like a reset on the relations between the Corsairs and the Zoners, we are not dependent on you, you are not dependent on us, for the first time, we Corsairs and you Zoners will stand on equal footing, neither of us beholden to the other. How our relations go from here is up to the Zoners, but please remember that we Corsairs have offered the hand of friendship to you, if you wish to improve our relations, it will now be on you to bring something to the table, to make the next move, although we won't be holding our breath.

On a more personal not, I wonder what part of this is based on old, old grudges. Ms. Silvan, I am disappointed you did not feel the need to publicly make any comment on the matter, nor talk to me during the closed council session, while I am sure you had much to say behind the scenes, you could not show me the respect of even directly discussing things with me. It seems old grudges die hard, but Aurelia, if you are always looking to the past, you ruin your prospects for the future. I hope at some point you can get over your personal grudges against me, for the sake of both our people.

[font=Calibri]At this point, I will be declaring all previous treaties between the Zoners and The Brotherhood reguarding food deliveries, and Omega 49 null and void. If the Zoners feel these issues warrant further discussion, if the Zoners feel the relations between our two people are important, you will have to show us that. To quote an old Sol saying, "The ball is in your court."

Miguel Sephardi Generalissimo, The Corsair Brotherhood

Comm ID: Chairman Mal

Thank you, Elder Sephardi.

Personally, I would like to state that you can count on "old friendships", Miguel. Our reluctance to make new sweeping commitments for the future will not change that, God(dess)s willing.

I will open the floor for brief comments, then an adjournment for supper, before presentig our next Agenda Item: Discussion and a vote on Ratification of our Official Council Policies.

**Incoming Transmission**

To: The Counci of Zoners
From Samuel Nichols, CEO Omicron Supply Industries

Message reads:

It's a shame that Elder Sephardi's reaction is so strong. Because we did not vote in his proposal we now are set backward in our standings with the Corsair nation. It sounds a bit like sour grapes. Maybe he needs to consider that a proposal that was not so sweeping, something that takes smaller steps would have been more appropriate and excepted.

He states we will now be on equal footing, yet by dissolving all the treaties between the Zoners and Corsair nation, he has moved us toward armed conflict. Supply deliveries were what made it possible for us to move about mostly unmolested. Its what we do with all the factions, we will bring you supplies and in turn you leave us be to do so. I fear this will open the door to many Zoner/Corsiar disputes. Why should the Corsairs not tax us into oblivion if we are no longer a supplier? I fear there are dark days ahead.

I would love to see us on good terms with the Corsair nation and all of the other factions that we work with and around. We have to walk a fine line in all our dealings. The Elder could not see that while his proposal was beneficial to the Corsairs, in the long run it would have been a negative impact for the Zoners.

I do hope that some of the backward steps that we have taken can be resolved.

Samuel Nichols
CEO - OSI

**End of Transmission**

Elder Shepardi,

I can only speak for myself, obviously, however I, along with a few others, feel this wasmore than a first step to improving Corsair-Zoner relations. Please bear in mind, Zoners are conservative by nature and your propoal, Elder Shepardi, was more than a 'baby step' towards improving relations.

Your proposal, however well intentioned, involved fairly sweeping changes to the way we Zoners operate. Specifically, a seperate Corsair Docking Ring for Gran Canaria was, on reflection, a radical change. More than the normally conservative Zoners would accept as an initial treaty.
I for one have not seen a single Corsair trade ship stuck in orbit, waiting to dock at Gran Canaria and i dont think im alone. Id wager im part of the majority. Id also wager, i am part of a majority that wouldnt be adverse to seeing more Corsair trade ships supplying, not only the Corsair population on GC, but the Zoner population too. If such trade ships were more common place, I would be more susseptable to 'negotiablely improved' Corsair trade and docking rights towards GC. Whether im in the majority on this matter i can not say.

Might i suggest a slower, more gradual, strengthening of ties, which would help alleviate the natural distrust Zoners have for other factions, rather than the current proposal, which as ive previously mentioned, is fairly sweeping.

While i can see how the result of the vote fails to convey a sense of hope for Corsair-Zoner relations, i also hope it doesnt convey a sense of gloom and darkens the, to be frank, fragile, relationship we already share.

Dialogues such as these while, seemingly unproductive, reveal both our intentions and underlying motives and i hope the reasons why delegates voted no, ultimately mean more than the votes themselves.

My apologies for being less than brief but such matters are hard to elucidate in 10 words or less.

Yours faithfully,

Spartacus Weepiglet

' Wrote:**Incoming Transmission**

To: The Counci of Zoners
From Samuel Nichols, CEO Omicron Supply Industries

Message reads:

It's a shame that Elder Sephardi's reaction is so strong. Because we did not vote in his proposal we now are set backward in our standings with the Corsair nation. It sounds a bit like sour grapes. Maybe he needs to consider that a proposal that was not so sweeping, something that takes smaller steps would have been more appropriate and excepted.

He states we will now be on equal footing, yet by dissolving all the treaties between the Zoners and Corsair nation, he has moved us toward armed conflict. Supply deliveries were what made it possible for us to move about mostly unmolested. It's what we do with all the factions, we will bring you supplies and in turn you leave us be to do so. I fear this will open the door to many Zoner/Corsair disputes. Why should the Corsairs not tax us into oblivion if we are no longer a supplier? I fear there are dark days ahead.

I would love to see us on good terms with the Corsair nation and all of the other factions that we work with and around. We have to walk a fine line in all our dealings. The Elder could not see that while his proposal was beneficial to the Corsairs, in the long run it would have been a negative impact for the Zoners.

I do hope that some of the backward steps that we have taken can be resolved.

Samuel Nichols
CEO - OSI

**End of Transmission**

Mr. Nichols, I am sad to see that you think that this is somehow a threat. All I have done is open the door for a new deal should you Zoners think it's warranted, that is up to you. But the fact that this was not the beginning of a negotiation, and was in fact an up or down vote, distressed me, why should we Corsairs have to be fed at that hand of the Zoners for us to have a good relationship in your eyes? Why must we be dependent on you? All this does is free's up the playing field. Now, how our relations go from here is completely in the hands of the Zoners, if you value us as neighbors and wish us to have good relations, then you will show us that, but there is one thing I will tell you Mr. Nichols, the relations between the Corsairs and the Zoners will no longer involve the Zoners holding the Corsairs hostage at the barrel of a food shipment. If we are to be friends, it must be as equals, not one beholden to the other. I for one do not see this as a step backward, I see it as a cleaning of the slate, a chance for both of our peoples to start our relations anew, and how that goes is up to you. I for one want to see, as I have for a long time, the Zoners and Corsairs living side by side in the Omegas and Omicrons with a relationship built on respect and friendship, not one built on dependence. I hope I live long enough to see that vision come to fruition, but if your feelings Mr. Nichols, that the only relation you can see is one where the Corsairs are dependent on the Zoners, is the feeling of most Zoners, then I doubt I will.



Miguel Sephardi

' Wrote:At this point, I will be declaring all previous treaties between the Zoners and The Brotherhood reguarding food deliveries, and Omega 49 null and void. If the Zoners feel these issues warrant further discussion, if the Zoners feel the relations between our two people are important, you will have to show us that. To quote an old Sol saying, "The ball is in your court."

Miguel Sephardi Generalissimo, The Corsair Brotherhood

Comm ID: RFS Freedom

First, we not only approve of your looking to other groups for food, but encourage the search. The work of bringing food to Crete does not arise out of its profitability; for some reason the Corsairs seem unwilling to use their massive income to make food a financially worthwhile commodity. Because the work is done on a charitable basis, we hope that the Hogosha and Farmers' Alliance have kind enough hearts to continue the charitable food shipments to Crete.

Could you provide a reference to the previous agreements we had regarding Omega 49? Let us assure you that any individuals or groups we find committing acts of piracy in the system will be hunted down and eliminated. This is to create a safe environment for all of its residents, including the thousands of Corsairs that have decided to call Gran Canaria their home.

Of course, if your intentions are as peaceful as you claim they are, this should be no problem.

-Jonah Robinson and Crew

' Wrote:Comm ID: RFS Freedom

First, we not only approve of your looking to other groups for food, but encourage the search. The work of bringing food to Crete does not arise out of its profitability; for some reason the Corsairs seem unwilling to use their massive income to make food a financially worthwhile commodity. Because the work is done on a charitable basis, we hope that the Hogosha and Farmers' Alliance are humane.

Could you provide a reference to the previous agreements we had regarding Omega 49? Let us assure you that any individuals or groups we find committing acts of piracy in the system will be hunted down and eliminated. This is to create a safe environment for all of its residents, including the thousands of Corsairs that have decided to call Gran Canaria their home.

Of course, if your intentions are as peaceful as you claim they are, this should be no problem.

-Jonah Robinson and Crew

Mr. Robinson

Here is what I know of our deals involving O49, but it is old, and this was one of the reasons I was looking to update it.


Second, I was not aware all of Omega 49 was a No Fire Zone, in fact I was told so explicitly during our talks. If in fact it is not a violation of Zoner law to pirate outside of the NFZ in O49, why would ships that do it be hunted down? Seems like you are just taking the opportunity to threaten me and my men, which I do not appreciate. The ships of the Brotherhood will obey Zoner laws, but please, dont start making them up as you go along for your own purposes.

And in the interest of "forward" steps, Delegates, I would now like to present the Revised Draft of our Council Policies, which we have been working on in "closed session" for the last week.

For those Delegates who were not able to attend closed sessions, there will be a comment period of at least 24 hours, and longer if needed, before a vote is called to ratify this document and make it Official Council Policy.


===========
Council of Zoners Official Policies
===========


Section I - General Policies: (Zoner and Zoner Guard Charters)
-------------------------------------------------

The Council of Zoners will abide by, and claim all rights given by our "Charters", to wit:

The Zoner ID and the Zoner Guard ID:

Pilot carrying this ID is a Zoner or Zoner Guard, who:
- Can trade and escort traders;
- Can demand Zoner pilots from any ship carrying them and can attack if the demand is ignored or refused;
- Can only attack those who are : directly attacking Zoners or Zoner NPC faction allies, carrying Zoner pilots, diplomatically hostile to Zoners, or those who have violated Freeport neutrality;
(The Council of Zoners reserves the right to declare any vessel or group as "diplomatically hostile" for the purpose of these policies.);
- Cannot ally with anyone except against Zoner faction enemies, or to defend Zoners, Zoner bases and Zoner allies;
- Cannot participate in any unlawful actions;
(The Council of Zoners chooses to define "unlawful actions" as those actions proscribed by any House or major "Governing Faction", but only in the ZoI of the House which specifically declares the action "unlawful".)
- Cannot use any ship with more than 3,800 cargo space when having a Zoner ID, while a Zoner Guard ID imposes no cargo limitation;
- Cannot fulfill bounty contracts except against Zoner faction enemies;
- The Zoner ID as well as the Zoner Guard ID does not make you immune to piracy; pirates may choose at their discretion whether to exempt you from being pirated.

Allowed ships when using the Zoner ID:
Fighters, Bombers, Freighters, Transports, Gunboats.

Allowed ships when using the Zoner Guard ID:
Fighters, Bombers, Freighters, Transports, Liners, Gunboats, Cruisers, Battleships.


Section II - No Fire Zone Policies: (NFZs)
--------------------------------

1. A "No Fire Zone" is defined as a 5k spherical space around every Zoner Station or Freeport, or within 5K of a Planet's main docking point.
2. Further defined to mean that offensive action is not allowed. This includes the use of offensive weapons, (guns, missles, mines), intentional ramming, and provoking behavior such as threats, taunting or masked insults.
3. Any combat between any vessels is prohibited within NFZs, including engaging of routine "patrols", or pursuing a "fleeing' vessel into the NFZ. All combat must cease, and combatants must either dock, or leave the NFZ immediately.
4. Every CoZ member has the right to end gatherings within an NFZ at his discretion, with minimal warning or explanation.
5. Every CoZ member has the express right to enforce NFZ Policies by whatever means necessary.
6. NFZ violations are punisheable by the CoZ upon documented evidence of said violation. The CoZ reserves the right to declare any NFZ violator "Hostile", and to proceed per the "General (ID) Policies".
7. All of Baffin is declared an NFZ by the TAZ. Violators will be subject to both the "Bafflin' Pentabarf" and CoZ Policies.


Section III - Restricted Areas: (Guard Bases)
------------------------------

1. Restricted (Guard) areas of the Zoners are Pueblo Bonito in Baffin, and Omicron 74, except for Freeport XV and the direct route between the Theta and the Kappa jumpholes.
2. Violating the Zoners' restricted areas can lead to immediate prosecution and engagement, with minimal warning or explanation.
3. CoZ members can shut down Omicron 74 at their discretion to everyone without further explanation. This includes regularly unrestricted parts such as Freeport XV or the jumpholes in Omicron 74. The TAZ also reserves the right to lock down Baffin without prior notice.
4. Non-Zoner vessels are required to comply immediately to orders issued by any CoZ or ZRT vessel present.


Infringement of ANY of the above Policies can result in banishment from ALL Zoner Facilities, or being officially declared "Hostile" to Zoners.
===========

The Floor is now open for discussion, suggestion, and final revision of this document.

Thank you.

**Incoming Transmission**

To: The Counci of Zoners and Elder Sephardi
From Samuel Nichols, CEO Omicron Supply Industries

Message reads:

' Wrote:Mr. Nichols, I am sad to see that you think that this is somehow a threat. All I have done is open the door for a new deal should you Zoners think it's warranted, that is up to you. But the fact that this was not the beginning of a negotiation, and was in fact an up or down vote, distressed me, why should we Corsairs have to be fed at that hand of the Zoners for us to have a good relationship in your eyes? Why must we be dependent on you? All this does is free's up the playing field. Now, how our relations go from here is completely in the hands of the Zoners, if you value us as neighbors and wish us to have good relations, then you will show us that, but there is one thing I will tell you Mr. Nichols, the relations between the Corsairs and the Zoners will no longer involve the Zoners holding the Corsairs hostage at the barrel of a food shipment. If we are to be friends, it must be as equals, not one beholden to the other. I for one do not see this as a step backward, I see it as a cleaning of the slate, a chance for both of our peoples to start our relations anew, and how that goes is up to you. I for one want to see, as I have for a long time, the Zoners and Corsairs living side by side in the Omegas and Omicrons with a relationship built on respect and friendship, not one built on dependence. I hope I live long enough to see that vision come to fruition, but if your feelings Mr. Nichols, that the only relation you can see is one where the Corsairs are dependent on the Zoners, is the feeling of most Zoners, then I doubt I will.



Miguel Sephardi

The one thing that is the main issue here is if we ally with you then there are others in Sirius who will take it as an offense. Indiviual Zoner groups can ally with you, but as a whole there are too many issues. We do not just live in the Omega and Omicrons. We have stations in independent systesm that are surounded by house space or in the deep Tau's. The Houses and Outcasts would look on us acepting your proposal and cry foul.

As for your leveling the playing field. Yes I do believe that the only reason the majority of your brethren leave us be and do not tax us is because we do deliver food. By lifting the protection of those traders who bring supplies to your stations, you have declared open season on us.

I am not saying we can not improve our relations, we can, but we just need to do it at a slower pace. There are considderations that we must make and factors that must be evaluated. Small steps are the key

My company supplies all the folks live around Freeport 9 and 11. These include your brethren on Crete, The Order and the Bounty hunters guild. We treat everyone the same, we give no one any special treatment. If we were to say, give special consideration to the Hunters, the Order and Corsairs would exterminate my trade ships. If I cozied up to the Order then I would have major problems with the Hunters. It's a ballancing act we play, a fine line we walk.

This is what we need you to understand. This is why your proposition failed. We can definatly try and come to some agrements to improve our standings with each other. We can each list our positions and see what the other can do to help. You seemed to assume because we voted down your proposal that we all are against any negotiations. While yes some of us may be, there are others that are not.

I hope this helps you understand us better.

Samuel Nichols
CEO - OSI

**End of Transmission**