I never said Guardian of Zoners......
I am referring to the nomad threat that looms on the Horizon. We need all hands on deck on this one.
They are pirates granted... but they are also fearless fighters who know what is worth defending.
Namely.. Crete. Besides I have not seen the TBH or Benitez pirate a zoner. In my eyes they are pirates if they pirate my interests, which they havent.
I requested to invite the two leaders because choosing the Council of Zoners as a place to sign the treaty affirms that this council as a place for peace. Having the two leaders agree here in front of impartial people and agree to terms and officialize the peace will be a momentous occasion we will all be remembered for.
Still its upto the council to say the last word.
PEACE
Ok,I agree if you put it that way.But on the Corsair thing,Zoners shloud try to remain on a balanced standing between Corsairs,and Outcasts,geting friendly whit one will make the other faction unfriendly.
We are aleready at tension whit both factions.
Well my friend,
Zoners need to stay impartial in that matter as we make money from both Factions (OC and corsairs).
But we are not. AW and TBH have a ceasefire, but till very recently AW were in an open war with the TBH.
Cease fire doesnt mean we will become allies. It just means, AW will become impartial in the corsair matter.
Why is that important? AW has a seat on the council. They represent Zoners. Dab (sorry cant remember his char) is trying his best to bring his Faction back to a neutral stance with the TBH. Let this fighting stop so hopefully, the TBH can turn to the Nomads to get rid of their aggression.
What the corsairs do with the OC is their business... the zoners need not meddle.
"Brother Rak, I am happy to hear that your Guild is helping to facilitate this matter. I am also heartened at your comment that the Asgard Warriors are still a full member of this Council. I've been somewhat concerned that Sister Aurelian took the Council's recent vote on AW's behavior personally, and has been avoiding exercising her right and priviledge as AW's delegate to the Council for that reason.
"I would hope that either she returns to cast her vote on the Council's future, or that the AW will assign another delegate to represent them. Our business here does involve all Zoners, although I would not presume to dictate to or override the AW's special "Charter" in Omicron Theta or their Home system in any way. I would just like to reiterate that the AW are welcome to raise issues before this council and exercise their franchise as a Member Faction.
Malaclypse paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I have delayed drafting that Letter of Censure regarding the Asgard Warriors. Primarily because of the progress made in their dealings with the Corsairs, particularly the TBH. I still feel it is important that we monitor AW's dealings and activities outside their Charter, but I am positive about the ongoing progress that you are helping to achieve, Brother Rak.
"Now, I would be happy if Brother Isaac could ratify the vote on the present motion, so that we could move on to other matters. The nomad threat in Delta is of course important. So is a firm understanding of what this Council can and cannot involve itself with. In that regard, I will have to agree with Brother Patric that this is not really the venue for deliberations between AW and TBH regarding a Peace Treaty. It would be in the interest of all Zoners to see such a Treaty in place; but as pointed out, it might not be in their best interests to seem too engaged with certain of the signatories. Our relations and neutrality with Outcast factions must be considered as well.
"Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. Brother Isaac, how say you on the current motion's status?" Malaclypse looked expectantly at the Council Chairman...
**INCOMING TRANSMISSON**
FROM: Isaac Drake, somewhere in Omega space
TO: The Council
RE: Current Votes
Hello everyone, I apologize for my absence, I'm a little indisposed at the moment. I've managed to keep up with the Council transmissions, and it seems to me that the 'ayes' have it with regards to keeping the Council going. If it mattered, I'd vote 'aye' as well.
With regards to the AW and TBH, I sincerely hope that they can come to a truce. I don't believe that it is really an issue for the Council, as we are not the ones at war, but if there is anything that we can do to assist in the peacemaking I believe we should do so.
I would like to make the suggestion that the Council elect a Vice Chairman, so that there's someone to keep things running smoothly if I'm found to be indisposed during some other important vote.
With regards to the Nomad threat, I'm not sure there is much else that the Council can do that it has not done already. Hopefully some of those who make use of our Freeports will see fit to help us defend them as well.
I'm on my way again, I should be there to join you all in person soonish.
-Isaac
**END TRANSMISSION**
With regards to the AW and TBH, I sincerely hope that they can come to a truce. I don't believe that it is really an issue for the Council, as we are not the ones at war, but if there is anything that we can do to assist in the peacemaking I believe we should do so.
-It is an issue of the Council as AW are Zoners,but foremost its AW issue.
"i am speaking from my Liner which i currently use as a comfy home,
today i was attacked doing a traderun through omicron delta by the nomad Tauvri. The attack was unprovoked ( well, i was not on the bridge when it happend ) and when i noticed being attacked, i checked the communication channels and nothing was transmitted.
referring to recent attempts to speak to the nomads, i have to assume that they gave up their crude attempts of diplomacy and instead let the weapons speak. The attack happened between yaren depot and freeport 11, in open space, far far from their Jumphole omicron-iota, - so we can hardly speak of a defending mission of their space. after the last attempt to communicate with them, it shows how little they respect our wish to stay out of the space which we claim as a safe zone. the nomad in question showed up in range of the nomad communication satelite aswell as the minor jumphole, which shall be clear of nomads, cause many of the zoner traders use that jumphole.
having that in mind, i have to say that:
the nomads in questions are nothing different to ANY OTHER NOMAD. they are ruthless, mindless and aggressive. they must be annihilated. any attempts to speak to them will end in treachery from their side, cause they do not understand the meaning of peace. they think that defend means attack, so leaving them to defend their homes would be foolish, cause they would betray us.
attempting to discuss a truce with them was a bold idea, and yes, i had hopes it would work. but it turns out that there is no discussion with nomads of any kind, no truce with nomads at all. steps must be taken now. let us not retreat into a defensive position, but step foreward to attack them while they are few. the new breed of nomads is as cunning and dangerous as the "old ones" are.
Jinx out"
Linus looked sideways at Kali, still perched on his shoulder. Looks like I'm gonna need to get me a warship after all. Mebbe a fighter? Better be big enough for Kali, too. Food for thought! Later, though. Somethin' else needin' tending to just now. Clearing his throat, he began, trying to enunciate more clearly than usual.
"'Scuse me...but I'd like to nominate Mal fer Vice Chairman. Seems t'be the logical fella for the job, eh?"
"Thank you for the thought, Linus," said Malaclypse, "but I fear I'm stuck with being the TAZ Delegate at the moment, which means you're really not in a position to nominate. That would be for either the Faction delegates or the independent members to forward. Now, as I am not going to nominate myself, I will leave nominations for a Vice Chair to the other members.
"I received a report today from Delta myself, from another TAZer. F-23 deLuna has been posted there for patrols around Freeport 11. She was also attacked today by nomad vessels without any attempt at communication from them. And believe me, she had tried to communicate, as per my orders.
"You see, I have heard that these "Keepers" are highly aggressive towards any vessel carrying captive nomads or any nomad technology. I therefore directed "Shady Syl" to attempt to contact any nomads, and to return whatever "property" she had in her possession, which I later found amounted to a minor brain, and four blasters. Per my orders, she hailed the nomads on open comms and invited them to retrieve the goods, which she had jettisoned near the unknown jump hole. She sat peacefully, but soon had to launch a full salvo of countermeasures when her missile warning sounded. She retreated into the unknown system and thence into Tohoku, followed all the way by the one designated "Taurvi", who fired numerous missile volleys at her ship. Fortunately she made the Nagano system with little to no damage, and was not pursued.
"So, the TAZ's own little "peace overture" also failed, and at this point, I must agree that attempts to communicate will most probably be to no avail. But, rather than move TAZ forces, which are purely defensive in nature, into harm's way, I am ordering a general withdrawal from nomad space of all TAZ shipping, unless absolutely necessary, and then only accompanied by heavy escort. TAZers who fail to heed this directive will do so at their own risk."
Mal looked around the room at the other delegates and members. "Basically, the TAZ will adopt a "wait and see" policy for the time being, my brothers. Yes, there may be continuing and future danger from these "Keepers". Yes, we may all indeed need to either take offensive action, or to embargo all of Nomad space to ensure that Zoner lives and interests are preserved. We may lose valuable revenues, but we are known for our business acumen and ingenuity. We can compensate. More information is needed before I am willing to make that decision for the TAZ, or to present any motions on the subject to this Council.
"Unless there are further comments on the nomad issue, or motions to deliberate, I would suggest a brief adjournment of perhaps a day or so. We should all contact and consult with our loved ones, friends, and associates. Much is occurring throughout Sirius. New inventions and improvements are flooding the markets. New commodities and trade routes are being discovered daily. Let us ensure that our responsibilities to the Council do not overshadow our need to be abreast of these new discoveries and opportunities. Oh, and Reggie has invited us all up to the Veranda for dinner this evening. Perhaps we could continue our conversations there after one of his excellent meals!"
Message to: All Delegates, Council of Zoners
CC: Chairman Isaac Drake
Comm ID: Malaclypse 666
(Below is a copy of a communication regarding the increase in piracy against Zoner trading vessels in Sirius.):
Malaclypse to all Zoners:
We are paying the price of growing numbers and success, my friends.
In the past, there were few Zoners plying the tradelanes of Sirius. The TAZ were small in numbers, and usually focused their efforts on supplying stocks of deuterium from O-49 to the markets in Kusari space. The Asgard Warriors always seemed busy in one conflict or another, and did not mount large numbers of known Zoner trade vessels. How they financed their organization is somewhat of a mystery.
Now we have the Zoner Republic, the Star Trading Corp, and numerous other Independent Zoners who have taken to the Zoner way of neutrality and trade policies with all and sundry throughout the Sector. In addition, the TAZ has shown a marked increase in membership.
Now, the TAZ in particular are rather reclusive in nature, due to their rather odd spiritual beliefs. We have in the past eschewed the use of combat vessels, relying instead on discreet "wet work" to solve the odd problem of piracy. Apparently, this will no longer serve.
The problem seems to have been heightened by our recent purchase of the Baffin system. Where before, pirates seldom ventured into Omega 49 to interdict our shipping, they are now aware that Baffin sets smack on top of a number of lucrative trade routes.
While I am against the formation of a "Zoner Navy", as was suggested, I also take issue with Brother Meiun's suggestion that self-protection is somehow "un-Zonerish". As circumstances change, so must our policies and responses.
Let me add that the TAZ have increased its capabilities for escort and defense. I will not go into detail, as this communication is on open frequencies. We have also been approached by reputable companies with offers of escort and "other" services.
This would seem to be a matter for discussion by the Council of Zoners on Canaria; and I will be forwarding this message to Chairman Drake and the Council. I suggest that we address our concerns to that body; and leave this frequency open for its intended purpose of identifying known pirates, and seeking their rapid demise. (snip)
Until the Council can deliberate, I suggest that Zoner traders group in convoys, and hire whatever services, either internal or external, that are needed to insure their safety.
Thank you,
Malaclypse for the TAZ