from: Freeport 11, E.Tate
to: council
"if the culprits in question threaten our neutrality, they are have to be stopped. however - the one single line of communication makes me wonder ... "Do i look like a Zoner?" - broadcasted by the destroyer. - now, either that is a really dumb question - or we got someone using a hacked/false zoner IFF to make use of our politics and status.
if that is the case - we could most probably hire the BHG to "safely escort the ship in question back to Lividia shipyard".
what is not cleared up yet is how it came to that unfortunate incident. - did those ships open fire randomly? or has there been a reason, any reason for those attacks. - such might have been mentioning of the nomads as if they were deities to be worshipped for example - these days, some captains don t hesitate to asume that such referrence to the aliens is an indicator of being at least seriously influenced.
maybe you can explain further how it came to that battle - and your opinion if those vessels are genuine zoner vessels or rather making use of a false IFF to impersonate as zoners. - about the ships... the destroyer has proved to be a successful businessmodel. many a captains have asked to use one, not all of them zoners indeed - checking for the peoples backgrounds is always done of course.... but backgrounds can be altered.
truth these days is a rare and precious commodity and no one offers the whole truth to anyone. the offices to determine if a possible customer for one of our large ships is "suited" are doing their best, but our major concern is the battleships of course which are highly restriced. the destroyer class is mass produced and so the security checks are not as strict as the battleship restrictions - yet, strict enough usually.
so, maybe you can provide us with a little more information about that incident - if that is possible. if the evidence and the reason is sufficient, we can try to contact those captains and question them about their actions untill further steps might be taken.
final decision is up to the council as a whole though.
E.Tate out"
Comm ID: Malaclypse
Madam Tate, I compliment you. You are as always a voice of reason, and the eminent authority on all things Zoner.
I would however like to state that the evidence so far seems pretty "damning". The vessel scanned by Senior Sanchez does indeed appear to have acquired a Zoner ID, whatever strange things its transponder may have been transmitting.
I have had further communications with Don Sanchez. Apparently this bizarre "vendetta" is even now continuing in Sigma 13. Most disturbing.
Further, we believe that these "rogues" have absolutely no access to the Neural Net at this time, and have expressed no interest in gaining access before this incident. We shall see. I strongly encourage this "[ASF]" organization to respond without delay.
I too would like further clarification on the items Madam Tate mentioned. Don Sanchez, if you are monitoring, please proceed.
Exile is a strong word, and a strong remedy; but in this case, it may be wholly justified. I will reserve any motions on the matter until more details are presented.
Incoming transmission.
From: Don Raul Sanchez, 101st Fleet Admiral
To: Council of Zoners
Good questions Madam Tate, let me address them one by one.
While me being in Sigma 13 is my business, i will say it was part of an agreement with the Junker Congress about helping them with swarms of bounty hunter capital ships. Also until this incident i never encountered said "zoners" in space or any other base i visited.
The ships did not fire randomly. At that time there were two corsair gunboats several K from Yanagi, and my own ship, a falcata. I must admit that the arrival of said "zoners" escapes me, and i assume they undocked from Yanagi. Few short moments later they targeted me and transmitted a very short "Engaging hostile targets". As can be seen from my guncams i lost my shield shortly after and had to retreat to Kyoto. My falcata is no match for two zoner destroyers.
Now it is true there were rumors about our connections with nomads, but they are all false rumors and lies made by corsairs in an futile attempt to stop our allies and neutral parties from helping us. We, 101st never worshiped them in any way. Some certain now
exiled individuals did... Also at that time there were no nomads near Sigma systems. And last i checked i was not under their influence.
You raised a valid question about their transponders, but the problem is their identification papers. While one had a broken transponder, and the other a freelancer one, they both had valid Zoner Identification Papers. One only issued on your bases, and to your official and trusted members. Let me provide you with a scan of their identification papers. There is no way they can be forged, or atleast i don't know about it. One was taken by me in the said incident, the other several hours later.
[ASF]Destroyer[WA]
[ASF]Deathstar[AIM]
And to finish with this. We in the 101st were always friendly with Zoners, and helped them on many occasion. We would never pirate a zoner ship, part because we are the military and have no need to pirate, and part because we need Zoners. Your supply ships are always a welcomed sight on Malta. That is why im here, asking You to act against these so called zoners, as our actions against them might lead to bloodshed and innocent victims.
Don Sanchez out
Message terminated.
from: Guardship Persephone-II-
to: council
"the evidence is deafening. - assuming that it may be a cause of "space madness" would be silly, i guess - as only the feeble minded would be satisfied by such an explanation. So it appears that we have to start an investigation about how and why those individuals got not only the ships - but also legitimate papers to fly them.
for now, i agree with mr Malaclypse and suggest to wait for their side of the story - IF they dare to show up. if they do not, we will have to decide in their absence about their fate and the fate of the ships.
which leads me to the further steps that must be taken. - will you rest the case and leave it to the zoners to deal with this case or will you do your own investigation, too. - cause if you do, we might benefit from both our effords and find a solution together, rather than working alongside but isolated.
while - personally, i prefer to keep such incidents within the ranks of the zoners, it feels like you might not be satisfied by that - but maybe i am wrong there. - so, since evidence has been brought before the council and there is little room for doubt.... we might discuss what steps MUST be taken, what steps SHOULD be taken to stop such incidents in the future.
we will also need more of our council members to participate in that discussion - as it is vitally important to view such a matter from as many points of view as possible.
E.Tate out."
From: Guardship Furball
To: Council
Council,
Whilst I agree with the line taken by Malaclypse and Madam Tate in waiting for all the available evidence before deciding on a course of action I am perplexed as to why "true" Zoners as these ASF fellows claim to be didn't bring this matter to the council's attention immediately, instead of going to ground as they seem to have done, strange that we hear about it first from the 101st.
On a partly related subject I was informed today by a respectable Zoner trader named Regan that another grouping of pilots are flying under Zoner colours, they call themselves "Wanderers" and appear at first glance to be an informal Zoner collective. However Regan reported three instances during the conversation which raised suspicions as to their knowledge of Zoner affairs, firstly the leader of the group identified as [WDR]Kullman enquired as to the best place to purchase Zoner Guard identification papers, secondly he informed Regan that the "Wanderers" were considering purchasing Corfu base, unless I'm mistaken it's not for sale is it? and thirdly when Regan enquired as to whether these plans had been put to the Zoner Council he was informed that the group's Diplomatic officer identified as [WDR]Warcraph had indeed done so, however I can find no record of this in the Council communications logs. If this communication has been received privately by Council members then I stand corrected.
Furball out.
from: Guardship Persephone-II-
to: council
"we must also take into account that the term "zoners" is something given to us by others. - it is not a faction but more a state of being - a way of life. - so we might find many a various people referred as "zoners". - back in the days of the exodus - when the first ones left the core to settle as free people in the rim... the only "qualification" that was needed was to be fed up with the house goverments but still trying to live a peaceful life, dealing with the dangers of deep space.
today - our "qualifications" have changed. we installed the council as a meeting place - and the council has grown to a representative institution - much more than we first anticipated. we have labelled zoners as "no real zoners" in the past when they were not living their lives by our rules.... .
a funny thing - we left the inner core to become free from the rules - just to install new ones. we are caught in a tight corset of our politics and our new rules. - however - times change, situations change. - we are no longer oddities whos only common idea was to leave the inner sphere - today, we are a tight community, a political power in the rim.
once we accepted that profound change, - we also have to accept that there are "zoners" that do not live by those rules - by those new rules. maybe those "zoners" only have one thing in common with us "new zoners" - and that is the dislike of the inner core systems.
now it is us that are caught between old and new believs - and the old believes conflict with our current ones. by our original believes - those individuals are indeed.... "zoners". - by our new believes, they are dangerous troublemakers that endanger everything we worked for.
this is just to show what we have to deal with - while by the original believes, the captains of those vessels have not done wrong ... they do might not deserve not to be called "zoners" - by the todays state... we still have to step in.
but we should do it with all decency and sensitivity if thats possible. - we should explain the new situation of "being a zoner" to those captains and ask them to see reason. - being a zoner these days is not what it was in the old days. - they must understand that if they want to remain part of our ... society.
E.Tate out"
From: [WDR]Nostromo-Captain "Mannock" Benitez
To: Council
You have the reason in one point: we are new Zoners. Or, we try to be ones.
The person registered in the council is me, not Warcraph.
And, its true too, that we are an informal clan (Kullman is trying to make us official, but we find only problems).
I can talk now only my name. I was a Corsair that dont want to see more bloodbaths... I take all my money, recruit a crew with persons that think like me and buy an advance train (and, yes, I buy a Zoner ID because we think more near to ours thoughts).
The crew and me are pacifist, only we shoot at Underdog (an Outcast) because he want to kill us, but we dont destroy him and leave him to flee. We no kill, we no combat, we only trade.
Probably you dont see me like a true Zoner (I have no tag), but if the condition sine qua non is kill people, the whole crew of the Nostromo dont want to be Zoners. We received 2/3 attacks every day and that is the reason why Talion Law was building and ready to defend all zoners.
We saw Outcast not respecting the 5 km rule (yesterday Talion Law informed me that Necrosis killed a pirate -not a corsair- near Freeport 9), we saw people pirating who said us that we were not Zoners (they can judge who is or who is not, only to tax).
All that I can say is that we respect the laws of every system where we enter (we have the Kusari license and no other because we dont work with limited or prohibited goods in others houses -contraband-) be Liberty, Rheinland, Kusari, Bretonian, Outcast, Corsair...
I must register [WDR]Talion_Law, a Battlestar Advanced under Commander Manuel Martinez. This ship have only an objective: protect zoners traders.
You are the Council and you must take the choice of accept us or not.
Captain Mannock
P.D.: The ASF affair, well, the attack of Destroyer... he did not began, Outcast assembled a fleet near Yanagi (under 5 km restriction) and destroy the first ASF, then when Destroyer arrived at Sigma 13, they attack him without a provocation, the only warning was "another ASF" and the attack begun. Talion Law was there.
As the council debates over an issue, a tall asian man with white robes enters the room and walks towards the council.
"I demand to be heard!!!"
Guards block the newcomer from moving closer to the council.
"I must speak to the honored council of Zoners beofre it is too late!!" The asian man slowly shows his identification to the guards and before moving a small step back.
"Though I am new to this order of zoners, and though the council may try to silence me for speaking out.." Sashen holds out open hands "I cannot sit by and be silent while others try to harm our way of life!"
Spying Captain Benitez in the room, Sashen points a finger at him. "First I like to bear character witness to this wanderer. He is indeed a gentle soul among us. One who does great honor in the name of the Zoners. Even though he may not be born into our society, he repects our ways. I ask that the council shows mercy in his favor."
The robed captain pauses a moment while waiting for the room to become silent. Nimbly he crossing his arms within his long sleeves. Scanning the room with animostiy, he turns his attention to the Abolitionists seen nearby. "You people should be ashamed of yourselves. First, your kind of ideological views are forcing us to bring conflict within the house systems on slavery. What is the next step? Make a Zoner movement against Cardmine and Artifacts! Zoners are indeed a strong collection of people and ships, but we should NOT act like imperialists dictating our beliefs on the entire galaxy! Even if you silence me, remember my warning: if you continue to steer our people down this course, blood will be spilt; either from outsiders or from our very own civil war!"
With a clinch fist Sashen turns away from his antagonists. Respectfully the captain bows courteously to head of the council of Zoners. Slowly he stands tall and folds his arms. He speaks the council without expression on his face or in his words.
"I have said my peace. Whatever fate may come my way; I am ready to face it."
Comm ID: Chair Entity Mama Dis
(The holographic images "seated" around the table at Port Canaria exhibited a wide range of facial expressions at the univited outburst from Sashen. Some seemed outraged at his pompous proclamations.. others seemed amused that the gentleman would appear "in the flesh" to address a room full of holographic projections. Mama Dis of course was incapable of such nuance, having a fairly immalleable shell of titanium for a "face"..)
Brother Sashen, there is no need to pontificate to this Council as if you are an outsider. You have proven your particulars as a "bonafide" Zoner, and been registered as a Council Delegate. Your rather offhanded explanation of the Area 51 violation seems suspect to me, but we do things in order here, sir.. not at the whim of whoever wishes to voice his pet peeve and receive instant gratification. And, next time you could save some fuel by attending remotely.
(Mama Dis paused, and then addressed the gathered images once again:)
Delegates,
Because we have yet to hear from a representative of this [ASF] bunch, I have sent the attached "Invitation" for them to respond over Council's Private Comms.
Meanwhile, as suggested by Sister Elizabeth, I would encourage all Delegates to weigh the evidence carefully, if and when presented by the [ASF], and then to deliberate carefully on the Council's response.
As to the matter forwarded regarding the "Wanderers". I would suggest that these new brethren be given time and guidance by us all, to facilitate their integration into Zoner society. As pointed out by Madam Tate, the climate of Sirius is changing daily, and this Council strives to cope with those changes for the benefit of all Registered Zoners.
As to the matter of the vessel "Darkwind", I would recommend that we table the matter until the issue of the ASF and the 101st is resolved. However, we should keep our "ear" to the ground for further developments regarding our very "strident" new brother, Sashen, as well as the Wanderers.
Incoming transmission.
From: Don Raul Sanchez, 101st Fleet Admiral
To: Council of Zoners
Chairman of the Zoner Council, delegates,
We currently have several much more important matter to deal with. My fleets don't have enough time to go around searching for these ...rogue zoners. And to that end i am willing to leave this in the hands of the Council of Zoners, but know this! Should they attack any of my pilots, and me, we will defend, and destroy them. And should they enter a system under outcast direct control, i will send a fleet after them. Omicron Alpha, Omicron Beta, Omicron Eta and Omicron 85 will not tolerate their presence. Also should our allies request help, i will not think twice to send a wing of bombers.
And let me finish with this, as i overheard two very interesting issues.
Necrosis is NOT an outcast, and outcast nation, the Council of Dons or the 101st does not have any influence over him. And we, the 101st, do not have direct control over any independent outcast pilot and ship, nor do we have control over other outcast affiliated or allied individuals.
Thank you Zoners
Don Sanchez out
Message terminated.