Comm ID: Aurelia Silvan
It is correct that I contacted Ulysses about his new laws for Omicron Theta and Omicron-74. In addition to discussing my issues with them, I will be discussing Freeport 1 and these new 'General Freeport Laws,' for I have some problems with how members of this Council have been operating recently.
That is; taking matters into their own hands with no forewarning to the council, nor call for our opinion. Now my memory may be failing me here, but I think I remember Ms. Tate notifying us of her suggestive laws for Freeport 11 before they were put into effect. Now this Council was made to govern the Freeports and handle any diplomatic issues that effect all Zoners. Laws for Freeports fall under both of these issues. So I ask, why were we not aware of these laws being written up until they were already put into effect on two stations, and are now being set up to cover all of our Freeports.
This Council is here to govern the Zoner body and ensure corruption, greed, and any other such problems don't interfere with it. What use are we when people do what they want, take what they want, and we aren't notified until after the general public is?
Now my issue with these 'general laws' is the one covering prisoners.. I think my compatriots have mistaken these for illegal-captured prisoners. They are not. They are criminals who were given trials, fair or not, and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. Guilty or Innocent, it is not our place to tell the houses that they may not put these people in prison. To demand a ship release them on our station would be the same as to break into a prison and help them escape, dumping them on a Freeport at the same time. Not only will potentially release people who could turn around and hurt us, but cause us severe political problems with the houses when we release thousands of convicts, just because a prison ship flew passed.
And about Omicron-74.. The AW once had full control of that system. There was only one place that was ever restricted, and that was the Corinth Mine Field. Anyone was allowed entry to the system if they had the proper authorization with the guard. I'd be quite happy if we were to move the Council operations to Corinth or Freeport XV. Not only would we be better defended to operate this Council with everyone present in-person, rather than through video screens, but I live there. So I guess I'm slightly biased to my own comfort here.
Now if someone wishes to restrict access to Corinth and its guard station, Sparta, I'm all for it. However, the rest of the system is open to anyone, and it needs to be kept that way.
Now, for my last point, and one that may take a bit more action from the Council than the others.. These laws and the protection of Freeports should be preformed by volunteers, as it is now. However, those volunteers should first be cleared by the Council. That is, 48 hours of voting on the volunteer to take over the protection and management of the Freeport or Zoner station he or she is applying for. I don't think Ms. Tate should be required to go through this testing.. She has managed Freeport 11 for quite some time. However, the 'Archers' for Freeport 1, and Ulysses for Freeport 9 should be going through this voting procedure.
For the reasons stated above, I do not back the adoption of the 'General Freeport Laws' while the law on prisoners exists.
Comm ID: Malaclypse
Interesting points, Sister Aurelia.
Perhaps our "unvetted volunteers" can clarify the prisoner issue for us. There does seem to be some confusion as to whether we are merely asking for the release of the odd miscreant captured during "defensive" encounters, or if this applies to convicted felons being transported under contract?
Archer? Grimly? While you're answering that question, you might also provide us with a few more personal particulars. I think Sister Aurelia has a valid point there as well... You seem to have circumvented any responsibility to this Council by announcing your "Laws" without our input or vote on the matter.
I hereby withdraw my motion that the "General Laws" be adopted, until such time as the Council discusses your suitability to "Command", protect, and defend your chosen Freeports.
I would also like to commend Sister Aurelia for her assessment of the Omicron 74 situation. I would be willing to see this Council moved "in toto" to Freeport XV for its Administrative Sessions. I may still be limited to appearances by holographic link, but I tend to agree that the duties of this Council can be better-served from a more "secure" location.
Comm ID: J.archer
To Council,
Greetings,
I will explain the following line:
-If any ship holds prisoners, the ship commanders are advised to release them during visit of station.
All ships should release the hostages, as it could cause unrest with all the differently affiliated guests who are visiting the station.
the marked line is meant for normal prisoners who are transported to an prison or something that looks like an prison, during the visit I advice to let them out of the ship, for an drink/meal, toilet. when the ship leave the prisoners return to the ship,
an hostage on the other hand is someone who is kidnapped for an ransom, unlike a prisoner they are taken all
basic needs till the family/company of the hostage pays an certain ammount to get the person in hostage back.
if the council wants this line changed please answer fast,
I could alter it in the following line:
-If any ship holds prisoners, the ship commanders are ADVISED to release them during visit of station.
the prisoners can be brought into a different part of the station to get the basic needs of any human.
Greets J.Archer
Comm ID: Malaclypse
Brother Archer, I consider myself a fairly intelligent domesticated primate, but the whole "prisoner clause" is still confusing me.
My recommendation would be to remove the clause entirely. If it becomes an "advisory", then it is not a law, and should be removed for that reason.
Comm ID: [TAZ]Discordia
The image of a titanium sphere hovers in the foreground, with the curved control console of a Whale in the background.
Delegates, I have just received a request over private comms from the Bretonian Minister of Defense, asking to address this Council.
I have provided a secure and encrpypted FnordNet relay to the Minister, and have given him temporary authorization to participate in these proceedings.
I would also like to inform the Council that Episkopos Mal has directed Reggie's "Bafflin' Queen" to proceed at once to Port Canaria, and to stand by pending this Council's decision on moving to Omicron 74. Waverly will be available to transport Delegates, staff, and equipment.
Waverly LLC and Laughing Goddess Productions will also have staff aboard the Queen, who will be seeking office space to let on Freeport IX.
Comm ID: J.Archer
council the line about prisoners have been removed, from the basic and Freeport 1 laws
greets J.Archer
A Royal Liner makes an impression.
This one, the Imperatrix, decended slowly from the sky and docked gently at Canaria Spaceport, escorted by 3 Templars of the Bretonian Armed Forces. Not enough of an escort to ward off a serious attack, but a more powerful escort would have been politically unacceptable to Zoner sensitivities.
The landing ramp extended, and a man of an aloof bearing descended, to meet a delegate of the Zoner Council at the base. The delegate smiled and extended his hand, and shook the Bretonian's. Zoners are nothing if not friendly. The delegate and the diplomat walked side by side and exchanged minor pleasantries. The Bretonian had no armed guards, again, for political reasons. Calculated risk.
"Minister, it is an honour. I trust you had a safe journey?"
The Bretonian Minister of Defense nodded. "As safe as it could be. Corsair trouble, of course. Nothing we couldn't handle. Of course, we took the Poole to Omega 50 route. Relatively safe, save for those Coalition remnants nearby. And as far as Omega 50 goes, beautiful view. Bretonia should claim it."
The last statement took the Zoner aback a bit, but he was disarmed by a wink from the Bretonian, who then chuckled.
"I suppose I shouldn't rib my guests so. Especially since I do not intend to leave immediately after I meet the council. This place has.. diversions which are not readily available in Bretonia."
They had approached a large wooden building, and had entered relatively unnoticed. Zoner territory had such a laid back nature. The Bretonian supposed they could afford to be so complacent, though tensions with the Coalition remnant had increased in recent weeks.
"Shall we?", asked the delegate, beckoning to the council chamber doors.
"After you." responded the Bretonian.
The Zoner entered the council room, and announced the visitor.
"Delegates, the Bretonian Minister of Defense James Ralston."
Ralston entered the room with a measured stride, and faced the centremost of the delgates, and nodded and gestured respectfully. One never knew how to greet Zoner leaders. Maybe a wave would have sufficed.
An elderly man whom Ralston was coincidentally facing rose to address Ralston. "Greetings, Bretonian. Your presence is welcome, assuming the proposal you bring us does not neccessarily complicate our lives..." The gentlemen sat, obviously expecting their guest to get to the point of his visit forthwith.
"Delegates of the Zoner Council.", began Ralston, "I bring you a proposal from Her Majesty Queen Carina, in Council."
The same Zoner delegate nodded, then responded. "And this proposal is being brought to us by the Minister of Defense? Surely the Bretonian Foreign Minister would have been more appropriate?"
Ralston smiled, and answered. "Had he been more readily available, yes, but he is in New York currently. Furthermore, the subject matter is more my forte." That statement worried some of the Zoners. A military proposal from Bretonia could complicate matters, whether accepted or rejected.
The Zoner asked, "What is it that pleases Her Majesty, then?" Meaning, get to the bloody point.
Ralston cleared his throat, then spoke firmly and resolutely.
"Our proposal is simple. We wish permission to engage unlawfuls, specifically known pirates, in the vicinity of Freeports. Most especially Freeport One in Omega 3."
An alarmed murmur began amongst the delegates, and Ralston sensed he needed to provide Bretonia's reasons for this bold request, and continued quickly.
"Bretonia needs to keep the trade lanes open and unmolested, especially in the Omegas, as much as possible. Losses to Bretonian trade are not a luxury we can afford in time of war. Put simply, if pirates hide behind the protective veil of a Freeport, my men cannot defend traders effectively. If traders cannot be protected, our losses to piracy mount. And with each loss of money or material, Kusari edges that much closer to victory."
He continued. "I recognise that engaging Corsairs and the like near your freeports may put your people, bases, and vessels at some risk, and we will put in place Rules of Engagement to mitigate that. However, Bretonia must act upon this problem. Frankly, these pirates have been abusing your neutrality to their own ends. They do not deserve your consideration."
Another Zoner delegate spoke up. "This cannot occur without some recompense.." Translation :Scratch our back...
Ralston anticipated that. He smiled, and turned to the speaker.
"Normally, Deuterium headed for the Tau Systems through Leeds, or Newcastle, is presumed headed for Kusari, and therefore considered contraband. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that you were exempted from this? Specifically those of you with the TAZ designation, and any others whom you trust, naturally."
That widened a few eyes, to be sure.
"Provided,", Ralson emphasised, "that the destination of the cargo were Freeport 6, not Kusari territory. Naturally, a Zoner who violated this trust, and traded deuterium with Kusari, would find his ship vapourised upon returning to Bretonia. Or perhaps before they returned, if the Privateers are around and about. Though that individual's indiscretion would not reflect on the lot of you, of course. One bad apple, and all that."
Ralston could tell they wanted him out of the room, so they could properly deliberate this offer. Time to make a tactful exit.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am sure you will wish to discuss this in private, and the diversions of your lovely planet beckon me, so do take your time in consideration of Her Majesty's offer."
"Unless you have any questions at this time?" There were none.
"Then I leave you now. With all respects, Delegates."
The Bretonian left the room in the company of his previous escort.
Let them chew on this one all they wanted, he thought. Never been to Canaria, and he needed a bloody vacation.
Mannock lifts an eyebrow, "this man or think that he is vey inteligent or stupid us. Gives nothing for violate our neutrality. If today is fresh in ours memories the fight with the SCRA, now he wants to create us problems with the corsairs, red hessians and others...". Slowly, he begins to talk.
Minister Ralston wellcome to Gran Canaria, its an honor for us.
You want that we break our most sacred rule: neutrality. Sorry Sir, but I have only a simply word for your proposal, no.
If my Sisters and Brothers accept your proposal, the Wanderers too. But, we are Zoners and we dont have laws, the no fire zones are respected like us in most of Sirius and that respect grows in our neutrality to people, houses, ideas and factions.
Sir Ralston if we accept your proposal well never be Zoners, well be another group. All the Sirius gold and, less, your reminder of yours Bretonians privateers no change now or in a future my vote.
He looks to his fellow delegates, sisters and brothers. Here in this council are their hopes to avoid another armed confrontation.
Comm ID: [TAZ]Malaclypse, Omicron 74
Mal's holo image winked to life. But, rather than floating weightless in the Geode, his ship's viewscreen could be seen in the background, with Freeport IV looming slowly over his shoulder.
I wish Minister Ralston had delayed his vacation the few moments it will take to summarize his Offer.
Preposterous.
While at first glance, the Minister's proposal would benefit the TAZ, yes. Until our facilities in Baffin are completed, we rely heavily on Freeport VI for our economy. The station stores and markets the scrubbies harvested in Baffin. We receive needed supplies of deuterium and H-fuel to power our stations and ships from there. So, we would profit from this proposal.
On the gripping hand, this would open the proverbial Pandora's Box. Who will be next? Will bounty hunters wish the authority to chase their prey to our doorsteps? Will the Corsairs insist that Outcasts are fair game right outside Freeport IX?
I will personally assure Minister Ralston that her Majesty's Military, and the great fleets of Bretonian shippers, will always be welcome at Freeport 1, and that abuses of our Freeports will be handled internally, quietly, and with extreme prejudice; but I can not in clear conscience accede to this precedent-setting request.
I hereby move for a straight-up vote on the matter.
Accept the Minister's proposal - yea.
Reject the Minister's proposal - nay.
The TAZ will be voting Nay.
Comm ID..Lucky LeRoux
BAF taking charge of our Zoner Bases Security? No thanks, We'll do it ourselves.
In my view, we, the Zoners can take care of our own community.. We don't need opportunistic outsiders for help.
Trade with us as you wish.
Lucky