The Seraphim | Mission statements and reports

Good afternoon.

For those of you I've not yet met, my name is Jason Kelly, Speaker for the Freeport 11 Community Council. If you have any questions about my responsibilities aboard the port, I'll be happy to answer them, however for now I'll stick to the heart of this message.

As I mentioned when applying for candidacy in this organization, I have an action plan to curtail slavery in the Edge Worlds. As Freemen and Women of the Omicrons, it is our duty to uphold the basic human rights inherent to every citizen of the Sector; yet right under our noses, the criminal institution of slavery not only exists, but flourishes. I've written the following report with the intention of spurring my peers in the Consensus to action.

The report is streamlined into several points, which I shall address in order. Buckle up, it's a long read.

Item #1 : Where We Stand

As it stands now, the practice of slavery is at an all-time high in the Sector. This is an issue perpetuated by the ever-increasing number of refugees displaced by warfare and, consequently, famine. Many refugees, believing that they are purchasing passage on an evacuation liner, end up in shackles. Many more are simply kidnapped from busy camps without notice. See attachment one for reference to my next comments.

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The attached images document the exact magnitude of the destruction facing Leeds. Bombing from two separate armed conflicts and the subsequent evacuations have reduced the population of the former industrial capitol of Sirius from a staggering 2.2 billion citizens to the current estimated population of 500,000. For those of you wondering, that means the current population is .000227% of what it was five years ago when Kusari first invaded the system.

Of course a great many lives were lost in the conflict and bombings themselves -- a fact for which I would like to see Kusari commanders answer for in a SIrian Tribunal, but that's another issue -- however, the population of the refugee camp of Port Jackson on Gran Canaria has skyrocketed to several million. Planet Erie reports its registered immigrant population into the tens of millions.

This is all good news, however there are discrepancies in some passenger manifests numbered in the tens, and sometimes hundreds of thousands across the Sector. In other words, when port authorities in Bretonia record "200 passengers", Libertonian port authorities only receive "10 passengers". With war at the doorstep of both Houses, such records are seldom, if ever, corroborated. Inter-House cooperation for curbing the slave trade has vanished, and criminal traffickers are more than happy to take advantage of this.

Furthermore, this accounts for Liberty having the highest rate of arrest for human trafficking. People leave Bretonia and get lost in Liberty until they're ready for shipment. If they're lucky, the trafficker is halted by Libertonian authorities. If not, they end up wherever the sick bastards with the money need them. Liberty, I believe, is likely the origin for most human traffickers; and with a few exceptions, Omicron Alpha is the likeliest destination.

Item #2 : How to Proceed

This much is clear - human traffickers are banding together. Border patrols and listening posts have detected a noticeable increase in slaver activity in the systems leading to Omicron Alpha. I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds this disturbing.

Furthermore, as Zoners, we are in a bit of a tight spot. Although the slavers are, as far as we know, an independent body (i.e. not part of an Outcast slaving ring), the Maltese Outcasts are unlikely to allow attacks against their supply lines to go unpunished. We cannot compromise our nonpartisan position in the Edge Worlds by taking direct action against these criminals. Although Zoners have, historically, maintained a closer relationship with the Cretans than the Maltese, the risk of inciting conflict against the Confederation of Freeports is too great.

Therefore, I've attached a comprehensive dossier of factions I believe we should make contact with. These groups are essential to an attack-by-proxy on the slaving ring.

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If we successfully confederate these organizations against these slavers, I believe we might just be able to curb trafficking in the Edge Worlds. See attachment three for reference.

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As you can see, these organizations control the two major slave routes in the Sector: the Taus and the Omegas. Zoner pilots throughout Sirius can act as quiet whistle-blowers, alerting the "confederate" forces to potential incoming criminal activity. To each of these organizations, we can offer logistical and material support.

Each group was selected based on the "win-win" nature of striking such an agreement. None of them are friends to the Outcasts or their cause, and none of them support human trafficking in the least. If we're successful with these negotiations, this alliance of slave traders will have a difficult time continuing their trade, and countless innocent souls might be brought to safety.

Item #3 : Going Forward

To move forward with this agenda, I propose making diplomatic contact with the aforementioned organizations and undergoing whatever negotiations necessary to ensure their cooperation.

It goes without saying that these affairs must be conducted with the highest level of secrecy. Great discretion must be exercised, lest the Maltese learn of our complicity. It is not the Maltese Nation that we take issue with and therefore conflict should be avoided at all costs. We merely reject and seek to abolish their practice of slavery.

Diplomatic envoys should be sent - in person - to each of the groups in question to ensure privacy of communication.

Conclusion

Thank you for reading and reviewing the information provided. I believe that together, as a Consensus, we have the ability and the responsibility to affect great change in the Sector.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.