My name is Sarah O'Riley and I am contacting you in order to find out whether there is room for negotiations between members of the Orange Alliance - especially the Lane Hackers - and the Crayter Republic. Please take a moment to hear the full argument before taking a decision because this might sound crazy at first, but hopefully makes sense in the end.

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The Frumentarii have been in contact with the Lane Hackers after the Coronado attack by the Outcast, Nomads but also Lane Hackers. In these talks it became clear to me that there is a main point that led to the raid that caused damage to Yuma space infrastructure: the Orange Alliance feels that their Coronado interests are threatened by a Crayter Republic that has become more and more assertive. Barrier Gate and its influence (which cannot be underestimated) are likely leaning towards their side in this conflict, as they fear a loss of independence of Coronado at the hands of the Republic.

What are the interests of the Orange Alliance? Mainly Cardamine and human trafficking between the markets of Liberty and Malta. We agree that both are a problem and should be stamped out, however there are places and times to do that - and in the opinion of the Frumentarii - Coronado is neither the place, nor is 'now' the correct time.

With the Tau conquest in full swing, and first victories paying off, the initiative is finally in the hands of the anti-Gallic alliance. This pressure must be kept up and Tau 44 has to be cleared, then defended and fortified against a counterattack. And from this success, a step-wise reconquista of the Taus can be started.

However, this will only be possible if the Crayter Republic can focus their fleets on one front.

Waging another war in Coronado against all the forces, who find support in the shadows of Barrier Gate and military backup by Malta and criminal bands from Liberty, would weaken the main strike against Gallia significantly and could endanger the victory in Tau 44.

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Before the Republic made their new home in Coronado, the IMG has been living side by side with the shady business of Barrier Gate. We have learnt that cooperation is possible - when the independence of Coronado from House rule was fended off - and that even mutual benefits can be found in a middle ground that I would describe as a 'grey' compromise.

The Frumentarii are convinced that there cannot be success through black-or-white thinking in Coronado, the solution is to allow for the system to function the way it has always done: as a more or less uncontrollable passageway between the Taus and Liberty/Bretonia, a path that shady organisations use to their advantage.

I understand that you will likely not be inclined to accept this, but I am positive that a restriction of Crayter laws and territorial claims to the parts of space around the Yuma and Pecos cluster, would reduce the level of provocation greatly and would reduce the danger of long-term, significant Outcast involvement significantly. I am convinced that the Republic and also the Guild would profit from a reduction of hostility and safety to our planetary and space operations.

We also do not give up our fight against Cardamine and slavery, which can be done in the Taus where we have a much stronger presence than in the vast areas of Coronado where Barrier Gate and shady dealmakers control important parts of space in reality.

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What can the IMG and in special the Frumentarii do:

The Independent Miners Guild has historical ties with the Lane Hackers and also Barrier Gate, that's why they can be diplomatic bridge builders to initiate a contact as soon as there is a basic understanding of the positions. The Frumentarii are already in contact with the Lane Hackers, and even though they seem reluctant so far, we see a chance of reaching a breakthrough, if the Republic is willing to make some concessions to gain increased safety in Coronado in return.

The Independent Miners Guild could take over patrol operations in parts of Coronado and therefore allow for a reduction of tensions in everyday operations. Furthermore the Republic could focus their forces on the Tau sector and on close area defense of the Pecos-Yuma holdings without wasting manpower in pattern space patrols.

The IMG could assist the Republic in turning the subterranean infrastructure of the refugee camps on Pecos into factories to produce arms. We especially thought about focussing at a development of defense systems that protect our planets from invasion. The train of thought is to reduce tensions in Coronado and therefore reduce the dangers of Outcast raids, and at the same time reducing the chances of success of operations against our planetary operations by increasing our defensive capabilities. This would be nearly invisible for the enemy during construction, and would discourage attempts to take Yuma or Pecos significantly. The Republic could profit threefold: reduced threat by less Outcast presence, increased safety on Yuma and Pecos, and production revenue from the factories.

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I hope I managed to catch your interest, Mrs. President. If you have any questions concerning this potential deal, do not hesitate to approach me.

Thank you for already getting involved in the diplomatic process in the Crayter Republic. I honestly expected a much longer procedure, but with my new knowledge from the Lane Hacker side, I can say that I am cautiously positive that we can find middle ground where to meet.

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I. Avoiding Coronado Conflict:

Avoiding a Coronado war is worth making compromises. Event though I do not believe in the stamina of a prolonged Outcast engagement in Coronado, or a Lane Hacker campaign inside Coronado, I am convinced that even covering against the possibility of such actions would harm the Tau operations more than Coronado comrpomises ever can.

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II. Cardamine in Coronado:

I think you and me agree that Cardamine is dangerous, but the reality has shown that the best intercept points of it are not in Coronado. Our statistics say that the most successful point is to hit transports around the Tau 23-Tau 37 passage, or in Tau 29 near the Tau 23 hole. The Republic does not really give up its fight against the Orange Death, and in the Taus the IMG can be a lot more invested into this fight as well. I suggest we step up our strikes in the Taus as a consequence to turning a "blind eye" to Coronado Cardamine smuggling. In the end, it is the result that counts. Where the substance is destroyed does not matter in the end.

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III. Slavery:

This is also a red line for the IMG and I am positive that this can be accepted by the Lane Hackers. I have hardly ever seen them invested in human trafficking, so this should not stand in the way of an agreement too much. The IMG would back the Crayter stance of not compromising there.

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IV. Outcast Presence:

The Outcast are the enemy of the Guild and Crayter and our firm alliance comes from the time when they were the single menace we fought against - for our very existence. This has changed, but they are still one of our worst enemies. Now, as I see it, the 'normal' Outcast presence in Coronado is something that the Republic can tolerate: a few transports running goods (exception: III. Slavery). They would likely not be high priority targets and hard to pinpoint anyway in the vastness of space. Even intercepting some of them would unlikely lead to large-scale consequences - or at least has not done so in the past.

When it comes to larger groups of warships and forces that could look like raid forces, I am all for striking at them. But this decisionmaking goes into the responsibilities of the military anyway.

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V. Barrier Gate:

Having Barrier Gate as a neutral station, and using it to stay in contact with all kind of different groups has proven as the most important decision for the Guild in Coronado since the beginning of our Pecos mining colony. It might take a while before the suspicion of the Barrier people are fading, but I can assure you that the morally flexible freelancers there can be assets to many goals.

Furthermore, it is important - especially in a system like Coronado - to have this point where discussions and arguments can happen, and where even enemies can talk and figure our a way of co-existing. The Guild would definitely try and support any move of the Republic to normalise relations with Barrier Gate. Our contacts on the station could be used for this, if this is the wish of the Republic.

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VI. Neutral Barrier Rim:

This seems to correspond partially with what the Lane Hackers suggested. I am pretty sure that there might be differences that would need smoothing over, but the general idea seems to be not too far from each other. I think this would be a fair deal.

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Here is the unredacted version of what I received from my contact in the Lane Hackers:

Quote:

Our main interest is in the local independent base and the smuggling route which connects Liberty with the Taus. If the Colonials withdraw all claims from that very small tiny part of Coronado, then we will have an agreement. [...].

Unfortunately this military success has also made the Outcasts reckless and arrogant. Thus, if we are to successfully persuade them to halt further offensive operations we need something credible, something real. Make this proposition to the Colonials and if they agree to it, we can bring this info to persuade our side as well.

Do you think that bilateral discussions (perhaps with the IMG as an observer) are called for at this stage?
From what I see, I think that the chances for a peaceful solution at the negotiation table is a lot more fitting and likely than a violent conflict between the military forces.

Careful diplomacy needs time, no one knows that better than the Frumentarii. We will hand over your message and try to make a meeting happen. For me, the most reasonable point to meet would be either Camp Lister, or Barrier Gate. I would prefer Barrier Gate as it will become the neutral hub when things play out the way they look at the moment.

The IMG will send an official delegation and the Frumentarii will also be present to act as mediators in the diplomatic discussions. Looking over the differing opinions, there is - optimistically speaking - still some way to go. However, we are willing to aid in the process and try to see it come to a compromise that both sides can live with.

I sincerely hope that some middle-ground can be found that ends the hostility between the Lane Hackers and the Crayter Republic.

This took a while, but I managed to get the Crayter message to the Lane Hackers and they listened and claimed to be interesting. The proposal that I was working on was that Yuma needs more population and the planned industrialization processes need a workforce, and the Lane Hackers were interested in assisting with it by transporting "workers" towards your planet.

As there are likely problems with docking permissions, the IMG settlement Camp Lister on Planet Pecos can provide an intermediary position until automated defense systems are reprogrammed. The Hackers signalled that they would not have a problem with the IMG taking such a position in this process.

Looking at it from a humanitarian angle, every man, woman or child that is transported in a Yuma deal between Hackers and the Republic is a soul we save from a slow death on Malta's plantation. It's also a hit against Malta's economy. And we are doing the right thing. In thousands of cases. Plus you could gradually normalise relations with the Hackers over a continued cooperation, and thus be able to focus your struggle on the conquest in Taus.

I think we might be approaching a breakthrough, as this quote of the Hacker diplomat might signal:

Quote:Regarding your proposition, I believe it is possible to agree on such an arrangement. Please check with your Colonial contacts, and if they are also positive I think we should move forward with the meeting.

So, I hope your side is willing to participate in a direct meeting. The IMG will be present - unless you and the Hackers agree we are not needed - and we are willing to host the meeting in Coronado in Camp Lister, or we also suggested Barrier Gate as neutral ground. I would prepare for a Barrier meeting.

I apologize for the delay, it has been a little hectic with the recent developments in the Taus that required fast reactions.

Coronado diplomacy has not changed as far as the IMG is concerned. In case the question aims at the relations between Lane Hackers and the Crayter Republic, I am at a loss. The Guild's efforts facilitated a direct meeting between representatives of the Hackers and your people, however it seems that there was little interest or willingness to follow through with it. I was also informed by some Lane Hackers that there was some direct fire incident recently.

That's why I honestly cannot say whether the process is frozen, dead or whether actually the meeting took place between the Hackers and the Republic.

For the IMG, the general stance remains that Pecos is a firm foothold, with industrial cooperation with the Republic in the development of arms and other products necessary for developing Coronado. Furthermore, the Guild is adamant in keeping freindly-neutral relations with Barrier Gate, even though it also serves purposes - like being part of the Cardamine route - that the Guild does not condone. However, intercepts can be made at any other time and place, so that cooperating with Barrier Gate benefits the Guild's interests more than it hurts them.

I assume this sums up the general tendency of the Guild around Coronado. If you need any more details, don#t hesitate and let me know.