New Covenant Church, Med Force Academy, Omicron Supply Industries
To all Theta Treaty signatories still present in the system, I bring you a message on behalf of the Executor.
News quickly reached Crete that Señor Voncloud has stepped down as planetary administrator of Pygar and has been replaced by an appointee loyal to the Phoenix Zoners. The Executor personally reached out to Phoenix, expecting to foster continued collaboration, only to find their disregard for our shared goals. He is most displeased by how the communications turned out, as these actions are totally against the progress made by the Theta Treaty.
As signatories of the Theta Treaty, we are obliged to inform you about this. The new Phoenix administrator is unwilling to cooperate, and as such, The Deterrence has called you to discuss this situation and how to act. Given the work all parties have done so far to restore the damages on Freeport Nine, we should all do our part to fix this issue in a way that everyone is satisfied with the results.
The Deterrence requests that the signatories of the Theta Treaty denounce Phoenix and their new administrator publicly. Pygar's administration should serve the genuine interest of the community, rather than the narrow agenda of Phoenix. Changing them out for a new administrator will be our way of fixing the problem...
Clears throat
...Yours might be more pragmatic, given the Zoner ethos of seeking peaceful resolutions. If you believe you can sway Phoenix to reverse course without further conflict, by all means, proceed. However, if Phoenix persists in undermining what we have built, the Corsairs will act to safeguard the future of Omicron Theta.
Our shared efforts will solve this issue in due course. In the meantime, The Deterrence will be awaiting your responses to this issue. The Executor and the Conclave trust that you will stand by the principles of the Treaty.
NCC Minister of Foreign Affairs Magister Yuri Orlov
Good evening, Mr. Konstantinou.
I'm the Magister Yuri Orlov, and I'm in charge of the foreign relations of the NCC. Pleased to meet you.
We're pretty aware of what has happened with the change of Administration at Pygar, and trust me, it's a matter that concerns us greatly. We know that, for the moment, the new Administration has no intention of continuing to be parties to the Treaty and has encouraged the rest of us to do the same. However, they've also communicated to us their intention to respect the decision of the other signatories to continue in it.
For our part, His Holiness has transmitted his personal disapproval of the "dismissal" of Mr. Voncloud to the current Administration, and the firm intention of the NCC to continue being a party to the Treaty. I've also made statements to the regional press, specifically to the Frontier Gazette, expressing publicly the Church's concern about the direction taken by the current Administration.
There's not much else we can do at the moment. The new Administration has made no move to retaliate against our colony, so we have no intention of inflicting violence on other Zoners, no matter how damned wrong they may be. Of course we will defend ourselves if we're attacked, but honestly, after having some more extensive conversations with the current Administrator, at this moment I've serious doubts that this is going to happen. So, indeed, our approach will be more... pragmatic, as you say.
The main reason we signed this Treaty with the Corsair Empire was to prevent further violence, avoid the deaths of innocent civilians, and all of this, so to depose the current Administrator by brute force and outright would be totally inconsistent with the spirit of the Treaty. Besides, tempers are running high among the population here, so it could lead Pygar into a full-blown civil war between Zoners. Right now that would be quite inconvenient.
The Church will try to persuade the new Administration that if they don't wish to be part of the Treaty, at least try not to hinder its development, but I cannot promise you that we will succeed. However, even if they aren't willing to do even that, I believe that they will not pose a threat to our joint achievements for the time being. Note that a very significant portion of the Zoner groups operating in Theta are signatories to the Treaty, and I doubt that any of us would jump ship while it's underway, taking into account the excellent results it's producing for everyone. That makes it very difficult for Phoenix to interfere or prevent the Treaty from going ahead without using military force on the signatories, which I highly trust that will not do because it immediately would initiate a war with Crete.
Therefore, I'm hopeful that this problem can resolve itself. It really reassures me that the Corsair Empire remains staunchly committed to the unconditional defense of the interests of Omicron Theta, but my opinion is that we should keep a cool head, and wait a bit to see what Phoenix's next move is, before acting rashly. Remember that you can kill a man at any time, but can only talk with him while he's still alive.
Please convey my warmest regards to the Executor on my behalf, and Deux be with you.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs House of the Magisters NCC Curia
Posts: 8,408
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*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Doc Holliday
Location: Personal Quarters, Med Force One
To: Dimitrious Konstantinou
Greetings, Senor,
I will be brief. I have said my piece with the current Pygar administration. I will only have this to ask of you and that is show some restraint. If you take aggressive action, THAT is exactly what Phoenix and others want. Do not give them that satisfaction. They do not think you can show restraint or be diplomatic. I know otherwise.
Respectfully,
Dr. John Holliday
Med Force Enterprises
-- Incoming Signal --
-- Video feed --
* ID: Jerard Voncloud
* Location: Carrier Kaldra
* Subject: Interview
Signal coding complete
Message Beginning:
Señor Konstantinou
It is of my opinion that regardless of what is said to Phoenix, they will continue their defiant stance. They believe that my signing of the treaty was me surrendering Phoenix to the Corsairs. To be frank, they are the epitome of the phrase, "Cut your nose to spite your face". Burton will see Pygar starve before working with the Corsairs. This much has been made apparent with the loss of the Docking Ring. Whether it was destroyed or dismantled, the fact is that without it, larger ships can no longer reach the planets surface and smaller vessels are at significant risk from the Storms without the Docking Rings ability to plot a safer path through.
Regardless of Title, Pygar is my responsibility, and those are my people. How to move forward in my opinion is that firstly the pressure needs to be placed on Phoenix in whatever way everyone here is able to do. Secondly, and most importantly to me. To be prepared for the inevitable exodus of colonists leaving Pygar. It won't take long before the loss of the Docking ring will be felt, with supplies slowing down to a trickle. It wont escape the notice of many that Phoenix will potentially bring the shadow of conflict down on Pygar once again.
I am loath to consider it, but the fact is, for the better of those who call Pygar home I would ask they once again pick up their lives and leave the planet. Though this is a last resort action should it become apparent that Pygar is becoming a lost cause.
Jerard Voncloud
Message Ended
-- Video feed terminated --
-- Secondary data log saved --
I’ve read through the collected responses to your message, and I can see the fire in the hearts of all signatories to defend the integrity of the Theta Treaty. It’s a fire I respect and share, but I also urge us all to be mindful of what has made this Treaty such a success: cooperation, pragmatism, and a commitment to building, not tearing down.
First, let me be clear: removing Voncloud was an outright disaster. The man had earned the trust of everyone involved and was key to the stability we’ve worked so hard to maintain in Omicron Theta. Phoenix’s move to replace him was shortsighted and reeks of internal politics at the expense of the community. I won’t sugarcoat it—this was the wrong decision.
But let’s not allow Phoenix’s folly to unravel what we’ve achieved. As others have wisely said, responding with aggression would only validate their paranoia and play directly into their narrative. That’s not who we are, and it’s not what the Treaty stands for. We’ve prospered by showing the strength of diplomacy, not by stooping to the level of petty disputes.
Phoenix might see the Corsairs and their allies as adversaries, but we know better. The Treaty has proven that collaboration leads to prosperity for all—whether it’s rebuilding Freeport Nine or maintaining Pygar as a haven for Zoners. Let’s stick to that principle.
Voncloud’s points about preparing for the inevitable struggles ahead are sobering, and I fully agree. OSI will do its part to support any Zoners displaced from Pygar. We’ll allocate resources to assist those in need, whether that’s through relocation, supply chains, or finding alternative opportunities. Pygar is not a lost cause yet, but if Phoenix’s leadership continues down this destructive path, we must be ready.
So to Phoenix, my message shall be simple: reconsider your stance. You can’t wall yourselves off and expect to thrive. The Treaty is not about surrender or domination—it’s about survival and cooperation in one of the galaxy’s harshest regions. The longer you fight that truth, the more you endanger not just Pygar, but all Zoners.
To all Treaty signatories I can only say: let’s stand firm, remain united, and show the wisdom of restraint. Keep the lines of communication open with Phoenix, but prepare for the challenges ahead. OSI will be here to support our community every step of the way.