"Pennsylvania is far enough,from war, and alot of crap. Other than something for the OMICRONERS, what will this "modified" NFZ serve? This station, I swore until taken from me, would carry,a FULL No-Fire-Zone to protect all who seek shelter. I do not break my vows. So, now that that is cleaeed up...how would you,modify it to not break my vow?"
She sighed.
"Not taken as a threat, but its going to,bemifit you, the Omicroners. How will it benifit those who come here to have,a safe haven, with a FULL NFZ in place? I will not be biased. Bias is for the Navy. The,Zoners are nuetral. I will not become biased. Then,i wouldnt be nuetral. I would be on a side."
Akayama raised her eyebrow. "Far enough from war? The corporations are petitioning against the Zoners, seeking to restrict our access to Pennsylvania as it is. Erie is being wrestled out of our hands and we are all but packing up and leaving for freer space, except for the few."
She sighed. "Rheinland and Liberty is knocking on Freeport 2, and the Rheinlanders are invading Liberty every few days. There are even rumours of a far greater threat in the Taus. War is everywhere and all around us, and we should take measures to protect ourselves."
"None of this however, matters. It is important that you realise that this is not solely for The Omicroners. It is for Zoners. I am not asking to have The Omicroners solely treated differently, we simply want every Zoner treated differently." Akayama took a moment to catch her breath. "We have in the past been used as a shield, and we have faced attacks both physical and economic because of us harbouring both sides of the fence. People are not going to stop attacking us until we wash our hands of the issue somewhat. I am not talking about an overly drastic change, but previous policies have not seem to have worked, with accusations of bias taking place."
"These accusations of bias tend to stick, and for someone who seems to despise bias I admit, I am somewhat surprised that you do not seem open to modifications that can prevent these accusations." Akayama wanted to see whether it was worth showing Knight the contract, and would judge it on how the next response went down.
"You are on a side Miss Knight; it is called the Zoners. The thing is, Zoners do not pick a side, apart from their own. And we protect and look out for our own, first and foremost." Akayama finished her side of the argument for the new proposal to be looked at. She had however, already sent the signal to her guards and to the Yacht in space, for everyone to begin preparations for her departure.
"We still help in humanitarian ways. We do shipments to those affected by war, as long as they do not shoot us of course, as that would make things difficult. We do offer our bases as supply depots, as long as people do not stage from them or bring trouble to our door. The Omicroners think this is enough." Akayama rebutted. "There is no pride in such actions Miss Knight."
"The modifications proposed concern only your external NFZ. They are as follows." Akayama said, handing a datapad over to Knight.
Quote:1) The No-Fire Zone is an area in which no offensive actions against a Zoner is allowed. This includes attempts at piracy/taxation, the use of weapons (guns, missiles, mines, cruise disruptors, etc), and intentional ramming.
2) Rebuke and revoke the Treaty of Bethlehem, and form a new one.
3) The above depends on you not being a Gallic Princess in disguise.
4) Warships, from any faction except The Zoners, defined as cruiser and above in this instance, may not dock with the station.
5) What you do in the NFZ is your own business, provided no fire hits any Zoners or the station. Consequences for violating this will be painful. Don't do it.
"That is the ideal contract. I have no idea why I am told to tell you to revoke the Treaty of Bethlehem, and reinstate a new one, even with identical terms, but those were told to me." Akayama sighed. "And I have no idea what clause three is about."
"Either way, section one and five remove protection for any non-Zoner, and this is what The Omicroners care mostly about. The others are ranked less important and are desirable." Akayama rubbed her temple, and then ran her fingers through her long jet black hair. "I know you have an oath. You can protect people within the station, and offer it as a sanctuary, but if someone does not want to land, and use our airspace as a shield so that any attacking faction then also becomes angry with us, why should we protect them?"
"I believe that this change is for the better, and is still neutral as each non-Zoner party can conduct themselves as they desire without Zoner impediments, Zoners cannot be biased in deliberating on NFZ violations, and you can protect any who are on your station. Your vow in essence, is still kept." Akayama finished. She would await the words of Knight before leaving.
"You seem to misunddrstand. My oath is to maintain a complete and total NFZ. This is not a No Fire,Zone. This is a "We are no longer going to provide a safe harbor that you can be at and not worry about being shot at, because you are no Zoner" zone. No. And if I said yes, no new Treaty would be needed. Anyone can shoot in this space now. So, either we compromise on this or you can tell Coen I said go to hell. The only clause I can agree with is three."
Elyssa rubbed her temples.
"The Omicroners can want whatever they want, but it does not mean they will get it. Now, either compromise or get off my station."
"I see that you have resorted to telling me to go to hell Miss Knight. Hardly befitting the conduct of someone in your position, but no doubt your skills at diplomacy will do wonders in the future." Akayama said, quite tired of the manic depressive behaviour of the woman in front of her.
"Although, because I am assigned to this task, I have to ask what compromise you seek? I came here simply to present a proposition, and make a deal. Instead, I get yelled at, insulted and offered the airlock so to speak." Akayama waited for the obvious next reaction. Then she would make her departure.
"Not that you could shoot the messenger so to speak anyway, right Miss Knight? Goodness knows what would happen if an Omicroner were to die suspiciously on your station when sent as a diplomatic envoy. I would say your station would not last long if that happened, but as it stands with Liberty's encroachment it will no doubt last for little time anyway." Akayama did not appreciate the veiled threat Knight made about her life.
"Everything else can remain as you want it. This is your station. I came here to propose a change on behalf of The Omicroners that we felt would be beneficial to The Zoners as a whole, and you turned hostile and told my superior to go to hell and rudely told me to fly off your station after accepting an invite to listen to our message." Akayama took her datapad back and typed a few things into it. "I've sent a copy of what we desire to your computer for you to do with as you wish. It is up to you. I feel it is the most polite thing I can do, and I know it is an action that will not be reciprocated."
Akayama got up and walked to the door, stopping just before it. "Administrator Knight, I doubt we will be in contact again. I think it would be best if any future communication between our two groups was done through a comm channel."
Mio Akayama then strode out before Administrator Elyssa Knight could say anything. The two burly crewmen flanked her with even more intimidating looks on their faces than before. The doors to the office closed, and that was that. Akayama knew she had failed in her task, and would have to report it to Coen soon enough.
The Commander of Coen's yacht had already moored to the station. The group of three onboard the station were already enroute to the hangar bay. No-one would stop them from leaving the station.
"So, I take it you failed?" The burly crewman on the left spoke in deep tones as they walked towards the hangar.
Akayama nodded before talking. "I have never felt so insulted. Libertonians have no concept of honour or due respect."
"Yeah, but you're from Kusari. Things are different." The other burly crewman responded. His voice was slightly less in the bass tones.
"Do you think I was wrong?" Akayama stopped walking and looked pleadingly at the first crewman on her left.
"No. Whatever happened, happened. And it was that way for a reason." The burly crewman pushed gently on Akayama's back to get her walking again.
They arrived at the portway to the yatch, and the burly crewman spoke again. "Either way, we're here. Your choice whether we get on and leave or not."
"Leon, have a bottle of sake sent to the,yacht before they,get there...I think they completely misunderstood my words."
Elyssa aighed.
"I hate the hat I wore for so long."
"It's yours."
Cid was leaning against the door, smoking a cigarrette.
"They come and tell you to break an oath. You chose yo keep it, and probably your get off was translated airlock."
Elyssa sighed. "I,hate context."
"Aye, as do we all."
Lyssa hoped the sake and apology reached in time. Never had she felt bad about her instinctual reactions.
"Why was everything so much easier on the Ghost Eye..."
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