The Guild has received worrying reports about the current activity of the Congress. There has been an investigation that could prove increasing activity focussing towards Omicron Alpha. Furthermore, there are reports suggesting that some Congress shippers rather openly employ the help of Outcast in their attempts to smuggle Cardamine through Guild territory.
I would ask the Congress for an explanation on the recent development. The Guild has looked to the Junker Congress as a moderate force to the aggressive criminal Marauders for a long time, and that's why I would appreciate a statement about this perceived change in operational patterns.
Preparing Transmission... Signal Integrity 87% ...
...sending...
'lo Jack,
We understand that your ongoing dealing with the Marauders has left you apprehensive in regards to Junker activity in the area.
You will indeed note that Congress vessels have been openly employing the aid of Outcasts within the Tau sectors.
However...
This 'change in operational patterns' has little to do with piracy, or other illicit practices. Our recent alterations to standard security protocol for Congressmen have been made due to the prominence of Unioners Corse ships that have been not only present -- but provided haven upon IMG stations in the Tau systems.
If you were not currently aware, a very unseemly blanket bounty offered on Junker Congress ships has been made by these Pilots. Therefore, Congress ships -regardless of destination or intention- have been aggressively targeted and engaged throughout the Tau systems as of late.
Even Congressmen within Tau 23 who are in the middle of transactions with IMG Pilots for Ores, have been targeted and had their business interrupted...
*Aces pauses explicitly for a moment, some coughing is heard*
Seeing as the IMG's position in the Gallic-overrun Taus is a delicate one, it is our understanding [in practice as well] that your Pilots will be unable to order or enforce the ceasing of hostilities by UC or GRN vessels.
So, we are left in a delicate position. The Junkers Congress cannot be expected to continue to allow its vessels to be targeted without protection or consequence. Seeing as the IMG is currently incapable of either repelling or removing this Gallic threat, we have been forced to utilize other local Pilots who are present and able to fight off the French aggression.
*Aces pauses once more, checking over combat logs he had read twice through already*
You will note that this changes to operational escorts used by Congress in the area have had no effect on our business relations, nor a change to local combatants.
We in no way intend to hamper the IMG, and are seeking only to protect ourselves from the overzealous Pilots you are currently 'inclined' [forced] to give harbor to.
I understand the delicacy of your situation, as well as ours.
Most importantly, we can assure you that when your patrols spot the collusion of Congress and Crimson Cross ships in the area, you will note the presence of Corse Pilots in the area as well. When we are able to repel this threat more completely, or can enlist the aid of the IMG in removing them from your stations, I assure you will see fewer Congressmen requiring escorts in Tau space.
Cordially,
-Aces
Transmission Complete
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[5:57:11 PM] InfernalTater (Lewis) [Formerly TLI-Inferno]:meanwhile, Aces 'I don't always miss my destinations, but when I do, I'm on the other side of house space.'
I cannot say I am happy that you use Outcast forces to protect your transports on their way through the Taus, and I am also not happy about large scale Cardamine shipments.
Let me be direct:
The Guild will hit your Cardamine transports if we detect them, and will destroy the cargo.
The Guild will hit your Slaver transports if we detect them, and free the captives.
The Guild may reroute Premium Scrap to different selling locations and escort your shippers there, if deemed necessary.
The Guild will attack and destroy Outcast vessels even if they are with Congress ships.
I cannot guarantee for Congress ships in any of these Contraband Interception cases. The responsibility for any escalation lies with the ship that breaks our law in our space.
IMG Defense will try not to damage Congress assets and endanger crews in these checks.
I was willing to turn a blind eye to the Congress transports that are running Premium Scrap to Alpha and Cardamine back, as long as these operations were discreet. Regrettable, they are not discreet any more. They are reckless and therefore the Guild is not willing to ignore them any more.
I strongly suggest changing your operational patterns and go back to assuming a low profile in your shady dealings.
I trust we understand each other, and I hope none of the measures pointed out ever have to be put into practise.
Well Jack, before ye get hot under the collar, i will be more concise to the problem at hand so that it remains lucid:
(09-07-2014, 09:41 PM)Jack_Henderson Wrote: I cannot say I am happy that you use Outcast forces to protect your transports on their way through the Taus, and I am also not happy about large scale Cardamine shipments...
Regrettable, they are not discreet any more. They are reckless and therefore the Guild is not willing to ignore them any more.
I strongly suggest changing your operational patterns and go back to assuming a low profile in your shady dealings.
We did say precisely that the increase in Outcast presence is due to the fact we cannot rely on Pilots of the Independent Miners Guild to fend off the Unioners Corse Pilots who attack and openly bounty Congressmen. Moving in a 'discreet' manner is much more difficult when we are thwarted by Pilots who shoot at us without hesitation, regardless of cargo, including shipments of IMG Ore.
These are not at all Cardamine operations -- these engagements in the Taus are nothing more than Junkers in self-defense calling upon able aid, which unfortunately in this case the IMG cannot be. Such a situation is unfortunate and less desirable.. however we cannot fairly be disadvantaged by being held accountable for the IMG's decision to lean towards an alignment with Royal Gallic forces.
However, we are quite aware of your diplomatic policies in the region, and will continue to abide by the following:
(09-07-2014, 09:41 PM)Jack_Henderson Wrote:
The Guild will hit your Cardamine transports if we detect them, and will destroy the cargo.
The Guild will hit your Slaver transports if we detect them, and free the captives.
The Guild may reroute Premium Scrap to different selling locations and escort your shippers there, if deemed necessary.
The Guild will attack and destroy Outcast vessels even if they are with Congress ships.
I cannot guarantee for Congress ships in any of these Contraband Interception cases. The responsibility for any escalation lies with the ship that breaks our law in our space.
IMG Defense will try not to damage Congress assets and endanger crews in these checks.
Thank you for the friendly reminder.
-Aces
--Transmission Complete--
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[5:57:11 PM] InfernalTater (Lewis) [Formerly TLI-Inferno]:meanwhile, Aces 'I don't always miss my destinations, but when I do, I'm on the other side of house space.'
![[Image: jack.png]](http://www.augedergasse.de/temp/chars/jack.png)
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