from: Battleship Persephone II
to: those involved, affected
"After extensive practical trials, i entered the bureucracy phase. there will be no more drones deployed in omicron-delta and i hope i haven t left too much debris floating around. the ships transponder will now be fixed and i want to thank everyone for their understanding.
most grateful, E. Tate "Jinx"
ps.: the ship will most probably seen within the inner sphere for the transponderfix - just ignore it"
** this is a copy of the original message sent to the council of zoners **
Comm ID: Camilo Abrigo of The Abrigo Trio
TO: Fellow Corsairs
Brothers, today The Benitez, fellow corsairs and I took the offensive, and hunted down the HSF-Invincible.
The target, irrelevant, but the cooperation of Benitez and The Brotherhood appeared functional. There is no point in pursuing this dispute between us, lets forgive them for leaving Crete before, and join arms! I ask the Elders to please consider my opinions, and end these ridiculous games of, "Who is to blame?" and "Who is More Powerful?".
Corsairs (meaning ALL corsairs) must be united, to further push back our enemies and once again become the Best and Most Feared pirates from Omicron!
Comm ID:Kristinka,captain og GB Tinky
TO: Camilo Abrigo of The Abrigo Trio
questions to you abrigo
1:can i trust someone who say all the time that he is true corsair and then escape when enemies attack corsairs home?
2:you think is easy forget treason as that and act as nothing happend?
when you answer to one from this two questions no,then you know my opinion on this.
but you are right,corsairs must stay united.but not all who say that are corsairs,are really corsairs...
this is only my personal opinion and it is not opinion of the Brotherhood.
Comm ID:Kristinka,captain og GB Tinky
TO: Camilo Abrigo of The Abrigo Trio
questions to you abrigo
1:can i trust someone who say all the time that he is true corsair and then escape when enemies attack corsairs home?
2:you think is easy forget treason as that and act as nothing happend?
when you answer to one from this two questions no,then you know my opinion on this.
but you are right,corsairs must stay united.but not all who say that are corsairs,are really corsairs...
this is only my personal opinion and it is not opinion of the Brotherhood.
captain kristina out.
----------Channel Closed--------
Incoming Transmission
Comm ID: Praetor Zavier Benitez
My God.. Are you still blathering that crap on? We did not "RUN" as such, but chose a different sort of defense that may or may not have worked.
We destroyed a several capital ships and about five fighters/bombers that would've ran to Gamma if we didn't defend gamma using the old saying; "The best defense is a good offense".
Praetor Zavier OUT.
Transmission ended
"Freelancer Alpha dash niner, this is Freeport 7 control, You are cleared for departure. Good luck out there."
Soldato Zavier Benitez, Benitez flight instructor.
Hermanos, It is with great pleasure that I announce the christianing of the Brotherhoods newest ship. In response to claims by the Benitez family that our fleet lacks power, The shipbuilders of Tripoli have produced a new Praefect Corsair Cruiser for me. This ship is currently tagged Miguel.Sephardi[TBH], is it's IFF and ID are both Corsair. I will be deciding on a more fitting name in the future, as current events have made me push up it's deployment date. This ship is fully functional and battle ready.
Comm ID:Kristinka,captain og GB Tinky
TO: Praetor Zavier Benitez
now you will see why you need us.that was words of don carlos when tbh call all corsairs to defend home planet.and sorry,for me is that no another type or way of defense.
and as i say,that is only my personal opinion.
Comm ID: Sean Dawson, Chairman of NLH
Message to: The Brotherhood
Greetings, my dear friends. I know there are big conflicts between the Corsair Nation, but I'd like to ask you for a favour. One time, while I visited Yaren Base in Omicron Delta I spotted the Pirate Transport, a powerful vessel of reasonable cargo output, right? Well, I'd like to ask you to sell us a few models of that marvellous ship type, if you don't mind replying to this humble message. I am also ready to negotiate anything you wish.
Comm ID: Skyelius
To: Teresa Maniaco
CC: Juan Montoya, Raul D. Yanez, Juan Lucendez
Teresa, I know how you must feel at the moment. But you shouldn't let yourself be troubled, or convinced by words that try to grasp you in their purpose. Hermana, the Benitez could change, return to the ways their ancestors abode by. Perhaps one day we can have that unity that your heart so desperately desires.
But right now, people are unmasking their faces, and it is important that we look at what has been lying in front of our eyes. Ares has his problems with Montoya, just as Carlos has grown hateful of me and my ways. The Benitez now desire to break out of tradition, and they have now tasted how Crete would be without the presence of Costello, Juan, and myself. The leader of their household may have been somewhat related to your father, but if he were here I doubt he would appreciate what they are trying to stomp on.
I am not manipulating anyone. I have not accepted power that I was offered, and while I am a member of the Brotherhood I will not let our enemies feast on our hearts. The way some Benitez plan on taking away our traditions means taking away our honor. Your father DIED for honor, sister. He would know the difference between a society filled with unity and dignity, and a society filled with fake equality and corruption.
If one day, you personally decide I should no longer form part of The Brotherhood, you can make me know. I will not prepare a drama scene for people to sit back and enjoy "pop corn". I will not run off to coward in Yaren. I will leave and accept what you have decided. It is my duty and my oath to protect the interests of the Corsairs at all costs.
My brothers, do not succumb to manipulation. Montoya, do not be troubled by regret and the haunting past that inhabits your mind. You spoke like a true Elder, facing public opinion and holding your heart in your own hands while your mouth interpreted its language. I am here and as long as I live as a Corsair I will defend these sincere words.
Raul, do not spin around following the current of confusion and chaos around you. I know you hold enough power to cry out and stop whatever clouds your vision. There is always a solution to problems, and if it is not clearly visible by your eyes you can be sure your heart can see it. You only need to learn to hear what it says on hard times.
Lucendez, I'm glad you were recognized as the Elder that has always lived in you. Listen to your brothers, and use your strength to follow the path of glory your destiny holds. With time, you will understand everything you were told, and learn to use wisdom as our dearest brother Maniaco did.
We still have hardships to overcome, brothers to find, battles to fight. As long as we stay together, us, the core of our nation, we will always embrace challenges and enjoy victory.
Sincerely,
Skyelius
--End of Message--
"It is a cold universe until you know God as your Father, and then it becomes a home. Even the next life simply becomes the Father's house, home."
—David Pawson
' Wrote:**Comm link confirmed - ID, Corsair,Ben Laowai"**
standby......
Transmission reads:
Hail Brothers.
I seek discussion, and clarification on an issue that has arisen today while i was en route through Omicron Theta.
There was a brief altercation where i believe one of our pilots attempted to tax a zoner... I believe his IFF was not being used correctly and the matter was quickly resolved. We were then informed, by a member of the AW (Asgard warriors) that "All Corsairs are forbidden to Tax within the Omicron Theta system" - and the pilot made no mistake in informing me that this system was under their protection.
This troubled me.
I know these self appointed guardians of the Zoners have no love for the Corsairs... but to continue:
The wider issue of taxing Zoners aside, for i know we all have different views on that, i for one, don't do it; I have enjoyed the sanctuary of the Freeports on many an occasion and indeed, probably owe them my life. No, taxing Zoners is not my issue here, Nor to i take issue with Zoners protecting their own, their own brethren fellow Zoners. This is natural and indeed honorable, i would expect no less.
What trouble's me is this extending the umbrella of protection over ALL traders who would venture into Omicron Theta.
We are Corsairs, we are warriors and we are pirates, while some of us do trod the path of a traders' life, for many of us, our primary trade is piracy, this is how we make our living, provide for ourselves, and our kin. We allow the Zoners the right to ply their trade through our space, is it not just then, that we be allowed to ply ours in theirs?
For the most part, their vessels trade freely in our space, spared from the attentions of our guns in a way that no other trader is privy to, and this is how we are repaid?
I ask you, do we really want a safe haven for traders in Omicron Theta? On our front door?
I seek discussion on this from my Corsair Brothers and sisters. I for one, will still not fire upon, nor tax a zoner flagged vessel, but i will not, unless it is the will of all Corsairs, heed the words of these "Asgard Warriors", until there is consensus amongst us, i will ply my corsair trade in Omicron Theta, and any other system that the scent of plunder leads me to.
**transmission ends**
Comm system error#
**transmitting**...
**....szzzzsttt *crackle* turn the blasted thing o...*
Com ID: Captain RickJames
Uploaded to Planet Crete from The Gentlemens Loser
The AW are a small force presently and I feel Gamma and Crete have little to fear from them. However, for solo Corsairs hunting traders in Theta they may not be so fortunate. My first reaction was one of outrage. How dare they command us in anything. Yet after some contemplation I feel it may be of benefit for us to do just what they request.
Theta is one of the 3 major routes into Gamma. To be on good terms with the AW and Zoners in general can only help our home system. As for our many brothers and sisters lively hood as pirates there are many other systems to make use of.
Most importantly the AW did not forbid us entry into Theta, use of Theta, nor did they ask us not to engage hostiles in Theta. They only requested we do not tax traders in Theta.
Perhaps the Elders could use this request from the AW in negotiations with the AW. Such as aid in defending Gamma when under major attack. Or increased food shipments from the Theta FP and its Bio-Domes.
As an interim suggestion I would advise all Corsairs to cease taxation in Theta till word from the Council. However, that is only a suggestion.
' Wrote:Com ID: Captain RickJames
Uploaded to Planet Crete from The Gentlemens Loser
The AW are a small force presently and I feel Gamma and Crete have little to fear from them. However, for solo Corsairs hunting traders in Theta they may not be so fortunate. My first reaction was one of outrage. How dare they command us in anything. Yet after some contemplation I feel it may be of benefit for us to do just what they request.
Theta is one of the 3 major routes into Gamma. To be on good terms with the AW and Zoners in general can only help our home system. As for our many brothers and sisters lively hood as pirates there are many other systems to make use of.
Most importantly the AW did not forbid us entry into Theta, use of Theta, nor did they ask us not to engage hostiles in Theta. They only requested we do not tax traders in Theta.
Perhaps the Elders could use this request from the AW in negotiations with the AW. Such as aid in defending Gamma when under major attack. Or increased food shipments from the Theta FP and its Bio-Domes.
As an interim suggestion I would advise all Corsairs to cease taxation in Theta till word from the Council. However, that is only a suggestion.
Do what thou will brothers.
End Transmission
Comm ID: Elder Lucendez
To: RickJames {The Gentleman's Loser}
ID Trace: Gran Canaria, Omega 49
Displaying...
The Asgard Warrior element has been ... interesting, Rick. In the past, the AW have shown that they are not honorable, as they have had close ties with the Outcasts. It is because of this that our current relationship with them is neutral. They have even been known to join in on Outcast attacks because they were bored, even though they consider themselves "Zoner Guards."
If, however, enough time passes that the AW show they can behave in a civilized manner, then we will always be willing to talk.
Standing orders are, be civil, don't taunt, and don't pirate in Theta. BUT, don't let down your guard when going through. They are somewhat ... unstable.
// Transmission End.
Comm ID: Elder Lucendez
To: TBH Elders
ID Trace: Gran Canaria, Omega 49
Displaying...
Brothers, as you have seen or heard about on the broadcast channels, the Benitez have returned from their self-imposed exile. I have been in communication with Praetor Zavier off and on over the past couple of days, and I have begun to see his point of view more clearly. Although I still think we must watch Carlos, for better or worse, I think we should start to at least talk with the Praetor.
Carlos is slowly turning into a mad-man, and I don't care if the rest of his organization can see it or not. Praetor Zavier is much more reasonable, or at least not power hungry. I would suggest we open talks with him and him alone to alienate Carlos and make clear we do not tolerate politics in battle, nor tyrants in our midst.
Lucendez out.
//Transmission End.
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."