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"A very good presentation, Mr. Maximus," replied Doc. "Just understand that with a lot of what happened with the Omicroners in Omicron 74 and Theta in the past, some still have a taste of distrust in their mouths. Perhaps you can change that?"
He then turned to Mr. Llama, "Thank you for your perspective. I know that Omega 41 is a hostile place with the Hessians, Corsairs, Bounty Hunters and the radiation. You are quite correct about Port Douglas. It has been quite tame there which makes providing medical services there a pleasant experience. As to Bretonia, we can only hope that Mr. Maximus is correct about the negative PR it would cause. As if they need more."
Doc then opened his arms to all, "I agree with Mr. Llama. While we have our disagreements, we need to work together, at least, I think so. We left the houses for freedom and over the centuries, we as a people have excelled in this area. Let's keep our perspective."
He put his arms down and looked amongst the delegates, "Anyone else on this matter or another? We have more ground to cover. I know that Mrs. Holliday should have food here at any moment."
Jonah Robinson lifted his bearded face from the device he had been fiddling with.
"Umm, sorry to bring up yet another issue, but it seems that this just came in:
The Mollies have blockaded the Omega-49-Dublin Jump Hole.
That's how we got here. It's also how many supplies reach this planet.
Mr. Holliday, I don't want to kill anyone if they don't need killing. Even if they are infidels. Maybe this will go away by itself before this meeting is done. But if it's not, then we also need to address it."
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Doc took a moment to review the evidence submitted. As he watched, he rolled his eyes, looked skyward and sighed, "Queen Corina's Privateers! Why does it always seem to be them?"
He then looked to the others, "Well, since we're on the subject, let's discuss Omega 49. I like how these QCP.......children......seem to..." He made quotations with his fingers, "want to close the docking rings to the Corsair Empire." He put his hands down. "I'll tell you this, I won't be negotiating with them again. Any opinions on this or any other 49 issues?"
Returning slowly to the make shift conference room after enjoying some of Midori's home cooking, everyone had taken some extra time to make contact with whomever it was that they were representing at the conference to pass along information.
Grady had turned on the local news nodes at the request of some of the guests and in doing so another issue was stacked onto what seemed an ever growing number of subjects to discuss. The Mollys had deceived everyone and activated their Goldern Coin weapons platform; effectively blockading Omega-49 from Dublin. Reports had already came in of Corsair attempts to remove the platform being futile.
"I'm not sure what the QCP have to do with this, as the Goldern Coin weapons platform is Molly construct. While it would seem the Mollys have deemed to grant my company safe passage through the jump hole, this platform has already begun affecting our business. I've been forwarded reports of Zoner vessels being destroyed as they jumped into Dublin."Taking his seat and continuing,"Our board is preparing to send a diplomatic envoy to discuss the issues this weapons platform is causing and we'd like to hear the thoughts and opinions of others on how to approach the Mollys regarding this issue."
Maximus stands up:
Well Dublin is after all Molly space...and whatever the Brets will call it untill Mollys will be removed it will always be Molly space... As far as I know...and I know since Phoenix have a base...The defence systems on the base are still under development and thus they are currently set on hostile mode. That means Mollys decided to block the traffic but I don't see why would they block Zoner ships - the only way to solve it is to open a communication channel with the Mollys leadership and make a license database for Zoner ships - so they could be identified by Goldern Coin's defences and spare our hulls. As much as drastic is the move from Dubliners I can understand their determination. As for the Corsairs moves...I am preety sure Corsairs fleet might find that space VERY hard to siege...Smallwood in Omega 3 was undeveloped and defencless while this one... I believe I have reports about 7 platforms? with all kinds of weaponry. Like I said - Mollys defences aren't aiming in Zoners in particular , the defence systems work this way - the only way to fix this issue is to make a database for Zoners in which we could aquire identification codes that would make the weapon platforms ignore our vessels. I must say that I am impressed with that instalation. It's a tactical masterpiece. As for QCP.... I wouldn't worry about them... we must face the fact that they are preety much pirates with a bret badge...Avoiding them should be enough.
Maximus sits back.
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Doc paused a moment as a personal message came in on his data pad and passed the message along.
"Commander DeGarmo on the Moonstone informs me that a member of the Mollies sent him a brief message that Zoner traffic should be unaffected by this blockade of the Mollies," he stated, "still, I agree with Mr. Robinson, perhaps we should open some dialogue with them just for good measure. Dublin is, after all, their space, at least, that's how I see it."
Doc looks at the video again, "these videos are kind of old. Perhaps I made a snap judgement. I take it, Mr. Robinson, you were making a point of something. The QCP only harassed Zoner shipping through Kusari during their war with them. They have no real reason to at this point."
Dali looked quite amazed by the recent developments.
"Wait? So let me get this straight? The mollies were able to develop a brand new base with very heavy, military grade defences in a matter of mere months in a medium-traffic zone? They must have done something right to have it turned into space dust..."
His face turned even more serious.
" The fact that the mollies were able to set up a blockade might endanger the stability and trade for Planet Gran Canaria. The mollies might have guaranteed safety for zoner traffic however we are yet to see that happen no? I'm more worried about the effects it will have on the Bretonian Enclave of Port Jackson as their traffic might actually continue to be hit... Starve out a city and it might start to look across their walls to see if they can get anything from the direct environment and our own civilian settlements... I hope this situation can be solved diplomatically as we have no other means of fixing this problem..."
There used to be pictures here
once known as Richard Farbridge, OBE and Ronaldo Benitez
Oh I've no doubt that a stern but reasonable letter to the Mollies will clarify how much of a bother their base and, indeed, presence in Dublin is proving to both the good people of Bretonia living on Gran Canaria and to the crown itself.
While we're at it perhaps we could point out that the blockade is proving to be an inconvenience to all of the peoples of Gran Canaria, including the rather robust Corsair population... But then it seems like it would be rather rude to presume on behalf of the good cretins, Cretians? The Corsairs of Gran Canaria. Mayhap we can arrange a sitdown between themselves and the Mollies to work out their differences.
Or, I suppose, if that all seems like a bit much we could assume that some waterways of Dublin are plied at the pleasure of the Mollies, including the 49 hole, and seek a channel through which those persons so inclined could negotiate whatever toll they plan to put into effect to avoid being shot to pieces.
As for the good people of Port Jackson, well, if they're not self sufficient by this point I can only hope that they've credits to their name. It's not as though they're above buying cabbage from the local mart like the rest of us and their logistics issues are just that, their logistics issues.
The Mollies owe us very little, their movements rarely put them in a position where the assets we broker serve as leverage. Their location within house space puts them well within the reach of smugglers under Junker and similar flags. We've provided very little save the affability of OSI and the TAZ, a planet of Corsairs at their doorstep and a Bretonian colony sitting just up their backside. All in all I wouldn't say that we're in a position to extend demands.
"I've not seen a Bowex supply convoy in quite awhile and the Bretonians at Port Jackson seem to be getting along rather aptly. However it is they get what they need to surive, it hasn't caused any trouble as far as I'm aware and I'm doubtful if this Molly weapon platform will cause them any real pains."
"Keep in mind it was our people that brought about this.......debacle. We're the ones who led the Corsairs to Omega-49 and thus the path into Dublin. Had we not, it is rather doubtful that the Mollys would have constructed this weapons platform. Who would it have defended against? Us?"
"What exactly would we be asking of the Mollys if we were to speak with them here and now? Anyone?
Teresa looked up, frowning slightly. "What indeed? We have nothing in terms of leverage. What, we threaten them with our defense forces? Right now, I see we have nothing to say." Ahe pauses.
"While I hold Rhyme here with aome dialike for putting forth an idea to sell the home of many, I have to agree. We are in a position where we cannot extend demands. The best bet for this, would honestly have to be to extend an olive branch and see if this can be dealt with, minus demands or gunfire."