Rhyme looked over his shoulder towards the smoke and shrugged.
"Eh, I'm sure it's nothing. Not like we can do anything about any fire larger than something out of a bacon pan at this stage in the game anyways."
He chuckled.
"Though the station burning down sure would simplify things...
Right, I'll revisit my earlier point. The Hogs and Farmers don't have the logistics to run a perpetual chain through the backyards of every sour eyed fellow and his mother. This country turned mean pretty quick and it'll only be a matter of time before whatever flocks of transports they sent into the deep, our backyard, didn't quite come back out again.
At least in sufficient numbers to remind them that the juice isn't worth the squeeze.
The potency of shipping in our name in these waters is in that you're sure that the train will show on time and relatively unmolested. It's a fragile peace we've maintained but one sufficient enough to ensure that the goods promised will almost always be delivered. That's something the Hogs, Farmers and Samura can't promise.
As to shipping them food before. Heh, I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that was a sabre that was rattled more than a... Plow... Nevermind I lost myself there. Meant to say that the actuality of material supply manifested itself roughly as much as the threat that it would be cut off, if not less so, and certainly at a higher cost. Look me in the eye and suggest some haven't made out rather nicely gouging food prices from the core on this very promenade.
We threatened their lives one too many times, I think, teased the tiger if you will. Turns out we were about as prepared for what might come next as a gent with a foot stool and a whip.
Sustained, measurable supply from the three major Zoner shipping concerns. That'll settle that ticket in an appreciable way I warrant. Or at least I hope the Corsairs would warrant."
"Ok. So it is about food then. Not a base here in Gamma so they can protect themselves against there enemies?"
Kal notices then smoke has stopped coming through the vent.
"Now let me see if I understand this correctly. The ZTC and other zoner factions threatened to cutoff shipping food and other supplies to Crete and the Corsairs in their own sick, twisted, and perverted way thought that attacking Freeport 9 was the way to get zoners to ship those supplies?"
"So if this is truly all they want then I am all for it, however, who is going to coordinate and ensure that these shipments are made at the agreed upon date and time?"
"No... I don't think that's it. The situation is far more complicated than that of food... Look."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, it had been a long couple of days and he was itching to get back on the road... Though that didn't seem like it was going to happen anytime soon.
There were a number of factors involved, more than I'm going to list here. My position is that the continued, persistent threat of cutting off food was one of the factors that galvanized the Corsairs into action. There was a cornucopia of provokes, threatening to take their livelihood unless they had the stones to take it from us wasn't the best road to take.
Now business is teetering on the knife's edge.
The situation is clearly more complicated than that... But I'm not overly into the idea of repeating myself again. I'm about worn out. You folks have heard my position. I think I've made it pretty clear. I'd like to either hear yours or hear that you're on board.
I suppose saying that you're not on board but don't have a better plan works too. We can figure that one out. Maybe."
Looks at Timothy with a puzzled look and frustration. While not wanting to beat the dead horse Kal knows that he has to.
"Look, your proposal was about trade of food. That is it. Make them need us. You did not say anything else. You are running in circles, you are speaking without saying anything of substance. You just answered me without answering the questions I asked. You see my point?"
"Hrrmmmphh. You say there are other factors or provokes but you do not say what they are! Am I missing something here? You are keeping us in the dark Tim."
Kal in frustration kicks the trash can knocking it over.
"I am onboard with you about the food Tim, that is a no brainer, what else is there to propose? We need to know what they want!! We cannot effect a peace process if you are holding back information."
"Are the Sairs going to pay to repair or build a new station? What about reparations to the families who lost loved ones in the attack of this station? Do the Sairs want a base here in Theta? These are all things we can discuss with them, but we cannot because we do not know what the want!!"
"Holding back information? We're all on the same station. We're discussing a plan to have in hand when we call these gents up, no one knows what the cards are yet.
Sorry you haven't heard the full details of everything, but if you've been wandering in and out of the room every couple of minutes that's on you.
But the plan is the same it's been since someone pressurized this bit of station. Serving as a waypoint between Gamma and the core. Vittles. A proposal to integrate a codependency of technological prowess for non aggression to ease to sharpness of said vittles and my swinging cod. That's what we have.
If you think there's an ace to play I'd love to see it."
Ok. My bad. I did forget about the technology. But is that it? We give them vittles and tech and they just stop attacking? What about the things I mentioned? And by the way, I only left the room once.
"Are they going to rebuild the station and pay out to the people who got themselves killed in the attacks?
Gosh, I don't know. I imagine that'll be a good series of questions to ask once we've well assured ourselves that they're not going to try and land shock troops.
Let's dock one ship at a time, yes?
As to the question of Corsair bases, no knowing until we talk to them really."
Silvan listens to the two men argue a bit, then when they are finished he speaks
Now gentlemen, I have spoken with the Corsair elders and he this is what i have learned
Code:
We would also like to see a resumption in trade between the Zoners and the Corsairs. While of course, such resumption would be slow and gradual, it would be helpful to both of us in the longer term.
However, we are in need of a military presence in the system
That is the nuts and bolts of it. They want both a resumption of trade and a military presence in this system During my conversations i proposed an idea. This is what it was and relevant corsair responses.
Code:
Myself:
I know that you have an extreme interest in acquiring Freeport 9, the reasons for this, i do not know. I have heard rumors of discontent with the Zoners over allowing Outcasts at the station, but those are only rumors. However, the people i represent have lived on the Freeport for Years, many were born there, many have family that have perished there. Therefore, these people would like to return to their homes. Considering the current situation, I see that this, a return of the Freeport to the Zoners, will not be acceptable. So i propose perhaps we may work together for mutual benefit. We coexist on the station, my people and yours. My people, with our many years of expertise in the matter, will oversee the day to day operations of the trade and civilian related facilities, while your people will have control over all things related to military might, as it is what you do best. I hope that you and the Elders will consider this proposition, and if unacceptable please offer a counter proposal. I am willing to engage in further discussion about this matter. Omicron Theta has always been a free system, that short of the occasional problem, has not been a major thorn in the Empires side. I would like the System to Remain open to traders and others of that persuasion.
but to also assist you in acquiring the necessary materials to construct it. The current events have shown that Zoner control is not possible. All we wish is for our home to spared further acts of aggression. Without further knowledge of your specific motives for wanting the station, this proposal is the best i can do. I am sure that this proposal can be amended to satisfy the needs of both our peoples.
Corsairs:
How would you feel about one of our battleships stationing around Freeport 9 for the forseeable future?
Myself:
As to your request to station a battleship near the Freeport, i have no qualms for this move. I only ask that the Ship be stationed some distance away from the Freeport, so if it comes under attack, the Freeport itself will not be caught in the crossfire. But it will be close enough to receive support from any Corsair Combat Wings currently on the Freeport.
i would like to continue discussions as to the exact role of Corsair Combat Vessels in the System. We don't want war on our Doorstep, only to resume the free trade that benefits us all. We must also further discuss how law will be handled as we both have very different meanings of the word "law". I also have one other request, to gain the free passing of non hostile Zoner vessels into and from Omicron 74. We have several vital structures and other such things we want access to.
Corsairs:
One of the main problems in the past has been the basing of our enemies, often without the knowledge of the Zoners, on Freeport 9, as a staging point or stop off before an attack. To ensure that this does not happen, any military presence we have should be in range of the Freeport. Therefore, we would like to deploy our battleship at a maximum of 2k away from Freeport 9.
If we are to protect our interests in the area, we must be able to exert what we have.
Please discuss and tell me what you think. And please bear in mind that i was only trying to save our home, so don't fly off the handle on me okay?
Silvan leans forward and rests his elbows on the table, awaiting the responses from the others
Who... Are... Or is "Corsairs". Unless you communicated with some manner of gestalt collective I'd like to know a little more about this conversation before I comment one way or the other.
Though chances are pretty damn good that I'm going to fly off the handle. Just to give fair warning...
Actually. Hah! Good show! Looks like you've taken the role of diplomat onto your own shoulders and damn what the rest of the home crew might think! Looks like you've all the trappings of a fine leader. A fine leader indeed.
Rhyme rocked to his feet and casually snatched up his errant bottle of wine.
My apartment's been spaced. The hallway I rather enjoyed as a lad is currently playing host to ice crystals floating in null grav and I've spent the better part of a day and change arguing with a bunch of drunks that I am not a Corsair spy. The culmination of said events being that some fellow decided to run off on his own and phone up the other side, who want to drop a battleship on top of the place, a plan of action was apparently given little more than a cursory sputter of indignation as a show of resistance.
I
With which he carefully lifted bottle to lips, minding the edges of his clever cork circumnavigation.
am going to enjoy the token of free spirit I picked up from here a while back and leave you good gentlemen to the doom you have so feverishly demanded be provided to you.
I think you're screwed and well served by the fact that eventually things will simply revert to the way they were, eventually.
Maybe.
With that, I'm going back to my ship and I'm getting back on the road. I've stayed here way, way too long as it is. Now there's no one to point a gun at me!
With which he, for the second time, fired up the saunterers and sauntered on down the hallway from which he came.
If he had only realized that those talks are null and void. I only spoke on the stations behalf because nobody else would. But it is a free station so he can leave as he wants, i'm not gonna stop him. I only brought it up because he asked for ideas and i thought that it would be a good template for our solution.
He looked at the remaining folks in the Cafeteria.
Well, i realize you all must really hate me now. So go ahead and call me whatever you like. And when your done maybe we can discuss some of the points the Corsairs made in those messages. I've done nothing that i'm ashamed of and i only want to save my home.
After speaking he laid he head into his hands and awaited the inevitable harsh remarks.