Encrypted: To the BAF admiralty, CC: IMG

[AeternusDoleo]

**** Incoming Transmission ****
From: Johnathan Sander
To: RHA Oberkommando; HMS Craven's Nest, per attention of Baroness Snowdown
Subject: Omega proposal
Encryption: Excessive

Gentlemen,

I've been mulling this over long and hard. What you propose is very risky to the Guild, and the overall stability in the region as a whole. An open declaration of support to the Red Hessians and Bretonia is a de-facto declaration of war on Rheinland. We have just emerged from a conflict with them, one I might add could have gone poorly for us without Hessian and Colonial support. We will continue to supply the Hessian movement with goods to repair the damaged craft and replace the lost ones from that conflict - we are not ungrateful.

Rheinland is an expansionistic state, yes. It will continue to push it's borders outward until it meets a force it cannot push against. It tried the Sigma systems and is still paying the price for their failure against the Gas Miners Guild. It now expands into the Omega systems, first annexing claims and holds that were discovered by the IMG after having stripmined Dresden. They are likely to push south and east as well, eventually. If they can survive the current struggle. Rheinland is as vulnerable economically, as Bretonia is militarily. One viable trade route left, and none who will risk their neck for that regime by structurally breaking an embargo. And it is only a matter of time before Kusari gets involved, given that they rely on Rheinland for mining most of their raw materials.

If the Guild does as you ask, we will lose the ability to move freely through Rheinland. And we will likely be targeted by the forces of Rheinland, ourselves. These would be direct consequences that will force a lot of our people to sit idle. It is not a decision a Guildmaster can make on his own. The Independent Miners Guild is not meant to be a fighting force, although the state of Sirius keeps pushing us towards such.

I will consult with the rest of the Guild. You will have our answer when I have theirs.

Regards,
- Johnathan Sanders, on behalf of the Independent Miners Guild

Ps. Now that they are legal, blood diamons tend to be on average 10% more durable then the finished kind produced by Daumann, and thus more useful for industrial drills. Recommend you use them accordingly, I know we have.

**** Transmission Closed ****

---

Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.

Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.