To Fleet Admirals Hale and Ralston, Robert McKay, Secretary of State for Defence, and Lord Edward Marlborough, Chancello

[DarthBindo]

Good morrow, to both of you.
I am Felix Sherman, Chief Executive Officer of Interspace Commerce Transnational.
In recent days the ridiculous embargo between Liberty and Kusari has caused great loss of profit for Liberty and our companies, and greatly reduced the supply route for Bretonia.
We here at Interspace greatly mourn that the increasingly nationalistic and rather hostile Samura-led government of Kusari has seen fit to initiate such drastic economic measures against Liberty, and indirectly, against Bretonia.
Given Interspace's long history as a arbeiter and equalizer among nations, and our vested interest in the destruction of this idiotic embargo and the resumption of normal trade relations with their corporations, our allies, our partners, our clients, and our debtors, we feel that it falls to us to attempt to negotiate any possible reversal of Kusari's aggression.
While USI and the Golden Crysanthemums, as well as Interspace's own discreet transport arm, have done a wonderful job ensuring Liberty and Bretonia does not starve of H-fuel, there still exists a serious shortage, and thus we must destroy this embargo.
We recently contacted Mr. Kogen and his Council of the Rising Sun to discuss with him the measures they demanded in exchange for the dropping of the embargo.
We expected ridiculous bravado and outrageous claims, but we recieved a single rather simple demand.
The transmission is copied for your viewing pleasure.

From the desk of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Jien Kogen of Kusari

Konnichiwa Sherman-san,

We will not stand for anything that can harm the House of Kusari, and thus cannot abide Libertonian ships in the hands of the Bretonians, used to attack Kusari ships, used to take Kusari lives. The welfare of our people and corporations are second to the pride of our House, and the Kusari government will not lift the embargo without clear, verifiable guarantees that Liberty will not be trading military grade ships or weapons with Bretonia. Without such guarantees, the embargo must remain in place.

I hope you will take our demands to the Libertonian government, and I hope your obviously impressive skills as a diplomat can be put to use persuading the Libertonian government that it is not in their interests to become involved in the conflict between Kusari and Bretonia.

Emperor Jien Kogen

A simple demand, and less than expected.
I put before you, that acceding to this demand and giving up the Bretonian use of Liberty weapons will ultimately benefit the Liberty and Bretonian people much more, as the dropping of the embargo will allow an increase in construction, a decrease in fuel prices, and much easier availability of plutonium.
After all, it is the skill of the Crown's pilots that keeps the pirates and aggressors at bay, despite the fine engineering of the Libertonian weapons.
By the will of the People and the grace of the Crown,
Felix Sherman, CEO, Interspace Commerce Transnational

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gone four years, first day back: Zoners still getting shot in Theta :|