Back at the table he listened as Sailas made his remarks on the issue at hand, He certainly has a point there. Bob thought to himself...
Sailas, you have a valid point there about not to be seen as weak. In hindsight I would opt for the idea of denying docking rights to both Liberty government as well as it's corporations.
He looked around the table before continuing...
Now I know neither of us are here for a night out and...
there was a slight smile on his face...
...don't mistake me for the drink I ordered, which is non-alcoholic by the way...
He glanced at the bar-tender at the end of the room while giving him a thumbs-up which was replied to in the same manner...
My worries are that in making a solid statement, and don't get me wrong, OSI is keen to do just that, will in fact, give us a bit more than a night out. And I don't mean that in a nice way. I am worried that it may end us up getting all barred from Liberty space. And while that may be perfectly acceptable to those hardly ever going there, it may be very bad for those Zoners who actually live there. Planet side or on a station. Apart from that it may be a huge problem for all those who need to bypass Liberty space altogether.
So let's discuss options while we also discuss the pro's and cons as to not make this a clusterfeck from the get go. If it's not already one.
Having let the others have their say and air out their thoughts and opinions, Celcius decided now was the time for her to speak up.
"Gentlemen, i concur with Salias, i think we may be looking at this wrong. We can ban and block Liberty as much as we want from our facilities, and announce our desire to no longer do business with the government forces and Liberty Companies. But it won't really mean anything. I doubt we count for even 1% of whatever business comes into Liberty and they will not feel the loss as great as we would in the long run."
She shakes her head.
"No. What we need to do is be clever. We undermine liberty by offering cheaper services to liberty's more unlawful elements. Also, We can get anywhere and everywhere and most do not even question why for the most part. Imagine the information we could easily pass on to the underground. Whilst business' take hits from pirates using our information and resources, we continue our front's of business to ensure we are not suspected. On a more public note, rather then just out right refusing docking and barring them from the station's, we do what we do best and invoke our neutral stance. Moving forward we will not assist Liberty in any way shape or form in conflicts or any other situation that would require us to do anything that would make us appear to break that neutrality.
We need to play to our strength's. We do not have the luxury of having such an influence that removing our business or denying docking will make that much of a difference. So instead, we work behind the scenes to ensure that Liberty feels its pains elsewhere."
Voncloud, who also had sat and waited for the others to speak their peace took his moment to speak on the matter
"If i may. As someone who was at the forefront of the Annexation of Gran Canaria, diplomatically and tactically, i can tell you without a doubt that the houses Know that we do not have the strength of arm's to stop them. Both times, first against Bretonia, then against Liberty Zoner's gathered what might they could, but it was brushed aside. They see us as Weak because we do not have the same force of arms. Our ships are designed for escort roles, deep exploration and colonization, Not warfare. What our greatest strength is however, is our ability to create connections and relationships. As a member of Phoenix and the Founder of The Pygar Colony, i have a vested interest in ensuring the edge worlds and the Omicrons remain out of house control. I propose in regards to Omicron Nu that we re invigorate our connections with the Order, and begin to create a Phoenix Presence in Nu to ensure Liberty can never get a foothold in the system. We lack the advantage in house space, but in the Omicrons, we have all the cards"
Voncloud looks over to Christian. "I wish not to speak out of turn and presume that is your wish for Phoenix. But i do think its time we entered Nu ourselves and made it known the Omicrons are not for house expansion"
Christian remained in the chair, he wasn’t thirsty or hungry, as the path to the Freeport 1 is quite long they have had everything onboard for life support. Not luxury, but enough to survive, he was quite used to the harsh environments of the Omicrons. He remained silent to let speak and heard representative opinions. He cleared his throat and said “I don’t think we should apply half measures. Well, Zoners are not in position to block every Liberty-signed ship, but Outworlders can’t let it bypass like that. Indeed, we are a thin market in comparison even to their domestic market. But as any corporation they are trying to extend their sell market and that will be a pain point. With the growing population of Pygar and Kadesh Orbital City, which was built to establish the first colony on Palmyra surface “Orontes” Liberty’s corporations could make their government more negotiable.” he took a breath and continued “I also don’t think we should strike Liberty though their criminal or terrorists groups, it simple could play wrong, as their approaches can be quite harsh against civilians, but if we could find a group that could play on our side and remain… humanitarian in terms of civilians, I’m all for it.” Christian looked around the representatives and focused sight on Voncloud. His face was emotionless, but a thin smirk was noted on his face “We’re quite established in Rarotonga and patrolling the area per construction of Dock. Usually we were eliminating Nomad patrols, but I would tell that several Navy patrols that reached Rarotonga wouldn’t find way back to their base of operations:”
Bob, having heard of past Zoner conferences that where all talk yet little action, overheard Celcius and Christian.
My friends, I hear your views, options and worries. Trust me when I say I share these for we have had this thrown upon us. So let me suggest we bring this down to a few options on which we can vote.
OSI suggests the following measures be taken:
One: We ban any Liberty corporation and government vessel from docking in the Omicrons. As to keep our space safe and ensure our bases are not being use as staging points for a possible expanse from Liberty to the Omicrons.
Two: We deny docking rights to Liberty government vessels on all other bases. Mainly in Pennsylvania.
Three: We communicate with other Zoners out there to not necessarily provoke Liberty officials. This includes flying vessels which are restricted in their zone. It is important we are clear to not further aggravate what has already become a tense situation.
I look forward to your points my friend. Let's see if we can come to a consensus here.
"The Consortium approves of those terms." Brad tapped a few keys on a data pad. "With regards to the third point. I believe we should also stress that any found in violation of using Capital Craft in Pennsylvania will result in consequences' for them as well. A press release should be issued. Something along the lines of..."
Zoners Issue Ban on Liberty Government and Corporate Entities
Planet Erie - Pennsylvania - The Zoners, a loose confederation of independent spacefaring groups, have issued a ban on all Liberty Government entities from all Zoner stations, and all Liberty Government and corporate entities from Otherworld stations. The ban is in response to the Liberty Government’s participation in the occupation of Erie.
The ban also includes a prohibition on Zoner pilots using capital-class vessels within Pennsylvania space. Any Zoners found violating the ban risk the same repercussions as the Liberty Government.
“The Zoners will not tolerate the Liberty Government’s aggression,” said a spokesperson for the Zoners. “We demand that the representative governor of the system be replaced and that the Treaty of Erie be renegotiated or restored.”
The Treaty of Erie was a peace agreement between the Zoners and the Liberty Government that was signed many decades ago. The treaty established a number of rules and regulations governing the use of space in the Pennsylvania system.
The Liberty Government’s occupation of Erie violated the Treaty of Erie and has led to increased tensions between the Zoners and the Liberty Government. The Zoners’ ban on Liberty Government and corporate entities is a sign of their growing anger and frustration with the Liberty Government’s actions.
The ban will remain in effect until the representative governor of the system is replaced and the Treaty of Erie is either renegotiated or restored.
"...would do nicely. Additionally, should we reach agreement on the three points. We would also need to discuss the terms required for the sanctions' to be relaxed, if at all. That way should any of the respective barred corporations reach out to us, we will be able to have a unified response to begin negotiations."
Sailas crosses his arms, leans back in his chair, and shakes his head with his eyes closed.
"Agreed on all points with exception to the prohibition on capital-class vessels. If there are Zoners in Pennsylvania that have the capabilities to man and field a capital vessel, then they should be allowed to do so in protecting their homes. Banning Zoners from their own homes and stations will divide and weaken us from within. I agree we need to coral the more aggressive ones, but there needs to be a better solution than preventing them from defending their homes and then banning them from accessing those homes if they do. I realize that we need to seem non-aggressive to the Liberty Fascists..." Sailas scoffs at this statement before continuing. "...but we also can't appear weak. This is a balancing act and going too far in either direction either makes us too weak or too aggressive and/or alienates our own people.
"People should be allowed to defend their homes in whatever vessels they have, be they tiny fighters or massive capital vessels. The moment you hamstring those defending their homes is the moment you lose the conflict. Maybe I'm speaking too much from my past here, but even as Zoners with our neutrality, we need to have the means to fight off tyranny and fascism when it shows it's face.
"If you come up with a better solution to curbing the more aggressive of those in our midst, then you will have my 100% vote."
Sailas leans forward and takes the glass of water, drinking liberally of it's contents.
“That’s what we have agreed upon.” Christian made a slight nod and continued “Phoenix agreed to follow those terms. We will do whether we can to reflect these changes in the Assembly.“ he made a slightly longer pause to focus attention “Meanwhile we will be facing Liberty patrols surrounding Rarotonga, we could require your support. That can escalate quite fast to warfare, will you be able to assist? While we already engage their patrols, I have no hope that we can hold them alone if it won’t go unnoticed. Rarotonga is in danger.”
Christian slightly leaned back and turned his face to Brad’s direction “Your terms sound reasonable, though I don't quite understand the reason why we should block capital ships within Pennsylvania. That can be seen as weakness from our side, it's the matter is out of our control due to surrounding house space.”
Brad grimaced slightly as both Sailas and Christian offered rebuttals. "I don't think your assessment is wrong. But we need to be pragmatic, especially about Bethlehem." Brad placed both his hands together. "My genuine concern is that without direction, these Captains, some of which believe they are in the fight for their lives. Will invite Liberty to view the Annexation of Bethlehem as a necessary step. Similar to our current Erie Crisis. To that end. I'd like to recommend that while we do not directly bar intervention on behalf of those willing to pick up the banner so to speak. We prepare ourselves to either offer additional assistance. In the form of arms, advanced equipment, etc. Along with readying Bethlehem in whatever capacity we can achieve to repel an assault. Or we direct them to stage from Driftwood Ice Field. In a bid to stall for time."
Sailas considered his friends words carefully after he spoke.
It wasn't the best solution to the ongoing situation, but what was? No matter what, the Zoners in Pennsylvania were going up against a war machine built to take on other houses, not a group of individuals that want nothing more than to be left alone. What Liberty was doing was wrong, it was tantamount to bullying the smallest kid in the classroom just because they had something they wanted. It made his blood boil; bringing back memories of feelings towards his own homeland when they invaded Omega-48 and Gran Canaria.
He looked to Brad, meeting his eyes and tentatively nodding his head at his compromise.
"A fairer assessment and one that I can get behind. Not one that I'm overly thrilled with, but it's better than the previous suggestion you offered. This allows those who wish to defend their home a means to do so while preparing Bethlehem for a possible attack from the Fascists.
"Keep in mind though, my fellow academic, that there is still the likelihood that Liberty will siege and/or attack Bethlehem, regardless if we ban capital vessels or not, to push the remaining Zoners out of the system under the same guise they used for Erie: Rooting out Insurgent rebels. They attacked us once without provocation already, what's to stop them from doing the same with the remaining Freeport in the system? Barring Personally Operated Bases, of course.
"Driftwood is the best option here. While it's far away from the main lines, those wishing to defend their home can launch raids from the field if they so desire.
"However, this brings up another point of contention: How are we going to offer those Zoners in the Driftwood field our support whilst saving face with our Liberty overlords?" Sailas drags out the last word with heavily implied sarcasm. "I'd like to help them out if possible, preferably without making the situation there worse."
Sailas thoughtfully glances to the screen with the communications Brad had put on screen. "You think we could reach Dr. Holliday on the communication array here? Some input from our wayward Doctor on the ground might offer some insight into how we can help the local population there without stirring up shit."
It was Kris, the Freeport administrator who spoke first.
If everyone agrees on inviting Doc Holliday over long-range comms we can certainly do that. The MFE Hospital station on our doorstep has been using our communications array from day one so we know we can reach out to MFE and certainly get in touch with Doc Holliday. Now please excuse me for a moment as I ask our communications chief whether we are in comms while you continue. I will be back shortly
Kris stood up and gave a polite nod to those attending. He then went to a smaller table at the back of the conference room and actively typed away on his datapad.
Bob waited a moment when Kris left and addressed the group...
Hearing your points I believe we are two-thirds into reaching an agreement my friends. Allow me to address the points being raised.
He put on his glasses and grabbed the paper notebook he was scribbling on throughout the meeting.
Now as I'm not the youngest I kinda like to make notes with pen and paper. Yet I do this with the data-pad on 'meeting-mode' so allow me to read back with the notes I made...
Ah yes, here we are...
Now Brad, I like your idea of realeasing a press statement yet I must say one can only be issued after an internal communique to fellow Zoners. Just in case they may think we are realeasing the message under duress or, worse, that it is fake news. We need to coordinate any and all public messages if any.
While Bob flipped some pages on his paper notebook he looked over his reading glasses for a moment before continuing...
Sailas, I agree with you that people should be able to defend their homes. That for one, goes without saying and is one of the reasons why we are here. I would like to stress the following.
Us Zoners are fractured as a whole. And knowing governments, they hate things which are not a whole or who don't operate as a whole.
Now here's the caveat, they still see us as a single group. This means that the sighthing of even one capital vessel will be reported as an incident and, we know governments, incidents are dealt with. No matter what press release we send out. Suffice to say, one of us doing something which contradicts Liberty laws will affect us all.
He reached out for his drink and decided to go for the glass of water next to the non-alcoholic funny drink...
That saying I do think it is wise to keep some capital ships nearby and not on a single station. In the meantime we have to reach out to the captains of those very vessels to help us out supplying the Pinnacle Station. I'm sure we can work out the logistics of supplying some transport vessels they can use.
He looked over at Christian and continued...
Christian, I understand the worries and forseeing of Phoenix where it comes down to Liberty patrols on your very doorstep. If ever a group was non-confrontational and non-provocative then Phoenix would be on top and I respect you for that. I hope to take some of the worries away by telling you that OSI has your back where it come down to not only supplies but also a safe haven at Nichols. Yet...
And he paused for a moment while he took another sip of water...
Yet this is something which we can go over in detail after this meeting is concluded.
He looked around at the table once more...
And this meeting should be concluded with a unified decision before we leave or I'll have Kris depressurise the docking bays and release docking clamps to ships moored...
With the last sentence he smiled and made sure everyone could see he was both serious about coming to and agreement yet he tried to lighthen up the tense talk. At that moment Kris walked over and whispered something in Bob's ear before returning to his seat at the table.
My friends, Kris just informed me that the long-range link with MFE is active yet with a delay of 30 minutes due to Ion-storms.
Bob smiled and said:
Hearing this I won't order to depressurize docking bays or the release of mooring clamps but...
He looked at the group over his reading glasses...
![[Image: hiring1.png]](https://i.postimg.cc/13JkWvmG/hiring1.png)
![[Image: O2vt8So.png]](https://i.imgur.com/O2vt8So.png)
![[Image: psMG0VQ.gif]](https://imgur.com/psMG0VQ.gif)