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ID:Ezrael Vertiga Location:Livadia Shipyards Subject:Support and supplies ENCRYPTION:I delivered the message directly to your bases.
[This message was directly and manually delivered to Livadia.]
Greetings.
My name is Ezrael Vertiga. I know, you're very busy around here, especially now that this whole Core-Zoner-crisis happened. And this is something I need to talk to the one in charge of this Shipyard. It is a very important matter, and if I could meet you in person around the Shipyard, that would be very good. If you're on schedule and about to loose money for the time you potencially would be wasting with me, I can pay it.
Please. It is very important. I'm around here. Answer me as soon as possible.
As I am sure you are aware, tensions right now are high, and all of our attention is towards bringing supplies and helping the citizens aboard Freeport 11.
Your comm signal though is very close t' the signals we have received from members of the Core, so... needless t' say, you have my attention.
Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports
:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]::: :::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]::: :::[VIDEO FEED:LIVE]:::
ID:Ezrael Vertiga Location:Livadia Shipyards Subject:Support and supplies ENCRYPTION:I delivered the message directly to your bases.
[This message was directly and manually delivered to Livadia.]
Ah, good day, Mr. McCool.
I will be straight and honest with you, because at this time, things are getting crazy in Delta. And with that I'm saying "REALLY" crazy. Nothing compared to what happened before in that system. All over Sirius, people heard about what happened there and people watch focused on what is going to happen. This will not end well, and all this is happening because of the Core's stupidity.
I am the Captain of the Core Mercenary Battleship Apahanta. I made a contract with the Core, and it was one of the biggest mistakes I did, so far. Aside from the Zoners, the Core was called "the only lawful" in the Omicrons, and that made me think about joining it. Get my hands on ships and weapons mankind would need to defend ourselves from the nomads and their allies. But this is all a lie. Core never had the intention to find a solution to the nomad problem. I guess I was too naive in believing the propaganda that Core spreads in house space. And I put all my life's efforts and all the money I got into that contract with Core. Basically, I "buyed" one of their Mako-class battleships. Well, one of those that never got finished because of some accidents and mistakes. I payed everything to finish this ship, and while the Core doesn't simply allow to take one of it's elite designs to go whereever it's captain wants, we called it a mercenary contract. I was okay with it. I never pledged allegiance to the Core and it's oath. The contract simply stated I can use it in Core space to defend Core installations and actively could go hunt nomads. Nothing about Outcasts, Corsairs, AI or something. Nothing about making demands about the oh so harming cardamine. Most people in the edge worlds simply need it to survive. That's why they come here. There's no safe place for them in house space. Even tho I am not addicted to anything, I'm totally okay with it. In fact, my going-to wife, if we all survive this, is addicted, sadly.
Anyway. Core forced me to do things that never were part of my contract. I refused, several times. While I often patroled Freeport 11, I always made sure the Apahanta would hold it's distance, and the rare cases we needed to enter the No-Fire-Zone, we asked for permission. In this whole time, I made some friends at and on the freeport. Zoners, Outcasts, Freelancers. People from all over sirius. Like the people from all over sirius that are now helping you, the CoF and all the other people on Freeport 11.
Now, the Core is about to destroy the Freeport, and this will be only the beginning. And we can't allow this megalovania. It is pure insanity. 52 people on board the Apahanta share my disguist for the Core. We tried to stay out of this. We filmed what the Core did and shared the footage with entire sirius. When the nomads and their infected allies entered Omicron Delta, baited by all those convoy transports, we even stood aside with the Zoners and their allies. You see, it's not only the people from all over sirius that show their solidarity to you. It is also some people within the Core who think the Core has gone too far now. Unluckily, it's only a minority, and I can't reach most of them. But I can try to pull off something that will not only weaken the Core, but also help Core's enemies.
I'm about to take what, technically, is already mine, and while that must sound naive or crazy to you, I can assure you: Maybe it's really a bit crazy, but we're prepared and we're about to do it. The easiest thing will be to steal and get the control over this ship. Still, a Mako is crewed with about 400 people. Well, the Apahanta has only as skeletal crew of about 200 people, and I know all of them. I interrogated them to find out who is loyal to the Core and who is still sane. As I said, me and 52 other people are sane, so far. We have a plan to get rid of the Core loyal members, and when this is done, we need not only a place to repair the Apahanta, because it will be heavily damaged during the operation, but also need a place where we will be able to repair and resupply it in future. Core will surely not be happy about us stealing one of their biggest ships.
So, now I am here and have told you about all this. I know, this is hard to believe and as I am, or was, a Core member, I understand if you don't trust me. Therefore, I will try to provide you with all the information you need. All I ask you is to treat us like those guys we want to safe from the Core: Zoners. The Edge Worlds are our new home, and I'm sure, Livadia and the Zoners can not only need some additional hands out here, but also an ass-kicking light battleship, ready to defend the convoys and Zoner bases from nomads and mad people like the Core.
So, what do you think? If you have questions, feel free to ask.
-E. Vertiga
Civilian Corvo Captain, as well as the Captain of Core Mercenary Battleship Apahanta
Apologies for the delay. The conflict surrounding Freeport 11 is still consuming majority of my time, though it luckily is providing some breathing room of late.
I've spoken with the Confederation heads, and you are correct - we do not trust you yet. Your comm messages still contain Core encryptions, and still operate with a Core crew. I understand your plan t' rid yourself of Core sympathizers aboard, but how are we t' know that once you board Livadia, those loyal t' the aggressors won't attempt t' storm the shipyard?
With that said, we are not heartless, we are not blood thirsty and do not wish for violence. As such, we are prepared t' allow temporary repairs for the Apahanta once you have rid your vessel of any that would attempt t' harm those at Livadia. We will have our own engineers at Livadia conduct the repairs, under guidance from yourself only. All other crew will remain aboard the Apahanta for the duration of the repairs. Rest assured, that any attempt by your crew t' disembark aboard the closed off section of Livadia will conclude any dealings now and in the future we have with you and the Apahanta.
Do not though read into that further, as that temporary clearance for mooring at Livadia is for repairs this one time. Once your vessel is repaired and operational, access t' Livadia will be revoked for the time being. If you truly are a friend of the Zoners, your actions will prove the truth of your words. If such acts paint a clear, without a doubt picture that you are not a saboteur attempting t' gain the trust of the Zoners, then we can revisit allowing more frequent allowances aboard Livadia.
Please understand, this is meant as a precaution for Livadia and those aboard. Too many lives have already been lost, and as such we need t' be extra cautious during these unfortunate times. I hope the aforementioned is agreeable t' you.
Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports
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ID:Ezrael Vertiga Location:Omicron Kappa Subject:Support and Supplies ENCRYPTION:
Mr. McCool,
I'm very glad you are willing to give us a chance. That's one of the best possible outcomes yet. It really makes things a bit easier. Thank you for that.
As you see, I was busy working on the message encryptions. With the little help of some people who share our disgust for the Core, I am now able to send you secured messages over long range communications. That will definitely help us coordinating things wihout the risk of Core intercepting the transmissions.
For now, it's just a matter of time. Most preparations are done. We just need to wait for our supporters to get into position. That will possibly take some day or even a week or two, and with each day passing, chances to get this thing done are getting smaller and smaller. But we have no other options than to wait. So, while I will play my role as a Core Captain in this time - and of course, still avoiding to harm anyone than nomads and madmen - let me ask you if there is something we can do for you in the meantime. I mean, of course we are going to pay for the repairs, but I guess money isn't all, especially now in this situation. But using the Apahanta or my Corvo, there are still some things that may be a little helpful to you. Intel, smaller transport services or thing like that.
:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]::: :::[ESTABLISHING SECURED VIDEO FEED]::: :::[VIDEO FEED:LIVE]:::
ID:Ezrael Vertiga Location:Omicron Kappa Subject:Support and Supplies, now! ENCRYPTION:
Mr. McCool,
we're here, and we ...
(He is obviously tired and holding his wounded left shoulder. For a moment, he looked down, panting, trying to catch his breath, then he turns his head again to the camera.)
... we need to do the repairs... now.
Weapon system is offline, cruise engines critically damaged, and I can assure you, we got rid of... the Core...
Mooring point 4 on Livadia is ready for your vessel the Apahanta. Precautions have been made, as specified in our previous comm, but you will be received with helping hands.
When you have had a chance t' get examined and cleared by a medical examiner, which will be ready at the mooring point for your arrival, I hope you will be able t' provide a detailed summary of what transpired, as well as proof that all Core loyalists are no longer aboard your vessel.
Fly safe and we will do all we can t' help once you arrive.
Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports
I'm in your debt. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't have made it to another system. The engines are totally burned out, and with a crew of just 40 people, it would take an eternity to replace everything. However, we were prepared and brought an amount of replacement parts with us.
Your engineering team will probably need some some technical advice, so I told my, well, engineers to provide every information your guys want.
Now, what this is all about.
How to begin with? I'll try to spare you the boring backstory. It's simply that: In house space, people are, or were, talking good about the Core. Ensuring a peaceful environment in the Omicrons while having the power to do so? Sounded good to me in Curacao, as well as to many other people from house space. We made our individual contracts with Core. Some just with APM, hoping to get a good job, doing the right thing out here in the Omicrons, getting a good payment. You know, everyone with their individual story, but 52 of those guys had something in common with me: The disappointment. The Core is warmongering. And the Core is not interested in finding a solution to the nomad threat. A law is an unquestionable law, and there are only two kind of people in the Omicrons: Those who play along their rules and those who refuse to.
I was okay with commanding an expensive battleship, buyed and upgraded from nearly all the money of a small company my family owned, and use it to defend mankind from nomads. Our focus was on researching those that would comply and destroy those who are dangerous. But Core wanted us also to kill those who where violating their laws, no matter how big the issue was. Showing mercy was no option. Some of us wouldn't cry to see less corsairs, outcasts or whatever flying around in Sirius, but Zoners? No. Slaughtering innocent and leaving women, children and injured people out to die just because Core could use those D.R.O.P.s too? All those things added up, and as the time passed, the unrest grew bigger and bigger.
So I contacted people, and here and there I didn't carry out orders. It is a miracle that I didn't got executed, or banned into the nomad worlds. I guess all those bloodthirsty guys were too lazy to report that, or they were too busy with Battlegroup Auxesia, Zoners, the Order, AI-drones and Corsairs.
I used my old Corvo to do most of the preparations. You may wonder why that ship is still using a Zoner transponder while I'm... I was... a Core captain, but back then, when I signed up for the Core, there where no hostilities between Core and Zoners.
Anyway. I asked Kishiro Technologies to give me a robotic service crew, capable of maintaining a battleship-sized vessel, asked the Lane Hackers to provide me a system override software and a transmission encryption matrix for secured communications, and I asked the Junkers to provide me a place to hide. And we installed some internal defense turrets from Detroit Munitions. I tried to ask as many corporations as possible, just giving them enough information to not get suspicious. However, you can guess the Lane Hackers are always suspicious about everything. And I asked Battlegroup Auxesia, since they have a, well, very specific situation with the Core, to help me creating a scenario.
We have a basic replacement crew, the software to ensure the control of this ship, security measure for a boarding situation, but we didn't have enough manpower to pull it off. The Apahanta, as a ship that had it's little accidents during it's construction phase, never got much love by the Core, and thus they provided it only a skeletal crew, as I told you earlier. So I took my time to know my crew, interrogated them, asked them about their policies, their goals, their motives to join the core. While I'm not a psychologist, I think I got a good impression on whom I can trust. Those who I had my doubts on, well, they are now together with the Core-loyalists in... whatever Auxesia put them.
Looks like this list needs an update...
I placed the trustworthy people in secured areas on the Apahanta, letting them know that there will somewhen happen something. Including my bridge crew. I contacted Sapphire Raven, the Ex-Guildkeeper of the Core and current leader of the Battlegroup Auxesia. A terribly weird person, and where ever she appears, things are about to get weird, dangerous, and unintentional funny. However, I think she had a good reason to leave the Core, and she shared some information with me regarding the nomads, the Core and what the hell Auxesia is doing anyway. I'm not a fan of her, but I do trust her more than I'd trust anyone else in the Omicrons. Well, aside from Zoners, because, you know, they are way less hideous and bloodthirsty. And they aren't maniacs.
So I asked Raven to create a situation where the Apahanta would get heavily damaged, in an area where Core was out of communication range, just to make sure we don't have to fight about 150 Core loyalists, some of them with cybernetically enhanced bodies, but just 15. So, the show happened in Omicron Minor, Raven did her best on scaring the shit out of my crew, talking like Nodtviet himself when he lead the first attack on Freeport 11. They appeared with their battlegroup, bombarding our engine section, and after three minutes, most of the Core-loyalists had left the ship using the escape pods, or a shortcut through the ship's hull, as you can see on the damage report. We "surrendered", and my team of Core defectors began with the elimination of the Core loyals, backed up by the DM-turrets - and seriously, don't fight body-enhanced Core soldiers if you're not ridiculously outmatching them. You see what one did with my shoulder, just missing my head from one end of the hallway to the other. By the way, thanks for the medical examiner. A second opinion is always a good thing. Sadly, after the battle, some of the injured died to their wounds.
Most of these people want to return to their homes now, or, well, making themselves a new home. Just a few of them actually want to stay on the Apahanta, and I can't blame the others who don't want to. It won't be easier from now on, and we will need to get any help, any support we can get. Core will find out that the Apahanta is still out there, not destroyed but defected, and they will hunt us. Therefore it's acutally good to have this ship, and I guess there will be people anywhere in Sirius that could need the help of a battleship. However, like Zoners, we will avoid to interfere with other's wars. Sounds contradictorary, but I guess you know how I ment that.
When the repairs here are done, we're moving away from the Omicrons for a while, just long enough to have the Core forget about us, so we can recover, get us a trustworthy crew, get us some jobs, connections, supplies and everything. I guess sooner or later we will have to deal with each other again, and maybe we will find something we can be useful for the Zoners and the CoF, the providers of a home to those who don't have one.
As I said, we're in your debt. Your house, your rules, and we will comply. My men will stay on the Apahanta, and as soon as the repairs are done, we will depart.
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Attachement: Defection