As the discussions continued the doors to the conference room slide open with the usual hiss revealing a female figure in a smart suit and light brown hair. She dusts off her trousers as she address' the room. The OSI tag on her Jacket had C. Abonwood upon it.
"My apologies gentleman, i was delayed out in docking bay four. There was..well IS an unexpected guest.."
Celcius turns behind her as someone else walks into view. Wearing his usual Combat trousers, flight jacket and Black Shades. Voncloud walks into the room before standing next to Celcius.
"Gentlemen, i believe in a situation such as this one, my experience and expertise may be of use here"
Celcius maneuvers around the table to take up a seat next to Bob and Kris whilst Voncloud sits at an end.
Sailas nodded to the new arrivals as they took their seats. Seeing an opportunity to speak his mind, Sailas cleared his throat and put a point forward to the group.
"The Consortium has already blacklisted all Liberty corporations and government officials from any business contracts. The only ones we allow are the Interspace Commerce AWES folks. They're simply based out of Liberty, not necessarily a Liberty corp. So we don't have any problem blocking corporations from doing business with us.
"However, that leads into another point of discussion. I'm no economist, but if we block the corporations, wouldn't that apply additional pressure to Liberty to come to the table? If we apply pressure where it hurts, their wallets, they may be more willing to move forward. I say we restrict docking to their government officials first, if they still don't want to play ball, we apply the same no dock restrictions to their corporations as well to show that we mean business. It may not have any immediate results, but over time they might take notice.
"Of course, that could backfire and lead to more aggressive platitudes on their part so we'd have to fineness it and figure out the best time to enact that possibily."
Christian noted Aleec's slight smile, an unnatural emotion for him. Zoners have never been so much consolidated in such a sensitive topic for all of them. “Everyone understands quite well that, if we will not resist, Zoners will perish from the Erie and other neighbouring installations. Absorbed or exiled, depends on their methods.”
“I hope not just us have estimated the same fate for Erie as after the unsuccessful Canaria annexation. Though this time the opponent is allocated in a much more comfortable environment. Zoners in the area haven’t any major group to distract government attention from Erie.”
“While anger inside of me and all of us would coerce to block all Liberty entities on our installations it’ll be counterproductive which would hurt local Zoners the most. The balance of blocking any Liberty law enforcers sounds pretty fair for me. I believe that we still have sympathy from the house population, so let the business strengthen our positions.”
“Sooner or later Liberty will be absorbed in another inter house conflict. And it’ll be about time when we can strike.”
"It appears that we are in agreement, at least on some points. I therefore propose the following for vote.
We restrict docking rights to agents of the Liberty Government, Navy, Police, LSF. This restriction will encompass Bethlehem, The Freeports, Livadia, Corinth and Ames.
While I do sympathize with those remaining on the surface of Erie. Beyond a suspicious fire. And some initially violent occupation executions. Things for the most part have been calm. Which was to be expected, with over 400 million spread across the surface any meaningful direct resistance would result in a slaughter. Additionally, so far, beyond the restriction of arms and armaments' from using the docking ring. Other necessaries, advanced equipment, specialty medicines and the like, are still permitted unfettered access to Erie." Brad gestured to the Phoenix representatives with his hand. "Furthermore, as already brought up, Liberties focus is haphazard at best. With their recent expansionist efforts in Nu, it is just a matter of time before they overextend themselves. I also believe that by only restricting direct Agents of the Liberty Government from access to our facilities, we would leave ourselves the option to further escalate our grievances with individual corporations while still leaving the door open for materials from friendly groups."
Bob glanced around the room after Brad stated his proposal. There was a bit of discussion among the members and after a few moments he stood up and addressed the room:
My dear friends, may I suggest we take a short break and have some refreshments. In the meantime I can fill in my colleague Celcius Abonwood on matters already discussed while we have some time to go over matters in an informal way. Let's say we continue with the meeting in twenty minutes from now. Please, let's all take a short break.
He took a step back from his seat and stepped up to Celcius Abonwood with an outstretched hand and a genuine smile.
Celcius my friend, my apologies we started without you and sorry to hear you had some issues docking. I'm sure Kris' team will get down to that soon.
He looked at Kris who gave Bob a slight nod then gave the new guests a polite nod as he stepped aside grabbing his communicator while actively typing away.
Let me fill you in on what has already been discussed prior to your arrival. It's adamant I bring you up to speed before this break is over.
With that Bob brought Celcius and her attendee to the bar as the conference room was a mix of people having heated conversations and intimate get-togethers. While approaching the bar Bob looked at the people talking and made a mental note to get this done. Let our station be the one where we get united and enforce some action to the Liberty folks. It's about time we get things done as a whole.
And with that he turned to Jeff, the head bartender at Freeport 1...
Hiya Jeff, happy to see you and how are you doing sport? Can I get one Bahamamama and...
"Hold on gentlemen, before we made a break."Christian gestured to Brand. "With all respect, actions of the Outworder Assembly have not yet been decided. In fact after the disastrous attack on our ships in vast reaches in Omicrons we still have not blacklisted those Nomad sympathisers.”
He continued in a more reassuring manner “But for sure our actions wouldn’t be less harsh as common Zoners response. We have gone on though the struggle to find our own place and had conflicts with Corsairs, Coalition and even the Order. But while we have found ourselves with those groups in mutual benefits, the Core still has teeth on us.”Christian leaned back on the chair and continued “So we could go even far and block Liberty corporations as well as they are fueling their operations. While I myself was raised on Erie, I never had strong enough sympathies to Liberty officials nor were they sufficient trade partners that would hurt us much. But like with those Nomad brainwashed people, it could take some time. ”
Celcius had only sat for a few moments before shes taking the hand of bob shaking her head "Oh there wasn't an issue, i just didn't expect to meet both our predecessor at this meeting. I had wished to have a word of my own before we went for a recess, but i suppose it shall have to wait"
Taking a stool at the bar she shook her head "If i may be frank, i think we are going into this the wrong way, the actions discussed are similar to ones that have been taken by those before us and it has led to more hurt on us then anything we hoped to do towards our aggressors. We need to be smarter, we need to act differently then to what is expected"
She motions to Jeff "Shinjuki Rice wine if you would"
As the rest took their moment for a break, Voncloud sat to the side observing for the moment
Waiting for Christian to finish before heading to the bar, Alec overhears Celsius and takes another stool somewhat nearby.
“Our response must certainly be thought out and calculated, with the long term implications factored in; rather than a simple knee jerk reaction”, before Alec continues “I would have mirrored your view normally, similar to how the Phoenix continue to maintain a relationship with the Core, despite their repeated effort to inflict hardship on us. However, denying Liberty access this time could work more than we realise, and it is something I wish Zoners should have done in hindsight with the Core at the time when they just started establishing their operations in the Edge Worlds”. The corner of Alec's eye catches the bartender making drinks, and briefly glances over the counter before turning back.
“Unlike the border worlds and independent systems, the Omicron is still a massive untapped region of raw potential. With the success of the Core as an example, It is no secret Liberty wants to expand there, and with the recent open access the Supergate to civilians, I bet they will eventually use this as a pretense to expand and enforce the system. Not to mention their recent incursion through force in Omicron Nu in a further show of strength, audaciously right after what happened over at Eire."
"Despite the Phoenix not taking action so far to avoid making a rash decision, I believe our group is willing to close access around Omicron, just so Liberty won’t be able take advantage of our neutrality, and using it as a staging post whilst oppressing our community. It will also significantly exposes their zone of operation with no safe ports take shelter from, in a region where plenty of factions there does not take kindly to their presence . I personally think we need to nip Liberty’s ambitions before they exploit what is basically a gold mine for them. Nonetheless, a united response across all Zoner installations doing the same would send out an important message on top.”
Alec briefly pauses for a split second before recalling Celcius’s recent entry to the room “Oh do excuse me, Alec here, Phoenix Chief of Security. You did briefly mention just earlier about your expertise in this area, what are your takes and thoughts on this so far? "
The bartender at this point begins to serve the drinks. Alec turns to the bartender with his palm slightly raised from the counter, “Cambridge Dry, Zero.”
"Bunch of part time drunks that can't even make it ten minutes into a meeting without a shot of something." Brad commented to no one in particular while pulling out his flask and taking a swing before raising his voice to address the room at large. "I believe based on the conversations had thus far that we are in a general agreement that docking restrictions are warranted. But the durations and encompassment still need to be debated." Brad gestured to the two communications on the wall. One from Liberty, the other from Pinnacle Outpost. "It is my belief that simply coming out and unliterally denying docking to all Liberty Government and Corporate Entities will undoubtedly draw a response from Liberty, one that will mark us as unlawfuls, ungrateful, and functionally speaking, would force us to abandon Bethlehem as the station is not self sustaining like other facilities such as Freeport 14. Tempered action is warranted. After all it was not Universal Shipping bringing the marines to the surface, it was the Navy. And while there are those of you who view someone transporting the bullets or blood used by the Navy as equally guilty. I cannot fault a corporation for viewing it bottom dollar as a priority. That being said." Brad paused for effect. "There is nothing to prevent us to setting a timeline for additional sanctions, to start by forcing Navy, Police, and LSF pilots off our stations, wait for a response, if any is sent. Then we could meet again at that time and discuss sanctioning those corporate entities who are fully supporting the Government. Allowing Pinnacle Outpost time to perhaps secure supplies from those very corporate entities. A gesture of goodwill which we would remember when it comes time to levy additional sanctions."
Sailas leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes. He concentrated on his next words before speaking.
"I wasn't born as a Zoner so I didn't experience the Gran Canaria occupation first hand, but I was a citizen of the government that orchestrated that occupation. It's part of the reason why I abandoned my Bretonian citizenship and left for the Edge worlds in the first place. Nor was I ever a resident of Erie...nor do I have family there. Technically speaking, I don't have a dog in this fight. The Zoners are my people now, though, so I'll speak my piece and you can take from it what you wish.
"What I know about the Houses, is they only understand grand sweeping actions. Restricting their Police and Navy vessels is a logical first step, however it will do nothing to effect any real change. The Houses are all about the money they can earn off the backs of their citizens and their companies via taxes, tariffs, and levies. If we restrict their police and military from docking, it is my opinion it will do nothing but make them laugh at us and view us as weak. If we prevent their corperations from docking with our bases and cause those taxes, tariffs, and levies to dry up, we hurt their bottom line. That will cause them to take notice and come to the table.
"...and if you're still averse to restricting their corperations from docking with our installations, then we tax the hell out of them for any purchases Liberty corperations make. Call it an 'Erie Tax' for how they treated our people. If we hurt their pocket books, they will start paying attention, I can assure you of that."
Sailas opens his eyes and leans forward, a look of determination in his eyes almost bordering on anger. His accent becomes tinted with an edge resembling something you might hear from a Molly.
"We've tried bein' diplomatic and offerin' 'em an olive branch. They swatted it away and told us to get bent. It's time to show 'em the switch instead. Even if that means hurtin' their income."
He looked to the bar across the room.
"Thanks for the offer of drink, but I'm here to come up with a solution for our current perdicament, not a night out...no offense."
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