I am Jeremiah Latif of the Phoenix Zoners, an administrator to Livadia Shipyard.
Recently, a report from the captain of one of our logistic ships came to my attention, detailing a new organization operating under the banner of the Technocracy. Although we are not technically adversaries of the Technocrats, their activities have raised our concerns, particularly regarding the primary cell known as Auxo, previously Auxesia. We are open to forming new partnerships for logistics, combat, and research endeavors, but we also want to ensure their reliability for sustained cooperation. Therefore, I suggest a formal introduction to explore potential mutual benefits in establishing such relationships.
Identification: High Logarch Denelo Mori, Task Force Prometheus
Source: Valravn Citadel
Encryption: R0-057
Beginning voice transmission...
This is certainly a pleasant surprise. It has been a long time since I heard the name Livadia, and I thought it must have fallen into disuse after that mess with the Council of Zoners. Regardless, it is good to hear it still stands, regardless of its sordid history with Silven.
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am High Logarch Mori of Task Force Prometheus. We do fly under the banner of the Technocracy, and many—myself included—owe our existence to Technocrat wizardry, but we are far less... hm. Well, let's say we are not nearly so detached from the concerns of the world as our hosts. Our goal is to right the many wrongs brought about by the fall of the Commonwealth of Liberty at the hands of the military junta who called themselves the Insurgency: We wish to bring Victoria Knight to justice and free the oppressed peoples of Erie.
I will spare you the speeches, though. You are not here for our lofty ambitions, but for our methods. In my time I have seen many groups burn bright, hot, and fast, then die alone with neither friends, fuel, or food. Isolation, poverty, and distrust are death sentences in space. For this reason we have ever sought to build relationships, logistical networks, and a reputation for veracity. Even now our trade fleets spread up the Baffin Corridor to do business, broker deals, and build lasting relationships.
And now here you are, bearing by coincidence both a meaningful name and a historic station. As once the Hellfire Legion worked towards a mutually-beneficial partnership with Livadia's builders some 19 years ago, we now stand ready to do the same with you.
Looking forward to hearing back,
High Logarch Mori
I have observed the recordings of skirmishes with the Nomad forces where your ships provided aid to ours. It's quite a distance from your former zone of operations, yet we are grateful for your support. This may loosen the grip, as the Nomads' incursions into the more settled Omicrons have disrupted vital supply chains. Nonetheless, this is a matter we intend to address within the Zoners community.
Please excuse my straightforwardness, but I do not indulge in unnecessary rhetoric: you are the adversary of the so-called Republic of Liberty, a state that unjustly occupies the Zoner world at the heart of the Sirius Sector, Erie. Furthermore, they have repeatedly tried to encroach upon our territories, leading to the Omicron Nu situation which has been de-escalating since the system was lost after the Pulse.
In light of this and your recent help against the Nomads, we are more than willing to offer you supplies, repair, and medical services. Additionally, despite the complexities of this proposal, should your capital vessels manage to reach Omicron Kappa, we are prepared to provide repairs or maintenance to your capital ships, though there are a few matters I would prefer to discuss in person, should you find this proposal appealing.
Identification: High Logarch Denelo Mori, Task Force Prometheus
Source: Valravn Citadel
Encryption: R0-057
Beginning voice transmission...
No excuse is necessary. Your forthrightness is refreshing. We are currently planning a combined command structure towards Erie's liberation, as a matter of fact. If you wish to send a representative, you would be more than welcome, and this would allow us to coordinate on such aid as both our own strikes and the resistance movements on the ground would benefit from. Likewise, we are doing similar for Libertonian and Xeno encroachments into Inverness, which we believe threaten Freeport 14, and you are welcome to those conferences as well.
We have made a number of expeditions to the Edge Worlds for trade, as well as one to escort a group of Auxo miners. I am glad to hear we made such contact. While I would advise against planning on such distant power projection outside of logistical operations, we are happy to help our affiliates when it is feasible.
As for your final proposal, it is by far the most interesting. Truthfully, we have been looking for access to a shipyard with Livadia's capabilities for quite a long time. The Insurgency mothballed much of our fleet, and let others still fall into disrepair, yet ironically it is these very vessels that survived the Fall of Vespucci. At present we have two cruisers badly in need of a shipyard: The Excalibur, an Archer-class, and the Thastus, a Judicator-class. We can enlist the aid of the Technocrats to escort them to the Omicrons, but my greatest concern is the Core and Order elements present in-system in Kappa—do you expect them to pose a threat?
I am more than happy to speak in person. When and where work best for you?
I have received the word from my superior that there was already an attempt to establish diplomatic channel between our group. It does not change anything I offered or said before, but I was obligated to inform you of my acknowledgement of this.
First and foremost, Freeport 14 falls under OSI jurisdiction. Although we have no direct business there, the well-being of every Freeport is crucial to the Zoners community and the values upon which it was founded. Contrary to what people from the inner worlds might believe, we do care about our own. I will negotiate the possibility of dispatching a cruiser to protect the station and keep the fighting at bay whenever possible as well as sending a representative to the conferences, perhaps even act as one, if schedule allows.
Secondly: I assure you that upon the arrival of your ships in Livadia, my team and I from the Livadia Self-Defense Forces will do everything within our power to protect you. However, neither the Order nor the Core have ever respected the No-Fire Zone or our status of neutrality, often trying to impose their will upon our facilities. Therefore, please forgive my candor: should the need arise, we may seek your support in reminding them of our equal importance to the stability of the Omicrons.
At present, as the Order is occupied with the escalating Nomad activities in the deeper Omicrons, and the Core is engaged in establishing control over the planet Gammu and its AI, as well as combating the Corsairs — who I presume are less than thrilled with their new neighbors — the threat they pose is not as severe as it was during the more tranquil times in the region.
I should also inform you that while it is our policy to assist the Order in their conflict with the Nomads, we do not act as their proxy. Therefore, you can be assured of your safety on Livadia. If this assurance is satisfactory, you are welcome to bring both ships, or one at a time, to our shipyard. Our engineers will then be able to evaluate the required repairs, estimate the necessary time and resources, and subsequently, we can discuss the terms of payment—be it in credits, technology, or other arrangements to be agreed upon later.
Thirdly, we can arrange an in-person meeting in Livadia if you choose to bring your capitals, or I could travel to Freeport 14 aboard the cruiser, provided that Phoenix Command authorizes its deployment there.
Identification: High Logarch Denelo Mori, Task Force Prometheus
Source: Valravn Citadel
Encryption: R0-057
Beginning voice transmission...
The previous attempt was before my recreation. I appreciate your drawing my attention to it. Lord Stratarch Megiddo are effective military minds, but there are many reasons I am High Logarch and not they. Regardless, I appreciate the commitment, and we will send a message on the details once all attendees have been confirmed.
In that case, we will ask the Technocracy to assist us. However, I understand that you have had some conflict with them in the past. Is their presence in your system as an escort acceptable? If so, we will begin organizing the operation immediately. You know the situation in-system better than we—do you believe a stealth operation or a diplomatic reach-out would be more effective at preventing conflict en route?
While I cannot speak for them, we have always honored and respected Zoner neutrality. We believe strongly that freeports must remain free even for our enemies, so long as they are not used as strike bases against us, and the loss of several in recent times is truly tragic. While the Order extremism and the Core's exploitation are anathema to us, we fully understand cooperating with them for your survival, and begrudge you nothing for it any more than we would expect them to begrudge you working with us on Erie.
The strained relations with the Technocracy stem from misunderstandings and stubbornness on both sides. We are open to de-escalating tensions, but our conditions remain unchanged—we need assurance that none of the Technocracy's leaders are harboring incubi or have ties with the Nomads. Nonetheless, we cannot reject the use of Order technology. Our dependence on it for unmatched efficiency in combating the Nomads is undeniable. We trust that this candor will not deter you but will demonstrate our sincere belief in the potential for productive future collaboration.
Identification: High Logarch Denelo Mori, Task Force Prometheus
Source: Valravn Citadel
Encryption: R0-057
Beginning voice transmission...
There does appear to have been a misunderstanding, as they claim the tension is related to some form of invasion. Still, unless there is some new form of incubus that can infest a digital mind, I can personally assure you that their leadership is as immune to infection as I am. The rest I cannot speak to, but we will happily mediate if you wish to establish ties with them again.
Do you have answers regarding my other questions—on whether we should use stealth or diplomacy and whether you can permit them to escort us if we assure the peace?
Your escort is acceptable under two conditions:
- Consent to a scan for incubi or nomad technologies upon nearing Livadia.
- Restrict their vessel to gunboat-class within Omicron Kappa unless authorized by myself or high-ranking officials like Christian Burton.
I recommend a stealthy approach: the less people know, the more secure they feel. Rest assured, I will not conceal our dealings from Burton or other Phoenix administrators. If I approve, they concur. Regarding relations with the Technocracy, currently, I am the sole advocate for neutrality and potential collaboration in various domains. Nonetheless, I plan to discuss this with Burton directly, hoping to persuade him of the mutual benefits such cooperation could yield.
Identification: High Logarch Denelo Mori, Task Force Prometheus
Source: Valravn Citadel
Encryption: R0-057
Beginning voice transmission...
Mistrust runs deep, and in both directions. I have spoken to them, and they are concerned any scans may be used as a pretext to analyze classified technology. However, they are willing to stand off and not approach Livadia directly, instead parting from the convoy at some distance. Is this acceptable?
