Jose listened to Senor Franks, and then to Miguel's response. 'I believe that Miguel speaks for all of us Elders when he says we are not here to treat with the Omicroners about anything. We are here to talk solely about the situation relating to FP9 and what can be done to ensure the security of the Corsair Empire.'
Jose then continues 'Senor Franks, since you have stated that you are here to treat on behalf of the Omicroners I see no purpose to your continued presence at this meeting, and would therefore suggest you go and polish your ship or do something else that might actually be considered useful, so that the rest of us can actually get on with doing that which we came here for without your interference.'
Picking up the nearest open rum bottle Jose refilled his glass, and placed the bottle back on the table. Turning his head toward Silvan he says 'I believe that Silvan is able to speak for the residents of FP9', glancing toward Franks he continues, 'but I also believe that there is a significant amount of pressure being applied by some other group who have an entirely different agenda'.
Just much authority do the Omicroners have over this station? Can someone answer this? And I don't mean the official one. I mean are the Omicroner high-up actually pulling any strings here? Because from what I see, someone is pulling them - and one 'negotiator' was ordered to leave the station mid-meeting and another is now telling us that showing us the 'contract', as you call it, on the screen is of utmost importance. I could have sent a grunt here, but I came myself. Unless you have actual influence, you waste our time here. Now... I demand to talk to the people in charge of this little theater play. As soon as possible.
' Wrote:Sephardi looked at the document, reading it over carefully before responding.
"Senor Franks is it? Hard to keep track of all the Omicroners coming and going in this negotiation, but that is neither here nor there at the moment. The problem I see with this document is that we came here to make a deal with the Zoners of Freeport 9, not the Omicroners. This deal seems to exclusively apply to the Omicroners. That is unacceptable, we are talking with the Omicroners here as far as they have a part in Freeport 9's business, as far as they represent the general Zoner population. We are not here to make a deal with the Omicroners, and we have no intention of doing that."
Miguel pulled another bottle of the rum out of the box, pouring a glass for himself.
"Again I ask you Senor Silvan, Are you able to speak for the residence of Freeport 9, or has this negotiation been taken over by the Omicroners? Who speaks for Freeport 9?"
' Wrote:Jose listened to Senor Franks, and then to Miguel's response. 'I believe that Miguel speaks for all of us Elders when he says we are not here to treat with the Omicroners about anything. We are here to talk solely about the situation relating to FP9 and what can be done to ensure the security of the Corsair Empire.'
Jose then continues 'Senor Franks, since you have stated that you are here to treat on behalf of the Omicroners I see no purpose to your continued presence at this meeting, and would therefore suggest you go and polish your ship or do something else that might actually be considered useful, so that the rest of us can actually get on with doing that which we came here for without your interference.'
Picking up the nearest open rum bottle Jose refilled his glass, and placed the bottle back on the table. Turning his head toward Silvan he says 'I believe that Silvan is able to speak for the residents of FP9', glancing toward Franks he continues, 'but I also believe that there is a significant amount of pressure being applied by some other group who have an entirely different agenda'.
' Wrote:Just much authority do the Omicroners have over this station? Can someone answer this? And I don't mean the official one. I mean are the Omicroner high-up actually pulling any strings here? Because from what I see, someone is pulling them - and one 'negotiator' was ordered to leave the station mid-meeting and another is now telling us that showing us the 'contract', as you call it, on the screen is of utmost importance. I could have sent a grunt here, but I came myself. Unless you have actual influence, you waste our time here. Now... I demand to talk to the people in charge of this little theater play. As soon as possible.
"I think all that needs to be said is I'm Victor Franks, an Omicroner, we pretty much run things here." Franks coughed.
"Possibly because the majority of Zoners who resided on this station, and will reside on this station are Omicroners." Franks coughed again.
"Representative Silvan can negotiate, but without Omicroner approval of terms the deal is not valid. That, and the Omicroners are continuously in contact with Silvan, and we tend to run major parts of the proposal through him." Franks coughed a third time, pointing to the secured computer on his wrist that could send transmissions.
"Now, as for the comments I am a lackey, I am part of the diplomacy department. The top part. So, I make the deals. Our organisational structure requires even the top to report back to and run ideas by the quorum. That is how we are. I think the phrase is deal with it." Franks grunted out his sentences.
"So, now that we have addressed that, Elder Sephardi, would you like me to re-phrase the contract? As it stands, it was made this way so it would be more open to all and we would not be accused of bias by dealing only with the Corsairs. It gives you military rights to do what you want. And it stops warships. I believe they were the two major concerns of your organisation?" Franks had gotten his negotiation game face back on. People would never understand the Omicroners. And it wasn't his job to make them. He just had to negotiate the terms.
Silvan watched and listened, carefully considering his next words. He was fairly sure that when he next spoke, his words could make or break the peace process. Silvan thought hard, trying to find some way to salvage what was rapidly turning into a diplomatic mess. Silvan stood and faced the Elders.
Elders, The Omicroners oversee the major functions of this station, such as diplomacy. It was necessary, as we all have seen what happens when individual Zoners attempt to accomplish important tasks. However, I assure you, I do speak for Freeport Nine, and I will continue to do so.
So, I am going to make my own proposal, concerning solely Freeport Nine and its relations with the Corsair Empire.
Silvan glanced at Elder Espi and cracked a small smile
And dont worry, it is very short and to the point.
Understand, my proposal does exclude some of things things in yours, but I lack the political clout to make such an agreement Last.
So I propose this.
Code:
In exchange for the cessation of hostilities against Freeport Nine and Zoners in Omicron Theta, Freeport Nine agrees to the following terms:
1.) Freeport Nine agrees to ban all capital class warships, excluding zoner vessels, from docking on the Freeport. Capital Class Warships meaning any vessel of gunboat class or higher.
2.) Freeport Nine agrees to reinstate docking rights for all Corsair Vessels not precluded from docking in the above clause.
Now that is what I propose to resolve the immediate issues we face. As to discussions of territory, that will have to be handled by the Omicroners. As I previously stated, I lack the authority to make such an agreement.
Now, I believe that these terms solve your immediate problems of security?
Silvan hoped that the Elders would take this one, as all they had to give here was to stop attacking and they gained that which they wished, security from those who would base from the Freeport.
After a few mins of discussion between the three men, Miguel Sephardi spoke up.
"Silvan, the Council of Elders accepts the proposal you have laid out.
Quote:In exchange for the cessation of hostilities against Freeport Nine and Zoners in Omicron Theta, Freeport Nine agrees to the following terms:
1.) Freeport Nine agrees to ban all capital class warships, excluding zoner vessels, from docking on the Freeport. Capital Class Warships meaning any vessel of gunboat class or higher.
2.) Freeport Nine agrees to reinstate docking rights for all Corsair Vessels not precluded from docking in the above clause.
The Council of Elders will sign this as it reads now."
But in the interest of thoroughness, please allow me just a moment to speak with my assosiate, as i would like to hear what he has to say. That way all the Zoners of the Omicrons are represented in this agreement.
Silvan turned to Victor, and nodded his head away from the table
But in the interest of thoroughness, please allow me just a moment to speak with my assosiate, as i would like to hear what he has to say. That way all the Zoners of the Omicrons are represented in this agreement.
Silvan turned to Victor, and nodded his head away from the table
Shall we?
Franks nodded sagely.
"All sounds well. The Omicroners approve of this deal." Franks grunted pleasantly.
"However, before we sign, I must ask whether the Council of Elders wishes to negotiate further with the Omicroners regarding other issues? Note that, our signing of the deal is already guaranteed, I just need an answer to take back home." Franks nodded curtly after this with a rather neutral face.
Miguel looked over at the Omicroner, surprised at the groups acceptance of the deal.
" I think the past way to go about talks with the Omicroners is to give some time for this deal to settle in, call it a confidence building period, where the Zoner can build confidence in the idea that the Corsairs are not interested in Freeport 9 or Corfu, but instead our security, and where Corsairs can build confidence in the idea that the Zoners, and Omicroners in particular, are not interested in undermining the security of the Corsair Empire, nor in hosting foreign fleet with that same purpose. Much has taken place between the Zoners and the Corsairs, and I believe a little time is needed, a little trust is needed before we can tackle the harder issues."
Miguel took a drink of his rum.
"I suggest we return to Freeport 9 one month from the signing of this deal to discuss further deals between the Corsair Empire and the Omicroners. This time is to, as I said, allow for confidence building, and to be honest, to give a rest to the people involved in negotiation, and let them deal with other matters that may need their attention."
Silvan's smile broadened at Victors words. Then he listened to Miguel speak.
Wonderful. Just wonderful. It gladdens my heart to see this day.
Elder Sephardi, I agree with the one month confidence period. A break and acclimation period is just what is needed. Silvan looked at all in attendance Shall we meet again here in one month then? Say around December 15th?
Silvan then walked over to the document
Allow me to be the first to sign.
Quote:In exchange for the cessation of hostilities against Freeport Nine and Zoners in Omicron Theta, Freeport Nine agrees to the following terms:
1.) Freeport Nine agrees to ban all capital class warships, excluding zoner vessels, from docking on the Freeport. Capital Class Warships meaning any vessel of gunboat class or higher.
2.) Freeport Nine agrees to reinstate docking rights for all Corsair Vessels not precluded from docking in the above clause.
Representative, Freeport Nine
Looking up, Silvan smiled
There. That should do it.
As soon as all have signed, I shall go and make the appropriate announcements.
Silvan stood aside, waiting for the others present to sign the agreement
Espi stood up, came closer to the document, put a stamp of the Black Sails and his signature on it. I guess we are done here. For now, at least. I have other business to deal with. Adios. He left the room and station immediately afterwards.
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