Public Octavarium Statement | Condemnation of Gallic Assault on Civilian

[Thexare]

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| Message Received |

A civilian colonist of Natio Octavarium filed a report with us today. A freelancer that works as an escort was assaulted by three pilots from the Gallic "Punisher" wing, purely for having defended himself in the past. You heard that correctly - they tried to kill him in retaliation for them not killing him the first time.

The freelancer is currently in critical condition at an undisclosed location - undisclosed because I fully expect someone to try a third time to finish the job. While he is under guard, I'd rather not make a mess.

The Punishers are no longer treated as a military target by Natio Octavarium. They have been reclassified as war criminals and terrorists.

Every war has its... deviants, and I understand that. And I hope that this doesn't reflect on the Royal Navy as a whole.

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[LunaticOnTheGrass]

- Incoming Transmission -
:::ID: Oberst Erich Klugmann, Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee:::
:::LOCATION: ERROR:::
:::ENCRPYTION: Low:::

The Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee offers its full sympathy and support for the unjustly injured Natio Octavarium citizen. We can offer little more than our thoughts as the bulk of our medical supplies are hard at work in Munich.

We strongly condemn the criminal, inhumane acts of the "Punisher" wing.


- Transmission End -

[Camille Gabriel]

Minster Delacroix,

An intriguing name you bear. Why, it sounds almost Gallic. I must admit I'm curious as to whether your heritage falls within the Kingdom. It is; however, a passing curiosity. All great families have their wayward children, no? Perhaps your civilian has simply run across some of our own.

The funny thing about claims, Minister, is that it is rather easier to make them then it is to prove them, and until there is some substantive proof to yours, I'm afraid that I am inclined to dismiss it as such. Of course, should there be adequate evidence, I have no doubt the offenders will be dealt with. However; in the meantime, perhaps it would be wise of you to refrain from doing anything rash.

Bien Cordialement,

Camille Gabriel
La Légion Étrangère Gauloise

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Dulce et decorum est.
| Character Sheet | Camille's Theme | Feedback |

[Thexare]

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| Message Received |

Here's the log as it was presented to me. It's fully in line with previously-established behavior patterns from the wing in question.

[01.11.2013 13:57:36] Punisher|SL.Prometheus: No-bombardier,identify yourself.
[01.11.2013 13:57:42] Death: Skalbaggar.B was killed by Leprechaun (Gun)
[01.11.2013 13:57:47] Punisher|SL.Prometheus: Who are you working for?
[01.11.2013 13:58:06] NO-Bombardier: Just a Natio civilian.
[01.11.2013 13:58:17] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: I don't think so..
[01.11.2013 13:58:24] Punisher|SL.Prometheus: hmm i remember this guy fighting us in the past.I'm right?
[01.11.2013 13:58:27] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: He is working for Liberty somehow !
[01.11.2013 13:58:36] Punisher|FL.Hannibal-03: Engage Freelancer Bomber, he works against Gallic forces.
[01.11.2013 13:58:43] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: Killing him is the only why to make sure..
[01.11.2013 13:58:46] Punisher|FL.Hannibal-03: All thips are free to engage the target.
[01.11.2013 13:58:51] NO-Bombardier: Well, Natio doesn't exactly like you guys either.
[01.11.2013 13:58:57] Punisher|FL.Hannibal-03: load weapons and fire...
[01.11.2013 13:59:03] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: Ramus : Target locked
[01.11.2013 13:59:16] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: Prepering for shoot !
[01.11.2013 13:59:21] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: Fire in range !
[01.11.2013 13:59:25] Punisher|FL.Hannibal-03: loading wapons
[01.11.2013 13:59:28] NO-Bombardier: Go ahead, I'm alone. Not much I can do.
[01.11.2013 13:59:29] Punisher|FL.BlackSword: Weapoens online !
[01.11.2013 13:59:46] Punisher|FL.Hannibal-03: targeting enemy
[01.11.2013 14:00:05] Punisher|SL.Prometheus: Alright freelancer,defend yourself.
[01.11.2013 14:00:23] Death: NO-Bombardier was killed by Punisher|SL.Prometheus (Gun)

I particularly liked the "he's working for Liberty somehow!" line.

It may not be a video log, but some civilians prefer older logging systems. Easier maintenance, I believe.

According to a close friend of the injured freelancer, his only prior engagements with Gallic forces were in self-defense, as I said in the initial message. Naturally, we can't interview him directly; to the best of my knowledge, he hasn't regained consciousness.

| End of message |

[Rodent]

Comms ID:Grand Marechal Ansel Xavier
Comms Encryption: High
Comms Priority: High

Ansel appears on screen, with a grim expression.

Minister Delacroix.

Gallic Royal Navy squadrons tend to operate with a degree of autonomy, with individual commanders having a certain freedom to make decisions regarding how they want to deal with a particular situation. Since individual judgement cannot be accounted for at all times, mistakes can occur. My sympathies are with the injured citizen.

However...one thing concerns me in your message.

The Punishers are no longer treated as a military target by Natio Octavarium. They have been reclassified as war criminals and terrorists.

This has a few major implications. While the Punishers may not always operate within the doctrine set by their Commanders, they are still part of the Gallic Royal Navy. Hostile actions against them will make it necessary for the fleets to respond in force. This is something that's not required, and your new establishment would be better served in avoiding such a clash.

Think about it.

Xavier out.

[Thexare]

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| Message Received |

Perhaps I spoke too rashly. This assault would never have been acceptable, but it's come at a particularly bad time.

We will, regardless, be tightening the defenses of our colony - and any Punisher vessel will be turned away from our space. They've already shown how they intend to treat our civilians, and we cannot permit that.

Those who can fight must look to the defense of those who can not, correct?

| End of message |

[Sabru]

*Transmission Incoming*
ID: Skarsi Wyrdmake
Message Begins.......

Greetings Minister Delacroix,

it is with great sadness that we popes hear of the unwarranted attack on a Natio citizen by members of the, seemingly rogue and out of control, punisher squadron.

We have asked Eris to watch over the citizen and hope for a speedy recovery.

The TAZ strongly condemn this attack. While the GRN and the TAZ have had our.... differences, we recognize that the squadron in question is not a primary fleet squadron of the GRN and no blame lies with the GRN itself.

Minister, should you require any medical supplies we would be happy to assist in any way possible.

23's,
Skarsi Wyrdmake

****Transmission Ends****

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[Caconym]

Bonjour.
Sorry for the late reply. Due to a huge and still growing amount of paperwork, this communication only came to my attention now. My name is Guillaume DeReims. I'm one of the Punisher Squad Leaders, and the public representative of the Punishers. I'd like to say two things about this... situation.
First of all, an... apology of sorts to the Natio Octavium. Yes, our pilots attacked a civilian, Yes the fight was rather one-sided. Yes, the civilian in question was hurt badly. But let's not forget what happened there.
The Punishers, as shown in the logs, were attacking that particular ship because it had engaged and downed a Punisher ship a while back. This was an act of revenge. True, rather overkill, but still, an act of revenge. The Punisher pilot was hurt as badly (if not more) than you Freelancer, and is also in critical condition in a Gallic military hospital. I'd also like to say that the civilian was NOT defenseless. He was in a fully combat-capable craft.
Another thing. While reading your initial statement about treating the Punishers as war criminals, I was ready to answer in kind. But I see you've calmed down. This is good. Maybe the Punishers (and Gallia in general) can somehow fix our... differences. We have no reason to attack you if you do not attack us. Think about that. I'll try to calm down my men and my fellow Squad Leaders regarding civilians in the meantime.
To TAZ Pope Skarsi Wyrdmake:
Be careful with what you say, monsieur. We may not be part of the Primary GRN fleet, but we are still part of the GRN in general. I'd also like to mention the only reason the TAZ and the Punishers... dislike each other is thanks to one of your pilots who clearly insulted both the Punishers and Gallia in general. Without that, you'd still be enjoying neutrality. And it was YOU who dragged the Natio Octavium in this conflict. The Freelancer would probably have been left alone if you had not started the conflict.

Sincèrement,
Guillaume DeReims
Punisher Squad Leader

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[Makc_RU]

To: Public
From: The Desk of P. Mortier
Subject: Innocence

...monitor goes on and you see a middle aged man in leather pants, dancing under the Disco Ball. He turns around, and you see a cigar and a glass of cognac in his hands...

Pfff, Pier, fixes hit crotch, another whiny civilian freelancer pilot got hit ass handed to him and now his mates are slobbering over the matter. Pier takes a long and satisfying drag of his cigar : "Now, I'll tell ya, look at his, this is a sample of a fine Gallic blut....What? Anyway, I could care less what you think over there in your corner, sit down and shut up, son....", he takes a sip of the cognac.
- Damn, iss good to be alive. Anyway, where was I? A half naked woman walks behind Pierr. Ah, yes, the whiny bomber, who got served for breakfast. There are so many Freelancer lurking around, trying to look innocent and then when the opportunity presents itself, they act all suddenly virginized and fresh our of the flight school. I myself witnessed this pilot firing at Gallic forces, he takes another puff of the cigar and as another half naked woman walks by him, he slaps her on the behind, SLAP, you can hear the sharp sound....He smiles...That pilot is working for Liberty, so I could care less about what you people say over here, I will engage him if I see him. To make this matter more transparent for the dim witted space flying opportunists -

I, or should I say WE, will engage any Freelancer who has been spotted firing upon our forces in the past. So, if you gonna be acting all innocent, like a Prom Queen among a football team of hard core players on a prom night, then you better stay our of Magellan and our way.

....a fine young thang comes to Pierre, kisses him and takes him to the dance floor once again, not forgetting to switch off the monitor...screen goes black and you left with a thought of : Hot, DAMN....i wanna be like Pierre.


End of Transmission

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User was banned for: banned pending staff discussions
Time left: (Permanent)

[Thexare]

> save Mortier.log
> block "P. Mortier"
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| Message Received |

The burden of proof is on you, DeReims. I have presented what logs we have. Now it's your turn.

However, putting it as politely as possible, at least one of your pilots is making a complete ass of himself. I'd suggest at the least that he be kept off of public channels so as to not drag Gallia's reputation even further through the mud.

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