I found it amusing that you consider me intimidating, but then you're right. You have nothing to hold over me like you're trained to in these scenarios. I guess that gives you every right to be unsure. You've caught my attention, however. I'm certainly interested to see what you might have in mind when it comes to pushing neutrality between Auxesia and the Republic. However, I know you're going to ask for something in return.
Transmission; Start
Identification: Agent Sonja Kerensky
Location: Office Red Oscar
Encryption: Secure
Joshua Hunt;
My training was on Planet Praia, so I'm not easily frightened. I don't want to stroke your ego too much, but your lack of an apparent weakness is reason enough for anybody to be scared. In fact, I would wager that those who aren't repelled by you simply do not know you the way you have presented yourself to me. It is especially concerning that you manage to get operational secrets out of me; that will not be happening again, by the way. Remember, fear doesn't mean impotence.
Moving on, you've made it known to me twice that neutrality is something you're looking to push for with the Republic of Liberty. The Agency does not have much sway in political matters, because if it did, you've already given us enough reasons to accept neutrality between Battlegroup Auxesia and ourselves. I don't need to mention what you've said about the developmental weapons you have knowledge of, the operations of the Buro or what you've told me of the Hellfire Legion and the Outcasts. Unfortunately, politics doesn't work that way, especially since you managed to anger both the bureaucrats on Manhattan and the combined strength of the Liberty Navy High Command, Liberty Security Force Director and whatever governing body the Liberty Police Incorporated claim to have.
If it were up to me, my price would be that you bring me the head of LPI Officer Sharon Turrets and slap Avery Reeves around a bit, but those are personal issues which I will deal with in due course. However, it would be helpful to know what Battlegroup Auxesia is capable of. You've mentioned many things to me personally, but I still keep complaining to you about how little I really know. It will not be enough for the aggressively capitalist Republic of Liberty that you will eventually cut ties with the Hellfire Legion. You already know that we do not speak for them, but the price is likely to be much higher unless you can show the Agency, and the rest of Liberty, just what you're capable of.
Given how recently you were banished from Liberty by the government, you will probably need to commit yourself to long-term efforts to repair the damage, if neutrality really is what you seek. The Agency will do what it can but as I said, we're not a political organisation. We just make one or two of them disappear from time to time.
Stroking my ego should be the least of your worries. I've never doubted your competence as an intelligence agent, especially knowing a small bit of your past. Though, I think you'll find I'm a rather persuasive person. Your operational secrets won't stay hidden forever, pffft. I don't really care about them that much unless they're relevant, which by the way, thanks for informing me about that Outcast. I have yet to look into it, but I'll get to it. My training has varied from The Denver Academy, to West Point, to Monterrey and Leniex, to personal improvements into my own means of operating. Counter-Intelligence is a wonderful thing to know. Playing the part of a loose lipped and open idiot works out.
You're right. We're very interested in rectifying our relations with the Republic, as our past mistakes really pissed off a lot of people it seems. I don't expect this to happen overnight, in a week, or anytime soon, but having your agency willing to vouch and assist us is a good first step. Politics have always been a fickle subject in our line of work, especially being as independent as we are. We don't have a lot of allies to rely on, and we make do with what we have, trying our best to stay as neutral as possible. Unfortunately, our need to repair one of our vessels had upset the Republic with our choice to approach the Legion for aid. Its obvious to me you're interested in mutual cooperation, but it's also a matter of ensuring that others within Liberty are as well. One step forward, I guess.
I don't know Sharon Turrets, and I could see why you'd want Reeves to take a beating, you and I might be able to negotiate solutions to your personal issues, but this is not the place for that. You want to know what we're capable of. It's... Difficult to describe, really. We're a lot larger than most independent groups out there, mainly due to my previous work independently before the forming of Auxesia. My forces, the people who worked under me for three years, merged with the Battlegroup, following the near loss of Auxesia's entire fighting force. In fact, it tripled Auxesia's strength. I don't think I have to remind you that we're in possession of several Capital-Class vessels, and are always finding ways to keep them maintained. Such means of maintenance aren't something I intend to disclose, as it would jeopardize relationships with other organizations throughout Sirius.
We grow stronger with each passing week, surviving on what we can obtain. We do contract work to keep ourselves afloat financially. Escorting passing convoys, fighting pirates, mundane tasks for monetary gain. We're often out tracking down Nomads, or their thralls. I already told you about the remains recovered from the Coalition, and their little escapade to the Omicrons. I'm still not too clear on the details as to why they went as far as Delta, but it's something that concerns me with them having been carrying alien materials back to their homeland. You know our goals already, I don't need to repeat them. While time between our exile from Liberty isn't our friend, we're doing our best to repair relations both openly and covertly, kind of like how we're talking right now.
In the meantime, I trust you've decided against re-evaluating who you talk to. Powerful friends and smart, capable people work in your advantage, agent. Besides, I believe I offered you a drink at some point.
Transmission; Start
Identification: Agent Sonja Kerensky
Location: Office Red Oscar
Encryption: Secure
Joshua Hunt;
I appreciate the offer of a drink with you, hopefully not about business but I'm not great at small-talk. You may not doubt my competence as an intelligence agent, but when I spill secrets like one about the Recusant in particular, I'm not doing my job. Either way, that particular issue seems to have been resolved. I also appreciate your offer to help me with those personal issues, but I'll do it some other way for now.
On another note, it is perhaps fitting that within half a day, I hear from my colleague Megan Xei of Auxesia's actions in concert with the VWA and against a Rheinland Military Battleship.
It is a shame that my government will probably not acknowledge events like this due to the new peace, although my understanding is that the incident in question occurred outside of Liberty. The Agency, however, is very appreciative of events like this, and I imagine that other parts of the Forces of Liberty would concur if you could prove the event occurred.
I'm curious too as to what the Coalition is doing with nomad materials. On the other hand, it's probably the simple answer; looking for a technical edge from any source they can, just like the rest of us. It's definitely a concerning development but it wouldn't come as a surprise to me if that were the case. The Coalition are definitely capable of surprises, but I wouldn't think that this is one of them. Regardless, the Agency isn't in a position to investigate this currently, so if you're the curious one, I'll have to leave it to you.
You're right though, I won't be re-evaluating who I speak with. Not now, anyway. Evidently you're too strong to ignore, so it would be silly of me to turn my back on you. If it weren't for our roots in the Liberty Security Force, it sounds as if Auxesia would be stronger than us as a standalone entity. It is an unfortunate shame that doing what you felt needed to be done has landed you in such hot water here in the sector core.
I'm sure there will be better news to come between us in the future.
Strange how quickly word seems to travel about what was meant to be a quick and quiet job. Unfortunately, I suppose it's owed to the fact that the vessel in question had hyperspace manipulation technology, and managed to escape before their hull began to collapse. Whether or not they acknowledge our actions in Luneburg is irrelevant, as it was only a means of obtaining funds. That's the official story, anyway.
As for the Coalition, we've yet to find out ourselves. They're not exactly a friendly bunch, as our close ties with some of the locals in that region of space left them with a sour taste in their mouths after a skirmish. Though you may be right, that they could've intended to use such as a means of gaining an edge over the Corsairs, the Houses, or even the Reapers of Sirius. This is likely the case, as such groups moving materials have only power in mind. It certainly merits further investigation.
While our past actions seemed to have dictated their stance towards us, I still see reason to attempt to ratify neutrality between the Republic and Auxesia. It'd certainly be a more beneficial relationship in the future. I can't speak for a comparison of strength between your agency and the Battlegroup, but from what I can tell, we are still a force to be reckoned with.
As for that drink, were it not to discuss business or to humor my curiosity, I wouldn't have offered. Do with that as you will. The next time I'm around, I'll stop by.
Transmission; Start
Identification: Agent Sonja Kerensky
Location: Office Red Oscar
Encryption: Secure
Joshua Hunt;
I am glad that we could share a drink upon one of your assets, the Cincinnati. I must admit, I do enjoy your company, even if you see fit to dine in armour aboard your own vessel. Thank you for not shooting me, by the way.
Surely you've already guessed, but the Agency and I are watching current events unfold in Omicron Delta with some interest.
Another talking point for the future, I'm sure. Hopefully no intrusions cut short our next meet.
The events in Delta have steadily escalated to a full scale war between the various Omicron dwellers. We've been on scene since returning from the borders of Liberty. We've been providing escorts, and steady logistical support for the occupants of Freeport 11. The Core have revealed their true nature as warmongering totalitarians, attacking civilians for tobacco products. The daily attacks, and arrival of both the Nomads and their thralls, has turned Omicron Delta and the surrounding systems into an active war zone. I'm attaching a file from one of our Guardian's, showing the combat that has been taking place non-stop.
In addition, while our meeting was cut short, I enjoyed the time we had. The armor was due to my presence within the Omicrons, and since I had intended to return, it wouldn't be time effective to change. I have no intention of shooting a friend and potential ally, nor was I armed throughout the meeting.