*Incoming Transmission*
Comm ID: Mad John Rackham
Location: Ambassador's Office, Shasta Orbital Skyhook, Baffin System
Encryption: High
To: The Order Overwatch
Greetings,
It has been some time since we were engaged in any kind of communication following our dispute regarding the Persephone. That we failed in our efforts to resolve the situation saddens us greatly, but we feel it is now time to heal the rift between our Factions and resume what was once a very cordial, friendly and mutually beneficial relationship.
It is a pity that our relationship disintegrated in the way that it did, through stubborn attitudes on both our sides, I think. But now it seems to me that we have an opportunity to mend those broken fences, if you are agreeable.
This message is in part because the Persephone is due for a complete strip down and replacement in the very near future, which should provide comfort to the Order that there is no sign of the Nomadic infestation that you suspected, but also the TAZ believe, as a whole, that we are allied with many of the Order causes and can provide trade and stepping stone freedom through Baffin, should you need it. Plus, to resume trade would benefit both Factions.
It would, we believe, be beneficial to open a dialogue, perhaps discuss our mutual goals, beliefs and benefits moving forward? I'm willing to meet in space at any mutually convenient venue if you agree.
⧫ Carthage
⧫ Omicron Epsilon
⧫ 06/10/824
⧫ FROM: The Order Overwatch
⧫ TO: Ambassador Mad John Rackham
The Discord
The Order is drastic answer to desperate times, Discordian. The tenants dictate to garden and preserve the Sirius, including taking the dangerous technology from unworthy hands. Those who had rallied behind Persephone were a real threat in the big picture. Harvesting power from technology so far ahead of our own would prove disastrous in the long run. Their intentions were clear and I sincerely doubt they would NOT deploy it as last resort against for example Gallia. Humanity nearly extinguished itself with advent of 20th century nuclear, and later advanced fusion armanent of early 22th century of the Old era.
Noteworthy, the Persephone was reported as lost in transit however said words came from exact same Discordians that cathegorically refused to cope with The Order's demands. It is however our understanding that these had fallen from grace or otherwise repented or dispersed into the void. The convenient lie it was to get us off their backs at least for while longer... Consequences we already seen.
However your promise sparks enough hope to at very least hear what you have to say. I will attend the meeting personnaly on mutual neutral ground in the northern constellations of Sirius... Nearest a midpoint is Zoner colony of Freeport 10. The Order has no enemies there and TAZ will be shielded from Gallic interference. We will obey standard Confederate laws in effect and keep the meeting low-profile.
Grand Admiral Michal Golanski
Black Fleet, 1st Battlegroup "Wargods"
*Incoming Transmission*
Comm ID: Mad John Rackham
Location: Ambassador's Office, Shasta Orbital Skyhook, Baffin System
Encryption: High
To: Admiral Golanski
CC: Order Overwatch
Admiral,
It was good to meet you face to face at Freeport 10 recently, thanks for taking the time to travel and meet up with me, I felt it was an extremely positive discussion.
To summarise, I made a couple of general notes. The TAZ tend not to make too many contracts on paper, the written words seem to get lost, blown away in the wind, or burned too easily. We stick to a handshake though....
Anyway, this is pretty much how I gathered our discussion...the principle being that...
Continued animosity between our Factions is now irrelevant due to the forthcoming scrap and rebuild of the Persephone (with no Alien esoteric enhancements incorporated)
And to nurture our relations....
The Order will arrange for access to Freeport 11 and Omicron Mu via Sigma 17 for the TAZ, to avoid other, more precarious routes to the south, so that we can provide supplies as requested by the Order from time to time, particularly from those sources which are inaccessible to Order trade ships.
TAZ will provide free assistance, docking and passage through Baffin for any Order ship. Any TAZ Robe in the area will assist with this.
As a result, our Factions will stand down unfriendly status with each other.
Hopefully, this coincides with your thoughts Admiral. Please let me know, we have felt for some time that we need to get this sorry issue behind us.
⧫ Akabat
⧫ Omicron Mu
⧫ 17/10/824
⧫ FROM: The Order Overwatch
⧫ TO: Ambassador Mad John Rackham
The Discord
The Order is ready to lift the sanctions... under following agreed terms.
The Discordians will once again obtain their ability to enter The Order Protectorate save a single star system of Omicron 100, or Epsilon. It is neither relevant to Zoner trade routes or a place we want people to wander off and take pictures. Other than that, remainder of the systems under our control or claim will be open for both capital vessels and your trading flotilla. The TAZ will support the local economy as requested and establish adequate routes in and out of the Akabat. We will be given privy into plans and details of the... new Persephone merely to confirm what you had claimed. Any classified information we may or not got to know will be treated as The Order's own military secret, disclosure of being punishable harshly under our own regulations. The TAZ and The Order will also co-operate against Nomads and other threats to mankind, both overtly and covertly.
You are no doubt aware of what is happening in Omicron Delta. The revelation of the extend of sympathy for the Core's cause is troubling, at least given very dubious loyalty of the new Guildmaster of the Core. While things remain civil for the time being, I cannot foresee whether option of violence is off the table. To my knowledge, Confederacy is the closest thing to a "unified government" - as loose as it actually is - of the Zoner movement, encompassing every single Zoner party in control of at least one installation: this includes the Discordians.
While your stance towards us clear cut since the meeting, the TAZ is still part of the political body that confronts our authority and actively works against our interest directly on our own backyard. In case hostilities in fact erupt, the matter of TAZ within this dispute is unclear both to the Admiralty and regular soldier that simply follows our orders. Am I to expect that TAZ will somehow distance themselves from the Confederation, or openly defy them? I would hate simple misunderstandings result in armed conflict between us two to erupt once again over actions of people that are not even part of your sacred order.
We will be otherwise taking steps towards implementing our part of the bargain into action for the time being. Welcome to The Order Overwatch Protectorate and do not forget to visit the diverse community of the Akabat... the only place in Sirius that co-joins all cultures and paths of life under one unified banner.
Grand Admiral Michal Golanski
Black Fleet, 1st Battlegroup "Wargods"
*Incoming Transmission*
Comm ID: Mad John Rackham
Location: Ambassador's Office, Shasta Orbital Skyhook, Baffin System
Encryption: High
To: Admiral Golanski
CC: Order Overwatch, TAZ
Admiral,
Thanks for your response, we can well understand the delay given current circumstances in Omicron Delta.
But let's address that issue later, far more important to us is to re-establish our relationship and to be welcomed back to the Protectorate. Likewise, your presence in Baffin is, from now cordially welcomed.
As you suggest, TAZ will form a mutually beneficial trade route in and out of the Akabat to grow our interests whilst respecting the Order's wishes for privacy in Epsilon. It's appreciated that you are providing such open access to Order space.
Plans for the re-constructed Persephone will be available to the Order under a Non Disclosure Agreement to keep bespoke technical design details away from the hands of potential enemies of both our Factions. Once operational, the rebuilt Persephone will have the capability of resisting threats against mankind, from any source, and will be vigorously backed up through whatever other resources the TAZ are able to muster.
We share your concerns regarding the situation in Omicron Delta, the TAZ are very worried that the Core might take over control of the management of any Freeport and are strongly opposed to it, both in practice and in principal. We will continue to lobby against this proposal and if it is allowed to proceed, consider our position with the CoF as a whole. Should hostilities between Zoners and the Order become inevitable in this respect, we would appreciate the opportunity to discus our positions and retain our newly re-found diplomacy with the Order, we have no desire to lose this opportunity of reconciliation due to the actions of some third party.
In the meantime, we'll look out for ID passes to become available, so as to open trade gates.