Sender: Angelina "Latrodectus" Miller
Recipient: Agent 'Siren'
CC: None
BCC: XA-Cobra
Subject: Re: The Offer
Greetings agent,
So far all you need to know is that I will function as your contact within the Alliance. Cobra will be kept up-to-date, but I will speak not just for him, but for the entire Xeno Alliance.
Yet, to break the status quo which you have mentioned, you would need to offer us something anyways. Support in form of materials and occasionally currency is - as you might may imagine - not as promising as a concrete offer. What do you hope and expect of this goal? How far are you willed to go to support the Xeno Alliance when you know that we're fighting your other lawful institutions quite often?
Have you ever heard about the S.M.A.R.T. objectives? Whatsoever, let me explain what I mean by that real quick.
I would like your offer, and our potential deal, to be specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time-bound. You certainly understand that we are not willed to take any risks, inconveniences or anything, that is similar to being uncomfortable when making deals with our actual enemy. The only reason why this whole talk takes place is that you are not keen immediately engaging our people whenever you see them, and that you give them the opportunity to just leave Or even ignore them. The LSF is unlike the police and navy obviously, yet, you're still working for the same government which we do not support.
Therefore, give us something concrete, before we say either "Yes, we accept the deal" or "No, we do not accept the deal". I am deeply convinced that both of us, not as sole persons, but as whole organizations, are not keen on breaking agreements with our anyway tense relationship. You have mentioned that, if you should support our organization, we would do some work for you as well. Again. The conditions have to be favorable.
I do not except you to gift anything to us. That's far from what I would expect of a deal, yet, it has to be of a certain value. The information which you provided concerning those Nomads is the only reason why this opportunity - to be specific, this offer - is considered at all.
Awaken our interest and the LSF will profit as well.
Incoming Transmission Liberty Security Force
Tactical Operations
Agent 'Siren'
(What exactly is 'The End'?)
Indeed, indeed, what could we offer you before and at the end that you would be in favor of?
Do our goals align that far? How far would the end be? While one could favor the potential of a long lasting bond leading to something greater than just the Xenos, you and I both know that circumstances, leaders, and people most of all, change.
I am not well-spoken, and I am not going to make very non-specific promises and goals for yourself, or our little deal here. Instead, I'll tell you what my current goal is.
Pacification of the Rogues. Of the Lane Hackers, the dregs of Rheinland pushing into Texas. The Hellfire Legion. I want our borders safe, and I want those who's sole intention is the degradation of Liberty and her peoples to be put in their place. Liberty bleeds because of these criminals, rogue military elements, and outside invaders. Even the Xenos have drawn a small amount of blood from Liberty, but rarely ever was it solely for the credit. Perhaps out of need, but of those I've spoken to, both imprisoned and free to roam, the intention was hardly ever personal profit. That's why we speak today.
Indeed, today, tomorrow, even weeks or months into the future, I can assure you there will be shots fired between us. Perhaps personal, perhaps not. One must defend their allies, and as you've made clear, your allies are not the officials of Liberty, and likewise, the Liberty forces are our allies. I want to avoid such instances, but rarely do plans ever go just as you intended.
I am not familiar with your end-game, truthfully. I am aware of your political stances and alignment, and frankly, ones end goals are never fully set in stone, with them changing as society changes, as the years pass, as enemies appear and disappear.
My current goal is pacification. For that, it always requires a strong arm, and a considerable amount of firepower. Indeed, Liberty wields such power, but bureaucracy often prevents it from being swung in the direction it needs to be. I cannot offer you anything in the long term, but as circumstances change and our relationship develops, I can instead offer support to more immediate and tangible goals that will by-and-large benefit the Xeno Alliance. So I'll be succinct.
How do you feel about the Alabama regaining full functionality?
Sender: Angelina "Latrodectus" Miller
Recipient: Agent 'Siren'
CC: None
BCC: XA-Cobra
Subject: Re: (What exactly is 'The End'?)
Very well.
If your understanding of pacification equals our understanding of eradication, we have similar goals, Siren. Those pests should not have rights to move freely within our beautiful colony and must be punished for doing so!
Furthermore, the both of us would prefer to avoid inconveniences - like fights between the Alliance and LSF - but we will see how things will develop over time. Be assured I will try to keep the snakes of being tempted to shoot your agents' vessels whenever I can. Let us hope that they will decide so by themselves as well if they aren't watched. That's all I can do in that matter of protecting this potential deal.
I admit. Now we get to the point that awoke huge interest in my mind; the Alabama. What do you know about it? Of course I do not mean the past, but the current state. The fact that you start your initial offer with a battleship is impressive. Yet, it seems a bit desperate, too. Supporting your enemies to get the job done without actively switching sides. Anyways.
You are basically willed to support us with materials, maybe even doctrines to get a battleship, a Xeno battleship, onto the field to support you with your goal of pacification - eradication - of Rogues, Lane Hackers, Rheinlanders and whoever else tries to set their feet into our colony? And in return for that battleship you plan on giving us assignments which aren't welcome by your false government. Maybe you should hand us some blueprints as well. Just in case.
Depending on the conditions that is a deal we may consider. Now it comes down to the details.
Incoming Transmission Liberty Security Force
Tactical Operations
Agent 'Siren'
Vigiliant was the Viper
What do I know of the Alabama?
As much as questioning Xenos and our documentation can supply. An aged dreadnought that was last seen in relatively one piece before, quite effectively, vanishing, and more or less a monument of your movement. I know nothing of its current condition. Was it gutted and left as a husk? Judging by your interest, it wasn't melted down into spare hull panels, which means it still exists in some form that can be called 'workable'. It is up to you to tell myself what sort of condition it is in. If it even has so much as a functioning reactor and drive core, we can accelerate this plan quite easily.
First and foremost, you must understand there will be caveats to the restoration of the Alabama. You will be observed, which I'm certain you're already aware of. Secondly, after initial reactivation, the maintenance and repairs towards the ship will be entirely up to the discretion of the Liberty Security Force. At the risk of my own career, I would leave you with a functioning weapon of mass destruction. But I also leave you with one of the largest drains to your limited economy you could ever wish for. If it's critically damaged in an encounter with Liberty forces, you will not see a single credit of assistance in its repair, and it may yet again be nothing but the largest paperweight you've ever had. Perhaps your movement would do something incredibly bold with it, and cause more in damage than what you risk to lose in the Alabama. But the Xenos did not persist by drawing the entire, incredibly massive ire of Liberty all at once.
But I've lost the plot.
Before anything is given to your cause, and any more specifics are told, I need to know the condition of the Alabama, and in particular, the location of it. A systems diagnostic printout would be particularly appreciated, if any of the electronics are still functional.
Unless you intend to haul it through open space in front of the watchful eyes of Liberty?
Sender: Angelina "Latrodectus" Miller
Recipient: Agent 'Siren'
CC: None
BCC: XA-Cobra
Subject: Re: Vigiliant was the Viper
So, Siren.
I'm disappointed. As quick as you managed to build up some excitement among our people, you managed to take this excitement away even quicker. You start to mention the Alabama, giving us hope we would achieve to reestablish that particular battleship and bring it up onto the battlefield. You start to make this deal more valuable than we would have expected at first.
Then, you tell us that you do not know anything about its current state, its current position, what happened to it after our people left it behind. The one and only thing that was right in your entire statement is the fact, that this counts as a monument for us, and still you did not get this right either. One would think, the LSF would be informed better, maybe even have contacts - spies - among our people.
You have said it yourself. It's gone. Vanished. Do you really think that our people - who did not have a warship themselves - would try to tow a ship that big back to a safe haven after successfully taking it out? Towing a warship back to a base and risk to be caught during the whole process, as we know that we do not necessarily need it to stand against our enemies - whatever they throw at us? The fact that we are able to take out warships with the craft we have is more valuable than the ship itself. This history unites us. This history is our monument. Anyways - your history class is over.
Furthermore, you do not only assume wrong facts, but also insult our organization. First, you suggest full observation, knowing that we would not agree on that - unless you assume that we would be stupid. Then, you - additionally - attach another statement that implies that we would be stupid. Do you really think we would not value a warship under our control? My dear agent Siren. I start to think that you do not value this deal - this entire opportunity - at all.
Since you obviously can't give us a warship, and enormously devalued this deal - and insulted us - I do not just suggest you to reconsider your conditions, but rethink your entire position in this negotiation. You've set the conditions previously, now it's our turn to hand over our demands.
You will send us materials - we will give you a list of what we will need - so we may build another fighter/bomber-squadron. This squadron might. Might be ready to support you here and there if it's necessary for your operations. Of course without any obvious connections. You will send us those materials under our conditions. We decide where they will be delivered to, we will decide about the time when they are to be delivered.
And with this final statement, I do officially warn you. Think exactly about your words which you choose in your next message. If it seems like another insult, or if you alter the offer and return some more ridiculous terms, you might just miss your opportunity to get help from our organization to solve your own problems.
Incoming Transmission Liberty Security Force
Tactical Operations
Agent 'Siren'
Neither confirm, deny.
Miss Miller.
It seems we've both assumed the wrong things about each other, with myself doing so in a more jabbing manner. For that, I apologize. Not for the sake of the deal, but simply out of being a decent person. If the Alabama is ever brought up again, perhaps I'll elaborate on my previous response.
For now, I would like to make things clearer for both of our sakes. The Force is not desperate for outside support, and especially in not such a way that could be reduced down to 'Maybe, but perhaps not'. To that extent, I should just move on from this conversation, since you have maneuvered in such a way that would have you in the position of power, the one holding the key to the city, despite it being my resources. I am not fond of politics and diplomacy, but even I can see how you are attempting to aggressively negotiate for a gain while leaving me feeling as if I have made a grave error. But then, I could be assuming the worst out of you. It is part of my job to do so after all.
So let me take a few steps back. I will not bring you any materials for barely a 'maybe'. Instead it will be out of good faith. No strings, I will bring you the materials you need, and encourage you to tack on any commodities the Xenos need. I wish not to assume the worst out of you, and I would like you to assume my intentions are for the better, even if my skills as a diplomat are lacking.
The materials you desire and supplies you may need, and all I ask is for a small amount faith in my intentions.
First of all, let me compare the conditions that both of us set for this potential deal. I hope this helps you to understand how destructive too strong conditions can become for a negotiation, especially if they are happening between opponents. Anyway. Let's get over to the comparison.
First, you gave us your conditions, you went for total observation. Of course you would not only have had control over the reestablishment of the battleship, but also the chance to gain valuable information for your entire organization. Your very first offer was favoring you so much more than us, even if we would have gotten a warship out of it. That would have been a small price for you, but a huge disadvantage for us if we consider all the opportunities you would have gotten out of this.
Then, after I cleared up the situation around the Alabama, I handed over our conditions. A list of materials for a squadron, that might support you. It brought you into a situation of concern, since there was a chance that you would support our organization without getting anything in return. We would have won a lot out of it, while you pretty much would not have gained anything. Both offers had enormous disadvantages for one side and huge advantages for the other side.
That's about the negotiation up to this point.
Now, I will not alter my offer by a lot, but make it fairer for both sides. We, still, will give you a list of materials which we will need and decide the place where it will be delivered to. It will be neutral space. Your people deliver it there and our people will pick it up. A third party will be involved. Someone who accepts the cargo of your men, keeps it until our men arrive and hands it over.
Of those materials we will build a squadron. We will pilot those ships and have them ready for your call. As you will call us, we will send them. There's just one more condition, which should be self-explaining, yet, I will explicate it further just to be assured. We will inform you as soon as possible whether we send our pilots or not. If the situation's too hot, there's a chance that we won't. We have to manage our resources carefully. We won't send our people into a suicide-mission, which you can certainly understand. I'm convinced the LSF would not send its pilots to death either, if it can be avoided. However, if we feel like the pilots are not ready to fulfill their part, we may see if we find pilots who are capable of dealing with it. If they are available depends on the then current situation, though. We will do our best to fulfill our part of the agreement.
Let me assure you, we have faith into the LSF, hence why we are still talking. It is just your part to show that you have faith into us as well. You did the opposite when you insulted us. Still, keep in mind that you have been the person to come up with this deal as first. It's a good opportunity for both sides, and those conditions are fair.
Again, if you accept:
we will send you a list of materials
the delivery will happen to a neutral place
we will build a squadron out of those materials
we will pilot that squadron
that squadron will be ready for your cause (if the circumstances are not too hot)
I will await your answer. If you should happen to accept those conditions - I doubt that it will get any better - I will require some time to talk to people to get the list together before you will hear of me again. Otherwise, if you should decline, it will not take all too long until the next time that I will write here.
Incoming Transmission Liberty Security Force
Tactical Operations
Agent 'Siren'
Half Step
In hopes of seeing this venture move forwards, I'm content on those terms.
Indeed, we both know who is the better diplomat here, and TacOps generally has little use for such. It's been a while since I've learned something while on the job.
I await your response, and will set aside a few unmarked transports for this transfer.
It seems like we came to an agreement - so far. Attached you will find the list of Resources we we require to build those ships. You will deliver them to Ames Research Station in Kepler. There you will hand the commodities over to the Zoners. From there they will be delivered further, but that does not include your sent transporters.
Just to make this clear beforehand. Those materials are not just to produce the vessels for the squadron about which we have talked already, but the list does also include materials for repairs and general maintenance of course.
You have the chance to lower some of the values by a bit if you prefer that, but you should think about that really carefully before you decide to do that. Keep in mind that you will limit our efficiency drastically by reducing the amounts of materials. Also, we try to start the production immediately, but you certainly do understand that our resources are limited and we need those supplies - your supplies - as soon as possible.
See this promise of immediate production as an insurance for that you will get what you invest for.
Also, if you should really change some values, please let me know before you start your deliveries.