---Commence Transmission---
To: Corsair Elders
From: Captain Eric McCormick of the Order and Diplomatic Officer Mives of the Order
Location: Planet Toledo, Omicron Minor System
Subject: Artifact Smuggling Agreement
Lately, the Nomads known as the Keepers have been forming more coordinated attacks and we fear that if they manage to find a shipment of alien artifacts, they could somehow gather information from it and become even more powerful. Currently, Corsair tagged pilots have been able to carry artifacts through Order Space without any trouble from us, since we do not want to harm the alliance between us and the Corsairs.
However, many vessels which do not appear to be of Corsair origin have been smuggling artifacts through Order Space as well and we fear that they may be taking the artifacts for their own personal benefit. We fear that these artifacts could turn other people into targets by the Nomads if they are seen with these artifacts. Also, it opens up the risk of possible infestation, since others do not treat artifacts as carefully as the Corsairs (after all, you know perfectly well of the Nomad threat, since you have dealt with them on numerous occasions).
Therefore, I would like to ask the Corsair Elders if there is anyway we can come to a compromise. While Corsair ships are allowed to pass through Order Space unharmed, we are not so sure about other non-Corsair ships. However, we do not want to attack them outright without your say for fear that you may think we are harming your source of income, which could destroy our alliance.
We do not want to harm your smuggling business, but we do not want to risk further infestation either. What do you think would be the best possible action so that we can fulfill both of these goals?
Sincerely,
Eric McCormick
Captain of the Order
Order Diplomacy
Mives
Diplomatic Officer of the Order
---Transmission Completed---
Carlos Rivera: Corsair Brotherhood Pirate - Retired, shifted to Tripoli Shipyard's Research and Development engineering teams Anthony Cameron: Guild Core Bounty Hunter - Killed in Action, committed suicide after being trapped in Omicron Minor following its destruction Juan Ruiz: Outcast Ghost of Razgriz Pirate - Killed in Action, killed by the Sirius Coalition Revolutionary Army during Bretonian piracy raid Michael Winchester: Liberty Security Force Agent - Missing in Action, likely killed during Rheinland espionage mission or trapped in Rheinland Space Eric McCormick: Order Pilot - Retired, shifted to planetside training of new recruits
-Incomming Transmission-
-From: Krixx Treia, Omicron-100-
-Subject: Atefact commerce through Order space-
-To: The Corsair Elders-
Dear Elders,
I am no official of the Order, but this -still- needs to be discussed. Some of us, in our confusion, decided to destroy some Junker cargos, as well as other independants such as Freelancers. All of us still have in mind the first nomad war and its cause in mind: the Artefacts. As stated earlier, proper handling is required with such things, and we doubt that Non-Corsairs have the ability to handle Artefacts like the Corsairs and the Order.
Do not consider this as a threat to your commerce, but as a point that needs to be cleared,
Incomming transmission
From: Elder Globalo, Elder of The Brotherhood
To: Captain Eric McCormick
This is not official answer from Corsair Council, But let me say some things.
First is, that some of our ships exploded in minor because some of your capital ship captains, decided to destroy them. That is not good poing to start discussion about artifacts.
Second is, you are talking about non corsair vessels. And for who are these pilots working you think? You think is possible to sneak to the lucrative black market in houses, when you have Corsair typed on nose of your ship? I am sure you know that it is impossible, because noone will give docking right to a corsair in house systems. Thats why majority of ships used for carrying artifacts trough minor look as indepent ships, taht make less attention in houses.
And as you noticed, in last months, none of the smuggler vessel was attacked by nomads, that mean our pilots have enough skills to avoid them and deliver their cargo to target destination.
From: Elder Ben Laowai
Battleship Venganza, Omicron Gamma:
To: Eric McCormick
Captain of the Order
Order Diplomacy
We understand your concern. While we do concede the right of the Order to police their own space as they see fit, we would prefer that any shipments containing artifacts be left alone. This is a substantial part of our trade and as such we would prefer that it be left alone and as free from impediment as possible.
However, we do not encourage our carriers to traverse your space, indeed, we do consider it the more dangerous route.
At this point, we would ask that the Order exercise restraint in this matter, we would ask that you do not interfere with these shipments, but we do accept that the Order may conduct its own affairs in the space claimed as it's own.
Should you wish to discuss this further you have our frequencies.
Incomming transmission
From: Sius Malacos, Grand Admiral, Order
To: Corsair Elders
Elders, I thought I'd say some of my own words in this.
We are developing a form of... "contraband" list. In it are synthetic marijuana, and of course those drugs the Outcasts and their allies use. Any shipments with those will of course be stoped and asked to drop their cargo.
However, the problem arrises with the Artifact smuggling.
As of now, we're in a mix in this as it conflicts our interests. And I do wish to come to a peaceful conclucsion regarding the Artifact trade.
For starters, would it be reasonable to ask that any ship with an Official Corsair family tag (ie. benitez, the brotherhood, the omega pirate guild, and the hispania armed forces) be left alone by Order forces, however other vessels be stopped as routine? I'm sure that your families and larger groups know how to trade safely, without risk of nomad infection, however the smaller, independant contractors might not have that expertise at hand.
Pardon me for this interruption, but the Order trully is worried about this. Most of us wonder how Junkers and such have access to Alaska (although I can believe that a sneaky Freelancer could do such a thing). If we destroy a convoy (which are isolated cases), it was for the safety of Sirius, because of the smuggler's ignorance about the danger of Artefacts (in most cases, Junkers). While we understand that this commerce is necessary to your survival, the Corsairs should understand why the Order is shocked.
If I may have my word in all thyis (that isn't necessarily supported by the Order HQ), I believe that all non-Corsair convoys, or at least these who aren't escorted by Corsais, should be asked to use a more conveniant way.
If it isn't the Order that neutralizes this convoy, it will be the LSF or the Liberty Navy. And none of us want them to be in possession of Artefacts, especially to study them.
...Incoming Transmission...
Source: Aki Kimura, Order High Command
-Begin Transmission-
"Any vessel found to be carrying any form of contraband, artifacts or otherwise, through order space without Hogosha or Corsair Identification will have their cargo confiscated by The Order. Vessels which refuse to give up this cargo will be destroyed. This is a no tolerance policy, and one that has been enforced for quite some time - I fail to see why this question is being brought up now."
"The Order exists as an organization which strives to protect humanity, from any and all threats. Whether these threats are from within human society, from alien sources, or from artifacts or abusive substances, we will not allow them to continue."
"It is only to our allies, because of these alliances, that we refrain from confiscating cargo, and we will only refrain from confiscating artifacts in that circumstance. All drugs, illicit substances, slaves, and other forms of contraband will not be accepted."
"And, directed at pilots and officers of The Order, please refer to section 21, subsections 16A, B, C, and D of your protocol manuals:"
21. Confiscation and Return of Illicit Goods:
16A: Slaves that are rescued/confiscated within Order space should be immediately returned to Battleship Isis in orbit of Planet Toledo, where they will receive medical treatment and remain on lockdown until an Order transport vessel arrives to return these citizens to House Space.
16B: Any of the following forms of cargo or commodity confiscated by Order craft should be returned ASAP to the nearest Order Research Facility for processing:
-Alien Artifacts
-Gaian Wildlife
-Nomad Remains
-Nomad Technology and/or Weaponry
-Captured pilots of Wilde or Phantom Origin
16C: Any of the following commodities which are confiscated by Order craft should be destroyed or disposed of at the earliest convenience:
-Synthetic Marijuana
-Cardamine
16D: Living nomad remains which are deemed to be a threat are to be immediately destroyed; preferrable method is by disintegration in a vacuum environment after jettison of cargo to ensure that no portion of the organism remains.
"That is all, I trust this issue will not arise again. Admiral Kimura out."
Mrs. Kimura, I'm sorry we have to debate this among ourselves at this point. Why should we deny our friends and our comrades the liberty they very well deserve in our systems? They help us all the time and we often fight a common enemy. Why should we show such strick hostility to our brethren? I of course agree with the confiscation of drugs, other illegal substances, and the prevention of the trade of human life. But we should be prepared to give our friends some of what they would like. Perhaps, this simple jesture of good-will may strengthen our relationship. And of course, there is the matter of making sure these artifacts stay in the hands of the corsairs. These matters can be cleared by these communications. Mrs. Kimura, not everything can be solved with a handfull of rules. I would urge you to be more flexible with the people we cooperate so often with.
Mr. Laowai, I do hope that Mrs. Kimura would agree with me in saying that an agreement that can benifit us both will come from our communications. I have thought that perhaps a code system could be worked out that will be simple, but know only to our two factions that may garuntee your traders fast and safe passage through our systems. Let me know if you think of anything. We will be in contact...
-Order Diplomatic Envoy Mives
(logged_base_3532.4>>)
-connection sustained-
...awaiting further transmissions...
Since I gained temporary leadership of the Brotherhood for the duration of Elder Sephardi's absence, I gained access to this channel. Therefore, I have this to say about the issue at hand.
Vessels shipping artifacts are doing so with our say-so. There are always Corsairs guarding Omicron Gamma, as well as those extracting Artifacts on Crete. Any active artifacts are usually handed over to specialists on the surface straight away before being loaded on to a transport. Every artifact goes through this process. If you feel that such checks are not being made frequently enough, then drop off more specialists to oversee the screening process. You are free to do so.
What we will not tolerate is the destruction of any vessels containing Artifacts by the hand of the Order. If we see such actions transpire anywhere in Sirius, we will treat you as if you were any other enemy we have to face. We will be doing this out of neccessity to protect our income, which we use to feed our families and clothe our children. Neither you, nor anybody else, will get in the way of the well-being of any Corsair.
Bear this in mind before you or your ships open fire please.
ncomming transmission
From: Elder Globalo, Elder of The Brotherhood
To: Miss Kimura
So, zero tolerance policy you say? Then i have another questions.
Can you say me, how many ships was damaged by artifacts? i answer it for you, 0. and nwo you know why, elder Montoya explained it. And i will say it again, all ships carrying artifacts from our home, are working for us.
And be sure, that when i am guarding gamma, and someone from transport ask for help, i help him...