To start, I want it to be known that I don't hold any grudge towards the people who thought to use my ship as target practice. Frankly, the burn marks on the hull look pretty cool, so despite the hull breaches it's actually pretty top notch.
We were caught in the middle, and in that kind of chaos, rules and logic pretty much go right out the window.
Regardless, I'm still hopeful that some of the more diplomatic talks that preceded the fighting can be built upon. I'm not actually quite sure who was in command of the Liberty gang there, since the only rank I ever heard was 'Commander', but I remember this from the mountain of shouting going on..
[25.05.2023 22:10:54] 1st|LNS-Liberty's.Arrow: CO: I am willing to consider the area around Bethlehem Neutral space I suppose for now...
.. and in combination with a mutual interest in seeing Med Force take up Ingenuus' seat, I have a hope that can be built on.
Of course, I'm aware that people in suits will need to be involved for truly official measures to be taken, at least as far as Liberty's concerned, but ad interim this will work just as well. This is, of course, from the perspective of one defense vessel's captain, so feed me your thoughts.
And here's to next time being less emotionally charged, yea?
James Augustus Porter
Captain, Defense Vessel Dominica
ENCRYPTION: ADMIRALTY-OMEGA-597A
SENDER: Blake Wayne Van Leer
SOURCE: Harrisburg Station
RECIPIENT: James A. Porter, Med Force
SUBJECT: Representation
Greetings Zoners!
The very fact that nobody sought to replace Ingenuus all these years simply tells you that cool heads have always been in charge, the co-habitation between Zoners and Liberty has always worked well in Pennsylvania - there was no treaty needed in the first place, and nobody even noticed Bethlehem Treaty has been deemed outdated.
The needless escalation was brought upon by aggressive foreign powers who don't seem to know Liberty at all, and who appear to be a well-organized, battle-hardened army bolstered by many foreign mercenaries for hire. They seem to not be even aware that although Erie is independent, the Docking ring and trade lanes have been manufactured, installed, maintained, and protected by Liberty from day 1, and used by Zoners en masse, including the foreign war parties.
Quote: [25.05.2023 22:16:29] Iron.Front: Marshall: They've went on for long enough. Dominica, clearance to engage.
[25.05.2023 22:17:47] Azrael: Remove them.
[25.05.2023 22:17:52] Wyrd: Zoners, who do you want dead first? [25.05.2023 22:18:06] 1st|LNS-Liberty's.Arrow: CO: Cease fire at once
[25.05.2023 22:18:06] 5th|John.Sherman: Shit...
[25.05.2023 22:18:07] [MFE]-Hans.von.Goeben: Zoners, please stay behind. We can not be sure who these warmongers are. [25.05.2023 22:18:08] Iron.Front: Marshall: Fire away! [25.05.2023 22:18:17] 1st|LNS-Liberty's.Arrow: CO: DO not open fire [25.05.2023 22:18:18] Caliban: Screw it...I'm opening fire. Screw you, tyrants. [25.05.2023 22:18:19] [MFE]-Hans.von.Goeben: Don't get dragged in that skrimish [25.05.2023 22:18:21] Iron.Front: Marshall: There will be no Navy personnel moving away.
We want to make it clear that our actions will be solely against these foreign aggressors and mercenaries who have blatant disrespect for the current Laws and peaceful situation in Pennsylvania, are not from Liberty, and have brought their well-organized, heavily armed mercenary bolstered military fleet to try to seize power in Pennsylvania while attacking our forces first despite our attempts at de-escalation.
Bethlehem Treaty
There simply was no need for one as long-lasting peace has been in place between Liberty's Zoners and Citizens. The odd Colony ship traversing New York without permission never even lead to anything more but a peaceful escort from Liberty. This situation has now changed - although it is clear to us the Liberty Zoners we all know and have worked with for years are, it will be hard to explain this distinction to the public without a current treaty being in place. It has to be in place with clear rules in order to help to draw the line between local peaceful Zoners and hostile warmongers and mercenaries with little to no knowledge of Pennsylvania who came to start a war. For that, all the Zoners of Liberty will have to decide on one of their factions as caretaker of Bethlehem (and possibly Ames Research Station) and therefore the main representative of Zoners of Pennsylvania.
This has to be an OFFICIALLY ORGANIZED Zoner entity or one fully backed by an officially organized Zoner entity that has the power to alter the LAWS OF ZONER FREEPORTS and hold official negotiations. Once it is decided, they should contact the Government of Liberty to hold negotiations and draw a new treaty.
We hope you understand our position - we have been backstabbed and caught off guard completely yesterday, the one-sided assault by the extremely aggressive Iron.Front started a completely unnecessary skirmish - these foreign powers do not represent the local Zoners, and Liberty's congress now will have no choice but to act. It is my personal hope that cooler heads like ours will continue to prevail and that Liberty will not see Zoners as one entity and hold them blankly accountable for this foreign war party's actions. Getting official representation of Zoners of Liberty to negotiate with our Government, and to distance themselves from these foreign warmongers would be a pivotal step! The sooner the better I might add!
How about we shift blame a little towards both sides, yea? If the Treaty had been made null, then rhetoric aside the loudmouth called 'Iron.Front' was within his rights to be assertive. His language could have been better chosen, but when push came to literal collision, words were out the window.
In any event, I figured I'd get the ball rolling. Renegotiating a treaty for Bethlehem and even Ames, or even reworking the old Treaty of Bethlehem itself to reflect the modern atmosphere. This is mostly for Med Force, as I'll wholly sponsor them, or whoever they sponsor themselves, as I imagine many aboard Bethlehem will as well. The local Zoner commune at this stage just needs stability in light of what's happening at Erie.
For now, considering the 'threat' this Iron.Front is representing, enforcing the No Fire Zone would likely be warranted to prevent further conflicts.
While I by no means hold any command over Bethlehem's NFZ, the locals as well as myself are still held to the guidelines outlined by the Freeport Network. Any provocation made by these 'foreigners' won't be tolerated as per the usual guidelines.
James Augustus Porter
Captain, Defense Vessel Dominica
Posts: 8,307
Threads: 737
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Dr. John Holliday
Location: Planet Erie
To: Captain James Porter; Admiral Van Leer
Gentlemen!
Let us be positive as I can see two men who have cooler heads. First, in the absence of the Ingenuus Zoners, I can respect that Liberty has honored the treaty as written. The Bretonian Crown would have voided it entirely so I applaud Liberty for this. I was not at Bethlehem when the cruisers were there so I will not speak much on it but Admiral, from the com you have shared, I see some people I do not recognize although I do know who Caliban is. For the record, if I were there, he would probably have shot me!
Admiral Van Leer, perhaps we should revalidate the Treaty of Bethlehem. I do know that Freeport 2 is mentioned in it, a Freeport which is now destroyed so some new language would be in order. I do not think a lot of change will be needed but someone taking the seat of the Ingenuus Zoners is needed as well. I can meet you at Bethlehem if you wish. This could be what is needed to settle things in Pennsylvania.
ENCRYPTION: ADMIRALTY-OMEGA-597A
SENDER: Blake Wayne Van Leer
SOURCE: Harrisburg Station
RECIPIENT: James A. Porter, Med Force
SUBJECT: Representation
Greetings Zoners!
Having a treaty in place is an absolute must, or any aggressive foreigner will be able to stir trouble and throw Pennsylvania's zoners into danger again.
For the treaty to be re-negotiated we need someone who has the official power to alter Zoner Laws to either take charge or officially or unofficially back one local entity who would speak with their mandate in this matter. In other words: OSI- or (\^/) Phoenix.
The selected party then has to contact the Government of Liberty, or the office of Boris Livingstone, Secretary of the Interior directly with the requests, the First Armada may seem currently a main Liberty Navy force, but we are an enforcement agency, the Liberty Navy holds no official authority in altering policy and treaties.
Posts: 8,307
Threads: 737
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Dr. John Holliday
Location: Planet Erie
To: Captain James Porter; Admiral Van Leer
Well then, I guess we have nothing else to discuss. Good luck getting Phoenix to come out from the Omicrons to a place they never really come to and OSI already authorized me to work on behalf of the Zoners but since you want "official powers," you, Sir, have just cast me out. If that is not good enough for you then I will be on my way.
ENCRYPTION: ADMIRALTY-OMEGA-597A
SENDER: Blake Wayne Van Leer
SOURCE: Harrisburg Station
RECIPIENT: James A. Porter, Med Force
SUBJECT: Representation
You got it wrong John!
If you do have the mandate from OSI who can change the Zoner Laws then nothing stands in your way in negotiating the renewed treaty directly with the government and/or the office of the Secretary of the Interior!
All that's left is for you to contact them, I wish you the best of luck!
Posts: 8,307
Threads: 737
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: Dr. John Holliday
Location: Planet Erie
To: Captain James Porter; Admiral Van Leer
CC: Bartolomew Kelsomagus, CEO, Omicron Supply Incorporated
So be it! I have CC'd Mr. Kelsomagus, CEO of OSI. I will let him vouch here rather than a whole new comm.
To: Doc Holliday CC: Captain James Porter; Admiral Van Leer Subject: Re: Representation
Good day John, Admiral Van Leer and Captain Porter,
I, Bartholomew Kelsomagus, Chief Executive Officer of Omicron Supply Industries (OSI), hereby give my vote of confidence to Dr. John H. Holliday in the position as official spokesperson and representative.
A treaty must be signed and Dr. Holliday has my trust and confidence to do so on behalf of those he represents.
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