Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco Recipient ID: The Overwatch; Section 8 Subject: Your Perspective Order High Command
My name is Fiorella Arianna de Marco, and while I typically serve as a diplomat representing Malta, this time however, I am not reaching out with official credentials. Despite our ongoing differences, I am interested in hearing out your own perspectives.
It seems that the Order, like us, has not overlooked the extraordinary events concerning the recent jump anomalies that have transpired over the past days and weeks. I am unsure of the Nomads' and their minions' involvement in all of this, yet it is likely they are already plotting how to exploit it to the detriment of us all.
This brings me to my question - we have successfully repelled your forces that infiltrated our territory in Omicron Beta, effectively closing the chapter on territorial disputes between us. Now, it is your decision whether you wish to persist in this conflict for ideological reasons, risking your men, ships, and stations - Or, you could cease hindering our interests and operations, and redirect your forces against the true threats that aim to annihilate both us and you.
I only ask in advance that you do away with the usual condescending tone. You are not addressing a civilian from the Colonies; you are speaking with someone whose nation has thrived in the inhospitable and perilous Omicrons for eight centuries - much, much longer than yours.
Of course, we are speaking in hypotheticals at this point, yet if we can find common ground - who knows - this might serve the Dons' interests to such an extent that it could become a practice.
Sender ID:Odysseus Receiver ID:Fiorella Arianna de Marco Encryption:Castle
Re: Your Perspective
Signora de Marco,
I am Odysseus and have been tasked with responding to this communique.
Despite our considerable reservations regarding your person and your affiliations, Section 8 is willing to hear you out on whatever exactly it is you wish to discuss in your unofficial, non-diplomatic capacity. We only ask that you, too, do away with your condescending tone. I look forward to a productive exchange of ideas.
Successes of your ancestors who landed on Malta and made that inhospitable alien world their home can hardly be attributed to your current generation. We are also not impressed by the random act of cosmic lottery that caused you to be born into this particular society and not the other. So spare us your ‘patronage’ for it insults both of us, Outcast.
However if you have something tangible to discuss that lies within our area of interest such as the Nomads or threats related to them, we can certainly talk. However, the minimum prerequisite is that you follow to the heart your own advice about condescending tone. Believe me you will find our language to be much less belligerent and far more productive in return.
Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco Recipient ID: Grand Admiral Michal Golanski; Odysseus Subject: Your Perspectives Grand Admiral and Operative Oddyseus
The events in the Omicrons - or the broader astropolitical situation, as you prefer - have indeed undergone a significant transformation, as I have mentioned in my earlier message. The gravimetric pulses that have disrupted jump holes and the discovery of this enigmatic 'system' within the seemingly empty void serve as a stark reminder that there are forces beyond our control, forces greater than all our collective conflicts.
I hold the suspicion that when the Kishiro conducted their jump drive test in Honshu - they unwittingly unleashed an unforeseen chain of events and maybe even opened the proverbial Pandora's box. While I am not privy to the specifics of what transpired in Liberty, I would surmise that both Houses converged on similar technological pursuits. Earhart, or whatever name one may ascribe to this 'system,' has completely upended our understanding of distances and connections across Sirius. The boundaries that once demarcated the territories of various astropolitical actors in Sirius have become blurred, and the impenetrable depths of the Omicrons are no longer eternally distant from the rest of Sirius.
It could have marked a revolutionary breakthrough in interstellar travel, were it not for the looming specter of the Nomads and their ilk, not to mention the well-intentioned, yet perhaps misguided scientists, whose work could inadvertently fall into the wrong hands. The Nomads have existed here long before we ventured into these realms - and if they have not already taken control - they and their allies likely enjoy a substantial head start.
Among the most contentious issues between Malta and your Order has been your presence in Omicron Beta. The other concerns your willingness to engage with our distant kin, the Corsairs, and your habit of interfering in our matters. The former, as I have previously noted, has ceased to be a concern while the latter - well, that is only up to you to decide.
The ongoing conflict between Malta and the Order is still relatively brief, at least by our own perception of time, and while many Dons may be content with the present situation and perhaps do not dwell too long on the identities of those their pilots hunt down during their roams, I believe there is an opportunity to reassess the situation - especially given the emerging realities.
Sender ID:Odysseus Receiver ID:Fiorella Arianna de Marco Encryption:Castle
Re: Your Perspective
Signora de Marco,
You certainly seem to be well informed regarding Kishiro's latest jump drive endeavors and the existence of the EARHART sector. This does not come as much of a surprise, given what Section 8 knows about you and the parties you affiliate yourself with.
What the discovery of EARHART means for Sirius and humanity remains to be seen. It is far too early for anything but speculation. I can assure you, however, that Section 8 has a vested interest in discovering what secrets this new sector may hold, as well as in ensuring that these secrets are not revealed to the wrong parties. Regrettably, Section 8 maintains the stance that the Maltese nation is such a wrong party. Your people are notoriously self-interested and greedy. We have no doubt that any information gleaned from EARHART will be used by Malta to further only its own interests, not those of humanity.
Unless you can assure us that you and your kind will act in the best interest of mankind going forward in regards to these new developments, I am afraid Section 8 will be unable to cooperate with you.
Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco Recipient ID: Grand Admiral Michal Golanski; Odysseus Subject: Your Perspectives Operative Oddyseus
I must admit that I am taken aback by your remarks. Flattery regarding Malta and its people, as well as our ability to orchestrate the intricate events within Sirius, is not what I would have expected from the Order operative as yourself.
Yet, putting polite compliments aside, any well-informed socio-economic expert comprehends the impossibility of even a world as remarkable as Malta providing the entire populace of Sirius with our Product. The logistics of such an endeavor are utterly unfathomable, even for individuals as skilled as my compatriots. Hence, the notion that we could "enslave" the entire sector's population is a fallacy. Moreover, I should mention that our clients are not coerced in any way - they voluntarily choose our Product of their own free will, rendering the term "slavery" entirely inaccurate.
Nonetheless, as I emphasized in my previous message, this discussion remains purely hypothetical. So far, we have seen little constructive effort from your end. Consequently, the Dons in Malta will have few incentives to halt the armed conflict we are winning and establish limited collaboration, particularly in areas where our common interests intersect, albeit only to a modest extent.
After recent events, I shouldn’t be surprised you know about Earhart. We are alike exploring and studying it in detail to determine further course of action. I do not want to make any claims or accusations at such an early stage of development as to the exact nature of this event, nor what will be the potential implications to humanity at large. Time to act will come when facts can be established, rather than actively making matters worse by interfering with designs we do not yet comprehend.
Likewise, I do not see what Malta could bring to the table that we do not already possess - either through our own capabilities or that of our allies and network - nor are there any concrete proposals forwarded by you or other Dons about changing the status quo. Earhart investigation was already underway and will continue with, without or in spite of the Outcasts.
Regardless whether you see cardamine endeavour in supremacist, religious, reprisal or purely economic context - And trust me, despite all this talk of age disparity I had seen it all already - your alien grass is a powerful tool to exert great power if used correctly. In lack of better words, it is corruption that can turn even the strongest of causes to align with Malta’s interests and it alone. If you think you have something else to offer other than this, I leave an opportunity to be surprised.
However keep in mind that in the fifteen years of my service, I had yet to meet a Maltese I could trust and rely on without constantly keeping said person within aim of overwhelming firepower. In this case, your longevity works against you: how can I trust an institution where a generation entrenched in its beliefs may remain in position of power for close to a century? It better be an indisputably good deal for us to consider it, or leave sufficient leverage for us to ensure your absolute obedience to the agreement.