Well, you've certainly put me in a spot between a wall and a sword.
May I say that as a Freelancer installation, it was always our intent to allow you to dock. We recognize your rights as a native population.
Given your ultimatum, the base has been set to no docking allowed except our own ships while the situation is discussed by our executive board. The general consensus seems to be that we should try to find an accord.
The terms that you've given us seem to be a choice that negates any ability to remain neutral in the politics of Dublin, as was our desire. Meanwhile, those that are specifically involved in the behavior which you decry are actively doing so right nearby, but a Freelancer Freeport is the object of your wrath?
I am a bit puzzled by your response since our base sits within the shadow's fall of the very type of bases that you claim to abhor.
Also, our acquiescence to your demands would seem to put us at odds with these resident corporations and Bretonia. I have to assume that your allowance of us working in Dublin does not extend to active defense should these groups take umbrage with any arrangements we reach. Nor do we desire that, frankly.
Our intent was to secure a source for gold which our group can export for profit. As such, none of the sell points within Bretonia or to Bretonian corporations would suit our purposes. And, in our opinion, any neutral seller in Dublin that will allow us access is a suitable seller. Your bases are open to Freelancers who wish to buy gold, which we are. If your demand is that we don't support the Bretonian corporations who are mining "your gold" are you perhaps prepared to give us an option?
Also, on our return trips to Dublin we could easily also bring materials that are needed there. Things like this are the potential benefits to an active Freelancer base. We're businessmen and traders, after all. We make deals to do business.
In short, we are open to discussions to find an equitable resolution to your concerns, but we must also attend to the consequences of certain actions which would make the situation untenable.
Respectfully,
Capt. RedLegs - "Dullahan"
Vice President, The Artemis Alliance.
From: Chief C. O'Reilly To: Artemis Alliance Subject: Scaglainne Oir
"Recognise our rights as a native population", mmm. After buying a base on our doorstep without asking, that's something.
Your suggestion that there are stations more deserving of our scrutiny is not appreciated. We'll deal with them in due time. You should worry about making a case for why your station should continue to operate in our territory. So far, you've given us nothing except the usual drivel about benefits of doing business. There's no shortage of that for us, even with the blockade. If the Assembly's request is not to your liking, maybe you should have done some research before purchase.
I have to wonder how you expected to remain neutral when setting up shop in an active warzone. You're not here on some humanitarian mission, you're opportunists looking to make a profit. But you'll find only fool's gold here if you're not careful.
I can't really say that I'm surprised by your response.
I have done that which was possible immediately to comply with your demands and asked for an open negotiation as to how the issue can be resolved. And your response is to disregard my attempts at peaceable negotiation and diminish those attempts with more hyperbole, bravado and derision.
You insisted that we not allow "Crownies" to dock at our station. Docking rights were restricted and we outlined how any usage of the base would be by our organization alone to export Gold outside of Bretonia only. Gold that we pledged to buy from you so that our actions didn't support Bretonian interests here. You insisted that RPA ships be allowed to dock on the station, we assured you that this was always our intention, being a Freelancer base. Your group being large and local, you would certainly have the ability to verify these items.
You said we should prove that we don't mean to be your enemy. May I ask, in which way did we fail to do so?
Of course we're here to make profit. Of course we are. We don't deny that. If there were no gold in Dublin, ourselves and many more would likely never have come here. But we have suggested a path where we, meaning you and us and no others can mutually benefit. I realize that you lack for neither friends or enemies, but do we really need more enemies?
If you intend that we should be vassals to your organization in order to exist, you have to know that this isn't a realistic alternative. By all accounts, you are a wily and intelligent operator, and I understand your wariness regarding our arrival. You're entitled to that given the ongoing situation in Dublin.
I believe that we have shown our intent and ability to address your concerns conscientiously and if this should devolve into hostile actions, it will not be us who condemned the victims thereof to their fate. That choice now lies in your hands.
That being said, it bears repeating that Scaglainne base is present on the updated list of registered bases with the Bretonian Gov't, a mandatory registration which lies beyond our control but which carries meaning in this case.
Nonetheless, my hope remains that hostilities will not be necessary.
Additionally, the Artemis Alliance is a far-ranging organization which does not lack for friends.
I feel that there is little left for me to say on this subject, the outcome of which is lying now in your hands.
I can only implore you not to let it fall to chaos, when something much more reasonable is possible.
Capt. RedLegs - "Dullahan"
Vice President, The Artemis Alliance.
From: Chief C. O'Reilly To: Artemis Alliance Subject: Scaglainne Oir
I can't say that I'm surprised either.
Someone who was genuinely interested in being our ally would have contacted us prior to making a presence in our home. Instead, you moved in, waited for us to call you out, waited several days to answer, and when asked for assurances that you will not host our enemies, you affirmed that you intend to do just that by being a neutral freeport. Then you dramatically locked the proverbial door and only then asked for negotiations. Too little, too late.
I'm not sure what you intend to accomplish by flaunting your base registration with the Bretonian government. That's certainly not going to win us over. Did you think you could profit from trading with us while counting on the Crown's Armed Forces to protect you? That's not acceptable. If all you're going to do is stockpile our gold for any random trade ship to grab, then there is no place for you in Free Dublin.
Seems we're not going to see eye to eye, after all.
Just to be clear, we have offered the use of our base fully within compliance of your demands.
You stated that our intention was to allow any neutral ships to dock our base, which in fact that was our original intent, but after receiving your terms I specifically stated that your ships would be allowed to dock, and that only our own ships would additionally be allowed. NO other ships are or will be given docking rights at Scaglainne as a response to your demands.
We have not and will not be stocking any product here for purchase by anyone else.
We announced a desire to enter discourse with you regarding commerce specifically with your organization only.
I acknowledge that mistakes were made by us regarding our purchase of Scaglainne and our arrival in the system without your prior knowledge. Any offense given to you was not intended, likely due to our misunderstanding of the environment in Dublin, and that our diplomacy has apparently given additional additional offense.
Surely, we can enter discussions to avert the loss of life that will result from hostilities.
We are, again, prepared to fully comply with your demands and and discuss the terms under which you will allow the operation of this base in Dublin, if possible. Failing that, we are also prepared to decamp the system rather than persist and be the cause of death and destruction, and perhaps begin anew with the RPA to cure our initial mistakes, if allowed to do so.
We await your final word.
Capt. RedLegs - "Dullahan"
Vice President, The Artemis Alliance.
![[Image: JgPeW1s.jpg]](https://iili.io/JgPeW1s.jpg)
![[Image: cBJ6ymo.png]](https://i.imgur.com/cBJ6ymo.png)
![[Image: Vr5dqKn.png]](https://i.imgur.com/Vr5dqKn.png)
![[Image: e7iO3Sq.png]](https://i.imgur.com/e7iO3Sq.png)