COMM ID: Arbiter Hannibal Bishop LOCATION: Vieques Shipyard, Puerto Rico
I set no precedents. Decisions made are made based on future benefits weighed against risks. The freelancers know full well what awaits them if they betray us; there will be no more safe harbour in Liberty. They will be hunted like animals, while ships, fuel and men dwindle. They are already in a rocky position having attacked our misguided cousins.
As for how they merit the favor after listing every reason why they should be turned aside to die in space; they will be of use. Either now, or after they have been reforged into a more suitable form through a long arduous process of intense heat and lots of hitting with heavy hammers.
I will remind you that space, for the most part is beyond the grasp of any organism. We are all here for the blink of an eye in its lifetime, and while it has no love or hate for us it will kill us in an instant because it can. That is something we have in common with the universe.
The freelancers, and any other visitor to Puerto Rico will do well to remember this fact. Because they will experience space first-hand if anything at all displeases those that lay claim to Puerto Rico. Our generosity is limited to what limits please us at whatever particular time.
As a result, the idea of a precedent amuses me. Don't worry, there is method to this apparent madness.
Comm ID: Congressman Ritter
Current Location: Yanagi Depot, Sigma 13
Arbiter,
I, for one, see the wisdom and foresight in your current plan. As the Junkers of Beaumont are so fond of saying, "I smell what you're cookin'."
To the Deaths squad I will only say this: there is a 5K No Fire Zone in effect around ALL Junker bases ALL the time under ALL circumstances. There are NO exceptions. This includes "self defense." All Congressmen are aware of this of course, as are the vast majority of independent Junkers. You would do well to remember it.