***Incoming Transmission***
To: The Sirius Diplomatic Network
From: The Zoner Alliance
The factions of the Temporary Autonomous Zoners (TAZ), the Zoners Trading Consortium (ZTC) and the Omicron Supply Industries (OSI) announce hereby the formation of the Zoner Alliance. The Zoner Alliance will be the main responsible body managing all negotiations and trade agreements with factions and houses, outside of the alliance, which will affect all members. Individual agreements affecting only one faction or group can be handled by that respective faction or group. Any Zoner faction or independent Zoner can join the ZA. Independents are asked by this announcement to form a group called the Zoner Union of Independents (ZUI) and to appoint one of their members as representative.
Here is how the ZA will function:
The item that comes before the ZA will be placed before the representatives of each member group who will then have to set an amount of time to debate the matter in each group. Then each group will come to the recommendation how their representative has to vote on their behalf. Finally, all representatives will come together again and make a quick discussion by casting their vote for their groups. In the interest of speed, scenarios could be discussed before hand so no discussions would be needed just voting by the representatives. Nevertheless each group is responsible to find its own modus operandi to achieve best results.
A) Structure of the Zoner Alliance
1. Body Member of the Zoner Alliance: Group
Each member - a group - makes its decisions for itself.
Once a decision has been made the faction can decide whether to try encompassing equal bodies into the motion or project, or not.
Scope of responsibility: Every issue which is not concerning general Zoner issues or including unclaimed Zoner spaces.
Each faction is asked to implement a kind of democracy, visible or not, to prevent the development of totalitarian hierarchies.
Members of any faction cannot have political rights or influence in more than one faction.
2. Zoner Alliance Body: Alliance Committee (AC)
Allowed groups are either the officially registered Zoner factions, the ZUI, or unregistered Zoner groups operating as clans.
Voting: Each body member has one seat. Each seat has one vote. The registered factions and the ZUI have the ability to cast a veto.
Scope of responsibility: Global Zoner issues, policies, relations.
Security Issues: The Alliance Committee will coordinate with each member the deployment of security and defense forces. Each member will be assigned to an area of responsibility, if available and possible.
3. Membership
New groups can apply for membership and then must be approved by a majority vote by the Alliance Committee. New Independents must be accepted by the ZUI for membership. Zoner clans must have at least 6 members to be considered, with less than 6 members they apply to the ZUI and work within that member body until such a time as they have the required members count.
Alliance members can be dismissed from the ZA by the complementary remainder of AC representatives voting unanimously. Individual Zoners can be removed by the ZUI itself or by a majority votes in the Alliance Committee.
4. Membership Responsibility
All members have chosen to become part of the ZA. Each individual of each member is required to participate and assist their representative by voting, in a manner that will put their best interests forward. Each representative is charged with the responsibility of voting, in the manner that best suite the interests of his or her group. The Alliance Committee is in charge of forwarding the ideal and morals of the ZA and Zoners as a whole.
5. Nonmembers
Nonmembers are not held to any treaty, deal or policy that is put forth by the ZA. Nonmembers are also not going to receive any protection if they violate any treaties or agreements or break any policies put forth by the ZA. Nor will they receive any protections by the ZA security forces if they are found breaking ZA policies, treaties or trade agreements.
B) Decision Making and Voting
1. Each faction group is charged with determining how they will choose and direct their representative. The representatives will then come together and lay forth the concerns or points brought to them by their group. Discussions will be limited to 48 hours and Alliance Committee deliberations will be limited to 48hours, followed by a vote. If a specific discussion cannot be met within the time limit, the Alliance Committee can approve an extension on the time for deliberations so the matter can be resolved properly.
1.1. Treaties and Trade Agreements
The Alliance Committee will appoint one person to be the negotiator for each treaty or trade agreement talk. The negotiator does not have to be a member of the Alliance Committee. Once the negotiator is chosen, they will be the only one allowed to conduct the talks. The Alliance Committee can remove a negotiator by a majority vote, or assign additional envoys to assist. Members agree not to break into or interrupt any talks being performed by the negotiator.
1.2. Foreign Contacts
If any Non-Zoner faction contacts the ZA the according member must inform the Alliance Committee about this contact when common Zoner issues, policies or treaties are concerned. An Alliance Committee representative or an assigned envoy will step into contact the Outside faction / Agency then regarding their request, and present it to the ZA with any recommendations afterward allowing the members to enter their processes of decision making.
1.3. Policies
Any member can bring up ideas for new policies. The Alliance Committee will then decide if the idea merits discussion. If the majority of the Alliance Committee agrees then it will be released to the member groups for discussion.
2. Voting will be handled in the open for all members to see. Once cast votes are final. Alliance Committee members can not abstain from votes. The Alliance Committee will then collect all votes and to publish each in public in one post including a final statement addressing possible consequences.
2.1. Proxies
In the case of absences of representatives during a vote, the Alliance Committee can urge the according group to select a temporary representative for that vote.
2.2 Veto power
Registered factions and the ZUI have the ability to veto any decision passed by the Alliance Committee. If an item is vetoed it will be brought back to deliberation to see if an agreement can be reached. Once deliberations are done a second vote on a resolution will be called. If the resolution is passed with no less than a 2/3 majority the Veto is over turned. If the resolution can not reach a 2/3 majority then the veto stands and the item is considered defeated.
The Zoner Alliance would like to extend an invitation to any Zoner who wants to participate. We would like to encourage any outside agencies who wish to conduct agreements to contact us on a diplomatic channel.
Samuel Nichols,
Zoner Alliance Representative on behalf of the TAZ, the OSI, and the ZTC
TO: Zoner Alliance.
--------------------------------
Greetings from OPG. It seems you have formed yet another bueraucratic union that will probably require us to get up to date with everything. Since this entire situation involves Corsairs as a harmed side, not as a side that's doing harm... Wait.. Well, we're doing harm as an result of your actions. Still! *pause*
We, at least the Omega Pirates Guild, has no intention in actually catching up all the Zoner factions, rounding them up and placing them into same file folder, so I expect the newformed ZA to do that for us.
The list of things that I would require is:
Who entered ZA
Who didn't enter ZA from significant zoner factions.
Will you actually unite under one tag, because if you think that Corsair nation will actually transfer some of the taskforce to keep the Corsair pilots up to date 24/7 who has entered ZA, we will not. This might be confusing, but I will give you an example.
If we reach an agreement with ZA, that would actually mean ZA will push to great lengths to cooperate with Corsairs, and Corsairs will respect that. But if the ZA pilots won't actually fly under any tag, and be same as other Zoner ships, we will not be able to keep track of this, nor we want to.
When can we expect some decisions against treaty of Bethlehem?
When can we expect first food convoy from ZA?
I will use this moment to address another issue.
All Zoners are informed that Corsairs no longer respect NFZ, until treaty of Bethlehem is canceled. You also know we have decided not to pirate factioned zoners belonging to main Zoner Factions. The benefit there is a motivational tool, not a perk. Get on your feet and make sure that treaty is canceled.
Do not interfere in defending the NFZ from Corsairs because it will increase the hostilities. Show that you cooperate with Corsairs and make sure you push both vessels from the NFZ, denying them the right to dock.
***Incoming Transmission***
To: The Sirius Diplomatic Network
From: The Zoner Alliance
' Wrote:
The list of things that I would require is:
Who entered ZA
Who didn't enter ZA from significant zoner factions.
Will you actually unite under one tag, because if you think that Corsair nation will actually transfer some of the taskforce to keep the Corsair pilots up to date 24/7 who has entered ZA, we will not. This might be confusing, but I will give you an example.
If we reach an agreement with ZA, that would actually mean ZA will push to great lengths to cooperate with Corsairs, and Corsairs will respect that. But if the ZA pilots won't actually fly under any tag, and be same as other Zoner ships, we will not be able to keep track of this, nor we want to.
When can we expect some decisions against treaty of Bethlehem?
When can we expect first food convoy from ZA?
I will use this moment to address another issue.
All Zoners are informed that Corsairs no longer respect NFZ, until treaty of Bethlehem is canceled. You also know we have decided not to pirate factioned zoners belonging to main Zoner Factions. The benefit there is a motivational tool, not a perk. Get on your feet and make sure that treaty is canceled.
Do not interfere in defending the NFZ from Corsairs because it will increase the hostilities. Show that you cooperate with Corsairs and make sure you push both vessels from the NFZ, denying them the right to dock.
To Answer your questions.
Currently only OSI, ZTC and TAZ are members. Each of our groups has come over entirely.
We will not be uniting under one tag.
We will be setting up a roster and listing of any agreements we come to. (that has not yet been done yet)
If you make an agreement with the ZA, it will be adhered to by all ZA members, those that do not face consequences.
The treaty of Bethlehem, will be one of our first topics I believe.
This first food convoy was attempted by me today in fact...I say attempted because no one in Gama wanted to bother to give me permission to dock on Crete for the drop off. I announced in the system wide channel several times and waited for a while. With no permission to dock, we can not approach the planet. So if you could inform some of your brethren that a response to docking requests is much appreciated.
Now as to your announcement on the NFZ...we will be upholding the NFZ. We will be applying it to everyone equally as it was in the past. The COZ is a distinct and separate entity from the ZA. While we can not break any agreement they made, we can choose how our folks will act.
Hope this answers some of your questions.
On a personal note, yes I do realize I was the one who was representing the COZ in the Bethlehem negotiations, seeing the fall out over it and some other factors, I do regret it. It will be on the top of the list for the ZA to discuss.
Samuel Nichols,
Zoner Alliance Representative on behalf of the TAZ, the OSI, and the ZTC
' Wrote:***Incoming Transmission***
To: RFS Freedom
From: The Zoner Alliance
Mr. Robinson,
Sorry that will not work. You are either in the ZA and not the COZ, or not in the ZA. Since there could be potential conflicts of interest.
Samuel Nichols,
Zoner Alliance Representative on behalf of the TAZ, the OSI, and the ZTC
**Transmission Ends**
Comm ID: Victor Robinson
Greetings! My cousin Jonah informed me of this little endeavor. You may remember me as having been in your cute little trading organization (with which I am no longer affiliated) long ago. Being a contractor independent of my cousins aboard the Freedom, and being unattached to the Council of Zoners, I hereby claim my right as a member of the ZUI and by default, the ZA.
***Incoming Transmission***
To: Victor Robinson
From: The Zoner Alliance
Mr. Robinson,
While we will look at your application. Since all new folks have to apply. as written here
Quote:3. Membership
New groups can apply for membership and then must be approved by a majority vote by the Alliance Committee. New Independents must be accepted by the ZUI for membership
.
You can not just claim your right to join. With the ZUI just starting up the Committee will look over your request and
inform you of our decision
Samuel Nichols,
Zoner Alliance Representative
CEO - OSI
**Transmission Ends**
Captain Izii here, and I for one find this as a chance to re-unite the Zoners as a whole and stop the squabbling between the various sub-groups and leaders, and bring us all to a round table to discuss and vote on matters that afflict us as a whole.
Pending the actions taken by the Chairman.. my station as a delegate may be at their discretion for voicing my support of the C.o.Z. requesting itself to partake of this Alliance.
Captain Izii, standing by.
/End Transmission.
My honest reaction upon reading the forums, whenever I rarely do. Joe Kucan, he's the man.
[Incoming Transmission]
[Comm ID: Jefferson Richmond]
[Target ID: Zoner Alliance]
A Holographic man appeared, leaning back in a chair. The man appears to be holding a wine glass
"Tell me, how does one apply for the Zoner Alliance, specifically the Zoner Union of Independents. As I see no application format that has been set up by the Zoner Alliance, also what Benefits do those of the Zoner Union of Independents get?"
He paused for a minute, taking a sip of whatever he was drinking.
"Hm, with that said. What will happen to the other Freeports still under the Council's control? What benefits do they receive, don't receive? Will you still trade to your fellow Zoners? Will the ZA ignore cries for help during an alien insurrection?"
He waved his hand, and then took another sip from the glass.
"Please answer those for me. Thank you, Jefferson Richmond out."
Message left on the Freeport 9 Message Board
From: Taylor Davis
To: Samuel Nichols, CEO - OSI
Mr. Nichols,
So, basically, this new Zoner Alliance is the Council of Zoners, except run by the Zoner factions, and not open to all Zoners, only those that are 'approved' by the non-existent ZUI? I fail to see why you and the other factions chose this path of separation instead of working with the Council. Doc was Chair of the Council, and you yourself was a member. You could have had Doc appoint you as temporary chair while he recovered, and probably gotten yourself elected as chair yourself. I very well may have voted for you myself if it had been you instead of Ms. Silvan appointed by Doc. Did you even consider actually discussing differences of opinion with the rest of the Council? Did you even consider working WITH the Council, a well established, and respected group? In short, what was wrong with the Council of Zoners that couldn't have been fixed with internal discussion and tweaking? This could have been done openly instead of behind the Council's back. Now any respect I had for you is in serious doubt.
Is this the Zoner way, to turn your back on other Zoners (in this case the Council) when you disagree with them? To plot (I can only assume since I didn't hear about it until your transmission) in secret to displace your allies? Unbelievable. The last thing we need as Zoners are more rules and regulations telling us how to do things. This rift you are creating between yourselves and the CoZ can only hurt Zoners.
If your goal was to destroy the Council of Zoners and take all the power for yourselves, you may have succeeded. Congratulations on hurting your own former friends. Congratulations on destroying what you helped build. Congratulations on causing more strife in the universe. I hope you enjoy it, because I sure don't.
I can be reached here on this board, or you may send any reply directly to my vessel, the Golden Retriever which is currently docked at Freeport 9.
Thank you for your time,
Taylor Davis
Taylor.Davis - Zoner - Osprey MkII based off Ames Research station
Dekishima-Maru - Zoner - 'Pelican' Armored Transport co-owned by Taylor Davis and Fumiko Kimura, based off Ames Research
Alex.Reed - OS&C - Firefly based off Planet Curacao