One of your men seriously screwed up, thats all I can say - I'm talking about the ship callsign .:j:.Desverger. Today the Dreadnought Minneapolis, whilst guarding the Bering jumpgate, picked up one of your salvage frigates with worrying amounts of radiation being emitted from the cargo bay. After further scans were conducted, the radiation was confirmed to be coming from over 1500 nuclear devices stowed away in the cargo hold.
This could have been a serious breech in house security if the Minneapolis hadn't intercepted the shipment first. First one of your men is convicted of hauling Cardamine through Liberty and now one is caught transporting highly unstable nuclear devices from a house we are currently at war with. Needless to say this is completely unacceptable behavior and I will be pressing the following charges against the ship's captain:
Breaking a trade embargo
Illegally transporting nuclear devices
Improperly transporting radioactive goods
This calculates to be a 15 million credit fine and both he and his ship will be banned from Liberty for the next fourteen days, effective immediately. The fine is payable within those fourteen days.
>>>Incoming Transmission<<<
Comm ID: Richard van Pelt
Admiral Malrone;
First, let me assure you that Arbitor Jack Crow is aware of this incident, and it is being dealt with internally as we speak. Your fine will be payed, and ban respected.
I must ask you a question however, despite knowing the answer. Nuclear devices are potentially dangerous, yes, when combined with proper high-frequency switching apparatus, highly enriched starter fuel and a plethora of additional, nigh impossible to obtain devices. Making a bomb out of this commodity is far more complicated than simply transferring over triggering mechanisms from mines, as I am certain a man in your position is aware. Now, onto the question.
These devices are essential for space station operations, factories, smelters, pretty much everything that keeps the Liberty economy turning. With the trade embargo against the only source of reliable, high quality producers of these products, I ask, how do you intend to keep Liberty functioning without traders like Mr. Desverger? Rheinland certainly do not allow the export of these devices, the Gas Miner's H-Fuel is not suitable for large scale operations like Nuclear Devices are. Yes, Mox certainly is useful, but no-where near as potent on it's own.
But by all means, I understand that appearances must be kept, and letting the news get out that Junkers such as Mr.Desverger keep the Liberty economy and manufacturing potential alive. It would be terrible, I've no doubt, if your planets and space stations suddenly ceased to function, that their somehow self-replenishing stocks of these devices were to run out.
****Incoming Transmission****
****Comm ID: Arbiter Jack Crow****
****location: The Rocinante****
Pelt is quite right, it's being dealt with. I have a few questions of my own. Can you show me where in the code the transportation of these devices is illegal in Liberty? They are common components used to make mines that are sold on almost every base in liberty if I am not mistaken. Also, we don't deal in weapons with Rheinland. Name one base in Rheinland that even sells those things. I'm not aware of any.
I wouldn't be sending out any communique's implicating anyone in a serious crime such as this one if I didn't think it was damn well necessary - I'm not one for "saving face" or "keeping appearances" as you so snidely put it. Your man is guilty of a very serious crime, as stated clearly in Section One, Part I of the Liberty Law doctrine:
Quote:Additionally, the transport of Nuclear Devices is only permitted by vessels with the following ID papers: Liberty Navy (Guard), Liberty Security Force (Guard), Deep Space Engineering, Ageira Technologies, Universal Shipping, Interspace Commerce, Interspace Neuralnet Division, Gateway Shipping and Borderworld Exports.
As you can see, quite a few trusted shipping corporations can move nuclear devices in and out of Liberty and legally do so.
****Incoming Transmission****
****Comm ID: Arbiter Jack Crow****
****location: The Rocinante****
Ok boys and girls, you heard what the man said. Let them carry their own dirty devices from now on. Since I know well how DSE handles those things (most of you know what I'm talking about) this should be a hoot.
Please keep these things out of Liberty in the future.
****Incoming Transmission****
****Comm ID: Arbiter Jack Crow****
****location: The Rocinante****
Ok boys and girls, you heard what the man said. Let them carry their own dirty devices from now on. Since I know well how DSE handles those things (most of you know what I'm talking about) this should be a hoot.
Please keep these things out of Liberty in the future.
Crow Out
****End Transmission****
>>>Incoming Transmission<<<
Comm ID: Richard van Pelt
Very well, no power for Liberty. Having witnessed first hand the grief these approved shippers receive in Kusari, Rheinland and the Sigmas, I cannot say I envy the forthcoming situation in Liberty.
Time to cash out any stock options we have. Mr. Malrone, as a taxpaying, Liberty born civilian, I am advising you'd do the same. Again, I've seen these approved shippers and their ability to move these devices. Or rather, a lack of ability to. Mr. Desverger won't move these devices, I don't move them, and we'll be sure to instruct all Junkers to cease their potential trading of these devices.
****Incoming Transmission****
****Comm ID: Arbiter Jack Crow****
****location: The Rocinante****
Rick, I didn't tell you to stop moving them. Heck, we've got better equipment than any of them for this kind of thing. Just don't do it in Liberty anymore.
Since you now acknowledge the law's existence and are obviously determined to uphold it to the best of your ability - Like any upstanding Liberty citizen - If this situation is repeated in the future, the consequences will be much more severe.
I'm sorry for late response. I was busy repairing my ship due to heavy engines damage.
This situation is difficult and awkward. I have to admit, I did transport the radioactive materials trough Liberty space. I was travelling from Sigma to New Berlin, while I was attacked by the Wild, My ship took heavy damage so I decided to go back to Yanagi, but they didn't have the right equipment to repair it. I chose to fly to Vieques Shipyard in Puero Rico. The shortest route went through Liberty space. I know I risked much, but my ship was at stake, with such heavy damage I couldn't fly the longer way, I know I did wrong, but what would you do? I couldn't choose the other option to go to home base Sir. My destination was far away.
I talked to a friend in Sunderland Research Station and he asked me to do him some favor. He could not give me a permision to transport the materials on time due to bureaucracy.
I think this fine is too high in relation to risk. I can't understand why we can't transport such materials legitimately, but I've teory about it..
Let me say something about Liberty. ILet me say something about Liberty. I think that liberty is based on money oriented policy, you achieve nothing without paying to the right people. It looks a bit shady for me, doesn't it? Since I'm a junker I don't wish to pay to anyone else but the Congress, am I right?
These companies which can transport radioactive materials have to pay for such a permit, am I right ?.
I'm the Junker and i don't want to pay to some foreigners. We are guided by the collective goods isn't that right?
I think that Navy and Police is above the law. They can demand whatever they want and only they have the license to do it 'right'.
They do not like Junkers and often behave in such manners to let us know we are a pain in their as.. necks. Things such offensive words (I was the object of such behaviour.. not once) taunting, having no respect happens often ... have we lost our pride?
I know why... because we are independent, we are in solidarity, we are strong and we are a threat.
No one can say anything against Liberty, no one can criticise their doings, what is it political correctness ?
Since you failed to mention there being anything wrong with your engines when you were caught, I can't really take that into account now - The fact you also told me to "go to hell" and then cruising off into the distance didn't help either.
You ban still applies for another nine days, during which time you are required to pay the whole fine.