Security forces here on Freeport 14 just captured a man who made an attempt on my life, a Junker it seems. Upon being questioned he informed me that I have a rather large bounty on my head courtesy of the Gallic Royal Navy.
I'm contacting you to inquire as to why I am being targeted. I will admit, I did enter Gallia illegally in the past. Your forces were quick to teach my of my error. Since then I haven't made that mistake nor have I allowed any OSI transport or security craft to enter Gallia either.
I'll admit we had dealings with the Council when we first met them. Gallic wine and tobacco are in high demand in some parts of Sirius. Though we haven't had dealings with them for a very long time, nor do we supply them.
The Board is currently discussing requesting a visa to enter Gallia in order to trade, while I myself won't be entering Gallia unless requested by the Royal Navy, I wouldn't want anyone to attack my employees thinking I may be aboard the vessel.
My point Grande Marechal is, what will it take for this mark on me to be removed?
>>>>>OPENING CHANNEL<<<<< Sender: Marechal Maurice Pierre Delavoux the III Duke of the Delavoux Estate
Location: Battleship Renaissance; Languedoc
Monsieur, when I read this, do you know what I see? I see a little man telling a very powerful and enigmatic woman that he fears for his life and is justifying the means to his end. I also see a man who just admitted to high treason through fraternization with the enemy and trespassing. For any Gallic citizen, that would mean death.
It is very noble that you think of your business and how best to make up for your sins, so you better come up with a damned good reason for us to forgive you; or I will just close this channel and block the source so I never have to waste my time with you again.
>>>>>CLOSING CHANNEL<<<<<
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Of course I fear for my life, I don't particularly want to die to an assassin's blade.
I'm not trying to justify my actions in the past. I'm trying to make amends for them. I've done nothing to earn your forgiveness; that is why I've contacted you to see what I can do to earn it. I don't expect the Kingdom to give me something in return for nothing.
I can provide transport services for goods the Kingdoms requires, if that is the wish of the Kingdom. While I have no doubt that the Navy's weaponry is superior to Zoner crafted weapons, I can provide Zoner weapon systems for use by those who don't want to be noticed while in Sirius. I can also ensure those same men and women always have a safe haven when they are in Sirius. Of course these are mere suggestions, perhaps you have ideas of your own?
I of course would want any of these arrangements to remain confidential, the corrupt governments of the houses would slaughter those of us who are free of their corruption if given the chance and a reason.
>>>>>OPENING CHANNEL<<<<< Sender: Marechal Maurice Pierre Delavoux the III Duke of the Delavoux Estate
Location: Battleship Renaissance; Languedoc
I am actually quite impressed with your answer. So impressed, that I'm going to sit on this one and think about it while I eat dinner and look over reports.
We'll get back to you.
>>>>>CLOSING CHANNEL<<<<<
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Incoming Transmission
Comm ID: Aurelia DeFrance
Origin: Planet Nevers
I trust you still recognize me Victor. I still recognize you, and remember myself telling you, and the others, when I left, not to go into Gallia. You ignored that warning, and Freeport 10 suffered the consequences for it. But lets not forget that the Zoners did not simply enter our space illegally. You supplied traitors, brought warships into our sovereign space. And lastly tried to kill me. You are trying to ask forgiveness from the King for trying to kill one of his children?
We may be old fashioned, but I'm fairly certain any father in your culture wouldn't let that pass unpunished.
You want us to allow you into Gallia, you have to provide that punishment for us. Your own transgressions will be forgiven in return for two services. One, the Temporary Autonomous Zoners, and two, The Consortium, which I believe is now called the Omicroners. Their supplying of enemies of the crown, the Council and Maquis, has resulted in the deaths of our soldiers and pilots in this rebellion. The TAZ' multiple attempts on my life, their bringing of Fearless Destroyers into even Burgundy. I want them punished for it. I want the destruction of five transports or three destroyers of both the Omicroner's and the TAZ', or the destruction of a Jinkusu. I don't care if those responsible for it are your own, or hired guns on your payroll.
Do this and I will be satisifed with the damage already done to Freeport 10 as your punishment. Only then will we entertain notions of allowing you into Gallia.
>>>>>OPENING CHANNEL<<<<< Sender: Marechal Maurice Pierre Delavoux the III Duke of the Delavoux Estate
Location: Battleship Renaissance; Languedoc
Thank you for the lovely speech, Princess, but we have this covered. In short, stay out of Gallia. We have what we need. Enjoy your life. We don't care.
>>>>>CLOSING CHANNEL<<<<<
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Incoming Transmission
Comm ID: Aurelia DeFrance
Origin: Planet Nevers
Marechal Delavoux, I feel that you need to be reminded that the authority of myself and the Grande Marechal is what matters here. I have stated our decision, and your involvement is no longer necessary. I warn you not to speak to me in that manner again. We may be of equal naval rank, but you best remember who has seniority here, and your rank in the nobility. I believe I have made myself clear, non?
>>>>>OPENING CHANNEL<<<<< Sender: Marechal Maurice Pierre Delavoux the III Duke of the Delavoux Estate
Location: Battleship Renaissance; Languedoc
Undoubtedly. You see, I was off on maneuvers and was unaware of your consultation with the Grande Marechal. When officers are on the front line, they aren't really aware of what happens behind closed doors in headquarters. Consider this the last offense.
>>>>>CLOSING CHANNEL<<<<<
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Aurelia, its been awhile hasn't it? I honestly didn't expect you to bother with the likes of me, though I can't say I am surprised. How is the life of a royal treating you?
As I am sure you are aware we Zoners are not as organized as we were when you were among us. After the failure of the Council and the Alliance the major groups of Zoners have went our separate ways. Even during the Alliance's time we didn't get along much.
With that in mind, I'd like to clarify some of the issues you brought up. OSI never once brought a warship into Gallia. We field only one Conference and it is used solely to escort our convoys in the Omegas and Omicrons. OSI never once supplied those you call traitors. We did talk with them about the issue, but other groups met their needs as OSI felt it wasn't in our interests to supply them. Lastly, we have never once tried to kill you.
I believe I am the sole person within OSI's employment that has encountered you since your return home. I ran from you then. I did defend myself when you cornered us, but you and I both know I had no chance in that fight, nor would I have targeted your escape pod had I somehow won.
I know the only interaction with the Zoner community that Gallia has seen has been that of hostility. I can understand that your citizens would view us as mere criminals. With that in mind you can't justify removing the bounty on me nor allowing OSI to operate within Gallia without reparations for what others of our kin have done. I can even understand the Kings distrust of us. I can in some ways understand why you, Aurelia, distrust us also.
As I said, I am here to build that trust and earn your forgiveness. How could you trust us, if we were willing to attack those of our own kin? That would mean we would also be willing to betray Gallia if a reason presented itself.
An attack on either TAZ or the Omicroners by ourselves would be detrimental to our company. It would cut off our access to the only production facility for the Zoner Borderworlds Transport, a major part of our transport fleet. Without new vessels and the repair facilities those installations provide our fleet would fall into disrepair and we wouldn't be able to operate.
We can offer transportation services, lodging for operatives you have in Sirius, equipment for those operatives, Nomad specimens, and our assurance we will not supply the Council or the Maquis. I am sure there are other terms we might find acceptable, but attacking the TAZ and Omicroners would be too costly for us and display that we are not to be trusted.
Incoming Transmission
Comm ID: Aurelia DeFrance Origin: Planet Nevers
Yes.. A shame about the Alliance, though I guess this is where I get to say, "I told you so." Giving power to a select few without them being properly bred and trained for rule only brings disaster, and you proved my point superbly. The news broadcasts were quite amusing, especially those of Theta. I managed to keep it secure despite the Corsairs having pushed the issue three times, and then you lot fail miserably the first time you're responsible for it. A policy of neutrality through non-violence is absurd. Neutrality can only be maintained when you have the power to stop others from taking it from you.
As for "trust", you're attacking your brethren wouldn't make you very trustworthy, that's correct. Alas, it's not trust I'm after. As I said, I want you to provide the punishment we seek inflicted on those who ignored my warning not to enter Gallia. I consider the "incident" at Freeport 10 as punishment enough for you, and you are no longer a target. However, you haven't proven your worthiness to enter Gallia legally. You want us to give you that privilege, you have to earn it. If you refuse to physically harm the other Zoner organizations, than you must offer something else.
I will give you one requirement; I will want any information you have about the other Zoner's activities concerning Gallia. I'll also want you to continue sending new information as you find it. And if you withhold information, and we find out about it.. Well, then I'm afraid what happened to Freeport 10 won't suffice anymore.