**Incoming Transmission**
**Comm ID: Captain Trogdor**
**Displaying Video Feed**
My friends, peers, and fellow freedom-lovers,
Today, a line has been drawn in the sand. Earlier this evening, Coalition ships once again encroached upon Omega 49's skies. Once again they have plumbed the depths of audacity, claiming one of our most precious territories as being under their 'martial law'. And once again they have attempted to sway us, intimidate us, with lies.
We were alerted to the presence of a Coalition gunboat heading directly towards one of our newest and most successful new stations. They have fired upon this station before, and I was not about to let them fire upon it again. We intercepted the gunboat just as it reached weapons range of the station, and through the most polite exchange I could muster, convinced the man to retreat. I admit my temper may have gotten the better of me towards the end, as I informed him he could 'martial law' his way right out of the system.
It was a temporary diplomatic victory however, as soon afterwards a pair of destroyers emerged from the ice field. By that time, I had called in reinforcements, the SEF ship ZorPrime was present.
The following is a transcript of the exchange:
Quote:SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: We meet again Burninator
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: I am sorry, I believe you told me to "march out of your system"
The_Burninator: So it would seem, unfortunately. Did you get lost on the way back home?
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: Did you not hear me the first time when I said under martial law?
The_Burninator: The only law this system is under, is the Zoners'.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: ZorPrime, this doesn't concern you. This other "Zoner" has been declared a rogue element.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: By his own people, no less.
The_Burninator: Your ships have fired upon his base more than once. I think it concerns him quite a bit.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Then let him go to his base and protect it.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: We have zero interest in it.
The_Burninator: Then why have you been shooting at it?
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: We haven't.
The_Burninator: Lies.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: Burninator, you have been hostile to us while we are explaining the current situation.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: It's interesting, Captain. These Zoner ideals, you hold dearly?
The_Burninator: We have been quite peaceful, given the circumstances. You are still breathing, after all.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: It was a Zoner that said that if you got in the way, you could be eliminated.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: I am sorry, is that a threat?
The_Burninator: Just an observation.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: So I ask you, are you really willing to defend those who would abandon you so quickly?
S.E.F~ZorPrime: No Zoner has declared Captain Trogdor a rogue element.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: In private communications, naturally.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: While in orbit of Canaria earlier today, I was warned of your... outspoken call to arms.
The_Burninator: The Zoner people are quite diverse. I'm not surprised there are differing opinions.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: And told if you were to become a problem, you were to be eliminated.
The_Burninator: Call to arms? Nonsense. I merely requested reinforcements for defending this system.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Indeed, but the rest of the Zoners, they lack your grit. Too timid, thought you were too violent, radical.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: That it might provoke us, which would probably be true.
The_Burninator: Again, differing opinions. I am not offended. I do what I must to defend our freedom.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: This was... How do you Zoners call it? Confederation of Freeports Pilot?
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: They will deny it, naturally, but think about it. It makes perfect sense.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Here you are, one of the few remaining obstaces of the CoF.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: They know that you will probably provoke us, and they would be content to see you removed by us, dusting off all responsibility.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: You can think me a liar, you can record these communications, they will all be denied by your colleagues.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: I mean, who in their right minds would admit to sanctioning your removal?
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Certainly not an organization that calls themselves pacifists.
OSI-Skyfall: Church: This is Director James Church of the OSI. All vessels please report in.
The_Burninator: Burninator reporting. Holding position 11k from Lanzarote.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Keep in mind, next time you are so eager to stand up for these people that call themselves your brothers
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: They would not do the same for you.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Return to base Coronel.
OSI-Skyfall: Church: Headed that way now. Don't do anything rash gentlemen.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Remember what I have said, Captain. All is not what it seems.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: *Stares* I'll see you around Burninator...
The_Burninator: I'll bake cookies!
S.E.F~ZorPrime: I'll bring milk.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: You take this as a joke...
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: Excuse me?
OSI-Skyfall: Church: Good day to you.
The_Burninator: Well it would be rude of us to be poor hosts. What, you don't care for cookies?
OSI-Skyfall: Church: I would love to say that it is a pleasure to see you gentlemen again.
S.E.F~ZorPrime: And Milk?
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: You obviously think this is a game do you Burninator?
The_Burninator: I don't know what could lead you to that assumption. I am the picture of polite hospitality.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: We are not quick to share your same sense of humor Zoner. This system is under Coalition martial law.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: And you -will- respect it.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: Is that understood?
OSI-Skyfall: Church: Gentlemen, do we really need to go through all of this posturing?
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: No, posturing is getting us nowhere.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Relay this to your friends and "allies" Captain.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: The time for posturing is over. Next time, defiance -WILL- be met with fire.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: No more playing with words, no more posturing, no more useless talks.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: I have been more than patient, far too much as it has become clear.
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: You believe you can simply get away with your defiance? That we're not serious.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: I will see you on the battlefield Burninator...
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: No, we're serious. We're leaving, but we will return.
The_Burninator: I'll write that down in my planner... hmm...will...return...
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: Tomorrow, we unleash the dogs on this system, and they will be hungry for blood.
The_Burninator: Sorry, we're fresh out of blood. Will they accept bacon bits?
SCRA|CPW-Trotsky: Rhade: We'll wipe that smile off your face soon enough.
SCRA|CPW-Che.Guevara: Coronel: Burninator, I suggest you make preparations for you and your crew's funeral.
And so it would seem that the Coalition not only has no sense of humor, but also intends to break the will of the Guard. If their claim of Zoner terrorism in their home system didn't smack of outright fantasy, I might have been concerned of the man's claims of treachery. But I am not. They are simply bullies, attempting to take with words what they are unsure they will be able to take in battle, despite their show of bravado.
Friends, peers, Zoners. I did not want this fight. They have brought it to our doorstep. We did not strike out from the rule of the Houses only to be subjugated by vodka-swilling miscreants that fornicate with livestock, did we? It is blatantly obvious that these people fabricated a disaster to make us doubt ourselves. To doubt each other. To make it easier for them to divide and conquer us. I will not let that happen! We owe it to the people of Canaria, and to ourselves, to stand up and draw a line in the sand. To make it clear to the Coalition that they may move a boulder, but it will only cause the mountain to come crashing down upon them.
Gather now, Guardsmen, in Omega 49, and we will build a mountain so high they'll be able to see it from home!