Buenos dias things,
i doubt we ever met before, so let me start off with things we Corsairs consider polite: introductions. I am senor Trueno Benitez and member of the Council of Corsair Elders, the leaders of the mighty and benevolent Corsair Empire. And we are neighbours.
I heard discomforting news from a trusted source and several comm channels that you or whoever the AI consortium group is have errected a new base next to planet Gammu, si? The Corsair empire is a poquito unsettled about this - it is not like you were our closest and most loved neighbours- still you do nada to try to not offend us. Where were your proper introductions before building defended outposts in -our- backyard? Where did the idea pop up that you can claim a system that is considered Corsair space as yours?
Do you realize we humans see this as declaration of war - if it weren't for the wisdom of the council you would have more of that than you can stomach already.
To put it bluntly- you insulted us and this leaves another bad mark on the history of Corsairs and AIs.
Within short time i will arrive in my personal shuttle in the orbit of planet Gammu to look at the situation at hand with my own eyes - and i dearly hope that i will only find a friendly welcome so we can maybe talk a little about how to integrate you properly under the caring wings of the Corsair empires protectorate if you really want some kind of independence here,si?
Attention: The relevant leadership of the Corsairs.
The Consensus welcomes your statement “senor Trueno Benitez”, and may it provide light to the recent rhetoric of your host empire.
“Cutting to the heart of the matter” (to use terrestrial terms) we consider your logic righteous in attempting to communicate with us (as is logical), although we are also equally concerned that you do not attempt to list any demands with us. In human linguistics, this is tantamount to “saying a lot”, as it suggests that the Corsair Empire expects us to provide explanations to you, rather than the inverse, as the Empire is clearly pressing a point of some kind (presumably one of “flag waving”. As you rightly state, you “doubt we ever met before”. We have not, and this is a situation we wish to rectify if we are to appease both sides with reasonable terms. As you rightly state, “we are neighbours”, and we will offer you the very same terms which we offered some other, more impartial “neighbours” very recently. As we will offer the same terms to any who ask of it.
According to your transmission, the Corsairs have (apparently) “heard discomforting news from a trusted source and several comm channels that you or whoever the AI consortium group is have erected a new base next to planet Gammu”.
Let me set all issues aside by stating that this is completely true. This is our second command centre in orbit of planet Gammu and this station is crucial to our infrastructure. Let me now inform you of a recent disagreement with the Omicron-74 group of Zoners, where the same group also had disagreements with the base’s “proximity to Gammu”, along with the problem of planetary ownership. We must inform the Corsairs; Gammu is worthless to you. Its resources are slight and difficult to access cheaply (a problem that plagues us, as material beings), and inherently radioactive due to ancient dark matter wells, to the degree that any form of planetary landing for a human-crewed ship is extremely dangerous. We ask the Corsairs to check the planetary (human) population levels: they sit at zero. Zero Zoners, and zero Corsairs. Compare this to 1.2 billion shell-connected AI intelligences and 3.7 disconnected intelligences, and the claim appears slight. Once a Corsair Osiris challenged us over docking rights; we will repeat the same reply: “We have no docking frames for terrestrial vessels, no services, nor systems to support any more than a few VIP’s”. Last census reported no Corsair residents. Planetary transponders indicate the planet to be an ex-Zoner world, transponders soon to be replaced, yet even the Zoners recognise our sovereignty over the planet. Where then does the Empire’s claim lie? Please inform us, so we can formulate a rational response.
As to the (more direct) issue of the station itself. If: “The Corsair empire is a poquito unsettled about this”, then we apologise; terrestrial physical irritations are beyond our domain of manipulation or understanding, and we advise the diplomat concerned to see a physician. However, if your meaning is “metaphorical”, then our answer is as follows:
What is the cause of your unsettlement? The station is not hostile to you, was never intended as a defence station and purely exists to service Consensus operations in the system. As existence on the planet itself is impossible for humanity anyway then surely the station presents no issues if it somehow interferes with your planetary docking ability. However, these factors are “beside the point”, there is no need to enter that section of the system, as it presents no tactical advantages to you. Please do not accuse us of diplomatic failings ( “still you do nada to try to not offend us”), as we have not intended to “offend” you. If we have, then please transmit evidence of the allegedly offensive transmission, as we are not fully versed in Corsair cultural subtleties, and we are willing to learn.
Let us look at your next quote: “Where did the idea pop up that you can claim a system that is considered Corsair space as yours?”
The Consensus is aware as to which transmission this extract was formulated from. We apologise, we purely stated the term of “ownership” in the loosest of possible terms; the right to exist, as a state of being, in Omicron Kappa. It is our “home”, in the sense that it is our primary sphere of operations. This by no means is a territorial claim (by human perceptions). Any past AI statements contrary to this fact can be rendered void, the “Omicron Kappa is property of the Consensus” claim merely pertaining to the right to fly within the system without threat. We recognise Corsair political sovereignty in every sense that you consider logical pertaining to empty space (excluding any which would prevent our operations), as space is both common and an infinite resource; we seek no purpose in “sticking a flag in it”. The system is yours if you wish to perceive it that way, with one exception.
This one exception is a 8k no-fire zone around the planet Gammu. We extend these terms to all of humanity, terms which the Omicron 74 group of Zoners have already agreed to such terms. Due to the planetary radioactivity on Gammu (and temperatures below absolute zero) we strongly discourage you from docking (radiation levels rarely fall below several greys), but we will not prevent you with force of arms. As humans say: “Your life is in your hands”.Let us look at this statement: “Do you realize we humans see this as declaration of war - if it weren't for the wisdom of the council you would have more of that than you can stomach already.”
We wish the Corsairs to realise that the Consensus has little understanding of “threats” (due to their inherently illogical nature, especially the illogic of this one). We also wish to inform the Corsairs we have no stomachs, to stomach your conflict with. With this “sentiment” in regard then, we will argue against the following:
“Do you realize we humans see this as declaration of war”?
We would request a reply from the Corsairs, where comes our hostile act? Our only action until now has been to expand peaceably. The Station will never be used to militaristic purposes against your people; there is no pre-requisite. Unless the Corsair Empire considers our very existence to be at cross-purposes with your plans for the Omicron Kappa system? If this is the case then these very negotiations are an illogical use of our time.
To provide expediency, let us analyse the final quote:
“how to integrate you properly under the caring wings of the Corsair empires protectorate if you really want some kind of independence here, si”?
This quote troubles us, as you appear to be offering us the terms of “Protectorate”. Unfortunately we cannot compromise our freedom under any circumstances. Why would we willingly render ourselves vassals to a human power of which we know little? We have no interest in joining your wars: Your enemies are not our enemies any more than your allies are our allies. We wish to remain neutral to all.
The Sirian English dictionary attaches the following meaning to “Independence”:
Independence (noun), “the freedom from dependence on or control by another person, organisation or state”.
We do not seek independence, such an action would be illogical. Why seek what we already have?
As a contrast to your terms, we offer our own, with the goal of mutual-gain. Some have already been pre-stated. Remember that these terms have been drafted into the conditions the most favourable for most sides, and are none negotiable. However, expansions upon these points can be made upon request.
Agreements favouring the AI Consensus: • The Corsair Empire will observe an 8k, spheretical no-fire zone around the planet Gammu. This entails the complete deactivation of weapons within this zone, and only AI shells can maintain active turrets within this area of Omicron Kappa (with the aim of dealing with any nomad forms). Since this state can be easily imitated without a ship’s weapons being deactivated (this extends to all ship classes), this agreement relies on trust, and is thus much harder to violate than a military boundary. If any ships of the Corsair Empire are fired on within this zone (by a hostile power), they may consider themselves exempt from this ruling and reactivate their guns accordingly.
• The Corsair Empire will not interfere with Consensus station construction projects within Omicron Kappa. If you have a complaint, manifest it in a form other than gunfire.
• The Corsair Empire will not attempt to introduce the AI Consensus into any of its own conflicts, or claim the Consensus to be its “protectorate”. We will not live in slavery.
• The Corsair Empire can dock at Gammu, but such an action is strongly discouraged and we will prevent it by every means short of gunfire, as you risk your own personal by landing.
• The Corsair Empire will not threaten or attempt to coerce AI units, or the Consensus as a body, such actions are inherently illogical and will be treated with disdain.
• The Corsair Empire will not make cargo demands of the Consensus, pirate the Consensus, or any other action that generates economic interference.
Agreements favouring the Corsair Empire: • Consensus (AI) warships will not enter the Omicron Gamma system. Any AI cruiser the Corsairs discover violating your territory can be destroyed freely, and without protest by your war fleet if they refuse demands to return to Kappa. Please notify us if such an event occurs. Trading vessels and fighter drones can however move through your space (allowing our two factions to trade basic commodities).
• The Corsairs are free to move warships of any class through the Omicron Kappa system, including the 8k no-fire zone.
• We will not dispute any concepts of ownership the Corsairs have towards star systems. Such ideas contain no use for us.
• The AI Consensus will not build defensive stations around the Omicron Gamma jump connexion.
We hope these terms appear logical, as they appear to us. The Consensus is expectant of your reply and please be knowlegable that we wish for peace, little else, so we can both persue our own goals in mutual harmony.