┝┅{Sender:Commander Michela Calliente ┝┅{Recipient:Fiorella Arianna de Marco ┝┅{Location:Unidentified Location ┝┅{Message Type:Recording ┝┅{Subject:The Edgeworlds ┝┅{Encryption:High Signora de Marco,
It looks like we’ve both failed to reduce the increase of full-blown warfare between our people. As regrettable as it is, we should not give up now.
You trusted me with information so I am contacting you to hopefully return the favor. You gave me valuable intel that allowed me to save Corsair lives. Our fleet was prepared and ready for Core, our station’s defenses fully operational. Little did we expect an open declaration from Malta Hyperspace Starfleet. The bulk of the forces we encountered were Outcast. We destroyed many of their ships during the defenses and secured a significant tactical supremacy in Delta. Considering our victory, I would rejoice if I didn’t know what was truly at stake. There were hardly any assets lost for Core.
I am attaching with my message the coordinates of all known destroyed Outcast ships. The ships are stripped and damaged beyond repair. But I am confident that there might be some pods still out there. Considering the assets' hull integrity (or lack thereof), any crew that survived would be seriously injured. With the military targets disabled and in their present state, they are no threat to us, so I don’t see a reason why not to offer you the opportunity to save some lives. Their sacrifice in vain, to support Core interests.
Bringing them back might give you the edge you need so that your voice is heard. You might consider spearheading a new more reasonable political direction for the Outcasts.
Once more, I will encourage a de-escalation and return to the cold war from my side.
Sender ID: Fiorella Arianna de Marco Recipient ID: Commander Michela Calliente Subject: The Edgeworlds Commander Calliente
Your gesture of mutual respect is appreciated. We will recover our escape pods as soon as possible.
However, a similar development was to be expected. Indeed, de-escalation will not be possible until the reasons that caused it - namely, the existence of various power and defense pacts in the Omicrons - are dissolved by both parties.
Consider what our region was before - us, you, the Zoners, the Bounty Hunters, and the Order, which had neither the time nor the opportunity to meddle in our affairs. It was all clear and understandable.
And what is the situation now - the Corsairs defending other parties who, according to them, have far more significant ideological conflicts with us than you do. Some of them even want us exterminated to the last man, woman, and child. How can my people trust you not to have such intentions? How can you trust we will not jump on the opportunity to wipe you out?
How long did the all-out war between Crete and Malta last - one or two decades? It is far too long for you and me to de-escalate it by merely whispering to our leaders.
As long as the Corsairs and Outcasts keep coming to the aid of other parties in the Omicrons against each other, making the situation opaque and unpredictable, this all-out war will hardly ever end.
Neither of us will ever stand down alone. It would be a sign of weakness in both of our cultures.