I'm saddened to contact you under these circumstances, but It appears we have another problem on our hands.
Today I was helping a young paisan find his way from Planet Malta to Barrier Gate Station to have his ship armored. When we passed through the jumphole from Tau-29, both our ships were decimated by the weapon platforms of your "Freeport".
Out of my own pocket I installed the young Outcast with a new Falcata, but my Sabre had to get salvaged and repaired. It is outfitted with 4 very rare Excalibur weapons, a gift from a precious friend, and they proved costly to repair. 23,178,422 Credits to be precise.
I expect full reimbursement, made payable to Don:Rizza.
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*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc.Holliday
Location: Personal Quarters, [TAZ]Med.Force.One
To: Don Rizza
I have sent you what you asked for with something extra. It should cover your loss and get you a few rounds of drinks on me as well.
Now, as to the Freeport and it's defense complex. This message was sent awhile back by the base administration. While it is a TAZ base and in our own space, this notice was put out by the administrator of the base, Theodore Sturgeon:
You will find the application free and painless. While the system has it's flaws, it has put a damper on the piracy in our system and is also a measure to prevent possible Gallic incursions, a threat we have long monitored.
So I hope this settles things a bit. Once you get a permit, drop by Shasta and put a few drinks on my tab.
For a long time you have been a most generous host, allowing our ships free passage through your home. We have extended our gratitude to Zoners as well, by allowing the construction of a Freeport in Tau-37, to name just one example. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship.
I do however wonder how many ships in transit to or from Malta that have been attacked by your Freeport?
You see, a lot of the captains and pilots involved in supplying the Maltese nation or involved with exporting our Orange Dream prefer to do so discretely. Our Cardamine is an illegal substance in most regions of Sirius, and it is - I suppose - against most House Laws to supply Outcasts with commodities and manpower; so naturally a vast part of these - to us - vital captains simply cannot and will not allow their transports to be registered, as it can lead to severe ramifications if [TAZ] should have an information leak or otherwise be pressured into handing over information to outside sources.
I have been away for a while, but it is my intention to investigate just how much your Freeport have cost my own plantation, as well as the Maltese nation in general, in lost revenues. This is a very serious matter, not just for me personally, but for every single citizen that prosper under the Maltese cross.
The free flow of goods is of course paramount to us, and we should find a solution to secure full discretion for our suppliers and exporters.
*Incoming Transmission*
Comm ID: Mad John Rackham
Location: Ambassador's Office, Shasta Orbital Skyhook, Baffin System
To: Don Rizza
Senor, first of all I hope you have found Doc's immediate reparations satisfactory, as he says, it was never the TAZ intentions to damage our reputation or friendship through the creation of the Base, but more to secure the safety of all who travel with good intent inside Baffin space.
In this regard, the TAZ will reimburse any damage caused to registered ships, but this will need to be recorded and presented by the captain of the ship itself as Malaclypse Base holds no information about vessels passing by, or about any cargo which might be carried. The Base is basically dumb and responds only to sensory information about vessels on a "friend or foe" basis.
So in this respect, please be assured that the mere registration of a ship means nothing, as no information is held by the Base or relayed elsewhere with regard to any ship being, or having been, present in Baffin and we certainly don't record any cargo carried. It suits us this way for security purposes as we would not like to, or be able to be put in a position whereby we could be coerced to divulge information regarding the ship movements of our good neighbours, friends or allies to an unfriendly third party.
I hope this goes someway to allaying your concerns Senor,