Recently our organisations had a short encounter in the Sigma-13 system after which I informed your members that I would contact you. Slightly late, but here I am anyway.
First of all, I'll introduce myself. I am Freya Eistochter, the Vorsitzende, or party leader, of the Bundschuhpartei and a member of the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee. You probably know who we are. After all we were the result of Rheinland's disastrous war against the Gas Miners Guild.
During the recent encounter it became very clear that we have some significant shared interests, especially concerning the Sigma-13 system. One of the main subjects on which we could do with some cooperation is the increasing Corsair presence. We have our headquarters in adjacent Frankfurt system and we've lately been suffering heavily from invasions spearheaded by The Brotherhood. Although we believe the Corsairs have established themselves in Frankfurt itself already we are certain that most of their fleets, especially their capital vessel, are brought from elsewhere and they arrive from the Sigma-13 system.
As a result, protecting your sovereignty in the Sigma-13 system would benefit us as much as it would benefit you. This also extends to a foe perhaps less known to you, but no less problematic: The Unioners. The Unioners originate from an uprising amongst dockworkers but have long since devolved into a crime syndicate. They have openly allied themselves with the Corsairs and actively aid them in battle. Unlike us, they are also count piracy and smuggling as their business and no doubt do so in the Sigma-13 system.
Now you might be wondering what exactly we have in mind. We've come up with some general ideas on which we would like to base a possible treaty if you agree that such a treaty is indeed in your interests. We came up with following:
- The Ryukyu Guild and the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee will never harm each other except in self-defence or when the terms of this agreement are broken.
- The Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee will assist the Ryuku Guild in combat against Corsair and Unioner threats in the Sigma-13 and Frankfurt system
- The Ryukyu Guild authorises the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee to station a fighter/bomber wing on Helgoland Station for the purpose of making previous point easier.
- The Ryukyu Guild will allow the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee to transport Black Market Munitions through Guild territory for the purpose of supplying either ourselves or our allies.
- With the exception of matters specifically mentioned in the treaty the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee will follow the laws set out by the Ryukyu Guild.
If you think something along these lines is agreeable we can work out the details.
Transmission from Planet Miura, Okinawa.
07-08-822 A.S.
To: Freya Eistochter Topic: Re: A proposal
Eistochter-san,
This is... an interesting proposal. An outlawed political party who, from reports, had one run in with our paramilitary as they patrolled our space.
Guburii sabira, excuse me but what your requesting is disrespectful to the Guild, the Commonwealth, and the Ucinanchu people. Why would we allow you to patrol Commonwealth space and move illegal cargo though as well? Regardless of your stance with Rheinland, they are major consumer of our exports. Suddenly harboring their outlaws would not be a good move, hai?
As to the first point of this sudden treaty proposal. Are you threatening to "harm" our vessels if we do not agree to these terms? I hope you rethink what you say to us, it's leaving a masan taste in my mouth.
It seems you are not as familiar with us as I thought. Allow me to clarify. My organisation is outlawed by the government of Rheinland, ja. We are also the founders of that same Rheinland government, we just got back stabbed by the corporate elite. I'm sure you are well aware of the behaviour of corporations like for example Kruger. In addition, we are not explicitly outlawed anywhere else and even welcome in places like Liberty. I understand however that you would not want to cause trouble with the Rheinland government and that's fine. I never said that any agreements would have to be public although I have to remind you that you are a sovereign nation and that Rheinland knows all too well that it shouldn't meddle in your policies. Regardless, the Bundschuh rarely show off their relations with other organisations to the government, it is not an issue to keep it under the table so to speak.
As for having only had single run-in, that is true, but that only goes for your specific guild. We have had an understanding with other Guild Masters in the past. As far as I know you are not a completely separate entity and you are still Gas Miners. The encounter with you made me aware that your particular group is becoming rather prominent and thus needed to be approached separately especially with the current issue, which you have yet to comment on, the Corsairs.
Now as for your specific comments. The first point in my proposal is a formality. Perhaps you expected some 500 word explanation here, but really, that's just what it is. Bundschuh and Guild forces have never clashed, but when agreeing on other things it would be strange not to have agreed anywhere to be at peace with each other.
As for illegal cargo, we aren't talking about drugs or slaves here. We're talking about munitions. We simply have a hard time getting those from legal sources. It is however a point where we would be willing to concede if you really wish so.
As for patrolling your space however, I am truly shocked that that seems to be an issue to you. Our people would not be there to conduct our own operations, they would be there to protect your system from the barbarian Corsairs that wish to slaughter your own people just as much as they wish to slaughter ours. You make it sound like an outrageous demand when in reality it was a generous offer. If that's disrespectful to you then so be it. We intend to save lives, us respecting each other is not a priority, I'm sure we can do that eventually. For now, I just wish for safety for you, which will indirectly improve safety for us and with that the people of Planet Holstein Frankfurt as well.
I hope that clears things up a bit. I can imagine I might appear hostile to you, I assure you I am not, I simply consider this matter urgent and I'd rather be harsh but effective than charming but unable to get anything done within a reasonable amount of time. Regardless of your response, the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee and the Bundschuhpartei will continue to treat you as we've done in the past and you will never have to fear for violence from our side.
My name is Tamagusuku Gihon, one of the Ryukyu Guild Masters and acting lead for our Paramilitary. I've requested to take over this matter due to the nature that this is for the protection of the Ucinanchu people.
I'll start by saying that we are still considered a branch of the Gas Miners, but we do not operate the same. You can blame being planet-locked for most of our existence and how our culture derived from a restricted lifestyle. Miura can be a hostile place, and knowing and trusting your neighbor is required to survive. I believe that is why Sho-sama took your offer so poorly. We don't take to sudden relations every well. Chiyabitai, I am sorry if it came off as hostile or distrusting, but that is the people of Ryukyu.
That aside, even I can see your proposal is... hasty at best. I've gone over the documents left by the former Guild Masters and can see you tell the truth, to an extent. That does not mean we will agree to everything you have put down. Safety of our people comes first thought, and that makes me have to push aside a few notions of distrust.
As it stands, we will allow you into Commonwealth space. I have little love for Rheinland, and they have shown little in the way of respect towards us in regards to what they allow their own corporations to do. As for the Hogosha and Corsairs, murder those terrorist as you please. We ask that you keep your patrols to the southern parts of Sigma-13 and Sigma-17. As for the illegal munitions, I will have to deny that for now. If it becomes an issue we are willing to escort you through our space while you transport it. We will revisit this later should our relations become better. And the last request I will cover is docking a wing on Hegoland. We will allow docking to resupply, repair, and hold location for new patrols. Nothing more. Should your men prove to be of use defeating the rabble that frequents our space, then we may permit a more permanent use of the docks and stationing of your pilots.
As a closing statement, we do not see you as terrorist nor an issue to our operations. That being said, you are not unarmed citizens. Please understand why we take our security of Commonwealth space seriously, and understand we are willing to grow our relations in the future should we both see fit.
Thank you for your response. The commanders of the Vereinigte Widerstandsarmee find your terms agreeable. Their forces have been informed of the restrictions you've set and will be combating our common foes to the best of their abilities.