***Incoming transmission*** To:Dr. John Henry Holliday, TAZ Administrator From:Don Teodoro Alonso, WoL Captain Location:Albion Light, Omicron Alpha Security:High
Hola Dr. Holliday.
Probably you don't remember me, and perhaps a year ago I wouldn't think about that. Much changed since then, it has been a hard time for me, and hard times incline to reflections. All my life I tried to do what I considered right, make things better for my people, make life better for those I love. You may ask: how could things be right in a society using forced labor to produce certain addictive substance? I've been always choosy when it comes to people working on my plantations. Liberty prisoners working in libertonian corrective installations gratis, our enemies showing arrogance and disrespect or coming to our space seeking our blood or payment for our heads. All of them made their choice themselves at least once. Perhaps it's just a way to justufy myself in my own eyes. But there is something I can't justify myself for anymore.
It happened during the Zoner-Corsair conflict, one of those almost forgotten wars which shortness don't make them less bloody. I among Outcasts and other forces stood with Zoners in defense of Zoner installations, blood was spilled on both sides of the conflict, lives and ships were lost. Back when, what I did seemed to me justified. I tended to think I was doing more right than wrong when I searched the battlefield to find what I knew was there. I found an abandoned critically damaged Zoner vessel and managed to transport it to my home. It took a long time until I got necessary resources and facilities to undertake required works to make the ship spaceworthy again. It resulted in a moderate success, and I got an operational Aquilon under my command.
I was proud of it, I was proud of the work it took to restore the vessel back to life. My people got a powerful vessel of elegant design. Not able to determine the vessel's original name, one of many victims in the senseless conflict, I gave it a new life as "Vengeance Angel", bringing vengeance for those who almost destroyed it. Its actions didn't remain unnoticed, and the vessel was considered "infected" by Zoners from the first strike against Corsairs It made. Smiling at this label, I kept being worried my actions could throw a shadow on the whole Outcast people. From the offensive role planned for the vessel originally, it became the WoL flagship, the only battleship class vessel we had, being used mostly in defensive and as a special purpose vessel.
Recently, with Outcast Don position, my responsibility before my people became even greater. I was justifying myself that the vessel belonged to the party which salvaged it. But what would have happenned had I not taken it in my hands? Would it drift to outer reaches of Omicron Theta and remain forever dead and forgotten? Would Zoners arrive after dust settled and take care of it, or would it be Junkers hauling it away part by part as scrap metal? Or perhaps it would even turn out in Corsair or someone else's possession? We can never know it now. But there is something I can still do. I wish to return the vessel back to Zoners with my apologies, transferring it under your command in hope that it will serve Zoners and Eris in its restored shape even better as it did to us. I heard you were going to visit Malta, perhaps we could discuss transfer details in person?
Posts: 8,108
Threads: 731
Joined: Aug 2008
Staff roles: Moderator
*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc.Holliday
Location: Personal quarters, [TAZ]Med.Force.One
To: Don Teodoro Alonso
Hola, Senor Alonso,
Sadly, I don't remember a year ago. If you're like me, you often forget what you had for breakfast earlier the same day.
I was intrigued by your story and by your candor. It isn't very often someone takes possession of a Zoner ship like an Aquilon and never returns it. For that, you have my respect.
I have no need of such a ship but I do know someone who does, the Commander of Freeport 6. He has no knowledge of this and a bolstering of his small defense force there would make him smile I'm sure.
If you don't mind, I will take the ship and turn it over to him. I'm sure he will thank you personally for it.
I didn't see you asking for return but if I can, I will return the favor in some way. I can offset your expenses or I can ship some goods to Malta if that will help.
Let me know and if there are transfer codes, let me know as well. I'll take it to Baffin for some minor inspection work prior to turning it over to Freeport 6.
Yours in Eris,
Dr. John Henry Holliay
TAZ Administrator
***Incoming transmission*** To:Dr. John Henry Holliday, TAZ Administrator From:Don Teodoro Alonso, WoL Captain Location:Albion Light, Omicron Alpha Security:High
Hola Dr. Holliday.
I will be pleased if this vessel will find its rightful place in the Commander's defense fleet, I hope he will love the ship as much as I do, The vessel was moved to Freeport 6 with a skeleton crew, and the crew has already returned to Omicron Alpha. All security lock codes are attached with special protocol.
Gracias for your offer, senor Holliday, I appreciate it, yet I beleive I took too much on myself appropriating the vessel in the first place, even given its condition at that time. Regarding possible shipments, I will keep that in mind, perhaps something mutually beneficial for our people may come up in future.
Adios and may luck accompanies all your endevours.