Livadia Shipyard Meeting Room

[Dourden4]

Duncan merely sat and listened as John spoke. He sat silently as John spoke of the Gallic threat to Baffin and the TAZ, and their reluctance to commit warships to far from Baffin. Duncan nodded as he was addressed, indicating his agreement with Johns words. As John finished his speech, Duncan stood again.

"Gentleman, We have all come to this meeting in hopes of settling how Zoner defense issues should be handled. Everything said thus far has been true and accurate. However, I see little progress toward the goal. As is the norm for meetings between our folk, we dance around the issue and solve nothing."

Duncan sighed

"It is quite obvious that with the possible exception of TAZ, we cannot adequately defend ourselves. The question is what do we do about it. No, there will not be nor should there be any attempt at Zoner unification. Our differences are too great, our love of personal freedom too strong for any sector wide rule to work. An agreement, as John has proposed, is by far the best solution as I see it. Then the question becomes what are we agreeing on? John mentioned tech and engineering exchanges, But I feel this agreement should do more. Zoners as a whole have three important areas, Baffin is held by the TAZ, while Omega 49 and Omicron 74 stand in a void of leadership. Large scale unification will never work, but perhaps a small, local and regional idea could work. The important areas for Zoners need leadership."

Duncan glanced slowly from John to Christian

Leadership is needed, but to gain that leadership someone needs to be in control. Given that each area already a presence of each of our group, deciding on this would be challenging."

Duncan finished his thoughts, and sat back down to wait for the meeting to continue.

---

[RedEclipse]

Christian awaited when colleges share their thoughts, carefully listening what they said. As Duncan let them know he finished, Christian smiled and began to speak.

"You both raised good points, but before to discuss all of these details and our further cooperation, we should to discuss main matter, a reason of such meeting. As Duncan already started...

Christian gave a pause before continue.

As you may see, all of past conflicts we were able to solve if we had direct administration of 49 and 74. For us 74 is our home, a nice and peaceful place to rest after the journey, get the repairs... It's been like always, in Zoner Trading Consortium and then it fall to the Omicroners, but it's not really important now. As we've lost ownership under 74, you may see the results, which is really sad.

Christian took a pause and poured some water and continued.

"Omega-49... all of us have noticed OSI settled here and doing their job pretty well in developing this region, including their diplomatic skills in such hot place as Gran Canaria. Gentlemen, a perfect example is a Baffin system. This place never had such problems, a directed by ownership of TAZ did a great job here."

Christian sighed.

"So, my suggestion is to make a official representative of each region:

• Baffin - TAZ controlled space
  
• Omega-49 - OSI controlled space
  
• Omicron-74 - Phoenix controlled space
  

It will solve many problems and should to stable Zoner movement in general, for the safety of the refugees and our people."

Christian peered at Duncan and John, drink some water and continued.

"What do you think, gentlemen?"

[Dourden4]

Duncan sat and listened to Christians proposal carefully. The idea had strong merit, but also held many dangers. Once Christian had finished speaking, Duncan stood and looked to the two men before him.

" This proposal holds strong merits gentleman. From OSI's viewpoint, This agreement would only make official the stance we have long considered. The question that will need an answer is this: How far does this control go? Baffin, while an open system, is TAZ territory. This is a major difference from both 49 and 74, as they are general systems. Would this agreement transfer ownership of the systems, or merely make the respective groups an administrator of sorts. At what point would a groups authority end and all of us need to be brought in?"

Duncan paused for a moment, letting his words settle into the two men.

" We need to be clear on all the rules and restrictions, else we are just asking for future problems. If there is one thing I have learned from my time as CEO of OSI, its that vague agreements lead to trouble. This needs to be ironclad to prevent any loopholes those that would fight this agreement would use."

His mind spoken, Duncan relaxed back into his chair. He reached forward and collected his own glass of water, and began drinking it slowly waiting for the others to speak.

---

[RedEclipse]

As Duncan finished his speech, Christian thought John would like to share his opinion on this matter, and he gave a pause before to continue, but John was in the thoughts.

"Duncan raised good point. TAZ holding all power under Baffin system, and I support same system for 74 and 49. Don't understand me in a wrong way."

Christian took a pause, to let John to answer. With no reaction, he continued.

"In such places as Omicrons, or as in any remote region, situation can be changed within few hours, I think Duncan can support me at this point."

Christian poured some water while think what to say something else, and don't be too rough. Omicrons changed him, and he was interested in total control of Omicron-74, as he been man of action. Bureaucracy wouldn't work here, only to bind hand.

"So, Phoenix supports idea of total control of each system as I previously said, as time shows it's best solution."

[Joggin]

Rackam stirred from his reverie...

"Humph! Cough!... Gents, sorry ... I was lost in consultation with Eris for a few moments..... ". Muttered the embarrassed Ambassador.

"But looking at these things, the Zoners and all the Chaos surrounding us in general, the TAZ have found peace in Baffin and ways of juggling a safe medium with friends some foe and even the Greyfaced Houses such as Liberty and Rheinland. This has only been achieved through hard work and the mutual respect we hold with others, tough to gain and sometimes harder to maintain, sacrifices sometimes need to be made... You will grow to appreciate this."

Rackham looked at the two men in turn.....

"Are you ready for this? ......I believe you are, the Phoenix and OSI have achieved excellent relationships with others in Sirius, so in that light the TAZ would support your proposals regarding O49 and O74 , provided this doesn't mean annexing the Systems, such a move, I'm sure you'll understand, would backfire and bring war to your doors. And your diplomatic skills will be highly tested in this process, don't expect a done and dusted agreement to blink into existence without blood and tears, there will be those that plot to thwart you....."

"Aye, yes, Gentlemen, we'll flourish a robe or two in the advancement of your venture! Let us know where we can be of assistance..... We see mutual mutual benefits in this.

And peering into his empty cup, Rackham made a further enquiry .....

"Any more tea left?"

---

[RedEclipse]

As John finished, Christian smiled, and started to speak.

"It's good to hear gentlemen, all of us share same view on this matter."

He relaxed back in his char, poured some water and continued.

"I'm glad to know you both supported our idea, if even such places can be just like hot pan, a responsible group should bring only a stability of each region. Anyway... Any ideas, questions?

[Major_Mayhem]

After a long journey, Jason Kelly reached the Omega-74 system. Noticably tired, he patted his pilot on the shoulder.

"Good flying Mister Oberlander." Then Jason took the comm and hailed Livadia Shipyard.

***This is the OSI-SolarPassion. We're here on invitation from Christian Burton and are requesting permission to land.