[Files] The Matter of Bering

[Thexare]

Involved Parties: Battlegroup Harmony, Alster Union, Lane Hackers, Hellfire Legion, MND (unconfirmed but likely)
Evaluation: Conflict between Union and Hellfire/Harmony alliance teetering on brink of total war. If war is fought to conclusion, one or more involved parties likely to suffer complete collapse. Lane Hackers visibly attempting to act as mediators, also appear to be playing both sides to an extent.
OIC Disposition: Assist the Lane Hackers in brokering peace. Investigate involved parties. If peace talks collapse, Alster Union believed more useful than Harmony, but also more unstable.

Notes: Conflict erupted after a Hellfire Legion NEMP strike on Pacifica, believed to be in coordination with Battlegroup Harmony. The reason for the initial strike is believed to be equal parts Legion retaliation for Union raids on Texas and Harmony not receiving the Hel-class interdiction cruiser they purchased. This seems like a gross overreaction.

The Union has made claims regarding MND involvement (see file: OIC-Snarl), which throws a wrench into our working hypothesis that Harmony is actually an LSF front. We can't rule out either possibility, or even the slim chance that Harmony is being played by both sides. The Hackers working with the Buro fits expected behavior. While their infamous arrogance opens up avenues of manipulation, it also makes it very difficult to keep them under anyone's thumb. Besides which, the Hackers are first and foremost opposed to Ageira and Interspace.

If the Buro is involved, their goal is almost assuredly to keep Liberty from attacking while Rheinland is occupied with occupying the Sigmas, and they will work with anyone they can to further that end. The Xenos can be immediately ruled out for obvious reasons, and the Rogues are too disorganized to be of much coherent use. That leaves the Legion, Harmony, and Hackers. The Union is an outlawed organization in Rheinland, but that doesn't mean the Buro won't work with them under the table regardless.

Active Operations: Agent Shiranui is monitoring the diplomatic situation.

Reference Files:

File: 4OF-Illat-Canberra-4

NO-F-Saronsen: Good day.
Felicity.Willing: Good evening, rather.
NO-F-Saronsen: Ehh, my internal clock is definitely in another system. How do you fare?
Felicity.Willing: Good enough. Canberra turned out to be a hospitable place.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's been a bit of a process. I'm not sure how old the station actually is, but.
NO-F-Saronsen: Beds, bath, bar, all the necessities.
Felicity.Willing: I could realise.
NO-F-Saronsen: You'll have to forgive the lack of welcoming party, much of the fleet is spread thin currently.
Felicity.Willing: Picking something up and suiting it to be a better place is never an easy task.
Felicity.Willing: Worry not, this can be forgiven.
Felicity.Willing: The gesture itself was quite a surprisde.
Felicity.Willing: Surprise, even.
NO-F-Saronsen: I wasn't given too much information, just to make sure you're welcomed properly.
NO-F-Saronsen: There was admittedly some amount of hostility in the Natios and Lane Hackers past, but I never knew the why myself.
Felicity.Willing: Whatever the reason was - it apparently lies in the past, prior to me becoming the part of the Inner Circle.
Felicity.Willing: I don't know the whole story either.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm. I never did get along with the inner circle myself. Mactan was less of a home and more of a pitstop.
NO-F-Saronsen: A one.. Phate wasn't particularly fond of me either if I recall.
Felicity.Willing: Well, i can't help but to inquire on the reason of the invitation.
Felicity.Willing: Natio, apparently, would want to establish some sort of a discussion?
NO-F-Saronsen: That does seem to be the case. It may have been more an open invitation to stop here for whatever we may be able to offer you.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'll see if I can't find out the Taskmasters true intentions.
Felicity.Willing: You know i am not forcing you to dig through their mind intentionally.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, the more the merrier.
Felicity.Willing: Good evening.
Felicity.Willing: I've expected to be not alone either, but it seems that my colleague will not be present.
NO-F-Saronsen: So much more welcoming than me.
Felicity.Willing: Your hospitality is appreciated, Mr.Riley.
NO-F-Saronsen: Looking through the logs, we're just looking to make things less.. unfriendly, with the Lane Hackers. From what they've decided
NO-F-Saronsen: there's no actual reason for us to be hostile towards the Lane Hackers.
NO-F-Saronsen: Considering the roots of.. a number of people here, it does make sense.
Felicity.Willing: Neither there is such a reason for us. To be honest, we might even have some mutual grounds.
Felicity.Willing: Like those nasty Gauls pestering our borders.
NO-F-Saronsen: I spent years as a Mactan based Hacker myself, and a number of people in the Fleet were Hacker associates.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed, we've had our run ins with them out here.
NO-F-Saronsen: Particularly their intelligence branch.
Felicity.Willing: These are the most unpleasing ones.
Felicity.Willing: Sniffing around anywhere, possessing some stealth technologies.
Felicity.Willing: Quite a slippery meat to deal with.
NO-F-Saronsen: Thankfully their navy doesn't seem to actually /care/ about Canberra, or this system.
NO-F-Saronsen: Nor do the.. Colonials. Crayter now is it?
Felicity.Willing: They are more occupied with the actual war theaters.
Felicity.Willing: I believe you are partaking in one of these.
Felicity.Willing: You as Natio, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed, we tend to be a large thorn in their side whenever possible.
NO-F-Saronsen: We have a rather large strikeforce of bombers parked comfortably in Bretonia in fact.
NO-F-Saronsen: On the border I should say, Curacao.
Felicity.Willing: That is understandable. Quite a well placed base of operations.
NO-F-Saronsen: Sure, safe skies.
Felicity.Willing: Safe skies, Mr.Riley.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course
Felicity.Willing: Mister... Saronsen, i assume?
NO-F-Saronsen: Yeah?
Felicity.Willing: A word have been spreaded among our ranks that Natio does have connections to Alster Union, and is concerned with state of-
Felicity.Willing: -affairs in Bering?
Felicity.Willing: Is that so?
Felicity.Willing: It's one of those 'mutual grounds' i've mentioned before.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm, something like that. We've done business before.
Felicity.Willing: To make it blunt - i am working towards the crysis being resolved.
NO-F-Saronsen: We're definitely not involved in that.. mess. Our concern is the supply of scrap that's made its way to Canberra for processing
NO-F-Saronsen: has..
NO-F-Saronsen: Dwindled, might be the right word.
Felicity.Willing: Do you have intentions of supporting Alster Union in some way? Perhaps, providing them with a temporary refuge?
Felicity.Willing: Harmony will not reach out 'that' far, and certainly not while we are... contact on scanners.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm? Oh, yeah, she's welcome.
NO-F-Saronsen: As for the support, as far as I know, nothing direct, or indirectly beneficial.
NO-F-Saronsen: We accept refugees all the time, and I imagine if the Alster Union knows of that, they might use that.
NO-F-Saronsen: I do believe the Taskmasters mentioned they're allowed here for humanitarian purposes, whatwith the rumors of what's going on
Felicity.Willing: Given you have had business before - they are aware of this.
NO-F-Saronsen: in the Bering system.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, most should be aware, but tend to be ignorant of what some people offer.
Felicity.Willing: Trust me, their current state of affairs is unpleasant.
Felicity.Willing: But you know that as well as i do.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm personally ignorant of the situation, I just skim through our logs on occasion.
Felicity.Willing: If the Harmony will proceed with the current course - they will have their leash pulled.
Felicity.Willing: We find their actions rather... unpleasing.
NO-F-Saronsen: Haven't they successfully lost.. mmmost of their allies?
Felicity.Willing: They have had a drastical change of course, that is.
Felicity.Willing: Which is actually equal to losing allies.
Felicity.Willing: To discover support in alternative sources, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: They're probably very fortunate Gallia is stepping on Liberty's toes.
NO-F-Saronsen: Probably would've swept through Bering with the entire navy if that wasn't the case.
Felicity.Willing: Well, our course of action is decided at this point. Perhaps we will bring Navy to a conclusion that such a sweep is necessary.
Felicity.Willing: Yet, we are more focused on different concerns.
Felicity.Willing: Specifically - Gauls stepping on Liberty's... just what the hell is that gathering?
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, we are a fairly neutral port afterall.
NO-F-Saronsen: Some people take comfort in 'reformed' scumbags instead of Zoners.
Felicity.Willing: Mister Saronsen, i would like thse individuals to be gone from the area. Temporarily.
Felicity.Willing: Or should we move away from the gathering?
NO-F-Saronsen: We could do that.
Felicity.Willing: Given the circumstances - i would encourage that.
NO-F-Saronsen: Moving
Felicity.Willing: Engage formation, Mr. Saronsen.
NO-F-Saronsen: On your wing.
NO-F-Saronsen: Be back soon folks.
NO-F-Saronsen: You can keep them company over there if you'd like
Felicity.Willing: I apologise for the sudden relocation.
NO-F-Saronsen: Fair enough
NO-F-Saronsen: It's understandable.
NO-F-Saronsen: The inner circle is rather well known for its.. secrecy. Surprising we talked about it there at all.
Felicity.Willing: There are... matters to be discussed without ears.
Felicity.Willing: Having you toe-to-toe with me will allow us to talk more freely.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course.
Felicity.Willing: Well then, where were we?
NO-F-Saronsen: On the topic of Bering I believe.
Felicity.Willing: Gauls, Bering, somewhere around these two matters that could potentially close the gap.
Felicity.Willing: The gap between the Inner Cicrle and Natio, that is.
NO-F-Saronsen: Was there something you had in mind at this time? Or will we be hearing from the Inner Circle soon about that?
Felicity.Willing: I am working pretty much personally on the case, in tight cooperation with The Union, of course.
Felicity.Willing: Or, at least - with someone representing their interests and the one eager to conclude the conflict.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see.
Felicity.Willing: Mostly now we remain dormant, and are focused on Gallic issue.
Felicity.Willing: In particular - the big nasty construction site in Leeds.
Felicity.Willing: I believe you have seen it.
NO-F-Saronsen: With my own eyes? I have not. Is it that new Jumpgate, presumeably going to New London?
Felicity.Willing: Exactly.
Felicity.Willing: We have a confirmation of this, as well as the supplying going at a constant rate.
Felicity.Willing: Even through it is a bit... chaotic.
Felicity.Willing: So far the shipments do not look somewhat scheduled.
NO-F-Saronsen: Strange considering the rampant piracy and privateering behind Gallic lines. They must be just throwing bodies at the project.
Felicity.Willing: However, neither they bother with setting appropriate escort to the transports.
Felicity.Willing: Above that - i have discovered the source of where commodities are coming from.
NO-F-Saronsen: Oh?
Felicity.Willing: The system's called Picardy. The facility is presumably located in grid square 2B.
Felicity.Willing: A transport intercept in that system only confirmes that assumption.
Felicity.Willing: Intercepted, even.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see. I think we know a number of groups who wouldn't mind having that information as well.
Felicity.Willing: Gallic opposition, mostly.
Felicity.Willing: I would assume that.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed.
Felicity.Willing: Let me be honest: we are drastically interested in this shipments intercepted and extorted. Actually, we could perform the-
Felicity.Willing: -extortions ourselves.
Felicity.Willing: On a recent occasion i have discussed that matter with Bretonian intelligence.
NO-F-Saronsen: Their variety of gate and lane technology, no doubt?
Felicity.Willing: Bull's eye, Mister Saronsen.
Felicity.Willing: At this point we have retrieved only one shipment of these parts.
Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned, these are quite chaotic.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm. And every blow to that supply line probably drastically lengthens the time it'll take to build that gate.
Felicity.Willing: Precisely.
Felicity.Willing: At this point, Mister Saronsen, i would like you to keep everything said within the Natio's command.
Felicity.Willing: Share this to the taskmasters only.
NO-F-Saronsen: Of course.
Felicity.Willing: There is a reason we are delaying their shipments.
NO-F-Saronsen: I mean frankly, just to spite the gauls is reason enough for me personally.
Felicity.Willing: I hope you are upholding the same principle of your promises the Lane Hackers do.
Felicity.Willing: As such - give me your promise.
NO-F-Saronsen: Mm, what am I promising, to be exact?
NO-F-Saronsen: I do prefer to have the details plain.
Felicity.Willing: To keep the reason of their shipments being intercepted and construction delayed in secret to anyone except your taskmasters.
Felicity.Willing: That is what i would want you to keep in secret.
NO-F-Saronsen: You have my word on that. Only the Taskmasters will receive this information.
Felicity.Willing: The Lane Hackers are 'that' close to produce Spyglass Mark II.
Felicity.Willing: Might be quite a specific reason, but that's pretty much everything i can tell.
NO-F-Saronsen: Ah, I see. I can imagine you'd want that under wraps.
Felicity.Willing: It is relieving to have your understanding.
NO-F-Saronsen: From Ageira to the Lane Hackers to the Natio, I've learned to keep my mouth shut over the last decade or so.
Felicity.Willing: That's certainly a useful trait. Silence is life sometimes.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, silence when it comes to secrets anyway.
NO-F-Saronsen: Any other time I generally talk too much.
Felicity.Willing: Precisely. You seem to be smart, and resourceful. Which brings me to a confusion you did not extend that gesture of friendship-
Felicity.Willing: -earlier.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm personally not the one who can make those orders. And the Taskmasters had.. other issues for a time.
Felicity.Willing: I wish i could tell you the details, but the project is kept in secrecy, not even the senior members know a lot about it.
NO-F-Saronsen: I see.
NO-F-Saronsen: Well, hopefully this leads to a warmer relationship betwen the Natio and the Inner Circle.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's bad enough I'm paranoid of the Navy when I'm passing through, let alone running into a Lane Hacker in a bad mood.
Felicity.Willing: Hopefully. I would've personally ensure that warmup if you'd be a little more honest about what you are going to do in Bering.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'm honestly unaware of any planned activities in Bering. So far the only actions we've taken is allowing the Alster Union to
NO-F-Saronsen: send Refugees to Canberra.
Felicity.Willing: I see.
Felicity.Willing: Going to be hell of a task with that blockade, through.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed. If they're desperate enough, they might try their luck going through Hamburg, and all the way through the Sigmas and
NO-F-Saronsen: Kusari to get here.
Felicity.Willing: With all the mess going out there? With the Core eagerly shooting everything that comes through Sigma-15, Rheinland affairs-
Felicity.Willing: -with the Gas Miners, and, as the final nail on the coffin - the Sigma-21.
Felicity.Willing: Making hyperspatial jumps with small portions of refugees would be a better option, don't you think?
NO-F-Saronsen: It would, though I'm not certain if they have any ships capable of it.
NO-F-Saronsen: God forbid they attempt to jump with a damaged capital too, they'll break its back and probably never be able to use it again.
Felicity.Willing: All other options involve hell of a risk.
Felicity.Willing: Their attempt to jump with a damaged capital?
Felicity.Willing: Is there something i don't know?
Felicity.Willing: Which capital? When? Have Natio spoken them out of that idea?
NO-F-Saronsen: Ah, no, nothing like that.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's just my personal speculation. Their station was crippled, and I imagine any capitals are probably hurting from the fightin
Felicity.Willing: Crippled. To say the least.
Felicity.Willing: It suffered a direct hit of Nuclear EMP payload.
NO-F-Saronsen: Yeah, that'll do it.
Felicity.Willing: You can imagine the consequences.
NO-F-Saronsen: And I imagine any repairs for their capitals is only for critical damage, which means jumps are probably ill-advised.
Felicity.Willing: I've seen them in person few days ago.
NO-F-Saronsen: Unless they have something no one is aware of.
Felicity.Willing: That's unlikely.
Felicity.Willing: They have been holding close ties with Harmony for years.
Felicity.Willing: Unfortunately, during that time Harmony was able to assess the Unions' powers there, in Bering.
Felicity.Willing: And all this - for a single cruiser and a couple of shots fired.
NO-F-Saronsen: I heard the Union sent them packing quite easily in that altercation as well.
NO-F-Saronsen: I suppose numbers will beat out skill in the end.
Felicity.Willing: To be honest: Harmony might have deserved this.
Felicity.Willing: That's what they get for turning their back on someone who basically saved them few years ago.
NO-F-Saronsen: Indeed. And now they have the Liberty Navy casting a shadow over them again.
Felicity.Willing: When Harmony was nothing but a scattered, vulnerable bunch of rogue Navy and LSF pilots.
Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned - perhaps they should get their arse cracked a bit.
Felicity.Willing: To have that feeling of their own blood on their tongue to realise their mistakes.
NO-F-Saronsen: It's strange how they've lasted as long as they have. A small battlegroup threatening the entirety of the Liberty forces.
Felicity.Willing: Anyway, mister Saronsen. I would still like to meet one of your Taskmasters in person.
Felicity.Willing: Could i possibly entrust you the arranging of that meeting?
Felicity.Willing: Anwering your question pre-emptively - yes, i will be staying on Canberra for a while.
NO-F-Saronsen: I'll be sure to let them know of your wishes, and get them to contact you directly.
NO-F-Saronsen: And especially if you're staying on Canberra, it's far more likely it'll happen sooner rather than later.
Felicity.Willing: That fits me.
Felicity.Willing: Should we return to Canberra now?
NO-F-Saronsen: Couldn't hurt.
Felicity.Willing: I would not mind a hot bath and a soft bed right now.
NO-F-Saronsen: Wouldn't mind that myself, though I do have some paperwork followed by a patrol to handle.
Felicity.Willing: So do i.
Felicity.Willing: I've climbed high, but not that high to have no one to write reports to.
NO-F-Saronsen: Bah, even at the top you still need to keep track of paperwork.
Felicity.Willing: Farewell, mr.Saronsen.
NO-F-Saronsen: Have a good evening, miss Willing.

File: OIC-First Steps

[31.08.2018 00:47:33] NO-I-Green.River: Hmm. Shiranui adjusted some things here... I'll sort that out later.
[31.08.2018 00:47:46] NO-I-Green.River: Well. I was informed you wanted to speak with a Taskmaster.
[31.08.2018 00:47:58] Felicity.Willing: That is correct.
[31.08.2018 00:48:06] NO-I-Green.River: I had intended to leave this matter to my agents, but if that's your wish.
[31.08.2018 00:48:12] NO-I-Green.River: I am Taskmaster Escher.
[31.08.2018 00:48:43] Felicity.Willing: I have had a belief that you would provide me with somewhat more... precise information.
[31.08.2018 00:49:04] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. We like to play our cards close, but I may be able to accomodate you.
[31.08.2018 00:49:15] NO-I-Green.River: I also need to survey the hull of Canberra.
[31.08.2018 00:49:25] NO-I-Green.River: There was an... incident earlier.
[31.08.2018 00:49:53] Felicity.Willing: I could feel that accident myself. And that was, uh... a Crayter dreadnought?
[31.08.2018 00:50:11] NO-I-Green.River: Yes. They have not done much to improve my opinion of Crayter.
[31.08.2018 00:50:35] Felicity.Willing: They did a lot to ruin it, rather.
[31.08.2018 00:50:49] NO-I-Green.River: But, it appears to be mostly surface damage. High-dispersal flak, limited penetration.
[31.08.2018 00:51:01] Felicity.Willing: What is actually going on within it? Have they had some sort of power shift?...
[31.08.2018 00:51:09] NO-I-Green.River: We'll still need to get the Dubbo out here to patch it up.
[31.08.2018 00:51:17] NO-I-Green.River: Crayter... to be entirely honest, we're working on figuring that out ourselves.
[31.08.2018 00:51:34] NO-I-Green.River: The Fleet Admiral and Minister that were our initial contact points are nowhere to be found.
[31.08.2018 00:51:38] NO-I-Green.River: An explanation has not been forthcoming.
[31.08.2018 00:51:58] Felicity.Willing: That does not sound very promising.
[31.08.2018 00:52:38] NO-I-Green.River: No, but it's not as surprising as it would be were this Bretonia.
[31.08.2018 00:53:01] NO-I-Green.River: Militant states are prone to sudden power shifts.
[31.08.2018 00:53:21] NO-I-Green.River: Teach your people to see everyone as the enemy, and they'll take that to its logical conclusion.
[31.08.2018 00:53:23] Felicity.Willing: Hm. Perhaps, i should pull some strings to try and find something out.
[31.08.2018 00:53:34] Felicity.Willing: If anything comes out - i will let you know.
[31.08.2018 00:53:46] NO-I-Green.River: That would be appreciated. I know Coronado is an important corridor to both of us.
[31.08.2018 00:54:06] Felicity.Willing: Now, mister Escher. Would you mind to... enligten me on a certain matter?
[31.08.2018 00:54:10] NO-I-Green.River: Go ahead.
[31.08.2018 00:54:41] Felicity.Willing: I have received a word from mister Saronsen that you are accepting refugees from Pacifica, and have had dealings with-
[31.08.2018 00:54:48] Felicity.Willing: the Alster Union in the past.
[31.08.2018 00:55:04] NO-I-Green.River: Not as much in the past, but recently yes. They actually reached out to us first.
[31.08.2018 00:55:21] NO-I-Green.River: Since they've never wronged us, we saw no reason not to work with them.
[31.08.2018 00:55:36] Felicity.Willing: What was that transmission, if i may ask?
[31.08.2018 00:56:00] Felicity.Willing: Don't get me wrong. We are on a mutual ground here. Our Professors... are not pleased with Harmony's actions.
[31.08.2018 00:56:09] NO-I-Green.River: Those messages were fielded by Taskmaster Kane, but the first contact was inquiring about the status of the Metropolis.
[31.08.2018 00:56:35] NO-I-Green.River: I believe there's been talk of ship repairs, but that may have been Kane attempting to help speed the Black Cloud's restoration
[31.08.2018 00:57:11] Felicity.Willing: Black Cloud? Is it some sort of a special vessel?
[31.08.2018 00:57:27] Felicity.Willing: Given the source of that veseel - a Hel cruiser, i would assume.
[31.08.2018 00:57:44] NO-I-Green.River: It was built off a Hel frame, at least.
[31.08.2018 00:58:04] NO-I-Green.River: It houses a number of scanners and defensive electronic warfare systems, but the exact details are kept quiet.
[31.08.2018 00:58:24] Felicity.Willing: That's understandable.
[31.08.2018 00:59:05] Felicity.Willing: Anyway. Since you house a certain number of Pacifica refugees... have Natio considered any active operation in regards-
[31.08.2018 00:59:21] Felicity.Willing: -to assisting Alster Union with moving them?
[31.08.2018 00:59:53] Felicity.Willing: Given you have the direct contact - you should be pretty much aware of the Harmony's blockade.
[31.08.2018 01:00:01] NO-I-Green.River: We have a ship enroute to ascertain the situation and begin humanitarian assistance.
[31.08.2018 01:00:26] NO-I-Green.River: We have heard of the blockade, but we're attempting to get more information before fully moving in.
[31.08.2018 01:00:49] Felicity.Willing: Well, i can update you on the situation as i have arrived to Canberra straight from Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:00:52] NO-I-Green.River: While we doubt the Union is intentionally decieving us, we would like a clearer picture of the situation.
[31.08.2018 01:01:01] NO-I-Green.River: That would help.
[31.08.2018 01:01:47] Felicity.Willing: Harmony have fallen to open hostilities with the Union. Pacifica suffered a launch of Nuclear EMP payload, supposedly - by the-
[31.08.2018 01:01:51] Felicity.Willing: -Hellfire Legion.
[31.08.2018 01:02:29] NO-I-Green.River: Odd. That fits with expected Legion resources, but I'm wondering *why*.
[31.08.2018 01:02:36] Felicity.Willing: Internal blockade have been instilled and any vessels trying to trespass and moor on Pacifica are either turned back - or shot-
[31.08.2018 01:02:38] Felicity.Willing: -down.
[31.08.2018 01:02:59] Felicity.Willing: I've had a chance to talk with Legionnaires.
[31.08.2018 01:03:18] Felicity.Willing: They seemed to be eager 'to get rid of the plague on the Liberty outskirts'.
[31.08.2018 01:03:31] Felicity.Willing: Bringing up Union's Texas raids as an excuse.
[31.08.2018 01:03:46] Felicity.Willing: Which is, honestly...
[31.08.2018 01:03:56] Felicity.Willing: A very weak excuse for such harsh measures.
[31.08.2018 01:04:22] Felicity.Willing: I assume Harmony 'asked' them to do this.
[31.08.2018 01:04:27] Felicity.Willing: As in 'provoked'.
[31.08.2018 01:05:04] NO-I-Green.River: I've yet to get a good reading on Harmony; they broke off from Liberty during our time in isolation.
[31.08.2018 01:05:04] Felicity.Willing: Blockade have been inflicted soon after, intercepting any incoming convoy intending to help Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:05:09] Felicity.Willing: Gaians, mostly.
[31.08.2018 01:05:55] Felicity.Willing: Harmony? A bunch of rogue Liberty Security Force pilots obsessed with the idea of Liberty Navy's infection.
[31.08.2018 01:06:06] NO-I-Green.River: I feel like I've heard that exact story before.
[31.08.2018 01:06:10] Felicity.Willing: Not the whole Navy, of courrse, but their higher ranks, that is.
[31.08.2018 01:06:20] NO-I-Green.River: ... since when does the LSF have "battlegroups"?
[31.08.2018 01:06:43] NO-I-Green.River: Nevermind, that's tangential at best.
[31.08.2018 01:07:03] NO-I-Green.River: It sounds like the Hackers aren't exactly friendly with Harmony, then.
[31.08.2018 01:07:07] Felicity.Willing: Back in the Nomad War, Harmony was a battleship of a Naval battlegroup. During their exaltation, LSF backed them up.
[31.08.2018 01:07:34] Felicity.Willing: More like neutral at this moment.
[31.08.2018 01:08:05] Felicity.Willing: Their agression is not tolerated, yet this is not just another simple case.
[31.08.2018 01:08:11] Felicity.Willing: The course of action is yet to be picked.
[31.08.2018 01:09:01] NO-I-Green.River: It is a complicated situation.
[31.08.2018 01:09:58] NO-I-Green.River: It's rather distant from us, but we have reasons to be interested. I'll see what we can dig up.
[31.08.2018 01:10:06] Felicity.Willing: There is another thing. Johnatan Kalh, that fool is... troublesome, to say the least.
[31.08.2018 01:10:27] NO-I-Green.River: We've had limited contact with him. He seems to have a one-track mind.
[31.08.2018 01:10:37] Felicity.Willing: He also should be dealt with, and reminded of his place in the universe.
[31.08.2018 01:11:17] Felicity.Willing: We would not like to attract external assets to this, but, perhaps, you know someone capable of providing us with a Mark IV-
[31.08.2018 01:11:18] NO-I-Green.River: I take it there's been a recurring issue, there.
[31.08.2018 01:11:21] Felicity.Willing: -Jump Drive?
[31.08.2018 01:11:53] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. The only contact we have that we know has the capacity to produce them is Crayter.
[31.08.2018 01:11:55] Felicity.Willing: *Inhales* Johnatan Kalh's Harmony milksop.
[31.08.2018 01:12:37] Felicity.Willing: Perhaps, we will need one such device soon enough.
[31.08.2018 01:13:33] NO-I-Green.River: Crayter definitely has the capacity to produce them. The willingness to part with them, that's another matter.
[31.08.2018 01:14:11] Felicity.Willing: Show people the money and they fall for it. Crayter is no exception, no matter who's in charge of it.
[31.08.2018 01:15:02] NO-I-Green.River: Fair, especially with how they've treated their other military technology.
[31.08.2018 01:15:03] Felicity.Willing: Oh, and remind your vessel to be extremely cautious in Bering.
[31.08.2018 01:15:20] Felicity.Willing: Harmony is way more trigger-happy now than they were before.
[31.08.2018 01:16:05] NO-I-Green.River: We have ideas for that, but we'll have to go over the exact details internally.
[31.08.2018 01:16:40] NO-I-Green.River: The Hackers haven't taken a side, but you do seem to be leaning toward the Unioners.
[31.08.2018 01:17:03] Felicity.Willing: What i am certain about is that they will not, most likely, engage any ship escorted with our assets.
[31.08.2018 01:17:22] Felicity.Willing: Yes, we are leaning towards The Union.
[31.08.2018 01:17:35] Felicity.Willing: Their stance in the conflict is what we find more justified.
[31.08.2018 01:17:55] NO-I-Green.River: What exactly started this whole situation?
[31.08.2018 01:18:32] Felicity.Willing: Of what i know - it started off a Hel cruiser that Harmony requested, later on supplied it's construction, but never received-
[31.08.2018 01:18:36] Felicity.Willing: -the end result.
[31.08.2018 01:19:02] Felicity.Willing: Then the Hellfire interfered, first shots from Harmony's side were fired...
[31.08.2018 01:19:21] Felicity.Willing: Actually, Harmony's officer given an order to terminate Union's vessel.
[31.08.2018 01:19:38] Felicity.Willing: Supposedly, Legionnaires took their part in the show.
[31.08.2018 01:20:18] NO-I-Green.River: Hm. I wonder if perhaps the Legion had a hand in pushing it toward open hostilities.
[31.08.2018 01:21:26] NO-I-Green.River: If they're the ones who supposedly EMPed Pacifica, and claimed it was in response to raids on Texas... but, that's speculation.
[31.08.2018 01:22:07] Felicity.Willing: They not 'supposedly' NEMPed Pacifica, 'we' know they did.
[31.08.2018 01:22:13] NO-I-Green.River: My mistake.
[31.08.2018 01:22:41] NO-I-Green.River: Our intel on the events in Bering has been spottier than I would like. The problems of distance.
[31.08.2018 01:23:00] Felicity.Willing: I ended up getting in touch with former Pacifica administrator on quite a sensitive matter.
[31.08.2018 01:23:18] Felicity.Willing: Once accomplishing it - i've picked up another patch of the information from him.
[31.08.2018 01:23:36] Felicity.Willing: To have the full view and make a better judgement of the situation.
[31.08.2018 01:24:19] Felicity.Willing: As i have mentioned - i suggest extreme precaution if you are willing to send blockade runners.
[31.08.2018 01:24:49] Felicity.Willing: Use Freighters for their speed, use unpredictable routes - given the circumstances, the one through Rheinland and Puerto Rico-
[31.08.2018 01:24:55] Felicity.Willing: -would be the best one.
[31.08.2018 01:24:56] NO-I-Green.River: We have considerable experience in the field, don't worry.
[31.08.2018 01:25:19] Felicity.Willing: I am not putting your experience to a doubt.
[31.08.2018 01:25:29] NO-I-Green.River: On that note, though
[31.08.2018 01:25:35] NO-I-Green.River: do you know what the Junkers' angle is on the situation?
[31.08.2018 01:25:39] Felicity.Willing: It's a 'better safe than sorry' kind of advice.
[31.08.2018 01:25:45] NO-I-Green.River: If we're to pass through Puerto Rico, it would be good to know.
[31.08.2018 01:26:19] Felicity.Willing: Right. Unfortunately, i lack that piece of information. But i doubt they will mind your minor traverse.
[31.08.2018 01:26:34] Felicity.Willing: I haven't seen them assisting Harmony in any way lately.
[31.08.2018 01:26:47] Felicity.Willing: So there is a high probability of getting on their good side.
[31.08.2018 01:27:16] NO-I-Green.River: They are generally easy enough to work with.
[31.08.2018 01:27:44] Felicity.Willing: Unless you really, 'really' piss them off.
[31.08.2018 01:27:57] Felicity.Willing: Which is quite difficult to perform.
[31.08.2018 01:28:08] NO-I-Green.River: But, that's the Bering matter addressed, pending updates.
[31.08.2018 01:28:17] NO-I-Green.River: Did you have other questions?
[31.08.2018 01:29:13] Felicity.Willing: I would ask you again if you plan to direct any transports with humanitarian supplies or for the sake of evacuation, but-
[31.08.2018 01:29:26] Felicity.Willing: -i assume it to be pointless at this point in time.
[31.08.2018 01:29:38] NO-I-Green.River: As I said, we have to ascertain the situation first. If the situation allows, we likely will.
[31.08.2018 01:29:57] Felicity.Willing: I am grateful for your honest answers, Taskmaster.
[31.08.2018 01:30:02] NO-I-Green.River: It's less a matter of diplomatic concerns and more a matter of *tactical* concern.
[31.08.2018 01:30:14] Felicity.Willing: Tactical concern.
[31.08.2018 01:30:20] Felicity.Willing: Care to elaborate further?
[31.08.2018 01:30:37] NO-I-Green.River: Simply ensuring there *is* a feasible way around the blockades without losing our ships.
[31.08.2018 01:30:45] NO-I-Green.River: Which there likely will be.
[31.08.2018 01:30:56] Felicity.Willing: I have proposed at least one opportunity.
[31.08.2018 01:31:11] Felicity.Willing: Have one of our escorts tagging along with your convoys.
[31.08.2018 01:31:25] Felicity.Willing: That increases your probability of success drastically.
[31.08.2018 01:31:47] NO-I-Green.River: That is a viable option, yes.
[31.08.2018 01:31:59] Felicity.Willing: I understand that we've had some uneasy terms in the past, but there you'll need to have some trust in us.
[31.08.2018 01:32:27] Felicity.Willing: Not for our sake, but for the sake of people secluded and suffering on Pacifica.
[31.08.2018 01:32:43] Felicity.Willing: I assume you understand.
[31.08.2018 01:32:45] NO-I-Green.River: There is a saying, "trust but verify." My job is to verify. Kane, I'm sure, is willing to dedicate aid to the cause.
[31.08.2018 01:33:17] Felicity.Willing: A very good saying, to be blunt and honest.
[31.08.2018 01:33:56] Felicity.Willing: Anyway, i suppose we've discussed pretty much everything we could at this point.
[31.08.2018 01:34:18] NO-I-Green.River: We will send a ship in the near future. Exact timing is usually not disclosed for obvious reasons.
[31.08.2018 01:34:49] Felicity.Willing: Understandable.
[31.08.2018 01:35:11] Felicity.Willing: But, perhaps, that would be a perfect moment to see if our escort will make some effect.
[31.08.2018 01:35:22] Felicity.Willing: To kill two rabbits with just one shot.
[31.08.2018 01:35:48] NO-I-Green.River: Barring any unexpected tactical problems, I believe the aid will be delivered. Hold on, I'm getting a message...
[31.08.2018 01:37:04] NO-I-Green.River: [he sighs] Civilians...
[31.08.2018 01:37:21] Felicity.Willing: Anything requiring your attention?
[31.08.2018 01:37:27] NO-I-Green.River: No, I don't believe so.
[31.08.2018 01:37:55] NO-I-Green.River: There *may* be a ship available now, but I'm checking on that.
[31.08.2018 01:38:17] Felicity.Willing: I believe i could send a word to one of my trusted colleagues to meet your vessel of choice and escort it.
[31.08.2018 01:38:43] Felicity.Willing: I personally would like to stay on Canberra for a while longer before departing.
[31.08.2018 01:39:33] NO-I-Green.River: We may have someone available, a ship passing through Coronado .
[31.08.2018 01:40:05] NO-I-Green.River: It's the... am I reading this right?
[31.08.2018 01:40:21] NO-I-Green.River: OTS Run Like Hell. I suppose it's appropriately named.
[31.08.2018 01:40:50] Felicity.Willing: Hm.
[31.08.2018 01:40:53] Felicity.Willing: Fits the cause.
[31.08.2018 01:41:14] Felicity.Willing: Perhaps they should be put on a standby for now, however.
[31.08.2018 01:41:31] NO-I-Green.River: That may be for the best, actually, I"m getting odd reports of hardware issues on their end.
[31.08.2018 01:41:49] NO-I-Green.River: Minor ones, but best fixed before such an endeavor.
[31.08.2018 01:42:12] Felicity.Willing: True that. Everything should be working perfect on such a risky endeavour.
[31.08.2018 01:42:43] Felicity.Willing: Even through Spyglass picks no Harmony signatures within Bering...
[31.08.2018 01:43:03] Felicity.Willing: It won't take them long to appear should somehting unidentified try and get through.
[31.08.2018 01:44:55] NO-I-Green.River: Anyway, now I do have matters to attend to. You are of course still welcome on Canberra.
[31.08.2018 01:45:09] Felicity.Willing: Very well.
[31.08.2018 01:45:15] Felicity.Willing: Until next time, Taskmaster.

File: OIC-Snarl

File: OIC-Ultros

File: OIC-Treason

[Thexare]

Status Update

Agent Shiranui reporting. Talks have collapsed. Fault falls on both Union and Hacker representatives. Hackers can't get over themselves long enough to stop insulting the Unioners. Union representative... more information is needed, and a psychiatric specialist.

Recommendation: Stay out of it. Limit Octavarian involvement to humanitarian aid, if requested; do not pre-emptively offer without good reason. Monitor Hackers; it's possible that it's simply pride, but a real posibility of intentional sabotage must be considered.

Battlegroup Harmony won't look kindly on us after their not-quite-interdiction of OTS Another Won, but it's given us another channel with the Gaians.