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Foxglove · 05-27-2016, 11:08 PM,

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ID: Cordelia Lyell
Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
Subject: RE: Reaction to Declaration of War
ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

To whom it may conern,

The Core apologizes for the belated response to the Guild's issue raised here. Since the Exalted Guildmaster is currently unavailable, resolving this matter with the Independent Miners Guild has fallen to me. From this point forward, I shall function as the voice of the Core in all things related to the IMG and the Zoner Problem. I hereby guarantee absolute discretion in the following talks.

Let me prefix this by saying: I am surprised. I had not expected the Guild to show an active interest in the case due to no evident business of the Guild having been put in jeopardy — but alright. I suppose a certain, albeit misplaced sense of self-righteousness lead you to believe you were qualified to function as sort of a mediator for both parties. I shall indulge you in this regard.

To the evident matter at hand: Your petitioning that the Core cease its advance. Let me be absolutely clear when I say that the Core is indifferent to the wheelings and dealings of the Guild in whatever sectors of Sirius it may operate. What we do take umbrage with are blatant attempts to supply those who harbor Criminals, Terrorists, Murderers, possible infectees due to no regulation on who comes and goes on a Freeport and God knows what else in Omicronis.

I do not know how closely you have been monitoring the situation in Omicron Delta, but this conflict has been forming on the horizon for a long time now. The Core has made its intentions of keeping degenerate forces like the Order, the Cretins, the Maltese and their Cardamine at bay, so that all lawful citizens of Omicronis may enjoy a safe and happy existance under the benign gaze of the Exalted Guildmaster.

The laws of the CoF stand in direct opposition to our own. We cannot allow dangerous degenerates to endanger the lives of those who look up to the Core for protection; the CoF indirectly enables acts of violence to occur in Core space. The blood of hundreds was already on their hands before the conflict arose.

And then they have the audacity to make demands.

You wanted altered terms for a ceasefire with the Zoners? Here are the altered terms:

The Core High Command Wrote:- The Core respects the CoF's ownership of the Freeport. However, the Core requests that Finn McCool be replaced by one of the current Guildkeepers as representative. This representative might be chosen by Finn McCool if he so desires.
- CoF law is null and void in Omicronis. The Core is the singular lawful force in its jurisdiction.
- The Zoners of Omicron Delta are permitted to uphold the laws of the Core.
- Core warships will keep a distance of 10 clicks to Freeport 11 and only engage in self defense inside this zone.
- The Core will oversee and fund the repairs of Freeport 11. However, any claim for further compensation that the CoF might have felt entitled to are thereby null and void.

A personal note from me: Did the Guild actually support the CoF's desire to execute someone? Do you realize what you are thereby doing? I am really questioning whether we are living in a dystopia.

Consider the Core hereby returned to your metaphorical negotiation table.

-C. Lyell
Guildkeeper, The Core

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Jack_Henderson · (This post was last modified: 05-29-2016, 09:49 PM by Jack_Henderson.)

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¤ LOCATION: Deep Taus

¤ COMM-ID: IMG, Janet Griffin

¤ TARGET-ID: Core, Cordelia Lyell

¤ SUBJECT: Omicron Delta Diplomacy

¤ ENCRYPTION: IMG M.E.T.A.N.O.L. Code

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Dear Ms. Cordelia Lyell,

The Independent Miners Guild is glad that there is a return of the Core to the table of negotiation. I am Janet Griffin, and I am the negotiator on the Guild's side. I appreciate the pledge of discretion and I hope we can have a constructive discussion and can contribute to an outcome that can de-escalate the conflict.

I see two topics here, firstly the relations between the IMG and the Core, and secondly the conflict between the Core and the CoF, which will in the end lead me to a general question of great importance.

Firstly, I think we need to see clear where Guild and Core stand and what this means for our respective organisations. Clarifying modes of operation - especially in crises - is necessary to keep further escalation from happening involuntarily.

The Guild decided to intervene after the Core's attack against the Freeport became public knowledge. The humanitarian intervention is based on a historical alliance between Zoners and the Guild. Furthermore, the Guild sees an obligation to help those in distress. Moreover, you likely underestimate the Guild's interests in the region. You are right however to assume that it is not a direct harm to IMG's business that prompted the engagement in the crisis.

Continuing from this clarification, the Guild appreciates what you call 'indifference' to the Guild's actions. The excluded activities however need to be discussed because - judging from experience with Freeport issues - the support of "criminal elements and activities" is the prime reason for actions against Zoners and Freeports.

Therefore, I want to clarify that the Guild's relief convoys that consist of repair material and humanitarian aid cannot be determined to fall into the category that you defined as "attempts to supply those who harbor Criminals, Terrorists, Murderers, possible infectees [...]." I have to ask you for a statement whether the Core regards shipments of repair and humanitarian aid goods as falling into this category, as this matters for ongoing operations.

Secondly, I understand your criticism against the CoF and the Guild has had its arguments with Administrators about problems that sound similar. However, despite all disputes, we never saw the need to go beyond words, mild threats or economic sanctions. The Core did go a lot further by attacking the Freeport, damaging it severely and causing mass casualties.

From my personal point of view, the Zoner's terms were worded in a way that made them unaccetable for the Core. Your terms are unacceptable for the CoF, but I assume we are both not playing this game for the first time and we both know how diplomacy works. It takes time to find an approach that works for both parties.

But before it makes sense to start the go-between diplomacy, I have to ask you the question of questions:

Is the Core prepared to pursue a military solution to the crisis that would likely lead to the destruction of the Freeport, however at a high price to the Core's military might due to the losses it would sustain by combatting a broad alliance, as well as the loss of public support and economic partners siriuswide? Do you really want to engage in a potentially existential struggle to remove a nuissance like a Freeport?

Or are we all looking for ways to get out of a situation that has gone too far, has evolved too quickly, and has nearly spun out of control, causing more damage than anticipated in its wake? In this case, I see good chances to find solutions and end the fighting, allowing all participating sides to step back from the conflict and save face.

To be honest, I do not see military victory come easily. Annexation and intact takeover of the Freeport seems unlikely, severe damage and destruction appears more logical, given the current state of the Freeport. The price for the pursuit of a purely military solution would likely be steep, not unlikely too steep if we take into account that this conflict for power weakens all human forces by causing grievous loss every day. At the same time the fighting strengthens all the alien and infected forces, the ultimate enemy of all humanity, that all those combatting parties would unite against.

I see only two options: Either, the Core is prepared to shape a new order from the smoking chaos of what and who is left after a long and bloody war against a wide coalition (that will come to the defense of the Freeport, but which in reality fights for their own agendas of influence and power), or the Core is willing to accept the existence of a Zoner-governed Freeport in Delta.

These are main considerations on which all further negotiations have to build, that's why I pose these questions now, before going into the discussion of specific terms that might lead towards a de-escalation, a ceasefire or even peace talks.

Yours sincerely,

Janet Griffin
Diplomatic Relations

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Foxglove · (This post was last modified: 05-31-2016, 03:55 PM by Foxglove.)

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ID: Cordelia Lyell
Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
Subject: Omicron Delta Diplomacy
ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

Esteemed Ms. Janet Griffin,

The Core expresses its gratitude for your timely response. The issue has been brought up in the High Command and your raised points have been discussed extensively. We are pleased about the Guild's apparent fervour with which it seemed to have analyzed the situation and admit that our former doubts about your qualification regarding dealing with this matter might have been misplaced.

Regarding your raised points about the Guild-CoF relations, there is really not much to add. The Core applauds the Guild's willingness to extend its helping hand to those suffering calamity. The act of charity is a divine one, one that brings the good in our kind to bear. However, one has to differentiate between aid and prolonging suffering. Any one charitable act, regardless of how pure the intentions might have been, if given in ignorance of the affliction that made it necessary, will result in inhumane prolonging of suffering instead of rooting it out.

The Core therefore saw fit to deem so called "humanitarian aid" and "repair goods" to the source of the disease as impermissible. The Core dearly hopes that any one IMG vessel that might have been apprehended — if there were any — and given specific instructions by law enforcement authorities on whether they may ferry these goods in Omicronis did actually comply, because otherwise we simply have no choice but to remand law breakers to their place, be that through arrest or through summary execution, if the safety of their fellow man in Omicronis were in jeopardy. I am sure you would see the need to act in a likewise fashion if you saw a civilian AP-Manufacturing transport in Guild space blatantly disregarding your authority and supplying the Outcasts, for example, however ludicrous the notion would be.

For these reasons, the Core hereby demands that, during the duration of these talks, at least, the Guild abstain from further antagonizing local law enforcement authorities by visiting the systems designated as Omicron Delta and Omicron Rho in an effort to supply our current enemies with "humanitarian aid". You are, however, free to enjoy the safety and stability — at least, that which the Zoners have not been able to stir up — of Omicronis as a private citizen in a civilian vessel of the Freelancer affiliation.

The Core admits to a degree of guilt in having brought forth the conflict. As people so fittingly parrot: It has been caused by miscommunications and a pack of smokes. The attack on the Freeport has not been sanctioned by the Exalted Guildmaster. The Luminary Jessebelle Fillian, as highest ranking officer of the fleet that was present at the time, although acting in full accordance of the laws of the Core, blew matters out of proportion. The one who committed an act of theft by pilfering said pack of cigarettes should have been punished accordingly. Instead, the Luminary saw fit to misuse her Godgiven powers to smite those who were less than her, which is a sad happenstance of affairs.

The Core would be willing to indulge the CoF's desire to bring the commanding officers that were present during the event before a trial, as part of an agreement. However, we categorically oppose the notion of execution as punitive measure. We are not barbarians. I can say that the CoF has already rescinded that claim, though.

In regards to your questions, the High Command has reached the following conclusions on how to answer:

Firstly: Yes, the Core would very much be able to raze an already damaged, civilian and lightly armored, medium size starport to the ground. The calculated losses during this would be miniscule compared to what was already endured, as most of the CoF's "allies" have little to no influence that could be extended towards the region. However, if we had the desire to do so, we would have done it already. The simple fact that we did not should speak volumes of our angelic patience in this matter. Our allies might squirm publically, but internally, they are bound to us, and have no other choice to support us — especially Rheinland, as the Core is the last line that stands between the Corsair hordes, the Order reavers and the rabid aliens. If we fall, so will they.

In conclusion: To speak of an "existential struggle" is preposterous. The Core agrees that unnecessarily excessive violence is not the key to resolving this matter in any satisfactory fashion, though, and is therefore open for the Guild's input on how to arrange a conclusion that is adequately satisfactory for both parties.

Secondly: You very much overestimate the power of the aliens. The Core has been dealing with these roaches since its inception and has always remained one step ahead of them. Agreeing with your point that further bloodshed should be avoided at all cost, the Core does not care about monetary problems that would present an obstacle over the course of this discourse.

The problem here is finding a solution that is satisfactory for both sides so they may save face, indeed. Technically, the Core has little problem with a Zoner governed base in Omicronis. The problem is that we cannot allow them to harbor our enemies. There cannot be a second set of laws besides those of the Core in Omicronis. These points remain non-negotiable. The CoF might keep its laws and regulations aboard the Freeport itself, with the exception of its "safe haven" policy for our enemies.

That would be all for now. The Core thanks the Guild and its diplomat for their time.

-C. Lyell
Guildkeeper, The Core

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Jack_Henderson · (This post was last modified: 05-30-2016, 09:30 PM by Jack_Henderson.)

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¤ LOCATION: Deep Taus

¤ COMM-ID: IMG, Janet Griffin

¤ TARGET-ID: Core, Cordelia Lyell

¤ SUBJECT: Omicron Delta Diplomacy

¤ ENCRYPTION: IMG M.E.T.A.N.O.L. Code

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Dear Ms. Cordelia Lyell,

The Guild disagrees that an act of humanity like bringing aid to those afflicted by the attack can be misinterpreted as "prolonging suffering". We also disagree with the terminology of the act of "rooting out the suffering", as it could be translated in reality into the 'rooting out of the afflicted population' of the Freeport. The Guild is bound by humanitarian principles, therefore the Guild acknowledges the Core's stance of forbidding aid transports, however we strongly condemn the act of withholding humanitarian goods to those in need. Consequently, the Guild cannot accept and is forced to defy the Core's restriction of travel through Delta, whereas we accept the restriction of travel through Rho unconditionally.

The Guild hereby extends a warning to the Core to not obstruct or attack Guild assets carrying humanitarian aid to the Freeport. This announcement of the Guild's decision to continue shipments provides the Core with the choice on whether to silently overlook shipments, or actively try and intercept incoming shipments. Communication of intent reduces the margin of error in unexpected situations and thereby minimizes the risk of involuntary escalation. Whatever path the Core chooses will influence the course of the conflict and the Guild's stance decisively.

The admission of responsibility for the conflict by the Core is noted. The Guild thinks that the responsible individuals need to be put on a trial that is deemed fair by both involved parties. Execution as a means of punishment should not be ruled out, considering that the attack constitutes an act of mass murder. However, judges and jury have to decide and politicians and diplomats have no place in this equation, except in creating the environment in which a fair trial can take place.

Looking at the assessment of Delta, the Guild analysts doubt that the losses in a repeated attack against the Freeport would be "minuscle", as you describe it, and the Guild insists that any further confrontation could spin out of control and become an existential threat. I personally believe that the Core is not willing to expose its main combat force to a situation in which an unknown force could incapacitate parts of the Core fleet, potentially leading to another enemy of the Core taking advantage. Your ability to project your forces and put them at risk is constrained by the fact that you would have to fear extinction by the hands of your Omicron enemies the moment you are weak.

The Guild is convinced that only a balance of power in Omicron Delta can be the solution to a lasting peace and the conflict around the Freeport has shown that a broad alliance is ready to fend for such a preservation of the balance of power by allying against the Core's determination to expand their power in Delta towards hegemony. History has seen many of such strategic alliances following the ancient Westphalian concept of flexible alliances against a common threat to an unstable equilibrium of power in a potentially volatile area. History of defeat warns those who long for hegemony against challenging such an unpredictable alliance.

Furthermore, the Guild contests the statement that the alien threat is easy to manage. Your statement can only encompass the past and the present. Not the future. Who knows when the alien menace decides to challenge human civilization again? For every human being it is easy to see that this conflict weakens humanity's defenses against its only common threat. It would be foolish to believe that they do not understand the defenders' weakness as well and might be ready to exploit it for their advantage.

You declare in your final statement that there cannot be a "second set of laws besides those of the Core", and you mark it as non-negotiable. However, this is a claim that the Zoners will never accept, I do not even have to approach them to know that.

Peace is made by the stronger side stepping back and assessing the situation calmly and rationally. Reading the CoF laws, I do not see them conflicting with those of the Core in their principal aim: peace and stability for a region full of dangers and conflict. I think this is a starting point for real negotiations to acknowledge that the goals do not differ that much.

In the CoF laws, there are clear rules and regulations of how to deal with criminal entities that try to abuse the Freeport for sinister activity. The Core would have to make full use of the CoF laws and hold the Zoners responsible for enforcing their own laws against criminals and terrorists. I can assure you from experience that the CoF has proven to be responsive and to act against those who do not accept CoF laws and Freeport rules.

This might not be the Core's way to ban entities from Delta that are seen as political enemies, however the alternative will be prolonged military conflict, more grievous loss, more lawlessness and chaos, resulting in the creation of more enemies and more chaos. Chaos breeds more chaos, therefore an imperfect order is preferrable to a state in which the conflict to create a perfect order summons uncontrollable chaos.

The Guild would like to ask the Core to carefully re-evaluate the possibility of accepting CoF laws inside the Freeport's small autonomous zone. The Houses of Bretonia and the House of Liberty have proven that House law and CoF law can co-exist in the Snowdown and Bethlehem Treaty, therefore it is possible to have two sets of laws, however there has to be sufficient trust in the other side's will to enforce their laws with the common goal to create and uphold political stability and maintain order.

If you do not dare to create a completely new order from the ruins and ashes of an old system that upheld stability for centuries, if you are not willing to wage bloody war against every single power in the Omicrons for the symbolic act of taking out a Freeport, it is time to start accepting that the co-existence of Core and CoF law is the central point in which the Core can achieve a breakthrough in otherwise pointless negotiations.

Let me close with the words of an immortalised diplomat:

Quote:If order cannot be achieved by consensus or imposed by force, it will be wrought, at disastrous and dehumanizing cost, from the experience of chaos. - H. Kissinger

I am convinced that the Core lacks the power to impose order by force.
I am convinced that the Core has no interest in the Omicron's descent into chaos.
I am convinced that only consensus can bring a solution to the current crisis.

Yours sincerely,

Janet Griffin
Diplomatic Relations

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Foxglove · 06-02-2016, 06:12 PM,

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ID: Cordelia Lyell
Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
Subject: Omicron Delta Diplomacy
ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

Esteemed Ms. Janet Griffin,

You seemed to have misinterpreted the message. The Core, as I already stated, has little interest in ending the existance of those living aboard Freeport 11, since, if that were the case, we would have done so already. What we meant by "prolonging of suffering" was that organisations like the Guild supplying the Freeport would undoubtedly instill a false sense of hope in them, one that would lead to them continuing to put up a fight that would doubtlessly result in the deaths of even more civilians.

We disagree with the Guild's blatant disregard of our warnings not to enter Omicronis unallowed and with the intent of enabling these senseless deaths to happen. However, since the Core — which is to say, myself — are already conducting diplomatic talks with the Confederacy itself, I have the following offer to make: I am going to arbitrate all units to discontinue hostilities and only engage in self-defense for the duration of these talks in order not to escalate the conflict needlessly and to create an environment in which all our minds may rest knowing that there are no further lives taken as we speak and that we can therefore take our time. Once this order has been mirrored by the Confederacy, we shall call it a ceasefire.

What does that mean for you? It means that you will be allowed to bring humanitarian aid to the Freeport with my blessing. See it as a token of good will from my part. Should I get the feeling that you are merely exploiting my blue-eyed concession, I will immediately revoke the Guild's elevated stance in this matter. You will only be permitted to ferry goods that serve to save lives! Construction material of any sort will be prohibited still, as is weaponry of any sort. After all, the Core caused the damage and it would be a shame if you would remove one of the Confederacy's grievances against us in such a manner. If the Guild is truly interested in saving lives rather than extending its influence unduly, it will accept the olive branch that I have hereby extended.

To be honest with you: At this point, I somewhat doubt the Guild's continued need in this matter. I have extended the offer to start diplomatic relations with the representative of Freeport 11, Finn McCool himself, and thus I hardly see the need for the Guild as negotiator. I am, however, interested in the Guild's input on how to bring both the Core's interests and the Confederacy's in harmony.

I have made the Core's interest quite clear, and I am sure that you have covered the Confederacy's grievances quite well. Regardless of my good intentions, even my power is limited and I cannot simply do anything I want. I cannot simply change the stance of the Core to accomodate the Confederacy's will to be hospitable to anyone they come across. I can, however, if a proposal finds enough traction with the Guildkeepers or even the Exalted Guildmaster himself, bring forth the issue and discuss a change in the existing laws. To this end, we would need either the word of the Exalted Guildmaster or the majority of Guildkeepers on our side if the Exalted Guildmaster himself does not arbitrate the situation.

Before I bring forth my own ideas about the situation, I would like to hear yours. Which terms would be acceptable for both parties and why? Which costs would be connected to realizing them? Who are the ultimate benefactors in terms of the political landscape?

I await your response and acknowledgement that you will adhere to the terms I set for the Guild to operate in Omicronis.

-C. Lyell
Guildkeeper, The Core

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Jack_Henderson · (This post was last modified: 06-03-2016, 01:01 AM by Jack_Henderson.)

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¤ LOCATION: Deep Taus

¤ COMM-ID: IMG, Janet Griffin

¤ TARGET-ID: Core, Cordelia Lyell

¤ SUBJECT: Omicron Delta Diplomacy

¤ ENCRYPTION: IMG M.E.T.A.N.O.L. Code

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Dear Ms. Cordelia Lyell,

The Guild appreciates that there are direct diplomatic talks between Core and the Zoner side. We feel that this is a real chance for a lasting cease fire agreement and the Guild will continue to offer assistance, however we will not interfere in any way with the main negotiations. We will gladly answer your question to the best of our knowledge, working towards a cessation of hostilities and an end to human suffering.

The Guild appreciates the order for Core vessels to not intercept IMG ships, and the Guild wants to accept the terms of the transport passage rights in a majority of cases, however we need to define the term 'humanitarian aid' clearly in order to avoid misunderstanding that could lead to unintended conflict at a stage when progress is being made.

Therefore, the Guild offers to refrain from transporting to Freeport 11 all weapon systems, ranging from small arms to heavy station und space ship weaponry, but also all dual-purpose-use items that could be used in a relief effort but also could see a military use and therefore could shift the balance in Delta.

These goods that we offer not to transport would include:

Energy Field Equipment
Ablative Armor Plating
Super Alloys
Super Conductors

The Guild recognises that there is a military use - even though a passive, defensive one - and is prepared to abstain from transporting those.

We however do not see sufficient reason to deny transportation of some pure civilian use materials to our captains:

Plastics
Shape-Memory Alloy
Ship Hull Panels

I hope we can agree on a list that is permissible, so that we can align our agendas - ours of providing help and assisting in the non-security related repairs of the damaged internal components, and yours of not shifting the balance significantly during negotiations. Frankly, I do not see a problem how fixing the leaks by applying new Hull Panels negatively affects the Core, nor will steps that could lead to the salvaging and re-attachment of the Biodome, the only source of food production in the region and essential for more than just Zoners. No one can be interested in a food shortage and rising prices in the Omicron periphery that would in turn result in heightened tensions.

To sum it up, the Guild wants to pay back your gesture of goodwill and will only transport the goods mentioned as 'purely civilian use' from this moment on, and we will be waiting for your comment, hoping for a positive outcome that allows us both to adhere to our principles while not hurting the interests of the other parties in the conflict significantly.

I fully agree that there is no need for the Guild as a negotiator when there are already direct talks going on. The Guild gladly steps back in such a situation. However, we can help by assisting in finding terms that both parties can potentially agree on. It will certainly prove tricky and it will demand a certain level of compromise from both parties involved.

To be entirely honest, at the moment I find it hard to pin this one point down that could unite the contrasting interests because I sense that there is still too much distrust between the main negotiation parties.

In order to improve trust, I would suggest going for the method of 'many small steps', each of which might be meaningless per se, but the sum of small actions taken could rebuild the trust needed to reach a real compromise in the main questions.

Such steps that would surely be recognized by the Zoners could be (roughly listed by ascending cost):

Stressing the openness to negotiate
Signalling constructiveness even in difficult points
Acceptance of responsibility
Apology for damage caused
Unilateral declaration of a cease-fire
Lifting of the embargo on certain aid goods
Offer of technical assistance with civilian engineers
Offer of sending repair ships to assist in sealing leaks
Offer of medial assistance to those that are still in need of it
Promise to hold those responsible who committed atrocities
Promise to compensate the families of the dead
Promise to cover the health costs of the wounded / disabled
Promise of covering the damage to the Freeport

The Zoners would likely feel morally compelled to do a tit for tat response after seeing that the Core is trying to move towards them and that thereby another armed confrontation becomes less likely. Perhaps a more substantial breakthrough can be achieved by building on the mutual willingness to make small but stready progress, and the unwillingness to ruin progress already made. Trust could be regained, and with some basic trust re-established, the main issues can be tackled easier.

All I can do at this stage is wish you and the Zoner negotiation party the best of luck.

Yours sincerely,

Janet Griffin
Diplomatic Relations

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Foxglove · 06-04-2016, 12:48 PM,

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ID: Cordelia Lyell
Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
Subject: Omicron Delta Diplomacy
ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

Esteemed Ms. Janet Griffin,

I have mulled over your proposal regarding the shipment of various non-weaponizable materials and come to the conclusion that these shall be exempt from the embargo. I see no reason why the Guild should not be permitted to ferry Plastics, Shape-Memory Alloy, and Ship Hull Panels alongside medicine and other humanitarian aid to the Freeport. I fancy myself to be a reasonable woman, and those who conduct themselves with dignity and respect towards me shall be met with the same.

On a more serious note: I have seen fit to arbitrate a cessation of hostilities towards the Zoners of Omicron Delta. Strategic wording made it seem as if I was not unduly exercising power, hence I only mention the Zoner of Omicron Delta, but the fact of the matter is that those are the ones who were actually in danger, and thus, even though Zoners outside this zone are exempt, they will not be harmed, since Core forces cannot be extended beyond Omicronis right now. The end result is a de facto ceasefire, if I get word from Mr. McCool that the order was mirrored.

It seems to me like this is one of the points in the proposed method. Given the circumstances, I would concur with you that this approach is the most prudent and the likeliest to yield lasting and satisfying results. I shall be sure to heed it.

There is actually something that I would like to hear your opinion about. Since we are now in a phase in which battles are fought with word and quill, it is paramount that any move conducted be not construed as offence to the partner in negotiation. On the topic of the duality of laws in Omicron Delta, I think that I may have a solution to the problem that would satisfy both parties and would allow both to save a reasonable amount of face in regards to the public.

I have come to the conclusion that pressing the Zoners into accepting the Core's desire to not harbor its enemies is not a feasible course of action, as it would seem like the Zoners would get nothing in return. Seeing no alternative as to rigoriously police Section Two, Article 3 of the Confederacy law that prohibits any one entitiy to stage attacks on anyone off a Freeport, I nevertheless see a possibility that the Core might be able to assimilate parts of the Confederacy law into its own set of laws. This way, since we are effectively copying, there would be no friction, since both the Core and the Zoners would be enforcing them same laws, which would effectively mean they are working towards the same goals in the most literal of senses, and would also present a venue for the Core to preserve its stoic exterior towards its enemies.

The exact details of this remain to be discussed. As of right now, this is simply a note on my desk, but I feel like this might be our best way to success. However: Changing the Core laws is something that I cannot do alone. I need the support of the other Guildkeepers, and I am working on that. In the meantime, I would like the Guild to throw in their metaphorical two cents about this proposal and evaluate for themselves the chances it bears. Of course, you are also welcome to propose alternative courses of action.

So in other words: I am offering you to shape politics in the Omicrons alongside me. Surprise me with your ingenuity, if you are interested.

-C. Lyell
Guildkeeper, The Core

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