' Wrote:**Comm link confirmed - ID, Corsair,Ben Laowai"**
standby......
Transmission reads:
Hail Brothers.
I seek discussion, and clarification on an issue that has arisen today while i was en route through Omicron Theta.
There was a brief altercation where i believe one of our pilots attempted to tax a zoner... I believe his IFF was not being used correctly and the matter was quickly resolved. We were then informed, by a member of the AW (Asgard warriors) that "All Corsairs are forbidden to Tax within the Omicron Theta system" - and the pilot made no mistake in informing me that this system was under their protection.
This troubled me.
I know these self appointed guardians of the Zoners have no love for the Corsairs... but to continue:
The wider issue of taxing Zoners aside, for i know we all have different views on that, i for one, don't do it; I have enjoyed the sanctuary of the Freeports on many an occasion and indeed, probably owe them my life. No, taxing Zoners is not my issue here, Nor to i take issue with Zoners protecting their own, their own brethren fellow Zoners. This is natural and indeed honorable, i would expect no less.
What trouble's me is this extending the umbrella of protection over ALL traders who would venture into Omicron Theta.
We are Corsairs, we are warriors and we are pirates, while some of us do trod the path of a traders' life, for many of us, our primary trade is piracy, this is how we make our living, provide for ourselves, and our kin. We allow the Zoners the right to ply their trade through our space, is it not just then, that we be allowed to ply ours in theirs?
For the most part, their vessels trade freely in our space, spared from the attentions of our guns in a way that no other trader is privy to, and this is how we are repaid?
I ask you, do we really want a safe haven for traders in Omicron Theta? On our front door?
I seek discussion on this from my Corsair Brothers and sisters. I for one, will still not fire upon, nor tax a zoner flagged vessel, but i will not, unless it is the will of all Corsairs, heed the words of these "Asgard Warriors", until there is consensus amongst us, i will ply my corsair trade in Omicron Theta, and any other system that the scent of plunder leads me to.
**transmission ends**
Comm system error#
**transmitting**...
**....szzzzsttt *crackle* turn the blasted thing o...*
Com ID: Captain RickJames
Uploaded to Planet Crete from The Gentlemens Loser
The AW are a small force presently and I feel Gamma and Crete have little to fear from them. However, for solo Corsairs hunting traders in Theta they may not be so fortunate. My first reaction was one of outrage. How dare they command us in anything. Yet after some contemplation I feel it may be of benefit for us to do just what they request.
Theta is one of the 3 major routes into Gamma. To be on good terms with the AW and Zoners in general can only help our home system. As for our many brothers and sisters lively hood as pirates there are many other systems to make use of.
Most importantly the AW did not forbid us entry into Theta, use of Theta, nor did they ask us not to engage hostiles in Theta. They only requested we do not tax traders in Theta.
Perhaps the Elders could use this request from the AW in negotiations with the AW. Such as aid in defending Gamma when under major attack. Or increased food shipments from the Theta FP and its Bio-Domes.
As an interim suggestion I would advise all Corsairs to cease taxation in Theta till word from the Council. However, that is only a suggestion.
