To: The Core

[Zoner Freeport Network]

Epsilon -

First apologies for the eager administrator from Freeport 6. Tensions are still quite high given the situation. With that said, he is not entirely out of line.

Hundreds have died due t' this conflict. Causalities on both sides, though safe t' assume more so on those helping the people on Freeport 11 with relief supplies. All for what? For what reason than a need for bloodshed did the Core have t' bombard Freeport 11, and kill not only Zoners, but the civilians aboard?

Let's begin though, from the beginning. I would like t' call your attention t' a comm sent from Erik Nodtviet t' the CoF representatives of the OSI, as seen here. Let me qoute your leader's words:

"The Core does acknowledge the No Fire Zones placed around Freeports, however in Omicron Delta we have our law which must be enforced. The Edge Worlds are a hostile place and we seek to change that. That can only be attained via appropriate legal measures enforced by us. If we see a Corsair, Order or any other hostile or law breaker within the vicinity of the Freeport causing trouble or otherwise, they will be dealt with if necessary. Regardless, our priority is to protect the Freeport and the Zoners that inhabit it. They are forgotten by The Order, betrayed by the Corsairs, and attacked by the Machines. We will not follow a similar path and will ensure the safety of the Zoners against all these threats."

Let me point out three distinct parts of that quote. The Core acknowledges the NFZ in place, if any Core hostile is seen CAUSING TROUBLE, they will be dealt with, and lastly, that the Core will ensure the safety of Zoners. Let us look at another communication from your leader here. And I quote again:

"Rather than let that create conflict, The Core may be willing to adjust it's laws to incorporate Freeport 11's neutrality - but our objectives will maintain priority where possible. Whilst we can respect the NFZ, we certainly cannot respect the hostile intentions of criminals, especially in Omicron Delta. We do try to force engagements out of the NFZ, however sadly we are not always successful. The process of reporting criminals would be especially tedious, when we are fully capable of dealing with them on our own. Our methodology ultimately leads to less casualties and strives towards more peace within Delta."

A statement from your leader, that the Core respects the NFZ and will attempt t' force engagements outside the NFZ. We on the same page still? Good. Let's continue.

Your leader stated that if enemies of the Core are caught in Freeport 11's NFZ causing trouble, they would act but would attempt t' do so outside of the NFZ. How do you explain this then, taken on 06/03/823: <Click here to view attachment>. This clearly shows no hostile actions from anyone EXCEPT the Core vessel. Had there been shots fired from those there, that would be a different story. Yet this clearly shows the aggression from one side, with shots fired right next t' the Freeport.

Next on the list, on 03/04/823 a Core vessel named Danger.Zone, in the NFZ firing on an Order ship that was not causing trouble or instigating any hostile actions. It scanned the vessel in the area. That is not a hostile threat. No attempt t' move the aggression outside the NFZ, no attempt t' request Zoners t' get out of the way, nothing. Only asking is someone wanted t' join and shoot the ship. You can see the entire event here: <Click here to view attachment>. Again, quite contradictory t' the words of your leader and his words towards us that The Core would ensure our safety.

Now, given the previous events, we had requested the Core not bring their capital ships within the NFZ of Freeport 11, while we could discuss with Mr. Nodtveit the actions of the Core. Before anyone had the time t' even send a transmission t' him, this happened. On 01/05/823, Multiple Core capital ships were found in the NFZ of the Freeport. A Zoner captain, whom we had words with afterwards concerning the small amount of alien material in his cargo hold, was engaged. No attempt t' move hostilities away from the Freeport, no attempt in rational talk. Even your own pilot, named Jess, admitted t' opening firing and destroying a Zoner ship for apparently "stealing" her smokes? That is a blatant contradiction from what your leader stated. A pack of smokes, from an unknown Zoner pilot. Then this incident as mentioned above. Oh, and yes, here is the proof of such actions: <Click here to view attachment>.

Later that day, A Core pilot bullying a Zoner at the Freeport. Saying things like "We set the law... you do not have power... therefore your pleas are beneath us". Where in that is ensuring the safety of Zoners? How does that make you better than the Order, when your leader says he will protect the Freeport and Zoners? Oh, and then a member of your secondary fleet opens fire. No discussion beforehand, just opens fire. You can view the logs here: <Click to view attachment>.

Lest we forget another atrocity the same day. A Zoner captain, attempting t' engage Nomad ships, accidentally grazes a Core vessel. While I do agree that that ship's targeting computer should be fixed, that does not excuse the Core vessels opening fire, acknowledging that it was an accident, and then fully destroying a Zoner ship for no other reason than, and I quote, "Wanna see a picture of something else cool?". You can view the guncam images here: <Click to view attachment> . Unprovoked, no attempt t' safeguard the Freeport or Zoners, firing in the NFZ that your leader indicated would not happen if could be helped.

Now, t' the main atrocities. <Click here to view attachment>. Your Core pilot, "Jess", engages Zoners, then with a fleet of Core warships, informs everyone t' fire on the Freeport. For what? Did Zoners outright engage the Core? No. You want t' see why? "Hand over my goddamn smokes". For smokes, and one or two Zoner pilots who didn't have the tact t' refrain from being sarcastic t' a Core pilot, an entire Core fleet descended on Freeport 11 and started a siege. Your Core fleet bombarded a Freeport. It is administered by Zoners yes, but Sirians from all over, whether you consider them enemies or not, were on that station. A FREEport. A neutral zone that the Core said they would help protect and would attempt t' not violate if it could be helped. Your fleet killed men, women, and children who committed no crime. Who were on a station that was supposed t' be safe according t' the Core. All for a pair of smokes and the accidental actions of a couple Zoner pilots who do not represent Zoners as a whole. Yet an entire fleet of Core vessels took that as a sign of war. For a god damn pair of bloody Cigars.

How DARE you give US a chance for a peaceful solution. How dare you claim we did wrong, when the irrefutable evidence shows the Core going against what was promised t' us Zoners. How dare you send an entire fleet over the words and accidental actions of a couple Zoner pilots whom when we got wind of what happened, were chastised already. No attempt for peace on your end. No attempt t' communicate t' us. And yet you dare tell us that we are in the wrong, and that we need t' provide a peaceful solution.

Yet, when the hundreds of lives were lost, we called out t' anyone and everyone for help. We did not direct specific comms t' your enemies. We called out t' anyone that could offer help and bring relief supplies and medicine t' those still alive on the Freeport after your atrocities. What was that met with? THIS: <Click here to view attachment>. The Core criminal Jess admitting that they would allow women and children die from lack of medical supplies. Where is the peace in that.

What is more, your Core fleet attacked multiple Liberty vessels, of which I was under the impression you were allies with. Look here, of the Core and their friends having destroyed a [DSE] vessel and destroying the relief supplies: <Click to view attachment>. Or how about this, a Core vessel and the Whaler's they hired destroying a Universal Shipping vessel delivering relief supplies? Or attacking the IMG? Or the myriad of other vessels not considered enemies of the Core that brought emergency supplies t' the Freeport? I wonder how Liberty will respond when they learn that two of their government-funded organizations were shot and destroyed by the Core.

But, regardless of everything that happened, we do not want war! We don't want hostilities, and more lives lost. We want PEACE. We always have. The actions of the few Zoner pilots that we have caught acting in a way unbefitting of Zoners will be dealt with, as we have already stated they acted outside of the Confederation advisement and outside of how we Zoners should act. But that does not excuse bringing the entire Core fleet against Zoners and Sirians alike. So you want our terms? Here are our terms:

- The Core will guarantee of the inviolability of Freeport 11 and any other Zoner station
- Core laws will not be acknowledged or applicable in a radius of 20k around any Zoner Stations
- Zoner Laws apply to all Core ships within this 20k Zone
- Core warships of any kind are not permitted inside the 20k zone
- The Core will pay Freeport 11 for the repairs, damage, and loss of life in the amount of 3.000.000.000c
- The Core vessels that sieged Freeport 11 will their crew held accountable for the lives lost, and tried in a court of law
- The Core captain "Jess" will be executed for her war crimes against thousands of Zoner and Sirian lives lost, and their grieving families

If you accept these terms, then we will ask all those who came t' our aid t' retreat their defense fleets, and peace will be allowed t' continue again. If you do not accept these terms, then may whatever god you believe in have mercy on your blood soaked hands, and all of your friends and allies will be sent the increasing evidence of your war crimes against countless innocents who never once raised a hand towards the Core.

I truly hope you see reason and want peace, as we do and always have.

Finn McCool
Head Administrator
Confederation of Freeports