To: los Corsarios :: From: Enrique Herrera

[Gardarik]

Incoming Message

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Sender: El Rey de Montañaria, Enrique Herrera

Recipient: Los guerreros y las guerreras del Imperio de Corsarios

Subject: Call upon action

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Señores y Señoritas,

Soy Enrique Herrera, the King of Montañaria in the south of Crete. Despite being the King not for long, I have taken what was due mine, and protected my right upon the lands of Montañaria by the ancient tradition of our people - brute force. Esteemed members of the Council and other warlords of the Empire, I recognise your claims on what is yours, and ask you to respect my claims upon what is mine. I call upon you to respect my spoils as a warrior, lest you want to discover personally why I was nicknamed "El Carnicero" and the thirst for blood of my court.

Ahora, the formalities concluded, let us discuss business. The Empire has been idle and such state of matters is unacceptable. The artefact trade is flowing, yet the blood of our enemies is not. While mindless slaughter is needless however entertaining it may be, there are multiple objectives that we are all facing and worthy of some blood spilling for a reasonable cause.

Firstly, the "neighbourhood". In my view, our neighbours are not respectful enough to us and are not contributing to the Empire while enjoying the benefits of our presence that scares all the mongrel away. Take Omicron Theta, for example. It is teeming with zoners who now claimed a whole planet. More importantly, the planet has a lot of ruins akin to those on Crete, paving way to the zoners to hop on the artefact trade profit trane. If you ask me, hombres y mujeres, zoners owning a planet is nonsence - a few stations would suffice to fit them. So I suggest employ our ancient tradition of taking by force what is good for the taking. Pygar must be ours for the stability of the artefact trade and for the expansion of the Empire.

Secondly, Skagen. The planet in Omega 55 is under the Core supervision. However, the presence of the Core in Omega 55, as in all Omegas, is minimal. Nor only the planet is good for colonisation, but also similarly to Pygar has ancient ruins. The Core has already bit too much off of our artefact business, their expansion in that direction cannot continue. Therefore, Skagen is also to be taken.

Lastly, Omicron Kappa & Chi. Kappa is held firmly by our warriors on Ciutadella, and overall has only strategical importance of covering entrance into Gamma. Chi, however, is the Box of Pandora. Our scouts reported that a moon there, Malekula, hosts the biggest ruins we have ever seen, bigger than those in private collection of El Jefe Pepe Ladron himself. After two previous planets mentioned you all understand the logic why Malekula must also be under the control of the Corsairs. Luckily, in this direction we have an advantage - Cryer installation is present nearby which we can use as temporary base for operation. I bet, Cryer clerks who are making hefty profits from our supply of the artefacts will be more than happy for a perspective of increased supply. Additionally, we have the access to Omicron Chi not only from contested Kappa and Delta, but also from Xi which is firmly in our hands.

Therefore, those under my banner in Montañaria, your King hereby orders the following:

• commence raids against the Zoners in Omicron Theta - extort, rob, kill, do whatever is necessary to weaken them and show the strength of the Kingdom. This will strengthen our position in "negotiations" regarding the permanent vacation of zoners away from Pygar. Also, send them my regards - I will personally award for doing so. The affiliation of the zoners does not matter - apply force indiscriminately. Look for their fortifications in the area and mark for destruction those deemed detrimental to our conquest of the system. We will deal with them soon thereafter.
  
• scout Skagen and probe Core's defences via skirmishes and ad hoc sieges. Also investigate the activity of the "reds" from the frozen ball in Omega 52 and if they will impede our efforts against the Core. They'd better not for we shall paint them "red" literally should they interfere.
  
• relocate a small mobile force to Pentecost in Chi. Investigate any hostile presence around Malekula, especially fortifications. If any - mark and report thereon. We must prepare for deployment there.
  

As for los guerreros y las guerreras from other parts of Crete and beyond - you are more than welcome to assist Montañarian troops in their quest for glory, or ever swear fealty to me and join their ranks. I am not a soft monarch like those of the "houses" - shed blood for me and your sacrifices will be recognised accordingly.

Strength and glory, amigos, and good luck in your spoils!

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End of Message