To: Mrs Lily Ward, Foreign Minister, CR || From: Bretonia

[Crayter Republic]

Lady Mountbatten,

I find it interesting that Kusari has maintained talks with Bretonia regarding this pact against Gallia, but has yet to formally answer our inquiry regarding the cessation of hostilies. I find it even more interesting Kusari is offering analyses of Barra to you, yet not to us, despite their illegal occupation of it. The offer of 'selling' us our people's own property is just the icing on top, and gives me the impression that they are not interested in dealing with the Republic, which is quite telling.

To be clear, the Republic is not interested in 'buying' back the wreck of the Helios, which is, again, sovereign Crayterian property. The Ministry of Defense, once deployments to the Taus are complete, has planned salvaging operations to retrieve the Helios and bring her back home. Should Kusari think to salvage the wreck themselves and violate Crayter's salvage rights, then Crayter would have no other option but to react accordingly.

As for Barra, a talk with the Minister of Defense can confirm some of the Naval Forces' findings, particularly the acts of sabotage. The Royal Navy, from whom the station was acquired during Operation Ice Lance, seemed adamant to make the station as infuriating to operate as possible, but that did not stop the Ministry from trying to remedy the issues through reworking of the systems aboard. The damage from Ice Lance is still mostly there as well, and Crayter was in the process of organizing an engineering operation to get the station back into proper shape at the time when the Hades' battlegroup was forced to withdraw. This is all verbatim from Minister Westbrook, mind you, though he has assured me that the Military is still very interested in reacquiring the station. I'm not sure what 'more strategical position' means to Kusari, but our analysts have affirmed time and again that the station's position within the exclusion zone of the Crossroads is quite valuable to the Republic, particularly now as a potential impound lot for any ships violating border customs coming from Gallia once this pact goes anywhere.

The issue I am sensing here is that Kusari remains unwilling to admit any fault of their own here, and would rather offer terms to the Republic through a medium rather than speak to us themselves about our own property. For a nation that prides itself on courage and honor, they seem to have very little of either when it comes to the negotiating table, but this is just a personal observation.

To put it short, no. Crayter will not accept either of these conditions, and though I thank you for bringing this to my attention, I would be much appreciative if you could remind Kusari of Crayter's attempts at contact, as I would prefer that details regarding Crayter property be discussed between Kusari and the Republic. Though my Ministry has attempted reminders since initial contact was made, they appear adamant to ignore it. Perhaps a Great House properly reminding them of it will get me the response I need to get this off the ground.
Thank you Lady Mountbatten, and should Kusari make any further updates regarding Crayter in your talks I would be most appreciative if you'd send them our way like you did here.

For those we left behind.

Lily Ward
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Crayter Republic