.:j:. JUNKER CONGRESS DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL

[Rudo]

*Incoming Transmission*
Comm. ID - Col. Diablo - Commander, SOB
Target ID - Junkers Congress

Transmission Begins

Congressmen,

As you are aware from our previous talks & agreements made through the Council of the Dons, I have deployed a small task force to Yanagi Station.
In the past few weeks it has effectively repelled a few of the Bounty Hunting scum from attacking or even approaching the station, keeping it secure for all smugglers & Junkers alike. ( Even those Corsair scum we despise, but allow to enter). Recently, other events have unfolded to force me to move some of my fleet around to cover other theaters of operations. I still have a formidable group posted at Yanagi, yet it is smaller & will eventually be less effective. Thus I will be sending requests to a few allies for support in efforts to keep Yanagi free of Bounty Hunter interference.

I do however have a coupe questions that I need cleared up do to some uncertainty of Junkers wishes & policies.
1: How far of a buffer zone should the no fire agreement be limited to?
We was told 8k by one Junker, 5 k from another & 10k from yet another. A set distance agreed by all would be most helpful.

2: We are assuming we are weapons free at any distance from Yanagi to repel Bounty Hunters & other lawful ships such as the GMG. Is this a correct assumption?

3: Would the allied ships we may be asking to assist have permission to dock, refuel /arm & rest at Yanagi station when needed?

4: Would you like to have detailed reports of our activities posted to you concerning Yanagi & if so, where would you like them sent?
There also seems to be concerns about our pirating operations in the Sigma 13 area. Rest assured, All SOB ships have been instructed to limit pirating to a distance of 5 to 8k away from Yanagi & not to pirate any Junker identified ship. But the Congress should be aware that our pirating is funding our fleet that is present to protect your station.

If any other concerns should arise, Please send me a message or transmit your concerns to the Council of the Dons.

Respectively,
Col. Diablo
Commander, Shadow Outcast Brigade
Transmission Ends

Comm ID: Hannibal Bishop, Captain of Junker Guard Gunboat Caveat Emptor

Greetings Outcast;

Not to worry about diminishing your fleet. I have personally stepped up efforts to protect the station and surrounding areas. My craft, while relatively compact, is capable of driving off or destroying larger vessels up to but excluding battleships. Solitary capital-class craft without escort are particularly vulnerable.

I will answer your questions as best I can. Keep in mind that my answers are not Tinkerbell's final word on the subject; but they are educated opinions on the matter from a seasoned veteran of the Junker Guard.

On to your questions:

1) The no-fire buffer zone is 5k.

2) While strictly adhering to the no-fire zone is appreciated, if you are fired upon by vessels in the envelope, we understand craft acting in self-defense.

But act in self-defense only: engaging Hunters who simply sit in the perimeter are not to be engaged if the situation has not escalated. And keep in mind that your weapons fire places Junkers in danger as well -- be extremely cautious about taking this course of action.

And please exercise further discretion with the GMG, in regards to their actions immediately surrounding and/or directly involving Yanagi. While factions that have been strictly declared outlaw are shoot-on-sight to them and vice-versa, we Junkers maintain a tenuous neutrality. Keep in mind that most Junkers are indeed legitimate salvage workers, and we do maintain an enterprise which is legal in three Houses.

A GMG pilot in our space is indeed suspect, but they should be questioned rather than fired upon -- Yanagi is a legitimate trade hub and place of business. Questioning should be the first action you take as a general rule. It is instrumental in preventing conflict escalation and thus collateral damage.

3) It's commonly said that we Junkers only keep four rules when it comes to use of our facilities.

- Pay for what you take.
- Don't crap where you eat.
- Don't tell us our math is bad. Ha.

4) Evidence of incidents directly involving Yanagi should be sent to Tinkerbell and myself. I only involve myself because I maintain a log of such incidents, and directly intervene where possible.

We do not need to be informed of incidents that transpire outside Yanagi's sphere of contact. Any business you take part in that does not directly involve us is your business and not ours. We don't ask questions regarding your movements, in exchange for you not questioning ours. Just follow our basic rules, and exercise discretion in your actions where you act in our stead.

I hope your questions have been answered. If further clarification is needed, or you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you for your continued support.

Cpt. H. Bishop
- The Caveat Emptor



(//EDITED 10/20/08 - Tinkerbell has posted clarifications.)

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