QCP to the COZ

[Drake]

Right, lets take things case-by-case, in no particular order.

First, with regards to possible QCP 'escorts', that is only so we may verify that the Zoner's destination is indeed the destination they tell us, and not a base of our enemies. The only other option in this situation is to continue 'levying fines' and/or confiscating cargo of any Zoner trade vessel found within Kusari or heading in that direction. Frankly, we have better things to do with our time, so in most cases I doubt we would opt to 'escort' traders, unless we have reason to be suspicious.

Now, about the Mollys. We were trying to do a little good, for a group of Bretonian citizens (whether or not they recognize that citizenship, we still count them) terribly wronged by Corsair atrocities. If they don't wish to accept said help, then I suppose we'll drop it. But don't let it be said that we're nothing but greedy bastards, we're looking out for the good of all of Bretonia's people.

About Port Jackson... It was my impression, confirmed to me by an old friend in Bowex, that the money paid by them for the Port Jackson colony is merely to 'lease' the land, and indeed, that Bowex is handling the care and wellbeing of the citizens there. I'm sure your medical assistance is appreciated, but I assure you, Bretonia has doctors too, and Bowex is shipping in the best possible. Now I do have a question for you: Why do you charge Bowex to lease a limited portion of 'your' land on Gran Canaria, yet let the Corsairs colonize freely? Corsairs who are not, supposedly, allies of yours.

I'll now move right along to the most important issue, and we can discuss the other minor points later on. The No-Fire Zones. First off, if the Wilde damaged your Freeport, then it was assuredly a directed and continuous assault, not a few stray shots. If your base lacks the armour to protect it from an occasional energy blast, then it has no business staying in operation. If you like, we can supply you with some new armour plating, pioneered on the Leeds front, which should prove more than adequate. Likewise, stray weapons fire from anything short of a battleship has no chance of harming the surface of the planet. Even a battleship's weapons will be little more than a pretty light-show. Leeds has had its share of combat in orbit, and has not had any problems with surface-side casualties.

Bretonia is beset on one side by Kusari, and on the other by the Corsairs. We cannot afford to let our enemies escape alive to fight another day when we have a chance to end them today. The Zoner's NFZ-defenders are not always present and available, and if they're not, they most likely can't show up quick enough to take care of those who choose to flee to the 'safety' of a Freeport or Gran Canaria. If the chance to strike them down is there, and the Zoners aren't there to enforce their own laws upon them, then we must be allowed to act.

Yours truly,
Edward Hawkins