Freeport 9 Public Announcement

[Chico]

Comm ID: Chico Benitez
Location: Planet Crete,
Omicron Gamma

Senor Pushkin,

I am sure your word is good, but do you happen to have the evidence of the Benitez attacking FP9?
I'd also like evidence of Benitez attacking Zoner vessels in Theta out of aggression, rather than defending themselves. I am aware of only one occasion and that pilot, at the time was unaware of the situation. I would very much like to have a copy for the records.

I am quite confident that you are aware that threatening to, and launching attacks into Gamma justified a particular response and your incursions got exactly that.
Anyway, with the escalation currently underway, we will fight alongside our brothers against any aggressor within the boundaries of the Empire, and out of it.

The point of this missive?
It pains me to see all the rhetoric used so long ago to justify the actions of the crew aboard the FP repeated and so I will attempt to make you familiar with it.
Do you remember the AW-Corsair wars?
This came about because of the intractablility the Zoners placed about their so called neutrailty.
Hunters, in search of the immortal credit would base off the FP to raid Gamma but not just for combat pilots. No. Any corsair ship was valid, military or transport.
Outcast battlefleets who still to this day break through the warzone in Eta get re-fueled and re-armed at the FP before entering Gamma. They are there to kill or enslave Corsairs. Men, women and children.
And when these ships withdraw, where do you think they withdraw to?
And the final nail in the coffin. Who protects them with their NFZ?

You see Commander, the guilty party isn't just the man with the gun, it's also the man who loads it for him and hides him in his home.
That is exactly how we percieve it. We have tolerated this for a long time and when the Empire finally took action, the action they took was a surprise to you.
Why?
Just what did you expect exactly?
A good neighbour would not help the thief into his neighbours house and yet, we find this to be the case over and over with no single Freeport authority prepared to do anything despite our protestations.
Our hand was forced a long time ago Senor by inaction.

In conclusion Commander, you have a choice to make. To repeat the errors of your predecessors or change and make a lasting peace.

Regards,

Chico Benitez

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