To: Ministre de l'Intérieur and Nathan Archos, Supreme Guildkeeper of The Core

[EFL Oil and Machinery]

Honorable members of the Government, and Monsieur Archos,

I am here to make a proposal. The Minister has seen it fit to limit access to Gallia via a Visa system not unlike the Visa system set up by the Core's guildkeepers. I would like to make a proposal that could be most profitable for everyone.

• Gallia opens it's borders to all Core and APM Assets exceptions being High Security Installations unless negotiated further independently.
  
• Core opens Omicron Rho and its Non-High Security installation to all Gallic Corporate and Naval Assets.
  

With this agreement it would allow the bypassing of other complicated bureaucracies and enable further solidification of Gallic-Core relations. Therefore ensuring a steady transfer to economic prosperity.


Let's make a deal,
Jeremie Dupont,
CEO, EFL Oil and Machinery

[Lythrilux]

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:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]:::
:::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]:::
:::[VIDEO FEED: LIVE]:::

»ID: Nathan Archos
»Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
»Subject: An Audience
»ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

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Ave,

It is an honour to make your acquaintances. I am Supreme Guildmaster Nathan Archos, leader of The Core and second to Empress Loyola of the Imperium Omicronis. It is a pleasure. It is not the first time Core has attempted to reach a closer understanding of Gallia. I hope this endeavour is more successful.

The Core is an organisation founded by progenitors of last century Bounty Hunters Guild. Once a mere group of Bounty Hunter elites, The Core has flourished into a powerful military-state that is feared throughout the Edge Worlds and respected by all major powers outside of it. We serve as a bastion for human preservation and advancement and seek to rid the Edge Worlds of its criminal, terrorist and alien elements that plague both the locals and foreign powers. You may be familiar with some of these groups: the Outcasts, the Order, the Coalition and the Nomads, to name a few.

We are in the process of carving an empire - the Imperium Omicronis - out of the territories that we conquer. We have recently opened up our capital, Nauru, the greater galactic population. Our total war in the region has so far been successful, with hostile actors either failing to grasp the concept of war or lagging behind us in terms of technology. I feel that is something in which we and Gallia have a kinship.

In recent decades we have also expanded into a plethora of market areas, with the assistance of our corporate subsidiary, AP Manufacturing. The Core and APM currently have a monopoly on Iridium, an extremely rare metal with a variety of applications in military technology, and we control it's most abundant source - Nauru itself. We have also gained access to a very rare alien structure that produces a gas of some kind that has uses in improving energy efficiency and conductivity in a variety of applications. Furthermore, we also deal in the supply of rare alien artefacts and technology that we discover and otherwise obtain in the Edge Worlds. Whilst Gallia sees itself leagues above Sirius in terms of technology, I assure you that you have never seen anything like the weapons created by the Daam K'Vosh - weapons which we would be more than happy to create and supply for you. Lastly, AP Manufacturing produces ships and equipment for the military and security market - however because of politics I cannot promise that groups outside of Gallic corporations could be privy to such items.

The Core has cooperated with Gallia in the past, namely with vessels bearing the EFL|, GRN| and MRG| designations. One such recent endeavour brought The Core and the Gallic Royal Navy together, regardless of distances, to help unlock a mysterious vault found on our border. The vault was opened, and we both managed to obtain rare technology. We want to take cooperation with Gallia to the next level. The Core is at the cutting edge of technology in Sirius, and is the best in its field when it comes to xenoarchaeology. Our access to and control of several rare resources also makes us an ideal candidate to do business with. As Mr. Dupont has already stated, working with us will ensure economic prosperity for all.

-N. Archos
Supreme Guildmaster, The Core

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:::[CLOSING TRANSMISSION]:::

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[Lanakov]

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MARINE ROYALE GAULOISE

Nouveau message vidéo.
Identifiant : Amiral Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup
Unité : Etat-major de la Marine Royale Gauloise
Destinataire : Supreme Guildmaster Archos and Directeur Dupont

Sujet : You will be entertained, for now.

07 juin, 741 A.G.S.
Ile-de-France

---

Chanteloup appears, a little more impeccable than usual, somehow.

Guildmaster Archos,

We meet again.

Don't think I've been ignoring your recent attempts at contacting me on purpose. You've mostly been ignored because of more pressing concerns, like the impending doom of the Bretonian stronghold or the continued liberation of Libertonian dominions. While, naturally, all goes well, this is a bit of an undertaking even for us and there was little time left to concern myself with our good friends in the far-off Omicrons.

That being said, your charming insistence has been noted and it will not go unrewarded. Monsieur Dupont had the right idea when bringing both of us to the table, and your exposition-heavy speech has convinced me. Indeed, we've had more than beneficial encounters in the past, and several of our cadres hold the Core in high esteem. I myself do hold some respect for those who've chosen to live in the most primitive and savage region of the sector and still managed to carve a domain there for themselves, along with a semblance of sophistication. The Libertonian hordes couldn't manage that with the most generous land of the entire area, which begs a few embarrassing questions. But I digress.

She lights a Gauloise cigarette in a literal flash.

I've been tasked by the Ministère de l'Intérieur to handle our agreement. Now, although I'm rather amused by the notion that a long-dead alien civilisation would have left us with armaments superior to our own, I can understand the Core's fascination for those. And truth be told, my military technology advisor did make a few enthusiastic sounds at the idea of receiving more of that APM hardware you sent us. If they are as fantastic as you claim, surely they're worth a closer look and perhaps even integration in some of our crafts. Superior weapons means more power. I like power. Bring me those weapons, and the Roi will see you rewarded justly.

Let that be our first step towards a more regular cooperation. Do not expect any help from the Marine on your frontlines : we're busy enough with ours and aren't interested in macho confrontations at the edge of known space. Not while so much of known space isn't under Charles' rule, at least. Protect your holdings, keep your supply runs steady and plentiful, extend your reach... And when the time comes, you may find Gallia to be your ally in the conquest of the outer reaches and beyond. You have until then to prove your worth to us.

Beyond this promise, I can't offer you much. You will have unlimited access to the Gallic market, of course : I can guarantee that much in return for those apparently stellar weapons of yours. Surely you will find our production capabilities to be of use, whether in superior industrial practices or in the finest foods available to mankind. Men and women of your alleged imperial stature are bound to savour those, and I haven't heard many reports of adequate land for pastures and vineyards in your Imperium so far. At any rate, this does not directly concern the subjugation of our immediate rivals, and as such is out of my comfort zone : I'll leave you to arrange these finer details with a trade specialist like monsieur Dupont.

She flicks her dead cigarette aside, picks up a new one, then decides against it and replaces it in the elegant wooden box she uses to store them. This occured within two seconds.

Do well by us, Guildmaster, and your adventurous association will flourish.

As for you, directeur Dupont.

You have acted wisely and decisively. Your initiative does you and your company great honour, and the fruits of your work may well benefit our Kingdom at large and the success of my people. I like initiative and success. I trust you will personally benefit greatly from this agreement, but I also think you acted with the interests of the state in mind, unlike your predecessor. I will make sure to tell of your efforts to the Ministère during my report. Please answer all of the Guildmaster's questions if he has any, and don't be offended by his gruff manners. They live in a... taxing environment.

I bid you good day, monsieur le directeur.

Montlaville nods calmly to someone offscreen and the screen goes dark.

---

Feedback, insults, marriage proposals and declarations of fealty

If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.

[Lanakov]

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MARINE ROYALE GAULOISE

Nouveau message vidéo.
Identifiant : Amiral Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup
Unité : Etat-major de la Marine Royale Gauloise
Destinataire : Nathan

Sujet : Encore une petite chose...

20 juin, 741 A.G.S.
Ile-de-France

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Chanteloup appears relaxed, almost casual. By Chanteloup standards.

Salut Nathan.

Now that we are such good friends, there is something I need from you. Or rather, someone. I thought I'd use our existing channel for this. Efficiency.

When I took over as chief of staff of the strongest and most disciplined military of the galaxy, I was handed out a veritable tétrachiée of very important and sensitive documents, some of which rehashed elements I was familiar with from my previous posting. One of which was an operative named Silver, who has, in the past, rendered exceptional services to Gallia.

She picks up a cup of clearly steaming hot coffee from one of her aides who had scuttled up to her, downs it in one go, and replaces the cup in the plate that the aide is still holding. The aide takes the hint and scuttles away.

I've heard she resurfaced as your... What was it again ? Executrix ? Right.

We have need of her here. I wish to talk to her in person. Please send her to Gallia at your earliest convenience. Tell her she could use a vacation in Paris or something. And yes, I'll pay for her absence if you want... I know every centime counts in that reclusive and destitute existence you lead on the frontier.

That's all I need from you at this point. Have a pleasant evening.


She stares menacingly at someone off-screen. Nothing happens. She angrily nods at the center of the screen. Immediately, it cuts to black.

---

Feedback, insults, marriage proposals and declarations of fealty

If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.

[Lythrilux]

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:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]:::
:::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]:::
:::[VIDEO FEED: LIVE]:::

»ID: Nathan Archos
»Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
»Subject: An Audience
»ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

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Ave Isabelle,

Before addressing your query, there is something I would like to mention first. We have granted EFL and MRG a trade visa in Omicron Rho, so that we can begin trade between The Core, APM and Gallia. If there are any amendments you'd like us to make to that, please let us know.

Moving on, it's interesting to hear of Silver's exploits in Gallia. To us, she has been a very efficient killing machine. But on that note, she is a very important asset to The Core. Before we direct her your way, along with someone to watch over her, I would like to hear how you intend to compensate us. I'm not being forward out of arrogance, but simply because as you said Silver's absence will impact our operations in the Edge Worlds.

-N. Archos
Supreme Guildmaster, The Core

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:::[CLOSING TRANSMISSION]:::

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[Lanakov]

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MARINE ROYALE GAULOISE

Nouveau message vidéo.
Identifiant : Amiral Isabelle Montlaville de Chanteloup
Unité : Etat-major de la Marine Royale Gauloise
Destinataire : Nathan

Sujet : RE : Encore une petite chose...

23 juin, 741 A.G.S.
Ile-de-France

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Nathan,

Excellent news about the trade visa. I'll arrange for your association to be entered in our visa registry as well. Free of charge. I'll task a flotilla of transports to visit Rho one of these days. You should come up with a better name for that system, too. I would suggest Pondichéry.

How do you feel about sending opening embassies, too ? It'd make my job staying in touch with you a little easier. And that'd ensure that my diplomats have somewhat adequate lodgings on your... Wild side of this sector, a prerequisite for them to go anywhere. Picky bunch. In return, we'll prepare an office for your people on Paris. There are a few châteaux in proximity of the Île du Palais sector that have been left without owners because of the war and returned to public domain. Surely we could find one that would fit the Core's standards.

Finally, regarding the holiday of agent Silver : naturally, I had a compensation in mind. Gallia takes what it needs from peasants, but happily trades with those of sufficient distinction and honneur. So I've demanded, on your behalf, a report to the Direction générale de l'armement about the possibility of exporting our fighter craft to the Core regions. They said they can do it, and the frames would be more than adapted to operating in the backwat... In Omicron space. So here goes, Nathan : in return for giving a Parisian vacation to Silver, I'm offering you access to a squadron of our fighter craft. Ten ships, which you can pick from any of our classes.

Give me a list, and we will get to work. There's likely to be work necessary to convert them to your use, especially without a closeby source of gasoil to power them, not to mention the exotic armaments you mentioned earlier... So I would suggest building them in tandem in your shipyards according to your specifications with the direct support of our engineering and shipbuilding teams. I'm sure you understand why it'd be a little early to just flatout transfer blueprints and oil barrels on your merry way.

She sips on a cup of coffee.

Contact me when you've thought about this deal.

The screen fades to black.

---

Feedback, insults, marriage proposals and declarations of fealty

If everyone was a bit more like Lanakov, the entire world would be more positive. Including pregnancy tests.

[Lythrilux]

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:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]:::
:::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]:::
:::[VIDEO FEED: LIVE]:::

»ID: Nathan Archos
»Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
»Subject: An Audience
»ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

---

Ave Isabelle,

Embassies sound like an excellent idea. With the Nauru docking ring now fully functional, this is easily something we can facilitate. We've already been leasing spaces on Nauru to interested third parties, for the sake of establishing additional corporate and diplomatic third-party presence on the moon. We can also send a party of our Governors to Gallia, with Silver in tow, to set up a presence there too.

Your offer of sending us Gallic Fighter Craft is perfect. We'll happily accept those in exchange for Silver. I think we'll settle for five Lynxes, and five Sunbeams. A good mix of civilian and military technology. There's a lot we can learn from both. If you forward us several samples, and perhaps the blueprints, we can begin to convert them into using Azurite as part of their fuel process. I'll assign someone in APM to achieve that.

-N. Archos
Supreme Guildmaster, The Core

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:::[CLOSING TRANSMISSION]:::

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[Nen]

Nouveau Message Entrant

Identifiant: Commandant Nicodeme Guillory
Destinataire: Core Guildmaster Nathan Archos
Sujet: Négociations

RNS-Mont Saint Michel, Bethany Battlegroup, 10 Juillet 741 A.G.S.

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Bonjour,

As Logisticien of the Marine Royal Galouise, Amiral Chanteloup has delegated to me the specifics of the export of the Lynx and Sunbeam fighters to Core. Hence forth any questions regarding the procurement of them should be directed to me first. Whilst the main deal is these craft for the agent Silver I believe we can extend a second offer along with the current one to further cooperation between us. First off, the deal itself. We accept your request for the schematics of the Lynx and the Sunbeam, I know how hard it can be to properly work on such craft without them.

Now for our second offer. We are willing to include 5 ‘Cougar’ Bombers and their schematics in exchange for 5 of your ‘Marlin’ fighters and their schematics. We also request you share with us your results and details in regards to retrofitting our craft with Core internals and equipment as well as their combat record out in the Omicrons. Needless to say we are willing to extend the same courtesies and give you our findings and combat record with the Marlin. I personally am quite eager to see how our craft behave with non-Gallic internals and their performance in an unfamiliar environment. To give our engineers and soldiers the opportunity to work on and fight with foreign equipment is equally as fascinating. And if we find this arrangement to be beneficial the Marine may seek to share even more of our equipment and technology with the Core.

Do note that this is merely an additional offer, if you deny this one you will still get the promised fighters. Of which we need to iron out the details, Flotte de Soutien would be more than willing to help facilitate the moving of material for both deals.

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[Lythrilux]

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:::[INCOMING TRANSMISSION]:::
:::[ESTABLISHING VIDEO FEED]:::
:::[VIDEO FEED: LIVE]:::

»ID: Nathan Archos
»Location: Durban Station, Omicron Rho
»Subject: An Audience
»ENCRYPTION: INVINCIBLE

---

Ave Commandant Nicodeme Guillory,

Your proposal is sound. We'll happily exchange five of our Marlin fighters for five of your Cougar bombers on top of the existing agreement. I will say one thing, however, that the Gallic Royal Navy using Core technology openly is a precarious venture and one that could be filled with negative political strife. Unless we can find an apt solution to delude Sirius into thinking we are doing this against our will, I would like to suggest that you do not use these ships on the frontlines for now. With that out of the way, I am excited to hear that you're keen to share perhaps even more Gallic technology with us. I think it's fairly obvious that the both of our organisations are considerably more advanced than the rest of the Sirian chumps, and working together we can push the limits of our technology even further.

We can make a shipment of Azurite as well as DT Fuel from Rheinland - which is also used in the combustion process. This should allow you to fly the vessels, until you can figure out an alternate fuel source. A year ago or so, The Core was in dialogues with either Solar Engineering or EFL regarding a project to reverse engineer both Gallic and Core vessels for each other respectively. I am not sure what became of that project. But either way, we can follow something in the same vein as that.


-N. Archos
Supreme Guildmaster, The Core

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:::[CLOSING TRANSMISSION]:::

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[Nen]

Nouveau Message Entrant

Identifiant: Commandant Nicodeme Guillory
Destinataire: Core Guildmaster Nathan Archos
Copie Carbone: Capitaine Madeline Sabine de Bordeleaux
Sujet: Logistique

RNS-Mont Saint Michel, Bethany Battlegroup, 17 Juillet 741 A.G.S.

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Bonjour Guildmaster Archos,

I’m glad to hear that you have accepted our other request as well. We will put the Marlin too good use, and I can also assure you the Cougar is a fine bomber. Its not as well armored nor armed as some bombers, but its almost as nimble as a fighter and just as small.

Your concern with the Marine openly using Core craft is indeed a valid one. The Marine will relegate these craft to the Gendarmerie Nationale for the time being. Whilst I am not the one to deal with the sensitivities of diplomacy, I can forward the issue to those that do. Kusari and Rheinland should be receptive to our relations and I assure you that Bretonia won’t be in a position to complain in the coming months. That really only leaves Liberty as the question. So for now we agree in both parties exercising discretion. And on the topic of discretion I would extend the same warning to not use the ‘Lynx’ or the ‘Cougar’ in house space since it would lead to the concerns you alluded to if Core pilots are seen flying them throughout Sirius. The ‘Sunbeam’ shouldn’t cause as much of an issue however since it is of civilian make and there have been cases of individuals leaving Gallia with them.

We believe we can send your ships within this following week, I will send the exact date once I have cleared it with high-command.However I will note that without an official statement from the new Kusari government Flotte de Soutien’s hands are tied when it comes to military exports. If we don’t get that word from them the Marine may have to ask for the Core to provide the transports for the majority of the trip. I believe it wont come to this but it is always smart to prepare for possible complications. I am not sure how you want to detail escort and security, but due to tenuous relations MRG is only able to provide escort to Tau-53 at the furthest, with us having to rely on Core escorts or local law enforcement for the rest of the trip. Now onto the itinerary, navigation office has suggested the convoy to start at planet Lyon in the Lyonnais then going Tau-53 -> Hokkaido -> New Tokyo -> Honshu ->Sigma 13 -> Frankfurt -> Sigma-15 then unloading the packaged ships at Alabama Shipyard in Omicron Rho. The convoy will then pick up the Marlins from the shipyard and head on its way back to Gallia to drop them off in Il-De-France, I am not at liberty to say exactly where.

As for fuel, I believe a single shipment of Promethene should give you at least a months worth for the 15 craft you will be provided, this should be more than enough time for us to formalize regular shipments. A months worth of DT should be sufficient for us as well with the Marlin, CNO fusion only requires H-1 and therefor we have no dedicated facilities for the production of Deuterium and Tritium. I will warn you, Prometheum is considered a critical strategic asset, the crown will not look too kindly to it falling into the hands of those we don't deem allies. You are to UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, export any of your received Promethene or Prometheum to any faction besides the Kingdom of Gallia and her agents. Fail to abide this rule and you can consider our cooperation done. Forgive the harshness but this element gives us our critical advantage in regards to reactor technology over the other houses. Understand we are taking a huge risk by trusting you with this, do not betray it. Gallia is willing to extend the same hand in regards to Azurite Gas.

Moving on from some unfortunate unpleasantness, the Core’s usage of gaseous Chessylite has me intrigued. From what meager information I could gather is in the gas phase it readily absorbs energy if at a constant voltage and amperage. You then expose it to high energy matter such as plasma and it behaves as almost a solid, keeping its shape and dimensions. Yet through all this it keeps a constant motion, with all that energy ready to be released when again exposed to high energy matter or some sort of strong force. I can see the uses of this from energy storage all the way to ordinance. I have so many questions! How much energy is lost during the storage? Is it volatile, or is there no energy loss over time? How many joules of energy does it store per gram? Does the type of matter it interacts with change its behavior? Can one regulate the rate of energy releases or is it a runaway reaction? Ah, forgive me for rambling as such, this is such a fascinating subject, I could not contain myself. And do feel free to experiment with some of the samples of Prometheum we will be bringing as a gesture of good will and further scientific cooperation.

I will contact you again when I have the supplies ready and a specific date set.

Fin de Transmission

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