Greetings esteemed Elders of the great Corsair nation.
I am honored by the invitation to speak and will attempt--though most likely unsuccessfully--to be brief. The appointment by myself of Captain Green Hawk to the position of Adjudicator was expressly to send a message to lawfuls and unlawfuls throughout Sirius. Many have accused of us of trying to "empire build" but as the esteemed Elders here are aware, building an empire of Junkers would be akin to creating an army of cats. They just aren't going to march in formation no matter how much you try to get them to. You will also notice the absence of any "vast Junker fleets darkening the suns of Sirius" as many have feared and you will note that no "back room deals" have been made giving one faction precedence over another at the other's expense. As always, we prize and understand the need for neutrality. We are about business and military and political actions are only forthcoming from us when business vital to Junker independence is at stake.
Adjudicator Green Hawks appointment was a popular action--approved off by Junkers throughout Sirius. He has defended Junker pilots under attack from the Wild and defended Yanagi from predatory bounty hunter capital ships. You will note the bounty hunter ID'd as *BH* no longer is seen in Sigma-13. It was Junker and Corsair coordination that made this a reality. Adjudicator Green Hawk also formed the "Poor Pilots Fund" and has helped Junker and Corsair pilots alike who have started at the bottom work their way up to profitability. All these things preceded his invitation to accept the appointment as adjudicator and he has fulfilled the position admirably.
The position of Yanagi Depot allows the possibility of Blood Dragon, Corsair, Golden Chrysanthemum and of course Junker adjudicatorship. My appointment of Captain Green Hawk was an acknowledgment that the faction showing the most balance and maturity and ability in dealing with Yanagi was--and is--the Corsairs. By granting this position to the Corsairs, you are given the chance to demonstrate through Adjudicator Green Hawk's oversight how respected and prized our relationship with Corsairs is and should remain. The Golden Chrysanthemums have been simply good trade partners. This is in our own best interests as we of course desire to be able to conduct business in Kusari--hopefully openly one day. The Blood Dragons -- and especially of late -- have been erratic and unpredictable in their actions towards us. Our relationship with them has always been one of shaky balance. Of course, a Junker could have received the appointment but the message I wished sent was that our trade partners who have kept good relationships with us are as much a part of Junker society as our own citizens. What would Junkers be without the friendship of the Corsairs? Your allowance of our neutrality and appreciation of our position and shrewd insight into practical business practice have made our relationship stable and dependable and has enriched all Junkers throughout Sirius. Adjudicator Green Hawks appointment is an acknowledgment of trust and respect towards all Corsairs and a sign that you are not merely "a faction doing business with us" but a part of our very livelihood. There are not many non-Junkers who could be received in such a position, yet of those to be found, the first of them was a Corsair. I hope you can see this as the honor it is. Adjudicator Green Hawk's responsibilities are simply to protect Junkers and the depot at Yanagi and to enforce and administer our neutrality there within the 2km limit. he of course will deal with people's who are not favorably inclined towards the Corsairs but has this not been the benefit of meeting at Junker bases all along? All parties are able to know they will be treated equally with no interference given in what happens after they leave. Adjudicator Green Hawk simply is given the opportunity to show all the groups of Sirius that a Corsair is skilled not only in war and business but in understanding and self control. How that must grate on the nerves of those who are less restrained and respectful! Again, it gives a public demonstration of your people's stature. It also sends a message to lawfuls that we are not ashamed to work with the great people of the Corsair nation and that we are not afraid of our association with them. In time perhaps, our openness will serve as an example to all of Sirius that Corsairs are as much a noble house as any of the "houses" that press their rule on their own peoples and others.
And finally, we can not avoid that in neutrality we will be required to deal with all sides--that is our place and function. To the shrewd having influence in such a position can only be advantageous. It is regrettable that the Hogosha have nationalized abject hatred of us but it is precisely because we have dealt with groups considered criminal in Kusari that we have been given this reputation by them there. As to the Blood Dragons? We are not nor have ever been staunch allies with them and in fact have only a few dealings with one another, resupplying at bases on occasion. Blood Dragons have often been as prone to attack Junker traffic as they have any any other and this is something we bear because we understand in the end, there is a middle ground of mutual advantage that we need to co-exist. What is this advantage we gain from the Blood Dragons you will no doubt ask? One thing and one thing alone...the potential to gain an ally in the greatest threat that exists to Junkers and indeed all of Sirius -- and they are on the front line of it with us --though they have yet to fully realize it. The threat are the Wild. Human beings genetically altered not by mere cardamine but by an alien infestation. Aliens with the full desire and no hesitancy to kill all human life. Imagine esteemed Elders the outrage one would feel to see Corsair men and women and even children in their primes turned into twisted caricatures with no will of their own anymore and slavishly doing the bidding of a blue jellied creature not created by God but engineered by aliens who never knew of evolved humanity. Trapped in time and programmed with unchangeable goals, these creatures will never stop until they are stopped. And the Wild are the portal for the Nomads into every society in Sirius. The fact that they are relatively quiescent at present belies their programmed instinct to destroy us all when the opportunity is presented. Our intelligence and operations have shown that Wild activity in proximity to Yanagi has exponentially increased. our trade routes through Tohoku and reconnaissances there indicate that this may be the very goal of the Wild--under direction of Nomads--for their next area of expansion. Then we all will deal with Wild present in Kusari and Rheinland again.
I know these facts are not unknown to and unappreciated by you --for it is no mere happenstance you have aided the Order. We see the same threat. Our position covers all of Sirius and what we are seeing concerns us greatly. the Corsairs cannot of course work with allies of their enemies even with such concerns--but we can. Our interest in relations to continue with the Blood Dragons is to be able to share intelligence on Wild and Nomad expansion. We need to travel their spaces to do this. This is no threat to the Corsairs.
Adjudicator Green Hawk now has a vote and voice in our assemblies and can speak their not only for the Yanagi Junker's interests butt also for teh Corsairs. All of this strengthens the your position.
That is the clear and precise of it. I hope it has satisfied your questions but I am available now to answer any others you may have.
Juan smiled at the mention of the Junker Congress.
It had been a while since he had seen Magia around lately, probably got bored with the metals around Tripoli. The Elder had some fond memories serving aboard the Altaneria and spending time with the Junkers at Yanagi. It was Magia that helped him repair and upgrade his Titan so his battles in Rhineland would proceed fairly smoothly.
Damnit, he missed that girl.
"The Junkers used to be fairly disorganized. Hmmm, this is an interesting situation. But, don't forget we still have some informants around Yanagi from our war, including Kristina in her gunboat. I've seen her pirate there more than once."
Juan switched his fake eye to "x-ray" and noticed Asnos' bottle under the table. 'Such hostility,' Juan thought, then it occurred to him that not all Junkers are the same, he's heard stories of course. Feeling fairly unarmed, he moved to a place away from the fire were he could grab something to defend himself with, just in case.
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."
Senor Tinkerbell, I appreciate the eloquence with which you represent your people, but I still have some very serious concern with the potential of Green Hawk acting against our Allies in the position to which you have graciously placed him. Would for instance Green Hawk defend junker ships against the Hogosha or Farmers for that matter. Now I know your issues with them, but you also must understand they are valued allied and friends to us, and the thought of a Corsair engaging them makes me very nervous.
We fully understand your view towards the Hogosha and appreciate your concern.
Hogosha re not allowed on our bases--any more than we are on theirs. They have turned the entire house of Kusari against us to maintain their position and this has not encouraged relations between us. So if a Hogosha came near Yanagi, and refused to leave and entered its space, he would be attacked. However, were he to enter Sigma 13 and show no hostility, your own captain, Adjudicator Green Hawk, has the authority to order Congressmen not to harass them so long as they stay clear of Junker operations. He sets station policy and can do this. He can not invite an enemy of the Junkers onto their base but he can administrate a cease fire and tolerance by Congressmen as long as no hostility or interference is shown. This is most likely more than you would get from a local Junker. We, the Junker Congress, do not control other Junkers. We are setting an example by showing our willingness to work with others and hopefully this will slowly help bring about change.
The Hogosha are not stupid. I would think they can see that this can only be helpful to them. We--the Junkers--are the ones compromising here. We are the ones extending trust and willingly showing restraint and openness. The gain is not ours from a purely tactical standpoint. We are looking at the long-term possibility of change.
This is more than the Hogosha can offer. If you do not believe me, fly into New Tokyo and try to dock. Even the Hogosha would be offended. You will not get such a response from us.
Adjudicator Green Hawk will protect Junkers and insure their rights are defended. He does not have to declare war on our enemies for us. We will show restraint to passing, non-hostile, non-interfering Hogosha just as he will have to show restraint for passing Dragons and others. It is a grand experiment and test for both of us. The relationship between Junkers and Hogosha is what it is--Adjudicator Green Hawk will not change that--but he is not causing it either.
Now it is merely to be decided if we are courageous enough to take the first step and move past such things.
Thank you for your gracious time and consideration.
Laowai grew restless; The Junker used a lot of words but like any politician spoke around the core of the issues; and where was this Green Hawk? did the man not have his own mouth? was he unable to speak for himself? For surely it was his view that was the most important here?
He addressed the Junker Representative: "And if the Hogosha does appear in Sigma 13 with hostile intent?"
He leaned forward. "It's all very well to spout noble words about diplomacy and restraint, but is this man a Corsair or is he a Junker? If the Hogosha, for whatever reason decides to act in such a way is this man going to defend Junker interests over those of his own people? I am sure you are aware of the ancient saying "A man cannot serve two households"
Glancing around the chamber he went on "and what are we to do - hmmm? - when we start getting reports from our Allies that a Corsair vessel has been shooting up their people in glorious defence of the Junkers? Are we supposed to just dismiss it? pretend its not there and write if off as a Junker matter?"
Fixing Tinkerbell with his glare now he spoke more steadily "Representative you claim neutrality but clearly you are not, firstly, by this appointment you cannot fail to see that your "friends" on the Outcast side of the fence could not help but be more than a little concerned by it - Their safety in a place of Neutrality is overseen by a mortal enemy? Hmmmph! indeed! Secondly, you have breached your neutrality by appointing a Corsair in the first place - we have valuable alliances in this area which this man can jeopardize"
Laowai switched on his data pad which rested on the table in front of him, With the projector in the room now smashed he handed it to the representative, it showed an image that most of the elders by now would have seen:
"I have read the reports on your council representative - not only do you state and active desire to hinder our allies, but more than that, you openly seek to aid and abet Allies of the Outcasts, the GC. While claiming to consider the Nomads the greatest threat to humanity you in fact aid Allies of known worshipers and servants of the Nomads - the Outcasts! We know the GC is regularly in Omicron Alpha! Look at that image and see the company they might find there! Are you not the least bit concerted of infestation? infection? these people are slaves to Cardamine, who else might they be slaves to? and you let THIS into your station, a station governed by a Corsair?!"
Laowai leaned back into his chair; raising his eyebrows he said "I trust you have considered the possible ramifications of what you have done and are doing, or is this all new to you......"?
Talk is indeed cheap Elder. Let's cut to the chase then...
We can sit on aloof thrones and bluster about how pure and noble our intents and methods are but the fact is what works, works and what doesn't, doesn't.
Yes--we are MORE than aware of the consequences of Nomad infestation and the risk of associating with those who associate with them. What is NOT public knowledge and must not leave these chambers is that from the Junker Guards party's inception--the forerunner of the Junker Congress we have been taking radical steps to prepare for a worst case scenario.
If you have experience with pilot training you will know that the number one cause of pilot's losing confidence and initiative in combat is not superior firepower or numbers of the enemy...it is lack of knowledge.
As Junkers, we don't have the luxury of sitting behind battle fleets with scores of allies to help us. We have had to survive with our wits and that is done by having knowledge.
You want to be ignorant? Sit on a throne and ignore the enemy. Pretend their activities and actions are not necessary to know and understand. Isolate yourself from them and pay no heed to how they think, what they feel and what they want and do.
We do not have that luxury. You have your battle fleets, skilled pilots and pride. We have centuries of adapting to changing circumstances without losing ourselves to them. There is no house our ships cannot dock in. No place we cannot easily go. This did not happen by stupidity or ignorance it happened because we can press ourselves beyond our own view and see how others see things. isolation does not gain that ability.
Here is what we have--and the fact that it has remained undetected and unknown should gain your attention.
We have surveilled the home systems of the Phantoms and Nomads. We have watched the order and their operations and learned from their tactics. We have infiltrated bases in Liberty's Alaska and are aware of every action that occurs there. We have discovered, recovered and reverse engineered alien technologies. We have allied with the harvesters when even the Zoners feared them and we posses weapons that can defeat them. We have created an extensive DNA catalog of every Junker and genetic profiles of every population center in Sirius. We have captured and experimented on hundreds of Nomads and Wild and taken down their most powerful ships on more than one occasion.
We have done all of this unknown and unseen and without asking you or the Outcasts or Liberty or the Order for one iota of help or assistance. If war with the Nomads came today, we are prepared. If it comes next week we are even more prepared. If you are afraid of Nomad infestation then pray to your God that you don't have to fight them--because then you will have to deal with it whether you like it or not. The last conversation I had with a Corsair pilot about Nomads was, "Don't antagonize them as it provokes them to come."
Why do you think I appointed a Corsair instead of an Outcast at the hub of Wild activity in Sirius? We are not stupid or ignorant and are already aware of some Outcasts affection for these inhuman creatures. We are forming bulwarks and aligning allies on the chance such a conflict comes. My concern is for Junker citizens to live in safety--politics are only a means to an end. They mean nothing in and of themselves. We are not pursuing power or glory or competing for recognition--we are doing the quiet dirty work that no one else in Sirius wants to do--what we have always done. You fight your war against the Outcasts and they against you for your own reasons. Nomads have nothing to do with why your conflict began. That isn't our concern or business. But the threat of Nomads is all of our concern and you are quite correct a house divided against itself cannot stand. You know the history of the Nomad war. They came to set one side against another so they would destroy and weaken themselves. We will use every ally, every tool, every method at our disposal to stop that from happening again. Our relationship with the Outcasts keeps us close to their actions. If they suffer a complete societal infestation we will be the first to know--and you would need to know that then.
Adjudicator Green Hawk does not have to grab a sword and slay Hogosha in their beds. He simply can inform them of the consequences of aggression and not defend them should they press it on Yanagi. If the Corsairs should back the Hogosha in a war against Junkers then he simply can resign. Working cooperatively is what will defeat any attempt by the Nomads to take over. We have concentrated on the Wild most specifically as these are the agents Nomads would stealthily use first. So while we dance about details the Junker view is simple. Nomads are a threat bigger than politics and someone should do something about it. We are.
I am not at liberty to discuss what actions we are taking privately but our study of Nomads and the Wild is more extensive than any other being undertaken in Sirius. We seek to increase knowledge in order to be more prepared for battle. Yanagi is a front line. Do you wish to withdraw from it? We will not.
As always we have shared concerns and interests...these are what we should concentrate on.
"I hope you do not mean to suggest that members of this house are ignorant?" he said quietly, "Or that we, the people who daily sit on the forefront of Nomad incursions into our space, are somehow unaware? Pray to our "god" that we don't have to fight them sir? we fight them on a daily basis... any Corsair who would not and does not is in derilection of their duty... "
"What i was questioning was whether you were..... which if we take your words at face value you seem to be.....and indeed, if the Junkers had such operations in motion, operations that now involve a Corsair; a little more transparency might be useful for some form of cooperation... if indeed your operations are as extensive as they are, i for one am open to negotiation on this cooperation..... if indeed, that is feasible"
He switched off the data pad that had been placed back on the table in front of him. "you do not come here to lecture children sir, or the ignorant who do not know what occurs outside their own house. Yes, as you so astutely pointed out, and as you should remember, we do have battlefleets. But this does not preclude us from engaging in the subtleties....... do not presume that the junkers are the only ones who know how to move in the shadows....."
He stroked his beard.... "While your presumption in making this appointment here leaves a little to be desired, however, i feel your words bear hearing out..... That said - We have no quarrel with the Junkers per se - and If this Corsair was a conscious appointment by you to form a "bulwark" or an "ally" with the Corsairs then indeed... i find the move intriguing..."
He sat back, "but enough from me, i am sure there are other opinions in the house...."
Cpt. Green rises up with all due respect his mother tought him for the Elders, to speak his words.
"Glorious Elders, your wisdom is far beyond me, but hear my simple words nevertheless. I have operated in Sigma 13 for quite some time now. I have lived throu enough grussome battles that I can call Junkers our friends. For never in my time there, Junkers picked Blood Dragon or Outcast side, when the battle was at hand." Pauses briefly. "At first I expected some foul play, preperations for the final blow in my back, but in time I learned the ways of Junkers. They indeed want neutrality."
Stand's up a little more straight and proud. "Allow me to illustrate my operations at Yanagi. I was appointed to keep operations at Yanagi in motion, but most of all protect the base from frequent attacks. This came natural to me, as I stood side by side with Junkers in many a battle against Wildes, Bounty Hunters, ooorporation sponsored mercenaries, Rheinland Marines and many other foes. The strategic position of Yanagi is invaluable. Where intrests of Houses, Hessians, Blood Dragons and Outcasts meet, surtenly Corsair would prevail? Yes they would and did. I ask you wise Elders, is not a Foothold in Sigma 13 a dream of many Corsairs? With me in command there, every Corsair is granted a sanctuary in the midst of hostile space. I carry the intrests of our people at heart, but I also carry the intrests of Junkers in my mind. Yanagi is where those intrests connect."
Pauses again and looks at the more agreeable Elders. "As the Abjudicator of Yanagi, my objectives are fairly simple, enforce the order within neutrality zone. Should our friends from Hogosha enter, Yanagi is probably the only part of Junker space that would, not welcome them with barrages from station defenses. Provided no Hogosha would like to share the same station with a Junker, communications might still be carried out with me as the mediator. Outside the zone, I am a Corsair. Dragons and Outcasts know that all to well."
Looks at Tinkerbell and continues: "Junkers must remain neutral for their own protection, they have no armadas of experienced pilots, no fleets to defend against intrudors. They have little choice in their actions, while we Corsairs do. We have a choice now to join this new movement with Junkers, we have little to loose and a lot to gain. Envision our great nation, spanning from Omega 49 to Sigma 13, as a neutral Junker depot is as good as any Freeport. Supplies can be gained in large quantities, the richest trade routes between Rheinland and Kusari within a short distance. No Corsair would ever need to be hungry ever again. Think about the opportunity at hand and think well, for your children will judge your actions now."
Bows, with much respects and leaves the word to the next speaker....
Donate to the Poor Pilot's Fundation via Sirius Bank /givecash GreenHawk 1000000 now, and support poor pilots sirius wide!
Skype: jure.grbec
My primary char: Jose El Nino - Corsair Elder captain of the SS Greenhawk
Currently Inactive due to pursuit of life long dreams, will be back...*edited* As promised am back.
Lucendez moved back from the shadows and leaned against a pillar, listening to the conversation. Laowai definitely had a fiery tongue when dealing with outsiders such as this Junker, he had no doubt of this.
"One question that lingers in my mind, Mr. Tinkerbell, is the ramifications of allowing a Green Hawk to guard a purely Junker depot." Juan disconnected himself from the pillar and walked around the table. "What if the station gets bombarded, from some young Outcast no doubt, and a Junker family gets killed. Where is the blame laid?"
Lucendez walked down and put his arm around Laowai's chair, revealing his blackened eye socket.
"Perhaps your inner society might not like what you are doing, sponsoring a polarizing figure, a figure that is engaged in a war that has one of it's front lines right outside their window. I do not pretend to be a Junker psychologist. But I have been to Yanagi for an extended period of time. I have worked with other Junkers and..."
Juan paced back to his chair, sat down and took a swig of something in an earthen mug.
"...I have made passionate love to a fiery woman of Junker decent. I know your society may not like this change. My question is, why would you be so bold as to put yourself in this position?"
Lucendez waited for response.
"The thirteen saloons that had lined the one street of Seney had not left a trace. The foundations of the Mansion House hotel stuck up above the ground. The stone was chipped and split by the fire. It was all that was left of the town of Seney. Even the surface had been burned off the ground.
Nick looked at the burned-over stretch of hillside, where he had expected to find the scattered houses of the town and then walked down the railroad track to the bridge over the river. The river was there."
My stances on the need for an effective unified mobile force for Junker defense, my stances on organizing Junker unity and emphasizing the threat of the Nomads and Wild, making a treaty with the Harvesters and even proposing the Congress have all brought repercussions from other Junkers.
But my actions have proved with hindsight to have been correct and now greater numbers of Junkers contact us each day for our support and aid.
The motto of my party is, "There is no easy way from the earth to the stars".
What would be easy would be to take the common road, to do nothing new and to ignore the future. I will not do that.
Having a Corsair adjudicate Yanagi when Outcasts may be present is no different than having Corsairs and Outcasts dock Yanagi at the same time. While you have questions of me, I have utmost faith in Adjudicator Green Hawk's ability as an administrator and diplomat as well as a commander.
We have had Junkers killed by angry Outcasts, impatient Corsairs and hot tempered Dragons...yet all are still docking our bases. We work things out. This is nothing new for us and the risk is ours. The simplicity of the matter is that if Adjudicator Green Hawk can't find the balance--which so far he has--he resigns or is removed.
You don't steer a motionless ship. It is the time to see if we can be more than our individual parts. Enjoy the benefits. You gain many in this relationship.
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