to: Fleet Admiral Martin Bridge

[Heraklion]

[font=agency fb]>>> INCOMING TRANSMISSION <<<

[color=#FFFFFF][font=agency fb]vessel: Heraklion
[font=agency fb]location: Dublin
[font=agency fb]to: Fleet Admiral Martin Bridge
[font=agency fb]comm ID:

Hola senor Bridge, you might not know me, but I am one of the Corsair Council's elders. I have decided to contact you because of the following matter.

I wish to inform you that we are currently present in Dublin, unlike many people might think, I'm not here to wage war on Bretonia. We have received quite some reports about Corsair warships that have gone rogue and steamed to Bretonia just to "cause trouble". And that's exactly why i'm here, it's my duty to make them turn back.

If possible i'de like to avoid any hostile encounters with your people -however- if we might get fired upon, then we -will- return fire. Furthermore we will try to avoid any contact with the inhabitants of Bretonia.

The other elders aren't aware of this transmission, I merely wanted to make you aware of my presence in Bretonia... so, that way it wouldn't look like i'm "sneaking" around if I would run into a Bretonian patrol... After all it's my job to make sure both my ship and crew will eventually return home safely.

::: Commander Adam, Elder of the Corsair Council

[font=agency fb] [color=#FFFFFF]<<< ENDING TRANSMISSION >>>

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[beunt]

[incoming transmission]
[source.....................FltAdm Martin Bridge]
[downloading..............done]
[noise filtering............done]
[opening message]

Good evening Mr Adam.

Congratulation for the unusual content of your message, I must admit, I couldn't expect less such speech. Are your intentions true ? Then why don't you let our forces take care of your underdogs, or don't you operate under sneaky protocol ? Are you a diplomat ? Then why don't you ask for an audience in orbit of New London ? Are your intentions to strike when we'll expect it the less ? Then why such a risky plan ?

Well. I won't try to infere, guess, or bet on your endeavours here. Here is my answer, on a practical point of view.

First : if you aren't opening fire on our citizens or authorities and that the said authorities are already busy elsewhere, that is every minutes actually, you'll be shot last, unless you leave the Kingdom in peace first. Second : we will most probably competing to catch your fellow corsairs in the area. If you handle one before the authorities do he'll be left to your cares. But if the authorities catch him first and if you interfere with the peace keeping operations, expect your priority on our to-shoot-list to rise dramatically. Third : wandering around any place out of Dublin, around Dublin main stations, the northern and north-east asteroid fields, and any jump holes safe for Omega 49 one, is a no go. Likewise, if we find your supply lines we will destroy them and pretend we never knew. Four : Bretonia authorities cannot be held responsible for any actions the mollies will carry against you.

I hope the terms here are clear because they aren't to be negociated. If you respect these terms, your life and the ones you will bring back to the Hell Hole will be safe. If not, next time I will hear of you will be in an action report.

That will be all.

Welcome to Bretonia.

Signed,
Fleet Admiral Martin Bridge.

[End of transmission]


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"- Transmit this over a secure channel, I don't want Bretonia folks to know. And do not inform the ministry until I prepared tactical projections data."
"- Yes sir."

Then the fleet admiral took a deep breath, and lost his gaze through the bay of the upper desk of Battleship Harlow. For a moment he silently watched the cadets training for combat in hazardous environment. The next promotion still have a month to go before graduation. Maybe a month too late ?

"- Do you think it's a trap sir ?" , finally said captain Morley.
Bridge kept watching outside. He said nothing, but noded silently.
'- Any realistic course of action to follow concerning this transmission ?" , insisted the captain.
Bridge said no words either, but noded the other way.

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