Interview on "NC|" Incident

[beander2]

//This post was requested by certain individuals involved in the incident for the purpose of continuing the RP.//

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Colony News Service Special Interview: NC - Protectors or Menace?

"This is Roger Westlake with CNS. Weve been investigating reports of aberrant behavior by certain navy pilots - so-called NC vessels - toward other navy and civilian ships in Colorado. We're here in the office of Sir Alisdair Buchanan, CEO and Chair of Bretonia's Gateway Interstellar, who recently encountered one of these pilots in Liberty space.

"Thank you, Sir Alisdair, for allowing us to see you today."

"Certainly Roger," replied the businessman.

"Now, I understand you yourself had a run-in with an NC vessel recently."

"Yes, though honestly I had forgotten about it until you called. It was a few weeks ago, and I had just delivered some beryllium to Pueblo Station, I believe. I was on my way back to the Colorado jumpgate when I was ordered to halt by an NC-tagged fighter."

"And what did you do?" asked the reporter studiously.

"Well, I scanned and saw his Liberty Navy ID, so of course, I stopped," replied Buchanan.

"And what did he say to you."

"He asked to see my ship's 'manifesto.'" Seeing as how I don't have such a statement of principles for my ship, I asked if he meant 'manifest.'"

"His response?" Westlake led on.

"I don't remember exactly, but it was something along the lines of his ID being Liberty Navy and that I had better comply and show respect. He then issued some sort of threat that he could destroy my ship, or some such. Apparently, he thought I was being a smart-aleck, and he was rather angry at this point, telling me 'this is not Bretonia.' Of course, heading an interstellar trading firm and owning a perfectly functional navigational system, I was aware of my location."

"Well, don't you think your initial answer was a little impertinent?" asked the reporter.

"Oh, I think not; after all, I am Bretonian," Buchanan said with a wink. "We like precise language."

"So what happened after that, sir?"

"I proceeded into New York system where I was immediately accosted by an LPI officer demanding donuts and asking why I was shipping hazardous material called 'CREW,'" Buchanan said with one eyebrow raised.

"Oh?" replied the incredulous journalist.

"Indeed, the poor woman - all I had was tea and scones, which did not seem to suffice," replied the CEO. "Anyway, I notified the nearest SA vessel I could find. He told me the navy had been having some problem with these 'NC' vessels, and I believe he attempted to call down the pilot who had stopped me, but to no avail."

"So the NC vessel ignored instructions from its own ranks?" asked Westlake.

"Aye, it would appear so," replied Buchanan.

"Do you have any other comments on the situation, Sir Alisdair?"

"Oh, not really, other than that the Liberty Navy really ought to get its act together on these impudent pilots. We are a successful trading firm in their most closely allied house, and it would stand to reason we would want to maintain some mutual respect. We have had no other problems with the navy, so I hope they are reining things in."

"Thank you for your time, sir."

"My pleasure, Roger."

"And that is all for now. What are these NC vessels up to? Are they operating under the auspices of the Liberty Navy or have they gone their own way? How will the navy respond? You can be sure that we will let you know.

"This is Roger Westlake with CNS, reporting from Kensington Station in New London."

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Sir Alisdair Buchanan, KBE ~ Gateway)Trafalgar

[bluntpencil2001]

CNS - Interview with Lt. Commander Tom 'Iceman' Kazanski

"Hello, this is Wendy Albright of the Colony News Service, interviewing an officer, Tom 'Iceman' Kazanski of the Northern Compact, winner of West Point's most prestigious 'Top Gun' trophy! Now, this branch of the Liberty Navy which claims jurisdiction over the New York and Colorado systems as well as claiming influence over Kepler and Galileo! Good morning, Lt. Commander!"

"Good morning ma'am."

"May I ask if it is true that your superiors claim jurisdiction over Liberty's northern systems?"

"You may."

"Oh, heehee...uh... does the Northern Compact claim jurisdiction over northern Liberty?"

"Indeed we do, ma'am. We're responsible for protecting the North of Liberty, primarily against terrorists such as the Colorado Blazers and other such members of the Xeno Alliance, as well as any large forces of common criminals which groups such as the Liberty Rogues and Lane Hackers may bring to bear that the local police forces may have trouble with."

"Oh... sounds important!"

"Very."

"But... uh... what about recent disagreements with the Southern Alliance?"

"Well, they seem to think a small amount of smart-mouthing their incompetence and general sass from our pilots is worthy of complaints to the media and government, actually. No backbone... they're supposed to be soldiers.

They, the Southern Alliance, as we all know, was originally funded via private finance, which, admittedly, has left them with a very respectable amount of firepower, leaving our southern competitors in the Rheinland Military satisfactorily worried."

"Yes sir, I think I understand? Heehee?"

"Uh, right... well, that has left them rather like Liberty Police Incorporated... more like rather inefficient mercenaries than a disciplined military force. They're mavericks, they're a risk and they're a hazard.

We voice our concerns and they then use their vast control over capital to discredit us. In fact, it's a wonder that I got this interview at all, to be honest."

"Heehee, the Universal representative said something about a Mister Gr-... oh, right, nope, sorry, I'm new... made a mistake there..."

"Not a problem. Anyway, we continue to do our job in the North, in spite of being rather underfunded and underarmed, defending against terrorists and criminals with what we've been given. Let's hope those pen-pushers down the bottom-end of Liberty quit treating their ships like paperweights and do the same!"

"Let's hope!"

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