[Private Communication] The Free State

The doors to the room closed, and locked. The IPG guards were just finishing their bug sweeping, finding nothing. Calero kept his eyes on the volumetric displays in front of his desk until he received a nod from the head of the IPG agents present. He then hit a small button on his desk, turning on the recording equipment.

"Friends, it appears the universe is even less safe than I thought. In case you haven't been paying attention to the news reports, Yamatai just dropped a combat fleet on Halna, targeted the Freespacer population, and killed every single one they could find." He pulled up a volumetric window, the SANDRA report on it, next to his head. A single sentence was highlighted.

"In response, new Empress Katsuko ordered that this invasion be stopped early."

"In other words, our dear friend the Empress just ordered a genocide on the Free State, just as she demanded our own not too long ago." The SANDRA report was replaced with images of Yamataian warships emblazoned with the 1st Standard Fleet logo. It was footage shot from the recent blockade of Nepleslia. It was quickly replaced shortly by Hanako's proposed "Nepleslian Ultimatum."

"At least we were luckier than the poor Spacer bastards. I guess, however, I'll cut to the point: We have friendly status with the Free State. As loathe as most of us are to admit it, that means that we have at least some obligation to stop a full-on murderfest from occurring over their entire populace. Their representatives may have as much tact as flying bricks, but there are entirely too many innocent civilians to allow something like what the 1st XF just pulled to happen again. Especially since the next target might be one our worlds."

Calero reclined in his chair, still staring at the camera. "If Yamatai proceeds to assault more Free State civilians, we have an imperative, as Nepleslians, to do something to help them. Obviously, something military would simply result in our deaths, but there are plenty of better ideas. I'd also like to find out exactly why this damn thing happened. Our populace isn't exactly happy about a full-on genocide occurring against a group already integrated into our society. This certainly won't do anything to alleviate those goddamn riots."

The transmission ended, and was sent, the video being transmitted instantly to the other members of the Nepleslian Senate. The one that got to Davis' datapad had a disclaimer advising the Premier that it contained sensitive information.

Davis replied from his position on the NSS Mirage, which was docked within Pisces Station. He placed all the necessary encryptions on his message before he began.

We currently have an non-aggression agreement with the Yamataians, as you are all aware. This prevents acts of violence against the other from both sides, so aggressive action is not an option at this time.

The spacers brought this upon themselves. I do not mean to be heartless, but a mouse does not impudently wag its tail before a lion. It is truly sad that something like this has to happen just so these 'anarchists' can understand the state of universal crisis in this galaxy.

That being said, lest these foolish children be obliterated outright, we have a responsibility to extend sanctuary to their beaten forms. Therefore, I propose an immediate open doors policy for Nepleslia to all evacuees of Halna. We can have humanitarian transports set up for this exact purpose.

Halna is no longer safe. I do not want us to invest vital resources in repairing that which will simply be destroyed once more. I propose that we simply extract the innocent to safer grounds. This is perfectly within the grounds of our armistence.

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I also encourage our IPG members to gather as much information from refugees as possible.

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If there are still those among the refugees foolish enough to take up arms against Yamatai... terrorists if you will... I encourage necessary procedures to be undertaken against them.

Nepleslian blood will not be spilled due to the actions of others.

-Sky Marshall Robert Davis

Click to expand...

In light of recent events, I fear that the Freespacers are about to be utterly annihilated. Although we do not have a formal alliance, I feel that what has happened is beyond the scope of reasonable punishment.

I am also in great fear that Yamatai may be making an effort to expand to the galactic north by conquering Freespacer territory.

Therefore, it is my opinion that we do the following:

1. Mobilize the first assault fleet, and charge it with the task of escorting 200 Red Hill and 20 Warhorse transports from the NAM fleet to Halna, where immediate efforts to extract civilians will be made. After completing that objective, move onto Freespacer territory. Mr. Vanderhuge, are you wiling to do this?

2. Mobilize the 18th NAM-S1-01a Hray Stealth Gunship Squadron “Mara” from the 1st IPG fleet to perform reconnaissance around the Freespacer systems of Journey's End, Freehold Factory and the Great Lighthouse. We must make it known that movement to the galactic north will be monitored.

What say you, gentlemen?

I am in perfect agreement. The Rok'Veru Planetary house is in opposition to the Yamataian militaristic actions against innocent civilians, and fully supports the Premier's move to help against it.

- Senator Ioannes Calero, Rok'Veru

I guess I could do it. But you fellas know I don't like 'Spacers.

But I know when to keep mah trap shut. Just say the word and my fleet'll be off.

- Grand Admiral Flint Vanderhuge

Thank you, Mr. Vanderhuge.

The objectives for your mission will be the following:

1. Secure refugees from Halna and later Freespacer territory.

The protocols for your mission will entail the following:

1. A firm, yet non-combative declaration of our intents to prevent further civilian loss of life.

2. Using your transports to safely land on the planet and escort as many civilians as possible from Halna's surface.

3. Should you be prevented from doing objective #2, politely remind the Yamataians of the current diplomatic situation of the armistence. Should they still be resistant, I will discuss things with them remotely through your flagship.

4. Make sure you are not the one who fires the first shot. We are on a humanitarian mission and will continue as such unless pressed to self-defense. Of course, should the Yamataians open hostilities in such a manner, from a tactical standpoint, it is best to return to Nepleslian space. However, I doubt Yamatai is foolish enough to end the armistence in such a spectacular fashion... unless she wants the whole universe against her.

I will be contacting the Empress to ensure her cooperation as well.

After discussing matters with the Empress, we are not permitted to go to Halna.

We must also wait 24 hours before advancing to Freespacer territory. Yamatai is withdrawing its presence from there, thankfully, and we can begin our operation right after.

...I may be thinking too far ahead, but do you think the Freespacers would respond well to an annexation proposal?

An annexation proposal would look far too much like us preying on the weak. The 'Spacers are proud, and they certainly would not react well. Perhaps the best course of action would be passage of the formerly proposed protectorate treaty.

-Ioannes Calero

The idea of the protectorate treaty has far too many variables. We they to sign it, we would be subject to protecting possible terrorists who would attack Nepleslia or Yamatai again in a similar fashion as previously demonstrated. I know I myself am not one to tolerate terrorism, even if it is Yamatai. With the Freespacer society being without proper leading bodies, there is no way to regulate them, or have them deal with the unsavory terrorist threats on their own.

We would be protecting a timebomb, waiting to blow. Take this into consideration.

- Senator Edward Vanderhuge

It does, indeed, require some thought.

Also, is the Yamataian military not still in Freespacer territory? It seems Katsuko was less than truthful in her words.

I am authorizing the deployment of forces to Freespacer territory to engage in our humanitarian mission. For Nepleslia.

-Sky Marshall Robert Davis