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September 20th 2017
Director Carmody,
To follow up on our earlier discussion, I just left the meeting with the Xi’an envoys and to say they’re not happy would be a gross understatement. They presented documentation collating evidence of ongoing, weekly attacks targeting Xi’an shipments traveling through Nyx. I’ve attached their document for your records. My staff is currently cross referencing their list against ours to ensure there are no discrepancies.
Thankfully, the Xi’an envoys have agreed not to file an official diplomatic complaint for now, but they made it abundantly clear that they wouldn’t hesitate to do so if we didn’t stop what’s going on. I reiterated that Nyx isn’t under our jurisdiction but to them, it makes no difference if the system is ‘recognized’ by the UEE or not. They consider Nyx to be Human-controlled space which, according to their interpretation of HuXa, means that it’s our responsibility to guarantee the safe passage of Xi’an cargo ships.
I assured them that we’ve been implementing policies from Tohil that could help stop these attacks, like increased patrols near the jump into Nyx and updated Advocacy signage at refueling stops to advise Xi’an haulers to be wary of attacks. We’re doing everything we can short of entering the system to take care of the problems ourselves.
Please advise if you believe there are any further actions my team and I can do to keep this issue from turning into a real diplomatic issue.
Sincerely,
Stefano Callier
Section Chief
Advocacy — Tohil System
Attachment: XianAttackedShips_Nyx.tbf
SC Callier,
I’m fully confident that you can find a quick and appropriate solution to this problem.
I see you’ll be cycling back to headquarters in a few weeks. Let’s be sure to get some face time when you’re on Earth. I’ll have my office set something up.
Thomas D. Carmody
Director
Office of the Advocacy
New York, Earth, Sol
Understood.
Look forward to seeing you.
Stefano Callier
Section Chief
Advocacy — Tohil System
___________________________________________________
Hey Port,
I need to pick your brain on a pressing issue.
Today, another Xi’an shipment got hit in Nyx, and Carmody’s livid. I’m really between a rock and a hard place on this one. He’s told me to solve this issue, but never officially authorized my team to work Nyx. I’m worried that if I task agents for an unauthorized action in unregulated space, then it could be used against me. But if I don’t do something to stop these attacks, then I’m definitely in the doghouse.
You know Carmody’s never been a big fan of mine, and I’m worried that he’s hanging me out to dry. He’s already set up a face-to-face next time I’m back on Earth. As someone who’s successfully walked the tightrope for a while, any recommendations on how to handle this without it blowing up in my face?
-Stef
I don’t envy your position, kid, but don’t simply assume this is a set-up. Carmody cares about results above all else and delivering them is the only way to get in his good graces. Trust me, you’ll be sipping some fancyass limited-edition Radegast in that face-to-face if you get this Nyx thing sorted before then.
So, consider this a test of your creativity. Even though Nyx isn’t our jurisdiction, it’s still our responsibility to maintain order. Influence doesn’t always mean direct action, though.
How connected are you to the People’s Alliance? If word got to them that the Advocacy was ‘considering’ action in the system against these attackers, it might motivate them to do your dirty work. Just a thought.
Good luck,
-Jaffe
Appreciate it, Port. Knew I could count on you.
Just spoke with a CI on Levski and the ball is in motion. Now it’s time to sit back and see if the People’s Alliance still hate us enough to want to keep us away.
Only two weeks until that sit down with Carmody. Cross your fingers that another Xi’an ship doesn’t get hit before then. Either way, I owe you a bottle of fancy-ass Radegast myself.
-Stef
Anytime. Us fringe SCs need to stick together.
Let me know how it all shakes out.
-Jaffe
Just realized it’s been two weeks. How was the meeting with Carmody?
-Jaffe
You know, I’d always heard that nothing in the universe is smoother than a 40-year-old Radegast and damn, they were right.
Carmody didn’t even ask about the Xi’an or Nyx. He just toasted my diligence and hard work before taking that first sip. Meanwhile, I was thanking the People’s Alliance under my breath for doing all the heavy lifting. And of course you too, Port.
Couldn’t have done it without your advice. There’s a reasonably priced 12-year-old Radegast with your name on it next time you’re in Tohil.
Thanks again.
-Stef