Intergalactic Summit

Not at all, we have struggled with trying to make sure that the slavers we rescue aren't just saying what they think we want them to say. We have told them that we are willing to hand them over to the Amarrian authorities. Our only stipulation is that the death penalty, torture, and generational slavery are off the table. We have not received any reply from any governmental authorities nor from Concord, who we have asked numerous times to assist us in the final placement of these individuals. Find a neutral party that the Disciples trust and that the detainees trust, and we will get to it.

Right now, we are floating an idea both to our detainee population and to our Council of Elders about establishing a voluntary rehabilitation work program, whereby slavers could work in the M-Centers for their release. This would be strictly voluntary. Details have yet to be worked out.

This is the mindset the bring tears to our eyes and groans to our hearts. The mindset that these people that we rescue must be someone's property; that the law says either they belong to you or they belong to me; that they are your possession or my possession. NO! They are human beings created in the Divine image and they are not anyone's property; not mine, not yours. We consider these human souls to be endowed by their creator with the inalienable right to liberty. Let the law say what it says, this principle remains our underlying value.

I think alot of people dont understand how an inspection works. You cant ask to see if they comply, you must demand it.

What am I going to do, say 'will you let me inspect your facilities' and if they say no I just go 'ok... i'll take your word that your being honest.' No... If there is no threat for someone committing illegal acts, does the investigation matter? No...

This is cut and dry. There is plenty of reason to warrant investigation. From being very outspoken against the empire to receiving funding and support from hostile military forces, this investigation is clearly a worthwhile endeavor.

Just so there is a level playing field of expectations, I will break down things down so you know what to expect. I will be as straightforward as I can and plan no deception. Whatever you have to say about PIE, you cannot fault us for being anything less than honest and strait-forward.

Things I will consider crimes or hostile actions.

-Sending money, weapons, or trained personal to hostile militia forces.
-preforming as a recon platform for hostile militia forces.
-Any other action that can be considered aggressive to the empire.
-Hiding any aspect from the inspection. The inspection will be complete, you can't say 'sorry, not our military training room.'

Things that I expect, and don't consider a crime against the empire

-Holding slaves.
-Non-Amarrian ideals. While offensive, not illegal or military in nature... I would make such things public knowledge though.
-Blockade running. You are running the other nations blockades, not Amarrian ones. I don't care.
-Training for civil jobs. I understand you operate, in part, as a school. which can include training personal in star-ship operation. Provided that its not military in nature, this is not a crime.
-receiving funds from military organizations. As long as these funds are used strictly for humanitarian uses, as you say you are, this is not a crime in itself. You have already made this fact public. If I did have a problem with it, we would be at war right now.

My investigation team will come with specialists including weapons and logistical experts. Their job is to simply look for signs of the crimes I have listed out. They will be granted moderator level access to your systems, you are permitted to have your own specialists shadow them to be sure they are doing exactly what they say they are.

I give you my word that I will not
- I will not be searching for a record of slave names to look for escaped slaves.
-Share the location of your centers with anyone (under the condition that you're found innocent).
- Bring weapons onto your premises or surveillance gear. Once my inspection is over, you need not fear nanite cameras.

Now, Our demands are very clear... I will not play any more games and see you jump around in circles trying to prolong this any more. I am willing to negotiate a few points, however such negotiations should be private, as this entire issue should have been.

I will ask once more and no more after.

Do you submit to inspection?

That is a valid statement.
So allow me to state that the manner in which ms Goldcore comported herself was highly inelegant and disappointing.
I would expect better of my fellow Amarrians.

Actually you can ask, quite politely as a first line of diplomacy, especially when dealing with non hostile entities. Just because you don't consider it to be a valid approach doesn't mean it's doomed to fail. Perhaps you should learn a bit about tact.




No, you further explain your position, while assuring any concerns they have that do not cross with your reasons for being there. You engage in a (not always, but potentially) lengthy discussion, advancing through negotiation (yes, negotiation. You're making a huge request here with little benefit to them for your compliance).

Should you find yourself at a situation where you have allayed their concerns, and yet are still being held back by either stubborn nature and/or unreasonable demands (Note: Demands in general through negotiation aren't unreasonable by default. Don't just say "You shouldn't get to ask anything of me, this is unreasonable!") At this point your words should become more forceful and enforce consequences (at least ones you can actually deliver, don't try calling their bluff if you're new to this stuff)

Should this all fail, make plans for whatever action you deem necessary, at least you've tried.

Sounds boring, complicated, unnecessary and frustrating right? Well that's diplomacy for you, it requires patience, tact and skill. However it has an advantage over simply bullrushing in, good diplomacy forges bridges for further contact in future. It's also more likely to get you what you want, without a bitter taste left in the mouth.

Charging in and threatening to declare war is no better than to simply kick someone's door down and threaten to set fire to their sitting room if they don't let you use their bathroom. No, that analogy isn't flawed as you have as much right to enter someone's property as your little gold badge actually gives you the right to demand this investigation.

You should find yourself fortunate that the Disciples don't consider this act of aggression on your behalf as a threat, and consider starting the very actions you're demanding this inspection to search for, in retaliation.



You might have reasons for wishing to investigate, that isn't in question. It's just your approach has less tact than myself after a few bottles of Tequila.

Unless Goldcore and her merry bunch of docksuleers have suddenly been relocated to Yulai and been placed in charge of the DED, SCC or another of CONCORD's high level enforcement branches, they have absolutely no standing to demand a damned thing from another sovereign capsuleer organization. Their choices are to declare war or shut the hell up. End of story.

Well done Disciples for exposing this ill-considered, heavy-handed amateur bullying attempt.

By the way, sorry that I'm late to this party. Put me down as interested in participating as a volunteer observer representing EM should this "investigatory tour" proceed. I promise I won't laugh in Goldcore's face...much.

I would hope any representative from whichever groups attend any potential investigation conduct themselves with a sense of responsibility and maturity. And respect, if not for each other then at least for your hosts.


Otherwise you're about as much use as non stick duct tape.

It may be EM's policy to declare war on people without substantiating allegations, but we prefer to check the facts before taking action.

Among our over 13,000 residents are a good number of former slaves who slaved aboard the war vessels of PIE and the 24th Imperial Crusade. These former slaves were compelled to assist their captors in killing their own kin, brothers, sisters, tribesmen in wars fought to defend their own continued captivity. These former slaves watched dear friends die in these battles and watched more of their kin being taken captive into slavery. Now these former slaves are no longer cannon fodder for Amarrian Slave Lords. They are now free; free as they can be under the continued oppressive policies of our governments. Having full access to these discussions on our public information system, the populations of our Matriculation Centers know full well the stakes.

Could we look them in the eye and tell them that a team of PIE and 24th IC specialists will sweep through their new homes, schools, places of worship, places of work and places of gathering? Could we say that we would simply let their former captors do this on their own terms with full, unfettered access? This would be treason against humanity as far as we are concerned. The conditions of any tour have been set forth by our Elder Council, but the continued aggressive, accusatory edge to PIE’s demands makes trust a fading commodity.

We cannot betray the trust that has been placed upon us by the Residents, Elder Leaders, and Corporate sponsors of our work. We simply cannot. NO, WE WILL NOT SUBMIT TO INSPECTION ON YOUR TERMS, PIE and 24th IC.

To those who have offered kind assistance, we are very grateful. If you would assist us, do so by helping us continue rescuing former slaves at border crossings and in battlefields and wherever they may need rescue. Do not take up arms for us or kill on our behalf for this is not our way. If we are hindered in our work, the best assistance will be to help us continue it.

And how exactly did you acquire these slaves?