FGS & VCN Peace Treaty
Some of you reading will be aware that there has been a conflict between the Vela City Navy and the Flat Galaxy Society, centered on the Cate system.Following the start of peace talks on 15th September, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, which has been in force for the duration of the talks. FGS and VCN are pleased to publish this joint statement on the conclusion of the peace talks as we move into a peaceful relationship.
We would like to make the following points known to the wider community:
1. FGS and VCN have freely entered into a peace treaty, and neither side bears any ill feelings towards the other. Both parties agree that the in-game behavior demonstrated by FGS and VCN commanders was fair and above board, and diplomatic contact directly between the two groups has been conducted respectfully and constructively.
2. VCN and FGS are forging a new, peaceful relationship and will coexist in Cate.
3. VCN and FGS have agreed to a plan to transfer assets between the factions in Cate. We ask that all third parties step away from the system to allow us to manage this process.
4. Like many conflicts, ours began with some misunderstandings. In our pursuit of peace, it is important for each of us to acknowledge the initial intentions of our respective groups.
4.1. FGS acknowledges that VCN was not a dead faction but one that chose to play the game with a focus solely on their home system, Cate. VCN did not emphasize external diplomacy and was unaware that operating with no available contact information (e.g., on Inara, etc.) would be a problem. VCN accepts that FGS would have reached out to them before expanding to Cate had that information been available.
4.2. VCN acknowledges that this behavior led FGS to reasonably believe that VCN was an inactive player faction, and that Cate was available to control. Despite some level of resistance against FGS in the first election with VCN, FGS considered it normal, random interference. FGS accepts that from the VCN perspective, they were quietly defending their system from an invading faction.
4.3. While there are further events and decisions after that which led to the larger conflict occurring, both sides have agreed that going into further detail would not serve the purposes of de-escalation and peace. We have mutually agreed to put the past behind us and focus on a peaceful future and productive partnership in Cate.
5. We thank our respective supporters for their assistance during the conflict. We also acknowledge the Alioth Council for providing a neutral space for FGS and VCN to come together to talk.
6. FGS and VCN members have already ceased hostilities, including against third parties that allied with one side or the other. We ask all allies to cease hostilities towards each other - the Cate situation is no longer justification for any overt or covert offensive actions.
Signed:
Commander l0lb0t, Leader of Vela City Navy
Commander Jeffery Stoob, on behalf of the Flat Galaxy Society