[dogscoff]

Amazing how quickly threads can drop to the second or third page...

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First let me thank you for your gracious response to our trade proposal. While it is disappointing that you choose not to enter into trade with us, my Royal Parents are reassured by your evident desire for peaceful co-existence. The rumours to which you refer are nothing more than the idle but imaginative prattlings of the lower classes, who are prone to invention on those frequent occasions when their ignorance of a particular subject outweighs their knowledge. However the stories they circulate are harmless, and easily enough changed or forgotten when real facts come to light. My Royal Parents, the masters and true representatives of KanesS society, recognise your gentle nature and assure you that we too want nothing more than to enjoy a benevolent and compassionate interstellar relationship with our neighbours. As our relationship deepens, and understanding grows, the wild rumours of the workers will doubtless be dispelled.

As to your final point, the unfortunate incidents with the buccaneers are, sadly, the acts of rogue elements within our society. The KanesS have always treasured freedom, and this kind of behaviour is one of the prices we must pay for such freedom. It is not our way to seek conflict, except where to do so would be an act of mercy, as with the Xiati. You may rest assured that the aggressive actions on our northern frontiers do not represent the will or nature of the KanesS as a whole. It is unfortunate that you choose not to conduct trade with us, since I am unable to offer legal protection to your ships unless they have the diplomatic value that trade would bestow. However the privateer fleets will be warned against attacking you as you suggest, and we sincerely hope that no more incidents of the type you describe should occur.

Finally, we read with interest your troubles with the XiChung. We have no personal experience of this species, but we are always eager to learn about new life-forms, and to aid our allies. In our culture, nothing seals a friendship more securely than to feast together upon the flesh of a mutual enemy, and my Royal Parents have therefore authorised me to offer to you the services of our newly-formed Royal Fleet in your valiant struggle against the Xichung.