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File: 0412/2912_20
Report Filed By: “Dogface Joe”
ORION SHOLES SPEAKS TO DATANET
For several years, the Belter factions have apparently been led by reputed smuggler, pirate (and occasionally legitimate businessman) Orion Sholes. During a stopover at Hastur Free Port, DataNet stringer “Dogface Joe” ran into Sholes and managed a brief interview.
The following is a transcript of the encounter:
Dogface Joe: Are you the leader of the Belters?
Orion Sholes: No, of course. The Belters don't have a leader. That's what makes us unique in this solar system. We don't bow to anybody but ourselves - and sometimes not even then.
DJ: What position do you occupy then?
OS: None really. You might call me the Belters' spokesman, but even that's a lot more official sounding than I really am. I'm a businessman.
DJ: How so?
OS: I run Ragnarok Independent Prospectors, Ltd. And like I said, the Belters don't have a leader. Even when I speak for them, I'm not necessarily speak for all of them. The only person I'm definitely speaking for is myself.
DJ (laughs): Then why am I talking to you at all?
OS: That's for you to answer.
DJ: Point taken. So, are you saying the Belters don't speak with one voice?
OS: Yes and no. The Belters are a lot different than the Coalition and GigaCorp. We revel in our differences and are suspicious of uniformity. But we share one common trait. . .
DJ: Which is?
OS: Which is this: leave us the hell alone. We ain't bothering nobody out here and we'd like you to respect that. Leave us be and we'll return the favor.
DJ: But what about your mining activities?
OS: What about them?
DJ: Don't they guarantee you'll run afoul of the Coalition and GigaCorp?
OS: Only because they want it that way. The Belters don't want trouble. We just want to be allowed to continue living life as we always have. The Belt is plenty big enough for everyone to find their own He3. There's no need to step on each other's toes.
DJ: I take it you don't think much of the Coalition or GigaCorp?
OS: Doesn't matter what I think.
DJ: Let me rephrase that. The Belters don't think much of them, do they?
OS: Depends on the Belter, I guess. In general, though, Belters don't like anyone who tries to tell them what to do. Both the Coalition and GigaCorp are plenty guilty of that.
DJ: So, you plan to fight them?
OS: Only if they don't respect our Code and try to seize what isn't theirs.
DJ: I see. Anything you'd like to say to them?
OS: Nope. Besides, I didn't think they much liked your lot either.
DJ: True enough. Parting words, Orion?
OS: I think I've said all I need to.
>>RedPlanet_20123: node: 5126.281.21_18: Wow. Someone less lucid than Dogface Joe!
>>LoneWolf_31: node: 0981.2981_210: He isn't much of a talker. But he's a hell of a pilot and he knows how to run a battle. In a scrap against GigaCorp or the Iron Coalition, there's nobody better to have covering your back.
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