Gaffey, I have a question for you. Why are you suddenly striving for peace when Silversnake was doing just fine/ great even while in the midst of a major war with Middleton? If anything, they are the ones that should be seeking peace, especially as forts are soon arriving.
Simply because of the sheer number of people that silversnake posseses, it will be nearly impossible for other towns to conquer forts in their area, and as such everyone should be immediately contacting you to attempt to diplomatically take part in the fort system that will soon be instigated, correct?
You have some big shoes to fill, Silverado Kid was a great leader and I wish you luck.
I believe your view of the war may be skewed. Considering the sheer numbers of the snakes, we have always held our own, and done exceptionally well.
To say that the SSF is doing great/fine might be an overstatement as well. Towns have recently left the Federation because they grew weary of the war and of the shady rules and missing leadership.
Other Federation towns have approached us for individual peace treaties and requested to join the Middleton Township instead. (Although we don't like the idea of reasonlessly swallowing massive numbers of towns with our name.)
While leadership was in limbo, random SSF town leads were even coming to me claiming that they were stepping into the leadership role while attempting to negotiate peace, granted I gently reminded them they can't just assume that roll without the Federation knowing.
Just because Gaffey is trying to repair the damage done to the Silversnake image by the poor prior leadership (lack of diplomatic responses, double standards, vanishing for weeks before formally announcing a step down, etc) doesn't mean he's "soft" it just means he's just doing a PR work
On a final note, I really can't see people running and begging for mercy from snakes either, that's just silly. You people are most likely the most hated set of beings I've come across on any world haha
(Gaffey, I'll read and respond to your telegram within the next 24 hours or so - I'm sure I can safely assume that I know what it's going to say, and I have a bit of open discussion going on before I'll be ready to respond.)