Let's all not forget why this war has started. The engineer found a use for meta alloys on combat ships, that's why the feds blockaded his workshop. And why they are trying to shoulder barge their way I.
Before this happened they banned UA's but at the same time started to horde them (one of the ways to get them being to take them from convoys). And correct me if I'm wrong (I could be so please correct me) they blockaded or restricted people having access to barnacles.
They were gathering meta alloys and restricting others from getting it because they knew an application would be something to further their military might. And now that the engineer has cracked whatever it is they are holding him hostage in his own workshop.
So this is a power grab, one that needs to be thwarted.
Alliance, Empire, Independents, we need to work together to stop this. Because as the previous CGs have show the feds can't be beaten by the empire alone.