FCC reinforced some Blackfist trader our allies, FIDLGB, attacked SW of Knudarr and told us if we attacked him again afterwards it was an act of war on THEM (and NOT Blackfist, which is peculiar).
Instead of talking to Rhalzo about it at all and working something out
before reinforcing (bear in mind that nowhere does it say attacking anyone within the borders of their free trade zone/open travel area would be a faux paux- that bit was left to assumption as it says
nothing about that in their "
No More Handouts" thread which clearly illustrates the free trade/travel area), that was their approach, so it seemed prudent to undertake a similar action against one of their members to make up for the loss in troops and gear that will be incurred in about half an hour. You can even see Rhalzo's post at the bottom saying you may be attacked by other forces with no further comment from Bale or anyone else.
So, we saw Saxton, who was a bit farther south, under the latitude of Tilbaut, moving NE, and decided to intercept him to recoup the losses incurred.