STGOD 4 Game Thread

[Dahak]

"Well," Nethington smiled cooly, "there was no sentient life on that planet, so your 'accusations' don't fly, as they say. These planets could have, under optimisitc conditions, developed civilizations such as this we are currently looking at, in some million years to come. But fortunately, that is not of our concern, as is the well-being of the nature in face of the resources those planets represented to us."

"Resources just as easily obtained on other, dead worlds in those very same systems, and how far did you really check for sentients anyway? But I digress."

Nethington now actually beamed, almost bursting with laughter.
"I can assure you that our sensors are quite efficient and perfectly suited for this kind of operation," he said with a voice like one would adress insolent children. "When we say we have scanned it, we have. We do not put up with inferior technology. But I daresay that is more your field of expertise." He laughed sardonically. "And it might interest you, if you could be bothered to check facts before lashing out like a hurt, crazed animal, that we did, in fact, mine other planets in the system in question, as well. But that little piece of information would get in your rightful way, now wouldn't it?"

[Rogue 9]

"Well," Nethington smiled cooly, "there was no sentient life on that planet, so your 'accusations' don't fly, as they say. These planets could have, under optimisitc conditions, developed civilizations such as this we are currently looking at, in some million years to come. But fortunately, that is not of our concern, as is the well-being of the nature in face of the resources those planets represented to us."

"Resources just as easily obtained on other, dead worlds in those very same systems, and how far did you really check for sentients anyway? But I digress."

Nethington now actually beamed, almost bursting with laughter.
"I can assure you that our sensors are quite efficient and perfectly suited for this kind of operation," he said with a voice like one would adress insolent children. "When we say we have scanned it, we have. We do not put up with inferior technology. But I daresay that is more your field of expertise." He laughed sardonically. "And it might interest you, if you could be bothered to check facts before lashing out like a hurt, crazed animal, that we did, in fact, mine other planets in the system in question, as well. But that little piece of information would get in your rightful way, now wouldn't it?"

"If you're going to insist on following this line of conversation, I'll just have you know that our Astrographical Survey went through that system fifty years before you mined it and discovered primitive peoples dwelling in the cave systems in the river valleys of the southern continent. It's all documented and public knowledge. So much for your vastly superior, never-miss scanners. Didn't even bother with ground teams, I'd wager, or you'd probably have found them."

[SirNitram]

The Etern diplomat held up a hand. "Would the representatives of Nashtar and Gladsheim please limit their rhetoric to international venues not crowded with other people? Frankly, I do not care what lifeless world the Gladsheim stripmined that might have irritated Nashtar. If anything, such actions enhance the importance of this mission."

"The Nashtar representative talks of outside context problems, and I feel as if I am experiencing one. The primary statement is that some.. Ethereal, empheral ideal, this 'Cultural determinism', supercedes not only the potential lives to be saved by this, but those lives already saved. Actual living beings, ladies and gentles. I am afraid this ideal is not one I am familiar with, and certainly not one I am so endeared to as to throw away sentient lives in favour of it. Since the Nashtar representative has voiced nothing else, however, I can only assume he has no other problems." Of course, this was in fact a lie. The Nashtar representative was likely hot under the collar over the sheer size the Collective threatened to grow to. He would be wise to actually say that if he meant it. This manner of cowardice always disgusted him.

"The proposal that the burden of this act be shared across international levels is.. Acceptable, provided those nations participating agree to allow the natives some level of hand in their own affairs, even in this transition. This has been our goal from the onset, and we will see it through. However, if this is not objected to, we will prepare for such. It will make this act far easier on all of us."

[Dahak]

"Resources just as easily obtained on other, dead worlds in those very same systems, and how far did you really check for sentients anyway? But I digress."

Nethington now actually beamed, almost bursting with laughter.
"I can assure you that our sensors are quite efficient and perfectly suited for this kind of operation," he said with a voice like one would adress insolent children. "When we say we have scanned it, we have. We do not put up with inferior technology. But I daresay that is more your field of expertise." He laughed sardonically. "And it might interest you, if you could be bothered to check facts before lashing out like a hurt, crazed animal, that we did, in fact, mine other planets in the system in question, as well. But that little piece of information would get in your rightful way, now wouldn't it?"

"If you're going to insist on following this line of conversation, I'll just have you know that our Astrographical Survey went through that system fifty years before you mined it and discovered primitive peoples dwelling in the cave systems in the river valleys of the southern continent. It's all documented and public knowledge. So much for your vastly superior, never-miss scanners. Didn't even bother with ground teams, I'd wager, or you'd probably have found them."

"What a pathetic little creature you are. Your little nation sends survey missions halfway across known space, into a system very close to our home system, in our observed territory, and then completely miss the heavily industrialized main worlds of a civilization as advanced as ours? I say not."

[Marcao]

"The proposal that the burden of this act be shared across international levels is.. Acceptable, provided those nations participating agree to allow the natives some level of hand in their own affairs, even in this transition. This has been our goal from the onset, and we will see it through. However, if this is not objected to, we will prepare for such. It will make this act far easier on all of us."

The Veithan representative had been silent up until this point, his eyes sliding from one Etern presentation to another. If the Etern move was allowed to work, the Empire would have to access the situation and see what social and political ramification ensued. The Ravenlock representative offered an intriguing alternative, one that would limit the Etern's ability to exploit the natural resources of the worlds they were annexing for really, that was the heart of the matter was it not?

He was certain that few nations were idealistic enough to be here on behalf of what was to happen to the populations in these worlds. The crux of the matter was that the Etern would gain twenty four worlds which they could openly exploit for resources. Resources which could grant them the ability to grow in size at a far greater rate than predictions had allowed. This helping of the weak nonsense, was a simple smoke screen and everyone knew it, even if it was bad taste to talk about it out loud. His lips parting as he spoke.

'The Veithan Empire would be willing to participate in an international effort to assist these people working with the Etern and others to that end. Allowing the natives a direct hand to play in their own destiny is perfectly reasonable and justified." It was the reason why they were all here was it not? He nearly chuckled, but his face remained neutral as he maintained perfect control over his body and emotions. The interstellar community now knew where the Empire stood.

[Murazor]

Her words ceased then, emerald pools watching Vopelum closely. The Empire had extended a hand in friendship, one that would assure the White Sun at least one border that they would not need to worry about in future days. It was up to the White Sun if they accepted the offer or not. The question was could they afford to refuse?

White Sun embassy.
Lastport, United Protectorates territory.

The truth was that they could not afford to refuse. Perhaps the Veithans looked for a sign of weakness with their offer, but the fact is that refusing the treaty might start a war that was against both the interest of the Alliance and the Confederation. The navy had been weakened over the recent weeks in order to obtain the resources needed to build the new models of warships and a war even if won would left the Confederation on its knees, ready to be taken by the Ousters.

"Your assurance is most welcome, representative Massiel, as is your offer. My government would be pleased to sign such an agreement and as you have told me some truths, I would want to tell you some of my own in return: our only interest is ensuring the safety of our stars against those who would attempt to steal our sovereignity. We do not seek expansion outside our star cluster and we do not mean harm to those willing to leave us to our own designs. The Veithan empire hasn't harmed us ever and we welcome the chance to open diplomatic relations among our neighbouring nations, in the hope of eventually reaching a true friendship" said Vopelum, looking at the red haired woman.

[Stormbringer]

The Veithan Empire would be willing to participate in an international effort to assist these people working with the Etern and others to that end. Allowing the natives a direct hand to play in their own destiny is perfectly reasonable and justified."

The Asgard Representative spoke up as well.

"We would support such a motion. Our nation does not object to protecting these people from a harsh and uncaring galaxy. Such an international body would allow them to be suitably protected from any possible threat"

[Dahak]

Turning away from the Nashtarian representative, he bowed slightly to the Etern representative. "We will support our Veithan friends in this motion, and are willing to lend our hand in your efforts."

[Rogue 9]

Nethington now actually beamed, almost bursting with laughter.
"I can assure you that our sensors are quite efficient and perfectly suited for this kind of operation," he said with a voice like one would adress insolent children. "When we say we have scanned it, we have. We do not put up with inferior technology. But I daresay that is more your field of expertise." He laughed sardonically. "And it might interest you, if you could be bothered to check facts before lashing out like a hurt, crazed animal, that we did, in fact, mine other planets in the system in question, as well. But that little piece of information would get in your rightful way, now wouldn't it?"

"If you're going to insist on following this line of conversation, I'll just have you know that our Astrographical Survey went through that system fifty years before you mined it and discovered primitive peoples dwelling in the cave systems in the river valleys of the southern continent. It's all documented and public knowledge. So much for your vastly superior, never-miss scanners. Didn't even bother with ground teams, I'd wager, or you'd probably have found them."

"What a pathetic little creature you are. Your little nation sends survey missions halfway across known space, into a system very close to our home system, in our observed territory, and then completely miss the heavily industrialized main worlds of a civilization as advanced as ours? I say not."

The ambassador smiled grimly. "Who said we missed you? Your isolation was not so perfect as you thought. You've been on our maps as an uncontacted civilization for some years now."

[OOC: Frankly, staying hidden for hundreds of years while running an interstellar power in close proximity to other interstellar powers, particularly one like yours where everyone has a constantly functioning transmitter implanted in his skull, is patently ridiculous. Someone would have found you.]

[Pablo Sanchez]

The representative from the Realm was a Count Petr Kladivo; as a dhampir he was less offensive to the ignorant and more capable of moving in daylight. He weighed in at this point:

"We neither offer our active support nor expect that it would be accepted should we offer it. However, I cannot but betray a twinge of amusement at the arguments presented by the representative from Nashtar. It appears that the Etern are doing some great injustice by interrupting the natural development of these people's cultures. Preposterous! If the Etern did not protect them, who would? Certainly not the people of Nashtar, who have previously failed to protect their own Arcane ally from gross dismemberment and have roundly backed down in the face of outrageous aggression in many other cases.

"If the Etern had not made their decision now, these primitives would have muddled on in ignorance for another few centuries until some nearby nation hungered for resources, probably a nation with less philanthropic principle than the current benefactors. And even if they were miraculously left alone in this universe of fierce soldiers and ravening factory maws, would they thank you for the opporunity to spend their history on this single planet, until finally they appear on the stage of known space as the most minor of powers, assured of eternal impotence and eventual incorporation into a greater empire? I think not.

"History is naught but a parade of horrors, and if one is given the opportunity to skip a portion of it one should never pass it lightly. The Etern effort is laudable and I applaud them for bucking the mortal trend and managing to take the long view. It will take generations, but these planets will eventually join the community of known space as more than simple pawns."

[Bugsby]

From: Thebes Planetary Council
To: All relevant powers

It appears our offer for help has been rejected. WE will not bicker over the grounds on which this occurred. We simply point out that we tried our best. We leave your fate in your own hands.

[Marcao]

White Sun embassy.
Lastport, United Protectorates territory.

The truth was that they could not afford to refuse. Perhaps the Veithans looked for a sign of weakness with their offer, but the fact is that refusing the treaty might start a war that was against both the interest of the Alliance and the Confederation. The navy had been weakened over the recent weeks in order to obtain the resources needed to build the new models of warships and a war even if won would left the Confederation on its knees, ready to be taken by the Ousters.

"Your assurance is most welcome, representative Massiel, as is your offer. My government would be pleased to sign such an agreement and as you have told me some truths, I would want to tell you some of my own in return: our only interest is ensuring the safety of our stars against those who would attempt to steal our sovereignity. We do not seek expansion outside our star cluster and we do not mean harm to those willing to leave us to our own designs. The Veithan empire hasn't harmed us ever and we welcome the chance to open diplomatic relations among our neighbouring nations, in the hope of eventually reaching a true friendship" said Vopelum, looking at the red haired woman.

All life was a gamble, and the path of power was one turns within turns. The Veithan Empire had power as did the White Sun Confederacy and due to this, they could negotiate. It was possible that all of this was a sham, a search for weakness by the Empire as it sought possible targets to swallow whole in their general area of space. Nonetheless, it could also be a true negotiation. The Empire had never acted overtly against the Confederacy and now, seemed to be prepared to guarantee that things remained that way. When the Ambassador spoke, the Veithans listened the only visual response being Jezharra's nod a full smile manifesting upon her lips.

"I am pleased Ambassador Vopelum." She considered his words a moment further before speaking once more. "It is our hope that in time the White Sun Confederacy and the Veithan Empire will reach the worthy goal of true friendship. However, until that day we are willing to assure you of our intentions through this pact." Her head turned, the man to her right offering a data crystal which she took and placed in the table before her. "This all the data on the non-aggression pact we offer you. It is a very thorough document, but we are willing to work with you until a final version is derived."

Jezharra paused for a second, strands of fire falling past her shoulders and over parts of her forehead before she continued. "Your nation has a worthy goal, and while the future is something neither of us can anticipate, I offer you some words of advice in turn. You have done well so far, but closing yourself in your own star cluster while a valiant and reasonable approach limits your possibilities. I can understand your desire to be left alone, to not impose your will upon others. But the galaxy is vast and nations friendly and otherwise will always be maneuvering for control. In the end, if your enemies expand and you do not, you are in an inferior position. I do not wish for your proud people to be brought beneath the heel of an external oppressor, but simply fortifying your holdings and preparing to defend your people at all costs, may not be enough."

She sighed softly, emerald orbs closing for a moment as she shook her head. "I am sorry, I ramble. I am sure that your own people know of this. There is no such thing as light or dark, only shades of grey. That has been my experience." She smiled once more, forcing her thoughts to a corner of her mind. "I am pleased that I have the opportunity to be here Ambassador. Now, should we get started on the pact?" Her eyes watched Vopelum's as she finished, hope swirling alongside a dozen emotions beneath her emerald orbs. She would do her duty here and then, she would pray.

[Dahak]

The ambassador smiled grimly. "Who said we missed you? Your isolation was not so perfect as you thought. You've been on our maps as an uncontacted civilization for some years now."

"Such a twee claim," he chuckled. "And all those years haven't had the guts to make contact?" He snickered. "Scared? If your claims are true in the first place, that is. Very brave you are..."

[SirNitram]

The ambassador smiled grimly. "Who said we missed you? Your isolation was not so perfect as you thought. You've been on our maps as an uncontacted civilization for some years now."

"Such a twee claim," he chuckled. "And all those years haven't had the guts to make contact?" He snickered. "Scared? If your claims are true in the first place, that is. Very brave you are..."

"If you two gentlemen do not desist from your personal squabbles, you will be returned to the rendevouz point. Both of you." The Etern diplomat growled. "This childishness is not welcome here."

[Dahak]

The ambassador smiled grimly. "Who said we missed you? Your isolation was not so perfect as you thought. You've been on our maps as an uncontacted civilization for some years now."

"Such a twee claim," he chuckled. "And all those years haven't had the guts to make contact?" He snickered. "Scared? If your claims are true in the first place, that is. Very brave you are..."

"If you two gentlemen do not desist from your personal squabbles, you will be returned to the rendevouz point. Both of you." The Etern diplomat growled. "This childishness is not welcome here."

He smiled warmly at the Etern and bowed slightly. "Of course. I think the right honourable gentleman and I are finished, anyways."

[Alyrium Denryle]

What of conquering nations? You cannot possibly think that we are the first of all civiliazations to reach space, can you? Most of our homeworlds made it without the protection of some supposedly benevolent race. They made it through the gauntlet of other powers, for the most part, and succeeded in fulfilling our own destinies. WHat is to say these worlds will or will not? It is simple natural selection. If they cannot survive on their own, then let them die out. It is the way of nature.

However, I must say that what the Etern are doing is not only short changing evolution, but it will also do more harm than good. (t is one thing for them to die of their own shortcomings. It is another for them to die off due to outside interference

My dear Etern Representative, I will relay to you, the story of the Spanish COnquistadore's and the Aztecs.

The Aztec civilization was a vibrant culture. It had complex mathematics, an amaxingly accurate calendar, arc and architecture that rivaled that of Greece, Rome, and the Rebirth. But when the Spaniards came, everything changed.

The Spanniards, led by a man named Cortez seemed to the Aztecs as gods. They came on what seemed to be a great whitie winged bird, they were clad in shiny metal and spoke a strange tongue. They Greeted the Spaniards by showering them with gifts and asking them to heal the sick.

The Spaniards did not know the material riches of the Aztec world, until Montezuma gave them a gift of gold. This only wetted the lips of the Spaniards, and they commited Genocide against the Aztecs.

Later in the same century, as the Spaniards were traveling the new continent they dicovered, they would be greeted as gods by every group and tribe them met. Their shiny metal armor making them seem more than human. They would do their best to help the peoples of these lands, after all, these ones had no gold to take. But they only made their problems worse by spreading new diseases.

In the end, nearly all of the native peoples of Northand South america were killed by a combination of Spanish, english, french and dutch invaders, merchants, and even peacful missionaries and pioneers.

SImilar stories I am sure have been repeated within the histories of many worlds. All with painful results. Now you seem to be attempting to repeat history, on an interplanetary scale. This is not acceptable to us. Hell, you cannot even hope to cure the diseases you spred to these people. They are of differing evolutionary backgrounds, and your vaccines against viruses probably wont work, you dont even know how their bodies will react to antibiotics

You are likely to kill them off in a plague as you are to help them.

[SirNitram]

What of conquering nations? You cannot possibly think that we are the first of all civiliazations to reach space, can you? Most of our homeworlds made it without the protection of some supposedly benevolent race. They made it through the gauntlet of other powers, for the most part, and succeeded in fulfilling our own destinies. WHat is to say these worlds will or will not? It is simple natural selection. If they cannot survive on their own, then let them die out. It is the way of nature.

The Etern, you will find, beleive that animals are animals and people are people. If the Lizards are still only animals, with none of the complex thoughts that make someone a person instead, this is their own problem to be sorted out on their own time. We are saving lives, lives of individuals who have done no wrong.

However, I must say that what the Etern are doing is not only short changing evolution, but it will also do more harm than good. (t is one thing for them to die of their own shortcomings. It is another for them to die off due to outside interference

Amazingly, the Draconis Representative has yet to show they will die off. We are currently curing diseases and reducing famine. The lies here are open to be seen by all.

My dear Etern Representative, I will relay to you, the story of the Spanish COnquistadore's and the Aztecs.

The Etern are well-acquainted with the Aztecs and their own brutal slaughters of other civilizations they deemed 'Inferior'. The Draconis representative again shows why this move is necessary.. Quite paradoxical.

SImilar stories I am sure have been repeated within the histories of many worlds. All with painful results. Now you seem to be attempting to repeat history, on an interplanetary scale. This is not acceptable to us. Hell, you cannot even hope to cure the diseases you spred to these people. They are of differing evolutionary backgrounds, and your vaccines against viruses probably wont work, you dont even know how their bodies will react to antibiotics

While the Draconis may be ignorant enough to make a child's mistakes, the Etern are capable of thinking and processing thoughts beyond the immediate. Simply because the lizards are incapable of undertaking the slightest move without massive mistakes does not mean others are similarly inept.

You are likely to kill them off in a plague as you are to help them.

I would ask you, Lizard, to shut your yap until you have any kind of evidence for these blatant misrepresentations and lies. You are demonstrating grades of ignorance and immorality I have not seen outside of our wars with the Demon.

[Thirdfain]

Aleksandra's eyes widened, and her lips curled into a cruel smile.

"You are clearly not a Child of Terra, lizard. You are either ignorant or a liar, and your tale stinks like old meat. Your omissions and half-truths are telling.

Firstly, the Aztecs were not the peaceful, progressive people you describe. They sacrificed lives for their superstitions. their rulers were masters of opression, killers of freedom. Their superstitions ruled the land, and the fat ruling class enjoyed the fruits of a political structure based on the religious slaughter of hundreds of thousands. The Aztecs ruled with an iron fist- and worse, they were a culture that was so regressive that in a thousand years they were still killing each other wwith stone knives, while the Spaniards were inventing advanced mathematics, and, more importantly, the navigation techniques which were allowing the dissemination of their clearly superior society."

"The Aztecs were a lost people, a cultural and social dead end. They were brutal, foolish, and stagnant, and showed little sign of change."

"The Spaniard invaders proved how poor the Aztec civilization was, how unfit it was- the Aztecs collapsed in a matter of years."

"Your description of the final end ot the Aztecs is similarly flawed. They were not all killed. Do not be foolish. They were subsumed. They interbred with the Spanish and their slaves- almost all of the later populace of South America contained within them the seed of both the Aztecs and the spaniards."

"Such is the way of things, the dire social evolution. All societies have their flaws, some glaring, some subtle- but all are victim to the verge where weak meets strong."

"These primitives are doomed to subsumation, either in a thousand years or a dozen. The difference is, the Etern offer a peaceful subsumation, in which these people can blend into Known Space society as equal participants in a strong star nation. You would have them suffer another thousand years, until some Spaniard comes along and forces social evolution on them without the protection and gentleness the Etern are providing."

"Fool lizard."

[speaker-to-trolls]

From: Confederate Senate of Itsil.
To: Monacora.
Subject: United Nations.

A community of nations is in the best interests of all involved, the Itsil government supports this move and a representative will attend the first meeting.

[Alyrium Denryle]

"Hold on, let me finish my statement before you both begin accusing me of immorality and lies.

If we decide to do an international venture in protecting these people. We must be non-interventionists. As in, guide their actions and their policies, but never intervene directly unless they are threatened by an external force. This will protect them from illness, as their anatomies and immune systems are so disimilar from our own that the common cold for a human could very well be a massive plague for them.

How we could do this... It would have to be done slowly. We cannot for example, introduce to much technology all at once. We could help them with concepts. like the Atom, and basic magnetism at first, basic mathematics. Remedial stuff. Much more would be a culture shock. They need to know how something works before they start building them. That way they would be able to not only repair and reproduce, but they will also have A HEALTHY RESPECT for their newfound power. We wouldnt want a situation like giving a 6 year old a gun before they understand the finality of death...

Any questions, modifications or counter proposals? I will let it be known that we dont like the idea, but it seems to be the only workable solution now that the Etern have already begun their efforts."

[SirNitram]

"Hold on, let me finish my statement before you both begin accusing me of immorality and lies.

You have stated, openly, that you beleive they should be allowed to suffer and die without aid, because of some thing you call Natural Selection. Nature chooses with brutality and immorality as well. We are not mere animals, unlike you, it would seem. We make choices based on concepts of morality and the value of a life.

If we decide to do an international venture in protecting these people. We must be non-interventionists. As in, guide their actions and their policies, but never intervene directly unless they are threatened by an external force. This will protect them from illness, as their anatomies and immune systems are so disimilar from our own that the common cold for a human could very well be a massive plague for them.

The Draconis are under no requirement to remain. Given their vitrol, I would in fact suggest they do not. Less amoral powers are welcome to stay, but wishing death and suffering based on some law that governs mere animals is not something others of my kind will take without more firm rebukes than a mere accusal of immorality.

How we could do this... It would have to be done slowly. We cannot for example, introduce to much technology all at once. We could help them with concepts. like the Atom, and basic magnetism at first, basic mathematics. Remedial stuff. Much more would be a culture shock. They need to know how something works before they start building them. That way they would be able to not only repair and reproduce, but they will also have A HEALTHY RESPECT for their newfound power. We wouldnt want a situation like giving a 6 year old a gun before they understand the finality of death...

The Draconis are finally understanding the concepts we explained at the beginning.

Any questions, modifications or counter proposals? I will let it be known that we dont like the idea, but it seems to be the only workable solution now that the Etern have already begun their efforts."

Yes. We propose the Lizards are backpedalling so hard they will trip over their tails, were they not so firmly between their legs. You have openly stated you think these people should die; I do not trust the Republic, both for this ice-hearted statement and for their ineptitude in the events surrounding Tortuga. You are not improving matters by regurgitating the things we have spoken of beforehand and claiming credit.

[Spyder]

Starliner Phobos : Tortuga High Orbit

"We've completed a preliminary evaluation of the surrounding area and believe we may have a suitable design."

"A suitable design?" Braddock raised an eyebrow. "We just got here."

"Observe."

The technician touched a few controls bringing up a holographic display of an odd looking station featuring a variety of arms moving off in different directions accompanied by a series of hubs and junctions.

"This was an old design for an ambassadorial station, one that was never constructed due to our old political climate. However, given that the Chancellor's position on this matter there's no reason why this station couldn't work here. It's totally modular, the central hub can be altered into a debating chamber and the best part is that it can be constructed almost entirely from existing pre-fabs available on Abydos. Besides, judging by the com-traffic we've been intercepting it seems as though tensions are on the raise. Waiting for an international effort to get this thing built could take months, time we may not have."

"Alright, call Abydos and order those pre-fabs. I'll contact the Tortugans and thell them what we're planning."

"Yes sir."

With that, Dr Braddock sent a message to the Tortugans detailing the Minmatar plans while his staff set about making the arrangements for the construction.

[Beowulf]

Varathrax
Capital city

Oni got off his bike. Time to finish up the last of his objectives. He grabbed a big labelled with the name of a well known fast food place, telekinetically closed a set of contacts within his bike, then stepped onto the slidewalk. He quickly got away from a rather ritzy neighborhood, which happens to be the home of a large percentage of the Senate of the Draconis Republic.

He proceeded to the Senatorial Office Building. There, he ate some of the contents of the bag, and proceeded to drop it into a trashcan. From there, he proceeded to the Presidential Palace.

[speaker-to-trolls]

The Supreme minister called another meeting.
There was talk of some sighns of unrest about the human emancipation, but nothing serious thus far. The reports of the Etern expansion were disturbing, but it would be futile to attempt any action now, at least without international support.
As usual there was a lot of arguing, isolationists against expansionists, old rhetorics rrepeated again and again until Supreme Minister Red-Eye believed he could recite them off by heart. It was at the end of this that he proposed something they all seemed to agree on, a military buildup.
After some modification, the proposed expansion looked like this:

10 Cruisers

25 missile destroyers

25 destroyers

35 fast destroyers

[Dahak]

Gladsheim Prime, Imperial Plaza

<<Duke Nethington was a bit...scathing, shall we say?>> Silas Orvold dryly observed.
<<Well, he is the kind, and these Nashtarians are not very friendly towards us to begin with. Nor were they useful. Their perverse ideal of democracy is relly insulting. And to be caught like that, with this moral superiority...>>
<<Yes, that was rather hilarious. As if they want to protect those poor worlds out of the goodness of their hearts. They just fear for their borders...>>
<<Agreed. And then this idiotic claim of a survey vessel, and having known we are here for some time... Nethington is right. They're outright lying. Anyway, they are of no importance to us. We should go on with joyously ignoring these upstarts.>>
He chuckled. <<Still, what about the Etern?>>
<<We're going on to support them. If just out of spite. But we should be wary of them doing something foolish. If they let people like this representative do any meaningful work, who knows what personalities their real leaders have?>>
<<Well, we are putting the additional ships in line just about now. 5 Battlecruisers, 10 attack carriers, as well as 10 light and 5 heavy cruisers. THere also some 20 Fast Destroyers going in production, and the second Ragnarok should leave the yard in the next few days. So we should be safe, unless of course these crazy Ousters come.>>
<<Yes,>> the Empress brooded. <<That would be a bit worse. But we now have allies, and if all else fails, we still have operation Tranquility as a last resort.>>
<<Speaking of allies. Their new quarters are finished and ready to be taken. And I might suggest we let the Crown Prince back to Veitha? They really seem to like him, especially now, and it sheds some good lighting on our relations with them.>>
<<I will ask him to. After the ball.>>
<<Surely.>>