SE:IV B5 RP

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-04-09 01:14pm

(OOC: Shit! I meant abstain! Retcon away!)

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-09 01:29pm

So I feel I must vote abstain--"

Marxis turned the video screen off.

"G'kar you fucking moron," said Marxis. "Torpedo the Narn refugee claimants, make it looks legitimate, a technical issue. If we have to accept refugees we'll take as little as possible, and resettle them where they won't come in contact with humans."

Call on you on line four.

"Who is it?"

It's Mr. Defel from Defel Enterprises--

Marxis' jaw dropped. "You're sure?"

Yes, it's Mr. Defel, should I tell him to come bac--

"No, send him in right away. Clear all my appointments this afternoon!"

Brian

Uraniun235 · Post by **Uraniun235** » 2006-04-09 01:48pm

Jame Retief walked into the council chambers, and calmly sat at the Earth Alliance seat.

"Excuse me, sir, that seat-"

"Is reserved for the Earth Alliance ambassador, whose position I have been appointed to fill. Mr. Magnan has apparently suffered a mental breakdown and has been recalled to Earth. I will serve in his place until a replacement can be sent. Until then, my orders from EarthDome are quite firm."

Tobor · Post by **Tobor** » 2006-04-10 03:29am

Rai'Jal' head was pounding.

The constant bickering was hurting him now. Boring into his skull like a remote mining team. The constant reposte'ing of various ambassadors sounded like the dull thump of orbital garbage mashers ' THUD, THUD, THUD.

Last night, in fact the last few days were a complete blur. Every time he tried to think on the matter his brain became a kaleidoscope of pastel and florescent colours. Spiralling through his mind until he became dizzy. Every now and then something clear would come to the fore. He remembered vaguely passing the Vorlon ambassador in a corridor and
then something strange happened. His eye flared for a moment and Rai'Jal felt like he was falling. The next thing he remembered was
then his mind being sheathed in a thick blackness. He faintly felt voices as though battling in some region of his mind. A place he was locked away from.
He could hear screams, ancient and horrifying as though some beast of legend were sent to destroy him. He could hear another voice bold, vibrant and filled with ancient nobility.

The scream raised in pitch and intensity. There was a crack, the black fog over his mind pounded as though vibrating.
The second voice also raised, he could hear it more clearly now, it was the voice of his father...

"YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE! He is not for you..."

As quickly as it had occurred the black veil over his consciousness shattered into a thousand pieces.
Rai'Jal was suddenly aware! Time had slowed. He knew that he was falling, the Vorlon stood there, resplendent in his Green suit. There was a faint line of green dripping from his giant orb. Rai'Jal could feel himself trying to reach out, but unable as though locked in a dream. Time sped up, and in that moment he hit the floor.

- - -

Back in the council chambers, Rai'Jal mind was once again a blur. He remembered waking up in sick bay two days later. A very talented young surgeon, a Dr. Franklin Jr. had told him he had fallen and banged his head but he was fine to go.
His memory surged to that evening, last night.

All he could remember was a charming man in a hat named abbot, who said he was a ViCaR. A race Rai'Jal had to admit he'd never before heard of. He had introduced Rai'Jal to something called a - Jovian Sunspot. Time, lights, lots of colour and two very enticing women later and Rai'Jal awoke to the cruel twist of fate that his head was punishing him with.
The Mes-Com alarm was nothing if not cruelly efficient. That and his own aide, finally managed to pull Rai'Jal up and into the council chambers.

He could see lips moving and ambassadors posturing but all he could hear was blah, blah, blah.

Suddenly everyone was looking at him, he started all of a sudden very aware. The Vorlon in particular seemed to be watching him very intently.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat the question?"

Ambassador Mangan said:

"Ambassador Rai'Jal, we appreciate that you've been in sick bay for the last three days, but we need to know what your governments position on the proposed censures are. That is, Censure votes against the Dilgar, Minbari, and..."

He paused for effect

"Corporate governments?"

Rai'Jal was taken a little off guard by this, he had expected the question in regards to his own and the Minbari governments, but the corporate sector was completely out of the blue.

Rai'Jal' head began to spin, suddenly the alcohol still in his system danced a merry dance upon his senses and he found himself not thinking on the topic at hand. Rather, he was entrenched in an internal debate as to who might win in a Mu'Tari-mud event between Vera and Lyta. He was firmly settled on Lyta when his mind was suddenly brought to the fore again.

Shaking the fog from his head, he tried to stand and when his body refused, decided that sitting would be best right now. Slowly and deliberately he formed his words with none of his usual flair or passion.

"The Dilgar confederacy... The Dilgar confederacy, feels that in light of current events, we have committed nothing that warrants such attention. Therefore we vote no, towards our own censure."

"The Minbari federation has relentlessly aggressed our nation for as long as we all remember. The attack upon Rhagesh IV, and Spite illustrate that whilst they may have not intended to kill 4 billion Narn, their ships were prepared for and programmed for E.L.E. manoeuvres. Had they been Dilgar settlers on that planet we feel this council would not even be censuring the Minbari, therefore we vote yes in this matter."

"However, due to the Vorlon governments recent purge of all Dilgar they could easily come across, we must insist that they pay, and fulfil any infraction that is voted upon our government."

Rai’Jal head cleared momentarily for what seemed a split second. He could see an image of his father, wreathed in fire, the very picture of Dilgar Heliots. Bringers of courage and wisdom, from an ancient religion. One that had all but died out in the Dilgar society. He could sense something at the back of his mind, something urgent as though the very fates hung upon his next words.

Rai’Jal was suddenly filled with a clarity that he had not known in many weeks, he stood as though he were in the prime of his health energised beyond normalcy.

Slowly he looked around the assembled ambassadors and began.

“In regards to the corporate censure, the Dilgar confederacy votes…”

((OOC - Roll credits))

Tobor · Post by **Tobor** » 2006-04-10 05:06am

Rai'Jal continued:

"Because of our relations with the Hurr, and the loss of revenue ascociated with the Corporate nvasion we must move to vote yes in regards to the charges laid against them.

Rai'Jal took his seat and was silent. THe whole whole room went silent.

He waited, and watched. He expected a firestorm, would it come?

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-10 10:00am

A Yes vote? This was unexpected, but prepared for. Vera stood up.

"Esteemed representatives, the Corporate Sector did not sign any treaties or any contractural agreements with any organization before coming here. We came in good faith, to discuss matters of galactic importance. However, this Council has been blatantly hijacked by political considerations. The recent report leaked to the media from an independent NGO puts the Vorlon slaughter at over ten billion sentient beings over the past eighty-eight months. The Vorlons are not being censured, and instead the Corporate Sector is, for political gain."

"It's clear that this venue is impossible to work in given the political rhetoric that has taken place. Instead of discussing the Vorlon closure of warp gates, the soon to be major war between the Brakiri and te Vorlons and the Vorlon genocides, all of which are legitimate issues, this Council has dissolved into a petty bickering of finger pointing, and at the wrong person."

"The Drazi warned all members that going beyond the bounds of the intent of this station would have dire consequences. And it has. The Corporate Sector does not recognize the authority of this Council to censure it, and will not be voting on any motion. We immediately withdraw all financial and technical assistance to this station. Diplomatic relations with other star nations will not be affected and we will continue diplomacy in neutral venues. However we will not stand here and be insulted when we came here for serious diplomacy. Not only was this motion led by someone who recently had a mental breakdown, but the Vorlons are allowed to vote, the murderous scum of the galaxy."

Vera whirled around and left the Council chamber.

You fools, you had your chance. Now when the Brakiri come for you, you'll have nothing but dust and flies to fight with.

ISN News

"We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for breaking news. The Corporate Sector after withdrawing from the Mesopotamia project, has begun an invasion of the Hurr Republic."

"Currently we are receiving unconfirmed reports of dropships and shuttles ferrying mercenaries from the orbiting Corporate fleet down to the Hurr homeworld. Five planets have already had their military bases and political buildings seized. Corporate troops are walking the streets, heavily armed and armored with equipment never before seen by ISN or any of its military experts. Thousands... millions of mercenaries are patrolling the streets of the capitol in armored vehicles, forcing citizens into buildings and discouraging press coverage."

"Hold on... I'm getting a signal from the Hurr Parliamentary building..."

Buzz

"This is Pack Leader Shrubnak, leader of the Hurr Republic. Human forces are attacking the Citadel. I call on all Hurr no matter their pack to resist and oppose the human occupation forces! They cannot be allowed to enslave our people!"

PPG fire streaks behind Shrubnak and the camera pans towards two grand doors and dozens of Hurr troops in firing positions guarding the door. The door bursts, and smoke grenades are tossed through its opening. Heavy PPG fire breaks through the mist.

"All Hurr must resist the human occupation! Fight the humans to the death!" Shrubnak turns to face the door and fires with his handheld PPG weapon at the figures rushing from the mist. The camera blanks.

Brian

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-04-10 11:37am

The Grey Council stepped into the light, one by one in their darkened chambers. When the Nine were assembled, a customary nod was exchanged, as the first lowered his hood.

Dukhat spoke powerfully, with a commanding prescence. "So, is this how the galaxy has turned. The Great Enemy is no more, yet their taint remains. In the place of the Shadows, we have petty ambition disrupting the Galaxy." he muttered, looking across to a holographic map of the galaxy, hovering in air before them.

"First, the Dilgar move on the Narn. A move we repulsed at great loss to the Narn. One of our own must accept the fall for such. And you let it happen." he turned annoyed at the council.

"What are their grievances but the cries of spoiled children to us?" interupted Naroon, characteristically. "The Warrior caste did what was best. Should they condemn us for such, why should we listen to lesser races?"

"Because we need the help of these so-called 'Lesser Races'!" Dukhat barked back. "Because as we speak, the Corporate caste of the Humans moves against the Hurr Republic, and the Anla'shok tell me that the Brakiri have eliminated a whole race... the Grome, of Salta Gan. And they will move upon us soon."

"Delenn, Messopotamia Six has failed. But I need you to return there. We must elicit the aid of the Humans, to turn the tide of this coming war. Our Strength alone, and that of the Vorlons may be sufficient to stem their advance, but we need the help of the humans to win the day."

One by one, the lights flicked out, leaving the room in darkness.

***

Lennier stood, quiet as usual as Vera took her turn. As the Corporate Sector left, he turned to view the remaining delegates. "If the Corporate Sector wishes to withdraw from this station, the Minbari Federation will not protest." he said calmly. "But a new, more pressing matter is at hand than their illegal invasion of Hurr space, an act that must be resolved... in time. The Brakiri according to our initial reports have conquered all of Grome space, conquering their defenseless neighbors for resources... to fuel their war machine."

"We must ask for all races that they will not stop at one conquest. We... ask tht all races valuing their independance, and possibly their survival, stand with us against this new and dangerous aggressor." he said, turning his head away. He would need to see the Earth Ambassador soon.

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-04-10 12:07pm

Insomnia plagued him as G'Kar watched a live feed from the M6 council chambers. Station time was almost fully out of phase with local time, so it was very rare that he was able to do so. His door chimed; the overnight aide, no doubt. "Come," he said.

If the aide was surprised at G'Kar being awake, he didn't show it; odd hours were not uncommon among the higher-level bureaucrats and politicians, not to mention the Chairman of the Remnant. "Chairman, we have received word from Fir'mill. The Ambassador's ship was finished several hours ago and has just embarked for Mesopotamia 6."

"Good. The sooner he gets there, the better." Despite having a majority Minbari population, the world of Fir'mill was sanctuary to some hundred or so Narn refugees. Many of them had found work at the Shipyards; even a passing familiarity with Narn ship technology had guaranteed them employment. The Ambassador, however, had proven to have skills in other areas, having made his way covertly from Sanctuary to Fir'mill.

"Is that live?" the aide asked, jerking G'Kar out of his thoughts. "Ah, I am sorry, Chairman."

G'Kar smiled. "Yes, we're watching diplomats bicker in real-time." He saw the aide's eyes widen suddenly and turned back to the feed.

The Dilgar Ambassador had finally returned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ambassador Ta'Lon adjusted his sword in its scabbard and settled into the passenger seat. Leaving G'Kar had been difficult, but with promises of his protection from other sources, Ta'Lon felt that it was safe enough to leave him in the care of a Heavy Cruiser or two. He had made his way to Minbari space after that at G'Kar's insistence; if the Dilgar had succeeded in their plans, he could have well been the next Chairman.

And now he was the Ambassador to M6. A position that required more skill in verbal fencing than in the real thing. But perhaps G'Kar had seen something in him that he never did.

The comm squealed suddenly with a priority override. G'Kar's voice came urgently over the system. "Ta'Lon? Where are you?" Ta'Lon frowned as he answered, some suspicion in his voice.

"I'm en route to the Cooke system," he said. "Is there something wrong?"

"There might be. I'm not sure yet." A pause. "Rai'Jal voted yes to censure Marxis."

Ta'Lon was stunned speechless. "And their response?"

"They've pulled out of the Mesopotamia project."

"Shall I cancel the trip?"

"No," G'Kar said, "But be prepared to get out of Cooke as fast as your scout ship can take you."

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-10 03:41pm

The Brakiri Ambassador mounted the platform. "It has come to our attention that we the Brakiri have been depicted as 'dangerous agressors' by an empire that has continually attacked its neighbors, and who remains close allies with the most violent and dangerous race in the galaxy, the Vorlons. We conquered the worlds of the Grome Manga Chulda because they were a despotic and cruel regime until we liberated their people. In these liberations, we did not use any orbital bombardment or other weapons of mass destruction. Rather, it was a bloodless change of government. The Grome are now being treated as full citizens of the Brakiri Empire, with all the rights that entails.

It seems as though the Minbari feel threatened by we Brakiri because they know that they have done wrong, repeatedly violating our space when we could not defend ourselves and gifting ships to the Vorlon to be used against us. Even now, their spy ships hide in storms in our space. Not once has the Brakiri Empire ever sent unwelcome ships into the territory of another, and if we ever do, it will not be on a mission of genocide. We are not like the Vorlons, or even the Minbari. We are not murderers."

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-10 05:21pm

The Dilgar had broken the Partnership treaty with the Brakiri. This was no small shock, as the Dilgar had been the only friends of the Brakiri, and their only contact with events outside Brakiri space for years. Now they had broken their treaty without so much as an explanation and fired on a Brakiri exploration ship, destroying it. Kullenbrach idly wondered if the Dilgar were planning on attacking the 23 ship fleet of Brakiri baseships that he had offered to sell to them.

It did not matter. If the Dilgar did not want to be friends anymore, the Brakiri would find new friends. Most races would want to be on Kullenbrach's good side now that he had the most powerful navy in known space, he conjectured. Still, he had offered the Dilgar right of first refusal on 20 Black Sabbath class base ships, and they had most certainly refused. That meant the ships were on the auction block.

* * *

Ambassador Krull stepped back onto the M6 station for the second time that week, and stepped onto his podium at the appointed time to make his announcement.

"We the Brakiri are offering for sale 20 Black Sabbath class base ships. Acceptable payment is 80k minerals for each ship, or 1.6 million for the whole fleet, payable in up to 10 installments. Alternatively, we desire resource converter technology, and we are willing to trade all 20 ships for it. Ships will be delivered by the Brakiri." The Brakiri ambassador posted a readout of ship specs and stepped down from the podium and was whisked back onto his armored transport.

Black Sabbath specs, page 1
Black Sabbath specs, page 2
Black Sabbath specs, page 3
Black Sabbath weapon specs

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2006-04-10 05:57pm

Vir stood immeditaly. "The Centauri Republic will purchase the entire fleet for 1.6 million minerals. Just send us the paperwork and we'll sign it."

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-10 05:58pm

"I want you to contact the Brakiri," said Marxis. "Offer them star charts, intelligence data, access to the markets. Transponder codes to our jump gates."

"I'll send a hyper--"

"No, go there personally." Marxis paused. "As much as I hate fucking xenos, we'll have to work with them or get squashed. They want to pound the Vorlons and their Minbari friends into dust, I don't give a fuck."

"The Vorlons and Minbari--"

"We gave the Minbari and Vorlons a chance and they blew us off, their problem. We'll see about buying those Black Sabbath class ships if nobody else takes them up on their offer. I don't want alien ships in our starfleet, but I don't want to be outgunned either."

Brian

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-11 01:29am

The Dilgar betrayal of the Brakiri was complete. Using fast, unarmed ships loaded with marines, they had captured 9 of the ships that were offered for sale, which the others then fired upon and destroyed along with the capture-vessels. It was a brilliant strategy that took advantage of a weakness that Kullenbrach had been foolish to overlook. Kullenbrach wondered if the Dilgar had meant to capture all 20 ships, thus getting them for free. It did not matter. Because the Brakiri had lost 9 ships to the Dilgar, the Dilgar would lose 9 planets to the Brakiri. Fair was fair, after all...

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2006-04-11 11:23am

It had been a month of considerable reliefs for Londo. The Dilgar fleet had turned back toward Dilgar space, where it belong. Londo didn't know whether they'd heeded Vir's warning that the Centauri had powerful friends or had stopped running around his space for reasons of their own. But truth to be told, he didn't really care.

Also, the new treaty with the Earth Alliance had been recently ratified. He was still unsure if EarthForce's support was worth Marxis's favor, but the die was cast and Londo slept easier knowing they weren't so close to the Corporate Sector as they had once been.

Dmitri entered, carrying an armful of reports. "Good morning, Excellency."

"Morning, Dmitri," Londo said. "There's something I'd like to show you."

"What is it, Excellency?"

Londo pressed a button on his desk, replacing his holomap with the specs of the newest Centauri ship design. "Behold the new Kraken class heavy baseship," Londo said with a florish. "Simulations indicate that in the hands of competent captains, they should be able to defeat almost any other vessel."

"Londo, how did you do this?" Dmitri asked. "This armor's so much more advanced than anything we had before. And the lasers are more advanced than the scientists had believed possible."

Londo laughed. "I told you there are always shortcuts! Long ago, the Vorlons left a cruiser in our possession because it was damaged and could not make it back to Vorlon space. They've yet to come back for it; maybe they forgot about it. Anyway, I've had scientists studying it as closely as they can without taking it apart ever since. They still can't duplicate the Vorlon technology--they say that would be impossible without dismantling it first and even then it's iffy--but they did discover some things, and that allowed them to make the new components."

"Amazing," Dmitri said. "So how long will it take to build these things?"

Here Londo scowled. "A long time. I told Vir to keep buying whatever was put up for sale on M6 until further notice. But once this new fleet is finally built, we won't have to cower everytime someone gives us a dirty look!"

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-11 02:01pm

Ambassador Krull made an update: "The attack on the ships that were for sale does not affect anything. There are still 20 ships for sale. We have received two offers so far to buy for the full purchase price of 1.6 million minerals, but we are still hoping for a technology trade. We are willing to trade for the following techs:

Resource converters
Ship construction of heavy baseship or better
Jump drives
Sensors
Multiplex tracking

We will trade all 20 ships for resource converters, 5 for heavy baseships, 10 for planet killers, 10 for jump drives, 5 for each level of sensors we do not possess, and 2 for each level of multiplex tracking we do not possess. Other trades may be considered."

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-11 02:22pm

Marxis watched the viewscreen dispassionately and opened a message to be sent to the Brakiri.

Code: Select all

Brakiri Ambassador,

Resource converters are massive facilities on suitable planets.  One cannot simply "trade" a resource converter.

The same with jump drives.  They are expensive components on the order of a battleship and give a star nation an unprecendented strategic capability.

I doubt any star nation will agree to cede control of a planet to you, or give you such a strategic advantage.

However, I may consider your offer.

Marxis

Brian

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-11 03:43pm

Quadrant 27

"Welcome back ma'am," said General Johnson to Vera as she boarded the United States II through a docking port.

"What's going on planetside?"

"The Hurr are proving far more stubborn than we realized. They're fighting house to house in some cities, and we're taking heavy casualties."

"What are the options?"

"Nerve gas, orbital support, air support--"

"No. We can't have any civilian casualties. As little as possible."

"Then we need more men. Most of the Hurr resistance is concentrated in the capitol with only a few thousand troops."

"This is taking too long," said Vera. "Send down the heavy equipment, tanks, armored vehicles--"

General quarters, all hands to general quarters.

Johnson pressed a wall intercom. "What is it?"

"Sir, a Minbari war fleet is passing through Kokkar."

"How many ships?"

"Around eighty, hard to tell with their jamming equipment."

Johnson looked at Vera.

"Let them go," said Vera. "We'll deal with the Minbari later, not now. They didn't bother to warn you of their violation of our territory, did they?"

"No, nothing," said Johnson.

"Fucking xenos."

Brian

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2006-04-11 03:48pm

Arthur_Tuxedo wrote:Ambassador Krull made an update: "The attack on the ships that were for sale does not affect anything. There are still 20 ships for sale. We have received two offers so far to buy for the full purchase price of 1.6 million minerals, but we are still hoping for a technology trade. We are willing to trade for the following techs:

Resource converters
Ship construction of heavy baseship or better
Jump drives
Sensors
Multiplex tracking

We will trade all 20 ships for resource converters, 5 for heavy baseships, 10 for planet killers, 10 for jump drives, 5 for each level of sensors we do not possess, and 2 for each level of multiplex tracking we do not possess. Other trades may be considered."

Vir had to wait until the day's council session was over and consult with Londo before he could respond to this one. Once finished talking with his emperor, the M6 ambassador quickly typed up a message for the Brakiri representative.

Code: Select all

Ambassador Krull,

The Centauri Republic still wishes to purchase this fleet for 1.6 million. We are willing to raise our offer somewhat to outbid the competetion.

If you are willing to contruct more ships to sell beyond the twenty that are already up for sale, the Centauri Republic will be willing to open up negotiations for all the technology you desire, with, at this time, the exception of resource converters.

Vir Cotto
Centauri Ambassador

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-12 09:01pm

A flurry of events required Kullenbrach's attention these last few weeks. First, a rogue Minbari warship had come out of hiding in the impenetrable storms to lay waste to as many Brakiri resource ships as possible. Between the Vorlons and Minbari, they had destroyed a fair number of them, but they had no comprehension of how many there were. These losses were merely a pinprick in to the Brakiri's mighty resource base. Better yet, this ship was now too far out to make it back to the safety of its storm in time.

The Corporate Sector had attacked and conquered the holdings of the Hurr, except for their last planet in Brakiri territory. Since these Hurr would never make it in the galactic scene with such paltry holdings, Kullenbrach had decided to overthrow the government and bring their people into the fold, as an act of mercy. However, the psychotic governmental leaders had launched fighters, fighters which proceeded to ruthlessly kill hundreds of millions of Hurr, just to prevent them from coming under the Brakiri's benevolent rule. These fighters would pay for the atrocity.

The terms of the sale to the Centauri proceeded nicely, once Kullenbrach was convinced that they would not use the ships to aid the Vorlons or Minbari. 1.6 million minerals for 20 of the finest warships in the galaxy. Not a bad deal for either party.

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-12 11:32pm

ISN - Interview

"I don't think we need to introduce tonight's guest. Welcome Mr. Marxis to the program."

"Thank you."

"Our first topic tonight is the Corporate Sector's inva--"

"Liberation." Marxis pauses. "It's a liberation because the Hurr government is a socially backwards and oppressive, self-serving hinderance to trade through the entire region. My contacts with the Brakiri government have given me recordings of a Hurr planet in the galactic East. The Brakiri sent troops to pacify a riot on the Hurr planet, but instead of allowing the Brakiri troops to land, the Hurr garrison in one last act of spite launched fighters and slaughtered hundreds of millions of their own people. Luckily our battle plans anticipated a potential genocide in Quadrant 27 and we've been able to destroy Hurr military forces before they commit this atrocity on their own people."

"Why the pullback from the Hurr worlds?"

"This entire operation has been funded by the Corporate Sector and its military. The Corporate Sector's ground forces, although the most advanced in the galaxy, is not designed to be an army of occupation. In the first decade of the 21st Century, President George W. Bush of the United States occupied the nation of Iraq without adequate troops or planning. Although he had military superiority and easily liberated the Iraqi people, his administration didn't plan for the aftermath. The Corporate Sector is not making the same mistake. We've contacted elements of the Hurr government who oppose the religious fundamentalism of the Hurr leadership. They'll be taking control of the Hurr worlds. If we occupied their worlds with our troops, we would be unwelcome and unwanted and invite a war of attrition through terrorism. The Hurr police and army is largely intact. We were after the big dogs, not the small ones."

"What are you doing with the Hurr leadership?"

"We'll be handing the former Pack Leaders over to the war crimes tribunal on Earth in the Hague." Marxis stops. "The Hurr leadership's murder of their own civilians is now at an end. The Corporate sector arrested the genocidal Hurr leaders, not Alshain's oversized incompetent bureaucracy. Just like the war between the Narns and the Dilgar where we sold the Narns vessels to maintain the galactic balance of power, and the defeat of the Yolu aggression against a human world, it was the Corporate Sector that took the initiative, not Alshain's slow moving poorly deployed military or over-regulated shipbuilding industry."

"Ah, thank you Mr. Marxis."

Brian

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-13 01:32pm

"The Centauri are going ahead with their purchase of baseship class vessels from the Brakiri."

"They are. Well we can't let that go," said Marxis.

"You aren't seriously suggesting--"

"I am. We've sold that speckled headed freak two hundred of our warships, why not a few dozen more."

"They're state of the art and--"

"We have to maintain the balance of power in our sphere of influence. If the Centauri, ancient enemies of the Narn, double or triple the firepower of their navy with this purchase, G'kar might have trouble matching them. No, it wouldn't do to have the Narns overrun. Not yet."

"How are we going to spin this? Selling aliens our newest warships before humans--"

"We'll say Alshain didn't want to buy these ships from us. I don't really care if G'kar gets his toady hands on a few of our ships."

"He could take them apart piece by piece, analyze--"

"So? Let him."

Brian

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2006-04-13 06:38pm

"Busy month, sir," Dmitri commented to Londo as he came in with a stack of reports and data crystals.

Londo nodded as he looked at the stack of messages he'd recieved. "We haven't been this popular in years," he grumbled.

"The Narns are looking to upgrade our treaty with them," Dmitri said.

Londo nodded. "Good. I was going to suggest the same myself. We've got greater treaties with powers we don't have nearly as much goodwill toward. There's no reason we shouldn't strength ties to the Narns."

"Also, the Brakiri are ready to finalize the deal."

"At last," Londo said, eagerly signing in the neccessary place to make everything official. "There. The firepower of the Centauri Republic has just increased by at least two fold. I feel less vulnerable already."

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-04-13 11:38pm

Mellitra System
Resolve

"Message from Marxis, Chairman."

What could he want now? G'Kar pondered. If he called to bluster some more, I'll be most displeased. "Put it through," he said.

The message was short, simple and to the point. And if G'Kar handled it right, he'd get some powerful warships out of the deal.

~~~~~~~~~

Cooke System
Mesopotamia 6

"Narn vessel, you are cleared for docking in Bay 8."

"Acknowledged," the pilot said, leading the shuttle in gracefully.

Ambassador Ta'Lon had finally arrived. He tromped through the hatch, down the airlock and into the Customs area where a most unpleasant human security officer insisted on taking his sword.

Ta'Lon stared at the man. This will not be an easy assignment, he thought to himself.

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-04-15 11:26am

"Thirty-eight Vorlon ships about to jump through the Kokkar warp point."

"Only thirty-eight?"

"The Dilgar must've put up a fight. Everything in that fleet's an escort, and they've only got one battleship."

"Still we can't underestimate them." Marxis paused. "What does legal say?"

"We never entered into a treaty with the Vorlons except non-intercourse. Kokkar is technically our space. They have a right to innocent passage though."

"Coming back from a genocidal campaign against the Dilgar can't be innocent by any stretch of the imagination."

"No it's not. But we let the Minba--"

"The Minbari had over eighty warships, most of them battleships. We have the guns, and if they don't like it the Vorlons can kiss my ass."

"There's no way back to Vorlon space except through our territory."

"That's their own fault for closing jump gates, isn't it? Get the press core in here."

"The Brakiri have entered the Valusha system, ninety-five ships."

"So the Vorlons are cutting tail and running before the Brakiri can catch up. I'm going to enjoy this."

Marxis Corporate Press Room

"It has come to my attention that a very large Vorlon fleet is about to enter the Kokkar system. Given the Vorlon's murderous rampage of all life in the Vreetan system which is only now being reclaimed by the Dilgar, and countless other systems, the Corporate Sector will defend its holdings and the human beings in its colonies."

"The Vorlons are forbidden to travel through our space by our government."

"Should any Vorlon ship enter Kokkar space, it will be considered an act of war by the Vorlon Government against the Corporate Sector. All Vorlon ships are to immediately cease their progress through the Kokkar jump gate and go into a holding pattern at the Raghesh jump gate until such time a diplomatic representative can confirm the Vorlon's intentions are not hostile."

Brian

Arthur_Tuxedo · Post by **Arthur_Tuxedo** » 2006-04-15 01:14pm

Kullenbrach breathed easier. The sale to the Centauri had eased the mineral deficit. The Minbari destruction of his resource ships had hurt the Brakiri more than he had originally admitted, but both Minbari warships were space dust now, so it did not matter. Soon he would develop technology to scan storms and reveal the remaining scout ships. Until then, he maintained a ring of fighters encircling storms that he knew to contain Minbari ships.

The main Brakiri fleet was rapidly catching up with the Vorlon fleet, but now he faced a decision. He could either divert and destroy the Dilgar fleet to punish them for their treachery, or he could continue against the Vorlons. On the one hand, the Dilgar had just fought a victorious battle against the Vorlons, and an enemy of my enemy is my friend. On the other hand, the Dilgar had attacked his "for sale" fleet in an attempt to steal the ships, and 9 of them had been destroyed as a result. This would need more thought.