MKSheppard wrote:[OOC anyone else have any questions?]
[What of the fear raised by the Shinra Republic, back when the then-named ZAASM was coming online, that foreign ships would not be safe even in their own internationally-recognized waters, and had only the good will of another nation to rely upon? Isn't long range weaponry of any sort, given the unique geography of our world, inherently a worry even to those who remain strictly in their own or international waters?]
((OOC: Someone would have brought it up. I figured I might as well. ))
"How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war,
We rise with noble intentions,
And we risk all that is pure..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, Forever (Rome: Total War)
"On and on, through the years,
The war continues on..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, We Are All One (Medieval 2: Total War)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight
"Damnit." Lonestar muttered, and hit the mute button on the TV. He picked up the phone.
"This had better be a cute Asian gal with a nice set of knockers."
In fact, Lonestar had memorized the switchboard duty roaster and knew that Senior Airman Grace Deng was on watch, and fit that criteria.
"I'm sorry Sir, but Huang Di Beowulf is on the line."
*Sigh* "Alright, patch him through."
There was a squelch as it switched over to an external encrypted line.
Lonestar?
Lonestar sighed, he hated the faint echo these damned "secured" phones gave.
"What's up Beowulf?"
Same old, same old. Money problems, lunatics, traitors. The usual. How close are you to a device?
"You see the same reports as me, you know that."
I'm sure. Well, I'd like to talk about excluding Coyote from the program.
"Thought has crossed my mind as well. But I don't think that's a requirement, yet. We all know that fabricating them is a fairly simple process with our resources, and I don't want to antogonize him and push(completely) out of the MESS. Last thing we need is another Blackadder, I reckon."
Hmm. Still. He's reaping all the benefits from these programs but not giving much. I have scientists on loan from you, Wilkens, RI, even Mangka. None from Coyote.
"It's a similar situation at down at Texas A&M. We ought to lean on him, but not force him to exit the relationship. Maybe we should arrange a reduction in the number of technical reports sent to him, that might compell him to get off his ass and send some engineers downrange."
Alright, I'll speak to RI and Wilkens about it. Something has to be done. Any other thoughts?
"Yeah, your CNO will be getting a call from my CNO in a couple days once the air/missile defense budget comes out. I expect we'll be asking for some SM-3s."
Roger *click*
"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."
RogueIce wrote:Isn't long range weaponry of any sort, given the unique geography of our world, inherently a worry even to those who remain strictly in their own or international waters?
Long range weaponry is vital for the Republic of Shepnukistan to defend it's long northern coastline against any and all intruders. Plus; now that we have taken on boarder guard duties for Neverhood; our duties grow immensely.
Other nations who are more fortunate to live within the sheltered waters of the inland archipelagos do not have to worry about long range threats such as a Wilkonian CVBG or a Lonestar CVBG hiding out in the great northern sea to launch attacks on Shepnukistan.
As for discrimination of merchant shipping; since the world seems to be relying more and more on ACVs, it should be a simple matter to fit them with transponders and program said coastal defense missiles to not target civilian transponders.
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
- If you ignore the calls for the Neutrality Point talks...
He jumped out of the bed.
- I'm on it.
The Red ALMAZ cellphone was there. Q Bless GLADOS!
- Operator? Get me Shinra. The government, yes. On the line? Sure. Now... khem-khem... hello.
He listened to the phone for a minute.
- Yes, I agree. And your JSEZ entrance is pending; I really look forward to approving it - however, you must realize that extending the JSEZ to you means extending it over the many small and neutral nations of the Central Sea, and the FUNGAL members. Pezookia was in favour of the JSEZ, but I haven't learned the opinion of others.
Stas waited a bit. He just signed the death sentence on his vacation. Right now.
- This means we have to get that 2nd Conference at Neutrality Point GOING with those issues pending. Bye, and by all means, thanks for support.
[addendum: okay, Rogue, we really need a conference since I see clearly the MESS is not a UN; it's members are totally rogue and they press on Arik for joining JSEZ, when we just wanted a space exploration zone without all this "WE SHUTZ IS DOWN!!" cries...]
Lì ci sono chiese, macerie, moschee e questure, lì frontiere, prezzi inaccessibile e freddure
Lì paludi, minacce, cecchini coi fucili, documenti, file notturne e clandestini
Qui incontri, lotte, passi sincronizzati, colori, capannelli non autorizzati,
Uccelli migratori, reti, informazioni, piazze di Tutti i like pazze di passioni...
...La tranquillità è importante ma la libertà è tutto!
MariusRoi wrote:Is it true that a representative from the KNP has recently visited your capital, seeking military and civilian aid and technical assistance?
Why yes he has. Unfortunately, I am not able to divulge the specifics of what was discussed between our representatives.
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
Stas Bush wrote:Yes, I agree. And your JSEZ entrance is pending; I really look forward to approving it - however, you must realize that extending the JSEZ to you means extending it over the many small and neutral nations of the Central Sea, and the FUNGAL members. Pezookia was in favour of the JSEZ, but I haven't learned the opinion of others.
I understand completely. If you would like, I would be glad to assist in the negotiations.
As it is, I realize that my desire to join is, at this stage, largely symbolic: it is more a promise I will not seek to intercept any satellites conforming to the JSEZ treaty, and of course will offer to assist with landings as best as I am able.
Stas Bush wrote:This means we have to get that 2nd Conference at Neutrality Point GOING with those issues pending. Bye, and by all means, thanks for support.
Absolutely. If there's anything else you need, let me know.
Stas Bush wrote:[addendum: okay, Rogue, we really need a conference since I see clearly the MESS is not a UN; it's members are totally rogue and they press on Arik for joining JSEZ, when we just wanted a space exploration zone without all this "WE SHUTZ IS DOWN!!" cries...]
((OOC: Agreed. Me and Coyote of course will work on this, but it is difficult at times. However, given the close economic and industrial ties members of the MESS have with each other [a unified banking system and currency as an example] an outright split would be devestating, not only economically but politically for me, especially if I am to have any hope of forging some kind of peace.
Oh well. Nobody ever said building a legacy for yourself would be easy, did they? ))
"How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war,
We rise with noble intentions,
And we risk all that is pure..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, Forever (Rome: Total War)
"On and on, through the years,
The war continues on..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, We Are All One (Medieval 2: Total War)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight
Lì ci sono chiese, macerie, moschee e questure, lì frontiere, prezzi inaccessibile e freddure
Lì paludi, minacce, cecchini coi fucili, documenti, file notturne e clandestini
Qui incontri, lotte, passi sincronizzati, colori, capannelli non autorizzati,
Uccelli migratori, reti, informazioni, piazze di Tutti i like pazze di passioni...
...La tranquillità è importante ma la libertà è tutto!
Paleopacifist Party memeber: President Shep, what were your intentions in 'donating' an ASAT system to Shroomania? The RetroRegressives were positively ecstatic at the prospects of their new toy, but we in the Paleopacifist Party believe that you were attempting to prove some kind of point to the MESS...possibly at Shroomania's expense.]
The Sovereign Shroomanian Sentinel IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW
Prime Minister Shroom is eager to personally attend the Neutrality Point talks, attending as an observer, no less.
"This is a potential breakthrough in international relations," Prime Minister Shroom the 777th stated in an interview. "What was started in the Great Conference continues and, despite recent hurdles, it looks like what was done has built-up in spite of recent tensions. In fact, perhaps the sudden realization of our collective precarious position has led to this call of international dialog.
"What's more, this Neutrality Point conference is a great opportunity to meet up with my fellow world-leaders, some of them I have already met in the Great Conference, but I haven't the pleasure of meeting a few of them in person. Just a while ago, I actually talked to King Arik of Canissia."
"Anyway, I won't mind being an observer this time 'round. Though during the breaks, I'm certainly going to talk to my counterparts and shamelessly advertise the ACV and FCS, along with other projects. Opening up communications and opening up trade with our neighbors... it will be beneficial for all of us. I'm doing it for Shroomania, but also for the rest of the FUNGAL AXIS."
"As for the JSEZ, it's a good concept and I wouldn't mind if Shroomania ends up being covered in the JSEZ territory. I'd have to ask the permission of the other FUNGAL nations that fall under any planned JSEZ-expansion, though."
"Shroomania is planning to launch more Shroom-Sats from Outer Haven, in Blackadder. The O.M.S.K. Pact are leading the way in GPS, but I plan on beating them in communications. And, of course, satellite TV."
"Thanks for coming by and doing this interview, though would you mind it if I ask you one question?"
"What's with all the alliterations?"
[EDIT: Fixed some goddamn typos!]
Last edited by Shroom Man 777 on 2008-04-10 03:10pm, edited 1 time in total.
"DO YOU WORSHIP HOMOSEXUALS?" - Curtis Saxton (source) shroom is a lovely boy and i wont hear a bad word against him - LUSY-CHAN! Shit! Man, I didn't think of that! It took Shroom to properly interpret the screams of dying people - PeZook Shroom, I read out the stuff you write about us. You are an endless supply of morale down here. :p - an OWS street medic Pink Sugar Heart Attack!
King Arik Coyotus-I sat back in the lounge chair at the convention center where the missile conference had been taking place. He looked at the reports that kept coming in on his notebook computer, plugged into the wall fo rrecharging and accessed into the local secure wireless net.
"Peace conferences... good... breaking out all over," he noted with a satisfied nod. About time we got down to what running a new world is all about-- trade, making money, relaxing...
A MESS-OMSK meeting was being discussed; the Fungal Axis was going to come along too. Arik was glad to get the personal call from Shroom Man. It was good to know the ice was breaking a bit.
Huh, looks like Shepnukistan based their air force off the F-22 design, too, he noted, looking at the newsfeed. Visual ID would be a pain in th eass if something ever flared up... but that was old thought, poking its head out of the depths.
That's odd, Arik thought, quickly skimming the routine reports. Less traffic today coming in from the research facilities... He thought about how hard the scientists had been working lately and figured they were probably getting some much deserved time off. Summer was long in the sky, and soon it would cool down. Will there be monsoons? Arik wondered casually. It would cut down his zeppelin fleet mobility and they'd have to use fuel-guzzling fixed-wings for awhile...
The Scientists are probably trying to get in one last vacation with their families before the winter slog begins. No biggie.
His terminal was recharged, and Arik went back to the conference.
Something about Libertarianism always bothered me. Then one day, I realized what it was:
Libertarian philosophy can be boiled down to the phrase, "Work Will Make You Free."
In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around! If all you want to do is have some harmless, mindless fun, go H3RE INST3ADZ0RZ!! Grrr! Fight my Brute, you pansy!
"We would be pleased with a three-way deal with The People's Republic of Canissia", New Gottland's foreign minister said. "It would begin a new era of peace and cooperation between our nations, and indeed, our alliances. It would also be a great opportunity to bring in more money for us. We are ready let the People's Republic lease a small naval base and let Canissian companies explore potential offshore resorces."
The Kozlowski commission has finished it's meetings and has issued it's report. Among the recommendations are:
1.) Naval units rendered surplus by drawbacks will be made available to any friendly power who asks via reasonable deals.
2.) Development of the Blackbeard system to proceed at the best possible speed.
3.) The Committee identified several holes in Shepnukistan's defenses and has recommended that formal contracts be let for the following missile systems:
MIM-178 - ADA Missile Similar to Patriot/S-300 - Conceptually assigned name of ZAAAM-4. Development to proceed in conjunction with Blackbeard member nations.
MIM-179 - ADA Missile (ER) Similar to Patriot S-300 - Conceptually assigned name of ZAAAM-5. Development to proceed in conjunction with Blackbeard member nations.
Additionally, the commission recommended against producing the MCB-180 mobile satellite launch system, despite military protests that it was needed for launching large numbers of cheap expendable battlefield satellties in wartime, because it would only be capable of inserting satellites into the extremely low orbits prohibited by the JSEZ treaty.
Last edited by MKSheppard on 2008-04-10 03:21pm, edited 1 time in total.
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
In light of the recent developments, the J.S.E.Z. Coordination Council announced the following Zone Expansion Plan for 2009 [RELOAD PICTURE TO SEE]
The Expansion Zone nations can choose to either sign up for the MAP - Membership Action plan - or decline the JSEZ offer; the widening plans will be changed in accordance with status.
National stance should be reported before the Year 2009 [@ one real world week from now, just a short "yes" or "no" to JSEZ over your territory will suffice] to ensure full compliance with the Membership Action Plan.
Lì ci sono chiese, macerie, moschee e questure, lì frontiere, prezzi inaccessibile e freddure
Lì paludi, minacce, cecchini coi fucili, documenti, file notturne e clandestini
Qui incontri, lotte, passi sincronizzati, colori, capannelli non autorizzati,
Uccelli migratori, reti, informazioni, piazze di Tutti i like pazze di passioni...
...La tranquillità è importante ma la libertà è tutto!
Needless to say, the Shinra Republic votes "Yes" to the MAP proposed by JSEZ.
"How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war,
We rise with noble intentions,
And we risk all that is pure..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, Forever (Rome: Total War)
"On and on, through the years,
The war continues on..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, We Are All One (Medieval 2: Total War)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight
[So, guys, are you gonna start buying ACV and FCS ships? Place your orders and... Pezook will sort them out ]
"DO YOU WORSHIP HOMOSEXUALS?" - Curtis Saxton (source) shroom is a lovely boy and i wont hear a bad word against him - LUSY-CHAN! Shit! Man, I didn't think of that! It took Shroom to properly interpret the screams of dying people - PeZook Shroom, I read out the stuff you write about us. You are an endless supply of morale down here. :p - an OWS street medic Pink Sugar Heart Attack!
Shepnukistan would like to buy several automated cargo vessels to support the Blackbeard missile program; because aerial transport is prohibitively expensive.
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
[So, guys, are you gonna start buying ACV and FCS ships? Place your orders and... Pezook will sort them out ]
((OOC: We would certainly be interested in a licensing deal. It will boost our economy, help take the strain of orders off of you [ we can negotiate on any price issues that come up with this] and allow us to better understand how to works, to the end of creating new generation ships as per the proposed ISCA.))
"How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war,
We rise with noble intentions,
And we risk all that is pure..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, Forever (Rome: Total War)
"On and on, through the years,
The war continues on..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, We Are All One (Medieval 2: Total War)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight
The Bear Republic would like to join into the exploration of space and free trade. They are particularly interested in exploration of space on a commercial front. Something about Pay Per View, and Californication Broadcasting Media Enterprises.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
I already sorted out my orders with Pezookia they're cool.
Lì ci sono chiese, macerie, moschee e questure, lì frontiere, prezzi inaccessibile e freddure
Lì paludi, minacce, cecchini coi fucili, documenti, file notturne e clandestini
Qui incontri, lotte, passi sincronizzati, colori, capannelli non autorizzati,
Uccelli migratori, reti, informazioni, piazze di Tutti i like pazze di passioni...
...La tranquillità è importante ma la libertà è tutto!
The Grand Duchy of Baal votes "Yes" to the MAP proposed by JSEZ
"Don't fuck with The Mess. Unless you've been there, done that, and have the t-shirt, shut your cakehole." - Me
"By the Blood of Sanguinius" - Blood Angels Battlecry
"The enemies of the Emperor fear many things. They fear discovery, defeat, despair and death. Yet there is one thing they fear above all others. They fear the wrath of the Space Marines." - Anonymous
"This can't be good" - Sherriff Jack Carter
Oh yeah, Tongdijuana says Yes too, unless Brungardt shows up to say otherwise.
"How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war,
We rise with noble intentions,
And we risk all that is pure..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, Forever (Rome: Total War)
"On and on, through the years,
The war continues on..." - Angela & Jeff van Dyck, We Are All One (Medieval 2: Total War)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear." - Ambrose Redmoon
"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent, The Dark Knight
Upcomming Program includes several new reality series, several sitcoms, and a bold re-imagining of Jules Verne's 20,000 leagues, As well as a new season of Terry and the Air Pirates.
The scariest folk song lyrics are "My Boy Grew up to be just like me" from cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin
While on Gottland: Canissian Trade Minister Rayzha Rumaclin to the Shroomanian Trade Minister (during visit to Shroomanian consul offices on Gottland).
"Oh, thank you," Rayzha said, a warm smile on her face, "This is such a relief. Lord Coyotus will be so pleased."
"This should benefit us all," the Gottland representative said, with a nod towards his Shroomanian counterpart. "As it should be."
"Well, Canissia has been lucky in that we've managed to sidestep all the wars and conflicts that first bubbled up," TM Rumaclin said. "So we'd like to spread some of the benefits of peace as much as possible, and the more partners we have in that, the better."
"What exactly is the Canissian philosophy on peace and stability?" the Shroomanian Consul wondered. Rayzha smiled; she was glad to be considered the primary face of Canissian diplomacy.
"If people are fed, employed, and sheltered, pretty much everything else falls into place," she said. "I mean, it sounds overly-simplistic, when I put it that way, but Lord Coyotus tells us tales of how things were back on Earth..." she shook her head. "Crazy. If people had dealt fairly with one another from the beginning, he told us, half the problems would never have arisen."
"And security measures?" the Gottland representative asked. Ms. Rumaclin shrugged.
"A wise nation is always prepared to deal with trouble," she said, "A wiser nation finds a way to do it as a part of coordinated action with others. Armies are the last card in the deck, played only when every other option has been sincerely tried."
"Good philosophy," the Shroomanian Consul said.
"Arik was in a war back on Earth," Minister Rumaclin said, "He said that having seen it, he was convinced it was a, uhh," she blushed a bit, "A 'zero-fun game', I believe was the words he used. Be prepared, but try to avoid."
"Excellent," the Shroomian Consul said, "So, then, Madame Trade Minister... in regards to the automated commerce vessels..?" he let the question hang.
"We'd like to put in an initial order for ten," she said, "And see how they work. We were also wondering... about, well... some technology sharing."
"What did you have in mind?"
"Well, you have the automated commerce vessels-- surface vessels. For a variety of reasons, environmental among them, we like to use zeppelins as much a spossible. A transfer of the automated navigation technology might be beneficial for airborne cargo delivery."
"It... it might, now that you mention it. But it would require a real commitment in geo-positioning satellites. Zeppelins will maneuver in a 3-dimensional space and compete with aircraft moving much faster."
"We'd have to agree on a high-altitude 'aerohighway' reserved for automated cargo zepps," Rayzha said, "But it can be done. This would be purely for peaceful purposes, of course."
"We'll have to think about it," the Shroomanian Consul said, getting ready to call his boss at the Foreign Ministry...
Something about Libertarianism always bothered me. Then one day, I realized what it was:
Libertarian philosophy can be boiled down to the phrase, "Work Will Make You Free."
In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around! If all you want to do is have some harmless, mindless fun, go H3RE INST3ADZ0RZ!! Grrr! Fight my Brute, you pansy!
The Soveriegn Duchy of Baerne, though not in the proposed JSEZ expansion zone, would like very much to join it's brother nations in the FUNGAL AXIS as a member. We'd be happy to provide whatever assistance we can; the increased ACV sales should help with that.
Conversion Table:
2000 Mockingbirds = 2 Kilomockingbirds
Basic Unit of Laryngitis = 1 Hoarsepower
453.6 Graham Crackers = 1 Pound Cake
1 Kilogram of Falling Figs - 1 Fig Newton
Time Between Slipping on a Banana Peel and Smacking the Pavement = 1 Bananosecond
Half of a Large Intestine = 1 Semicolon
))
))
"
]
