SDNW4 Diplomatic Communications Thread

[Siege]

[swept-to-widebeam, hypercast on limited frequencies, received @ n4.214.58.3400+]
(Signal sequence #c214A5/9157, relay:)

To whom it may concern,

In order to foster understanding and sisterhood amongst all psions of the galaxy, a delegation of the Shield will be participating in the 1100th ESPer Tournament.

Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia
Regeneratrix, Silver Shield

[Alyrium Denryle]

GENERAL CENTRALITY BROADCAST
From the Center of Foreign Affairs
1 August 3400

[Dr. Nuvo Vindi-like voice]

We are pleased to host and announce the 1100th ESPer Tournament, where ESPers compete in a variety of activities! Sports, Gymnastics, Combat... we have it all! And even better: ESPers from outside the Centrality are allowed to enter...THE TOURNAMENT! The rules are very simple, of course:

- No killing! Blood we may tolerate, but murder results in instant arrest and expulsion!
- No cheating! We despise cheaters, though the punishment is a tad lighter compared to that for murder! Which is saying it mildly!
- Don't be late! If you fail to register in time, you have no further business in the Centrality and will get the boot if you stay for too long!
- Read the List of Forbidden Stuff in the Centrality before you arrive! That way the police will not arrest you for contraband!
- Mind your own business! We do not want problems for whatever place you came! This especially applies to those hostile to the Centrality!
- There are other rules, of course, but those are in the Tournament Rulebook, so acquire that when you can!

We hope you ESPers out there recieve this message and come to participate! We are waiting for you! Toodles!

EDIT:

Oh, wait! The Tournament is in planet Faust, capital of Dovan Sector. That is N-9 for the less-enlightened ones! That is all!

Diplomatic Communique
From: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions
To: Centrality Center of Foreign Affairs
RE: Esper Tournament

To Whom it May Concern,

It pleases us to inform you that a team of Psionicists from the Centerpond Academy for the Psionic Arts and Sciences will be attending the Tournament.

[Force Lord]

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions and Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia, Regeneratrix, Silver Shield
RE: ESPer Tournament

To Whom It May Concern:

We are happy that you have decided to send competitors to the 1100th ESPer Tournament. Rest assured that they will be pleased with what they will see.

[Alyrium Denryle]

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions and Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia, Regeneratrix, Silver Shield
RE: ESPer Tournament

To Whom It May Concern:

We are happy that you have decided to send competitors to the 1100th ESPer Tournament. Rest assured that they will be pleased with what they will see.

To:Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
From: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions and Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia, Regeneratrix, Silver Shield
RE: ESPer Tournament

Ravin Nostrum,

We do have one inquiry which should be resolved. Will accommodations for competitors be provided, and if not, will it be permissible for the liner carrying them to dock, or remain in orbit? We have certain habitat requirements which are required, not only for optimum performance, but for survival in general which are not available in public accommodations, on some worlds. If these cannot easily be met, we have ways of compensating for them, but our species is very vulnerable to water loss and we do not want to risk our competitors health and well-being. We trust you have these in place in some form or another already, but simply wish to be absolutely certain.

{List is included in transmission, including:
Temperature between 16 and 33 degrees C
Ambient Humidity at least 95% of saturation
Facilities in which to soak and regain water lost to the atmosphere while outside, preferably with a concentration of dissolved ions between .8 and 1.0%}

[Shroom Man 777]

BRAGULAN RESPONSE TO THE GENERAL CENTRALITY BROADCAST
From the People's Department of Limited Foreign Interaction and Human Affairs

The Bragulan Star Empire informs the Centrality government that we will send forward observers and spectators to examine and scrutinize the performances of human (and otherwise) psions participating in the Tournament. However, we will not be sending any psionic athletes whatsoever.

That is all.

[Master_Baerne]

GENERAL CENTRALITY BROADCAST
From the Center of Foreign Affairs
1 August 3400

[Dr. Nuvo Vindi-like voice]

We are pleased to host and announce the 1100th ESPer Tournament, where ESPers compete in a variety of activities! Sports, Gymnastics, Combat... we have it all! And even better: ESPers from outside the Centrality are allowed to enter...THE TOURNAMENT! The rules are very simple, of course:

- No killing! Blood we may tolerate, but murder results in instant arrest and expulsion!
- No cheating! We despise cheaters, though the punishment is a tad lighter compared to that for murder! Which is saying it mildly!
- Don't be late! If you fail to register in time, you have no further business in the Centrality and will get the boot if you stay for too long!
- Read the List of Forbidden Stuff in the Centrality before you arrive! That way the police will not arrest you for contraband!
- Mind your own business! We do not want problems for whatever place you came! This especially applies to those hostile to the Centrality!
- There are other rules, of course, but those are in the Tournament Rulebook, so acquire that when you can!

We hope you ESPers out there recieve this message and come to participate! We are waiting for you! Toodles!

EDIT:

Oh, wait! The Tournament is in planet Faust, capital of Dovan Sector. That is N-9 for the less-enlightened ones! That is all!

Federated Ascendancy Ministry for Education, Sport, and Culture

We hereby announce that Ascendant ESPers will participate. Currently, we plan to field teams in Space Swords, Space Luge, and Space Disc, though this is subject to change as more teams are recruited or in the event that any events are either not offered or become totally cancelled.

His Excelleny James St. James, Minister for Education, Sport, and Culture

[Force Lord]

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions and Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia, Regeneratrix, Silver Shield
RE: ESPer Tournament

To Whom It May Concern:

We are happy that you have decided to send competitors to the 1100th ESPer Tournament. Rest assured that they will be pleased with what they will see.

To:Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
From: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions and Charlotte Vandemir-Garcia, Regeneratrix, Silver Shield
RE: ESPer Tournament

Ravin Nostrum,

We do have one inquiry which should be resolved. Will accommodations for competitors be provided, and if not, will it be permissible for the liner carrying them to dock, or remain in orbit? We have certain habitat requirements which are required, not only for optimum performance, but for survival in general which are not available in public accommodations, on some worlds. If these cannot easily be met, we have ways of compensating for them, but our species is very vulnerable to water loss and we do not want to risk our competitors health and well-being. We trust you have these in place in some form or another already, but simply wish to be absolutely certain.

{List is included in transmission, including:
Temperature between 16 and 33 degrees C
Ambient Humidity at least 95% of saturation
Facilities in which to soak and regain water lost to the atmosphere while outside, preferably with a concentration of dissolved ions between .8 and 1.0%}

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Federal Committee Regarding Foreign Functions

To Whom It May Concern:

While we already have the facilities that meet your species's requirements, we confess that we have no vessel modified to handle your race. Perhaps you can bring in your team on one of your ships, while we modify one of ours so it is ready after the Tournament is over. Is that a suitable arrangement?

[Force Lord]

BRAGULAN RESPONSE TO THE GENERAL CENTRALITY BROADCAST
From the People's Department of Limited Foreign Interaction and Human Affairs

The Bragulan Star Empire informs the Centrality government that we will send forward observers and spectators to examine and scrutinize the performances of human (and otherwise) psions participating in the Tournament. However, we will not be sending any psionic athletes whatsoever.

That is all.

CENTRALITY RESPONSE TO THE BRAGULANS
From the Center of Foreign Affairs

We accept the prescence of your observers. Be aware that any serious disturbance caused by them is grounds for immediate expulsion.

[Force Lord]

GENERAL CENTRALITY BROADCAST
From the Center of Foreign Affairs
1 August 3400

[Dr. Nuvo Vindi-like voice]

We are pleased to host and announce the 1100th ESPer Tournament, where ESPers compete in a variety of activities! Sports, Gymnastics, Combat... we have it all! And even better: ESPers from outside the Centrality are allowed to enter...THE TOURNAMENT! The rules are very simple, of course:

- No killing! Blood we may tolerate, but murder results in instant arrest and expulsion!
- No cheating! We despise cheaters, though the punishment is a tad lighter compared to that for murder! Which is saying it mildly!
- Don't be late! If you fail to register in time, you have no further business in the Centrality and will get the boot if you stay for too long!
- Read the List of Forbidden Stuff in the Centrality before you arrive! That way the police will not arrest you for contraband!
- Mind your own business! We do not want problems for whatever place you came! This especially applies to those hostile to the Centrality!
- There are other rules, of course, but those are in the Tournament Rulebook, so acquire that when you can!

We hope you ESPers out there recieve this message and come to participate! We are waiting for you! Toodles!

EDIT:

Oh, wait! The Tournament is in planet Faust, capital of Dovan Sector. That is N-9 for the less-enlightened ones! That is all!

Federated Ascendancy Ministry for Education, Sport, and Culture

We hereby announce that Ascendant ESPers will participate. Currently, we plan to field teams in Space Swords, Space Luge, and Space Disc, though this is subject to change as more teams are recruited or in the event that any events are either not offered or become totally cancelled.

His Excelleny James St. James, Minister for Education, Sport, and Culture

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: His Excelleny James St. James, Minister for Education, Sport, and Culture

We can wait for other teams you intend to send.

[Zor]

From: The Hon. Stepan Xiaowen, Commonwealth Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: The officials of the 1100th ESPer Tournament

Despite our continued commitment to the acceleration of the evolution of mankind, in representation of our Psionically enclined demographics, the Nova Atlantean Commonwealth of Worlds shall send a team to the Tournament.

[Force Lord]

From: The Hon. Stepan Xiaowen, Commonwealth Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: The officials of the 1100th ESPer Tournament

Despite our continued commitment to the acceleration of the evolution of mankind, in representation of our Psionically enclined demographics, the Nova Atlantean Commonwealth of Worlds shall send a team to the Tournament.

From: Ravi Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: The Hon. Stepan Xiaowen, Commonwealth Ministry of Foreign Affairs

It pleases us to see the Commonwelth manage to send a ESPer team to the Tournament. We assure you that they will be kept impressed.

[Simon_Jester]

From: Mr. Joseph Abramowitz, General Secretary of the Umerian Esper Citizens' League
To: The Center for Foreign Affairs

We are currently organizing a team to represent the Technocracy of Umeria in a number of the events listed at the 1100th Esper Tournament, including but not limited to:
- Precision Electromagnetics
- Telekinetic Ice Sculpture
- The memorably named "Speed Guessing What Number I'm Thinking Of" event, widely known as a Centrality specialty.

Originally we had planned to send a team to the Tournament to partake in the Competitive Precognition events. However, our efforts have thus far failed, as all high-class precognitives the UECL has contacted to date decided they would prefer to stay home.

[Force Lord]

From: Mr. Joseph Abramowitz, General Secretary of the Umerian Esper Citizens' League
To: The Center for Foreign Affairs

We are currently organizing a team to represent the Technocracy of Umeria in a number of the events listed at the 1100th Esper Tournament, including but not limited to:
- Precision Electromagnetics
- Telekinetic Ice Sculpture
- The memorably named "Speed Guessing What Number I'm Thinking Of" event, widely known as a Centrality specialty.

Originally we had planned to send a team to the Tournament to partake in the Competitive Precognition events. However, our efforts have thus far failed, as all high-class precognitives the UECL has contacted to date decided they would prefer to stay home.

From: Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Mr. Joseph Abramowitz, General Secretary of the Umerian Esper Citizens' League

We are pleased to see the Technocracy manage to send their teams to the Tournament, though it is saddening that your first-rate precognitives have chosen to remain home. They would have been excellent.

I confess that I have taken over all the responsibility for the recent responses to the interested parties participating in the Tournament, as the Director of ESPer Sports Activities, Jomard Listem, has fallen ill. We hope he recovers in time for the Tournament.

Sincerely,

Ravin Nostrum, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

[Alyrium Denryle]

Narrow-Beam Transmission: Encoded Protocol, sent to Ranoidea Embassy in Centrality space, where it is decoded and hand-delivered.

From:Office of Naval Intelligence, Technosocialist State of Ranoidea

To: Centrality CSB

Subj: Possible Shepistani Aggression--TSR Willing to Assist in Security Operations.

To Whom It May Concern,

Given the recent expulsion of your ambassador from Shepistani space, and the generalized fanatic, bigoted insanity possessed by its people, the NavINT believes that Shepistani sabotage or terrorist action during the ESPer Tournament is highly probable. As a result, we are willing to commit fleet elements to assist in customs patrols. We are also willing to send high level telepaths, precognitives, and psionic sensory specialists to assist in internal security. Naturally, we would keep these individuals away from sensitive locations and personnel. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens while they are on foreign soil. We also have a number of security recommendations which will make infiltration by the Shepistani somewhat more difficult.

1)Psionic, physical, and sensor inspections of cargo shipments for explosives, combat droids and components, and unassembled weapons components, null and blitzschlag field generator components--even if dual use.

2) Mind scans of personnel at customs check points, and major transit stations. The Shepistani do not have the capacity to construct psionic mind-vaults. Blanked crowd scans will be more effective against Shepistani infiltrators than they would be against intruders from other states.

~Dr. Verrik Moss
Director of TSR NavINT.

[Force Lord]

Narrow-Beam Transmission: Encoded Protocol, sent to Ranoidea Embassy in Centrality space, where it is decoded and hand-delivered.

From:Office of Naval Intelligence, Technosocialist State of Ranoidea

To: Centrality CSB

Subj: Possible Shepistani Aggression--TSR Willing to Assist in Security Operations.

To Whom It May Concern,

Given the recent expulsion of your ambassador from Shepistani space, and the generalized fanatic, bigoted insanity possessed by its people, the NavINT believes that Shepistani sabotage or terrorist action during the ESPer Tournament is highly probable. As a result, we are willing to commit fleet elements to assist in customs patrols. We are also willing to send high level telepaths, precognitives, and psionic sensory specialists to assist in internal security. Naturally, we would keep these individuals away from sensitive locations and personnel. We have a responsibility to protect our citizens while they are on foreign soil. We also have a number of security recommendations which will make infiltration by the Shepistani somewhat more difficult.

1)Psionic, physical, and sensor inspections of cargo shipments for explosives, combat droids and components, and unassembled weapons components, null and blitzschlag field generator components--even if dual use.

2) Mind scans of personnel at customs check points, and major transit stations. The Shepistani do not have the capacity to construct psionic mind-vaults. Blanked crowd scans will be more effective against Shepistani infiltrators than they would be against intruders from other states.

~Dr. Verrik Moss
Director of TSR NavINT.

From: Natre Layu, Director of the Central Security Bureau
To: Dr. Verrik Moss, Director of TSR NavINT

We have analized your suggestions and determined them to be entirely reasonable, in light of recent events. We will assign a combined CSB-CIS team to work with you.

Natre Layu
Director of the CSB.

[Dark Hellion]

To: The Emissaries of Xylyx
From: The Refuge
Contact and Diplomacy Division
Department of Theological Defense

It is of the utmost importance that we speak with your nation as soon as possible. A diplomatic and contact team, including an AI Mind core, will be sent to discuss matters. We would prefer to send the team by warp gate, but if this is refused we will send one by hyperspace. Refusal to accept any of our ambassadors by any means or failure to return the full diplomatic and contact team unharmed and unaltered will be considered an act and an effective declaration of war.

-The Refuge
Contact and Diplomacy Division
Department of Theological Defense

Code: Select all

[Tightbeam Hyper-comm: Channel 12A89F16B Subfrequency Mask 255.255.255.1 Encrypt key <a/6*GNS.9%3|6*%5RK2/7^4>]

To: The Refuge
From: The Emissaries of XylyX
Prime Contact Coordination

Sorry for the delay in response. After our initial communications were met with confusion we decided to take some time and study various civilizations cultural artifice to facilitate a more eloquent response engine. I am the result of that. I am the Ambassador. We will be most happy to receive your team and discuss whatever matters you wish. However, I would advise against using our warp gate. Most species find our planets to be rather inhospitable. To illustrate this, let me go into a small digression. Human mythology has a place called hell, with lakes of fire, a sky of brimstone and filled with the cries of the damned. Personally, I think it would be a nice place to take a vacation; it still has enough atmosphere to hear the screaming. Besides, walking into the middle of a nuclear minefield with half a million plasma warheads trained on you tends not to be conducive to equal negotiations.

Let me instead suggest that we meet by hyperspace in a neutral location. One of me will attend via courier vessel and you can send whatever size and disposition of team makes you feel safest. When you have decided upon a time and a place please send a reply.

[Akhlut]

URGENT URGENT URGENT

From: Oaxtoatotol Łichíí of the Nenpanoliz-altuxl Kikialtignahwi
To:Maxim Chernov, Second for Foreign Affairs

Recent events in the NenAltKik have forced us to be quiet lately. Gridlock in the Eealtepekali regarding the admission of Hweyixal as a fully integrated colony instead of being under military governorship led to the Hweyixal Tocha-Tlatokayotl Olin (HweyToTlatOl; the Hweyixal Home-Rule Movement) to attempt a coup with the aid of three of the deposed Hweykwali-acalli who had commandeered three ships (two Mohlabani class ships and a Daigwan class ship) and led an attack against the Eztenkitontu system under the assumption that the Moxli representatives from the system were blocking Hweyixal's entry to maintain Moxli supremacy. Rest assured that the coup has been put down and your offers of assistance were appreciated but unnecessary. We shall resume normal relations shortly as we reorganize.

[Mayabird]

[Tightbeam hyper-com]
To: The Emissaries of XylyX
Prime Contact Coordination
From: The Refuge
Contact and Diplomacy Division
Department of Theological Defense


A task force is already underway to visit your nation. We sent this fleet due to the lack of prompt response in order to avoid delays. The task force is currently skirting the edges of the Sassanid Empire to bypass it and other nations.

A meeting in a neutral hyperspace location would be acceptable. We are sending a list of possible coordinates which we believe, within our limited means, would be neutral and safe locations. Please respond with which if any of these locations are agreeable and acceptable, and if possible please send notice of any navigational hazards or hyperspace lanes which could help or hinder our travel.

-The Refuge
Contact and Diplomacy Division
Department of Theological Defense


[Note: The sector where these possible locations are listed center around one 'south' of R-30, just off the map.]

[Akhlut]

From: Oaxtoatotol Łichíí of the Nenpanoliz-altuxl Kikialtignahwi
To:The Refuge, Contact and Diplomacy Division

We have heard of your society and are interested in contact due to similarities between ourselves and you. We wish to set up a diplomatic meeting between our nations to establish official relations, and figure out further contacts between our nations.

[Shinn Langley Soryu]

FROM: Holy Imperial Department of State
TO: Center of Foreign Affairs
SUBJECT: ESPer Tournament

To whom it may concern,

The Holy Empire is honored that the oftentimes strained relations between our two nations have not impeded our invitation to the 1100th ESPer Tournament. After some deliberaton, we shall be sending a team of ESPers to the Tournament, which will be representing the Holy Empire in a number of events including but not limited to:

• Telekinetic Fencing
• Scan and Counter
• Metacognitive Speed Chess
• Electrokinetic Dueling
• Far-Seeing Marksmanship
• ID This Substance and Its Properties
• Telekinetic Dragonboat Racing
• Precision Electromagnetics
• Telekinetic Ice Sculpture
• Speed Guessing What Number I'm Thinking Of

It is our hope that the presence of our ESPers at the Tournament may mark the beginning of warmer relations between the Holy Empire and the Centrality.

Sincerely,

M. Asahina
Secretary of State, Holy Empire of Haruhi Suzumiya

---

FROM: SOS Imperial Marine Corps
TO: Central Security Bureau
SUBJECT: Security at the ESPer Tournament

To whom it may concern,

Given the high probability of Shepistani sabotage or terrorism during the course of the ESPer Tournament, is our duty to inform you that we will be sending a company of SOS Imperial Marines as a security escort for the team representing the Holy Empire and to assist in internal security during the Tournament.

We have an obligation to protect our citizens while they are on foreign soil, especially during an event as high-profile as the Tournament. Hopefully, you will oblige us.

Sincerely,

FM C. Takahashi
Commandant, SOS Imperial Marine Corps

[Master_Baerne]

TO: Centrality Olympic Committee
FROM: Federated Ascendancy Ministry for Education, Sport, and Culture
SUBJECT: Final Events Participation List

We at the Ministry are pleased to be able to state that Ascendant ESPletes will be competing in the following events: Fencing, Telekinetic Fencing, Metacognitive Speed Chess, Stalemate Chess, Electrokinetic Dueling, Speed Guessing What Number I'm Thinking Of, and Precision Frog Levitation.

Thank you for you patience.

His Excelleny James St. James, Minister for Education, Sport, and Culture

[Force Lord]

FROM: SOS Imperial Marine Corps
TO: Central Security Bureau
SUBJECT: Security at the ESPer Tournament

To whom it may concern,

Given the high probability of Shepistani sabotage or terrorism during the course of the ESPer Tournament, is our duty to inform you that we will be sending a company of SOS Imperial Marines as a security escort for the team representing the Holy Empire and to assist in internal security during the Tournament.

We have an obligation to protect our citizens while they are on foreign soil, especially during an event as high-profile as the Tournament. Hopefully, you will oblige us.

Sincerely,

FM C. Takahashi
Commandant, SOS Imperial Marine Corps

FROM: Natre Layu, Director of CSB
TO: FM C. Takahashi, Commandant, SOS Imperial Marine Corps

Your Marine company will be accepted. A CSB liason will be assigned to it for the duration of the Tournament.

[Force Lord]

From: Tagdef Borlon, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Center of Foreign Affairs
To: All nations

The entire interstellar community is aware about the recent Shepistani assault on our embassy. While it may have been our error to leave it vulnerable to possible Amplitur manipulation, if that is what Shepistan claims, nevertheless the way they acted showed a complete lack of care over the consequences of such a rash move. We believe that Shepistan could have acted more carefully, but then again, caution in such a situation is something they must have difficulty understanding. And we take issue with their claim that we fired first. If a powerful telepath, let alone an Amplitur, as Shepistan claims, contrived the whole incident, then it no longer matters who shot first, because then nobody could help what they were doing. I know this, since my training in the Center of Special Abilities had taught me so! I, being a telepath, understand the powers of deception and possesion that telepaths have, and those affected cannot be said to have wills of their own.

We have decided that war is too drastic an action to take, for the moment! Do not think the Embassy Incident was that caused the recent tensions: it only worsened it! The cause of our latest difficulties with Shepistan was the fact that we were chosen to host the 1100th ESPer Tournament. Before relations were severed, their ambassador insisted in that the Tournament must be moved "far away from Shepistan", or he threatened that there will be consequences of a most severe nature. I myself told the ambassador that Shepistan had no say in the matter, that the Centrality was only too glad to host the Tournament and that if they did anything, they will gain nothing but disaster. Therefore, if Shepistan actually decides to make good its threats, not only we will be ready for them, but we will then torment them far worse than the Amplitur did. The Centrality thus insists to the responsible interstellar community that Shepistan be quarantined and contained to prevent its radioactive aggression. But before that, we want the following things from the Shepistanis:

1) They will present us with cold, hard proof that an Amplitur, as they claim, was responsible for the whole crisis.
2) They will rebuild our destroyed embassy, with their own resources, and be responsible for the security of the embassy. For their sake, we will not assign any ESP-capable diplomats and staff to the rebuilt embassy.
3) They will make a promise, both by word of mouth and written, that they will never again pull off such a destructive act, not only to our embassy, but also to all others in Shepistan.
4) They will also promise, verbal and written, to let the ESP Tournament proceed without a hitch and drop whatever destructive plans they have against it.

If they fail to respond positively to our demands, not only will our relations be permanently severed, but perhaps we would be forced to resort to more drastic measures. No one wants an armed conflict, but we are, frankly, disgusted with Shepistan's behavior. If they decide to ignore all of the above, the responsibility will not lie with us.

Will there be still peace in the next few weeks? We hope there is.

[Simon_Jester]

FROM: Dr. Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
TO: State Department of the Shepistani Republic

The Technocracy of Umeria is very displeased to learn of the sudden attack by Shepistani troops on the Centralist embassy to Montgomery. Recent days have borne witness to a major violation of international protocol on the Republic's part. The storming of the embassy, carried out without any attempt to consult with the Centralist government, casts into doubt whether it is practical and prudent for any nation to have relations other than war with the Republic. Such doubt cannot be in the interests of the Republic, and indeed would seem to play into the hands of enemies of the Republic (such as the alleged revanchist Amplitur).

That said, while we are disappointed by the embassy attack, we are not particularly surprised.

However, on consultation with the Ministry of Security, we are surprised by the lack of imagination and resourcefulness shown by Shepistani security forces in dealing with the alleged mind control attack on the embassy. Stipulating that a brute force solution was called for, the solution arrived at contained far more 'brute' and far less intelligent application of 'force' than we have come to expect from our friendly neighbors to spinward.

The Technocracy of Umeria hopes that in the future, Shepistan will hold itself to higher standards of both tactical acumen and compliance with international protocol, though we hold out less hope for this latter.

[Simon_Jester]

From: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
To: General Sheppard, Leader of the Shepistani Republic.

In light of your recent speech declaring war, the Technocracy of Umeria would like to enquire as to who your nation has declared war on. Should the list of targets include us, we would like to know.

Should you decline to answer this message, the Ministry of Security will be forced to proceed on the assumption that Umeria is in imminent danger of attack by Shepistani forces, and will make the appropriate moves to guarantee its safety in light of that assumption.