[STGOD] Primary Story Thread

[HemlockGrey]

Kokand sees no threat as of yet from the Roman Empire. We wish no conflict with you.

We are thankful; normal forces have stood down. However, Praetorian divisions in Italia and Graecia are still on high alert; be assured that this is simply normal procedure.

Rome agrees with the Asgard Empire; the votes of the Floater allies must be suspended for this issue as well.

Therefor;

Do any other nations wish to vote on limited Floater payment to the Asgard?

[Spyder]

But in three or four centuries we will have grown outwards, and into a larger area of spac, thus making destruction of minor space today in-signifigant.

Also, we might note, due to the Hyper-Driver piracy agaisnt ships flying the Monacoran flag has gone down to 20% of what it once was, and piracy convoys with ships of Monacora in it has gone down 25%, to 75% what it once was.

You are perhaps quite correct, still better safe then sorry. After all, planetoids are worth more to everyone as long as all the mineral veins are intact.

[Spyder]

If there was no payment promised to the Floaters, we feel that the Asgard need not pay.


Current ITA Issues:
Limited Payment by Floater Republics to Asgard
Floater Republics and NBA votes/vetoes suspended

Yea:
The Roman Empire
The Mensia-Dorien Hegemony

Does anyone else vote Yea?

The Minmatar casts Nay and issues its Veto.

[HemlockGrey]

Yea:
Roman Empire
Mensia-Dorien Hegemony

Nay:
Minmatatar

OOC: How many vetoes would we need? 2/3rs, right?

[Spyder]

The Minmatar strongly advise against the suspension of voting rights for ANY ITA member regardless of political standing. If the proposed bill goes ahead it would only leave two veto carrying members, ourselves and the United Pirate Kingdoms. 1 Veto would be enough to prevent non-Vetoes from becoming a majority, in other words the Minmatar and the UPK would have the power to terminate any proposed ITA bills with impunity. If you, our valued trading partners, feel that we will not abuse this authority that you place in us then please feel free to vote yea to the proposal.

[Alyrium Denryle]

ATTN: Durandel's Empire
From: Admiral John connor acting commander in cheif, KSN
RE: Frigate is prepared to pick up traitor


You have recently detained one of former admiral O'neil's supporters we intend to send a frigate to pick her up and I just wanted to clear it with you first If you'ed rather send her here on one of your ships that's understandable.

You are clear to proceed.

[Beowulf]

Long range missiles. Ballistic, cruise, whatever- Simple targets at these short ranges, with their origin points readily trackable by orbiting Floater warships and troops on the ground.

And locating a cheep empty launcher will get you what? Nothing in fact, we don't bother with reloads. Tracking and enageing the missiles themselves if far more diffacult then you fools would like to think.

And far more difficult if the floater ships are taken out first. Don't think that that would not happen if you attempted to move rashly against the allies of the OU.

These are not rational people. These are not moral people. Those in charge of the Kokand Empire show, once again, that their racism and xenophobia guide their every action.

Of course you present no proof nor a single example to support your insanity. Indeed there has never been such a complaint filed against Kokand.

All Floater Assets within the Kokand Empire are now frozen. Kokand urges its NAB allies to cease trade with this dangerous nation, which seems hell bent on the destruction of international law.

HR 2029 is currently being voted upon, which would result in a total trade embargo against the Floater Republics.

And the fact they also provided data to the ships that could be used offensively and is indeed the usual use of such drones enters into it not at all?

Absolutly. To act as sources of targetting data, they would have needed to hit you with active sensors- something they never did, these were stealthed drones, after all. They were simply watching for signs of militant action by our allies who had just acted so strangely, and the Kokand, who had just opened fire on one of our allied vessels, for what we, knowing what we did at the time, construed as no reason.

Active sensors are completely unnecessary for targetting data. The OU is quite capable of operating completely on passives.

Yet they did not respond to Kokand authorities or the pleading of our captain to stand down. .

Understandable, as a Kokand warship had just locked on to them. To quote the "Black Alice's" tactical officer,

"Enemy active sensors are hitting our vessels, skipper- It looks like targetting devices."

Perhaps the Asgard empire could explain to us why they, knowing full well that Floater combat doctrine calls for the launching of lancers to provide point defense as a standard part of defensive readiness, did not inform their Kokand allies of the fact?

Launching any sort of combat craft is cause for concern. The launching of the Lancers could only have made the situation worse.

They never sought to contact Kokand or Asgard as to what went on.

These following transmissions were Freecast through the entire system by Floater vessels, as all records will show:
By the captain of the "Black Alice"

"We will not leave our people stranded, in any circumstance, and by the Mother Void, I'm not leaving this system until you of the NBA broadcast your intentions. The technological riches at that expo would be a fine prize, for any power looking to gain an advantage- once again, waht are your intentions?"

"I repeat- this vessel isn't going anywhere until I know exactly what your intentions are. Explain your actions. Explain this disturbance over this peaceful trade-meeting. Explain your firing on one of our ally's warships. Until I have answers, I will stay in system, to protect my people on-planet!"

As you can see, we attempted to get an explanation of your actions. Kokand vessels responded simply by ordering our vessel to leave our people stranded on planet.

Surprising. We have no record of these transmissions.

They threatened our vessels for the sake of a rogue that had just used WMDs (which the Floater claim to abhor) against an inhabitated planet.

We never threatened your vessels. We demanded to know the situation, and recieve an explanation for your firing on a ship which, due to misinformation handed to us by the Krytosian dissident, appeared to us to be simply taking part in the IDCEX. They fired against an uninhabited section of the planet, and the "Black Alice's" captain, being unfamiliar with planetary environments, didn't think of the atmospheric side effects of such a strike. After all, she had never been in an atmosphere, and wasn't thinking along those lines.

Launching combat craft is an implictly hostile action.

Their well being was never threatened. Your captain's action posed a greater threat to their well being than anything the Kokand ever proposed. And again, the Floater captain merely threatened other rather than seeking to inquire about planet-side Floaters.

When ORDERED by Kokand vessels to leave our people stranded, of course the Black Alice's captain acted protectively. The Kokand threatened their well being when they locked their weapons onto the "Black Alice."

Launching combat craft is an implictly hostile action. For all the Kokand could have known, the Black Alice was in league with the Krytos dissident.

Yet they threatened them with an offensive posture despite calls to stand down. The did the equivalent of hold a loaded gun to our heads and only stood down after provoking the NBA vessels with what could have been an invasion force. They forced us to fire and only stood down after action had begun.

False. EVERYONE PRESENT, and EVERY LOG OF THE ACTION will show that the Floater vessels stood down almost thirty seconds before the Kokand vessels opened fire.

Odd... Our sensor recordings show them dropping their combat posture only shortly before they were obliterated.

Explain how a single Strike Cruiser, who was only targetting the vessel targetting it, is a loaded gun to the head of the NBA? Explain how a group of Floater vessels which had just freecast their intentions to stand down and allow third party negotiations are a loaded gun!

with what could have been an invasion force

Ah, yes- Because the Free Floater Republics are so very interested in invading planets. Your ally's prejudicial insanity seems to be seeping into your mind as well.

They have quite well founded paranoia, as shown by the actions of the Floater Republics.

The Kokand did not murder non-threatening vessels. They did open fire on Floater vessels threatening them and apparently acting in concert with an attacking force.

Ah, yes- the horrific threat of a warship with it's weapons powered down. An "attacking force" which has just done the same.

We're sorry that they apparently decided to become martyrs. Of course, the OU is wondering if there were actually any people on board those vessels, and was this all maybe a merely well orchestrated stunt.

We repeat that the Kokand are our allies and friends. They are not racist nor xenophobic.

They may very well be your allies and friends- as for their racism and xenophobia, look at this, propoganda they themselves broadcast!
Propoganda follows:

They ignored all of them and where destroyed. It was a fitting fate for these war mongering people who rejected normal society and now spend there time in deep space creating a new super race. You are fools to follow them.

(emphasis added)
Hmm, so, Floaters are not "Normal?" we are in deep space creating a new "super race?"

Blatant xenophobia!

Apparently that xenophobia is seen only by you. We see a culture that gengineers it's citizens into supermen, and sneers at the plant-loving people as "Heavies".

You have used lies and propoganda to manipulate public opinion and to default on obligations to other star nations

On the contrary- We have spoken only the verifiable truth. We ask that all powers interested in this dispute read the intel reports of the actual events, (pages 16, 17, 18, I believe in this thread (ooc))

We lost a great deal when our Asgard allies decided to side with the Kokand and help escalate violence. We lost as much as you did, if not more. In addition, at the start of this debacle, we initially offered our support to our then-allies in the Asgard Empire- support which was turned down, with no explanation. We have only acted in a manner which we believed was in the best interests of Floater citizens. When we saw that our actions were misguided, we attempted to remedy the situation, only to have our vessels destroyed and our crews murdered.


-edited to add emphasis-

Lies and propaganda.

[Cpt_Frank]

TPV News Report

Party and government officials today announced that the PIR has ceased trade with the Floaters and frozen all Floater assets.
Floater vessels, military or civilian, are denied passage of PIR territory.
All Floater merchant vessels have 10 hours to leave the PIR from now on.

[Companion Cube]

TO: CINCFLEET Admiral Hassan al-Majid
FROM: Teghon Be'rtt, President of the Republic of Thoa'-hal
SUBJECT: A Parting Gift

As of this moment, the Republic of Tho'a-hal has begun an exodus of it's people from this area of the galaxy. Although the alliance between us was only short, to show the Republic's appreciation of the Outworld Alliance's cooperation, the Republic grants your people first right to the planets we are leaving behind.

Good luck, and take care.

TO: Teghon Be'rtt, President of the Republic of Thoa'-hal
FROM: Ibrahim Amin, President of the Outworld Alliance
SUBJECT: Good luck, and Godspeed

The Outworld Alliance appreciates this gesture of goodwill. We would also like to wish you success on your journey beyond our sector of the galaxy.

[The Yosemite Bear]

Fenris: the recall order was beginning, as the Merchant Marine began a hasty cargo reloading process to become adhoc "Q-Ships", Fenris's stockpiles of 50mt, & 200mt warheads, were now virtually, depleted. Mining pods were rewired to work as decoys, for the first time in a generation a general war had begun.

ITA delegates watched from the Orbital Embassy, Connected to the surface by a flexible cable of very elastic, very durable, forcefield reinforced materials. The same forcefields powered the lift too and from the surface. Out here on the Fenari's "Homeworld" it was the culmination of the last of the stolen "Lost Tech" of their false gods, the lush domains, the industrial plants, the shipyards, and in the center, the "Temple of the Stars" (Where the Navigation Priestesshood, maintained the secret depository of star charts and intiated new members, one could only guess at how those Secretive Fenari women always knew exactly where they were, and where they were going.*)



*The Fenari navigators guild/pack is very secretive and paraniod, they have their own langage, symbols ect. They tend to act like a religious order in their seperation from normal society, and in their aura of awe & mystery (Or see "Minority Report" for a better explantation)

[The Yosemite Bear]

---High Temple of the Stars---

<The Military possess a live Goa'uld prisoner, we must make sure they do not devour it, we must obtain it for our selves.>

<If they know how much it means to us, they will surely devour it!>

<This can not be allowed to pass, we must take action, though we are out side normal Fenari society.>

<What of the new drug? Does it effect us?>

<Yes, under the influence some of our newer intiates had a vison of a distant system, one hidden behind a great devourer, there were nightmare things there.>

<We are they who eat the gods of old, the singers to the stars, and the stars sing back to us. We are the daughters of Sygl, mate of Grendel, Mother of our order.>

[Spyder]

TPV News Report

Party and government officials today announced that the PIR has ceased trade with the Floaters and frozen all Floater assets.
Floater vessels, military or civilian, are denied passage of PIR territory.
All Floater merchant vessels have 10 hours to leave the PIR from now on.

The Minmatar would like to reminds the PIR and all other ITA member nations that trade sanctions against fellow ITA members are fairly useless as goods sold can be passed on through any of the remaining member nations that have not yet declared an end to trade, and there's quite a lot of them. The only way to ensure that PIR goods don't wind up in Floater hands, or to ensure that Floater good don't end up on PIR markets under different origin stamps is to leave the ITA.

Now, suddenly ending ties with 15 trading partners (even if only briefly until new ties are established) is a sure fire way to send your economy into a nose dive. That's really the problem with these multilatteral economic pacts is that they've been fueling our economies so well ever since the ITA's creation that our economies have grown to depend on it.

Any action taken against members of your own economic alliance is ultimately self destructive.

ITA Members: There are three choices for approaching this matter.

1: You can leave the ITA and face total economic collapse.
2: You can motion for the member nations that you don't like to be expelled from the ITA, weakening the ITA as a whole and weakening all our economies on an individual basis.
3: Forget these vendettas, co-operate with your trading partners and make a lot of money. Money that pays for new ships, money that pays for the health and well being of your citizens, money that improves the quality of all sentient life throughout the sector.

To all ITA do not be pushed into a war against your true allies, for in the end we are all made weaker and quite frankly given the Kokand Empire's long standing opposition to the ITA the Minmatar are beginning to wonder if this is by design.

[Cpt_Frank]

I see the point of the Minmatar representative - however the Floaters were never a major trading partner of ours, and if they can still sell their goods through third parties, we don't care much about that since it was merely a symbolic act. It is not our intention to endanger the ITA.

[Spyder]

I see the point of the Minmatar representative - however the Floaters were never a major trading partner of ours, and if they can still sell their goods through third parties, we don't care much about that since it was merely a symbolic act. It is not our intention to endanger the ITA.

And a powerful symbol it was. While we do frown upon the closing of trade lanes, the ability of the PIR to add weight to their messages without the barell of a gun is a mark of a wise society and is a reason why the PIR are welcome members of the ITA.

Now, as for the Asgard and the Floaters. What would it take for these lanes to be reopened? The Minmatar are willing to provide a form of mediation for all parties involved who wish to reconcile their differences.

We are all united by our desire to maintain the free flow of commerce throughout the sector, it is not just merely the exchange of goods and services that our bonds generate, but also freedom, freedom to grow, freedom to expand our capabilities beyond what anyone ever dreamed possible, freedom to exchange new ideas and information, freedom to exchange goodwill, ideals, cultures, freedom to move beyond the otherwise insurmountable barriers that plague the other nations. Fellow ITA members, there are those that are waiting to see us fail.

Let us show the galaxy that our ideals transcend the conflict that our true enemies would see us inflict upon ourselves.

[Cpt_Frank]

And a powerful symbol it was. While we do frown upon the closing of trade lanes, the ability of the PIR to add weight to their messages without the barell of a gun is a mark of a wise society and is a reason why the PIR are welcome members of the ITA.

Indeed we feel honored. (that is unless the remark was sarcastic)

Now, as for the Asgard and the Floaters. What would it take for these lanes to be reopened? The Minmatar are willing to provide a form of mediation for all parties involved who wish to reconcile their differences.

While we can't speak for the Asgard or our other NBA allies, the main problem the PIR has with the Floaters was that they did not respect the sovereignity of a sovereign nation, in that case the Kokand Empire.

It is perfectly understandable they were concerned about the safety of their people, however preparing their ships for battle and refusing to leave the system, even preparing to call in reinforcements was foolish at best and a deliberate act of agression at worst.
Worse yet, they refuse to admit that their actions were wrong.
That means for us that we can't deal directly with the Floaters since we'd have to fear agressive interventions that might threaten the security and sovereignity of the PIR and possibly even our allies.

When we can see clearly that the Floaters have changed their attitude towards the sovereignity of other nations nations we will be more than happy to resume trade without any restrictions.

[HemlockGrey]

Odd... Our sensor recordings show them dropping their combat posture only shortly before they were obliterated.

The readings picked up by the Bona Cena show that a relatively substantional amount of time passed between the Floater ships standing down and the Kokand Empire opening fire.

[Sea Skimmer]

The readings picked up by the Bona Cena show that a relatively substantional amount of time passed between the Floater ships standing down and the Kokand Empire opening fire.

Hardly, Kokand vessels opened fire seconds after the Floater fleet arrived. It was that act that proved the floaters where fully hostile and intent on war, so they where destroyed. Merely standing down a few systems add but a few seconds to reaction time. We demanded they shut down there main reactor, instead they brought in a fleet.

[HemlockGrey]

Hardly, Kokand vessels opened fire seconds after the Floater fleet arrived. It was that act that proved the floaters where fully hostile and intent on war, so they where destroyed. Merely standing down a few systems add but a few seconds to reaction time. We demanded they shut down there main reactor, instead they brought in a fleet.

The bringing of a fleet into your system was an unprecented, inexcusable act of aggression, it is true. However, we believe that had you not fired a peaceful settlement would have been reached.

[Darksider]

The KSN Guardian-Class frigate Liberty Reverted to realspace at the Rondevous point on the fringe of Durandel's Empire. "Captain i'm picking up a DE vessel moving twards us, it's the transport with the traitor on it." "Tell them their clear to dock"

[Darksider]

ATTN: All interested star nations
From: Admiral John Connor Acting commander in chief, KSN
RE: Excess Plasma Submachine guns

The Krytos Marine Corps have a surplus of plasma submachine guns at the moment. We are selling about 1.5 million of the extra rifles to any interested party. Specifications are as follows.


[Type-13 plasma subgun]
Rate of fire: 200 RPM
Ammo capacity: 200 Rnd clip, 300 Rnd Drum and 400Rnd box
Fires high energy plasma blasts as powerful as 3.2 kilograms of TNT

[Thirdfain]

Free Zarathrustran News Network

"In a follow-up debate, the Great Cluster moved once again to maintain a severance of ties with the Asgard Empire, whith almost 65 percent of those voting casting against the Kharam Republic's former allies. Freeman Administrator Arnold El-Riyahdj, head spokesperson of the new Unbound First movement, was quoted today as saying:
"My lover killed no one, stole nothing, and enslaved no one, and was murdered for it. Damn those bastards! Damn them and their ridiculous laws! Damn their rejection of the Peace of the Void!"

Opposition voices, inculding the Executive office of the Free Republic of Zarathrustra, were shouted down.
Freeman El-Riyahdj responded to calls from Zarathrustra and the Council by saying
"None of your borthers and sisters died at the Massacre! There was not a single Zarathrustran warship present. What happened to the code? What happened to Floater helping Floater?"

Demonstrations in Zarathrustra and Mohaim against military build-up continue. Xanadar and Kharamite trading cartels refuse to send trading vessels into Asgard space.

"We would just be turned back, those monsters don't want our goods- after all, we are just a bunch of unnatural "supermen."
Said a prominent official in the Shelob Cluster Trade Combine, near Kharam.

A trading convoy fom the Mohaimese United Commerce Cartel was turned back from PIR borders yesterday.

All Floater reports remain open to all, as is traditional, but a Great Cluster resolution means that all vessels from the NBA, and the OU, must be inspected before approaching our ports.
--------------------------------------------------------------



"Those fools. They wil destroy everything i've worked for. They need to understand that while we live in vacuum, we can not exist in a vacuum."

"But Executive- it is true, true that the Kokand fired first, against the "Black Alice". Those bastards did everyting they could to turn an incident into a war."

"Friend, friend- you don't understand these heavies, do you? The only ones you have met have been relatively urbane Earthers, from the PSR, or soldiers from Durandel's Empire. Not all Heavies are like that, my friend- most put far more trust into laws and rules than they do in actions, in lives."

"That's senseless! the whole purpose of laws and rules are to protect lives, and regulate actions!"

"I know, brother, I know. Unfortunatly, many of our cousins see things differently. Maybe it's because of the years of conflict back on the Mother World, but for some reason they see lines and borders as being very important. If we are to coexsist besides them, we must learn to understand that. That is why we can't censure the Asgard for their actions. That is why the Kokand Empire's actions, which seem so disgusting to us, seem perfectly reasonable to them. They see their lines and borders far more important then lives."

"Well, what can we do, Executive? The Great Cluster makes decisions, the public vote. The Cluster debates- we have democracy, and you and I are in the minority."

"The Council can override the Great Cluster, Alexander. We four of the council can take control, if we want. When they voted for the formation of the Council before the Emancipation War, they gave us the ability to end the Great Cluster, at least for a time."

"By the crushing depth, Jeffery! do you know what you are suggesting? Such a thing-"

"WE must, Alexander. And when we do, can we count on you? can we count on the Republican fleet? I know the Zarathrustran and Mohaimese navies will stand besides us. If the First Fleet is with us as well, then the other two republics will join with us."

"Godsdammit, brother, Jeffery- I will stand besides you, sir. I am bonded to you, by Word, and by friendship. Yes, the Joint Republican fleet will stand besides you, as we have been bonded to do."

"Excellent. Open a channel to the Minmatar, tell them we are willing to negotiate with the Asgard. And have my valet prepare my suit for me- I will be appearing before the Council and the Great Cluster in half an hour. To preserve peace... To preserve peace, I will do what is necessary."

[NecronLord]

"General Ecklar, are you there?" asked the captain, peering into the darkened room.
"I'm here" came the calm response.
"Sir, have you seen what's been going on lately?" he asked.

"I have" he replied, "Leave me." the captain clicked his heels in salute once and walked away, as the door silently slid shut. The intelligence officer cursed the remote location of the C'tan for keeping this information from him for so long.

The general turned in his seat, through long experience knowing the location of the button he wanted. The computer pinged once. "Hologram mode to fleet HQ, CSCN CENTCOM. Office of Admir'l Proth" he instructed it.

After a short delay the admiral appeared.
"James," she said "What brings you here at this time of the night?"
"Floaters, Asgard and other old friends." he said sarcastically.
"Oh," she said, waking up completely,
"You've got some clout in the trade department haven't you?"
"Enough to get things done, if that's what you mean." The general rubbed his eyes for a moment.
"How do you feel about getting some trade going with the floaters?" he asked "They seem to need it."

[Straha]

If there was no payment promised to the Floaters, we feel that the Asgard need not pay.


Current ITA Issues:
Limited Payment by Floater Republics to Asgard
Floater Republics and NBA votes/vetoes suspended

Yea:
The Roman Empire
The Mensia-Dorien Hegemony

Does anyone else vote Yea?

The Minmatar casts Nay and issues its Veto.

We issue our nay, and Veto, vote too. That puts this vote out of its misery.

[Thirdfain]

HemlockGrey wrote:
If there was no payment promised to the Floaters, we feel that the Asgard need not pay.


Current ITA Issues:
Limited Payment by Floater Republics to Asgard
Floater Republics and NBA votes/vetoes suspended

Yea:
The Roman Empire
The Mensia-Dorien Hegemony

Does anyone else vote Yea?

We offer our nay votes to both, and veto both.

[Straha]

The Monacoran military transports landed in Northern Africa, unloading their garrison regiments and sending them to the Kokkand/Nubian, Libyan, and Algerian borders. These were regiments that had the sole purpose to defend teritory, and these had been requested by these allies of Monacora. And with them they brought large shield generators, witht the sole purpose of stopping missles from passing through the teritory, under 5kms height.