A Summary of Galactic Affairs (FT, open)

[MidwesternAmerica]

You could talk about the injustice done upon the neutral Terran Commonwealth by the Hermes Alliance in the The Treaty of Aelil force it to disband its military and become a protectorate of the Jannarii Empire. All for the actions of a rogue military officers in Sol System.

[Auman]

OOC: And the Taliban knocked down the Twin Towers? No, but seriously, it's essentially an open thread, I think, so I don't think HT will stop you from posting your own updates, news reports, public opinion, etc. I see this thread like a snap shot of the galaxy and hopefully we can look back on this in a year and say "We were terrible."

[Bryn Shander]

OOC: Not to mention that Hermes had nothing to do with it. It was an entirely Jannarii operation.

[Feazanthia]

OOC-The Jannarii being, at least in the public eye, one of two primary forces driving the Hermes Alliance policy.

[Bryn Shander]

OOC-The Jannarii being, at least in the public eye, one of two primary forces driving the Hermes Alliance policy.

OOC: That still doesn't make it a Hermetic operation any more than the US invading Iraq was a NATO operation.

[Feazanthia]

OOC- True enough. Just saying, it's easy to make the mistake.

[Bavin]

"... We will not compromise with IRON. We will accept nothing less then what we deserve, full, unquestioned sovereignty. While IRON's tariffs may be small, its a symbol, a symbol of the fascist oppression harbored by IRON. They are not our "brothers". Hermes, and other harbingers of freedom are our true brothers. And we will stand with them, until democracy is restored to the north!"

-Bavinese Chancellorship candidate Re'a Finley, in a speech at the Bavinese Conservative Primaries

"... While I understand that IRON policies are unpopular, the truth is that IRON constitutes a large power, whether we like them or not, it is in our best interests to maintain the best possible relations with them. Its time to bury the hatchet. We need to protect the most important part of Bavin, our freedom. Some, if not many, beings are not free. We have the privileged of being free. How free do you think we would be under IRON domination? "

-Incumbent Chancellor Er'c Foller, in a speech at the Bavinese Liberal Primaries

[Feazanthia]

"Has that entire galaxy gone mad? When did protectionist tariffs become a detriment to the economies they were designed to protect? For the love of Sajuuk, someone remind me again why we launched this expedition into the looney bin."
-Qaraan S'jet-sa, to the Daiamid

---

"Here we go. Fact! The Slipgate project is continuing on-schedule, yet has received almost no international response outside of the Republic despite analyst statements of it increasing the profitability of both internal Northern trade and Northern import slash export trade ventures, even with the IRON tariff. Mikael Somtaaw, go!"

"I think it's obvious, Laree. Seeing the Republic as some "evil empire" is fashionable these days. I mean, look. The Expeditionary Force's most immediate security concern is the Galactic Commonwealth, the very people who stand to benefit the most from the IRON economic policy yet have to invest zero capital in order to set up the infrastructure to enforce it. The term 'sovereignty' is being thrown about a lot when criticising our polices, as is the word 'fascist'. I think these people just don't know their own respective dictionaries."

"Fair enough. Jorge Nabaal, go!"

"While I agree the Northern powers are acting irrationally, I think we should take a long hard look at what's going on in the south for the reason. It's simple, gentlemen. The Hermes lack the ability to back up their imperialistic rhetoric, and are attempting to turn the Northern powers against each other through disinformation. The more we fight each other, the weaker we get. The weaker we get, the bigger a chance of success their mission to massacre us gets. Don't blame the Commonwealth, Laree, blame the ones trying to use them as meat shields."
-Excerpt, "Laree Qing Live". Special Guests: Mikael Somtaaw, Political Advisor to Teigor Somtaaw-sa; Jorge Nabaal, Author: "The Milky Way Clusterfuck"

[MidwesternAmerica]

"This is stupid. Why the hell should the Terran Commonwealth be blamed for the actions of an insane military officer in a star system on the other side of the galaxy from us? I say we ask IRON for help in avenging this travesty known as Treaty of Aelil and restoring our sovereignty and not have to pay the Jannarii Empire tribute to make there Emperor richer."-Said by Ex-Major Jack O'Neil of the Commonwealth Marine Corp.

"To hell with Jannarii Empire and its Hermes Alliance lap dogs"-said by one very angry man

"This is the worst depression in the History of the Commonwealth and its all because of Jannarii Empire and the Hermes Alliance and there corporations that have bought out Commonwealth Companies and then move all there factories off world and leave us jobless and pennyless. There really asking for trouble."-said by ex-factory worker John Smith

[Hyperspatial Travel]

So, the Janarii have imposed a treaty upon the rather maltreated state of the Terran Commonwealth. This is a major matter of concern in and of itself, as IRON has pledged to help maintain the sovereignty of all Northern states.

Furthermore, the terms of this treaty are clearly ludicrous. The Terran Commonwealth is to repay one hundred and twenty trillion standard dollars, when its total product only amasses approximately one-thirtieth of that. Seeing as even a demilitarized state can hardly spend more than 10% of its GDP on reparations, the very minimum period for repayments (and thus for the Terran Commonwealth to regain its sovereignty) seems to be over three centuries. This is not a matter of the Janarii Empire attempting to regain some manner of reasonable payments from a state that has wronged it. This is blatant imperialism against a state in retribution for the actions of one of its rogue military officers. A reasonable analogue would be the Coredian Republic declaring war against the Janarii Empire for recent actions involving one its rogue captains.

This newspaper has attempted a strong objective analysis, but this challenges even our more anti-IRON writers. Despite many IRON moves of questionable caliber, it has not invaded a sovereign state and forced it into economic depression on such flimsy grounds as this.

This is then an open question to our Galactic Commonwealth readers - IRON, despite some aggressive moves in the Commonwealth's direction, has at no point imposed such terms on you by force, despite ample means to do so. We ask you then what good is your affiliation with the Hermes Alliance, who's most prominent member shows a simple disregard for sanity and negotiation when they are not made necessary by the arms of others?

Is it not only the arms of IRON as a whole that keep such treaties from being imposed on every sovereign Northern nation? If we had left the Keflekki to themselves, and Keflek had seen a military officer, - rogue of course - attack a Janarii ship, would the Keflekki not now be living under Janarii domination? Does this disregard for the freedoms of others not show in some way the necessity of organizations like IRON?

Rhetoric aside, let us look at the facts. IRON has invaded no sovereign nations. No 'protectorates' lie under IRON control, of any IRON nation. Despite military dominance in terms of fleet power, manpower and matériel, IRON has not invaded a Commonwealth in a war that it would have had no real chance of losing.

The difference between a civilized power and a barbaric one is that a civilized power resorts to diplomacy even when it could easily dominate via force. IRON has shown itself in recent events to be a civilized power. The Janarii Empire - and by extension the Hermes Alliance they lead, has not. Citizens of the North, I ask you. What is preferable? A small tariff that pays for anti-pirate and anti-smuggler measures, or your complete demilitarization, your cessation of sovereignty which is then followed by devastating and impossible reparations that suck your very nation dry?

That is the choice you face. The choice we all face.

Contributing Writer, James Markham

[Derscon]

Letters to the Editor

Anyone paying attention to the news knows of the recent Janarii situation with the Terran Commonwealth of Midwestern America. Indeed, it is not just our noble Dersconi paying attention either. For those of you who actually bother to read the foreign crap that others like to call "news," you might have come across a Technocratic writer by the name of James Markham. HE makes some bold claims. Granted, let's face it: the Janarii terms are tough, but deservedly so. I sit here in my dache here in southern Derscon on the planet Earth, chatting with my wife of Reichskamphen birth, I realize that had the Janarii - or any of the other noble powers present, especially the Tocrowkians who were hosting the conference in which the Commonwealth attempted to destroy - not acted, all of this would be gone.

For fuck's sake, The Terran Commonwealth tried to blow up Sol. BLOW. UP. SOL. Someone needs to explain to James Markham that attempting to blow up Sol unprovoked is not the same as capturing a backwater planet from a civilization that kills billions of its own citizens, and isn't even close to a rogue captain attacking an enemy ship without orders. Had Derscon been the nation to respond, as we know, this would be a non-issue, as the Commonwealth would no longer exist. And yet, the Janarii did not use violence - did not take a single life - in dealing with this situation. The only thing Markham demonstrates is his complete disregard for billions - nay, trillions - of lives lost, just because they're not in the part of the galaxy he likes.

Markhil Ramseov
Saarbagrad, Terran Derscon

[Derscon]

OOC: Yeah, IRON nor its newscasters can't realistically know about a deal being signed pre-gates being built, but there's always some sort of buzz.

Also, Bavin, I wasn't aware you were a filthy psyker nation. The Technocracy is going to be pushing rather hard for invasion now on that point alone, though we're going to phrase it in terms of 'threats to IRON security' rather than 'filthy magelings burn them all from the world and crush their children under the iron boots of our glorious warriors!'.

^_^

And sorry, Kew. You shall be added at the earliest possible convenience. Maybe now.

OOC: orite, I forgot you're a real technocracy. Jeez, HT, you must absolutely HATE Derscon. XD lol ESUS alliances

[Bryn Shander]

"We understand that many in the Terran Commonwealth are unhappy with their new status as a Jannarii protectorate. We would be disgruntled too if Jannath were conquered by somebody half a galaxy away and our military were disbanded and our factories closed. However, I can only really say one thing."

"Tough shit."

"Quite frankly, after trying to blow up the most populous star system in the galaxy, a star system shared more or less peacefuly by countless nations, many of whom are allied to other galactic powers with no shortfall of power projection ability, the people of the Commonwealth should be very goddamned thankful to be alive. If anyone else had sent ships to deal with the Commonwealth, their mining corporations would be having a field day with the debris that used to be populated planets. The people of the Commonwealth should be thanking whatever gods they worship that the Jannarii showed up first, because the Jannarii make it a point to use diplomacy before violence, even with people that just tried to murder untold trillions of people. No, not one shot was fired in Commonwealth space. Not one life was lost. The Governor-General wasn't even assaulted during the negotiations. What the Jannarii government did was take the people of the Commonwealth away from the brink of utter annihilation and shield them with the protection of one of the most powerful militaries in the galaxy, preserving their lives for generations to come."

"Yes, the Commonwealth's economy has taken a hit. It's understandable given that the Commonwealth's economy was circling the drain before the Jannarii arrived. The Jannarii and other Hermetic corporations coming to the Commonwealth has resulted in a flood of capital into the Commonwealth economy, and though the average Joe on the street may not be seeing the effects of this revitilization just yet, the Hermetic corporations will be creating far more jobs than have been lost by several orders of magnitude. The existing factories have been closed and demolished to make room for new, much more modern and efficient factories that will produce Hermetic goods and hardware. Completely new factories are being built on previously undeveloped lots and will be building new tanks, fighters, transports, and weapons that will be shipped across the Milky Way as well as providing a much stronger defense for the Commonwealth systems. The economy may not be showing it just yet, but it will recover and will be far larger than ever before. All that it will take is time."

"Therefore, it is my opinion that the complaints of the people of the Commonwealth and the uninformed fools that manage to run media outlets in the nations of IRON are completely baseless. I dare you to react more benevolently than the Jannarii did when one of your heavily populated star systems is nearly destroyed with no provocation. I dare you."

-Bill L. Aranda, Chief Editor for the Bryn Shander Crier.

[Auman]

...And now that the Commonwealth no longer has to make obscene, annual, budget considerations for a bloated and, in my opinion, unethical military force, they will be able to contribute otherwise lost funds into sectors such as education, the economy or social welfare. The long term benefits that the people of the Commonwealth will see from their new relationship with the Jannarii, and the galaxy as a whole, is unprecedented in human history. King Valos masterfully orchestrated the defense of trillions of people without firing a shot, in exchange these people that sought to massacre innocent women and children have just received access to the markets of fifty-four star systems. They no longer have to pay for the defense of their own territories and in exchange, they have to pay an insignificant tax on goods produced in their nation for only three hundred years. While some in IRON find this act to be abhorrent, those in the Commonwealth have actually been cut a far better deal than any norther power. As we all know, three dollars on every one-hundred-thousand for all eternity will far surpass the measily amount the Commonwealth owes to the people of Sol in less than two years. Meanwhile, nations in the north, namely the Galactic Commonwealth of Planets, face daily intimidation and the threat of utter annihilation. The counter arguments here are completely absurd and utterly sad.'

~Huascar Ignacio Firenza, A.C.E. editorial opinion, September 1, 2885.

[MidwesternAmerica]

"These fools don't get it do they? The Terran Commonwealth had no reason to blackhole bomb Sol.ITS ON THE OTHER GOD-DAMN SIDE OF THE GALAXY. They say this will be good for the Commonwealth but instead our loss of jobs has been enormous, hell the New Government does little for its people other then kiss the Hermes Alliances ass. The one thing I want those dumbasses in Hermes to do is check your data banks from that battle and see if there where any comms with the Terran Commonwealth because we had nothing to do with it."-said by Former Grand Admiral Gerry Holmes

[The Machine Imperium]

Legion delved into all the databases he could find, sifting through teraquads of information on the galaxy he was now in. Split away from Unimatrix Prime in what is locally known as the Andromeda Galaxy, he needed to gather as much data as he could on the 'Milky Way' galaxy. He was alone and small, but protected and hidden in the area of space known as the Dark Veil. All he could do was gather resources and build up his own Unimatrix. He was fascinated with the conflicts in the 'northern hemisphere' of the galaxy. IRON seemed like a force not to be trifled with, but Hermes seemed even more formidable. He would wait and see galactic events unfold. For now, though, he would Harvest closer planets and stay hidden in the Veil.

[Bavin]

(OoC: The elections in Bavin are underway. It is likely that these will change the opinion of Bavin towards a more extreme position on IRON, or a stand down, depending on who wins. The thread is here, and for the lazy ones, I will post critical updates here.)

[Antemyst]

"Wow, this is handy," Crystalline said to herself as she perused the Galactic News. "Now I can stop posting spies all over the galaxy just to get my news.

"...Nah, I like my spies too much."

Crystalline Fosterman was the Leader of a tiny atoll-nation called Antemyst. The nation was often underestimated by others due to its size and its location in a vast ocean on Earth. However, these estimations left out the two considerably-sized planets Antemyst had colonized and the massive Discovery fleet that ventured through space and gathered volumes of information about other systems.

The Antemystics were determined to become an intergalactic power. Not that they were a hostile people- far from it. Their reasons were simple: Squeezing a hundred million people on to a small atoll tends to make a nation aspire for more. More money, more land, more power. Thus, this minuscule nation waited patiently for their moment to arrive.

(OOC: Hi there. We're not up to anything....)

[MidwesternAmerica]

"They say that the Commonwealth economy was headed down anyway and this depression is just a side effect of "progress" by the Hermes Alliance. Ill tell you this Matt that is total bullshit. What Hermes did was come in pull some gunboat diplomacy because it just so happens that the Terran Commonwealth sits on one of the largest hyperspace intersections in the known galaxy with routes that makes this one of most important systems strategically speaking for both sides in this cold war of theirs. They used the Sol incident which they have no credibly evidence against the Terran Commonwealth and its government, but there governments could give less of a damn about what our legal government says. Instead they come in here force an illegal treaty on the Terran Commonwealth and destroy all our Commonwealth Corporations though force by there Gestapo, which might I add has rounded up people for protesting the Treaty and imprisoned the legal government for a Hermes friendly government to be put in its place. When these new "factories" are built they will be no more then slave labor camps for the Hermes Alliance Corporations to make cheap goods and make large profits for themselves.

Matt, don't get me started on what those idiots like Huascar Ignacio Firenza and Bill L. Aranda. Saying we should be thankful of our new overlords for sparing us from annihilation? That's damn laughable, any ex-soldier I talk to now.......scratch that any average Commonwealth citizen would have rather gone out in glory then, live on the scraps of our overlords. Hell these two son of a bitches say that Commonwealth citizens don't know whats best for them. They lost the right to vote for there government, free speech is now a joke, and over 75% of citizens our now unemployed and very,very angry. I can tell you that the Muslim jhadists of old earth will make them look like a goddamn teddy bear by comparison. I dare Huascar Ignacio Firenza and Bill L. Aranda to come to New Minnesota and accurately talk to these people they fear that they will not be able to provide for there families, they fear the Jannarii Empire's Gestapo will take them to one of the camps. These people are some of the most slow to anger people and would not bring harm to anyone unless absolutely necessary. Why would they want to kill billions of there fellow man or destroy there ancestral home land on Earth? Please Mr. Huascar Ignacio Firenza tell me why? But you wont because as far as you care the man that lives in the Commonwealth is but a misguided sub-human who can only just kill people indiscriminately. We were a neutral nation that though the acts of the Jannarii Empire were turned into a nation that is in the same state as Germany right before the rise of the Nazis. The Jannarii Empire and the Hermes Alliance will pay for this act in blood and they will have fueled the flames of hate and vengeance in the soul of the Commonwealth.

Because Matt I can promise you one thing and one thing only that what is about to happen will be one of the most terrible events in galactic history for there will be no Jannarii Empire and Hermes Alliance non-combatants to groups like Werewolf and the Freedom Front. Unless the Jannarii Empire either makes the Treaty more favorable or restores full sovereignty to the Commonwealth. What is coming is avoidable and leaders on both sides should know that."-said in a Live Interview by Matt Jackson on Commonwealth News Network with economist Jack Ryan, just hours ago.

[The Nexus Hegemony]

Nero set his news holopad aside. He was finished reading up on galactic polotics for a while. Most of these alliances are human based, he thought, one day, there's gonna be one big war between those humans and they'll receed right back to Sol, right back to Earth.

[Rethan]

Throne Room - Imperial Palace - Rethan
"Such complexities in the galaxy at large, wouldn't you agree?"

Nihil closed down his vidscreen and looked up at his friend and second in command. Vaylen stood - as he always did - perfectly still, his raspy breath echoing around the throne room.

"Indeed. It is fortunate that we are not part of it."

Nihil nodded. The Rethast were - thus far - quite unknown to the galaxy, a fact Nihil wished to keep true. But it was nigh inevitable that in time they would be discovered. Especially by this...IRON.

"These humans are weak. Their infighting will be their downfall. Not everyone can be as strong willed and cohesive as our...acquaintances. Nonetheless, we should watch this cold war as closely as possible. It would not do to be caught off guard..."

[Bavin]

DATA CULL FROM THE BNN

This just in: Chancellor Foller has been impeached for his invovlement in the Integrated Tech scandal. With a 35-65 vote, he has been removed from office, with Vice Chancellor Von Eich taking over the top spot once again. As you all know, Election Day is just around the corner, and this is sure to have a major effect on the Bavinese Elections.

"Well, I think it is safe to say that Finley has this one in the bag. All of her other major opponents are sufficiently scattered to prevent a follow-up movement from organizing against her. While she won't win in a landslide, her victory is likely at this point," V'n Skair, on "The Situation Room"

Finley now has a 26 percent lead over her nearest opponent, Hari Sla'ier. While it is unknown how the former Foller supporters will swing in the coming days, it is unlikely that any of the third party candidates will grab enough votes to catch Finley.

[Orinon]

OOC: Seeing as I am in the northern reaches of the galaxy, as claimed by IRON, do I have to worry? Cause I don't do massive military pacts. Between 2 or three parties is fine (I am planning one myself, as soon as a on going RP is finished), but a huge pact with huge fleets: Scary.

[The Cosmic Balance]

OOC: Orinon, I'm neutral party. IOW, I have a large amount of skepticism w/re to the motives of both Hermes and IRON. I don't know if that means you can trust me; you'll have to decide on that. My culture's interest in the Milky Way is mostly a matter of wanting to conduct business here.

IRON has stated that nations originating in the North (meaning Gamma and Delta Quadrants on the standard map have nothing to fear from them, and are not subject to the minuscule tariff they have imposed on trade within the region (0.03% of the profits derived from cross-border trade). This doesn't mean they aren't subject to the tariff, however: Imports from outside the region are still subject to taxation. To date - and here I will toot my own horn - TCB is the only non-IRON mercantile power that has agreed to pay the tax without complaint, and has formally registered all of its ships currently within the Milky Way for that purpose (we're not sure if IRON can handle the complete advance registration of all TCB vessels at this time; we'd probably break their database with the sheer number of ships to be registered). It is considered the responsibility of the merchant to pay the tariff, so from the standpoint of the Northern consumer, the entire transaction should be transparent. Our AI modules estimate that the likely economic impact these measures are likely to cause within the Northern region will amount to a one-time exogenous price "shock" of less than 0.0005% - IOW, too small for the sophont-on-the-street to notice.

Still, some Northern powers object to the idea of IRON imposing a tariff on their imports without their consent, and are willing to risk interstellar war to save their consumers a few mills a year. Whether you are one of those whose belief in your independence and sovereignty is so strong that you will spend countless trillions to save your society a little pocket change is entirely up to you. Some see the precedent here as a danger and are willing to burn planets to the core to prevent the "tyranny" from spreading.

So, basically, it's your call.

---

EDIT: There is some basis for concern over IRON's declaration that "Southern" and extragalactic powers' holdings in the "North" will not be tolerated and will eventually be "subject to removal". That statement is a clear red flag that should give people cause for concern. Again, how you respond to it is your business.

[The Fedral Union]

“White house press secretary Jim Barns today made the following statement about Hermes, Iron and the “GA” meeting.”

Reported a blonde haired avatar flickering on the holo monitor, her smile was soft and she gave off a radiant warm glow as a human would.

The screen switched to a balding thin well built man standing on the podium with the white house symbol on the blue curtain behind him.


“Well obviously President Sagen’s view of the entire situation is not limited to one scope, but he feels both alliances are fighting over something insignificant, as if their lives depended on it. He expects more from “reasonable” galactic powers this day and age.

The white house’s stance on both alliances has not changed. As for the GA meeting, they can set all the rules they want, hey we weren’t invited so we won’t abided by anything they pass we most likely have our own rules regarding most things they might explore in any case. Hermes delegates have acted outrageously in previous GA meetings from what we’ve heard; undiplomatic behavior should not be rewarded. Obviously this calls in to question the diplomatic faculties of hermes as a whole.

The President and I believe the country shares this sentiment thinks this latest GA meeting it’s an attempt by “Bryn Shander” to legitimize and repair the damages it’s done to its diplomatic reputation and will again merely degrade in to a mouthpiece for the shanderians exaggerated misnomer about international relations.

So far interactions with most of the self proclaimed masters of the north have been a mixed enterprise. On one end our ESUS membership keeps us from paying the tariff that IRON so graciously imposed on the north without permission. However we are also distasteful of the mafia like tactics IRON seems to be imposing for services sovereign and neutral nations did not ask for. Any other questions?”

A lithe older man with holo spectacles stood up he called out with a soft voice.

“Yes Press secretary barns, I’d like ask what the goals of operation guardian reach are For those who didn’t get the president’s speech about it last night?“

Barns nodded a bit he responded promptly.

“Ah yes, Operation Guardian reach was set up as a multilateral cooperative military and scouting operation in the abandoned rupil system. Its main goals as the president said last night, is to set up a forward secure fortified base in the region in case of attacks on our colonies in the north or our allies assets within that region. It is also to set up a trade hub between the north and south for all neutral powers coming through. And secondary goals include a possible negotiation spot and exploration hub. That’s all the questions we have for now thank you very much”


The man disappeared in a flash of light teleporting instantly away from the podium. The Avatar that introduced the speech came back on.

“There you have it, in other news… The Union City Times editorial section came out with a massive attack upon the GA, Editor Shawn Michel was quoted in saying.

"The GA are like a parliament of owls always hooting nonsense and half truths waiting for the right moment to strike on their unsuspecting prey's."...

(OOC: This is my nation’s response to this whole mess, as I do not ignore any of Hermes or IRON obviously if I mentioned them in the post.)