on the concept itself and the options laid out, Hopefully it's an interesting enough one. (And yes, I did take #890 and #23 into consideration.)
I also hoped that in doing this, I could build up the lore of one of our existing nationstates. I think I came up with a good one, and made it into something not-so-good.
(made sure to suggest vat-grown citizens without flatout saying it)
Also, option 2 was originally one option, but it crossed my mind that unless you're an autarky, then you're probably already trading for Uranium.
It's very hard to word it though, and I insist this remain more flexible. Most nations have open borders, but this seems like an even bigger issue for nations with autarky.
Title: The Uranium is Always Greener
The Issue: The lack of a prominent uranium industry has left @@NAME@@ between a rock and a hard place. With a growing nuclear power sector and dwindling uranium supply, @@NAME@@ is faced with a looming energy crisis. The solution seems to be in Aldoustan, a merchant nation with a somewhat murky relationship with @@NAME@@. However, there are a few caveats...
Validity: Nuclear Power, Low Mining Industry
Validity: Non-Drugged Water Supply
Option 1a: "Have you seen how much they want to charge us?" cries logistician @@RANDOMNAME@@, crunching a calculator trying to crunch the numbers. "It's bad enough they use narcotics to control their motherless peasants, not to mention their widescale rainforest destruction. That's three strikes, we're out. We may also run out of power, but as long as we limit energy consumption and use of uranium, we should be able to last a while longer until we build some windmills or find a sustainable deposit. Hopefully."
[effect] mining for fuel is deemed too large a strain on the energy supply
Validity: Drugged Water Supply
Option 1b: "Have you seen how much they want to charge us?" cries logistician @@RANDOMNAME@@, crunching a calculator trying to crunch the numbers. "Nevermind the fact they have a smart and efficient government that knows how to properly control its populace. We'd be stupid if we let them control us! Abandon Aldoustan. We may also be abandoning power sustainability, but as long as we limit energy consumption and use of uranium, we should be able to last a while longer until we build some windmills or find a sustainable deposit. Hopefully."
[effect] mining for fuel is deemed too large a strain on the energy supply
Validity: Noautarky
Option 2a: "Shipping fees, World Assembly regulation fees, worker and worker production fees; these things cost money," says a monotone and frankly monochrome Aldoustanian uranium market spokesperson with the assigned name GM4321000, drinking soured milk. "We sit on the largest uranium deposit of any nation, and have our choice of anyone to trade with. We're simply following the law of supply and demand. You need more energy, we need more money. A lot. Don't think of it as ransom — think of it as a business negotiation. I'm sure you'll find all your worries will melt away. Hmm, hmm, hmm." You're pretty sure that was supposed to be a laugh.
[effect] it's said nuclear power costs an arm and a leg
Validity: Autarky
Option 2b: "Shipping fees, World Assembly regulation fees, worker and worker production fees; these things cost money," says a monotone and frankly monochrome Aldoustanian uranium market spokesperson with the assigned name GM4321000, drinking soured milk. "We sit on the largest uranium deposit of any nation, and have our choice of anyone to trade with. We're simply looking for the highest bidders. You need energy, we need money. A lot. What your people don't know about our practices won't hurt them. Open your market's borders to us and your impending energy crisis will melt away. Hmm, hmm, hmm." You're pretty sure that was supposed to be a laugh.
[effect] it's said nuclear power costs an arm and a leg
Option 3: "Why pay for all of that when we could use that money to create an explosion in the uranium mining business?" inquires lucrative Nukes4U spokesperson @@RANDOMNAME@@. "Let us scour the earth from border to border for uranium deposits and other rare-earth metals, and deregulate forest protection while you're at it. And I'm not saying we should have a slave force, but it would definitely help if we had some unsuspecting unpaid interns, maybe from poorer countries, to do the dirty work. The fate of @@NAME@@ depends on it!"
[effect] landscapes are so green they're practically glowing
Validity: has WMDs
Option 4: "Wait, what if the situation didn't have to look so bleak?" asks @@RANDOMNAME@@, ardent radiophobe and author of Nuclear Bomb: The Day After. "What if we decommission all of our nuclear warheads for uranium? That should give us enough time to transition towards renewable energy and achieve a nation free of Big Nuclear all-together. It would leave a massive hole in our defenses, sure, but it'll be worth it for a world free of total apocalypse."
[effect] nuclear launch codes are now used to turn on windmills