NationStates

The rain provided a suitable overcast for the preparations in Kreigsberg, the capital of the Hegemony. The occasion, a end to the Crawnaftian War. It had been a two weeks since the agreement of the peace proposal, and it was time for the pen to touch paper in the Palace of the Hegemon.

The honour guard stood in the rain, always present and mindful of thier duties. Eight stories above, the Hegemon of Machtergreifung was holding a breif meeting with his science team.

"So, Mr Falkenberg sir, we can expect the space staion Cosmos to be completed in a matter of weeks. From that point on, timescale for any future project is reduced rapidly. The fact is, we can assemble any sort of craft in orbit, saving on time and money by using solid fuel rockets instead of the more expensive re-usable spacecraft."

"So where, Professor, do you think we should go next?"

"A base on the moon is a solid goal, and give us a chance to study the effects of lower gravity. The reports of New Freedomstan and Mars are worthless, unless we are willing to commit to a race for Mars. In any case, Jupiter is a much more interesting prospect, and we can easily establish bases on the moons where water is present."

"Im afraid that I have to make appearance of state. Once this treaty is over and done with we can focus all our efforts on this program. I will re-schedual as soon as I get the time. Goodbye."

_____________________________________________________________________

National News Broadcast.

Today it has been announced, on the day that the end to the war with Crawnaft is declared, that the Hegemonic Military will begin converting the majority of its nuclear missile arsenal to cargo transportation purposes. This is a direct result of the Hegemon's plans to create a vast oppertunity for the month old Machtergreifung Space Corp to utilize its new, high-tech and top secret plasma drive to further the borders of the Hegemony to whole new worlds.

As rain showered the Capital of the Hegemony, Kreigsberg, the first Peaceful aircraft arrived.
3 Transport planes, carrying the beginning delegation to sign the Peace agreement and to prepare for the leaders of the Kingdom to arrive.
The Foreign Minister, the newly upgraded War Minister were to sign the Kingdom-Hegemonic Treaty.
However, the Crawnaftian Government would have to sign as well, but was still deciding on the course of action taken.

The military convoy made their way up the dirt-roads leading into the seemingly inconspicious valley. Official Nefreedian reports said that the area was dangerous to civilians due to background radiation and nuclear weapons testing. This was, of course, a stretched truth at best. Four transports made their way, and soon the passengers could see the large installation right by the mountainside. It was a Labour Camp, tucked away outside of reach. Of course, this camp had a very special purpose.

Written in Nefreedian over the only entrance, with five metre tall walls of solid concrete on both sides, was written "Labour Camp #173" and the symbol of the People's Civilian Commissariat on it. The heavy doors opened, and the passengers stepped out. It was mostly military personnel, but lastly the Acting Head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of New Freedomstan (the de facto absolute leader of the country) stepped out. "Comrade 1" wore remarkably thin clothing considering the temperature. A simple grey overall, unadorned. The man himself was of average height, and average build. His eyes were grey, and he had a small black beard with hints of greying. He stood still for a moment, until a camp commissar stepped up and saluted.
"Comrade," the commissar said "We have been expecting you. We were finished last week."
"Good, Commissar-Commander 374-292" Comrade 1 said, remembering the camp commander's name.
"You want to see it, Comrade?" 374-292 said
"I didn't travel by car from People's Collective #12 to see the mountainside."
374-292 nodded, and led the way. Most of the soldiers remained, but six or so followed Comrade 1 and the commissar. Along with them, three men and one woman followed as well. They weren't in uniform, but in simple grey overalls. The inmates had all been locked into their barracks for the duration of the visit, but some looked out from the windows. There were roughly five hundred inmates, and about four dozen commissars, in this Labour Camp. Most of the inmates were murderers, terrorists and serial rapists.

The commissar-commander led Comrade 1 and his entourage to a rather large entrance that went into the mountain. Within were a gigantic hall, revealing that this side of the mountain wasn't actually a mountain. The top of the hall could be opened at any time. Within were two huge rockets.

"Have they been tested?" Comrade 1 asked
"Of course, comrade." 374-292 replied "There used to be three."
"And it went well?"
"Yes, comrade. Completely."
"Good. What do you think, comrades?" Comrade 1 asked, and approached the four persons also wearing similar grey overalls.
"It certainly looks like it is of quality," one of them replied, a rather tall man "But how can we be sure the inmates haven't saboutaged?"
"The inmates haven't actually assembled it," 374-292 "Our team of engineers have done that."
"Then why build it at the camp?" the man asked
"Someone had to carve out this area, carry the parts as well as build some of it." 374-292 replied
"How many of the inmates perished?" Comrade 1 asked
"Only three, comrade."
"Commissar-Commander." Comrade 1 said calmly "This was supposed to be a death penalty. We cannot have untrustworthy... personnel revealing any information about our project. And my reports indicate that only 60% of the engineers are trustworthy. The remaining 40%..."
"Under... understood, Comrade. I'll be dealing with..." 374-292 started
"That won't be necessary, Commissar-Commander." Comrade 1 said "I know about your... unwillingness to do what is necessary. My troops are dealing with the problems as we speak. Otherwise, you have done a splendid job."
"Thank... thank you, Comrade."

______________________________

TV transmission from the national news broadcast:
Our heroic security personnel have, despite great adversity from Anti-Socialist elements, been able to assist our allies in North Colitas with suppressing the Antiquity student uprising.
In other news, the Nefreedian Space Agency have declared that construction and experiments with construction of the GPR-03 rockets have finished. Comrade 1 himself has inspected the new craft and in a public speech said that this once more shows the superiority of New Freedomstani science and economy compared to our backwards capitalist neighbours. This is truly one of the finest marvels of Nefreedian science, which will take Socialism to Space.
The brave cosmonauts 378-284 782-385, Roger McMillan, 847-458 384-122 and Vladimir Baranov will be boarding the GPR-03 rockets' maiden voyage to Mars. New Freedomstan will be the first paradoxian country on the Red planet, and the Nefreedian Space Agency have published the Nefreedian plans of establishing permanent colonies on the red planet.

The Kingdom of Peace applauds the Freedomstani People, Government and Scientists for achieving such a task, the breaking of the barrier into Outer Space, May all of Paradoxia remember this date as the day that our combined peoples looked towards the sky, and knew that finally we have broken the atmosphere and to space!

The Hegemony wishes assuarance that the Nefreedian mission is not a colonziation mission, and requests for a dozen or so Hegemonic observers, so that all may prosper from the Nefreedian mission to Mars.

___________________________________________

Public Announcement - Machtergreifung Space Corps

Today we announce the start of the Galileo Mission. This comes around on the back of two announcements. The first is that the Cosmos Space Station is operational. With space for up to two hundred people, we hope to use it as a study platform, as well as to assemble spacecraft in orbit, which drasticaly decreases time taken for missions to operate.

The second is that our scientists have developed, what we belive, to be a radical breakthrough is astro-propulsion. We call it cold-fusion, and all our studies with the test drive show that we can get three or four times the return than any other form of energy, including nuclear.

While other departmetns are looking at civic applications for this breakthrough, we have dispatched one of these fusion plants to the Cosmos Space Station, along with the first parts for the Galileo Mission, to be more exact, parts for the Space Ship Newton. Newton will carry upwards of fifty passengers to Jupiter in back in a record five weeks, to Mars in three, and possibily Neptune in four months. We will be giving out details of the mission of the Newton at a later date. Thank you.

The HoG have arrived on Hegemonic soil.

Corcaigh Nua Spaceport
Maltropia

It was a cold, grey morning. The bitter wind blew harshly across the open tarmac, penetrating even the thick jackets of the onlookers. Several hundred of them were assembled, eagerly awaiting the end of a countdown that would signify a new era. Even the King was there, wearing a heavy coat and scarf, and fidgeting in the warm mittens he had brought. He nearly regretted coming, but so momentuous an occasion was this that to leave would be sheer lunacy. Lunacy. What a terrible pun, considering the nature of this gathering. Around him stood a number of his Ministers. He'd have repeated his joke, if only his mouth weren't numb. Ah well. There'd be time for that later.
Countdown and T minus 30 seconds

Before them stood the tall shape of the first ever manned Maltropian rocket. Oh yes, they'd been sending up probes and unmanned satellites for years, many clandestine and secret. This one was not.
Countdown and T minus 20 seconds

Inside were 5 Maltropian astronauts, men who had undergone rigorous training to see the fruits of their labours finally reaped, in the eyes of the whole world.
Countdown and T minus 10 ...

The crowd stood with bated breath.
... 9...

A new age was beginning before their eyes.
... 8...

... 7...

Maltropia would be great once again.
... 6...

... 5...

Space was hers to conquer.
... 4...

... 3...

... 2...

The sun was rising.
... 1...

... 0...

Labour Camp #173,
Somewhere in Northern New Freedomstan

Film teams from all Nefreedian tv channels had rigged up their sets, and Comrade 1 stood on a podium. Rows upon rows of chairs had been set up in front of the podium, while a thick layer of glass separated the podium from the rocket. The Nefreedian cosmonauts was nowhere to be seen, but also in the hall were numerous Communist Party members, representatives from all legal Nefreedian legal parties, numerous bosses from the Confederation of Socialist Unions, members of the Supreme Economical Planning Council, high ranking members of the officers corps, a dozen of the elected representatives in the Supreme Soviet and numerous leading officials from the People's Civilian Commissariat. In short, representatives from all major power blocks in New Freedomstan.

Comrade 1 held up a hand, a simple gesture. Silence fell over the room, as the chattering stopped. The film teams started rolling.
"Comrades," Comrade 1 started "We stand on the brink of a new and shining dawn. For too long have New Freedomstan been tied to a singular planet." chattering started again, but was ended when Comrade 1 simply raised his hand again.

While he was talking, behind the glass one could see the 4 cosmonauts (3 men and 1 woman) boarding the spacecraft.

"Behind me you see the work of New Freedomstan. A spacecraft of unparallelled function... and purpose. New Freedomstan is simply not content on landing on Mars, have our cosmonauts march around for a bit, plant the flag and then leave. That would be a waste of resources."

Behind the glass door, the assembled crowd could now see more people boarding the spacecraft... by their uniforms, a lot of scientists but also commissars and workers.

"No, we intend to colonise Mars, the Red Planet. Our best and brightest scientists, 40% of our research sector, have spent the last six years developing working terraforming equipment. That is to say, we will turn parts of Mars into habitable land. Oxygen generation, stable food production and everything. Just as New Freedomstan is bringing Socialism to North Colitas, we are now bringing not only Socialism but life itself to Mars."

The spacecraft closed. The crowd wasn't sure how many people they had seen boarding the craft, but it was in the hundreds.

"So now I ask for a round of applause, over all of New Freedomstan. To our scientists, who made this possible." Comrade 1 said, and clapped. The crowd clapped with him. "To our Cosmonauts, leading the way into a Red Space." another round of applause "And to our workers, scientists and commissars who will be the first colonists on Mars." and yet another round of applause "And finally, to our system itself who bred these endeavours. To Socialism, and to bringing Socialism to the Red Planet."

As he said so, the spacecraft has lifted. And the applause from the assembled officials, and in many Nefreedian apartment blocks, pubs, retail stores, factories and so on, went ecstatic. The deputy leader of the Confederation of Socialist Unions stood up and started singing the Internationale, and as Comrade 1 joined him, the rest of the crowd did as well.

Hegemonic Palace
Kreigsberg City


Falkenberg sat idily reading through some reports. Mostly about the troops in Crawnaft making preparations to leave. There was a interesting report on the rivalry that was emerging in terms of space traval, but that would have to wait.

The leader of the Kingdom was here for a meeting.


________________________________________________________________________

Space Station Cosmos
670,000 km above Kreigsberg City

The space station was a absolute marvel to behold. Nothing at all like the harsh, functional early space stations, the Cosmos was a half kilometer in diamater at its widest point, three bands of concetric rings attatched to a central pilar. It had everything imaginable aboard a station; showers, lighting, sleeping accomdoation, canteens and even a moderate green house.

By far the best inovation was outside the station. attached outside was the Newton, being constructed stage by stage by tiny figures who crawled over the spider-like web of her structure, she was clearly the focus of attention.

But that was not all. Never to be focused too much on a sole project, Cosmos was thriving with spacecraft arrival, one every 1.7 Earth days. And not just supply ships. Old chemical rockets from Earth, hardly space-tugs bringing in old satalites out of dangerous orbits, the regular supply ship to the small twenty man station near the Tycho Crater on the moon, and perhaps, most importantly, the two military patrol craft.

In a far-flung section of the station, there was a area which, appeared to all, to meerly be the command center of the two patrol craft, as it was guarded by two soldiers of the Machtergreifung Space Corp. It was a top secret project, of which little was known. Some thought it was for a new space laser that could fry cities. They were partialy correct. It was the main center for Project Overwatch.

Project Overwatch had one goal in mind, it was to give a total supeiority in inteligence to Machergreifung in war time. At least fifty satalites orbited constantly, on converging vectors so that any point on the Earth had at least seven satalties in view. The super-computer aboard the Cosmos would recive data through the satalites, process it, and beam it back to Earth. In the event of a nuclear exhange, and no reply from either Machtergreifung itself or the company of soldiers aboard Cosmos itself, the control of the entire nuclear arsenal of Machtergreifung was placed in Overwatch's hands.

It moniored many things, even if it understood litte. A chemical rocket from Maltropia, a assembly in a forrest encampment in Nefreedia, three divisions of troops crawling across Crawnaft and a diplomatic convoy travaling to the Hegemonic Palace.

Machtergreifung wrote:Hegemonic Palace
Kreigsberg City


Falkenberg sat idily reading through some reports. Mostly about the troops in Crawnaft making preparations to leave. There was a interesting report on the rivalry that was emerging in terms of space traval, but that would have to wait.

The leader of the Kingdom was here for a meeting.


________________________________________________________________________

Kreigsberg City
Hegemonic Airport
The Ministers gathered at the transport aircraft, carrying the 54th Head of Government for the Kingdom of Peace. The Ministers gathered were from all different types of backgrounds, rich or poor, fat or thin, black to white, Peacian to Swedish to Colitasian, to Freedomstani, but all have two things in common, One, they were the new leaders of their nation, and Two, all were military men or woman. Actually, Three things in common, the last was that each of these powerful people, leaders in their own right, agreed to one ruler, one person to rule them, under the overall benign rule of the King and Queen.
Today this new ruler would talk with the ruler of the Kingdom's number one enemy, the Hegemony of Machtergreifung. Already, the Peace Treaty had provoked riots and protests from the Northern provinces to the Western Coast Autonomous area.
If this new 54th HoG failed at her task, then the Kingdom, alive since 1066 A.D and a Kingdom since 1855 would fall, and them with it. Around the Kingdom is a mass of enemies, eager to own, to spread their twisted values into the Kingdom.
Already warnings have appeared on the horizon, Fascists gathering in their Southwestern Strongholds, the Socialists in the Southeast, the Democrats in the North, and the Independents in the WC.
"If Katrina Viviani cannot save the Kingdom from collapse, then perhaps we should?" Was the thought that echoed through the Ministers awaiting the Prime Minister.........

Katrina Viviani walked through the halls of the Hegemonic Palace, the Symbol of the Hegemony, powerful, awe inspiring.
And rich. Her eyes roamed over the great rugs, the flags that adorned the walls, the paintings, even the furniture provoked envy from the 25 year old minister, veteran of the numerable wars, rising in the ranks to become Defense Minister and now, HoG.
The Peaceful Palace had none of the splendors of the Hegemony, for reasons unknown. Instead, it was more like a library, knowledge hidden in the plain rooms that was as valuable as everything in the Hegemonic Palace. Still, perhaps those rich rugs, flags and vases, the walls lined with silk, hid knowledge as well?
Certainly, the Hegemony had knowledge for it defeated the Kingdom, the Republic of Crawnaft in a devastating war that revealed the weakness of the Kingdom's policies and its poor state. First, the Kingdom had refused to act with striking, instead the political measures only served to entrench the Hegemonic troops. In Colitas, CPKF was put on the ground too late, and the failure to attack the Hegemonic lines revealed all too well the indecisiveness of the Civilian Government and former Military leaders. They were gone now, replaced by better people.
Finally, she reached the Doors marking the Room to Hegemon, the leader of the Hegemony.

Falkenberg was informed of the arrival of the party by one of his bodyguards using old Hegemonic Battle Language, a form of communication using hand signals.

As the heavy oak doors swung open, Falkenberg stood, turned to the door and put on a smile.

"Madam Katrina, I have been await you. I think we have much to discuss. Please be seated." Falkenberg waved lacconicaly at two pairs of lounge chairs around a coffee table, much better for discussions than the bulky desk of the Hegemon.

Both seated, Falkenberg began. "I cant express my joy at your decision to call a end to the fighting. Prolonging it for any number of weeks would have meerly resulted in a waste for all involved. As a result of your reasonableness is ending hostilites, I can give you my personal word, that all I can do as Hegemon, that we will stay out of all conflicts in Paradoxia for the time being."

Taking a sip of water, Falkenberg continued. "Would you care to speak your peice?"

Machtergreifung wrote:Falkenberg was informed of the arrival of the party by one of his bodyguards using old Hegemonic Battle Language, a form of communication using hand signals.

As the heavy oak doors swung open, Falkenberg stood, turned to the door and put on a smile.

"Madam Katrina, I have been await you. I think we have much to discuss. Please be seated." Falkenberg waved lacconicaly at two pairs of lounge chairs around a coffee table, much better for discussions than the bulky desk of the Hegemon.

Both seated, Falkenberg began. "I cant express my joy at your decision to call a end to the fighting. Prolonging it for any number of weeks would have meerly resulted in a waste for all involved. As a result of your reasonableness is ending hostilites, I can give you my personal word, that all I can do as Hegemon, that we will stay out of all conflicts in Paradoxia for the time being."

Taking a sip of water, Falkenberg continued. "Would you care to speak your peice?"

Bastard. One Day the Kingdom would take revenge for the disgrace.
"As leader of the Kingdom, and head of the coalition, I saw it was only fit to end this expensive, devastating war. I do remind you that Crawnaft's Government is still reviewing the Terms of the Peace Treaty. But my main reason for this meeting is not for this war, but concerns the Internal, Foreign affairs, and the new direction the Kingdom is taking. You know that the Peace Treaty was not taken....happily in my nation, but it will pass. Hopefully God will see fit to that. God help you if we don't see fit."

Her Warning finished, now for the realpolitik.

"The Kingdom's citizens has suffered a total loss of confidence for the Civilian Governments of our nations, and for Democracy in general. Speaking as the former Defense Minister, the Military is sadden at this new turn, but they are prepared to listen to me and obey the wishes of the General Population. Either way, the nation is adopting a new Isolationist policy, as well as moving towards a more Authoritarian government. We will continue to stand by our allies, Maltropia, and Crawnaft, but will seek better relations with Ishgar and Freedomstan."

Falkenberg was not one to underestimate a rival head of state, even a defeated one.

"I detect a underlying level of anger in your voice Madam Katrina. Need I remind you that your nation got itself involved in its affairs on its own accord. Just as the situation has turned for the worse for the Kingdom, you accepted terms. We are willing to listen to reason, and your nations agreement to our terms has, without doubt, saved it from much harsher terms."

"But this aside, I would like to enoucrage you to pressure Crawnaft into a acceptance of the terms we have agreed on. Let us consider facts. The Hegemony occupies a large area of Crawnaft, and it will take a supreme effort, in men, material and resources, to remove us, and then to face a invasion of the Hegemony itself. One thing I have learned in politics is that regardless of popular opinion, is that a harsh peace is better than mild war. I hope the Kingdom is not foolish enough to take this advice and attempt such a idiotic move as to re-commence fighting."

"If there is any way in which the Hegemony can aid the Kingdom in its own problems, we would be happy to assist. A isolationalist Kingdom is something which the Hegemony would like to see, as it mirrors our own plans for development. As you will be aware, we are currently engaged in a space program to expand beyond this planet, and so will be diverting resources to fund this program. Of cource, the Kingdom would be welcome to join, abiet as a junior partner in this scheme. What would be your thoughts on that?"

__________________________________________________________________________

Diplomatic Announcement - Machergreifung Space Corps


Due to the high-profile nature of the MSS (Machtergreifung Space Station/Ship) Cosmos in near-earth orbit, the Hegemony demands that all rocket flights conducted by national space agencies in Paradoixa be logged with Machtergreifung prior to launch. This is meerly a security measure, as the Hegemony is unwilling to lose such a large investment in any incidents.

Un-notifed rocket launches will immediatly be intercepted and destroyed regardless of nature if they pose possibly any threat to the MSS Cosmos.

Diplomatic Announcement - Central Committee of the Communist Party of New Freedomstan

The Socialist Worker's Republic of New Freedomstan does not, in any way, answer to Machtergreifung. Any Nefreedian rockets shot down by Machtergreifung will be considered an Act of War. We can assure the Hegemony that we do not intend to turn them into a nuclear wasteland.

Any Nefreedian space installations or rockets shot down by the Hegemony will result in a state of Total War with the Socialist Worker's Republic of New Freedomstan, with the aid of our allies the Socialist Republic of North Colitas.


Signed,
Comrade 1,
Acting Head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of New Freedomstan


OOC: Forest encampment? It is a missile silo dug into the mountain. There aren't a forest in miles.

Diplomatic Communication

The Hegemony wishes to enquire as to if New Freedomstan will comply with our demands concerning rocket flights. If not, then we absolve ourselves of the concequences.

Public Diplomatic Communication
We will not. You cannot absolve yourself of the consequenses. If a single Nefreedian rocket is fired upon or in any way sabotaged by Machtergreifung, we will be in a state of war. Space is not the territory of Machtergreifung.

Machtergreifung wrote:Falkenberg was not one to underestimate a rival head of state, even a defeated one.

"I detect a underlying level of anger in your voice Madam Katrina. Need I remind you that your nation got itself involved in its affairs on its own accord. Just as the situation has turned for the worse for the Kingdom, you accepted terms. We are willing to listen to reason, and your nations agreement to our terms has, without doubt, saved it from much harsher terms."

"But this aside, I would like to enoucrage you to pressure Crawnaft into a acceptance of the terms we have agreed on. Let us consider facts. The Hegemony occupies a large area of Crawnaft, and it will take a supreme effort, in men, material and resources, to remove us, and then to face a invasion of the Hegemony itself. One thing I have learned in politics is that regardless of popular opinion, is that a harsh peace is better than mild war. I hope the Kingdom is not foolish enough to take this advice and attempt such a idiotic move as to re-commence fighting."

"If there is any way in which the Hegemony can aid the Kingdom in its own problems, we would be happy to assist. A isolationalist Kingdom is something which the Hegemony would like to see, as it mirrors our own plans for development. As you will be aware, we are currently engaged in a space program to expand beyond this planet, and so will be diverting resources to fund this program. Of cource, the Kingdom would be welcome to join, abiet as a junior partner in this scheme. What would be your thoughts on that?"

__________________________________________________________________________

Diplomatic Announcement - Machergreifung Space Corps


Due to the high-profile nature of the MSS (Machtergreifung Space Station/Ship) Cosmos in near-earth orbit, the Hegemony demands that all rocket flights conducted by national space agencies in Paradoixa be logged with Machtergreifung prior to launch. This is meerly a security measure, as the Hegemony is unwilling to lose such a large investment in any incidents.

Un-notifed rocket launches will immediatly be intercepted and destroyed regardless of nature if they pose possibly any threat to the MSS Cosmos.

Idiot. He needs to know what he will face if he pushes Crawnaft.

"In this case, You are wrong Hegemon. I will be frank, if my people see me as cooperating with the Hegemony, I will be dead, or exiled. The Military Forces of the Kingdom, faced with the choice of obeying me or obeying their fellow citizens will choose to obey their peers. If the Military Government falls, a Fascist, or Socialist Government will emerge, and there is a 100% chance it will ally with Ishgar or Freedomstan and a 100% chance it will move to war with the Hegemony. While you can hold against the Kingdom and Crawnaft, do you really think your nation can hold against the might of Ishgar or Freedomstan?"

"Let me remind you that the Kingdom has not withdrawn any of its forces from Crawnaft. The Crawnaftian Government will decide in time, whether to choose to accept the terms or not. And a Joint Space Program between the Kingdom and the Hegemony is as good as a death sentence for me. Let me remind you that I intend to thaw relations with Ishgar and Freedomstan, and the Kingdom will not accept being threatened by the Hegemony."

USoP Diplomatic Messenger arrives.


"Heh. This announcement you release reeks of the Hegemony attempting to dominate Outer Space."

Another USoP Diplomatic Messenger arrives.

"If a state of war occurs with Freedomstan and the Hegemony, the Kingdom recognizes and will take various actions to support the Freedomstani position of Outer Space being for all peoples of the Earth, to explore, and build Peaceful colonies."

Announcement from the Hanseatic League of Northern Bigfootia

In twelve hours, the Hanseatic League will begin a series of rocket launches from its Reika Island facility. In order to avoid accidents, we declare the air surrounding the island and its eastern vicinity to be a temporary no-fly zone; all unregistered flights are to avoid the area specified. This restriction will be removed with the conclusion of final launch operations in the following days.

----

Reika Island Orbital Launch Center
Reika Island, Oceanus Universalis - Southeast of Paradoxia, Earth equator

Despite being on the equatorial island for several months, Werner Feldt, a native of the frigid Maxfootian coast, could never get used to Reika's scorching temperatures. The head of the Hanseatic Orbital Syndicate's engineering division, however, would not let such inconveniences get in the way of the culmination of several years of work. Before him stood the primary Northern Bigfootian launch site. Standing on top of the recently expanded launch pad was a massive rocket, the product of Defiance Aerospace's many years of research. This rocket, standing at nearly 150 meters tall and massing more than 4,000 tons, could carry a payload of over 200,000 kilograms into orbit. Beyond the pad, assembly of identical rockets for subsequent launches on other launch pads was already under way, while all around an astonishing amount of equipment, men and materials were being moved about in expectation of the first launch. Satisfied with the progress of launch preparations, Feldt returned to the command bunker; it would be several more hours before the launch commenced.

This would not be the first time a launch would be conducted on Reika, indeed, most of the Hanseatic League's previous orbital launches took place here, but it would be the first time anything on this scale was attempted. The next few days would see multiple launches, carrying thousands of tons of material into orbit; Northern Bigfootia's industrial might has at last come together to facilitate the drive into space.

Might I suggest its time for a Regional Agency to assist in Paradoxian forays into Space? With a Civilian agency in place to better give data to the National Space Agencies, we can prevent any accidents and one day pave the way for full regional cooperation.

Public Diplomatic Communication
We will not. You cannot absolve yourself of the consequenses. If a single Nefreedian rocket is fired upon or in any way sabotaged by Machtergreifung, we will be in a state of war. Space is not the territory of Machtergreifung.

Space may not be the territory of the Hegemony, but the Cosmos Space Station is. If the Hegemony detects a unannounce missile with the tiniest percentage deimal of intercepting the Cosmos Station, the Hegemony will vaporise it, and with it, New Freedomstan.
________________________________________________________________

Idiot. He needs to know what he will face if he pushes Crawnaft.

"In this case, You are wrong Hegemon. I will be frank, if my people see me as cooperating with the Hegemony, I will be dead, or exiled. The Military Forces of the Kingdom, faced with the choice of obeying me or obeying their fellow citizens will choose to obey their peers. If the Military Government falls, a Fascist, or Socialist Government will emerge, and there is a 100% chance it will ally with Ishgar or Freedomstan and a 100% chance it will move to war with the Hegemony. While you can hold against the Kingdom and Crawnaft, do you really think your nation can hold against the might of Ishgar or Freedomstan?"

"Let me remind you that the Kingdom has not withdrawn any of its forces from Crawnaft. The Crawnaftian Government will decide in time, whether to choose to accept the terms or not. And a Joint Space Program between the Kingdom and the Hegemony is as good as a death sentence for me. Let me remind you that I intend to thaw relations with Ishgar and Freedomstan, and the Kingdom will not accept being threatened by the Hegemony."

USoP Diplomatic Messenger arrives.


"Heh. This announcement you release reeks of the Hegemony attempting to dominate Outer Space."

Another USoP Diplomatic Messenger arrives.

"If a state of war occurs with Freedomstan and the Hegemony, the Kingdom recognizes and will take various actions to support the Freedomstani position of Outer Space being for all peoples of the Earth, to explore, and build Peaceful colonies."

The woman was clearly a pig-headed reactionary of the worst sort.

"It saddens me to know that you cannot see the benifits in working with the Hegemony. If you do not want to see the evils of facism or worse emerging in the Kingdom, and with it a pointless and futile war against the Hegemony, then I fear I have much underestimated your inteligence."

"Tensions in Crawnaft are still high. Hegemonic troopers will be remaining their until the ink is on the treaty. I again want you to enocurage Crawnaft to end this war finaly, for if they choose to resume it, the Hegemony will unleash every weapon in its arsenal, though not nuclear, for that is a path we will walk only in retaliation."

"The Hegemony has no desire to dominate space. Meerly to protect its interests thier. You should understand, when you have a expesnive investment in development and science orbiting, free for every jingoisitic nation to fire a missile at. We ask for meer notifications, not in-depth reports."

Falkenberg glanced at his watch. Plenty of time, but he had clearly overestimated the woman. He asked, "Is their anything you would care to raise?"

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Announcement from the Hanseatic League of Northern Bigfootia
In twelve hours, the Hanseatic League will begin a series of rocket launches from its Reika Island facility. In order to avoid accidents, we declare the air surrounding the island and its eastern vicinity to be a temporary no-fly zone; all unregistered flights are to avoid the area specified. This restriction will be removed with the conclusion of final launch operations in the following days.

The Hegemony congradulates the League on joining the space-faring nations of Paradoxia, and thanks them for thier co-operation in the clear notification of thier intentions. Furthermore, the Hegemony would like to enquire if the League would be interested in co-operating with the Hegemony is space, as we do so as neighbours.

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Public Announcement - Machtergreifung Space Corps

A twin for the much-aclaimned Cosmos Space Station has been commenced in earth orbit. It is planned to be a exact twin to the first, to be called Galaxy, and upon completion, to be inserted in a orbit around the moon, to better facilitate communication with the sole base on the moon, and improve exploration.

Public Announcement

With the threats of nuclear warfare from Machtergreifung, New Freedomstan has activated 85% of it's strategic warfare arsennal. Roughly 60% of it are now targeting all major population, industrial and agricultural centres of Machtergreifung. If any Nefreedian rocket is destroyed by the hegemony, we will turn Machtergreifung into a nuclear wasteland.

In addition, we have transferred roughly 50 ICBMs to the Socialist Republic of North Colitas.

The Hanseatic League welcomes the Hegemony's offer of cooperation, but current plans cannot be altered to account for foreign participation. We do, however, look forward to cooperation with the Hegemony and other nations of Paradoxia in the future.

OOC: BTW, I wasn't really complying to your demands for notification, I was just publicly announcing the launches to all nations.

----

Reika Island Orbital Launch Center
Reika Island, Oceanus Universalis - Southeast of Paradoxia, Earth equator

"T minus twelve seconds."
Werner Feldt stood at the command bunker outside the launch pad, watching the rocket through his binoculars. At last, the first of the rockets would be launching, taking his country's future with it.
"T minus six seconds. Primary ignition, start."
The screens went down over the Command Bunker's viewports, leaving only remote camera footage of the rocket showing the massive first stage engines lighting up the launch pad. As the rocket fired, a massive rumble went through the shielded command bunker.
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
The rocket began rising up, quickly gaining speed. Within minutes, the rocket was out of sight, a massive exhaust trail visible behind its course. With news of the rocket's final stage separation, cheering broke out in the command bunker, but there was no time for celebration. The next launch must be prepared immediately.

Geosynchronous orbit
Approximately 36,000 km above Earth's equator

The rocket's third stage ceased boosting and separated shortly before arrival at the correct orbit, dropping away to the atmosphere under acceleration by small retrorockets. The payload was released into orbit and separated into two parts. The first part, containing the base materials, equipment and men for the assembly of the geostationary station settled into orbit and begun using its small thrusters to move into a predetermined position, above the sea east of Reika. The second, larger part, contained similar equipment, but was attached to much more powerful engines and a greater amount of propellant. This module rotated in space and begun firing its thrusters, accelerating towards its own destination - the Earth-Lunar L1 point.

EDIT: Sorry for all the editing ( ), should be fine now.

Machtergreifung Missile Corps - Top Secret
Reports from Project Overwatch suggest Nefreedian missiles are armed and ready. Increased activity around known silo areas. Location of at least two thirds of the Nefreedian missile arsenal has been identified and targeted (± 12.6%). In the event of nuclear war, Overwatch estimates the complete desutruction of both New Freedomstan and the Hegemony within nine hours (± 227 minuites) provided neither side has a clear advantage.

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Diplomatic Message to the government of New Freedomstan
Nuclear war has no winner, only losers. Turning both our nations into wasteland achives nothing, and so we request that you reduce the active number of nuclear weapons. As a gesture of good faith, we have not yet activated our arsenal. However, if we do not detect a appreciatably reduction within the next twenty-four hours, we shall start activating our own stockpiles.


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Space Station Cosmos

Porject Overwatch was being given teeth. In addition to the platoon of soldiers posted to the station, and the two dozen or so military specialists on post, more and more equipment was arriving. In effect, the Hegemony wanted a secure base in Earth orbit. The tracking center was the hub of the Project, a large room by the stations standards, with screens and screens, data feeding in from dozens of satalites in Earth orbit. Planes, divisions, ships, rockets, and in one case, a head of state. All tracked by the super-computer off-earth.

The Newton was progressing well. All of the materials needed for its assembly had been boosted off-earth, and the ship was slowly pulling together. Everything was going to plan, and the Jupiter mission was ready to fly on its three month deadline.

"Working with the Hegemony is simply political suicide in the political climate, but since the Hegemon is elected for life, you wouldn't understand the necessary measures needed to remain in power. However, concerning the Crawnaftian War, I expect no less from the Hegemony regarding the troop positions."
"I have one other proposal to present, the creation of a Regional Space Agency of some sort, to help assist National Space Programs in providing data between each other."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Diplomatic Communication

The Kingdom of Peace calls upon both the Hegemony and Freedomstan to not use nuclear weapons in any attack or defense. Usage of nuclear weapons will harm all of Paradoxia.
The Kingdom suggests that you settle any war with conventional methods.

"Working with the Hegemony is simply political suicide in the political climate, but since the Hegemon is elected for life, you wouldn't understand the necessary measures needed to remain in power. However, concerning the Crawnaftian War, I expect no less from the Hegemony regarding the troop positions."
"I have one other proposal to present, the creation of a Regional Space Agency of some sort, to help assist National Space Programs in providing data between each other."

"Madam, the Hegemon is elected for as long as he is able to fufill the demands of his country. It is a solid system, and it works. It allows me to get on with actually running the country and steering it through troubled times without having to be concerned about political rivals sticking knives into my back, which is, from what I hear, your problem inside the Kingdom."

"Here is what I offer you then. Your government is ready to collapse, and your society ready to fall towards extremist politics. The Hegemony, if it so wished, could kick down your door and have the entire structure collapse. But this would not benifit us at all. We will not interfere in politics in the Kingdom, in return for your un-involved stance in affiars outside of the Kingdom, excluding Crawnaft, of cource."