Diplomatic Contact with the Spartans

[Illuminatus]

I hoped that the deception with Angels regarding our locations will continue. The less they know, the better. They could however send a transport with a probe or two - their foil will now search for our coastal bases for that purpose.

[Illuminatus]

The Spartans want a leapfrog - Social Psych for Doctrine: Loyalty (they don't know we have it). I answered their initial memorandum that five years embargo is five years embargo, but that we will make an exception and prolong it in this case - also reminded them that they are changing the conditions again.

Regarding their offer for Social: Psych, I told them we can provide them with Loyalty next turn, however since they often change terms of proposals after they are agreed, and have increased prices for us, and they want a level 2 tech for level 1 (it is time that we use this argument against them), they will have to increase their offer.

[Chaos Theory]

The threat of the Spartans (or Angels for that matter) probing us is real. We can attempt to counter this threat by stationing Probe Gimps at strategic locations.

[Chaos Theory]

The Spartan diplomacy forums are down for some reason

[Illuminatus]

They asked for 24 hour extension - considering Drogue's stance, I voiced Gaian support for it (we haven't seen their response).

[Chaos Theory]

The Spartan diplomacy forum is closed due to Googlie:

Originally posted by Googlie:
The citizens of Sparta Command awoke to the sound of an army on the move.

Well, perhaps not an army, but certainly that of Alpha Platoon of the First Light Infantry as they left the confines of the small barracks beneath the Headquarters building, their boots rapping on the synthmetall pavement as they made their way to Module 13.

The young Lieutenant in the lead freqently referred to her wrist commlink as she gave the orders to her command.

They reached Module 13, where in the still morning air the two flags of the Gaian Union and the Spartan Federation hung limply. At her command, the Platoon split and the troopers rapidly deployed around the building. The Lieutenant brought her wrist to her face and muttered fresh orders into the commlink.

Beside her, a sapper ran up to the door, and planted the two halves of the electronic lock on either side, then activated the lock, A faint blue shimmering arced across the gap of the doorway as the lock engaged.

"Report", she muttered into the commlink.

"All secure," came the various replies. "Windows, emergency exits, trades entrances, even ventilation shafts. "

"Now what" the sapper asked.

"We wait for the Lieutenant Colonel" she replied.

Almost on cue, the staff car arrived, and out stepped Lieutenant-Colonel Googlie. He looked over the module, then nodded, and snapped off a crisp salute to the Lieutenant.

"Good work, Lieutenant. I see those years in the hospital haven't dulled your efficiency."

Lieutenant Rynn saluted in return. "Thank you, Sir. My stay was protracted, but I'm 100 percent now."

Googlie nodded. Many would be scarred for life upon escaping the massed mindworm attack on her Rolling Thunder Division some years ago, in the Battle of Taygetus Gap. But the Lieutenant was nothing if not a survivor. Her strength of will forced her to move away from the mindworms' psi-numbing powers, until she eventually made her way to Olympus Academy and safety, but badly injured, both physically and mentally.

Lt.-Col. Googlie walked up to the door, and at his command the lock was de-activated. He entered.

The Gaian Embassy staff - just a handful as Lord Illuminatus had been recalled for urgent Council meetings - were gathered in confusion.

The Lieutenant-Colonel spoke to them.

"You will pack your belongings and take your Embassy files and data crystals and vacate this Embassy. Transport is awaitng outside that will take you to Gythium Harbour, where a ship of our Pegasus fleet will transport you down through Hive waters to drop you off on your mainland.

This Embassy is closed."

He turned on his heels and left, as the frantic packing began.

Lieutenant Rynn turned to the Lt-Colonel; "And what of our staff in Gaia's Landing?"

He replied: "Major Kassiopeia returned last evening for a Junta meeting, and the rest can evacuate to the east coast where the SCC Invincible is waiting."

"How will they - and we - contact each other now?" she asked.

"The old fashioned way," he replied laconically. "By commlink to individual Junta members. If we answer, that is"

They relaxed for a few minutes by the door until the Gaian staffers emerged with boxes and files, to board the now-arrived transports for the journey south.

Lieutenant-Colonel Googlie waved an arm to the sapper, who reactivated the locks, then the Lieutenant-Colonel ceremoniously pinned the notice to the door:

The Gaian Embassy is closed indefinitely

By Executive Order of the Junta

[Illuminatus]

Great.

[Chaos Theory]

It's a decision they had already made, so though it's annoying for it to be so overt, it's nothing to shed tears over. We should be prepared for the possibility of battle, though even now the Spartans would burn themselves to attack us, and they've basically admitted it by pointing to Yang and Morgan as threats.

[Illuminatus]

Deleting or closing diplomacy forums without consent of other party is just foul acting. This is certainly not a polite way to conduct relations. They are shameless.

[binTravkin]

Please, forward this to Angels, to make them know and be aware and to streghten our relations.

[Ouro_827]

Will be done, both PM to Mart and on Eventis Forums.

[Illuminatus]

I will add a more detailed PM Ouro, your's was a bit vague.

[Ouro_827]

You mean post? I wasn't sure how much we wanted to say... I didn't think it was somehow appropriate to post the story, and I myself don't understand much more than I posted.... Mind filling me in?

[Chaos Theory]

Originally posted by Googlie:
Major Maniac was furious.

He stormed into the Command Center where Lieutenant-Colonel Googlie was studying the latest situational holovids, and rapped his command baton sharply on the table, attracting the Lieutenant-Colonel's attention.

"What is the meaning of this ..... outrage" he demanded. "Demoted, given the ceremonial title of Curator of the Military Museum? Have you gone mad?"

Googlie looked up speculatively. "Sauce for the Gander, eh? Major"

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" demanded the Major.

"Ah, what a short memory we have, do we not?" Googlie murmured. "Remember, dear Major, that when my Morgan initiative was shot down by the Junta you were quick to force a demotion on me - to Staff Sergeant, even, as I recall. Be thankful, after the fiasco of your so-called Manifesto which your bedmates the Gaians shot down, that you are still a Major. Now, if you don't mind, I'm somewhat busy. Don't you have some manoeuvers that you are supposed to be on?"

Major Maniac looked frostily at the Lieutenant Colonel.

"Oh, yes," he replied. "I certainly do."

He turned on his heels and left.

-00-

"But, sir, isn't that tantamount to mutiny?" asked Raoul, the acknowleded prototypical Spartan Kel - that group of soldiers recruited largely from the Laconian province which comprised Santiago Citadel and Gythium Harbour. They were the under Major Maniac's direct command - and known as the Kel - Killer Elite Laconians - armed with the latest in impact weaponry.

"Not at all," replied the Major. "I'm still co-chair with Googlie, and rank really means nothing. It's power that counts. He's in the Command Center at Citadel, and I'm here - with you - at Sparta Command. Let's go."

The two guardsmen lounged at ease - yet still vigilant - by the doors of the Embassy, then snapped to attention as they saw the platoon approaching.

The Major stepped up to them.

"Fire the locks" he commanded.

"I can't do that, Sir," one replied. "Captain Rynn's orders."

"Oh, it's Captain now, is it? The Lieutenant Colonel wasted no time, did he?"

"Major...... Sir?" asked the trooper.

"Never mind - step aside. Raoul"

The hulking Kel unslung his weapon and levelled it at the lock on the Embassy door. One round was sufficient as the 10 mm caseless kinetic energy blast blew the lock like confetti in a breeze.

Major Manic reached for the notice and ripped it from the door, and turned to the two troopers:

"This Embassy is again open for business. And it's Lieutenant-Colonel to you, trooper. Raoul - secure the building"

-00-

The Junta met later that evening. Lieutenant-Colonel Googlie had arrived from Citadel, and Major Kassiopeia was back from his diplomatic mission. Captain Snoddasmannen sat with Googlie, but across the table sat Caoptain Zeiter and Kapitan KrysiasKrusader, both firmly in the Maniac camp. Captain Primus Pilus was present by holovid, and it looked for a time that his vote would be crucial.

But after discussion, matters reahced a conclusion.

"Very well," Lieutenant=Colonel Googlie assented. "You have made your points. I agree with the re-opening of the Gaian Union Embassy. I agree with your re-instatement as Lieutenant-Colonel. I agree with the changes to the bases' build orders and worker reallocations. Now call off your hounds and let's get down to business".

Lieutenant-Colonel Maniac looked to the door, where Raoul stood impassively.

"You may stand your men down, Lieutenant," he said.

Lieutenant Raoul relaxed, and then barked the order:

"Spartan Kel, withdraw to barracks"

The platoon of Impact Infantrymen, who had been ringing the walls of the Junta council room, turned and filed out.

As the doors closed, Googlie was heard to murmer:

"Ah, yes. The Reichstag precedent."

[Ouro_827]

Where are you guys getting all this? And why in the world are those people doing that? Trying to throw us off balance? I can't believe this wasn't planned....