Sparta-Morgan Relations

[Kassiopeia]

Initiative taken. Only fair in light of their transgression and since we really need the credits.

[Maniac]

The Corporation is ignoring our warnings regarding their Gator Boat. Should Modo post something like this in the same thread as his last message?

"Very well, you have chosen to ignore our warnings. Know that our newest battle cruiser, the SCC Enterprise, has been placed under my command, with as mission to search and destroy the Gator Boat. Together with two other combat crafts who are converging around your position, I am confident your Gator wll be toast by MY 2156, unless you withdraw west immediately."

I was thinking, if they don't withdraw, we could build another 1-2t-8 cruiser in Messena and hurry it, so it's ready MY 2156. That ship should be able to cover our entire northern coast and hopefully track down the Gator.

[Kassiopeia]

What if I send a little less aggressive "we may have no choice but to use force" message first? Although as you have surmised already, they are probably trying to call our bluff, and only with the Enterprise on the horizon will they back off.

(Oh, and end the message with "There won't be any recompensation payments this time." )

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Kassiopeia
What if I send a little less aggressive "we may have no choice but to use force" message first? Although as you have surmised already, they are probably trying to call our bluff, and only with the Enterprise on the horizon will they back off.

Perhaps we should then start the message like this?
"As you still haven't shown any indication to withdraw from our territorial waters, you probably think we're bluffing and can't back up our claims. Should this be the case, we may have no choice but to use force, to teach you some respect for our borders. Know that our newest battle cruiser...

(Oh, and end the message with "There won't be any recompensation payments this time." )

[Googlie]

But what if they've withdrawn their 'Gator northwest around their own northern coast?

Aren't we being a little aggressive, not knowing the facts?

[Kassiopeia]

Why haven't they responded to us that they are withdrawing, if that is the case? We have no "Oops, we're pulling back" from them.

[Maniac]

Indeed.
Also, we can see in the Vander Eudaimonics unit support box that their gator is pointing south IIRC. If it was withdrawing, I assume it would be pointing somewhere west.

Some further bad news: the Gator which was in Choke On This last turn is now pointing east (see Red Fungus Resort unit support box). They've also started constructing another Gator on their eastern coast. Hopefully they're meant for the Hive, and not us.

[Googlie]

Well, their last post on the matter was:

Posted in the Embassy by jtsisyoda

It has technically been in neutral waters only. If you want to claim that northern sea area, consider founding a sea base. If you have some idea of what "your waters" are, please be more specific if you want us to understand what you mean.

So I don't see where they needed to withdraw anywhere until we told them what was permissible and what was not.

[Modo44]

I think Googlie is right here. I think Morgan is keeping the Gator away from our "borders", and that's why they didn't answer my warning in the embassy - they didn't need to. And it was a warning already - no need to repeat it, IMO.

OTOH, if they do try to call a suspected bluff, I think we must destroy the Gator, to make sure they get the message. Otherwise they could feel like they got away with it. We'll know soon enough.

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Modo44
I think Googlie is right here. I think Morgan is keeping the Gator away from our "borders"

But the jtsisyoda quote Googlie posted here indicates the Morganites don't share our definition of Spartan borders. So I don't see any sign they're withdrawing.

Fact is last year their Gator was pointing east, and this year it was pointing south. So unless the boat followed some VERY strange trajectory back to the west, the Gator is most likely somewhere in the coastal area where Messena will be founded.

Anyway, if you don't want to send any message, I can certainly live with that. I just thought, since Googlie has such a strong focus on building Crypteia, that doing everything not to get infiltrated was one of our priorities.

[Modo44]

Originally posted by Maniac
But the jtsisyoda quote Googlie posted here indicates the Morganites don't share our definition of Spartan borders. So I don't see any sign they're withdrawing.

I agree. And in my reply to that, I clearly stated what we consider our waters, and what will happen, should they enter Spartan territory. That's why no additional threats/clarifications are needed IMO. I see no point repeating ourselves.

Originally posted by Maniac
Fact is last year their Gator was pointing east, and this year it was pointing south. So unless the boat followed some VERY strange trajectory back to the west, the Gator is most likely somewhere in the coastal area where Messena will be founded.

Anyway, if you don't want to send any message, I can certainly live with that. I just thought, since Googlie has such a strong focus on building Crypteia, that doing everything not to get infiltrated was one of our priorities.

The point is, I don't think we should be repeating threats. People who do, seldom fulfill them. Instead, let's wait where the Gator shows up next. If I understand things right, we can have the Enterprise ready before it does. So, If Morgan didn't turn away to keep clear, let's destroy their boat, and then tell them that we didn't bluff.

I will post the message, if the Junta finds it necessary. I understand it is good for our diplomatic look, if I keep the angry talk, so I'm willing to do this, even against my judgement.

[Maniac]

I can live with that.

You're right, repeating threats we already made is unlikely to do any good.

[Googlie]

How about I take the Morgan Embassy offline (as we did with the Gaians)

Angry mob of helots burn Embassy to the ground - make a neat story

[Modo44]

Yes, definately. Once they feel the pain, they'll come in whining anyway.

[Snoddasmannen]

jtsisyoda posted a reply to our special edition of the Phalanx in the general forum:

quote from the Phalanx:
unwillful servitude under a self-appointed master

Why is it ok for Spartans to destroy Morganite units, and illegal for Morganites to simply give a few poor navy guys a raise?

Scheeesh, get over that probe thing guys