EREWHON turns - part 3

[MariOne]

[no, you didn't ]

[Animus]

The elusive MY 2195 was received and sent to Zod. We're finally back on track.

Governor Animus announces the liberation of The Voice of God from the tyrant, Sister Miram.

-david

[Meister Flo]

2195 to Aredhran.
Bit slow this weekend, intense partying evident in my efficiency rating

[Aredhran]

Morgan Industries, MY 2195
From the desk of CEO Aredhran

Dear Faction Leaders,

It is my wish to make public the fact that the Chairman's tongue is as forked as a snake's. Of course you'll be wondering if this is only some war propaganda on my part, but let me assure you that it is not. I speak nothing but the truth, and I can back it with hard facts as proof.

First, let me explain what happens. Under the benevolent influence of Sir Governor Animus and Lord Zod the peaceful, peace negociations have been engaged between the Hive and Morgan Industries, starting in 2194.

Under the initial terms of this, where both the Chairman and myself offered a truce, I stated that all military units within enemy coastal waters would withdraw to their own territorial waters. In compliance with this act, I removed two of my ships from the vicinity of the Hive island.

The Chairman, on the other hand, had two heavily armed warships right next to one of my coastal cities, which he not only did not move away from my land, but also used to bombard my city, damaging the police troops and exploration rovers stationed there.

How can I conduct peace negociation under these conditions ? I am sure you will agree that I cannot. The decision I had to take was a difficult one: should I ignore this blatant mockery of my diplomacy, or should I take measures to prevent such backstabbing attacks to take place in the future ?

After long hours in the Battle Headquarters at Morgan Industries, my military advisors finally convinced me that as long as the Chairman has armed ships nearby, negociations will be impossible. I therefore gave the ordered to my own ships to retaliate, and sunk one of the offending Hive boats. The other one was "convinced" to join the side of a more peaceful, free economy.

I want you to know that I had no desire for this to happen, and it is with much reluctance that I followed this course of action. A few years ago I gave my word to Lord Zod that I would seek a peaceful resolution to this conflict, but I am certain that even him will understand the circumstances.

My offer for a truce with the Hive still stands. If the Chairman accepts my offer, I will as promised last year withdraw all my ships from his territorial waters and redirect my efforts to the development of my nation again. If such is his desire, I am even open to a full peace treaty, the conditions of which can be discussed later on.

Feel free to contact me through the usual channels, should you require additional information regarding this issue. I can provide the above-mentioned proof upon demand.

Yours Sincerely,
CEO Aredhran

[Animus]

Faction Leaders,

I am disappointed to hear the recent Aredhran Industries-Hive conflict has again reached the point of bloodshed. It is my sincerest desire to see this conflict resolved before it spreads to other factions. I will continue to make myself and my office available to both sides as a mediator of any negotiations.

Please understand, however, it is also my wish to remain neutral and not sided with either faction. I hope both leaders respect this wish.

2196 sent to Zod.

G. Animus

[Meister Flo]

2196 sent to Aredhran

--

statement of the diplomatic office

The CEOs ramblings are an interesting, though not very accurate description of the events on planet.
He refused our truce offer and sharing of geographic informations to make seafaring safer. No truce means the cease fire necessary for further negotiations is not in effect, according to the UN charta.
The so called withdrawal from the violated Hive waters was just a relocation attempt to intercept vulnerable Hive reinforcements.
Please try to understand the Admiral Hon-shos reaction, bombardment of an Aredhran base out of frustration, after learning that the despot A. refused yet another generous truce offer by Flomeise. Hon-shos reaction was admittedly wrong. Flomeises personally apologies to the other pacifist factions, and to the victims families.

[Aredhran]

I received the turn last night, but can't play it until Saturday.

I apologize for the delay.

Aredhran

[Aredhran]

2196 sent to Governor Animus.

Dear Faction Leaders,

Let it be known that I could have sunk yet another spy from the Hive this year, yet I did not in the interest of Peace on Chiron.

Instead, I offered him an unconditional Peace Treaty. The future will tell if the Chairman is a really man of Honor and Peace, or the treacherous scum my people believe he is.

Hoping it's the former and not the latter,
Yours peacefully,
CEO Aredhran

[Animus]

Sorry, 2197 will be delayed 24h so that your Governor can work to bring peace to Planet. I'm sure you understand.

Animus

[Animus]

Turn 2197 was sent to the peace-faring Lord Zod. Why can't we all be like Zod?

In any event, I still await Aredhran's reply and a letter from the good Chairman.

-Animus

[Capt Dizle]

Turn Complete.

Lord Zod is in conference with his ministers. Rumors tell of plans to convert the vast industrial capacity of the Gaian Federation into a military machine.

It appears that our Leader is so concerned at the heightening tensions that plans are being drawn to provide AAA Garrisons and SAM Rovers for all bases. Additionally, Lord Zod is thought to be planning to build a network of aerospace complexes throughout the land.

It is known that Zod has authorized the production of 20 missle fighter aircraft, but no bombers are scheduled except for the single prototype in production.

Zod has refused the military's request to prototype nerve gas weapons. Lord Zod has maintained that no offensive force organization is planned and that the Gaian nation will continue to pursue peaceful resolution of the current crisis.

[Meister Flo]

turn complete

no blood was shed this turn.

An unconditional peace treaty is out of the question of course. The last one brought the bloated capitalist pigs immeasurable riches from our hard working folks, and nothing but sneak attacks in return.

We recommend our friend Lord Zod for building a fleet of interceptors for maintaining the peace on planet.

[Aredhran]

To my esteemed Pact Brothers,
with Carbon Copy to Chairman Flomeise.

I am sad to report that the Chairman declined my offer for peace. Here are
his words, as reported by my ambassador:

"Last time, you reaped all the benefits without ever sharing your
accelerated research, and then even attacked my defensive probe. No, truce
and some tech or your map would be a reasonable 1st step towards lasting
peace".

Allow me to make a few comments...

- "without ever sharing your research": This is a blatant lie. I gave the
Hive Industrial Economics in 2173 as part of the initial treaty
negociations, then Ecological Engineering in 2178. Considering the very
small cash flow generated by trading with his destitute people, I don't
consider this such an unbalanced deal. Of course, when the Chairman showed
his reluctance in joining a fruitful pact with my industries (in 2185 IIRC),
displaying a very cold, disrespectful and almost hostile behavior towards my
envoys, I began thinking twice about granting him access to sensitive
knowledge.

- "defensive probe": I do not deny sinking the Hive spy ship, but you must
ask yourself this question: Can a probe *foil* truly be considered a
"defensive" unit ? Clearly the chairman's agents were headed for my shores,
and the captain of the ship who sank the spy did what was needed to defend
our information networks.

Now Chairman Flomeise asks me to give him more tech which, considering our
current diplomatic status is simply unacceptable, or alternatively, to
provide him with my world map (of course he would reciprocate). As you, as
the experienced leaders that you are, know very well, information is the
essence of war. I have no need for knowledge of Hive Territory, and I do not
believe that the Chairman needs to know the details of my land, unless he
were planning an invasion. Clearly it is only common sense of my part not to
agree with his demands.

To prove my interest in peace, I have met all conditions suggested by the
Governor, and also of my own accord withdrew all offensive units to my own
bases. My intention is to behave as if a formal truce had been signed, even
though it is not the case. Let it be known however that any Hive unit
spotted within my territorial waters will be destroyed without warning.

One more thing, the spy foil that I spared last turn as a sign of my good
will, instead of being withdrawn as requested, has been spotted lurking in
the fungus, within striking distance of one of my bases.

My offer for an unconditional Peace Treaty still stands. Once this status is
reached at last, my scientists may consider opening their vaults of
knowledge to their Hive counterparts again, but not before.

Best regards,
CEO Aredhran

[Animus]

The deed (2198) was done.

[Meister Flo]

Reading CEO Aredhrans CC of his latest Propaghanda fantasies was an exhilerating experience.
I laughed so hard that the poor cat dropped from my lap again.

never did my hardworking people receive a gift of technology from the Morganites. Ind. Econ. was received for signing treaty so beneficial to them, Ecol. Eng. was traded with one of our own advanced technologies.
My refusal to pact with a despot following his own megalomaniac version of the 18th century laissez-faire Capitalism is logical. Me and the other factions demonstrate that it is quite
possible to develop social systrems fit for the requirements of this planet and the 23rd
century.

The defensive probe was in spotting distance of the Hive coast, (2 squares from a city), but at maximum distance from Morgan land (4 squares). I called his action paranoid back then, and still believe that was his motive. It was our single probe at that point, and defensive indeed.

Unfortunately for him, his action triggered the production of a whole fleet of probe teams, strictly for infiltration purposes, no need to deny that. I am pleased to report that this year access to the Morganic networks was achieved.

CEO Aredhrans paranoia is evident again in his refusal to share geographic knowledge. So be it. I offer an unconditional truce. According to the latest polls, there is not even the slightest interest amongst our people to commence trade with the Morganites again.

Now the part which really cracked me up. i quote:
"and also of my own accord withdrew all offensive units to my own bases. My intention is to behave as if a formal truce had been signed, even though it is not the case. Let it be known however that any Hive unit spotted within my territorial waters will be destroyed without warning. One more thing, the spy foil that I spared last turn as a sign of my good will, instead of being withdrawn as requested, has been spotted lurking in the fungus, within striking distance of one of my bases.

hm, now lets match this report with the new infiltration data: all offensive units are 3 warships (90%, 70% damage in bases, the last one swimming around somewhere, probably guarding the transport, but not stationed in any base (as suggested by his mail) , and one probe foil (60% damage). So our units were hardly spared, but benefitted from a general retreat. The 70% damaged ship was just sunk, i hear.

the truce offer stands. No conditions attached. If this is not enough to convince you, my allies, of my peaceful intentions, take a look at the Morganic and the Hive production queues. Missile fighters on the one hand, only a handful of impact interceptors on the other.

Chairman Flomeise

(edited to make it look a bit nicer)
[This message has been edited by Meister Flo (edited October 22, 1999).]