Turns of AXT-042, third thread

[cbn]

Turn 2196 is done (no time for storyline right now) and on to the Cult

[NorthSwordsman]

2197 to the Gaians.

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2197 to Walt.
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Personal Log, Year 2197
Captain Riley, Sword of Gaia

My sailors are taking some well-deserved shore leave while the ship is undergoing repairs at Lily of the Valley. I must say, this is only the second time I've ever visited this colony, and the last time I never even got a chance to look at the Uranium Flats. Already the once untamed Flats are now showing signs of development. Though in typical Gaian fashion, our workers are extra careful to follow the contours and patterns of Planet's lands, avoiding where the psionic advisors say is ecologically sensitive.

Meanwhile, I have just received an e-mail from the Defense Minister. It has been hastily composed and consists only of a single sentence, "Our Vendetta with the Cyborgs has finally ended." The D.M. was unavailable at this time, but once he is, I'll be sure to ask him the terms of peace and what this means for our ship. I really doubt that we'll be decommissioned despite the fact that we are no longer at war with anyone anymore. I have a bad feeling that our services may be needed again very shortly.

Speaking of which, I just noticed that in the Planetary Leadership Reports, we Gaians have just been rated #1 in the area of military strength! No doubt the top brass will want to give us medals, ceremonies, and other forms of recognition for our part in this achievement. But I can't but wonder if somehow this "achievement" was only made because other factions have either disbanded their troops or lost them in battle with their enemies. I wish I could see the look on Lady Deirdre's face when she realizes she's the head of the strongest military on Planet, at least for the time-being. Maybe the budget for our military will be slashed, as if it even had much of a budget in the first place. LOL!
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Intelligence Report, Year 2197
(Note: The Defense Minister did not have a chance to open this report until after the peace treaty went through.)

For some odd reason, the massive buildup of Cyborg troops at their home bases has been reversed. Also, the Cyborgs have switched to a Free Market economy and shifted their focus away from military projects toward domestic ones.

Furthermore, the attitude of the citizens suggest that they are becoming very weary of war. Our infiltrators among the citizens have confirmed this new attitude first-hand. There are even rumors that Aki Zeta 5 herself is willing to talk peace.

[Walt]

2197 didn't make it to me: the email was attachment-less. I've emailed Tench, but Tench, I'm just posting here in case you look here before checking email.

Ciao!

[Walt]

2197 to cbn.

[cbn]

Walt obviously got the turn since now I have it. I will play at 1800 Apolyton time after work. In the meantime . . .
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Foreman cbn's personal log

Those generals are at me again to increase the military budget. They say that the Cult cannot be trusted to keep the peace but now have added complaints about our failure to keep up with "Gaian Military prowess". They say we need more ships to compensate for the Gaians super-fast cruisers and the IODs ability to lurk through fungus. NO matter how often I point out that we are at peace with the Gaians they don't seem to listen. They keep mumbling about maintaining the balance of power or some such.


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Announcement


The Free Drones have pledged themselves to an intensive tree farming project in the interests of protecting the Planet. The Free Drones see this as a worthy endeavour in its own right . WE trust that the threat of grave consequences by the Cult was a reference to the ecological risk and was not a reference to possible military action. Our peace has been fragile and I hope that it may be maintained.

[cbn]

2197 has passed-- 2198 starts for the Cult

[NorthSwordsman]

2198 to the Gaians.

===========================================
Planet Cult Offical Press Statement:

We wish to reassure Foreman Cbn of the Free Drones that the statement was not intended to be a statement of future military action against him. We are aware that the military of the Free Drones has little faith in the negotiation abilities of the Foreman to procure a lasting treaty. To date, we have kept the treaty obligations for 6 years now without any intentional breach.

The statement was directed toward those of Planet who wish to plunder the mineral wealth of this lovely world. There will be grave consequences to the environment and relationships between factions if these courses of action continue.

We therefore urge that all factions adopt a "Green" stance toward Planet to preserve the way of life of the native species of this world. Unlike those of Earth who were torn away from their land, the native species will defend themselves against this incursion, with serious and grave consequences to us all.

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2198 to Walt.
_______

Personal Log, Year 2198
Druid Tenchusatsu, First Advisor to Lady Deirdre

Seems like the Spartans are now at war with the Peacekeepers. I knew Santiago and Lal would never be able to get along. This time, however, even Lady Deirdre knows that cries for peace will not be heard, since Santiago is clearly being the aggressor here. I fear we may be called upon to defend the Peacekeepers from the warlike Spartans. Either that, or the Spartans will declare Vendetta on us anyway, since I sense they aren't really fond of us in the first place, despite the peace treaty we signed several years ago.

[Walt]

2198 to cbn.

[NorthSwordsman]

2199 to the Gaians.

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2199 to Walt.
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Journal Entry, Year 2199
Lindley, Head of the Mindworm Trainers

The worms are celebrating the completion of several Tree Farms on the Gaian mainland. They pull me into their world. They sing new worm songs, which has now taken on joyous, melodious tones. They dance around me ... I dance with them. They welcome us, their honored guests, into the celebration, along with "earthtree" and "earthflower" and "earthfarm." I see images of harmony between our plant and tree hybrids and Planet's wild fauna, fungus, and towers. Everything looks more beautiful than I could have ever imagined it ...

... and then all of a sudden the images shift dramatically. I see waste. Pollution. Waters clouded by industrial wastes. The air shrouded by dark smokestacks from factories. Human development tearing at Planet's delicate skin, raping her, ripping out her heart, her vital organs. The fungus, Planet's immune system, tries desperately to fight against the polluters, the insensitive, but they are too strong, too numerous for even an entire Planet to combat ... AAARGHHH!!!

I shout in desperation, "This is terrible! Who is doing this? Are we doing this? Have my people broken their promise to you again? I assure you, they mean no harm; they want to do what is best for both Planet and humans together!"

The worms reply in unison, "no ... once you just like that, but no more. we forgive you. you now our friends again. we now help you with food and treefarm and energy. you now doing well without hurt us."

"Then tell me, why are you showing me this? Who is it? Who is doing this?"

And then they answer ...

... and I tremble. For I know our dedication to Planet will soon be tested ...

[cbn]

News at Noon report


In an address to the Sierra Club at Whipsaw Base today the Free Drone minister of the Environment made a number of sweeping announcements designed to heighten environmental protection. he stated, " these initiatives will place us at the forefront in terms of protecting Planet and we welcome the input of other factions as to how we might better protect the environment we all share".

The minister announced a 7 point plan which involved:

1. The completion of 2 Tree farms within two years with a further six within a decade

2. A moratorium on new boreholing until a complete environmental assessment of the effects has been completed. The Free Drones wish to announce their support for a panel to include representation of all factions and of the native life and to be co-chaired by the Gaians and the Cult.

3. An intensified forestation plan

4. The completion of Centauri Preserves and Temples of Planet as soon as possible. The Free Drones expect that the Gaians will make the appropriate technologies freely available to all factions since they are so concerned about these issues.

5. An immediate move away from a Free Market economy. The Free Drones have adopted a Planned economy to lessen environmental damage.

6. A research grant for mindworm research.

7. The declaration of North Island Planet park. This large patch of fungus within Free Drone territory (due North of the land of the Morganites) will be maintained as pristine and untouched land to preserve natural habitat.

This far-reaching initiative exceeds the measures taken by any other faction to protect Planet from industrial development.

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Later that evening Foreman cbn did a vidcast address to all the people of Planet.

" My fellow citizens,

Today we were pleased to announce the strongest environmental protection plan that Planet has ever seen. WE share the concern of the other factions and hope to work with them to protect the environment we all share. Thats why we call all factions to join us in setting up a world wide impact assessment panel to review industrial development. We propose boreholing as the first topic in what could be a review of all activities on Planet. We acknowledge the greater knowledge of the Cult and Gaians in these matters and ask that they use their expertise in setting up such a panel.

WE do not wish to just talk about the environment, we are taking immediate steps to implement our plan. We have rejected Free Market government and prioritized tree farms. The Free Drones are proud to announce the first totally pristine parkland on Planet.

We now call on the other factions of Planet to show their resolve as well. WE have set out our plan and are willing to consider suggestions as to how we can do more. I challenge the other factions to set forth their plans rather than just talking in generalities. The first step would be a pledge to share technologies that allow better pollution reducing facilities. Citizens , you too can make a difference. Speak up and raise your concerns. Planet will be better for it."

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In other news the Channel 6 has learned that the Free Drones are nearing completion of a secret project know as the Longevity Vaccine. While we have been unable to ascertain details as to its purpose an unnamed source did say that the Free Drones will become much more "content" upon its completion. We are informed that it will be completed in 2199.

[Walt]

2199 to cbn.
____

*gack!*

[cbn]

The Free Drones note that the Morganites have been struck speechless by the environmental initiative of the Free Drones. We hope after the shock wears off that they will examine their own options in this regard.