Turns of AXT-042, third thread

[Walt]

2193 to cbn.

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2193 to Walt. [EDIT: Looks like Walt already did his turn before I was able to post this. ]
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Open Message to All of Planet
Lady Deirdre Skye

We are pleased to see that the Drones and the Cult have finally laid down their arms and worked toward peace. We hope this may serve as an example of how lifekind on Planet can indeed coexist and live together for the common good, instead of repeating the cycle of violence and conflict that led to the destruction of Earth.
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First Advisor's Log, Year 2193
Druid Tenchusatsu

Meanwhile, as Lady Deirdre makes happy-go-lucky speeches and understandably preaches peaceful ideals, reality continues to go in a different direction. We have recently asked Lal of the PKs to end their Vendettas against the Morganites and the Drones. While I won't repeat his responses even in this confidential log entry, I do have to question the appropriateness of the name "Peacekeepers," because peace seems to be the last thing on Lal's mind. Even now as we get the intelligence reports from our diplomats, we find the PKs have prioritized military projects over domestic improvements. I am now forced to reconsider our Pact, which in retrospect was probably made in haste.

[cbn]

2193 is done -- 2194 to the Cult

[NorthSwordsman]

Turn 2194 to the Gaians.

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First Advisor's personal log:

I am becoming increasingly restless. I wonder why. Is it the dreams that the worms send me? Is it the unrest in our cities? Is it the reports that I am receiving that some factions are showing a great deal of disrespect for Planet and plundering her? I wonder how Druid Tenchusatsu and Lindley are reacting to all of this, given their connection to planet? The Prophet has withdrawn from public appearances lately. Whenever I talk with Cha'Dawn, I get the feeling/sense of torment, agony on the other end of the line. I saw Cha'Dawn yesterday... did not look good at all. Very disheveled, very much in pain. Cha'Dawn insists nothing is wrong physically. Yet, I'm concerned.

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Open note to all the factions and their population:

The Planet Cult is receving reports of unrest from Planet and the native life forms. We are concerned about the massive terraforming and plundering of Planet's natural resources. We strongly urge the factions to adopt a more "environment-friendly" stance, ceasing from the massive building and terraforming projects, particularly those abominations called "Boreholes".

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2194 to Walt.
_______

Report on the Cyborgs, Year 2194
Gaian Defense Minister

Our war continues to go well for now. We are actively wearing out the defense forces at one of their remote bases with our mindworm units. I anticipate victory within a few short years. Also the long-feared Cyborg naval vessel patroling the waters between our two continents will soon be dealt with by a new flagship we are constructing at the Maritime Control Center.

However, I fear good fortune will not be with us for long. Our intelligence reports already talk about Elite units stationed in one of their bases along with other well-trained forces scattered elsewhere. Worse yet, the Cyborgs have recently switched their industrial resources toward Power. This explains how they are able to field such strong troops. So far it doesn't appear that they are planning any marine landing soon, but we must keep a close eye on their affairs.

[cbn]

Scene at the MP post on the outskirts of Wellness of Souls

" Well corporal, what do you have to say about this incident"

" It wasn't our fault sir. We were at Rosie's having a few synthales when a few Cult soldiers walked in with one of their pet worm thingies. We weren't paying much attention until one of our guys walked past them on the way to the bar. The worm shrieked in agony and started writhing on the floor. Next thing 3 Cult guys were shoving up against our fellow, Dubinsky it was sir, and wanted to know what he done. Dubinsky never done nuthin' sir he just stood there but they kept accusin' him and a couple of our fellows got there as well. Well now there was three of our fellas face to face with theirs and the worm was going into convulsions as more and more fellas from our side came up. "

"What happened next?"

" Well the Cult fellers were sayin' we was hurtin' the worm thing and one of our fellas . . . . well lets just say he said that Cult soldiers seem much too affectionate with their worms. That got it started sir and the next thing I knew there was about 20 people poundin' the daylights out of each other. Good fun sir, no different than fightin navy guys except we have orders to leave the Cult alone"

"Well no one was hurt on either side. Cult MPs confirm that their troops will come up with half the damages and we'll come up with half-- your pay will be docked and you will be confined to base for 14 days. The matter is closed"

" Yes sir . . . But sir I promise we weren't lookin' for trouble. Just when that worm thingie went crazy everything went up"

" Ah yes corporal. It appears the neural amplifiers that all our troops carry cause mild discomfort to worms even at a distance of 100 feet. Ten feet and the worm experiences serious pain and with two or three guys there it would have been excruciating. We are still investigating the effect but it appears to be temporary as the worm has no permanent damage"

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[Walt]

Great! I love it! Do 6 episodes. "A Boy and his Fungus." We'll pilot it in the 11:00 slot, right after that diner show, what's it called, "Star Check?" Great! I love it!

- Producer Dan Rafferty, being pitched a new serial based on the now infamous "Incident at Wellness of Souls."

_____

2194 to cbn.

[NorthSwordsman]

Planet Cult Offical Press release:

The Cult regrets the incident at the recreation place called "Rosie's" on the outskirts of Wellness of Souls. The military troopers from the 1st Worm Battalion who were involved in the incident have been disciplined accordingly for allowing a Mindworm to be injured and violating the borders as outlined in the FreeDrone-Planet Cult treaty. Reparation has been paid to the recreation center owners for the damages. The Planet Cult asks forgiveness for this unintentional transgression.

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Overheard, conversation between the First Advisor and the 1st Worm Battalion commander, Colonel Harkness:

FA: What in the name of Planet were those troops doing over the border?

Harkness: I have no idea sir! My best guess is that they were looking for some fun.

FA: Fun ?!?!?! Fun ?!?!? I'll show them fun! I'm sentencing each of them to 15 minutes in the interrogation chamber, docking their pay for one month, demoting them one grade. They had better not disobey my orders again, or I will feed them to the worms myself! Putting a mindworm in danger is serious business. Didn't those grunts know the Neural Amp injures worms? Are they really that monumentally stupid?

Harkness: Sorry, sir. I have no idea what was going through their minds.

FA: They have minds? Shocking.

(silence)

FA: Harkness, a military commander is responsible for the conduct of his men, yes?

Harkness: (standing at attention): Yes, SIR!

FA: What am I going to do with you?

(silence)

FA: Harkness?

Harkness: Yes, sir?

FA: You are demoted one grade, your pay is docked for one month for delinquency of your responsibilities as a commander.

Harkness: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir?

FA: No.

(silence, sweat beads on the forehead of Maj. Harkness)

FA: You will spend 30 minutes in the interrogation chamber. You will not be removed from your command... this time. If it happens again... you will be worm fodder. Is that clear?

Harkness: Yes, SIR!

FA: In addition, all troops within the DMZ will be locked down in base when not performing their duties. Make that clear, Major. If any of them crosses the border, the MP's will shoot them on sight. Is that clear?

Harkness: Yes, sir. (subdued).

FA: Dismissed. Guards, take him to his half hour in the interrogation chamber, then to his quarters.

Guard: Not sickbay, sir?

FA: No. Let his pain be a reminder to him.

[cbn]

2194 is done and gone

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Excerpt from Drone Entertainmnet Weekly

Hopefully the renowned Rafferty will once again be able to create a compelling story in "A Boy and His Fungus" but the underlying events provide little drama. The "incident at Wellness Souls" was a simple bar fight, only notable since the combatants happened to be from factions recently at war . . . .


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Memo

FROM : Superintendent of Liquor Licencing

TO: Wellness of Souls district manager

Colonel Potter-- military liason, Southern district

Recent events at the establishment known as Rosie's have highlighted a number of instances of non-compliance with applicable regulations. The establishment has been convicted of violations of :

Article12(3)-- serving alcohol to minors
Article 13(7) --serving intoxicants in excess of the rationed amounts to military personell
Article 43(12)-serving intoxicants to Non-Drone persons without a dispensation
Aticle 67(5) -- possession of Morganite Brandy without payment of the appropriate duty

There are outstanding charges regarding 43 other counts but the foregoing is sufficient. It is hereby ordered that Rosie's shall be closed until it is in full compliance with all regulations and in any event shall be closed for a period not less than 6 months. Further sanctions may be imposed pending the outcome of the outstanding charges.

[NorthSwordsman]

2195 to the Gaians.

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[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2195 to Walt.
_______

Maritime Control Center, Lucky Autumn
Commencement speech given by the Gaian Defense Minister

I am proud of all of you cadets making up the first graduating class of the Gaian Naval Academy. Your courage, patriotism, and dedication to the preservation of Planet shines as an example not only to our Gaian nation, but also all of Chiron as well.

Since I'm not one for long and drawn-out speeches, let me cut to the chase. Each of you has already received an official letter of assignment which will begin exactly one week from now. You may be wondering why you'll be put into active duty so soon and what your assignment will be. Answering the second question first, the actual mission is, of course, classified, but the ship you will be serving on isn't. On this note, I am proud to unveil our newest flagship, the Sword of Gaia!

As you can see, this sleek new vessel is the first cruiser ever to be commissioned by our Gaian nation, and perhaps all of Planet as well. She is the fastest naval vessel on Planet bar none and her top speed is twice that of most naval foils currently out there in Planet's waters. Not only that, but this ship will serve as our prototype for future ship-building projects. It also serves as the prototype platform for new Gaian armament as well. As you can see, its main weapon is a gigantic particle impactor. Plus the armor is made out of the same crimson alien alloy that other nations have been using for years now. This "resonance armor" will aid us against attacks from native mindworms that our onboard trainers fail to capture. As you know, one of our vessels was recently lost to a wild Isle of the Deep (may Gaia rest the souls of that ship's crewmembers). This proves even our strengths in psi-combat is no proof against the dangers of Planet wildlife, so employing the armor will give us added protection against such attacks.

Now I'm not going to pretend that this ship is more than a match for rival ships out there in combat. As you know, other nations, including our enemies, continue to develop more fearsome weapons of destruction. Some are even bent on turning their citizens into soulless killing machines. But that's all the more reason why we should strive harder to be better fighters for our cause, to exemplify courage and self-sacrifice. That's why we rely on you, our proud class of 2195, to serve as such an example for future Gaian soldiers and defenders, and to preserve our peace-loving and Planet-nurturing way-of-life.

So anyway, back to my first question: Why are you being put to active duty so soon? Well, your captain will tell you once your ship, the Sword of Gaia, sets off on her maiden voyage. As of now, enjoy your week off with your family and friends. Soon you will be sent off on your glorious mission! May Gaia and Planet bless you always!!!

[cbn]

2195 is done-- 2196 dawns on the Cult

[NorthSwordsman]

2196 to the Gaians

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First Advisor's Personal Log:

Business as usual. Our economy is slowly recovering. The Prophet at last has emerged from his isolation, attending a social event. The Prophet has lost about 15 pounds. The physicians are concerned, but Cha'Dawn insists that the weight does not matter, all is well. I wonder. While Cha'Dawn appeared quite animated at times, near the end of the event, the slowness of the Prophet's motions were very noticeable. I wonder if what is ailing Planet is ailing the Prophet. They are connected, after all, in a way we cannot hope to comprehend. I'm thinking that all of this ecological disruption is what is causing all of these problems. If that is the case, then it must cease. We cannot have the Prophet in this condition.

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Offical Planet Cult press release:

We again come before the population of Planet and ask that factions refrain from excess ecological damage. While we understand the need to provide for people's survival, excess is to be condemned. We request, nay, demand that ecological damage be stopped at the risk of grave consequences.

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2196 to Walt:
_______

Personal Log, Year 2196
Gaian Defense Minister

I am happy to report two military victories this year. The first marks the Sword of Gaia's first triumph in battle. Specifically, the ship engaged the Cyborg Laser Foil in the waters between the Gaian and Cyborg continents. The engagement was an exchange of artillery at beyond visual range. Fortunately the Particle Impactor on our ship proved to be stronger than the Cyborg Laser Cannon, and in short time the Cyborg Foil became food for the Sealurks. Unfortunately, the Sword of Gaia herself has suffered moderately heavy damage. She will be ordered to report to the nearest base for repairs. Thanks to the Maritime Control Center, repairs ought to be swift. That's a good thing, because there is still a lot I have planned for our new flagship.

The second is our conquest of the Cyborg colony Epsilon Landing. It took quite a while to convince Lady Deirdre to take over the base. She is still very reluctant to take what she calls "imperialist actions," and I don't blame her, considering the cries of peace we made after the Drones took over a Cult base. But the intelligence reports don't lie; the Cyborgs are indeed building up elite forces, possibly in preparation for a major landing. While we still haven't detected any transports in the Cyborg ports or shipbuilding yards, it won't be too long before they do have a few. Therefore, it was necessary to eliminate any foothold that the Cyborgs have on lands outside of their home continent. Otherwise, those footholds will quickly become beachheads for more attack troops.

Some of our senior advisors have privately suggested to me that we should end the Cyborg threat once and for all by invading their mainland first. And I must admit, I too was intrigued by the idea for a while. But of course this idea will never fly with Lady Deirdre. Even if she wasn't such a pacifist, it would still take more than just an "intriguing idea" to convince her to cancel our massive domestic projects just to support our "spendid little war."

[NorthSwordsman]

Fellows, I do not know about you, but I am tremendously enjoying the "add-ons" that we have been adding to our games, enchancing the "flavor" of our games. This is a first time I've experienced it, I must say... it's addicting! :-). It's like reading a book and being able to influence the stories in that book. :-). Keep 'em coming!

Randy