Tales From The (Still) Diplomatic Front II

[KenThur]

Glad to hear a public position pronouncement by our newest leader!

Wise perspectives & thanks to thee for hanging tough. As we all now know, not only are the Aztecs by nature an aggressive race, but their original dynasty became easily angered, even tho he did an outstanding job of building a vast empire & holding 1st place almost from the start!

If oh Great SmartFart of the Croat/Aztecs, is reading this now... we understand why thoust was so short-fused. And we hope that thee have now been relieved of those non-Civ causes for your fraustrations & stress... many times over!!

Back to the Diplo world stage: we Vikings & our leaders fully endorse the new peaceful turn of direction of the once-fear-inspiring Aztec civ. We have our RR engineers working fulltime to complete the long, dangerous trans-Gobi line to your far cities. We look forward to mutually benifical trading between our 2 nations & in turn, those of the other peaceful nations of Asia.
Our cabinet feels it will be gold & time well-spent. In return, we hope such an enlightened leader will find it only fair to share some technological advance(s) with us for making these efforts.

============================================
PS: we understand U & your cabinet have been thru some long-winded discussions, however, U may want to speak to your Press Sec'ty about the modern concept of paragraphs(!)
Your former enemy, the English, may be able to teach thee some of their world-class publishing techniques(!?).

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 8

GOVERNMENT IN SHAMBLES
Due to some pressing matters our present leader decided to call elections to attend some personal matters. The first elections were a success, the socialist party gained the majority in parlament, and the new government(communism) seemed stable enough. Thinking everything was in good hands CapTVK decided to leave things to the AI bureaucracy. Not long afterwards, when our leader decided to see how things had gone, he was shocked! "Guess it's another lesson learned, never trust AI bureaucrats!" and "sometimes we're forced to trust the AI in keeping things organized" were some of the more polite phrases he uttered. CapTVK made a promise to get things back on track as soon as possible.


Viking statement puzzles cartographers
Ever since the Viking announcement that they would start the construction of the trans-Gobi line cartographers have been puzzled. "As far as we know the Gobi desert is Chinese territory, we'll look into it..." was the first statement when our journalist interviewed the secretary of the English mapmakers society.

Just before this edition went to press we learned that the Vikings indeed control some former Chinese cities now in the Gobi region. "Seems that one slipped by us. We're already updating the worldmap for the next edition!" so prepare for a special worldmap edition of the New English Times!


----------------------------
Science&Technology
----------------------------

Newton college opens in London!
London is becoming a serious place for Science and Education with the grand opening of a college dedicated to one of the greatest English cientist of all time " Sir Isaac Newton". "This greatly enhances our scientific reputation in the world..." mentioned the enthusiastic ex-chairman of the Copernicus Observatory. He has something to cheer about, because he's becoming the new chairman of Newton's college!

[KenThur]

The Viking Sentinel: 1540-1620AD Regular Edition

HEADLINES: Vikings finally make it to the ranks of the mid-sized powers!!

The addition of 2 cities & the continuation of our military fulfillment program have brought the democratic & hardworking Viking civ out of the shadows of our immediate neighbors! 

Details:
Our well-heeled diplomatic corps convinced yet another of the repressed & abandoned Chinese desert cities to come into the fold of democracy! The city fathers were delighted to tour our wonderful President Milo & the entire cabinet with their families through their wonderful JS Bach’s Cathedral. As a result, Joy has spread throughout our lands!! Celebrations continue from the steppes of Asia to the islands of New Zealand!
Congress was so impressed, that they proclaimed “Viking Happy Victory Day” & immediately allocated 20% more of our energies to scientific research; much to the delight of our Dept.of Education & Advancement!

On the home island, the final perimeter city was established. Thus providing a northern railhead for rapid movement of trade & military units plus “closing the loop” against future disruptions by barbarians & uprisings!

With the safety of our home island ensured, the Ministry of Military began re-deploying home guard units to our thinly stretched northern borders. Where they will maintain the security of our engineers continuing their task of building the Trans-Gobi railway.


Business Page:
Our unfettered economic leadership has finally begun to pay off for our free, democratic, hardworking citizenry. Through the completion of several more excellent trading routes with our favorite partners & friends the democratic Russians & their most excellent President Super Pasti, we accumulated sufficient gold to motivate certain city leaders. Furthermore, we HAVE finally reached their rumored railroad system & should shortly complete several more mutually lucrative routes. There is no more powerful force in civilization than 2 well-developed democracies peacefully working together!

Another frigate laden with spices of SE Asia has arrived on the eastern shores of Africa, where it is scheduled to provide these wonderful raw materials to please the palates of the sophisticated Japanese capital & other major cities. Our hard-driving business leaders hope the rail lines will be cleared THIS time for our caravans to expedite their deliveries? Though we feel we owe it to our benefactors at the JTF to establish these lucrative routed with their cities, a quick look at the demand for spices shows seemingly half the world’s cities clamoring for our RICH spices.

Another of our fleet of traders is headed for S.America with caravans for the JTF cities there. Onboard also is a city-building team that will look into the possibility of establishing a trade terminal per the open invitation from enlightened leader of the Japs, GG. Our concern is… in the Andes are there any decent sites left? According to the dated maps we have, there was not much in western S.America to support or justify a decent city & the resources necessary to develop it to the level we Vikings strive to have our cities. We shall see, perhaps such a city could be a bargaining chip in the future?

Encouraged by our hard-working & ever-present Milo dynasty, we continue advancing our world-leading city development. Along with many of the other advanced civilizations, we are in that period of civilizations’ development where there are so many technologies that have been researched that it is difficult to decide which city improvement(s) to build!? Having built extremely advanced economic major cities, we are in a position to rush-build basic improvements in our newer cities, while they concentrate on increasing their populations. Meanwhile, our major cities are concentrating on increasing their production capabilities with factories.

For the most part our citizens are loving the full-employment prosperity. However, there are beginning to be heard rumblings in our larger cities from what is being referred as “pollution”?!


Political Page:
Foreign Minister Freddie Friendly, reports our appeals to the greater leaders of our world seems to have successfully reminded them of the Vikings’ role(s) in keeping this world on a viable & interesting course through history to this point. Resulting in at least an understanding & tacit approval of our limited objectives & mutually beneficial designs for creating a “corridor of stability & trade through central Asia.

Regarding this new group of citizens being termed “enviro’s”…
they are starting to warn about the effects of something called “worldwide warming”. They claim this is caused by the industrialization of large cities & the combination of ALL civ’s rapidly increasing output. Our Interior Minister J.Edgar Phuckem says, “They’re just a bunch of Luddites that want to slow progress & this `global warming’ is not our problem. Put’em to work on the Trans-Gobi, that’ll teach their butts about `warming’!”
Pray tell fellow world leaders, is this happening in your civ’s? Is it something we should be concerned about or just a political ploy by the far left to gain attention & slow down our rush to greatness?

Statistical Section: As of 1620AD the Vikings rate as follows...
1st in; GNP, Productivity, Income, Literacy, & Family size !!!
2nd in; Manufactured goods ! 

and thank goodness & our far-sighted leadership...
5th in; Military service 
6th in; Pollution 

Editorial Page:
The bar has been raised gentlemen leaders of this world.

All in all, this world continues its return to peace & prosperity. Though still missing some human rulers, those present continue to make much progress technologically & development-wise.

Milo Mindbender… what a President!! He & his predecessors have been through so much over all these centuries. Bringing our little civ from the isolation of barren Australia to at least a position of becoming a medium sized power on the world stage. Other than being shy & self-depreciating, isn’t he just “The Greatest”?

[CapTVK]

World Review: Nr.2

By the the English Ministery of Foreign Affairs

This is the current situation in 1620:

[*]Russians (21 cities) Pasti2 Size: Large[*]Japanese (22)GrauGeist Size: Large[*]Vikings (17) Milo Size: Medium[*]Aztecs (23) Nappy Size: Large[*]Chinese (13) *open* Size: Medium[*]English (16) CapTVK Size: Medium[*]Sioux (14) *open* Size: Medium


Comments: There are no small civilizations anymore, the world is now carved up between the 'big three' (JTF, Aztecs, Russia). But the 'playful quartet' (Vikings, English, Sioux, Chinese) may have some surprises up their sleeves!
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited September 03, 1999).]</font>

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 7 special edition

A newly updated geopolitical worldmap as of 1620AD:



No major changes concerning the large powers, Aztec, Russia and the JTF fill up the empty gaps in their territory. The English and Sioux nations remain unchanged while Chinese shrink to the sub-medium level. That Chinese leadership still remains absent has put the Chinese forces at a great disadvantage against the better organized Viking forces. Military planners believe that as long as the Chinese leadership issue isn't resolved the Vikings will continue to advance into Chinese territory. This expansion may become an issue in further
political developments, but for now we can only wait and see...
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited September 03, 1999).]</font>

[Superstar]

MOSCOW MULE, 5th September, Early Edition.

Editorial.
After a quick dispulsion of the sneaky underworld leader AI, Russia returned for another crack at world politics under the inspired rule of Pres. Superstar, (The leadr formerly know as Pastie II).
A particularly interesting episode in world politics has seen a declaration of war from our first meeting with the Chinese, a rush to build the Hoover Dam from at least 3 Civs, the set-up of the United Nations, the Death of leading inventor Leonardo DaVinci (see obituaries)and Scandal in the Viking senate.
The act of espionage committed by the Vikings against the English (Traditionally Allies) has met with worlwide disapproval. Pres. Pastie was amongst the first leaders to condemn the act performed by one of our allies against another, but notes the swift manner in which it was remedied, albeit not wholly satisfactory for the English. The Russian antion continues to hold it's alliance with the Viking nation but warns of any such action against our own nation. Our policy remains that most things are negotiable, and need not be forcifully taken.
On a lighter note relations with the reborn Aztec nation appear to be growing strong with new trade routes and a good rapport with their leader Consul Monty. We hope that this mutual respect remains and past atrocities laid to rest.



MILITARY MULE.
The Atrotious behaviour of the Chinese nation upon first contact has led to a war that the Chinese cannot hope to win. Although the generally peaceful Russian people do not enjoy settling disputes with violence, it is imperative that we stop the war with a swift pre-emptive strike and seize a Chinese port in order to maintain a safe route for future caravans of every Civ.
We would also like to thank Mr.Milo for his support, and will not hesitate to call on his services if required. The AI must learn some manners soon.
Disturbing rumblings from the other AI controlled nation, the Sioux, has seen a major war erupt involving the all powerful Japanese. Again we fail to see the logic of the AI attacking the #1 power and allies of the Russians and English, but more manners are bound to be taught. We hope that the war does not get out of hand, but que sera, que sera.

ECONOMIC MULE.
Stockbrokers have been lapping up shares in Russian Spice as several freights make their way through Europe, Africa, Asia and the antipodean isles. Spice routes have been established from Odessa to Baghdad, and are expected in Hastings from New Cuba (Soon to be renamed Super Cuba).
Other Trade routes this turn included a weak Hides link from Smolensk to Bucharest and a nice little earner in Gold to Tijuana from Krasnoyarsk. Watch this space.

DOMESTIC MULE.
Three new cities have been formed as part of the 'Living Room' campaign, designed to increase the number of towns and cities for our ever-growing population. New Home Secretary Fyodor Dostoyevski has stated that although Russia continues to grow it is not allowing enough room to expand, and so new cities are required. New cities include Kursk, Magnitogorsk and Kuibyshev (Cities due to be renamed for ease in foreign relations), with Kazan expected to fill a strategic position between North and South America next turn. In the long run icey terrain is being terraformed for a new city possibly called Vologda.
What continues to disturb the Russian populace however is not the number of cities but the relatively small size of it's older ones. The main reason for this seems to be the abundance of plains at the cost of fertile grassland, a factor that has seen an assignment of engineers try to remedy.

OBITUARIES.
Leonardo DaVinci. Painter, Scientist, Inventor.
The death of the most influential man in world history has left a whole nation in mourning. While perhaps most remebered for his role in improving military capabilites, his art-work and invention ideas remain as a tribute to his legacy. Long before the JTF discovered flight Leonardo had made diagrams detailing how man might take to the sky, but was unfortunatly ripped off by a young Japanese apprentice named Otik. He lived a rich and full life with several wives and children, and a statue has been erected in his hometown of Leningrad.
An exhibition showing his sketches and paintings opens in Dublingrad next week, where Pres. Superstar will be chief speaker.

&lt;font size=1 face=Arial color=444444&gt;[This message has been edited by Superstar (edited September 06, 1999).]&lt;/font&gt;
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by Superstar (edited September 06, 1999).]</font>

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 9 early edition

VIKING DIPLOMAT CAUGHT IN THE ACT!

Yesterday (1710 AD),a spy posing as a diplomat to set up an embassy in the South American town of Santiago was caught. Before he was apprehended he managed to steal the technology of combustion. This technology enables ships (destroyers)to move at much higher speeds then with old fashioned ironclads. The shocking part of the matter was that the spy was a Viking diplomat! This diplomat, at arrival on the South American continent, had asked free passage to set up an embassy in one the English colonies there. The governor of Santiago was at first unable to believe that the spy could have been a Viking. "We've been on very good terms for centuries, why would they do such a thing!" was his first answer. After it had been confirmed that the diplomat in question was indeed a Viking the shock quickly turned to anger. "What a weasel!" and "We gave that diplomat free passage too!" was one of the more polite phrases he uttered. The Vikings have felt the backlash of their actions though. It caused a scandal in the senate and the government slipped into anarchy.

Viking relations turn sour

The espionage attempt has seriously fouled up relations between the Vikings and English. Although the Vikings gave the technology of the automobile to make amends it isn't enough to cool the English rage. "We are not amused..." mentioned the foreign minister after an emergency meeting.

Finally we managed to contact the English ambassador in Viking territory just after making an official statement: "The technology given by the Vikings pays for the tech stolen. But it doesn't pay for the act of spying and trust lost..." said the English ambassador who had opened the Embassy in Viking territory 30 years ago.


Other news to follow...
<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited September 06, 1999).]</font>

[Grau Geist]

JAPANESE TRADE FEDERATION WEEKLY COMMIE 1710 AD

WE BELONG WITH THE BIRDS !

The JTF has sent men into the skies! On a cool day in Nara, Greenland, in 1630, two Federation men made their dreams into reality. The brothers were both experienced kite riders and the eldest, Kito held the world record of 789 ft. They translated this love for the sky from kite riding into a quest for powered, sustained flight. Launching from on top Glacier 241, the youngest brother, Otik, was the first to fly their contraption, what they call an “airplane”. This magnificent hawk-like apparatus had two slightly curved areas, one on top the other, creating the width and height. An elongated rectangle, creating length, was placed in the center of these two planes. At the front of the rectangle was a riding space, and directly in front of that was a small gasoline powered engine somehow turning multiple blades that were aligned perpendicular to the ground. The exact details of this “airplane” have been classified by the Home Defense Department, but it is suspected that the general knowledge has been shared with some of our allies.

APPLICATIONS OF ATOMIC THEORY DISCUSSED BY THE WORLD.

The Big 5 held a conference on the future applications of the recently discovered Chinese theory of Atomics. The exact details have remained classified by all 5 governments. However, contacts in the Aztec Republic, known for its lax security, have mentioned a discussion on weapons applications. Most JTF scientists willing to comment about this possibility assured this paper that such applications were feasible, but highly unlikely. All scientists approached were anxious to see the knowledge applied to creating a clean and long lasting power source for JTF cities and ships. One leading scientist prophesied, “Applications to this Theory are far down the road, not in this lifetime, but our children’s’ children will be able to enjoy a world powered by atomic energy” .

WAR ! AGAIN....

Relations with our Sioux neighbors soured early this week as war broke out. Federation Embassy officials in Banglore suspect foreign connivance was involved. What could be at the heart of the matter is the superior technology possessed by the Federation. Sioux spies have recently been captured in and around the secret military flight testing area, according to Home Defense Force Chairman Hoto. The first open hostilities occurred when Sioux infiltrators overran Fort Sapporo North and killed nearby Terrain Transformer Engineers. Many Federation soldiers were captured and forced to join the Sioux fort defense. The recent reductions in JTF treasury surplus has been an explanation for these turncoats. The border city of Sapporo has also been a way point for Sioux immigrants seeking work across the Red Sea in Satsuma. Sapporo Home Force records reviews indicate that an unacceptable amount of Sioux immigrants were recruited into the fort defense and could be another explanation on how the fort was bribed so easily. Embassy officials in Banglore were the first to report good news as this bribery attempt cost the Sioux about half of their sizable treasury.

NAVAL BATTLE VICTORIES!

Federation Forces were quick to deal the Sioux a blow where we already held undeniable superiority, at sea. The Battle of the Gulf of Mannar pitted the Monitori and the Merimaca, two JTF Ironclads, against the Sioux Ironclad, Geronimo, and the Frigate, Running Scared. The Monitori sustained heavy damage but was able to sink the Geronimo. However, limping back to port Satsuma it was pounced on by the Running Scared. The Merimaca sped out of its station in the Gulf of Aden to defend the Monitori, but arrived too late. After picking up the survivors from the Monitori, the captain of Merimaca was able to determine into which direction the Running Scared had fled. It was only a matter of hours before our superior ship ran down the Running Scared, survivors are being detained until the end of the war.

The second naval battle occurred in the Gulf of Oman where JTF transports ran into a Sioux Destroyer patrol. A special volunteer force was able to sneak aboard the Sioux vessel during the night and convince a majority of the crew to defect to the JTF. Though this battle ended without destruction it was no less important, perhaps even more important; there has been no further Sioux naval activity. It has even been suggested that the Sioux Navy is completely destroyed, though this is mere speculation.

WE BUILT THE DAMN FORT TOO WELL!

These were the last words muttered from the commanding officer of the annihilated 7th JTF Cannon Corps. Rush attempts to retake Fort Sapporo North have failed, causing heavy casualties. Following this failed attempt the commander of Sapporo Home Forces was relieved for his incompetence. His successor inherited a terrible situation, but has been able to hold Sapporo through the valiant efforts of his men and thorugh his brilliant defense strategy.

PEACE FAILS

Recent attempts to make peace with the Sioux have failed. Embassy officials in Banglore are being detained until the cessation of hostilities, however its anyone’s guess when that will be. All four peace negotiators have been detained at the entry point of Basra. The recently created United Nations, headed by the Viking Democracy has added insult to injury in questioning why the JTF is at war with the Sioux. Their suggestions for peace are noted, but Viking alliance with the Sioux is suspect. The Federation suggests the Vikings use their power of the U.N. to force peace with the instigators of the war, the Sioux, rather than with the victims. The JTF has ruled out Total War as life elsewhere in the Federation continues as before.

[KenThur]

The Viking Sentinel: 1640-1710AD Midnight Edition

HEADLINES: Greatest Peacetime Blunder in the History of Civilization!!

Subtitle: Lowly shopkeeper allows the WRONG WONDER TO BE BUILT!!

Details:
Since the coming of peace throughout nearly all the world, the major & would-be major civ’s were quietly racing to acquire the technology & means to construct what all experienced leaders knew would be one of the, if not THE most important wonders of the modern era… the massively powerful 1-of-a-kind HOOVER DAM. Our Viking business, military, & scientific leaders were in complete agreement; our national pride & future abilities would take a huge leap forward if WE, the Vikings were the civ to create this Wonder.

Our (formerly) great leader, President Milo set this as our national priority for this century. He sent emissaries out to acquire the needed “electronics” technology. The response was an eye-opener… NO ONE would trade or even sell the required tech!? The scientific mission reported back that it was useless, we would have to do it on own if the Vikings were to have a chance at a hydro plant in every city.
“So that’s the way they want to play, huh?”, Milo is quoted as saying upon learning of this uncooperative response. “We Vikings will rise to the challenge!” was his rallying cry.

Having only re-established embassies in half the world’s civ’s since the expiration of M.Polo’s, we had only partial intelligence on other civ’s wonder-building. And that was only partially believable since they, like we, were probably showing the building of another wonder rather than the REAL objective. In our case, Pres.Milo instructed the construction crews to show “United Nations” on all their blueprints & the city production orders. Knowing that for the same 600 shields worth of production, THE DAM could be built.

After decades of preparation, intense technological research, rushed construction of factories, “food” caravans waiting in the Outback, & last but least, HUGE sums of gold… we were within striking distance!

As the completion of research on electronics neared, tensions within the highest levels of government & industry mounted. The caravans were awakened from years of sleep mode, trade routes were completed bringing in bonus gold, a old coliseum (no longer needed due to JS Bach’s) was even sold, & homeland factories churned out new freight convoys as fast as they could. Our new cities’recently completed Libraries were set to around-the-clock shifts of research as the President’s executive order directed 70% (!) of our resources to discovering the secret of electronics.

The tension was unbearable as each decade passed. Our leaders watched the news flashes & monitored the diplomatic channels as best they could for news that another civ had beat us to THE DAM. This stress-filled drama was all unfolding between random visits by aliens from the outer world. Known in the retail world as, the “Customers”. Of course these visits necessitated President Milo being called away, to do shopkeeper duties. So as not anger our god, “The Wife”; since the Vikings were operating from her universe.
Editor’s Note:
Intelligence sources tell us that other civ leaders have periodically had similar visitations from aliens referred to as “Girlfriends”, “The Kids”, & even by that most powerful of aliens… “The Wife” herself! It is our understanding, unlike with other aliens life forms, “god” usually only makes her presence felt in short, but rather clear, communications from afar.

Finally! The year of completion arrives. It all comes together like a precision machine:
1] Science Minister Testla announces we had perfected “electronics”.
2] Commerce Minister Rockefeller moves the caravans & freights directly into our capital “V”, where the “UN” wonder is being built.
3] Finance Minister Richie Rich calculates & recalculates how much gold is needed to complete this masterpiece in 1 dramatic payment; WE HAVE ENOUGH goes up the word!
4] President Milo waits patiently before giving the final, last-minute word to complete the wonder; lest the other world leaders be alerted with by a “Vikings have nearly completed the United Nations” news flash. He knows full well, that among this distinguished group of civ leaders most know it takes the same amount to complete THE DAM as the UN.
5] At last, we’re in the decade prior to completion. Of course what Milo didn’t know, was how many of the leaders had noticed we Vikings had just mastered “Electronics”. So as a ruse to, hopefully, divert the other leaders’ attention & keep them from checking their intelligence on the Vikings, Milo engaged them in lively chat session. All the while watching time tick away until the final decade began with the Russians. 1710AD, the year of completion was here at last!.
6] The (then) Great Milo gives the command, “Make it so.”
The gold flows & our capital’s production box is filled completely with shields!! It was glorious folks! Secret congratulations go out to our great business leaders for making our civ the great economic power that could do this great deed!
We are almost there.
7] Still no announcements of THE DAM being completed! Just 1 more civ to go, but it was THE civ to watch… the powerful, rich, & well-run JTF’s turn. Though our embassy intelligence reports showed they were still building the “Cure of Cancer”, we knew that could mean as much as us building the “UN”. The Jap timer ticks down ever so slowly, closer & closer to release…
8] OH NO! Customer aliens approaching! Oh, my god, they want to land & actually buy something! Don’t they know, this is a critical moment in our world’s history?! What can I do? I can’t tell them to bugger off. They are upon us, looking over the counter at Diplo world on the screen! We can’t ask for a stopping of time, GG the masterful leader of the JTF would surely suspect something & he still had the ability (we assumed) to switch wonders & complete THE DAM. To protect our doing’s & do the deal with the aliens, Milo switches the civ screen over to wife-god’s alien customer-trading software.
9] Milo the shopkeeper’s face is flush with stress. Trying to put on a happy face for the aliens. All the while consumed with the fear a window awaits his return to this world… “The Japanese have nearly completed the Hoover Dam”. Milo’s thinking,” Hurry customers, give me the damn gold-oops, I mean credit card!
Alas, the Customer aliens are satisfied, the wife-god will be pleased, & Milo the shopkeeper can return to being President Milo.
10] Diplo world switches back on the screen… Milo slowly opens his eyes… NO wonder announcement. Whew! But the Japanese still have a minute or so to move. A quick check of their cities; they are still building the “Cure”! YAHOO!! We are on the verge of one of the greatest feats of all civ history, we have come from centuries of 2nd class status to THE Civ to Beat as we enter the modern era!!!
11] The top map bar finally announces “Vikings Moves 8:00”.
Now all the world will know… “THE VIKINGS COMPLETE HOOVER DAM”. We did it!
But wait, what the… ?
What!? What is this, “…complete the United Nations”!! NO-NO-NO, this cannot be! It’s supposed to be THE DAM!
The UN, so what. That’s nothing, we already have embassies in most civ’s & another on the way. We didn’t do all this work & make all these sacrifices for the damn UN, we did it for THE DAM!!
12] Instantly answer came to the Viking leaders. Milo the MEATHEAD in all his stress, chatting, & shopkeeping (not to mention having his head up in the self-congratulatory clouds or up something!) … FAILED TO CHANGE PRODUCTION ORDERS TO HOOVER DAM!!!

All these years, all these resources, all for naught. This will forever be remembered as; “Milo’s Dam Blunder”.

Political Page:
In his humiliation & agony, Milo immediately compounds his error. Utilizing what had just become a useless diplomat on the way to establish an English embassy, instead uses him to steal a tech as a desperate move to at least salvage some gain out of all this. Unfortunately this did not go unnoticed. Not only did CapTV of the English get upset at our quick advance but Milo’s fellow countrymen, the honorable Viking citizens, immediately poured into the Streets in waves of protest. Bringing down the government in a pile of scandalous dung.
Oh the humility of it all!

Ex-President Milo the Meathead was last seen running out of the back of his wife’s shop near the capitol, in the direction of the Great Outback wastelands. Being pursued by an angry mob of wonder construction workers. Screaming something about those damn aliens, the Customers.


Business Page:
(see the details of front page story)

Military Section:
The only conflict our armed forces & diplomatic corps engaged in this century was a quick hitting campaign against the nasty Chin’s. This was only to support our friends & allies the peaceful Russians. As reported in their press, President Super became rightfully enraged when the Chin’s attacked & destroyed 1 of their caravans on a mission of mutually beneficial trade.

We lent our assistance in teaching these aggressors another lesson in international good manners. President Super sized up the situ rather quickly with the aid of our intelligence gathering network. Confirming that his navy had more than enough firepower to escort a small task force to capture 1 of the offending Chin port cities. If we could draw their army reserves to the south. A lightning raid by the veteran 3rd Cav division did just that. Catching a hapless Chin cannon in the open steppes as it approached to attack our central border city. This victory was quickly followed by the capture of a secret little Chin city our explorers had discovered on the northern edge of Tibet.

With these rapid successes, the Chin’s wisely begged for mercy & we agreed to a permanent peace treaty. We truly hope this is a lasting peace for all time. We Vikings have not territorial designs at all in this region now that we have cleared the way for our continuing Trans-Gobi RR.

Editorial Page:
The formerly great Milo Dynasty has fallen. Bringing down with it any hope for The Vikings becoming the supreme civ on this planet. The fruit of such ambition is indeed a bitter mouthful to swallow. Milo Mindbender… what a President!!
But like a Shakespearean hero, he brings himself & all that would fallow, crashing down; foiled by his own mistake. Milo Mindbender… what a Meathead!!

We Vikings must now relegate ourselves back to the role of supporting actor on this world stage. We must not forget the debts we owe & the (almost) unfailing support shown throughout history by the JFT & their astute leader, GG. We can only hope to hasten the end to this contest of civ’s, wherein, we are guilty of:
Greatest Peacetime Blunder in the History of Civilization!!

<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by KenThur (edited September 07, 1999).]</font>

[CapTVK]

The New English Times: issue 9


Two New trade routes set up
After a long wait the first English caravans arrive at their destination to set up trade routes in almost a century. Finally we have also come in contact with Chinese after our coal caravan arrived in Beijing. The English never had any straight diplomatic contact with the Chinese till this time and hope to keep our relation on a friendly level.
The second caravan finally arrived in the Aztec capital after a sharp detour through Sioux territory. It seems well manufactured English cloth is in high demand on the Aztec market.
Plans for other trade routes are already underway. The Atlantic Trading Company (ATC) is planning to send a convoy with caravans towards North America.


Sioux conflict leads to English blockade
It seems the warmongering never stops with the Sioux these days. They've set their their eyes on the JTF city of Sapporo in the middle east. Although the JTF can handle things at sea it is still being pressed on in Sapporo. Our conflict with the Sioux ended not so long ago and relations seem to have returned to normal and we don't want to risk another conflict. Yet we can't stand by and not assist our great ally the JTF in time of need.
That's why we decided to sent a small contingent on a training exercise to block off the route from Banglore to Sapporo. Thereby denying the Sioux the opportunity to sent reinforcements they need to hold onto their captured fort near Sapporo!

Leonardo DaVinci passes away
A great scientist has passed away today. Details of his death remain sketchy but it seems there was an accident whilst testing out a horseless carriage which he dubbed the 'automobile'. He will be missed, the advancements he made in science, art and literature is too long to list, but it's clear that the fruits of his work shall live on...
Many noted English scientists have had the pleasure to meet Leonardo in person thanks to the 'Science of Life' exchange program set up with Russia. They will be present at the opening of the exhibition in Dublingrad to give their condolances to the family.


London drought finally over!
It's been decades overdue but London finally has what no large city can do without: "an aquaduct". People have always wondered why Londoners like rain so much, here's the explanation: "no water rationing!". Thanks to the new aquaduct London may finally reach the size that is fitting to a nations capital.


<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited September 08, 1999).]</font>

[KenThur]

Viking Sentinal Supplementary Edition

Though our civ is in anarchy due to the events reported earlier & a new leader has not yet emerged, the Viking remaining peace-loving & cooperative.

In all the stress & concentrated effort of our civ's leadership during the construction of... a wonder. The Foreign Ministry was not able to translate & analyze all of the communiques that were swirling around the issue of our former ally & always friends, the Sioux.

Now we have had the opportunity digest the foreign press releases & indirectly, been asked to intervene in an effort to halt further bloodshed & draining of resources.
We here in the still-functioning Viking press corps will take the initative to offer the services of our recently completed United Nations.

Let us first be clear to the world; we had NOTHING to do with the deteriorating leadership of the Sioux's reported aggressive behavior toward the JTF. Remember world leaders, many leaderless civ's take a very poor view of the supreme civ in any world contest.

As for the English "reaction" to transgressions as reported in THEIR press... well, we Vik's may have our doubts. We frankly have to believe & support our neighbors & friends. We will frankly take a dim view of any further intrusions into Sioux homelands by the militarist leadership of certain civ's. We hope other enlightened civ leaders who have always believed in peace or have made the transition from aggressive to peaceful relations, will take a hard look at any civ that continues to push it's borders & agenda at the expense of it's neighbors.

Despite already giving the English a much better technology than our wayward diplomat got from them; we will offer this exchange/challenge to their tough but hopefully, fair Consul CapTVK...
If thou art sincere in your desire for peace with, we Vikings will allow the use of the United Nations to make peace. In return, we ask only for the use of your Statue of Liberty to bring our peoples back from their current state of anarchy.
You will find that the science & taxes generated by our great Viking capital, V, will far surpass those of York.

This we offer for the peace of the world. And let us remind thee Consul CapTV, the eyes of the world are upon you & we Vikings WILL get out of anarchy without your Statue... how do the English & it's leader plan to get out of war without the UN?

To Consul Graumoto(what kinda name is THAT?): we offer the use of our UN without conditions, as we believe you to be an honorable & peaceful peoples & (believe it or not!) the Vikings have not forgotten our committment to provide use of a wonder many centuries ago. Of course, donations are gratefully accepted.

The humbled but still strong Vikings wish only peace on our planet for centuries to come.

[Superstar]

Where's the latest map Cap? I look forward to seeing the changing face of our planet.

[CapTVK]

Gentlemen, patience please!
It seems that the worldmap has become so popular that it will be released on a weekly basis from now on. Unless the map doesn't change significantly expect a new one every week.

There's seems to be some problem uploading the maps to my homedir on the server. If you can see the map the problem is already resolved. If not, you'll have to wait a little longer.

(added 10/9/99)
Finally managed to upload the map but it still doesn't show up in the thread. Seems the homeserver is overloaded at the moment...




Main Changes:
North America is almost filled up and a Russian surprise in South America this week, it seems that the Russians have established a colony in Colombia! The only other significant change this week is that the Aztecs have established a city (Marseille, English city naming convention) with access to the Mediterranean. The English foreign minister would like to remind the Aztecs that the treaty of Rome still stands. That's all for this week...


<font size=1 face=Arial color=444444>[This message has been edited by CapTVK (edited September 10, 1999).]</font>

[Nappy]

Wow. Our last session was very exciting! Ive been involved in games where there has been a space race. Ive been involved in games where there was a missile (nuclear) race. But this was the 1st game where there was a "Dam" race.And it was one of the best dam races Ive ever been in. Lots of tension.JTF and I Aztecs were the only ones with the techs to build the dam but neither one of us had the requisite production. It seemed as if all 5 players were racing for the dam.Everyone was trying to trade with me every turn for the necessary techs. On the turn when I finally finished the dam, the Viking leader went mad and accidentally built UN instead. On a lighter note, the Aztecs would like to announce the founding of a new resort town in southern Francethat was built more for the mines and ski resorts of the hills and mountains of the ALPS as opposed to port access to the Med.We will soon be trading with our friends in the western hemisphere and Id like to assure our English friends that all trader transports will be leaving thru the Atlantic and not thru the Med. Id also like to reassure the English that our new Mediterranean resort will not overlap any city squares on the Iberian peninsula sw of the Pyrenees or on the Italian peninsula. It is also our hope that the great nations of the world can quickly settle their differences with our hapless AI neighbors.....the Chinese and the Sioux without further degradation of their territorial integrity. Finally, the Aztecs are happy to announce that the new AZTRAK RR is nearly complete to central Asia and we promise free rides to all the caravans of the world for the next 200 years.

[Grau Geist]

THE FEDERATION WEEKLY 1750 A.D.

SCIENTIST DISCOVER A CURE FOR THE PLAGUE !!

In an amazing turn of events, scientists were able to discover a cure for the scourge of the 17th century, the black death, Cancer. The race to cure this disagreeable disease has been long and hard, but in the end the leading scientists of the JTF medical community came through for its people and all of mankind. This came as no surprise to many as the Federation has been the front runners in disease control for its population for ages. In 500 AD, JTF scientists discovered the secret of medicine and have progressed our nation throughout the ages with sanitation, and more recently with the break through genetic engineering. Therefore it is only natural that the #1 disease controlling nation produce such an achievement for mankind.

CHAIRMAN GRAUMOTO RECEIVES RECORD APPROVAL

With the most recent achievement of the communist scientists, the government has received record approval. When the cure was announced citizen approval for the government rose 5 percent, to a record high. This achievement of course is underscored and perhaps tampered by recent scandals in a few major cities. Every city party leader was given notice of the cure 12 hours in advance of the general announcement. A few of these leaders attempted to take advantage of the future citizenry happiness growth before the announcement. These attempts backfired as the announcement came minutes after unhappy citizens, who were supposed to be pacified by the announcement, created disorder in a few major JTF cities. The disruptive citizens were eventually pacified by the announcement, but not until after the damage was done.

PEACE WITH SIOUX ACHIEVED!

With the recent overthrow of the old Sioux regime, Chairman Grau was only too happy to negotiate a peace with the incoming Sioux leader IL Duce. In exchange for peace the newly elected Sioux leader relinquished control over Fort Sapporo North and released the half strengthened rifleman home guard. When abandoning the fort the Sioux also left the 12 inch cannons intact within the fort. Chairman Grau said he was pleased with the developments and lifted the Japanese Trade Federation blockade on trade, which was imposed following the Sioux attack. Unfortunately remnants of the old guard created a bit of anarchy in Siouxland and JTF merchants found little profit from trade bizarres setup shortly after the end of hostilities. Future plans are in the works as JTF merchants are not easily deterred.

EDITORIAL- ELECTRICITY: GODSEND OR PURE EVIL

With the recent introduction of electricity in the past century this world has moved toward the future with lightning speed. At the same time our growing world demands constant construction projects to meet the needs of the ever enlarging populous. These two aspects of our world societies have begun to clash. The most recent events in Aztecia are by far the most disturbing yet. Power interruptions causing a disruption of everyday activity, especially during the weekends have caused great turmoil in that burgeoning nation. In the race to build, construction crews severed the life lines of that nation. Though recent scandals have erupted over construction projects on our side of the world we must hope that such major events will be avoided in the JTF. However, the rest of our global community has already been effected by such occurences; trade and communication breakdowns occured this century between all nations and Aztecia. The result was a global affect that practically slowed the world to a screeching halt. With the dawning of new technology we must review the JTF policies and trade practices to assure greater disruptions will not affect the future of the Federation. A policy is reportedly going before Chairman Grau and the Trade Commitee this week as an attempt to curb such future disasters. The self-sufficiency of the JTF is undergoing great scrutiny and it is believed the new policy of trade and communication may be drastically changed. Unconfirmed reports have been circulating, suggesting the possible imposition of isolationism, or less extreme, the isolation from non-Communist nations as prevention against future breakdowns. For as the party teaches us, capitalism is the route of all evil.