Official Response to Vox Peace

[Kloreep]

I agree with vondrack: GS does not have final say over whether Vox moves, and they'll realize this sooner or later. Hopefully sooner, but they can always watch the capitol move when they drive Vox off Estonia instead.

However, I'm concerned about Vox revealing their survival ticket. Perhaps "concerned" is an understatement. Either a) we did not clearly communicate to Vox how much we wanted LM under wraps for now (I think this is probably what happened), or b) they are still acting as if they are a world-class civ that can negotiate head-to-head with GS. Vox needs to realize that they are dead if they stay on Estonia, and that they will basically be under our thumb on LM. As amusing as some of the public announcements have been, our Vox transplant may be seen as Lego taking responsibility for Vox - in a diplomatic sense in addition to the military and economic ways we will have to look out for them at first. If that's the case, I don't want Vox continuing to swap secrets around in chats, attempting to find some diplomatic advantage they can use. We need to make it clear that if we tell Vox something, they should keep it to themselves unless we say otherwise; and we need to make it clear just how much we'll be demanding from them. (We are going to pursue at least some of the clauses I posted a few days ago in the poll, right? )

So, I propose a chat with Vox, and soon; as soon as we get a LM treaty worked up.

[vondrack]

Originally posted by Kloreep
and we need to make it clear just how much we'll be demanding from them. (We are going to pursue at least some of the clauses I posted a few days ago in the poll, right? )

Definitely, Kloreep, this will be a must. I will appreciate if someone starts a discussion on this topic, even if it's just throwing ideas - I will do my best to address the issue in detail later today - unfortunately, I have some stuff to finish first and then my mum is celebrating her birthday today, so it will be a couple of hours before I get to this.

P.S.: the "leak" was 99% a matter of an individual or individuals doing diplomacy the wrong way or - and that is most likely - a matter of one RL-friend from Vox telling another RL-friend from GS. I did make it very clear we wanted to have the LM plan remain secret. Either he did not pass my message properly on or some Vox or Voxians missed it(s importance).

I was pretty harsh in my email to Beta last night. He has already apologized to me and to the whole of Lego and promised no more faux pas like this. Will post both my email and his response once I get back home in the evening.

[vondrack]

FLASH!

Leaving in a minute or two, but this is extremely important...

I have just received a confidential PM from Beta (do not tell anyone we were informed, please). It seems that there was a breakthrough in the peace talks! It is very likely that Voxes will sign peace with GS very soon - perhaps even before playing this turn. The terms are "acceptable".

Could it be that our initiative saved the day?

Will keep you up to date.

[ZargonX]

Yes, perhaps I am overreacting, but as others have noted, the situation is very frustrating. Sometimes Vox gives the impression that they just don't want to be saved. However, your newsflash is encouraging, Vondrack. Let us hope that develops into something more substantial

[vondrack]

Sorry to take the good news back...

After coming back home from my mom's birthday party, I have found out another PM from Beta. What looked like a breakthrough peace draft was actually just a personal effort of one of the GS members having ties to one of the Voxes. It was not official.

So we are still in the midst of heavy negotiating, nothing solved or agreed to yet.

And re: Voxes not wanting to be saved... I find it rather funny that the history repeats itself here - leaks and diplomatic faux pas was EXACTLY what led to the demise of Lux Invicta. I remember very well how Beta explained Lux became too much of a diplomatic burden for Vox eventually, because of not being patient enough to keep quiet, lay low, and wait for others to help them.

I am going to stress that again to him - fortunately, Beta is not Trip... and Voxes will hopefully remember the lesson THEY learned "from the other side"...

As for the frustration... I understand what you mean PERFECTLY. But let's not allow our frustration to make us forget of the "big picture". There is a LOT in stake now. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that planting Voxes in Legos Minor and helping them become our "detached research center" might actually be an asset worth pure gold.

[ZargonX]

I just had a thought that we should probably add as an addendum to any Vox relocation: Vox must keep 1 warrior in reserve to trigger our GA for us when we request it. It would be awful handy to have a ready-made GA just waiting for us when we decide we need it.

[vondrack]

Yes, good idea, Zargon. I believe it is time to start discussing (within our team) the very basics of our coexistence and cooperation with Vox Controli.

After reading the public Vox apology and the responses from GS (especially the hawk-wingers), I am now quite positive that the peace will be reached. Soon.

Let's await the upcoming news with great hope.

[vondrack]

Thought I would keep you all up to date - it seems that I will soon be able to take back what I took back before...

Peace talks are apparently proceeding well now and what started as a personal initiative of Eli becomes now the official treaty being discussed and hopefully accepted by GS eventually.

Here is the good news from Vox:

Hi radek - Eli tells me that GS likes the agreement - with some very minor changes. Which is good news. It will allow your new northen neighbour to start off on the right foot.

The dynamics of this game are remarkable. When you take a look at it - nothing has changed from two days ago to now in any material way. The only difference is the public apology. Which would indicate that GS are more ruled by their emotions than they would like to think they are.

Which is fine by us at Vox. Besides - I really did sleep better last night. So the same clearly applies to me.

On another note - Arrian's summary of the GS-Vox war posted in the public forum pretty much confirms my impression. Voxes lost the war because of waiting too long, missing the right moment to attack (I mean, attack something - units or cities, not just invade GS).

[Nimitz]

Like Hannabil who could of crushed rome but turned and went south instead.