The Chiron Chronicle: 2181

[DarkCloud]

From: Head Academican Prokhor Zakharov
To: Col. Corazon Santiago

It would seem wise for me to not ignite a war at this time without any provocation to do so. However I will send help to you should you so request it; and if Planetmind gets involved fighting us and Antimind then I can feasibly bring in the Morganites to help destroy the Cyborgs and Data Angels.

Destroying those two troublemakers will allow the Morganites and ourselves to once again control the populace who deserted us so long ago. Destroying the factions will also put pressure on the rest of the alliance to send aid their way instead of to your front.

Good Luck.

-pz

[DarkCloud]

Day 12, Journal of Illian Johansseen-Kloph

Encountered the Colonial University peoples,
A patrol went out to greet us warily from the hills when they saw our University colors.
Upon meeting them we were introduced and were taken to Rocky Crag.

From there the Spartans, our Generals and myself worked upon a secret plan for the 're-discovery' of the Colonial University cities during a massive strike against the heathen Data Angels and Cyborgs.

I cannot outline it in this journal for it is too sensitive a plan to fall into enemy hands.

[Clear Skies]

Private to all Chiron Alliance leaders - maximum encryption

From: Prime Function Aki Zeta-5 of the Cybernetic Consciousness

My friends,
I too agree that the Spartans are a threat to our safety. Their continued aggressive posturing and militaristic attitude is, quite frankly, unacceptable.
The question we must face is, what can we do about it? Datatech Sinder Roze is already stretching her resources to the limit by sending those Impact Rovers. I myself can spare few forces to bolster the Peacekeeper defences - however, I am sending three squads of Trained Silksteel Sentinels to help in their defence, although these must remain nominally under my command due to the threat of Spartan probe teams. I am sending one of my best coders with them in order to stave off any attempts at subversion.
Believe me, I would gladly transmit the Silksteel technology, but unfortunately I fear Commissioner Lal has made inadequate provision against the threat of the Spartan probe teams. The Silksteel armour may prove to be our only defence against their superior weaponry, and I would not have it stolen by the Spartans.

And what of Planetmind's declaration of war on the Cult of Planet? We cannot fight a two-front war, especially with a faction which professes to be helping the Peacekeepers against the Spartans. The Consciousness, I am afraid, must decline to declare Vendetta against the Cult. What with the aggressive nature of Provost Zakharov's rule and his alliance with CEO Nwabudike Morgan, we cannot afford to spread our forces too thinly. At any moment, University troops might pour into our territory, and had Datatech Roze not kindly agreed to station forces in my bases in preparation for a counterstrike, it would go hard with us.

Thankyou, my friends. My declaration of Vendetta against the Spartans will follow if they should dare to attack my Silksteel Sentinels. I hope that my presence will be a deterrent.

My thoughts are with you all, always.

Prime Function Aki-Zeta 5

Private to Datajack Roze of the Angels, Maximum encryption

My dear friend,
Many thanks for your gift of Centauri Empathy. Already our channels to the planetmind have been greatly improved.
Since then, we have discovered the secrets of Cyberethics, and switched our social model to the newly discovered Knowledge. The increased research abilities that this has brought has allowed us to make great inroads in pursuit of a long-hoped for technology. Superconductor. Although our scientists are some way from the finalisation of this theory, it is believed that we will be able to produce gatling laser guns, weapons of previously-undreamed of power.
I enclose the secrets of Cyberethics, plus my warmest wishes. Perhaps if you eventually choose to research the predicted Pre-Sentient Algorithms, we will be able to share technologies more easily.
Best wishes,
Prime Function Aki-Zeta 5.
[This message has been edited by SMAC Fanatic (edited March 11, 2001).]

[Guardian]

To: Chiron Alliance Leaders (ooc: including general Braddock)
From: Commissioner Pravin Lal

My friends, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I fear general Braddock and his followers have been proven right about the Spartans. We have tried to resolve our differences with them in a civilized manner, and we have been rewarded with unprovoked attacks and hideous atrocities. They clearly have no respect for the UN Charter or indeed for humanity, and although it seems like a terrible thing to say, I fear that there can never be peace on this planet as long as the Spartan Federation - in its' present form - remains a force to be reckonned with.

Accordingly, from this day forward, the Peacekeeping Forces on Chiron will be dedicated to the destruction of the Spartan war machine. We would, of course, prefer to see the Spartans voluntarily stand down and dismantle their own forces, but barring that... (*swallow*)... we are not going to sit here and wait for another disaster like U.N. SeaQuest. General Braddock now has my full support in whatever action he deems necessary.

We shall even start mobilizing some forces of our own, here on the island. I shall be making a public statement within the hour. I hope some day I'll be able to forgive myself for what I'm about to do...

Commissioner Pravin Lal
Disillusioned Peacekeeper


[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited March 12, 2001).]

[Guardian]

To: Chiron Alliance Leaders
From: General Braddock

So, the blasted Spartans were behind the disaster at UN SeaQuest. It comes as no surprise. Anyway, I thank you all for your support. If you wish to give your diplomacy one more chance, if only to keep up appearances, then I suggest you do get on with it. My forces are ready and waiting...

Braddock


Public statement by Commissioner Pravin Lal
Broadcast on all known frequencies

My fellow human beings.
I come to you in a time of great crisis. It appears there are those of us who choose to set aside both the UN Charter and their own humanity in their quest for power. These forces can no longer be left unchecked, as they are already threatening the survival of humanity on Chiron. We now have evidence confirming that the Spartan Federation was responsible for the atrocity at UN SeaQuest, and this is only the most recent of their crimes. Over the years since planetfall, we have all tried to resolve our differences with them in a civilized manner, and we have been met with unprovoked attacks and hideous atrocities.

This madness has to stop and it has to stop now!

The Spartans have said that they merely seek to secure the survival of humanity. However, to this end they can only fail, as there seems to be no room for compassion in their scheme, and without compassion there is no humanity left to secure.

If they truly seek survival for humanity, they will immediately withdraw their forces and stop threatening their fellow humans, and those responsible for the destruction of UN SeaQuest will be turned over to the Planetary Council to stand trial for their crimes.

Any other course of action would prove that the Spartan Federation is in fact a threat to the survival of humanity, and as such, the rest of us would be forced to stand against them. Although I hate to say it, the use of direct military force can no longer be ruled out.

Commissioner Pravin Lal
Planetary Governor


To: Colonel Santiago
From: Commissioner Lal

Colonel, this madness has to stop and without your cooperation I can not stop it. The situation is rapidly deteriorating, and if we do not act like responsible human beings now, it could be the downfall of us all.
Think about it, colonel. This war will have no winners, only losers. If you're really the survivalist you claim to be, you will help me stop it before it's too late.

Lal


Peacekeeper Island / UN sea bases

Reluctantly, the non-pro-war Peacekeepers start a new program to build themselves a military force which can do more than just police the streets of their own home bases. As it turns out, there are more volunteers than expected, but the Peacekeepers lack the required infrastructure to equip and support a military force of any significance, and their training facilities are also inadequate. They do have the resources to acquire these things, but this will take some time...


[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited March 12, 2001).]

[[LordLMP]]

OOC: Pirates will strike first by sea hey, they don't have any relations with Spartans, so can surprise attack without negative intrigity.
They are Pirates after all :P

To: Admiral Proudmoore, Third Fleet
From: Captain Svensgaard

Admiral, Third Fleet is to now secure Chiron Sea of any Spartans. Start by taking out that Spartan fleet near Fossil Field Ridge ASAP.

Captain Svensgaard


Fossil Field Ridge

The Pirate Cruisers and Foils quickly gets into a spread out formation. They retargets the Spartans and at Admiral Proudmoore's orders, the ships starts firing their Missile Launchers on the Spartan Fleet (Combined Artillery Fire). A whole wave of Missiles come streaking towards the Spartans Foils, getting them by surprise.

Plan: get into a long range fire fight for a bit, and then move in to finish the spartans off. Since pirate ships have Marine Detachment, theres a chance for them to capture Spartan Foils, without any self destructions.

OOC: Combat will be done move by move. Always give a chance to the other to do their move, which is either move, attack, long range attack and so on. Each unit can be doing different moves. All the pirates ships started their move by all artillering the Spartan ships, by surprise at that too.

[Christantine The Great]

Near Fossil Ridge...

The fungus rustled with excitement. Their allies, the Peacekeepers and the Chiron Alliance, had declared war aganst the Spartans. The elder mindworms give the locusts new life by letting them transplant some of their skin to help heal their wounds. The great locusts swarms had been resting for a day now and they healed their small wounds from the Cult forces. They were ready for the attack.

Out of the fungus they flew. On a huge burst of speed that would shame a jet, the cloud of locusts sliced through the air. They came upon a small forest and they flew right through the trees, chopping many down. Planetmind infomed the "leaders" that this was called "effect". The locusts reached the shore and then the Spartan ships about the time that the Pirate missles came. Using the Pirate missles like a shield, the locusts swarmed through the missles. Since the Pirate missle's target could be mostly predicted, the locusts had few losses. They then flew with the missles and let them punch holes in the Spartan hulls. The locusts then flew through those holes and punched through the metal on the other side. Some locusts flew through the hoverskirts, causing the foils to shake and list over. The Spartans fought back with flame guns, but since there were so many of them a few locusts here and there didn't help. The locusts all gathered in one spot in the middle of the fleet and paused. The Spartans took full advantage of this and they took out several hundred of them. The missles exploding over the water was the signal for the secret fleet. A sealurk holding a isle (taking lessions from the evil Cult) popped up in the middle of the fleet. The sealurk, who was very young, jumped on top of the most damaged foil and proceded to crush it. The missle turret, though, malfunctioned and shot the sealurk. The sealurk continued to hold the foil tightly as they both sank. The isle smacked some of the lesser damaged foils with its worms as the locusts gathered on it. The isle then sped away as fast as it could, shooting dead or almost dead locusts like bullets.

South of War Outpost...

""Go my forces and wipe out the Peacekeeper bases south of you.""

(In unison)""Yes, Lord AntiMind...""

OOC: Two Mindworm, spore launchers, and locust great boils are heading for the PK bases. The locusts are a square in front of the mindworms, the spore launchers are under the locusts, and the mindworms are in the back.

[Blake]

CultVision NewsFlash!

The Spartan Front
Cult forces have arrived on Peacekeeper soil, ready to do there part in destroying the evil spartans. Stay tuned for more on the gross betrayal by Planetmind!

"The Power Program"
Starting today in all Children Creches the Power Program intends to instil the importantance of power and respect in our children. How will the Power Program effect you and yours? Stay tuned!

Project Dragon Slayer
The latest buzz in industry, construction of the new defenses against the Dragon's of other factions. What's a dragon you say? Glad you asked, stay tuned!


TO: Cha Dawn
FROM: Psi Talent Betts

Prophet, the isles have arrived at UN Haven City. After unloading they left to find some fungus to rest in.

We have decided to team the worms up, 2 Mind worms and 1 spore launcher.

Our formers are constructing a fortification around the fungal field Braddock allowed us to use.


OOC: There is a bunker on the cultist "base of operations".
1 Cult worm team (2 worms, one launcher) and 2 scout patrols have walked down to the PK defense lines. The rest are at UN Haven City waiting for assignment.

[Argonaut]

OOC: I'm popping an Alien pod because it seems like certain people are way ahead of where they could possibly be going by tech points.

***Private Message - Enhanced Encryption***
To: Prime Function Aki Zeta-Five
From: Datajack Roze

Dear Aki,

I thank you kindly for your gift. My scientist have just begun research into what we as well are describing as Pre-Sentient Algorithms, and will glady share that knowledge with you once we have finished our study. In the mean time, I would like to share our information on Industrial Automation and Advanced Military Algorithms, if you should find either of those useful. An alien artifact led us to the discovery of these Advanced Military Algorithms, a highly useful artifact. I fear it won't be long before this new war spreads to our continent and we will need all the help we can get. Sincerely yours,

Roze

***Private Message - Enhanced Encryption***
To: Captain Ulrich Svensgaard
From: Datajack Roze

Captain,

I have a proposition for you. Both of us have technological information the other might find useful. Would you care an exchange. I believe my files on Cyberethics, Pre-Sentient Algorithms or Silksteel Sentinels and Industrial Automation could prove beneficial to you. Is there any information you would be willing to exchange in return? With the war against the Spartans, we need to work together. Let me know.

[Guardian]

UN Missile Foil Defender, Fossil Field Ridge

Fleet commander George Evans watched in satisfaction as the status board showed every battle station as "Manned and ready". Something was about to happen. Over the last few minutes, they had watched as the nearby Pirate fleet suddenly spread out an increased speed, then turned towards the Spartans... Appearantly, some kind of decision had been made...

"Sir, the Pirates have opened fire! The Pirates have opened fire!" The radar operator's voice cracked with excitement. Well, well, it seemed the waiting was over. "Jeez! Look at this!" The commander turned his attention to the radar scope, which was currently showing swarms of small, fast moving blips leaving the Pirate ships and streaking out towards the Spartans. The Pirates had just unleashed a massive long range bombardment. This was what they had been waiting for. This was the opening move, and their side was calling the shots this time! The Pirates would bombard the Spartan fleet from a distance for some time, then close in to finish them off.

Finally. Some action!
Evans watched the radar image for a couple of moments longer, trying to take in the significance of what had just happened. Then he snapped out of it. The time for watching and waiting was over and the time for reflection had not yet come. Now was the time for action. He savored the thought for just one moment, then he started issuing a string of orders.

"All ahead full! Come to new heading 0-7-0 degrees. Our allies have just gone to war for us and we're going in with them! Get the word out to the rest of the fleet, then to Braddock and UNHQ. Tell them we're joining up with the Pirates. Oh, and remove the safety locks from all weapons. Let's see if we can get a piece of the action here."

He braced himself as the Defender turned and accelerated to join up with the Pirate ships that were currently just beyond the horizon. Looking back, he saw the Protector and the Orion also turning and speeding up to stay with him. Up ahead, he could see the streaks of more missiles being launched and almost laughed out loud from the sheer excitement of it. Then he went over to his communications officer and started hailing Admiral Proudmoore of the Pirate Fleet. They would meet the Spartans with a unified front.

[Guardian]

To: General Braddock
From: Commander Cooke, Reserve Units
Subject: Operation Fury

Sir, we're in position.
Fury is ready to go.


UN Data Acquisition

"Sir, someone's been snooping around in these files! Unauthorized access detected, 48 hours ago."
Peacekeeper counter-intelligence officer John Murdock rolled his eyes in disgust. "Damn! That's almost certainly another one of those bastard Spartan probe teams! They're crawling all over us like f*cking ants!"
"Sir, I think I can trace these buggers. Hold on..."

"Well, if it's been 48 hours they're probably long gone by now, but let's give it our best shot..."

30 minutes later, a commando unit was getting ready to move in on a seemingly insignificant apartment building on the outskirts of town...

[[LordLMP]]

OOC: I suggest we wait for Cyber before any more involvement in the Battle at Fossil Field Ridge, and the rest of the battlefield on the continent for that matter. Pirates have Industrial Automation, only way to get to Doctrine Iniciative.

To: Datatech Sinder Roze, ****enhanced encryption****
From: Captain Svensgaard

Hello Datatech,

We have Doctrine: Iniciative, Doctrine: Air Power and Synthetic Fossil Fuel available to trade with.

Captain Svensgaard

[Clear Skies]

To: Captain Ulrik Svensgaard of the Nautilus - high encryption

From: Prime Function Aki Zeta-5

Captain Svensgaard, my friend, far be it from me to drag you into a Vendetta which is of little concern to you, but it is my belief that the University and Morganites cannot and will not restrain themselves much longer. My people have been fortifying our bases against attack, but any help you could see your way to giving would be much appreciated. Of course, this help would not go unrewarded - I am sure we could come to a reasonable agreement about the distribution of the Morganites' vast credit stores.
Naturally, you prefer to remain in your birthright oceans, so land bases would be of little use to you. Also, this territory which we would gain would be of invaluable use to myself and Datatech Roze, so perhaps a 60-20-20 split of Morgan's credits (assuming that together we can overwhelm their defences) eould be satisfactory?
Please try to understand. We are not attempting to hire you as a mercenary, but I and Datatech Roze must do whatever we can to ensure the safety of our people. As fellow Chiron Alliance leaders, we pose no threat to you - indeed, I and my people abhor war in all its forms. We make a point to avoid war at all costs, and to seek a peaceful solution to every conflict.

My friend, if I have any technology which would be of use to you, I would be more than willing to exchange it for some of yours. Also, my sea colony pod and its escorts are on their way to your specified co-ordinates, and should hopefully reach there soon.

Yours in friendship,
Prime Function Aki Zeta-5

Dream to Planetmind
my friend...earthuniversity and earthmorganite support your enemy, antimind...if we attack them with mind worms, can you help to direct our attacks...give us some edge in combat...anything...we will halt the morganites' wanton ecological disruption and the university's callous views towards planet...please, if you can aid us, do...

[Guardian]

Peacekeeper Headline News
Special bulletin: Are we at war?

Good morning brothers and sisters. I'm Neil Sheehan and these are the headlines of our special bulletin:

Naval battle at Fossil Field Ridge

We have just learned that a major naval engagement is underway in the Fossil Field Ridge area, where the Pirate Navy has opened fire on the Spartan Fleet. Peacekeeping naval forces are in the area, but are reportedly not involved in any fighting. However, Fleet Commander Evans has already stated his intent to join up with the Pirate forces and assist in "neutralizing the Spartan threat". Our sources indicate that the closest UN naval units can reach the battle area in a matter of minutes, which means that within minutes, we could be at war! More details to follow...


Are we going to war?

There has been no formal declaration of war against the Spartans yet on behalf of the Peacekeeping Forces, nor was one expected, as the civillian leaders still cling to the faint hope of a diplomatic settlement. However, this hope seems to be fading, and as we all know, even Commissioner Lal is now saying that the use of military force against the Spartans can no longer be ruled out. The military leaders argue that diplomacy has had its' chance and failed, and that peace with the Spartans under their current regime is impossible because they just want to walk all over everyone else and slaughter anyone who gets in their way. Hence, the military argues that it is no longer a question IF there will be a war but rather, the questions now are WHEN it will happen and how ugly it will get. According to General Braddock, our best bet is to "get on with it as soon as possible", because "the longer we wait, the uglier it will get once it happens".

This view is rapidly gaining ground amongst our people...


Are we losing our faith?

Are we losing our faith in humanity and in the process of reducing ourselves to barbarians like the Spartans? Or are we merely seeking to defend humanity against those who threaten it? These are questions we should ask ourselves under the current circumstances. Stay with us as we try to find some answers, after the news headlines...


Mobilization

The Continental forces under General Braddock have been fully mobilized for some time already, but the rest of us really haven't had much of a military. This is about to change, as Commissioner Lal has announced a major mobilization and armament program. This has spurred some popular protest, but not to the extent we would have expected mere weeks ago. Also, officials say they were not prepared for the number of volunteers that are already showing up at the recruiting offices. There has been some speculation regarding where, when and how we're going to train and equip all these people. General Braddock has offered to make training facilities and other military infrastructure on the continent available for some of these new forces to use, but this in itself will not be enough. It looks like we're gonna have to get used to the idea of having at least one major military base right here on PK Island. More about this in our 10:30 domestic news update.


Tightening security

UN counter-intelligence is embarrased by the fact that our allies seem to consider us a security hazard. Several of our partners in the Chiron Alliances have openly admitted that they're having second thoughts about sharing their latest technologies with us because they feel that our security is inadequate and are concerned that the Spartans could get hold of classified information by infiltrating our datalinks. Commissioner Lal has promised increased funding and more resources to our security forces.


Now, back to the situation at Fossil Field Ridge, where hostilities have broken out between Spartan and Chiron Alliance naval forces. It was the Nautilus Pirates who initiated hostilities by opening fire against the Spartan fleet after they refused to withdraw in spite of repeated warnings. UN naval forces are in the area and are reportedly in the process of joining up with the Pirates. However, we have not declared war on the Spartans and so some would say that our forces cannot legitimately join this attack.

We have just received a statement from General Braddock, saying that the Pirates are taking decisive action against an enemy who is going to attack us no matter what we do, and that this action "shows Pirate commitment to the Chiron Alliance and to defending the principles of our UN Charter."

So far, there has been no official word from UN Headquarters...

[Christantine The Great]

OOC:Cyber I would say that 2-3 foils near the Ridge should have on movement point deducted since a lot of locusts punched holes in their hoverskirts. And feel free to describe the battle between the Spartans and the AntiMind worms, but don't kill them all!

In UNHQ...

Several Demon Boil mindworms slithered into the UN War Memorial building. They went into the main chamber where they would find what they were looking for. Three Unity Choppers, left over from the past war aganst the Spartans, were sitting on a platform with human and mindworm dummies showing the famous "Skyworm" attack run on the Spartan rovers. The choppers were, suprisingly, left in working order. The mindworms brought in the two humans they mind controled into the chopper room. They each carried a fuel tank filled with top quality synthfuel. They put the synthfuel into one of the choppers and then were let out of the mind control grip. Soon, seeing about 20 demon sized mindworms, they passed out. As two mindworms carried them back to their guard post, the chopper with fuel was started and it flew up through the double skylight. It hovered as the mindworms took apart the other choppers and loaded the parts into a mini Unity Pod that chopper parts were found in. The chopper then took off to the waiting Isle of the Deep.

Dream to Datajack Roze...

I will offer any assistance you need. I have a small supply of units that can be operated by Earthhumans that were given to me by the...who they were is not important right now. Just send two reactors to the Manifold and I will outfit them. You will not be able to repair the units so whenever you need them repaired bring them back to the Manifold.