The Chiron Chronicle 6: 2182

[Argonaut]

OOC: Sorry I've been absent, it's the end of my school year so things have been crazy. The Sprawl coordinates:(68,24). Out of curiosity, what is the general consensus on a shared secret project (built together, providing the same benefit idea).

Approaching the Combined Pirate-Peacekeeper Fleet

The four Impact Foils of the Data Angel Task force which had brought the rovers to the U.N. now approached the massive Pirate-Peacekeeper Formation. It was still unclear how long the Spartans would remain in hiding, but the Data Angels would be there waiting too. The followed the Pirate Commanders instructions and joined the formation.
[This message has been edited by Argonaut (edited April 20, 2001).]

[Sprayber]

To: Chairman Yang
From: Colonel Santiago

My good chairman. I trust that your Hive society is proceeding according to your plans. My apologies for not getting back sooner but pressing business within the Spartan Federation has kept me busy. I have received a message from our old colleague Lal. He is not responsive to the offer of peace. While the Spartan Federation is quite capable of maintaining our war effort. We are still interested in peace and will show restraint in the coming days in order to foster an atmosphere more conducive to peace. As for our future relations. I am concerned that Lal is too dependent on the Pirates to truely act independently. Also he appears to be have some kind of relationship to the so called "Planet Mind". With the existence of the Planet Cult and even the weak Gians, this may lead to bad consequeces for our two factions. Close cooperation may prove to be in our best interests once again.


To: Commissioner Lal
From: Colonel Santiago

I am somewhat perplexed by your unwillingness to enter into peace talks. While it was not us that suggested talks to begin with, we have had a shift in thinking as of late. Do not think for a minute that this is a sign of weakness. It is merely a sign of enlightenment on the part of the Spartan Federation. My people wish only to maintain our way of life. For a time your people represented a threat to our vision of our future. You are one of the leading factions in a global alliance that wants to bend us to a new way of thinking. So Instead of wasting the lives of young men and women on the battlefield. We can confront each other across a table or in the council room. Do not let radicals in your government lead your faction down the road to a continued brutal war. Because have no doubt, the Spartan Federation is going no where. We can sustain a very brutal war. Think about it Commissioner. Can you survive as a Peacekeeping faction if you allow the war hawks to persuade your thinking. And a further note on your allies. While your soldiers have performed quite admirably in the face of superior Spartan forces, some of your allies have used this as an opportunity to solidify their position of supremacy. Now far be it from me to pick and choose your allies. But perhaps you should not totally turn your back on them. At least one faction may prove to be quite treacherous.

Sparta Command. The Command Center:

As Colonel Santiago walked back to her office after sending the two messages she was still steaming from having to send them at all. She did not like appearing weak. She had seen the report about General Helzburg entering War Outpost at the invitation of Governor Wilcox. If things had been carried out as planned, none of this would have been necessary. The southern army would have been hers and not that bastard Helzburg's. She might be able to depend on the Combine army. But what good were they if they could not break free of the line without significant casualties. She needed the army intact. If Helzburg contacted Weiss, he may be able to persuade him to join his side. Not a pleasant scenario either way. And another problem was General Kessel. If he was allowed to contact the other governors, they might back him. Without an army to maintain order, the governors will jump at a chance to switch. The only bases she could be certain about were Janissary Rock and Sparta Command. For the first time in a hundred years, she was doubting her judgement. She should not have used General Kell. She should have approached Helzburg or Kessel. But she purged those thoughts from her mind. She could not allow herself to be distracted at such a crucial time. Tomorrow would be a new day. And even the great Santiago needed sleep once and a while to remain sharp. As Santiago walked into her office and heard the automatic locks activate she didn't bother taking her uniform off. She just laid down on the large couch and preceded to fall asleep. Soon her dreams took her back to a time when she commanded nothing. Back to a far away place called Mexico City.

[OOC: Just a quick clarification. When we talk about units. Am I correct in assumming that rovers and jets are groups and not just a single unit? If I have made a mistake in my assumption than I will change the wording of the post. Santiago is sending these planes down to keep an eye on both the PKs and War Outpost.]

Sparta Command. Aerospace Complex:

Air Commander Halen almost jumped out of his chair when he got the word that his two 2 needlejets groups that he commanded were to get ready to move out. He and his crews had stayed in Sparta Command for most of the war. Only once able to leave command airspace. Sure they weren't going to engage the enemy but any chance to get out of the ever prying eyes of the intelligence bureau was one to be lept at. His two needlejet groups and two of Commander Todd's interceptor groups were to fly to Assassins Redoubt and await further instructions. He had silently wondered why they just didn't go to War Outpost. The rumors of trouble in the command structure must be true. His own boss, General Maltz, had just disappeared one day. His office cleaned out and nothing else was said except that Maltz had been reassigned. He and Todd reported directly to General Kell now. But that didn't matter. He and his crew were going to Assassin's Redoubt. That ment far away from Kell and Sparta Command. After Hale and his planes had left the runway and formed up in the standard flying formation, Hale asked permission from Sparta Control to leave command airspace. The resulting affirmative brought a small amout of joy to Hale and indeed most of his pilots. They were finally going somewhere other than "just around the Mesa" like usual. Hale signaled his pilots to put in the proper coordinates and they all turned south for the trek down to Assassin's Redoubt. Hale was concerned about one thing. Redoubt had no Aerospace Complex. It would not be as easy to support his planes like in Sparta Command. But he had overcome far greater challengers before. This one would be just another reason to stay alert and ready. When Commander Todd and his planes joined him tomorrow, they would have to work out a supply plan with the local garrison commander. Dealing with grunts and administrators would be far more difficult that dealing with PK planes.

Near PK lines:

Captain Drake had ordered a full stop of his rovers. Sargent Knop was busy with the radar screens. "Sir. There's no doubt. Seven batteries of PK artillery. Most likely more units coming up from behind. Drake had accepted his fate and the fate of his men. There was no rage. Only anticipation. His last professor at the Spartan War College had told him that when the time came to die he would either accept it and go on with his duty or loose faith in the Spartan way and die without honor. By now he had a pretty good idea why he and his unit had been picked to go on this mission. His father's close ties with Santiago and Helzsburg's last minute dash to War Outpost spoke of trouble with the command structure. He choose not to let inform the men. Master Sergent Knop most likly knew. Knop like most of his rover group had been trained in Sparta Command. But Sparta Command might as well be on another planet. There would be no help from them or anyone else. Besides, this might prove helpful after all. Give the PKs something to keep their attentions toward until the command could get their sh@t together. Drake decided to honor his former teacher at the War College, General Kessel, with a quote heard often before battle exercises. "Well Sergeant, it is a good day to die" "Yes Sir, it is indeed. Request permission to make some Peacekeeper widows." Drake smiled for the first time in months. "Permission granted, Seargent. Permission granted." The rover group lurched forward and began an assault towards the nearest PK battery. "Captain Drake to all rovers. Lets show them what Spartan elites can do. Today we bring back honor to our unit and to Sparta.

Many klicks to the north:

Commander Hale was still feeling guilty about leaving the two rover units back there to die, but there was no other alternative. The situation with command was a mess and to be honest he had wanted to go with Captain Drake. But there were battles to be fought in Sparta herself. General Helzburg had counted on him to escort the Sparta Command units and then to get back to War Outpost as soon as possible. This business with watching the engagement was puzzling. He knew Drake would do his duty no matter what. Now his concern was to get back to War Outpost without getting involved in any skirmishes. How crazy was that. A Spartan avoiding combat. These were unsettling times indeed.
[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited April 21, 2001).]

[Natan]

To: Commisioner Pravin Lal
From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive

Your behavior is despicable. The Spartans are in the process of changing their government and have asked for a cease fire, yet you refuse them, simply because you desire to make yourself the only "legitimate" authority on Planet! Shame on you! I demand that you abide by an armstice and participate in peace negotiations, or I will void our diplomatic agreements!

To: The council
From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive
I would like to make a proposal for an immediate armstice agreement between the Spartans and the Peacekeepers, by which a peacekeeping force made up of members of neutral factions, specifically troops from the Hive, Believers, and The Morgans, be sent to the cease fire line to keep the peace while a settlement is negotiated. We must end this horrible war which has claimed so many lives. Was unity not one of the goals of this very expedition, indeed, was it not its very name? I submit this measure to a vote before the council: A binding armstice, and the violators of it will be punished, whichever side they may come from.

From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang
To:The central Committee
All cooperation with the peacekeepers is to cease immediately. Continue preparing the rovers, but do not equip any with deep radar just yet. Put our forces at the Planetneck on alert, and put our forces in general on alert for mindworm activity. Work on the Human Genome Project may be frozen pursuant to these goals.

From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive
To: Colonel Santiago of the Spartans
**encrypted**
My society is progressing very well on its journey towards perfection, my good Colonel. I am informed that our high population growth has reached the carrying capacity of our territory until new technological discoveries are made, and therefore it has been possible to eliminate all ideologically impure elements and have them replaced with a new generation of pure citizens who would otherwise have lacked the necessities of survival.
Do you need any help in your quest towards a heavily armed Utopia, Colonel Santiago? We should co-ordinate our plans.
[This message has been edited by Natan (edited April 22, 2001).]

[Guardian]

[OOC: Sprayber... Assault the nearest artillery unit?? Those are behind the rovers, not out in front! The first units your rovers will bump into are Commander Cooke's Assault Rovers. These are 5 regiments of elite missile rovers with plasma steel armor and soporific gas pods. 5 of the artillery regiments also have soporific gas, and this will be used in the engagement. The artillery will blast your units with high explosive + some gas for a couple of hours while the assault rovers charge in. Feel free to write your side of the story if you wish... as for the air strike on commander Hale's two groups, the PKs are sending two groups of ground attack aircraft escorted by three groups of interceptors. The latter might try a few "strafing runs" against Spartan ground troops if no enemy aircraft show up, but they're less effective in that role...]


From: Commissioner Pravin Lal
To: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive

Yes, it was a terrible and wicked decision, but we were not the ones who made it. The Spartans made the decision when they set themselves up as judge, jury and executioners, declared us "too worthless to deserve life" and set out to destroy us in order to prove it. So, we are fighting a terrible and wicked war against a terrible and wicked enemy, and until we have reason to believe that they are no longer terrible and wicked, we see no way out of it short of destroying their ability to make war. You may call it a "cop out", but even Peacekeepers do not believe in peace with the devil. Also, I would choose my words a bit more carefully if I were you, as there are already those who question your neutrality in this matter.


From: Commissioner Pravin Lal
To: Colonel Santiago

Colonel, I'm impressed. That was quite a speech you made back there.
Just too bad that I have no reason to believe a single word of it.
Enlightenment has never been a sign of weakness in my book, but refusal to accept reality is. And before you ask me what that's supposed to mean, ask yourself. If you think about it, I believe you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you want peace, prove it! I am waiting...


From: Planetary Governor Pravin Lal
To: The Planetary Council

We have received a motion from Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive. The council is not in session at the moment, but we can still discuss this measure. Comments anyone?

[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited April 22, 2001).]

[[LordLMP]]

To: Planetary Council
From: Captain Svensgaard

Hive troops to peacekeep the peacekeepers? Funny. The Nautilus Pirates do not like the idea of the Hive, who was allied to the spartans, to peacekeep. Neither do we like the idea of the Morganites to do so, if they could afford maintening a peacekeeping force. Anyway, the Spartans have committed various atrocities towards the Peacekeepers from committing genocide, the use of nerve gas to nuking SeaQuest. They are also into Nerve Stapling their own civilians aswell. Those are serious charges. In the matter of fact, the Hive have use nerve gas aswell.

The best way I could see that the Spartans are serious about having peace with the Peacekeepers is that they are willing to pay the Sanctions and to limit the size of their military.


Captain Svensgaard


NAUTILUS SAILOR NEWS


War against University...

Our three Battle Dragon units currently fighting University are faring well. Neither the Chiron Alliance Forces or University have suffered any serious losses, but skirmishs continues. University doesn't seem to be interested in going on the offensive.

War against the Spartans...

The Spartan Navy are still hiding in their channel, avoiding our ships. The Spartans don't seem to be interested in going on the offensive either, navaly anyhow. The bulk of their Main Army as retreated to War Outpost while only two of their Rover units attack the PK Defence Lines. Quite odd indeed. Atleast their Infantry Units are still suprisingly continuing to give the PK and Cult units a hard time at the defence line north of U.N. Haven City. As to wether the war will end soon is still questionable, but things continue stale out it seems, like the agressors losing their energy to continue their agression.


The Gaians are now sending reinforcements...

After taking a year to prepare for the war, the Gaians are now loading their Task Force on their Isle of the Deeps and transports. It is still not sure yet where they will be landing their troops, but they will arrive to the eastern continent in under a month.

***************************

Major Kurita's Units, now at 100%, are now joining up with the PK units getting ready to retake Data Acquistion while General Kane sends the two newly upgraded Hive Plasma Msl Rovers to join up with the Data Angel units.


***************************

[Guardian]

U.N. Headquarters

Commissioner Lal was talking to General Braddock again...

Braddock: Hive, Believers and Morgans?? "Neutral peacekeepers", eh? What planet did he say he came from??
Lal: -Or which one does he think we're from? Anyway, that part of it doesn't matter all that much. The Council won't buy it.
Braddock: But Yang sure has some nerve...
Lal: He threatens to void our diplomatic agreements if we don't go along with it...
Braddock: (*smirk*) Well, there goes his "amnesty for the use of nerve gas"...
Lal: True, but...
(There is a short pause as an aide runs up to general Braddock with an urgent message. When he comes back, he appears a bit more serious...)
Braddock: Sir, I have just received word that the Hive forces at Planetneck have gone on alert.
(Shocked silence from Lal...)
Braddock: Don't worry about it, sir. We have it covered...


Planetneck

The Cyborgs were the last to know. By the time they got the word, even the formers that had been out in the open planting fungus were moving for cover. Sergeant Jacob Iota-9 was about to have a little "chat" with his liaison officer when another platoon of PK soldiers in full battle gear came running by his position, headed for their bunkers. He noticed that they had a new song...

I don't know but I've been told
I don't know but I've been told
Yang is getting pretty bold
Yang is getting pretty bold
...


He didn't get the rest of it, as he was distracted by an incoming message on his comm link. The seal of the Peacekeepers appeared momentarily on the screen, followed by a short text message of unspecified origin.

It simply said... How do you like your "friends" now?


Further south...

"Orders acknowledged: Return to station."
The six missile foils were leaving their patrol patterns, picking up speed and heading back up north...


South of Data Acquisition

Kyla felt a jolt of pride as her rover pulled up alongside one belonging to the Data Angels.
There was quite an army gathering up here... -And Kyla Johnson was part of it!


North of the Defense Line...

The artillery was still blasting away as the rovers began their charge.
Assault Rovers moving in from the front and sides, with a few regular missile rovers trying to come around and hit the Spartans from behind... Commander Cooke noticed that the Spartans appeared to be attempting a charge of their own, directed against his own unit. He clenched his fists in anticipation as the first Spartan rovers emerged from under the artillery barrage up ahead. As his forces closed with the enemy, the artillery lifted, and for a few seconds, it was just two armies of rovers racing towards each other... The Spartans were in some disarray after taking almost two full hours worth of constant pounding by the PK artillery. Many of their rovers were gone and the ones that remained were outnumbered, outgunned and out of luck. But they would still fight. For a moment, as he watched them come charging towards him, he couldn't help but admire their courage and fighting spirit... Then he forced himself to snap out of it. It was time to act... "Here they come, you bastards! Let's get ready for it!" Almost there... any time now...

NOW!

"Fire!"


Further north...

Captain Cilia Anderson was out here again. Only, this time she wasn't flying a recon mission. This was the real thing. There they were! Dozens of Spartan rovers kicking up dust clouds as they sped towards War Outpost. Some of them would eventually get there, but others would not... As she watched, the ground pounders began their attack runs. Forcing herself to stay focused on her own role, she banked away and kept scanning for hostile aircraft...

[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited April 23, 2001).]

[Sprayber]

Near PK Units

Captain Drake was living out what every Spartan dreamt of. He was fighting against impossible odds with everyone betting against him. He glanced over at Sargent Knop who was busy relaying the ever changing situation to Drake. Knop was of course being very exact with positions and casualty reports. "Another rover has been lost sir. Rover 2. Lieutenant Gia Sir." "Order Lieutenant Silo to make corrections to cover the space Sargent." "Acknowledged Sir. Sir, we are approaching the first rover waive. " "Sargent, any new information as to where the command rovers are?" "Sir I can only tell you where the main signals are coming from. This close to the enemy rovers there can be all kinds of transmissions flying back and forth. I can only make a guess with the information available." "Sargent, a guess from you is worth a million facts from most of the people I know. As you told me an hour ago, we are being surrounded. We cannot fight them all. If we are to die then I want to take out as many quality targets as we can. I want us to get in close and let the missiles fly. If our rovers are disabled they are to continue firing until they are destroyed. If firing systems are damaged, then they are to dismount and fight with antitank weapons." Sargent Knop hurriedly relayed the orders to each of the rover crews. In turn each answered back with an acknowledgment. Captain Drake answered with a text only message to rovers of both groups. The message simply read. IT IS A GOOD DAY TO DIE........SO DIE WELL MY COMRADES. Moments later the pride of the Spartan Federation was upon the PK rovers. As Captain Drake gave the order to open fire, Knop announced with no particular sense of urgency that the PK line had opened fire.

The volley tore open the rover on the immediate left of Drake's. Even through the thick hull, Drake could feel the energy of the blast. There was nothing for him to do now. He had given the order to commit everything to this unit. He still didn't know if this was a unit with command personal or just another PK rover unit. He silently laughed at the thought of the pride of Sparta attacking a rookie unit of PKs. He would most likely never know of course what unit he was attacking. Knop had provided a guess and he had acted. Only history would judge him now. One of his rovers had been hit in the front section of the wheel drive. He could see some of his men pile out of the rover with an antitank weapon. He knew the life expectancy of a flesh and bone human in the middle of this metal nightmare was horribly low. But this was what all Spartans expected to happen at some point. Dying in battle was an honor. He just wished that someone would be around to testify on their behalf. Drake turned around to look at the PK rovers. To his satisfaction he saw that they were receiving their fair share of punishment. Of course he knew that there were plenty more of those behind them. And behind his own rovers now. The urge to order the use of nerve gas was almost overwhelming. But to use it now would somehow take away from what his men had accomplished. General Kessel would have been proud of his restraint. Since that was what he had labeled as Drake's number one problem. Just then Sargent Knop broke his reflections. "Sir there are only a few rovers left. I cannot say exactly how many since that last glancing blow has damaged part of our sensor equipment." "Do not waiver Sargent. There is no time to come up with another strat----Just as he was about to complete his sentence the front end of his rover exploded taking three of the crew, including Knop, with the rest of the metal and plastic. Drake, still strapped in his seat, was thrown off to the side of the flaming hulk that used to be a missile rover. For a moment Drake sat there in his seat as rovers passed him by paying no attention to him. He struggled to get free of his seat and finally realized that he no longer had his left arm. Stunned at the sight of his missing arm past the elbow, Drake just stared as more rovers passed back and forth. Finally he dug into his left cargo pocket and pulled out a syringe loaded with pain killers. Why, he didn't really know cause he felt no pain. It was just training he thought. After he had finished, he threw the needle on the ground and pulled out his personal sidearm and proceeded to fire upon the nearest PK rover. He took three steps and fell to the ground. Two more crew members of the rover stumbled out and were immediately cut down by crossfire. Drake managed to get to his knees and crawl back to his seat. Might as well sit and relax a bit before I die he thought. Drake noticed that he still had his sidearem with him. A thought of suicide drifted through his mind. He quickly suppressed the thought. Besides he had a pretty good seat to the battle now. Soon Drake had passed out from the painkillers. Little did he know that the shot had released microbes designed to close wounds quickly before infection sat in. Drake was close to death, but not dead yet.

[OOC. PKs wouldn't shoot wounded men would they? Just be careful not to let him wake up. He might be pissed after loosing his men and his arm. ]
[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited April 23, 2001).]

[Natan]

From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive
To: The council

Since there have been objections raised to my proposal, and since I have a great interest in seeing peace come to this part of Planet, allow me to make a new proposal: A peacekeeping force made up of forces from the Believers, Morgans, and Free Drones. The composition is not the important thing. The important thing is an end to the violence. Let me also note that this peacekeeping force is just a preliminary move while both sides send ambassadors to the council for arbitrartion of issues like compensation, borders, and extradition of war criminals. I hereby call on the Spartans to turn over at least some war criminals to the council immediately for trial, as a show of good will. I also call again on both parties to stop the violence. The peacekeeping force will be strong, and both sides will be monitored for compliance with these accords. I should also state that no one should blame the people of Sparta for the actions of their military Junta, which is now being replaced.
[This message has been edited by Natan (edited April 23, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

OOC: Only Spartans know about University Hidden Bases.

Antimind broadcasts to all

Question... Do you 'humans' truly know how this planet works or the
benefits it offers one whom asks?

Antimind to University

Question... Do you truly know the benefits and dangers of 'cloning'
and what It can do to both you and the planet?

[DarkCloud]

CEO Nwandbike Morgan Writes to Head Datajack Sinder Roze

I demand that you respect my borders and keep a two hundred mile radius away
from my cities or my people may have to temporarily postpone trade with your
country.

The reason for this is my people fear that you may grow bold and attempt to
'pay us back' for our agressions against the University.

[DarkCloud]

CEO Nwandbike Morgan Writes to Head Datajack Sinder Roze

I demand that you respect my borders and keep a two hundred mile radius away
from my cities or my people may have to temporarily postpone trade with your
country.

The reason for this is my people fear that you may grow bold and attempt to
'pay us back' for our agressions against the University.

[DarkCloud]

Zakharov to Data Angels

Dear Roze,
Our factions have been at odds for much too long- considering how we started
as allies and quickly moved to odds and fought each other.

The opportunites for research and technological advance are just to great to risk
the advancement of the human race at the hands of some petty war.

The University is on to something big and it will be avaliable in just a few years
to all, you will be able to have some of the first prototypes of this discovery if you
but make peace with my country.

All we ask is to be left alone after this peace agreement. In this peace agreement we
claim a 500-mile border no-military-go-zone around our lands as well as universal
disarmament. We shall disable two of our dangerous probe teams weapons, reducing our forces to
contain few probe teams, we ask that you disable two of your probe teams in the interests
of Universal Research Security.

-APZ

Zakharov to Data Angels

Dear Ulrik,
This war is pointless to both of us, we Universitites have no need for a war and were merely
supporting our misguided Spartan allies in the war against the Chiron Alliance.

Please accept this offer of peace. My forces will disable one particle rover if your forces
do likewise. Thus, war will be harder to wage between our countries and peace will thus be
easier to accomplish

-APZ

The University Sun-Governor
7-3-2182

Zakharov offers Peace

Head Academican Prokhor Zakharov made a historic move earlier this week when he offered
peace to the Data Angels and the Nautilus Pirates, however a response remains to come from either party- hopefully the response will
be positive and our two factions will once again enjoy a time of peace, research, and
prosperity.

[Argonaut]

***Private Message : Standard Encryption***
To: CEO Nwabudike Morgan
From: Datajack Roze

What are you blabbing on about Morgan? The only forces I'm maintaining near your positions are the ones defending my bases from your own backstabbing forces. Do not seek to push me around further Morgan. We are at peace, let it rest at that.

Roze

***Private Message : Standard Encryption***
To: Head Academician Zakharov
From: Datajack Roze

There is one problem with your proposal Zakharov: It would leave my Pact-Sister Aki Zeta-Five out in the cold. What could you possibly give me that would be worth turning a blind eye to the one faction who has constantly been a friend an ally?

Roze

***General Message : No Encryption***
To: The Planetary Council
From: Datajack Roze

I would be willing to support a motion of Believing and Free Drone peacekeepers to monitor a neutral zone, but not Hive. The Hive has too much personal interest in the region, although I do appreciate Chairman Yang's attempts to broker peace. With that ammendment, and the assent of Sister Miriam and Foreman Domai, I would hole-heartedly support Chairman Yang's proposal.

Roze

[Sprayber]

From: Colonel Santiago
To: The Planetary Council

I approve of the moves by the good and honorable Chairman Yang in his efforts to establish a peace. The Spartan Federation will abide by such a peace force. But I must ask that Chairman Yang be allowed to have some kind of presence in this force. The size is of no importance. But since this was his idea, it is only right the he have some further role in developments.


From: Colonel Santiago
To: Provost Zakharov

So the good Academican is wanting peace? That is a worthy goal for the moment, I guess. Do be careful as not to do any harm to Sparta's chances for an honorable solution to our current problems. Please remember that Sparta's eye's see far. We shall remain friendly to you and your faction. Good luck on your pursuit of research, and remember us when you discover some new wonder. Your.........Friend, Colonel Santiago.

Sparta Command - The Command Center:

Colonel Santiago leaned back in her chair after sending the messages to take stock of the situation. The University was suing for peace. Not totally unexpected of course. Zak was in somewhat the same situation she was in except that he did not have a possible civil war on his hands. At least not that she was aware of. The Data Angels had endorsed the placement of a peacekeeping force without Hive forces. Santiago did not want any foreign army on her border, not even a peaceful one. But she had to deal with reality. And the reality was that the Hive represented the closest thing to an alley that Sparta had. The Hive would have a vested interest in watching the other faction forces along the southern border. Santiago knew that Yang was sensitive about his boundary. Especially at the Planet Neck. A nagging feeling kept tugging at Santiago. She had underestimated the PKs. If only the Pirates had not backed up the PKs this war would have ended by now with the PK's destruction. Perhaps Kessel had be right when he had warned her that the Pirates were the true power behind the Alliance. She had dismissed them as cowards for hiding in the oceans. She had expended so much energy on building up the army when Kessel was pleading for a stronger naval presence. So many mistakes in the past couple of years. Getting rid of the Junta had been the right thing to do. Helzburg had gotten way too powerful as commander of the Southern Army. There had been excess that on further reflection should have been avoided. But it was a simple matter of survival. The Junta would have eventually pushed her out. She had installed Kessel for precisely that reason. But after the war had started he had opposed her when the issue of nerve gas was brought up. Yes she had ordered it's use if the tactical situation demanded it. Kessel had rambled on about creating fanatics from enemies. She thought back to the day the decision was made.

"Don't give the PKs a reason to resist. Defeat them convincingly and they will soon fall apart. Gas them and they will turn into fanatics and never surrender." After Kessel had finished his statement. Santiago staired off in the distance. She soon turned to General Helzburg. "What is your assessment Helzburg?" "The Peacekeepers are week and internally divided. If we show them how powerful we are as soon as possible they will realize how outclassed they really are. Use gas on them immediately and they will give us whatever we want. Their continental army is already preparing for a war anyway. I say we give them what they want. Lal will abandon Braddock and his forces as soon as he sees the full power of the Spartan arsenal. "And what do you propose to do about the Pirate fleet General?" asked Kessel who had gotten up to walk to the other side of the room. Helzburg just looked smug and answered, "I am quite certain that Admiral Hobbes can handle the Pirate fleet until we defeat the PKs on land. by the time the Pirates comes to the rescue, the PKs will have suied for peace. And we will be in full control of the PK continental territory. Besides I have full confindence that when our deal with the University goes through, they will make enough troubles to keep the Pirates streatched thin." Kessel just rolled his eyes. "I think you over estimate the University" "General Kessel we all know that you have certain sympathies towards the Peacekeepers." "I would advise you to leave my departed wife out of this Helzburg. Just because she was born in an ex PK base does not make her a Peacekeeper. If you remember, she died in the service of Sparta." "Gentlemen, enough of this petty bickering. I have come to a decision. Our forces will be outfitted with Nerve Gas. And they will be used if it is called for. I will not have an international document dictate the way we run our Military. " With that Santiago got up and walked out of the meeting. The members of the Junta sat and calculated how this would affect them as a group and individuals. Some seemed pleased, while others looked concerned and at least one looked greatly disappointed.

On reflection Santiago knew this to be the turning point. Helzburg had used her authority to outfit his units with nerve gas. And of course she had allowed her frustration at the lack of progress with the war to interfere with her judgement. Data Acquisition was one of those moments. The aftermath of that incident propelled Kessel farther away from her side. It was his refusal to allocate the necessary resources to follow through on the "solution" to the civilian problem that had put him on Santiago's list of those that must go. He didn't officially refuse of course. He just delayed and in at least one instance interfered with allocation of funds under the cover of procedural mistakes. Weiss had done his job though, regardless of Kessel's noncompliance. If only he had not done this, Kessel would be with her right now instead of on the run. Santiago got up and went to check on the readiness of the her air forces at Assassin's Redoubt. She would have preferred to go herself but she must remain at Sparta Command.

[Argonaut]

***General Message : No Encryption***
To: Planetary Council
From: Datajack Roze

I find Chairman Yang's proposal absolutely ridiculous. To refer to either the Hive or the Morganites as neutral parties in this war is absoluetly preposterous when both at one point fought on the Spartan side. I will not support such a course of action, that is quite clearly so one sided. Chairman Yang must take us for fools to agree to such a decision.

Roze


Trojan Source

The wing of Missile bombers landed safely within between the perimeter defence and the main structures of the base. Plans were underway to eventually create an Aerospace facility at the base, but resources could not be commited at this time. Not far away, the bulk of the Data Angel invasion force had amassed near the border, where skirmishes still continued with University forces. Soon the invasion force would be ready to hopefully strike a blow that could end the war, as diplomacy seemed out of the question.


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

Aki,

My researchers have completed their work into pre-sentient algorithms, which we would like to share with you. Pay special attention to the theories by Doctor Hastings. Some of my computer analysts have begun work on a Hunter-Seeker Algorithm that could protect our bases from probe attacks. With my peoples' computer skills and your peoples' inherint affinity with algorithms, we could combine our efforts and protect both our networks with our device, what do you say?

As well, I'm pulling one of the Battle Ogres out of Inspiration Point, as defence there seems more that sufficient. The other one will remain there with the two Impact rover groups though. Once the Battle Ogre reaches the front, my offensive will be prepared, and they will attempt to move against Cosmograd. Whatever support you might be able to lend would be appreciated, but I understand your military is already stretched.

Your friend always,
Roze