The Chiron Chronicle 6: 2182

[DarkCloud]

From Sister Miriam
To The Chiron Council

I believe that my proposal of a peacekeeping force comprised of Believers and Gaians would
help keep the peace on this planet and destroy any atheistic loss of morality ideas that
factions such as the University seem to be suffering.

Thus it is imperative that you pass a measure for peacekeeping forces in each factions'
capitol.

[DarkCloud]

Antimind broadcasts to Pirates, Morganites, Free Drones, Data Angels

Busy little humans, you dare encroach upon the fungal bases in the north...
warning, be careful about the ecological damage you do... and do not get involved in
any war situations as they distress me.

Antimind broadcasts to Zakharov
Headstrong, Self-Important, Impetuous, Egotistical- are you not?


Zakharov to Antimind
Thank you for the interesting comments- but please, keep the
emotions to a minimum. My head is still ringing from their impact.

[Argonaut]

OOC: Okay here's what I came up with for an Invasion army based on what my bases could support on the map I've created and where I think my army stands. It does leave more forces back for defence. Let me know if it's imbalanced, and if so how, and I'll adjust.

4 x Impact Batter (4,1,2) (Vet)
8 x Trained Impact Infantry (4,3p,1) (Vet)
2 x Impact Rover (4,1,2)(Vet)
1 x Trained Missile Rover (6,2,2)(Hard)
1 x Missile Penetrator (6,1,10)(Dis)
1 x Mindworm (Boil)
1 x Battle Ogre Mk I (6r,3r,1) (Dis)

***General Broadcast : Enhanced Encryption***
To: The Chiron Alliance
From: Datajack Roze

I have been trying to reach an end to the conflict with the University, and have at last gotten him to agree to peace with the Conciousness. However, it does require concessions on the part of our Cybernetic allies, either surrendering Inspiration Point, or allowing the University to control the lands around Inspiration Point, granting free right of movement to UoP forces and restricting those of the Cybernetic Conciousness. While I am desire peace, I feel this decision is best left up to you Prime Function. I will support you in your decision no matter what, but I believe time is of the essence. I do not know how much longer Zakharov's window of reason will last if we do seek to accept this proposal.

Roze

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

You seem awfully sure of yourself Zakharov, to be so arrogant to make demands of the Chiron Alliance. Tread carefully Zakharov, because unless I am mistaken, you are currently on the weaker side in the grand scheme of things.
Nevertheless, I have passed on your proposal to the other Alliance leaders, and am waiting on their decisions. Until then, my forces will be content to guard my border carefully, as I'm sure yours will do the same.

Roze

***General Broadcast : Standard Encryption***
To: Planetary Council Members
From: Datajack Roze

I will not allow any troops within the vicinity of Data DeCentral unless they be allied. I have no need to willingly allow my enemies access to my Headquarters, simply so that they can keep their tabs on my activities, and I'm sure most of them would not be delighted to have my forces running around any of their bases. I will not take part in such a proposal even if it means withdrawing from the Planetary Council.

Roze

Roze to Antimind

What are you going on about? Fungal base? What's with the questions? What do you want?

[[LordLMP]]

To: Planetary Council
From: Captain Svensgaard

Same as the Data Angels, we will not tolerate a foreign unit in our Capital. Besides, they may get seasick.

Captain Svensgaard


To: Chiron Alliance
From: Captain Svensgaard

We will end the war with University after you Alpha Prime and Datatech. Either option, it would cut off the base east of Inspiration Point from rest of the Cyborg faction. We could also plant a Chiron Alliance Force at inspiration point while University controles the territory around it. And hide some units at the Manifold Nexus, if they are wanted by Planetmind. (who seem to be quiet lately). If we choose to continue the war, my Battle Dragon units on the continent will help take on University. I can also send in the Nautilus Marines to help take Cosmograd and University Base.
Anyway, whatever you choose, the Nautilus Pirates will support your faction.

Captain Svensgaard

[Guardian]

[OOC: Well, I guess we've really messed with the timescale here, as this one night has "lasted" for well over a month by now, but... well, we'll just have to assume that the war lasted that long and that this thing happened at the end of it all... Anyway, here's a little more on the confusion amongst the Peacekeepers. I'll wrap it all up tomorrow, so stay tuned... ]

Over the Great Dunes...

Cilia had spent the last few hours trying to be a robot... to just do her job without thinking about it. This wasn't her fault... She should just fly in there, fly back out again and not look back... ever...

She knew she couldn't do it.
Now she was desperately hoping for some kind of miracle to happen...

"90 minutes to target", the mission commander's voice announced.

Swallowing hard and blinking several times, she tried to stay focused on her flying...


U.N. Enforcement Base

General Braddock was on the comm with Commander Grafton, trying to figure out what the hell was going on up there at Data Acquisition. He had just received a copy of the message from commander Gunther...

quote: To: Commander Grafton of the PK Special Forces From: Commander Karl Gunther of the Combine Army stationed in Data Acquisition Commander Grafton, there is a column of PK civilians on their way south to your positions. They have been allowed to leave the confines of the base as a gesture of good will from the Spartan Federation. There are more civilians inside the base that are currently being protected from subversive elements within our command structure. This is not meant to be a threat of any kind, simply a statement of the current situation. My government has informed me that our two factions are presently engaged in negotiations to end the war. As a result of this the former commander of this army has been arrested and removed from position of responsibility. I ask for a cease fire so the rest of the civilian population can be removed from this base at no risk to them. There are approximately 2000 left in the city. Maybe by then, our two governments can reach some kind of permanent solution. As it stands, we are here. We are the ones responsible. And I for one am no longer willing to allow those that cannot defend themselves be slaughtered. Today is not a good day to die for anyone.

Braddock snorted. "Gesture of good will, huh? Nice try, but we all know that talking about good will in conjunction with the Spartan Federation is like talking about lungs on a fish."

The two men discussed the matter for a few minutes, but no orders were changed...


South of Data Acquisition...

Kyla tried to swallow the lump that was building in her throat, but it wouldn't quite go away... This Alicia Newton was quite insistant that there were no Spartans with the column currently moving south towards them. The woman must know by now that she's going to die anyway, so why would she lie to us? It makes no sense... -unless...

Kyla felt a shadow of doubt pass over her momentarily, chilling her very soul and sending shivers down her spine. With some effort, she forced herself to calm down and get back to scanning for targets... She didn't like the idea of being the one to kill Alicia, but she knew she couldn't afford to hesitate...


[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited April 29, 2001).]

[Guardian]

U.N. Headquarters

Commissioner Lal was still trying... why wasn't Braddock answering his call??


South of Data Acquisition...

Commander Grafton was not a happy man. There were civillians out there in front of his forces. That much was indisputable. They've survived for almost a full year under the Spartans, and now we're about to kill them all because we don't trust them anymore...

It just wasn't fair... -and what if the Spartan commander was telling the truth...?
He decided to have another talk with Braddock about it all...


Further north...

Alicia was getting frustrated. Why wouldn't her own people believe her?? They clearly thought that this was some kind of Spartan trick or something... With an effort, she calmed down and turned to the others. "Don't worry", she told them. "They are Peacekeepers, after all. They won't shoot us without checking who we are first, and they'll see that there are no Spartans. Just wait and see..."


Somewhere in between Grafton and Alicia...

The rovers were now spread out in attack formation. Kyla was still scanning for targets, knowing that other gunners were doing the same... She checked her tactical map again... ETA 15 minutes... Those poor souls up ahead... they'd be blasted to pieces in a matter of seconds...

Those bastard Spartans will pay for this!

Kyla was ready to fire...


U.N. Enforcement Base

General Braddock was having second thoughts as well... perhaps they should get somebody to close in and visually ID the southbound rovers before anyone opened fire? Yes, that sounded like a good idea... and he should probably find out what the hell the commissioner wanted at this hour...


South of Data Acquisition

"Hold fire! Do not engage southbounds! New orders: Close and identify. Repeat: You are to close for a visual identification. You are not cleared to engage at this time. Acknowledge, over."

One by one, the rovers checked in and acknowledged the new order.
Kyla felt both relieved and distressed at the same time. Close for a visual identification... that meant she would have a chance to direct her fire away from the civillians, if at all possible. But... if the Spartans had been really smart, it might not be possible to avoid hitting civillians, and then this only meant that she would have to look at the poor people before blowing them up! -If she even got that far, which she couldn't be sure of... Closing in for a visual meant that she was going to be a sitting duck for at least a couple of minutes, which would be plenty of time for the Spartans to engage her first... Ah well! At least this way she knew that she wouldn't be firing blindly into a bunch of civillians, which she wasn't sure if she could ever have forgiven herself...

She kept scanning for targets... there they were... she'd gotten the order just in time. 3 more minutes and it would have been too late...


Elsewhere...

The ground was alive... and slithering towards the base... closing for the kill...
45 more minutes and it would be too late...


Over the Great Dunes, east of Data Acquisition

Every minute was an eternity now. Every breath brought her closer...
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, seeking comfort where there was none.
"60 minutes to target."
She felt like crying again, but no tears would come...


South of Data Acquisition

The approaching rovers had not deployed for battle. They were still just traveling south in a single column. That was odd... Sure, the Spartans would want to stay that way as long as possible so as not to blow their cover, but they were well within missile range by now... Kyla felt her muscles tighten as the rover started climbing a small hill. Once they were over this one, she should be able to zoom in and have a look...


U.N. Headquarters

Lal had finally gotten hold of Braddock and was telling him the good news. Suddenly, the general excused himself and said that something urgent had just come up and required his immediate attention. He would get back in touch as soon as he could. Lal was about to ask what was going on, but the link was dead...


South of Data Acquisition

Commander Grafton was just starting to get impatient when a young female somewhere up front suddenly spoke up in a high-pitched, urgent tone of voice.
"Duster 1 has a visual sir! They're unarmed utility rovers! No weapons! No sign of hostiles! Repeat: no sign of hostiles in this column!! Over."
Grafton's heart skipped a beat. The Spartan had told the truth!
He'd better let Braddock in on the news...
Meanwhile, Kyla let out a big sigh of relief and thanked the powers that be for changing her orders. If she had discovered this afterwards, she... She'd rather not think about that...


East of Data Acquisition

They had reached the Initial Point and split up.
From here, groups of jets would arc around to approach the target from different directions, and the attack would be launched from all sides at once. Now a classic, the "wagon wheel" attack had been developed by the Americans in Vietnam over 200 years ago. It was still a pretty decent tactical move...
Then the miracle happened.
"Abort mission. Say again: abort mission. Do not attack, do not strike the target. Acknowledge, over."

If she could have, she would have kissed him.


U.N. Headquarters

Commissioner Lal and general Braddock were already discussing their next move...

Lal: There are those who would question my ability to guarantee a cease fire...
Braddock: That's bullsh!t.
Lal (slightly startled): You mean...
Braddock: Questioning your ability to guarantee a cease fire. It's bullsh!t.
Lal: You think so? Can I give Kessel my word then?
Braddock: Absolutely, sir. Our people over here still hold you in the highest regard. True, we do think you a bit too soft-spoken at times, but if you're the one asking us, we're willing to step back and let you handle the rest your way.
Lal (smiling): Thank you general. That's settled then...
Braddock: Oh, and sir... Just one piece of friendly advice, sir, if I may...
Lal (raises an eyebrow): What do you have in mind?
Braddock: If you want to keep things this way... You can not sign the treaty if it's favorable to the Spartans. It will have to be favorable to you. To the Charter, that is...

Lal pondered that one for a while afterwards...
He had never been one to mingle with military hard-liners and power brokers.
But he had to admit... it was kind of nice to know that his words were backed by one of the strongest military forces on the planet...


In Data Acquisition

As the dawn broke, the Spartans in Data Acquisition finally saw what had been in store for them... To the east and west, and much too close for comfort, the ground was alive with mindworms. They were now backing off a little, as if they'd been even closer a little while ago. In the distance, rovers were approaching from the north and south. They were slowing down now, as if to say "Chill out, we're not attacking", but they were still closing... Then came the jets, seemingly from all sides at once, criss-crossing the sky all around them. But they did not attack.

Appearently, it was over...


From: Commander Grafton of the U.N. Special Forces
To: Commander Karl Gunther of the Combine Army stationed in Data Acquisition

All right, commander, you have your cease fire.
I guess by now, you will have seen what was about to happen.
Your timely changes have saved a lot of lives this day. Now we can only hope for the rest of our people to continue along the same lines. As you can see, my forces are currently taking up positions around yours. They will stay there until further notice. The rest - as they say - is out of our hands.


South of Data Acquisition

They were taking up position within plain sight of the southern gate. Kyla was anxiously watching the Spartans through the "scope" of her targeting system, not knowing what to think... Her weapons were still loaded, armed and ready...

[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited April 30, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

OOC: We need someone to take over the Cyborgs- LMP could do it, or someone else-... Argonaut perhaps? Or is XWaste willing to come back?

NOTE: SMAC left the game for an indefinite period and so may come back eventually (1-2 months) or not at all...

[[LordLMP]]

OOC: Spray, i need response to Colonel Rohrer added propositions. Or else, the 6 Battle Dragon units will attack the base full force.
me? cyborgs? well, maybe indirectly, but like any other Non-Player Factions, i indirectly play them as much as possible, meaning, avoiding as much as possible controlling the leaders to make responses and so on. SMAC didn't give a response as what the Cyborgs would choose...give Inspiration Point back to university, which is now completly assimilated to the Cyborg Faction or simply allow University to control the territory around the base.
Also, better that we decide to what to do for the "peacekeeping" task force that will be sent to patrol some DMZ between the SPartans and Peacekeepers. The Gaians are half way to the eastern continent. and Kane still needs a reply from Lal/Braddock if they can vouch for his units being part of the peacekeeping taskforce.


TO: Admiral Proudmoore, Third Fleet
FROM: Nautilus of the Sea

You are to move in your ships into the channel and find the Spartan Fleet. Do not rush in thought, has they had enough time to deploy mines and your fleet would be in short reach for their Air Force. If the U.N. and Data Angel ships choose to follow, that is fine, but they do not have to.

Nautilus of the Sea


Chiron Sea

After receiving the latest orders, the Pirate formations start to move into the Spartan Channel into both the north and south entrance, caustiously thought.

[Sprayber]

Blast Rifle Crag

Governor Pontas pondered the conditions that the commander had brought up. Essentially she wanted to take over the base. Of course at this point there wouldn't be much resistance from his depleted garrison. But he just couldn't turn the base over without a fight or some kind of guarantee that he and the rest of the people would end up under new masters the next day. And he would not allow the base to be used as a staging area against Sparta. Then an idea began to form in his mind. It might work and it might not, but he had to give it a try. If he had been a typical Spartan the idea probably would not have come to him. But then again if he had been a typical Spartan the base would have been destroyed either by the invader or from his own order. "At this time I would like to express the wish of the citizens of this base to break away from the Spartan Federation. I ask your forces to come into the base as protection against those that seek to prevent us from gaining independence. It would be necessary of course for me and my administration to remain the sole authority in the base. Surly you can understand our desire to be independent of all outside influence. I believe that is included somewhere in the charter you and your men are defending, correct? We intend to defend these newly found liberties against all those that threaten it. Be they from Sparta or from any other faction. One more request of mine. I would like to contact the leader of your alliance. So that I may express my gratitude and intents for the future." Pontas sat down in a chair and poured himself some water and waited for a response. He knew of course that technically he had just committed treason. But he had already long ago quit caring about what happened to himself. He had lived a long life. All that concerned him was the people inside the base.

[OOC: Kessel doesn't know about the situaion with the fleets. He simply wants to be sure that everyone is on the same page.]

To: Captain Svensgard
From: General Kessel

I have recently come to an agreement with Commissioner Lal as to a cease-fire between our respective forces. Can the Pirates be counted on to honor the cease-fire agreement while efforts are made to come to a more permanent solution to the war?


To: Planetary Council
From: General Kessel

At first I was against the presence of Believer Peacekeepers in Sparta Command. But after some reflection, I would not be opposed to a small team of Believers acting as intermediaries with other factions. Please remember there can be no armed presence in our capital, but I would have no objections to them coming to Sparta Command unarmed. Just be sure and remind them that interference in our affairs would have unfortunate consequences. I think that the Believers could be an impartial go between with the various factions on Chiron. If the Pirates and the rest of the Chiron Alliance truly wish to bring peace to the planet, then perhaps they should consider an unarmed presence instead of an armed one. I do hope that the precious charter is not threatened by a small group of intermediaries. I await the final determining of the composition of the final peacekeeping forces along the border and call upon the council to officially recognize the cease fire. I would not want there to be any misunderstandings that would jeopardize the accomplishments of those that gave so much to give us all a second chance at peace.


Ruby Ridge Memorial {Data Acq.}

Commander Gunther was looking at the screen that showed the image of the mindworms taking positions outside the base. "You know lieutenant, I really hate those damn things. I mean there just not natural." Switched the view off the mindworms to show the rovers outside the base. Those at least didn't cause his stomach to turn. "lieutenant, do you think that they are bit anxious out there? "I probably would be sir" Gunther turned his chair and looked at the young lieutenant. "Your right lieutenant, I think we all would. Maintain the current level of watch on the base perimeter and have Captain Thane get the remaining civilians ready to depart. The rest will have to walk the distance to the PK lines outside. We have no rovers to spare. And lieutenant, please emphasize to the unit commanders the need to refrain from looting the civilian sector. If we have to leave this place I don't to be slowed down by so much garbage." "Yes sir." "Get me Commander Grafton"


To: Commander Grafton
From: Commander Gunther

Yes it is out of our hands. Commencing in two hours from this time the remaining civilians of this base will be allowed safe passage to your lines. They all will be equipped with breathers and any other necessary life support.

Down by the main gate Captain Thane was busy overseeing the preparation of the civilians to leave the base. It was a bitter sweet duty for the Spartan officer. When Gunther had approached him and Gerald about his plan, he was relieved that he had not been the only one to have these thoughts. Thane had done exactly what the Spartan Conduct Code had forbidden. He fell in love with one of the civilian inhabitants. At first Carol would not speak to him. Being an officer in a occupying army was not exactly the kind of person one wanted to fall for after all. But when the first round of executions started he and Gerald had quietly drawn up lists of civilians that were necessary for the continued running of the base. Neither men told anyone and would never tell, but their only regret was that they had not been able to save many more people. Mary however somehow knew of what they had done. She then began to look at Thane in a whole new light. Now she was being forced to leave and even though Thane knew she would be far safer with the Pks, he still wished that she didn't have to leave. Thane felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see the beautiful face of Mary staring back at him. They were always careful to not show affection where others could see. But this time they could resist. Thane threw his arms around her just to be able to touch her one more time. "I don't want to leave you, Dan." "I know you don't Mary, but commander Gunther has ordered all civilians to leave. Which is the right thing to do. You have to leave here, because if things go wrong this base will be the focus of a large ground and air assault. I won't be able to protect you." "I know. I just don't want to leave here thinking that I will never see you again." "I can't promise you that we will see each other. From what I hear, even if we do get out of here there are battles to be fought in Sparta itself. And those will be far bloodier than this place. Just know that I love you. And when you get to wherever you are going, try and remember the time we had with each other." Mary was in tears and Thane was trying his best not to do the same. "I will Dan. All of it. And we will see each other again" With that Mary kissed the Spartan Captain and turned to go with the other civilians that were beginning to file out gate. Thane watched as she got in line and walked out the door. Without another word he turned around to oversee the ongoing process. Anything as not to think about the woman that he loved walking out the gates and possiby out of his life.

Meanwhile on top of the wall of the main gate sergeant Gains was scanning the PK rovers with his gun sights when he noticed a really beautiful woman emerge from one of the rovers to apparently examine something that was on setting next to one of the wheels. Gains had seen many women in his life by never one that was as stunning as this one. It would be a shame to kill such a beautiful woman. He thought for a minute about how it would be to spend a night with her but was immediately ashamed of himself for thinking about a person that was a girl more than a woman. Well by now she had seen many things that would make anyone grow up fast. He watched as she bent over to retrieve whatever was lying next to the rover tire, Gains whistled quietly. "She is hot. Damn, I wished there was a way to get her attention somehow." Gains then thought of how in training they had taken out the primary igniter in the antitank weapon and made it into a simple launcher. There would be no explosion, just a loud thud when the canister, with a message from him, hit the ground. Taking out the igniter was easy, writing a message would be harder. He waited for the girl to get back in the rover before he started to write.

-------To the unidentified blonde in the lead rover. It is a shame that such a beautiful woman should be forced into war. Although in Sparta it is our way, I am sure that you could have had a far more rewarding life in another line of work. Perhaps some day we could meet in a less stressful conditions. Your admirer Sergeant Alvin Gains, Spartan Combine Army-------

Gains stuffed the message in the canister and dropped it in the barrel of the ATW. He carefully aimed near the rover and squeezed the trigger. He stared in horror as the canister landed near the rover next to the intended target. Great, now the Pks will have a laugh at his expense.


To: The Governors of the Spartan Federation
From: General Kessel

Dear governors, in an effort to stabilize the morale within Sparta I am restarting the long neglected Spartan Games. Your selection as to those that will represent your bases in the events should be made no later than one month from now. You all know what you will be competing for so I suggest that you get to work on your selections. I remind you that Sparta Command won the last competitions and stands as the favorite to win the next.

Spartan News Channel

Hello fellow Spartans. It has been a long time since our last broadcast and we are happy to be back on the air. To start our first broadcast in sometime is the statement from General's Kessel's office that the Spartan Games has been restarted. This is of particular interest for Sparta Command since the banner still resides in City Hall. For those of you that have forgot let us rundown a brief history of the Spartan Games. The games were started a few years after planet fall when the the third base was founded. They were a way for the citizens from each base to retain close ties and form a sense of community of their new homes. The first games were won by Sparta Command. Command soon went on to win three more times until sergeant Carol Simms lead the team from Hero's Waypoint to an impressive victory over Command in the last day of the competition. Since then Command and Waypoint have combined for twenty victories with Militia Station, Commander's Keep, and Fort Superiority all winning at least two victories. The games include over twenty one separate events including running, boxing, hand to hand combat, archery and a team combat event. Only the best and brightest will be asked to represent their base in the games. There will be two different categories this time around with adult and teen divisions. The Spartan News Channel will of course have coverage of the games as new bases seek to overthrow Command as the reigning champion. Since Sparta Command won the last competition the games will be held here. Everyone that is not on duty is encouraged to watch the beginning of a new era for the Spartan Games.
[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited May 01, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

OOC: Troop amounts Seem good.
Great writing Guardian!

Antimind Broadcasts to Roze

Do not tread where feet do sink
or else you shall find yourself in a mess
do not go further into the island
for Antimind owns the plane
We are reasonable and merely ask
for no pollutants or encroaching upon our lands.

[[LordLMP]]

OOC: How about establish a Interfactional Peacekeeping Forces? would be like United Nations peacekeepers, without copying the UN Peacekeeper's name. And i see the Chiron Alliance like NATO

To: Planetary Council
From: Captain Svensgaard

I agree with General Kessel of the Spartans, it would be more tolerateble for an unarmed foreign presence in our capitals. Of course, the Nautilus Pirates still oppose the idea in general, I do think it would be acceptable for all factions do establish an Embassy at each others Capitals.

As for the peacekeeping task force, i propose that we should establish a Interfactional Peacekeeping Forces. It would be comprise of units from various factions, but the force will directly under Planetary Council control. Of course, we would have to elect someone (no faction leader) to command such a force, to avoid giving to much power to the Planetary Governor. Their first role of course would be to patrol the a DMZ between the Spartans and Peacekeepers. I suggest we make a decision as quickly as possible, as i do not want to see this council to be drag as long as the previous Planetary Governor election.

Captain Svensgaard


TO: General Kessel, Spartan Federation
FROM: Captain Svensgaard, Nautilus Pirates

As no units of ours is currently engaged with your faction, it is safe to say we are maintening a cease fire aswell.

Captain Svensgaard


Spartan Channel, Chiron Sea

The two Pirate ship groups have entered the channel and have now detected the Spartan Fleet. They will maintain a minimal safe distant from the spartan ships, but they will watch for any mines and aircrafts. In way, they are poking into Spartan waters and see if the spartans will do anything.

OOC: Since the Admiral of the fleet got executed, i would think its a bit disorganized at the moment. So the spartans may decide to fire on the Pirates or not.

Blast Rifle Crag

Colonel Rohrer ponders as to what Governor Pontas said, understanding why he did so. So she tells him that she accepts and will defend the newly independent base. Will respect the bases boundaries and the civilians, but aslong as her units still acquires control of the base's perimeter defence and naval yards. As for contacting Chiron Alliance's leader, there is no sole leader of the alliance, all faction leaders in it have equal power. But she willing to try to get HER leader to contact him, as a representive of the Chiron Alliance of course (of course, the Governor would have to use one of the Units portable comm array). So is it agreed?

OOC: do wrap this up please :P when accepted, the Battle Dragons would have to raise the Chiron Alliance flag (the emblem would be like the United Nations, but with Chiron instead of Earth and Chiron's olive like plant/branchs in the sides)

[Guardian]

From: Commissioner Lal
To: Chiron Alliance
 
Greetings, my friends. As you will have heard by now, we have a cease fire on the Spartan front. Negotiations will be underway shortly. In the meantime, no offensive action should be taken against Spartan forces by any member of this alliance. That is, of course, unless they attack you first, in which case the cease fire will be null and void.

On a different subject, the University of Planet has repeatedly attempted to divide our alliance, offering peace to some of us, but not to all. To this, all I have to say is that Roze and Aki have my full support and that any peace offering that does not include the entire alliance is not a peace offering at all. If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know.
 

From: Commissioner Lal
To: Prophet Cha Dawn

Be advised, there is a cease fire on the Spartan front, pending negotiations with the new Spartan government. I thank you for the support you have given us in this conflict, and your forces are welcome to stay until a permanent peace treaty has been successfully negotiated. However, if and when such a treaty is ready, you must either sign it or withdraw your forces. If you are to continue your war against the Spartans, you may not do so from PK territory.


From: Commissioner Lal
To: General Kane

General, if there is to be an interfactional force to patrol a possible DMZ between our forces and the Spartans, we would gladly accept you and your men as part of it. However, as there is no mandate for such a force as of yet, we will have to await the upcoming negotiations.


From: Commissioner Lal
To: Planetary Council

On the matter of a peacekeeping task force, this is a great idea, but we already have one!
As we used to say back on Earth, don't try to fix it if it's not broken!
True, the Peacekeeping Forces have been a party in the recent conflict, but only because they were brutally attacked by the outlaw Spartans. True, the Peacekeeping Forces are part of the Chiron Alliance and so technically not truely neutral, but with the kind of neighbors we have had to deal with, what could you expect? Stop trying to push us around and we shall gladly do the job we're here for. There's no need to invent the wheel all over again.


Data Acquisition, outside the southern gate

Kyla had just returned to her position after a short break. She had even been outside the rover for a few moments. She had been just a little bit worried about attracting the unwanted attention of some Spartan sniper... It had gone okay though, and now she was back inside. Putting her helmet back on, she did a quick sweep to see if anything had changed while she'd been away. Yes, there was definitely some kind of activity right there by the main gate... as she watched, the gate opened and more people started pouring out. She zoomed in for a closer look, and sure enough, it looked like the Spartans were actually letting the civillians go, just like they'd said they would. Better keep an eye on this though, just in case...
Then she noticed that the guy on top of the gate seemed to be tinkering with something... like... he was writing some kind of message?? That was odd... As she watched, the man slipped his little note inside a canister and proceeded to load this into his antitank weapon. Then he proceeded to aim the thing in her direction! She tensed, almost squeezing off a few rounds right in the man's face, but something in his expression made her hold off for a few moments... long enough to see that he wasn't actually aiming it at her, or anyone else. He was aiming at the ground somewhere in front of her, and a little off to the right...
He fired... she tried to follow the round's trajectory and was rewarded with a puff of dirt as the canister slammed into the ground a few meters in front of the rover next to hers... Hmmm... what was this?? Could it be a trap of some sort? Well, she'd seen the man write a small note and slip it into the canister before firing it... what could possibly be in there?? Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her and she excused herself and slipped back outside. Moving like a cat, she slipped over to were the canister lay in the dirt and flattened herself against the ground a few feet away from it, then proceeded to poke it with a stick. Nothing. Quickly but gently, she proceeded to pick the thing up and expertly disarm it. Only, it was already disarmed. The primary igniter had been removed. Inside, she found a small note...

quote: -------To the unidentified blonde in the lead rover. It is a shame that such a beautiful woman should be forced into war. Although in Sparta it is our way, I am sure that you could have had a far more rewarding life in another line of work. Perhaps some day we could meet in a less stressful conditions. Your admirer Sergeant Alvin Gains, Spartan Combine Army-------

What the...?!?
For a moment she just lay there as if frozen, not believing what was happening here... then she caught herself at it and got up in one swift, graceful motion. No good lying around out here looking like she just fell down from the moon or something... Besides, that Spartan was probably still watching her. Looking back up towards the gate, she gave her best shot at a sweet, warm, seductive smile, then she turned around and ran back to the rover...
 
Back in the rover, she did another quick scan of the situation... Sure enough, that sergeant was still keeping an eye on her rover. As she zoomed in to look at the man's face, she wasn't sure how to feel... He was Spartan! He was the enemy. One of the horrible evil ones... But... he looked so... human...  

Then she was off again to find a hand-held launcher of her own. She would use the same trick to send a reply. Somewhere behind her, the sergeant - her sergeant - was demanding to know what the hell she was up to. She showed him the Spartan's note and his eyes grew big for a moment, then he grinned, chuckled and said "OK, but hurry up and be careful."

She did.
For Kyla, writing the message was the easy part. The problem was to get back out of the rover and aim a launcher back in his direction without getting her head blown off by some other Spartan...
After another quick scan of the various Spartan positions, she found a solution. If she got out and crawled in under the rover, there should be a spot in there between the tires where this sergeant Gains would be the only Spartan who could see her.

Once again, she slipped out of the rover and flattened herself against the ground, crawling in under the rover and taking up position between the tires. Raising the launcher, she carefully aimed it at a spot near the Spartan sergeant and squeezed the trigger.

Inside the canister was a folded note with the following message:

-----
To Sergeant Alvin Gains
 
Hey, be careful! I almost blew your head off back there...
Your message was received though, and... well, it made for some interesting reading...
Forced into war, eh? Yup, I guess you could put it that way. Funny you should mention it, seeing as how you're one of the people who did it... Would you rather have me sit and wait for somebody to bring a nuclear device to my home and blow the place sky high for no particular reason? One minute, I'm going about minding my own business, the next... KABOOM! I'm lying in some gutter somewhere, all burned and blasted beyond recognition... Pretty cool, huh? Or maybe the nice people who come to my home won't have a nuke... maybe they'll just drop nerve gas all over the place instead? One moment, I'm happily walking down the street... the next, I'm dying horribly and I don't even know why... Or perhaps they'll take me away and execute me in retaliation for some... thing that I know nothing about... -Or, if I'm really lucky, these nice people who even have the nerve to call themselves soldiers might decide to use me as a shield and have me shot to pieces by my own people! Sounds nice, eh? Well, thanks a lot, but no thanks. I have already seen enough of your "Spartan superiority" to keep a well-stocked supply of nightmares for the rest of my life, thank you very much and have a nice day! This is what Sparta is to me, and that is why I'm here.
Sorry to seem unfriendly, but honestly, what did you expect? We're not exactly sharing a romantic dinner out here, are we?
 
Your enemy corporal Kyla Johnson, U.N. Special Forces, 6th Assault Rovers
-----

As she stood up, brushed the dirt off her uniform and got ready to re-enter the rover, Kyla quietly wondered how the Spartan would take it. Ah well! At least she had been honest with him. After brushing the last grains of dust off the seal on her chest, she turned and saluted the flag on the rover, then opened the door to get back in, half expecting sudden and instant death to hit her out of nowhere before she could make another move.

It did not come.

[Sprayber]

Ruby Ridge Memorial {Data Acq.}

Sergeant Gains read the reply to his message and wasn’t surprised at what he saw. Pity really. But such was the life of a Spartan NCO. He kept the response with him as he was in line to receive his daily ration. It was the same as usual. Just processed protein bars with a little added sauce to make it easier to eat. It kept him alive for the time being. They ate what could be called regular food once a week on a rotating basis. Since all but just a hand full of civilians had left the base already, soldiers filled in where once civilians did all the work. This didn’t matter much. It was better than waiting around in the barracks all day when they wasn’t on duty. Spartans were not trained to sit in bases collecting dust. They were made for day to day activity. Later that day he was leading his squad in their daily run through the base when he decided add some variation to their routine. He took them up the long winding stairs to the top of the outer wall and around to the gate where they were usually stationed. “Ok men, I want to hear you all sound off with some cadence.”

Oh Lal, Look out your window,
Your Human Rights window
Your Pirate backed window
We are the Spartans,
The Mighty, mighty Spartans

Oh Lal, Look out your window
Your rose tinted window
Your prideful window
We are the Spartans
The mighty, mighty Spartans

Gains took his men along the top portion of the gate and then back to the stairs and down on the street level of the base. After reaching the street level, Gains gave the command to stop running and the squad began to march. He then gave another command and they all walked in normal fashion but still in a tight formation. They walked the rest of the way to their barracks and when Gains gave them the command they fell out to hit the showers. When Gains got back to his room, that he shared with another sergeant, he noticed that he had message waiting for him. When he saw that it was from Commander Gunther he immediately got dressed in his uniform and walked out the door to make his way to the Command Center, or what passed for a command center at Ruby Ridge.

Commander Gunther and Captain Thane were in his office, when Sergeant Gains pushed the button to announce his presence. Gunther looked up from his report when he heard the buzzer. “Enter” Gains entered the room and gave a crisp salute “Sergeant Gains reporting as ordered Sir.” Gunther returned the salute. “Stand at ease sergeant. Lieutenant Davis informed me of what you did in relation to a certain message that was passed to the peacekeepers outside. Since you did have the foresight to inform him about what you did. And we did not have to find about it from surveillance cameras, your punishment won’t be as severe as it would normally would be. I have looked at your record and cannot find any examples of reckless behavior in your past service. Except the time you refused to move in on the pocket of PK civilians when you were ordered to. Your reason for not obeying is interesting though. I cannot remember a time when my personal comm unit failed in such an erratic pattern as you claim yours did. It appears to be lucky for you that it was later found to be defective. Again though, I don’t remember having one just fall apart like yours did.” Captain Thane was trying to appear serious, but wanted to laugh at the mention of the failed comm unit. Gunther had indeed used that excuse before. Many times in fact. “But we are not here to talk about past incidents. I will let you off with a stern warning not to let that happen again. We cannot allow any misunderstandings to happen. Is this clear sergeant?” “Yes sir, very clear” “ Good. You are dismissed” Gains saluted, turned and walked out the door. “Never ever heard of a comm unit breaking down unexpectedly, Karl?” Gunther smiled. “Well maybe just a few times Dan. Now tell me about these civilians that refused to leave yesterday.” “Well, they just refused to leave their possessions here to be destroyed. One stated that if he didn’t leave when the Pks were here, he sure as hell wasn’t going to obey a Spartan and leave now.” “Great. That’s all we need. But if they don’t want to leave I’m not going to waste the time and effort to make them. Just make sure that you have someone on them at all times. Keep them together. If they make trouble toss them outside the gate. Let Grafton deal with them. Was there anything else?” “Yes. I am concerned that some of the units still have a strong following for Weiss. Even though he has been sedated and kept locked up, there are a few that may still try and cause trouble. I suggest that we try and weed them out and lock them up as well.” “Agreed, see to it immediately.” They both got up and walked to the door. As the entered the hallway, they heard and felt a loud explosion. They looked at each other and took off running down the hallway to the command room. As soon as Gunther was inside he was assaulted with various stats and information from his various information officers. “Sir there was an explosion in an unoccupied barracks on the the north side of the base. The troops that were supposed to be there had been pulled thirty minutes earlier to patrol section 13. One casualty is reported. Lieutenant Davis has taken some people into custody and left to follow up on a lead.” “Tell Davis to apprehend them alive if possible but not to risk too many men trying to do it. We need some information as to who these people are.” “Right away sir.” “Thane, go down to the front gate and make sure it is secure.” “Yes, Commander.” As Gunther looked at the screen once again showing a large column of smoke rising from a bombed out building, he could help but wonder if any of this was going to turn out good.

Two hours later Gunther was sitting in his chair when Lt. Davis checked in. “Sir we have tracked several of the bombers. We were forced to kill seven of them and managed to capture the rest. After some “persuasion” one of them reveled that another group was going to try something at the main gate. He didn’t know exactly what, but it may be big.” “Davis, You are to remain where you are at. Just in case someone tries to try anything else on your side of the base. Don’t hesitate to use extreme force to stop them.” “Understood sir. Davis out” Gunther turned to the comm officer. “Inform Captain Thane to expect trouble at the front gate. And send reinforcements to his position. Remind them that he will be in charge.” “Right away sir”

Ten minutes earlier at the front gate however the rogue Spartan units were already in position. Seven men walked up to a missile rover parked a hundred meters from the gate. They quietly keyed the locks and stepped inside the rover and began to power it up. On the other side of the compound Thane happened to see the men get in the rover. He started to go over there and ask what they were doing. But he stopped in his tracks and got on his comm unit. He wisely called in for extra support. About the time a squad of men got to his position, the rovers lights came on and a pair of missiles fired from the top torrent. The wall crumpled under the force of the missiles. If it had been hit from the outside, many more missiles would have been needed. But the missiles had hit a weak point in the gates and blew them apart. The rover kicked up dust as it accelerated towards the now exposed outside. The Spartan ground unit tried to stop it but the rover was too fast and too armored to be stopped by small arms. It cleared the outside gate and headed right towards the PK lines. Thane was horrified at the possibilities that were just minutes away. He activated his comm unit had sent a message to those on top of the wall. “Destroy outgoing rover at all costs. “ Just as he said that two rovers from his backup force came roaring past him in an attempt to catch the rogue rover. “Target the lead rover only, repeat. Target the lead rover only. On top of the wall Gains and his squad heard the transmissions. Gains and a private each grabbed an ATW and locked on the lead rover. The rover had already passed the first boundary marker and was just a minute away from the nearest PK rovers. Gains and the private both squeezed on the triggers and two streams of light trailed off towards the front rover. One hit the front portion of the rover and the second missile hit the torrent. The rover turned over once and landed with the front facing the base. The lead rover of the pursuing unit fired as well and totally destroyed the rover. The unit stopped by the burning rover to check for survivors. Two men crawled out from underneath the burning rover. One was picked up by one of the pursuing Spartans and the other began to resist as he was picked up. Instead of trying further, the Spartan officer pulled his weapon and fired a single shot towards the mans head. This ended all resistance. One of the sergeants placed a detonator on the remaining hulk and got back in his rover. As the two rovers backed up and turned around, the remains of the rover was destroyed by a blinding explosion. The two rovers turned off their guidance computers and slowly made their way back inside the base. Gains stood up and watched as the two rovers entered the base and crews went to work patching up the gaping hole in the gate. He thought to himself that he should get used to shooting at other Spartans. Because if they ever got out of this damned base, there would be plenty of other opportunities for it.


To: Commander Grafton
From: Commander Gunther

I hope the recent incident that occurred this day does not damage our fragile peace. Rest assured that further events such as this will not happen again.

Blast Rifle Crag

Pontas thought about the situation and finally put is signature on the data pad that bore the terms of the agreement. As he stared at the commander, he couldn’t help but think that she could have made a fine Spartan officer. But decided not to make the observation out loud. When he had finished signing the pad, he simply stated that he was returning to prepare the base to receive the “guests” and would await the opportunity to talk to their leader and the planetary council when the troops arrived inside the base. That night as the troops were entering the base, Pontas looked to the south. Towards Sparta. To his home. He didn’t know what was happening there. He silently hoped that he would be able to talk to someone there soon. But in their eyes he would be a traitor and would be striped of his place among the Spartan honored. He then thought about his friend Kessel. If things were bad, he knew Kessel would be one of the first to be hunted down.


[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited May 02, 2001).]

[Natan]

Central Committee conference room, the Hive
"So, gentleman, what do you make of this?" Yang was standing up as he spoke the council. "Miriam doesn't elaborate her ideas very well, but it seems she wants a "peacekeeping force" composed of members of her faction and the Gaians to keep the peace. It's purpose, nature, function, and size have not been explained at all." The minister of Security rose to speak. "Obviously we are completely opposed to any assault on our soveriegnty. Miriam is just looking for a chance to spread bibles and sedition. There's obviously something in this for her, or she wouldn't want to waste her troops on it. But you know all this, yet you did not categorically reject this proposal. What do you know which we do not, Chairman?" His tone went from loud and forceful to soft and accomodating in the course of his speaking. When he was finished, he sat down. Then Yang spoke. "Perhaps the minister of Foriegn Affairs would like to adress thsi point?" The minister of foriegn affairs rose to his feet to speak, but Yang remained standing throughout. "Our political situation is precarious. We have no reliable allies, and four current enemies. Things may run as expected with the Spartans, but even then, we need more allies. Miriam is a natural ally because she is far enough way to stay out of our way and shares our feelings on the peacekeepers. So an alliance with her may well be worth the effort." The minister sat down, and Yang spoke again. "I know that Miriam is no dummy, but I also know that her motives are not rational, and her understanding of our society is far from complete. I suggest that we vote in favor of this peacekeeping force, once we get some clarification on its size and purpose. But only in return for some favors from Miriam. I have called you here today to formulate our response to Miriam and our speech before council."

[Sprayber]

To: Commissioner Lal
From: General Kessel

Commissioner Lal I am anxious to set a date for the beginning of peace talks. An agreement on the composition of a peacekeeping force should therefore be made quite soon. As a further sign of my good faith I am ordering the Spartan Naval Fleet to make best speed to Assassin’s Redoubt . They will be given orders not to stop for anything. I simply cannot leave them without proper provisions any longer. To show that this is not a trick I encourage you and your allies to follow them as they make their way. I think you can understand how it is to be concerned about your men and women in the service. They have been stuck out in that dreadful channel for far too long. I will allow for a days time as to give you ample time to contact your commanders and those of your allies to make the appropriate arrangements. Not only are my men suffering but each day that goes by that the navies are in the same vicinity there is a change that something disastrous could happen. I also must warn you that the channel is heavily mined. No doubt that your commanders have deduced this already. Just be aware of this so that your ships are not accidentally damaged.

[OOC: I edited Commander's Keep to read Assassin's Redoubt.]

To: Captain West of the SNS Crippler
From: General Kessel

Captain West you are to wait 24 hours from the time you receive this message and then you are to take the fleet and proceed directly to Assassin’s Redoubt . As the senior officer in the vicinity you have been given temporary command of the fleet as of right now. You are not to engage any vessels of any kind. Your are not to stop for any matter until you reach Assassin’s Redoubt . Most likely you will be shadowed by the Alliance fleet. You are to keep a watch out for them but not to engage in any actions that would be considered hostile. You are of course authorized to defend yourself if you are attacked. Whatever happens you are not to allow a Spartan vessel to be boarded by anyone but Spartans. When you reach Assassin’s Redoubt we will talk about a promotion. I am counting on you to get the fleet home while we talk about ending this war.

[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited May 03, 2001).]