The Chiron Chronicle 7: 2183

[DarkCloud]

OOC: New thread, new year...

[[LordLMP]]

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

Believe what you want Datajack, I don't have the time to argue with you. The Spartans is in a state of civil, the guy currently incharge doesn't have complete control of the military, they have two fronts to deal with and Data Acquisition is surrounded. They would be pretty stupid if they choose to continue the war. If you don't want to fight the Spartans, then don't. No one is telling the Data Angels to do so. Anyway, call me again when your probes discover that i'm telling the truth.

Captain Svensgaard

[Sprayber]

*****Level 5 Encryption*****
To: Chairman Yang
From: General Kessel

Chairman Yang, I would like to begin the exchange that you and Colonel Santiago worked out previously. I have chosen Commander Augur as the senior ranking officer to be dispatched to your capital. He will be in charge of 19 officers, 6 members of our diplomatic team and 10 specialists in industrial management. Once there he will present you with his orders and a file containing a breakdown of Spartan society. He will be instructed to train your officers and men in Spartan Military Doctrine. The men that you have selected to come to Sparta will be afforded the same training at the Spartan War College here at Sparta Command. You may use the docks at Defiance Freehold to offload your representatives and take on the Spartan delegation. I am also interested in your inquiry into Doctrine Airpower. The deal that you worked out with Colonel Santiago will need to be modified slightly. We will transmit files containing this information in exchange for aircraft to be delivered to Sparta. I will also ask that you produce aircraft for no other faction unless we both agree that there is a need. I await your thoughts on the matter.

We are surrounded by factions to our north and south that have this capability. If we work together we are more than capable of countering the growing threat posed by the Chiron Alliance and most specifically the Nautilus Pirates. The Free Drones present a problem. If they are allowed to get too close to the Alliance we will find ourselves in a difficult strategic situation. I suggest that we try and create some rifts between them and the Alliance short of overt interference. Drone territory may become extremely important in the coming years. And I don’t want the Alliance to be able to exploit it.

To: Priest Breinmann
From: General Kessel

Your duty is to serve the Spartan Federation. As is mine. I took an oath not in a cave somewhere below the ground but high above Chiron during the last hours of Unity. I am a soldier not a warrior. There is a difference. If you continue to serve the Spartan Federation as you and the rest of your ranks have in the past then I think we shall get along fine. The war is coming to a close and for now it is in the best interest of Sparta to rebuild. There will always be a place for the cult in Spartan society. But never loose sight that you serve Sparta and also remember we are the inheritors of Leonidas, not Hitler. I ask that your forces remain outside War Outpost for the time being. Things are being taken care of there.

[Cyber]

From: Priest Brienmann
To: General Kessel

Good to hear that you are not hostile towards our religion.For a moment there, we were concerned that you might cause troubles to us.
We shall be always loyal to the Spartan Federation, as we ourselves are Spartans.
As you surely know, this is a religion, not a new faction. We are not concerned with power, wealth or other frivolous things. Our only concern is to serve first and foremost God, and the Spartan Federation.

That is why, if it suits your high goals, the Cult of War could be officially declared as the main and only religion of the Spartan Federation. This would solidify our relations and bring a new era of honor and discipline into these unsure times.

[OOC: Hmm, I just got a new future plan for The Cult . Conversion! They´ll have to clean their bloody rituals, though, before they start to spread this new religion into other factions.]


[This message has been edited by Cyber (edited May 14, 2001).]

[Guardian]

U.N. Headquarters

Commissioner Lal was not a happy man.
It almost seemed like the whole world was turning against him these days, even the ones who were supposed to be his allies! The council vote pretty much spoke for itself. It seemed the Data Angels were the only people left who still recognized the U.N. as a legitimate Peacekeeping Force. The Data Angels were the only friends he had left! It couldn't be right. There had to be some sort of misunderstanding somewhere... but he didn't have time to sort it out right now. He could only hope that there would still be time to sort it out when he got around to it...

-and where was the Planetmind?? He hadn't heard from her since... almost a year ago! And she had seemed less than healthy at the time. Lal was getting worried. He had reached out for her many times in his dreams, but she just... wasn't there! He decided he would try again that night...

Now for this damned file that Kessel had sent him...
He sighed.
He had been horrified at first.
Now he just felt tired and... empty... not knowing what to believe...
Yes, he had seen the footage...
The rover... sitting there by itself... with the two flags... the dark and dirty Spartan flag hanging there like a torn rag... the U.N. flag, bright and clean, flapping proudly in the breeze above... He couldn't have thought of a better way to insult the Spartans if he had wanted to. They must have been furious! Then the camera had approached the rover and the horror inside it had become visible... the blood... the guts... the severed limbs... the shattered heads... the bodies burned and blasted beyond recognition... and the Spartan uniforms... or what was left of them... Who on Chiron could have done such a thing, even to Spartans? As if in answer, the camera pulled away from the bodies and zoomed in on a message... written in blood... It said, "Spartan scum! By the time you leave here, you'll be looking like this!" ...and a little further down... "Peacekeeping Forces - What You See Is What You Get"

Tears welled up in the commissioner's eyes. He turned and walked away, and didn't speak to anyone for over an hour...

[Natan]

From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive
To: Colonel Santiago of the Spartans

I am sending my delegation of 81 Hive personell to your territory as we speak. Thank you. However, I am not aware of any deals regarding doctrine air power. If though, you would like to make one, my ears are open.

From: Ministries of Defense&Industry
To: The Central Committee

Work is progressing well on our forifications on our border with the Free Drones. We have set up a series of guard towers and fortified areas, as well as a number of depots and storage centers. Work will continue on this, as well as on the Human Genome project.

From: Chairman Sheng-ji Yang of the Hive
To: Aki-Zeta 5 of the Cyborgs

I would like to enhance relations between our two factions through the exchange of ambassadors and the opening of trade between our two factions. What do you say to this?

[Guardian]

From: Commissioner Lal
To: General Kessel

General, I'm not sure what to think of this file you sent me, but I do have one question:

Can it be proven that those were really Spartan soldiers on that rover?

The reason why I ask is that my people will undoubtedly suspect yours of dressing up prisoners in Spartan uniforms before blasting them to make it look like we did it.


Dream to Planetmind...

Where, oh where has my dear friend gone...?

[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited May 15, 2001).]

[Sprayber]

War Outpost

It had been another long day for Halzburg. His preparations for the march north to Sparta Command were just about complete. All that was left to do was to meet with his commanders one more time about the sequence of events and the army could be set in motion. He had only told his men that they were going to restore order within the Federation and then they would resume their offensive against the PK s. With no significant threat posed by Kessel, they would be in Sparta Command within the week. Halzburg had even considered going along with the peace talks for long enough to rearm. As he entered his office, Halzburg was already considering what uniform would be more appropriate to wear at Kessel’s execution. He went over to his desk and turned on his light. The first thing he saw was a face that he hadn’t seen in a long time. “Poulos, what in the hell do you think you are doing ? I could have killed you.” A thin grin spread over the face of Poulos. “With all do respect General, you wouldn’t have had a chance.” A look of annoyance came over the General’s face. He knew of course that the probe operative was right. “Still, you had better stop this sick need to sit in the dark waiting for people to show up. How did you even get past the security? Damn lazy soldiers. Never mind don’t even answer the question.” “Now, now general. You can’t blame them. They are very good at what they do. It’s just that I’m far better at what I do.” An even bigger smile crossed his face. “Yeah, whatever. What’s the matter. Did you finally get tired of Kessel’s insistent whining and finally decide to come over to the winning side?” “Not really his whining.” Poulos got up from Halzburg’s chair and walked over to a small cabinet. He reached inside and pulls out a bottle of fungal gin. “Help yourself, why don’t you” Poulos grins at the annoyance in the general’s voice. He motions to Halzburg. “No thank you Poulos, that stuff could take the armor off a rover. I only offer that to my officers. The good stuff is in my quarters.” “Suit yourself. I’ve kind of grown used to it. Not like on Earth but still good to clear the senses.” Poulos pours some in a small glass and drinks it down. “Listen Poulos, I don’t have a lot of time. I have asked for your services before and I am still willing to use you now. Tomorrow we begin our operation to take the government from that usurper Kessel. I need you to go ahead and arrange for him to fall into my hands. I want the honor of killing that PK loving bastard.” “Funny you should mention the word honor. Kessel uses that word quiet a lot these days. Now you know me. Probe operatives don’t really have a need for honor. We are given a job to do and we do it. Blowing up a recycling tank or killing a faction leader are pretty much the same job for us.” Poulos walks over to a picture on the wall of the raising of the Spartan flag over War Outpost. “It seems that you have some kind of personal grudge against Kessel. What is it?” “You know better than anyone that it is dangerous to ask some questions, Poulos. Lets just say that Kessel has sold us out. He could have been a fine officer. But he decided to flirt with the enemy too many times. He raised too many questions about things that should have just been done. It’s time to decide. You are either for me or against me. If it’s money you want, I may be able to arrange something.” “No, I’ve pretty much made up my mind.” With that, Poulas pulled out a four inch knife and grabbed the general from behind. Before Halzburg could react, Poulas thrust the knife in the small of his back expertly pushing the blade between the third and fourth rib. Poulos removed his hand from the general’s mouth, but kept his gripe tight across the upper body. “I……I am a general. …..I don’t deserve to die like this.” Halzburg was slumping over now. “Deserve has nothing to do with it general. We all have it coming sooner or later.” Poulas twisted the blade back and forth for good measure. He let the general slump over in his chair when the last of the life had drained out of him. A thought crossed the probes mind. Despite all the wonderful technology gifted to the art of killing, in the end it still came down to the personal touch. Without warning the chime on the general’s door went off. Poulas hit the light on the desk and escaped back in the darkness. The door chimed one more time and soon he heard the lock cycle. Thoughts about who it could possibly be raced through his head. The door opened and the figure of a small girl stood in the door. “Excuse me general.” The sound of a quiet female voice filled the room. “General are you there.?”

Maria didn’t understand. She had been told to come over and finish packing the general’s belongings tonight. Halzburg had explicitly ordered that the task be finished without delay. He had even told her to come in even if he was absent. Maria did not like being in his office alone. The last time she had done so, something had come up missing and the General had initially blamed her for it. He had threatened to take it out of her hide if the article was not returned. Her family had been searched and her mother had been briefly detained. Even though he eventually found the item somewhere else, a cloud had hung over Maria and her family. She walked carefully over to the desk to find the light, but before she could reach out and turn it on, a hand grabbed her and clamped tightly around her mouth. “Don’t say a word.” She immediately knew that this was not the general. “This is what is going to happen little girl. This business has nothing to do with you. You are going to turn around and walk out that door. You are going to go straight home and mention nothing about this to anyone. And to make sure. My friend outside is going to follow you. If you go anywhere near anyone that looks official, my friend is going to make sure that you don’t make it home. Nod once if you understand.” Maria nods her head. “Good. Now be a brave girl and walk out that door and don’t worry about ever coming back here again. The general no longer needs your assistance.” Poulos let’s loose of his grip on the girl. “Thank you sir” Poulos is taken back by this. “For what?” “For not hurting me.” Maria turns around and half runs out the door trying not to cry out loud. For a second Poulos just stands there in the darkness. Before tonight that girl would have been lying next to the general by now. “It don’t mean nothing, It don’t mean a thing” With those last words, Poulos began the task of cleaning up and preparing to move the body to somewhere else. He had at least one more mission to do tonight.

Later that morning Poulos sat at his safe house and prepared a message to be sent to Kessel via his portable comm unit.

*****Level 5 Encryption*****

Flash message to Top Dog

------Both packages have been wrapped. Awaiting the arrival of big *S* and the supporting forces. No complications to report.-------
[This message has been edited by Sprayber (edited May 15, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

From: Sir Cloud
To: Cyborgs, Data Angels
Subject: Weapons Pact

We would greatly appreciate any aid you can gift us with.
If we receive weapons then we will be better able to weild political
power within the University and Morganite territories.

We will also be able to defend our trade caravans better- and
as an added bonus, many of our members will be interested in becoming
mercenaries in the Data Angel or Cyborg lands.

-Sir Cloud

From: Neil Duncan-Howell
To: Howellites
Subject: Daniel Jakhobs-Howell

It took many months- but our efforts on locating Daniel Jakhobs-Howell in Cyborg territory
has paid off.

Throught many data hacks and searches and bribes we have located him as a one Werner Iota-Four
living in the Cyborg capital city. The task forces will be sent off to attack and recover
Daniel as soon as possible. However it is believed that he has had his memory barbarically wiped
and been nerve-stapled by the Cyborgs. This cannot be healed yet- but I have every reason to believe
that University researchers can find a way to put this great patriot back together again.

The University Sun-Governor

Believed Supporter of Daniel Jakhobs-Howell is Dead in Clash

Yesterday at approxamately 05:29 there was a clash between Cyborg citizens and the D-Citz, followers
of Daniel Jakhobs-Howell and his relentless campaign against Cyborgs.

Reportedly the D-Citz opened fire on a group of Cyborgs waiting in a cafe, recounting memories
of the slaughter of 10 Data Angels over 60 years ago. However, only seven Cyborgs were killed,
more were saved when a person believed to be a mercenary in the hire of a Cyborg merchant pulled
out an illegal plasma rifle and melted one of the D-Citz. The remaining D-Citz fled and the
mercenary disappeared.

From: Victor
To: Celeste
Subject: Morgan Provinces

The Morganites are neatly under our thumbs at this point. We have invested heavily in the stock markets
and suggest that you instruct your people to do the same in the University markets.

We are hoping to coordinate a united stock market crash and popular millitary coup, thus driving out the
heads of the Morganites and University out of office. It will take several more years, however, before this
coup can be attempted- for our attempts at controlling the stock market are hampered by people who refuse
to sell out. We can also not control any more banks because backward thinking boards of directors do not
agree with our plans or will not accept new members to the boards.

At this point Morgan suspects nothing, however it is believed that several of his analysists are reccomending
government regulation of our three investing firms. If he does this we will launch into a court battle and
discredit Morgan and cause him to be voted quickly and quietly out of office.

Morgan Newslink Network
12.3892.38.00344.83

Regulation Talks

There have been several recent regulation talks between Morgan and the biggest ten industrial and
investing firms. Accusations have flown from side to side, ranging from the forceful to the unusual.
Morgan has been accused of "Discrediting the free-trade process, Attempting to gain more market-share for himself,
and, Being a supreme *******."

There have been calls for his resignation, but he says that the firms are "Monopolistic beyond reasonable limits,
Limiting the right of free expression, and Have the power to crash all markets and destroy them, as well as,
Could reasonably take control of this country with a buy-out." and thus he says,
"No one should have that power, thus we must regulate these firms and break them up."

People have flocked to the streets in protest to these measures, citing that anyone smart enough
to create a monopoly should be allowed to keep it. Whereas Morgans supporters claim that the
companies reached their monopolies by "illegally bribing government officials," and by
"scamming productive citizens."

MORE on this on the Morgan Newslink Holonet Trade Talks News Channel at 20:02

[Argonaut]

***Private Message : Standard Encryption***
To: Chairmain Sheng-ji Yang
From: Prime Function Aki Zeta-Five

I whole heartedly agree to your proposal Chairman. Our peoples have much to benifit from such an exchange, and it might help to improve relations between the Chiron continent and the Eastern continent. We will being some preperations for your ambassador's arrival as soon as you have selected an appropriate site for your embassy.


***Private Message : Advanced Encryption***
To: Sir Cloud
From: Datajack Roze

I have spoken with the Prime Function and we both have agreed to your proposal. Send a list of your requirements to my Defense Minister and we will arrange shipments. Good luck in your endeavours friend. We will be watching your progress carefully.

Roze

[[LordLMP]]

NAUTILUS SAILOR NEWS

Planetary Council decisions still pending...
The votes on the Interfactional Peacekeeping Task Force and the mandoratory emabassy exchanges proposals are still pending as the Peacekeepers and University have yet to vote. it as already been month since the voting as begun.

Peace talks between the Chiron Alliance and the Spartans...
Negociations are still going on with not much progress. The cease-fire is still holding, but it will not last if the peace talks continue to drag on as the internal problems in Sparta is starting to stablelize after death of General Helzburg at War Outpost(U.N. High Commission).

Blast Rifle Crag declared independence from the Spartan Federation...
It became official yesterday when Governor Pontas declaration of indepence of Blast Rifle Crag via NSN and other new networks. Our faction and the Gaia's Stepdaughters officially supports this independence, with military units to defend the base aswell.

[OOC: Comm tower rebuilted ]

A Global Trade Submit planned...

It seems our leader, Captain Svensgaard, as been discussing trade issues with CEO Morgan of the Morganites as they planned to setup a Global Trade Submit. There is chances that the submit would be located at Morgan Industries. The Submit would pretty much review the Global Trade Agreement, reorganize trade routes and improving the interfactional trade rights to Companies/Corperations. All factions would be invited to send representives to the submit, where they can acquire the Planetary Economics tech if they participate. The Merchant Party are quite happy with this...

[OOC: Start to really encourage companies to seriously be to able to establish in other factions aswell and to inves in foreign/global stock exchanges, if any.]

[This message has been edited by [LordLMP] (edited May 17, 2001).]

[Natan]

Sparta Command

The Hive advisory exchange team marched off of the subway in a line, two abreast. They stood in the open space before the welcoming committee, and saluted. The master of ceremonies, a portly Spartan with a major's uniform whose flab did little to disguise his obvious battle scars, asked the Hive delegation to be seated. They promptly obeyed. The Spartan delivered a short, concise speech on the basis for and needs of Hive-Spartan cooperation, and then invited those present to join in a small reception party, where a few pastries and beverages had been laid out. The Hive delegation came, but talked little and touched next to nothing of the food. Active, however, was the cultural attache of the Hive delegation, which chatted up the Spartan military officers present and announced a lecture to be given on Hive culture, open to the public, in two days.

[Guardian]

From: U.N. Ambassador Isabella Fuentes
To: Planetary Council

The U.N. Peacekeepers abstain from both votes.


[OOC: Fuentes will speak for the Peacekeepers in the council as long as Lal is Planetary Governor. The Peacekeepers don't support the interfactional peacekeeping task force because they feel that this is their job which they can do just fine on their own if given the chance to. They also don't support the idea of everyone exchanging embassies, mainly because they would NOT welcome a Spartan embassy in U.N. Headquarters - nor anywhere else on their territory...]


From: Commissioner Lal
To: Planetary Council

The University of Planet and the Planetmind herself have still not voted.
If we do not hear from them within one week from now, they will be counted as abstained and we will go with what we have.

Current tally:

1. The formation of an Interfactional Peacekeeping Task Force
Yea: 7 votes
Nay: 2 votes

2. The right of all factions to establish unarmed embassies in each others capitals
Yea: 4 votes
Nay: 5 votes


From: Commissioner Lal
To: General Kessel

General, you asked me for exact amounts...
We are aware that the Spartan economy isn't too great compared to our own, but we also know that your military spendings are well in excess of what we would consider reasonable for your situation. However, in an effort to keep the peace process moving forward, we are willing to seek a compromise with you. We propose a deal where you would officialy agree to pay for damages caused at U.N. SeaQuest and Data Acquisition, but in practice your expenses would be limited upwards to 500 energy credits. This will be enough to cover the sea colony pod and basic facilities. We will take it from there. What are your thoughts on this?


[OOC: Lal has chosen not to comment on the situation at Blast Rifle Crag and/or the assassination of general Von Halzburg at this time...]


U.N. Data Acquisition

The Special Forces corporal was having a bad dream...

The treaty had been signed. She had laid down her weapons and gone home...
Then one night, she was awakened by the shrill cry...

"SPARTAAAAAANS!!!!!!"

-Sh*t! The @£$€=*&#§! bastards screwed us again!! Damn it! I knew we shouldn't have trusted them!

She got up in a hurry, ready for anything. Only... she had no protective gear to put on. She had no weapons. She was alone... She got dressed in a hurry and ran off to find the others, knowing she didn't have much time... she was running down a corridor towards a door in the far end... She didn't make it.
While she was still too far away to do much of anything, the door opened and she found herself face to face with a Spartan officer. She had seen this officer before, outside U.N. Data Acquisition... He had shot one of his own people in the head...

She knew she didn't have a chance... The man already had his weapon drawn and pointed in her direction. There was nowhere to run. She stopped cold in her tracks, struggling to control her panic. There was only one thing to do... her only chance was to stand her ground, be a plain old harmless civillian and hope for the best... She spread her arms out to show him her empty hands... Then, as she stood there perfectly still, she tried to make eye contact... to sort of just stare him down, kind of like she imagined commissioner Lal would have done it...

Looking him straight in the eye, she tried to communicate without speaking a word...
Suddenly, the dream changed perspective, and it was like she was watching it all happen in a movie... she saw herself standing there holding out her open hands, and the look in her eyes said "All right, you win. I'm not gonna try to stop you... I'm no threat, see? You're in control here, there's no need to... uh..."
She swallowed hard and hesitated for a moment, then tried again... "Now let's just stand here you and I, and be human beings together. I have no quarrel with you and there's no need for guns here... In a way, I'm your sister... You wouldn't shoot your sister, would you...?"

In that same moment, she saw the look of fear in her own eyes, and she knew she hadn't made it. The Spartan had a malicious sneer on his face...

She knew what he was thinking... "Stupid, pathetic PK b*tch... Too worthless to deserve life"...

The round slammed into her chest and went straight through her heart. Her eyes widened in surprise and pain as the air was forced out of her lungs and into a short, sharp scream full of pain and fear. She had never heard herself scream like that... Her blood was gushing out... she knew she was dying...

Even as she was falling, a second round caught her right between the eyes, throwing her head back in a spray of blood and pieces of brain... Her body jerked violently for one instant, then collapsed lifeless to the floor...
The room was a mess... there was blood everywhere... and brains... and tiny bone fragments...
Slumped there in a pool of blood was one very dead Kyla... her life snuffed out by someone who didn't even know her name... and didn't care... and she had died for nothing... she hadn't made any difference at all... instead, she had become just another victim of the "Spartan superiority"... blood and brains still oozing from her broken head, spreading out across the cold, unfeeling floor...

The Spartan examined his handiwork for a moment with a self-satisfied smirk on his face, then stepped over the broken body and moved on, looking for more people to kill...


...and Kyla was alive and awake and back in her rover outside Data Acquisition...

Taking a deep breath and wiping the sweat off her forehead, she got up and made her way back to the gunner's position. Private Kensington was there, keeping watch in her absence. Without a word, she moved up next to him, put her helmet on and gestured for him to leave. He seemed kind of surprised at being relieved almost two hours ahead of schedule, but he trusted her and had no reason to question her decision. Speaking softly into the mike on his headset, he announced that "It's 03:22 and corporal Johnson has the guns". Then he gave her a friendly pat on the back and she replied with a thumbs up. He turned and left. She was alone again... anxiously watching the Spartans over at the defensive perimeter...

"I don't care", she whispered quietly to herself. "I... don't... care..."
She took another deep breath and tried to calm down som more, but that hateful, bitter thought just wouldn't go away...

-I don't care what any treaty says, I will NEVER trust a Spartan...


[This message has been edited by Guardian (edited May 18, 2001).]

[DarkCloud]

University Statement
From: Prokhor Zakharov

The University will not stand for either of those options unless our soldiers comprise 20% of the International Peace Force troops.

-Zakharov

[Guardian]

U.N. Headquarters

As the dawn broke, the young man sat up in his bed, took several deep breaths and tried really hard to convince himself that it had all been a dream and nothing more. But the truth was, he couldn't be sure...

It had all seemed so real... Her eyes widening in surprise and pain as the first round hit her... her blood gushing all over the place... the look on her face as she was falling...

"Oh God, no!", he moaned. "Not my sister!"
"Not my dear, sweet, beautiful sister!"