Chiron Chronicles: Planetary Council

[Argonaut]

General Address
From: Datajack Roze
To: Planetary Council

All right Captain, I will concede. I will not be a hypocrite in this matter. As all it means is restricting my units to within my own borders, which is the result of recent policies anyway, I am willing to support your accord. Am I right in the assumption that each faction will be allowed to maintain an offensive capable force for purposes of defence? If that is the case, then I'm willing to be the first faction with the "guts" to support your motion. But if Datatech territory is attacked, we will respond with whatever force we deem necessary, including the possibility of an attack on the agressor faction(s)' territory. If those stipulations are acceptable Captain, then you have my support. It can't hurt I suppose.

[Guardian]

There appears to be some commotion in the U.N. delegation, with lots of messages being passed around and matters being discussed in hushed whispers... This goes on for some time... Finally, Ambassador Fuentes rises to address the council. Her expression is pretty serious... She steps away from her desk and walks out onto the center floor before speaking...

"Several matters need to be addressed... I'll try to be brief..."

"First of all, I would like to say that we are delighted to see that the Believers and the Cult are finally talking to each other again, but as for New Hope we're not ready to pack it up and call it a day just yet. First we need to see if these negotiations are truly going somewhere and that the results can be seen and felt out there in the field and not just in here so many hundreds of miles away." She pauses for a moment. "However, we are prepared to withdraw our forces from the New Hope base as part of a peaceful settlement to the conflict, and with the help of naval and transport assets already in the area, our forces can be out of there and off the continent in less than a week once the decision is made to withdraw them. For now we will sit tight and try to keep a low profile, as we believe the parties should be allowed to sort things out between themselves as much as possible. However, we are ready to help at any time if help is asked."

She turns to face the Spartan delegation.
"Mr. Solo, I have a strong feeling you've been trying to tell me something, but I am afraid I still don't see your point. The impression I keep getting from listening to you is that you basically want to blame us Peacekeepers for all that has ever gone wrong anywhere in the universe since the beginning of time, and that when the end of time comes, you'll probably blame us for that too. Quite frankly, I find this rather ridiculous, and I'm not prepared to accept that kind of responsibility. You keep saying we're not immune to being wrong, but I never said we were. None of us ever said we were. We're not gods, we are human beings. Nothing more... -and nothing less..."

"As for Santiago's proposal, I am afraid it has a major flaw, which is why we haven't taken more of an interest in it. It assumes that our only purpose at New Hope is to restrain Sparta, which is not the case. Hence, I am afraid the proposal is actually quite unrealistic in its' present form. I propose we wait and see what the Believers and the Cult might come up with, then see where we go from there."

She turns to face Captain Svensgaard and sighs.

"I have no comments to the Captain's proposal at this time."
She pauses again and looks around.

"However, we may have an important announcement to make soon."

[Sprayber]

Solo sat back in his chair and closed his eyes while the Ambassador made her statement. He thought about his grandfather’s words on why the UN would never work. He thought about the endless sessions that he sat through while the world reduced itself to rubble. Solo’s attentions was brought back to the current day when his name was mentioned by the Ambassador. He listened to what she had to say and simply shook his head. “They would never get it” he thought to himself. (They are so consumed with their ideals that they could not see what they were doing as being wrong.) Solo had no doubt that most of them meant well. But they did not know what they were doing and most importantly could never be convinced that they should try other ways. Solo made a mental note to include that in his report to the Colonel after this whole mess was over. Solo had still not made up his mind if he should recommend that Sparta go forth with operation Market Garden or not. Kessel had expressed reservations but had also stated that Sparta might not have a choice. As usual the Colonel presented a neutral expression on the operation. Planners in the Command Nexus had assured her that the operation could be done in a matter of weeks which would give little time for the other factions to intervene. If the Colonel did not win the election, then the operation would almost have to be implemented. Solo was not looking forward to explaining to everyone here about Market Garden if and when it happened. He knew that the Hive would welcome it. And that maybe the Believers and even the Morganites would understand. But he knew the Pks would be screaming at the top of their lungs. A smile crossed his face at the thought of Isabella’s face. She looked quite attractive when she got angry. When Solo got a chance, he stood up and addressed the council.

“Sparta will not accept the Pirate demands.” He stopped for a minute to gather his thoughts. “It appears that the Peacekeepers and Pirates will not accept our reasonable offer either. After some thought, it appears that we are going about this the wrong way. I suggest that a third party come up with a suggestion., and the parties involved look at it. Again, I speak only for Sparta. Sparta would suggest that the Morgans and possibly a second party act as a go between in these matters. To give the Morgans some idea about Spartan goals, these are some points.

1. Athens Outpost is a direct affront to Spartan sovereignty. It is an attempt to goad us into war by the Pirates. We believe that it was done with PK approval.

2. Pirate aggression at sea. Officially, the Pirate government disapproves of piracy. But unofficially they use it as a means of harassment and profiteering. Their so called escort of vessels are an affront to national sovereignty.

3. Believer security. The Cult is a threat to humanity as long as it is allowed to use native organisms as weapons. And it is not lost on us that many of you have allowed them to harvest these on your territories. We will not compromise on Believer security from native attacks or from conventional attacks.

4. PK naivety. What else needs to be said.

5. Factional rights. We in Sparta believe that the term faction is outdated. I believe that the Hive and many others will concur that our societies have outgrown the need to continue the charade of a unified mission. We do recognize that cooperation is important., but not at the expense of independence. Internal affairs should be left out of any discussion in this council, unless those disputes cross over into another’s territory. This would include certain attempts to spread propaganda to a nations citizens for the sole purpose of inciting riots and rebellion.

6. Colonization. We respect the right of a nation to expand. But we do not approve of factions expanding for the sole purpose of stealing future lands from another. We also think that the Pirate’s practice of setting up sea bases along the coast of another’s territory is nothing more than attempts at strangulation. They set up a base off the coast and complain when their territory is violated. In our view, it is simple theft. Those who colonize close to another’s are looking for one thing. That is confrontation.

If our opponents are interested in peace, then I think they should have no problem in seeking a solution from a third party.” Solo turns to the Cult member. “If your little prophet truly thinks that Sparta is afraid of you or your little worms, then the Colonel invites you to try whatever you have to. We have many interesting ways of killing your little worms. The crackling sound of worms being flamed is a soothing one in Sparta. Perhaps you shall hear it soon.” Solo turn to his desk and transmits a written list of the Spartan points to the Morganites and other members of the council.

Private Message
From: Representative Karl Solo
To: Ambassador Isabella Fuentes

Simple point is this. Stop interfering in affairs that have nothing to do with your government. You are not our masters, you are not in any special position to dictate terms to us or anyone else in the council. Your motives might be pure, but you only end up delaying what needs to happen. Sparta never apologized for our wrong doings in the past, we simple changed and was done with it. Your attempts to make everyone live up to your ideals will only lead Chiron to repeat the mistakes of Earth.

[Natan]

(OOC: I'm really starting to enjoy propagandizing in the council. Don't worry, if something seems to be exaggerated or misrepresented, it's probably intentional)

From: Sau-ji Tseng
To: Council

Firstly, I would like to adress the honorable representative of Captain Svensgard. If the Captain does not think the cause of removing our forces from the western continent sufficiently important to his faction to warrant concessions on his part, then so be it. But he should know that the Hive is not his lackey, nor is it intimidated by his veiled threats. We will not abandon our friends and allies, and we will not withdraw from the western continent without assurances of the continued security of our faction and of our allies. Furthermore, we would like to call attention to the blatant interference of the Pirate faction in our affairs, and particularly in aiding and abetting a terrorist rebel movement in our territory, violating our faction waters, and sinking our vessels.
Secondly, I would like to adress ambassador Fuentes. I suggest that if her faction does not desire to be blamed for what goes wrong in all parts of the world, that it not stick its head into all parts of the world. It is only natural that once you proclaim yourself the rightful ruler of the earth, your subjects demand an accounting. You seem to think you can solve the world's problems, so naturally, we blame you when you fail at this task which you have chosen for yourselves.
I would also like to adress ambassador Quzer of the Cult of Planet. Your faction, ambassador, is like a man on a ship starts tearing up the planks in his cabin. As the water begins to pour into the ship, the other passengers approach him and demand that he stop. He responds "it is my cabin, I have the right to do as I please." Your reckless manipulation of Planet's native life is endangering us all, and your patronizing pontifications (or are they veiled threats?) are not fooling anyone.
Finally, I would like to endorse, on behalf of the Hive Central Committee, the peace plan set out by the Spartan faction.

[Guardian]

There is still a lot of activity in the U.N. delegation.
However, Isabella Fuentes has been sitting absolutely still and silent for the past several minutes, apparently paying close attention to the Spartan and Hive representatives. She also looks down momentarily to check her screen a couple of times when what appears to be private messages arrive. She quickly reads each message, but does not appear to respond in any way to either of them. When they hive representative is done talking, she rises again to answer. Her expression is carefully neutral at this point, although those who pay attention and "know" her can detect some sadness and perhaps just a little bit of resignation...

As she slowly steps out onto the center floor, she makes eye contact in turn with Solo, Captain Svensgaard and the Datatech representative Rebecca Katt. Upon reaching the center of the floor, she pauses momentarily and stares off into the distance, taking a deep breath before her eyes once again come to rest on Solo at the Spartan desk.

"What we have here is not just a matter of simple disagreement..."
Her voice trails off and she hesitates for a moment, shrugs and lets out a soft sigh of frustration.
Straightening up and taking another deep breath, she looks the Spartan representative straight in the eye and tries again...

"Karl, I'd like to say we need to talk, but I'm not sure if it will get us anywhere..."
Another shrug. Another frustrated sigh.
"We just plain don't understand each other at all, do we?"

Without waiting for an answer, she seems to snap out of it and regains her carefully neutral composure.
"We have an important announcement to make. Firstly though, I shall briefly answer Mr. Solo's last little speech. We accept the idea of having a third party come up with a proposal. However, the Morgans hardly seem neutral in this context. Nevertheless, we are prepared to let them give it a try, but we propose they should work together with representatives from at least one other faction. Our candidate is the Free Drones."

"For the record, we did not approve anything in regards to the Pirates' Athens Outpost. However, we did not seriously object to it either, so I guess you have a point..."

"Now for our important announcement..."
She turns to face her own delegation and gives a slight nod...


General Message
From: Commissioner Pravin Lal
To: Planetary Council

It appears I have little or no support outside my own "faction".
Consequently, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy and I'm no longer running for Planetary Governor.

[Guardian]

Isabella Fuentes is still standing in the center...

After a period of silence, she indicates that she has one more announcement to make...

"The U.N. Peacekeepers abstain. We will not support either candidate."

[Mr. President]

[In the hush that follows the announcement, CEO Morgan and his entourage enter the Council chamber fresh from the airport. Quietly they move to the Morganic desk. Morgan converses quietly with Aron Fleischer for several minutes. Then he makes his statement...]

Permission to speak?

Firstly, I would like to reiterate the commitment of Morgan Industries to the Western Continent Peace Process and the general de-engagement between the former Alliance bloc and the Spartans and Hive.

And I would like to say that the venerable Ambassador Fuentes should not preach to anyone about neutrality. The Peacekeeper faction is hardly neutral, as one would - perhaps naively - infer from its name. There has not been such a thing as a neutral country for hundreds of years. It is for this reason that such engagement as we are about to embark upon must come from the heart, and must be pursued seriously.

Which brings me to my second point. I have been briefed on Captain Svensgaard's proposal for "world peace". You speak of pulling all nations' military forces back within their borders. Admirable as the vision of a world without war is, it is unattainable. Who will enforce this utopia? You? The Peacekeepers? We are not on Earth any longer. There is no United States. There are no superpowers at all, and as such no-one has the capability or the right to act as the global policeman. And I put it to you that anyone who wishes to be taken seriously as a leader and as a diplomat should not propose permanent vendetta on any nations who accidentally transgress borders. De-militarization does not work unless the parties to be disarmed consent. Few have disarmed voluntarily in the past. Will they do so now, with your navy poised to engulf them?

Finally, I propose a resolution to modify the U.N. Charter, with the view to outlawing unauthorized planting of xenofungus. Fungus disrupts food supplies, spawns dangerous native life forms, and hence can be used as an extremely effective biological agent.

[DarkCloud]

The University Responds:

Ambassador Ian Davidson-Splertovsky

Dear Spartan Ambassador Solo,

In your list of points to end the war, I would like to note that on the issue of number 1 of the points, the University has no official stance.

About issue number 2, Point 1 I would like to call for stricter rules in governing the sea provinces, the University would support a law outlawing any form of sea-piracy, even in the event of war. The punishment for sea-piracy of a nation will be a declaration of economic sanctions, and possibly, war.

Point 2
If the nation is not proven to have sponsored privateering, then the nation will be ordered to crack down on said pirates. If a significant decrease in pirate activity is not acheived by two to three decurns (weeks) time, then point one will be enacted.

The University's reaction on Point three is that if our allies, the Cult, wish to harvest the unnatural mindworms from our lands, they should be able to- if they cannot control the mindworms, they must be ordered to destroy the mindworms.

The University considers it a legal ability to use mindworms against enemies in times of war- in times of war all modes of destruction should be avaliable to the said parties. It is only logical!

On issue #4 we agree fully with Sparta

On issue #5- we would disagree with too much interference in a faction's own affairs of state. The University believes in a united Chiron, however it seems that many factions (OOC: IE the Believers, Cyborgs) do not believe in unity and instead incite rebellion and break away from their rightful factions. Unity is how great countries like the USSR, EU, and America were formed- and Unity is how we shall exist on Chiron.

We are also agree with the Spartans on the propoganda issue, and are against excessive use of propoganda

On Issue #6 the University agrees fully

---
The University wishes for a united Chiron- a peaceful Chiron where trade and research flourish side by side. A police state of sorts, but do not police states function well- look at Fascist Germany for example- Police States are the future of Chiron- Sparta knows how to be efficient- the University knows how to be efficient, and others do- we should unite- not seperate.

[DarkCloud]

Finally, I propose a resolution to modify the U.N. Charter, with the view to outlawing unauthorized planting of xenofungus. Fungus disrupts food supplies, spawns dangerous native life forms, and hence can be used as an extremely effective biological agent.

The University agrees with the peackeepers on this issue. Fungus is an impedement to the economic development of Chiron and no more of it must grow- we should preserve what we have for future study- but the amount that exists should never grow- it should remain steady, lest we all revert to nomads and leave our sparkling cities.

-I D-S

[Guardian]

Ambassador Fuentes appears only marginally interested in hearing what Morgan and Davidson-Splertovsky have to say, as she and her staff seem rather busy at the moment...

Are they... packing ? ?

[Cyber]

From: Cult ambassador Quzer
To: Planetary Council

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After a long considering the Cult has decided to not abstain. Instead, we will vote for Datajack Sinder Roze

[Sprayber]

From: Representative Solo
To: Planetary Council

I must protest. The Cult has already made it’s vote and it has been recorded. There are procedures that must be followed. If the Cult wishes to vote for our esteemed Datajack Rose, they will have to wait until the next election. They have made their decision, nowlet them deal with it. If they can change their mind on this now, how can we consider negotiating with them over important matters in the future. Now is the time in which they show us if they can be counted on to be reliable. Sparta and the rest of the world waits and watches. Does it not seem strange that the Cult now says that the Angels are worthy of their vote?

[OOC: What. Do you think the Spartans wouldn’t notice or care?]

[Cyber]

From: Cult Ambassador Quzer
To: Planetary Council

Representative Solo, do I hear anger in your tone? Maybe I hit a soft spot. How interesting of your to throw a bargain of threats immediately when fear is mentioned, maybe your really are afraid of native lifeforms.
But dont worry, we understand, so many of your people have probably died in wildworm attacks, which you cursed on yourself because of your polluting industry. But remember that those wildworms are not killing you for fun. They have just been born in their world, which is slowly but surely being destroyed by a plague called the Spartans.
So they too are afraid, afraid what will happen to them when their world has been ripped apart and turned into factories and farms.

Representative Sau-ji Tseng, you speak that the Cult endangers all. By how, might I ask? You preach about factional soveregnity, but in fact you basicly say in your last adressment, that we are responsible to each and everyone. We are not creating somesort of doomdevice here, and we are not threatning anyone. We are studying the native life, and cooperating with it. How does that endanger us all, could you please answer representative.
I don´t understand, why do you paint us a threat to humanity, while we have never engaged hostilities with anyone. We wanted to be left alone, but instead the Believers have launched three devastating to both sides but unsuccesful attacks in a row on us.


What is this talk of banning fungus planting. You people haven´t just realised its potential. If you´re worried about transportation disruption, look at our Xenofungus Dome. With it, our transportation is even faster than on road. And if you´re worried about dangerous lifeforms, again look at us and the Gaians. Are the native lifeforms hostile towards us? It is only a matter of how you treat them. Come to our ecological conference, and we´ll teach you.

(OOC: that last sentence sounded as if it was from TV Shop )

[Sprayber]

Solo stands up.

Colonol Santiago doesn't make threats. Only promisies. And any hint of fear or anger was your mind playing tricks on you. Sorry to dissapoint you but your faction is no threat to Sparta. We just wish to save your people from their twisted little master and his worms. But once again, I invite you to take action instead of just talking. We have gotten rid of one cult. One more won't make that much of a difference.

[OOC: I don't think Solo or Santiago fears the cult. They look on the cult as a danger to humanity with their fascination with the worms, but they don't fear the little cult in the least]

[Kassiopeia]

Father Deacon rises from his desk and speaks up.

"There have been some very reasonable commentary regarding the use of native lifeforms in combat.
In Far Jericho, we have a special hospital used to treat people, soldiers and civilians, attacked by these mind worms, or 'native lifeforms' as they are so called by the Cultists.
I have been to that hospital when working as the vice governor of Far Jericho, and I have witnessed only a glimpse of the horror. After rendering you incapable for anything by presenting images straight from Hell, these unholy critters crawl in from your ears and eat your brain tissue away. And the victim is fully alive during the procedure.
Some have survived a worm infection, but are severely disabled or even brain-dead. Those who have only been shown the pain of Hell in these 'harmless' psychological images are in a coma, or catatonic at best.
We have comforted the families of the sufferers, ensuring them that their closests souls will live eternally with Lord God. And they will.
I hope that the Council will see the light in this matter, and prohibit all warfare utilizing these demonic beasts."