Fwurg

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

Ardios Eldrilith stepped up.

"Senator Harek and Senator Maria Latharion, am I correct to assume that when the Union fleets are occupied fighting off a possible Mandalorian attack you do not want the help of the Veolian fleets to help protect your systems? How about a Praetorian fleet?"

[Maria Latharion]

"I'm afraid my government won't allow any military fleet to stay in our sector, other than a Union fleet.

I am sorry senators but we will only allow passage not a prolonged stay."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I have to say that I do not agree with your approach to fear the other Union members more than the Mandalorians.

We Praetorians understand and accept your decision on this matter. We respect your faction's sovereignty over your sector.

As minister of defense I can not guarantee that there will always be a Union fleet to protect your system when the war has started. "

[Senator Harek]

"The Veolian and the Pretorian fleets are evenly welcome. We only would like to keep eye out in our section with battle ready fleets roaming around. Any fleet is welcome to help us as long as a delegation is on board. The Sundarians have gladly taken on some officers and diplomats on board of their scanning ship. This has improved our communication and relation."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I understand that the Sundarian Federation has allowed you to have a delegation onboard their scanning fleet but this does not mean that our military fleets will accept a delegation of a foreign nation each time we pass through their territory.

We will share relevant information when necessary and uphold the Allliance Declaration."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Senators,"

Peinaili said as she rose to address the senate briefly,

"Our scanning fleets have presented us with some new intelligence reports pertaining the Mandolorian Fleet movements and military strengths. You should each receive a new notice shortly."

Moments later the notice was delivered to each member world through secure channels, which read the following:

Turn 110 Intelligence report by Edge of Darkness, Sundarian Federation

[Maria Latharion]

"Senators, I have received word from the Echani. They will engage the Mandalorian Fleets if they attack us. They have also asked that the Union Fleets engage the Mandalorians if they come under attack.

I believe this is more than reasonable and I think we should agree to this."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Although I agree that this is a good start I think that this only means that both of our factions are committing only one fleet.

I think we should discuss sharing military intelligence and coordinating our efforts. I think that the Echani have showed us enough trust for us to give them our current military intelligence on the Mandalorian fleets. What do you think?"

[Senator Harek]

"I have discussed the matter of military fleets in our sector with the High Council. To protect the Union the minister of Defense commands the Union fleets. But with a big war coming we need more fleets to protect us. To efficiently do this we need to collaborate and so the minister of defense needs to be able to coordinate the various fleets as to increase our joint power.

With the responsibility of protecting the Union you also need power to do so. Therefor there should be not boundaries or other obstacles in the way. We give the minister of Defense the power to grant passive and supplies to any other military fleets (including the Echani) in our sector. In return we request information about what is going on.

I think an alliance with the Echani against the Mandalorians is a good idea and by sharing the intelligence they can send the right ships to us. As there are technological advanced I hope we can also get intelligence in return. "

[Maria Latharion]

"There is nothing in their message to indicate either of us only commit one fleet, minister.

I also don't think putting all fleets under the command of the minister of defence is wise. No offence, but who knows a sector better than the people who live there.

And considering the nature of the Echani I don't think they will be very keen to share more detailed intelligence."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Senators,"

Peinaili said as she rose to address the senate briefly,

"Our scanning fleets have presented us with some new intelligence reports pertaining the Mandolorian Fleet movements and military strengths. You should each receive a new notice shortly. The current build up of fleets seems to continue and with that the risk for our scanning fleets, especially with the addition of a Mandalorian Scanning fleet with technology similar to our own.

The Sundarian Council may, in this light, decide that any further surveillance outside the Union border no longer warrants the risk to our fleet and personnel. Should the Council indeed decide seize our surveillance effort outside Union territory, you will be informed. "

Moments later the notice was delivered to each member world through secure channels, which read the following:

Turn 111 Intelligence report by Edge of Darkness, Sundarian Federation

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Senators,"

Peinaili said as she rose to address the senate briefly,

"Our scanning fleets have presented us with some new intelligence reports pertaining the Mandolorian Fleet movements and military strengths. You should each receive a new notice shortly. Their latest intelligence however warrants your immediate attention as it seems clear now that the Mandalorians are no longer willing to sit back and watch.

Our Survey fleets will also, in light this obvious advancement, withdraw to the safety of the borders where they can be better protected."

Moments later the notice was delivered to each member world through secure channels, which read the following:

Turn 113 Intelligence report by Edge of Darkness, Sundarian Federation

[Senator Harek]

"Minister of Defense what will you do now the Mandalorians are on our doorstep?

You have had sufficient time to make preparations. Could you tell us what your strategy will be?"

[Senator Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius]

The servant of Prince Odakim V of the Rising Suns of Deominius rose from his chair, and held up a holoprojector.

"Senator Harek, fellow senators", the floating head of Imperial Prince Odakim V started, "It is clear to me now that you do not understand the gravity of the situation. This is to be expected of such unmilitaristic cultures.

To enlighten you, I have drawn the following infographic. Everyone at court agrees with me that this infographic accurately and elegantly displays the current problematic situation"

The large screen in the senate displayed the following image:



"I expect that you will remedy this situation with all due haste."

The holoconnection terminated, and the servant sat down again.

[Senator Danar Tassar]

"The Teprogrenaian Consensus likes to know if there are made any attempts to talk with the Mandalorians and what the outcome is of this talk."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Fellow Senators,

Please allow me to explain the current situation. This is the current situation in 113."

Ardios Eldrilith showed an image with the current fleet situation on the large screen:

((OOC: Click image for large map))

"A short explanation of the map. The triangles displayed on the map are the military fleets that we know are active in the area. The round fleets are civilian fleets, in this case survey fleets that are used for military scanning. Two Triangles displays that the fleet has 6 or more upgrades and a dashed triangle means the fleet is docked and under construction. The vertical lines behind a fleet indicate the fleet's level of activity, 1 stripe for defensive and two for combat-ready. The dashed area's are the known scanning ranges of the Union and Mandalorian fleets respectively in white and blue, the same color scheme as the fleets.

"I have not received any information about negotiations with the Mandalorians from our Minister of Foreign Affairs yet. Since we do not know anything about their intentions we are preparing for the impending war.

With the current amount of Mandalorian fleets in the region we will not be able to fend them of with only the Union Defense Fleets. We will require additional forces.

The Sundarian scanning fleets will have no choice but to retreat into Union territory. As you can see we have only 5 out of 12 Union fleets in the area at the moment. Three more reserve fleets will be dispatched to the front line in 113 and will help defend sector 7 -4, 7 -5 and 7 -6. Furthermore the three fleets on the front line will become combat-ready to stop any incoming enemy fleets.

When the Mandalorians invade our territory and start attacking us we will meet under article 4 of the Alliance Declaration and most likely vote to declare war on the Mandalorians.

I have appointed Alexander Giambastiani, admiral of the Union Defense Fleet CORE 2, as supreme commander of the corewards battle theater, who will coordinate all fleet movement in the corewards theater. To provide intelligence all factions in the region are required to appoint a local liaisons that will provide the necessary information about their sector and defense capabilities to our supreme commander.

We have identified the bozzy spine as our biggest advantage in this war and have already activated our improved supply network that was issued by Nehket Aeka some time ago. For the Mandalorians we have identified their supply lines and scanning capabilities as their biggest weaknesses. I consider a special enforcement action to disable their scanning fleet that can be executed by our special forces or Jedi.

Furthermore we most likely do not have enough fleets to keep all Mandalorian fleets from attacking the Hiocan Society and Astrian Colonial Authority. We can not leave our Union members undefended and I have made available to pay the upkeep for two defense forces for each faction.

If your faction has military fleets available that can be deployed please contact the Ministry of Defense.

Thank you for your attention."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"I have authorized Alexander Giambastiani to speak in the senate, he will present us with the current situation and will have time for a few short questions."

Senator Ardios Eldrilith established a secure connection with the bridge of the flagship of Union Defense Fleet CORE 2.

[Alexander Giambastiani]

A holographic image of Alexander Giambastiani the Supreme Commander of the Corewards theatre appeared.

"Senators, we are still in the process of deploying Union Defense Fleets to the front line. We are building up a foothold in sector 7 -4, 7 -5 and 7 -6. The bulk of the Union Defense Fleets will be patrolling these sectors.

If any Mandalorian ship crosses the border into Union space we will be forced to defend ourselves. Awaiting the results of the negotations with the Mandalorians we are holding this postion.

We are preparing our forces for the option to engage the Mandalorians in sector 6 -5 and sector 6 -6. When the negotiations fail this could be an option to prevent damaging of Astrian Colonial Authority or Hiocan Society assets."

[Lady Peinaili de Montrève]

"Senators,"

Peinaili said as she rose to address the senate briefly,

"Our scanning fleets have presented us with some new intelligence reports pertaining the Mandolorian Fleet movements and military strengths. You should each receive a new notice shortly. Their latest intelligence however warrants your immediate attention as it seems clear now that the Mandalorians are no longer willing to sit back and watch. Their movements however, have stopped at our border which might suggest that the actions taken by the Ministry of Defence are sufficient for now."

Moments later the notice was delivered to each member world through secure channels, which read the following:

Turn 114 Intelligence report by Edge of Darkness, Sundarian Federation

[Maria Latharion]

"Senators, I have recently tried to make contact with the Mandalorian government in an attempt to prevent a war.

I will show you the message transcript, including the message I sent."

Maria closed her eyes and a moment later the holoprojectors in the senate displayed the messages.

To: Mandalorian Government
From: Lady-Senator Maria Latharion, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs

Respected Sir/Ma'am,

The Union has detected your fleets gathering along our border. It seems you are preparing to go to war.

To our knowledge we have done nothing to provoke such an aggressive course of action and we would very much like to know why your are taking them.

If possible we would like to come to a peaceful solution.

We await your response.

Sincerely,
Lady-Senator Maria Latharion
Union Minister of Foreign Affairs

Hail Maria,

Like you, the Mandalorian Fleets would much prefer a peaceful solution. Give us the terms of your surrender so we can coordinate the transfer of all powers currently held by the Union to the Mand'alor.

Ergos Markoth

"From their response, I conclude they are not going to back down without a fight." She continued.

"I suggest we all prepare for war and to that end the ACA has allowed a Veolian Fleet to take position in our sector, they will not be submitting to the Colonial Navy command structure as other arrangements have been made."

[Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda]

Senator Lunco of Skuldda had an excellent idea of how to settle the war peacefully: "I Propose that their so called Mand'alor comes to a neutral area alone. There, our high Chiefs will challenge and beat him in a race, a fair race of course. The defeated party will surrender all his fleets and controlled sector to the winner, which will be no doubt me," after which Lonco quickly added, "Or one of the high chiefs.

The defeated party is entitled to one rematch per defeated sector for control over that sector half a year after he lost so shamefully. Where undoubtedly the mandalorians will shamefully loose again."

[0x71A7E17A (mask of 0x71A7E17A)]

0x71A7E17A"The IO Protocol believes the solution proposed by Senator Lonco Morubixaba of Skuldda is much more Pareto optimal than surrender."

[Alexander Giambastiani]

"Senators, I have just finished a holonet conversation with Admiral Markoth of the Mandalorian fleets. This is what was said."

Alexander Giambastiani replayed the whole conversation in front of the Senate:

Alexander Giambastiani

"This is the commander of the Union fleets contacting the commander of the Mandalorian fleets. Please explain your presence, so far outside Mandalorian territories, in sector 6 -6 and sector 6 -5.
We would like to negotiate for a peaceful solution.
If one of your vessels enters Union territory we are forced to open fire."

Admiral Markoth

"Admiral.
The Union is bickering with itself. They cannot agree on what they want. Join the Mandalorian Fleets with your ships and we will make you personally the absolute monarch of a quarter of the Unions territories when the war has been concluded."

Alexander Giambastiani

"The Union is clear on the fact that they will not join the Mandalorian fleets. Although I will have to refuse it sounds likes a generous offer. I am Alexander Giambastiani. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

Admiral Markoth

"I am Admiral Markoth. It is unfortunate that you would not take our offer. Now we will have to destroy you. May you die a warriors death."

-- Connection Terminated --

"They are no longer willing to talk. The fleets will be ready in 116 to enter 6 -5 and 6 -6, should the senate decide to declare war and engage. My advisors advice to officially declare war on the Mandalorians."

[Nehket Aeka]

Senator Nehket Aeka stood up.

"Fellow senators,

I think we are past the time for peaceful negotiations. I propose that the Minister of Defence or the Chancellor take the necesary steps to ensure that we can deploy our military."

[Senator Ardios Eldrilith]

"Most of the Union Defence Fleets are now stationed in 7 -4, 7 -5 and 7 -6."

Ardios Eldrilith showed a new image with the current fleet situation on the large screen:

((OOC: Click image for large map))