NationStates Jolt Archive

Snow fell heavily, millions of flakes bonding together to form a quite blinding screen that rendered vision futile and direction impossible to find or follow. The temperature dropped several degrees, but it made little overall diference. The weather patterns were savage and unyielding, the atmopshere unwilling to support the life that now made home there.

Kristilanna placed her hand on the plexiglass gently, as if any undue pressure might break through the viewing window and allow the toxic caress of Europa to enter her sanctuary. She felt the thermally regulated glass warm to the touch. She marvalled at the Europan landscape that heaved under the freezing depths only a few short inches from her own person. Whilst she did wish further time to be nothing more than an observer, duties awaited and would not be so yielding to her wishes and desires.

Returning to her desk, she brought attention to the tasks that awaited her. She immediatley found herself the recipent of a direct message link from Administration One, on Terra itself. Thinking nothing more than an urgency to open and view, she did so. The Kaeneian text scrolled its tongue lazily down the datanode. Her eyes scanned carefully but with haste. It had been a time that had been in months since a direct link message, and she read it as though the interval had been decades.


~*~



Kristilanna reclined slightly, her brow furrowed as she took in what she had reread once more. Her intrest piqued by another twist in her directive, as Overseer Aeneglis, Protectoresse of Kaeneian interests on Europa, and within her heart, a guardian for the planet itself, and the rememberance of the thousands who died in its icy grip.

Once more, others wished to set foot on the ice world. Already transport craft from the nation of Der Angst had landed, and begun the difficult period of "digging in", and initial construction work. Lliaren 'Jovia had recieved additional Kaeneians, the majority of which had travelled from the WorldDisc to bolster her population to almost five hundred thousand strong. And now, the elven empire of Menelmacar, and triumvirate allies wished to add themselves to those that moulded the ice for their own worth and task.

Direct interaction was little, talk non-existant. No records of previous dealings existed, and Kristilanna had nothing but her own intelligence to advice her how to proceed.

Isotope mining had long been utilised by the Serene^Union, and the vast frozen oceans of the Jovian moon provided such in abundance. No doubt, Der Angst would in time learn the usefulness of this resource, amongst others. Now, it was for the Protectoress to decide, wether she could see harm in the Elvish wish.

Long hours passed, turning to days, and further onwards. She believed all had been thought and planned, and her decsion well founded. All that remained was to wait, for an official or otherwise communique from the Elvish state, to await them to propose or request what they already had considered.

Turning to the viewing window, and the calm, serene mountains of snow that lay beyond, she lost herself to thought.

Helcaraxë - The Grinding Ice. In times of old this was the name for the polar icecap, Sirithil knew. She had never been there, but she remembered it had been the site of one of her 'dear husband's' greatest atrocities, for he had left the hosts of Fingolfin to die in the snows while he crossed over safely upon the stolen ships of the Teleri.

And she had gone with him.

What else could she have done? Stayed behind and possibly died in the snows herself?

Certainly not.

And now, Helcaraxë was the leading candidate for a name for a Europa colony. The Grinding Ice - the name was perfect for the moon, where the terrible tidal forces of the king of worlds kept a vast worldwide subglacial ocean in liquid form, and endlessly tore and fractured and flexed the kilometer-thick shell of ice on the surface... grinding ice. Much like the Helcaraxë of old, except bigger, colder, farther from home, and just as deadly if not respected.

Sirithil stared at a holo of Europa, rotating serenely above her desk, for some time; her ruminations continuing... finally, she flicked off the holo and began to compose a comm dispatch.

Protectoress Kristilanna,

I was informed by your government that you would be the one for me to contact regarding any efforts to colonize the Frozen Moon.

In essence, Menelmacari interests in Europa lie primarily in its resources, in the abundance of hydrogen isotopes available both on its surface and in its subglacial ocean. We are interested also in scientific study of the ocean, especially in locating forms of life. Such interests would not require an overlarge portion of the Europan surface, only an area a mere few hundred kilometers across. Any expansion necessary would be endeavored both upwards towards the sky, and down into the living ice.

As Kaenei and Menelmacar are now allies under the aegis of the Triumvirate of Yut, yet have had little contact nonetheless, I am sure that sharing the ice moon would be greatly beneficial to relations between our realms, and allow us to learn more about one another.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
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Mining access granted, providing fufillment of limitations imposed upon the Empire of Menelmacar.



iAn orbital structure will be established, which will serve as resource storage for ore and isotopes harvested from the Europan surface. Providing the estimate is fair and precise, the Serene^Union will compensate for construction costs.

ii A small mining encampement will be facilitated on the Europan surface. This will be automated to as much a degree as is managable. A small number of Menelmacari appointed personnal will be allowed surface-fall to maintain order.

ii General Menelmacari planet-fall is forbidden. Dissension from this will not be viewed with appreciation.

iii Research craft will be allowed surface-fall, providing a flight plan and exploration log is filed, and they obey the time limit of twelve hours per exploration cycle.

iV Menelmacari Colonisation of Europa is declined at this time.


VThe Serene^Union retains the sole right to alter or terminate this agreement. Prefferably with the consent of Menelmacar, but in times needy or innapropriate, permission is not required from the former to terminate. Where possible, a fair sum will be offered in compensation.


Breach of the above guidlines lines will force a re-examination of the current operation.





Kristianna Lgarie
Overseer Aeneglis, Protectoresse of Kaeneian interests on Europa

Most Serene Union of Kaenei

The sky was dimming over the Eternal City with the darkness of nightfall, and Sirithil was eating dinner with her son, in one of the higher chambers of the palace. The room was warm and bright, the lights of the city glimmering beyond the glass, the mountains dark silhouettes against a gold and purple evening sky.

An aide wandered in... "Sorry to interrupt, milady; this came for you. You asked to be informed immediately."

Siri set down her fork, glancing at the datapad handed her; the 'from' line at the top of the message catching her attention. "So I did. Thank you..."

Maglor looked up from his dinner as well. "What is it, mother?"

"It's about Helcaraxë," Sirithil replied serenely... serenity short-lived. Finally she reached the end, looking more than a little angry. The tone of the message had been... less than diplomatic.

"INSULTS!" she shouted, casting the datapad onto the table with evident disgust. "The indignity! They mock us! They seek to humiliate us! They make us wait more than a week and then they send us this?"

Maglor reached over and picked up the pad, reading over it quickly. "You're right, mother, that's exactly what they want..." he got up, moved over behind Sirithil, and massaged her shoulders gently. "And that's why you should take the deal."

"Take it? After they..."

"Yes, precisely," whispered the crown prince. "Swallow your pride and take the deal, mother. It is clear they have no desire for a Menelmacari presence at all; they give this much solely because of Yut ties. They want you to storm out in a rage, because then they won't have to deal with you at all. Well, it's either that or they simply have zero comprehension of diplomacy and tact. Either way, it is not in our interests to turn down the deal."

Slowly, perhaps because of Maglor's logic, which she couldn't fault, and perhaps because of his massage, which she also couldn't fault... but more likely because of both, Sirithil calmed down. "You're right... you're right. Damn it all, Maglor..."

"Hush, calm yourself, mother," Maglor said softly, gently, still massaging, though now moving to her ears. "Passion and sincerity are two of your greatest qualities, but now is not the time. We wanted hydrogen in quantity, now we have it. So stay calm, at least until after you answer their dispatch. Then you can break something. Or we can do some sword practice. Whatever you like."

"All right..." She pushes her plate away, still half full. "I've lost my appetite... thank you, though."

---------------
Not long after, the response was sent. It consisted of the following, in marked contrast to the diplomatic tone of her previous message:

Overseer Kristianna Lgarie;

The Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar accepts.

Her Eternal Majesty, Lady Sirithil Nalosaurawen Finlaurë Aineldalië Minyavendë nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar

And that was all.

The sky was dimming over the Eternal City with the darkness of nightfall, and Sirithil was eating dinner with her son, in one of the higher chambers of the palace. The room was warm and bright, the lights of the city glimmering beyond the glass, the mountains dark silhouettes against a gold and purple evening sky.

An aide wandered in... "Sorry to interrupt, milady; this came for you. You asked to be informed immediately."

Siri set down her fork, glancing at the datapad handed her; the 'from' line at the top of the message catching her attention. "So I did. Thank you..."

Maglor looked up from his dinner as well. "What is it, mother?"

"It's about Helcaraxë," Sirithil replied serenely... serenity short-lived. Finally she reached the end, looking more than a little angry. The tone of the message had been... less than diplomatic.

"INSULTS!" she shouted, casting the datapad onto the table with evident disgust. "The indignity! They mock us! They seek to humiliate us! They make us wait more than a week and then they send us this?"

Maglor reached over and picked up the pad, reading over it quickly. "You're right, mother, that's exactly what they want..." he got up, moved over behind Sirithil, and massaged her shoulders gently. "And that's why you should take the deal."

"Take it? After they..."

"Yes, precisely," whispered the crown prince. "Swallow your pride and take the deal, mother. It is clear they have no desire for a Menelmacari presence at all; they give this much solely because of Yut ties. They want you to storm out in a rage, because then they won't have to deal with you at all. Well, it's either that or they simply have zero comprehension of diplomacy and tact. Either way, it is not in our interests to turn down the deal."

Slowly, perhaps because of Maglor's logic, which she couldn't fault, and perhaps because of his massage, which she also couldn't fault... but more likely because of both, Sirithil calmed down. "You're right... you're right. Damn it all, Maglor..."

"Hush, calm yourself, mother," Maglor said softly, gently, still massaging, though now moving to her ears. "Passion and sincerity are two of your greatest qualities, but now is not the time. We wanted hydrogen in quantity, now we have it. So stay calm, at least until after you answer their dispatch. Then you can break something. Or we can do some sword practice. Whatever you like."

"All right..." She pushes her plate away, still half full. "I've lost my appetite... thank you, though."

---------------
Not long after, the response was sent. It consisted of the following, in marked contrast to the diplomatic tone of her previous message:

Overseer Kristianna Lgarie;

The Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar accepts.

Her Eternal Majesty, Lady Sirithil Nalosaurawen Finlaurë Aineldalië Minyavendë nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar

And that was all.

The sky was dimming over the Eternal City with the darkness of nightfall, and Sirithil was eating dinner with her son, in one of the higher chambers of the palace. The room was warm and bright, the lights of the city glimmering beyond the glass, the mountains dark silhouettes against a gold and purple evening sky.

An aide wandered in... "Sorry to interrupt, milady; this came for you. You asked to be informed immediately."

Siri set down her fork, glancing at the datapad handed her; the 'from' line at the top of the message catching her attention. "So I did. Thank you..."

Maglor looked up from his dinner as well. "What is it, mother?"

"It's about Helcaraxë," Sirithil replied serenely... serenity short-lived. Finally she reached the end, looking more than a little angry. The tone of the message had been... less than diplomatic.

"INSULTS!" she shouted, casting the datapad onto the table with evident disgust. "The indignity! They mock us! They seek to humiliate us! They make us wait more than a week and then they send us this?"

Maglor reached over and picked up the pad, reading over it quickly. "You're right, mother, that's exactly what they want..." he got up, moved over behind Sirithil, and massaged her shoulders gently. "And that's why you should take the deal."

"Take it? After they..."

"Yes, precisely," whispered the crown prince. "Swallow your pride and take the deal, mother. It is clear they have no desire for a Menelmacari presence at all; they give this much solely because of Yut ties. They want you to storm out in a rage, because then they won't have to deal with you at all. Well, it's either that or they simply have zero comprehension of diplomacy and tact. Either way, it is not in our interests to turn down the deal."

Slowly, perhaps because of Maglor's logic, which she couldn't fault, and perhaps because of his massage, which she also couldn't fault... but more likely because of both, Sirithil calmed down. "You're right... you're right. Damn it all, Maglor..."

"Hush, calm yourself, mother," Maglor said softly, gently, still massaging, though now moving to her ears. "Passion and sincerity are two of your greatest qualities, but now is not the time. We wanted hydrogen in quantity, now we have it. So stay calm, at least until after you answer their dispatch. Then you can break something. Or we can do some sword practice. Whatever you like."

"All right..." She pushes her plate away, still half full. "I've lost my appetite... thank you, though."

---------------
Not long after, the response was sent. It consisted of the following, in marked contrast to the diplomatic tone of her previous message:

Overseer Kristianna Lgarie;

The Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar accepts.

Her Eternal Majesty, Lady Sirithil Nalosaurawen Finlaurë Aineldalië Minyavendë nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar

And that was all.

The sky was dimming over the Eternal City with the darkness of nightfall, and Sirithil was eating dinner with her son, in one of the higher chambers of the palace. The room was warm and bright, the lights of the city glimmering beyond the glass, the mountains dark silhouettes against a gold and purple evening sky.

An aide wandered in... "Sorry to interrupt, milady; this came for you. You asked to be informed immediately."

Siri set down her fork, glancing at the datapad handed her; the 'from' line at the top of the message catching her attention. "So I did. Thank you..."

Maglor looked up from his dinner as well. "What is it, mother?"

"It's about Helcaraxë," Sirithil replied serenely... serenity short-lived. Finally she reached the end, looking more than a little angry. The tone of the message had been... less than diplomatic.

"INSULTS!" she shouted, casting the datapad onto the table with evident disgust. "The indignity! They mock us! They seek to humiliate us! They make us wait more than a week and then they send us this?"

Maglor reached over and picked up the pad, reading over it quickly. "You're right, mother, that's exactly what they want..." he got up, moved over behind Sirithil, and massaged her shoulders gently. "And that's why you should take the deal."

"Take it? After they..."

"Yes, precisely," whispered the crown prince. "Swallow your pride and take the deal, mother. It is clear they have no desire for a Menelmacari presence at all; they give this much solely because of Yut ties. They want you to storm out in a rage, because then they won't have to deal with you at all. Well, it's either that or they simply have zero comprehension of diplomacy and tact. Either way, it is not in our interests to turn down the deal."

Slowly, perhaps because of Maglor's logic, which she couldn't fault, and perhaps because of his massage, which she also couldn't fault... but more likely because of both, Sirithil calmed down. "You're right... you're right. Damn it all, Maglor..."

"Hush, calm yourself, mother," Maglor said softly, gently, still massaging, though now moving to her ears. "Passion and sincerity are two of your greatest qualities, but now is not the time. We wanted hydrogen in quantity, now we have it. So stay calm, at least until after you answer their dispatch. Then you can break something. Or we can do some sword practice. Whatever you like."

"All right..." She pushes her plate away, still half full. "I've lost my appetite... thank you, though."

---------------
Not long after, the response was sent. It consisted of the following, in marked contrast to the diplomatic tone of her previous message:

Overseer Kristianna Lgarie;

The Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar accepts.

Her Eternal Majesty, Lady Sirithil Nalosaurawen Finlaurë Aineldalië Minyavendë nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar

And that was all.

"My lord, I've got something interesting to show you."

"Yes, Lord Alton?"

"Recently, Menelmacar requested the permission of Kanei to establish a colony on Europa. They were rebuffed, rather impolitely at that. Kanei will only let them establish a small, practically unmanned installation."

"I see. Looking for isotopic fuels, I assume?"

"Yes. I think it would be an execellent chance to establish better relations with Lady Sirithil if we were to grant her permission to place a colony on Callisto."

"Interesting. Write up a proposal, and if I like it I'll pass it along."

----
{Private YutLink Transmission; m5 Security Protocols}
x Emperor Gregor Vetinari (IUo Cetaganda)
o Lady Sirithil nos Feanor (ENEo Menelmacar)

Greetings, Lady Sirithil

It has come to my attention that you're looking for a place in the Jovian system to establish a colony for the purpose of mining fuel-grade isotopes. I believe that I have a proposition that would interest you. As you know, Cetaganda has claim to Jupiter IV, Callisto. We have a large colony in the Vahalla impact region, and extensive orbital facilities that include our main shipyard complex, as well as substantial defences. However, we can not fully exploit the moon's resources, and will not be able to for centuries. I propose the following arrangement:

1a) Menelmacar may establish a colony in the Asgard impact region, an area 1700 in diameter.
1b) There are no restrictions on population of the colony.
1c) This area may later be expanded by mutual consent.

2a) There is no restriction on Menelmacari military forces within the Asgard region.
2b) Menelmacar may establish any shipbuilding or other fleet facilities in the Asgard region that it sees fit.
2c) Menelmacar may construct any fixed ground-based defences it sees fit.

3a) Menelmacar will partially fund the construction and maintenence of additional orbital defences.
3b) Cetaganda will control of all orbital defences around Callisto.

4ai) The current orbital traffic control service, Callisto Skywatch, will retain is current role of traffic control and customs.
4b) Menelmacari personel will be eligible to obtain postions with Callisto Skywatch.
4c) Traffic going directly to the Menelmacari colony will be exempt from customs searches

I believe you will find these terms quite reasonable. The exact amount of funding for the orbital defence expansion can be determined at a later date, this is purely a rough draft proposition. I look forward to your response.

Gregor Vetinari
Emperor, Imperial Union of Cetaganda

Bump... IC post pending.

~Siri