NationStates Jolt Archive

Anderson sat at the head of the conference table. A few men and women in black business suits were seated along the sides. The room was situated in a small office building in Independant Pluto's small stretch of Terran land. The location was soon to be absorbed by neighboring nations, as IP was no longer in any position to do much of anything at all.

"Most of you," Anderson said, "are wondering why I have asked you here. Some of you may have figured it out already. You are all very rich people. So am I. However, your interests, formerly in Independant Pluto, have dried up abruptly. This . . . evaporation . . . of the nation has left a very good opportunity for anyone business minded. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of tons of valuable metals just lying there waiting to be harvested and put to good use. They are also protected by a functional high-tech security system.
"KuiCorp was formed by myself and several of my associates. We have several million in startup capital. We are already both a stock corporation and a country. Our land consists of all the Terran land that was formerly claimed by Independant Pluto. I called you in particular because you are now citizens of nowhere. I invite you all to become citizens of KuiCorp, and, of course, stockholders."

"What will you do with the scrap metal once you've got it? What keeps this from being just another scap metal company?" came a voice from the back of the table, to Anderson's right.

"Well, the metals we are going to be salvaging, and later mining, are ideal for deep-space construction. We are going to put them to good use. The eventual objective of this corporation will be to have a group of luxury living facilities, resorts, and high-tech factories. This could be a very lucrative project.

"Also, a press release regarding this project will go out in 6 hours."

OOC: Feel free to have a character invest some in this.

bump

((OOC: THis post is assuming that this information is public, which, if you want investers, it better be))
IC:
CNN Headline News:
This just in... the Resi Corporation has released its intentions to mine the reminents of Independant Pluto for scrap metal and their basic elements. It is assumed that, after its fledgling rival KuiCorp released a similar message, the Resi Corporation decided to jump on the bandwagon and harvest Pluto before it was gone. They have also released that they are preparing to ship several newly-completed LABOR Raven Units stocked with full nanobays and several thousand JUNKER (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/junk.htm) and R-Bot v3.0 (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/rbot3.htm) robots to Pluto to fight against the defence systems, and collect the resources for themselves. We at CNN will of course be covering this race for resources as it unfolds.

OOC: Yup, this is public. I said so in the last IC line of the first post.

IC: Anderson scanned the crowd beneath him. Several major news services were represented, including, he noted with some amusement, Wombat News. He wondered how a tiny company could compete with Resi on something like this. He took a deep breath, and began speaking.

"The Resi Corporation has announced their intention to compete with us for the right to salvage the wreckage of some of the former Independant Pluto. What the leaders of Resi may not have considered is the fact that there is not just metal out there in the Kuiper Belt - There are people. Hundreds of thousands of people may still be in the wreckage of the nation, and there may be a provisional government in place already. We intend to help these people. Our first priority will be to repair the still-functional living areas, and assist any refugees in returning to anywhere they want to go.

"The defense systems, of course, will be a problem. Our plan, however, will certainly not result in any damage of equipment that could be used by any survivors, unlike that of Resi. We will work with the survivors, and see if they have a way of shutting the defenses down temporarily while our equipment gets inside to help."

This was crap from beginning to end. It was doubtful that anyone was still inside the wreckage that hadn't been killed or taken by the Kalan. The idea of repair was laughable. But the best thing was, the Kalan jamming field was still up, so nothing could be proven at all!

"Remember, Resi wants profit. KuiCorp wants to help."

Anderson had talked to one of his new investors. She had worked with PLV on the design of the defense systems, and knew how to disable them remotely. The problem was that no radio or subspace was going in or out of the area, so the defenses couldn't be changed from "shoot on site". If there was a way to punch through the jamming, then the defenses could be a powerful asset.

Of course, Resi could probably overpower them anyway in the long run, but with any luck, they would back down before anything actually happened.

OOC: Somehow I always run into threads that have the potential to get me in serious IC trouble. Xanthal just likes to do what they think is right. It'll get them killed someday.

IC: The following statement was released publicly by the Socialist Republic government only seconds ago:
It has been brought to our attention that the last reminents of the formerly great nation Independant Pluto are to be mined for scrap. We normally would have no intrest in such a venture, but in this case our desire to save those left over must override our desire to stay uninvolved. Considering the somewhat more compassionate statements released by KuiCorp as compared to the Resi Corporation, and considering also the prior claim to the salvage operation made by KuiCorp, we have decided to intervene on their behalf. This government has submitted to the leaders of KuiCorp the following proposal: That in return for our assistance in mining the wreckage of Independant Pluto and in repairing dwellings of and relocating when necessary the few remaining citizens to be found therein, as well as our defense of their claim to the site; we be granted 40% of the profits from whatever can be gained from the salvage operation and rights to study and duplicate any technology found there. We hope that KuiCorp will accept our offer and allow us to help those in need while benefiting all involved parties. If our offer is refused, note that Xanthalian ships will be sent to the site to ensure the well-being of the civilians there. The Xanthalian government thanks you for your attention and wishes all our friends in the galaxy good health and prosperous life.
-The Triumvirate of the Socialist Republic of Xanthal

Anderson was meeting with his staff when Xanthal's statement came through. The discussion was changed from budget issues to whether or not to accept Xanthal's offer. The consensus was to accept.

"We basically have no chance to stand against Resi without help," said one stockholder.

"The only problem is the 40% issue. That's going to add up to billions," remarked Anderson. "We'll need to keep them from claiming 40% of our profits forever, on the grounds that they were gained from salvage."

"The only way around that is to clarify with them that if they can get Resi to back off, then they get 40% of scrap sale only, not from any other venture."

"Good idea. I'll have a message sent to that affect. Also, if there are a lot of refugees, then they'll wind up dealing with them."

Dawn Kradii was awestruck. She stared blankly at the CNN news reel that was reporting KuiCorp's statement. Those lying bastards, she thought, How dare they do this to us? Activating the video phone in her office, she contacted Dae Narasagi, her only superior that was readily available.
"Is there even anyone alive left on Pluto?" she asked Dae.
"That's a nice way to say hi," Dae responded nonchalantly, scratching one of her ears (she's a catperson), "But I suppose it beats how you call me 'bitch' behind my back."
"Why... why I do no such thing!" Dawn said, flustered. She didn't know that Dae knew about that. "But anyway," she continued, "Answer the question."
"Aren't you the bossy one... alright, let's see..."
Dae searched ResiInfo, which is basically the corporation's massive information archive of everything. Annually bits and pieces of it are compiled to make Encyclopedia Ressanica, which is then sold as a computer program throughout the solar system.
"Well," Dae responded at last, "Maybe a few here or there, nothing that could really start a civilization. And yes, I saw the news feed, so there's no need to tell me why you're asking that."
"Good," Dawn grunted, "so what do you propose we do about all this?"
"Well, take KuiCorp's word as fact, and I'll make a public appology for our not knowing that. Then assemble and stock into our LABOR Ravens as few Diplomacy Droids as possible without making a dent in production. Once we reach Pluto and find few to no people, we can accuse KuiCorp of lying and turn the event on their heads. I'm not exactly sure how they thought they'd get away with a lie like that, if it is one, but CNN will be watching. That's one of the best things about having it under our thumb, we controll which way the camera's turned."
"Amen to that," Dawn smiled, "Now write that speach and I'll boss around the droids. We've got work to do."
--------------------------------------------------------------
CNN Headline News:
Dae Narasagi, the President of the Resi Corporation, made a statement today reguarding the process of harvesting Pluto. Let's listen to a bit of it...
*cut to Dae, wearing her best suit and makeup and with a small gold ring on her tail, at a podium with the Resi Corp logo in the background*
"...and I assure the general public and investers of the Resi Corporation that we clearly had no idea that there were survivors of a lost civilization on Pluto. It seemed to us that the environment does not permit survival of biological life forms, but evidently we were wrong. As such, we are now stocking our LABOR Ravens traveling to Pluto with exactly 500 Diplomacy Droids a piece. These droids will concentrate on finding survivors and freeing them, as well as presenting them with the choice of staying on Pluto, or returning to the Resi Corporation as refugees. Upon arrival, any Plutonian refugees will be given full rights as Resi citizens and exactly 3,000RC ($6,000) to begin their lives anew here. This has only complicated our plans slightly, and the harvesting of Pluto and the resquing of the survivors will go as planned..."

*tags*

Anderson was about to commence another speech, and this time there was more press coverage, as people started to sense that this could be serious. He seemed to be failing to get sleep lately, and he hoped that he wouldn't do anything stupid, like pass out on live TV.

"As I'm sure you all know, Resi has just made a claim that in their rush to grap resources, they will be sure to be kind to anyone they meet living in said resourses. It looks as though they consider people to only be a speed bump on the road to profits.

"While Resi will try to grab as much as they can, KuiCorp, if they get the chance, will make it their primary goal to help people, to rebuild a nation. We will abandon maximum profits to use any salvageable equipment to help those in need of what was once theirs. We will use any scrap only to build new places for people to live in space, and sell some to finance this. Resi will take all that they can get away with, and use it to build weapons of war."

Anderson stepped down from the podium and decided to get some sleep.

OOC: Resi, TMs

OOC: This will be fun. I can't wait to see how Resi, KuiCorp, and Xanthal interact. Xanthal, for all its diplomatic prowess, is horrible at dealing effectively with corporations. Being a communist society for almost a millenium starts to wear away your comprehension of the capitalist mind. Take the message KuiCorp just sent regarding specifying exactly what profits Xanthal will get. The Triumvirate would have never even thought of that, these things are a given to them. If this becomes a capitalist shootout, Xanthal's only hope to maintain its integrity in the situation will be to turn the whole operation over to the Ministry of Economics. They're literally the only ones in the entire government qualified to deal with international monetary transactions of any kind of complexity effectively. No one else gets it.

IC: The Socialist Republic has dispatched a fleet of Intrepid, Andromeda, and Dreadnaught class starships to scout and secure the disputed area and to assess the current situation there. Work will begin when KuiCorp gives the outline for their plan to us.

((OOC: I got the t/m. Thanks for the backstory, it will really help when we start the operation.))
IC:
And the launch proceeded as planned. At midnight on April 9th, the Resi Corporation launched in to space 100 LABOR Ravens, each housing 500 Diplomacy Droids, 1500 JUNKERS (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/junk.htm), and 500 R-Bots v3.0 (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/rbot3.htm). Along for the ride were 30 unreported Raven Units, 20 Protas (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/prota.htm) and 10 Veks (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/vek.htm).

These forces should reach Pluto in approximately half a month.

It was diamond shaped, cold-looking, purely utilitarian in appearance. Lights of blue, green and violet luminated the dark surface of the spacecraft's hull.

http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/borg-queen-vessel/120x90.jpg

Ship Unit;543 was the only concievable intelligence aboard this ship, it sat linked to the very core controls of the ship, guiding it through its lonely journey's through the vast emptiness of outer space.

It recieved a signal...

"This is Command Unit:Cyborean Consciousness. Begin primary objectives. Begin harvesting of Spacial Body:Pluto resources. Destroy opposition:The Resi Corporation;Xanthal;KuiCorp should it be given.
Operation Duration: 3 months.
Time to intercept: 1/2 Month.
Time to accomplish mining procedures: 2 months.
Time to return to Cyborea and/or liquidate opposition if it should be given: 1/2 Month.

Comply."

The ship powered up to more violent colours of red, yellow and orange. It began to move at amazing speeds to intercept its
target, its quarry.

"It looks like it might come down to a war," Anderson said to his staff. "If it does, we need to support Xanthal against Resi. Do any of you have private combat ships?"

"I have 50 fighters, but they are primarily for shows, not combat."

"What do they have for weapons?"

"Two stationary forward laser cannons."

"They'll do, I guess. I have a FTL-capable freighter that could hold them. But we'd better hope that it doesn't come down to a fight."

"I think that the best way to prevent a fight is to arrange a meeting with Resi."

"I'll try to arrange one. Perhaps Xanthal could supply a representative also. I'll send Xanthal a message to see if they could send someone."

Royal Palace, Skeelzot city, Planet Solomon.

"Alright Petyr, let me try to get my head around the situation one last time. The nation of Independent Pluto collapsed some time ago. Now an upstart terran corporation, Xanthal, and Resi Corp are all out to get her resources."

"That is correct, my prince." Petyr fidgeted nervously. The Prince Apparent was known for his intellect, but had a habit of being blunt when he didn't "get" the concept. Blunt as in "blunt object to the head" blunt.

Dmitri Skeelzot, Prince Apparent of Skeelzania, tapped the arm of his chair as he contemplated the situation. Nearly six feet tall and sturdily built, he was not a man one wished to cross. "Does my esteemed Father know anything of this?"

"No, my prince."

"Hmmm. Nevermind him then, he's to busy staving off death to worry about diplomatic incidents." Rising slightly from his chair, Dmitri activated the projector at the center of the table. Within a few seconds a 3-D starmap of the Gamma and Alpha quardrants was hanging in the air. Pressing several more keys, he highlighted Skeelzanian holdings and Sol. "We certainly can't let some subhums exploit our fellow man, even if we haven't had contact with them for 70 years or so. Tell me Petyr, is there a way we can send a military force to Sol legally?"

"A full-scale battle fleet, complete with transports, supplies, warships, everything needed for a hostile takeover? No, not without looking like Fringe Upstarts- pardon the expression. But a small force, nothing overtly threatening, could be sent under the guise as an observation unit."

"Interesting. But would it be unwise to send a small force so far from home without hope of support." A minute passed, Petyr thankful for the silent Atmoic clock on the wall sparing him from the otherwise incessant ticking. "Alright then. We shall activate the Targaryen and an escort of 15 cruisers, say 10 Dracros and five of our new Fenrirs. All FS of course. They could use a good training cruise.

************
Two days later. High orbit above Solomon, capital of Skeelzania.

Final preparations were complete, all ships fully loaded and properly aligned for their Hyperspace jump. Crews from Skeelzanias major networks were scurrying around for a place, with occasional fist fights breaking out between them. From the main observation deck of Gideon Station, Dmitri listened to the PA system explaining to the Principality the goal of the 16 ships.

"...once again, the Royal Household cannot reiterate the fact that this is a peaceful mission. With rumors of human survivors within the ruins of Pluto, it is our duty to send what we can to assist. We shall join other Space Nations in this grand mission..."

Dmitri gave the signal. Almost imperceptibly, the space around the ships began to warp and bend. And with a breif flash of light, they were gone, hurtling through hyperspace towards Sol. They would arrive within three weeks time and set about their "rescue" mission. Dmitri allowed himself a small smile. None of the ships were designed to ferry large groups of people, if any were actually alive in that frozen rock. Valuable technologies on the other hand...

[code:1:9d7844752f]To: KuiCorp
From: Arenumberg

You appear to be the correct party in this .. conflict of resources.. shall we put it.. Arenumberg would like you to know you have our support if it is needed, and for any price you deem fair.. We would also like to extend an arm of diplomacy, and to set up Trade routes from our Systems here.. which contain many wonders.. not available in Sol.[/code:1:9d7844752f]

[code:1:81f4f697ac]To: Arenumberg
From: KuiCorp

We gratefully accept your offer of help. However, we cannot offer you much in the way of immediate money for your help, as we have already promised 40% of our scrap profits to Xanthal, and much money will be put into helping survivors, if any.

However, it is possible that IP had plans and prototypes for technology to be used for their planned Generation 2 fleet. We could provide you, as well as Zanthal, with access to any technology found.[/code:1:81f4f697ac]

[code:1:39a6fd0e88]To: KuiCorp
From: Arenumberg

Acceptable, however.. maybe you could always look for cheaper help KuiCorp. [/code:1:39a6fd0e88]

[code:1:3ed0433da3]To: Arenumberg
From: KuiCorp

It was never said that we could not offer money, just not immediate money. Cash up front is not the only method of payment. Would access to any technology and some future payment be enough for you?[/code:1:3ed0433da3]

[code:1:74034d0c88]To: Arenumberg
From: KuiCorp

It was never said that we could not offer money, just not immediate money. Cash up front is not the only method of payment. Would access to any technology and some future payment be enough for you?[/code:1:74034d0c88]

[code:1:88e588a177]To: KuiCorp
From: Arenumberg

You misunderstand, we meant finding someone who would do it for much less than 40% of YOUR profits.[/code:1:88e588a177]

[code:1:934e3cde88]To: Arenumberg
From: KuiCorp

Ah. You see, Xanthal is a powerful nation, and one that we want on our side in the future. Besides, the 40% figure is merely 40% of scrap sale profits. Still a great deal of money, but less than 40% of the total profits.[/code:1:934e3cde88]

[code:1:8a6232f6b9]To: KuiCorp
From: Arenumberg

We see.. very well.. untill we are needed, or contact you. Farewell.[/code:1:8a6232f6b9]

Cyborea: OOC: Turning this into a war is not recommended, if you want to live.

IC: The Xanthalian government, meanwhile, was rather put-off by the quick upspringing of those who wished to involve themselves in this operation. Skeelzania's lie was transparent, but the Socialist Republic couldn't prove anything. The Triumvirate wanted only peaceful resolution, but they were concerned about the seemingly greed-driven nature of their rivals. To that end, they released public notice that they were dispatching no less than 100 Armada warships to help those Xanthalian vessels already in the debris field to evacuate any civilians that could be found immediately.
"The first priority must be to ensure the safety of any civilians. This is a task that we no less than demand that we be allowed to carry out unhindered. Our scouting teams have reported approximately 1,000 civilians alive in the reminents of Independant Pluto. After we have removed them to assure their safety, then we will begin negotiating with KuiCorp and our rivals regarding the mining of the debris field. We would remind Skeelzania that any aggressive action taken against Xanthalian ships or civilian targets in the debris field will be interpreted as an act of war against Xanthal and thus in violation of the Treaty of Aranamor."

Private IC to Xanthal:
To the Esteemed Potentate of Xanthal:
We would like to make it clear at this time that we do not wish for the outcome of this Plutonian enterprise to come down to war, in case there were any doubts in the minds of your government or your people. As such, our military escort will not fire on your ships, and will merely be there to act as a deterrant. We believe that the sight of our Ravens will be enough to scare away any hostile forces except for yours, with which they'd be evenly matched. We should also clarify that we do not want war with any party, not just you, and we will only attack if attacked by another.

As a side note, we'd like to affirm that KuiCorp's accusations are mostly slander-based, and we honestly had no idea of any survivors in a place like Pluto. However, in order to preserve a greater diplomatic unity, we wish to work together to rescue the survivors, and as such request their location and numbers, which our sources tell us that your scouting units have aquired. We agree that saftey of the civilians is a primary concern, and would like to move them out as quickly as possible so as to free up the land to be harvested.

We thank you for your time, and your understanding of the situation.
Kendri Hugo, President of RIRD

Resi, TGs.

Message from the Xanthalian Triumvirate to the Resi International Relations Division:
"It is good to see another level head in this game. We must ask, before we send you the locations of the survivers, what you intend to do with them once you evacuate them? We assume that you will grant them full freedom to either take up residence as citizens of your own... organization; or to leave and pursue citizenship elsewhere. That would be correct, would it not? Pending your reply, we would also like to stress that our intentions are purely peaceful. Our ships will fight defensively only until instructed otherwise. I hope that we can see one another as allies rather than rivals in the coming days and reach a solution to the satisfaction of all. This is not public knowledge yet, but you should know that an incoming craft of unknown origin is approaching the debris field at high speed. While we cannot identify its nation of origin, it is of Borg design, and that is rarely a positive indicator. We will be informing others as the situation becomes clearer, but as the only other participant in these events with an appreciable space force we thought you should know, just to be prepared. The path and last known coordinates of the vessel is being sent to you encoded in this message so that you too may track it.
Yours,
-The Xanthalian Triumvirate

Resi, TGs.((OOC: Got it, check yours.))
Message from the Xanthalian Triumvirate to the Resi International Relations Division:
"It is good to see another level head in this game. We must ask, before we send you the locations of the survivers, what you intend to do with them once you evacuate them? We assume that you will grant them full freedom to either take up residence as citizens of your own... organization; or to leave and pursue citizenship elsewhere. That would be correct, would it not? Pending your reply, we would also like to stress that our intentions are purely peaceful. Our ships will fight defensively only until instructed otherwise. I hope that we can see one another as allies rather than rivals in the coming days and reach a solution to the satisfaction of all. This is not public knowledge yet, but you should know that an incoming craft of unknown origin is approaching the debris field at high speed. While we cannot identify its nation of origin, it is of Borg design, and that is rarely a positive indicator. We will be informing others as the situation becomes clearer, but as the only other participant in these events with an appreciable space force we thought you should know, just to be prepared. The path and last known coordinates of the vessel is being sent to you encoded in this message so that you too may track it.
Yours,
-The Xanthalian Triumvirate

To the great Xanthalian Triumvirate:
We thank you much for the information of the Borg ship, and are releasing several heavy Ravens stocked with Helblindis (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/helblindi.htm) to compensate for their presence. The Borg have never been known to be too friendly, after all, so certain precautions must be made. If these ships make any threatening move against you, our Ravens will rush to your aid, reguardless of whether or not you are willing to return the favor. As for the civilians, we will simply give them a choice of places to live. Of course they will be originally taken to our homeland, where those who wish to stay will be given full citizenship, and those who don't will be given a plane ticket to a country of their choice, courtesy of ResiAir. Or, if this is unsatisfactory, we could turn them over to you, as long as we have your assurance that you will treat them in a humane way. We'd expect no less from the mighty nation of Xanthal, which is why we offer them to you so freely. We hope that our bond of fellowship may continue to grow, dispite our places as friendly rivals in this particular conflict. Two space powers such as ourselves should look out for each other, and defend each other when need be.

Message from the Xanthalian Triumvirate to the Resi International Relations Division:
As long as we have your assurance, that is enough. The survivors are concentrated in the reminents of five major facilities, but smaller numbers can be found scattered across twenty-nine other installations. The exact data is being sent to you in a seperate data packet. We wish to assure you that our own forces will gladly assist yours should they come under attack by a third party in this situation. The Socialist Republic would be happy to open more wide-ranging and perminent relations with the Resi Corporation in the future, but for now let us focus on the problem at hand. Once all the civilians have been rescued, the Borg vessel dealt with, and a satisfactory agreement regarding mining rights has been reached, we will be happy to speak further with you on the subject of a diplomatic treaty. As of this moment, the Xanthalian forces deployed to the area of former Independant Pluto have been instructed to regard your ships as allies unless events prove otherwise.

Anderson was reviewing the military might, such as it was, of KuiCorp, along with the owner of the fifty fighters. The "fighters" were showy things, and weren't fit for combat. They were, after all, made for demonstrations, and not wars.

"It looks as though we will have to back down on this one. With these is our only military, we can't even hold against a fraction of Resi or Skeelzania's forces," said Anderson.

"But what about Xanthal and Arenumberg? These fighters are not the only thing we have going for us."

"Arenumberg is at least fairly trustworthy, I think, but Xanthal may not be."

"How do you come by this knowledge? It seems to me that nothing very critical has happened."

"Xanthal's fleet and Resi's are both in the same area. You are right that nothing has happened, but something would have if they were really enemies. Arenumberg cannot help us stand against two superpowers. If you or anyone else have any ideas about what we can do about it, voice them."

OOC: Xanthal, you would have no enemy to fight so I will come out of this with perhaps just one ship dead. You do not know the location of the Cyborean Star System. We have intentionally chosen to keep our location a secret, for now. Besides, I just want to test my combat RP abilities. Officially, I have never revealed myself to any outside intelligence and have been conducting research on the surrounding universe and empires.

IC:

It dropped out of its FTL drive, the diamond shaped ship approached Pluto; ready to harvest what remaining resources that Independent Pluto had left.

http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/borg-queen-vessel/120x90.jpg

"Begin a detailed scan of local space and of planetary surface."

PLUTO:: Unidentified craft detected. Hostility unknown.
CHARON:: Copy. Defensive Networks on Standby.
PLUTO:: Relaying telemetry to NEPTUNE. Opening radio channel...
Unknown craft, please identify your origin and purpose.

CHARON:: Opening radio channel...
Foriegn powers, we request clarification of your intents. Salvage of IPs freespace assets will not be interfered with, but operations on the surface of Pluto must be carefully monitored.

Cyborea: OOC: Noted.

IC: A single Xanthalian Intrepid class vessel breaks off and approaches the incoming Cyborean ship. "Attention unknown vessel of Borg design: You are entering restricted space. Please state your nation of origin and your intentions. We do not wish to fight you."

Message from the Xanthalian Triumvirate to KuiCorp HQ:
Our apologies to you for being out of contact. We have reached a temporary agreement with the Resi Corporation to work together in order to secure the debris field and reach an agreement regarding salvage. Rest assured that our agreement with you is still in effect and that we have no intention of double-crossing you. With luck, an arrangement can be reached that is satisfactory to all three parties. However, we must also work together to keep a fourth party from this venture, which would add even greater complication to the process. To that end, we would plead with you to abide by the temporary peace we have established and work with us and the Resi Corporation to deter Skeelzania and others from taking advantage of what was, inarguably, your idea. Once the area is secured between the three of us we will begin peaceful negotiation for mining rights and other benefits.

The transmission blared through the audio of the Cyborean ship.

"Attention unknown vessel of Borg design: You are entering restricted space. Please state your nation of origin and your intentions. We do not wish to fight you."

The Cyborean Ship locked a beam of light on the ship. The beam then disengaged.

"Results of scan available. Drawing conclusions. Sending Reply 602 to Target:Xanthal Alpha."

"This is the Cyborean Machine Consciousness. Conflict:Not desired. Seeking:Amicable arrangement. Demand:Withdrawal of Target:Xanthal Alpha from Orbit:Pluto. Resources will be used for the betterment of the Cyborean Empire.
Withdraw.
5 minutes to comply."

"We cannot comply with that request. Your claim to this debris field is not recognized by our government. If you fire on any vessels here or attempt to begin mining your ship will be destroyed."

"We cannot comply with that request. Your claim to this debris field is not recognized by our government. If you fire on any vessels here or attempt to begin mining your ship will be destroyed."

"Activate Code:Red alert sequence. Arm weaponry. Activate shielding."

The Cyborean Warship sent back their communication on a slightly different carrier wave. It sounded screechy and yet metallic.

"We cannot comply with that request. Your claim to this debris field is not recognized by our government. If you fire on any vessels here or attempt to begin mining your ship will be destroyed."

(OOC: Just so you know, do not underestimate my ship. It is not a light vessel. It is not even Borg. I just used the picture because it is exactly the same shape. But it is much more massive and much more heavily armed.)

Cyborea: OOC: Wonderful. Give me the statistics.

The Xanthalian battlefleet moves into a blockade position and the Dreadnaughts and Super Dreadnaughts deploy their wings. The Intrepid that had gone forward to meet the incoming craft returns to formation. All the craft launch their slipfighters. "This is Xanthalian fleet leader XAS-694 to all Resi Corporation ships, the hostile is preparing to engage our line. Request deployment to block and combat positions."


The Xanthalian battlefleet:

Intrepid class (light general purpose):
Total vessels of this type present: 10
Vessel designations: XAS-01, 04, 05, 26, 29, 72, 80, 81, 96, 99.

Sabre class (light tactical):
Total vessels of this type present: 34
Vessel designations: XAS-189, 190, 191, 193, 195, 199, 204, 219, 222, 275, 276, 277, 278, 280, 282, 294, 299, 300, 302, 307, 305, 306, 311, 314, 315, 339, 344, 347, 348, 350, 351, 353, 357, 389.

Rhade class (light tactical):
Total vessels of this type present: 15
Vessel designations: XAS-390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434.

Dreadnaught class (heavy tactical):
Total vessels of this type present: 25
Vessel designations: XAS-440, 472, 473, 477, 491, 500, 510, 520, 525, 526, 527, 528, 530, 534, 537, 540, 543, 544, 546, 552, 555, 561, 563, 564, 565.

Super Dreadnaught class (ultra-heavy tactical):
Total vessels of this type present: 15
Vessel designations: XAS-650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 666, 667, 670, 673, 676, 680, 681, 682, 689.

Eclipse class (ultra-heavy tactical):
Total vessels of this type present: 1
Vessel designation: XAS-694.

Total slipfighters: 3,850


Xanthalian spacecraft:

Intrepid class (light general purpose): $50,000,000,000
A light, versatile vessel; the Intrepid class boasts a great deal of the tactical and subsystem capability available in larger vessels without the immense drain on personnel and resources. The loss of space and resources inherant in the compact design means that for some non-combat missions the larger Andromeda class is a preferable choice.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Intrepid.jpg
Dimensions: 350 X 150 X 70 meters
-Impulse drive (0.4 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 110 crew, one AI
-10 slipfighters
-Powerplant: One Infinite Energy Core
-200 standard torpedos
-Gravity Manipulation System
-Cluster missiles
-Phaser banks (total 30):
--Fore: 11
--Aft: 5
--Port: 5
--Starboard: 5
--Dorsal: 10
--Ventral: 6
-Torpedo tubes (total 10):
--Fore: 4
--Aft: 2
--Port: 1
--Starboard: 1
--Dorsal: 1
--Ventral: 1
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type IX
-Armor rating: 2
-Atmospheric flight capable
-Landing capable

Slipfighter class (automated fighter): $250,000
An AI-operated fighter used by the Xanthalian Armada as its primary fighter. The Slipfighter is armed with two multiphasic disrupter banks and two cluster missiles but, due to space constraints, has only type I shields. Used to combat other fighters or in swarms to defeat larger ships.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Slipfighter.jpg
Dimensions: 20 X 20 X 3 meters
-Impulse drive (0.5 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 1 AI
-Powerplant: One Infinite Energy Core
-2 cluster missiles
-2 forward multiphasic disrupter banks
-Type I shields
-Atmospheric flight capable
-Landing capable

Sabre class (light tactical): $50,000,000,000
The Sabre class is designed to pack a strong punch in a small package. While it has only a few torpedo tubes due to space constraints; it has many phaser and disrupter banks. Its shields are of mediocre quality, so the Sabre class cannot withstand a sustained assault. It uses great speed and maneuverability to dodge attacks while attacking with its powerful weapons. An unimpressive warship on its own, the Sabre class can do enormous damage when in fleets.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Sabre.jpg
Dimensions: 170 X 175 X 50 meters
-Impulse drive (0.5 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 20 crew
-Powerplant: One Infinite Energy Core
-50 standard torpedos
-Phaser banks (total 14):
--Fore: 10
--Aft: 4
--Port: 4
--Starboard: 4
--Dorsal: 8
--Ventral: 6
-Multiphasic disrupter banks (total 20):
--Fore: 10
--Aft: 4
--Port: 2
--Starboard: 2
--Dorsal: 1
--Ventral: 1
-Torpedo tubes (total 3):
--Fore: 2
--Aft: 1
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type VII
-Armor rating: 3
-Atmospheric flight capable
-Landing capable

Rhade class (light tactical): $100,000,000,000
The Rhade class is a state-of-the-art light warship designed to pack maximum firepower. Equipped with a limited but powerful range of weapons and piloted by a single Xanthalian AI, the Rhade class fails in the area of defense and is alarmingly vulnerable to almost all types of weapons fire. Best deployed with a fleet for protection, the Rhade class can do immense damage to an opponent in a very short period of time.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Rhade.jpg
Dimensions: 300 X 150 X 170 meters
-Impulse drive (0.3 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: One AI
-Powerplant: One Infinite Energy Core
-Infinity ion cannon
-Infinity plasma cannon
-Bio-pulse beam
-Chloro-Borg infused hull and systems
-Cluster missiles
-Phaser banks (total 15):
--Fore: 12
--Aft: 6
--Port: 5
--Starboard: 5
--Dorsal: 5
--Ventral: 5
-Multiphasic disrupter banks (total 12):
--Fore: 9
--Aft: 3
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type V
-Armor rating: 5
-Atmospheric flight capable
-Landing capable

Dreadnaught class (medium tactical): $500,000,000,000
The Dreadnaught class is designed primarily for ship-to-ship combat, and is Xanthal's mainstay warship. Armed with a heavy load of standard weaponry as well as a midsize ion/plasma cannon, the Dreadnaught is still highly maneuverable. It is protected by double shields and strong armor. A match for any ship of comparable class, the Dreadnaught is a very able and well-balanced warship.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Dreadnaught.jpg
(Shown with wings in retracted position)
Dimensions (wings extended): 900 X 1,750 X 1,200 meters
-Impulse drive (0.4 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 250 crew, one AI
-50 slipfighters
-Powerplant: Two Infinite Energy Cores
-10,000 standard torpedos
-Gravity Manipulation System
-Transphasic torpedos
-Ion cannon
-Plasma cannon
-Farad system
-6 100mm rail guns, one covering each facet of the ship
-Cluster missiles
-Phaser banks (total 53):
--Fore: 46
--Aft: 44
--Port: 12
--Starboard: 12
--Dorsal: 12
--Ventral: 3
-Multiphasic disrupter banks (total 127):
--Fore: 84
--Aft: 24
--Port: 5
--Starboard: 5
--Dorsal: 6
--Ventral: 3
-Torpedo tubes (total 35):
--Fore: 15
--Aft: 6
--Port: 2
--Starboard: 2
--Dorsal: 8
--Ventral: 2
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type X
--Secondary: Type IX
-Armor rating: 4
-Atmospheric flight capable
-Landing capable

Super Dreadnaught class (heavy tactical): $1,000,000,000,000
An enlarged, modified Dreadnaught class, the Super Dreadnaught sacrifices speed and maneuverability for increased firepower, better defenses, and higher capacity for slipfighters. The Super Dreadnaught has a massive weapons load, and is most effective against slower opponents.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Super_Dreadnaught.jpg
(Shown with wings in retracted position)
Dimensions (wings extended): 1,500 X 2,500 X 2,000 meters
-Impulse drive (0.2 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 500 crew, one AI
-100 slipfighters
-Powerplant: Two Infinite Energy Cores
-20,000 standard torpedos
-Gravity Manipulation System
-Transphasic torpedos
-Super ion cannon
-Super plasma cannon
-Farad system
-6 100mm rail guns, one covering each facet of the ship
-Cluster missiles
-Phaser banks (total 400):
--Fore: 350
--Aft: 200
--Port: 100
--Starboard: 100
--Dorsal: 50
--Ventral: 50
-Multiphasic disrupter banks (total 300):
--Fore: 120
--Aft: 70
--Port: 30
--Starboard: 30
--Dorsal: 30
--Ventral: 20
-Torpedo tubes (total 250):
--Fore: 60
--Aft: 50
--Port: 30
--Starboard: 30
--Dorsal: 40
--Ventral: 40
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type Z
--Secondary: Type X
--Trinary: Type X
-Armor rating: 4

Eclipse class (ultra-heavy tactical): $5,000,000,000,000
The Eclipse class is massive, bigger than most starbases, but still relatively mobile. It's assault weapon power is unmatched, and it can take on most super-capital ships easily. Its size means that it is vulnerable to large numbers of smaller warships, so it is always escorted by other Xanthalian vessels. Adequately supported it can defeat entire enemy fleets. Used mostly as a weapon of intimidation by the Armada.
http://img29.photobucket.com/albums/v88/Zorak950/Ships/Eclipse.jpg
(Shown flying with Imperial Star Destroyers)
Dimensions: 18,000 X 7,000 X 6,000 meters
-Impulse drive (0.05 SL)
-Quantum Slipstream drive (500,000,000 SL)
-Complement: 5,000 crew, one AI
-1,000 slipfighters
-Powerplant: Two Infinite Energy Cores
-100,000 standard torpedos
-Gravity Manipulation System
-Transphasic torpedos
-Infinity ion cannon
-Infinity plasma cannon
-Thalaron deployment capability
-Molecular Cohesion Disrupter deployment capability
-48 100mm rail guns, eight covering each facet of the ship
-Cluster missiles
-Phaser banks (total 1,500):
--Fore: 700
--Aft: 500
--Port: 600
--Starboard: 600
--Dorsal: 500
--Ventral: 800
-Multiphasic disrupter banks (total 11,100):
--Fore: 600
--Aft: 500
--Port: 3,000
--Starboard: 3,000
--Dorsal: 2,500
--Ventral: 1,500
-Torpedo tubes (total 4,400):
--Fore: 800
--Aft: 500
--Port: 1,000
--Starboard: 1,000
--Dorsal: 600
--Ventral: 500
-Shielding:
--Primary: Type Z
--Secondary: Type Z
--Trinary: Type X
-Armor rating: 4

OOC: Xanthal.. just give a link to where thats listed in future..

Almost every executive of KuiCorp was currently watching the showdown. Several large screens had been set up at the HQ, but none had a live video. Instead, they showed sensor feeds transmitted through subspace from KuiCorp probes in the area. It looked as though Skeelzanian ships were holding position, and the Cyborean vessel was approaching Resi and Xanthal. A fight was brewing.

OOC: Same place it always has been; in the Xanthalian factbook: TUXEDO (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=101823)

OCC: Actually my ships haven't exited hyperspace yet. I have 1st generation hyperspace drives and fleet regulations prevent my ships from going to far into HS. I'll RP their arrival soon though.

(OOC:Excuse me for posting specification but I have no other place, I used your vessels as a basis for the design of mine. My ship is heavy though I only have a handful of these ships that compose the entire of my fleet.)



http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/borg-queen-vessel/120x90.jpg

Dimensions:

Height: 2 km
Width: 1 km
Volume: 2 km2

Engines, Power, Hull and Crew

-Impulse drive (0.7 SL)
-FTL Drive (900 x FTL)
-Powerplant: Artificially Created Quantum Singularity (do not fracture the protective casing)
-Armor rating: 12
-Complement: 1 Ship Unit


Weaponry
-Disrupter Banks: 800

100 per face.

-Torpedo tubes (total 40):

8 per face

5000 Heavy Torpedoes

- 8 Cyborean Phaser Cutting Beams

1 per face (designed to destroy incoming small targets and for the slicing of larger ships)

-The Alpha Sensor Reprogramming Virus designed to reprogram the sensors to send false telemetry thus confusing sensors of enemy ships....

Shielding

3 Layers of Regenerative Shielding
High Tensile Strength Armour

OOC: As you can see, I have chosen to put up a fight and though your fleet still has the advantage in firepower and weaponry; I choose to fight with cunning and alternative means of war. The virus will not be destroyed or even detected by any antivirus software because it has never been seen before by any antivirus software and this will work unknown. A surprise.
And do not target the Artificial Quantum Singularity. The protective casing not only protects my ship but yours as well.....

http://www.startrek.com/imageuploads/200306/borg-queen-vessel/120x90.jpg

The vessel moved ever closer to Pluto with its weapons powered waiting for the Xanthalians to attack.

PLUTO:: Opening radio channel...
Unknown craft, we repeat, please identify your origin and purpose. Failure to comply may result in forceful seizure.

Cyborea: OOC: Eh heh... Sorry, you don't get to decide if your virus gets detected or not. This ain't Norton AntiVirus my ships are running, you know. Artificial Intelligence is somewhat sharper, and they don't destroy things that fit a list, they destroy things that don't fit a list.

OOC: Xanthal, you cant control everything, just go along with it

OOC: No, I can't. I can, however, control what happens to my own stuff. The rules of RP say so. I RP damage to my stuff or a lack thereof. Unless Cyborea can convince me that his virus would get aound my ships' defenses it won't.

OOC: there are somethings that you just have to go along with, reach some form of compromise

OOC: Well, I intend to give him some consideration. I just want him to detail how his virus works. Depending on that I will know which ships if any the virus will work on.

Finally, after about a week of waiting, the Raven Units with their primitive MatterWedge engines reached Pluto. Disengaging the MatterWedge and engaging their Plasma thrusters, the 130 Ravens and their precious cargo closed in on the planet.
CNN Headline News:
This just in... the Resi Corporation's forces have just reached Pluto! Although it has taken a week, the Ravens are alive and well, and all the robots are functioning at 95%. Sensors are reading a borg-like craft in the area, as well as the Xanthalian navy. Due to private convenings, there is a very low chance of military action between Xanthal and Resian forces, but we may see some sparks with the approaching Borg-like ship. After all, the Borg have never been known to be peaceful.
*the video inset in the background flickers, and then goes to static*
...
Um, we appear to be having some technical difficulties, and the interns tell me it's on the end of the Ravens in Plutonian space. Perhaps they have come under attack, who knows?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ravens were, in fact, perfectly fine. Nothing had happened to hamper them, but a certain something was hampering their ability to communicate with each other or home base. Fortunately, their A.I. allowed them to predict what each unit in their feild of vision would do, which was essentially as good as communicating as long as everyone remained in everyone else's feild of view. Their first priority was no longer to save the civilians, but to down whatever was causing the disruption. Analysing the white noise (yes, computers can do this in real-life), the Ravens were able to locate the general direction and distance of the object in space that was causing the disturbance, and set out for it.

A casual observe wouldn't have noticed anything different about the patch of space within the Kupier Cloud. Of course, a casual observer would have been long dead from the sub-zero temperatures and aphyxisation. But there was something different about this particular patch of space, and that was fact that it was buckling. With a flash of light, the universe itself tore and regurgitated the Skeelzanian Fleet from hyperspace before reattaching itself a half second later.

The bridge of the Command Carrier Targaryen was a flurry of activity. The crew had been revived several days earlier while still in hyperspace, and they were already hard at work gathering area data and checking the status of the other ships. Admiral Levisk reclined in his seat and gazed out the bridge windows. The tower bridges common on Principality ships were a hell of a target during a battle, but gave great views. Today's consisted mostly of ice, ice, and more ice. But, on to business.

"Intel, what is the status of the fleet?"

A short man in the black FS uniform approached with a some-what lengthy readout. "Firstly, all ships arrived from hyperspace with no loss of crew during statis. We scored well in that respect. Unfortunatly, the SKZLC-043 materialized with a very large ice cube in her hold. They estimate that it'll take a few hours to clean up, but that can be done while underway."

"Well that is unfortunate. Can't say I'm surprised though, coming out of hyper in any sort of field is a bad idea. Lucky for them the ice didn't appear on the bridge."

"Yes, quite. Now the information we were given before launch told us that Independent Pluto was made up of cubular structures, roughly 5 miles to a side. I have sensors searching for any now, but this ice severly limits their range. And our long range communications seem to be...well out."

Levisk cocked an eyebrow. "Out? What do you mean "out"? Did we hit ice or something?"

"No sir, theres something out there jamming them. All ships are reporting similar difficulties. We can communicate with each other normally, but any thing we try to beam back home is bounced back. It appears that theres some sort of blanket coverage over the entire belt."

Now Levisk was puzzled. "Why the hell would our long range coms not work? The ice could of course hamper all coms, but only the long range? Peculiur. Keep working on it Ensign, I want an idea of what might be doing it at 1800 hours."

Several minutes and orders lately, the 16 ships of the Principality began a cautious sweep of the Belt. Knowing that potential competitors were out there somewhere, all weapons were on standby.

Finding the source of the problems in a local man-made satellite, one of the Vek Ravens (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/vek.htm) moved in towards it. Then, using nanomachines to build up Carbon-60 Buckyballs around its hands, it proceeded to smash the living hell out of the satellite, completely destroying it. It broke everything it possibly could, and finally communications were restored. The Labor Ravens moved in to sift through and harvest the debris, and the Vek's nanomachines retracted the Carbon-60 on its hands. At once the pilots of the Ravens received signals from the surrounding craft. The Ravens then moved towards the location of the Xanthalian craft, weapons down, so as to better establish a communications link to one another.

A beam of pure energy was locked onto the holdings of the former Independent Pluto, it passed right between the gaps in the Xanthalian blockade.

"Harvest procedure commencing. Blasting surface with high energy discharge. Prediction:Expectation that gravity will not hold on sufficiently to debris; fragments may hit Xanthalian fleet if they maintain position."

OOC: And that's why they invented GMS.

IC: The Xanthalian fleet opens fire on the Cyborean vessel all at once, the powerful Rhade class ships giving their salvo before dropping back behind the protective shields of larger ships.

The Resian Ravens were confused, they had no idea why Xanthal had displayed this sudden sign of agression against the Cyborean vessel. Moving a bit closer to the Xanthalian ship, one of the Protas patched in a message.
"This is Dale Gryphith, pilot of Prota #107 of the Resian fleet, inquiring into why you have opened fire. Please respond."

The Cyborean Battleship immediately responded to the firing of the Salvo.

"Activating Cutting Beams. Target: incoming missiles."

The Battleship began rotating at incredible speed to ensure that all the Cutting beam arcs could respond. They began firing repeatedly and rapidly at the incoming projectiles. A few hit the Battleship but the rotation of the vessel reduced damage to any particular shield arc.
The tactic was very clever; rather than risk the eradication of any particular shield flank, the rotation had created a rather general distribution of shield damage. Overall, the shield had not been broken down by the Xanthalian fire and was now quickly regenerating in strength.

"Activating Hailing Frequencies:seek to negotiate as analysis reveals that Xanthalian Fleet has capabilities to destroy this Ship Unit though with heavy cost."

"Discontinue your attack, attempts to prevent the harvest of these resources is futile.
Failure to compute:why attack what can easily be shared? Agreement:possible.
Both parties fail to recognise each others claims to resources. Solution: Why not draft a fresh and equitable agreement.
Cyborea:prefers negotiation over ultimatums and armed confrontation.
Deactivating mining beam until response is given.
You have 5 minutes to respond.

PLUTO:: They have refused response.
CHARON:: Affirmative. Xaser batteries tracking.
PLUTO:: Opening radio channel...
Attention all craft in Pluto/Charon Space. We are the Pluto Node. We request for the final time that you identify your origin and purpose. There has been weapons fire. This can not be tolerated. Failure to comply will result in forceful seizure.

OOC: Cyborea, almost all of my ships' weapons are energy-based. You can't intercept them like missiles.

Aboard XAS-694, Admiral Stephen Calios swears at the triple questioning of their attack. "Good old-fashioned violence never works anymore. Cease fire, let's inform the nice people with guns as to our intentions. Give me Resi first, then that... what did they call themselves? Cyborean vessel, then the Pluto Node, whatever that is.

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Resi Corporation fleet:
"We engaged the enemy after they initiated mining procedures despite our warning that such action would result in our opening fire. One of the installations they engaged their beams on was inhabited. They have now offered to speak with us though, so we have ceased fire to see what they have to say."

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Cyborean vessel:
"If you wanted to negotiate you should have heeded our earlier appeals. Who are you? What are you doing here, and what right do you think you have to claim mining rights in this area? Don't preach diplomacy to us, you're the one who ignored our warning, not the other way around."

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Pluto Node:
"Pluto Node? We are not familiar with you. Please elaborate on your identity and claims here. We are a fleet sent by the Socialist Republic of Xanthal, based in the Aellis system, to assist KuiCorp in rescuing survivers in this debris field and later mining it. Since that original agreement though, events have demanded that we defend our claim here. It seems that our rivals are willing to talk now though."

"Pluto Node? We are not familiar with you. Please elaborate on your identity and claims here. We are a fleet sent by the Socialist Republic of Xanthal, based in the Aellis system, to assist KuiCorp in rescuing survivers in this debris field and later mining it. Since that original agreement though, events have demanded that we defend our claim here. It seems that our rivals are willing to talk now though."
We are the local Planetary Brain and Crana Superprocessor Node. We are the oldest extant inhabitants of this world. We protect this world and it's assosciated Krasnikov Tunnel. Take what you want from orbit, but stray no more than twenty meters below the surface.

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Pluto Node:
"It is only the remains of the former nation of Independant Pluto we're after. We have no reason or desire to even land on the planet, let alone go beneath the surface. We'll take your warning under advisement nonetheless though. Good day."

PLUTO:: They have refused response.
CHARON:: Affirmative. Xaser batteries tracking.
PLUTO:: Opening radio channel...
Attention all craft in Pluto/Charon Space. We are the Pluto Node. We request for the final time that you identify your origin and purpose. There has been weapons fire. This can not be tolerated. Failure to comply will result in forceful seizure.And the Ravens did respond.
We are Raven mecha, forces hailing from the Resi Corporation. We will not attack unless attacked, or unless innocents are attacked. We are here to extract civilians that wish to leave from Pluto, and to mine the remaining land. That is all you need to know.

OOC: Salvo means projectiles therefore meaning solid. I interpreted that as a firing of your torpedoes.

"If you wanted to negotiate you should have heeded our earlier appeals. Who are you? What are you doing here, and what right do you think you have to claim mining rights in this area? Don't preach diplomacy to us, you're the one who ignored our warning, not the other way around."

"Logic Failure:Xanthal gave ultimatum and not diplomacy.
Logic Failure:Identity;Purpose;Claim were all described.
Statement:All will be repeated.
Screening Transmission to better emulate Human:Speech."


"#This is the Cyborean Machine Collective Consciousness to all participating parties in the Pluto region. This Consciousness is the primary brain of the Cyborean Empire."

"#Our purpose here is to mine and salvage the remaining resources left behind by the Nation:Independant Pluto."

"#Our rights are as solid as yours. What permission do you and your fellow entrepreneurs have to mine this place from Independent Pluto? You have no permission because that nation does not exist. We have no permission because that nation does not exist.
Our rights to this planet are as solid as yours."

"#It is hypocritical to criticise anothers diplomacy when they prefer themselves to send ultimatums."

"Resolution: We call a conference, a meeting of all the fleet leaders to determine and equitable solution. We are willing to meet on the surface of the planet. Confirm?"

"Resolution: We call a conference, a meeting of all the fleet leaders to determine and equitable solution. We are willing to meet on the surface of the planet. Confirm?"
PLUTO:: Opening radio channel...
Should it be wished, a suitable venue can be provided.

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Cyborean vessel:
"You want to meet? Fine. Until you prove to me otherwise though, I'm regarding you as an enemy."

"Powering down disrupter banks. Feeding power to shield generators and auxillery shield generators."

"Failure: understanding as to why Xanthal regards us as an enemy when we have destroyed none of his ships.

Action:powering down weapons as a sign of good faith."

OOC: Xanthal doesn't think of you as an enemy yet, just this one guy; Admiral Stephen Calios. I designed him as one of the more violent and unpredictable Xanthalian admirals. I thought it would add an extra element of instability to the RP.

IC: The Xanthalian fleet follows suit, powering down all its weapons but leaving defenses up.

"Continuing commication..."


Analysis:Weapons disarmed equals diplomatic progress.
Requirement:Settlement regarding the ownership of resources.
Action:Fleets send delegation to Pluto to negotiate terms.
Location:We will leave the desired location of the meeting to all biological parties.
Comply?
-End Communication-

Transmission from XAS-694 to the Cyborean vessel:
"Why not? We're already at zero on our gains here, why not lose more? Obtain a meeting place from the Pluto Node. Let us know when you've got it set up. I'll have my fleet stand by until then. Just don't try any funny stuff, as the old saying goes."

((OOC: Is this tightbeam, or are we getting it too?))

The Resi Corporation: OOC: Can't speak for Cyborea, but you'll have heard all of our messages. Xanthal usually doesn't secretize things, so unless I note otherwise every transmission we send is on an open, unencrypted, widebeam channel.

OOC: I have no reason to incrypt my transimissions and since I said all involved biological parties, then I assume all RPers are welcome to this conference.

IC:

"Awaiting coordinates..."

PLUTO:: Opening radio channel...
90 degrees south latitude, Pluto.

Nigh dead on the south pole, a circle of green lights began blinking.

The lead Xanthalian ship fires a probe at the location to assess its conditions and establishments.

One of the LABOR Ravens departed from the group and sped towards the south pole. Upon landing there, it dispatched two of its Diplomacy droids and promptly took off. It would probably leave them there to be harvested after all was said and done.

A hatch opened in the side of the Cyborean Battleship. Out of this hatch came a large cylindrical vessel and it sped fast toward the coordinates indicated.

"Monitoring transport ship Pi 542."

The ship maneuvred its way through the Xanthalian fleet, around all the large ships that composed it. It head into the atmosphere, heat and light beaming off it as atmospheric friction rubbed the spacecraft. It landed at the coordinates.

A white point of light appeared in the center of the green ring. The point expanded into a six-pointed star, and finally into a wide open space as six wedges retracted to reveal the landing bay beneath, mist flowing away as bits of nitrogen ice broke off. A series of colored lines criss-crossed the bay floor, each one leading to a different door in the walls. One of the lines began phosphorescing.

On the surface, a spotlight illuminated the two droids, and then began slowly moving along the cryogenic terrain towards a single low-lying dome.

A single, unarmed shuttle is launched from one of the Xanthalian Dreadnaughts. It lands in the bay on the surface shortly afterward.

Following the landing of the Xanthalian shuttle, the six wedges began sliding shut again, eventually leaving the bay in total darkness... save for that one phosphorescing line, and the white light from behind the door it led to.

A group of five Xanthalians in full EV dress exit the shuttle and head through the door.

The large metal door opened onto the landing bay door. Two machines, large and threatening at around 8 metres tall walked in; disruptor cannons where their hands should have been. These disruptors retracted into the arm and were replaced with a hand of long spindly fingers, sharp and skeletal.
They separated on either side of the ramp.

The clap of high heel shoes echoed around the bay.
The fine dark fabric cloak obscured all of the figure in shadow.
It was tall. It was feminine in walk. It and the two larger droids began their walk to the landing bay door.

The door slid open automatically upon approach. When everyone was inside, the door slid shut again, and a faint hiss began to fill the small airlock chamber, getting steadily louder as the pressure increased. After about two minutes, the inner door slid open onto a short white hallway with benches along either side and one down the center. At the end was a circular room centered on a wide chest-high pedestal. A hologram of the soundwaves appeared over the pedestal as an androgynous voice began to speak.

Welcome to the Pluto Node. We shall wait a moment for the final delegates to arrive.

The Xanthalians stand patiently.

As do the Resians.

The door to the conference room slid open. All eyes transfixed on what would come through that door.

The two large machines walked through. Intimidating, powerful, unemotional, uncompromising. One would hope that the negotiations went well.

They walked to either side of the door.

The clapping of high heel shoes echoed around the wall as a more humanoid figure appeared at the door. Covered in a black shroud that obscured its face, the biologicals in the room all waited in anticipation of what it was.

Two hands extended from within the shroud; human and feminine; lithe and beautiful. The skin was indistinguishable from that of a human. These hands raised up to remove the hood. Under the hood was revealed a female face, what would be considered to be most beautiful on Earth as if it were a model for some mens magazine.

She removed the cloak to reveal her in a tight black outfit that followed the contours of her body perfectly. She handed the cloak to one of the machines.

"Greetings, I am Persephone. I look forward to negotiating an equitable agreement with you."

The Xanthalian delegation brushes past their host, the leader stating quite bluntly "We're not going to touch your planet, these negotiations have nothing to do with you. Cyborea is our problem now, them and their damn vessel up there."

The Cyborean Female was intrigued...

"And you are?"

"Admiral Stephen Calios of the Xanthalian Armada. We intended to mine this site with KuiCorp alone, but it's apparent we'll need to share. I am most displeased." The Xanthalians sit.

Her eyebrow raised higher.

"Indeed. We are ready to commence negotiations. What kind of sharing ratio between the different factions do you deem appropriate? We will work out something from that.."

"Admiral Stephen Calios of the Xanthalian Armada. We intended to mine this site with KuiCorp alone, but it's apparent we'll need to share. I am most displeased." The Xanthalians sit."And us?" the Resian droid questions, "Not to impose, but shouldn't we be in the equation somewhere?"

Turning to the Cyborean representative, the droid began to speak again. "Well, first we'd like to get all the people off of the planet, and then we can mine it. But, after that objective is accomplished, I recommend we split up the planet into equal portions. As both you and our collegues Xanthal have already scanned the planet for resources, I humbly suggest letting Resi Corp do the choosing, as they have not yet produced a topographical map of the area, and as such the choosing would be totally random. That, or we could assign different regions of the planet numbers, and have a random number generator sort it out. Either way works for us."

The Admiral speaks up again. "We don't want any part of the debris field or the planet. We want any new technology found here and the safety of the residents of this debris field. We have 40% of whatever KuiCorp makes in scrap profits to bargain with."

OOC: They never really wanted that cash, they just knew it would make a great bargaining chip if something like this were to happen.

"It should be noted, gracious representative of Resi, that resource distribution across the planet is uneven. To randomly divide the planet would be an unequitable solution. Cyborea does not wish to have the 'dud' piece of land."

(OOC:Arg! Stupid forums! This was supposed to be posted last night.)Turning to the Cyborean representative, the droid began to speak again. "Well, first we'd like to get all the people off of the planet, and then we can mine it. But, after that objective is accomplished, I recommend we split up the planet into equal portions. As both you and our collegues Xanthal have already scanned the planet for resources, I humbly suggest letting Resi Corp do the choosing, as they have not yet produced a topographical map of the area, and as such the choosing would be totally random. That, or we could assign different regions of the planet numbers, and have a random number generator sort it out. Either way works for us."The voice returned. That is unnacceptable. You may take the remains of the nation of Independant Pluto and you may build on the surface, but the interior is ours. Pluto will not be mined.

The Admiral looks about. "That's very annoying. Can't you come out and speak to us like a normal person?" He looks back to the people sitting around him. "I thought that was a given. If you want to fight over Pluto itself then fight these Pluto Node people to get it you can, but we'll have no part of it."

"It should be noted, gracious representative of Resi, that resource distribution across the planet is uneven. To randomly divide the planet would be an unequitable solution. Cyborea does not wish to have the 'dud' piece of land.""Neither do we," the droid replied, "but we believe a random chance is a better and more equal way to devide up the land. But perhaps you're right, the people here each want different things, so our solution wouldn't really work out too well."
"And in response to you, Mr. Snel," the droid said, not entirely sure where to direct this remark, "For how long has the interior of this planet been yours? How did you come to claim it? And why do you think we have no right to it? As for us building there, I assure you that while we may claim land on the surface, Pluto offers little to no strategical signifigance in our current state. We simply want whatever resources it has to offer us."

A corporeal form is unavailable at this time. Would you prefer one be created?

The interior of this planet has been in our possession since the time of the AI War. We came to claim it by depositing colony seeds while attempting contact with the artilects of the now non-extant zero-one-zero mainframe. You have no right to it, because it is us.

"I'm programmed to talk better to things that I can see, so yes, I would prefer a corporeal form to address," the droid says, still unsure where to look.
"So you have assimilated the entire core of Pluto then, am I correct? If not, what's to stop us from mining the pieces you haven't assimilated?"

A form shall be prepared. Standby...
The core is too deep. It has yet to be accessed. We occupy the mantle. The crust is intact to a varying depth between a few hundred meters to a kilometer. The buffer zone is required for protection.

((OOC: I thought Pluto was a large asteroid that got knocked into a strange orbit, and therefore wouldn't have a mantle or any of the layers that the Earth has. But whatever, I'll go with it))
IC:
"When we said core we were collectivly referring to everything below the crust," the droid said, "And do you mean to say that you occupy (?) the entire mantle? Is there no space that could, say, be penetrated without causing harm to you or yours?"

CCSS Profit arrived in-sector at around 15:00. The Crayven fleet contained two such ships, one of which was currently lost in space due to a botched pirate takeover. The Profit was an assault craft, whose main purpose was to deploy ground forces for combat, rather than engage other ships. The Profit was capable of defending itself, but it was only a single ship.

The loadout was different now, it contained two companies of Marines, two Jager teams, and sixty mining craft. A command APC was also contained in the hangar bay, to coordinate the mining operations & infantry deployments to deal with the security systems. Two wings of Delta-class fighters where ready to combat any aerial threats, but the Crayven would avoid combat if at all possible, destruction was bad for buisness...

Tightbeam communique between the Ravens in orbit:
#5~[Approaching craft detected, baring a Corporate Islands-affiliated signal. What should we do?]
#1~[Hold your post. Should they require aid, our priority is to help them just as long as they aren't intent on destroying Xanthal or the people on the planet. While they may be our allies, our priority remains to protect ourselves from war.]
#5~[Aye, but what of establishing communication?]
#1~[I do suppose that would be a wise course of action. Very well, #2, leave the group and approach the vessel alone. Leave your weapons with the rest of us, we want this to be peaceful.]
#2~[Affirmative. I am en route.]

Widebeam communique between #2 Raven (Prota (http://members.cox.net/resicorp/prota.htm)) and CSS Profit:
#2<[This is Camille Fanson, Raven Pilot First Class of the Resian Space Force. We know your ship is of the Crayven Corporation, and as such we welcome a fellow Corporate Islands member to our space with the utmost kindness. However, we require knowledge of what your intentions are in the area, and we request that you send a diplomat to the surface of Pluto at [coordinates] to discuss the division of the land. What is your response?]

The voice of Captain Malax Hayes crackles over the comm system...

"Not a problem, Ms. Fanson. I'll send our director to meet with your people at your specified meeting place. She'll be there in a hour or so.
Hayes out..."

A dropship containing the command APC & a squad of Marines is deployed, with Director Michelle Stern on board. The boxy craft drifted through the void of space before igniting its boosters & heading for the meeting place...

((OOC: You didn't really state your purpose, but it was implied so she'll let it slide.))

((OOC: I thought Pluto was a large asteroid that got knocked into a strange orbit, and therefore wouldn't have a mantle or any of the layers that the Earth has. But whatever, I'll go with it))True, but in this case mantle is being hijacked for lack of a better word to refer to everything between the frozen gas crust to the rocky core.
"When we said core we were collectivly referring to everything below the crust," the droid said, "And do you mean to say that you occupy (?) the entire mantle? Is there no space that could, say, be penetrated without causing harm to you or yours?"We do not occupy. We are. There are gaps, corridors, but little would be of any use, save for the sites of a few non-extant colonies, of which Independant Pluto was one. What is unused below us we can make available to you, but there is little useful ore.
A black line appeared on the back wall, which quickly spread into a doorway to a small elevator-sized chamber. From here scuttled a four-foot black pillbug, which climbed up onto the pedestal in place of the oscilloscope hologram.

~~~~~

As the Crayven Corporation craft approached the pole, the six wedges retracted once more to allow its entry into the bay.

"You say there is little useful ore," the droid echoes, "which must mean that you have some concept of what's down there and how much of it there is. Please, if you'd be so kind, tell us what you know. "

The Xanthalian admiral is beginning to get very annoyed with this new line of conversation. "Look, I have one question. Would anyone here object to our examining any intact Independent Pluto technology? You can have it to sell it even, I don't care. We just want to examine it."

"Methane, ammonia, and nitrogen ice, mostly. What little rock there is is mostly silicate, with a bit of carbonate mixed in. You will find here nothing more than one could get much more easily from a few comets."*
"We do not mind if you examine what is left of Independant Pluto."

(*Based on the most up-to-date RL information that I have. May or may not be 100% factually correct, given how little is known about RL Pluto.)

The Crayven Corporation delegate's craft touched down near the meeting area (I have no idea if it has a landing pad, zone, or anything of the sort) Slowly, the squarish bulk of the Command APC appeared as the drop-doors opened & the dropship rode back into orbit on its rocket boosters. Within the APC sat Director Stern & her vanguard of marines. (I also don't know if these yet-to-be-seen security systems are active in the area)...

OOC: Can someone provide me with a description of this meeting zone?

OOC: Can someone provide me with a description of this meeting zone?Yes. Cylindrical room 50 meters in diameter and 10 meters deep, with circular doorways every few meters along the walls. No security systems of note. Pitch black. Various colored lines crisscrossing the floor leading to various doors. One line glowing.

#tagged...

Director Stern entered the dark room, her escorts waiting outside in the APC, its roof machine-guns standing like oddly-shaped horns atop its head...

"I am Director Stern of the Crayven Corporation Security Ship Profit.
I assume we are all here for the same purpose, so please continue & I'll d my best to catch up."

Admiral Stephen Calios sighs. "Join the party, it's not like anything's getting done. I have half a mind to just go take the damn technology."