Skeelzania
22-04-2004, 00:47
Citing budget cut-backs and need for redeployment, the Skeelzanian Navy ordered the 5th Fleet to pull back from the Western Frontier. Border crossings will be maintaned however.
Traditionally, the border between Skeelzanian, Bandalok, and other nations within New Aranamor has been patrolled by light corvettes of the 5th Fleet. "It has become clear that the stationing of ships right on the border is an inefficent system", Lesli Zhoung told reporters at a Navy press confernce today, "as evident with the ease Bandalok forces penetrated Principality Space eight years ago."
In 2138, a Rogue Bandalok Fleet passed practically undeteced across the Frontier on its way to attack Solomon, capital of Skeelzania. Although the fleet was destroyed in a massive battle shortly thereafter, the incident caused many Skeelzanian commanders to review the country's defense. This led to the development of "concentrated force", where warships will be based at a central location and then respond to hotspots as needed.
For their part, Skeelzania's corporations have almost unanimously condemmed the move. Taylor Krupp of Kruger Industries summed up the general attitude. "The border was unstable enough when the Navy was actually there. How are we supposed to get our ships across now?" Although the goverment has said the Navy will maintain several "border crossings", these have also been lombasted by industry officials. "Setting up convoy collection areas is all well and good, for the PIRATES! Why don't we just paint 'Valuable Cargo inside!' on the side of our ships?" Kruger went on to say.
The Frontier has long been a area of lawlessness, with semi-autonamous Stations such as Far Tortuga acting as a base for pirate forces. With the Skeelzanian pullout, insurance companies have predicted a 10-fold increase in piratical attacks onlong the shipping lanes.
Traditionally, the border between Skeelzanian, Bandalok, and other nations within New Aranamor has been patrolled by light corvettes of the 5th Fleet. "It has become clear that the stationing of ships right on the border is an inefficent system", Lesli Zhoung told reporters at a Navy press confernce today, "as evident with the ease Bandalok forces penetrated Principality Space eight years ago."
In 2138, a Rogue Bandalok Fleet passed practically undeteced across the Frontier on its way to attack Solomon, capital of Skeelzania. Although the fleet was destroyed in a massive battle shortly thereafter, the incident caused many Skeelzanian commanders to review the country's defense. This led to the development of "concentrated force", where warships will be based at a central location and then respond to hotspots as needed.
For their part, Skeelzania's corporations have almost unanimously condemmed the move. Taylor Krupp of Kruger Industries summed up the general attitude. "The border was unstable enough when the Navy was actually there. How are we supposed to get our ships across now?" Although the goverment has said the Navy will maintain several "border crossings", these have also been lombasted by industry officials. "Setting up convoy collection areas is all well and good, for the PIRATES! Why don't we just paint 'Valuable Cargo inside!' on the side of our ships?" Kruger went on to say.
The Frontier has long been a area of lawlessness, with semi-autonamous Stations such as Far Tortuga acting as a base for pirate forces. With the Skeelzanian pullout, insurance companies have predicted a 10-fold increase in piratical attacks onlong the shipping lanes.