NationStates Jolt Archive

Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage began the final meeting of the "Underground Tribunal", an organization promoting the post-occupation reestablishment of the Imperium. Of course, without the Co-Imperators around to lead, the former Praetorian Prefect had decided to take matters into his own hands and declare himself a Steward to the Imperium. Several violent acts later, he had emerged as the Imperator Pro Tempore, with the support of a growing faction of Imperialists within the Asherton System. The final step to reestablishing the Imperium was to declare independence.

"Brothers and Sisters of the Imperium, tonight is the night the occupation ends!" Savage called out through the meeting hall in the basement of a local bar. "I hereby announce that The Independant Steward Kingdom of Asherton and Stanley is independant now and forever from the occupying forces. All men and women in possesson of arms with prior militia experience are ordered to resume their duties immediately and that the production of the arms necessary to defend the sub-system around the central gas giant commence! Long live the Imperium!"

"Long live the Imperium!"

=========================
[[Radio Address to the People of Asherton and Stanley]]

"Comrades, tonight marks the end of the occupation. We are casting off the bonds of occupation and are establishing a Steward Kingdom to await the return of the Co-Imperators. We ask that all people with militia experience and in possession of arms, be them guns or swords, take up duty as militia officers immediately. We need a stable police force to make sure our remergence as a power is not marked with violence or rioting. Long live the Imperium!"

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Thursday, January 17, NCE 255

International Headlines

> Malawi Forces Gain Ground Against Zambia
> Etarosi Government Declares End of Oppression (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=460630)
/ Independent Kingdom of Asherton and Stanley Declares Independence, Tiburon In Support (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=459757)

ASHERTON PRIME, Asherton- In a radio broadcast yesterday, self-proclaimed Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage declared independence for the Asherton Star System, called the last of the Tiburonese protectorates. Declaring the system's independence from "all occupying forces", he laid out a basic overview of his movement's plan for independence. The Imperialist movement, as it is known, is believed to have strong support within the Asherton system. Tiburonese officials, when asked to comment, stated that they were "unconcerned" about the push for independence, noting that they were supportive of a movement to independence and had no desire to maintain an imperial presence in the region or anywhere, and that they had plans to work with the Imperialist Movement to resolve the fine points of Ashertonian independence. (Click to read full article)

> Election of Right-Wing Peruvian President Contested
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[Sent Via D-Net]
[To: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal]
[From: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon]
[Subject: Asherton Independence]
[Classification: Level Four Classification]

Imperator Savage,

The United Solaris Federation is interested in granting the peoples of Asherton their independence. We are by no means an imperial power. To these ends, we support your quest for independence. However, to maintain the security and stability of the region, we find it necessary to ask for certain stipulations in our agreement for Ashertonian independence. Here, then, are our proposals for the provisions of the official document to grant Ashertonian independence.

-All defensive and offensive weaponry aside from personal melee combat weapons shorter than 22 in. in length are to be destroyed and/or dismantled
-No standing military whatsoever
-Concordat reserves the right to patrol the Asherton system
-Asherton and Stanley limited to one civilian-use-only spaceport
-The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon retains complete jurisdiction over the Asherton Asteroids
-Asherton has the right to put defensive weapons on starships, which is to be regulated by the Concordat.
-Asherton may not construct warships within the Asherton system
-Asherton has control over the Asherton Stargate

We are interested in hearing any proposals that your movement may have, so we both may be able to publish an official document sealing Asherton's independence.

Sincerely,
President Abhinash Chandran,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

[[Asherton Prime, Imperial Cabinet Meeting Hall, Starlight Bar and Grill Basement]]

"Well, this effectively makes sure we're not a military threat in this sector ever," Colonel Blackwater, Praetorian Prefect of the People's Militia, said to the Imperator Pro Tempore as the Imperial Cabinet read over the terms. "Besides, look at this shit right here, only one space port? Come on, Stanley is going to collapse on itself if we don't help them out."

"Agreed, we'll contest that for sure," the Imperator Pro Tempore said. "We're not in a position to make too many demands, and the fact they're allowing us to keep our swords is a promising start. However, they already took everything for our heavy military industry that wasn't bolted down. Hell, they took the stuff that was bolted down too. How are we looking at being able to pick up weapons production in the post-occupation?"

"We can temporarily convert three toy factories to light arms manufacturing centers," The Industrial Minister replied. "We'll be ready by the end of the month to begin producing pistols, light machine guns, shotguns and rifles. Heavy machine guns are going to be trickier, we'll have to wait for heavy industry to be reestablished before we can begin work on anything like it. Ammunition is going to be a problem, we have to erect seperate factories to accomplish ammunition production. That'll take at least two months."

"You have two weeks for guns and three weeks for ammunition. Fail me and I'll find someone else," the Imperator Pro Tempore said sternly. "Helium-3 reserves?"

"We can begin extraction from the gas giant at any time, it'll be our #1 export for a while, but yeah, we're good to go," the Energy Minister replied. "Fusion reactors won't even need to be brought back online, they're already running."

"Resources?"

"Thats the messed up thing, sire," the Industrial Minister replied. "They're probably going to clean us out as much as they can before moving on. Onworld mining facilities can get us up enough to make a few mining ships, but we need a miracle if we're going to find the necessary materials for an FTL module."

"What about the Hyperspace Gate?"

"That will only help us go one-way," the Transportation Minister replied. "We need to be able to return materials once we've gotten to the star system. Given occupation estimates of how extensive this whole thing is, we think that the nearest unclaimed, unoccupied star system is HIP 21553, a K8V star. We think there might be mineral resources there, but if we're not right, we're stuck mining the moons until we can find another star system within 15 light years."

"Why 15 light years?"

"We're working without the Imperial Library, sire," the Transportation Minister continued. "From all the engineers and manufacturers we've been able to talk to, it appears that the best drive we can manufacture right now is only capable of a 15 light year round-trip."

"30 light years, that doesn't give us much leeway, especially if we wanted to reach the Alpha Site," the Imperator Pro Tempore said. "I'd give one of the smaller moons to be able to get a hold of the Co-Imperators and get the Imperial Library back in place."

"You know we can't do that, it would jeopardize the lives of the Co-Imperators and hand over the entire technological library of New Haven to the enemy!" The Praetorian Prefect exclaimed. The Imperator Pro Tempore started to chuckle after he heard this.

"We still think they're our enemies after we've been defeated, I still find that funny," the Imperator Pro Tempore said. "Not to say they're not screwing us over for their own gain, making them our enemies, but we're not at war with them. However, we will regain our territory, through peaceable means or through war, it will be their choice. Can anyone find anything else wrong with these conditions?" No one spoke up. "Good, transmit back that we will agree to the terms, EXCEPT we need two spaceports, one for each moon. Adjourned!"

===============================================
TO: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon
FROM: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal

We agree to the terms, but require more than one spaceport because otherwise, our moon of Stanley will be cut off from Asherton. We await your response.

[Sent Via D-Net]
[To: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal]
[From: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon]
[Subject: Asherton Independence]
[Classification: Level Four Classification]

Imperator Savage,

Unfortunately, I will have to revise two of the previous provisions- the original measures were far too punitive, and Tiburon has no wish whatsoever to become an imperialist power. The provision "All defensive and offensive weaponry aside from personal melee combat weapons shorter than 22 in. in length are to be destroyed and/or dismantled" will have to be revised to "All defensive and offensive ballistic weaponry is to be destroyed and/or dismantled" and "Asherton and Stanley limited to one civilian-use-only spaceport" will have to be revised to "Asherton and Stanley will be limited to two non-civilian spaceports per astronomical object, with no limitations on civilian spaceports". In addition, the right to negotiation of addenda by either party should be secured.

-All defensive and offensive ballistic weaponry is to be destroyed and/or dismantled
-No standing military whatsoever
-Concordat reserves the right to patrol the Asherton system
-Asherton and Stanley will be limited to two non-civilian spaceports per astronomical object, with no limitations on civilian spaceports
-The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon retains complete jurisdiction over the Asherton Asteroids
-Asherton has the right to put defensive weapons on starships, which is to be regulated by the Concordat.
-Asherton may not construct warships within the Asherton system
-Asherton has control over the Asherton Stargate
-Asherton and Tiburon both have the right to call for a renegotiation and/or addition of addenda to the treaty at any time.

We hope these proposals may be more suitable to a peace between us.

Sincerely,
President Abhinash Chandran,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

No cause was given for this change in policy other than what the letter stated. Quite probably, the President was being quite sincere. Tiburon really did have no wish to become an imperial power per se.

Allanea-Times, Thursday, January 24, NCE 255


Finally, after a long and excruciating delay, the Klotchkovsky Administration has commented on the Ashertonian declaration of independence. As his usual self, the President was unwilling to commit to a principled position that would alienate the so-called 'international community' (read, the United Solaris Federation in this case). He has addressed the Senate yesterday, saying in part that he 'acknowledges the right of the Ashertonians to independence, however,' the President added, he believes that the 'proper path to national independence is through peace, and that all peaceful avenues of negotiation and compromise should be tried first.' He also added that a 'bilateral, incrementalist approach' should best be tried by the Tiburonese and Ashertonians. In the meanwhile, the Hamiltonian party in the House has suggested an Asherton Assistance Act – an appropriation to aid the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure there.

===========================
TO: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon
FROM: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal

Again, we will agree to the terms. All ballistic weaponry in possession of civilians and former military personnel will be turned over. Swords, pikes and other hand-to-hand weapons will be retained. Thank you for not imposing absurdly harsh conditions upon us, and we will meet the treaty word-for-word.

[Sent Via D-Net]
[To: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal]
[From: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon]
[Subject: Asherton Independence]
[Classification: Level Four Classification]

Imperator Savage,

We are pleased to see that we have been able to find points of a treaty that can accomodate Asherton's wishes and still fit within the parameters of our requirements for the system's military structure. I shall make arrangements for a meeting to be at Antilus Three within the Tiburon Uninhabited Asteroid Complex in Asherton, the date for which you are welcome to set.

Sincerely,
President Abhinash Chandran,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

TO: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon
FROM: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal

We would wish to meet immediately, so that we may begin the process of establishing an interim constitution and creating a the necessary bodies to co-rule the Steward Kingdom along with the Imperator Pro Tempore. The time and date of the meeting is effectively at whatever your earliest convenience is.

Thank you for your time.

[Sent Via D-Net]
[To: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal]
[From: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon]
[Subject: Asherton Independence]
[Classification: Level Four Classification]

Imperator Savage,

I shall make myself free for whenever you wish to schedule the meeting. The meeting itself shall take place at Command One in the Tiburonese New Haven Asteroid Territorial Jurisdiction (inside the Asherton system itself), at the building of the Tiburon Asherton Semiprovisional Authority.

We have furthermore decided to revamp the proposal to be more favorable to the ISK. As they stand, the new points are:

-No limit on non-civilian spaceports, 2 noncivilian spaceyards per astronomical object
-Particle weapons limited to subcapital mounts
-Long-range weapons below megatonnage range
-All ships must contain Concordat beacons
-Concordat reserves right to ship inspections
-No dismantling of weaponry other than those listed as unacceptable
-Standing military acceptable
-Concordat reserves right to patrol Asherton
-The USF retains jurisdiction over asteroids
-Asherton may construct warships within the system
-Asherton has control over the Asherton Stargate
-Treaty Renegotiation possible
-No large kinetic launchers capable of C-fractal speeds
-No limit on ship tonnage or size
-Shipyards limited from producing capital warships

We hope that these terms are more amenable to the ISK of Asherton and Stanley.

Sincerely,
President Abhinash Chandran,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

[TO: President Abhinash Chandran, the United Solaris Federation of Tiburon]
[FROM: Imperator Pro Tempore Edgar Savage, the Underground Tribunal]
[SUBJECT: RE: Asherton Independence]

President Chandran,

The conditions are acceptable and we are preparing to disembark immediately to sign the treaty. We hope to meet you or your representatives upon our arrival.

Sincerely,
President Abhinash Chandran,
The United Solaris Federation of Tiburon

===================================

The hatch closed on the aging Diplomatic-class Corvette, an old behemoth that could barely pass for a space-faring vessel. After the war, ships like these had become the lifeblood of private communications and illegal goods shipment between Asherton and Stanley (the Imperator Pro Tempore involved in most of it in order to get enough support and influence to attempt to get the position he received).

The ship set out slowly towards the base, but what the corvette lacked in sublight speed it made up for in short FTL bursts.

"Hyperspace drive charged, coordinants set."

"Hyperspace!" The craft entered hyperspace and exited near-instantaneously in proximity to Command One.

"Docking control, this is Underground One, requesting permission to dock," the pilot radioed.

"Docking approval confirmed, welcome to Command One," a voice radioed back as the ship began auto-docking. The old frame shook a bit as it began to dock, a sign of age on these old vessels. It shuddered abruptly as docking clamps secured it and the airlock sealed properly.

OOC: I've been given permission to quickly wrap this up.

IC:

The two leaders met aboard the station, reviewed the agreement in front of reporters. At the end, the President of Tiburon added a verbal addition:

"I, President Abhinash Chandran, intend to amend the charter as time passes and the ISK shows that it can be a fully integrated member of the international community to give the ISK complete autonomy, as a gesture of good will to the people of Asherton and Stanley."

"We accept the goodwill of the Tiburonese," Imperator Pro Tempore Savage replied before both leaders signed the agreement. They shook hands, gave short comments to the press, and the Imperator Pro Tempore left with very little fanfare, the Diplomatic corvette returning to Asherton before dinner had been served.