NationStates Jolt Archive

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Geoffry Starbuck, Coordinator for the Wazzu Space Agency, stood behind a podeum in front of the international press. He knew he was up for some hard questions after the announcement, but he was ready for them. Venus could wait, but he could not. He didn't have much time left.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Today, Wazzu proudly announces its interest to colonize Venus.

"For the last couple of years, a new, large cargo ship has been in construction in the Luna Orbital Yards. It is no where near finished. But when it is finished, it will increase Wazzu's considerable space freight capacity to enable colonization of this planet without streaching Wazzu's resources thin.

"It should also be noted that several smaller craft and structures are being designed and built now, designs that will be able to endure the corrosive, high-pressure, extremely hot temperatures on the planet.

"Yes, thats right, we plan to colonize Venus itself, not to build an orbiting station. Venus already has enough of those.

"Oren Moore Inc. has long been a leader in advanced world materials, able to make new materials with mixes of properties unseen anywhere else. And these materials in concert with TransCorp designs will enable Wazzu to colonize the surface. And we intend to.

"The ship, a superfreighter rather then a generation ship, is scheduled to be complete within 14 years...though as it is the first and maybe the only ship of its class ever, that schedule could vary.

"Now that you all know the basics, I will invide questions."

------

OOC: Just consider your reporters already here. Please remember this is a press conference, not a diplomatic summit. International leaders are unlikely to be here (Wazzu's certainly isn't).

"Helga Olman from GSN! Can you tell us what EOTED thinks about all this? Do they not have rights over venus??"

"Helga Olman from GSN! Can you tell us what EOTED thinks about all this? Do they not have rights over venus??"

"Wazzu doesn't recognize any nation's claim to an entire planet or moon.

"As to what EOTED thinks...I am not aware of that. As this is the announcement, I don't think any nation has yet formed an opinion.

"Next question please?"

-- Throughout the press conference, the lone Free Alcardian Press reporter spends most of his time staring at how fake Mr. Starbuck's face looks in comparison to everyone else in the room. While he daydreams, time slips by, and before anyone can realize, FAP reporter Steven Bellamy is asleep in his chair. --

"Carlos Hernandez, Salek Sentinal. What economic benefits does Wazzu hope to gain from the colonization of this planet, in terms of trade or resources?"

"Carlos Hernandez, Salek Sentinal. What economic benefits does Wazzu hope to gain from the colonization of this planet, in terms of trade or resources?"

"Ahh, a good question. Wazzu mostly hopes to gain resources at first. Venus' atmosphere for one provides many resources that are rare in Wazzu governed places on Earth and Mars. Miniral resources too should be very rich where no others have exploited them.

"Beyond that, we imagine trade will eventually become very pominant around Venus, and we want to be ready for when it does.

"Next question please? Yes, you, in the back."

BUMP! <----EDIT: sorry, my ego got away from me.

Official Statement from the Menelmacari Prefecture of the Interior:

The planet Eärendil, known as Venus in the common tongue, is the sovereign territory of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar. This has been the case for decades with no dispute from the international community whatsoever, and Menelmacar is already going to considerable expense to terraform the planet. Wazzu has about as much right to colonize Venus unilaterally as Menelmacar does to colonize, say, Siberia.

On the other hand, Menelmacar has always been happy to welcome other peoples to Eärendil, provided they are willing to shoulder a fair proportion of the costs and effort of terraforming, in keeping with the percentage of the surface they wish to colonize. Previous examples have included the Snel race, the spacedy-ants of Artifact S-14, and the Spacer Guilds.

If Wazzu wishes the right to colonize the second world, it would be most appreciated if they were to, like other partners in the Eärendil Terraforming Project, shoulder a fair proportion of the aforementioned burden. A capitalist nation such as Wazzu must certainly appreciate that there is, after all, no such thing as a free lunch.

Official Statement from the Menelmacari Prefecture of the Interior:

The planet Eärendil, known as Venus in the common tongue, is the sovereign territory of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar. This has been the case for decades with no dispute from the international community whatsoever, and Menelmacar is already going to considerable expense to terraform the planet. Wazzu has about as much right to colonize Venus unilaterally as Menelmacar does to colonize, say, Siberia.

On the other hand, Menelmacar has always been happy to welcome other peoples to Eärendil, provided they are willing to shoulder a fair proportion of the costs and effort of terraforming, in keeping with the percentage of the surface they wish to colonize. Previous examples have included the Snel race, the spacedy-ants of Artifact S-14, and the Spacer Guilds.

If Wazzu wishes the right to colonize the second world, it would be most appreciated if they were to, like other partners in the Eärendil Terraforming Project, shoulder a fair proportion of the aforementioned burden. A capitalist nation such as Wazzu must certainly appreciate that there is, after all, no such thing as a free lunch.

While the EOTED statement had been handled by the Wazzu diplomatic office, and a shuttle of another nation (a much smaller concern) found and its location sent (a much bigger mistake) by the same, this response had been predicted. It was also deemed enough to interupt Dr. James Messer, Minister of Diplomacy for Wazzu, in his meeting with other Mars diplomats.

******

An aid walked in the door to the circular, glass-domed, tower-top room in Wazzu Elysium. He almost tiptoed over to Dr. Messier and handed him a single sheet of paper, onto which a Menelmacari public statement was copied. Messier read carefully, and motioned for the aid to hang his ear lower.

Messier whispered, "Have Jens send a message back. Invite the Menelmacari here, I'll speak to them about this after the meeting."

The aid nodded and left...left Messer wondering how anyone had enough arrogance to claim an entire planet.

EDIT: OOC: Shall we continue the press conference and develop this in a seperate thread? Siri, since that Mars meeting will last a while, we can just say it happens later in the timeline.

OOC: Waz: sounds good. Should I start the thread, or will you?

~Siri

IC:

An Elven woman towards the back stands up.

"Silmariel Andunewen, Tercano Autiva Vinyatirionya. The Menelmacari government will doubtlessly make their opinions known, and Menelmacari policy on sovereignty over Venus is well known. Mr. Starbuck, how does Wazzu intend to proceed on this matter in order to avoid an international incident?"

~Siri

OOC:Hmmm that must be some very strong materials, will be intresting to see how this will be solved. Considering the pressure of the atmosphere and storms :)

"Well, as I said, Wazzu doesn't recognize any nations ability to claim an entire planet. Such would infringe on the soverignty of other nations to colonize that planet.

"That said, Wazzu has a long history of trade and good relations with Menelmacar. Exactly what will happen I don't know, but I would hope for a peacefull solution. I'm certain leaders in both governments would agree.

"Next question please?"

An Elven woman, stands up

"Ential Retinor, Thelas Intenational News, how are you going to handle protecting this ship, I know for a fact that there are many space pirate groups using Sub-space drives, how will you defend aagainst pirates? And then, how are you going to protect the supply lines going to this new colony?

An Elven woman, stands up

"Ential Retinor, Thelas Intenational News, how are you going to handle protecting this ship, I know for a fact that there are many space pirate groups using Sub-space drives, how will you defend aagainst pirates? And then, how are you going to protect the supply lines going to this new colony?

"Wazzu already has quite a large merchant fleet. Actually, I should say that Hermes Spacelines does. The corporation already trades between Earth, Luna, Mars, and Titan...though with few stops between Mars and Titan.

"Wazzu already has a growing space navy that protects these merchants. Well, you might call it a 'Coast Guard' by the way it operates. Regardless, we feel these measures will be adiquate to protect against any piracy, especially considering that piracy is most common around Mars, not further insystem."

"Anyone else?"

EDIT: OOC: Wazzu Space News since July 12 can be found here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39717&highlight=).

El Bumpa when people are here.

'Constance Trestie, Abu-Vorcha News Consortium, will other nations be able to participate in building the orbital colonies?'

'Constance Trestie, Abu-Vorcha News Consortium, will other nations be able to participate in building the orbital colonies?'

"This will not be an orbital colony, it will be on the ground, inside Venus's thick, hot, corrosive atmosphere. It is a Wazzu colony, and we are unaware of any other nations with the technology to build in these conditions. So no nations or forign corporations are currently slated to help construction.

"However, Wazzu would not prevent other nations from making their own colonies. Also, many of the items to be found inside the colony will almost certainly be of forign origin. Most of that will probably be consumer and scientific goods.

"Anyone else?"

(This deserves more viewage. *bump*)

(This deserves more viewage. *bump*)

OOC: Thanks.

And this is notice that the ship will be completed in about 5 real life days.

EDIT: Not to mention a bump itself. :)