Sarzonia
26-06-2004, 03:30
[OOC: This is to take place after the peace talks with Cam III conclude; in journalism circles, this would be a piece of information that would be "embargoed" until a certain date. That's what should happen with this RP. I'm writing it now so that I can do so before I forget and I write worse crap than I already do. :?]
As most of Sarzonia's finest engineers began the lengthy process of rebuilding damaged facilities and national landmarks, military engineers sat down with the top brass to figure out what they learned from the war.
"For one thing, we got caught with our pants down against a country that was more powerful than we were," General Hal Luxton said. He was nominated to be the Army Chief after serving a stint as Socialist Cockroaches' occupation head. He realized that help from Isselmere-Nieland essentially prevented Sarzonia from becoming a piece of nuclear dust.
"We got our main objectives accomplished, didn't we?" Colonel Tucker Van Landingham said. Eyes throughout the room rolled. Van Landingham was notorious among the top brass for being too optimistic. "We wanted Cam III to back down and they did."
"If it hadn't been for Isselmere, we would have been dead," Luxton reminded Van Landingham. "If it hadn't been for Sarzo coming to his senses when talking to Aust, we would have been dead and occupied.
"Let's get back to the topic at hand," Luxton said sharply. "We got caught with our britches down against a more powerful opponent. What's that saying -- 'pick on somebody your own size'?"
"I think we would have been able to hold our own at least if they didn't have that orbital platform and if Aust weren't lurking in the background," Van Landingham said. Finally, the overexuberant colonel made a point the generals could agree on.
"The fact they had technology that we didn't have made a big difference," Luxton said. "We need to figure out how to get some of that technology."
"I think some of the concepts we were coming up with under duress could be used with some time to test them," Vice President for Defense Terrence Wilson said. "If we can work on making some modifications to ICBMs based on the booster rockets used to launch our satellites into the air, I think we can create a legitimate orbital missile that can cause havoc against space objects."
"That's interesting," Army Corps of Engineers Director Lt. General Marc Casey said. "However, we also could use something else. We need to establish a Space Force of our own."
"That's crazy!" Luxton snapped. "I suppose you're going to say that we're going to be invaded by Martians next," he said with an air of sarcastic arrogance.
"Hear me out," Casey said. "It's well-known that Cam III had a space fleet in addition to their navy. Isselmere also had a space fleet that was about to fire on that orbital platform."
Luxton's eyes widened. He fully realized he forgot the vital role Isselmere-Nieland played in the war. He had made the point that Isselmere-Nieland saved Sarzonia's hyde.
"You're right, of course," Luxton said, his eyes lowering. "I'm sorry Marc."
"Thank you, sir."
"That's going to be a bit of a challenge though, considering we haven't even developed an orbiter."
"We have some rough outlines of an orbiter that we can use to base this on. If we can modify the booster technology to create an engine system, we may be able to get the thing in space in four [NS] years."
Luxton sighed. He wanted something up a lot sooner than four years, but he understood that it entailed buildling something Sarzonia never designed. He also decided he'd ask Vice President Wilson to contact Isselmere-Nieland about building a space fleet. At the very least, perhaps they could buy two ships and have one to study for their own design efforts.
"Okay folks, time's a wastin'. Let's get started," Luxton said.
As the men and women began to file out of the room, Luxton motioned Wilson to stay and asked him if he could talk to him.
"Sure, Hal. What's on your mind?"
"About that space fleet... could you talk to Isselmere about getting some of their ships?"
"I'll have to see about that. I have to pitch that to the President."
"I'm not sure he's going to like imposing on Isselmere again after they saved our asses."
"Well, he's probably the main reason we have such a strong relationship with them in the first place."
Both men smiled knowingly. They realized that Sarzo played a very large role in building a military that even larger countries respected. They also remembered the alliances the country was able to form. If anyone could get it done, they reasoned, Sarzo could.
Wilson picked up his cell phone. The number reached the President's small cabin in the Woodstock suburb of Saugerties, where Sarzo was staying while crews rebuilt the Gray House. Parliament was meeting in the Max Yasgur Center while repairs to Parliament Hall were taking place.
"Mike, this is Terry."
"Yes, Terry?"
Wilson outlined the plan.
"Space fleet, huh? At this point, I'm game." Sarzo was too tired to quiz his Vice President for Defense as he otherwise might. In addition, he realized the bind not having a weapons system capable of responding to attacks from space put his military in.
Sarzo eventually hung up the phone and went to bed thinking of Star Trek scenarios.
As most of Sarzonia's finest engineers began the lengthy process of rebuilding damaged facilities and national landmarks, military engineers sat down with the top brass to figure out what they learned from the war.
"For one thing, we got caught with our pants down against a country that was more powerful than we were," General Hal Luxton said. He was nominated to be the Army Chief after serving a stint as Socialist Cockroaches' occupation head. He realized that help from Isselmere-Nieland essentially prevented Sarzonia from becoming a piece of nuclear dust.
"We got our main objectives accomplished, didn't we?" Colonel Tucker Van Landingham said. Eyes throughout the room rolled. Van Landingham was notorious among the top brass for being too optimistic. "We wanted Cam III to back down and they did."
"If it hadn't been for Isselmere, we would have been dead," Luxton reminded Van Landingham. "If it hadn't been for Sarzo coming to his senses when talking to Aust, we would have been dead and occupied.
"Let's get back to the topic at hand," Luxton said sharply. "We got caught with our britches down against a more powerful opponent. What's that saying -- 'pick on somebody your own size'?"
"I think we would have been able to hold our own at least if they didn't have that orbital platform and if Aust weren't lurking in the background," Van Landingham said. Finally, the overexuberant colonel made a point the generals could agree on.
"The fact they had technology that we didn't have made a big difference," Luxton said. "We need to figure out how to get some of that technology."
"I think some of the concepts we were coming up with under duress could be used with some time to test them," Vice President for Defense Terrence Wilson said. "If we can work on making some modifications to ICBMs based on the booster rockets used to launch our satellites into the air, I think we can create a legitimate orbital missile that can cause havoc against space objects."
"That's interesting," Army Corps of Engineers Director Lt. General Marc Casey said. "However, we also could use something else. We need to establish a Space Force of our own."
"That's crazy!" Luxton snapped. "I suppose you're going to say that we're going to be invaded by Martians next," he said with an air of sarcastic arrogance.
"Hear me out," Casey said. "It's well-known that Cam III had a space fleet in addition to their navy. Isselmere also had a space fleet that was about to fire on that orbital platform."
Luxton's eyes widened. He fully realized he forgot the vital role Isselmere-Nieland played in the war. He had made the point that Isselmere-Nieland saved Sarzonia's hyde.
"You're right, of course," Luxton said, his eyes lowering. "I'm sorry Marc."
"Thank you, sir."
"That's going to be a bit of a challenge though, considering we haven't even developed an orbiter."
"We have some rough outlines of an orbiter that we can use to base this on. If we can modify the booster technology to create an engine system, we may be able to get the thing in space in four [NS] years."
Luxton sighed. He wanted something up a lot sooner than four years, but he understood that it entailed buildling something Sarzonia never designed. He also decided he'd ask Vice President Wilson to contact Isselmere-Nieland about building a space fleet. At the very least, perhaps they could buy two ships and have one to study for their own design efforts.
"Okay folks, time's a wastin'. Let's get started," Luxton said.
As the men and women began to file out of the room, Luxton motioned Wilson to stay and asked him if he could talk to him.
"Sure, Hal. What's on your mind?"
"About that space fleet... could you talk to Isselmere about getting some of their ships?"
"I'll have to see about that. I have to pitch that to the President."
"I'm not sure he's going to like imposing on Isselmere again after they saved our asses."
"Well, he's probably the main reason we have such a strong relationship with them in the first place."
Both men smiled knowingly. They realized that Sarzo played a very large role in building a military that even larger countries respected. They also remembered the alliances the country was able to form. If anyone could get it done, they reasoned, Sarzo could.
Wilson picked up his cell phone. The number reached the President's small cabin in the Woodstock suburb of Saugerties, where Sarzo was staying while crews rebuilt the Gray House. Parliament was meeting in the Max Yasgur Center while repairs to Parliament Hall were taking place.
"Mike, this is Terry."
"Yes, Terry?"
Wilson outlined the plan.
"Space fleet, huh? At this point, I'm game." Sarzo was too tired to quiz his Vice President for Defense as he otherwise might. In addition, he realized the bind not having a weapons system capable of responding to attacks from space put his military in.
Sarzo eventually hung up the phone and went to bed thinking of Star Trek scenarios.