Skeelzania
27-08-2004, 08:20
The Great Hall positively rumbled, as dozens of representatives each tried to make themselves heard. A minor noble from the Quixote Reach was angrily gesticulating at a leading ship builder, as two older men yelled at one another from across the room. If it hadn’t been undignified, Grand Prince Vladimir would of plugged his ears. The Ziad could be some troublesome at times…
Abruptly he brought his fist down, the sound being magnified by the special acoustics built into the podium. The nobles and corporate suits fell silent as Vladimir began to spoke. “Honored members of the Skeelzanian Ziad, why must you bicker so? I had hoped we could resolve this issue quickly, yet you have disappointed me.” Several people shifted nervously; while not as vengeful as his forefathers, Vladimir was known to have some temper. “Every day more and more advances are made in the field of Temporal Research, time-manipulation to the layman. Within our own borders several foundations are actively seeking a working time machine. We have witnessed what irresponsible use of temporal technology can do; do we dare let it happen here? The choice is clear: Temporal Research in Skeelzania must be halted, less our own history be corrupted!”
One of the most conservative nobles in the Ziad stood. “All in favor of a general ban on Temporal Research within our country, say aye!” More than 70% of the assembly, including all of the conservative Houses, voted aye. The few dissenters were largely those with corporate holdings. Many were sponsoring temporal research in the hopes of manipulating markets and stood to lose a good deal. No one wanted to openly challenge such a popular edict though.
***********
At 1800 local time the new law was officially announced on the State News Agency. Its basic tenants were this:
1) All private research into Temporal Manipulation, including but not limited to that of time travel and “time reconnaissance” is to cease immediately.
2) All private funding directed to temporal research inside or outside Skeelzania is to cease immediately.
3) The importation of Temporal Manipulation devices by private parties, including but not limited to time machines and temporal weapons is hereby declared illegal and considered smuggling.
Failure to adhere to these would result in the usual punishment.
***********
Skeelzanian military and police forces began their sweeps soon afterwards. Several laboratories on Solomon were identified and raided. A research station in the Quixote station was boarded by elements of the 4th FS Infantry Division; another, smaller station was destroyed by ship bombardment when its occupants refused access. All in all, Temporal Research in Skeelzania ground to a halt. In addition, the paranoid government began shifting funds into development of Temporal Manipulator-Inhibitor devices, in an attempt to keep the country safe from meddling.
Abruptly he brought his fist down, the sound being magnified by the special acoustics built into the podium. The nobles and corporate suits fell silent as Vladimir began to spoke. “Honored members of the Skeelzanian Ziad, why must you bicker so? I had hoped we could resolve this issue quickly, yet you have disappointed me.” Several people shifted nervously; while not as vengeful as his forefathers, Vladimir was known to have some temper. “Every day more and more advances are made in the field of Temporal Research, time-manipulation to the layman. Within our own borders several foundations are actively seeking a working time machine. We have witnessed what irresponsible use of temporal technology can do; do we dare let it happen here? The choice is clear: Temporal Research in Skeelzania must be halted, less our own history be corrupted!”
One of the most conservative nobles in the Ziad stood. “All in favor of a general ban on Temporal Research within our country, say aye!” More than 70% of the assembly, including all of the conservative Houses, voted aye. The few dissenters were largely those with corporate holdings. Many were sponsoring temporal research in the hopes of manipulating markets and stood to lose a good deal. No one wanted to openly challenge such a popular edict though.
***********
At 1800 local time the new law was officially announced on the State News Agency. Its basic tenants were this:
1) All private research into Temporal Manipulation, including but not limited to that of time travel and “time reconnaissance” is to cease immediately.
2) All private funding directed to temporal research inside or outside Skeelzania is to cease immediately.
3) The importation of Temporal Manipulation devices by private parties, including but not limited to time machines and temporal weapons is hereby declared illegal and considered smuggling.
Failure to adhere to these would result in the usual punishment.
***********
Skeelzanian military and police forces began their sweeps soon afterwards. Several laboratories on Solomon were identified and raided. A research station in the Quixote station was boarded by elements of the 4th FS Infantry Division; another, smaller station was destroyed by ship bombardment when its occupants refused access. All in all, Temporal Research in Skeelzania ground to a halt. In addition, the paranoid government began shifting funds into development of Temporal Manipulator-Inhibitor devices, in an attempt to keep the country safe from meddling.