NationStates Jolt Archive

A Vastivan-flagged fleet of ten oil tankers and thirty freighters – accompanied by twelve passenger liners filled with international correspondents – has left Antarctican waters en route to the Suez Canal.

The fleet is fully loaded with civilian supplies – liquefied natural gas, oil, wood, electronics and software, literature, baskets and other craft works – as has been verified by the many members of the International Press, and has no military escort. However, it has been equipped with cameras of many shapes and sizes, all automatic, ranging from simple telephoto, to constant broadcasts of IR and UV. The fleet has also been fitted with SONAR and RADAR of the latest designs, so as to “spot” any attempts to prevent its motion early, and to identify those attempting to impede free commerce.

“We have also spent time considering how to head off any attempts to jam or intercept transmission, and decided on a direct laser communication to several drones which will fly overhead,” stated Captain Stephan Peterson of the VSS Corbu, designated as the lead freighter. “A transmission will be sent to these drones, and from them beamed to communications satellites in orbit. An attempt to jam communications will therefore be noted and will show up for the world to see. The downward looking drones will then be able to identify the source, the instigator, and the nation. As the drones themselves are not susceptible to jamming, and quite easily expendable…. Let us say we are not worried.”

The fleet should arrive in the southern mouth of the Suez Canal within a few days at current speed.

The world’s attention is requested.

(Highlighted from VNN Channel 722 broadcast)

VSS Corbu reporting progress. No intervention. We are due at the southern mouth of the Suez Canal in... thirty hours. We have noted naval forces from several militaries, but none has made any threatening action. A few sailors actually waved.

Fair winds and good weather reports ahead. This is Captain Stephan Peterson of the VSS Corbu reporting. Good Night.

The nation of Tessen -- halfway around the world -- wishes to express its curiousity over the general importance of this particular fleet of unarmed Vastivian vessels.

-Tessen

To impede civilian shipping is an act of war. At the moment, Europe stands at the brink. It remains to be seen if someone will interfere with this or any other shipping.


OOC: For full story, read http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359767

and special note to all uninvolved wankers who would hit it for the hell of starting a war - if you're not in the Crucible thread with your arse on the line, kindly refrain from such actions.

The Tessen Secretary of Foriegn Affairs nods in understanding, and continues to watch the situation with great interest.

-Tessen

The nation of Vastiva may wish to note that spy vessels generally do not come under the category of 'civilian' vessels.

OOC Gee, don't "spy" vessels typically make some attempt to, oh, I don't know, keep their intentions from the world? And how often do they board reporters? Or broadcast everything they perceive?

These are - as stated - civilian shipping vessels.

Stop being a complete twink, Axis.

Secret or not, you are collecting vast quantities of information without consent. Hence spying. I would send the vessels to the bottom of the sea if they were approaching my territory.

Do you think iran would take kindly to an american film crew entering their territory and broadcasting everything they saw? I think not

You'd be exceedingly stupid to do so. Regardless of your opinion, they're civil ships and they're perfectly entitled to traverse the Suez Canal, whether or not you like it.

Greetings, Vastiva and the International Community.

The Technocracy of Sharina will provide its full support to our ally and friend Vastiva. If the Vastiva fleet comes under attack, we will provide military aid to Vastiva, as well as any civilian or material aid we can provide.

We wish our friend Vastiva the best in their endeavours.

Live well,
President Rand Veristek

The Tessen Secretary of Foriegn Affairs continues to watch the situation with great interest.

-Tessen

We welcome and support Vastivas action, however ask the question:
Where is all this aid going?

The planned rudimentery Class - A Airfield (it can hold the biggest aircraft we have) in the north costal tip of Peru which has been occupied by us will be there to send aid should there be an attack. Untill then, the HMS Partriot will send aid.

((OOC: (EDIT) Ah, you say the SUEZ canal. Well, maybe we can't give you ever so much aid but we can give you moral support.))

Uhm, well, it's not aid - it's products for trade. As in commerce. We mostly hope to trade for French cheeses and wines.

As to spying - the fleet is in International Waters. Which means, if you're there, anyone can see you. We're not coast hugging, we're not looking for fleets, we're simply on a trade run from point a to point b and back to point a.

As to Iran - they don't shoot at the many and varied trading fleets which port, transfer and receive cargo, and depart peacefully.

We are in the Suez Canal, situation normal. A few submarines of various flags appear to be shadowing us, some on the surface, some underwater. It's a free ocean.

- Captain Stephan Peterson of the VSS Corbu

(Excerpted from the Special Report on VNN channel 722)

The Fleet Returns

Amid the cheers of thousands of cheese-starved Vastivans, the trading fleet returned without incident to its home port of Nassanuella, well stocked and heavily loaded with French Cheeses and Wines;German Beers and Mustards; English Cheeses, Beers, and stowaways...

(close up of Captain Stephan Peterson of the VSS Corbu, a microphone thrust into his face)
"All in all an excellent voyage. The presence of some thirty-seven submarines shadowing us was rather disconcerting, but we traversed both the Suez Canal and the Straights of Gibraltar without incident. We even had time to stop over in Iceland and pick up some elves".

"Elves?"

"'Yep, elves. I think we have fourty or so cases of them. Some in jockey clothes, some with red hats...."

"Isn't that slavery?"

(looks oddly into the camera) "Slavery? Since when is the transportation of lawn gnomes and other such tchotchkas for the front lawn considered slavery?"

The Sultan has assured the populace the full cargo will be evenly distributed to each city before it is put up for sale. Elements of the 116th Home Guard were elected to help transport the cargo and to assure its security.

(excerpted from VNN Channel 722 evening broadcast)

...roast chicken.

A trading fleet, again under the command of Captain Stephen Peterson of the VSS Corbu will be making another run through the Suez Canal this week. Our Sultan has given leave to increase the number of vessels to 120, to quote, "Better take advantage of trading opportunities in the Mediterranian".

The Corbu and many of the fleet have been outfitted as before, and reporter Todd Dobbs will be watching from the bridge of the Corbu. You can watch this in real time streaming video from our website.

Mouthwash has been discovered...

SECRET IC: W-9 fleet is top hatting the freighters.