NationStates Jolt Archive

The nation of Colony West hereby declares its sovereignty from its former overlord the Kingdom of Mangudai. Our colony has been a bread basket so to speak for our former masters and we are not yet industrialized. We seek a nation that can ally with us and help us get going and we can help them with food maybe. Basically with huge nations all around our nation is practically nothing.

OOC: To learn about Colony West, go here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=529480)

Upon hearing your message, I am prepared to accept your invitation of an alliance. Delkor is a land rich in natural resources, and we can also provide military protection for you. I also invite you to join the newly formed Combined Heart Alliance (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=529154). There, you will find friends who will be willing to assist your new nation in growing strong.

Your link just took me to a wikipedia article on HTTP

Typo, try it now

The Imperial Republic of New Vantania would like to turn you into a temporary protectorate, but there are betters to do it. We suggest joining the Sovereign League for all your protection needs. What's more, Questers, a League member nation, runs an excellent protectorate system.

(Link to Sovereign League is in my sig)

If sig means signature, you dont have one. If it doesnt, I don't know what you mean.

Delkor - Sorry, but I kidan plan to run my country with "tyranny and oppression" so i don 't think your alliance is right for me

That's ok. I am still willing to be an ally of yours. I have other interests outside the Alliance.

If sig means signature, you dont have one. If it doesnt, I don't know what you mean.

Delkor - Sorry, but I kidan plan to run my country with "tyranny and oppression" so i don 't think your alliance is right for me

OOC: I believe you have to manually switch signatures on in your control panel.

Welcome to NS. :)

[Encrypted Message]

To: Colony West
From: The Avisronite Department of State
Re: Industrialization

If you'll sign a few contracts with the Avisronite government we'll turn you into a very rich and industrialized nation within a few years.

Want to hear more?

[END]

Colony West: Uphaus is a fledgling nation itself, and in need of certain agricultural goods (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=529326). While we are not exactly a great canidate to show you the ropes or protect you, you may be interested in allying with us, even if you can't supply our agricultural needs.

As we are willing to make allies I think you should ally with me, for I am a veteran of 4 large scale wars and, being your position you will probobly be attacked because many nations prey on young new nations that are in your state. We have a good military to protect you from that, and we have strong allies, and good trading status.

If sig means signature, you dont have one. If it doesnt, I don't know what you mean.

Delkor - Sorry, but I kidan plan to run my country with "tyranny and oppression" so i don 't think your alliance is right for me

Normally Crookfur would offer thier services but the govenrment would likely pick up on the whole "tyranny and oppression" thing which would not go down well with the electorate. That is of course unless the govenrment decided that it could get something out of the relationship and "lean" on your adminsitration to reform.
Food isn't soemthing Crookfur is short of but other things like large natural harbours, strategic choke points or specific resources might well be of interest.

And of coruse Crookfur is, unlike most of those offerign alliance so far, a huge nation

Greston- we accept you as an ally

Delkor- we accept you as an ally

Vontanas- sorry, but as I plan to take my country down the path of dictatorship I can't meet the requrement of the sovereign league that I be a democracy

Uphaus- We accept you as an ally, but we were a bread basket colony so most of the things you want we don't grow, and you don't want any more corn which we do grow.

[Encrypted Message]

To: Avrison
From: The Colonial Department of State
Re: Industrialization

We are intrigued, what sort of contracts do you mean?

[END]

Crookfur- we are very interested in allying with you. Mostly cause you are huge :D If it is any help to you in forming this alliance technically we ahven't entered into the tyranny and oppresion thing yet, we are stil ruled by "a mostly-benevolent dictator, who grants the populace the freedom to live their own lives but watches carefully for anyone to slip up." I just quoted tyranny and oppression becasue those are specific words his alliance used for what they stand against, and later down the road our leader will be a bit psychotic because I think that would be alot of fun :p Feel free to lean on us as much as you want. As far as specific resources I haven't RP'd with my nation much yet so i can probably have some resources you might want. i was planning on having a mountanous region to the south anyway, Im sure I can "happen upon" some

Crookfur, we are interested. I had alonger post but it has ot be approved by the moderators or soemthing so i guess you can see it later.

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial Department of State
From: The Avisronite Department of State
Re: Industrialization

Basically, we want the following things:


An Avisronite government owned and built military installation on your shores.
An agreement that no other nation may construct such an installation.
Satisfaction that Colony West will embrace capitalism.


In return for:


An Avisronite government pledge to persuade Avisronite corporations to invest in Colony West.
Physical assistance in the upgrade of Colonial infrastructure.
Protection from the Armed Forces of the Libertarian Federation.


Is this agreeable?

[END]

The Greal government would like to be a ally of Colony West. You can get military protection from us also.

[Encrypted Message]

To: Avrison
From: The Colonial Department of State
Re: Industrialization

As we understand your terms you only want one military instillation, we can accept that. As for capitalism, we embrace capitalism per se, but its not exactly laisse-faire. There will be plenty of meddling form the government, but the basic tennets of capitalism (ie. that the means of production, distriubution and exchange of wealth is maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations) will be intact, becasue the government will only own a few industries namely: all arms manufacturing, some goverment owned farms (but not shutting ouw or even overshadowing private business, jsut enough to make sure the poor dont go hungry) and all casinos or other gambling-based industry. If this is acceptable for you, it is for us.

[END]

greal- we accept you as an ally

greal- we accept you as an ally


WE will send food right away, and also some weapons to help your army.

[Encrypted Message]

To: Avrison
From: The Colonial Department of State
Re: Industrialization

As we understand your terms you only want one military instillation, we can accept that. As for capitalism, we embrace capitalism per se, but its not exactly laisse-faire. There will be plenty of meddling form the government, but the basic tennets of capitalism (ie. that the means of production, distriubution and exchange of wealth is maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations) will be intact, becasue the government will only own a few industries namely: all arms manufacturing, some goverment owned farms (but not shutting ouw or even overshadowing private business, jsut enough to make sure the poor dont go hungry) and all casinos or other gambling-based industry. If this is acceptable for you, it is for us.

[END]

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial Department of State
From: The Avisronite Department of State
Re: Industrialization

You didn't reply to it specifically, and we need that reassurance before we invest in your nation: Are you prepared to deny all other nations military installations within your borders?

[END]

Greal- we don't need food, food is all we have to offer basically. We were the bread basket. Weapons are appreciated though.

Avisron- yes. I jsut metnitoned those two cause they needed clarifying.

Greal- we don't need food, food is all we have to offer basically. We were the bread basket. Weapons are appreciated though.





Can we send builders there to hlep you make factories?

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial State Department
From: The Avisronite Department of State
Re: Industrialization

Then it's official. Colony West is hereby considered an ally of the Libertarian Federation of Avison. At this time we're dispatching an amphibious fleet to begin relations between our nations. Thank you for your cooperation.

[END]

--Cotco, Avisron--

Scott Denver was a fairly normal Avisronite. He lived in the sleepy city of Cotco, he went to work at an office, and he longed for a day where the sun was out more than an hour.

He daily drive was always the same, too. He piloted his Zecka H75 Liberty down the coastline, passed the naval installation, and into a commercial district.

Something was different this morning, though. The large amphibious ships that were usually parked in the installations had vanished since he passed by here on his way home the day before.

"Hmm, something's up."

...

"I'm hungry."

Scott Denver didn't care about the missing naval fleet all that much.

Off the coast of the city, twenty amphibious transport ships were linking up with 10 ships carrying industrial supplies and a further 8 escort destroyers.

The LFA was investing in its future.

As now we are not allowed to set military bases in your nation we would like to build and embassy, and plant and military base out side of your nation, Gere Harbor, and that you put 200 of your soldiers in Gere Harbor with the GMSM (Greston Military Service Men) and the GFRTF ( General Foriegn Relations Task Force)

As now we are not allowed to set military bases in your nation we would like to build and embassy, and plant and military base out side of your nation, Gere Harbor, and that you put 200 of your soldiers in Gere Harbor with the GMSM (Greston Military Service Men) and the GFRTF ( General Foriegn Relations Task Force)

[OOC: What do you mean by putting it "outside of your nation?" No other nation here has even been named as bordering Colony West. How do you have permission to build a base somewhere?]

We don't need permission because it is a water base, I don't like putting a base in a nation I don't know well so I make it a water base. we are large water goers and have a large navy so we prefer water bases.

[OOC: "Water base" ? You mean a fleet?

No practiclaly it is a large dock that doesn't connect the land that is protected by a fleet

No practiclaly it is a large dock that doesn't connect the land that is protected by a fleet

[OOC: Ah. You do realise that if you build it within Colony Wests territorial waters, it's the same as building it within Colony West itself. Further, I don't see what the point of building something like this would be, anyway. To escape Colony Wests territorial waters you'd basically have to build it in the open ocean (which would be a MASSIVE financial and engineering marvel.) Can your budget really afford that?]

Greston- Im willing ot accept that, but I assume you are talkign about an off-shore platform type of thing which i assume you would want to build in coastal waters. All of the coastal waters near enough to us to be of use to you are teritorial waters which I think are probably considered part of our country, but We'd have to ask Avisron.

Greston- Im willing ot accept that, but I assume you are talkign about an off-shore platform type of thing which i assume you would want to build in coastal waters. All of the coastal waters near enough to us to be of use to you are teritorial waters which I think are probably considered part of our country, but We'd have to ask Avisron.

[OOC: See post #29.]

Greston- I guess Avisron answered that while I was typing mine. YOu would be more than welcome to build an embassy though.

Greal- We would appreciate the help with constructing factories, yes.

Avisron I know it would be breaking your deal but I am not a large threat to you, your about twice as big as I am a twice as strong, would it realy be that bad that I can't have a platform in his territorial water

[OOC: Are you talking OOCly or ICly?]

OOC: OOCly I forgot to put in the OOC: at the beginning

OOC: OOCly I forgot to put in the OOC: at the beginning

[OOC: Avisron has a very established strategic doctrine that normally prevents it from constructing a base in a foreign nation that allows other nations bases as well. Also, why do you need a military base? If you aren't planning on using your military for anything, wouldn't an embassy work just as well?]

OOC: actualy it says in one of the origanal posts that I would aid him in military, so if someone attacks him and I don't get there quik enough I have the deathes of thousands of people in my hands

OOC: Greston, seeing as how par tof the deal with Avisron was to not have any other military bases in my country I think I can absolve oyu form that commitment. After all, no offense to your nation, but it seems to me that even though I dont know what size you RP your militaries at, I am going to presume that he can afoord me better protection anyway since his pop is 1.8 billion and yours is 482 million.

IC: [Official Message]

To: Greston
From: The Colonial Department of State
Re: Military Bases

Dear Sir,

While we appreciate your commitment to our military well being I regret to inform you that I cannot permit you to construct a military base in our borders. We welcome and embassy exchange and would welcome your fleet to our waters on occasion as you would see fit and to dock in our harbours. Also, if you would like to send military advisors and imbed them wiht our forces you would be welcome.

[END]

Uphaus would also like to exchange embassies with Colony West.

OOC: I love your title btw, I think thats part of the reason you got so many responses and views!

Colony West would be glad to accept your ambassador.

OOC: Thanks, I thoguht it might grab more interest than just "help me"

OOC: actualy it says in one of the origanal posts that I would aid him in military, so if someone attacks him and I don't get there quik enough I have the deathes of thousands of people in my hands

[OOC: Or you could just say something like "Damn those Avisronites! They wouldn't let us in and look at what happened!" Of course, this would result in your nation becoming a supermarket, but at least you wouldn't have the deaths of thousands on your hands.]

OOC:
As it stands the only stipulation in the Avisron agreement is that no foreign military biuld their own base on Colonial soil, it says nothign at all about troops or equipment being based at Colonial facilities...

As for Off shore bases, if you had the resources to biuld Mobile Offshore ABses (MOBs) then you could position one outside of the Colonial EEZ (i.e. more than 200nm away from thier coast). But seeing as a MOB is a stupidly expensive investment i dount you would be sendign them out anywhere you didn't absolutly need one.

IC:
The discovery of the Avisron offer is generally met with snorts of derision within the Crookfur Foreign office, after all only a particualrly insecure nation would make such demands in exchange for thier assitance.
The Crookfur offer in comparision would be realtively loose agreement offering defence cooperation (including being able to use each others facilties and the possibility of personnel exchange programs), discounts on the range of equipment available from Crookfur Arms (http://z8.invisionfree.com/Crookfur_Arms/index.php?http://s8.invisionfree.com/Crookfur_Arms/), the commitment to purchase large quantities of agricultural produce and various other trade promises.

The Crookfur govenrment was of course willing to garuntee Colonial sovereignty if Colony West were to coem udner attack unless of course such an attakc was the result of a particularly stupid more on behalf of the Colonials.

OOC: Greston, seeing as how par tof the deal with Avisron was to not have any other military bases in my country I think I can absolve oyu form that commitment. After all, no offense to your nation, but it seems to me that even though I dont know what size you RP your militaries at, I am going to presume that he can afoord me better protection anyway since his pop is 1.8 billion and yours is 482 million.

OOC: While population does play a factor, there are other things such as economic strength, taxes, military spending etc which also affect things. You can use a calculator like NSdossier (google-able) to figure out stuff like this. A state of a couple hundred million with a powerful economy may well be more militarily powerful than a nation of billions with a crap economy.

In this case, Avisron does indeed have a better economy than Greston, but that may not always be true. For instance I have a lower population than both of them but a larger military budget than either, because I run a police state with high taxes and massive military spending.

IC:

By the time this piece of news crosses the desks of various important people in New Manth, the required military aid has, it seems, mostly been provided. Economic investment could prove promising, however... inquiries are made and feelers sent out to determine whether this brand-new coumtry would be a profitable market for New Manth to expand into.

A number of investment scouts are dispatched to the small new nation, to evaluate potential economic opportunities; namely, factory construction (employing the natives, of course), resource extraction, and, eventually, a long-term economic investment in the small country.

OOC again: What kind of natural resources does your country have? Also, do you have strict trade barriers/protectionism, high minimum wage laws, or other legal factors which would make economic investment unattractive?

OOC: I guess this is how Ill do it, Ill post what I have as sort of a preliminary report you would get from your investment scouts, and it will be the same report others wil get if they are looking at my country.

IC:
Classified: Report on natural resources in Colony West.

Terain:
Mostly plains with mountains in south and southwest.

Agricultural:
Colony West was founded as a bread basket colony for its previous owner, mangudai, becuase it provides much arable land, a whopping 45.7%. The main crops are corn and wheat but without a parent country devouring its resources it doesn't need that much food. Many of these crops can be replaced with Alfalfa, Cotton, Sorghum, Peanuts, a variety of vegetables, and possibly tobacco. Much promise for a beef based agriculture as well. The norther and southern lands are largely unpopulated. In the north east small peach orchards dot the landscape. Possibilities for other orhcards are high. In the east the fishing industry is taking off and could become a major employer.

Mining & Drilling:
In the south evidence points that htere may be rich deposits of natural resources, unexploited as of yet becuase of the lack of industrialization. Potential minerals to be found include iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, tungsten, and coal. The iron, nickel, and copper bring the most prevalent. Small prospectors claims control some of the gold, silver, and diamond deposits. The coal is mostly to the southeast and is entirely unexploited. It shows promise for a large deposit.
Petroleum and natural gas may be drilled for in the west and northwest. Potential unknown.

Other:
Timber industry may be devloped in North, especially to clear way for orchards. Main focus on timber so far has been to simply make room for farmlands. Abundant wildlife may make possible fur trade.

Government Factors:
The government supports international trade and so has fairly low tariffs, with the exception of wheat, corn, and barely which are all highly taxed imports. Minumum wage is 12 Coupons per hour which is about $5.75/hr in USD.

[OOC: As my signature says, I don't accept the numbers of any economic calculator or my NationStates page. It's too complicated for a basic income tax rating to say. For example, my nation has an insane sales tax of 25% on everything, and the government doesn't spend money on anything other than the highway system and police/military funding, so I have lots of money to throw around.

I'll have a post in a bit about the Avisronite fleet arriving.]

--The Avisronite Fleet--

Admiral Christine Stidham enjoyed missions such as this. Essentially, the Libertarian Federation was nation building. These types of investments would make the LFA rich(er) as years progressed and the nations industrialised. Eventually the LFA would have dozens of small satellite nations from which to pull needed resources.

"At least we're not having to fight anyone to build these little projects," Admiral Stidham thought to herself after reading an Avisronite Central Intelligence Division report on Colony West. "We'll just build some roads and some bridges and have ourselves a strategic ally."

Admiral Stidham was commanding the fleet from aboard one of the Focus-class Destroyers. Her office was a fairly lush compartment with dim lighting and lots of high definition screens from which she was constantly in touch with everything else in the fleet. She never even had to be on the bridge of this vessel if she didn't want to.

"I'm glad they invested in command and control shit. We can't shoot, but we can sure tell each other what we're doing..."

She hadn't really done anything since the fleet left Cotco. She got them in formation and then waited. There wasn't really anything to do. Suddenly, her laptop computer made a sound and opened to her inbox. She had an email from the bridge.

"Admiral, we're approaching Colony West. Orders?"

She waited a moment. She had read a massive A.C.I.D. packet on Colony West just a few moments earlier, but apparently they didn't know if there was an airport in the country or not. This was critical information for her.

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial State Department
From: Admiral Christine Stidham, 2nd Avisronite Expeditionary Fleet
Re: Airport?

Hello, I'm the commander of the Avisronite naval fleet that'll be the first wave of aid from the LFA to reach Colony West. Before we can begin to fully help you, I must know if you have any airports, and where they are, if applicable.

[END]

OOC: Yeah I know. I just use the calculators as a rough guide.

OOC: Also, if you don't have airports I'm sure my companies would happily accept contracts to build them, but I've sort of been assuming there is, thus my agents arriving so quickly. If not let me know and I will edit to describe how they arrive.

IC:

Reports are beginning to come in from the scouts, and promising ones at that. The country's massive agriculture is of not much interest to New Manthian corporations, at least initially. What is of much more interest is the presence of large coal and metal deposits in the south, and timber in the north - a valuable resource in a desert nation such as New Manth.

Agents are already on their way to purchase large tracts of logging land in the north and mining rights in the south - hopefully at a fairly low price as the areas are sparsely populated and any hick farmers in the area might well not know what lies under their land, especially in a nonindustrialized country such as this. Meanwhile, corporate representatives arrive in the capitol, armed with proposals of economic aid and painting pictures of an industrialised, wealthy nation in the makings, in return for the colonial government awarding contracts to New Manthian corporations and making the process of entry into the country's markets as smooth as possible. In addition to resource extraction in the north and south, the representatives propose urban development projects to help increase the manufacturing capacity of the largely agricultural country. Companies such as Mattan Textiles, Integrated Auto and SCC Group, promise to build factories employing thousands of Colony West workers in exchange for large urban development contracts.

Geologists from Alexandria Steel and Oil, the largest company in all New Manth, trek west preparing to conduct seismic surveys, analyze the regoin's geology, perform magnetic and gravitational analysis, and even make a few test drills, all aimed at making preliminary estimates on the size of the country's oil fields and whether they would prove profitable. If so, Alexandria is poised to buy up drilling rights in the same manner as the mining companies, in a move that would promise to provide jobs to thousands of the Colonial populace.

[OOC: If Colony West DOESN'T have an airport, assume these guys came in across the border.]

IC:

The first of the promised Avisronite corporations finally move to advance their positions within Colony West. Zecka Corporation, whose core business is in automotives, sends a delegation to the capitol in hopes of securing plots of land at dirt cheap prices in order to build three massive manufacturing facilities. The Zecka delegation, understanding how to persuade government officials, makes talk of creating nearly 60,000 jobs, expanding the infrastructure of the southeast, and reinvesting money back into the urban centers of the nation. All of this will eventually lead to Zecka creating a dealership network and becoming the dominating automobile manufacturer in the nation by selling efficient, reliable, and safe vehicles.

Similarly, Zecka Energy, llc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zecka Corporation (a major strategic conglomerate), sees promise in the massive agriculture sector of Colony West and promptly dispatches agents to the capitol. These agents speak of the need for renewable fuels, solar power, wind power, and the possibility of creating massive zones along the coastline where oceanic currents drive turbines. Promises of a clean, cheap, and reliable power grid are made. Essentially, Zecka Energy is preparing to completely upgrade Colony Wests power supply grid.

OOC: Ok, I hav eworked on this most of the afternoon. This Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12751235&posted=1#post12751235) should give you all the info you need on Colony West. Can you think of anythign else you'll need to know? Aside form the names of leaders that is, Im planning on adding htose later but for now they aren't important and Im kidna tired of making this stuff up for now.

IC: Colony West warmly greets Zecka Corporation. We are glad you found your way to the airpor there in Colony City despite a state department secretarie's gross mistake of misplacing your telegram. Your development oppurtunities sound promising.

Sarah Lynch, the New Britonian Foreign Minister, sat onboard the Boeing 747, International One Foxtrot. The plane began to take off to land in the new nation of Colony West.
"This will be labled as humanitarian aid, New Brittonia will be labeled as the geatest nation in the world, and yet we are a neutral non-belligerent.", Sarah Lynch thought, "The ComIntern will be pleased about this."

The plane took off from the capitol of Epsom to meet with one of the newest leaders of one of the newest nations.

--Zecka Corporation--

Zecka Corporation, after recieving permission to begin its investments, quickly begins shipping in a nearly constant supply of building supplies, vehicles, and engineers. The Avisronite transportation company this had been contracted to would surely be made rich overnight.

By the time the initial wave of equipment had arrived, advance agents had already chosen three sites. These sites, which are all located in different regions of the nation, share two common traits. They're each near the ocean, and they're each very, very large.

To a testament of Zecka Corporations management system, the aforementioned agents also contract nearly every local construction company and individual.

In a propaganda-esque move, Zecka Corporation advertises its massive investments in every newspaper it can find.

--The Avisronite Military--

"Now, as most of you know, we asked for only a single military installation," Admiral Stidham started while addressing several of her sub-commanders. "Essentially, this is correct. What we didn't say is that this installation is going to have its own airport, massive command and storage bunkers, a large naval port, and some hidden nuclear missile silos."

There was a light, collective chuckle within the room.

"We're building a massive wall around it, too. This is a massive undertaking. We can control a whole theater of war from here. Our job is to go in and set up our own airport. The main Colonial airport would be jammed for years just trying to bring in the materials for the wall we're putting around this puppy."

Another light, collective chuckle.

"You guys are going to get your stuff ready tonight and begin transporting to shore using the LTAC's at 6 tomorrow morning. You know the deal. Build me a fucking runway."

OOC: Can I assume that I've made most of the necessary purchases and can start mining/logging/whatnot and pumping money into the economy? Also, what's your government got to say about the other offers (factories, urban development contracts, etc)

Bump

New Manth- We accept all offers for help building factories for Mattan Textiles and Integrated Auto, urban development contracts, etc. Before we approve the SCC Group we would like to know what they do.

New Brittonia: His Majesty the President Lewis greets Sarah Lynch. We can schedule an appoitment to meet this afternoon about one hour after your plane is scheduled to land in Colony City. We can have a limo meet you at the airport and bring you directly to the palace if you so please.

I realise this is a bit late, but i'd be glad to help a smaller developing nation any time.

Antigr: We woudl be glad to accept you as an ally, however through contracts both public and private we have met all our needs for economic development at this time.

GEM Engineering is willing to send architectual consultants to Colony West for city planning, design of government buildings, and infrastructure layout design.

Candiran Empire: We are glad to accept your assistance. No doubt with the exapnsion of the mining, timber, and petroleum industries we are sure to have boomtowns in the sparesely populated extremities of the North, West, and Southern Mountains.

The Holy Empire of Lord Sumguy wishes to show it's goodwill by offering special forces training for soldiers of Colony West as well as inviting Colony West to join the Hegemony: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=527729

Lord Sumguy: We regret that we do not wish to join the hegemony and that we already have several foreign specialists and advisors embedded or preparing to be embedded with our military to provide special training. We would, however, welcome you as an ally and of course welcome you to exchange ambassadors with us.

--The Avisronite Fortress--

After several full days of construction a fairly simple (dirt) airstrip is created on the Colonial coastline. While its construction is hardly an engineering marvel, it does serve a highly important role in the Avisonite mission. Namely, Avisronite military personnel wouldn't have to sit in ships for weeks to get into the country.

They had to risk becoming a fireball at the end of a improvised landing strip - but at least they wouldn't waste much time getting there.

After the first several flights prove that the runway is reliable, massive loads of supplies are shipped in. The initial goals include setting up storage areas, a defensive perimeter, and living areas for all the Avisronite soldiers who are ferrying through the country.

Colony West,
As an Ally, I will consider your nation a military protectorate. Also, should you require them, my Imperial Navy will be retiring our destroyer force soon. I could have the 10 ships transferred to your nation as the start of a Defense Fleet. A few submarines could also be worked into the deal. All I ask in exchange is your nations friendship.

Tirus, Hign King of Delkor

Delkor- That would be most appreciated. Our entire navy as of now consists of only one submarine, one destroyer, and four frigates (smaller than a destroyer, not bigger like in the U.S.). We are currently in the proscess of constructing two more frigates, a submarine, and a destroyer, but needless to say the adition of your offered ships will be a great boost. We only attained these ships through their defection from Mangudai in favor of our cause in the war of independence. The one battleship that also defected was destroyed in the war, and three of our four frigates have only recently completed repairs at our ports and as such most of the vessels we have patroling our waters are nothing more than lightly armed merchant ships pressed inot temporary service.

Sarah looked at the message on her Blackberry and texted back,
"I am sorry but there are important packages in some C-130s so we need to meet on International1 foxtrot.
Sarah Lynch"

OOC: SCC Group: computers, stereo systems, mobile phones, and all sorts of other fiddly electronic devices. Factories would be mostly manifacturing various components.

IC:

Soon, the initial influx of scouts is followed by waves of New Manthian supervisors, arriving to oversee the construction of factories and plan new city streets, neighborhoods, power plants and all else that will be necessary to serve the factories and their workers, and backed up by contractors who will accomplish the actual construction of these facilities... hiring local workers, of course. Work begins on the first factory, a supermassive Mattan Textiles industrial complex which when complete will be capable of employing over ten thousand workers directly and providing many more jobs indirectly through outlets, materials and such. Other conglomerates quickly follow suit and factories, malls, outlet stores and processing plants begin to spring up across Colony West.

Of course, menial workers will be paid minimum wage only, but that will likely still be attractive compared to agricultural labor, especially considering that the factories can offer dependable employment year-round, and not tied to the growing season.

Meanwhile, large numbers of deep-pocketed Manthians descend upon northern towns, hiring thousands of men to begin the process of harvesting the great northern forests. Prospectors continue to move through the west, buying up any land that proves promising for future drilling. In the south, massive cargo ships arrive in any ports large enough to hold them, unloading literally thousands of tons of heavy mining equipment.

Ministry of State

Our government is interested in your emergence in the world stage and would like to discuss plans for further cooperation. We need raw materials and a site for a new military facility in the region, and our strategic planning suggests to us that your nation would be well suited for our needs. The time has come for us to better project our regional force, and you are suited to this position.

We ask that you provide our nation with these opportunities, and in return we will offer financial and military aid.

Regards,
Valerian Kosyachenko, Ministry of State

Portland, Galicia Nueve Oeste
United Kingdom of Oceania

Between the screeching calls of gulls, the cold steel hulls of tethered destroyers groaned against the concrete pier linking them to the shores where the fronds of the looming palms rustled quietly in the calm subtropical breeze. Behind the breakwaters, patrol ships of the Royal Navy lay at anchor while ratings and officers moved about the decks, pushing and securing crates upon launches and skiffs weaving their way between the warships of the Royal Navy.

Behind a wall of secure plate glass, a man with close cropped light brown hair stood behind a collection of medals and ribbons upon his chest. Upon his shoulders the gold bands of the rank of commodore. Donald Cook looked out upon his small task force, a force of ships that upon arriving at its destination would shrink dramatically as four of the tethered destroyers would at long last lower the white ensign of the Royal Navy. Out beyond the breakwater, with the slow and gentle rolling waves of the Azazian Sea quietly sliced by her clipper bow, lay the HMS Defiant, a new Dauntless class frigate that was to be his flagship.

Ordinarily, as a commodore, Cook would have been assigned a cruiser. Yet, the sensitivity of his mission as, in effect, a senior training officer to a developing nation meant the United Kingdom wanted as minimal an oppressive footprint. And so Cook's flagship would be the frigate, as advanced as it may be. By week's end, the Defiant would be departing with four Type 02 destroyers designed primarily for littoral patrol work as well as two Type 05 frigates and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary oiler and another loaded with surplus stores and ammunition. They would also be joined by two amphibious transports carrying vehicles and materiel for Royal Army and Royal Marine forces.

The Type 02 destroyers tethered together, groaning against the pier were to be transferred to the new Colonial West navy. Their crews selected to help train the Colonial sailors. And along with Cook were sailing several expert officers to help train a Colonial officer corps. The amphibious transports were similarly carrying supplies for the forces deploying to train and support the new Colonial ground forces. In three week's time the training would officially begin.

Vetalia- we regret that we cannot allow you to build a military base in our borders as it would be a breach of our contracts with Avisron. Additionally it is unlikely you will be able to purhcase mining rights in Colony West as New Manthian corporations have purchased mining rights in the south (Friesland and the southernmost parts of Dour) and First United Miners of Colony West is established through most of Dour. The CEO of FUMCW has asked me to inquire what sort of raw materials you need, however, as you are a welcome addition to our list of allies and we wouldbe happy to sell you what is not needed in Colony West for the development of our industry, infrastructure, and military.

New Manth- SCC group approved. Also, our government notices the heavy mining equipment arriving in Franchburg and Habrigtol ((the two large southern ports)) We wonder if you require an assistance moving the equipment as our railroads only go as far souhteast as Pottersdon. If any of it can be airlifted there is a moderately sized commercial airport in Habrigtol that can connect with Edwardsville from where you can take the railroad down to Neil. From Franchburg you will need to take overland transport to Pottersdon from where you can take the railroad west and south.

New Brittonia- I am afraid we don't know what C-130s you are talking about? however, we can meet aboard your plane if you wish to land in Colony City Airport.

OOC: Azazia, how long do you figure three weeks RP time will be in real time for you? Also, maybe we could do the whole training thing in another thread and leave this one for industrial development and the like.

One last thing, as our aeronautics industry plans on developing and building our own air force does anyone here have any suggestions about "designing" aircraft? Im pretty much planning on basing our aircraft off of what first world nations that aren't world powers had in the 80's and 90's. My model for the size and structure of my air force right now is going to be based off the royal malaysian air force with the numbers cut to about 40% of theirs.

--The Power Grid--

All across Colony West new power lines begin going up. Power plants, in the form of solar farms, wind turbines, and hydroelectric turbines along the coastline begin providing electricity to the grid. While still uncompleted, the grid begins gathering new subscribers. The investment begins to make a profit long before it is even completed.

--Raytta Corporation--

Finally, one of Avisons largest investing corporations sends agents into the capitol of Colony West. Essentially a small conglomerate, Raytta Corporation has core businesses in retail sales, communications, banking, and private security.

They speak of making the Colonial consumer the backbone of the economy, establishing a first-world communications network, securing the finances of the nation, and providing tens of thousands of secure service industry jobs.

Further, they discuss plans of completely upgrading the infrastructure around their proposed stores, effectively presenting the most grass-roots effort yet to upgrade infrastructure.

Avisron- Colony West welcomes the Raytta Corporation. We welcome all of your branches, but we have special requests for your communication brach. We wish to contract to use your satelites for the next ten years, but we wish to develop our own domestically owned satellites in that time. It would be quite useful to us if you could provide us with information about your satelites so we can make sure that when we do eventually switch our satelites will be compatible with our cell phones, GPS, and other devices. Also, we expect a boom in the use of personal computers, so internet connections are a priority for us as well.

New Manth- We would like to request that the SCC Group put special emphasis on Personal and Business computers. Fewer than one in twelve Colonials owns a personal computer.

Avisron- Colony West welcomes the Raytta Corporation. We welcome all of your branches, but we have special requests for your communication brach. We wish to contract to use your satelites for the next ten years, but we wish to develop our own domestically owned satellites in that time. It would be quite useful to us if you could provide us with information about your satelites so we can make sure that when we do eventually switch our satelites will be compatible with our cell phones, GPS, and other devices. Also, we expect a boom in the use of personal computers, so internet connections are a priority for us as well.

[Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: Raytta Corporation

We're glad to hear that we're welcome within your country. You have expressed interest in utilising our satellites. What kind of use did you have in mind? Military/government use, or simply to support your private internet?

Speaking of the private internet of Colony West, we fear that if multiple internet service providers are allowed into the nation, it could slow the process of setting up the network as a whole. Would it be possible to sign a contracting making Raytta Corporation the sole provider of internet services within the colonial area?

[END]

OOC: Vetalia, I've already bought up the rights to extract natural resources & raw materials like crazy, but as an ally I'd be more than willing to sell you whatever you need at a discounted price. Also, Colony West, I'll take you up on that offer to help transport mining equipment, though I do intend to significantly extend the rail network to make shipping easier, once I've gotten initial operations going.

New Manth- We would like to request that the SCC Group put special emphasis on Personal and Business computers. Fewer than one in twelve Colonials owns a personal computer.

A SCC Group representative grins as he receives the message.

"Ah, the untapped market." he chuckles to himself. "Such a beautiful thing..."

Soon a message goes back to the Colonial government"

"SCC Group is happy to inform you that we are more than capable of meeting all the needs of the modern Colonial citizen. We provide products for all ranges of customers, ranging from recreational PCs to business-oriented computers, all the way up to ultramodern military-grade computing platforms. We also can provide cheap and reliable mobile phone and wireless internet coverage though our subsidiary groups.

As soon as construction of major outlets has been completed, our products will be available to the general market, though we have selected a number of Colonial citizens to receive promotional packages, free of charge, as a gesture of goodwill and a sign of our optimism in the future of Colony West."

Across Colony West

True to their word, SCC Group had indeed selected a number of visible Colonials - local leaders, politicians, celebrities or other famous individuals, and even war heros from the recent independence conflict to receive free laptops, portable music players, and other SCC products. Advertising banners go up even before construction on most outlets is completed, aiming to stoke interest and build anticipation for Colony West's fast-approaching modernization.

Meanwhile, more Manthian corporations move in by the day. North Egypt Electric announces plans to provide coal-fired power to several Colonial cities, which it promises will be much cheaper and more reliable than Avisronian wind and solar power generators. "Besides," says a company spokesman, "it's just nuts to cover acres and acres of Colony West's wonderful agricultural land with solar panels and wind farms. And who wants to look out the window and see a great big ugly windmill instead of a beautiful countryside? Coal power is much cheaper, more compact, more efficient, and with fully modern firing facilities which capture and store most pollution before it leaves the plant, more eco-friendly as well. And what's more, using coal power will be a way to reinvest Colony West's natural resources back into the local economy."

United States of Zoingo

The United States of Zoingo like to be an ally of Colony West and help it emerge as a strong nation. We would like to invest in your major cities downtown districts and as well as (if possible) invest in mining in the south and northwest areas. Other things we can provide as follows:
Money
Bank Services
Doctors
Transportation Needs (railroads)
Tankers and Cargo ships
please consider

President Masaquine

Yes, we need to have the meeting on International one Foxtrot.

Zecka Energy Corporation Press Release to Colonial Public

Zecka Energy Corporation would like to respond to the ludicrous claims made by North Egypt Electric earlier today. Particularly, their claims that their product will be cheaper and more effective.

This statement, while obviously nothing more than promotional bullshit, is a very dangerous one to make.

Zecka Corporation has prided itself on being a "new" type of company. We've never lied to anyone just to turn a profit, and we've never exploited people to make our returns larger.

North Egypt Electric, on the other hand, is attempting to mislead you. Of course building a coal plant on a single city block can do the job of acres of wind turbines, but at what cost? Colony West is a beautiful, beautiful place. Why is that? Because a lack of industrialisation prevented massive coal plants from going up everywhere.

Essentially, buying your electricity from North Egypt Electric will destroy the environment of this great nation. Do you really want that to happen?

OOC: New Brittonia- ok, then land in the airport and the President will meet you

IC: Zoingo- we welcome you as an ally, however money, banking and transportation needs are being met by other countries and there is almost no land left with much promise for mining left unspoken for by the FUMCW, International investors, and private prospectors who were too stubborn to sell out to either. As for doctors, we already train fine doctors at our nations two universities. We are curious about what you mean by investing in our downtown districts?

New Manth- you are cleared to proceed with a limited number of projects developing coal power in Dour. We will evaluate the effectvieness of your coal power plants against Avisron's power supply and the few natural gas and gethermal power plants. As drilling is done in the west we are sure to find new sources of natural gas as well as petroleum so we will have the capability before long to expand our natural gas power. It would be wise to continue developing it in southern Dour however as if it meets our needs it is almost certain we will ask you to expand into Friesland. Even if Northern Dour is run off natural gas, it would liekly be inneficient to run lines all the way down to friesland when we can use locally mined coal. On a final note we are happy to be able to help you move your mining equipment. As we speak it is being unloaded from the planes in Edwardsville and the train carrying the rest is nearing the Dour border. The equipment shall arrive in Neil tommorow.
SCC Group: We are very happy with the potential of what you can provide for us. We do regret that at least one thing you offern, internet access, will likely be contracted exclusively to the Raytta Corporation of Avisron for the next three years. After such time, feel free to expand into the market to compete with Raytta.

Avisron-Raytta Corporation- We would be pleased to sign a contract guranteeing that you will be the sole internet provider in Colony West for the next three years and if and when other competitors do emerge we will also gurantee your company as the preferred provider for all government and military operated fascilities for the next three after that. In exchange we ask that you provide us with land line cable internet connection as well as wireless. Also, pertaining to the use of the satelites, we do not wish to use them for military or governmental purposes, but instead to provide private internet, cell phone, and GPS connection for our citizens. We feel that this would be a mutually beneficial agreement as we fulfill our promise to the citizens to bring Colony West into the 21st century, and you enable the widespread use of such devices which woudl be sure to give your retail stores a warm market.

Avisron-Zecka Energy Corporation- we have cleared North Egypt Electricity for a small number of projects in Dour to evaluate the efficeincy, cost, environmental impact, and other factors of their coal plants. If they do indeed cause severe pollution they will be shut down. If they are competetive in that region it may be more beneficial to us to develop coal power in the provinces of Dour and Friesland, makign use of the natural resources to be found there. It is highly unlikely that coal power will replace your wind and solar powered power plants in the norhtern or central provinces. After our evaluation of both of the energy providers, we will decide which industry to expand into Mooreland and Garret, whose spare populations receive most of their power from our few hydroelectric power stations in those regions. It is possible we will require neither alternative as neither Mooreland nor Garret have the abundance of natural resources that are sure to bring about a boom in the other edge provinces.
On a happier note we are getting requests from farmers in Easter Shaw, Norhtern Wiens, and the northern most parts of Mooreland to purchase individual wind turbines, as many beleive that one or two turbines will help to eliminate or reduce their dependency on the more costly power they buy from energy companies.

Avisron-Raytta Corporation- We would be pleased to sign a contract guranteeing that you will be the sole internet provider in Colony West for the next three years and if and when other competitors do emerge we will also gurantee your company as the preferred provider for all government and military operated fascilities for the next three after that. In exchange we ask that you provide us with land line cable internet connection as well as wireless. Also, pertaining to the use of the satelites, we do not wish to use them for military or governmental purposes, but instead to provide private internet, cell phone, and GPS connection for our citizens. We feel that this would be a mutually beneficial agreement as we fulfill our promise to the citizens to bring Colony West into the 21st century, and you enable the widespread use of such devices which woudl be sure to give your retail stores a warm market.

[Message]

To: The Colonial Goverment
From: Raytta Corporation

Within the next few weeks we'll be launching satellites into orbit to uphold our end of the bargain. It'll take several more weeks to have them operational, regardless. Further, we need time to construct a RayttaNet Data Center within Colony West. Construction of this facility has already started.

Moreso, we're moving our professional construction team into the region to begin building our landline, cellular, and GPS networks. Within a year, hopefully, all of these networks will be fully finished along with our retail distribution ring.

The retail ring will consist of some 100 stores dispensed within both urban and rural settings. These stores will sell the best products Avison has to offer at a very, very low rate. They will also provide banking services and fuel, along with an instore restaurant.

Something you may wish to look into is contracting our security wing, RayttaSecurity, to protect all the infrastructure that's being built within your country. As we've learned in the past, when agricultural nations are transformed into industrial ones over night, there's always a small group of people who choose that blowing things up will make the factories go away. It would be a major setback for things to start blowing up.

[END]

Avisron-Zecka Energy Corporation- we have cleared North Egypt Electricity for a small number of projects in Dour to evaluate the efficeincy, cost, environmental impact, and other factors of their coal plants. If they do indeed cause severe pollution they will be shut down. If they are competetive in that region it may be more beneficial to us to develop coal power in the provinces of Dour and Friesland, makign use of the natural resources to be found there. It is highly unlikely that coal power will replace your wind and solar powered power plants in the norhtern or central provinces. After our evaluation of both of the energy providers, we will decide which industry to expand into Mooreland and Garret, whose spare populations receive most of their power from our few hydroelectric power stations in those regions. It is possible we will require neither alternative as neither Mooreland nor Garret have the abundance of natural resources that are sure to bring about a boom in the other edge provinces.
On a happier note we are getting requests from farmers in Easter Shaw, Norhtern Wiens, and the northern most parts of Mooreland to purchase individual wind turbines, as many beleive that one or two turbines will help to eliminate or reduce their dependency on the more costly power they buy from energy companies.

[Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: Zecka Energy Corporation

We understand the need to use certain natural resources that already exist. It was just hard for us to stand by while a competitor led the public to believe our product was inferior.

We're sending teams out to install those individual turbines as we speak.

[END]

Raytta Corporation- We already have our own security forces protecting our harbors, airports, water treatment facilities, and the few factories that were in existence before our independence. As for power plants and factories being built, they are owned and operated predominately by the Zecka, North Egypt Electric, and SCC Group corporations as well as your own. While the industrialization of our country promises to bring us wealth, it must be rememberd that too short of time has passd for us to see the fruits of our efforts and we have little seed money left to pay for the services of your security wing. While in the long term we hope to be able to help these foreign corporations protect the investements they have in our country, for now it woudl be best if you contacted these corporations to see if they woudl be willing to pay for your services. We do, however, have some primary security concerns that we will hire your teams to protect
These are:
The coal plants being tested in the south and the largest of the natural gas plants in operation throughout Shaw and New Kingsland, coal and natural gas seem to represent the "evils" of industrialization much more than our cleaner energy sources.
The major railroad bridges along the main line through Dour and Friesland.
The banks being set up by your corporation in Colony City, Port Royal, Port Firegrove, and Creighton.
The major factories operating in Creighton and factories producing weapons, computers, communications technology, and mining equipment in Watershed as thes two cities are at the most risk for these incidents.
Post offices, power, telegraph, and phone lines, and the train depot in Princeton. Being the hometown to the President it may draw special attention.

International one Foxtrot and the two C-130's waited for the president to come arrive.

The president was escorted to the airplane by five special security agents and followed by his chief of staff. Two Security agents entered the plane first and looked aroudn to make sure that no ambush was waiting for the president, then beckoned the other three to escort the president onto the plane. As he entered the plane President Lewis saw a sharply dressed, important looking woman before him. "Ah," said the President, giving a slight bow while keeping his face toward her, as was the customary Colonial sign of respect for one whom was in a rank slightly lower than your own, "Foreign Minister Lynch, I presume?"

Sarah bowed and said,
"Oh, God I probably did that wrong. So, have a seat anywhere."

President Lewis chuckled warmly. "No, no, you bow well. I don't know how many foreigners (pardon me for saying so, especially women) try to do a ridiculous flourish with their hands or bend their knees while bowing." At her invitation the president sat down on a seat facing her "Now Ms. Lynch (or is it Mrs. in your culture?), what brings you to Colony West? I daresay that you didn't fly here for bowing lessons" THe president chuckeld at his own joke, but did not leave room for a reply, "And I would also wager that those C-130's you flew in aren't empty either." He allowed himself to relax a bit as he was saying this last sentence and now, again giving her no time to respond to his former inquiry he pulled a flask from his inner pocket and made to open it "Do you mind if I have a bit of a drink? Hard cider from my hometown this is."

[Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: Raytta Corporation
Re: Security

We understand that your government is stretched to the limits in terms of available capital at this moment. If it would help your situation any, we'd be willing to allow you to pay at a later date.

We'd like to add that, given the circumstances of this massive and sudden growth, you're handling of the situation has been very, very professional.

With all of that said, we're moving to set up defensive positions around the infrastructure. You can rest assured that these valuable pieces of your nation will remain safe with RayttaSecurity.

[END]

--The Avisronite Fortress--

The lifeline of the Avisronite military presense in Colony West continues to rapidly grow. The airstrip is paved and extended. In a completely new addition to the yet unnamed fortress, a massive area for aircraft to unload, taxi, or refuel is added. Massive warehouses are quickly constructed, and an influx of new and highly skilled personnel results in jokes about "rolling up to the capitol and taking over."

President Lewis chuckled warmly. "No, no, you bow well. I don't know how many foreigners (pardon me for saying so, especially women) try to do a ridiculous flourish with their hands or bend their knees while bowing." At her invitation the president sat down on a seat facing her "Now Ms. Lynch (or is it Mrs. in your culture?), what brings you to Colony West? I daresay that you didn't fly here for bowing lessons" THe president chuckeld at his own joke, but did not leave room for a reply, "And I would also wager that those C-130's you flew in aren't empty either." He allowed himself to relax a bit as he was saying this last sentence and now, again giving her no time to respond to his former inquiry he pulled a flask from his inner pocket and made to open it "Do you mind if I have a bit of a drink? Hard cider from my hometown this is."

Sarah said, "It is fine, although I don't drink. And it is Ms. I'm not married. Let me start you off, have you heard of the term, 'neo-colonialism'?"

Raytta Corporation- We regret that at this time we feel that since the industrial expansion is happening largely in the less populated sectors anyway and the factories are mostly emplying people who had been unemployed beforehand and not taking too many young men away from the farms, the risk of destructive incidents in the areas we have not already emplyed your guards do not warrant indebting ourselves to you at htis moment. If the risk seems to grow we will consider hiring additional security from your firm.

Sarah said, "It is fine, although I don't drink. And it is Ms. I'm not married. Let me start you off, have you heard of the term, 'neo-colonialism'?"

The Chief of Staff grimmaced and the President finished a long draw from his flask before responding in a slower, more deliberate voice. "Yes, I have. Why do you ask?" Many thoughts began running through the presidents head about what this womans intentions were.

The Confederacy of Liberal Men and Women would like to tender an alliance with the Colony of Colony West with the following points:

1. Should one of the involved nations be attacked, the other is compelled to come to its defense, if so requested by the attacked nation.
2. Should one of the involved nations, in an offensive war, be invaded, and ask for assistance, the other nation is compelled only to assist in repelling the invasion and no more.
3. Should one of the nations be an aggressor in a war, the other is not required to help in any way, but nor is it discouraged from assisting.
4. Any and all trade between the two nations, which is encouraged, but not required by this pact, should be conducted with minimal taxing and tariffs and shall obey all laws of the sovereign nations.
5. This pact neither disallows nor discourages other alliances for the two nations.

(OOC: don't worry about the requests for help, the Confederacy are a proud people, and also understanding. It is more for you to do toward us, but it is easier to leave the channel open both ways.)

In addition, regardless of the status of the above treaty, we offer you an embassy on our soil. Please refer to the link in my sig for more information and the application.

Lastly, we would be willing to sell you a number of surplus CF-10B (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/The_Cairhienen_Corporation/CF-10#CF-10B) fighter jets. The CF-10 is a copy of the American F-4 Phantom II, which was later upgraded to surpass the Phantom and keep up with more modern fighters. This upgrade includes the ability to supercruise, longer range, greater maneuverability, and numerous other minor tweaks to increase performance. We would ask only $4 million a piece, and have 432 that we can sell (total cost is $1,728 million for all of them, or 1,243,165,467.63 coupons)

The Chief of Staff grimmaced and the President finished a long draw from his flask before responding in a slower, more deliberate voice. "Yes, I have. Why do you ask?" Many thoughts began running through the presidents head about what this womans intentions were.

"OK, I have this thought. . . this inkling, call it women's intuition or ESP, but I think that these nations and companies are using you, for their profit."

Liberal Men and Women- we accept your alliance. As for the aircraft you may here from us later, but at this time we plan on developing our own designs, some based on RW aircracft and some based on designs shared with us by current allies.

Zecka Energy Corporation Press Release to Colonial Public

Zecka Energy Corporation would like to respond to the ludicrous claims made by North Egypt Electric earlier today. Particularly, their claims that their product will be cheaper and more effective.

This statement, while obviously nothing more than promotional bullshit, is a very dangerous one to make.

Zecka Corporation has prided itself on being a "new" type of company. We've never lied to anyone just to turn a profit, and we've never exploited people to make our returns larger.

North Egypt Electric, on the other hand, is attempting to mislead you. Of course building a coal plant on a single city block can do the job of acres of wind turbines, but at what cost? Colony West is a beautiful, beautiful place. Why is that? Because a lack of industrialisation prevented massive coal plants from going up everywhere.

Essentially, buying your electricity from North Egypt Electric will destroy the environment of this great nation. Do you really want that to happen?

Official Statement, North Egypt Electric Public Relations

"North Egypt Electric is distressed that Zecka Energy Corporation feels it necessary to attempt to sabotage our projects in the eyes of the Colonial government before they are even built, rather than letting the market determine the winner. Then again, perhaps they fear that their massive, expensive wind farms and solar collectors would be unable to compete in a fair market environment with cheap, abundant coal power, and that is why they seek to have the Colonial government shut down our plants preemptively. Perhaps they are afraid that their plan to build extremely costly power generators, with the Colony West people footing the ultimate bill, of course, will fail in the face of an alternative not only cheaper, but more environmentally friendly alternative.

Furthermore, we would like to point out the laughability of Zecka's claim that covering countless miles with windmills and solar panels will somehow preserve Colony West's natural beauty more effectively than building compact coal power plants in already-existing urban environments. Zecka's proposal will destroy Colony West's countryside far more effectively than SCC Group, since it requires the conversion of massive tracts of agricultural land or pristine wilderness into wind and solar farms. SCC Group is proud of its strong environmental record and has spent billions to improve existing technology to a clean level, rather than putting its faith in technologies that promise far more than they can deliver.

We are confident that our plants will deliver power both cheaper and more environmentally friendly than Zecka can offer, and we applaud the Colonial government's wisdom in allowing competition in a free and fair market to determine the outcome, rather than allowing itself to be swayed by Zecka's rhetoric."

Construction begins on four North Egypt Electric plants immediately. It has now become a matter of corporate pride - not to mention the energy markets of Colony West hanging in the balance - that the plants prove both as cheap and as efficient as had been claimed. Price is not prove a problem - after all, the competiton is massively expensive wind and solar power, and that gives a very large price margin to work with. Advanced filters are installed, facilities are placed to clean incoming coal of major chemical impurities, and coal burned will undergo pyrolysis and gasification, significantly increasing efficiency and decreasing pollution. And all this will be accomplished in a space less that that of a city block.

"OK, I have this thought. . . this inkling, call it women's intuition or ESP, but I think that these nations and companies are using you, for their profit."

The President gave a wan smile to this woman sitting in front of him. "Ma'am, with all due respect I am glad you are looking out for us, but do you think we are so blind? Of course they are using us for their profit, but I have intentionally encouraged several investors so that no one nation can exert hegemony over us. And even if they are makign a profit off of us, so what? It is for our profit too, not at our expense. You are surely not suggesting we coudl have done all this in as short of a time without their help?

--Zecka Energy Corporation--

After reviewing the growing corporate battle with North Egypt Electric, Zecka Energy determines that it must up its investment in Colony West in order to successfully compete with the competition.

One evening at the capitol airport a small ZeckaJet arrives. Planes like this have been ferrying Avisronite businessmen into and out of the country for weeks now. The sight is fairly uncommon.

This goal of this mission, however, is very different than all the others.

The Avisronite businessmen meet with the same Colonial officials as before. This time, however, they introduce a plan to significantly scale down the hydroelectric generators they were initially going to put in place and instead replace them with ethanol powerplants.

Before North Egypt Electric showed up, Zecka had every intention of merely building a rural grid to supply the lifeblood of the region, farming, and then expanding it to compete in rural centers. This, however, was appearing to be a mistake. Competition had appeared so fast that those urban centers would be completely under subscription before Zecka even had its generators built.

This, however, would change. Ethanol, the fuel of the Avisronite stations, was produced by local farmers. Farmers would get rich from selling their harvest to Zecka. Whenever North Egypt Electric purchased coal for its plants it wasn't Colonials that made a profit. It was the foreign owned mining companies of the south.

This fact was subtly published in local newspapers early and often in an attempt to drum up patriotism.

....companies which while they may be foreign-owned are actually employing tens of thousands of Colonials, and reinvesting profits into the local economy, run the inevitable counter-editorials, none of which are explicitly paid for by North Egypt Electric. Cartoons are also run extensively; one in particular, depicts a fat, slovenly giant leaping from one old, rotting wooden boat full of holes - labeled 'Solar and Wind Power' - to another just as decrepit - labeled 'Ethanol.' Off in the distance a gleaming modern cruiser sits, full of strong, handsome young men - 'Colonial Coal Workers' - pointing and laughing at the ungainly giant.

The giant, of course, bears the label 'Zecka.'

Another cartoon shows the same fat mogul hefting a stone in one hand and preparing to throw it at a burly young working-man, labeled 'North Egypt Electric.' A speech bubble comes out of the giant's mouth, "No to Foreign-Owned Companies!"

Scribbled glass walls surround them both.

The President gave a wan smile to this woman sitting in front of him. "Ma'am, with all due respect I am glad you are looking out for us, but do you think we are so blind? Of course they are using us for their profit, but I have intentionally encouraged several investors so that no one nation can exert hegemony over us. And even if they are makign a profit off of us, so what? It is for our profit too, not at our expense. You are surely not suggesting we coudl have done all this in as short of a time without their help?

Sarah asserted, "I am looking out for the people, companies will exploit the Colony Westerners and make them your slaves. Listen New Brittonia is a neutral country co we can point out these facts and the facts are that countries like this have a tendency to get their people worse off with so much investiment. I am saying that we need unity and workers rights. And I have have the plan.

And as goes the game of corporate propaganda, Zecka Energy discreetly buys off a few more people and inputs its own series of counter advertisements against North Egypt Electric.

In one particular advertisement a large vessel carrying piles of the Colonial currency is seen sailing away from the country. In the opposite frame a farmer is seen standing on a smog drenched and decrepit farm.

The only text is simply "Is this the future you want for your kids?"

Sarah Lynch, Foreign Minister of the United Socialist States of New Brittonia would like to meet many companies and foreign nations in Colony West while she is on her trip there.

Official Government Document

The president had been preparing to respond to this womans assertions, to defend his choice to let these companies invest in his nation, but then...
I am saying that we need unity and workers rights. And I have have the plan.
It seemed it was finally coming to the reason this representative of New Brittonia had come. She had a plan. "Well then, please elaborate. What is this plan?"

It seemed it was finally coming to the reason this representative of New Brittonia had come. She had a plan. "Well then, please elaborate. What is this plan?"

Listen, I have came to bring a new tide. The New Communism is coming. This is not the Communism of Mao and Stalin, rather it is a socialism that is against it. We are trying to work for workers rights and more human rights. This is our plan. The Flower government has persued a foreign position of spreading New Communism by highlighting the human rights portion of it. We want more egucation, and equal also. We want the RAPPS freedoms, religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech. We want minimum wage, especially in nations like this. And all of those will help Colony West, which is what New Communism means.

Sarah Lynch, Foreign Minister of the United Socialist States of New Brittonia would like to meet many companies and foreign nations in Colony West while she is on her trip there.

Official Government Document

[Message]

To: Sarah Lynch, Foreign Minister of the United Socialist States of New Brittonia
From: Chelsea Dougherty, Raytta Corporation Liasion to Colony West
Re: Appointment

I recently heard that you were interested in meeting companies and foreign agents within this nation. I have an office in a compound at the Avisronite military fortress. Zecka Corporation has a liasion here, and I believe the Avisronite military does as well. We're all too busy to leave the compound, but you're welcome to come here.

[END]

After my visit with the president I will go

OOC: Going to bed, it's 23:45 and i'm tired

Ma'am, our nation already gurantees the freedoms of religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech. We also have minumum wage laws and workers safety laws. Our civil right are actually quite good, Ms. Lynch.

Ma'am, our nation already gurantees the freedoms of religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech. We also have minumum wage laws and workers safety laws. Our civil right are actually quite good, Ms. Lynch.

Good, the tide is turning and I want you to join the New Communist movement, which supports human rights and democracy.


ooc- going to bed

[OOC: I don't get what this "New Communism" thing is. All you've said so far is that it's about civil and political rights. Avisron is a regulated capitalist market and has everything you've named so far.]

Avisron;12759939'][OOC: I don't get what this "New Communism" thing is. All you've said so far is that it's about civil and political rights. Avisron is a regulated capitalist market and has everything you've named so far.]

OOC:As near as I can tell, they're promoting a form of Socialism, yet calling it communism, as if it wasn't confusing enough already.

OOC:As near as I can tell, they're promoting a form of Socialism, yet calling it communism, as if it wasn't confusing enough already.

[OOC: They haven't really spoken about the ECONOMIC system yet. What they've said can fit any number of doctrines.]

New Brittonia- Alas, while we support civil rights, we do not support democracy in the same way that many do. While we allow our citizens to vote in referendum on certain issues and elect the leaders of cities, but they do not elect state or national leaders.

The newest cartoon shows the same fat mogul - by now well-established in the comic language to represent Zecka - demonstrating a new ethanol-fueled plant. He is trying to draw attention to the minute amounts of pollution generated by the power plant itself, but (despite trying to hide it with his vast bulk), adroit Colonials are still peering around his massive stomach to see the actual production facilities of the ethanol itself, which are spewing agricultural waste.

Another shows vast, uniform corn fields covering what had used to be a diverse agricultural heartland producing a wide variety of crops. Small figures labor in the vast cornfields, shackled and chained together. All are labeled: 'Cattlemen' (recognizable by a comically enhanced ten-gallon hat, once clearly splendid but now threadbare and full of holes), 'Greenstuffs growers, 'Small-time farmers', 'Ranchers' - all have clearly been forced to abandon their preferred crops and grow corn to fuel the hungry ethanol power plants. A massive figure, one hand clutching a whip, towers above all - King Corn, according to the label.

And of course, there in the corner is the fat Zecka businessman, surreptitiously stuffing a wad of cash into King Corn's back pocket.

As the battle rages on in the comic and editorial pages, North Egypt Electric brings it to a new field, recruiting scientists to explain why the process of refining ethanol to produce electrical power for the nation is not only nearly a zero-sum game (since it takes almost as much energy to produce the ethanol as is released burning it), but also would require nearly all the arable land of Colony West to be put under cultivation for ethanol to even begin to attempt to meet the energy demands of an urbanizing, industrializing country.

Zecka Energy Corporation, in keeping with its doctrine corporate retaliation, releases a series of cartoons which show a science classroom. The seat marked "North Egypt Electric" is clearly empty, replaced only by a pile of cash.

Meanwhile, Zecka Corporation hires professional writers to explain in simple detail why their processes are more efficient than North Egypt Electric says. They explain that their ethanol plant can burn much more than simply ethanol, and that current agriculture ratios will be sufficient to sustain a power grid.

Also called into question by the new series of editorial columns is the amount of coal that's burried beneath the ground in the southern part of the nation. How, the columns ask, can the public be sure that enough coal is actually there to last decades? The crops used to produce biofuel are visable to anyone at anytime. The only verification that the coal actually exists is that the coal companies say it does.

Can those who profit from the product be trusted to make sure the product is reliable?

--Zecka Automotive--

After several weeks of strategic planning and concealed construction across Colony West, late one night Avisron-built Zecka automobiles begin being transported to the countries 30 dealerships. Only three models are released initially. The Zecka Union, a compact economy car. The Zecka Mountain Chain, a light pickup truck, and finally, the Zecka London, a mid size car.

The Union, Zeckas most popular offering worldwide, is sold in coupe, sedan, and hatchback forms. Able to achieve very high fuel economy ratings, it is expected to sell well with singles or small couples who have made money in the recent boom.

The Mountain Chain, is marketed to farmers and small businesses as a utility and a tool. Its reliability ratings are legendary, the marketing brochures state, and it can do anything the farmers could need it to do. Capable of towing or mountaing a variety of other tools, it is sure to become a hit.

Finally, the London. This car is marketed as the pennical of style and class. While sales aren't expected to be necessarily high, the car is aimed at government types and managers at the facilities the Avisronite companies will be opening. While most of those jobs haven't been created yet, they will be, and the Londons sells will pick up then.

[OOC: They haven't really spoken about the ECONOMIC system yet. What they've said can fit any number of doctrines.]

OOC: I've added the bolding

Listen, I have came to bring a new tide. The New Communism is coming. This is not the Communism of Mao and Stalin, rather it is a socialism that is against it. We are trying to work for workers rights and more human rights. This is our plan. The Flower government has persued a foreign position of spreading New Communism by highlighting the human rights portion of it. We want more egucation, and equal also. We want the RAPPS freedoms, religion, assembly, petition, press, and speech. We want minimum wage, especially in nations like this. And all of those will help Colony West, which is what New Communism means.

OOC: I've added the bolding

[OOC: Kinda vague.]

Quotations from the latest scientific articles published in Colony West's agricultural journals:

On a weighted average basis, about 83 percent of the total energy reqirements [for producing ethanol] come from non-liquid fuels, such as coal and natural gas...

...several recent studies, including Pimentel, Morris & Deluca, and Ho, actually found negative NEVs for the ethanol production process, and even the most optimistic NEVs, assuming bumper crop years and corn yields/acre of 140 bushels and up, were rarely above 10-20,000 Btu/gal, or about 1.15-1.3 to 1 input-output ratios...

...in a poor year (under 100 bushels/acre) ethanol fuel is actually a net energy loss, and an energy crisis would compound all the problems which always follow a year of poor harvests...

...something as simple as a drought could now not only paralyze the agricultural industry, but the country's energy grid as well...

...even in the best scenarios, ethanol still has a NEV orders of magnitude lower than traditional fossil fuels....

...the conversion process alone requires over 50,000 Btu per gallon of ethanol produced...

More editorials make the point that ethanol production, even when wet-milled, produces tons of agricultural sludge - far more waste than a coal power plant - as a byproduct of ethanol creation and effectively ruins the crop for human or animal consumption.

A new cartoon, titled "Corn isn't good enough?" shows the Zecki fatman snatching up live chickens, garbage, and even the meal from under the noses of a family of coal miners and shoveling it all into the funnel of an outlandish-looking mechanical contraption apparently inspired by Dr. Seuss. Disgusting sludge pours out of one end, while at the other a scientist watches a dial.

"Looking good there!" the speech bubble goes. "Another couple thousand tons and we should be able to power a light bulb!"

Mining companies point out that tax law in New Manth (OOC: and in Colony West?) requires them to disclose estimated underground assets, and that Colony West does indeed possess very significant coal reserves. They invite geologists working for the Colony West government to verify their claims.

Meanwhile, SCC group lobbies the government to reverse the recent law granting monopoly over wireless internet to Avisronian companies, claiming that the law will just encourage Avisronian companies to overcharge since they will have no competition, and promising to offer cheaper services if they are allowed into the market. Integrated Auto also announces that as soon as their factories are complete they will be marketing plug-in hybrid vehicles for the urbanites capable of over 300 miles on battery power, all while quieter and faster than Avisronian gas-powered vehicles and on top of that producing no pollution. A line of sturdy heavy trucks, tractors and farm equipment for the rural population is also unveiled, in what must strike Avisronian companies as an increasingly concerted attempt to match them product for product and possibly to drive them out of Colony West markets on a broad front.

OOC: For credit purposes, the figures I quote come from US Dep't of Agriculture studies.

Zecka Energy Corporation, becoming slightly annoyed at the persistant assault from North Egypt Electric, publishes its own report. This report, while actually semi-factually correct, directly contradicts the report from North Egypt Electric. The goal of this new report isn't to convince the citizens that Zecka power is better, it's simply designed to confuse them and eliminate any benefits the North Egypt Electric report could have had.

The report ends, "The Avisronite homeland is powered by a mixture of nuclear energy and biofuel. Our agriculture sector remains highly diverse and is still able to meet our food demands entirely. Obviously North Egypt Electric has never studied Avisron."

On the cartoon page of most papers is an two frame entry depicting, in one frame, a very large farmhouse with fresh, modern solar panels and a brand new Zecka AVX parked in the driveway. Behind the house the crops are lush and full. The sky is clear and the world looks good. In the opposite panel the house is tiny, the sky black, the crops dead, and a broken down tractor sits on cinder blocks in the yard. Under the picture is the statement "Farmers got Colony West to where it is today. Support biofuel."

Another, seperate ad in newspapers promises farmers which sell their crop to the Zecka Energy grid will recieve funds to plant slightly genetically engineered crops, as well as set up advanced irrigation systems. These genetically engineered crops are still safe to humans, massively more efficient, and have been tested in Avisron for decades.

The automobile division, at the same time, looking to take advantage of the fact it is importing its cars and thus ahead of the competition, markets its hybrid version of the Union and releases a new compact SUV named the Zecka AVX. Its hybrid version is sure to be a massive hit. In an attempt to gather brand loyalty, Zecka releases a plan where those who buy a Zecka automobile and a 10 year subscription to Zecka energy can recieve their first year absolutely free of charge, or points towards free purchases at RayttaMart. Essentially, shopping Avisronian will becoming much cheaper and rewarding than shopping Manthian, or anything else.

Similarly, the first RayttaMart to open releases deals where continued purchases at their store earns points which can be redeemed for free internet or cell phone plans.

The Avisronite companies, in realising that there was a fairly organised attempt to force them from the market, begin to hold talks with each other. Raytta Corporation, which has been developing a line of home and business/government computers for a few years now, decides to make its internet services non-compatable with SCC Group computers, effectively shutting the Colonial market off to SCC Group for 3 years and giving the Avisronian corporations control of the computer market.

New Brittonia- Alas, while we support civil rights, we do not support democracy in the same way that many do. While we allow our citizens to vote in referendum on certain issues and elect the leaders of cities, but they do not elect state or national leaders.

IC: Sarah said, "So is this a military dictarorship?"

OOC- The New Communism is really democratic socialism. The Flower administration has taken a stance not to emphasize the economic points, rather the human points. We are trying to emphasise human rights.

"I suppose you could call it a dictatorship, but its not enforced by the military, at least not yet. You see my people truly feel a personal devotion for me, and you cannot deny that despotism is much more efficient than democracy. We will not have a democracy until after I pass away. The provisions for it are already in place."

"So there will be a democracy?", Sarah asked

Raytta Corporation, which has been developing a line of home and business/government computers for a few years now, decides to make its internet services non-compatable with SCC Group computers, effectively shutting the Colonial market off to SCC Group for 3 years and giving the Avisronian corporations control of the computer market.

OOC: Colony West, are there any laws regulating unfair business practices that I could challenge this on?

IC:

SCC Group releases a statement declaring that Rayetta has now begun to engage in exactly the kind of monopolistic, anti-competitive activities that SCC Group first warned about when Rayetta was granted rights to the wireless internet market. In light of this latest effort to force Colony West to buy overpriced products through manipulation of the business markets, SCC Group requests that the government reign in Rayetta (which has demonstrated that it is only interested in its own bottom line and not in providing the best services to Colony West citizens), and pressure them to abandon their anti-free market practices.

9AM Newsflash:

"In a surprising move, the New Manthian government announced that it will seek a trade deal to buy large amounts of Colony West agricultural products. New Manth has always been a large importer of food, due to the harsh climate and booming urban populations, but previously had expressed little interest in Colony West agricultural markets. However, the government reversed that position this morning and announced that New Manth will make large purchases from the Colonial farm industry. Still no official word on what may have prompted this sudden expression of interest form the government, but commentators have advanced several theories, ranging all the way from recent poor harvests in the southern provinces to possible Denomination of Strategy involvement.

Tune in at 10 for a full report. In other news, North Egypt Electric announced that the first of its planned power plants in Colony West will be ready to open sometime this week, and announced plans to mark the occasion with a large party. Key Colony West engineers who worked on the project will be attending, as well as corporate executives, and invitations have been extended to top Colonial government officials.

[OOC: Are we just going to keep escalating this? I'm not sure which move to make next, but the Avisronians aren't ones to back down.]

[OOC: Are we just going to keep escalating this? I'm not sure which move to make next, but the Avisronians aren't ones to back down.]

OOC: I am not planning on backing down either, so I guess escalation it is!

Who knows, the way it is going it could end in bloody corporate sabotage and vicious mercenary conflicts all around. Fun for everyone!

...err, not that I might even consider such measures, of course. Certainly not.

--Raytta Corporation--

In response to the SCC Group news release, Raytta Corporation releases a briefing through nearly every channel. Simply put, it declares that SCC Group is merely blaming Raytta for their lack of strategic initiative. The prices, Raytta Corporation says, will be as low as they are in every other market, and vastly affordable to the common Colonial citizen. Further, Raytta Corporation has every right to choose what its products are compatable with.

--Zecka Energy Corporation--

Zecka Energy, upon realising it is at war with the New Manthian government, effectively chooses that rather than abandoning its investments, it will simply invest more. Once again agents are sent to the capitol of Colony West. This time, however, they speak of something different.

They're secretly willing to build a nuclear power plant in the center of the nation and, with Avisronian government funding, provide electricity at exactly one half the rate North Egypt Electric is charging, regardless of what they are infact charging.

Then plan as ambitious. It could very well fail, but Colony West is now a matter of corporate pride.

Zecka Energy operates 10 plants in Avisron, the nations primary energy source, and has never had an accident. Hopefully this safety record will fair well with the Colonial Government.

OOC: I am not planning on backing down either, so I guess escalation it is!

Who knows, the way it is going it could end in bloody corporate sabotage and vicious mercenary conflicts all around. Fun for everyone!

...err, not that I might even consider such measures, of course. Certainly not.

[OOC: I could feel this coming. That's why I made sure to emphasis that Raytta Corporation has a security service. :P]

New Brittonia- "Of course there will, you can hardly expect me to trust a great great grandson of mine htat Ill never meet to run the country in the future. I barely trust my son. The good of the people is top priority for me, but for now the best thing for the people is to ahve me absolutely in charge so, unfortunately, Im afraid we will have to decline your invitation to join the New Communists. Anyway, Im sure you have other meetings to get to, and I do have some other matters that need my attention. If you have any other questions, please feel free to message me and I will respond." With that the president gave the customary exchange of pleasentires one gives when leaving an official meeting, and left.

((sorry for being so abrupt, but the rest of the thread is jumping ahead by weeks while we are having this meeting that has only lasted like 30 minutes or so, and I really can't be tied up any longer. If you want to keep asking questions you can TG me, wire message me in this thread, or request to ahve a meeting, which we can have in a new thread so that we don't get messed up with crossing timelines again))

Avisron-Raytta Corporation- The Government of Colony West formally requests that you return your internet service to be compatible with both SCC Group and Raytta corporation computers. We understand your desire to dominate the computer market, but as the SCC Group did start selling computers before you many of our people already have SCC Group computers. If this new distribution of internet is better suited for you then perhaps you can market a device that can make SCC computers compatible with your internet services. If you do this the Colonial government is prepared to purchase 12,000 of these devices from your corporation to be distributed to our people. One way or the other, please understand we must look out fo rthe good of our people. Your practices have cause us to begin considering a fair business practices law, though of course we will enforce no law Ex Post Facto. There is however the matter of our contract with you. Though we will under none but the most extreme cirumstances rescind our deal to make our our sole provider for three years, there is the matter of the contract guranteeing you government preference for the three years after that. If by the time that part of the contract comes into play we do have laws on the books prohibiting actions you ahve taken place in we still cannot punish you for those practices, but we may have to put the matter before the people in a referendum which, if they vote against you, will result in the nullification of that part of our contract. I do not need to tell you that whomever is in possesion of an SCC Group computer will not be please about having their internet service suddenly yanked, not to mention that the bickering going on recently between Avisronian and Manthian interests has created several distinctive groups in the citizenry. There are anti-avisron, anti-new manth, anti-foreign, and anti-industrialization groups poping up everywhere, and I need not tell you that three of these four groups would enjoy to see you gone. For the good you have done for the Colonial people I would not dream of allowing you to be evicted form my country, but please realize that if it came to referendum, unless the political situation changes quite drastically in the next three years, would almost certianly be against you. With that said I want you to understand that our government greatly appreciates all you are doing for the Colonail people, but simply must put the good of our people first.
Sincerely,
His Majesty the President Lewis

New Manth-We appreciate the new market for our agricultural products. It is a pleasure to expand our export business with you.

SCC Group- You will be pleased to know that we our leaning on Raytta Corporation to make their internet connections compatible with your computers. Understand, however, that the Colonial government has no intention of rescinding our contract with Raytta. We understand your concern, but our governments accountability must take precedence over the oppurtunity to expediate the expansion of the technology market.

North Egypt Electric- I regret that I will not be able to attend and the Vice President is touring overseas. We will send my Son, my deputy chief of staff, and our Minister of Energy to this occasion.

Avisron-Zecka Energy- We hope you will give us a "rain check" so to speak on your offer to build a nuclear power plant in our country. We recognize the advantages to harnessing nuclear energy, however we know the dangers of meltdown and sabotage or terrorist attacks. We are well aware of your excellent security record and it is the only reason we woudl allow you to build a nuclear plant here in the first place. It is, however, unwise in the judgement of our government to build a nuclear facility at this unstable time in our nation. We will remember your offer for future consideration.
Best Regards,
President Lewis

--Raytta Corporation--

In compliance with your the Colonial "fair business" laws, which are widely regarded in Avisron as a foreign government propping up a company which lacks strategic initiative, Raytta Corporation will switch its software to allow SCC Group computers to work on its internet lines.

Avisron-Zecka Energy- We hope you will give us a "rain check" so to speak on your offer to build a nuclear power plant in our country. We recognize the advantages to harnessing nuclear energy, however we know the dangers of meltdown and sabotage or terrorist attacks. We are well aware of your excellent security record and it is the only reason we woudl allow you to build a nuclear plant here in the first place. It is, however, unwise in the judgement of our government to build a nuclear facility at this unstable time in our nation. We will remember your offer for future consideration.
Best Regards,
President Lewis

[Encrypted Message]

To: President Lewis
From: Zecka Energy Corporation

We must ask you to reconsider. As it stands, Zecka Corporation is heavily invested within Colony West, but under an ever growing threat from New Manthian economic imperialism. The power plant we have planned would be a tremendous asset to the entire colony, producing enough power to, in conjunction with our other products and the competition, be able to power the entire nation.

Further, the security situation here is unique, we understand that. However, we had made preparations to defend the facility. The facility itself will consist of hardened structures within a massive reinforced concrete compound. Outside this compound will be layers of barbed wire fencing, and finally a massive open area. On the outside of this area would be yet another outer ring of defense.

The personnel of this facility would be Avisronian, not Colonial. They would live on the compound. The chance of infiltration is virtually zero, and it is a very critical investment for Zecka Energy.

Please, please reconsider.

[END]

Avisron-Zecka Energy- I understand the gravity of this issue and as such I am willing to put this issue on the agenda for the full Cabinet and National Advisory Board to consider. Understand however that the final decision is up to me and I believe I have made my position clear. It will take a large majority in the advisory meeting to sway me. The meeting will be called immediately and will convene as soon as possible. During the meeting no member of the cabinet or advisory wil be allowed outside contact until they prepare to put a fianl resolution before me.

Saral Lynch would like to visit the president of Zecka Energy Corp. as part of our Colony West development tour.

Saral Lynch would like to visit the president of Zecka Energy Corp. as part of our Colony West development tour.

[Message]

To: Sarah Lynch
From: Zecka Corporation

Zecka Energy Corporation is under the umbrella of Zecka Corporation within this area. Further, our President hasn't been into Colony West yet. He has a liasion here that you can meet with, however.

[END]

[Message]

To: Sarah Lynch
From: Zecka Corporation

Zecka Energy Corporation is under the umbrella of Zecka Corporation within this area. Further, our President hasn't been into Colony West yet. He has a liasion here that you can meet with, however.

[END]

We would like to meet with him/her to talk about sustainable development.

We would like to meet with him/her to talk about sustainable development.

[Message]

To: Sarah Lynch
From: Zecka Corporation

We have a facility at the Avisronian fortress. Just go there and ask a soldier for directions.

[END]

OOC: Actually, my sabotage would mostly have been against the wireless internet, since North Egypt Electric feels that it is winning the energy battle at this point and feels no need to resort to... questionable business practices, as opposed to SCC Group which was extremely threatened by the wireless lockout. However since that became a nonissue there will be no need for now. :D

IC:

The opening ceremony would be broadcast across the nation and viewable on many newly restored internet connections, courtesy of a live web feed. The new factory is festooned with flowers and spotlessly clean, and the visiting Colonial officials are wined and dined along with hundreds of Colonials workers who will soon be employed at the plant.

The vice-president for Colonial Development of North Egypt Electric makes a short but to-the point speech, praising the Colonial government for their willingness to embrace clean coal technology and hailing the plant as the symbol of a new era of cooperation and prosperity for Colony West.

The capstone of the event, though, comes when the plant is fired up for the first time. Leading the delegation up through a temporary staircase to the factory roof, the vice-president scales a specially constructed scaffold around one of the stacks and, leaning over the top, breathes in deeply.

The gaggle of paid photographers make sure to immortalize the moment.

Afterwards, there is rooftop jazz and dancing in the cool evening air. The next day the picture of the vice-president leaning over the stack is splashed across the front pages of newspapers across the country, under the tagline, "We won't ask you to breathe anything we wouldn't want to breathe ourselves!"

Official Corporate Message

North Egypt Electric would like to invite Sarah Lynch to a conference to discuss sustainable development for Colony West.

OOC: Actually, my sabotage would mostly have been against the wireless internet, since North Egypt Electric feels that it is winning the energy battle at this point and feels no need to resort to... questionable business practices, as opposed to SCC Group which was extremely threatened by the wireless lockout. However since that became a nonissue there will be no need for now.

[OOC: Messing with Raytta will lead to bad things. :p There's no real way to hurt their overall bottom line short of a full scale offensive (which would bring the fuller Avisronian military in,) and they have a very agressive security force at their disposal. Zecka has deep pockets to purchase products of said security force, as well. :D]

Official Corporate Message

North Egypt Electric would like to invite Sarah Lynch to a conference to discuss sustainable development for Colony West.

I graciously accept, as clean uses of fossil fuels are an important part of the ecological part of sustainable development. We also think that factories can hire Colony Westerners, thus giving them jobs and education. We will however, meet with representatives of Zecka Corporation later.

--Zecka Corporation Press Release--

The world economy is a vast and always changing sea of opportunity and intrigue. In order to travel this sea and take full advantage of it, persons must invest smartly in their vessel.

This sea is filled with rival vessels. These vessels, while essentially the same, sometimes have ways by which to gain unfair advantage.

In the recent case of North Egypt Electric, they were unable to compete with the strategic initiative of Zecka Corporation. Our strategy utterly defeated their propaganda machine. Had this metaphorical sea we're speaking of been entirely free market, North Egypt Electric would have been severely broken and unable to sustain within the Colonial market.

However, some companies in this sea, namely North Egypt Electric, are so instrumental to the governments which house them that they are able to use massive swaths of taxpayer money to fight free market capitalism.

Zecka Corporation cannot compete against a nation of several hundred million people.

Effective immediately, Zecka Energy Corporation will no longer exist. Zecka Enerrgy Corporation as it was formerly known will now be known as Veccon Group International, or VGI Corporation.

All former Zecka Energy Group assets and capital will be transferred to this new corporation. VGI Corporation, under new management, will present the future of Avisronian strategic initiative in the global marketplace. New campaigns will be launched within Colony West. The market will not be lost.

Zecka Corporation looks forward to continue growth within the Colonial marketplace, and wishes our comrades in VGI Corporation good luck.

[END]

The Confederacy seeing the escalation and wondering where it might lead sends message to the Leader of Colony West, telling him that he should not hesitate to call upon the assistance of the Unified Defense Front of the Confederacy of Liberal Men and Women (UDFCLMW) should the unfortunate occur.

OOC: Out of curiosity, what language is spoken in Colony West? It could change things in my plans (mostly style wise)...

OOC: Avisron- well, that chagnes my plans a bit.

LM&W- The official language is Mangudese (similar to Khalkha Mongol) but nearly all Colonials also speak English and it is the most common language to communicate with. Throughout much of Wiens French is used as the conversant language, but English is taught in all state funded schools.

IC:
Liberal Men and Women- Colony West thanks you for your assurance of support.


President Lewis stared at the paper held in his hands. He looked up at his chief of staff, his face showing clear exhaustion after three days in the council chambers. "I can't beleive it John, am I that out of touch with my people, or do they just not understand the dangers involved here?" John Brock remained silent, knowing form years of friendship with the President that it was a rhetorical question. Finally the president rose from his chair. "I suppose I will have to notify Zecka Energy that my government is reversing its position. The ramifications if I opposed an 82% vote in the Advisory are not worth it for this issue."

[Encrypted Message]

To: VGI Corporation
From: President Lewis

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that my government has approved the construction of a nuclear powerplant by your corporation as proposed by your predecessors at Zecka Energy. We do, however, have some requirements. We wish for some colonials to take part in the operation of the plant. We have prepared the applications of 315 Colonials who we have approved for government loyalty to eliminate the risk of dissenters. We wish for you to choose at least 100 of them to incorporate into the operations of your plant. Also, our government will share the responsibility of security with your corporation. 35-40% of teh security force will be Colonial. If these terms are acceptable, you may begin construction immediately.
[END]

[OOC: It's the exact same company, just working alone. Nothing should change. The Avisronian companies all work so closely they could all become a conglomerate, anyway.]

"Man, I do not like how things are turning out down there."

Juan Marelleno shifted in his seat. At this point, he was and looked every bit of 36; curly brown hair close to balding, not quite overweight, a stubby 5'9" if there ever was one. Born somewhere outside Melaias, or mabye in, nobody ever bothered to find out. He spent the past decade in the rat race working as an architect with GEM, usually working with interior layouts or something unremarkable like that. Now, though, he was nationbuilding. Over the course of a few hours he went from solving piping conflicts between rooms to planning cities... in a place that seemed on verge of erupting. And the Dominion had no boots on the ground to make sure that their subjects were gonna be safe. And here he was, chief architect for whatever it was Colony West wanted him to do. Whatever it was. Nobody quite knew yet.

"It's like a sandbox for lil' wannabe Conglom-O's. How they just gonna send us there if there might be corporate war tomorrow?"

"I dunno, Mary."

"Don't call me mary."

"Whatever, mary."

"Go back to your seat."

His minor assisstant, being himself. A typical pain in the ass intern from the inner city. Apparantly, a laid back culture like that predominant in the Empire breeds assholes.

"Jorge, ask the pilot when we'll land."

"You just told me to sit-"

"Just f**kin do it."

"Fine, fine, mary."

"Don't call me mary."

"Whatever."

The tall, skinny intern lumbered out of his seat, cushioned right in the middle aisle of the a400 jetliner - (Think Boeing 737 that can land in less space on rougher runways. And newer.) - before slowly pacing his way to the control room.

Three knocks, and yelling.

"Hey guys, when do we land?"

"We need clearance. Go back to your seat, we'll deal with all that."

"Fine, whatever."

"This is DC-95CC, Westbound, foreign nationals. Requesting landing space... at... um... hell, none of us know where your tarmac is. Anyone from Colony West, over."

<click>This is Colony West - PF AP... are you guys serious?<click>

"Yeah... they handed us half a flight plan and told us 'Go.' A little help would be appreciated. If you guys don't mind giving us a hand, could you lead us to the nearest airstrip?"

OOC: Ok, Ill edit it so that he does contact them.

[Encrypted Message]

To: VGI Corporation
From: President Lewis

I am sure you will be pleased to hear that my government has approved the construction of a nuclear powerplant by your corporation as proposed by your predecessors at Zecka Energy. We do, however, have some requirements. We wish for some colonials to take part in the operation of the plant. We have prepared the applications of 315 Colonials who we have approved for government loyalty to eliminate the risk of dissenters. We wish for you to choose at least 100 of them to incorporate into the operations of your plant. Also, our government will share the responsibility of security with your corporation. 35-40% of teh security force will be Colonial. If these terms are acceptable, you may begin construction immediately.
[END]

[Message]

To: President Lewis
From: VGI Corporation

Thank you for reconsidering. Rest assured that you will not be disappointed in your decision. At this time we are selecting the 100 Colonial operators to incorporate into the operations of the plant. Your request to share responsibility for plant security is approved as well. It would be wise to use Colonial forces to secure the surrounding area, since they know the terrain, and use Avisronians to secure the base itself. We can negotiate, however.

Construction will begin immediately.

This plant, one of the most advanced ever built, will actually provide enough power to supply most of the nation, in conjunction with our solar and wind generators, of course. We don't expect those guys at North Egypt Electric to back down, but we plan on delivering a product they can't even begin to compete with.

[END]

DC-95CC, this is Colony West. You may land at Port Royal airport but do not disembark, I repeat, do not disembark. We are trying to get through to the Administration to find out where to send you. If your plane requires refueling we can accomodate. Sit tight for now. Over.

OOC: Basically, I don't know what I want to do right now but I need to get to bed. I'll redirect you later.

OOC: Avisron- Im just curious, is VGI exaggerating its claims to try to get me to support the power plant, or are you a post Modern Tech nation? For one power plant to power my entire nation would be incredible. You would have to have half again the power generated by the highest yielding nuclear plants just to power the homes of the Colonials, let alone the factories, office buildings, military instillations, and I presume some electric locomotives.

OOC: It's possible. Even MT. All it would require is a large number of reactors. For example (probably not the best), the Chernobyl plant consisted of four separate reactors each capable of producing 1 GW (ergo, 4 GW total). One plant could power an entire nation of any size; however it provides one really good area to attack, so it usually make sense to spread power generation, such as to prevent a single attack/accident from crippling your entire power network.

OOC: Avisron- Im just curious, is VGI exaggerating its claims to try to get me to support the power plant, or are you a post Modern Tech nation? For one power plant to power my entire nation would be incredible. You would have to have half again the power generated by the highest yielding nuclear plants just to power the homes of the Colonials, let alone the factories, office buildings, military instillations, and I presume some electric locomotives.

[OOC: It's possibile within modern tech. Like Liberal Men and Women said, usually it makes more sense to spread things out because of the possibility of a single attack screwing things over. However, VGI sees it differently. Putting everything behind one fortress makes it easier and cheaper to defend. It's possible.]

OOC: Also, I was doing the math (based off of US energy consumption/capita(~11 kW/person) This includes all energy consumption, not just household which is lower...) and your population could easily survive off of a single reactor... for now anyway.

Anyway, since I want to get into this market...

IC: The JEC begins to market an Operating System in the Colony West market. The OS has options for Mangudese, English, French, and many other languages incorporated into all versions (as in you don't have to buy a version specifically for your language). The OS is binary compatible (it can run their programs without emulation/modifications) with many major other OSes, including Windows, Mac, Linux, and the OSes released by the companies interested in Colony West. It is released in different versions for specific corporation's computers, not just the JEC's own, which are beginning to sell as well. However, the biggest thing is that the basic personal use OS is free. Commercial licenses and versions with specific features, such as server versions, have a cost. The OS also comes free with all JEC computers and can be downloaded for free from the JEC website. The free download version comes with no tech support outside of the forums and peer support, but all other versions have full 24/7 tech support programs. (The main idea behind this is brand loyalty. That and the market of people frustrated with interoperability issues, which is why compatibility was stressed)

OOC: Also, I was doing the math (based off of US energy consumption/capita(~11 kW)) and your population could easily survive off of a single reactor... for now anyway.

[OOC: Well, I plan on building a ton MORE than I need, because the population and energy consumption will grow.]

[OOC: Well, I plan on building a ton MORE than I need, because the population and energy consumption will grow.]

OOC: I'm talking about an order of magnitude difference. If they were comparable to the new European Presurized reactor, the difference is a single reactor generates 1600MW while his country uses ~110MW, or 14x. Based on NS growth rates, thats about a month until he'll outgrow one reactor.

OOC: I'm talking about an order of magnitude difference. If they were comparable to the new European Presurized reactor, the difference is a single reactor generates 1600MW while his country uses ~110MW, or 14x. Based on NS growth rates, thats about a month until he'll outgrow one reactor.

[OOC: Judging RP populations can be a little difficult. There's no way that, over the course of a few weeks, he'll gain a few hundred million people.]

[OOC: Judging RP populations can be a little difficult. There's no way that, over the course of a few weeks, he'll gain a few hundred million people.]

OOC: That's why time is complete nonsense.

OOC: LM&W, if there are 11kW per capita 10 million people, thats 110 million kW which is 110,000 MW, not 110 MW, right? Still the math I did earlier was way off, I was figuring about 30kW per capita so yeah, one nuclear plant should be enough. As far as population goes Ive been figuring about 10 million for a few days now even though I have only just reached 10 mil in the game. Ill add some population info to my fact sheet so you all know about what Im thinking at the time.

IC: LM&W- several of our more tech savvy citizes, mostly in Wiens, have approached me about the possibility of convincing you to open one of your customer help offices here in Colony West. There are quite a few Wienies..er pardon me..Wienions who would be pleased to staff such an office.

Avisron-

To: VGI Corporation
From: President Lewis

We are glad for your cooperation. We would prefer that at least some of the security of the base itself be taken care of by Colonials. We understand the need to keep a security force uniform, and so whatever security we post there will be under your command unless it conflicts with their orders we give them. Conversely, if you plan to station Avrisonian security on the outer defences then perhaps the same situation could be arranged for them. In this way we each have our own security zones as you suggested, but it would be a matter of command rather than positions. We do think your advice wise as to the placement of security so the majority of our men will be stationed on the outer defence.
[END]

OOC: LM&W, if there are 11kW per capita 10 million people, thats 110 million kW which is 110,000 MW, not 110 MW, right? Still the math I did earlier was way off, I was figuring about 30kW per capita so yeah, one nuclear plant should be enough. As far as population goes Ive been figuring about 10 million for a few days now even though I have only just reached 10 mil in the game. Ill add some population info to my fact sheet so you all know about what Im thinking at the time.

IC: LM&W- several of our more tech savvy citizes, mostly in Wiens, have approached me about the possibility of convincing you to open one of your customer help offices here in Colony West. There are quite a few Wienies..er pardon me..Wienions who would be pleased to staff such an office.
...
[END]
OOC: Glad someone's checking my math... That's 110 GW, with the highest RL reactor I've seen producing 1.6 GW. That would require ~70 reactors, and that would be one huge compound...

Want to hear something scary, I'm the best math student in my class at my high school. Well I suppose since I just graduated the past tense would've been more appropriate. So rather, I was the best math student...

IC: We would be happy to open a Customer Help Office, and even a store for our computers and parts, inside Wiens. And we would be sure to employ many Wienions as tech support staff, sales men, and even in management, considering the majority of our people are scared of the ocean and traveling over it (and those who aren't we try to keep in the navy as much as possible)

ooc- when should i visit you?

They're secretly willing to build a nuclear power plant in the center of the nation and, with Avisronian government funding, provide electricity at exactly one half the rate North Egypt Electric is charging, regardless of what they are infact charging.

OOC: Blagh, you guys post fast... I can only post in the evenings for the next little bit, and even then not for hours on end.

I honestly don't know if one nuclear reactor could provide power for an entire country (fossil fuels & air quality stuff is my specialty), but I'm a bit skeptical... Russia uses something like 30 reactors and still they only get a fraction of their electricity from nuclear power.

I do think it would provide a supergiant target, though... all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. :D

Avisron, is new Zecka still making the above pledge after all the restructuring or not? If not, pretend the IC part of this post never happened. Oh and I took the liberty of making an estimate of what nuclear power would cost under 'normal' economic situations, based on current world nuclear power prices... tell me if you want me to change it.

I will try and post to respond to all the other stuff that's happening, tonight.

IC:

Colony West Economic Development Committee meeting, Alexandria, New Manth

"Predatory pricing eh? Has that actually ever worked?"

"Mostly against small companies that don't have the backing to stay in the market for a long time. The longer the competition can hold on, the more money the attacking company loses."

"Great. We have plenty of money. What's the absolute break-even price for our plants there?

"3.35 cents per kilowatt-hour at full operation, less if we aren't actually selling much electricity as we can run on low-burn superefficient."

"For Zecka... pardon me, whatever they are calling themselves?"

"VGI, sir. We can't be sure, but we estimate 4 to 4.5. Nuclear fuel in itself is inexpensive, but the plants are costly to operate and extraordinarily expensive to build. Plus they don't have the advantage of buying their fuel from right next-door."

"Wonderful. Ours is 3.35, you say? Announce we'll be selling at 2.4, and see if they hold to their pledge."

"I'll have the announcement published. Thank you, Mr. Mattan."

"Right then. Good luck, keep me informed."



Colony West

Colonial citizens examining the newly opened power plant would no doubt be pleased to see that no smoke at all could be observed coming out of its stacks, even after it had been generating power for hours. Information about the various techniques used to keep the plant so clean is posted on the Internet and published in journals for any Colonial citizen to see for himself.

[OOC: Russia has a ton more people. Besides, by the time everything is NS-ified, coupled with the fact that Avisron spends a way higher percentage of its money on nuclear energy, AND is building more than one reactor (the others won't be completed as hastily, though,) I think I'm fine. And yeah, VGI has offering the same deal.

Uh, I'm a high school student on summer vacation. I don't do anything but sit around the house and talk to my girlfriend and post here. That's why I post so much.

Also, guys, my dad was in a car accident an hour or so ago. Mom left really fast, and no one has called me yet, so I don't know what's going on. I might not be able to post for a bit, so don't panic.]

OOC: Blagh, you guys post fast... I can only post in the evenings for the next little bit, and even then not for hours on end.

I honestly don't know if one nuclear reactor could provide power for an entire country (fossil fuels & air quality stuff is my specialty), but I'm a bit skeptical... Russia uses something like 30 reactors and still they only get a fraction of their electricity from nuclear power.

I do think it would provide a supergiant target, though... all your eggs in one basket, so to speak. :D

Avisron, is new Zecka still making the above pledge after all the restructuring or not? If not, pretend the IC part of this post never happened. Oh and I took the liberty of making an estimate of what nuclear power would cost under 'normal' economic situations, based on current world nuclear power prices... tell me if you want me to change it.

I will try and post to respond to all the other stuff that's happening, tonight.

IC:

Colony West Economic Development Committee meeting, Alexandria, New Manth

"Predatory pricing eh? Has that actually ever worked?"

"Mostly against small companies that don't have the backing to stay in the market for a long time. The longer the competition can hold on, the more money the attacking company loses."

"Great. We have plenty of money. What's the absolute break-even price for our plants there?

"3.35 cents per kilowatt-hour at full operation, less if we aren't actually selling much electricity as we can run on low-burn superefficient."

"For Zecka... pardon me, whatever they are calling themselves?"

"VGI, sir. We can't be sure, but we estimate 4 to 4.5. Nuclear fuel in itself is inexpensive, but the plants are costly to operate and extraordinarily expensive to build. Plus they don't have the advantage of buying their fuel from right next-door."

"Wonderful. Ours is 3.35, you say? Announce we'll be selling at 2.4, and see if they hold to their pledge."

"I'll have the announcement published. Thank you, Mr. Mattan."

"Right then. Good luck, keep me informed."



Colony West

Colonial citizens examining the newly opened power plant would no doubt be pleased to see that no smoke at all could be observed coming out of its stacks, even after it had been generating power for hours. Information about the various techniques used to keep the plant so clean is posted on the Internet and published in journals for any Colonial citizen to see for himself.

OOC: Based off of Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics_of_new_nuclear_power_plants#Capital_costs) (where I go for all of my info), the cost for the plant's construction would be:

70 x 1,600,000 kW reactors (112 GW total)
overnight cost of ~$1000 - $1250 / kW
overnight cost/reactor of 1,600,000 x $1000 - 1,600,000 x $1250 = $1.6 billion - $2 billion
total overnight cost of $1.6 billion - $2 billion x 70 = $112 billion - $140 billion

energy production / reactor of 1.6 GW x 24 h/day x 365.24 day/year = 14.025216 TWh/year = 14,025,216,000 kWh/year
total energy production = 14.025216 TWh x 70 = 981.76512 TWh = 981,765,120,000 kWh

overnight cost / energy / year of $112,000,000,000/981,765,120,000kWh - $140,000,000,000/981,765,120,000kWh = $.11/kWh/year - $.14/kWh/year

overnight cost / energy / year / 60 year operational life span = $.11/kWh/year / 60 years - $.14/kWh/year / 60 years = $.0018/kWh - $.0023/kWh Not a lot, right?

Then we must account for the interest on the loan that would need to be taken out to pay for this. At 10% interest over 64 years (60 years operation + 4 years construction) = 6.4 x the initial cost / 60 years = .107 times the cost/year. taking the cost / energy by it is:

$.11/kWh/year * .107 / year - $.14/kWh/year * .107 / year = $.01177/kWh - $.0147125/kWh

Add this to the earlier and we get:

$.01177/kWh + $.0018/kWh - $.0147125/kWh + $.0023/kWh = $.01357/kWh - $.0170125/kWh or ~$.014/kWh - $.017/kWh

This cost is just to pay for construction. "The investment (including interest) can contribute about 70% of costs of electricity" (again from wikipedia) so, $.01357/kWh / .7 - $.0170125/kWh / .7 gives us an end cost of: $.02/kWh - $0.025/kWh for nuclear power.

You might want to check my math though...

[OOC:Uh, I'm a high school student on summer vacation. I don't do anything but sit around the house and talk to my girlfriend and post here. That's why I post so much.

OOC: I'm a recently graduated high school student, and I don't have a girlfriend (can't possibly imagine why), ergo I have even more free time.

Also, guys, my dad was in a car accident an hour or so ago. Mom left really fast, and no one has called me yet, so I don't know what's going on. I might not be able to post for a bit, so don't panic.]

That... sucks.

[OOC: Okay, everything is okay. Yay for the safety of Toyota!

Anyway, um, having trouble making sense of your math. Are you saying it would be cheaper for me to make this plant, or more expensive?]

[OOC: Okay, everything is okay. Yay for the safety of Toyota!

Anyway, um, having trouble making sense of your math. Are you saying it would be cheaper for me to make this plant, or more expensive?]

OOC:It's good that everything is okay

I was just putting all of the math down so people could check me. End result is you could break even if you matched their price (of 2.4 cents / kWh). Look at the bold prices for the range you would have to charge to break even (add more to make a profit obviously, and it excludes surcharges/taxes added by the gov't (since I don't know them. ex: USA charges .1 cents/kWh for nuclear power plants for disposal of nuclear waste))

Also, understand that would would need to build 70 reactors now and another 30-40 a year, starting four years ahead, and the cost I quoted is the break even far down the road (60 years). You would need to start ~200 right now and begin another 40 a year for the rest of time to keep with pop growth (assuming 1 RL day = 1 NS year). end result is that at 2.5 cents/kWh, you'd go bankrupt as you crawl further into debt without paying it off. That's why I'll do the following:

IC:

As a firm supporter of nuclear energy, the JEC extends an offer to the (VGI? is that the right company?) to work together on the nuclear power project for Colony West.

[OOC: Lets check with what Colony West is going to do with how many citizens his nation has first. At the rate we're RP'ing this, his NationStates page is gaining people faster than possible in the real world. Over the course of a few RP years his NATIONSTATES page will say his nation doubled in size. That kind of growth is unrealistic, so he'll probably settle on a number about 10 million or so. If he does that, I won't have to keep building new reactors.]

OOC: Well, you will need to build more, just not at the speed I'm quoting. Still, > 70 are necessary now. 100 would be best, it provides for growth, downtime, and imperfect efficiency.

OOC: As for RP time I wont have nearly a smuch next week. I work 10 hour days at a Russel Stovers factory. I have jsut engouh time in the morning to check my issues and only about 30 minutes every evening to RP. This week we are on plant shutdown though, so I have gobs of time.
Also, as far as population, Im going to keep it fairly study at 10 million for a while longer, then increase it to 15 (immigration boom and all filling up the newly developed areas. Cheap housing, plenty of jobs should draw alot). Depending on how long this lasts I may increase it more, but if you plan for 15 you should be ok for quite a while.

LM&W, Im not sure what all your equations took into account, but remember that he is talking about his nuclear plant AND his existing solar, wind, and hydro plants not to mention that Colony West already had its own natural gas and hyro plants.

"This is DC-Dash-95CC, Due West, requesting landing permission. Give us an airstrip number, Port Royal."

"This is Port Royal Control, give us a second...

...

Okay, we're clearing a runway. Stand by."

The a400, emblazoned with the Black, Red, Gold & White of the Empire, circled over Colonial airspace, burning off fuel to make maximum landing weight and avoid an overrun of what frankly was an unknown runway.

In a short while, the jetliner was dropping down to land; the spoilers raised, and flaps dropped. The thrust reverser clamshells locked, and the cascade reverser opened. The tires touched down, squealing in a white cloud of smoke as the brakes kicked in to slow the jet down. The aircraft rolled to a stop before moving to its terminal.

"This is Captain Jaeger. CW wants us sitting tight on the tarmac until they send someone out for us. Stay on the jet, please."

"Oh, great."

Juan reached into the inside pocket of his suit, pulled out a handkerchief, and started wiping away the sweat that was beading on his lightly tanned forehead. Things were going smoothly - never a good sign. And now, they were being held down. If things going right was bad, this was worse.

"Jorge, get me something to drink."

"Alcohol?"

"Don't judge me."

The lanky little intern waltzed off to the back of the jet, rummaging through the service refrigerator for something with a suitable high alcohol content. And maybe something for Mr. Marelleno too. "Hmm." 80 proof Vodka. Interesting. Good stuff. Jorge took a quick doubletake, making sure no one would spot him, and took a quick swig before taking the bottle back to Mr. Marelleno.

"Here ya go, Mary."

"Don't call me mary."

"Whatever."

Juan twisted off the cap, raised up the bottle to his mouth, titled back his head and gulped down the vodka as Jorge the intern's eyes looked wide in amazement and a certain fear. "Is it really a good idea to drink that much before you talk to the guys that'll be bossing you around for the next few months?"

"I'll be fine. I've been around, I can hold down my drinks." Juan produced a flask from his sport coat, and poured some vodka in. He handed the intern the bottle."Put this back where you found it."

"Sure..."

As Jorge the intern got up to put away the spirits, a short, attractive blond woman, probably in her late 20s if anyone ever asked, started racing up to Juan; it was Miranda Villenueve, one of the people charged with being a liason to the other corporations seemingly carving up the former colony. Right now, though, she just sat down, eyes closed. She was quiet, contrary to her nature as an annoying blabbermouth.

It took a while for her to start talking.
"Why are we stuck in here?"

"Because CW wants to send someone to talk to us first."

"I wasn't given any phone numbers or anything for any of the other companies ." At this point, she began to slump into her chair. "I don't know how I'm going to talk to them. I don't know who's in charge where. It's a mess."

Juan pulled the flask out of his jacket again, and held it up to Miranda's face. "Drink?"


OOC: Waiting for orders. The peeps won't be drunk. At least not all the time. I guess they'll be sitting there for some 4-5 hours, enough to have the liquor come and go.


Now that they're here, I gotta keep them safe. Tread lightly.

OOC: BTW New Manth, Alexandria Steel and Oil hasn't been too active. Ill need fuel for my military pretty soon.

New Candria- Is it jsut those two on the jet to represent GEM, or are there more?

IC:
"WHAT??" raged the President, "Why wasn't I told sooner?" It was always his policy to make a good first impression on foreign corporations or government visiting Colony West. Apparently the delgation from GEM Engineering had been sitting on the tarmac for quite a while.
"Redirect them to Colony City airport and put them up in hotels for the night. I will send them further directions tommorow once I know how many of them there are."

[OOC: So could I provide power to 15-20 million people with just 1 reactor?]

OOC: It's some 120 GEM Engineering staff, and some 40 students from University of Melaias architecture programs. Juan's project chief, so you only have to really know him.

OOC: As for RP time I wont have nearly a smuch next week. I work 10 hour days at a Russel Stovers factory. I have jsut engouh time in the morning to check my issues and only about 30 minutes every evening to RP. This week we are on plant shutdown though, so I have gobs of time.
Also, as far as population, Im going to keep it fairly study at 10 million for a while longer, then increase it to 15 (immigration boom and all filling up the newly developed areas. Cheap housing, plenty of jobs should draw alot). Depending on how long this lasts I may increase it more, but if you plan for 15 you should be ok for quite a while.

LM&W, Im not sure what all your equations took into account, but remember that he is talking about his nuclear plant AND his existing solar, wind, and hydro plants not to mention that Colony West already had its own natural gas and hyro plants.

OOC: 15 million brings the requirement to ~100 reactors. Most of the equations took into account generic costs for nuclear power cost/energy, meaning the only thing how much is needed will change is the total investment cost, the 2.5 cents/kWh doesn't change.

I didn't count them because I don't know they're percentages and output, but more power is never a bad thing, since the unfortunate can happen. (Ex: you have 10 extra reactors so a number can go off line, for maintenance and the like, and still have power to spare)

[OOC: So could I provide power to 15-20 million people with just 1 reactor?]

Sure. All you have to remember is that (assuming the reactor is 1.6 GW and 20 million people) they get 80 Watts each. That'd get you one light bulb a piece.

End result was that I was off by 1,000 in the first math I did. Instead of one reactor being ten times too much, it was 100 times too little...

[OOC: Russia has a ton more people. Besides, by the time everything is NS-ified, coupled with the fact that Avisron spends a way higher percentage of its money on nuclear energy, AND is building more than one reactor (the others won't be completed as hastily, though,) I think I'm fine. And yeah, VGI has offering the same deal.

Yeah, but they also only cover a small percentage of their power with nuclear.

Liberal Men and Women, I'm finding it a bit hard to follow your math... I can't tell if you're accounting for stuff like fuel cost, training/paying nuclear technicians, maintenance, security, disposing of nuclear waste, or the fact that you can't really turn a nuclear plant off during non-peak hours and thus you lose part of power putting it into grid storage... But anyway I pulled my guess for nuclear power from the US Dept of Energy (and it was just a final figure, it didn't have all the math leading up to it displayed), so costs based on some other figures might be different.

IC:

Perhaps surprisingly, North Egypt Electric makes no real attempt to sell electricity at the 1.2 cents per kilowatt-hour that the Avisronian company is selling for. Indeed, perhaps the opposite. Fueled by the incredibly cheap energy, contruction and investment from the other New Manthian corporations increases dramatically. Companies like Integrated Auto, SCC Group and Alexandria Steel and Oil, not to mention new corporations entering the market daily, are able to cut costs dramatically at the expense of the Avisronians ...and of course, with each kilowatt-hour they would drive the Avisronian corporation deeper into unprofitability.

Meanwhile, North Egypt Electric too actually buys vast amounts of the 1.2 cent electricity. Heavy machinery is shipped from New Manth and delivered to NEE's colonial properties, but whatever is being ordered is kept under wraps.

Alexandria Steel and Oil, by now owning most large oil reserves in the west, begins major drilling operations, and the mining companies begin work on improving the railroad infrastructure to carry coal directly to Southern ports and major Colonial cities.

OOC: I'll write up what is entering the Colonial market from me later, but it's a lot. Everything from television companies to supermarkets to arms manufacturers.

VGI Corporation, in keeping with its agressive strategy to capture the Colony West market, begins to sell its energy at 1.2 cents per kilowatt-hour. This price, while a massive loss for the corporation, still doesn't put the company in any long term danger. To help offset the loss the company is taking in Colony West, it slightly raises its prices in Avisron. Of course, the company doesn't have the infrastructure to compete widely in Colony West yet, as its nuclear facility is nowhere near finished. Regardless, North Egypt Electric is being put in a position to run a similar loss, or lose the market entirely.

In other Avisronian news, Raytta Corporation doesn't see the JEC's free operating system as a serious threat to its own ROS-3 system, and as such doesn't take actions to protect its own market share. Raytta Corporation computers remain 100 perfect compatible and no serious discussions of the freeware take place. Hopefully, the Raytta Corporation strategists think, the market will stabilise in the near future.

In other Raytta Corporation news, 12 more franchise retail stores open across the nation. They provide a myriad of retail products and services for Colonial citizens to spend their money on. At the same time RayttaNet continues construction on its wireless network.

Zecka Corporation continues to sell its automobiles and complete construction on its factories, effectively cementing itself as a key player in the Colonial automobile factory.

Similarly, the Avisronian military continues working at a feverish pace to finish construction of buildings at its massive coastal fortress.

-snip-

[OOC: Essentially, VGI Corporation is seeking to push North Egypt Electric out of the market. They don't really care about giving an advantage to other Manthian companies, since Avisronian companies can benefit from the same cheap power anyway, it doesn't really give your companies an advantage. Oh, and also, that massive loss we talked about was only from the nuclear plant. Right now all the electricity i'm selling is being produced by the wind generators, solar farms, etc. By the time the power plant is complete, North Egypt Electric will have lost considerable market share.

Oh, and didn't Colony West say that all arms manufacturing would be governmetn owned?]

Everyone, this is Captain Jaeger. I've just been informed by Colony West that you all can get out now. Try not to fall.

With the blinking of lights and opening of doors, the 160 people in the plane stood up and started filing out the portside doors. Juan was now walking into a wide terminal of the airport at Port Royal. The thought lingered for a while, but before it manifest itself into something understandable, a man in a suit walked up to him.
"Mr.... uh..."

"Marenello."

"Mary-nello?"

"...yeah. I assume you're from the government?"

"Yes, yes. The president has arranged for your delegation hotel rooms in the capital of Colony City at no expense."

"Oh, that's perfect... Wait, we're not over there..."

"At the moment it was his understanding that your aircraft was still in the sky, waiting for clearance to land. It's on its way right now."

"You mean-"

Juan's head snapped around to look outside the terminal windows. Sure enough, the black, red, gold & white a400 was on the runway, about to take off. He thought about running after it; of course, there would be no way to catch up.

He muttered under his breath - "Oh, sonova..." - before regaining his composure and facing the man from the government.

"I don't suppose you could arrange for some shuttle buses to take us there? 5, maybe 6?We'll pay, of course."

Yeah, but they also only cover a small percentage of their power with nuclear.

Liberal Men and Women, I'm finding it a bit hard to follow your math... I can't tell if you're accounting for stuff like fuel cost, training/paying nuclear technicians, maintenance, security, disposing of nuclear waste, or the fact that you can't really turn a nuclear plant off during non-peak hours and thus you lose part of power putting it into grid storage... But anyway I pulled my guess for nuclear power from the US Dept of Energy (and it was just a final figure, it didn't have all the math leading up to it displayed), so costs based on some other figures might be different.

...

My figures came from a cost per kiloWatt approximation by a company that manufactures nuclear reactors, and accounts primarily for construction. Then another figure from a study about the cost of construction vs cost of operation accounted for the remainder. Still, it's only an approximation and still has no government imposed things, if there are any...

Also, the thing is that you build more reactors than necessary, and take them offline one at a time to perform maintenance and the like. Eg: they require 110 GW, you build 125 GW so generators can go offline and not cause brownouts.

Regardless, 1.2 cents / kW will require costs > 5 cents/kW to make up for it after the battle.


In other Avisronian news, Raytta Corporation doesn't see the JEC's free operating system as a serious threat to its own ROS-3 system, and as such doesn't take actions to protect its own market share. Raytta Corporation computers remain 100 perfect compatible and no serious discussions of the freeware take place. Hopefully, the Raytta Corporation strategists think, the market will stabilise in the near future.


The thing is that the JEC is appealing to enthusiasts and the high end market.

IC: The JEC is announcing a new video game platform called the JEC Starburst. It is equiped with 4 separate JP500+ processors(8 pipelines each, 32 total. Total PIII equivalent > 29GHz), two for graphics, one for AI and audio, and the last for general purpose things; however the processors are each capable of handling any of the loads, and can be programed to do so. Additionally the platform is equipped with 8 GB of RAM and runs a modified version of the JEC OS. (much like the XBox used a version of Windows)

The platform is planned to launch in one month with at least 100,000 available in Colony West that day. The announcement included a list of over 20 titles available that day, with a total of 50 available before year end. The software development tools were sold to many businesses, both Confederate and Colonial (and even two Colonial businesses started by Confederate natives), and are even available to Avisronian and Manthian corporations. In fact a scaled down free version will be included with the console, allowing people to create their own games out of the box.

The MSRP is 300 Confederate Credits or 430 coupons.

Regardless, 1.2 cents / kW will require costs > 5 cents/kW to make up for it after the battle.

[OOC: VGI Corp. won't let that happen. If it did, North Egypt Electric could just return to the market and undercut VGI, effectively doing the same thing again. I'll come up some some sort of nifty plan. Don't worry. My only goal now is forcing North Egypt Electric out of the market.]

OOC: The government does technically charge 1 cent per kWh for any form of power plant that produces toxic waste, but it is a charge that will be waved for the nuclear power plant for a while to encourage industries to grow.

yes, Colony West does place all arms manufacturing under the direct control of the government. While you could build arms manufacturing facilities and even manage them, I don't think you want to since we will have to own them.
In case anyone needs to know for future refernce there are also some government owned farms and all gambling based industry is owned by the government.

I know I should probably post a little more IC, but I have a phonecall to make to my girlfriend so you will all just have to wait ;) I might be back on later this evening.

IC: The government official arranged to have the GEM delegation bussed to Colony City ASAP. It was still too early for Supper, but it woudl be late by the time they got there and the Hotels restaraunt would be closed, so when he called ahead to tell them that their parties would be arriving late, he also made special arrangements for the restaraunt stay open and reserved specifically for this crew.

[OOC: VGI Corp. won't let that happen. If it did, North Egypt Electric could just return to the market and undercut VGI, effectively doing the same thing again. I'll come up some some sort of nifty plan. Don't worry. My only goal now is forcing North Egypt Electric out of the market.]

Actually, 5c/kWh is actually not a bad price considering that the US average is 10c/kWh, but the promises you've been making are gonna fare poorly against you.

Off topic, but: my nation averages a bit more than 6c/kWh, using primarily nuclear and hydro electric power; higher (~50 c/kWh) for people who go with specific "clean" solar/wind corporations, who in actuality produce no difference in pollution, and are mostly a marketing fad

Actually, 5c/kWh is actually not a bad price considering that the US average is 10c/kWh, but the promises you've been making are gonna fare poorly against you.

Off topic, but: my nation averages a bit more than 6c/kWh, using primarily nuclear and hydro electric power; higher (~50 c/kWh) for people who go with specific "clean" solar/wind corporations, who in actuality produce no difference in pollution, and are mostly a marketing fad

[OOC: Of course 5c isn't that bad, but when the other guys can sell for 3 and still make a profit, it isn't tolerable. Maybe if North Egypt Electric pulls out and I buy their infrastructure just to tear it down I could raise prices. They couldn't just jump back in then.]

[OOC: Of course 5c isn't that bad, but when the other guys can sell for 3 and still make a profit, it isn't tolerable. Maybe if North Egypt Electric pulls out and I buy their infrastructure just to tear it down I could raise prices. They couldn't just jump back in then.]

Just make sure to raise prices slowly.

There's a species of lizard(I think it's a lizard, anyway), that if put into a pot of boiling water will jump out. However, if they are put in cool water, which then is heated, they won't realize it, and boil to death. Often times people are like that. Most of them anyway.

OOC: Don't have time for an IC post, very sorry, leaving for work.... North Egypt Electric will match whatever price the Avisronian company is offering, and if they lower it, we will match that too...

If this keeps up we will both be selling electricity for free!

Will edit this into IC post when chance arrives

OOC: Don't have time for an IC post, very sorry, leaving for work.... North Egypt Electric will match whatever price the Avisronian company is offering, and if they lower it, we will match that too...

If this keeps up we will both be selling electricity for free!

Will edit this into IC post when chance arrives

[OOC: Well the thing is, VGI Corporation isn't making an overall loss yet. The normal price for a kH in Avisron was 4c. VGI Corp has upped that to 10c, and since alottheir grid is cheap wind generators, it isn't THAT hard for them to go all the way to zero and still turn an overall profit.]

[OOC: Well the thing is, VGI Corporation isn't making an overall loss yet. The normal price for a kH in Avisron was 4c. VGI Corp has upped that to 10c, and since alottheir grid is cheap wind generators, it isn't THAT hard for them to go all the way to zero and still turn an overall profit.]

OOC: Since your country is much larger, it means this could go on indefinitely, since those 6c/kWh extra across your whole pop will far out do the 3c/kWh loss here. Also, I would expect that those prices wouldn't come back down afterward since the people still pay.

OOC: Same for me... North Egypt Electric turns about 30 billion a year in profit, so they can basically run all their plants in Colony West at zero charge indefinitely at the price of a small drop in the bottom line. I presume you can do the same thing.

They've avoided raising prices on the home front as that sort of thing causes other economic problems... for the moment they are just taking it out of final profits.


Hmmm... so you're doubled electricity prices at home, eh? I presume your company doesn't have any competition in Avisron, then... are there any legal or other barriers that would stop me moving in and providing some?

Hmmm... so you're doubled electricity prices at home, eh? I presume your company doesn't have any competition in Avisron, then... are there any legal or other barriers that would stop me moving in and providing some?

[OOC: It's virtually impossible for foreign companies to break into the Avisronian market. First, you have a patriotic nation (who wouldn't like your corporate dictatorship :p,) then you have a government that orients towards survivalism. They probably wouldn't allow it, but even if you did, it wouldn't work out so well.]

OOC: Since your country is much larger, it means this could go on indefinitely, since those 6c/kWh extra across your whole pop will far out do the 3c/kWh loss here. Also, I would expect that those prices wouldn't come back down afterward since the people still pay.

[OOC: You're figuring it out. :)]

OOC: OK, I won't try... I'll just publish inflammatory literature there about how Avisronian energy companies are fleecing their own populace in order to subsidize foreigners and try to stir up domestic protest. I imagine the high energy prices there will cause major economic hardship, but tell me if I am wrong...

Blagh, still no time for an IC post... soon I promise. Just got home from work and have to leave again soon, and need to do a few more posts in betweem.

Upon receiving word of this nation, the LifeWyze Board of Directors reached a decision. Over the next several weeks, a series of advertising camapgins were launched to nations across the world seeking to discourage the use of standard farming practices.

Sir James Irvine sits before the screen behind his desk, the North Maraque City skyline visible behind him.

"Nations of the world, hunger is a growing concern these days as populations seemingly spiral out of control. Coupled with the difficulties in standard farming posed by global warming, we at LifeWyze understand that ensuring a constant supply of food for your people can be a daunting, even impossible task. Well LifeWyze has the solution.

"LifeWyze runs the world's foremost genetically modified food farms: BioFarm Projects. A single BioFarm Projects facility can generate enough food to feed hundreds of thousands of people everything from rice to beef, from milk to wheat. Contact us now, and we can ensure your people receive food that is not only cheaper, but healthier than any standardly farmed foodstuff! And what's more, since our BioFarm Projects facility will reside within your nation, there are no importing costs, just basic logistical costs that are covered in the price of our goods.

"So to ensure your nations future, think LifeWyze. Put Your Life In Our Hands."

A contact number dominates the screen as the image of Sir James fades out, along with LifeWyze: Put Your Life In Our Hands.

After an eleven hour bus ride, and a complimentary night in a Colonial hotel, Juan was feeling as refreshed as ever - still a nervous wreck, but by now that was his nature. He rolled out of the bed, planting his feet onto the ground with a sort of soft 'thud'. His suitcases were all piled into a corner of the room near the window; the curtains were closed and the room had the feel of a sunset with the low amount of air going through. Juan got up and walked to the bathroom, performing the usual morning rituals - brush teeth, bathroom, shower, all in the course of some 15 minutes. He got dressed in one of the suits in his luggage; black Natasha Tailors two-piece suit, red tie with gold stripes, white shirt. One of those hokey nationalist suits. The GEM pin already came on his lapel. Finely polished black shoes and socks.

Juan walked out of his room, keys in hand. He pulled out his cell phone and began scrolling through his phonebook; co-workers, employees, the small army of interns. Then he called the newest number in his phone.

"Hi, this is Juan Marenello, the consultant from GEM. I'd like to ask for an audience with your president, please?"

OOC: CW, lets get this rollin'.

OOC: OK, I won't try... I'll just publish inflammatory literature there about how Avisronian energy companies are fleecing their own populace in order to subsidize foreigners and try to stir up domestic protest. I imagine the high energy prices there will cause major economic hardship, but tell me if I am wrong...

Blagh, still no time for an IC post... soon I promise. Just got home from work and have to leave again soon, and need to do a few more posts in betweem.

[OOC: Economic hardship in Avisron? Not really. The government is tiny. It barely taxes at all. Everything is privately owned. Times are good in Avisron.]

--IC--

Upon coming to the conclusion that the two major energy corporations within Colony West are effectively steaming toward a statemate, VGI Corporation makes an important strategic investment.

After contracting several "scientific journals" to "research" the "air quality" of Colony West, VGI Corporation plants agents within these respected scientific journals and bribes key officials to "accidently" exagerate key information.

Within a few days of initating the operation, stories break all over the world about "corporate greed destroying a beautiful environment."

The report is released in every major Colonial newspaper. It details how the North Egypt Electric company is using "color and odor reducing chemicals" to make it appear that nothing was coming out of the plants. VGI Corporation pays evironmentalists to launch massive (though legal) protests in every major urban center within Colony West. According to the report, unless serious actions are undertaken, cancer rates will skyrocket.

The executives at VGI Corporation know North Egypt Electric will retaliate by launching nearly an identical campaign. To counteract this before it can even happen, VGI issues a press release declaring its "profound shock, outrage, and sadness," and further declares "North Egypt Electric will probably blame this on us. It wasn't us. We can't make their plants spew toxic waste."

At this point the VGI executives are coming to a realiziation. While North Egypt Electric is matching them point for point, it's just that. VGI is leading the competition. While both the companies are lowering their prices drastically, VGI is doing it faster. Essentially, the lack of initiative at North Egypt Electric is beginning to cost them.

Official North Egypt Electric Statement

"VGI Corporation has resorted to many underhanded methods to try to drive us out of the energy market, but this has got to be the lowest of the low - they have stopped trying to give their deceptions even a veneer of truth, and have resorted to blatant lies. Our plants are open for any government scientists to see if these rumors are true. As they obviously are not. Advance notice of inspection will NOT be required. We're using carbon sequestering and filters, not odor-reducing chemicals.

In light of blatant lies from VGI, we question whether they will be able to keep their other promises either. We urge the government to take a long, hard look at that nuclear power plant they are building, for example, and to begin a wide-ranging investigation of VGI's monopolistic, illegal actions in Colony West over the past several months.

Meanwhile, we are pleased to announce that we are quadrupling the number of planned power plants in Colony West, and that we expect to begin offering completely free electricity to favored customers within the week as a sign of goodwill. We will not bow to illegal intimidation and unfair market practices."

OOC: I'm lowering prices just as fast... basically as soon as you announce a lower price I match it. It doesn't really matter what they are paying right now as I'm sure North Egypt Electric could buy half the country if it really tried and short-term money loss is not a concern.

OOC: Sorry guys, I don't have time for a very long IC post, I have to get going and I might not be able to get back on tonight. Ill be bale to post tommorow for sure.

Candrian Empire- I have plans for what I want GEM to do so it shouldn't take long which means I can just post here once Im ready for a real post. If you plan on having much discussion, however, I would appreciate it if you started a new thread and posted a link to it here.

And finally, I jsut got this as part of one of my issues today and I thought it might throw in a nice new angle.

IC: Prospecting company Nukes4U has uncovered a large uranium deposit in Colony West's north-west.

Candrian Empire- after hearing news fomr his aide that the representative fomr GEM was here, President Lewis approved him for an audience at 1 that afternoon, just enough time to attend to pressing matters and still change into more formal attire.

Prospecting company Nukes4U has uncovered a large uranium deposit in Colony West's north-west.

Sweet. I already have my logging companies owning the wilderness up there... I'll mine the stuff too.

"I'm gonna get fucking cancer here now? That's just great. Just fucking great. How did I get suckered into this?"

"Might've been the paycheck."

"Shutup and get me a coffee."

"I didn't sign on to this program to get you drinks every five minutes..."

"Do it or I fail you for insubordination. How you gonna talk back to the guy holding the keys to your future?"

"Fine, fine... irish or what?"

"I don't drink in the morning. Black. No sugar. Hotter than hell. GO."

Jorge the intern started walking out of the hotel, heading for one of the coffee shops dotting the streets outside. In the lobby, Juan waited for the rest of his entourage to produce themselves; he passed the time watching the television. A news report. Something about high levels of pollutants, carcinogens, some bullshit about carbon, free energy, and the like. The two top dogs in the energy market were now starting to ravage each other.

In walked Miranda, clutching her business cellphone. "I can't reach anyone from North Egypt Electric. They're getting a flood of calls."

"What about the other guys?"

"Rayetta, or VGI, or whatever they're being called now?"

"Isn't their parent company a conglomerate?"

"Personally, I think it's the government."

"Doesn't matter now. I got us a meeting with the President at 1. Warface, woman, this is where it matters. We're bringing us, obviously, Louis (Galtro - Energy Subsystems Consultant), Ricky (Haines, Labor Consultant), Marco (Amalfi, Economic Impact Consultant), James (Klien, Ecological Impact Consultant), and Paul (Mercer, Infrastructure Consultant); Gracie's (Mayes, Candrian diplomat) coming too."

"They'll be enough seats?"

"I asked for a big roundtable. We should be good."

"When do we get picked up?"

"Whenever that limo gets here. Those CW kids are really on the ball, I'm surprised they're letting their country get sliced up."

OOC: Ready when you are.

Sweet. I already have my logging companies owning the wilderness up there... I'll mine the stuff too.

OOC: That's not good for VGI. Their competitor gets access to their fuel. I have a solution, why doesn't Colony West auction the mining rights and make some money.

IC: The CEO of the JEC himself has asked his secretary to schedule a meeting between the president of Colony West and the Executive Vice President in charge of International Expansion over what niche we could fill in your country's needs. Even authorizing sale of missiles and possibly the design of a fighter for their military.

OOC: Actually I was planning on waiting until New Manth approached me about expanding their mining rights to include their logging land in the Northwest and let the each region (Robinson and West Robinson) sell the mining rights to whomever they wish.

New Manth- sorry, i should clear this up. I went back in the posts and you did say buy the land to log, but I meant to only sell you logging rights. You will have to bid on mining rights, but since the people in West Robinson are used to your logging company that will offer you an edge that money can't buy, not that a high enough overbid wouldn't win it anyway. Robinson will probably just go to the highest bidder, but we'll see what sort of external factors come into play. I would also like to note that anyone can bid on these mining rights, but in West Robinson you can't mine the land that New Manth hasn't logged yet.

And now, finally:
IC:
President Lewis turned as the door to the office opened. "Your 1:00 is here, sir." The president looked at his watch. 12:50. Punctual, good. "Show him in." The president said as he headed to the conference room. His Ministers of the Interior, Health and Human Services, Economic Development, housing and Urban Development, and Defence as well as the Deputy Ministers of Post, Agriculture, and Transportation had already arrived and were milling around. This was sure to be an important meeting. He took his seat and his cabinet followed suit. It was less than a minute before the door opened again and the representatives from GEM were shown in.
"Bonjour," said the President , then catching his mistake, "Welcome" damn those Wienies "I hope your delay was not too inconvienient and you found your accomidations in The City comfortable?"

OOC: Hey, Ive purchased or am constructing everythign I need for my military aside from some interceptors that Im making deals to purchase. I do need some advice on my military though, I have a post in Gameplay cuase I think thats where it belongs. I would appreciate some help. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=530001)

[OOC: VGI was planning on importing its fuel, anyway.]

--IC--

Official VGI Corporation Press Release

Just as we had predicted, North Egypt Electric has blamed us, their competition, for what may or may not be their own problems. Frankly, we hope that the claims made against them are not true. It would be a very sad day for a company which has to this point prided itself on clean energy to infact be spreading cancer. However, it wouldn't surprise us.

Given how North Egypt Electric has acted in the past, we really don't see the point in even searching their plant. They'll have their act cleaned up for a few weeks now. Sadly, the only real way to check is to watch for the cancer rate to climb.

[END]

Immediately after dispatching this news release, VGI Corporation makes its customers aware that energy is now completely free.

Meanwhile, an Avisronian military troop surge is underway at the fortress. Roughly 50,000 soldiers are slated to be based inside the yet unnamed fortress. Currently a little over 20,000 have arrived. The massive outer shell of the area is beginning to take shape, and massive bunkers are prepared.

[OOC: When does this bidding officially start?]

OOC: CW, what do you think of me opening a production, and maybe even a new R & D facility in your country? We can discuss it for real when I meet with you post GEM.

Avisron, I suggest putting an offer in now, instead of waiting for the bidding to start. In fact...

IC: The JEC would like to offer each region 50 million credits (~$97.5 million) for the mining rights in their region.

[OOC: Let me know if I understand this correctly. There's two regions. One of them is being logged by New Manth. The other... isn't?]

OOC: Some of Robinson is, but not much. It was mostly logged and converted to farms and orchards before you all arrived. So while no one has to deal with New Manths logging rights, the bid for rights in Robinson will have to go higher than West Robinson, even though there is more of the uranium in West Robinson, simply because you are dealing with land people actually live on.

LM&W: Im not entirely clear what JEC is. Its a computer company, right? Id be fine with that.

[Official Message]

The Avisronian government wishes to place a bid of 100 million Universal Standard Dollars on the mining rights in each region.

OOC: Some of Robinson is, but not much. It was mostly logged and converted to farms and orchards before you all arrived. So while no one has to deal with New Manths logging rights, the bid for rights in Robinson will have to go higher than West Robinson, even though there is more of the uranium in West Robinson, simply because you are dealing with land people actually live on.

LM&W: Im not entirely clear what JEC is. Its a computer company, right? Id be fine with that.

OOC: The JEC was originally a computer company, but has been expanding into other markets in an attempt to remove the Confederacy's reliance on a different company. At this point, they do computer stuff (which is what we'd be opening here) along with a number of aviation-related armament manufacturing (missiles, and recently a new fighter; however we'd keep weapons internally).

IC: The JEC withdraws from the bidding; however, Confederate Energy would like to submit a bid of 105 million USD each, with 150,000 USD going to each person needed to be relocated for the mining. (OOC: how many people are we talking about here?)

[OOC: When we say "each" region, we're talking about 2 regions, right?]

[OOC: When we say "each" region, we're talking about 2 regions, right?]

Yes, as in 100 to one and 100 to the other.

[OOC: I'm just going to start doing a combined bid. Is that okay?]

IC

[Official Message]

The Avisronian Department of Investment would like to place a bid of 160 million USD for Robinson, and a bid of 140 million USD for West Robinson. We'd also like to discuss what exactly happens if uranium is found outside the areas it's already been discovered in.

[END]

"Alright guys, remember - war face. Keep your cool, and for god's sake don't freak out. Let this run smoothly."

Mr. Marenello was facing the other GEM reps. If he was nervous (and you can be damn sure he was) he wasn't showing it. He was studying the faces of the other reps; the only people who showed their nerves were, of course, the interns - but they've never been in the office of a world leader.

"Remember - they're in control. Jorge, give me the jumpdrive."

"Here you go, sir." The intern produced a grey jumpdrive from one of his pants pockets, and handed it to his overseer.

"Thank you. Make sure the laptop and proxima work too."

"Mr. Marenello, the president will see you know."

He mouthed out one last, "Warface!", before turning around with a smile, bright ivory whites flashing.

"Thank you."

---

"Hello, Mr. President."

Juan reached out to shake the President's hand; he made it a point to have his watch slide out a little bit from under his sleeve - gold band, gold watchface.

"I'm Juan Marenello, staff chief of our little envoy. These are my counterparts."

The attention shifted across the twelve Candrians, as each introduced themselves; except, of course, for the four interns.

"The delay wasn't an issue; in the end, we're still here in front of you. As per the orders of my Government and Company, we are entirely at your disposal. We do what you want us to."

OOC: Avisron, I enabled the leadership of each region to make their own deals, so you are dealing with two seperate deals. The mining rights being sold only include the areas currently found to have Uranium in each region. West Robinson has more uranium, but at least some of it is under land that New Manth had logging rights to, so even though you can buy the mining rights, you can't mine the land until our contract with new manth is satisfied, ie. he logs the areas you want to mine. In Robinson there is less uranium, but you have to buy land where people live so the governor will want to make enough money to pay those people for their land as well.
As far as people we are dealing with, 3,000 will need to be relocated (these are mostly farmers who live on their farms that are goign to be mined) we can just buy the pasteur land off another 950 farmers, and about 2,200 people or companies will have to sell the government their orchards or part of their orchards, but do not need to be relocated.
In West Robinson we just need to buy the land, people may live near to the mining, but not near enough to pose any real hazard to either the mines or the people.

IC:
"Mister Marinello" the President said pronouncing the name just slightly wrong, "Lets get down to brass tacks right off the bat. We need you to divide your group into at least two projects, preferably three if you think it is manageable. The first is a small special group for a classified project to take place just outside Neil. All I can tell you now is that it involves undergroud contruction. If you accept this assignment I will give you the classified file on this project. ((Ill TG you)) The second is the expansion of the infrastructure of Neil itself. It has doubled in size in teh past two years and so we need three basic things. 1) expansion and updating of the sewer system 2) constructin of a second post office on the east side of town 3) paved roads for all major thoroughfares. By this I don't mean simply pave it, the roads they have now, even the frequently used ones, are rarely more than dirt paths if they are outside the bounds of the original city. Odds and ends of smaller things pertaining to the infrastructure might be asked of you by the governor or mayor while you are there. If you ahve time for these side prokects without hindering the main projects go ahead and do them, but reming them that it is at their local governments expense unless they approve it with me. Finally, the third project I have for you if it is manageable is the construction of an airport in Neil. If it is not manageable now, then you can get to it after the completion of the other projects. After that is all complete I will have another project for you in another part of the country. In other words Mr. Marenello," The president was proud for getting it right that time, "we plan to kep you very busy here." The president smiled and waited for all that he had said sink in before he continued. "And now, if you accept, for the more difficult part of these talks. The details." The president grinned broadly. "I daresay you have questions on these projects you would like to ask?"

[OOC: Ooh. I see. Thanks for the clarification. I'll adjust my post.]

OOC: I did mean to actually buy the land itself so that I could use it after it was logged, but OK.

[Corporate Message]
[I]

We will bid 150 million Universal Standard dollars for West Robinson mining rights and 160 million for Robinson mining rights.

OOC: I did mean to actually buy the land itself so that I could use it after it was logged, but OK.

[Corporate Message]
[I]

We will bid 150 million Universal Standard dollars for West Robinson mining rights and 160 million for Robinson mining rights.

Confederate Energy shall go 160m WR / 175m R.

[Official Message]

The Avisronian Department of Investment will up its bid to 175m USD WR / 185m USD R.

[END]

The governor of West Robinson listened to the figures coming in. Wow, I was lucky when they discovered that vein. Just look at how much money I stand to make! And once they mine it, it will just be back to government owned land since we are consolidating this deal by buying this land up from all the people who own it. And its a good thing too since once it was logged he shudders it probably would ahve been used as farmland, and with this much uranium under teh surface I think we would be facing a few genetically altered crops in the bad sort of way.

[Encrypted Message]

To: Colonial Government
From: Rockwell Biological Research Corporation

Rockwell Biological Research Corporation specializes in providing top quality foods to the world market. Some of our foods are genetically modified, however, and this seems to make certain groups a little... unwelcoming. Do you have anything against us purchasing a fairly large grid of farming land?

[END]

----------

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: The Avisronian Central Intelligence Division (A.C.I.D.)

We've recieved unconfirmed reports from certain intelligence assets that an Avisronian eco-terrorist organization may be setting up shop within Colony West. These guys are good. And ruthless. Right now we don't have any specific intelligence, but it might be a worthy investment for you to put extra protection on key industrial establishments.

[END]

After speaking with his majesty Alark III Otares has crafted the following proposal for The (former) Colony of Colony West.


Terms:

the nation: Colony West
the kingdom: Otares
the bank: The National Bank of Otares
the exchange: The National Commodities and Stock exchange (a subsidiary of The National Bank of Otares.)

In keeping with the nation’s desire to: maintain private ownership of the means of production, maintain government control on the economy, limit political representation, maintain its leader’s autocracy, industrialize, open trade relations, open political relations, and become more affluent the Kingdom hereby offers the following to the nation.


Section Ia Statement of Status

This agreement hereby establishes peaceable relations between the nation and the kingdom. The nation and the kingdom hereby recognize the sovereign rights of the other and the territory which that sovereignty applies to.

Section Ib Official Channels

The Kingdom will immediately establish an embassy within the political capital of the nation. The embassy will have no more than 15 core members – granted full immunity legal persecution by the nation. And a service staff of no more than 25 members who’s immunity will only be in reference to the performance of their own duties.

The Nation will establish an embassy within the political capital of the kingdom no fewer than three years from the acceptance of this proposal and no more than five. At this time a reciprocal arrangement in regards to diplomatic staff can be reached.

When seven years has passed, and with the consent of both the nation and the kingdom, further arrangements are to be put into place regarding Official Channels; ex the construction of consulates and the expansion of the embassies.

Section Ic Extradition

Any citizen of the kingdom within the nation is to be presented to the kingdom upon request. Failure to do so in a timely manner is to be considered consent to an extraction of said citizen by the agents of the kingdom.

Any citizen of the nation which seeks citizenship within the kingdom will be informed of their status under this agreement. No protection is to be offered by the nation to any citizen of the kingdom who has been thusly requested.

Section Id Status of Representation in the Nation

The Nation hereby agrees that irrespective of any choices it makes in the future as to the nature of its political system it will always maintain at least two branches of government which are not elected. EX. The judiciary and the senate


Section Ie Airspace

The kingdom and nation hereby declare that, within the local rules and regulations which apply, aircraft from either party are welcome within the territory of their respectives.

Section IIa Investment

In light of the nation’s lack of industrial development the bank will immediately provide a loan of 1.2 Trillion USD with the fixed interest rate of 5%. This loan will exist without interest for three years and repayment is not expected to commence for five years. At the five year mark the bank and the nation will reach an agreement on the term of the loan with the following understandings; annual repayment will never exceed 1% of the nation’s GDP, the bank will offer a repayment plan with the shortest term being 35 years, an alternative – non binding - repayment schedule will be offered where the nation can be forgiven portions of the accrued interest on the loan, and all negotiations shall be done in good faith.

The kingdom is immediately offering the nation a 2.5 trillion USD trade credit with the understanding that it will be spent as follows.
1) 600 billion USD will purchase Otariet made construction equipment
2) 100 billion USD will purchase Otariet made medicines and vaccines
3) 200 billion USD will be used to contract Otariet companies for infrastructure improvements in the nation
4) 300 billion USD will be allocated for general goods produced and transported by Otariet companies
5) 300 billion USD will be allocated for ships produced by Otariet yards
6) 400 billion USD will be allocated for air vehicles produced within the kingdom
7) 400 billion USD will be allocated for Otariet made land vehicles
8) 200 billion USD will be allocated for investment in Otariet economic interests, the return on which is not subject to this agreement.

The kingdom immediately offers the production rights to all of its personal fire arms for use by the nation’s agents.

The kingdom immediately grants a $150 billion USD arms contract to produce the aforementioned personal firearms for the agents of the kingdom.

The kingdom will grant a series of investments to Otariet corporations to entice the production of the following: three nuclear power plants (with an output of 3500 megawatts each), a commercial airport with at least six terminals, a freighter service which will use the nation’s ports and ship the nation’s goods, a water desalinization and treatment plant, and four automotive factories. The actual ownership of these facilities will be held in joint by the bank and the Otariet companies in question. At the five year mark the bank will auction its share to the domestic market in the nation – in the hopes that domestic ownership will embolden the nation’s economy. NOTE: After the successful auction the companies will no longer be offered protections under this treaty – they will be, despite foreign partial ownership, completely under the prevue of the nation.

The exchange is willing to absorb the cost of 563 billion USD in new share issue. These shares will then be placed on the exchange and treated as normal stock/goods. The exchange will then offer market value to any of the nation’s corporate interests who wish to ‘go public’. The exchange will provide the mechanism of exchange for the first ten years of the nation’s development. At that time the bank and the nation will engage in negotiations as to whether the established system is to continue or if the financial infrastructure of the nation is secure, and developed, enough to sustain its own stock exchange.

The bank now hereby opens its services as a creditor to the corporations given ‘favourable’ status by the nation. These corporations will be granted forgivable loans locked in at the kingdom’s prime rate.

Section IIb Regulation

The kingdom and the economic interests of the kingdom will abide by all environmental, health and safety, employee taxation, and transparency regulation of the nation while within the territorial interests of the nation – so long as those regulations are uniformly applied to competitors, both foreign and domestic to the nation.

The nation hereby agrees that it shall never enforce any tariff on an Otariet good which it does not apply uniformly.

The nation hereby agrees that it shall never enforce any tariff on an Otariet good in excess of 20% - irrespective of what is so chooses to enforce on goods of other national origin and or destination.

The kingdom hereby agrees that it will not place a tariff on the goods of the nation in excess of 12.5%. NOTE: The kingdom reserves the right wave this clause on goods which pose a risk to the public safety within the kingdom. EX. Drugs, weapons, products which do not meet domestic safety standards et cetera.



Section IIc Education

The kingdom hereby reserves seats within its post secondary education system numbered at 150,000. These seats will be offered to the nation – who may distribute them among their populace as necessary. These 150,000 seats will be spread evenly among the degrees offered within the kingdom. The cost of this education will be absorbed by the kingdom. The kingdom will continue to offer the agreement indefinitely, further reserved spots will need to be negotiated at a later date. NOTE: The kingdom reserves the right to turn away individuals who do not meet the minimum academic requirements. Language will be omitted as a requirement – though all the students from the nation who take a seat will be enrolled in a mandatory program of ‘Otariet as a second language’.

The kingdom will immediately open a post secondary education institution 50km outside of the capital of the nation. This institution will be run by educators of the kingdom and English will be the standard language. This institution will offer 3,500 seats in Arts, 2,500 seats in Business, 8,000 in Science, 8,000 in engineering, 800 in Computer Science, 2,200 in Education, 500 in forestry and Environmental management, 400 in Kinesiology, 800 in Law, and 1,200 in Nursing. These numbers will be increased over the course of 25 years as population growth and demand require. After 25 years the Presidency of the institution will be passed to a person of the nation’s choosing. This new president will honour outstanding contracts – including those of employment. All other executive controls will be passed to the new president. The kingdom hereby acknowledges that this individual will most likely be instructed to phase the influence of the kingdom out and create an institution more in keeping with the policies of the nation.



Section IIIa Construction

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 5,000 km of industrial grade electric rail to serve as the national infrastructure.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 1,200 km of residential grade streets.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of an AM radio network which encompasses the entirety of the nation.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 16 AM radio stations.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of a fibre optic back bone which services every population centre of more than 50,000. This back bone will reliably deliver a 10Mbit connection to each individual user.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 14 television stations which will be equipped to ‘stream’ onto the new fibre optic network.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 3 incineration based power plants to avail of the excess of natural resources in nation.

OOC: Sorry I started reading this a few days ago but had to work. And now there are ten more pages than before. So its slightly rushed but the gist of this treaty is that Otares is more interested in bolstering your domestic economy and being your creditor than running roughshod over it like some of the other foreigners.

I am trying to come out of my isolation and make some long term partners and treaties like this would tie us together for some time.

To: Otares
From: Colony West

Section Ia Statement of Status
Accepted

Section Ib Official Channels
Accepted

Section Ic Extradition
Accepted

Section Id Status of Representation in the Nation
Denied- plans are in motion to turn this government into a democracy upon termination of my reign by either death or abdication.

Section Ie Airspace
Accepted

Section IIa Investment
Denied- we have made other arrangements for loans of undisclosed amounts from three other nations. We produce our own small firearms and various other weapons and have purchased or are in the proscess of making deals to acqiure all other weapons needed. Energy needs are at the time met by foreign and domestic producers. The infrastructure is under development by domestic and foreign agents, all needs forseen in that area are met.

However we are interested in spending 100 billion USD to purchase Otariet made medicines and vaccines


Section IIb Regulation
Accepted


Section IIc Education
Denied- we already have two majoruniversities and are planning on opening a htird in the near future. Additionaly each province has at least one provincial university and many junior colleges also operate in Colony West. We woudl, however, be willing to become involved in a foreign exchange student program if you are willing.



Section IIIa Construction

Denied- infrastructure and power needs are being met.

We are willing to accept the following:
The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of an AM radio network which encompasses the entirety of the nation.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 16 AM radio stations.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of a fibre optic back bone which services every population centre of more than 50,000. This back bone will reliably deliver a 10Mbit connection to each individual user.

The kingdom hereby pledges to the construction of 14 television stations which will be equipped to ‘stream’ onto the new fibre optic network.

[OOC: Colony West. Not trying to rush or anything, but just making sure you saw my post about the aquisition of farmlands.]

[Encrypted Message]

To: Rockwell Biological Research Corporation
From: Colonial Government

We will allow you to purchase the land, but be aware of certain conditions we put on the sale of land to non-Colonials.
1. The government reserves the right to revoke your title to the land with warrant.
2. The government reserves the right to "forcibly purchase" all or part of your land if needed
3. Your title to the land will be revoked if the land is used for other than the understood intent at time of purchase (in this case farming) without express government consent.
4. The buyer shall make the seller aware that the sale is not required of them by the Colonial Government, nor should the buyer threaten, harass, blackmail, or otherwise unfairly leverage the buyers decision to sell.

Also, the Colonial government requests that you disclose all information you have regarding the eco-terrorist organization you mentioned.

[END]

[OOC: Decided to have my intelligence guys tell you about the eco-terrorist group, not the corporation.]

IC

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: The Avisronian Central Intelligence Division (A.C.I.D.)

This terrorist organization, know as Green Against The Machine, or GATM, has a long history of open warfare against what they see as unfair exploitation of the earth. Instead of attacking the roots of what they see as the problem, they generally go after its outlets. They target supermarkets, transportation routes, and warehouses.

Several days ago we recieved word from an informant in Avisron that GATM had already sent recon forces to Colony West, and had actual manpower en route to the nation. This cell will be operational within days, and it's unlikely they'll take a long time to strike.

We highly suggest hardening strategic assets against these people. They will hit you very, very hard.

[END]

Rockwell Biological Research Corporation, quickly after recieving verification that it would be allowed to do business within Colony West, dispatches agents. These agents are armed with the most powerful weapon that RBRC, a massive corporation, can provide.

Money.

These agents are told, essentially, to get as much land as they can with 5 billion USD. Unfortunately for RBRC, however, the New Manthian government had already gotten all the easy targets. What was left for RBRC was a core of extremist farmers who simply didn't want to sell.

And then they met Rockwell.

The plan Rockwell offered was simple. The farmers would still be allowed to stay on their land and help run their farms. Of course, Rockwell would choose what they planted, when they planted it, where it was planted, and who it was sold to.

The fact, it seemed, was that farmers didn't particularly care about business.

The JEC seeks permission to purchase land for aa combined R & D / Manufacturing facility in the city of Kubliana. We would require approximately 20 acres, and would include a security force, within Colonial laws (whatever they may be, but definitely to the maximum allowed by law... within reason).

((CW asked me to post this on his behalf. We were talking about it on IM cuase he wanted to use my port but he wont be on tonight))

The Colonial Government tightens security at ports and airports with news that possible terrorist associates woudl be arriving. Quite a few more illegal drugs and other minor things smuggled past customs were uncovered, but nothing related to the terrorists until one day an Avisronian man in his late twenties is caught with a concentrated form of Cochliobolus heterostrophus, known to cause severe blight in crops as well as a Uzi hidden amongst his underwear in his luggage. During questioning he admits to being part of GATM and, although he does not reveal any details about their leader, he asserts that the man assigned to lead the cell in Colon West is already safely within its borders with a forged identity. The man originally claimed to be the leader, but further questioning produced the truth. No matter, Colony West already had its recording of his confession...

[Official News Release]
Terrorist Leader Captured

President Lewis announced today that port security in Timberport has captured an Avisronian native, name undisclosed, purported to be the ringleader of a new terrorist cell taking shape in Colony West, the Green Against the Machine. GATM is well known in its home country of Avisron for its eco-terrorism activities. GATM is known mostly for supermarkets, transportation routes, and warehouses in its crusade against industrialization. The terorist was caught with Cochliobolus heterostrophus and an illegal weapon. Although an Avisronian native, the terrorist was on board a ship arriving from Uphaus where security is more lax than in Avisron. It is unclear what the terrorist planned to do with Cochliobolus heterostrophus, an agent known to cause crop blight. Deputy Minister of homeland security advanced the theory that he had planned to hit one of the conglomerate orchards owned by Uphaus in the north, a theory further supported by the ships port of departure and already attempted by domestic terrorists last month whose attempts failed. Questioning did not uncover the mans motive today, though he did admit to being the ringleader for the new terorist cell. The port security agent who apprehended the terrorist is slated for special recogniton form the President.

OOC: I know I have the gist of it, but you probably shouldn't respond too much until CW has a chance to see what I wrote.

Many of these points are negotiable and His Majesty Alark III does accept that as an initial offer the treating process if far from complete.

Section Id Status of Representation in the Nation

This is of course open to the choice of the nation. It is his majesty’s belief that having a non elected judiciary – appointed by the elected executive – is not inherently undemocratic. The point of this clause is so that his majesty might be assured of some stability within your nation. Of institution which might garuntee a more level approach than that of mob rule. If the nation could suggest an alternative an amendment could be made.

Section IIa Investment

His majesty is mildly confused by the rejection of this clause. The loan can of course be rejected as we understand that indebtedness is not something to be undertaken lightly.

Perhaps we should reiterate the offer of a trade credit. The break down of Otariet goods offered in this section – the medicines and vaccines included – is a gift. The nation may select 2.5 trillion dollars worth of goods from the private sector in the kingdom, broken down as listed, and the kingdom will cover the expense. The exercise sees 2.5 trillion in aid going into the Otariet private sector – the goods of which are yours to do with as you see fit. Think of it as piggybacking foreign aid with domestic corporate welfare.

The release of production rights was intended to lessen the legal issues of us offering you an arms contract. One that would effectively see 150 billion USD flowing into your government owned defence contractor. This section of this clause can be stricken easily enough.

The nuclear power plants were not intended to be competing against the existing market. The kingdom fully expected that the nation would auction the plants into its own private sector – or keep them to run a higher priority power grid. This section may also be stricken or moved to construction.

Finally his majesty does not believe that a nation of your size could offer an exchange large enough to guarantee the liquidity required to make it an attractive spot for investors. The offered exchange is temporary and grants the nation all the benefits at half the risk. His majesty would rather have this put into a separate clause and expounded rather than dropped.

Section IIc Education

Granted. This section will read that the nation and the kingdom will pursue a student exchange program at a later date – to be negotiated in good faith.

Section IIIa Construction

Granted pending that the nuclear plants are moved into this section and accepted. Note that this is all offered pro bono. His majesty does not want to be terribly persistent here but feels that the more domestic energy alternatives the nation has the better. His majesty is worried that the nation is in the beginnings of a commodity war in electricity and that a glut is preferable to having one of the large foreign competitors knocked out of the market and leaving a monopoly in place of the competition.

It is Otariet custom to have peace treaties with equals signed by the Otariet head of state. While this treaty is not yet complete his majesty would inquire as to whether the nation can host the signing or whether the kingdom should expect a delegation from the nation.

OOC: Hey, I have to go and don't really have time for an IC post, but consider that post by uphaus to be official.

The People's Sovereign Republic
http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9708/545pxblasoncreullysvgaj7.png
Official Communiqué

To Colony West:

I would like to greet your nation, and wish you good luck in the murky arena of international relations. British Londinium is a significant exporter of petroleum, luxury automobiles, and exquisite rum. We would like your government's permission to export our products to your nation.

Sincerely,
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2462/signkc8ht0.png
The Rt. Hon. Sir Alistair Davidson, MP
Prime Minister of British Londinium

[Secret Message]

To:
From: Zecka Corporation

[I]We've already broken into the Colonial marketplace and are, because of the lack of competition, completely dominating it. Most of our cars, however, are more on the economical side of the equation. They have nice features, don't get us wrong, but they simply aren't luxury cars.

Would it be possible to discuss a deal where we cross promote each others vehicles? Since we don't seem to be in the same category we won't be outright competing against each other, so we could only gain from such a venture.

[END]

SIC:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7683/smartautologodm2.jpg
Corporate Communiqué

To Zecka Corporation:

That would be most satisfactory. If you wish, please view our online catalogue to obtain more knowledge about MTL's vehicles. (OOC: Link in signature)

Sincerely,
Rosabella Fabia Drusillia
CEO, Motortrepali Londii

[Secret Message]

To: Motortrepali Londii
From: Zecka Corporation

Your catalogue is most impressive. As we have detailed knowledge of the Colonial marketplace, we will be able to greatly assist you in marketing. While your cars most likely will not be practical for a huge number of people, we do feel that there is a certain demographic that greatly desires a more luxury oriented vehicle.

All we ask is that all marketing campaigns in the Colonial region present our mutual vehicles on the same quality scale. You're free to begin shipping your vehicles into our dealership network as you see fit.

[END]

JEC- permission granted. ((Im not srue what is reasonable for the security? Is 200 too light? Thats what Im going to say the max is unless you think thats not enough))

The Rt. Hon. Sir Alistair Davidson, MP- We are pleased to welcome you to export your goods to our nation.

Otares-
Section Id Status of Representation in the Nation

The nation will become a constitutional monarchy with the power of the monarch lying in the hands of my son. While a Prime Minister will run the government, the retention of the monarchy will hopefully maintain the stability you are looking for.

Section IIa Investment

His majesty will be pleased to know we will accept the trade credit. It should also be noted that the advisor who informed me that a trade credit was a form of loan has been dismissed, as this is not her first time to exert her incompetence. Also, after the further advice of my cabinet and select members of teh board of advisory, Section IIa is approved in full.


Section IIIa Construction
Accepted-noted that construction of nuclear plants is approved under section IIa.

The nation would be quite willing to host the signing. We believe the royal palace at Port Royal would be fitting for this event as it is used for several formal state functions.

"We can do three groups, sir. We brought a little over a hundred twenty people, I'm sure I can divide us up with a little domestic assistance. We're more than capable of underground construction, sir. We have stressload experts amongst us that would be itching to show off their field of expertise, although we'd have to import the big drilling equipment.

"We can certainly expand the sewage system, with regards to any sort of subway system you have or may want to implement in Neil. We could also certainly do a subway system for Neil, sir. Of course, like the underground project, it would require us importing the necessary machinery.

"Now, a post office... Is there any specific style you want? Will this be a central hub? We can do quite a lot with government buildings, sir. We can make it exude the grandure of Colony West."

The thought flashed through Juan's mind. I'm on a roll.

"With the equipment we've brought, we're more than capable of expanding existing road systems. If there's any kind of specific longevity you want for the roads, it would be much useful, as that is the ultimate determinant in how thick you want the road to be.

"Mr. President, my orders from Emperor Petron and Mr. Gerard were to serve you in whatever capacity you required... Besides; I'd love to keep busy."

Background: Colonial Arms Corporation is owned by the government of Colony West, though it is managed in a way similar to a public corporation. The CEO, currently Martin Haisley, is selected by the board of directors who are elected by the stockholders. The right to hold stock in the company however is restricted to those in the administrative or defence branch of the government with the heads of the various branches of the military often vying to buy more stock to encourage the directors to direct production of goods towards their various interests. The directors do not have to be stockholders or even members of the government, though the Deputy Minister of Defence is given a place on the board automatically. Most members of the 9 man board have very strong government ties. Admiral of the Navy Chasterze, Fleet Admiral Holler, General of the Army Petan, Colonel General Micha, General of the Marines Miller, Deputy Minister of Defence Warn, and Vice President Lewis (cousin to teh president) all have obvious official government ties.
Justinian Lewis, son of the President, is not officially part of the government, but his ties should be obvious. As such the only member of the board of directors who does not have ties with the government is Saul Russel, whos own arms industry was run in Colony West under the mangudai government until time of the revolution when he began supplying the rebels. His company provided the foundation of Colonial Arms Corporation.
Because of these strong government ties and association with the military often questionable transfers of money occur betwen the government and the corporation, and the corporation is the only domestic entity allowed to posses military grade weapons other than the government. Therefore for certain special projects the corporation is able to procure funds in excess of billions of dollars. For instance, the government recently purchased a number of tanks for an extremely low price (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=529902) but the investement was unwise as the upkeep on so many tanks we do no use was an unjustified expense. The government also had an extreme surpluss of Stryker vehicles and M2A3 Bradleys. Because of this Colonial Arms Corporation was able to purchase 1,500 of the T-90 and all Challenger MBT, 1,600 Stryker vehicles, and 2,600 Bradleys from the government for double the amounts the government had paid. Recently two buyers, one of whom wishes to remain unamed and the ohter of whom will not be named until confirmed, have purchased 600 of the Bradleys and 500 T-90s (buyer 1) for $1.6 Billion and all of the Challengers and Strykers (buyer two) for $11.28 Billion. After the government took its required 10% of profit from arms exports, Colonial Arms announces total profit of $11.6 Billion before arms enter open market. This being stated:

IC
Colonial Arms Corporation announces the sale of some military surplus weapons. Allies of Colony West will receive a 5% discount in paying their bids. In other words if you bid $1 Million you only have to pay $950 Thousand if you win. To bid on these goods, nations should place a bid at headquarters (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=12778447#post12778447).

Also, Colonial Arms will bid $200m USD for mining rights in W.Robinson and $215m USD for mining rights in Robinson.

Candrian Empire-
I am glad you chose to accept these assignments. Here are the documents pertaining to the special project. ((Ill TG you after I post))

A subway will be most acceptable. You may begin importing the machinery you need.

As for the post office, it will be the central hub for the southern regions.

We would like the roads to lsat quite a long time. Please make them as durable as you think is efficient at this time.

[Encrypted Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: The Avisronian Central Intelligence Division

Congratulations on your recent capture of the suspected terrorist. We'd like to request that he be extradited to Avisron to face charges of terrorism there. Rest assured justice will be delivered.

[END]

Also, Colonial Arms will bid $200m USD for mining rights in W.Robinson and $215m USD for mining rights in Robinson.

[Offical Message]

The Avisronian Department of Overseas Investment will bid 250m USD for WR / 300m USD for R.

[END]

JEC- permission granted. ((Im not srue what is reasonable for the security? Is 200 too light? Thats what Im going to say the max is unless you think thats not enough))

The JEC finds the limit acceptable, assuming no attacks occur. should something occur, we would most likely request the limit be raised. (I was more referring to a limit on what type of weapons we can bring, such as no automatics, no tanks, etc...) Construction shall begin immediately, of course using primarily local labor, and job posting are being placed as we speak (many secretarial, some R&D and management, no fabricators due to training happening so far only in the Confederacy, though eventually this will change). We plan to use this facility beyond designing and manufacturing computer components (mostly on the mainstream area. High end will be primarily done in the Confederacy), which will lower the costs in Colony West for our components, it will also be our Colonial HQ.

[Offical Message]

The Avisronian Department of Overseas Investment will bid 250m USD for WR / 300m USD for R.

[END]

Confederate Energy withdraws from the auction due to the price being above what is economically reasonable considering the cost of moving it from Colony West back to the Confederacy.

OOC: I'm going to Spain on Monday for 10 days, and I don't know if I'll be able to get on the computer, so don't be concerned if I don't reply between 6/18-6/28 or so.

OOC: CW Check ur TG's...

[quote]Confederate Energy withdraws from the auction due to the price being above what is economically reasonable considering the cost of moving it from Colony West back to the Confederacy.

OOC: Ditto... my mining companies, unlike electricity, are not stubborn enough to want to lose money on the deal.

[OOC: Whichever company the Avisronian government gives mining rights to will make a fairly large profit. The Avisronian government has two missions: Defend the country and its interests, maintain a fair free market. Purchasing uranium, which can power the nations massive naval fleets or power plants, falls under the whole "defending the country and its interests" thing. 550 million USD is nothing to the Avisronian government, especially when some of that will come back to them through taxes.]

OOC: I'm sure they will, however my mining companies have no government handouts to back them up and so will refrain from paying more than they can get out of the deposit.

CW, expect a TG fairly soon...

His Majesty is pleased to hear that the new amended treaty has been accepted. He would note that the constitutional monarchy does not meet the two branches requirement but in a sign of good faith he is willing to accept this arrangement.

The Otariet interests in question will begin producing the goods as needed the embassy construction will begin immediately. In the mean time the embassy staff will operate out of a hotel in your capital. They will streamline the spending of the trade credit and begin arrangements for the official signing of the agreement.

As the hosting nation his majesty will leave the details to you but would like to have the signing within the next three weeks. The Otariet delegation will consist of 15 delegates from the various parts of the government and a smattering of military men and the landed aristocracy/industrialists. Also included in this function will be the embassy staff and of course the ambassador herself.

It is customary for Otares to offer the host nation a chance to refuse the ambassador they have selected. If this occurs no offence will be taken but the reasons for rejection will be expected so that another ambassador might be chosen. Everyone in the embassy below the ambassador will be selected by that ambassador – meaning accepting any Otariet ambassador is accepting the staff they would choose. And of course should you change your mind the ambassador may be declared persona non grata at anytime and we will rotate the embassy based on that declaration.

(Attached is a limited Bio of the proposed Ambassador)

Name: Katryne Hassildor
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Noble Status: Serf of Alark III
Rank: Royal Lieutenant
Family status: Three children – partner deceased
History

Royal Lieutenant Hassildor was born under a minor lord and was schooled to be a diplomatic attaché. Offered the full benefits of education when it came time for her for her to swear he oath of fealty she rejected the process. She was immediately given to the federal government for either deportment or another oath swearing. Realizing she had little choices the young Hassildor swore and oath to One of the southern houses on the Omma frontier. At which time the young Hassildor was pressed into service. Rising quickly through the ranks her military career ended when she became pregnant with a young noble’s child. She was transferred out on maternity leave and given several years to raise her children. When the Otariet civil war came into full swing her husband was killed by the inquisition – apparently he was not being faithful to Katryne. She was of course unaware and his ‘sins’ were only announced when he was crucified.

The small border fief was over run by the church and when federal troops took it back the feudal structure was decimated. She at this point joined the federal armed forces and swore a new oath to Alark III.

After seeing combat in the local fief against both the church and the other local lords she was moved into a new diplomatic core within the armed forces. She became the point woman for several negotiations with both hostile and friendly fiefs.

Having proven herself as an accomplished diplomat under fire and with the major fighting in the civil war dying down she transferred into the diplomatic corps. After serving some time in negotiation with the free Omma this will be her first overseas posting.

Profile

Katryne Hassildor is a strong woman having overcome much in her life. Having been trained as a diplomat from a young age she is well versed in the appropriate tone. Her voice is soft and sweet at a public function but easily switches to a hard bark from the diaphragm in hostile situations.

Well educated by her time in the military – despite her young age – she has been estimated as a budding genius. Quick to inquire and a fast learner in any situation she has been known to loose sleep some night in the library trying fully comprehend any given situation.

Her experiences in the Otariet civil war have left her slightly jaded towards men in general but this never shows through in a professional fashion. Moreover she seems to revile any sort of organized religion – instead preferring a nondenominational spirituality.

Her personal losses in the civil war seemed to have fostered an almost matronly attitude towards those in her charge – despite that they might be years older than her.

(OOC: Quick question do you want to RP this here or elsewhere – or would you prefer to breeze over it. I don’t want to push you into a character based RP if you don’t want to.)

[Secret Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: Avisronian Waste Management

Greetings. It is of great interest to us at Avisronian Waste Management to obtain information about the Colonial waste management system. Is it government owned, or is it already a private industry? Avisronian Waste Management Inc., or AWM, has a history of providing cheap, efficient, and environment friendly waste removal services to homes and businesses. If you have a privately owned market, we would be more than willing to jump in.

[END]

This time, they knew where they were going.

"This is DC Dash 88DA Requesting Permission to land. Big bird, big bird. Need at least three and a half clicks to touch down, even with full reverse. a600, I repeat, a600, freight heavy."

"Roger DC Dash 88DA, this is CCAP. We have your flight plan, Super; we've made the preparations. We're maintaining the gaps behind you; you have a runway clear for landing."

The massive bird, one of the biggest civilian jets in the skies, began its landing approach - the eight trailing FA 15F Cardinals broke formation, circling off and heading for their carrier IES Nastales, the modified Gavin-Newsom (http://z14.invisionfree.com/PIW/index.php?showtopic=9) class carrier some 1,500 km away. The a600's 24 tires hit the tarmac, screeching as the disk brakes went into action trying to desperately slow down the quarter-million kilograms of aircraft and freight - and to think, there were still 3 in the air, on their way.

Once stopped, 96 meter length of a600 rolled to one of the recently extended hangars; and there, the nosecone hydraulics opened to reveal the precious cargo - massive, massive drilling equipment.

Something big was going down.

OOC- Otares- if we do RP with her we should do it in another thread.

IC-
[Encrypted Message]

To: The Avisronian Central Intelligence Division
From: Colonial Government

The terrorist be extradited to Avisron to face charges of terrorism there as requested.

[END]

[Secret Message]

To: Avisronian Waste Management
From: Colonial Government

The waste management business is left to the private sector. Domestic companies, however, receive government subsidies that your company will not receive.

[END]

Colonial Arms will withdraw from the bidding for Robinson, raises bid for WR to $315 million.

[Secret Message]

To: The Colonial Government
From: Avisronian Waste Management

That works for us. We welcome a challenge. Can we begin operations immediately? We plan to build a rather large trash conversion center in a centralised location as well as small collection facilities.

[END]

Colonial Arms will withdraw from the bidding for Robinson, raises bid for WR to $315 million.

[Open Message]

The Avisronian Department of Overseas Investment will raise its bid for WR to $350 million.

[End]

OOC: I'll start construction tomorrow.

[OOC: Whichever company the Avisronian government gives mining rights to will make a fairly large profit. The Avisronian government has two missions: Defend the country and its interests, maintain a fair free market. Purchasing uranium, which can power the nations massive naval fleets or power plants, falls under the whole "defending the country and its interests" thing. 550 million USD is nothing to the Avisronian government, especially when some of that will come back to them through taxes.]

OOC: So what you plan to do is buy it yourself to "defend the country" and then auction it internally to maintain the free market within your country screwing the international free market over. I just love flexible codes of conduct (when I wanted to change the way my government ran things (Socialist -> Libertarian), I got my leader assassinated and a psychopath elected in his place)

Confederate Electric posts revenue of over 1.4 trillion credits (approaching 3 trillion US dollars), though most of it is invested in maintaining current reactors and building new ones; however, still a few billion dollars is not much, but their calculations put the current area of money to be unprofitable considering the expense of mining it and then shipping it back to the Confederacy and the refining it, etc...