NationStates Jolt Archive

Terran News Network - Economics With Pamela Nozdorn

"Well ya see Pam," Gordon continued, speaking on the recent opening of Sharktooth Oil of the Ryou Black Islands, "These Sharktooth goons are bad news for all of us. Capitalists? Capitalists? You call these goons capitalists? Pam if they're practicing capitalism, then I'm Commissar Davis." [Laughter in the audiance]

"Well then David, why exactly aren't they capitalists?", asked Pamela Nozdorn, the host of the show. David Gordon, the leading authority on economics in Kroando continued his rant. "Well lets start with the subsidys. They're selling oil at $14 a barrel. The supply-and-demand price on the capitalist market of NS is far, far above that. With the hundreds of billions of people we've got running around, the cars, the factories, the heating... the demand is through the roof, making these so called, 'big oil finds', quite pathetic. If Sharktooth Oil is selling for $14... that means that either they're making negative profit, or the government is picking up the difference."

"Which brings us to the issue of predatory pricing. 14 dollars is far below that of the supply and demand value of oil... as we have already said. Which means that every capitalist country, company and organization selling at the fair market value is now in the shitter. It means that everyone is going to dump the corporations selling for fair prices, and will pick up these sharks, who are selling for 14 fuckin' bucks.", Gordon, obviously quite passionate on the subject continued, red faced and red bearded, he was irrate. "And then when all of the oil companies of the world go under... once the entire world is relying on Sharktooth for oil, after Sharktooth has bought out everyone else.... you know whats gonna happen? BAM! The price skyrockets to 100 dollars a barrel, and the world economy, already collapsed due to the price fixing, implodes again. We go back to the stone age."

"But David...", Pamela broke in, "They are members of the notorious Corporate Alliance. If such a capitalist organization let them in, surely they must be Capitalists.", her logic seemed perfect. "It would seem so Pam...", David continued. "Either they now accept communists, or they're economists are complete fuckin' retards. RBI will ruin them with it's mixture of Agressive Capitalist Practices and straight up Communism. They're dumping... they're taking their oil, fixing a price, one which is far below Capitalist Pricing, and dumping it on us. It's bullshit, and the CA is blind if they can't see it. Any country buying that black poison is effectively sinking any oil industry in their country."

The Ryou Black Islands Waters- 24km's off Major RBI Shipping Lane

A single Tenerife SSH (http://z14.invisionfree.com/Kroando_Tech_Inc/index.php?showtopic=20) sat under the waters of the Ryou Black Islands, far off the coast... directly in the path of the best know RBI shipping lane. About 25 km's off the lane itself, the Tenerife SSH sat silent, the submarine making no noise, emitting no pings, simply sitting idoly. To the outside world, it did not exist, as nothing could possibly pick it up. It was, by itself, blind, however there were eyes in the sky. A single military spy satellite watched the shipping lane, transmitting all information on a secret wavelength to the submarine.

The sub waited and waited... sat and sat, untill finally the target was found. A massive Sharktooth Oil Inc. oil tanker, carrying millions of barrels of oil to some far off destination. Off to destroy the world's economy. Off to sink the competition with their subsidized oil. This could not stand.

"Target aquired... Captain, we have confirmation of target 0613, and have permission to engage.", the young officer informed the rugged old captain, whom stood staring at the screen. "Arm torpedo tubes one, two, five and six.", called the Captain. "Aye aye sir... torpedo tubes one, two, five and six armed!", regurgitated one of the many computer operators. "Set for simultanious fire... fire now!", the Captain ordered, and no more than a second later, the torpedo tubes at the front of the vessel unleashed four 500mm MT-4 torpedo's, all speeding right ahead for the massive oil tanker. Incapable of avoiding torpedos... it was a sitting duck.

The first shots in the Sharktooth Oil Conflict had been fired... and what best? Nobody knew who had fired them.

[Bump. This affects everyone, not just RBI. If you're not going to fight, your government certainly must have some sort of response to Sharktooth Oil's predatory pricing practices, and mass subsidation of the oil industry... effectively killing all oil companies it encounters.]

*Encrypted*
Official Letter

We appreciate your efforts to attack the Sharktooth Cooperation. We are at war with Ryou and damage to their economy is good. We are currently at war with them to help defend the Confederacy of the Far Echo Islands. If you have any Intel on them please send it at once.

Aukon Mekhran
Minister of Diplomacy

*Enycryption

*Encrypted*
Official Letter

We appreciate your efforts to attack The Ryou Black Islands. We are currently at war with them to help defend the Confederacy of the Far Echo Islands. If you have any Intel on them please send it at once.

Aukon Mekhran
Minister of Diplomacy

*Enycryption

OOC: Liek lol. Sharktooth Oil =/= The Ryou Black Islands. That's like Microsoft and the USA. You might wanna edit that.

Encrypted Response

We have no idea what it is you are talking about.

-Ministry of Foriegn Affairs-

[Nobody can actually tell that it's me attacking, and I'm trying to keep it that way.]

"An interesting decision, of course. No doubt they're attempting to use the tactics of companies past to wedge out their competition, although I doubt Blackhelm and his ilk will tolerate it for long. Such a waste of money, although not all of us are blessed with the good sense of our culture."

"Yes, it is unlikely to last long, I imagine. No matter, of course, we can use it to our advantage while it tlasts. This country is laced with caverns...we can fill them to the brim with billions of barrels of oil, stored for whatever happens. Not to mention we do produce oil, although I don't give a damn who produces it or for what price."

"Shall I prepare the response, Praetor?"
"Yes, Proconsul. Our rubles should be a welcome gift to these...bandits."

Ministry of State

Our government would like to purchase 80 million barrels per day of your oil for the foreseeable future for storage in our strategic reserves. This amounts to 29.2 billion barrels per year, or an amount equal to our current national petroleum consumption. Adjustments to this order will likely occur due to projected declines in oil demand, although changes in our strategic situation may lead to upward revisions as well. This amounts to 202.4 billion rubles, or roughly $404.8 billion international dollars.

Naturally, our government cannot pass up this opportunity to secure our future oil needs, and we hope your company is capable of meeting our order at said price. This will be a mutually beneficial exchange that will lead to significant benefits to both parties.

Regards,
Proconsul Evgeniy Alayev

KRIA - Kroandon Reconnaissance & Intelligence Agency

"Director... we have the documents you requested on the Sharktooth Oil incident.", Special Agent Fedorn spoke, opening the door to the Intelligence Directors room. "Have you read it over Fedorn?", replied the man, biting down on the stubby cigar, pieces of salivated tobacco falling from his mouth. "Yes sir, as you requested.", replied the suited agent. "Tell me... who did it?", questioned the aging man. "Well sir... I believe that... we did sir."

Agent Fedorn seemed to be expecting a flurry of anger and spite, yet all he recieved was and simple nod. "I thought so. Who? KARO? The Navy?", continued the Director. "We're not sure sir... but we believe the sub was one of ours... we're not 100%, but then again, no one is right now." The Director nodded. The intelligence business was tricky, never certain and rarely accurate. You were lucky to know what nation you were fighting, let alone what faction. "Sir... we have heard rumors that Vetalia is attempting to purchase large sums of Sharktooth Oil. Probably just using it for stockpiles... they already import everything they need.", Fedorn continued, flipping through the manila folder. "I want to move one of our subs to intercept any shipments moving towards them... those fuckers over at KARO won't be the only ones in this fight. And I'll be damned if we dont beat the Inquisition into this thing. Move Unit 147 into international waters between the two... we'll sink the tanker before it gets anywhere close to Vetalia. If they want the oil, they'll suck it out of the ocean." Fedorn nodded and left the office. The conflict would expand.

[Interesting you attempt to buy their oil in the thread devoted to destroying it, and not in the one designated for buying it. Heh... thought it was funny.]

OOC: You'll notice my government always looks for ways to buy its enemies or neutrals off rather than fight them. Of course, we always pay upon reception...

Sectary of Defense Arnold Nugeen had always loved excitement. And he had gotten some today. During wartime, the Sectary of Defense had full control over seven special operations squadrons. These were the 20th 21st and 22nd Covert Submarine Armadas, the 2nd and 5th Tactical Fighter Squadrons and the 7th Airborne. Now he had secretly moved the 20th and 21st Covert Sub Armadas into TRBI waters. Since the Far Echo Islands and the Ryou Black Islands were at war, any ship bearing a Imperial Ryou flag was fair game. This time he had chosen ships from the Sharktooth oil company.

*Xandou Sea, TRBI*

20 Covert Attack submarines of various classes stood quietly in the water. Targeting data transmitted from a satellite passing high above, ready to fire at the signal. Suddenly, on 10 of the submarines, a blue light turned yellow. And torpedoes cut through the water swifter than sharks or dolphins. The great tankers were doomed.

Southern Wastelands. Aleosite High Command.


There was a lot of commotion in the Aleosite High Command during the last few days. The advent of the oil crisis in the north had brought many to a very frightening conclusion, Aleos needed oil, NOW! With the rapidly dwindling reserves in the south and with the northern pocket affected by the latest storm there was only a matter of time before the country was going to face a massive shortage. By all estimates, it seemed that in about five years, Aleos will run out of oil.

The massive underground reserve tanks were going to insure that they will last longer, but even with them not even the most optimist analyst predicted more than eight years of independence. It was a frightening situation. Without oil, the army will be hampered in its training exercises, without oil there would be an energy shortage, without oil the industry would take a hit. In short, Aleos needed infusions of the Black Blood, massive infusions.

This is why all the available commanding staff at the High Command, also known as the Government of Aleos, was focused on one piece of map. There were other options for this action, but recent actions of this nation lead them to believe that this was the best choice. The nation in question was already facing a war with somewhat uneven odds and there was a lot of interest in their actions on the oil market lately. They had huge reserves of oil, that was for certain. Reserves that Aleos needed, wanted and was going to get.

On this subject many arguments were being waged as the recent admission of the target nation in the CA raised warning flags for some, but after long discussions the decision was taken. The target was a threat for CA interests. With the advent of their cheap prices CA companies were going bankrupt and all the oil in the world wasn’t going to change that. Besides, other measures were already in place, just in case.

As the cold bitter night came to an end, the orders left the underground building. The State was going to war.

Southern Aleos. Military Harbours.

As soon as the orders arrived, the 3rd Fleet started preparations. All personnel on leave was recalled and ships starting stocking up on arms, food and fuel. They were the first ones to receive the order and, by the time the others got it, they would already be well on with their preparations.

The reason for this was simple, this fleet was going to act as the spearhead of the operation and as such needed to be prepared to depart at a moments notice, not that it usually wasn’t but the sheer distance between the two countries could have made things difficult if special measures weren’t taken.

Following the 3rd, other fleets of the country started preparations. They had a tight timetable to follow and failure was not an option for any capable commander, that is if he wanted to keep his position and the privileges that came with it. Nobody wanted to return to the nightmarish Northern Frost and to the Road of Sisif. For some, given their age, it would have been a death sentence.

Relentlessly the men did their jobs and soon the fleets will be ready to depart for the conflict that was yet to be announced.

Aleos. Military Units Scattered around the country, later that day.

“Attention all units. As of 0900 today the Aleos is in a state of war. You are hereby ordered to begin full mobilization for the incoming conflict. This is not a drill. I repeat, as of…”
That was all it took. One short little message to agitate the beehive. Following the countless drills they went through, the soldiers knew what to do. The messages they each and every one of them received personally made sure of that. Everyone presented to fulfil their designated task while the ones being earmarked as members of the combative forced presented to the equipment room and for briefing.

Truly Aleos was a country at war, even though there was no declaration, there was no set enemy for the millions gearing up for conflict, only an order, but it was enough. From the north to the south, tanks, planes and men started preparations. Some of them will meet the heat of battle, while others will work diligently behind the lines. There was no pause, there was no second thought, war was the name of the game and they knew how to play it.

[Bump to RBI]

The Free Empire reiterates the fact that the Sharktooth Oil Co. is banned in Great Vantania and everything from the RBI is embargoed. Lastly, we reiterate the fact that any Sharktooth members found in our around Vantanian national waters will be detained. That is all.

OOC: sorry, but I am Ignoreing this Thread for being a dogpile

IGNORE Cannon fired:gundge:

OOC: ignoring a dogpiling of you oil industry? Two ppl attack your shipping lanes and its a dog pile? WTF Ryou.

Also: Aleos, check your TG's

OOC: sorry, but I am Ignoreing this Thread for being a dogpile

IGNORE Cannon fired:gundge:

OOC: Ladies and gentlemen, this is an example of classic Hataria.

Honestly "Ryou", did you expect people to not react after you start selling mass quantities of oil at significantly lower than market price? Whilst I will be the first to admit that some of the dogpiles on your former nation were not deserved, there is significant causus belli here (Attention all Latin experts, was that right?)

If you want to earn respect as an RPer and develop your skills, you need to take your licks. I'm still RPing significant economic damage from the destruction of Atopiana several RL months ago (though I need to find a decent way to work that into II), BL has undergone YET ANOTHER change of government after threat of superior force...I'm sure more veteran IIers can come up with more examples.

OOC: I sucked it up and took it when those 20-odd nations attacked the first Hegemony, as another example.

[I will then, from now on, be ignoring your nation entirely. I have no problem with you ignoring some of the people jumping in, but to ignore me is ridiculous, unrealistic and simply, shitty roleplaying. I was not aware RBI was Hataria, but I must say... I am not suprised.]

Whilst I will be the first to admit that some of the dogpiles on your former nation were not deserved, there is significant causus belli here (Attention all Latin experts, was that right?)

Since you asked,

Casus belli. ;)

Since you asked,

Casus belli. ;)

Thankyou! :fluffle:

Ryou, if you ever, ever, want any respect from anybody, don't do something outrageous and bound to irritate the whole of NS and then complain, whine, and ignore people when things don't go your way.

Testify! :D

Ryou, if you ever, ever, want any respect from anybody, don't do something outrageous and bound to irritate the whole of NS and then complain, whine, and ignore people when things don't go your way.

EDIT:
A few personal examples -

When I was a young little n00b on NS, in my first month of RP, Skgorria and Atopiana invaded me under the pretense of quelling a rebellion. Naturally, this was not where I wanted the RP to go; did I bitch, and whine, and ignore them? Of course not! I RPed out a resistance group and several rebellions, pushed the invaders out, and gained a lot of respect for handling it maturely and in a good RPing manner.

OOC: sorry, but I am Ignoreing this Thread for being a dogpile

IGNORE Cannon fired:gundge:

OOC: Then I suppose that your whole Oil Industry should be ignored? I found it awfully convenient that you can reap only the benefits coming from it, but when it comes to other types of interest you fire the ignore "cannons".

ooc: Anyone suprised? Existence of all nations ran by former hataria(Steppe Empire, The Ryou Black Islands, Kemonomimi, hmm did I forget any?) are ignored by me.

OOC: Okay people let's not do this. You've worked hard to start a half decent RP and he said no to it. I know you're upset but this can still work.

He may ignore it but I won't, The Ryou Black Islands are part of the Holy Empire and thus come under our protection as does their economy, an attack on their oil industry is an attack on Imperial economy.

This would give me cause to join in, in RP terms RBI won't attack cuz he's fighting a large war right now, it leaves the way open for the Empire to step in.

What do you say? It seems like a good RP so let's not ruin it....you wanna war you'll get a war.

Info on the Empire is all here:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=537853

I understand he's a puppet of former hataria but I work on the principle of trying to work with a player to better their RPing than opening taering to shreds about how crap they are and how crap their methods are. I wouldn't like, you wouldn't like it, so i'm sure he doesn't. Give him break yeah, at least he is trying to make amends.

OOC: I should have been there when he announced 14 dollar a barrel prices. I would have recommended expulsion from the CA because he'd be destroying ,,,, Griffencrest Oil, profits.

EDIT: Several Oil companies that didn't want to be named have been confirmed as not wanting to be named.

Then we would have launched a covert offensive and blamed it on The Far Echo Islands, and call them hypocrites for dumping millions of gallons of sweet or heavy crude into the ocean.

OOC: Okay people let's not do this. You've worked hard to start a half decent RP and he said no to it. I know you're upset but this can still work.

He may ignore it but I won't, The Ryou Black Islands are part of the Holy Empire and thus come under our protection as does their economy, an attack on their oil industry is an attack on Imperial economy.

This would give me cause to join in, in RP terms RBI won't attack cuz he's fighting a large war right now, it leaves the way open for the Empire to step in.

What do you say? It seems like a good RP so let's not ruin it....you wanna war you'll get a war.

Info on the Empire is all here:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=537853

I understand he's a puppet of former hataria but I work on the principle of trying to work with a player to better their RPing than opening taering to shreds about how crap they are and how crap their methods are. I wouldn't like, you wouldn't like it, so i'm sure he doesn't. Give him break yeah, at least he is trying to make amends.
[My conflict is with Sharktooth Oil and their ridiculously low prices. I dont care who I fight, but if I'm going to fight, Sharktooth better be taking some losses. I am not just going to fight you, wasting troops and ships if my goal cannot be completed. If you will RP Sharktooth's losses, then by all means, lets have at it.]

Tada! (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13040671&postcount=14)

[My conflict is with Sharktooth Oil and their ridiculously low prices. I dont care who I fight, but if I'm going to fight, Sharktooth better be taking some losses. I am not just going to fight you, wasting troops and ships if my goal cannot be completed. If you will RP Sharktooth's losses, then by all means, lets have at it.]

Sure, i'll rp the losses and i'll only send a naval task force- i'm not up for a huge mega war where thousands die.

[Fine by me.]

[Fine by me.]

I am not going to Ignore you.

[Good to hear. Even with the raise in price, I still believe you are well under the market price. So you can respond whenever you'd like... the war is at most, naval piracy... so it's not like you are under the threat of being annihalated.]

Ryou, if you ever, ever, want any respect from anybody, don't do something outrageous and bound to irritate the whole of NS and then complain, whine, and ignore people when things don't go your way.

EDIT:
A few personal examples -

When I was a young little n00b on NS, in my first month of RP, Skgorria and Atopiana invaded me under the pretense of quelling a rebellion. Naturally, this was not where I wanted the RP to go; did I bitch, and whine, and ignore them? Of course not! I RPed out a resistance group and several rebellions, pushed the invaders out, and gained a lot of respect for handling it maturely and in a good RPing manner.

occ: Well put BL! Didn't you also do another resistance group when Automagfreek invaded you? It was very enjoyable to read, and it made a good story.

The super tanker was brand new out of the construction yards and had been paid for, partly, by the additional Imperial funding put aside for economic recovery that all nations in the Stevidian Empire benefited from, The Ryou Black Islands’ economy was not particularly good but such sights like these super tankers were visual signs that things were looking up for this new nation that had risen from the ashes of Hataria. She was setting course for Rubet Island just West of Stevid with her batch of oil which was destined for petrol stations all across the Empire, it was a routine voyage that would take little under a week to complete at full speed and despite the current war the Ryou government was engrossed with, the crew was not worried much about their safety- civilians were no longer usually targets in war, that sort of collateral damage would ruin an attack force’s reputation.

This mood shattered only an hour after leaving port when several torpedoes smash into her starboard side. The damage was colossal and there was no hope of saving the tanker as flames licked up from the tanker’s own fuel tanks. Crude was not heavily damaged in the resulting explosion but the gaping holes created by the explosions were sufficient enough to allow thousands of gallons to flood out into the sea. There was no point in trying to save the oil, it was lost like the tanker and the order was given to abandon ship almost immediately. Senior officers tried to keep people calm but the carnage cause by this relatively unprovoked attack and shaken the whole crew up. Those who had been killed were not just co-workers but the friends of the whole crew, to not see them on deck with their life jackets clambering into the boats was dreadful.

Not many had died, the superstructure was not damaged too much but estimates made on the spot suggested forty dead with another fifty wounded, the rest were wounded mentally by this barbaric act of hostility towards an unarmed civilian vessel. The super oil tanker sank in less than eight minutes and was still leaking thousands of gallons of oil that was still inside, in the early morning sun the huge black slicks of oil would mark the grave of the tanker and the sight of a terrible environmental disaster. It would also mark the spot where an unsympathetic military submarine commander ordered the sinking of an innocent ship simply on a routine journey to another country… a country that would not stand for such disgusting acts of aggression.

Imperial Headquarters, Stevid Capita

The committee in control of Imperial policy, doctrine and affairs were first to hear of this outrage, an emergency meeting was called within minutes of the news reaching Stevidian ears and faces were of course long, hard and angry. The Ryou Black Islands were part of the Empire, all their assets were valued ones and respected by all Imperial countries- in every sense of the term, the Empire had been attacked openly and without provocation.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Said the committee chair Bob Harris to the crowd of thirty sat around a circular table. “You know why you are all here and I’m pretty sure you know what we are going to do but I’d rather it is on record which is why I have called this emergency meeting… Three hours ago an unarmed civilian super oil tanker belonging to the dominion of Ryou Black islands was attacked without provocation by an unknown aggressor. We’ve been following the conflict between the Empire of Ryou Black Islands and the Far Echo Islands for the past month but that leaves nothing to suggest why the FEI would attack an innocent tanker proven to be filled with oil actually heading away from Ryou on a scheduled trip to Rubet Island. I realise that the recent Sharktooth oil company has drawn a lot of criticism internationally but this is no excuse to start killing innocent men at sea just doing an upstanding job… This isn’t a discussion meeting, I’m telling you all what you want to hear. I’ll inform the Prime Minister and request a small task force of some of our finest ships to be sent to the region and find out who attacked the tanker and then openly attack them. Kill the bastards who murdered innocent sailors in cold blood over three hours ago! MI6, so I’m told, is busy trying to establish who is behind the attacks- we’ll talk with them but peace is out of a question, they must be punished.”

Port Don Rico Harbour, Northern Stevid

A much ignored harbour but was now the centre of activity for the assembly of a task force to approach Ryou and protect their fledging oil industry from the cowards who had perpetrated the hideous act of violence against civilians. The Prime Minister was outraged by the attack and wasted no time in authorising the assembly of a small fleet to directly take the fight to the enemy and spare Ryou the military resources of defending addition assets.

It was a small fleet but that was all that was required to fight a small war, Stevid naval technology was some of the best in the world and had designed ships that were loved by many sea fairing nations around the world. She had fought three wars simultaneously and savagely over stretched her naval might and still ended all three wars either victorious or with something gained. It was one of the greatest fighting forces on Earth and even a small force was never to be underestimated; the fleet was small but the ships were top class and expensive: One Sanctus Mare Class super carrier would act as the flagship alongside one Queen Elizabeth Class CVN. They would provide the bulk of the fleet’s fighting strength, able to deploy over two hundred aircraft to accomplish a wide range of goals. One Havenic Class command battleship would display, and hopefully deal, the raw firepower possessed by the Royal Navy. More powerful than a battleship, less impressive than a dreadnought, she epitomised firepower in ways one couldn’t imagine- she was the newest of her class and would prove her weight in gold. Four Gazelle Class cruisers would provide addition ASW and ASuW cover while the newest addition of the Royal Navy would make its first appearance in the combat stage, the Lemartes Class destroyer.

She was probably one of the best destroyers in the entire world, her technology was world class, her crew the best the nation could provide and she had the flexibility of a piece of string. The Lemartes Class was armed with missiles that could take down capital ships- she could, in theory, take down a Super Dreadnought and live to tell the tale- all of this was just the tip of one enormous iceberg; this thing was the apex on advanced naval and military technology and would be going to war for the first time.

The Royal Navy was going to war once again on behalf of the Empire less than a year before the last war that nearly destroyed the country, except this one would not be as difficult as the last, so the Admiralty thought. By the end of the day the Royal Navy task force had set sail for the Ryou Black Islands and were ready to defend the territory that had newly been included into the Empire.