Central Prestonia
18-09-2007, 23:45
Senate Chambers
Hudson
1400 Hours
The large, circular room was in a state of chaos. Rows of desks curved around the room, covering about three quarters of the room's perimeter. However, none of these desks were filled. All 500 senators were standing, yelling over one another in an attempt to make their points heard. Above, watching from the balcony, the President looked on with keen interest. This decision would decide what would be done about the pirate problems that plagued the island colonies of the Prestonian Republic. Just last week a ship had been raided off the coast of Border Island, the northern edge of Prestonian home waters. North Prestonia, a colony prized for it's diamond mines, had been taken ransom by pirates just last week, requiring a naval task force to destroy them. The Prestonian East India Company had been raided on several occasions, necessitating the hiring of a private army to protect their assets. These advances could not be tolerated. As the Vice President, Yuri Andropov, banged the gavel, the rabbling senators came to order. Andropov faced the senators, now seated and peaceful. Some looked scared, and indeed they had every right to be. Andropov had recently been installed as VP after the ex-VP Marcus Combs had been convicted of money laundering and fraud. Prior to his ascent, he had held the position of Director of the CPIA. So, it was for good reason that the senators were apprehensive of their new boss; only time would tell if the strongman instincts of Andropov could be bred out. "You will now cast your votes," he said into the microphone. After that, all was silent save the occasional beep from a voting button. The President sat and held his breath. He had made his position clear, and now hoped that the Senate would agree with him.
Two hours later, the votes were all in. A large projection behind the Vice President displayed the final tally. After clearing his throat, he spoke. "By a vote of 275 to 225, the Anti-Piracy Act of 2011 passes." Senators stood and clapped, the noise echoing throughout the Senate Chambers. The day of the pirate would be no more, pursued relentlessly by the Prestonian Navy and Coast Guard. Finally, the waters would be safe for all vessels.
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Official Prestonian Statement
THE SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF PRESTONIA,
NOTING the economic impact of piracy around the world,
COMMITTED to ending the scourge of the seas once and for all,
FURTHER NOTING that piracy has on occasion been state-sponsored,
MANDATES the following law:
I. The penalty for piracy shall be a minimum of life in prison, with the death sentence optional.
II. The Prestonian Navy and Coast Guard are hereby cleared to use all necessary and appropriate force to subdue pirate vessels, up to and including destruction.
III. "Pirate Vessel," "Piracy," and "Pirate" shall be defined as the following:
A. Any vessel which attacks another without just cause, be it armed or otherwise.
B. Any vessel built or used specifically for the purposes of raiding unarmed vessels.
C. Any vessel which displays symbols meant to intimidate, or those associated with piracy.
D. Any vessel which approaches another with malicious intent.
IV. The regulations herein shall not apply to the following:
A. Ships in an active state of war with the Prestonian Republic.
B. Coast Guard vessels approaching suspected smugglers and pirates.
Hudson
1400 Hours
The large, circular room was in a state of chaos. Rows of desks curved around the room, covering about three quarters of the room's perimeter. However, none of these desks were filled. All 500 senators were standing, yelling over one another in an attempt to make their points heard. Above, watching from the balcony, the President looked on with keen interest. This decision would decide what would be done about the pirate problems that plagued the island colonies of the Prestonian Republic. Just last week a ship had been raided off the coast of Border Island, the northern edge of Prestonian home waters. North Prestonia, a colony prized for it's diamond mines, had been taken ransom by pirates just last week, requiring a naval task force to destroy them. The Prestonian East India Company had been raided on several occasions, necessitating the hiring of a private army to protect their assets. These advances could not be tolerated. As the Vice President, Yuri Andropov, banged the gavel, the rabbling senators came to order. Andropov faced the senators, now seated and peaceful. Some looked scared, and indeed they had every right to be. Andropov had recently been installed as VP after the ex-VP Marcus Combs had been convicted of money laundering and fraud. Prior to his ascent, he had held the position of Director of the CPIA. So, it was for good reason that the senators were apprehensive of their new boss; only time would tell if the strongman instincts of Andropov could be bred out. "You will now cast your votes," he said into the microphone. After that, all was silent save the occasional beep from a voting button. The President sat and held his breath. He had made his position clear, and now hoped that the Senate would agree with him.
Two hours later, the votes were all in. A large projection behind the Vice President displayed the final tally. After clearing his throat, he spoke. "By a vote of 275 to 225, the Anti-Piracy Act of 2011 passes." Senators stood and clapped, the noise echoing throughout the Senate Chambers. The day of the pirate would be no more, pursued relentlessly by the Prestonian Navy and Coast Guard. Finally, the waters would be safe for all vessels.
--------------------------------------
Official Prestonian Statement
THE SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF PRESTONIA,
NOTING the economic impact of piracy around the world,
COMMITTED to ending the scourge of the seas once and for all,
FURTHER NOTING that piracy has on occasion been state-sponsored,
MANDATES the following law:
I. The penalty for piracy shall be a minimum of life in prison, with the death sentence optional.
II. The Prestonian Navy and Coast Guard are hereby cleared to use all necessary and appropriate force to subdue pirate vessels, up to and including destruction.
III. "Pirate Vessel," "Piracy," and "Pirate" shall be defined as the following:
A. Any vessel which attacks another without just cause, be it armed or otherwise.
B. Any vessel built or used specifically for the purposes of raiding unarmed vessels.
C. Any vessel which displays symbols meant to intimidate, or those associated with piracy.
D. Any vessel which approaches another with malicious intent.
IV. The regulations herein shall not apply to the following:
A. Ships in an active state of war with the Prestonian Republic.
B. Coast Guard vessels approaching suspected smugglers and pirates.