NationStates Jolt Archive

It was early evening in Jesselton, and although it was dark, many billions were still awake, some putting children to sleep, some setting off to the pub, some coming in from a hard days work, and some just relaxing. Yet, half way across the world in Seylon, the morning had just begun. People were awakening, or had been awake for several hours. And in East Continentia, the Governor enjoyed a full Questarian lunch. What did all these places have in common? The answer is simple. Their citizens lived under the Questarian flag. Wherever an eagle can spread his wings and fly, wherever the whale can cross, wherever the mole can dig, there is not a timezone where the Questarian flag does not fly proudly on some foreign field, some foreign corner of Questers. There is not a place on Earth where a Questarian may not sleep safely at night, knowing before he drifts off to his sleep that if a finger is laid upon him without due course of justice the arbitrators would soon discover the force of Questarian strength of arms.

And in securing their own freedom, the Questarian people set about at some speed in announcing they would do the same to other people. The right to trade freely; the right to own property; and the right to free thought were considered the three essential liberties that every man and woman ought to enjoy. For hundreds of years the Royal Navy had captured, and appropriately executed pirates - after all, piracy and treason where the only things that one could be put to death for; or, as the judge says, "hung by the neck until dead", in the Questarian legal system. Yet for some time it had made no concerted effort to enforce a Pax Questaria, the active intervention of the Royal Navy to secure the seas and take it back from pirates and slavers alike.

At present, half the R.N's deployed combat strength was in Haven, and this would not change, but that next morning many Questarian sailors and airmen found their callup papers delivered. And further that evening, a very special presentation was going to be made.

HMS Alliance
Later that Night

The officer staff and pilots of the carrier were assembled below decks, ready to watch a live TV presentation by the Prime Minister. Most crew were in their messes or their bunks, also ready to listen to the presentation, rumours of which had spread like wildfire. Beer and whiskey flowed, and as the countdown began the officers hushed themselves. As the Prime Minister appeared on the television screen there was short and intense clapping before he began to talk.

"Service men and woman of the Questarian Military. You know who I am, and I will keep this short and sweet. The time has come to show our metal. The time has come to light the torch of liberty, and you are the match that will set alight that dry firewood. You will bring international piracy and slavery alike to the chopping block. For too long the enemies of freedom have run amok on the high seas, taking who they please as their booty. If it comes to combat, remember your duties in defence of mankind. Remember that always, you are Questarians, and always, you fight for liberty. God Save the King."

Shouts of huzzah! and cheers and clapping drowned out the music that ended the broadcast.

~

The Questarian Government gives the Corporate Alliance 24hours to disband, and gives all slave-owning nations the same amount of time to make illegal the act of owning human beings as slaves.

A short telegram was wired on behalf of the CA in response:

:The Questarian Government

As I am sure you have already percieved, the Corporate Alliance will not be disbanding now or in the near future. My sincerest appologies.

On behalf of the Corporate Alliance,
Grand Vizor of Deserted Territories

OOC: What does the CA have to do with piracy and slavery?

The TV screen flickered on and off constantly, the man trying to repair it had already suffered a mild electrical shock, but he pressed on at his work. After what seemed to be a never-ending stream of random colors and patters accompanied by incoherent sounds, the television worked properly, and the repairman was nursing his hand. It was really quite embarrassing that the television in the Situation Room of the Palace of Democracy would not work properly, but since getting a new one would take a mountain of paperwork, countless heads of state had been conformed with the obsolescent set.

After a flurry of insults at the television, the repairman, the company that built the television, several racial and ethnic minorities, as well as foreigners, the President ordered that the television be turned on, as to watch the declaration of the Questarian Prime Minister.

"Pero no tiene subtitulos." Ah yes, English, not everyone speaks it.
"Callate un poco."

Indeed, the Questarians had made their declaration exactly at the time the embassy had informed the Franberrian government that it would happen. Always on time those Anglo-Saxons.

-------------

The Federal Republican Duchydom of Franberry hereby establishes its intent to fully co-operate with the Questarian Empire on the matter of extingushing slavery world-wide. In 23 hours and 43 minutes, once the ultimatum expires, the Franberrian Armada shall arrest any slaving ships it encounters, whether in Franberrian sea lanes or in international waters. The time for all nations to recognize the right of individual liberty has come.

OOC: What does the CA have to do with piracy

LOL. "GIVE US UR OIL OR WE WILL ANNEX U"

Also, Hataria being a retard on MSN (his name is not the same because I gave him a nickname, yay WLM)

Hataria lol says (21:37):
I see you are faceing the CA
STICK THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT BARROSO YOU FAT COMMIE BASTARD says (21:38):
Yes...
Hataria lol says (21:38):
I will be going after what is left of both of you after this.
STICK THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT BARROSO YOU FAT COMMIE BASTARD says (21:38):
LOL

LOL. "GIVE US UR OIL OR WE WILL ANNEX U"

OOC: That's not piracy. That's more warmongering and imperialism. But not piracy, nor does it have to do with the slave trade.

And II would be so much better if everyone just ignored Hataria completely.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pi·ra·cy Audio Help [pahy-ruh-see] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -cies. 1. practice of a pirate; robbery or illegal violence at sea.
2. the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television program, patented invention, trademarked product, etc.: The record industry is beset with piracy.
3. Also called stream capture. Geology. diversion of the upper part of one stream by the headward growth of another.

Don't tell me the CA has never taken offshore oil under duress.

From the Office of the President of the Republic and Lord Chancellor of the Commonwealths

The Liberal Democratic Republic supports the call to liberty for all, and the removal of the slave system. After the deadline passes, the Ambose Sea Fleet will conduct anti-slavery patrols in Wolfenhaller waters and international waters. The call of arms against CA is important matter also and will be deal with soon. De Oppresso Liber.

Signed,
Rudolph Kaiser
President of the Republic and Lord Chancellor of the Commonwealths
Liberal Democratic Republic of Wolfenhalle

The Parliamentary chamber was normally a quiet and unused place, most business either being decided at lower levels or taken unilaterally by the Lord Protector. When business was conducted, the affairs were generally quite and dignified.

"All in favor?" shouted a voice after pounding a gavel several times. There had actually been a spider crawling across the desk, which was quite unfortunate for the arachnophobic president of parliament. Luckily, the end of discussion had given him an opportunity to smash the insect into oblivion.

"AYE!" resounded throughout the building as a thousand voices yelled themselves hoarse.

"All opposed?" called out the speaker once again. Not a word was heard. Several of the more mischievous members of parliament wished that they had possessed crickets for this particular moment.

"Let it be resolved therefore that, by unanimous declaration, the Commonwealth of Rosdivan gives its full support and acclamation to the Questerian Empire's anti-slavery campaign. Furthermore, the Commonwealth directs and charges all citizens and the Commonwealth Navy to render all aid and support necessary for the successful carrying out of this campaign."

Across the country, millions tuned their dials to hear the Fuhrer speak. Television stations, radio stations, even numerous internet sights shut down and converted to a live feed of the presentation. It was not often that he addressed the nation so, and his words carried great weight among the populace. His smile. The way his hair fell across his forehead. The power of his words. How could they not love this man? At approximately 17:12 Greater Haven Strait Time, the general hubbub around the nation ceased. Richtoff appeared on screen, nodded to the press in the room, and began to speak.

"Vile. Despicable. These words characterize the very essence of slavery. For too long have we permitted the trade of humans, not too unlike you and I, across these waters known to us as the Straits of Haven. Whether by peace or by force, the time has come to cleanse ourselves of this evil practice. It was once told to me that it was 'better to starve free than be a fat slave.' This is why we fight in defense of our homes, to prevent ourselves from becoming slaves unto another nation. Does the fact that your nation lost a war mean that you and your kinsmen, and the generation after you, and the one following that, and so on, should be bound in eternal servitude?

"My citizens, you have seen my heart in the years past. How I poured it out to the alliance known as the United Federation of Allied Nations, an alliance wholly committed to the sweet victory that will come when the last slave is emancipated. You, the people, applauded as I signed the Theeb Accord, adding international law to the already in place Kampferian laws forbidding that practice. I spoke often with King Alexander in an eventually successful attempt to have him reform his system, that so cruelly oppressed the black citizens of his nation. For some time, however we put our beliefs aside. There were greater forces of evil in this world to be dealt with. Now, however, those forces have receded back into their shadows, and slavery stands present before us once again. Shall we sit and wait, as the suffering cry out for freedom? The cruel and barbaric practices which the nations of Doomingsland, Strator, and Zukariaa are known to practice is a plague upon this earth. The waters of Haven should be a place of freedom, not a place where innocent souls are transported like the flesh of a cow.

"Bore it we did, but bear it no more we shall. Henceforth and forthwith, any ship transporting slaves within Kampferian waters or International waters will be impounded. The slavers will be imprisoned in Kampferian prisons, and the crew will be released to their home nation. The slaves, however, will remain in Kampfers, no longer under the bondage of slavery, but free. If you remember one thing, hear that Kampfers is wholly against the barbaric practice of slavery and will make every attempt to cripple the slave trading industry in a manner that does not hurt the slaves. From her spot, the nation of Kampfers overlooks the Haven Strait. Arguin commands the Hallad Strait. Neu Prussia overlooks the Strobovia Strait. Each of the bodies of water listed above are full of Kampferian ships, each with the license and authority to free any enslaved persons they meet.

"This is a good day, a day when the nations of Haven finally awaken to the truth of civilization. May slavery be banished forever together with the distinction between castes, all remaining equal, so the people of this world may only be distinguished by vice or virtue. For Kampfers. For Haven. For Freedom."

Official Statement

ANY ATTACKS ON IMPERIAL OR ALLIED SHIPPING WILL RESVLT IN YOVR TIMELY EXTERMINATVS D:< THANK YOV AND HAVE A NICE DAY D:<

OOC: I suppose it's my turn to make a speech
House of Commons
Palace of Liberty
Hudson
2000 Hours

Prime Minister Arthur Cavington stood before his fellow Members of Parliament, prepared to give a speech on the events rapidly unfolding across his own nation and the world. Earlier that day, the Questarian government had passed legislation calling for the destruction of slavery, followed closely by Prestonia's age-old ally Kampfers. Now, it was their turn to take a stand for liberty. Earlier that day, Parliament had passed the Abolition Act, and now with the last of the MPs returning to their chairs from their dinner, Cavington adjusted the microphone and began clearing his throat. His words were to be broadcast throughout the Prestonian Home Island, her Realms and indeed all over the world. With a final clearing of the throat, he began as the last MP took her seat.

"My fellow Prestonians, this is your Prime Minister speaking.

"For many years, Prestonia has stood for one simple virtue: freedom. We, citizens of the Prestonian Kingdom, enjoy greater freedoms than many who inhabit our world. Day in and day out, citizens from all of Prestonia's realms, from Macao to Bermuda to right here on the Home Island go about their business without the fears which categorize the lives of many within other nations. The Prestonian can go about his business without fear of unjust arrest. He can purchase property and take heart in the fact that the government cannot rob him of it without due cause. He can lead police officers out of his home at gunpoint, as many have, if they have not procured the proper warrants for the search of his household. He can take heart in the fact that when they are needed, the authorities will be quick to respond to his calls and do so without the need for bribes or intimidation.

"In short, the Prestonian is a free man, regardless of his age, color, religion or background. Every man, rich or poor, noble or common, black, white, Hispanic or Asian, can wake up and go to bed day in and day out knowing one thing: he is a Prestonian citizen, and thus he is a free man for all his days.

"Even those persons imprisoned within our great nation's penal system know that they will be treated with dignity, afforded three meals per day and have all their rights and freedoms restored to them upon release. Those few souls condemned for their crimes know that every possible route of appeal is open to them, and when their time comes every measure possible will be taken to ensure their end comes as quickly and painlessly as it is within our power to make it.

"These same things cannot be said of our enemies. The nations of Doomingsland, Zukariaa, and Strator are presently engaged in a most despicable practice, a practice so vile as to be anathema to all civilized beings of this world. I speak of course of the practice of slavery.

"Day in and day out in these nations, humans are bought, sold and traded like so much cattle. Within these nations there exists no concept of human rights, no concept of self-representation, and no concept of rule of law. There are people currently living within these nations who have never drawn a free breath in their lives, and were it not for the dedication of the Kingston Pact signatories, would have no hope of ever doing so. As a Christian, as a Prestonian, and as a man, it is unthinkable to me that my fellow man, carved from the same primal elements as I, should have to live his life in such a condition.

"Our allies in Haven have on this day declared that they will put a stop to slavery in their region. On behalf of the Prestonian people I would like to extend my nation's full support for this measure. However, I have more to offer than pretty words.

"As of four o'clock this afternoon, His Majesty the King has given His Royal Assent to the Abolition Act of 2008. As a result, the nation of Prestonia has extended it's prohibition of slavery from it's own borders to the entire region of Aerova.

"I have spoken to the First Sea Lord, and he has assured me that the Royal Navy stands prepared to prevent the spread of slavery within the waters of Aerova.

"As a result of this most historic Act, a General Exclusion Zone for the waters of Aerova has been declared against the nations of Doomingsland, Zukariaa, Strator and Novus Granatia. If need be, the Royal Navy shall enforce this with her guns. Never again shall a slaver set foot within our sacred waters.

"This is not a declaration of war, and should not be interpreted as such, though the Doomani thugs have recently issued what amounts to one. While I hope that the forces of tyranny will heed my warning and see the error of their ways, I have always held that he who will not risk his life to defend his liberty deserves neither.

"To my fellow Aerovan nations, I say this: your actions today will decide how history judges you tomorrow. How do you wish to be remembered? As a heroic guardian of liberty, or as one who sat within your ivory tower as slavery ran rampant throughout the world? It is your choice.

"To the forces of tyranny, I have only one thing to say: your day of judgment is at hand. Convert from your ways, come into the light of civilization, or die.

"May God Bless Prestonia and Her Allies in this most noble endeavor."

Cavington's fellow MPs and the King Himself stood and gave an ovation which lasted a full five minutes. Though he could not be certain, he was almost sure that around the nation people in their homes were doing the same.

Official Communique

http://www.forsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/General/seal-tnemrot.png

Priority: High
Recipient: Global Havenic Community
Origin: Forsaken Realm of Tnemrot - Office of the Overlord Alduous Plumb
Classification Level: Secure
Subject: Questarian Declaration


Tnemration history is rich with impurities and with mistakes. Once, it was considered the norm for the defeated to become slaves and this was once a Tnemration way of life. However, as time progressed, this practices of slavery were revoked in the Forsaken Realm, never to be supported again within our borders. We have learned the errors of our ways and slavery is an intolerable practice within the Tnemration state. Like slavery, piracy is intolerable within the confines of our borders and against Tnemration shipping. We have fought many battles over many centuries to stamp our piracy in our seas. These are enduring battles that will always exist. There can be no true way to stamp out piracy but rather a swift and brutal response to all acts of such.

Liberty is a banner of many quests. Too often, it can become warped by the ideals of projected morality and be driven by men with nothing by tyranny in their hearts. Any attempt to police the waters and borders of the Forsaken Realm will be considered a most egregious breach of our sovereignty. Though the Forsaken Realm supports neither slavery nor piracy, we do support sovereignty. We respect the sovereignty of each and every nation-state of the world. Never should it be infringed upon and always should it be protected, for to fail in either task would create an irreparable precedent.

With this declaration, the Tnemration military has been upgraded to high alert. All of our assets: sea, land, air, and space, will be immediately mobilized and called to attention.

Sincerely,
Overlord Alduous Plumb


Classification Levels

Standard: Standard classification is the normal level of encryption. It is equivalent to the standard levels of encryption seen on most secure e-mail clients.

Confidential: Confidential classification is a higher level of encryption than "Standard" but it is not heavily encrypted. It is used mostly for flash traffic to foreign countries and requires some additional decoding time. It uses 512-bit RSA encryption methods and has several key ciphers that change unpredictably.

Secure: Secure communiques use 1024-bit RSA encryption and several key ciphers within them that change unpredictably to ensure that message traffic is not hacked or decoded. Access to said messages would require heavy cracking software and significant resources but it is not "uncrackable." It can be a viable level through 2010.

Encrypted: Encrypted classification is the second highest level of classification. It is uses 2048-bit RSA encryption and multiple key ciphers within it to ensure that cracking it would take such a significant amount of time to accomplish that, should it be done, the message's usefulness would have already expired. Though anything is crackable, because of the methods employed, this level is often considered "uncrackable" by current capabilities. To ensure revolving protecting, ciphers and encryption algorithms will change unpredictably. This level is sufficient until 2030.

Maximum: Maximum classification is the highest level of classification available. It uses 3072-bit RSA encryption and multiple key ciphers that change unpredictably. It can provide protection past 2030.

Experimental: Currently not a fully recognized level, experimental denotes a category using 15360-bit RSA encryption and multiple key ciphers that change unpredictably. It is not in full operational use as of yet.

An eyebrow twitched. All day, governments throughout Haven had been declaring slavery 'illegal' and demanding it be 'disbanded'. Crown Prince Stefanus just stared as the Kampferian Fuhrer made silly declarations and even used Zukariaa's name. Stefanus was pissed off, to say the least. The other men in the room, Pime Taradox and Prince Timothius, had so far been quiet. But as the Kampferian leader wrapped up his speech the eccentric foreign minister burst out into roarous laughter.

"Bloody fuck, the leaders of Haven are fickle bastards!"

Prince Timothius smirked as he took a swallow of beer. Stefanus shook his head and said,"You'd think these people were on a godsdamn game show with the way they turn on each other without a second thought. Obviously we wont be agreeing to this crap."

"I'll get to work on telling them all to piss off," Pime Taradox stood up and took his leave.

"Father doesn't want to provoke Questaria into action, you know." Timothius said to Stefanus, still holding his smirk.

"Father does not realise yet that Alexander has no power. Their personal relationship is, in the case, useless." Stefanus replied. He gathered his things and left.

Aiur Today
Aiur's only network of totally dependable news! Fuck those other news shows!

"We're coming in live from Tamor Plaza in Aiur and we're about to hear a speech from His Great and Noble Lordiness Pime Taradox, the man whose title changes daily. He's here to speak in response to today's flair up in demands of ending the slave trade, which most Zukariaans are highly opposed to. In fact, I have my personal slave with me today getting me a glass of water as I speak. As a statement of my own, I don't want to give up not having to walk 50 feet to buy a bottle of water. Anyhow, he's about to start."

The camera switches to Pime Taradox at the stand in front of a decent sized crowd,"The governments of several nations such as Questers, Kampfers, and Rosdivan have today declared that their will should be our will, as well. That because they find slavery 'wrong', we should as well. That we should give up our sovereignity so that they will be happy with our nation. They have declared that they will attack and destroy any ships that take part of the legit slaving business to and from Arterus, that they will imprison our people or execute them, and that they will steal our property.

"It boggles the mind that the Questarian government, who I was once proud to call a dear and close ally, has decided that it will pull yet another one of it's bipolar administrative decisions and take part in a crusade against whatever it dislikes. Today it is slavery, tomorrow it could be fur coats. They will do as they please, even if in very recent memory they too took part in whatever they oppose. They do not care, so long as they are given reason to bully others, and as always an entourage of nations follows behind it.

"I can say, as I know with certainty, that the Emperor is sickened by this. His father-in-law, the King of Questers, does nothing to stop actions that are obviously targetted at Zukariaa. Kampfers, another former ally, turns its back on us as well. We, and other nations that choose to write their own laws, are given silly ultimatums in a continuous rain of asshattery. Well we have only one response to every last one of these invasive declarations. No. No, no, no, no, bloody no! This great nation will be damned if it backs away every godsdamned time someone like the Questarian Prime Minister tells it how it should be run. Perhaps we shall declare that the Questarian shipbuilding industry is illegal, and because we dislike we'll attack, destroy, or seize anything having to do with it because we feel we have the right to violate other's sovereignity?

"The Questarians have our answer. The Gods' wills be done."

Pime Taradox stepped away from the stand followed by a large number of unlikely chants in unison.

The camera returned to the anchor slightly too early for him to be prepared, showing him smack his slave for dropping his glass of water. He quickly noticed the camera and turned to it,"Now that man knows what he's talking about! I'm sure any Questarian wouldn't mind telling a young girl to suck hi-"

Back to the news room.

President Martin, ruler of the small North African nation of Aprika, had been sitting on the front porch of his main summer home, a fairly small cottage situated on prime beach-side property overlooking the Mediterranean. Finishing off his cocktail, he got up from his chair to get another drink, silently noting in his mind that his secretary was clueless when it came to mixing drinks.

While inside, he flipped on the aging TV in the kitchen to entertain himself a bit while he looked for the required ingredients. A news broadcast soon caught his eye however, and he remained fixed to that spot until it concluded. Very much unimpressed, he decided to forgo a cocktail and simply poured himself a glass of wine and returned to the porch. It was several minutes later that his secretary returned from her short "break" which would be more accurately referred to as a paperwork assignment.

"I finished all of the papers regarding the executions, sir." she announced, no doubt referring to the recently passed legislation on execution of political dissenters, generally leaders of pro-democracy groups.

"Good. Anything else I should know?"

"Yes. The world superpower Questers has announced a ban on international slavery and piracy, including authorization of strikes on international shipping."

"Well, they seem to be no different than the pirates they want stamped out."

"What is your official stance?"

"Attacking slave ships legally authorized by their nation of origin, no matter what "just cause" is a gross violation of existing international anti-piracy laws."

"I'll pass that on to Mr. Keller, he'll prepare the official announcement."

"Exactly what I wanted."

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

OFFICIAL STATEMENT, THE REPUBLIC OF APRIKA
ADDRESSED TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD

Although the Republic of Aprika does not itself practice or support the keeping of human slaves, it's government has decided on the stance that in international waters, attacks on slave ships legally recognised and authorized in their country of origin represents piracy, as well as an act of war against the country of origin. To support and respect the rights of a country to create and abide by it's own laws, the Aprikan Navy and Aprika Republican Air Corps will help prevent this piracy, with Aprikan patrol ships, maritime patrol aircraft, strike aircraft, and fighters, being authorized to attack ships and aircraft participating in this violation of international law in international waters within range of Aprikan military bases.

OOC: Is the 24 hours, RL time or the flexible NS time?

The Questarian declaration met with little reaction in the Commonwealth. Slavery had been outlawed in Tolvan in 1768 most slavers had the good sense to avoid Tolvanic waters like the plague. The Questarian plans to target piracy was nothing new either, the Tolvanic Navy had been chasing pirates around the world for nearly 250 years. There would be no public statement and no change in government policy, armed neutrality had carried the Commonwealth this far and no one really saw any need to change that.

**Communique to Aprika**

TO: President Martin
FROM: Robert Donovan, Foreign Minister, Commonwealth of Tolvan

RE: Piracy

While the Commonwealth has no intention of stopping any vessel flying a foreign flag without sufficient cause, be advised that the Tolvanic Navy is curently engaged in counterpiracy operations in the vicinity of your nation and that any interference in said operations will result in an appropriate response.

OOC: That's not piracy. That's more warmongering and imperialism. But not piracy, nor does it have to do with the slave trade.

And II would be so much better if everyone just ignored Hataria completely.

OOC:

Regarding the piracy, that's an issue of perspective.

Regarding ignoring Hataria...yeah. Yeah, it would be.

I'll be watching this closely.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/blaesa/header.jpg
From the desk of Daniel Quetzal
Since our inception, Pale Rider Arms has embodied the responsible corporate citizen. From green projects such as our zero-carbon Arcologies and the Otagian SuCon Power Grid, to community outreach programs providing quality education to disadvantaged neighborhoods, we at Pale Rider Arms truly care about our neighbors and pride ourselves in the good name we have developed locally and abroad.

Thus, it pains us to see the public's image of the average corporate citizen brutally marred by the actions of a few criminal organizations masquerading as legitimate businesses, most notably the members of the Corporate Alliance, blackguards who attempt to veil outright theft and violence under the guise of standard business practices. Noting this, it is with great pride that we back the Questerian Commonwealth's condemnation of this wanton banditry, and offer our support, in the form of both supplies and able men, in their efforts to curb this great injustice should the Corporate Alliance fail to agree with these demands.

We urge our employees and investors to do what they can to support these efforts. Blood drives are in full swing at every Pale Rider Arms enclave, and every liter you donate could save a life. If you haven't already, check the organ donor box on your SIN card, and let DocWagon employees bring hope to those injured in these trying times. Buy specially marked PRA products, and twenty percent of the proceeds will go to ending this horrible blight upon the civilized world. Do your part, and help in the struggle against these "corporate" pirates.Yours,Daniel Quetzal
CEO of Pale Rider Arms

OFFICIAL STATEMENT, THE REPUBLIC OF APRIKA
ADDRESSED TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF TOLVAN

After much consideration, the Republic of Aprika has made the decision to withdraw naval and air forces into our territorial waters to prevent any inadvertent agressive against Tolvanic forces. However, any pursuit of piracy into Aprikan territorial waters will be considered an act of war against and will be met with an immediate military response by Aprikan forces. Aprika is perfectly capable of stamping out petty pirates within her own borders.

To: Questers Government
From: Kingdom of Lynion, King Ranakin

I have sent you this telegram after the radar station picked up a transmission about you demanding that piracy and slave's. Even though we don't pick much up on slave's we do encounter alot of intel on pirates. We request that we join you on your crusade mainly against piracy as well as the slave trade.

However, we will not be able to go world wide again until we have freed ourselves from the Pirates of Jin Sea.

End of telegram

Cotland was, for all intents and purposes, in a very difficult position. While Cotland hadn’t actively practiced slavery for well over a century, since the end of the Pan-Havenic Twenty Years War and the resulting reforms that had taken place with the shift in policies, but it wasn’t illegal. Not at all. In fact, the Cottish government had a secret low-key agreement with the Doomani government concerning the extradition of what the government referred to as “undesirable elements” of the society – socialists, communists and other fifth-columnists – into slavery in a Doomani marble mine or some other place where their life expectancy was significantly reduced and where they would never be heard from again.

Of course, this was kept well under wraps and away from the public knowledge, but with the recent Questerians noise-making about their latest whim of the month – ‘human rights’ – which went completely against ideals the Questerians had held so dearly only a few years ago and the subsequent threats of action that the Questerians where threatening against nations which had not made slavery illegal. The Realm fell into that category, as did one of Cotland’s most important trading partners, Doomingsland, a nation that had been publically demonized in most of the statements issued today. The Questerians, the Kampferians and the Rosdivanis – all nations with which Cotland had good trading and other relations with – had all made noise about and threatened action against, you guessed it, Doomingsland. Add to that diplomatic pressure from Doomingsland to intervene on the Doomani’s behalf along with pressure from Cotland’s formal allies in the Royal Georgian League, and one could safely say that Cotland was in a difficult position. On one side, one had trading and diplomatic relations with one side to take into account.

On the other, you had other trading and diplomatic relations to take into account. Doomingsland provided the Realm with the bulk of its Armys and a lot of the Air Force’s equipment, with crucial oil via the Cottish-Doomani Pipeline from Nuclearum and other consumer goods, while Cotland’s navy was comprised of a lot of Praetonian ships and aircraft, Praetonian, Clandonian, Questerian, Kampferian and Rosdivani consumer goods, Rosdivani ICBMs, and the formal relations with Praetonia and Clandonia. In addition, Cotland had negotiated defense agreements with both Doomingsland and Rosdivan, both involving the Realm being willing to come to their aide in the event of an unprovoked attack by a third party. Cotland and Questers had been allies in the past as well, but with Questers leaving APOC when its leader had a change of heart, formal allegiance between Cotland and Questers had ceased. Contrary to popular belief, Cotland had not done as its two allies Praetonia and Clandonia had done and joined one of the two successor-alliances from the failed APOC affair, the Kingston Pact, choosing instead to remain allied only with Praetonia and Clandonia through the Royal Georgian League.

There was a lot at stake here, and regardless of how Cotland reacted, it would mean that Cotland would lose something. It was, essentially, a lose-lose situation for Cotland. Therefore, the task laid before the King was to pick the lesser of two evils, war with Doomingsland or war with the Kingston Pact, or find a third way. The King picked the latter.

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Official Statement


The Realm of Cotland has taken notice of the recent events unfolding in Haven, and is deeply troubled. The situation is, in the eyes of the Realm, very simple. Questers, a nation which until very recently was an active participant in undertakings such as slavery, segregation and apartheid, has decided to alter its ways. Unfortunately, Questers has decided to take these reforms a step further. Questers and its followers have decided to embark upon a crusade of sorts and to attempt to impose its will onto other sovereign nation-states, which is something the Realm cannot endorse.

It is the position of the Realm that such actions are ill-advised and are quite unsound courses of action, and the Realm will not endorse this foolish course of action undertaken by Questers and its followers. We will not be joining any party in this conflict, and the Realm officially declares its neutrality in this conflict. Furthermore, the Realm will condemn any and all attacks upon legitimate trade and formally declare that any attack by any party upon any merchant vessels carrying trading goods headed for Cotland or Cottish overseas holdings will be considered an as an act of aggression towards the Realm and responded to with the appropriate means. This applies to both parties in this escalating conflict.

In order to safeguard our merchant vessels and property belonging to Cottish citizens and corporations, His Majesty the King has dispatched a task force to the Strait of Doomanum and the Strobovia Strait in order to provide protection and defense for merchant vessels heading for Cotland, regardless of nationality. Furthermore, the Realm decrees that Cottish territorial waters shall be safe havens for civilian vessels belonging to either party in this conflict, and that they shall be given refuge there. Any attempt to attack any vessels within Cottish waters will be considered an act of war against the Realm and responded to accordingly.

We have no quarrel with any of you, but we do offer this warning: Our forces will employ lethal force in order to defend our commerce. Do not test the resolve of the Realm.

A few hours later, a number of grey warships started leaving their homeports, heading for the Strobovia Strait and the Strait of Doomanum from their bases in Northern Cotland and Korangar Island. Thirty aircraft carriers, all of them brand new Type 94 Monarch class fleet carriers delivered from Praetonian yards, ten Sovereign class battlecruisers, thirty Type 51 County guided missile cruisers, three hundred Type 81 Cavalier class destroyers, sixty Type 35 patrol frigates, forty submarines and almost a hundred underway replenishment ships were headed out for sea, supported by Blackadder maritime strike bombers operating out from Korangar Island, which was strategically positioned at the western entrance to the Strobovia Strait and smack dab between Doomingsland and the Questerian homeland.

Korangar Island was an important foothold for Cotland, as it provided the Realm with a forward staging post which could help close down the 3 000 kilometer opening to the strait and allowed Cotland to monitor the western portion of the Strob. Therefore, it was a heavily fortified area which provided sufficient berthing for the bulk of the Cottish fleet as well as the possibility for the Cottish fleet to resupply and rearm there safely, under the protection of the island’s extensive defenses. It was also from there the task force the King had ordered formed, Task Force Koronea, would be commanded from. Its orders and mandate were simple: Ensure the protection of merchant shipping headed for Cottish ports of call at all cost. Simple orders, but not too simple to put into practice. There were annually hundreds of thousands of merchant vessels entering Cottish ports to deliver goods, a good portion of which came from Doomingsland and Zukariaa, both nations threatened by the new coalition that was forming under Questers. For that purpose, the admiral placed in charge of the task force had been given just over four hundred warships and a few thousand aircraft.

However, the admiral had a plan. Instead of throwing away a lot of resources, he decided that the merchant vessels that wanted the protection of the Realm would organize into convoys and sail to Cottish ports under the protection of the Royal Cottish Navy. It was announced via the embassies in Urbus Doomanus and Aiur, as well as public notice in various newspapers, that convoys headed for Cotland would be assembled at certain points in international waters where the Royal Cottish Navy would provide protection for the merchant vessels. This was also duly informed to the governments in Questers, Kampfers, Rosdivan, Prestonia and the other nation-states involved, along with a warning that the Realm would consider it an act of war if these convoys were deliberately attacked. It might annoy or anger some bureaucrats and other officials, but when it came to the all-important trade, the Realm didn’t really care about some foreign bureaucrats’ or officials’, or even head of state’s bruised feathers.

The first two convoys headed for Cotland would assemble just north of the Strait of Doomanum and just south of the strait between Zukariaa and Aunesia, and would each be protected by a pair of aircraft carriers, a battlecruiser, a pair of cruisers, twenty-odd destroyers, ten-odd frigates and a few replenishment ships. The convoys were primarily for merchantmen from Doomingsland, Zukariaa and Cotland itself, but any nationality would be allowed to participate in the convoy as long as they agreed to adhere to the orders of the convoy leader aboard one of the Cottish warships. Additionally, convoys would be formed leaving Cotland and headed for Doomingsland and Zukariaa, meaning that these merchant vessels would also be allowed to travel safely past Neu Prussia and Northford, both places where an attack might originate.

A new convoy would be formed by the Royal Cottish Navy, and all a merchantman had to do to be allowed into the convoy was to ask for it, undergo a “safety inspection” by an armed boarding party to verify that one didn’t carry anything that might be used against the convoy, and agree to adhere to the orders from the convoy commander.

Whether or not the foreign powers would respect the neutrality of the Realm was as of yet unknown, but the Cottish would issue one warning before it opened fire on any unknown contacts, regardless of nationality.

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|Official Communique of the Promethian Republic of Faxanavia|

To whom it may concern,
The Questarian declaration, this Pax Questaria, is a symbol of the true liberty that the Questarian Empire inspires. For too long have the evils of piracy and slavery been a blight upon our world. And now, for the good of the world and for the good of humanity, something shall be done about it. The Faxanavian navy pledges its full available force in the fight against the piracy of the high seas and in the fight against slave trading. As we have done or hundreds of years, no man, woman or child shall be traded in Faxanavia, nor shall any piracy be done in Faxanavian waters. Our laws have long prohibited such reproachful actions, yet still I feel it is my duty to enforce them as before.

Truthfully, the darkness that is piracy and slavery has touched many nations on Earth. People speak of those in Haven who trade in men, but I feel that Haven is not enough to be emancipated- slavery and piracy blight not just Haven, but the world. Thus, I call upon my brothers-in-arms: In Rodinia, in the LION, in NATO, across the whole world, to put petty rivalries and differences and stand for something better then all of us- the emancipation of the human race.

Respectfully yours,
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Garret Williamson Linsares
Prime Minister of the Promethian Republic of Faxanavia and her Associated Territories

Official Statement of the Free Republic of Kahanistan

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The Government of Kahanistan is bound by treaty with Praetonia not to wage war without Praetonian assent unless attacked. We therefore regret that we cannot join forces with Questers, Rosdivan, Prestonia, and their allies to oppose the menaces of international slaving and global piracy.

We therefore submit a resolution to His Majesty King George IV of Praetonia requesting permission to join the growing international armada assembled against slaver nations, being fully familiar with the Praetonian stance against slavery. In the meantime, we warn all slave ship captains and pirate vessels that should their vessels pass into our waters, they will be seized by the Kahanistan Republic Navy, the crews tried for slavery and piracy, and their slave cargoes granted asylum.

Signed,
Nadia Sklenova,
President of Kahanistan

There had been a lot of troubles going on over night, but after a hectic few hours of negotiations, discussions, arguments and one instance of name-calling between the lower ranked diplomats, the basis for the high-level agreement between King Haakon VIII of Cotland and King George IV of Praetonia had been made. The Cottish announcement of neutrality and establishing convoys had ruffled some feathers and caused quite a bit of commotion among the Royal Georgian League, but it hadn't been anything that negotiations couldn't solve. In short, Cotland's neutrality was assured and would be protected by not only Cotland but also the entirety of the Royal Georgian League if Cotland agreed to adhere to a few simple points.

Cotland would not allow Doomani ships to reflag to Cottish, or via a third party from Doomani to Cottish. In return, Cotland would not be restricted from making a profit from this conflict - it was a capitalist society after all - by selling war materiel to either party of the conflict, save for a restriction on Cotland so that it would not sell Praetonian or Clandonian materiel on to Doomingsland or any other party in this conflict, and the League would defend Cotland in the event that any third party disagreed with Cotland supplying either side and taking action against the Realm. Provided that these points were adhered to by Cotland, the Realm of Cotland would not join the conflict on any side, especially that of Doomingsland. It was a comprimise, but an acceptable one for Cotland. It would allow Cotland to safeguard its commerce and from selling weaponry to those who wanted it, while at the same time keeping Cotland safe from either side of the conflict.

The final agreement had been hammered out in a teleconference with the two kings and agreed upon, followed with an official confirmation via encrypted email that was signed and counter-signed by the two kings, making it official. It wasn't long after that that the document was made public.


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Official Statement


The Realm of Cotland has, after long and careful discussions with its allies within the Royal Georgian League, decided to maintain its stated stance of neutrality in the growing conflict between the Empire and Commonwealth of Questeria and its allies, and the Imperium Doomanum and its allies.

---As a consequence of the Realm's neutrality, the Realm will not tolerate any attempted reflagging of Doomani vessels to Cottish registry for the duration of this conflict, nor will the Realm tolerate any such reflagging via a third party from Doomani to Cottish flag.

---The Realm of Cotland will not be prohibited from conducting trade of any sort, which may be civilan as well as military in nature, with any nation-state involved in this conflict, save for the proliferation of Praetonian- or Clandonian-made miilitary items to any party in this conflict. Any attempt to deny the Realm's trade will be considered an act of aggression towards the League as a whole.

---Additionally, any and all convoys sailing in Western Haven under the protection of the Realm of Cotland will be immune to the 'stop and search' procedures initiated by the combatant parties, and shall not be interfered with in any way.

---For as long as these points are adhered to, the Realm of Cotland shall maintain its stance of neutrality and refrain from joining the conflict on either side.


Signed and counter-signed on this Sunday the 15th Day of June in the Year of our Lord 20XX.

Haakon VIII Rex
King of the Realm of Cotland

Georgius IV Rex
King of the Crown Commonwealth of Praetonia


With this agreement signed, the Realm's position was established once and for all. Now, all it would have to do was to wait for the foreign powers to find out about it and wait for the requests for war materiel to come. The Doomani embassy had already made some inquiries about the nine hundred decommissioned destroyers moored in Caktar Bay Storage Depot, about two kilometers from the northern border with Nuclearum...

The Totalitarian State was, as always, silent on the issue. Red Tide did not practice either slavery and/or piracy, but Red Tide remained silent on the issue nonetheless. Inquiries into the Foreign Ministry were met with a solid 'no comment' or just ignored outright. Red Tide was, as always, looking out for its own interests.

Thus, the spies of the Intelligence Commissariat watched, listened, and waited for more developments... before Red Tide decided on a course of action.

-The Lone Alliance Government Offices, Council of 20 Chamber-
"As you can see under folder 14 it seems that the international community has taken a vow to stamp out slavery and Piracy once and for all." said a member from the Democratic party.
"We should support this."
"Aye" Came the call from the Republican half.
"Aye," the socialists and communists said.
"Whatever..." Nod.
"What's that Nod?"
"Abstain."
"I understand."
"Everyone else in agreement."
"What about soverg..."
"Oh shut up."
"So let's pass this thing."
"I'll drink to that."
"Wait how is that legal to bring a hip flask in."
"Quit your whining it's only fruit punch in here."

~Message From The Allied States of The Lone Alliance~

The Lone Alliance publicly supports this important and noble goal put out by the Nation of Questers. Long has Slavery and Piracy been the means of exploitation and evil in the past, and it is time to put them both to an end.
We state that any slaver or pirate met by any ships of The Lone Alliance will be engaged and captured. It's time the likes of people like those of the CA learned that we are tired of them ****ing up the world and we are tired of their crimes against humanity.

An engineering firm working late into the evening to finish up an important project. A family just having finished their dinner, and resting in their living room in front of the television. A truck driver delivering a cargo of groceries to a supermarket. A sailor onboard a Chevrokian warship, guarding the approaches to the nation. All across Chevrokia, the people were notified of the special address to the nation by the President, Olav Jagland. By news announcements on the television, on the radio, on the internet, and in the newspapers, by word of mouth; through many avenues of information, the people knew he was to make an important address, and they awaited eagerly what he had to say. On all the regular broadcast channels, the regular programming was interrupted for the simulcast of his address to the nation, and with the voiceover “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of Chevrokia” announcing the opening of the broadcast, billions of Chevrokians fell silent and listened closely.

“My fellow Chevrokians, I come before you tonight to talk to you about a matter, which many of us take for granted. It is something that is in our lives everyday, that every Chevrokian of every background, of every religion, of every political viewpoint, of all ages, are given from the moment they are born into this world. I am talking to you about freedom.

“Freedom is not a simple buzzword for political gain. It of far greater importance than that. Freedom is not having to watch over your shoulder when you walk down the street. Freedom is not having to watch what you say in public, or in private. Freedom is being able to choose what career you want to pursue, where you want to live, and who you want to live with. Freedom is being able to choose what faith you wish to believe in, or to choose no faith at all. In all, freedom is being able to live a life without fear of your government.

“In the past, we have allied with nations whose views upon freedom were greatly skewed from ours, or even non-existent. We allied with them to face a great evil which threatened us from outside the expanses of our great region of Haven. But we now face their evils within Haven. Those who restrict the political rights of their people, ban opposition parties, jail and execute protesters. Those who restrict the religious rights of their people, forcing them to abide by the state religion instituted by their theocratic government, and eliminate those who refuse to convert. Worst of all, those who would cast people into the shackles of slavery, to not give them a chance to choose their own destiny. And because of Questers’ opposition to the evils of slavery, the peace within Haven is now threatened.

“Now, peace is generally good in itself, but it is never the highest good unless it comes as the handmaid of righteousness; and it becomes a very evil thing if it serves merely as a mask for cowardice and sloth, or as an instrument to further the ends of despotism or anarchy. We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. The principles of liberty cannot stand without people of strong will ready and able to defend them. Freedom is something that every man and woman deserves from the moment they were born. It is something that must be guaranteed to each and every citizen of a nation, every person on this Earth. And it is something that must be defended at all costs.

“These costs are nothing small, for it takes great effort and sacrifice to preserve freedom, it takes commitment to our people and to our nation. There can be no fifty-fifty Chevrokianism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Chevrokianism, only for those who are Chevrokians and nothing else. The duty of all Chevrokians, from the soldier to the factory worker, the politicians and the policemen, every Chevrokian citizen of all walks of life, is to preserve this great nation and its foundations of freedom and justice for all people. And we as a nation will stand by our allies in the Kingston Pact, just as their members have in the past stood by us in times of great peril, so that we may preserve the foundations of freedom and justice both within and beyond our borders.

“I call upon all Chevrokians to come together in support of our Republic, and to adamantly oppose the vile practice of human slavery wherever it may be in existence. The resolution which passed by an overwhelming majority in the Senate this afternoon, puts forth that the Republic will stand by fully the Questarian declaration. This tyrannical practice of the forced servitude of human beings must be put to an end.”


-----------------------------

General Yuri Mikhailovich Sorvenyenko approached his office late in the night, shortly after the President’s speech to the nation. ‘Fool of a man,’ he thought, ‘filled to the ears with idealist notions of liberty and other useless nonsense. That’ll be over soon.’ Thus far, his work was going according to the plan. His contacts in Ferrum Lupus had received his messages, and the General was back at his office to collect a few items before leaving. He briefly looked around before entering, dead of night, nobody else is here. Perfect.

He entered the dark office, and without turning on the lights, carefully moved towards his desk. With a slight amount of moonlight beaming through the window, he slowly opened the center drawer of the desk and removed a large manila envelope. Full of useful information; troop deployments, fortifications, air defense installations, and various other aspects of the defense of Hjeltland his clients would find useful. He then opened the upper right-hand drawer to remove his prized service pistol, with carefully made engravings, a highly-polished frame, and mahogany inserts on the grip.

“Thought you could get away with it, did you?”

The General hadn’t expected there to be somebody else in the room. The voice had come from a figure, standing in a dark corner near the door to the office.

“Thought you could get away with treason? Compromising our defenses by giving away vital information to the enemy. It’s rather unfortunate for them, they’ll never receive the information. Matter of fact, they won’t even know you were willing to give it to them.”

The General smiled. “But you see they already know about it. I have already discussed this matter with my contacts, the plans have been put in motion. There’s no stopping this now.” He was not worried about the mysterious man knowing this, as he was apparently unarmed, while the General was still within easy reach of his service pistol.

“Ah yes, your contacts. Well I guess you will be disappointed to hear that your contacts were actually our contacts. When we track a computer station in the DoD network accessing a website promoting a Doomani state in Hjeltland, we get rather suspicious. When that computer station is located in the office of the Army chief-of-staff of the Hjeltland Military District, we get particularly suspicious.”

“Personally,” the General said, “what you know is irrelevant. Sad, you’ve come all this way from Duntovostok and you won’t be returning. I do hope your family will be alright after they hear of your death.” He removed the pistol from the desk drawer and pointed it towards the mysterious agent. The man did not flinch as the General smiled again, and pulled the trigger.

Click.

The General’s smile quickly receded as the pistol did not fire as he had expected. The agent produced a loaded pistol magazine from his coat pocket.

“I know where you keep your gun, General.” The General simply stood there, unable to speak. “Bet you didn’t think Chevrokia even had competent agents like us, huh?”

The agent reached into his coat pocket, and produced a pistol of his own, a black, small caliber job, with a rather large silencer.

“It’s a shame. What a waste of training and a distinguished service career. We could have put you to good use. But, such is life, I guess.”

The agent’s highly silenced pistol clicked twice, the only sound created when his gun fired. The General’s lifeless body crumpled to the floor. Mission complete, now time to clean up.

-----------------------------

“Contact positively identified. Friendly. HMS Brilliant.” Admiral Sven Oldendorf spotted the Questarian Seylon Navy frigate through his binoculars, from the rather high bridge of his flagship, RNS Arthur E. Duntov, one of the big command cruisers of the Chevrokian Republic Navy.

“Bring us alongside her, and match her speed. I have something special in mind.”

The big 30,000 ton cruiser, with her huge superstructure, easily dwarfed the frigate it approached. Much activity was occurring on the decks, crewmen running about, quickly inspecting certain things which at first, was not easily understood. After looking at a location on the lower part of the forward superstructure, they then ran back inside and up to the bridge.

A command was broadcast to the ship, “All hands upon deck,” which really meant all personnel not essential to the ship running correctly. The rest of the crew, over one thousand ratings and officers, came out of the bowels of the ship and stood at attention on her decks.

At the base of the ship’s mast, a group of a half-dozen sailors were carefully unfolding a flag. At the lower superstructure, the earlier group of sailors was unfolding a banner with a message to the Questarian frigate. After a few minutes, due to the sheer height of the mast, alongside the Chevrokian naval jack flew a Questarian national flag. The banner was affixed to the superstructure, and though it was crudely made with a white sheet marked with black spray paint, the message was simple and clear.

“We Stand By You.”

June 15th, Outside the Parliament Building

A parade strolled outside the main street of the city of Stuyvesant. Bugles blasted, drums sounded, the polished shoes of the local Boy Scout regiment and of the shoes of the Cohenian Soldiers clicked, the military vehicles with distincty roamed, and some jets zipped over the heads of the parade goers. Yes, a grand parade would occur on the fifteenth of every June in celebration of the unification of the Cohenian continent, save Sula. The fifteenth of June marked the day in which the last marshal of the Zykranian Kingdom surrendered, and all (except the Zykranians) celebrate this day grandly. Mikhail stood out on a balcony from his palace, waving to his joyful citizens. However, the Prime Minister Taras Hinskov sat in his office, preparing a speech. Papers were strewn about his desk from a comic featuring an overweight orange cat to a document about the Questarian "end to international slavery." While both listed were of importance to Hinskov, he was moreso inclined towards the latter. Slavery had been in Cohenia since the first founding of it, but by the year 2008 the policy had died out. It wasn't illegal, but no one had slaves anymore. Slavery, more or less, had died out in Cohenia around the time the Zykranians were quelled. He lifted up a white mug with a Questarian flag on it and the name "SANDAKAN" on it, something his son bought him at the last minute as a souvenir from the very expensive study abroad session in Jesselton, sipping some tea and trying to get ready for a speech. He'd been up the past few nights lobbying his fellow members of Parliament to finally outlaw slavery and the practice of slaving, and after the days of lobbying he had succeeded. He was set to go on the podium outside of the building and make his speech in a few minutes, as soon as the last Cub Scouts unorganizedly marched, waving to their young (and attractive, of course) mothers.

He walked up the empty stairs of the Parliamentary building towards the balcony, being followed by the only other people in the building. Hell, it was a Sunday. Everyone was out at the parades, asleep, or barbequing - no exception to members of Parliament. Body guards walked behind Hinskov, most were strewn out across the building twiddling their thumbs or playing some hand held electronic produced in Shansekia. As he reached the door for the balcony out into the busy Cohenian morning, he checked his watch. 9:04.

"Citizens of Cohenia, today I announce a new legislation that will forever change the history of our fair nation and even the world. We live in a world filled with despots, tyrants, enslaved peoples; a world lacking freedom and liberty for all. Cohenians take liberty for granted, we seldom appreciate the amount of freedom that we have in comparison to the others living in the world. Why, we all celebrate today as the day in which we annihilated the last Zykranians, but do they celebrate today? Of course not, for years they were treated as second class citizens compared to the Hamiltonians and the Stuyvestanians! They celebrate July 9th, the day they were given provincial status and henceforth, citizenship! They could apply for work anywhere, go to school anywhere, marry anyone they wanted. They were an enslaved group, now celebrating their freedom from despotism! Liberty was given to the Zykranians in 1864, freedom was given to the Zykranians in 1864. Yet today, the barbaric practice of stealing liberty and freedom from little boys and little girls still exists in this very world we live in! The barbaric practice of taking a little girl, not four years old, away from her mother to be sacrificed to the 'God of Lust' at the local 'temple' still occurs in this world we inhabit! Should a group of men line up to have their way with a toddler and then claim it were for their oneness with the Gods, they would be executed as rapists! Not only does the vile practice of slavery lead to rape, it also leads to murder! In Cohenia, if a uranium miner is not working to his or her potential, he is talked to and instructed that his or her job is on the line if they do not work! In one of these tramontane nations, if a slave is not pleasing her masters in the sex temples or not picking wheat at his best, he is killed on the spot! Murder, rape...all side effects of the pox upon humanity! A slave woman gives birth to a child, a newborn infant who knows not of society. His father was a slave keeper, he raped this woman in order to produce a new worker. He can't afford this slave, what does he do? He goes down to the market and sells this newborn infant so he can be put on a boat or a plane with a bunch of other confused babies to work as another uterus for a sick, twisted individual or a disposable worker to be killed when he's too old! These enslaved people know nothing of a happy life whatsoever, they only know how to work and to please the master!

For these horrid conditions I have just spoken to you about, today shall mark not only a day where the Cohenian continent became united under one government, but also the day when Cohenia became a nation where there was liberty, freedom, and justice for all! As approved yesterday by Parliament and signed by His Majesty, the Liberty Act has been passed! Slavery has officially been banned by this very nation, and the act of transporting slaves through Cohenian territory or waters has been banned as well. Should a slaving vessel come into Cohenian waters, it will be boarded and all slavers on board will be prosecuted under the law, brought to justice! The slaves will be brought to freedom - they will be people, not property!

The Cohenian government will also support the actions of the government in Questers, we pledge our support in ending slavery throughout the world!"

Subsequently, cheers were made throughout the Empire. From Stuyvesant to Rosbaningrad to Bratislava to Reval to Hamilton, Cohenians cheered for the act. Moreso, the Rosbanis were happy. They knew of one slaving nation that they could 'help the Empire' in attacking.

Varbola Times

The glorius defenders of liberty in their multicoloured coats
Article by: Juha Poro

In my previous article about the current Questarian Prime Minister Benjamin Russell, I explained how he is essentially a danger to the world stability. Now mr. Russel, who likes to be called an “International Police Chief”, and speaks with the God, has started acting. Questers declared “end of piracy and slavery” and demanded the Corporate Alliance to disband. Well, can’t really blame him in Corporate Alliance part. These pirates regularly causing disturbances in the oil producing regions with their little wars are pretty damn annoying, its about time for someone to flush these cesspools down from the toilet of history. But mr Russel’s main opposition is not CA, but a much more worthy enemy, Emperor Maximus of Imperivm Doomanvm, man who is no way weaker in insanity, and also speaks with the God, probably even same one.

Haven’t we seen this before? I remember quite well how Damien Dreadfire of Automagfreek declared “end of slavery”, and also invaded Doomingsland. That war resulted no practical changes in the situation. Now Russel of Questers is walking on the same path, rather ironical considering that at that time states like Questers and Praetonia were very Doomani friendly, with Praetonia even giving several capital ships to Doomanis to repell the Freekish invasion. It was still very recently, then slavery was legal in some parts of the Questers. But Questers is not alone in this campaign, among states that have declared support to this campaign are: Rosdivan, Chevyrocks, Kampfers, Wolfenhalle, Central Prestonia, Faxanavia. Most will probably wonder that what are these states in second half of list, well that is probably what defends them from retaliation, as Doomani general staff most likely also has problems with finding those “powerhouses” on a map.


Kampfers is another very interesting case of change in face, which I would analyse more in detail this time. Führer Eric Richtoff has been ruling for quite some time, usually we would assume that this means Kampfers holding one certain line in foreign politics. Interestingly Kampferian Führer is changing clothes even faster than Questarians. Firstly Kampfers was in UFAN, alliance dedicated for human rights and anti-slavery. Then suddenly Führer Richtoff decided that the civilization needs to be defended. A glorius goal, isn’t it? Well, not so fast, Führer for some reason thought that for defending the civilization, its crucial to join Alliance for the Preservation of Civilization (APOC), organization lead by most infamous slave traders of Imprerivm Doomanvm. I find this so damn amusing that I even searched out official Kampferian application to APOC, signed by beloved Führer himselfly:
For too many years, Kampfers has stood alone in this world, minding its own. Now, as a great power has risen to near world dominance, we see fit to join in force with the rest of the free world in defense of our liberty. Now is the time to swear a new bod of allegiance. With all due fervor, the Neo-Prussian Parliamentary Dictatorship (dictatorships are such an awesome places, full of liberty) of Kampfers hereby confirms its membership into this noble organization (all hail noble Doomani slavetraders!) known as APOC. Let the world tremble at the sounds of the allied forces of APOC![1] (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13425114&postcount=3)

Lets compare with the speech that comrade Richtoff made yesterday:
Shall we sit and wait, as the suffering cry out for freedom? (why not, you did it only some years ago) The cruel and barbaric practices which the nations of Doomingsland, Strator, and Zukariaa are known to practice is a plague upon this earth. (when you “defended civilization” with doomanis it wasn’t barbaric?) The waters of Haven should be a place of freedom, not a place where innocent souls are transported like the flesh of a cow. (yeah, the Führer of the Kampferian dictatorship is definitely the right guy to speak about freedom)
We can all see that we are dealing with an amateur. Professional dictators have foreign ministers who make such statements, and then the policy changes, minister is also replaced. But then a dictator fails in such basic things, whole affair becomes comical. I can only wonder, how Kampferians tolerate such weather vane as their leader. Obvious conclusion is that official statistics about high Human Development Index in Kampfers are falsified, and only statistics that is high, is full training in doublethink.

But enough of that little Kampferian corporal. Now giants are already clashing. Questarians have attacked Doomani shipping, and Doomanis are mobilizing all over the Haven. Leaders are shouting glorius warcries, “for greater good” and all that shit, and uneducated masses are throwing themselves in fire yet again. Some colours have changed but in reality, everything is same. Aside the minor differences in semantics and alliance names, speeches currently made are no different from speeches made then Questers was still having slavery, and then Kampfers and Chevrokia were still standing in ranks of APOC and fighting “to preserve liberty and justice in the world from the forces of tyranny and oppression” as official Chevrokian application to APOC called it[2] (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13425174&postcount=8). In Kampferian case, even speaker is same. In the end its still all about power and spheres of influence, as it has always been.