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THE GRAND MOFF IS; Act I
Topic Started: Feb 12 2011, 01:07 AM (710 Views)
The Authority of the Grand Moff
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2nd Lieutenant
 *  *  *  *  *
"Can you do it?"

"Very difficult thing you ask of Yat-Sen. Many complications likely. Psychology of mind is very difficult to--"

"Can you do it?"

"Yat-Sen not come cheap--"

"Can you do it?!"

"Yes, Yat-Sen can do it."


* * *

Like all things, it started with an Idea.

Ideas are abstractions of Reality, nothing more; they are as immaterial as Dreams, as irrelevant as Hopes, as inconsequential as Prayers. Only when Action is taken is an Idea given Life.

AH! ACTION! The Universe demands Action; indeed, it's very Laws require it. But then, Ideas are the only thing in the Universe which can arise spontaneously, which can burst upon the scene with no Reason, with no Why. How, then, are we to explain the Idea?

Ah, but the Idea is not real! The Idea is only made real through Action! Only then, when Inertia is given to the Inert, does the Idea begin to grow--and grow it does. It races along, hither and thither, begetting Plans and Formulations and Concepts, all solely dedicated to the purpose of making Something from Nothing. But this is impossible! How, then, are we to explain the Idea?

Can we equate it? Where are the calculations? What is the value of Idea? Does it equal MC2?

No.

The Idea has no value--until it does. The Idea is Infinity and Planck-length and both and neither. The Idea cannot be quantified. How, then, are we to explain the Idea?

We can't.

Thus the Paradox of the Idea. The Idea is not real--until it is made so. There is no Formula, no Equation, and no Comprehension. The Idea cannot be predicted, nor can its effects. The Idea is True and False and both and neither.

An Idea simply is.



Like all things, it started with an Idea--but became so much more.

* * *

"Clinical Trial Lot 23, Doctor Yat-Sen, Client Anonymous. Subject is white male, age 25, one Frank Tannenbaum. Blood work normal. Psychological profile adequate. Can you hear me, Mr. Tannenbaum?"

"Yes sir, Mister--er, Doctor Yat-Sen, sir."

"Very well. Right, Yatsen introducing Lot 23 now to Subject... Previous trials have shown tendency for extreme--"

(screaming)

"Nurse! Nurse! Hold him down, now--nurse!!!"


* * *

What follows is the transcript of a video message sent to all the leaders of the Europe*, with a request that it be rebroadcast to their citizenry**

(Camera opens on an image of an imposing figure of a man dressed in an immaculate white military tunic with gilded epaulets and a series of small, multicolored, indiscernable designs on the left breast. Immediately obvious is that the figure's face is not visible--it is completely blacked out***)

Posted Image

(The figure's arms are initially crossed across the chest; then, the right hand is extended out in greeting, and a powerful, deep voice--though slightly distorted****, suggesting it has been altered in some fashion--begins to speak)

"Greetings and goodwill, Nations of the World! On this day we mark a transition! A transition to a New Order!

Behold--a New Order! Where the Citizen need not fear walking his own streets! Where the Citizen need not fear Corruption bringing down all they have created into Chaos! Where the Citizen need not fear for his very livelihood!

Behold--a New Order! ensure that we will always stand together, that we will always speak with a single voice and act with a single hand!

Behold--a New Order! Devoted to the preservation of a Safe Society! A Secure Society! A Just Society!

Behold--a New Order! Where the Law is Absolute! Where the Great need not be constrained by the Petty! Where Our most cherished Beliefs will forever be sacrosanct!

Behold--a New Order! Concerned with Peace, not War! Concerned with Consequence, not Inaction! Concerned with Progress, with Triumph, with advancement of Humanity to its very limits!"

(The scene suddenly transitions to a collection of men dressed in similar tunics to the previous figure, except theirs are grey and lack epaulets. All but one are also wearing grey caps. They are standing next to each other, each with his arms crossed behind his back. They begin speaking in turn, the hatless man going first)

Posted Image

"Kuat."

"Sienar."

"Pellaeon."

"Thanas."

"Piett."

"Tanbris."

(Now they begin speaking as one)

"We are the Moffs. We are responsible for enacting the Dictates of The Authority. We are responsible for the Citizens of The Authority. We are responsible for the Security of The Authority.

(Sequentially again)

"WE..."

"...together, united..."

"...are the Governors..."

"...of the New Order..."

"...to which we shall brook no aggression..."

"...and no mercy for those who do."

(Together)

"We hereby pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor to The New Order, to The Authority, to The Grand Moff."

(Sequentially)

"The Grand Moff Is Order."

"The Grand Moff Is Peace."

"The Grand Moff Is Security."

"The Grand Moff Is Stability."

"The Grand Moff Is Justice."

"The Grand Moff Is Invincible."

(Together)

"The Grand Moff Is The Authority."

(The Moffs are replaced with a gold roundel on a white background. It begins to brighten, growing brighter and brighter as the Moffs continue offscreen)

Posted Image

"Nations of the World, we invite you to support our endeavour! We ask not for you to forsake yourselves--only to believe, as we do, that there is something more powerful than each of us, and that is THE UNIFIED WILL! SO, NATIONS OF THE WORLD--UNITE!

(The screen is now filled with brightness, which then transitions back to the black figure in the white tunic)

Posted Image

BEHOLD--MY NEW ORDER! I AM THE AUTHORITY! I AM THE GRAND MOFF!"

* * *

"Clinical Lot Trial 111, Doctor Yat-Sen, Client Anonymous. Subject is white male, age 23, a Mr. Andrew Cohen. Blood work normal. Psychological profile adequate. Are you ready, Mr. Cohen?"

"Yes, Dr. Yat-Sen."

"This had better work, good Doctor."

"Enough has been spent."

"Too much."

"You've had sufficient time--"

"Yes, yes, very angry, Yatsen sure! Task you give Yat-Sen not easy--"

"DOES IT WORK?!"

"Shut up and see for yourself! Yat-Sen is introducing Lot 111 to Subject now...."


"Well? Did it work?"

"Be quiet! Mr. Cohen?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Stab knife through hand."

(crunching sounds)

"That... that's incredible."

"Total lack of self-preservation."

"Yes, yes, Yat-Sen do as you ask. Yat-Sen has designed perfect brainwash: Subjects will respond only to order from superior, and will do so at all cost."

"Are they... stable?"

"Stupid question! Mind is a complicated machine! Of course subjects not stable! Long-term, severe risk of various psychoses--"

"How long-term are we talking?"

"Oh, many year for majority. A few, very quickly, but small fraction."

"Basically viable, then, I should think."

"Yes. Research very difficult. Very expensive. Yat-Sen need paid vacation--per contract!"

"Of course. Paid in full."

(single gunshot)



* * *

((OOC Notes:

*I'd actually prefer "the world" if that's possible, but I don't want to spam the forum...
**This is unnecessary if you desire, but it would be considered rude.
***Think of it like he's wearing a "Green Man" type of outfit under the rest of his clothes--except black of course.
****Like Darth Vader's voice--it sounds basically normal, but not entirely))
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Kasnyia
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Chairman of the Bank
OOC- Oh this will be fun.

IC-

The Papacy of Cologne has refused to rebroadcast this information, pending investigation into potential Dominionist propaganda.

- Statement from Cologne

----------

Kasnyia has declared that "The Authority" is a Dominion remnant and must be dealt with as such. Kasnyia too will not rebroadcast.

- Statement from Guranburg

-----------

The only "authority" is in Byzantium.

- Statement from Alexanderhaven

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

The Democratic Confederacy of Africa will rebroadcast and beam the messages toward Europe, Asia, and the Americas, but will maintain that only the African people are the authority within Africa. The DCA also adds that it would like to form relations with the authority (OOC- if you're interested, we'll set something up in the Africa forum)

- Statement from Field Marshal Franz Mintsa

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

The Chimera is the leader of our brotherhood. We recognize no government and we do as we please.

- Statement sent from the Free City outpost of the Pirates of Garzburgh

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

The ICBBC, being a bank whose more clandestine operations remained secret to the world, obviously didn't say anything aloud, but it did start making inquiries. If this new state was indeed a Dominion-remnant Arne Soll, the Bank's chairman, would have to discuss the development with the board. If not, it still seemed rather attuned to the Zapht ideology, even if at the slightly altered level, and could prove useful as an asset or as a customer. Soll hoped for both. Soll decided to call his Chief of Acquisitions to have someone contact them.

Encrypted Wire Message
PRIORITY ONE
You may need our help. These Europeans fear change. My associates and employers do not. If you acknowledge this hand of friendship, send reply back to the return address.

- Anonymous
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

The Russian Empire will not re-broadcast this fascist, Dominionist propaganda. The Grand Moff is nothing more than a man trying to lead Europe down the same destructive path that Gassel did Asia. The World does not need another Dominion-like state preaching the word of a United World. The Dominion Wars were long as they were destructive, with much of the world's nations still healing from the bloodshed. The Russian people will not tolerate any government threatening the peace and stability that we fought and sacrificed so much to achieve.

-Official statement of the Russian Empire.

_______________________________________________

The Confederate States of America has made the re-broadcast of the message illegal, with those airing this obvious Dominion message as committing an act of treason against Atlanta. If the Grand Moff wishes to ensure peace and stability for the world, he will do so not through an aggressive policy of spreading fear and decete among the people of Europe and beyond but instead do so through the established channels of the world, such as the International Commonwealth of Nations (ICON), the world's forum for international diplomacy. The Confederate States will not tolerate any aggressive move made by the Grand Moff that threatens international peace.

-Official statement of the Confederate States of America.
_______________________________________________

The Federation of East African Nations has allowed the broadcast, but done so with a disclaimer that the broadcast does not express the policies or intention of the Federation. While we believe that a more united international community can benefit the people of the world, the Federation does question the intentions of the Grand Moff and their government. Their government will have to show more before the Federation can make a more informed judgement.

-Official statement of the Federation of East African Nations
_______________________________________________

Only the Pope of the Catholic Church has supreme international authority and we shall therefore rely on his judgement.

-Official statement of the Brazilian Empire.
_______________________________________________

No official statement can from the Eastern Empire, most likely do to the current hostilities in that region.
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

The Republic of Porcu took no steps to interrupt or block the broadcast, though of the few citizens that took note and stopped to watch even fewer took the words of the Grand Moff seriously. Some even thought it was a preview for an upcoming television series.
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Aelius
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Norman Warlord
The English government took little notice of the absurdist statement, assuming it to be some crackpot on public access. The English Communications Bureau is investigating the broadcast to determine what exactly it was supposed to be.

Few people within the English Republic actually noticed the broadcast, most were fixated on the English National Football Team's 1-0 victory over Great Britain, airing on a different network.
Edited by Aelius, Feb 12 2011, 11:57 PM.
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Quaon
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A Prince Amoung Men-Shoot First and Ask Questions Later
President Andrei Yanosky of Quaon took the broadcast as a personal insult.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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2nd Lieutenant
 *  *  *  *  *
Posted Image
The Star Fort of Moff Kuat

"You-like-that-don't-you--"

"Ungghhhh... unghhh...!"

"Huh-Yeah?--"

"Mmmm... unghhh...!"

"I'm-gonna-destroy-your-sweet--"

"Moff Kuat, sir!"

"WHAT?!"

Despite the scene before him, the aide did not bat an eye--his pay was quite sufficient for that. Moff Kuat may have been the most vulgar and loathed of his peers; in fact, none of the others could stand him, as a matter of fact. But he was also the richest, and therefore he cared little of their opinions.

"Sir. The Council is waiting."

Kuat glared at his aide, and then tossed aside the naked young man before him.

"Tell them I'm on my way."

* * *

Posted Image
The Star Fort of Moff Piett

Tap.

Tap.

Tap tap-tap-tap-tap.

"Damn him... damn that man!" muttered the Moff to himself. He was sure that whatever had been holding up Kuat--disgusting man--was hardly proper conduct for someone of his position.

A quiet, reserved sort, Piett nonetheless commanded enormous respect among the other Moffs. He was almost preternaturally calm; nothing ever seemed to faze him. Even the constant arguing between Kuat and Sienar--both owners of massive arms research corporations, and therefore ever at each other's throats--barely caused him to raise his voice.

That was because he didn't have to; when Piett spoke, the others listened.

"The uplink will be ready in 30 seconds, sir."

"Very good. Return to your office and await further instructions," said the Moff. His intelligence officer slightly bowed his head and then clicked his heels smartly as he excited the room.

*ROOM SECURE* a voice sang from the console before him. A few seconds later, a large screen turned on,, and Piett was confronted with the other Moffs looking right at him--or so it seemed at least.

I'll never get used to this new videoconferencing setup....

"About time, Kuat."

"I'm ever so sorry, my dear Sienar. I was busy going over quarterly reviews and--why, yes, once again I'm outperforming you!"

"Not this again...." Tanbris groaned.

Sienar flushed.

"You were in the middle of another one of your fuck sessions, weren't you Kuat?" deadpanned Pellaeon--though with a wicked grin beneath his mustache. Where Piett was dignified, Pellaeon was charismatic.

Now it was Kuat's turn to blush.

"Enough," Piett began. "We need to discuss the international reaction to our message. In short, it did not go well."

"'Did not go well?'" said Thanas. "There's an understatement if I've ever heard it. Half of Europe thinks we're Nazis, the other half thinks we're nuts! Who or what is this 'Dominion' anyway?"

"Idiots, all of them!" barked Kuat. "You'd think we'd asked them to become our slaves!"

Sienar nodded.

"For once I agree with Kuat. They appear to have grossly misinterpreted the communique, on multiple levels."

"We made no threats. We didn't even ask them to submit to The Authority--merely recognizance, " commented Tanbris.

"Not even that," said Piett. "In fact, we never asked them to anything, except transmit the broadcast."

"Unfamiliarity breeds skepticism, and on this continent skepticism tends to aggression," Pellaeon pointed out.

"Which is precisely what we do not need!"

"Quite right," continued Pellaeon. "But this may well work to our advantage...."

Kuat and Sienar simultaenously scoffed--and then pretended they hadn't. Piett cocked an eyebrow and asked:

"How do you mean?"

"Europe does not understand us, what we are trying to do here. Remember--we chose to believe in something different, to build the impossible. We should not expect to be understood."

"I'm... not following...." said Thanas.

The others nodded.

"So--why does it matter if we're understood?"

The Moffs considered this for a long moment. Then Kuat smiled broadly.

"If they don't know what we're up to, then we can stay one step ahead of them!"

"And as we fail to pose a credible threat..." added Tanbris, "We're of no concern to them."

"They'll find their suspicions are warranted--for the wrong reasons," said Piett.

"We're too economically viable," Sienar said. "Projections for our tech market are beyond outstanding."

"Everyone needs guns, eh Sienar?"

"That's two things we can agree on, Kuat."

"We don't need to be liked..." said Pellaeon.

Piett continued:

"We only need to survive."

* * *

The Council of Moffs then preceeded to send the following--mostly terse--communiques:

"We are insulted to even be considered in the same breath as this 'Dominion.'"
To Cologne

"The Authority is The Grand Moff and no other entity."
To Kasnyia

"It is suggested to Byzantium to observe a map and realize that The Authority is, in fact, not in Byzantium."
To Alexanderhaven

"We thank the Confederacy for their support in our endeavor, and assure them that we have no interest in the submission of the African people, as we are only interested in the advancement of all Mankind. We will gladly accept an exchange of embassies, but we caution that The Grand Moff has no interest in establishing further former political ties, as we are not concerned in involving ourselves in petty squabbles with other nations."
To Field Marshal Mintsa

"Good for you."
To the Pirates of Garzburgh

"We seek only cooperation and unity, not aggression and tyranny."
To the Russian Empire

"While we recognize the purpose of such organizations as ICON to other nations, such a purpose is immaterial to us because we are not concerned with the pointless bickerings of the world. We have no interest in the affairs of other nations."
To the Confederate States of America

"We admire and respect the skepticism of the Federation--it shows maturity in a world often seemingly dominated by the immature. We assure the Federation that our intentions are our own--and no others'. We strive for the same unified international community of which you speak."
To the Federation

"We respect the institution of the Papacy, but we do not recognize its authority here--The Grand Moff is The Authority."
To the Brazilian Empire

((Porcu, Lansdallius, and Quaon, since you appeared to have no formal statements therefore there are no formal replies--unless you want one Quaon--but, respectively: LOL, LOL x2, and :( ))

* * *

The Council adjourned, and Piett briefly sat alone with his thoughts.

The names of the players have changed, but the International Game has not... an equation rewritten an infinity of times, with the same terms, will always work out to the same result.

Then Piett smiled.

But WE--WE are something entirely different. We are the Einstein to their Newton.

The Moff pressed a button on his console--the link to his head intelligence officer.

"Your orders, sir?"

"That transmission from 'Anonymous'... I want to know who sent it and why."

"At once, sir."

* * *

Thirty minutes later, a "reply" was sent along the same channel the mysterious message had been received on.

Quote:
 
SUBJECT: Karen wants to meet up!
Hello I am a Nigerian prince who wants to give you a larger penis SUBSCRIBE NOW TODAY!!!!!! lindsay lohan katy perry miley cyrus BOOBS


It was a junk reply, of course; intended to resemble a random piece of spam, and not an actual reply (which was still being mulled). Like the message from "Anonymous", its source was concealed, being sent from a new type of random IP generator (a recent triumph of Sienar Systems). The message was packed with numerous viruses and Trojan horses, of the sorts that any sort of hacker who knew his stuff might know. Whether or not any "survived the trip" alone would tell Piett immeasurably valuable information about the technical capabilities of "Anonymous"...

...and those that did make it, well--hopefully there would be more than credit card numbers to examine....
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Kasnyia
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Chairman of the Bank
"Your doctrine is much the same as the Dominion. We care not that you are insulted, only that you understand that if you dare step one foot outside your border, you shall be considered an enemy of the world with your dogma to 'new order''

- Statement from the Papacy of Cologne

----------

"Grand Moffs, Supreme Chancellors, whatever. All are overblown egotist titles that serve only the ultramilitarist mindset. You are of the Dominion, or have taken up its goals. You shall be treated as such. Any wrong moves on the part of your state and we shall gladly take arms again to fight you."

- Statement from Kasnyia

-----------

"We wouldn't dare allow more non-Africans to interfere in our...squabbles. I merely wish to, on behalf of my people, create relations for a more pragmatic basis. Business opportunities if you will."

- Field Marshal Franz Mintsa of the DCA

-----------

"Maps are irrelavant. Your 'Authority' is irrelevant. Only the Emperor is relevant. His word is law. His law is global."

- Statement from Alexanderhaven

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

The message was sent to an email that had been set up and monitored on a regular PC bought precisely for the purpose of communicating with the potential new client. It was protocol for the bank, which operated through agents not officially on the payroll, who would handle various clients and potential clients regionally. Almost all of them would always try (and fail) to run a backtrace. That these new guys had tried it was no surprise, though the people monitoring the computer were mildly impressed at the sheer thought that had been put into the response. They had gotten out the various viral bugs of course, and realized after a few hours that there was no message to be found, but the operators were not peturbed. As many as there had been to test the mettle of the bank, just as often, the first response would not actually be a response.

Still, they hoped in a few days or weeks the potential new client would send a proper reply. The bank wasn't one for games.

Arne Soll, meanwhile, had conferred with all the contacts he had...this Moffist Authority was not a Dominion remnant or restart. It was a seperate entity. Still, the militarism would prove useful...
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Sedulius
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Field Marshal
High King Aodh was perplexed as to why the international community was so disturbed by the broadcast. He had only just gotten around to watching it the day after, and the media had already aired it without his permission, as it had been aired already in other nations. Of course, it was aired along with all the analyses the different Irish news outlets cared to make. Aodh laughed when he saw the Moffs, making mocking gestures similar to them while eating his morning fried chicken and drinking a pint of Guinness. "Oy! This is bloody funny shit!"

Just then Grandmaster Siadhal entered the room, looking away for a moment. He never could quite get used to Aodh's mannerisms.

"Hey! Sed! How's it going!"

"Just bringing you your morning medicine, your majesty."

"Aye! Set it down there, if you please, and come watch the entertainment with me!"

Siadhal set the medicine on the end table and joined the king in watching the moffs.

"You want a pint of Guinness?!" asked the king.

"No. It's too early to drink. And besides, you know I like Murphy's. Now who the hell are these guys? Star Wars enthusiasts?"

"Nope, they're serious. It would explain the increase in sci-fi conventions lately."

"Yeah, I went to one recently... So what's their deal?"

"Well, I dunno. The rest of the world seems to think they're another Dominion upstart. I personally think they look fun."

Siadhal got a serious look as the recording went on. "I think they look like trouble."

"Well, think what you want to think. I'm inviting them to court!"

Siadhal got a surprised look. "What?!"

"Yeah, it'll be fun."

"Your out of your mind, majesty."

"No. No. I'm just sick of everyone having sticks up their ass, and I'd like to have a little fun. It's not like these guys are a serious threat yet."

"Yet. I'm having the Brotherhood launch an investigation. If these guys are serious, not only are they a threat, but they stand for everything the Brotherhood stands against."

"Or for!"

"Don't joke with me... majesty. Don't forget who gave you the throne... Now, take your medicine." Siadhal left the room.

High King Aodh got a sour look at what his friend had said, and took the medicine, twisting his expression at the taste of it.

-----

Official Statement by the High King of Ireland

I do not see what all this fuss is about. These moffs seem to be little more than a new state introducing itself to the world. You all worry just because they sound like the Dominion and look like a bunch of industrial era colonels? Please. You really think that if they really are like the Dominion, and after all that happened with the Dominion, that anyone would actually join their authority? They are not a threat, and if they become a threat they could easily be stamped out. Forgive me for being so blunt, but this is the truth.

I personally congratulate them for being so bold, which is a rarity these days, and I invite the Grand Moff and his friends to come to my court in Tara.

-----

Meanwhile, Grandmaster Siadhal dispatched knights around the globe to investigate the moffs. He wanted to learn all about them: all they were about, all they were planning, where they were located, and what their resources were. He had a slight worry that they could be linked to the Brotherhood, but he knew this to be highly unlikely.
Edited by Sedulius, Feb 16 2011, 10:36 PM.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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2nd Lieutenant
 *  *  *  *  *
Other than a brief reply to Field Marshal Mintsa requesting further information about the DCA and it's intentions for relations, and one to Siadhal* accepting their invitation for a visit from Moff Pellaeaon, the Moffs decided not to bother engaging in further back-and-forth with the insulting nations.

They had more important work to do....

* * *

Piett was pondering.

The email backtrace had mostly failed, telling him little other than "Anonymous" had access to very-high-grade antiviral systems--confirming that it wasn't some punk kid or a Nigerian criminal, but little else. Then again, this had conformed entirely to expectations anyway.

He had had a response in mind, but then decided to sleep on it. Now it was the next morning, and Piett decided to do nothing, guessing that the other Moffs would do the same.

Never give it up on the first date.... he thought with a grin.

If "Anonymous" was really interested in a dialogue, they would have to be persistent--and if they weren't, then they weren't worth bothering with in the first place.


((I realize this is a bit brief, but I've been busy lately... should have some time this weekend for some new developments though :D ))

((*I'm a bit confused as to what your country is named... or is your Grandmaster sharing the name of the country? I assume a visit's in a new thread, right?))
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Kasnyia
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Chairman of the Bank
OOC- The names on the forum do not necessarily have to match your nation.

And please don't piss off the bank. They can make your life very hard. :P

IC-

A simple message was sent, the same way as before,

"This is your last chance. Respond properly and without games. We're giving an opportunity. You already seem to have enough enemies."

- Anonymous.

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

"My intentions are for Africa. That should suffice for purposes of business, since you yourself stated you have no intention of developing close relations."

- Field Marshal Franz Mintsa
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Sedulius
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Field Marshal
The Authority of the Grand Moff
Feb 16 2011, 08:08 PM
((*I'm a bit confused as to what your country is named... or is your Grandmaster sharing the name of the country? I assume a visit's in a new thread, right?))
OOC: Ah, I should edit the post to be more specific for someone new. And done. My country is Éire (Ireland), or Impireacht na hÉireann (the Empire of the Irish) to be more specific. High King Aodh is making the official statement and inviting you to his court in Tara (a large fortress which serves as the capital of Ireland, where ancient High Kings were crowned). Grandmaster Siadhal is the one investigating you. He is the leader of the Brotherhood, a worldwide organization of knights, though it is mostly just in Ireland, Edessa, and Belize (lands of the Irish Empire). That his name is the same as my username is no coincidence. He somewhat represents my personality in game. But otherwise, the name has nothing to do with the country other than that it is an Irish name.

Yeah, I suppose I'll make a new thread if your accepting the invitation.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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2nd Lieutenant
 *  *  *  *  *
If that's the game they're playing, Piett thought, I'll just have to fight fire with fire.

Thus:

Quote:
 
If you wish to have a proper response then you must have a proper invitation. Your "associates and employers", who are apparently so eager to establish a dialogue, have attempted to do so without any sort of tact whatsoever.

Still, I shall bite, if only because of your persistence. Therefore:

I am one of the Moffs. Which Moff does not matter to you presently. For now consider yourself as dealing with all of us. Who are you, what do you represent, and what would you care to discuss?


* * *

"I'm all for it! I don't even see why we're discussing this!"

"Patience, Kuat--"

"No, Piett--besides, you've already agreed with me!"

"Well, yes, but--"

"The principle is sound, we're all in agreement about that..."

"I never agreed to it, Thanas!"

"Sienar, you twat--there's no difference between selling weapons and selling soldiers!"

"'Selling' is hardly the best way to put--"

"THERE'S A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Our Legionnaires are not a commodity from one of our manufactories, Kuat! They are far more--"

"Maybe if you actually had anything worth selling you would understand the basic economic principles behind this--"

"Oh, for fuck's sake--"

"Shut up, both of you! There's more than economics behind this anyway! Much more!"

"Thanas is right. I'm not sure about the diplomatic practicality of it."

"'Diplomatic practicality'?!"

"Kuat, surely you can appreciate the delicate nature of establishing something like this!"

"I'd almost agree with you, Tanbris, I really would--but consider the reality of the situation! This continent has a new war every month--the market for this, the potential, its huge!"

"Kuat's right, the market is there, and our... product... is superior...."

"Thank you, Piett!"

"But the hostility to us from the rest of the world has been remarkable, Kuat. That has to be kept in mind."

"I agree with Pellaeon... I am curious about your, ah, new friends Piett."

"Nothing is there, Thanas... at least, not yet."

"There's only one way to settle this--"

"Yes, Sienar, that's to shut up already!"

"No. We must consult The Grand Moff!"



((Continuation of sorts in a new thread to be posted in a second....)
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Kasnyia
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Encrypted Transmission
 
My Employers will not reveal themselves to you. We find you useful and believe we can have an excellent business relationship, but otherwise we do not particularly care that you do not know our identity. My name, on the other hand, is Udaat.

Your reputations precede you. We want to have an exclusive contract with your legionnaires, for use in certain conflicts. When and where will be at our choosing. You will be paid handsomely and you will have access to our contacts for anything you might need, for your missions or for whatever you see fit. We will also ensure that our influence politically will be at your disposal to provide whatever cover would be necessary in a particular situation. The point is, if your men work for us (this would be independant of your own goals of course), you will have a very good ally.

The conditions are only that you remain exclusive and loyal to my associates, and that you maintain absolute secrecy. Break either and we will make life difficult. Adhere to it, and we will make your lives easy and your agenda that much easier to reach.

Udaat
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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Quote:
 
Greetings to Field Marshal Franz Mintsa!

I am Moff Kuat, owner of Kuat Drive Yards, the largest industry within the Sectors. I deal in high-end weapons technology research and manufacture.

You will find the Sectors contain numerous high-end technology corporations, in fact--who are always looking for furthering business relations and expanding markets.

I trust that you are not offended by our nation's declaration of diplomatic neutrality; it is only... procedural.

For now, I will serve as your ambassador in diplomatic relations directly. In time, when we have earned each other's trust, we shall officially exchange ambassadors, and thereby demonstrate the strength of relations we share.

What business relations are you interested in establishing?


* * *

Interesting....

This was not what the Council had had in mind at all with their proposal.

That did not mean it piqued the mind of Piett.

Still....

Piett didn't really like. It seemed too... too...

...too Lex Luthor.

The corner of his mouth turned up slightly.

Whoever I am talking to is insane... or fears nothing.

Whoever I am talking to is insane.


Quote:
 
Mister Udaat, you must understand the implications of what you are asking. Consider the following:


A mysterious agent whom has given you qualifications whatesoever for his validity has apparently held an interest in your armed assets even before an official Statement from the Council is now extorting the exclusive rights to your troops and to tell no one of this, lest ye surely die.


Understand when I tell you that I do not consider you stupid--merely ignorant.

Your Employers have no concepts of what "our agenda" is. Your Employers are not our authority.

The Grand Moff is The Authority.

Exclusivity and secrecy are dangerous. It breeds suspicion, it breeds enemies, it breeds treachery. We will not be held hostage, and we will not submit to your authority.

The Grand Moff is The Authority.


Now that you understand our position, we wish to understand your position. We have not sought to anger you or scorn your proffered friendship and cooperation--only to prove a point. We are not enemies of your Employers.

At this time I must formally refuse your request from an exclusive contract.

As a counteroffer, I will offer the possibilities of a preferred-contractor basis per the acceptance of the European Nations of our concept, as well discussions of arms manufacturing contracts with your Employers.

I await your reply posthaste.





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Kasnyia
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Encrypted
 
We are not possessed with infinite wealth, but we would like to see your catalogues and choose from there, if you could. Once we have chosen, perhaps then we can bargain a way for my nation to pay...

And I believe this shall be the beginning of a very beautiful relationship.

- Mintsa


----------

Udaat shook his head.

These people are truely closed off. That made them liabilities...but also brilliant, he thought, Still, I guess it would be better to engage them slowly...

Quote:
 
We do not know your agenda. But thats just the point. We don't care. We'll help you fulfill it. But nevermind.

The will of Europe should not matter in our dealings. We are not of Europe or any particular region. We can accept a preferred contractor deal, but it should not be contingent on Europe.

My Employers would be interested to see what you offer first.

Udaat
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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Quote:
 
I assume you are referring to arms and armaments. Both myself of Kuat Drive Yards and Moff Sienar of Sienar Systems are purveyors of numerous weapons of war; his products tend on the cheaper end of the scale, but both of our catalogues should suit your needs.

Products may include, but are not limited to:

--subcontracted arms manufacturing of existing Client Copyright
--direct contract on lease or purchase basis of existing Sector Copyright ground, air, or naval armaments
--military software and weapons technologies research



((Essentially I'm asking you "what do you want" instead of telling you "what I have" because it's less cumbersome that way/I'm making you do the work :lol: Also note the very subtle dig at Sienar by Kuat; it might be a good idea to play the two rival Moffs off each other....))

* * *

Quote:
 
At this point a preferred-contractor role must remain contingent on Europe for the security of our Sectors. Your Employers must surely understand this logic.

However, mercenary contracts are not the same as arms contracts. Our Sectors are home to the finest armaments manufacturers in the world. We can offer numerous weapons, equipment, and technology products, depending on what sorts of assets your Employers are interested in acquiring.


((I've now essentially reached the point of repeating myself to you :lol: ))
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Kasnyia
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OOC- Eh, I'm too lazy to really get into it about what the DCA wants, because they want alot of things. Throwing that ball back in your court. I'll take note of the rivalry though. :D

IC-

Encrypted Message
 
They won't accept you is my point. My employers do not follow the whim of nations. The nations follow the whims of my employers. I do not see your logic in caring what they think and how that is connected in what my employers do.

As for weapons, we do not have any weapon in mind, merely your arms factories to be ready to produce any custom order we might have.

- Udaat
Edited by Kasnyia, Feb 19 2011, 01:39 AM.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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Quote:
 
We do not accept your Employers as our superiors, though we are willing to accept them as our equals. The Grand Moff Is The Authority.

You may pursue your arms requests in the following manner:

--Establish a formal, public contract with one of our industries on a order-priority contingency basis, which will establish that any future orders placed would receive higher-priority production than other Clients without such an agreement.
--Place orders when you wish them to be executed, per standard Contract

If you wish to pursue these avenues, I will set up the appropriate communications channels.


((I see what you're getting at with Mintsa, but I still need some guidance here... small-arms? Light vehicles? Tanks? Technologies? Consider for practical purposes that in a broad sense I can essentially get you anything you want.

Incidentally, I feel obliged to point out that their are numerous other industries present within the Sectors--but I imagine of course in practice most people only care about the shooty things :lol: ))
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Kasnyia
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OOC- Tanks, light vehicles and small arms. Just assume thats what he means.

And what do you want from the Bank. They're trying to be accomodating, but they're too powerful to consider themselves equal to a newbie state.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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((If you go to my Military Sizes thread you can see some of the equipment I use that is for sale. Alternatively if you wanted, say, a bunch of T-72 tanks or M-16's, then I can make that too, as they're common enough that they're sorta "public domain". What I won't do is copy, say, a Kasnyian-only tank for you, since IC that's Kasnyia's property and OOC I don't want to steal people's stuff. On the other hand, if you IC stole or bought or otherwise obtained blueprints to somebody's stuff, and OOC everybody is cool with it, THEN I could make them. Does that make sense?

I understand what you're doing both IC and OOC, but you have to keep in mind that IC this is largely about principle; that is, don't push us around, be nice and polite, and you'll get what you want--plus, of course, IC I still have no idea who you are. Maybe you're a terrorist organization. Maybe you're a remnant of this Dominion everyone keeps comparing me too. Maybe this is another nation's trap so they can say, "Look, everybody, the Moffs are worse than the Dominion!"--hell, I'm not exactly popular with anybody right now :sad: ))
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Kasnyia
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OOC- The bank is merely offering a contract. They aren't trying to push you around. They're merely stating what the terms would be, and you and I are saying basically the same thing with the manufacturing. The bank has no problem being polite, but its secretive. Being demanding or sending email viruses only makes the Bank annoyed because it ultimately wants to make money and get shit done, not play games. They aren't trying to take over your government, they just wanna hire out some troops. They're honestly trying to make contact, but they don't mince words because of the privacy of the communication.

Don't worry about your reputation with dealing with the bank either. Everyone else does, even if they don't realize it. They have no highground against you. :)

Let's handle the rest of this to the PMs so we don't make the whole thread derail into OOC.
Edited by Kasnyia, Feb 20 2011, 12:44 AM.
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Filo
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General
The Holy Roman Empire, in the person of his majesty, Philipp II°, is displeased to asee how history teaches nothing to the mankind.

Therefore the Holy Roman Empire will not recognize this, so called, Gran Moff.
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Telosan
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The Foremost Intellectual Badass
These sort of shenanigans are not actions befitting a true country. Venice acknowledges this 'organization', but refuses to recognize any national sovereignty they claim to have.

~ Doge Domenico Contarini ~
Edited by Telosan, Feb 24 2011, 10:21 PM.
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The Authority of the Grand Moff
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Statement from the Council of Moffs

We do not formally recognize the entities which refer to themselves as 'The Holy Roman Empire' and 'Venice'.
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