BETA SIM IC THREAD

[BigJKU316]

The Federation wishes to clarify the news reports regarding our diplomatic mission to the Tholian Empire.

We have not cut diplomatic relations, indeed relations remain quite open. We have simply recalled our ambassador for consultation and left the Deputy Chief of Mission in charge. She has our full confidence and speaks with the full authority of the Federation. We expect our ambassador to return shortly.

[Sonic Glitch]

The Romulan Star Empire appreciates the Federation's clarification of their diplomatic status vis-a-vis the Tholians -- we are sure a number of powers were concerned -- and are curious as to their reasoning for such provocative actions so close to the Neutral Zone.

[BigJKU316]

The Romulan Star Empire appreciates the Federation's clarification of their diplomatic status vis-a-vis the Tholians -- we are sure a number of powers were concerned -- and are curious as to their reasoning for such provocative actions so close to the Neutral Zone.

No provocation was intended. Such exercises are necessary with our allies from time to time and the location chosen was simply the most convenient place in which two of our fleets could be brought together for such an exercise without altering deployments elsewhere on a large scale. The neutral zone happens to be along the most prominent section of the Federation/Klingon border and it was simply judged the simplest place to host such a joint exercise with the present tensions along in the area of the Tholian Empire. Given that national command authorities judged that area to be closed to mere exercises at this time the only choice was the area of Federation and Klingon space near the neutral zone or long deployments into the interior of either the Federation or Klingon Empire, which neither power was eager to undertake for a variety of reasons.

[Sonic Glitch]

The Romulan Star Empire certainly understands the need for co-ordination and training among allies. We would merely remind the Federation that outside of proper context, such actions can lead to ... accidents. Certainly the Federation would not be serene if a large force of Romulan ships massed on our side of the border for aggressive maneuvers.

[BigJKU316]

The Romulan Star Empire certainly understands the need for co-ordination and training among allies. We would merely remind the Federation that outside of proper context, such actions can lead to ... accidents. Certainly the Federation would not be serene if a large force of Romulan ships massed on our side of the border for aggressive maneuvers.

Indeed, developments on our mutual border of all types are of great interest and concern for all three of our governments. We did not consider the deployment to be particularly large and did not figure an exercise involving less than 5% of our fleet would be of concern, wherever we elected to locate it. We shall adjust our understanding of your sensitivity to such numbers accordingly and take steps to ensure such minor deployments do not cause any mis-understandings between our governments in the future.

[Mark]

ARE THE JACORN ATTEMPTING TO INCITE A FULL BLOWN WAR WITH THOLIA? AS SUCH WE HAVE RESTRICTED OUR TARGETS TO THE YRRIDIANS. WE HAVE OFFERED THEM A CHANCE TO RECLAIM THEIR SYSTEM UNDER THEIR OWN NEWLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE OFFERED FREEDOM TO THEIR FORMER LEADERSHIP IF THEY WERE IGNORANT OF THE PLOT AGAINST CARDASSIA. WE OFFERED A BLOODLESS SOLUTION TO AN INTERSTELLAR PROBLEM.

THE EMPORER, THE COUNCIL, AND THE JOINT MILITARY LEADERS HAD AN EMERGENCY MEETING AND HAVE COME TO THE ONLY CONCLUSION THAT WE COULD. THE JACORN MUST BE THE ALLIES OF THE YRRIDIANS. IT MAKES A GREAT DEAL OF SENSE IN OVERALL BEHAVIOR OF CARBONS, AND WE ARE NOW HIGHLY CURIOUS TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY IS ON THAT PLANET THAT MAKES THEM SO KEEN ON PROTECTING IT FROM EVEN A BLOODLESS SOLUTION.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE THE ANSWER THAT WE SOUGHT. AS A RESULT OF THE YRRIDIAN REFUSAL AND THE JACORN INVOLVEMENT, THE FOLLOWING MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN.

THE THOLIAN EMPIRE HEREBY ANNEXES THE THREE CAPTURED YRRIDIAN WORLDS. AS SUCH, IT IS NOW PART OF THE THOLIAN EMPIRE AND ANY SHIPS SENT INTO OUR SPACE WILL BE TAKEN AS AN ACT OF WAR. WE ASSURE YOU WE ARE MUCH BETTER SUITED TO A DEFENSIVE CONFLICT THAN AN OFFENSIVE ONE. OUR THREE NEW IMERIAL WORLDS CIVILLIAN POPULACE WILL STAND DOWN AND PREPAIR FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS. EACH WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL AS FULL MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE.

WE WILL AGREE TO CEASE PURSUING THE YRRIDIAN HOMEWORLD. FOR ALL WE CARE, GO AHEAD AND ABSORB IT INTO THE ALLIANCE. BUT KNOW THIS. WE ARE WATCHING THE JACORN ALLIANCE. SHOULD ANYTHING OCCUR TO ANY SYSTEM IN THE THOLIAN EMPIRE, YOUR GOVERNMENT WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. A SINGLE YRRIDIAN PIRATE SHIP, TO THE SUDDEN RAZING OF A COLONY, TO AN INVASION FORCE. AND WE ASSURE YOU THAT SHOULD THAT OCCUR WE WILL UNLEASH THE FULL MIGHT OF THE THOLIAN MILITARY.

[Reliant121]

You petulant imbecile, you just don't get it do you? You may consider your flimsy excuse for reasoning to be enough but the international community, and certainly the Klingon Empire does not. I suspect the Federation does not. Look as the Grand Tholian Empire expands once more, builds its lands on pathetic excuses for reasoning. If you are going to invade, at least have the courtesy of calling it an invasion. Hah, who can expect less from backboneless rocks. It is weak. An unfortunate precident for international politics

[Mark]

CARBONS. WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO EDUCATE AND INFORM SUCH LOWER LIFE FORMS?

WE OFFERED EVERY OPPERTUNITY FOR THE YRRIDIANS TO RECLAIM THEIR SOVERIGNITY. WE OFFERED THEM A WAY OUT. YET THEY ARE BEING PROTECTED BY THE POWER WITH THE MOST TO GAIN BY THOLIAN DESTABILIZATION, AND CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT. THUS THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE.

[Reliant121]

You don't educate, you scream in defiance like a targ howling at the wind. The Yrridians have no reason to be invaded by you, you've come up with an excuse that is so far proved to be utterly baseless apart from fancyful claims to hide your true intentions. Perhaps you should take a masterclass in politics before you spit your hateful words at the universe.

[Mark]

HATEFUL WORDS? ARE YOU SURE THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENING TO KLINGON OPERA?

WE ARE NOT GOING TO PRESENT OUR REASONS AGAIN. THE YRRIDIANS HAD EVERY CHANCE TO SAVE THEMSELVES, AND WERE TOLD WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY REFUSED REASONABLE RESOLUTION.

[BigJKU316]

CARBONS. WHY DO WE EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO EDUCATE AND INFORM SUCH LOWER LIFE FORMS?

WE OFFERED EVERY OPPERTUNITY FOR THE YRRIDIANS TO RECLAIM THEIR SOVERIGNITY. WE OFFERED THEM A WAY OUT. YET THEY ARE BEING PROTECTED BY THE POWER WITH THE MOST TO GAIN BY THOLIAN DESTABILIZATION, AND CHOSE NOT TO TAKE IT. THUS THIS IS HOW IT WILL BE.

The Tholian Empire hardly offered them a way out from the start. The initial offer amounted to "surrender or be destroyed".

THE YRRIDIAN GOVERNMENT WILL SURRENDER. THE YRRIDIAN PEOPLE AT THAT POINT ARE WELCOME TO ELECT NEW REPRESENTATIVES TO SIT ON THE COUNCIL OF ADVISORS WITH EQUAL VOICE THAT THE GORN AND THOLIAN CASTE LEADERS HAVE.

Only after your first fleet was crushed by the Jacorn did you modify your terms as follows.

WE WILL MAKE THIS OFFER TO THE YRRIDIAN PEOPLE ONLY ONCE. TURN OVER YOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLOTTING AGAINST THE THOLIAN EMPIRE, AND ANY WHO WORKED ON THE WMD. THESE PEOPLE WILL BE TAKEN INTO THOLIAN CUSTODY AND WE WILL WITHDRAW FROM YOUR SPACE AND WILL HAND CONTROL OF YOUR WORLDS BACK TO YOUR NEW GOVERNMENT.

WE HAVE NO ISSUE WITH THE YRRIDIAN PEOPLES THEMSELVES; HOWEVER WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THE CONTINUATION OF A GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS PLANNED ATTACKS OF HORRIFIC SCALES AGAINST US AND OUR PEOPLE.

Of course the Empire only saw fit to extend this offer after their fleet had been pushed back by the Jacorn. The Empire then offered the following terms.

ONE, THE YRRIDIAN PEOPLE TURN OVER THERE LEADERSHIP, AS WELL AS ALL SURVIVING MATERIALS REGARDING SAID WEAPONS AND DISCLOSE THEIR ALLIES IDENTITIES. IF THIS OCCURES, THOLIAN FORCES WILL WITHDRAW ALLOWING THE YRRIDIANS TO RECLAIM THEIR WORLDS WITH NOMINAL THOLIAN OVERSIGHT, OR SHOULD THE PEOPLE SO DESIRE, THEY WILL ALLOWED TO BECOME PART OF THE EMPIRE WITH FULL RIGHTS AND REPRESENTATION ON THE IMPERIAL ADVISORY COUNCIL.

The terms were then modified as follows.

THERE NEED BE NO FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE. EITHER THE YRRIDIAN GOVERNMENT SURRENDER TO US AND NAME THEIR ACCOMPLICES, OR THE WORLD MUST UNCONDITIONALLY SURRENDER. A SINGLE TORPEDO NEED NEVER EVEN BE FIRED.

And finally we arrive at the following.

THE THOLIAN EMPIRE HEREBY ANNEXES THE THREE CAPTURED YRRIDIAN WORLDS. AS SUCH, IT IS NOW PART OF THE THOLIAN EMPIRE AND ANY SHIPS SENT INTO OUR SPACE WILL BE TAKEN AS AN ACT OF WAR. WE ASSURE YOU WE ARE MUCH BETTER SUITED TO A DEFENSIVE CONFLICT THAN AN OFFENSIVE ONE. OUR THREE NEW IMERIAL WORLDS CIVILLIAN POPULACE WILL STAND DOWN AND PREPAIR FOR GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS. EACH WILL BE REQUIRED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL AS FULL MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE.

By our reasoning the offer began with unconditional surrender, was then modified to turning over the leadership and retaining sovereign status, was further modified to retaining nominal sovereign status, was then modified to insist upon the unconditional surrender of the one remaining Yrridian free system and has now been changed to unilaterial annexation of planets currently held.

Your government uses the world bloodless twice in a recent communication despite the fact that it has killed billions of Yrridians during its invasion and is now holding them against their will as part of the Tholian Empire.

Pardon us for saying...but the only unstable element here seems to be the Tholian government which has changed its demands numerous times all while losing two major fleet engagements and killing several billion civilians in the process.

[BigJKU316]

Also it seems rather...well odd for lack of a better term to claim you are annexing systems that according to the news and other sources you do not hold.

Following the destruction of the occupation fleet, many on the occupied Yrridian worlds began to talk about rebellion, and it happened in early March. Nearly five hundred million Yrridian civilians took up arms against the 1.3 million Tholian troops and destroyed them, retaking their planet with minimal loss of life. The inhabitants of 226 also rebelled throwing off the Tholians; however there was considerably higher death on 226.

225 remains under Tholian control as they have set up a fortified defensive structure with higher numbers of troops; however it is expected that the Yrridians will not remain docile for long and are likely even now planning the uprising that will throw the Tholians back out of Yrridian space.

[Mark]

WE MAY HAVE BEEN SET BACK ON THE GROUND, BUT WE STILL CONTROL THE SPACE.

THE EMPEROR IS ENTITLED TO CHANGE HIS MIND. THAT IS HIS PEROGITIVE. AND YES, WE WERE REPULSED BY THE JACORN, AFTER PERHAPS FOOLSIHLY HONERABLY ANNOUNCING OUR INTENTIONS BEFORE HAND. WE OFFERED SURRENDER, WHICH WAS NOT ACCEPTED. NOT TO MENTION WE COMMITTED ONLY THREE OF OUR FLEETS. OUR LOSSES WILL EASILY BE REPLACED.

SAY WHAT YOU WISH. THIS IS THE FACT OF THE MATTER. THOSE WORLDS ARE ANNEXED AND NOW MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE.

[Reliant121]

:: ATTENTION, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ::

Following the events that have recently transpired along the fringes of our territory, the Klingon Empire is officially disputing the Tholian territorial claim between the Klingon Empire and Yrridian space. This area, to the Empire, will be regarded as a free transit zone. To this end, ANY assault on Klingon civilian or Military starships by ANY party will be returned in kind with the full force of the Imperial Guard and will be considered an act of war.

Tholian/Yrridian/Jacorn starships will not be harmed in this zone while the transit the disputed territorial claim. However, the stray but a light-second into Imperial territory and they will be treated as hostile.

All parties have been warned.

:: END TRANSMISSION ::

[Mark]

:::widerange subspace broadcast:::

EMPEROR LESENCE THE FIRST, FOUNDER OF THE THOLIAN EMPIRE HAS DIED. BY ORDER OF OF HIS HEIR, ALL MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ACTION WILL BE SUSPENDED PENDING HIS REVIEW. ALL TRADE CONTRACTS AND TREATIES WILL CONTINUE TO BE HONORED, BUT WILL ALSO FALL UNDER REVIEW.

LONG LIVE EMPEROR LOKNAR THE FIRST.

:::end transmission:::