Manifest Destiny (Main thread)

[Minchandre]

Brazilian Military Commits Peace-Keeping Forces to Africa

In a press statement early last week, Generalissimo Penalber stated that "Brazil will of course participate in any UN-sanctioned peacekeeping action that proceeds with the mandate of the nations in question. I would, however, like to stress that any such troops would be there purely in a peacekeeping capacity, and not to engage in combat with any legitimate military."

Excerpt From Journal of Teresa Reidy, Mayor of Primeira Aterragem

1 January 2114

Happy new year! The astronautas have finished their sweep of the system, finding no threats despite the mysterious transmission we've been picking up.

We're in high orbit around Novo Brasil now, and have decided on a spot for our first colony: on São Paulo, near the delta of the river that we have creatively decided to call the Amazonas, and have settled most of us at that point. It strikes me, though, that we have no real need to be on a river, near an ocean: those are hardly going to be our primary forms of transportation, are they? Well, at least the river flows with potable water, and our biologists say that analysis of early specimens indicates that we'll likely be able to eat the native life with few problems. We're still planting our own fields, however.

A few folks have been sent on exploratory expeditions to the other continents, as well as a larger team going to Novo Venezuela.

I'm dancing around the largest mystery, of course. The thing that scares us.

The aliens.

One reason for our settling Primeira Aterragem where we did was because there were, curiously, no aliens at that spot. The aliens...of my God. We'll be asking for more xenobiologists and xenosociologists in the next round.


Message from Brazilian Military Spacecraft to All Colony Ships (broadcast begins without a chance to warn the Caliphate ship)

Attention! Welcome to the Alpha system. The BU hopes that this new star system will be graced with peace and prosperity for all human kind. However, we would like you to note that the planet of Novo Brasil, being the further out of the two habitable planets as marked on the accompanying map, has been declared property of the Brazilian Union, and colonists from other nations are advised not to land upon it. Thank you!

[Wizard of the Coat]

Reply to Brazilian spacecraft

As per previous agreement India only recognize the 1000 kilometers around your primary colony as your property. Still we do however at this moment in time have no plans to colonize the planet upon which you landed and congratulate your scientists landing, however we recognize the full right of any other colonists to settle there.

Peacekeepers

In recognition of the global effort India has the Third and Fifth fleet committed to the peace effort as they head out to Africa, supported by a full complement of marine and air forces. The other three fleets maintain their current orders.

[Zid]

Placement of New Leningrad:

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New Leningrad is placed at the "south end" of the planet, near the southern end of the western circular ocean.

A few of the shorts are sent in full containment back to earth for dissection and study

[Zid]

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Eldan]

In Response to the BU's message

The science mission Argo would like to request permission of the settlers and scientists of Novo Brasilia to found a new Science Station, Hyperborea, in the Delta of the Amazon River, near the BU's settlements.

[Minchandre]

In Response to the BU's message

The science mission Argo would like to request permission of the settlers and scientists of Novo Brasilia to found a new Science Station, Hyperborea, in the Delta of the Amazon River, near the BU's settlements.

The Brazilian Union grants permission to the European expedition to settle at that point.

[Prophaniti]

News from the Ascendant Caliphate

Alliance entered with the European Union, Grand India and Great China
After discussions with India, the Caliph has decided that a coalition of allied nations is necessary and expedient for the problems in Africa. He has agreed to send 5 divisions of ground troops with naval and air support to Africa as a peacekeeping force, under orders not to engage anyone unless fired upon.

Orders:

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5 units of ground forces, 4 units of naval forces and 2 units of air mobilized to Africa as peacekeeping forces. Again, ordered not to fire unless fired upon.

Reply to the warning from the Brazilian Union
The Captain of the Great Vessel replies to the message regarding the ownership of planets. "These worlds are open to all who wish to come here, and are no place for Imperialist claims and demands. We shall land, and recognize the right of others to do so. It is our hope that you will see reason in this, that we may dwell on these new worlds in peace and prosperity."

On a similar note, the Caliph is seeking diplomatic support on a measure that would limit the amount of land claimed by any nation on a new world. "The stars are open to us all, and we would like to see them remain so. It does not seem just that we drag our petty conflicts of territory into the void when there is so much space to be shared." he stated in a conference today.

[Eldan]

Orders for EU military:

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I send 2 units of Naval Forces, 2 units of air forces, 4 units of ground forces to Africa, to act as peacekeeping forces. They are ordered to avoid violence at all cost, especially towards the inhabitans of the nations they defend, except if necessary to answer an outright hostile action.

Response to the BU settlers:

The crew of the Argo and Captain McIntire wish to express their thanks to the BU settlers. They will set up a base for purely scientic purposes, to research native life.

[Maldiem]

FPNA Colony Ship Atlantis

Same deal as the NAR ship-- subtract $5T from supplies, add a $1T/turn farm to the colony ship.

Late 2114, Alpha

BU forces and any colony ships still in-system pick up an unidentified drive-flare in the asteroid belt. It doesn't have the same spectrum that hydrogen fusion puts out, and doesn't have any of the normal radio indicators that Earth ships have. Upon further inspection, its coming from a dodecahedron-shaped craft about 5m in radius. After about a 4 hour flight (during which it pulls acceleration in excess of 30 G's), it impacts a medium-sized asteroid, and isn't heard from again, though the occasional flash can be observed in the hole it left.

[Wizard of the Coat]

African Issue

The Indian peacekeepers are actively linking up with the remains of legitimate government forces and protecting government officials and administrations of the nations that once were. These administrations are thus supported to prevent any large scale massacres, or attempt to upsurge governments.

They are clearly under orders not to fire unless fired upon and are urging all sides (both SCSA and the local governments) to do the same, but the military strength they committed to the region is impressive and it seems they are more then capable to defend themselves or their charges if needed. Anti nuclear weapons laser installations are installed by ground forces and it seems even in space their fleet has lasers set to intercept launches upon ground based targets. These protections are not only for their homeland, but are also set in place to protect other peace keepers with lesser military technology.

In addition Indian forces also actively link up with other peacekeepers, in part for mutual security and in part to make co-ordinated mutual effort possible.

Indian officials are actively negotiating with SCSA forces and the governments of the remaining governments to come to a peacefull solution and are asking both sides for their demands. In addition India is actively supporting the Russia offer of conferences held on their territory and is granting the African governments transportation and security if they seek to attend.

Also india is not willing to use any nuclear weapons and is clearly not interested in the original SCSA territories, but will retaliate if the need becomes dire.

(Maldiem:)

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Maldiem, this is what I think they'd see based on my previous orders PM-ed, those still stand. It's more or less the same in any case, but you have some additional details there.

[Minchandre]

Aboard NdUB Ernesto Geisel

"Contact!" shouted the SensOp. "We have a torch, bearing one one nine by minus three two. Drive spectrum is anomalous. Say again, drive spectrum is not consistent with hydrogen fusion torch."

Captain Ciro Neves looked up from the logistics report he'd been studying. "Excuse me, Mr Vargas? Could you repeat that?"

"Captain, I have a bizarre signature, bearing one one nine by minus three two, distance four point five trillion kay-em. Repeat, distance thirty ay-you."

Neves looked troubled. "I see. What's it doing?"

"Nothing for now-cancel that. It has just begun accelerating. Accel appears to be roughly two-nine-zero meters per second squared. Repeat, they are pulling thirty gees."

"Meu Deus. What's their trajectory?"

"Three-three-one by eight-six. They don't appear to be approaching anything."

"Hmm. Keep an eye on it." He suddenly looked to the TacOps officer, "Lieutenant Cristobal, please beat to general quarters."

"Aye aye, Captain."

Neves then turned to Helm. "Mr Cavalera, please bring us closer. Aim for a billion kilometers 'south'. 1 G burn, if you will."

"Aye aye, sir. Sounding acceleration alarm now."

The ship accelerated, slowly, towards the anomalous reading. They kept an eye on the object, which continued its steady acceleration. It was quite disturbing really: obviously the product of a rational mind. Equally as obviously not the product of a human one. And they've been reporting those alien artifacts on the surface... the Captain though uneasily.

The ship called to inform the colony, and nothing of note happened for an additional 15000-odd seconds, before another cry came from SensOps, "Sir! Object has collided with an asteroid!"

"Excuse me? Object has collided with an asteroid...object is nowhere in sight, though the asteroid appears relatively unscathed."

Well, that's odd...that sort of impact should have blown that rock up, even if it's not very heavy...

"Tac, stand down general quarters. Helm, increase acceleration to two-point-zero gees."

"Aye aye, Captain."

The ship spent 11 days in transit before reaching the asteroid, and while general quarters was not called again, the mood remained tense. Words like "alien" and "brain-eaters" began to get mentioned in the mess, and tempers were running high.

Finally, they reached the asteroid, and approached, cautiously, battle stations manned. They began every sort of scan possible, and, if everything appears safe, will attempt to land a small EVA team.

[Moechi_Vill]

Indian poetry and unilateralism do not a rogue nation make. The UN decides on such issues.

SCSA is not alone on this. Three major powers have sided with us.
You do not understand.

... Lest the government had been aware of the international forum, which we weren't until recently, us being a relatively new government, the Indian forces would never have landed. ... It has come to this.

No easy road for SCSA, ressurecting Africa.
*sigh*

UN supremacy is the final word on this conflict.
Russian mediation is accepted.
Brazilian peacekeeping forces are accepted.
The EU meddling is rejected.
The Indian invasion is rejected.
Embargoes are of course acceptable at they deal with YOUR SOVEREIGN territory.

Emergency Orders have been sent.

Any conventional or nuclear action against African ground or on the African coastal line will result in nuclear holocaust and limited biological holocaust (this does not include trade embargoes or blockades of your own vessels around the African coast. Blockades against vessels of other nationalities are not acceptable). You have been warned.

PS. We bequeath our space station, lunar base, military, agent network, survivors and land to FPNA control should our Terran territories fall. We intend to maintain control locally over our own forces but invite FPNA reinforcements and we will swear allegiance.

Yes, our ultimatum includes Sahara and everything north of it and west of the Ascendant Caliphate.
Its not a humble dream, but it is a good dream. I promise everyone that. If those of you who would, would refrain from embargoing us as well (which is acceptable) then it would truly be a utopian future.

Deadlines have been sent.

[LongVin]

Secret Communication to SCSA:

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To the SCSA:

The Supreme Command first would like to thank the SCSA for its generous offer but hopefully it will not be necessary.

As of this time we can not provide direct support with FPNA troops but should this situation begin to escalate we are prepared to provide weaponary and other resources to the SCSA at severely discounted rates.

[Moechi_Vill]

Secret Communique to FPNA

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Thank you. We will fight on heroically should it come to it.

[Maldiem]

Early 2110, Nuclear war in Southern Africa

After it becomes clear that the Indian expeditionary forces aren't going to turn around, SCSA nuclear installations at their moon base open fire. The missiles accelerate rapidly toward Southern Africa. Indian space forces, taking this as a hostile action from the SCSA, do their best to engage the missiles. There are a lot of them, and by the time they reach Earth-orbit they're going quite fast. Indian anti-missile systems in total manage to neutralize half the strike before it impacts. An Indian-SCSA skirmish then ensues in space. The Indian forces outnumber the SCSA, but the SCSA has better military technology. At such close ranges the battle is a vicious melee of mass drivers are missiles. Both forces take heavy casualties, and after a day or so of fighting it becomes apparent that SCSA nuclear capabilities in space are mostly exhausted. Both fleets withdraw to defensive formations in geosynch over their homelands.

Indian space forces after the battle: 5
SCSA space forces after the battle: 5

On the ground it is a considerably different story. Indian ship and ground-based antimissile systems manage to shoot down a few more missiles, but about 40% of the original strike hits home on the Indian expeditionary force and its naval support. It has been standard military practice for nearly a century to maintain formations that minimize damage from nuclear attack (mostly spreading out a lot, camouflaged command centers, etc.), and so the majority of the Indian force survives.
Surviving Indian expeditionary forces (original forces):
Ground: 5 (8.4)
Air: 5 (8)
Naval: 4 (5.2)

Indian ground assets, with air and naval support, launch an invasion of Tanzania, trying to link up with resistance groups.
Indian expeditionary force: (after battle)
Ground 5 (3) + 2 militia
Air 5 (3)
Naval 4 (3) + 1 militia

In favor: Concentrated attack, numbers, air superiority, naval superiority
Against: Command structure weakened by previous nuclear attack

SCSA Tanzanian garrison (~1/10th total forces are in range to participate in the battle)
Ground: 2.9 (0)
Air force: 1.7 (0)
Naval force: 1.8 (0)

In favor: Tech, minor defensive positions
Against: Local resistance, long overland supply lines

Indian forces wipe out or route the SCSA garrison after a few days of fighting and manage to establish a beach head, but will be in dire straits when the main SCSA force arrives. Militia forces equivalent to 2 points of ground forces and 1 point of naval force agree to join up with the Indian expedition.

Late 2114, Alpha

The unknown craft is obviously doing something energetic in there-- its putting out high levels of every type of radiation, and in the time it takes the ship to arrive, attitude thrusters have appeared at various places around the asteroid, and the beginnings of a main engine have appeared in the hole the craft made when it impacted. The radiation is high, but your ships and pressure suits are capable of blocking it.

[Minchandre]

Public Statement Issued by Generalissimo Penalber, run in full-page ads in all major newspapers in the world

Wide-scale nuclear warfare was always a specter during the century after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Apparently the mystique has worn off in the decades since, as it is fairly obvious that several nuclear devices were employed recently. Though it is still unclear who launched them, the result was obvious.

As High Commander of the Brazilian Armed Forces, I would like to publicly state that our space forces in orbit around Earth will shoot down any ballistic missiles, including those fired from orbit. We will also fire upon the launch site. Please do not consider such actions actions of war; they are intended only to keep peace.

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15 points of the BU's space forces are going to be committed to close Earth orbit, with orders to shoot down anything that looks remotely like a nuke, and slag its launch site from orbit. Collateral damage will be kept to the minimum possible.

[Eldan]

EU condems use of Nuclear weapon and announces Retaliation

"What the SCSA did was an attrocity of horrible dimensions. As per the Colombo Treaty, the EU will mobilizes all it's forces to help the India defend itself and the people of Africa against this powerhungry regime. Our first and foremost priority will be to restore peace in the region, but if necessary we will no longer abstain from use of military force.
The EU also applauds the wise decision of the BU generalissimo, as any nuclear attack is a crime against all mankind."

Orders:

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Move 3/4 of my fleet and half of each my ground and air forces to Africa. They are ordered not to move into territory that was originaly part of the SCSA, but take any actions necessary to remove them from the invaded countries or defend themselves or their allies.
3/4 of my space forces are ordered to go into geosynch. orbit over Africa and the EU, to protect against further nuclear strikes and/or attacking spaceships. (Well, as much as they are able to without any real warships) The rest is to defend mars and the asteroid belt.

[Minchandre]

Aboard NdUB Ernesto Geisel, late 2114

Captain Neves stared at the viewscreen, confounded by what he saw.

"Captain," said the SensOp, "The object appears to be transforming into a spacecraft. We observe multiple small features on the surface that appear to be the bells of maneuvering thrusters; additionally, a signature consistent with the earlier drive flame can be detected from the impact site."

The Captain rubbed his chin for a moment while he thought. "Alright! Everyone, stay at general quarters. Cancel the EVA...Comms, I want transmissions on every frequency between radio and ultraviolet: start by broadcasting prime numbers, the Fibonacci sequence, a list of squares; standard First Contact procedures." Never grinned a little as he remember the training seminars they'd had on potential First Contact before they'd left. He remembered laughing at the time wasted on the idea, at the expense of the "universal translator" expert systems they'd developed. Now it seemed it might end up being useful. "Now let's hold tight and see if there's any response."

After a moment he added, as if an after thought, "Oh, and increase distance to 1 million kilometers and hold steady. 2 G burn. They might not like us up so close."

[Maldiem]

Alpha, Late 2114

The craft doesn't seem to notice or care about the Brazilians' attempts to communicate, and continues on whatever obscure logic set it in motion in the first place. Two weeks pass, during which the main engine takes shape and a heat shield appears on the side opposite the main engine. At the end of that period, the asteroid spits out a dodecahedron identical to the original, and starts a massive burn toward the inner system. Another asteroid, similar to this one, starts a burn at almost exactly the same time, and, upon inspection, also left a dodecahedron behind.

[Minchandre]

Aboard NdUB Ernesto Geisel, late 2114

"Uh, sir..." begins SensOps.

"I see it, I see it," replied the Captain testily. "Right. ****. At that accel, we'll never catch them in time. Try to track their possible trajectory cone and send a warning to the inner system; scramble any ships on site. ****. Let's um, ****, examine the object it left behind."

[Maldiem]

Alpha, Late 2114

Since they aren't entirely sure what accelerations the asteroid is capable of, its hard to guess a trajectory, but it eventually becomes apparent that both asteroids are heading toward Novo Venezuela/New Leningrad/Varanu.

The Dodecahedron left behind has extruded something that looks very much like a telescope, and seems to be tracking the asteroid that disgorged it. A small amount of radio information seems to be passing between it and the asteroid.

[Minchandre]

Aboard NdUB Ernesto Geisel, late 2114

"Sir! The asteroids appear to be heading towards Novo Venezuela. Other destinations are possible, of course, but that's the only large object in their cone."

"Of course. And the dodecahedron?"

"There appears to be radio traffic between it and the asteroid."

"Can we intercept?"

"Affirmative, sir!"

"Alright, get on that; record everything, and try to see what we can get. Screw it; encode the signal and transmit to all friendly forces that aren't doing anything, and the colony as well. Let's see if anyone can make anything of it."

"Aye, sir"

Aboard NdUB Barão do Amazonas (flagship of Frota Alpha), late 2114

"Sir! I'd like to report an anomaly."

Lieutenant Anita Néri, Officer of the Watch, looks lazily over to SensOps, "Oh? And what is that, Mr Link?"

"That asteroid the Ernesto's been burning towards...well, it and a friend are accelerating towards the inner system. Pulling more than 30 Gs."

Néri straightened out suddenly, an action which flung her out of her chair in the microgravity of the ship. There were a few grins at that, but not many: 30 Gs of acceleration had a few possible meanings, but 30 Gs towards the inner system probably meant a planet buster.

By the time she got herself back into her seat and clipped in, Comms reported an incoming message from the Ernesto. Néri listened to the report, and watched the accompanying video, before swearing. A few minutes and several impressed spacers later, she came to a decision. "Alright, here's how we'll play it. keep tracking it, but no burn for now. Alert the entire fleet, if they don't know already, and the colony, too. Don't tightbeam the foreigners yet. And for God's sake, someone go wake up the Captain and the Commodore."

Néri was just about to bask in the pleasure of passing the buck up the chain of command when Comms broke in again, "And, uh, Ernesto reports alien radio traffic. They're sending us a transcript, and asking us to spare any of our Comms folks to cracking it."

"Christ. Well, wake up all the Comms folks and do it, eh?"

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About 1 point of the fleet is in the inner system, though they may not be close enough to do anything, anyway, but .5 of the fleet will go to Novo Brasil orbit and take up defensive positions, while .7 will start burning towards Novo Venezuela as soon as the orders reach them. The remaining .8 are scattered throughout the outer system and are too far away to do anything.

Meanwhile, all the communications specialists and xenologists in the system will work on cracking it. The signal is not yet being shared with anyone, and we haven't told any foreign colonies yet, though they might notice there's an awful lot of radio traffic going on.

[Elektro]

China Daily

Communique on the African War

Great China condemns the use of nuclear weapons against the Indian expedition to Africa. Effective immediately, China is seizing all SCSA assets in-country and blocking all trade between the two nations. Our nation also requests urgent consultations with the EU and India to determine our course in this crisis.

Military readiness has been increased throughout the empire, and units are preparing to deploy.

Coded Dispatch to EU, India

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The SCSA attack must be dealt with. Unfortunately, it appears he has military support from the FPNA. As such, I will be deploying my forces to positions that threaten the FPNA homelands. This will ensure they do not interfere. I will task units in support of our combined assualt if FPNA decides to stay out of it.

[Maldiem]

Alpha, Late 2114

((The 'roids aren't accelerating 30Gs the whole way, just until it became clear that Ernesto wasn't pursuing. They slowed down a bit after that.))

The Ernesto intercepts some of the traffic, but can't immediately make heads nor tails of it. After a few hours of working on it, their translator programs work out that some of it is flight telemetry in base 12, though the other bits are completely incomprehensible.

The other ships in the Brazilian fleet can reach Novo Venezuela before the asteroids do, but by that time they're about 2 days from intersection with the planet's orbit. They haven't slowed down at all, and one seems on track to impact somewhere in the northern hemisphere, one in the southern hemisphere.

2110, somewhere between Jupiter and the Kupier belt

Broadcast courtesy of CNN internet streaming video:
A camera on the outside of the Zheng He, the chinese colony ship has been transmitting video for space and astronomy enthusiasts as a PR stunt. On camera, it shows the prow of the ship plowing through space at a decent clip. Suddenly, an explosion blossoms in front of the ship, and there's a couple of seconds where it shows the field projectors flying off the front of the ship. The camera shakes uncontrollably while explosions rock the bow, then cuts out.

All contact is lost with the Zheng He, and it is presumed destroyed.

UN forensics teams evaluate the footage from that camera and others from the ship, and determine that there was a NAR missile evident on radar and two different camera angles.

[Wizard of the Coat]

Coded dispatch to China and EU

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We thank China for it's vigilance and the EU for their assistance. We shall now mobilize for war as the initial blow was hard felt.

It is our opinion that we should liberate the African states and then revive the African Union similar to the EU structure, composed of the newly free nations to act as a stabilizing force against SCSA aggression. For now it is our intention not to violate the SCSA territories, eventhough we have every right under their horrible atrocities, we only want to push them back into their borders as we have been invited to do by friendly african governments. Fortunately as they have asked us to do so we are not in violation of UN treaties, merely responding to the request of sovereign states to act on their territories.

India Mobilises


"Fellow countrymen, the SCSA once again shows a complete disrespect for human rights and even would attack peace keepers that have been asked to go in by legitimate African Governments.

India is now obliged by honour and simple respect for human dignity to persue actions for the liberalisation of Africa. All non governmental forces, including occupying troops from the SCSA are declared hostile and will be dealt with.

Together with allies of the Ascendant Caliphate and the EU and any that wish to help we shall liberate Africa."

(Budget additions + strategy, EU and AC should look as they also have friendly forces in Africa)

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Beside the rerouting of project horizon funds as stated previously, India now mobilizes for full scale war.

20% extra taxes are levied for the war effort as India adopts war time laws. Yielding a further 150 T to spend.

50 T goes to ground forces expanse
50 T goes to air forces expanse.
50 T goes to military technology improvements, copying what is seen of the SCSA, especially their captured vehicles, but also extensively researching new ideas. (total now is 60 T)

((note under Colombo treaty military tech is fully shared with the EU))

The full indian navy is now to be deployed in the operation and an additional 2.6 divisions of ground forces and 7 divisions of air forces are to link up with the defensive holds that have been taken (using an air bridge). Together with local forces, EU and AC reinforcements a potent defensive position is taken

Total forces of India deployed so far:
GROUND: 9.6 (including the 2 militia)
NAVY 12.8 (including 1 militia)
AIR: 12

Home Guard:
Ground: 10 + 10 under construction
Air: 5 + 10 under construction
Navy: 0 + 2 under construction

Fully half of the air forces and all of the ground and navy forces under construction will be air and navy lifted into africa to prepare for a grand offensive to restrict the SCSA to their original borders. We ask our allies to prepare for this offensive too and be ready to move when we do.

Indian response to CCN video

Immediately upon seeing the video evidence the Indian prime minister picks up his red phone and calls the Chinese leader.

"Dear friend we offer our sincerest condolences and mourn for your loss. 1000 of your brightest gone without so much as time to scream. Surely we will support you in an investigation into the causes and stand by your side in your hour of need. We do urge calm however and to properly investigate the matter, once a guilty party is found they should pay, but we must make sure that this isn't a trick played by a hostile power seeking to destabilize the world. In short if it truly was, as it appears to be a NAR missile then we condemn that to the utmost and will honor our alliance, but we must be sure, for to punish the wrong side would not be good. Let us find out who really did this."

[Eldan]

Encoded Answer to IN and IC

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"The European Union has now moved most of it's military might to Africa, 3/4 of our naval power, as well as half of all our ground an air forces have been mobilized, the rest staying behind to defend the homeland. We also announce that most of our space fleet has moved into geosynch orbits above Africa and Europe, to defend against any further orbital strikes.

[Elektro]

Emergency Press Conference

A visibly shaken Sun Yat-tzu steps to the podium and addressed the reporters:

"We have received news from the head of the TTC (space agency) that all contact was lost with the Zheng He late last night. Shipboard video has shown a massive hull breach in all forward compartments and the destruction of its primary propulsion system. Further attempts to contact the ship have been met with failure, and it appears the ship and its taikonauts have been lost to the void of space. China is immediately dispatching all of its remaining space vessels to the scene to search for survivors. Our nation also humbly requests the assistance of any Terran power in the vicinty. Any humanitarian assistance you can rend will be remember greatfully by the people of China. All of China is united in mourning for its lost taikonauts, but moreso celebrates their sacrifice so that all mankind can partake in the benefits of the stars.

Sun Yat-tzu's visage then hardens as he continues with his statement:

"The might of Great China's intelligence networks have been working non-stop to identify the culprit of this cowardly terrorist attack. Our work shows that the Zheng He was a victim of NAR aggression. Independent UN analysis of the Zheng He's telemetry confirms this. The people of this nation will not stand for these vile actions! Therefore, a state of war now exists between Great China and the NAR. May fortune shine on our nation and our fighting men and women."

Orders

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Maldiem: As stated in AIM

Coded Dispatch to India and EU

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My nation will not tolerate terrorist attacks on the sole option I have for leaving Terra. My espionage networks have confirmed the NAR's involvement, and the UN has also informed me of the same. I am in the process of launching a punitive expedition against the NAR, to ensure that it can do no further harm to Great China. I should not need alliance support, as I outnumber them militarily on Earth.

I will be unable for the time being to support your effort against the vile SCSA. However, I will task all of my in-country intelligence assets to determine the location of any remaining SCSA WMDs and WMD delivery systems. I have full confidence that we will prevail in a contest of arms, but if he can unleash his WMD he might destroy us all.

[Wizard of the Coat]

Mittal Space Corporation

The few ships the mining operation can spare are quickly rushed to search for the Zheng He's survivors.

To China, EU

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We will support you in every political way in your quest to demand compensation from the culprits and thank you for your assistance in intelligence. It will be much appreciated. Indian Stealth bombers stand ready to take out such targets at a moments notice.

If you need further assistance,please ask us and we shall use what limited resources we can spare to bring culprits to justice. We have signed an alliance and we intend to honor it, though must say that a great deal of our forces are tied up in a lethal struggle. Also please forward you intelligence on the NARs involvement so we may indeed use it to justify our support of you to our people.

Still if there is hope for diplomacy, please ask them to compensate you in other ways, before bloodshed happens. We agree that you deserve compensation, but the innocent people are not responsible for the actions of their cold corporate government and should be spared if possible.

[LongVin]

Merchant Shipping

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Making good on its promise to the SCSA. The FPNA begins shipping weapons to Africa at heavily reduced prices(20-30% price cuts.) All weapons are for sale to the SCSA. They will be shipped in unarmed and clearly neutral merchant marine cargo ships with other mundane items.

[Maldiem]

Summer, 2110, War in the South Pacific

The Chinese launch a full-scale invasion of the New Ausland Republic, assaulting the entire coast line at once. With their entire military committed to the effort, the Chinese arrive in overwhelming numbers. NAR forces are fairly well-entrenched with a mostly loyal civilian population, and no small amount of orbital bombardment helps to even the odds. Still, the Chinese throw the Australians back from their coastline strongholds, establishing footholds all over the region and scattering the NAR navy. The battle is far from over, since the NAR fleet is unopposed by Chinese space forces. Since subsequent battles will likely take place in urban areas along the coasts, space will play less of a role, though the influence of the formidable Chinese Navy will also be mitigated.

Type of force: Original strength (after-battle strength)
China: Average
Ground forces: 25 (20 2/3)
Air Force: 24 (19 2/3)
Naval Force: 30 (25 2/3)
Space Forces: 4
Additional casualties: Earth-orbit shipyard captured

In favor: Tech, Numbers, Naval Superiority, Air superiority
Against: Local Civilian resistance

NAR: Below Average
Ground forces: 15 (10 2/3)
Air Force: 12 (7 2/3)
Naval Force: 12 (7 2/3)
Space forces: 20
Captured Chinese Orbital Shipyard

In favor: Major defensive positions, Superior communications, Space superiority
Against: None