Graves was visibly please by the determination in the contributions so far.
"Clearly we have to bear several things in mind. From the tone of the initial negotiations, it's apparent that impatience and an uncharacteristic rashness to act are behind this new course of events. The notion of saving face was hardly a keystone of the Kusari demands.
"If this is how they do regard us, as worse than lowly servants, well, how can I put this.... I see no harm in allowing the Emperor labour under the misconception that he is as potent a force in Kusari as he would have you believe. So long as it's profitable.
"If however, the Emperor wishes to renege on a deal, we may indeed find our presence questioned elsewhere in Sirius.
"What purpose does Deshima serve? Aside form being a convenient re-fuelling point, it is also a key access point for trading concerns who trade to and from Kusari. Considering the dangers of other inter-House routes, it could easily become the only route for the trafficking of optronics and other hi-tech equipment, not to mention deuterium and H-Fuel from the Sigmas.
"A few shots have been fired, despite our best attempts to keep matters otherwise. The scale of the Kusari response shows clear planning and foresight. If they do want Deshima, they could, easily in time, take it. And without the co-operation of the Kusari, Deshima is near useless for us. They can easily choke trade farther north.
"Of course, the Bretonian members may have some key information that will help uncover exactly what happened in Leeds. Once we figure out exactly who these captured personnel are, then we can start deciding if the Emperor's motives are what he says they are. It could be these pilots are worse than worthless. Or they could be worth more than we realise. In which case we may be able to come up with some creative way of utilising them as assets.
"If they do plan to annex Deshima, well..... that we will worry about later."
Jacobson gently uncrosses her legs and looks up to the guild masters perched above her in the hall
As many of you have stated so... eloquently; This is a dangerous and ruthless business we're in. One cannot please the masses and still remain true to one's goal. What I'm basically saying is that sacrifices must be made - Our relationship with the Kusarian government has been tenuous at best and as some of you have already said, the Kusari government will not stop here. If this so-called "hostage taking" is simply an excuse to rid themselves of us, they wont stop here. Now, it depends on what kind of sacrifices we're willing to make - To give in to the Emperors demands, or to sacrifice the lives of Hunters that will surely fall when defending the station and our honour that goes with it.
The importance of Deshima isn't to be underestimated, I know that. However, the Kusari government is making it clear they're going to take a hard-line approach on us from now on.
She casts her stare to Mr. Graves
Guildmaster, I believe its time to think up alternative strategies to circumvent Deshima station if negotiations sour...which they look to do. Backup supply routes and efficient resource recovery in the event Deshima is annexed is only prudent in my mind. I know you've said to worry about that at a later date, however, it wouldn't hurt to implement certain strategies to avoid a supply catastrophe in our outer-most bases.
This is a crossroads in our future, gentlemen,
Linda leans forward and chuckles
Lets try not to screw it up.
With that, she eases herself back into the seat and gives the coldest glare to a hunter staring at her midrift.
Sir, as you could tell from the events of the last night, I am always there when Guild or Core need me. I place my life in the hands of the Guild Masters and my faith in their wisdom.
I will participate in this conference as a spectator only, but if the necessity appears you can count on me.
I'm here to follow the orders, not to discuss them.
I too was at Deshima. Once I heard the news I jumped on my bomber, Swordfish, and made haste to Deshima's defence along with a handful other agents in bombers. I can tell you this eh, what a sight it was to see such an array of Kusari forces including the Imperial Yacht nearly at the doorsteps of Deshima! We didn't have any of these pilots they were speaking of, something to do with agents in Bretonia would be my guess. To further complicate matters we were informed that Deshima and it's contents were property of the Emporer to be seized immediately and were to leave it's space immediately otherwise be branded criminals."
Agent LaRouche looked around at the assembled hunters in the hall,
"Did everyone hear that? Property of the Emporer. Well I for one am not aboot to stand idly by as 7000 occupants of Deshima gets left in Kusari hands eh. What else could we do? We refused to leave and stood in protest between Deshima and the assembled forces. This clearly did not please the Emporer at all who dismissed us and said we were in the hands of his shogunate before departing.
"I'll admit this, eh. One of our boys couldn't help but send a taunt in the direction of the departing Imperial Yacht. I was astonished but not so surprised, we recruit and train from so many colours we are defenitely bound to have a memeber or two that are fugitives from Kusari law. I'm not even sure if the decisiaon wasn't already made and if the taunt made any difference because as soon as the Imperial Yacht left the forces came in hard.....
"We fought valliantly , I may add, but those are some ships those Kusari have eh. Still we managed to do a surprisingly large amount of damge with our bombers. Unfortunately, for myself, I was just aboot to finnish off a gunboat when I was taken apart by concentrated fighter power. The rest is as you heard; the station almost in the hands if Kusari. They didn't have any ships left in the first wave to send a landing party but another wave is sure to come.
"If we don't have a peaceful solution to Deshima than I'll pledge my ships to saving the 7000 occupants of that station and teach the Kusari that the Guild is not some minor group of rabble eh."
"Graves, these Kusarians must be shown that they cannot push us around. For a house that relies so much on honour, backing down would be a sign of weakness that will make business opportunitys much harder to come by through out Sirius. I will also point out to the regular guild members we have opportunitys to make money in this from the Bretonians."
"I have relocated myself and my gunship to Deshima, leaving the Bushmaster in the capable hands of my XO"
"The guild and the core will prevail. I am at your command"
She sits down again
' Wrote:Come on, everyone!
Hark, the Bounty Hunters si-ing,
Death to all the pirate kings...
Goals: To be interviewed by Chris Hansen on Dateline NBC.
--A transmission opens up--
--ID: Sheldon Patterson of the ToothFairy--
--Begin..--
Hello all,
In these dire times I suggest we seriously have to give these men over. We are strong but I don't believe we could wage two wars at once. I am a veteran of the first Deshima defense wave, I know first hand how they fight. In all honesty their tactics are poor, we definitely have skill to our advantage. But they have numbers to theirs. If we could somehow put the Order war on a temporary cease fire then we could pull something off. I do agree with you Guild master Graves that the emperors behavior is strange. I think it's time we call in some favors from Queen Carina and see what kind of forces we could mobilize for all out assaults on both sides if it comes down to fighting. I do believe Guild master DeVirgo has mysteriously acquired the emperors cousin which we can use to our advantage is things really hit the fan. We need to assess all of our options before we consider starting another front though. Though I'm just a hunter, not a diplomat. I support anything you decide George.
<From the seat at the Guildmasters table, one of the men stood up.>
Exalted Guildmaster Graves, Fellow Guild leaders, Hunters one and all:
I am now known to you as a man who pushes much paperwork, simply from the day to day operations of the Guild Core that I must help supervise. While it is true that one of our Orca crews captured someone who claimed to be the cousin of the Emperor, this claim has not yet been proven to our satisfaction. For all we know, he could simply be someone filled with delusions of grandeur.
<DeVirgo smiled wryly.> Delusions of grandeur... that terms also seems to fit the true target of our discussions, doesn't it?
<Standing straight again, he continued.> Like many of you, I am a veteran of the military. I sought a peaceful retiremet after fighting in the Nomad Wars. And like many of you, I have had just cause to seek vengeance upon those that would cause harm to me and mine. A very fortunate few of you knew my wife Athena before her death at the hands of pirates. I have felt the hatred you have felt, allowed the fire inside to burn brightly while I sought revenge.
Time passes, and while my memories of her do not fade, the fire for revenge has been steeped in the blood of the thousands of Corsairs, Hessians, Hackers, Rogues, Gaians, Mollies, Outcasts and others that have either died directly by my hands or by my orders. <He shakes his head.> This fire burns no longer for vengeance.
This fire burns with the holy righteousness of our cause.
Those of you fully inculcated in the mysteries of the Guild Core understand my reasoning. Those of you who are still strangers to the mysteries we hold close, know of their existance. You cannot, until you fully transcend into our ranks, know all of them.
But you can know this. This is not just about bounties. This is not just about money. This is not just about revenge. This is about the true power of the Brotherhood of the Guild.
I remember the war. I remember people being controlled by Nomads. Is it possible that this Emperor has had that happen to him?
You think that we cannot fight on two fronts? <His voice becomes elevated.> We already fight on FIVE! Your brothers and sisters fight in Bretonia, in Liberty, in Rheinland EVERY.. SINGLE ... DAY! They fight in the Omicrons and Omegas EVERY ... SINGLE ... DAY! You think we have not enough ships, not enough pilots? We grow in numbers and strength EVERY ... SINGLE ... DAY!
Think of this - who else has had the strength ... the wisdom ... nay, the courage of their convictions ... to build a base in secret upon the very front door of our main enemy? Who else has the training .. the skills ... and yes, even the resolution to see our combats through to their glorious and foregone conclusion? No one else.
<He sweeps his arms before him, fingers pointing into the crowd.> You, my brothers and sisters. You are the reason that if needs must, we shall win whatever wars we fight. You are the GUILD!
<He stood before them, eyes shining, as the applause of the guild members washed over him. Finally, after Graves called for order, he sat back down. He looked to his left at Esther Carson, and said in a low voice.> Well, Esther, it's not like I didn't think it needed said. This ought to keep things stirred up, eh?
<She snorted, and replied> Yeah - they may even believe that load of crap you were shoveling out there, too.
(11-21-2013, 12:53 PM)Jihadjoe Wrote: Oh god... The end of days... Agmen agreed with me.
Graves waited. Once it was obvious that few others were prepared or felt no need to speak, he addressed the assembly.
"The Guild's determination to defend our property is reassuring.
"These 'Gaians' are well known - I understand they have a particular grudge against Planetform Incorporated on the grounds that Planetform's activities aren't wholesome and organic enough.
"We can hardly allow the Kusari government to dictate our affairs elsewhere, but managing to stay as far removed form this war should be our primary concern, if and only if it doesn't jeopardise our rather lucrative business elsewhere.
"In light of this, the commander of the Claxton has some explaining to do. The Council will retire to a closed seesion to discuss this. Guildmaster Stoat is to present an account of the Kusari involvement with criminal elements who threaten the regime in Bretonia.
He stood.
"Furthermore, the following directives are being issued:
1) Elements of the Moray wing as well as fighter and gunship reserves are to report to a temporary base on Planet Denver. They will reinforce hunter patrols in Liberty and will make themselves available to Deshima for support in emergencies. The jumphole network in Shikoku will provide an alternative route for supply ships to Deshima.
2) An exploratory reconnaisance mission will be led by Commander Stix aboard the Ragnarok. He is to move into the Sigmas and secure a passage to Kusari's other borders.
3) Veterans of the Guild Core will reinforce squads active in Liberty's borderworlds. We need combat leaders who don't lose their heads and can handle delaying actions against large fleets. Some experienced sentries of the Core will therefore find themselves handling advanced duties in the Omicrons.
4) Further reserve ships will be stationed on Rostock for guard duties.
5) Recruitment will focus on Kusari exiles, opponents of the current regime there, Kusari prisoners held on Deshima or anyone with half a wish to shoot the Emperor in the face. They say knowledge is power. Well, let's get as much as we can of both."