BBC News: Rheinland provokes conflict with Bretonia

[jammi]

Breaking News -- Breaking News -- Breaking News

Rheinland Escalates Hostilities Against Neutral Nation

Recent days have seen a rapid deterioration of relations between the sovereign Houses of Bretonia and Rheinland. These tensions are believed to revolve around the distribution of Military Vehicles to the Bretonian and Kusari fronts in the Leeds system. Bretonia has historically tolerated Rheinland's stance as a trade-partner of Kusari, despite the fact that Rheinlandic weapons were used during the Kusari perpetrated civilian and military massacres on Glasgow Outpost and Stokes Smelter. This fragile balance was shattered earlier in the year, when the Rheinwehr unashamedly revoked the permits for Bretonian corporations to carry Military Vehicles, in effect choosing a side in the brutal Tau War.

Despite this travesty against the status quo, New London remained determined to seek a peaceful resolution to this unfortunate situation. Several months ago, trained negotiator Thomas Williams was dispatched to the increasingly hostile House, in order to attempt to pacify the situation. He was summarily ignored by the Rheinland Federal Police and other relevant authorities. Later attempts at diplomacy were again shot down by a mute Rheinlandic administration; it appeared that the forces of the Rheinwehr were determined to steer their noble House into the path of conflict.

The situation came to a head over the last week, with the destruction and attempted murder of a chartered Bowex) vessel in Bretonia's own sovereign space - Omega 3. The captain in question had previously purchased a license to move said vehicles from a primary fleet battleship - a license that should have been transferred when he upgraded his status from a Bowex 'independent contractor' to a full 'contract worker'.

Despite this, murderous thugs employed by the Rheinland Federal Police chased him down and tore his ship asunder illegally, in Bretonian claimed territory. To further exacerbate matters, the evidence that was later provided to Bowex's command structure had been doctored by the mercenaries in question, in order to obscure important aspects of the encounter that would have rendered their actions illegal and indefensible. Immediately following this incident, the Federal Police opened a dialogue to Bowex company executives.

This communication solidified Rheinland's stance, as the belligerent police force demanded over 35 million credits in fines, for actions undertaken by vessels independent of Bowex's control. Shocked and offended at this somewhat shady attempt by a House law enforcement agency to extort a Bretonian corporation, Bowex DO Liam Adama suspended Bowex) flights to Rheinland for the duration of the talks - this executive decision was taken out of fear for Bretonian lives, who the Federal Police's hired [FL] thugs obviously held no regard for. For attempting to resolve the situation peacefully, Mr Adama was labelled as 'insulting' and the fine was increased yet again.

In light of prolonged and systematic abuse of Bretonian nationals inside Rheinlandic core space, the issue was passed on to the Bretonian government. The Bretonian diplomatic corps, having exhausted their options with the uncooperative and hostile House withdrew their ambassador from New Berlin for briefing. The jump gate to Omega 7 in Omega 3 was also temporarily closed, in order to prevent agitators from jumping to Bretonian core systems. This move was prompted by sightings of extremely hostile Rheinlandic privateers in New London, going by the names of Hans.Eckhard and Jeske.Vagdor. The two Rheinland-sponsored pirates wrecked a bloody toll on Bowex shipping before retreating to the Omegas.

These unabashed hostilities against the House of Bretonia lead many to cast their memories back to the chaotic events of 800 - 801 AS and the rampant period of Rheinlandic aggression and expansion it contained. A government spokesman was quoted as "fearing this could be a return to the dark days of 'Niemann's Syndrome'." The Bretonian Broadcasting Corporation will keep our readership updated as the situation develops.

Breaking News -- Breaking News -- Breaking News

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[Wolfs Ghost]

Leaning back on the couch, legs reaching out to a nearby table, and his arms crossed behind his head, Austin Rodney Goodman sighed heavily as the news played.

Omega-3.

Things happens in that god forsaken system, and it looks like it was a war between Rheinland Forces and Bretonian Forces. It was barely two years ago since he helped secure stable relations with Rheinland and Bretonia, oddly enough by taking an Armed Forces destroyer into Stuttgart after escorting a convoy of Republican ships, and asking that current Fleet Admiral to enter negotiations with Stanley Nelson, and now, all of that went down the drain. Quite literally.

The news was in favor of Bretonia, and he knew listening to a Rheinland broadcast would offer Rheinland's views, which would probably make Bretonia out to be a horrible house, wanting to start this war, a second front. He glanced over towards the flight suit that hung in the closet, and next to it was his former Commander's uniform.

Sighing again, he slowly got up, stretching, and turned the holo-vision off. "Well, seeing as this is quite near Freeport One, I might as well go check it out." He laughed lightly, as his ship was an older model of a Bretonian Templar, and he knew it would probably get him shot at by whatever force might be out in this hellhole.

It was time to get back to doing what he did best. Even if he didn't know which side he would eventually fight for. The crown he swore his loyalty too? Or the House that gave him shelter from that Crown during his exile?

"I actually have a better idea." He muttered.

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[Jeremy Hunter]

Onboard Freeport One, Jeremy Hunter assisted the locals in repairs and evaccuation. He heard the entire report.

"Doesn't matter who started it, you idiots put Freeport One in the Middle. Frakkin Brets wont pay a damn fine, Rheinlanders take five battleships and annhilate Freeport 1's defenders and hit the station...

"Fool's war, just like the rest."

Jeremy resumed with helping.

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May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.

[Hone]

Hone Natahn, Privateer and too many other things beside to decently mention in one sitting, watched the broadcast, then turned to the woman lounging on the other side of the Ainu private room:

"Casey, get down there"

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User was banned for: Griefing others
Time left: (Permanent)

[arvg]

There was a hush in the conference room, as the Duke of Norfolk himself walked through the doors, taking the podium, he looked around the room.

"I will make a short statement, then we will open the floor to questions from Bretonian News Organizations. One question only please, there are a lot of people, all of whom, I am sure have questions."

"I can confirm the news reports issued by the BBC are, in fact, genuine. We are in the process of compiling all field gun cam footage. What I can state, at this time, is that there was a military incursion into the New London system... and that there were Rhienland warships, of the Cruiser class present in Bretonia systems, an act of war, before the conflict at Omega-3."

Guncam 1

"This is clearly Cambridge, and that transmission, as you see, is clearly broadcasted over system wide communications. Again, this was recorded by my own vessel, the Dagobaz, but we have similar guncam footage from two other destroyers and three other Armed Forces vessels in the system."

"To exacerbate matters, prior to the Omega-3 incident, an agent of the Bretonian Crown was assaulted in Bretonian space... I will allow you to view the guncam footage for yourself."

Guncam 2

"Yes ladies and gentlemen, that is a member of the Rheinland Intelligence forces, engaging a Bretonian Agent, in Bretonia, ALONGSIDE the Kusari forces. This action, again, was prior to the Omega-3 engagement."

He straightens.

"Suddenly the reasons for the Rheinland embargo of our war supplies becomes crystal clear. The Kusari now pull the strings in Rheinland, using Hfuel to make them the puppeteers."

"These two actions alone, an invasion of Bretonia by Rheinland Forces, and the assault of one of our operatives in our space, is adequate proof of Rheinland Aggression against the Crown. Add to it what was done to the Bowex vessels, the military supply embargos and the other assaults on our territory, and you will see clearly that Rheinland provoked this situation, and we have had no choice but to respond with force."

He clears his throat.

"This is Bretonia, where siding with our enemies, invading our space, shooting our transports... is unacceptable. The Bretonian Armed Forces will defend this nation against all aggressors, even those who pretend to be our friends."

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[arvg]

The Duke takes the podium of the briefing again.

"It has come to my attention that many in our forces believe that the Rheinland assault and barbarism is the result of Alien Influence, I can categorically state that at no time have any of our forces encountered, engaged, captured or killed any 'possessed' or 'mind controlled' individual in Rheinlandic uniform."

"Our forces are being advised to be on the look out for any sign or hint of aberrant behaviour, and measures for safety and security to avoid a repeat of the 801AS war, are being taken. Our Intelligence Services will keep us appraised."

"Are there any questions?"

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[jammi]

In the press-room, a non-BBC reporter working for The Sun climbed to his feet. "Yes sir, I have a question from my readership. Does Kusari count as an alien influence?" Datapad at the ready he eagerly awaited the Duke's reply.

The clutch of BBC reporters he'd beaten to the draw glared at him. They'd been hoping to ask what they considered to be a deep and politically philosophical question. There were muttered snorts of derision as to why The Sun had even been invited.

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[Silver]

It was morning, and bodies with none or just the essential clothing laid sleeping on the floor or booths, alongside with empty bottles of whisky, gin, wine, vodka, every known alchohol known to humankind.

It was one hell of a night.

Kalliste yawned and dragged her sorry self to the bar counter, and with a quick push, one of the male dancers slumped to the floor, still asleep, falling on top of two female dancers.

"O'Reily! You alive?" She asked.

The old bartender appeared from behind the counter like a leprechaun of the tales.

"Top of the mornin' to ye, lass. T'is was a goo'night, wasn't it?" He grinned, while cleaning something with a filthy rag.
"What's yer poison in this fine mornin'?"

"Some oranje juice, one of them Pumper's sandwiches and a shot of Jack's to drown it all."
She replied, looking at the news.

The bartender quickly disapeared, and while the news continued to be broadcasted, her eyes instead of displaying headaches and hangovers.. All they displayed was the gleam of a hunter, looking at it's prey.

"My my.. Death will have a busy week.."
Kalliste chuckled.

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[8:32:45 PM] Dusty Lens: Oh no, let me get that. Hello? Oh it's my grandma. She says to be roleplay.
[12:12:00] Traxit: this is smut stop

[arvg]

The Duke looked up at the question.

In the press-room, a non-BBC reporter working for The Sun climbed to his feet. "Yes sir, I have a question from my readership. Does Kusari count as an alien influence?" Datapad at the ready he eagerly awaited the Duke's reply.

"Most assuredly, have you ever seen a J-pop video? Not to mention the food, only aliens would eat that swill." The Duke shrugged, "besides the plain simple fact is that any Kusari male would kill to have a sausage the size of a Rheinlander's."

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[Aazalot]

Inside the forth docking bay of freeport 9 working away with his usual maintanance of his Eagle, feaverously cleaning its ports, fixing dents and tightining bolts, Voncloud had the holoprojector on, although only to listen to it as he worked, mostly just for some background noise. However his Ears couldnt help but flick and turn towards it once the reports came on. Sitting up from underneath the port wing, covered in all sort of machine fluids, he took a moment to listen

Rheinland?..as Kusari Lapdogs?.. Doesn't seem right

He Mulled it over getting up and wiping his hands on rags, going over to view the screen probably. Watching through the whole report, his tail swishing side to side lazily as he watched, even bearing the Dukes TV appereance. Pulling out a PDA from his pocket, quickly checking over the known Mandalorien Contracts he nodded muttering an old phrase he heard many times

War is good for business...and business is good

With that, he cleaned himself up, had a drink and prepped his Ship, Apart from the Zoners, Bretonia for the most part was one of the only places that seemed to tolerate the fact he wasnt human, even with the brief yet hostile communication with the duke, the friend he made in the BAF once asked him to help Bretonia out, and now he was going to make good that request.

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