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Post by trynda1701 on Jan 15, 2022 8:25:55 GMT -7
Even though it's only a motley selection of warp shuttles and tenders and monitors (oh my ), that formation sure looks impressive! Not so sure the convoy might still hit some problems returning to the Unity. I could see Mekta using his influence to try to cause problems for them on the voyage. And when the D10 and D7Cs' come up for sale, they're bound to attract more attention!
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Post by brickwall on Jan 15, 2022 15:46:09 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - EXCLUSIVE - - Mekta, son of Rasch, chief Klingon negotiator during the impromptu trade conference, had this to say about the Adam Ant Convoy's departure:
βIt's surprising the structure of the convoy is so...well...Klingon-friendly. Notice that a K-15 scout leads this effort. Federation freighters are hidden in the rear half and their colonial transports even more so. A more than subtle rebuke to them, I must admit.β
βThey also designed a very interesting combination for the tenders and warp-shuttles. Each tender command three shuttles, all eyes alert for possible skirmishers in their prescribed area. The defense structure is flexible enough to aid their fellow warriors when needed. Interesting indeed. Deserves further study and testing. We can improve on it.β
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Post by trynda1701 on Jan 15, 2022 16:41:05 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - EXCLUSIVE - - Mekta, son of Rasch, chief Klingon negotiator during the impromptu trade conference, had this to say about the Adam Ant Convoy's departure: βIt's surprising the structure of the convoy is so...well...Klingon-friendly. Notice that a K-15 scout leads this effort. Federation freighters are hidden in the rear half and their colonial transports even more so. A more than subtle rebuke to them, I must admit.β βThey also designed a very interesting combination for the tenders and warp-shuttles. Each tender command three shuttles, all eyes alert for possible skirmishers in their prescribed area. The defense structure is flexible enough to aid their fellow warriors when needed. Interesting indeed. Deserves further study and testing. We can improve on it.β I'm trying to work out if this is a genuine compliment to the convoy, praising Klingon vessels to the fore, and Federation vessels to the rear (a subtle slur), or an actual tactical analysis, hinting at something further. Honestly some of this has been giving me the itch to dust off Admiral R'Archer see what other craziness he can cook up haha Well, since the success in getting the Charger's Price, he's now promoted up to Fleet Admiral. Onward and upward for him! The Fleet Admiral might need to be pressed into action if the latter is the case!
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Post by brickwall on Jan 16, 2022 12:37:13 GMT -7
"I'm trying to work out if this is a genuine compliment to the convoy, praising Klingon vessels to the fore, and Federation vessels to the rear (a subtle slur), or an actual tactical analysis, hinting at something further."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Good Klingon that he is, Mekta may be practicing his version of the Komerex Zha here before the local media. Choosing which outlet to broadcast his opinion. How to shape his opinion by choosing the right phrase. Trying to out-think the Orions who do something similar in their business dealings. So we just don't know...yet.
And he's still ticked off with Abbalyn for what he thinks was an insult to his father Rasch on the conference's first day. You'd have to think he's still plotting some form of revenge against the guy.
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Post by brickwall on Jan 26, 2022 17:01:09 GMT -7
(OIS) - - The next session of the Impromptu Trade Conference has produced unexpected benefits for two former Orion colonies along with both the Free States and the Unity.
The Federation team has been most reluctant to negotiate with the Kephans on the remaining inventory. Officially still in a state of war with the Unity, they've shown itself most uncompromising regarding any sales of the mostly Klingon vessels to them. However, they have refused to buy or buy back any of the ships up for sale. It is conjectured that they wish the Kalath-class gunboats, which comprise the majority of the proposed convoy, be destroyed first.
The Klingon team still demands the identities of those who sold or traded their ships to Orion companies in the first place. Currently, neither side refuses to given in on their positions.
The Kephan team has been most generous during the current negotiations. The last of the Federation and Romulan ships would be included in this part of the package. Further, two of the three refurbished Freelancer blockade runners would be excluded from the sale. Instead, they would be given as gifts to the independent systems of Spike and Namezk. In exchange, the obsolete Romulan V-1 Starglider cruiser would join the new convoy heading for Unity space.
Both Klingon and Orion teams support this compromise. So far, there has been no response either way from the Federation team.
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Post by rarcher on Jan 26, 2022 17:04:05 GMT -7
Interesting developments!
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Post by brickwall on Jan 28, 2022 22:35:51 GMT -7
(OIS) - - After a forty-eight hour delay waiting for word from their superiors, the Federation team reluctantly approved a minor compromise in current trade negotiations. By next week, two of the three Freelancer blockade runners in the next package will fly off to two former Orion colony worlds. One each will go to the Overlordship of Spike and the Republic of Namezk. Both recently received ownership of a collection of refurbished corvettes via Kephan influence.
Further progress was made when Spike and Namezk agreed to the latter building a small trade space station orbiting the former's homeworld. This is a major reopening of the Overlordship after a millennium of mistrust of outsiders. Current restrictions will limit economic contact to Namezk, Botchok and the newest Kephan member world of Gideon.
Apex Eshk the Long Bearded, Namezk trade representative to the Free States, praised the Unity team for the end result of the last two weeks of discussion βThis is the fruit of inter-Orion cooperation, which hasn't been seen in a long, long time,β he said. βAdmit it, we can be brutal in making business deals with each other. Here, things have never been smoother. And done under the auspices of non-Orions for Heaven's sake. Unheard of. Leave's one scratching one's head.β
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Post by brickwall on Jan 31, 2022 14:52:58 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - Today a Federation proposal to split the second package of mostly Klingon vessels was rejected by all at the conference.
Undersecretary Richard Coulson proposed that the small remainder of Federation and Romulan ships be sent separately to Kephan space. He told reporters that the Federation Council is still adamant that none of the Klingon gunboats grouped with them go to the Unity.
Mekta, chief Klingon negotiator, countered with letting the two Administrator gunboats join this smaller collection. He also modified his demand to the Orion team on revealing who were selling Imperial starships to their companies. He now claimed he only wanted the βworst offenderβ of the lot to bring to justice. βA good example must be set for all in the future to not be so mercenary,β he said.
βAsk your Imperial Intelligence for that one,β replied Abbalyn the Jester for the Free States. βSurely they would know and reveal who sold what to whom to your High Council, wouldn't they?β
Negotiations broke down from then on. The session ended with no acceptance of the latest Federation offer.
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Post by trynda1701 on Jan 31, 2022 16:01:13 GMT -7
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Post by brickwall on Jan 31, 2022 16:17:05 GMT -7
brickwall More interesting developments! I meant to ask this earlier. Are the "Overlordship of Spike" and the "Republic of Namezk" your own inventions, or were they mentioned in passing in FASA scenarios, hence their extrapolated positions on the detailed map I posted that was created by the late Kevin Oyer, and you've cleverly added them to your story? Both Spike and Namezk are mentioned in the Orion Book of Common Knowledge. Namezk is on page 65 of the book, while Spike is next door on page 66. To look for them on the Galactic Map, go to page 39 of said Book. Look on the left side of Orion Space within the Neutral Zone. There you will find the two former Orion Colony worlds. Hope this helps you out!
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Post by trynda1701 on Jan 31, 2022 16:21:42 GMT -7
Thanks. It's been so long since I've read thru all my FASA books, other than the SRMs. I'm currently checking up on "The Triangle" supplements for my Motherlode thread.
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Post by brickwall on Feb 7, 2022 13:02:07 GMT -7
(OIS) - - The latest conference session ended with a breakthrough in the Klingon team's demand on who was the worst seller of their vessels to Orion companies. Further discussions on the status of the old gunboats only exposed the unbridgeable gap between the Federation and the Kephan Unity.
Imperial Intelligence confirmed that the now-bankrupt Fromage Salvage and Trading Company was the main recipient of the Kalath and Enforcer-class gunboats. Before they stopped operations last year, Fromage purchased the two Administrator gunboats from a District Commander near Orion Space. They hired independent contractors to fake an attack on both Klingon ships, towing them to their shipyard. They then sent enough gold and silver to make up budget deficits noted in the Commander's records. He has since been arrested and is awaiting trial.
In the meantime, Federation and Unity negotiators continue to clash over the second package of ships including the gunboats. The Federation team doesn't want the Kephans to receive the old vessels, while the Kephans won't stop insisting on shipping them to their space. The Unity team pointed out that the Empire no longer makes the Kalath-class and is only interested in updating what they still have. They didn't convince their opposite number and things remain at an impasse.
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Post by brickwall on Feb 9, 2022 12:37:23 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - An unexpected announcement from Spike and Namezk trade representatives has led to the Federation approving the Kephan's reception of the current package of old Klingon vessels.
The two former Orion colony governments announced they would permit unhindered passage of all Kephan convoys through their space. That included those ships under negotiation during the current trade conference. Both worlds have been recent recipients of refurbished Orion-built corvettes and blockade runners for their defense forces.
Furthermore, the Namezk government would send representatives to all Neutral Zone independent worlds to lobby for similar Kephan-friendly policies.
βThis has made our job even harder here,β said Ding Jianguo, Federation negotiator and Undersecretary of Star Fleet. βThere will be no doubt the Klingons and Orions will support this nonsensical plan as reasonable. It's a propaganda victory for the fanatics in the Unity but a temporary one at best. This isn't over yet, not by a long shot.β
βThanks be to God and Our Lady,β replied Captain Anthony J. Wrenfield, chief Kephan negotiator. βThis was never expected, not even by us. Completely out of the blue.β
Former smuggler and retired businessman Praedo Morus the Eccentric - - also known as The The - - gave his observations on the captain's reaction.
βHe's forgot his own species' old saying that 'good fences make good neighbors'. He and his are building up good will in unexpected quarters by not tearing those fences down, if you get my drift. Respecting their local laws, opening up trade, beefing up defenses without the balance of power getting upset. That these positive reactions took him by surprise is a shock to me. Humans are strange, yes, but this one? Might as well call him a living question mark for all I know.β
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Post by trynda1701 on Feb 9, 2022 13:07:45 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - An unexpected announcement from Spike and Namezk trade representatives has led to the Federation approving the Kephan's reception of the current package of old Klingon vessels. The two former Orion colony governments announced they would permit unhindered passage of all Kephan convoys through their space. That included those ships under negotiation during the current trade conference. Both worlds have been recent recipients of refurbished Orion-built corvettes and blockade runners for their defense forces. Furthermore, the Namezk government would send representatives to all Neutral Zone independent worlds to lobby for similar Kephan-friendly policies. βThis has made our job even harder here,β said Ding Jianguo, Federation negotiator and Undersecretary of Star Fleet. βThere will be no doubt the Klingons and Orions will support this nonsensical plan as reasonable. It's a propaganda victory for the fanatics in the Unity but a temporary one at best. This isn't over yet, not by a long shot.ββThanks be to God and Our Lady,β replied Captain Anthony J. Wrenfield, chief Kephan negotiator. βThis was never expected, not even by us. Completely out of the blue.βFormer smuggler and retired businessman Praedo Morus the Eccentric - - also known as The The - - gave his observations on the captain's reaction. βHe's forgot his own species' old saying that 'good fences make good neighbors'. He and his are building up good will in unexpected quarters by not tearing those fences down, if you get my drift. Respecting their local laws, opening up trade, beefing up defenses without the balance of power getting upset. That these positive reactions took him by surprise is a shock to me. Humans are strange, yes, but this one? Might as well call him a living question mark for all I know.β Well, that development definitely throws the Terran felines amongst the Rigellian pigeons! Of course, the part of the conference I see it going completely off the rails is when the D-10 and the 18 D-7s come up. Personally, I'm not sure whether it's a good idea for the Orions to give them up (that's the Orion in me talking, of course). However, since they've been in Orion hands, the engineering blueprints generated by their possession has probably resulted in many Orion built clones, as other players have posted elsewhere. To totally mangle a Leonard McCoy line "I'll bet they've redesigned the D-7s, you know Orions, they love to clone things"! I'm fairly sure that the Klingon negotiator Mekta will need to be on his best Klin'za game form to agree to those sales (of course, the perpetual game of "Komerex Zha" will feature strongly in his negotiations as well). I definitely sure Ding Jianguo, the Federation negotiator, will disagree strongly on those vessels getting into Unity hands! This is going to be interesting!
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Post by brickwall on Feb 17, 2022 16:23:42 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - With little to no fanfare, the second package of mostly Klingon vessels have left Orion space for the Kephan Unity. Named the βSpiked Square Convoyβ, the collection of old Klingon gunboats and traded Federation and Romulan craft made their way towards Kephan space. As before with the Adam Ant Convoy, Gideon-based skeleton crews will man the starships. The Freelancer blockade runner was assigned to carry supplies, while the aging Graceful Flyer took up scouting duties. Mekta, chief Klingon negotiator, bade a quiet farewell to the convoy earlier in the day as they left for their long journey. βAs was done the last time,β he noted smiling, βthey placed the old Earther and Romulan ships in the rear. As if they are embarrassed to take them in the first place. Perhaps they are, but one never knows.β A disheveled Abbalyn the Jester, speaking for the Free States, admitted that the next phase of the trade conference promised to be furious. βI'm not looking forward to any upcoming sessions,β he confessed to reporters later in the day. βTensions couldn't be cut with a Terran chainsaw and that's just between the Federation and the Unity. Don't they know that ideology and commerce don't mix? Now we have the destroyers and heavy cruisers coming up. Not looking forward to this at all.β
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Post by trynda1701 on Feb 18, 2022 5:48:33 GMT -7
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Post by brickwall on Feb 19, 2022 20:22:37 GMT -7
(OIS) - - Anticipating conflict over old Klingon warships sold or traded to Orion companies, Kephan negotiators proposed a surprise plan involving a trio of Imperial escorts at it's core.
As noted by anonymous sources covering the current trade conference, Captain Anthony J. Wrenfield presented a plan to deal with three K-23 Little Killer-class escorts in Orion hands. The E-model among them would go to the Orion Space Navy. The two B-models would be given to the Overlordship of Spike and the Republic of Namezk. Both former Orion colony worlds were the recent recipients of several ships covered in past conference sessions.
Furthermore, based on past purchased information, Wrenfield suggested the Klingons give two of three captured Federation escorts to Spike and Namezk. They are Remora Mark II vessels taken in battle long ago. This ship transfer would be similar to that done by both Klingon and Romulan navies to the Independent Economic Confederation (IEC). Each world would possess an equal escort from their major neighbors for system defense while encouraging more limited trade with both powers.
The third Remora would be returned to Star Fleet but with the proviso that it would be assigned far away from Klingon space. The captain suggested the ship go to the Tholian frontier, both to calm Imperial worries and beef up Federation presence there.
Intrigued, the other negotiators would bring this new proposal to their superiors. Future meetings are postponed until then.
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Post by trynda1701 on Feb 19, 2022 20:39:05 GMT -7
Ooh, the Remoras deal is a curveball I didn't see coming. Kudos, brickwall, another interesting development, along with the proposed K-23 disposition!
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Post by brickwall on Feb 20, 2022 3:11:13 GMT -7
Ooh, the Remoras deal is a curveball I didn't see coming. Kudos, brickwall , another interesting development, along with the proposed K-23 disposition! Heaven must have been smiling on my foolish self. On a hunch, I looked up escorts made in the same time span or near it similar to the Little Killers. It was the Remoras. When I checked the details on it's page, one of them was that the Klingons captured three in battle and the Romulans captured two.
To my mind, the Romulans would have studied and then scrapped them for their resources. Klingons, on the other hand, would have either used them for training purposes or kept them as trophies of war. They'd look on them like Romulans would on Klingon ships - - needed but not really wanted. So with this chance to get rid of them, they'll take it.
With the next "news segment", we might have the lovely Lieutenant Yenell to explain this proposal. We'll see.
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Post by trynda1701 on Feb 20, 2022 6:52:59 GMT -7
Ooh, the Remoras deal is a curveball I didn't see coming. Kudos, brickwall , another interesting development, along with the proposed K-23 disposition! Heaven must have been smiling on my foolish self. On a hunch, I looked up escorts made in the same time span or near it similar to the Little Killers. It was the Remoras. When I checked the details on it's page, one of them was that the Klingons captured three in battle and the Romulans captured two.
To my mind, the Romulans would have studied and then scrapped them for their resources. Klingons, on the other hand, would have either used them for training purposes or kept them as trophies of war. They'd look on them like Romulans would on Klingon ships - - needed but not really wanted. So with this chance to get rid of them, they'll take it.
With the next "news segment", we might have the lovely Lieutenant Yenell to explain this proposal. We'll see. Yeah, as soon as you mentioned the Remoras, I went to Brads' database page on them, and noticed the three mentuoned captured by the Klingons. Well spotted! Awaiting more info as it's reported!
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Post by rarcher on Feb 25, 2022 8:02:51 GMT -7
So my buddy Brandon (and me really!) wants to know when this deal is going to finally go through? LOL Ideas are already swarming our heads on how to repurpose some of these in some form!
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Post by brickwall on Feb 28, 2022 1:03:50 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - VRN has secured an exclusive interview with Yenell the Half-Breed on the current negotiations during the trade conference.
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VRN: The current proposal you've made has stopped talks between all concerned once again. Furthermore, it involves ships not bought by Orion companies. What's the purpose behind this?Yenell: It should be obvious to all by now that the remaining ships are the main focus for discussions. So it seemed the right thing to get the escorts off the table with as little fuss as possible. VRN: And yet the fuss continues and increases.Yenell: It wouldn't have if both the Empire and the Free States acted more like honest brokers and dealers. But fools do what fools do and we all suffer from their antics. VRN: In brief, what is the offer the Unity's making?Yenell: The K-23s will not fly to Kephan space. The E-model among them will be given to the Orion Space Navy as a gift. Nothing asked in return. The two B-models will go to both Spike and Namezk for their self-defense. But in addition, the Klingons will dispose of two of three Remora-class escorts they captured long ago. The Federation will get the third one back. It's a similar plan to that the IEC used to build up their defense squadrons. Both empires get rid of their oldest and weakest ships. Equal amounts and ship sizes so as not to lose face to their main rivals. No appearance of favoritism to either side. In this case, Spike and Namezk each get an escort - one Klingon, one Federation. Both of them old but still usable. Furthermore, Star Fleet gets one of their ships back. It just has to keep away for good from Klingon space. And the Tholian border couldn't be further away from their frontier than anything else. They keep an eye on that area which little is known about. That's a little more security for them there at little cost. Finally, our Star Navy isn't getting these escorts at all. Certainly that should give some relief to those folk, shouldn't it? VRN: What has been the reaction of Spike and Namezk to this proposal?Yenell: They're ecstatic. Spike gets upgraded protection after a millennium of isolation with weak obsolete ships. Namezk improves their defenses against both Empire and Federation while keeping trade open between them. And to use an old Earthling phrase, it doesn't βcost them a red centβ. VRN: A while back, the OSN received a trio of Charette-class heavy cruisers from the Unity. And for free, which is unheard of. Would the K-23E be assigned to them?Yenell: If that's what the Space Navy wants, fine. It's on their shoulders, not ours. VRN: Finally on a personal note, how is your relationship with Captain Wrenfield? This conference certainly must have put a strain on.......Yenell: (rolls eyes) Last week, you gossip-mongers claimed there was something romantic going on between he and I. The week before, you thought I acted like I was a bought slave of his. He is my commanding officer and a good friend. We've done our best to represent the Unity and her cause in our travels. Do you really think there would be fraternizing between us on this level? VRN: There's been reports of you both holding hands during past conference sessions, especially when the Orion and Klingon teams were almost screeching at each other. One of them from Abbalyn the Jester himself.Yenell: Then he and they should see their optometrists as soon as possible. Seriously.....
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The interview ended then. No new sessions of the conference are scheduled so far.
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Post by brickwall on Mar 7, 2022 0:51:30 GMT -7
(OIS) - - In another unexpected twist in the current trade conference, the Kephan team added a concession the Klingon team agreed to. It has caused a Federation team member to be removed from further discussions and suffering from a nervous breakdown.
The addition to the original deal involving a trio of K-23 escorts would have the Klingons return a captured Derf MK III tender to Star Fleet. Furthermore a quartet of Nelson MK I scouts captured during the Four Years War would go back to the Federation. The condition for the release would be similar to that of the Remora MK II escort. All ships would be assigned immediately to the Tholian frontier on a permanent basis.
This resulted in an assistant to the Undersecretary of Star Fleet to scream in anger at Captain Anthony J. Wrenfield, head of the Kephan delegation. He was dragged away flinging invective at him, vowing that the Unity would βnever conquer Earth in a million yearsβ. He has since been sedated and will be sent back to Federation space on medical leave.
Apologies were made to Captain Wrenfield for the incident. He accepted them, noting the level of stress all parties are undergoing during the conference. The updated proposal is now under discussion by the Federation Council. The conference will resume when word comes back from Earth.
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Post by brickwall on Mar 7, 2022 2:42:24 GMT -7
[Voice of Rigel News] - - Nunkta, son of Rae, deputy Klingon negotiator, granted an interview to VRN after the latest scandal emerging from the current trade conference.
Nunkta: It is surprising that these Earthers fall apart like a badly baked blood-pie when this proposal was made. They're not warriors, that's for sure. Not even diplomats.......or that in name only.
VRN: What happened specifically?
Nunkta: In brief, Captain Wrenfield asked if the Empire had any captured Federation ships we no longer wanted in our space. We've not that many but we'd bid them farewell as soon as possible. Mekta, my superior, contacted Imperial Intelligence and was told of the Derf and the Nelsons. So Wrenfield suggested that they be included with the Remora returning to Star Fleet and under the same restrictions. If they fly away to bother the Tholians for good, all the better.
VRN: So the Empire would have no problems with Star Fleet getting them back?
Nunkta: So long as they stay away from us. Note this. The Tholians also deal with border probing. They'd damage marker buoys and navigational beacons like anyone else. A Derf on their frontier with a Remora for protection would reduce any temptation to do target practice on them.
VRN: And the scouts?
Nunkta: Still functional. The Mark Ones are only armed with lasers after all. And there are many stars between Tholian space and that of the First Federation. The Earthers know not what lies there. These old scouts would still be able to do their duty and explore the unknown.
Note further. Star Fleet is getting six ships back into their hands in this update. Not the Insane Ones. Not you Orions. Certainly not the Romulans. Free reinforcements against those....I don't know....rock people.
VRN: And all this caused the spectacle that afternoon?
Nunkta: I believe the Terran phrase is that young man βcrackedβ. The fellow roared at Wrenfield and it was a good scream at that. I know my screams, trust me. (smiling) He claimed this proposal was just a bribe that the Federation would reject. He then called him "anti-globalist fanatic", "blockhead", "caveman" and threw in some choice Tellarite insults as well. He vowed that Star Fleet would fight the Unity for a million years and they'd never take Earth for their own.
VRN: Was there any violence?
Nunkta: Alas, these are humans we're talking about. Wrenfield stood before his female, ready to defend her. Both Undersecretaries tackled the youngster and dragged him out of the room. That was it. Not even an attempt at a fistfight. Just the Kephan checking up on his female, who was hugging him around his waist in gratitude. Oh, by the way, that silly Abbalyn tried to ply everyone with various ales to calm us all down. (arms folded and snickering) I wouldn't trust drinking Orion anything even if I was promised ownership of my own solar system.
VRN: So is the conference on hold again?
Nunkta: Until the Federation Council decides if this deal is acceptable. They'd be fools to reject it. They get six old ships back and we say good riddance to all that doch! (points) That's Klingon for "trash" by the way. Learn to be more multilingual, Orion. You never know when it can do you good.
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Post by trynda1701 on Mar 7, 2022 14:00:10 GMT -7
Hmmm, tensions are building up, and yet we still haven't got to the negotiations about the destroyers and cruisers! This is an interesting development, brickwall . Looking forward to more
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