This is of course, a purely isolated incident and does not reflect expansionism or jingoism. Apart from Volksland, we have no grievances against other star nations in the Grand Trunk area or any desire to intervene in those areas or invade any other nation in that area. Volksland will not be annexed - it will instead be occupied for an undetermined period while we put it back on its feet from its government's abuses.

FROM: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
TO: Ludwig Gottlieb, Foreign Secretary of the Prussian Star League

The Technocracy views with great alarm the recent news on the Reichstag's deliberations yesterday in Neu Preußen. The Reichstag's support for annexation of the planet Volksland stands in sharp contrast to the assurances we have received of late from the Government to the effect that the Volksland affair is "a purely isolated incident and does not reflect expansionism," and that "Volksland will not be annexed." On the one hand, it would appear to be the will of the League's legislature that Volksland be annexed; on the other, it would appear that the Cabinet has given its solemn word that Volksland shall not be annexed.

We eagerly await further clarification on this matter, and on the apparent contradiction between the position of the Reichstag and the official stance of the Cabinet. Since the matter has now been cast into doubt, we refine our earlier questions. The answers to some of these questions may appear obvious in the eyes of one well versed in Prussian constitutional law, but for the benefit of posterity the Council deems it worthwhile to have the answers on record for future reference:

1) Is it the present policy of His Majesty's government to permanently annex Volksland, or not to permanently annex Volksland?

2) If the policy of the government is not to permanently annex Volksland, do we have the government's assurance that this policy will remain stable over time, rather than changing without warning at the whim of the Reichstag?
3) If the policy of the government is not to permanently annex Volksland, we politely enquire as to the time-frame and scope envisioned for the Star League's occupation of the Volksland system. Roughly how long is the League's control over the system expected to last, and how extensive is that control to be?

4) If the policy of the government is to annex Volksland, do we have the government's assurance that the Star League will not attempt to assert control over interstellar space beyond the borders of the Volksland system, and will continue to respect the customary neutrality of the Grand Coreward Trunk?
5) If the government's policy is to respect the neutrality of interstellar space beyond Volksland's borders, and of the Grand Trunk in particular, do we have the government's assurance that this policy will remain stable over time, rather than changing without warning at the whim of the Reichstag?

You must understand, Chernov, that the Prussian Star League promises, deeply, hand-on-heart, to respect the neutrality of the Grand Trunk. As you can see, the Reichstag is not likely to annex or colonise any more territories in the Grand Trunk Region. This policy will remain stable, as a simple matter of necessity, as if we do not, it is likely that we will come under attack. It is simply that the people of Volksland are facing a humanitarian crisis, and we simply cannot help them that much if we do not annex them. There are also the matters of de-fascistification of Volksland, which is looking to be hard if we do not engender a sense of 'Prussianism' in the population, which will be rather hard without annexing them. And then there are the potential security ramifcations - suppose fascists take power in Volksland again? This is a risk we can not afford, so for the moment, Volksland will become Prussian.

Again, I must inform you - the League swears solemnly never again to intervene in Sector T-10, and most definitely not in the Grand Coreward Trunk. I assure you that this is a stable solution to the incident, and that we will never annex a territory in the vicinity of the Grand Coreward Trunk again, and that we will uphold its neutrality.

Official Shepistani War Department Announment 2312:

The Shepistani Government has announced that it will be setting up a Zone of Occupation on Pendleton. This ZOO will consist of the continent which recieved the most punishment from Shepistani Arms in the recently concluded military operations.

To ensure the safe transport of the Zone of Occupation Troops and Diplomatic Personnel, Battlestar Groups 75 and 62 have been attached to protect the transports. BSG 75 and 62 have recently been upgraded and augmented to the new Tables of Organization for Battlestar Groups; which have been created in light of the recent Collector assault on the Coalition Fleet near Pendleton a month ago.

[Message delivered by routine diplomatic communications, Feb. 5]

From: Maxim Chernov, Second for Foreign Affairs
To: Oaxtoatotol Łichíí of the Nenpanoliz-altuxl Kikialtignahwi

In light of recent Prussian expansionism near our rimward frontier, we find our security situation in more danger than was the case in the relatively calm days of fifteen years ago. In consequence, we have been considering the merits of expanding the Technocracy-Union State alliance into a trilateral one, and are prepared to make preliminary approaches to the French Empire to invite them to join the alliance.

Would this be acceptable to the NenAltKik? Are there specific conditions you consider necessary for such an alliance?

We presume that in any formal round of negotiations with the French, you would like representatives of the Union to be present; we shall of course notify you of any planned negotiations well in advance.

[Document in the possession of Third Technarch Dr. Nancy Bowinger, who departs via courier vessel for the Commune in mid-February and arrives on or around March 1, passing through Eoghan space and possibly Atlantean space en route]

Review of Commune Defense Pact Proposal

As we discussed during the February 3 meeting and later, the Council does not deem it to be in Umeria's interests to be committed to an unconditional military alliance with the Commune and associated powers in the far antispinward sectors of known space at this time. The extreme distance between Umeria and the other possible allied powers would make mutual support difficult, and the Council has concerns about undisclosed Commune policies drawing Umeria into an unnecessary and unjustified conflict.

You are advised to emphasize that Umeria's long range power projection capabilities are limited and that it would be an operation of several months for us to amass the fleet supply train to support a large fraction of the Space Security Force in or around Commune space. Otherwise, Umerian operations would be a heavy burden on our prospective cobelligerents' logistics, as they would be needed to make up much of the supply deficit caused by prolonged operations.

On the other hand, if the Commune desires to make mutual security agreements against the threat of moderately-godlike or strongly-godlike entities that pose a danger to interstellar civilization as a whole, you are encouraged to make such agreements, and to emphasize the Technocracy's willingness to join such. Against such a general threat, the Technocracy would be happy to cooperate with the Commune, lending the full support of its science and industry to the task of finding ways to fend off the hostile entity or society.

Broadly speaking, examples would include:
-Extradimensional beings shown to be hostile to the continued well-being of interstellar civilization, or to human civilization in particular.
-Cybernetic or biological 'swarm' empires destructive enough to pose a major security threat to civilization.
-Powerful alien empires focused on conquest and domination of human space and large enough to credibly threaten such.

If asked for examples:
-It is possible that the Collectors or the strange Emissaries of XylyX may prove to be a threat of the second type, depending on the power they have at their disposal. The Karlack Swarm would be an excellent example of a threat of the second type, were they not small enough to be kept largely contained by their own immediate neighbors.
-During the high days of their conquest, the Chamarran Empire would have qualified as a threat of the third type. It is possible that the Pfhor pose such a threat today, though our impression from the limited information we have on them is that they are not large enough to qualify as a strategic problem for human civilization as a whole.

Again, the Technocracy of Umeria expresses its full willingness to stand with the Commune as part of a combination of technologically advanced and socially enlightened cultures against such threats to civilization as a whole.

---

Beyond this, you are specifically authorized to offer the following*:
-Basing and support out of Umerian naval facilities for Commune ships operating in the Spinward Expanse on peaceful missions.
-Bilateral intelligence-sharing agreements, with some reasonable liaison system for the exchange of mutually useful information.
-Exceptionally favorable trade agreements (consult with embassy staff, and see Appendix A)
-Scientific cooperation, including following list of projects formerly deemed sensitive: (see Appendix B)
-The support of Umerian diplomatic personnel in ensuring the safety of Commune citizens abroad, particularly in nations where the Commune does not see fit to maintain a routine diplomatic presence.

*Note that if she makes other offers she will be held personally responsible for them, which makes it a bit of a gamble on her part if the resulting deal is unpalatable to the Council. Dr. Bowinger is occasionally a gambler, but only when her calculation of the risks looks very promising.

---

Note that under no circumstances shall our agreement with the Commune be assumed to override defensive agreements with other nations in the Spinward Expanse, unless humanitarian issues such as the safety of Commune citizens is at stake. In particular, the mutual trust and support among allies in the Expanse being critical to Umeria's security, information shared with Umeria in confidence by local allies of the Technocracy will not be shared with the Commune except under the most extreme and unusual of circumstances.

Official Statement of HM Government

The Kingdom of New Anglia, in light of Shepistani behavior in the suppression campaign against Pendleton, will not permit Shepistan to establish any form of occupation zone upon Pendleton or in its solar system. The Shepistani fleet will be barred from entry into Anglian space and any attempt to traverse the Bannerman Gap will be subject to blockade.

---

”A Radical is a man with both feet planted firmly in the air.” – Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism." - Sir Winston L. S. Churchill, Princips Britannia

American Conservatism is about the exercise of personal responsibility without state interference in the lives of the citizenry..... unless, of course, it involves using the bludgeon of state power to suppress things Conservatives do not like.

Moderator of SDN, Former Spacebattles Super-Mod, Veteran Chatnik

Declaration from the Diamid of the Clans of Hiigara

Hiigara will not allow Shepistan to establish a military presence so close to Hiigaran sovereign space. Nor will Hiigara permit such actions as Shepistan has already preformed upon Pendleton to occur in the future. While thankful for Shepistani support in the initial mission to sanction Pendleton, Hiigara will join with the other regional powers in denying Shepistani forces access to Pendleton or to Hiigaran territory.

---

"Our Country won't go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won't be any AMERICA because some foreign soldier will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race!"
LT. GEN. LEWIS "CHESTY" PULLER, USMC

From: Oaxtoatotol Łichíí of the Nenpanoliz-altuxl Kikialtignahwi
To: Maxim Chernov, Second for Foreign Affairs

Sorry for the delay. The Nenpanoliz-altuxl Kikialtignahwi has been dealing with internal affairs recently. We have been racked with political movements in our colonial world, agitating for either independence or full union within the NenAltKik. This has needed the full attention of our government and military at all levels in order to fully deal with it.

However, as this is coming to a close with the Hweyixal Military Governorate being fully incorporated into the NenAltKik in the near future, we willingly and happily would accept another member into the alliance. As we are finishing dealing with the political unrest in the NenAltKik, we will be able to more fully participate in interstellar matters.

---

SDNet: Unbelievable levels of pedantry that you can't find anywhere else on the Internet!

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs

We view with great concern rumors regarding a possible pact between your nation and the Commune. Our relations with the latter have never been well, and indeed quite hostile, and it is our interest in warning you that a military alliance will not be seen with good eyes here. If you go through this pact, we may be forced to respond in kind.

With frankness:

Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

From: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
To: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

We appreciate your frankness. Your concerns are duly noted, and we formally state that we have no hostile intentions against the Centrality, so long as the Centrality does not engage in unwarranted aggression towards friends of the Technocracy in the region.

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs

It is not you we are worried about, but rather, the Commune. We cannot negotiate with them directly or indirectly, as they view us as a malign entity. And we cannot feel you can gurantee your neutrality if there is conflict between Zero and Centrum. Even if you do, the diplomatic consequences will be damaging. Umeria has nothing to gain with this pact. There are already calls in our government to expel your ambassador. I cannot do more that insist you desist from aligning with the Commune.

With depressing frankness:

Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

From: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
To: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

We would certainly regret a cessation of diplomatic relations at this time. We also note that such action would likely be premature for a number of reasons. Chief among them is the point that one major objective of the Umerian diplomatic mission is to encourage the Commune to open something more like the usual diplomatic channels with the rest of the galaxy, so as to minimize the risk of unnecessary conflict.

If it upsets your state that you are unable to negotiate with Zero "directly or indirectly," then we happily offer the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an attempt to arbitrate and settle any specific, documented grievances between your two nations.

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs

Be aware that what we say in public has no relation for what we may decide in private.

We thank your offer of arbitration. While I am pessimistic of any chance of an improvement of our relations with the Commune, talks may at least smoothen the surface.

Sincerely:

Tagdef Borlon, Foreing Secretary of the Centrality

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

PRIORITY BRAGULAN BROADCAST TO THE BRAGULAN EMBASSY OF MONTGOMERY, SHEPISTAN
From the People's Department of Limited Foreign Interaction and Human Affairs

For your ideologically impeccable actions of supreme patriotism in the face of incredible odds, all embassy personnel and staff involved in the recorded incident are to be awarded the Order of the Imperator's Cross First Class.

Moreover, and most importantly, the Imperator Darvyl Sagatantron Byzon - Gardener of Bragulan Happiness and Happy Friend of All People - has also deigned the Bragulan Embassy of Montgomery worthy of commemorating with a uranium plaque inscribed with his own calligraphy.

Written on it, in the handwriting of the Imperator himself, are the following words of ultimate wisdom and Imperial truth:

"Your mighty urination over the face of humanity is an inspiration to us all."

"Your excrement is like a boot stamping on the face of humanity.
Forever."

For this noble honor, you have done all of us in the Empire proud. Mighty Bragule will not forget the great service you have done for all Bragulanity.

Keep up the good work,
Dryznyl Shpechtkov

---

shroom is a lovely boy and i wont hear a bad word against him - LUSY-CHAN!
Shit! Man, I didn't think of that! It took Shroom to properly interpret the screams of dying people - PeZook
Shroom, I read out the stuff you write about us. You are an endless supply of morale down here. :p - an OWS street medic
Pink Sugar Heart Attack!

Priority one flash message transmitted to all high commands of nations allied to the United Solarian Sovereignty.



FLASH FLASH FLASH

TO: Cevaucian Ascendancy, Byzantine Imperium, Holy Empire of Haruhi Suzumiya

USSF remote sensor buoys have detected two vessels positively identified as Collector Monoliths headed for sovereign Solarian space. Please assist. Coordinates & heading attached to this message. Streaming updates as situation develops.

xOLYMPIC

---

SDN World 2: The North Frequesuan Trust
SDN World 3: The Sultanate of Egypt
SDN World 4: The United Solarian Sovereignty

There'll be a bodycount, we're gonna watch it rise
The folks at CNN, they won't believe their eyes

To: USSF

The Byzantine Imperium Navy High Command will detach two battleship battlegroups and two heavy cruiser battlegroups. A strategic reserve will be dispatched as well.

Imperial Navy High Command

---

STGOD: Byzantine Empire
Your spirit, diseased as it is, refuses to allow you to give up, no matter what threats you face... and whatever wreckage you leave behind you.
Kreia

Priority Transmission

TO: The Bragulan Star Empire

Remote Wild Space probes detect two Collector Monoliths en route to Solarian space. Large scale naval deployment by Solarian and Imperium forces has been confirmed. Their intention appears to be interception of Collector vessels.

Our enemies are vulnerable.

Recommendation: Immediate launch of offensive operations against Solarian and Imperium targets. Karlack Broods already mobilizing.

Awaiting confirmation from Bragule.

FROM: Fleet Admiral Josefina Aquino, Chief of Naval Operations, SOS Imperial Navy
TO: The Right Honorable Jun Smith, Prime Minister of the Nova Atlantean Commonwealth of Worlds
SUBJECT: Naval Review

Dear Prime Minister Smith,

It is with our sincerest apologies that we must withdraw from our commitment to the planned international naval review to take place in 3401. The SOS Imperial Navy currently has obligations to its allies in the Byzantine Imperium, Cevaucian Ascendancy, and United Solarian Sovereignty, and our ships will not be available in time for the review. We hope that you will understand our situation.

Sincerely,

FADM J. Aquino
Chief of Naval Operations, SOS Imperial Navy

---

FROM: SOS Imperial Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff
TO: United Solarian Sovereignty
SUBJECT:: Offer of Assistance Against Collectors

To whom it may concern,

The Holy Empire of Haruhi Suzumiya will stand resolutely by its allies in the event of war against the Bragulans, Collectors, or Karlacks. To that end, our initial contribution to the defense of the Sovereignty will be as follows:

• Two (2) Endless Eight class supercarriers
• Four (4) Bouken Desho Desho class battleships
• Eight (8) Nagaru Tanigawa class cruisers
• Eight (8) Wendee Lee class destroyers
• Four (4) Monica Rial class light carriers
• Four (4) Lisa Ann Beley class light assault ships
• Thirty-two (32) Aya Hirano class frigates

If additional assistance is required, we shall supply it to the limits of our abilities. May death come swiftly to our enemies.

Sincerely,

FM Diane Nakano, Chairwoman, SOS Imperial Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff
FM Ayako Takanawa, Chief of Staff, SOS Imperial Guard
FADM Josefina Aquino, Chief of Naval Operations, SOS Imperial Navy
FM Christopher Takahashi, Commandant, SOS Imperial Marine Corps

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Shepistan Embassy

Sirs,

We are concerned by the pact between Umeria and the Commune. It is our belief that such an alliance will be detrimental to us, so I propose that we start discussions for a possible defensive alliance against both. We await your response.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Grand Dominion Embassy

Sirs,

We are concerned by the pact between Umeria and the Commune. It is our belief that such an alliance will be detrimental to us, so I propose that we start discussions for a possible defensive alliance against both. We await your response.

Sincerely,

Tagdef Borlon

P.S.: Shepistan has recieved a identical message, so you may discuss it together.

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

From: Tagdef Borlon, Foreign Secretary of the Centrality
To: Embassies of Shepistan and the Grand Dominion

Sirs,

We immediately retract our offers for an alliance.

With frankness,

Tagdef Borlon

---

An inhabitant from the Island of Cars.

[Author's note: In response to the coup; I imagine that word of this will get out in fairly short order, if nothing else because public information broadcasts within the Centrality will be talking about how Enduvos is dead. Not exactly sure when it happens relative to anything else. The Umerians are unaware of the aborted diplomatic notes to Shepistan and the Dominion.

Also note: I have no idea how the death of Enduvos is being spun- "death to the tyrant!", heart attack, unicycle crash, autoerotic asphyxiation... so I just went with "tragic accident." The Umerians may infer that a coup has taken place, but they would never be so crass as to say so unless the Centrality chooses to inform the galaxy at large.]

---

[Message sent by all available discreet channels, including Centralist embassy on Reisenburg, Umerian embassy on Centrum, etc. It is made clear that if Borlon himself is not remaining in the government, this message is addressed to his successor, since the Umerians can't be sure if he's involved in the coup or not]

From: Maxim Chernov, Second Technarch for Foreign Affairs
To: Foreign Secretary of the Centrality

In light of the recent tragic accidental death of President Gabriel Enduvos, the Technocracy extends its regards to the Centrality in these difficult times. We express our fullest hopes that the transfer of power will proceed as gracefully as possible.

We wish to emphasize that we have no hostile intentions against the Centrality of any kind, as explained in previous notes. We also wish to repeat our offer of the offices of Umerian diplomacy as a third party arbitrator, if there are any major outstanding concerns between your nation and other nations in the region which it is having difficulty communicating with.