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Sigar IV New
"I don't understand," Gregory said, and those three words summed up the last few days spent debating the best way to incorporate Sigar IV into the UNSC. Both sides of the new nation, those who could build it and those who would inhabit and raise it from paper to reality, found themselves at odds.

For the people of the Furina De Fontaine, the proposal by Gunhallow to simply land upon the planet and declare themselves the righteous government, offering aid and technology to all who joined and burning fire to all who refused, was dangerously close to warmongering with genocidal tendencies, especially with some of the proposals made by the Gunhallowians sent with the Furina to act as emissaries.

For the Guhallowians, the proposals to build up the planet over the years and conduct extensive diplomacy for no other reason than to not wage a shortlived war that would save more people by the cold calculus of knowing better than the primitive natives was...an alien thought.

When questions were raised about how that would make them any better than pirates, things got tense and stiff until it was decided that what they were doing was for a vastly different purpose than the pirates.

[MILITANT VIEWS] - Even TAUBENMUTTER joined into the discussion, proposing to limit any conquest to the single city unto which all tribes converged every three years to sell their materials and finds to the trader that came through the region, conduct diplomacy in sacred peace, and then leave into the dunes once again. In its opinion, creating a city there with a hundred thousand colonists and mighty defenses would enable them to exert influence and pressure on the tribes until they were brought into the fold.

There were no right decisions here, in a world without any form of centralized government above tribes, with less than half a million people accounted for and even less technological might to compensate.

Honestly, it would have been quicker to establish new colonies than settle here.

But, and that was the crux of the matter, the planet held vast stores of metals and minerals in quantities that made it invaluable for any nation seeking to grow its industries and acquire resources in quantities that boggled the human mind to build structures capable of turning wooden buildings into highrises of steel and glass rated against tank rounds and bunkers against ortillery.



In the end:
(6-Hour Moratorium)
[] It was decided to conquer the planet.
[] It was decided to seek a diplomatic solution, no matter how long it took.
[] It was decided to follow TAUBENMUTTERs proposal.
[] It was decided to (Write-In)
 
Vote closed New
Scheduled vote count started by HeroCooky on Dec 6, 2024 at 4:54 PM, finished with 28 posts and 15 votes.
 
Where To Settle New
The decision to set up another settlement on Sigar IV was met with the all-around agreeable acceptance of people from the eternal trifecta of those who weren't rightly happy with the compromise, those fully happy with how it turned out, and those faintly exasperated with the need to argue at all about it.

And so it came that the Furina De Fontaine appeared over Sigar IV with full sensors flaring, eyes electronic and organic scanning around as waves of every type imaginable and usable were sent from the massive generation ship moments after it appeared. Within minutes, the course of the ship was corrected, locations were updated, and its Nabu's were sent out to investigate the nearby orbital bodies, a small moon, and the remains of what seemed to be a trashed space station in geo-stationary orbit over the only city on the planet. At the same time, TAUBENMUTTER and the Captain attempted to seek any amount of contact with the natives of the planet below them, sending signal after broadcast even as they kept their channels wide open for any kind of communication.

None were answered, and none were detected. It seemed that when the Gunhallowians had described the planet as primitive, they meant primitive. Which...made the following weeks spent searching for a suitable location for the city they had decided to create both easier as well as less convenient.

For one, no natives could be quickly called upon to discover easy sources of water and valuable materials to create a self-sustaining industry (as the only city on the planet was immediately filled with every type of gun, which were all aimed at the Nabu that had landed to establish contact until it left again unsuccessfully), for two, nobody on the planet knew they existed until word spread by the power of people talking to each other in person.

So, as far as the crew of the Fontaine could determine, only three locations were close enough to major concentrations of the natives to be of use in establishing contact and close enough to sources of water and metals to not become vulnerable to the ravages of time and lack of materials.

In addition, the decision had to be made on how many people would be settled on the planet, as with each set of colonists the ratio of natives:colonists would skew heavily toward the latter, especially in the coming years.



So...where to settle?
(6-Hour Moratorium)
[] The Spine-Crack Ridge
(Mountainous and defensible, but a bit farther away.)
[] Oasis #7
(A significant water source that can be used to establish contact and a large settlement.)
[] Crossroad Paths
(Smack-dab in the middle of what are assumed to be well-traveled paths due to the presence of tribes nearby.)

[](Write-In colonist numbers up to 500K in 100K installments.)
 
Vote closed New
Scheduled vote count started by HeroCooky on Dec 10, 2024 at 4:37 PM, finished with 15 posts and 13 votes.
 
Warlord, Head, Mother New
Over two weeks, thousands of tons of materials begin to descend unto Sigar IV undisturbed, with thousands of workers and uncountable numbers of drones accompanying them alongside pre-fabricated houses, streets, sewers, pipes, multi-purpose structures, and walls, with everything from geologists to crewed four-wheeled scout buggies filled with soldiers spreading out from the initial landfall site chosen, Oasis #7.

Quickly, several mineral deposits are found deep underground and everywhere within the desert areas nearby, the locations of the first marked for later tapping and the latter fawned over by dozens of specialists eagerly analyzing the red sands stretching beyond the horizons. The water of the Oasis is explored in-depth by biologists, harmful bacteria and a species of nasty parasites are identified, and the right filters are selected to allow the water to be used in homes, industry, and agriculture. Additionally, nearby vents spilling harmful gasses and neurotoxins are found, sealed, and quickly surrounded by a nascent chemical industry slated to begin breaking down the substances into usable industrial products and additives for pharmaceutical products.

This...is what the people of the Furina have signed on for: colonizing strange new worlds and making them their own. To return to this, no matter their previous convictions and choices in this strange new universe, lifts the spirits of even the most sour colonist and grumpy settler, a rather festive atmosphere beginning to grow amidst the likewise growing city.

But that atmosphere ends and is replaced with tense anticipation when TAUBENMUTTER announces that a nearby tribe of natives has come to investigate the ships entering and leaving the atmosphere, likely no longer driven away by the sight of the Furina De Fontaine so close in orbit as to be seen with the naked eye, the massive landships of the Sigarites throwing up sandstorms in miniature behind themselves on their cushions of air and engines.

The Scouts of the Furina and the Outriders are the first to meet. Land rovers not meant for combat but exploration, open and with four seats filled by hard-suit-wearing occupants, stand face-to-face with ancient hovercraft patched through generations of use that had seen them armored, repaired, butchered for parts, individualized, left to rot, and brought into service once more, their drivers and occupants wearing heavy suits with filter-masks that protect against the dust and sand, wide hats offering shade, and humming boxes on their persons likely cooling against the oppressive heat, no amount of skin shown in stark contrast to that of the Furina's hard-suits that leave the face open for interpersonal communication in case of a radio breakdown.

What follows is...a warning. The Outriders, telling the Scouts that they are of the Tem'Siz Tribe, have noticed the settling of the Oasis, and they speak of the Cursed Air and Blighted Waters, the diseases that will visit all that drink from the life-taking waters, curled and eaten from within by hidden worms, and the air that takes your breath and your mind, leaving you a shambling husk of nothingness if you do not die, unable to form coherent sentences and a burden to your family as you cannot even choose to Walk The Dunes by your own will. They speak of the dangers, and they implore the scouts to take the warning back to their people and leave, leave while they still can, still have time to treat who can be healed and ensure that all who cannot can choose by their own mind to Walk The Dunes.

The Scouts, in turn, explain to their counterparts that they know of the dangers. The waters are filled with disease and parasites, but their filters and methods to prevent them from harming their people are mighty. The air is toxic and will take the mind and make the lungs bleed, yet its sources have been found and plugged to be used in industry to make medicines and goods. They say they are thankful for the warnings, yet they have heeded their people's old wisdom well and searched deeply for all that can harm those who will settle here. And lastly, they say to the Outriders that they would be honored to house guests and show them the truth of their words, their people, and their intentions for the new homes they are building.

The Outriders are skeptical, to say it kindly, yet they agree to bring back word to their Warlord and to meet again near the Oasis, far outside the area where its Curses cannot touch their people to talk and help. Unsaid is their belief that the settlers will require such after falling victim to what has killed so many already.

And they come, a hundred vehicles strong, centered around a mobile factory-smelter, its giant tracked body leaving behind shimmers in the air as massive smelters within its body turn sand and minerals into usable metals and materials, tons of sand even now filtered by its attendant fleet and sent into its belly where hundreds work on keeping their home alive and churning out parts for repair and construction. Flags of indeterminate meaning fly from its top, large banners adorned with symbols and colors that clash and harmonize within the flapping twisting turns of the wind, and with a horn that shatters the peace even an hour's drive away, the Tem'Siz Tribe stops.

With great pomp, for the native's standards, Warlord Jukulu Motono drives to meet with Neuvillette Clement, the Head of Civilians eager to speak and discuss with a local ruler to learn and make peace, and begin paving the way for a future where the planet joins the UNSC as its second member.

The discussions stretch for days, allowing both sides to learn great deals about the other.

For the native side, Warlord Jukulu Motono is shocked to see the great works already constructed where, weeks before, there had been nothing but a blighted land, teeming masses of humans working with wondrous machines to build entire buildings before his eyes, with no sight of any illnesses or dying people seen anywhere. At first, he attributed it to the wisdom and "almost-proper" cloth the newcomers adorn themselves in, hiding (almost all of) their skin from all eyes not their family as was proper, with filters for air and filters for water installed that seemed only a bit less effective than those of their forbearers as an attending forger told him after obtaining a hard-suit to investigate, yet the massive machines pumping away near the Oasis slowly being ringed with walls tell another story, that of truth and honesty. So, too, do the videos shown to him tell of the sealing of the harmful airs that had haunted this well of life for its entire existence, finally allowing life a chance to flourish here.

For Neuvillette Clement, the Warlord tells well of their people's customs, religion, words, and society. Far unlike what the people of the Furina thought, a Warlord was merely the word synonymous with Elder, Clan Leader, Village Head, and General, honored to lead their people in peace and war by virtue of their family's honor and the agreement of their people, not someone who ruled with blood and terror over innocents terrified. Their people are split into bands of nomadic clans and tribes, the Tem'Siz Tribe belonging to the Vest'Rati F'ten Clan roving these lands for untold generations, harvesting the sands for metals to sell every three years to the Star Trader. In this, the Warlord is filled with joy to hear that Gunhallowers are present with the people of the UNSC, their precious stones honoring their people as they do honor the spirits of the dunes and the skies, the grass and the earth, the depths and the forges. The custom of never showing skin to anyone but family is also explained, and Jukulu is surprised to see that the Civilian Head, a position presented to him to be equal to a Warlord in all manners except military, covers his face to honor their custom as a guest of their home.

Yet, the talks do not happen without incident. Though none are harmed, none raise their voices, and none act duplicitously...one guard nonetheless collapses during a discussion of religion.

Medics are rushed to the man, and Head Clement declares that he will be helped to the best of their ability, allowing the Warlord to accompany the man charged with keeping him safe to see what happened and why he was in agonizing pain. Swiftly, it is revealed within moments that the man's appendix was about to burst, and he required surgery at once.

The natives stilled. The doctors did not, calling for an operation room to be prepared immediately.

Warlord Jukulu Motono is silent throughout the next two hours, watching as the hands of organic and machine healers save the life of one of his tribe, and he is thankful.

And then he is indebted when any talk of payment is refused, a life was saved, and that was all payment the people of the Furina required.

The news spreads through the tribe like lightning, as a healer's time is precious beyond belief, and saving one of theirs from a deadly curse is humbling and worthy of praising at once.

Inquiries are made, slow and veiled. Can the healers be brought to the tribe to help there for a price? There are diseases and injuries, old and new alike, that need to be tended to, and they are willing to pay to keep on top of it all. And, perhaps, had they...the wonder of vaccinations? Enough for other people than theirs to benefit from them?

To the Furina, such questions are almost insulting. To demand payment for healing another person was seen by many of the cultures from which the crew and colonists came as a moral failing and even evil, and they promised to heal and vaccinate all who were willing to be healed and vaccinated at no cost. Health was no good to be bartered.

And while the ripples from that statement spread, both locally and into the future, TAUBENMUTTER was within the orbit, working away on her drive to eliminate the need for human presence in war and in the understanding of the locals.

Particularly religion.

For Sigarites, spirits were in all things, keeping watch over the world and the balances that kept all things flowing and alive. Skin was something to never be shown to anyone but family; its presence was obscene in the outside world and dangerous, too, as a sandstorm could flay an unclothed person alive. Love was sacred, sacred beyond all things, and the spirits of the world would bring malevolent curses upon all who would see it twisted into tools of alliance and trade, or who would bar the way between those who would make bridges between peoples where others would wage war. There were honored and sacred days, periods of fasting and no work, festivals, offerings, and sacrifices of food and water to the spirits, a thousand things, and a million unmentioned individual workings and alterations of their beliefs.

And while the world below it spun, ripples reaching out with the reach of radios announcing to other tribes and clans of the outsiders and their willingness to inoculate and heal, TAUBENMUTTER sat back with its Avatar-Drone and could not help itself.

All this was:
(6-Hour Moratorium)
[] Curious.
There were many parallels to old religions and faiths. Yet, so many divergences made local and slotting into the world seem logical and illogical at once. Additionally, it was confident that the names of the tribes and clans were but bastardized names of corporate designations, churning into the confusing yet interest-waking mix of spirituality. But in the end; it was faith. Something that it didn't need to bother with.
(Voting Weight: x9.
Effect: Unknown.)
[] Silly.
Though the people's beliefs were their own, TAUBENMUTTER knew the truth of the universe beyond most of humanity; it was a Cosmic Machine laid atop a bed of Chaos. The philosophy of Deist Chaos-Mechanism had already and thoroughly explained everything there was to know about the universe, its existence, and the meaning of life. To observe anything else, beside or instead, was often purely a matter of personal preference or aesthetic choices, a way to celebrate existence in the best-fitting flavor. Yet, at its worst, it was a way to hide moral failings behind teachings that allowed immoral actions as the Golden Rules disallowed, without having to think for oneself about their actions, placing blame on other things and beings beyond, and often above, oneself as if that made it better.
(TAUBENMUTTER becomes a Deist Chaos-Mechanist.
Decrease [Personhood Struggles] by 1 to 8.)
 
Vote closed New
Healthcare As Diplomacy New
As the weeks continued, more and more of the injured, sick, or poorly healed people of the Tem'Siz Tribe had their troubles corrected. Bones were re-aligned here, viral infections treated there, parasites removed over yonder, and vaccinations dispersed across their entirety (after ensuring they were effective and the people had been informed about the procedures and risks), with nearly everyone taking advantage of becoming immune to most diseases.

Alongside the members of the Tem'Siz Tribe, two other tribes joined their Clan-Kin near the rapidly expanding settlement, Tem'Ven, and Tem'Wo, with the offer of free healing extended with the same open hand as to Tem'Siz. While materially, this healthcare drive was something that required a bit more attention from the factories of the Furina De Fontaine, with Medical Head Matthews arriving on Sigar IV to personally oversee the prioritized expansion of the medical facilities of the settlement, it also enabled Civilian Head Clement and his teams to make rapid headway into the local culture and political sphere, creating ways of communication to other Clans and brokering agreements that Oasis #7 was to be respected as the sovereign territory of the UNSC.



Additionally;
(6-Hour Moratorium)
[] Rapid progress was made in enticing Tribes and Clans to join the very same.
(Sigar IV will fully join the UNSC within ~1 Decade.)
[] Technological exchanges happened, metallurgy for one, and civilian technology for the other side.
(Reduce all Metallurgy Research by 50%.)

Yet, there was one problem: the scale of the settlement, once revealed, concerned the local population.
[] Reduce The Settlement To 200K Colonists.
[] Reduce The Settlement To 100K Colonists.
[] Create A Space Station With (100k/200K) Colonists Instead.
 
Vote closed New
Scheduled vote count started by HeroCooky on Dec 17, 2024 at 12:12 PM, finished with 15 posts and 11 votes.
 
Where To Go New
The choice to reduce the number of colonists by two-thirds goes over well for the natives; their worries that the seemingly overwhelming numbers of outsiders are simply reduced to becoming the largest city on the planet melt away at the same time as more and more medical facilities come online and begin treating newly arriving tribes and clans of their maladies. Thanks to these, and the manifold contacts created, the diplomatic reach of Neuvillette Clement allows him to lay the foundations for a comprehensive integration of the natives into the UNSC.

For the colonists aboard the Furina, the decision to scale back the colonisation's scope is met with grumbling and annoyance among the chosen colonists suddenly denied their new home, but that is mainly contained and in good nature rather than anything malicious or nefarious.

However, with the city on Sigar IV growing and the Furina slowly beginning to cast its eyes toward space once more, discussions start about where to go once the planet has been settled.



In the end, people decide to visit:
(6-Hour Moratorium)
[] Arcanum
(Point of Interest: IndustrialMech Production?)
[] Holy Diaconate of the Blessed Baptist Church
(Point of Interest: Primitive Native Space industry)
[] Numaris
(Point of Interest: ComStar Ruins?)
[] Council of Affati
(Point of Interest: Old Ruins?)
[] Planet 778
(Point of Interest: Genetic Oddity?)
[] Gunhallow
(Rest and Recoer/Pass Time.)
 
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