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Traveller, The Rise of Empire: A Naval Design, Procurement and Command Quest

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7-3: Mercenary Business
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Aug 30, 2024 at 4:04 AM, finished with 49 posts and 19 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: Archimedes
      [X] Plan: Tech and Daughters
      -[X] Continue to negotiate trade agreements and work to establish safe ports in Xyri and Keoiri.
      -[X] Propose a formal challenge for technology
      -[X] Assess the penetration of the Daughters into life on Home.
      -[X] Quality Hull Construction
      -[X] High-Density Metals
      [X] Plan: Technologies and Checking in
      -[X] Continue to negotiate trade agreements and work to establish safe ports in Xyri and Keoiri.
      -[X] Propose a formal challenge for technology
      -[X] Assess the people of Xyri, their governments and whether there should be concern over how quiet they have been.
      -[X] Quality Hull Construction
      -[X] High-Density Metals
      [X] OPLAN: Archimedes
      -[X] Continue to negotiate trade agreements and work to establish safe ports in Xyri and Keoiri.
      -[X] Assess the people of Xyri, their governments and whether there should be concern over how quiet they have been.
      -[X] Enhanced Starship-grade Weapons
      -[X] Improved Plant Efficiencies
    Click to expand...


    Based on this intelligence report, how should we proceed with diplomacy with the Aslan: Continue to negotiate trade agreements and work to establish safe ports in Xyri and Keoiri.
    Where should the MIC focus their efforts next? Assess the people of Xyri, their governments and whether there should be concern over how quiet they have been.
    In these deep data banks, these treasure troves, we find enough information to advance our knowledge of (choose two): Enhanced Starship-grade Weapons, Improved Plant Efficiencies


    Diplomatic Consequences
    While there is a tremor of frustration that runs through the HSWS at the news that relations with the Aslan will continue to be normalised - and solely on human concepts of normality - it is a tremor that is isolated to some of the more marginal influences on the central power structures. A fascination with Aslan duelling practices is commonplace as knowledge of them becomes more widespread, the information that these duels can range from fights to the death between individuals to system-spanning duels between warships has sparked the imaginations of magazine and novel writers and we are already seeing a churn of schlock regarding this 'noble warrior race'. Nonetheless, the longer ranged Aslan trade ships will fly between Keoiri and Xyri with ease, bringing remarkable goods and advanced technologies for sale and our own merchants will join them in time, with holds half full of vital fuels.

    It is expected that this trade will bring our people closer together, and we can expected some level of migration between our two polities. We can expect some unmarried Aslan to come to Home seeking a way to develop their own reputations and houses. The government has also received applications from two mercenary companies to rebase themselves into Home due to the looser restrictions on what weaponry and equipment they can acquire - this despite the lower technology level. Each has their own ship and accounts for several hundred Aslan, primarily Male but also many Female.

    The Citizens Council seeks advice from the HSWS, from the Community Wardens and from the Citizens Militia on whether or not to grant these mercenaries basing rights in the system. On the one hand, it would be considered useful to have an additional fighting force to rely on - indeed it may end with Home having a force of Aslan shock troops on retainer - but equally, having a non-aligned military force in the system may be far too dangerous to accept.

    What does the HSWS make of this request?
    [ ] It would be good to have such a force multiplier close at hand.
    [ ] We cannot trust the Aslan mercenaries not to be casing our system.
    [ ] What if we extracted promises in return for basing rights, rather than simple taxes.
    [ ] Other - write in.


    On Xyri
    For the last ten years, Xyri has been nothing but a near silent partner to Home. We have propped up the dictatorship that maintains control over orbital trade and shipping through various beneficial compromises and deals, deals that have allowed us to routinely use their system as a staging point and fuelling depot. There is one problem, however - the flagging dictatorship has been strengthened by our support and now looks hungrily across the small planet at the rest of the population. We have seen this play out before in Cassalon, or at least something similar to it - one wonders whether the mistakes of the past will be repeated or if we will be the spark that ignites another war.

    The other polities are quiet, content to absorb the benefits of trade and enjoy the protection of a war fleet without having to pay for any of it. The republicans parley for access to space and trade with the dictatorship, the technocrats launch their own grav-shuttles and rocket explorers, testing and retesting the technology and searching for... something. If they see the moves being made by the dictatorship, they aren't being public in their recriminations. Perhaps they hope old scars have long since healed. Perhaps they have plans of their own.

    The people of Xyri seem content with or without us and currently we have no reason to hunger for anything more from them. However, they also are still more advanced than us, technologically, in several areas and it's possible we could offer support in return for technological advances.

    In regards to Xyri we should:
    [ ] Work with a power bloc on Xyri in order to acquire technology. Which bloc?
    [ ] Continue a more neutral position, allowing things to happen as they do.
    [ ] Other - write in


    Cruiser, Fast Attack
    With advanced technologies filtering into the military and changing the way we consider the future of war, we must look again at our main line combatants and what we hope to achieve with them. Until now the Interstellar Cruiser has proved effective enough, but it is small and the MMV has demonstrated the effectiveness of mixed armament warships. With availability of trained crews limiting the number of hulls we can operate, it seems like the per-hull volume necessarily must grow.

    Thus, the FAC. The Cruiser, Fast Attack, takes the lessons learned from our recent war games and applies them to a class of ship that will replace the IC on a 1-to-1 basis. There are two versions under consideration:
    - The misileer variant fits 3 large missile bays, each capable of launching 24 missiles per salvo. It mounts a denser point defence grid than the MMV had, an advanced power plant that reduces the size while supplying the same power and an advanced bridge design which has holographic control boards that are reconfigurable depending on need. A powerful distributed computer system allows the operation of a high-capability virtual gunner system that can replace every gunner aboard if necessary - though at reduced capability, of course.
    ​
    - A second variant, the 'torpedo bomber', replaces the three missile bays with three torpedo bays with a total of eighteen tubes. Onboard magazines hold 360 munitions for twenty full strikes and can fit a diverse range of types within armoured bays deep in the ships hull. This variant would be more vulnerable to point defence but the sheer striking power cannot be overstated.

    What does the HSWS make of this design?
    [ ] We prefer the misileer!
    [ ] We prefer the torpedo boat!
    [ ] It's not perfect - what about the following modifications: write-in

    Current Tech:
    Advanced Drive Layouts - TL 9
    Improved Plant Efficiencies - TL 9
    Quality Hull Construction - TL 8
    High-Density Metals - TL 8
    Electronics and Sensors - TL 9
    Command and Control systems - TL 9
    Enhanced Starship-grade Weapons - TL 9

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
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    • 7-4: Back to Basics
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Aug 31, 2024 at 5:51 AM, finished with 42 posts and 8 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: Acceleration
      [X] Plan Neutral Aslan Torpedoes
      -[X] What if we extracted promises in return for basing rights, rather than simple taxes.
      --[X] Host a HSWS liaison.
      --[X] Do not to accept contracts aimed at HSWS or Home's government.
      --[X] Set aside time for HSWS training exercises and wargames. Provide advisors for smallcraft operations and development at preferential rates.
      -[X] Continue a more neutral position, allowing things to happen as they do.
      --[X] Stress the importance of trade remaining uninterrupted to the dictatorship.
      -[X] We prefer the torpedo boat!
      [X] OPLAN: Acceleration
      -[X] What if we extracted promises in return for basing rights, rather than simple taxes.
      --[X] No contracts aimed at the HSWS or disrupting the security of Home Space; HSWS will take on a small group as advisors for smallcraft operations and development as a part of the basing rights deal.
      -[X] Continue a more neutral position, allowing things to happen as they do.
      -[X] Accept both designs into service as the Cruiser, Fast Attack (A) and Cruiser, Fast Attack (B); alternate construction.
    Click to expand...


    What does the HSWS make of this request? What if we extracted promises in return for basing rights, rather than simple taxes.
    In regards to Xyri we should Continue a more neutral position, allowing things to happen as they do.
    What does the HSWS make of this design? Accept both designs into service as the Cruiser, Fast Attack (A) and Cruiser, Fast Attack (B); alternate construction.


    Modern Construction
    Modern Technology leads to modern solutions; the defence of Home, ten years ago, was the remit of capable ships crewed by veteran sailors who had pride in their ability to respond to problems throughout the system. Now plans are being laid down for a defence station that could out-fight any one of those ships at almost any range. Five of the most powerful particle weapons ever mounted aboard a star-going vessel (ignore that this one is only going to remain in orbit) and thirty torpedo tubes gives prodigious firepower at any range, while ten mixed point defence turrets allows a potential for self defence against enemy fire.
    ​

    Even more remarkably, this station is designed to fit inside the cargo bay of one of the modular conveyors currently being built for the HSMS and thus can be transported to any safe port after construction. A ring of these stations could potentially engage and destroy a much larger attacker with only minimal losses.

    We will begin building one example. Where should it be based?
    [ ] Home, over the capital.
    [ ] Cassalon, as a symbol of mutual defence.
    [ ] Heimdall, in case of ingress.

    The first of the new class of warship will be laid down at the beginning of 12y00m00w, once the Heimdall Anchorage is completed and begins transit to that distant sector. The CFA-A will be a missile ship and will be followed by a CFA-B once enough yard space is available (or once the CFA-A is finished, whichever comes first). We plan to move the SDD's into reserve and mothballs first, stored in a deep solar orbit where they can't cause any trouble until we need them against one day.


    The Aslan
    Two Aslan mercenary companies - the Wawindaji Hodari (lit: powerful hunters) and the Abulali Benkosi (lit: killers of idols) - arrive in Home over the course of four months, bringing with them pre-fabbed bases, a ship apiece and several hundred trained soldiers equipped with gear that is functionally unachievable for the Citizens Militia. They settle into a pair of unfinished dome-towns on the far side of the planet from the capital, accepting several significant restrictions on their activities as well as a permanent contract with the HSWS. According to these deals, the mercenary groups will:
    - Take no contracts aimed at the HSWS or targeting HSWS facilities or personnel. Corporate espionage and war making is, of course, well within the remit of these soldiery.
    - The HSWS will permanently employ a small group of specialists in fighter tactics and methodology in order to advise future construction and development of doctrine. They will cross train on Aslan fighters and the XF-40 fighter-bomber in order to develop tactics and strategies for the best use of both concepts.
    - They will otherwise be able to operate in and beyond the borders of Home space with all the freedom they apparently expect, and will be able to purchase weapons from factories on Home that they would not be able to garner in their home systems.

    It is understood that the two companies are already looking to cooperatively purchase a merchant ship from Home yards that will be able to travel between Home and the Aslan systems for resupply. It is likely that these two companies will soon become some of the best armed soldiers in this sector of space.


    Scouting
    By the middle of the 11th year the 1st Scout Flotilla has been training for long deployments and otherwise inactive for a year. They are ready for deployment - where is the HSWS going to send them?

    ​
    They should be deployed to the:
    [ ] North-West out from Cassalon
    [ ] North, out from Deep Hope
    [ ] North-East, out from the prison system
    [ ] South-East, out from Xyri

    Voting opens at . There is no expectation for plan voting.
     
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    • 7-5: Budget Overruns
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 1, 2024 at 6:45 AM, finished with 23 posts and 12 votes.
    Click to expand...


    Where should it be based? Home, over the capital.
    They should be deployed to the: North-West out from Cassalon. If feasible, extend the mission via purchasing fuel from Equus.


    Heading Out
    The 1st Scout Flotilla - or at least elements of it - heads to Cassalon for fuel before deploying on an operation to scan a significant portion of unknown space. They are heading into one of the only remaining completely unknown border regions, where we have no knowledge or information of systems that may well be out there. Thus one of the Flotilla Supply Ships, a pair of Deep Space Surveyors and a single Interstellar Surveyor depart for a long duration mission expected to last three months. Half of the force, the Hanwi and the Culsans are headed into potentially occupied space at Sector '-03,00', hence the double tasking. Meanwhile, the Uenuku will be running North to Sector '-02,-02' which we know to be deep space, but which will be a useful sky-scanning location.
    ​

    Departing on 11y06m00w, the small task force makes its first jumps into Cassalon and then on into sector '-02,00' as a deployment zone. The scouts split off from the logistics ship without another backward glance, heading into the deep black to begin their scouting operations. It is six weeks before the first pair return, and another two by the time the last scout returns. They bring with them a wealth of information, updated star-charts, but fortunately no news of contact.

    We are now thoroughly surrounded by unknown systems, with noted (but not known) deep space objects to the North and North-West and seven of those eight notable systems having received no penetrative scouting. The Citizens Council chooses this moment to get involved, once the scouts are back and they have had time to decipher the star maps (11y10m00w). They want there to be a concerted effort to identify the inhabitants of the world and consider the level of threat posed to Home by them. After all, they're only three parsecs away and while that is currently an inconceivable distance to cover, other polities might be able to cross that in a single jump.
    ​

    How should the HSWS manage scouting?
    [ ] Fast Scouting - plan an operation that involves each system receiving a single scout
    [ ] Slow Scouting - plan an operation that involves pairs of scouts heading into each system.
    [ ] Ultra-Slow Scouting - plan an operation that involves covering one system at a time in escorted force.
    [ ] Present another plan - write in.


    Construction
    With the completion of the Heimdall Anchorage - which is now beginning the slow process of being transported piece by piece to Heimdall proper - there are 3,250 tons available in the yards, and no budget with which to fill it. Come the new year, steel will be cut for the first the the Cruiser, Fast Attack's and the yards will be full for the next two and a half years. The question becomes, then, what to do with the additional budget for years 12 and 13 (where spending will be difficult due to yard limitations).

    We should have half our budget available for each of those two years, or circa 3,000Mcr. Various ideas are raised by various parts of the military and civilian government, including:
    - Approaching the Aslan government about paying for the use of their yards to build an additional CFA. We could also discuss similar with Cassalon, given they have military yards they have not given to us as part of the peace deal. This option would be expensive, and would open us up to intelligence penetration, but the Aslan have demonstrated a technological advantage already, and Cassalon are a close ally.
    - We could funnel construction budgets into research and begin working on one of our technological fields that are lagging behind. Our scientists are not particular encouraging in considering the potential for actually making a breakthrough with current efforts, but it may be worth trying.
    - Develop a new, modernised fleet of small craft to fulfil mission objectives set out and established by the HSWS.

    How would the HSWS like to distribute its spare budget? You have 3kMCr. and should demonstrate how it should be split:
    [ ] Engage in negotiations to construct a cruiser outside Home.
    [ ] Attempt to develop new technologies by deploying funding to Home researchers.
    [ ] Develop a new fleet of small craft.
    [ ] Something else - write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at .
     
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    • 7-6: Our damned neighbours
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 2, 2024 at 6:05 AM, finished with 19 posts and 12 votes.
    Click to expand...


    How should the HSWS manage scouting? Slow Scouting - plan an operation that involves pairs of scouts heading into each system.
    How would the HSWS like to distribute its spare budget? Attempt to develop new technologies by deploying funding to Home researchers.


    Scouting Reports
    An unusual operation draws together in the late months of the 11th year, with the return of the Deep Space Surveyors and the rest of 1st Scout Flotilla from the North-West. Two scouting groups are drawn together, each centred around a Flotilla Support Ship, each with a different destination, both with the same mission; to head out, scout out the systems identified at a distance, and report back with delicious and valuable data and what - and who - is out there.

    - Operation Nor-Wester will conduct a scouting operation in three systems, sectors currently labelled as '-04,00', '-04,-01' and '-03,-02'. This will require drop tanks and the FSS extending its own range on its stored fuel to allow it to operate as a deep space range extender. Fortunately, we have not yet reached a point where we need to double up on FSS deployments to reach distant stars but perhaps in not too long we will.
    ​
    - Operation North, meanwhile, will not require deploying ships beyond their internal tankage range, though the scouts will still be carrying their drop tanks. They will penetrate three systems, currently labeller as '-01,-03', '00,-03' and '01,-03'. Hopefully they will recover information on exactly who is running an entire star system as a prison.

    ​
    Departing on 12y00m00w, it is expected we wont see some of these ships for months. Operation Nor-Wester will likely not return for four months giving the sheer scale of their deployment and the distances involved. The scouts will cover ten parsecs over the course of those four months, should everything go to plan.


    Technological Developments
    Some technological progress is easy - a little funding here, a nudge there - and so it is for us. New missiles and torpedoes are developed with relative ease including the extremely fast, but extremely low-impact 'decoy' missile which is capable of almost 150m/s/s acceleration. At the same time, new concepts are developed for torpedo munitions including the 'casaba howitzer' or bomb-pumped laser warhead and the anti-electronics Ion or EMP warhead.

    More influential developments are more difficult, and with current funding it is expected that it will take a very long time to develop on the current standards - on the order of several decades - however they will continue to work on these and the current funding will at least allow for the moulding of a new understanding of pan-Home scientific consensus with a goal to working towards advanced technologies.


    Xyri
    Xyri has two major cities and a broad array of townships, domed or buried into the ground of dug into the sides of sheer cliff faces that protect them from harsh dust storms and allow the containment of a denser atmosphere than the planet would usually allow. The plains these settlements sit on are broad and desolate and gritty, useless to anyone but resource extraction groups that hunger for the materials buried beneath the planets ancient crust.

    When hovercraft and wheeled tanks stream across the surface, it raises a dust cloud ten kilometres high. Our ships on station see these movements, the sweeping aggression of the dictatorships Housecarls marking the atmospherics in a way that cannot be missed. Initially these are dismissed as training exercises, but the flash and twinkle of kinetic projectiles and laser refraction gives the game away - Xyri is plunging itself into a war.

    Orbital Photograph, later identified as the advance of the House Contrabael 8th.​

    It is, at least, currently a conventional conflict. Small armies, each with barely more than a few thousand people under arms, clash with advanced tanks, hovering APC's, small arms and missiles. Our courier ship reports all of this breathlessly, and captains order their ships to readiness in preparations for a 'preventative' campaign in Xyri should they be ordered to.

    What is the HSWS response to the situation in Xyri?
    [ ] Allow it to play out, as it must - how will we ensure out trade? write-in
    [ ] Enforce our access to fuelling stations by force - with what ships? write-in
    [ ] Deploy ships to enforce peace on the main world - What are their rules of engagement? write-in
    [ ] Another plan entirely - write in.

    Voting opens at .
     
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    • 7-7: Operation Peace Sentinel
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 3, 2024 at 4:52 AM, finished with 29 posts and 8 votes.
    • [X] Allow it to play out. However, commit to protecting the orbital infrastructure and enforcing a no-use policy regarding nuclear weapons or deliberate dome-cracking. State that breaking these rules or attacking assets in orbit will invite HSWS intervention against the attacker.
      -[X] Deploy four ICs, four Frigates and the MMV and place them in orbit of Xyri.
      -[X] Deploy MIC. Ask the warring sides for permission to attach them as observers to monitor the situation.
    Click to expand...


    What is the HSWS response to the situation in Xyri? Allow it to play out. However, commit to protecting the orbital infrastructure and enforcing a no-use policy regarding nuclear weapons or deliberate dome-cracking.


    Xyrian Conflict
    12y01m01w     - Nine ships assemble as a single task force in Home. These include:
    - The MMV HSWS Perkūnas, operating as task force flagship.
    - The Interstellar Cruisers HSWS Korravai, HSWS Ninurta, HSWS Sekhmet, and HSWS Tohil.
    -     The Frigates Alaz, Keres, Ogun, and Zhurong.

    Conversation recorded aboard the bridge of HSWS Perkūnas eight hours prior to jump into Xyri Combat Zone (XCZ):
    "Inbound message from an Aslan mercenary cruiser, Captain."
    "Put it through." The Captain picks up a handset, "Aslan Cruiser, Perkūnas actual. Send traffic."
    "Ho, Aewar. We understand you are going into a war zone. Can the Aslan be of use to you this day?" A gruff, masculine voice almost barks.
    "We have it under control, Aslan Cruiser, but appreciate the offer."
    "Hah. Understood. Mind if we follow along? Others might not have it so... 'under control'."
    "The space lanes are free, Aslan Cruiser. Perkūnas actual out." The Captain replaces the handset. "Jackals."

    -

    12y01m02w - Task Force arrives in Xyri space with a time lag of eleven hours between first (HSWS Korravai) and last (HSWS Keres) arrival in local space. Force begins transit to Xyri main world. A message is broadcast - on repeat - signalling intent to remain non-aggressive. Two Aslan cruisers, identified as belonging to Wawindaji Hodari and the Abulali Benkosi, arrive in the system 21 and 23 hours after the Task Forces arrival respectively.

    Task Force establishes two orbital patrols:
    - High Orbit - controlling position in geostationary orbit established by HSWS Perkūnas in company with significant elements of the Task Force. Intended to allow immediate access and control to civilian stations and orbitals. Protection offered to occupied stations.
    - Low Orbit - variable orbits generally established at or around 300km above surface. Observation position used to track combat manoeuvres by surface forces. Rotating force of two Frigates, two Cruisers used to monitor various poitions.

    Conversation recorded aboard the bridge of HSWS Perkūnas, moments before arrival in Xyri orbital space:
    "Xyri Orbital Control to all Home ships, all ships respond."
    "Xyri Control, this is Colonel Chey commanding the Task Force preparing to perform orbital entry. I assume you have us on scans."
    "We can see you, Home fleet. We're going to need you to redirect to the fourth planet in the system and remain on station there until further notice."
    "No can do, Xyri Control. You've heard our broadcast?"
    "Repeatedly, Home fleet. Still going to need you to redirect."
    -A heavy sigh is recorded-
    "I'm afraid I cannot comply, Xyri Control. While we have no aggressive intent, we are going to ensure the security of orbital complexes and surface infrastructure that is relied upon by shipping. This is a humanitarian operation, Xyri Control, nothing more."
    "Humanitarian my ass"
    "Say again, Control, you broke up."
    "I'll be briefing my superiors, Home fleet."
    "Copy that, Xyri Control. Let them know I'd like a word with them."

    -

    12y01m03w - Aslan forces from the cruiser identified as belonging to the Abulali Benkosi lands in Republican controlled territory. Observations report a company strength formation of Aslan ground forces moving towards the front line. Three days later, the cruiser aligned with the Wawindaji Hodari lands in dictatorship controlled territory. Similar force strengths are seen operating in the rear elements on the local forces.

    Several engagements are reported as occurring on the surface, including the shelling of several suburban industrial developments by both forces. Colonel Chey, in a meeting with his senior officers, expresses dismay that their ROE precludes action against military forces engaged in 'legitimate' conflict. Thus far, attempts to have MIC officers deployed to the conflict zone to observe the ongoing hostilities have been met with stonewalling.

    -

    12y02m00w - Radiological alerts scream on the bridge of several low-orbit observer ships. Imaging suites are turned on a specific part of the frontline and 'polite' messages are sent to the surface requesting further information. Dictatorship has demonstrated first usage of a 'man-portable' plasma weapon against Republican vehicle column, massive high-energy radiological 'back blast' reported.

    MIC is deployed to the ground, with forward observers attached to several relief companies headed for the front line on both Republican and Dictatorship sides of the war. Immediate reports indicate that moral is low amongst the Republicans, while the Dictatorship Housecarls are excited about new weapons supplied by their mercenary allies.

    MIC FO and RO pair observes close contact between Dictatorship mechanised infantry formation and Aslan mercenary company. Highly aggressive Aslan tactics noted, including closing to CQB ranges under cover of friendly fire. Effectiveness of melee combat noted, including the use of the previously-presumed ceremonial dew claw in active combat conditions. Summation of FO report: Don't fight the Aslan on the ground.

    -

    12y02m01w - Senior officers of the Task Force are invited to visit a township recently liberated from Republican forces. Colonel Chey visits the surface of Xyri for the first time, along with an 'honour guard' of fully equipped combat veterans of the FLF. Dictatorship representatives demonstrate several mass graves and execution sites. The claim is made that the republicans killed potential collaborators in preparation for their departure.

    Dictatorship representatives call on the Home Task Force to bring an end to this war through the use of targeted, specific orbit-to-ground strikes.

    A shuttle carrying relief MIC officers and other ground personnel from the Task Force is lased by targeting radar. Evasive manoeuvres are conducted, and several missiles from an unidentified SAM site are evaded but not without suffering significant damage and several casualties. The shuttle is forced to land in the plains near technocrat settlements. Permission is sought to land troops to recover the shuttle and personnel. No response is recorded.

    -

    12y02m02w - Frigate Ogun arrives in Home, bringing news, information, and requests:

    What is the HSWS position on potential Republican crimes?
    [ ] Conduct a single wave of pin-point strikes against republican positions.
    [ ] We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes.
    [ ] The war is none of our business. Do not get involved beyond protecting the orbitals.
    [ ] Other - write in.
    What is the HSWS position on the downed Shuttle?
    [ ] Force an FLF landing to recover casualties and equipment.
    [ ] Negotiate with nearby ground forces to conduct a rescue mission.
    [ ] Request the Technocrats recover the downed shuttle and return it.
    Debates are being held in popular culture at Home about the need for a 'Rule of War', an establishment of Doctrine and Agreements that would protect people in future. What is the HSWS position on this?
    [ ] We should come to an agreement and expect our allies to ratify it!
    [ ] We should not be bound by anything but common sense.
    [ ] Other - Write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
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    • 7-8: Rules of War
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 4, 2024 at 7:38 AM, finished with 47 posts and 16 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN Guardian Eye
      [X] OPLAN: High Ground
      -[X] We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes; "encourage" a general ceasefire until our investigation is complete to avoid additional massacres on either side. Work with both sides to at least establish "no-fire" zones for refugees.
      -[X] Request the Technocrats recover the downed shuttle and return it.
      -[X] We should come to an agreement and expect our allies to ratify it!
      [X] OPLAN: High Ground
      [X] OPLAN Guardian Eye
      -[X] We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes.
      -[X] Force an FLF landing to recover casualties and equipment.
      -[X] We should come to an agreement and expect our allies to ratify it!
      [X] We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes.
      [X] Force an FLF landing to recover casualties and equipment.
      [X] Other - We should hold a conference for those within our sphere of Influence to send delegates to. Of course Home shall send the most delegates but this matter must be something all have worked upon if it is to hold water.
      [X] Plan Take No Sides
      -[X] We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes.
      -[X] Force an FLF landing to recover casualties and equipment.
      -[X] Tri-partite conference regarding Rules of War should be conducted after the war in Xyri is over.
    Click to expand...


    What is the HSWS position on potential Republican crimes? We should conduct research into the deaths and attempt to collate evidence of crimes.
    What is the HSWS position on the downed Shuttle? Force an FLF landing to recover casualties and equipment.
    What is the HSWS position on this? We should come to an agreement and expect our allies to ratify it!


    12y02m02w - Frigate Ogun arrives in Home, bringing news, information, and requests. Significant debates begin about how to respond to the position we have been put in by various parties involved. The Citizens Council generally considers this to be an ideal opportunity to simply drop rocks and sweep in to dispense a new kind of radical justice: ours. However, when it is pointed out that it would currently take us two months to put a company on the surface of Xyri, they wash their hands of it and leave it in the hands of the HSWS.

    It is pointed out that with a war-load of ortillery missiles the HSWS could potentially conduct a series of targeted strikes to ruin or destroy the combatant units of every fighting force bar the Aslan mercenaries with whom we have no argument. A counter-point is made that we can enforce a ceasefire without the need to actually fire a weapon. A further argument is presented that it isn't actually our place to end this war, that the locals have a right to fight their little internecine conflict and that we are already protecting the things we care about.

    It is this last point that quiets the others. The HSWS doesn't need to be involved in this war any more than it already is, maintaining a protective boundary and ensuring the war remains conventional at worst. The eventual decision is to send an investigative team to the surface, to look into reports of mass murder and executions, as well as to deploy marines to the surface to recover our shuttle.

    Meanwhile, the situation in Xyri does not pause simply because debates are raging in Home. The lines never become static - there are not enough troops involved for that to be the case. There are only a few thousand frontline combatants on either side of the conflict and they both have come to terms with a kind of hit-and-run manoeuvre warfare that leaves the great plains of Xyri littered with the burning hulks of combat vehicles. Mining stations are raided, townships are assaulted, industrial suburbs are shelled. Every time a wing of grav-fighters sweeps across the battlefield the air becomes thick with SAM fires, radars and lidars trying to get hard locks on the oddly cold, strangely manoeuvring craft.

    -

    12y02m03w - Seven weeks into the conflict - five since the HSWS flotilla was on station - the HSWS force is finally approached by the Xyri space forces. A collection of missile carriers and fast response vehicles, they gather near the closest gas giant and begin a slow, circuitous path to drop into Xyri-propers orbits. Requests to communicate are met with stonewalling until the small force is on their deceleration burn, HSWS frigates already on an intercept course with locks established against the small craft.

    They explain that if the HSWS forces are not going to enact a ceasefire, they will, and they begin broadcasting a call for a general pause of the conflict across all channels. Beaming it directly down onto the planet will surely fry some receivers, but enough will hear it to know it's backed up by force of arms. Dictatorship and Republican forces both order the small fleet to join one side or another, and the Xyrian fleet responds by dropping a missile on each sides forward headquarters, just close enough to let them know they mean business. Information is transmitted detailing the presence of nuclear warheads aboard the small fleet and a willingness to use them.

    What follows is a recording of a conversation between Colonel Chey (CO HSWS Task Force) and Force Commander Villeneuve (CO Xyrian Combined Fleet):
    "I recognise your desire for a ceasefire, but our orders are to specifically deny the use of non-conventional weaponry in the battlespace."
    "It's too late for that, son. You've seen the same reports we have , they have some kind of nuclear gun down there."
    "Yes, the 'Plasma Gun'. It's a conventional weapon-
    "Conventional shit, it kicks out a cloud of rads the size of my engine plume. I'm not about to let my planet get irradiated over some idiots dream of conquest."
    "So you'll drop nukes? That seems counter-intuitive."
    "The dust plume from a ground penetrator is minimal. If I have to put a sinkhole where there used to be a command bunker to end this war, so be it."
    "I can't let you do that."
    "You gonna order your ships to fire on mine? You have the tonnage, the guns. You could stop me any time. Are you going to, son?"
    "I have my ROE, Commander. Don't test me."

    -

    12y03m00w - A convoy is detected approaching the site of the downed shuttle. Working back along their path of travel indicates it is a technocrat convoy. Attempts to make contact by orbital forces go unanswered. Multiple directives are ignored. Eventually the order is given and the frigate Alaz drops three disarmed missiles in the path of the convoy. Each impacts with the force of about forty kilograms of explosives, a few hundred metres in front of the lead vehicles. The convoy halts, waits for some time, and then turns around and goes back the way it came. Alaz reports no evidence that any elements of the convoy have split off or remained undetected.

    HSLS Bá Kim arrives in system, escorted by two Frigates. She carries aboard her sixty-five souls, far more than her design-load of forty. This includes significant numbers of MIC representatives, a second full platoon of FLF rangers and a dedicated diplomatic team to relieve the embassy staff that have been bunkered down on the surface for the past two months. The ship is under crewed, and her biosphere and oxygen generators have been taxed to the maximum in the ten days of travel, but despite uncomfortable conditions those sixty-five souls have made it safe and sound to Xyri.

    The HSWS task force on station finally leaps into action, now that they have new orders from Home. A shuttle plunges into the atmosphere, firing off decoys and chaff, screaming down in the best approximation of a hot drop that the pilots can manage. They hit the crash site like a rocket, forty-five FLF infantry spreading out around the site, covering for their medics and recovery personnel. What they find is... grim.

    Of the eight personnel who went down on the shuttle three weeks previously, there are two survivors. Only two died in the crash, the other four passed away in the intervening weeks due to injuries sustained during the crash. Medical reports detail how easily they could have been saved had action been taken sooner. Of course, both the Dictatorship and the Republicans protest against this breach of their air space, and suggest that if the local forces would like to get involved, they can do so for one side or another.

    The war does at least slow. Probing attacks between forces become the main thrust of the fighting, nobody willing to take action that might draw the ire of the orbiting Xyrian space forces. They have yet to do anything that would force intervention by the HSWS Task Force, but everyone is clinging to the edge of their seats every time a missile is fired or a tank goes on patrol.

    -

    The investigation into mass deaths is ongoing. Our forces remain in orbit, with regular resupply and rotations for every ship except the MMV being established. The Xyrian forces have become a normal part of the sensor ops day, seeing them separate but nonetheless station keeping with the HSWS forces. The question for the HSWS at home regards the rules of war previously discussed. Several questions must be asked:
    The rules of war must include provisions regards (select as many as you would like):
    [ ] The usage of nuclear weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
    [ ] The usage of chemical weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
    [ ] The usage of orbit to surface weapons - what is considered a valid use and what is not
    [ ] The usage of weapons against domed cities where is cannot be expected that civilians would be able to survive
    [ ] Rules on the treatment of the sick and wounded in ground combat
    [ ] Rules on the treatment of the sick, wounded, or shipless in space combat
    [ ] Rules on the treatment of prisoners of war
    [ ] Rules on the treatment of civilians in war time and what constitutes a civilian
    [ ] The establishment of a right to safe passage for medical personnel clearly identified
    [ ] The establishment of a series of guidelines on how to treat neutral parties, especially merchants and diplomats, in times of war
    [ ] The establishment of a protocol on the treatment of merchant and civilian vessels in war time, especially enemy merchants in disputed territory at the time of wars declaration.
    [ ] The establishment of certain rules and limitations on the deployment and usage of specific kinds of weapons in war time, and their research in times of peace.
    [ ] Other - write in

    Sorry about the late nature of the vote, I really wanted to get this out today. Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
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    • 8-1: Developing the Rules of War
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 5, 2024 at 6:03 AM, finished with 40 posts and 12 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: Binding Wall
      [X] Restrained Rules
      [X] Restrained Rules
      -[X] The usage of nuclear weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
      -[X] The usage of orbit to surface weapons - what is considered a valid use and what is not
      -[X] The usage of weapons against domed cities where is cannot be expected that civilians would be able to survive
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick and wounded in ground combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick, wounded, or shipless in space combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of prisoners of war
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of civilians in war time and what constitutes a civilian
      -[X] Other - Rule addressing "weapons that can proliferate independently" whether diseases, grey goo, AI, etc.
      [X] Plan "Around the Shitlibs, Never Go Edgy"
      -[X] The usage of nuclear weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
      -[X] The usage of orbit to surface weapons - what is considered a valid use and what is not
      -[X] The usage of weapons against domed cities where is cannot be expected that civilians would be able to survive
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick and wounded in ground combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick, wounded and shipless in space combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of prisoners of war
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of civilians in war time and what constitutes a civilian
      -[X] The establishment of a right to safe passage for medical personnel clearly identified
      -[X] The establishment of a series of guidelines on how to treat neutral parties, especially merchants and diplomats, in times of war
      -[X] The establishment of a protocol on the treatment of merchant and civilian vessels in war time, especially enemy merchants in disputed territory at the time of wars declaration.
      -[X] Write-in: The establishment of bans and limitations on the deployment and usage of weapons that can threaten planet's habitability, mass-kill populations, threaten entire space systems - chemical, biological, radiological, (bio)nanotechnological, other sorts of self-replicating weapons, deliberately causing "natural" disasters.
      -[X] Write-in: Totally unrelated exercise - "we have a two-IC taskforce in system X; one got wrecked by a derelict space-mine, but crew escaped in life pods and in shuttle which crash-landed on a nearby uninhabitable planet. Can the other IC resque the lifepods and the shuttle? How long can crewmen survive in them? Are there any emergency supplies - food, water, air (like, spare ballons for spacesuits), medications?"
      [X] OPLAN: Binding Wall
      -[X] The usage of nuclear weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
      -[X] The usage of chemical weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
      -[X] The usage of orbit to surface weapons - what is considered a valid use and what is not
      -[X] The usage of weapons against domed cities where is cannot be expected that civilians would be able to survive
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick and wounded in ground combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of the sick, wounded, or shipless in space combat
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of prisoners of war
      -[X] Rules on the treatment of civilians in war time and what constitutes a civilian
      -[X] The establishment of a right to safe passage for medical personnel clearly identified
      -[X] The establishment of a series of guidelines on how to treat neutral parties, especially merchants and diplomats, in times of war
      -[X] The establishment of a protocol on the treatment of merchant and civilian vessels in war time, especially enemy merchants in disputed territory at the time of wars declaration.
      -[X] The establishment of certain rules and limitations on the deployment and usage of specific kinds of weapons in war time, and their research in times of peace.
      -[X] Write-in: The establishment of rules on the extraction of information, both in combat and as part of wartime bodies such as intelligence agencies, including the prohibition of torture.
      -[X] Write-in: the establishment of rules on "life-collapsing" weapons capable of scouring a planet's livable capabilities, including all CBRN threats and exotic materials such as nanotechnology.
      -[X] Write-in: the establishment of rules and bodies designed to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as standards of military and humanitarian intervention to prevent said crimes, and their prosecution under international law.
      -[X] Write-in: a crash deployment of all available FLF drop squadrons to the known high command bases of all active belligerents, as well as hardening the war crimes sites FLF troops already occupy for investigations purposes. FLF forces must also transpose themselves between active belligerents to formulate a de-militarized zone. Simultaneously, current SWS orbital forces must order Xyrian space forces to stand down or be fired upon. FLF Ranger forces are to be detailed to a kill/capture mission against new plasma technology as well as all known WMD sites. Should Ranger complements fail in their mission, WMD sites are to be subject to conventional ortillery targeting.
    Click to expand...


    The rules of war must include provisions regarding:
    -The usage of nuclear weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
    -The usage of chemical weapons - when it is allowed and when it is not
    -The usage of orbit to surface weapons - what is considered a valid use and what is not
    -The usage of weapons against domed cities where is cannot be expected that civilians would be able to survive
    -Rules on the treatment of the sick and wounded in ground combat
    -Rules on the treatment of the sick, wounded, or shipless in space combat
    -Rules on the treatment of prisoners of war
    -Rules on the treatment of civilians in war time and what constitutes a civilian
    -The establishment of a right to safe passage for medical personnel clearly identified
    -The establishment of a series of guidelines on how to treat neutral parties, especially merchants and diplomats, in times of war
    -The establishment of a protocol on the treatment of merchant and civilian vessels in war time, especially enemy merchants in disputed territory at the time of wars declaration.
    -The establishment of certain rules and limitations on the deployment and usage of specific kinds of weapons in war time, and their research in times of peace.
    -The establishment of rules on the extraction of information, both in combat and as part of wartime bodies such as intelligence agencies, including the prohibition of torture.
    - the establishment of rules on "life-collapsing" weapons capable of scouring a planet's livable capabilities, including all CBRN threats and exotic materials such as nanotechnology.
    -the establishment of rules and bodies designed to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as standards of military and humanitarian intervention to prevent said crimes, and their prosecution under international law.


    Xyri
    The strange status quo continues for a solid month. The Xyrian space forces hang over the planet like the Sword of Damocles, held in place only by the threat of total destruction and the strangely muted conflict occurring below. On the ground, the Dictatorships and the Republicans both hold their forces back, biding their time and saving their strength until they see exactly what is going to happen should the other side be the first to take a nuke to a forward position. One of the Aslan mercenary companies - the Abulali Benkosi - delivers a good natured letter of protest to Colonel Chey, informing him that their combat suits are sealed against radiological threats and they see no reason not to let their men seek glory. This letter is clearly the musing of a bored infantry commander, and is not intended to be taken seriously.

    Everything changes a month after the arrival of the Xyrian force in orbit.

    12y04m00w - Converted troop ships HSBS Aspic Conveyor and HSBS Frantic Conveyor arrive in system, accompanied by elements of the Home Fleet. Each of these interstellar conveyors has been converted to carry two companies of FLF infantry in less than ideal conditions. They do not carry shuttles for the troops and will have to rely on slow and steady deployments via airlock seals. Nonetheless, the arrival of these two ships - and the promise of more and more troops as time going on - allows the Task Force to begin Operation Binding Wall.

    -

    12y04m01w - With zero encryption, the Task Force transmits the intention for the establishment of three FOB's on the surface of Xyri, spread along a 'line of demarcation' between Dictatorship and Republican forces. Each will be based in a half ruined township or mining facility, each will be occupied by a full company of FLF infantry (deployed one platoon at a time by available shuttles), and their primary mission will be to cut off the main routes of advance for both forces.

    The first drops plunge down towards the planet under fire. SAM and triple-A sites open up, scaring pilots and forcing them to dump countermeasures all the way down. Before they begin their ascent, a conventional strike operation is conducted by the frigates of the Task Force on station, pounding identified sites with conventional warhead missiles until there is nothing moving. It is thought that at least one of these sites may have contained a headquarters facility for Republican forces.

    Simultaneously to this, the Interstellar Cruisers assigned to the Task Force move into close station keeping orbits with the Xyrian fleet and - with weapons hot - order them to stand down and relinquish all stocks of nuclear weapons to the Task Force. Seeing the deployment of infantry to the surface and the broadcasts of intent, the Xyrian forces comply. Commander Villeneuve is invited aboard the HSWS Perkūnas as a guest of Colonel Chey.

    -

    12y04m02w - The two HSBS ships return to Home with the intention of bringing additional ground forces to the combat zone. There are now ten platoons or two and a half companies of FLF infantry including two platoons of rangers operating on the surface of Xyri. The rangers begin a series of rapid raid-capture missions against facilities that are rumoured to hold armouries of the man portable plasma weapon (hereon: Plasma Weapon, Infantry Support) and are succesful in capturing several examples with minimal casualties. However, at least one raid is stumped when they are met by a force of Aslan infantry in full combat gear, maintaining an armoury that is considered theirs. A tense stand off is only defused with orders from above for the rangers to pull out.

    The Aslan are a complicating factor. How does the HSWS treat them?
    [ ] If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
    [ ] They are still active combatants. Treat them as such.
    [ ] Other - write in.


    Developing the Rules of War
    The usage of nuclear and non-nuclear radiological weapons - A complex topic that revolves around what constitutes a weapon of mass destruction, what constitutes a nuclear weapon and what is allowed to be deployed where. What follows are a series of questions posed to the committee in order to help establish these questions and define their usage.
    What types of weapon are prohibited in their use by this article?
    [ ] Weapons that rely on nuclear fission or fusion for their effect.
    [ ] Weapons that create or rely on radioactive particulates in the course of their use.
    [ ] Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
    [ ] Other - write in.
    What is a legitimate use case for this kind of weapon?
    [ ] Against any target
    [ ] Against identified military targets that are not in built up or occupied areas
    [ ] Against any target that is not on a planets surface
    [ ] Against any defined military target that is not orbiting an inhabited planet
    [ ] Other - write in.
    Any other comments?
    [ ] Write in.

    The use of weapons launched from orbit against surface targets - a question that is becoming more pressing with every passing engagement, there are currently no limited on the use or 'Ortillery' or orbit-to-surface weapons other than those understood as part of the ROE of a given engagement. The committee wonders whether there should be limits on these weapons outside of other articles:
    What weapons are considered legitimate in this role?
    [ ] All weaponry
    [ ] Only weapons that meet a certain standard of precision.
    [ ] Only unpowered kinetic strike weapons with limited secondary effects.
    [ ] Other - write in.
    What is a legitimate use case for this kind of weapon?
    [ ] Against any target
    [ ] Against identified military targets that are not in built up or occupied areas
    [ ] Against identified military and industrial targets that limit the chance of civilian casualties.
    [ ] Other - write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
    Last edited:
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    • 8-2: The Planet Killers
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 6, 2024 at 4:44 AM, finished with 32 posts and 10 votes.
    • [X] Plan Primary Focus
      - [X] If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
      -[X] Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
      -[X] Against any target that is not on a planets surface
      -[X] Other - Only weapons with limited secondary effects.
      -[X] Against identified military targets that are not in built up or occupied areas
      [X] Plan Geneva
      -[X] Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
      -[X] Against any target that is not on a planets surface
      -[X] All weaponry
      -[X] Against identified military targets that are not in built up or occupied areas
      [X] OPLAN: Hard Target
      - [X] If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
      [X] OPLAN: Hard Target
      - [X] If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
      -[X] Write-in: if the Aslan break containment and the ceasefire terms, they will be considered active combatants.
      -[X] Weapons that rely on nuclear fission or fusion for their effect.
      -[X] Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
      -[X] Against any target that is not on a planets surface
      -[X] Write-in: particulate weapons (plasma and particle weapons) must be subject to engineering designed to avoid serious radiological pollution of the combat environment-particularly inhabited areas in planetary and artificial stations, colonies, states, and habitats. Spaceborne use, where these issues are minimal, is authorized.
      -[X] Only weapons that meet a certain standard of precision.
      -[X] Write-in: precision orbital weapons must be designed, whether kinetic, energy, or explosive, to minimize civilian casualties and collateral damage.
      -[X] Against identified military and industrial targets that limit the chance of civilian casualties.
      [X] OPLAN: Covering Bases
      - [X] If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
      -[X] Write-in: if the Aslan break containment and the ceasefire terms, they will be considered active combatants.
      -[X] Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
      -[X] Other - write in: Weapons or combinations of weapons of sufficient explosive yield or equivalent to produce significant damage far beyond the intended target area or significantly impact a planet's climate through atmospheric dust or similar.
      -[X] Against any target that is not on a planets surface
      -[X] Only weapons that meet a certain standard of precision.
      -[X] Against identified military and industrial targets that limit the chance of civilian casualties.
    Click to expand...


    The Aslan are a complicating factor. How does the HSWS treat them? If the war is contained, so are the Aslan. They can keep their weapons.
    What types of weapon are prohibited in their use by this article? Weapons that have a high likelihood of causing radioactive fallout or other after effects.
    What is a legitimate use case for this kind of weapon? Against any target that is not on a planets surface
    What weapons are considered legitimate in this role? Other - Only weapons with limited secondary effects.
    What is a legitimate use case for this kind of weapon? Against identified military targets that are not in built up or occupied areas


    Developing the Rules of War
    Thus far the articles are as follows:
    Article I - Convention on the Use of Nuclear and Radiological Weapons: This article covers specifically any weapon that has a high likelihood of causing fallout or other significant after effects against any planetary target, but does not limit their usage in space or against inhabited space-side infrastructure. This would not inhibit the use of particle, plasma or nuclear weapons against space targets.
    Article II - Convention on the Use of Orbit-to-Surface Weapons: This article covers the particular strategy of orbital bombardment by space craft, but does also limit the particular weaponry that can be used in the role as well. As such, parties will be inhibited from utilising weapons that have significant secondary effects including chemical or radiological as well as the targets that can be considered legitimate under these rules as well.

    Further questions regarding the use of weapons includes pondering the utility of chemical weaponry in the modern combat environment. There are circumstances where a chemical weapon may be considered a viable alternative to, say, an infantry attack, with such chemicals being delivered by shell or by other means. However, such uses have been frowned upon for military use for centuries, not least because it is considered likely that a properly prepared military would have countermeasures against chemical weapons and poisons in place.
    This article will bar the use of:
    [ ] Inhalants during conventional war.
    [ ] Inhalants and contact weapons during conventional war.
    [ ] Inhalants, contact and injected chemicals and poisons during conventional war.

    Regarding other, non-specific weapons, there are questions around the development and creation of other non-specific threats that could be considered inhumane, overly damaging to the environment or otherwise unacceptable for military use in war time. The committee believes that these prohibited threats should include:
    Select as many of the following as you believe necessary:
    [ ] Melee weaponry that functions via the delivery of a detachable or internally delivered explosive.
    [ ] Melee weaponry that functions via the usage of a 'chain' or motorised cutting teeth.
    [ ] Projectile weaponry that causes significant surface and internal injury such as flechette rounds.
    [ ] Projectile weaponry that relies on small calibre explosives such as specific ammunition for personal rifles and sidearms.
    [ ] Weaponry intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause blindness or deafness (temporary or permanent).
    [ ] Weaponry that is intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause harm through heating, cooling or flame.
    [ ] Weaponry that is intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause harm through radiological or nuclear effects.
    [ ] Weaponry that is likely to cause ongoing harm or collateral damage through unexploded ordnance including bomblets and mine dispensers.
    [ ] Weaponry that is designed to reduce or eliminate the presence of a breathable atmosphere on or around a target.
    [ ] Other - write in.

    There have also been questions raised about the potential for significant enough weapons to cause the collapse of a planets ecosystem, biosphere or to otherwise render it unliveable for the local population. This is not considered a significant concern at this time due to most inhabited planets relying on atmosphere-containing domes in order to maintain a population, however there are some threats that may nonetheless be considered to fall under this article. The major deployment of 'doomsday devices' would be prohibited under this article of the conventions and would cover Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and other non-standard considerations including nanotechnology, world-killers (such as super lasers, tectonic bombs and geo-engineering weapons) and sun-killers.
    This article must proscribe:
    [ ] The use of such weapons in sufficient quantities to cause planetcide.
    [ ] The development of such weapons for military use.
    [ ] The theoretical research into such weapons or technologies that may contribute to such weapons.
    [ ] Other - write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
    I hope you' re all having fun, because I think developing the in universe geneva conventions is a really good time actually.
     
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    • 8-3: Prisoners of War
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 7, 2024 at 7:05 AM, finished with 36 posts and 15 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: The Last Line To Ever Hold
      [X] Plan Core Focus
      -[X] Inhalants, contact and injected chemicals and poisons during conventional war.
      -[X] Weaponry that is likely to cause ongoing harm or collateral damage through unexploded ordnance including bomblets and mine dispensers.
      -[X] The use of such weapons in sufficient quantities to cause planetcide.
      [X] Plan Geneva Part 2
      -[X] Inhalants, contact and injected chemicals and poisons during conventional war.
      -[X] Weaponry that is intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause harm through radiological or nuclear effects.
      -[X] Weaponry that is likely to cause ongoing harm or collateral damage through unexploded ordnance including bomblets and mine dispensers.
      -[X] Weaponry that is designed to reduce or eliminate the presence of a breathable atmosphere on or around a target.
      -[X] The use of such weapons in sufficient quantities to cause planetcide.
      [X] OPLAN: The Last Line To Ever Hold
      -[X] Inhalants, contact and injected chemicals and poisons during conventional war.
      -[X] Melee weaponry that functions via the delivery of a detachable or internally delivered explosive.
      -[X] Melee weaponry that functions via the usage of a 'chain' or motorised cutting teeth.
      -[X] Projectile weaponry that relies on small calibre explosives such as specific ammunition for personal rifles and sidearms.
      -[X] Weaponry that is intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause harm through heating, cooling or flame.
      -[X] Weaponry that is intended to or in addition to their primary function may cause harm through radiological or nuclear effects.
      -[X] Weaponry that is designed to reduce or eliminate the presence of a breathable atmosphere on or around a target.
      -[X] Write-in: weapons that are designed to intentionally induce permanent sensory disability of any kind are strictly prohibited, as are any bomblet, cluster munition, mine, or other scatterable area denial or multi-target munition designed or found to be inimical to explosive disposal, designed or found to be able to explicitly target civilian or military emergency response, or designed or found to be inimical to normal civilian life, such as disguised or delayed explosives meant to be retrieved by civilians only to then detonate as a "terror" weapon.
      -[X] Write-in: the use of explosive and incendiary ammunition against non-organic, non-sapient targets such as vehicles, materiel, and other durable targets is permitted-but these weapons must be designed and exported in a manner that prevents to best ability any unlawful use.
      [X] Write-in: the deployment of conventional or CBRN weapons in such quantities and capabilities to enable terracide, ecocide, or solarcide shall be prohibited. Furthermore, the research and deployment of excessive and indiscriminate weapons technologies such as relativistic kill vehicles, geoengineering weapons, "sun-killer" systems of any type or classification, or any other weapon explicitly designed or capable of terracide, ecocide, or solarcide shall be strictly prohibited for military or para-military use by any state or non-state actor.
    Click to expand...


    Developing the Rules of War
    Thus far the articles are as follows:
    Article I - Convention on the Use of Nuclear and Radiological Weapons: This article covers specifically any weapon that has a high likelihood of causing fallout or other significant after effects against any planetary target, but does not limit their usage in space or against inhabited space-side infrastructure. This would not inhibit the use of particle, plasma or nuclear weapons against space targets.
    Article II - Convention on the Use of Orbit-to-Surface Weapons: This article covers the particular strategy of orbital bombardment by space craft, but does also limit the particular weaponry that can be used in the role as well. As such, parties will be inhibited from utilising weapons that have significant secondary effects including chemical or radiological as well as the targets that can be considered legitimate under these rules as well.
    Article III - Convention on the Use of Chemical Weaponry: This article covers the use of gases, liquids, powders and other formulations for chemicals that are intended to be utilised as weapons via causing sensory irritation, incapacitation and death and are delivered by shell, canister, missile or other weapon system. This article does not, however, bar the development of such weapons; just the deployment.
    Article IV - Convention on the Prohibition of Weapons that cause particular or unusual Harm: This article prohibits the use of specific weapons, including:
    - Weaponry that is intended to place an explosive inside the body via close combat and direct mechanical application.
    - Projectile weapons below a certain size that contain an explosive charge, including personal rifles and other small arms.
    - Weaponry that relies on a motorised cutting blade, that 'chews' or 'rends' material as part of its operation.
    - Weaponry that inflicts injury on an individual principally through heating, cooling or flame, including petrochemical projectors, 'flame throwers' and other incendiary devices when utilised against military personnel or civilians directly.
    - Weaponry that exposes the target, operator or those in the vicinity to particularly strong radiological or nuclear effects, including 'plasma' throwers without blast containment and particle beams that, in addition to kinetic impacts cause a particular exposure of radiation onto individuals.
    - Weaponry that is intended to reduce or eliminate a breathable atmosphere through direct action of the weapons systems, such as thermobaric or oxygen-destroying weapons.
    - Weaponry that is intended to produce permanent (but not temporary) sensory disability, including blinding lasers and concussive devices capable of rupturing the ear drum but not including those systems that have this as a secondary effect, such as artillery.
    - Weaponry that scatters explosive charges or is, in its use, a scattered series of explosive charges that are inimical to explosive disposal, that are designed to explicitly target emergency response and/or are designed or found to be inimical to normal civilian life, such as delayed or under-fused mines or cluster munitions.
    Article V - Convention on the Development and Deployment of weapons capable of Ecocide, Planetcide or Solarcide: This article covers the deployment of sufficient CBRN weapons in order to achieve the above aims, as well as the research, development and deployment of indiscriminate weapons technology such as RKV's, geo-engineering systems and sun-killers. While most of these weapons are the domain of science fiction, the convening committee still considers them vital enough a threat to consider.

    The committee next comes to the treatment of the sick and wounded in war time, especially those from opposing forces, and those space forces that are left shipless or in disabled vessels. It is considered right and proper to offer aid and succour to the enemy when they are in such a situation, but the question is to what extent these expectations apply beyond the basic affording of non-aggression.
    The wounded, sick and captured must be afforded:
    [ ] The right to not be attacked or assaulted by active forces.
    [ ] Medical supplies and provisions to allow for the survival of those wounded, sick and captured.
    [ ] A full suite of rights and provisions within the law that ensures good treatment and decency in regards to them.
    [ ] Other - write in.
    Specifically in regards to Space Combat, the signing states must:
    [ ] Not fire on escape craft or craft exiting the combat zone.
    [ ] Provide aid and succour to crews that abandon ship or whose ship is otherwise disabled.
    [ ] Ensure that surrendered forces are not allowed to accidentally perform an accidental re-entry and must be kept safe and transported to a safe vessel or station at best speed.
    [ ] Other - write in.


    Xyri
    With the enforcement of a ceasefire, the presence of a battalion of FLF and a battalion of Citizens Militia, and the functional end to hostilities, there are numerous calls to functionally end the war through treaty, from the Dictatorship and the Republicans but also from the Technocrats. It is expected, of course, that the HSWS and via them, Home, will assist in the negotiation of a true ceasefire and a lasting peace. What follows are a list of demands from all parties, and from the Citizens Council:
    Dictatorship:
    - We would like a recognition of captured territory which was brought into Dictatorship possession during the war.
    - We would like reparations for lost personnel during the war as well as lost materiel.
    - We would like recognition of the dictatorship as the legitimate government of Xyri from all parties involved.
    Republicans:
    - We would like a white peace that returns territory lost to the illegitimate surprise attacks made by the dictatorship.
    - We would like reparations for lost personnel during the war as well as lost materiel.
    - We would like the formal recognition of the republican controlled territory as an independent state on Xyri and the right to access space without the permission of the dictatorship.
    Technocrats:
    - We would like a technology sharing agreement with Home and the other governments of Xyri in order to enable the development of a space program.
    - We would like the right to access space without the permission of any other party.
    Civilian Council:
    - We would like reparations and compensation for the deployment of peacekeeping forces on Xyri.
    - We would like either mining rights or principal access to the products of that mining from some significant resources on Xyri.
    - We would like control over Xyri's trade lanes and fuel production in order to ensure that at no time does this reignite and threaten them again.
    - Ideally we would like a treaty that absorbs the militaries of Xyri into those of Home and relies on the HSWS for space defence.
    Aslan Mercenaries:
    - Both companies involved in the conflict have asked for extra-contractual land awards in Dictatorship or Republican territory for senior Males in their companies.

    What does the HSWS want out of this diplomacy?
    [ ] Basing rights in Xyri.
    [ ] Control over Xyri's (small) ship yards.
    [ ] The absorption of the Xyrian space force into the HSWS and the responsibility for space defence.
    [ ] Other - write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
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    • 8-4: Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes
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    • Adhoc vote count started by 4WheelSword on Sep 8, 2024 at 6:25 AM, finished with 13 posts and 4 votes.
    • [X] OPLAN: Strong Medicine
      [X] OPLAN: Strong Medicine
      - [X] The right to not be attacked or assaulted by active forces.
      - [X] Medical supplies and provisions to allow for the survival of those wounded, sick and captured.
      - [X] A full suite of rights and provisions within the law that ensures good treatment and decency in regards to them.
      -[X] Not fire on escape craft or craft exiting the combat zone.
      -[X] Provide aid and succour to crews that abandon ship or whose ship is otherwise disabled.
      -[X] Ensure that surrendered forces are not allowed to accidentally perform an accidental re-entry and must be kept safe and transported to a safe vessel or station at best speed.
      -[X] Write-in: there is to be no intentional abandonment of any survivors of space combat, nor the use of vacuum or the threat of vacuum as a method of coercion, interrogation, or intimidation. When in a situation where physical rescue is impossible due to size, supplies, or situation, all craft must undertake all possible measure to make postions of survivors known to rescue personnel of the nearest inhabited volume, and supply survivors with any possible material aid before departure from the combat zone.
      -[X] Basing Rights in Xyri
    Click to expand...


    Developing the Rules of War
    Thus far the articles are as follows:
    Article I - Convention on the Use of Nuclear and Radiological Weapons: This article covers specifically any weapon that has a high likelihood of causing fallout or other significant after effects against any planetary target, but does not limit their usage in space or against inhabited space-side infrastructure. This would not inhibit the use of particle, plasma or nuclear weapons against space targets.
    Article II - Convention on the Use of Orbit-to-Surface Weapons: This article covers the particular strategy of orbital bombardment by space craft, but does also limit the particular weaponry that can be used in the role as well. As such, parties will be inhibited from utilising weapons that have significant secondary effects including chemical or radiological as well as the targets that can be considered legitimate under these rules as well.
    Article III - Convention on the Use of Chemical Weaponry: This article covers the use of gases, liquids, powders and other formulations for chemicals that are intended to be utilised as weapons via causing sensory irritation, incapacitation and death and are delivered by shell, canister, missile or other weapon system. This article does not, however, bar the development of such weapons; just the deployment.
    Article IV - Convention on the Prohibition of Weapons that cause particular or unusual Harm: This article prohibits the use of specific weapons, including:
    - Weaponry that is intended to place an explosive inside the body via close combat and direct mechanical application.
    - Projectile weapons below a certain size that contain an explosive charge, including personal rifles and other small arms.
    - Weaponry that relies on a motorised cutting blade, that 'chews' or 'rends' material as part of its operation.
    - Weaponry that inflicts injury on an individual principally through heating, cooling or flame, including petrochemical projectors, 'flame throwers' and other incendiary devices when utilised against military personnel or civilians directly.
    - Weaponry that exposes the target, operator or those in the vicinity to particularly strong radiological or nuclear effects, including 'plasma' throwers without blast containment and particle beams that, in addition to kinetic impacts cause a particular exposure of radiation onto individuals.
    - Weaponry that is intended to reduce or eliminate a breathable atmosphere through direct action of the weapons systems, such as thermobaric or oxygen-destroying weapons.
    - Weaponry that is intended to produce permanent (but not temporary) sensory disability, including blinding lasers and concussive devices capable of rupturing the ear drum but not including those systems that have this as a secondary effect, such as artillery.
    - Weaponry that scatters explosive charges or is, in its use, a scattered series of explosive charges that are inimical to explosive disposal, that are designed to explicitly target emergency response and/or are designed or found to be inimical to normal civilian life, such as delayed or under-fused mines or cluster munitions.
    Article V - Convention on the Development and Deployment of weapons capable of Ecocide, Planetcide or Solarcide: This article covers the deployment of sufficient CBRN weapons in order to achieve the above aims, as well as the research, development and deployment of indiscriminate weapons technology such as RKV's, geo-engineering systems and sun-killers. While most of these weapons are the domain of science fiction, the convening committee still considers them vital enough a threat to consider.
    Article VI - Convention on the Treatment of Surrendering Forces, Prisoners of War and Disabled Ships: This article covers the rights of military personnel who have or are in the process of surrendering to enemy forces, those whose ships are no longer capable of combat and those that are otherwise signalling their intent to cease hostilities. It includes the individual right to medical supplies and provisions when taken into the custody of enemy forces, the general right to good treatment and decency, and delegitimises the act of firing on surrendering forces or those forces that are otherwise incapable of fighting. This also covers under what conditions a star ship may be considered disabled or otherwise out of action, and the point at which an enemy must switch from combat to providing succour. It is a complex series of sub-articles and amendments that ensure that an enemy cannot simply retreat from a combat zone to affect repairs, but which does its best to otherwise ensure the sanctity of life once a person is no longer considered a combatant.
    Article VIII - Convention on Interrogation, Coercion and Torture in War Time: This article covers the extent to which information can be extracted from prisoners of war, the sick and the wounded; most of that extent is 'no, absolutely not, not even once'. It is broadly understood that torture is useless for acquiring useful information and thus it is better to bar its use entirely than risk an overzealous junior officer deciding they know better.
    Article IX - Convention on the Treatment of Civilians and Settlements: This article covers what is and what is not a legitimate use of force in the vicinity of civilian populations, defines the treatment of civilian populations in combat conditions and once the territory containing those populations is captured, and the limitations on weaponry that can be used in or around domed settlements to ensure that incidental fires do not lead to megadeaths amongst those who are simply unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity.
    Article X - Convention on the Treatment of Medical Personnel and Vehicles: This article covers the establishment of a symbol that can be displayed on medical vehicles and Personnel that, as long as those things are unarmed and not taking part in hostilities, must be left undisturbed in the course of their duties. This will protect those attempting to save lives and hopefully ensure that many more will survive the horrors of war than will be lost to it.

    Of course, these ten articles are barely the start of what experts consider will one day be a whole raft of agreements, amendments and articles. However, these are a significant step towards a kinder future. Signatories to these articles will hopefully never again threaten to crack open an inhabited dome, will never threaten the surface of a planet with nuclear weapons again. It should limit the requirements for the HSWS to act as an ad-hoc peacekeeping force as well, though there is only so much that such articles can do to halt the seemingly human desire for internecine warfare. Nonetheless, there is one last question to be asked: whose job is it to enforce these rules?

    A body must be established to investigate potential breaches of the articles and to enforce punishments for those who attempt or otherwise do breach the articles. How would the HSWS prefer this body to be established?
    [ ] It should be a sub-branch of the HSWS, a junior body that the HSWS nonetheless answers too.
    [ ] It should be an independent body, funded by Home but not answering to anyone but the Citizens Council.
    [ ] It should be a fourth branch of the military council, along with the City Militia's, the Community Wardens and the HSWS.
    [ ] Other - write in.


    Xyri
    A month into negotiations, the current agreement has thus far been hashed out. Many arguments, late night cram sessions and physical fights in the committee chambers have only managed to get this far:
    - Territory lost in combat will be returned to the original parties that controlled them.
    - The Republicans will pay reparations to the Dictatorship as part of this deal.
    - Home will formally recognise all involved parties as independent states on Xyri and will not bar any of them from accessing space or the orbitals.
    - Home will also receive right of first-refusal over any new resource veins uncovered on Xyri as well as beneficial trade agreements for other mineral resources extracted from the ground.
    - Both Aslan companies will receive small parcels of relatively low-value land to do with as they wish.
    - The HSWS will continue to receive fuelling and basing rights in Xyri as was the case prior to the war.


    The Problem of Particle Beams
    It is broadly understood, in the wake of the trials and tribulations of collating the rules of war, that particle beams are no longer an acceptable weapon for warfare due to the impacts of radiation on the crew of targeted warships. Unfortunately, the HSWS currently uses a large number of particle beams with their use seen on the vast majority of major warships including HSWS Perkunas, HSWS Caturix and every Interstellar Cruiser available to the fleet.

    The HSWS must establish a plan by which they can cease deploying ships with these weapons.
    Over what time period will the HSWS commit to ceasing the use of such weapons?
    [ ] A year
    [ ] Five years
    [ ] Ten years
    [ ] Other - write in.
    How will the HSWS cease the use of such weapons:
    [ ] By decommissioning older ships and replacing them with newer platforms that do not utilise such weapons.
    [ ] By refitting older ships to maintain those hulls utility.
    [ ] Other - write in.
    Any additional notes for this process:
    [ ] Other - write in.

    Please present any votes as a plan. Voting opens at
     
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