Thanks MDT and crew. It's been a great ride
cheers
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Yeah, I need to echo the other players. I'm good with my character and current setting and would like to continue exploring maybe meeting the Empire. But reading between MDT's lines, are you prepared for us to continue as is? cheers
With 3 players, we struggle to maintain momentum. I've enjoyed the game and would continue playing. But if we get too busy to Gameplay post, we need to quickly post in Discussion giving everyone a heads up. That could help. If we reboot into a new game mechanic, I would need to think. This system took effort to learn and be passable. I don't have much bandwidth to learn new systems. Even if we stop here, I've no regrets here. We've had a great run. This is already one of my best Pbp campaign experiences and longest running games. that's my two credits cheers
My posting has been more infrequent, because I've been out of the country at a conference since last Saturday. With only 4 players, when a couple of us get busy with RL, it really bogs the game. And I think Ivan's been gone for 3 weeks, so really only 3 players. I'm still interested in the game but would appreciate more PC interaction. cheers
Amazing, Aramis is amazed of the life on the planet. This is the reason that he joined the Scouts. After the crew complete the survey and take tissue samples, he orders probes through the four new warp points.
Aramis assembles the command crew for a meeting about the life bearing planet. "Besides planning its survey, I want to know if you think we should rendezvous with our supply fleet before warping into the system to explore the life bearing planet? While Ivan can tell us how much supplies we need, it would also give us an update of the Nutejas system. What do you think?"
After reviewing the provisions with Ivan, Aramis reviews the surveys of the probes to SG-18 & 19. As long as both are equally boring, he orders the crew to 19.
"Have at it and good hunting."
After the probes return and the detailed survey of the lone planet is complete, he orders the Stargazer to SG-018. He appears reluctant to let the parasite ship warp away from the Stargazer.
Aramis orders a more detailed survey of the lone planet and probes to explore the two new warp points.
Aramis played the cheerful chaperon for the party enjoying the revelry but remaining the responsible one. It was good to see the crew relax for a bit. They were the odd events, but those were what would make the night memorable. The next morning, he takes it easy on the crew slowly ramping up to full activities after lunch. The next day, they move on to SG-017.
After the system survey is all reported, Aramis commands the Stargazer to return through the warp point and and explore SG-017. "Let's finish surveying the neighborhood and move on." He asks Ivan to organize a going away (from the Nutejas) party for the crew after they survey 17.
"I think we should just follow standard procedure and log the survey. If we leave a flag indicating possession, I think it would just antagonize the Nutejas. Let the diplomats take care of that." Aramis replies to Cat.
So after we review the probe reports, we secure all parasite vessels to Stargazer and warp into SG-015. Per routine, the crew stands at battle stations upon entering the new system. Aramis requests a full active sensor sweep. Then, he requests communications to record and broadcast a message within six hours of entering the system in case any Nutejas are here, "This is the scout vessel Stargazer of the Free World's Alliance. Our mission is peaceful exploration. Please contact."
After exhaustive debriefing in the Nutejes system and handing over the command system leadership to another scout crew, the Stargazer warps out to SG-011. Then, upon resupply and several training exercises to shake the rust from the crew due to their incarceration, Aramis orders a couple of probes into SG-015 to restart their exploration mission.
If they ask me where we're going, I'll say. Otherwise, Nuts. Better to ask forgiveness than permission. ;D What's the worst that could happen? Gameplay post inbound in an hour or so. cheers
Crap. I responded Saturday, but it appears that my post got eaten. I had actually thought about the potential political ramifications for exploring in their neighborhood. PROs - We (Alliance) need to know about their neighborhood.
CONs - We could receive bad publicity So, I weighed the PROs of exploring SG-015 better than the CONs. What about everyone else? cheers
Which warp point brought us here?
"I think our specific presence in this system will aggravate any diplomatic efforts. After we file detailed reports of our experiences and speculations with the commander of Pantry who will take over as system commander until an envoy arrives, we can stock up and get back to exploring. Any other ideas?" Aramis asks.
"Is it clear that they have the technology to utilize the warp points?"
"I see. Excellent analysis. We need to include that in the report to headquarters. For any diplomacy, they need to concentrate of those individuals prioritizing those families." Aramis concludes.
Aramis invited the entire command crew to hear the conclusions from the Mylthani. "So, then it would seem that the best way to open diplomatic relations with these people would be to identify the individuals who influence the most people, right? Are there a handful of people with whom the rest of the populace align? In screening their entertainment, can you estimate the size of their "ruling" class? Is it based on family loyalty or purely individual behavior? Or is their society more fragmented?" Aramis questions.
OK cool. Assuming a better solution to the request is always better. thanks
I'm personally sour on this system. If we stay and explore, I think that there is a high probability that our characters would step in another pile of their laws. Then, it's off to character creation (CC). So, let's appoint one of the commanders of the ships that I thought that we sent away as messengers as diplomat and leave. I'm sorry that my suggestion forces Ynja into CC. Of course, if there's consensus to stay, we'll stay. cheers
I think you were in the group that got tried, and you are an occifer.
"With respect, your legal system significantly deviates from Interstellar Law. However, it's obvious that you appreciate it. We shall see what the future holds." Aramis answers crypticly. As a fully trained Telthani lawyer, he sees no point debating the differences of legal systems, since it does not matter, other than to explain their perceptions.
Aramis silently ponders the trial results and listens to the conversations. Without the willingness to mount an escape, he waits for the results of his trial. He thinks that they do not understand the speed of the FTL warp points, even though their base technology is so much higher. It would be better to ally with these isolationists than further antagonize them.
Botted? I'm here.
I suggest reading the David weber. Honor Harrinton series. Cheers
"I see. Then, the crew member will need to bring a portable device from our ship and not just a data file. As per our previous advocate, I understand that your culture assumes everyone spies, so I must assume that you will spy on the raw log file before redaction if I use one of your devices, right?"
Aramis frowns and replies, "they have our ships. The only way to prevent them from re-engineering the jump drives is to sacrifice our lives. I don't see that as leverage. As to the Faithful, honestly they appear to want a fight. If the Faithful arrive in this system, the natives will cook them in celebration. Any other ideas?"
Aramis looks at Ynja and says to the new advocate, "I don't think deactivating her vocal circuits will be necessary. I believe that she can be silent while you are here. We will discuss the situation after you depart." Then, after a pause, he says, "Are you suggesting that one of us cannot redact the files ourselves? And tell us more about your strategy to disjoin the cases."
"Then, I missed what you were saying. What leverage do we have?" Aramis replies.
Aramis nods at Cat's and Ynja's comments and replies, "Again Ynja, I agree with much of your speculation. However, we have zero leverage here at the moment. We are not in position to dictate terms. The results of this trial have consequences for everyone, so we must go along until the cavalry arrives."
After the advocate leaves, Aramis calmly states, "Well, that could have gone better. Ynja, all of this is diplomatic relations. As you may surmise from my questions, I agree with most of your assertions. However, we have no choice but to play by their rules. We have no leverage here. We can of course get ourselves killed and ensure poor relations between them and our Alliance, but that is the easy way out. Let's play nice and attempt to learn why they think the way they do and not judge them as they are judging us. Yes, it will be challenging, but that is why we are Scouts."
My circumstances make it tough to make a long RP, so I can't react to this lawyer change. As to the rédaction, I was thinking about supplying the log since we departed from the station with our orders. Then, redact anything that about warp point details, new systems, and time. Meaning, I think how fast our FTL between warp points should be confidential. So probably even redacting routine logs that can measure days if counted. What do you think?
"Well if you need the redacted files tomorrow, we should start reviewing them now. We need to return to our ship to do it, because since I need to assume everyone here are spies, I cannot trust an alien computer with the raw data, right?"
Howdy, new player. From the legal training of Aramis, how does this alien legal system compare with Telthani? Especially to answer hypotheticals that were just posed.
"How are you so confident of the behavior of spies if you've never had contact with another culture? Have you actually convicted anyone of spying?" Aramis continues to gather information.
"Maybe we have not understood the answers to your questions. And have you never had a scout service to explore your interstellar neighborhood?" Aramis replies and repeats another question. "And whose rights were walked all over, in your comment? Our rights to personal liberty, who have been incarcerated for breaking laws that we could not possibly be aware of, by the very definition of first contact between cultures?"
"You think redaction is better than delay for my superiors to arrive?" Aramis asks. Then follows up with, "have you never had contact with any other humans beyond your own colony? That would be precedent. And you have never had a scouting service that explores beyond your system?"
My family and I are traveling out the country tomorrow until September 8. I will have infrequent access and opportunity to post. Bot me as necessary. cheers
Aramis considers the writ. "Our logs contain government information that is controlled and not relevant to this case. I will review the logs with my crew. We will redact any information that is controlled by Alliance security. If my judgment is questioned since I am the one charged, we can delay the tribunal until other authorities from the Alliance review the writ." Aramis politely replies. "Further, I would very much like more information about this charge of Espionage. This six hours, while exact, seems an arbitrary number. It does not account for sensor speeds or potential threats where broadcasting a scout's arrival endangers their lives." "In addition, the database that was provided for my review had no legal precedents for the following cases: 1. first contacts with aliens; 2. sentences with foreign governments dove-tailed with diplomacy; 3. lenient sentencing due to ignorance of the law. Meaning, what if law breakers didn't know the law to obey it. Especially, between foreigners; and 4. any information about your own scout service and protocols. Do your scouts really announce themselves to an entire alien system within 6 hours? I would really like to understand more about these precedents or anything similar. For example, I cannot imagine that the history of your culture has not had conflicting governments or first contacts with aliens."
"Good morning, Erick. I am Captain Aramis Ramirez and would like more explanation. My only crew clearly guilty of breaking your law about not notifying your government within 6 hours of their arrival in system would be the original crew of the Inquisitive Look and perhaps myself as their commanding officer. The rest of my crew on the Stargazer did not break such law. Would you please explain the charges in detail?" Aramis inquires politely and curiously.
"Plan, Ivan? Well, they've restricted access to their legal precedents, so they've limited any creativity in mounting a defense. So, the plan is to wait. First, wait for their assigned legal counsel for us, in order to develop a stronger defense. Second, we wait for reinforcements. Representatives from the Alliance will respond eventually. Beyond that, we just observe and survey their culture from our stay here."
more research: maybe I'm asking too much detail, but I can't imagine that any sophisticated system has had only one government ever. If there has ever been multiple governments in the system, one of them would be foreign in the legal system. I would be trying to draw parallels with how they treat indigenous governments with how they treat the Alliance.
And I can't imagine a legal system where there would not be precedence about someone claiming ignorance of the law. Look, if I'm asking too much, just handwave what you want me to do. I'm trying to play my character, but I feel caught in a bear trap. Cheers
more research: Aramis will review precedents of the following:
- first contacts with aliens. - sentences with foreign governments dove-tailed with diplomacy - any lenient sentencing due to ignorance of the law. Meaning, they didn't know the law to obey it. Especially, between foreigners. - spies and definition of spies. Meaning, can we use their definition to make a distinction between scouting and spying - any information from their own scout service and protocols
Aramis leads his command crew back to the ship as much in custody as they might be. He prepares and send a recording for his superiors to be carried by Pantry. He sticks to the facts including Ynja's scouting report and expecting it to be entered as evidence in the trial. He offers the opportunity to any of his command crew to send corroborating recordings, ensuring that they have the same expectations that they could be entered as evidence against them. He supervises the techs to attempt to leave a relay behind to broadcast the trial through the warp point. He double-checks all of the lock down protocols of the ships. He attempts to suggest that the ship activate its First Contact protocols, in case anyone of non-Alliance attempts to operate the ship. However, he internally doubts that will work. He leaves behind everything in his personal locker except his leather jacket [Masterwork Mesh], Inertial Locator, and Short Range Communicator. Once in their custody, Aramis would request access to all legal precedents and begin researching their trial.
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