Have we all gone soft? As a soldier who's day to day life involves fighting the enemy without and the enemy within in a seemingly endless struggle, I am grateful for whatever leave I am granted. And since this amount is small, I can't afford to waste it. The Shetland is one of the few joys in the lives of many of the officers in the armed forces. Decommisioning it would be an outrage, not to mention a blow to morale. Seems like we have a lot of naive ensigns full of big ideas and not enough experience of their job. Once you've been hardened out with a few years in the forces, I'm sure your perspectives on the Shetland will change. Until then, stop making a mess.
Ehem.. Now that some more people have had a chance to speak, I'll make mine. First off to Lt. Richards. I'm deeply sorry you do not share my view sir, but I don't think that a "vacation" spot should be a priority over what could very well be a nation, maybe even Sirius-wide issue. Secondly, if our Morale is hurt by the loss of said vacation spot... I'm a little disappointed. I have had the opportunity to be on the Shetland, and frankly, while it may be a perfect 'paradise' of sorts.. I didn't really fall for it. I'd rather be back home on Cambridge, hiking up peaks to gaze on the amorous landscape below. Plus, if we allowed a liner going away to affect us like that.. How can we honestly be called soldiers? Anyways, I once again regret you do not view this as I do.
To Mr. Reed. I'm glad OSC finally sent Someone to talk for them. Now, First off I'd like to dismiss your views on what i've been saying. The Shetland is not 'Polluting' Gaia so to speak.. It is only acting as a gate into it. I will be easy with you and not fight you on what you call "A very small amount of visitors" who go on your Planet-side tour. However, do you not do basic checks on people who go there. I've found Freighters filled to the brim with this wildlife, and it leaves me dazed by how something like this could've slipped by. Now, even though I've said your not polluting directly, the fact that you KNOW there is poaching and stealing of this wildlife, is proof enough of your interference with its ecosystem. Gaia has become the beauty it is, Without human intervention. Another point, A planet developing on its own, will become a paradise once everything achieves what science calls the Natural Equilibrium, or something like that. This is when everything in the ecosystem is balanced so well, that adaptations are already developed and perfected, disease is now virtually gone due to evolved immune systems, and etc. Yet now we're going to go in, and take who knows what kind of stuff with us. You say we're doing nothing wrong to Gaia, yet I say us being there is proof against it... And for your comments about Bretonia and Economics and all that, I have heard it already.. In a time of Galactic war, things will need to be changed.. I find this as an opportunity to do so.
Ah, my dear friend Mr. Knight. Your talk of terrorist demands and what not is absurd. I will once again remind you, along with everyone else to reread the Petition again. This is for the; A) Possible damage to Gaia, B) Suspected Illegal Activities if not on, due to the Shetland, and C) Try to Lessen the hostilities of the Gaians. So, we are not 'Submitting' to anyone's demands. Its interesting though that both you and Mr. Seldon brought up the topic. You seem to think that the Gaians are some form of Corsair; always trying to kill, to fight, and to watch other's die. They are a group of people fighting for a cause they believe in. Frankly, I wish there was less fighting these days... And I hope this also makes an Imprint on the Gaians to maybe try peaceful approaches. Its not all their fault either.. We MADE them resort to terrorism 'cause after some failed diplomacy we said forget it. I recently lost..someone dear to me, and I know what war can stir. I also recently brought a friend back from a umm ..... detention area... But fighting and explosions and bloodshed is not the answer to everything, and if trying to change something is suddenly "Submitting to Terrorists", Then i'm ashamed of the change that HAS happened.. Anyways, just because I feel that a change is necessary, and others have already beat me to the punch, doesn't mean that it has to be labeled as such.
Next up is... Damien was it? Or maybe that was just your Alias. If i'm not mistaken you are a high-up member of a significant Sect of the Gaians, and I've fought your group on more then one occasion. However I hope this doesn't get in our way, and I also hope you calm down a bit. Obviously there isn't much we agree on, and I hope next time you speak you can focus on the Shetland more and your hatred of the law less..
Anyone Else? I await your rebuttle mates...
~Sipher Rockwell
"The pen is mightier than the sword." -Edward Bulwer-Lytton. "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons." -General Douglas MacArthur
When I told that another company has more to gain than OSC in this wildlife traffic and I didn't refer to those eco-integrists who proclaim that the shadow of our liner is devastating Gaia, but to Planetform Inc.
Be sure they would build Perth II in orbit of Gaia as soon as the Shetland has left and you wouldn't have to wait a long time before seeing bulldozers remodeling the planet.
I suggest you to investigate in station of Perth and to review your petition.
Well Mr. Seldon. You raise an excellent point. I just hope that if this petition somehow pushes the Shetland away, that Parliament would not allow Planetform to do such a thing... Also, Planetform anywhere NEAR Gaia should at least turn some heads. I am growing to enjoy your comments Mr. Seldon, keep them coming please...
As Always, I await your rebuttle
~Sipher Rockwell
"The pen is mightier than the sword." -Edward Bulwer-Lytton. "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons." -General Douglas MacArthur
Planetform vessels DO fly near Gaia and they don't only pass over when they come from Harris. The planet is right on the way from Tau-31 jump hole to their Edinburgh station. Just visit the dealer at Perth to get evidences.
Gaia is large and OSC cannot check every ship cargo. It's the police's job, not ours.
Please stop making believe that OSC is responsible for this wildlife traffic. We also would fight it if we could but we are a entertainment company, not a warriors clan. Besides this would cause us economic damages if we openly fighted Planetform. We prefer to have neutral relationship with them in order to keep our customers working in industry.
In short (mathematic equation) :
- Gaia+Shetland = discreet planetformers;
- Gaia (alone) = planetformers free to collect (and maybe worse).
Ensign Rockwell. I can assure you that removing Shetland Liner from Gaia's orbit will not only not help, but harm the flaura and fauna in there. Drastical methods will not work. We have to be discreet to take this step.
It is not the best time to set Shetland for decommisioning, though I vouch strongly against it in the first place. Loosing leash in Edinburgh will harm the Bretonia's situation in Dublin, where Mollies will demand the very same privilegies from the government. An uprise in Dublin may occur and result in loss of rich BMM Gold Mining Field further damaging our economy. While it may boast relationship with Gaians and Mollies, it shall not matter because the nation will be weaker than ever with the loss of war effort fueling resources and become open to Kusarian invasion.
Mr. Seldon. When I said my last statement I was talking about stations near Gaia. I also advise you to calm down on your accusations about Planetform. It is in my knowledge that Planetform has no right to land at Gaia even. Cambridge science teams and the Shetland's "tourists" are the only civilians to land there. Any others become a basic legality issue and will be dealt with. And here's an idea.. How about you take tourists down IN YOUR OWN SHIPS. I think the fact of letting rich entrepreneurs swoop down after paying you allows this kind of thing to happen. I am not an opponent of Planetform in anyway, But frankly they have No business whatsoever in Gaia. It is a planet of tremendous beauty and in my opinion to stay that way we have to keep away... No one's asking OSC to "check every cargo hold" 'cause there shouldn't BE any other cargo hold's to begin with. If people want to visit this place, feel free, but I say hands off mates. On a final note, No one is asking OSC to 'Fight' Planetform anyways.. Planetform is a corporation that terraforms planets, and whatever has happened in Gaia has taken so long that I don't think it can be replicated. So to Planetform, just mind to your work please.
Mr. Knight. Before I get to hastily in this one, I'd like to give you a chance to explain how the removal of the Shetland Could harm Gaia. However, I will comment again that this has almost nothing to do with the Gaians, this is a matter of preserving this planet before it gets disrupted by humanity, and to prevent other planets from having these "perfect wildlife" spread all over disrupting the planets WE LIVE ON. You are also speaking in Hypothetical's. Dublin is a system with only a few strong assets, one of being the BMM's Field. Especially in this time of war, we would not give up such a possession. Also, the Shetland is not Bretonian, so if this did "Loose our leash", then it seems like we don't have a leash in the first place. Edinburgh is a system under partial control, just like Dublin. The lawfuls keep to our side while the others stay to theirs. And what privileges are you speaking about? People here seem to be struggling to concentrate on the core issue of this. Molly's are a separate problem and are being dealt with everyday. The same goes to the Gaians. However where are the Gaians? Try only a pebbles throw away or so from Kusari. SO now I thank you for showing me the strategic potential of even limited diplomacy with the Gaians. Anyways, I await your elaboration on the supposed "Dangers" of removing the Shetland..
Sirius, I await your rebuttle..
~Sipher Rockwell
"The pen is mightier than the sword." -Edward Bulwer-Lytton. "Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword never encountered automatic weapons." -General Douglas MacArthur
As a citizen of Bretonia and a soldier I see that the only way to guarantee peace with the Gaians is to protect Gaia for them. I believe that the Gaians could be talked out of their alliance with Kusari, which, as we all know, is hindering our efforts in the Taus and Leeds. Besides, why would preserving Gaia's beauty hurt us?
Signed, Lt. Cdr. Blake Owen
Note: I do not presume to dictate official or unofficial BAF or Bretonian policy in this statement.
INCOMING TRANSMISSION
COMM ID: David Sanders, Owner, Founder and CEO, PanGalactic Travel Company
LOCATION: Royal Liner PGL Majestic, Cortez System
First of all, please forgive the lateness of my reply. Been very busy sorting out internal matters.
Now, Mr... Rockwell, was it? I represent Orbital Spa and Cruise Lines' largest affiliate, the PanGalactic Travel Company, and frequently speak with the OS&C board. During our last meeting, I raised this issue with them. They have stated, and I agree, that decommissioning the Shetland is currently not economically feasible, as it provides valuable revenue for developing new resorts and shiplines, the latter ever more crucial in a time when slavers are on the prowl.
In addition, the surface tours we run provide tourists with a unique opportunity to learn about the ecosystem of Planet Gaia, and we try to stress a "take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints" approach. Sadly, poaching of Gaian wildlife is a serious problem, however Orbital Spa and Cruise neither sanctions nor indulges in such a despicable activity. Instead, we carefully monitor all traffic to and from the planet's surface, though, of course, trying to catch all the poachers is like trying to catch all the fish in a stream.
In conclusion, we have to say that at this time, the Shetland is staying where it is. However, this may be reviewed when the liner reaches the end of its service life.
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