Hello there denizens of the Sphere, and welcome to War Talk! VV is on the ground in Novyy Bangkok, and so we've got a short episode for you all about the current situation. Please, follow the link and check it out.
War Talk! My favorite show! *happy artichoke vibes* Too bad you didn't include coverage of Yu Jing brutally attacking civilians in the Main Strip, that will be one juicy story.
This is a very good source of news. Haqqislam would like it known that their reasons are very public for the initial occupation of the Xaraks Batteries. Quoted below is the public statement for your anchors: https://forum.corvusbelli.com/threads/address-from-the-ambassador-of-haqqislam.35154/ "As-slam alyakum, In coordination with their allies, the Haqqislam Nations military is moving to take control of “Xaraks Batteries” laying in defense of the Novyy Bangkok Asteroid. During this time we will be conducting investigations into Ariadna for possible EI collaboration and/or infiltration. Our diplomats for the last couple of years have tried to work with the Ariadnan nation but only ever received, at best, cold refusal. We have long been watching this nation's impetuous, and rash actions over the last couple of years. In response to their actions of the Raxora Conflict during the Wotan defense, and their behavior on Novyy Cimmeria, Haqqislam High Command of Bourak have come to the decision that they are a danger to the space traffic around the Asteroid of Novyy Bangkok, and subsequently, Haqqislams economic interests. Our only belief is that EI influence has taken hold, and failing that, sheer diplomatic incompetence is the only other option. We ask that Ariadnan officials to work with their Qapu Khalqi replacements on the Battery controls so we may efficiently and quickly perform this investigation. The Haqqislam Nation thanks their allies for their aid, and ask the Ariadnan Nation to cooperate in this endeavour. Due to the nature of this investigation, and the importance of the Batteries, we will not be taking any rash, or impetuous actions lightly. All actions Haqqislam will be taking and discoveries made will be presented to the current O-12 commision assigned to the Asteroid, Novyy Bangkok. Haqqislam promises that they will take no actions outside of the purview of the Xarak Batteries Field itself, and as such will consider the Ammo Depot outside of jurisdiction. Inshallah!" Haqqislam believes infiltration of the Ariadnan ranks was and is still very possible and believed a third party investigation and vetting was for the benefit of all, especially since the Batteries overlook our own NBIS. Haqqislam would also like to make it clear to the news organization, that there was insufficient time for investigation due to widespread resistance and at this time infiltration possibilities remain inconclusive.
I think that this disproves the rumours that the old man is an AI. AIs run on logic. This has none. There were reports of Shasvastii in Xaraks. Ikari company had claimed that they held them at the perimeter. This gives us two likely scenarios: the first is that Ikari Company was exposed to infiltration, the second is that there were never any Shasvastii and Ikari were hoping for a fat bonus. Regardless, Ikari decided that going against O-12 was a terrible plan for their bank balance and future contract prospects and pulled out to the strip when O-12 sent in the AEC. The AEC that's all but immune to sepsitorization, and has hundreds of antipodes, who really don't like Shasvastii, and tend to be very aggressive in their display of that dislike. The logical thing for Haqqislam to do was aid in the Investigation of the strip,not hinder an O-12 task force. You also claim that "resistance" hindered your investigation. Have any of you ever seen an injured Shasvastii? If any of them were resisting, then either you ignored them turning inside out and growing a new Shasvastii, or you used weapons that destroyed the body entirely. We know from casualty reports and surgical data that you use similar weaponry to the AEC, and even the most badly chared Shasvastii corpse is easily recognised as non human. Do you know what the law calls an investigation that cannot turn up any evidence and has no probable cause?
...And yet we have credible reports of Ariadnan soldiers fighting alongside the Shasvastii. Perhaps some of your troops feel differently than the antipodes do.
Yeah, it's been all over the news: https://asteroidblues.warconsole.com/battles/shasworth-vs-lospec-1569440843
As detailed in many ways, our cause for concern was the brash actions and over aggression that Ariadna has shown in the past, and that in this instance, these defense batteries looked directly at us. We wished to verify Ariadna was not infiltrated. While I understand Ariadnans put a great deal of trust in their pets, you cannot blame us if we do not. As was detailed we had hoped from the beginning we would not find anything, but we were not going to wait for an "accidental discharge " onto one of our vessels to find out.
Once Ariadna retakes the battery I personally guarantee there will be no "accidental discharge", or "negligent discharge" or deliberate attack onto into or through any authorized vessel transmitting valid IFF transponder codes...
Then we are very hopeful that Ariadna's command structure at Xaraks hasn't been compromised by Shasvastii. And yes, antipodes, but it's not just Shasvastii you know. Out here on the Edge, the Combined Army is practically another Ikari with bribes and such. Everyone has their price, even Loyal Ariadnans like you...
The AEC is relatively small, in any given unit you can expect several people to know any given soldier personally, shasvastii infiltrators would be uncovered by fieldcraft and SOP even without the antipodes. Bribes would be difficult to collect upon because we'd find out(I won't say how, but it's disturbingly low tech and effective) and remove anyone who had taken them from duty in a process involving a 9mm, a towel, rubbing alchohol and a cigar cutter. I'll leave the order and specifics up to the imagination.
How quintessentially Ariadnan. Truly, it's wonderful you have such faith in your soldiers. Makes certain things much simpler...
Shasworth and Sphere Itself. Hardly credible news. My kid speaks of Antipodes with wings; i assume a letter of employment is forthcoming.
My dear Captain, with the whole "Haqqislam not letting Ariadna into the spaceport" situation, I fear you may need winged Antipodes to get home. Perhaps some Bakunin folk will take pity if you ask nicely.
Antipodes with wings, hum... Our labs tend to say the antipode metabolism is hard to work with, as long as it corrupts everything (to keep it simple), but we never lack new ideas ! Don't hesitate to come and chat, we can surely find a way. Arkane, Bakunin commander
Please know, Haqqislam does not allow armed aggressors, but normal traffic through the Spaceport is more than permitted. All Ariadnans coming and going must check weapons with O-12 forces. This is a regulation on Haqqislam soldiers as well. Who needs guns in space anyways?
They dont need to take pity. I like those Bakunin folks. Those Morlocks are the only ones that can go drink for drink with our Cameronians. Leave the wings off the Antipodes. If you've ever seen Antipode Dung, you don't want that raining down on you.
