Jovian-Pantopian Accord Announced

[James Shepherd]

PANTOPS, Galactic Press Hyperrelay Report - In a surprising move reportedly called "shocking" and "entirely unexpected" even by many galactic political insiders, the Pantopian Emperor today announced a strategic partnership with the Jovian Confederation.  This so-called "Treaty of Applemouthe" appears to be an unprecedented military association between the two powers - the Emperor's remarks referred specific inquiries to the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of War, and the High Admiralty.  Despite a lack of detail on the exact nature of the arrangement, the depth and sincerity of the cooperation was evident in the Emperor's personal invitation to President Farange and senior officials of the Jovian Confederation to a state dinner to commemorate the occasion in the Imperial Palace, normally completely barred to foreigners.

"We look forward to a bright future of shared vision and leadership between our two peoples," the Emperor said in his public address, "and hope that this understanding between the citizens of our nations might usher in a new era of peace throughout the galaxy."  The Emperor did not respond to inquiries regarding those forces he viewed as destabilizing influences or bellicose aggressors in the galaxy, be reiterated his wishes for "international cooperation and mutual prosperity."  Most especially, he thanked the President for his good-faith gift, an ornate commemorative cup to mark the occasion of "Peace reigning victorious over the tides of War."  "While our two nations are certainly partners in this effort, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this Victory Cup - while we of course share this victory, this gift is a true honor."  When asked if the cup would be entering the Imperial Collection or the Crown Jewels, the Emperor and Chancellor were both quite clear - "The Cup will remain the shared possession of all nations who desire peace and strive to attain it; it is no single person's belonging, nor any one nation's."

More details on this ground-breaking development in galactic politics as the story develops.

[Jaron Janson]

"This is a provocation of galactic consequence, " ISDA officials stated today. "News broke today of a Pantopian led invasion fleet massing with Jovian forces in a neutral sector of space. We hereby announce immediate mobilization of all active duty ISDA forces, reserve and guard troops and we have ordered the immediate arming of all official merchant marine vessels."

"Already the Crimson Fleet is making its way to defensive coordinates. The danger of today's announcement cannot be overstated. This Pantopian and Jovian axis has clearly been made to threaten our fare nation. Pantopian intentions are crystal clear and they have chosen a course for war. ISDA forces are eager to work with any other governments to counter this threat to freedom and commerce and wishes a fond welcome to all free peoples."

"It is not too late to rollback this imminent tide of destruction but it is up to this axis of evil to undo their own destructive intentions. We ask the blessings of the Tlaybon upon our citizens and our fine men and women in uniform"

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[Steven Vargo]

***BREAKING***

Jovian System News Corporation

President Farange Addresses Parliament As ISDA War Rhetoric Returns.

Europa Capitol Colony Station-  

President Farange addressed the Jovian High Council and Parliament earlier regarding the recent treaty with the Pantopian Empire.  In press release, the President stated that "..this treaty is an important step in continuing to foster peace, goodwill and prosperity between our people.  The gift of the Victor's Cup is symbolic of our desire to see the vision of a peaceful and prosperous galaxy realized".  "The Treaty of Applemouthe allows for improved trade and business relations, as well as closer military cooperation; this is really a continuation of cooperative efforts that began last solar year with the Bharani mining accord and I look forward to traveling to New Addis to meet with the Imperial Family and Heads of State," noted President Farange.

 In regards to the recent, inciteful, war rhetoric from ISDA officials President Farange commented that:

 "the recent gathering of Jovian and Pantopian forces was not for the purpose of invasion but to ascertain the identity of forces that recently attacked and ambushed the Jovian Ambassador's convoy, en route to Pantopian space.  The Ambassador's ship was able to jump out of the area and reach awaiting Pantopian forces.  All Jovian escorts were lost defending the Ambassador from the third party attackers, whom were subsequently repelled by said Pantopian forces.  The attacking craft are from an unknown source, and have been seen only once before.  None of the attacking forces were captured and navigators are still trying to determined the prime attack vector."

The President continued:

"We are perplexed at the ISDA leadership's rhetoric and apparent rush to war footing.  Yes the force assemblage occurred in neutral space, as that is where the recent attack occurred.  This area also borders ISDA controlled space.  It is worthy to note that intelligence sources have reported heightened activity at ISDA shipbuilding facilities, especially several known "dark" facilities.  The ISDA has recently leaked images of new combat ships; intelligence estimates that actual ship production levels at the aforementioned facilities could easily mask secret ship development in tandem, which we suspect to be the source for the recent attacking ships.  While both the Pantopian Empire and Jovian Confederation have raised security levels since the tragic incident, we will wait to rush to a war posture until evidence supports the need, or until we are attacked again.  We sincerely hope that other nations do not fear the prospects of cooperation.  May cooler heads prevail."

The President clarified that the ships involved in the recent attack on the Jovian Ambassador were not the same ships shown in the recently leaked images from ISDA.  The recent flare-up with the ISDA is another in a long string of tensions that have occurred since last year's mining sector disputes.  Several analysts have proposed that increased numbers of ISDA command have been influenced by adherents to the deity "Tlaybon", an apparently violent and war-like god.  

Stayed tuned to this feed for updated information. 

Jovian System News Corporation

[Rich Schoonover]

A message that originated from the 3G89k sector:

Transmission:

I am ZANto.  I am the appointed leader of International Brotherhood of Miners.  We welcome assistance from the ISDA in the matter of the filthy Pantops and Jovians taking our god given rights to mine this region.  We are prepared to fight and if those infiltrators do not stand down. I will assure that they will burn in a lake of fire that will consume there souls and those of there brothers.  

You have been warned!

End transmission

Sent from my iPhone

[James Shepherd]

***BREAKING*** NEW ADDIS, Galactic Press Hyperrelay Report - General Dame Alexis Bähr of the Pantopian Imperial Space Force stunned the public as well as many government and military officials at a press conference held earlier today.  Though ostensibly held to announce a new class joining the ISF, much of the briefing - as well as most of the questions and discussion thereafter - centered around quite a different topic.

"I am speaking to you today - not just those gathered here or even those within the borders of the Pantopian Imperium, but all people throughout the galaxy to warn of a dire and urgent threat.  Though it may strike many cynics and skeptics as unbelievable, our Military Intelligence and Ministry of War is prepared to announce that we believe to have made contact with extra-galactic life and it appears to pose a credible threat to the international community."  After the initial confusion quieted down, Gen. Dame Bähr went on to clarify, relating that the Pantopian detachment sent to rendezvous with the Jovian ships transporting the Victory Cup met with hostile, unidentified forces using what appeared to be bio-mechanical spacecraft of advanced and unknown origin.  While the Imperial force was able to repel the hostile ships, they did so with grievous losses.  "I repeat our government's most urgent and strident warnings as to the nature of this threat.  Our intelligence services and military forces will be in communication today with all other governments, corporations, and other interested parties to provide them with any information that might help identify or combat this apparent threat," she concluded.

Segueing into the stated purpose of the conference, the general said that she was "pleased to announce the Castores-class Gunboat, designed with the express purpose of deterring piracy and promoting the security of ships of all nations travelling the space lanes."  While technical details were sparse, many reassurances were given regarding the defensive nature of the ship and its capabilities.  The only additional information Gen. Dame Bähr was able to offer was that production and deployment of the Castores class was a maximum priority throughout the Empire, and that the first units were scheduled to enter service "in the near future."

When asked about the hostile response to the earlier announcement of the recent Jovian-Pantopian strategic partnership, Bähr replied, "While response from some quarters has been disheartening and troubling, others' failure to see this agreement in light of the spirit of intergalactic cooperation with which it was intended is not our main concern today.  We are here to call attention to the need for all parties to put aside differences and grievances and give this new threat the attention it deserves."

Due to the sudden and unexpected nature of these announcements from the Imperium, representatives of international powers were unable to be reached by press time.  Senior analysts from the War College, a think tank based in Aulan, (though sharing no affiliation with the University there,) were "shocked" by the news and were not able to comment on the alleged extra-galactic ships, beyond saying that "If the Ministry of War and intelligence services agree that the threat is credible and follow through on their promises of cooperation, they are certainly staking their reputation on a shocking claim."  When asked about the Castores class, sources inside the War College were less tight-lipped.  "From my contacts in the military, the Castores class has not been in development very long, nor is much known about the project.  There have been reports that the 'gunboat' may be little more than a glorified patrol-craft," said an analyst speaking on condition of anonymity.  Whatever truth lies at the heart of today's announcement, it seems that only time will tell.

[Jaron Janson]

***LATE BREAKING NEWS*** Tlaybon, Parliamentary Retreat- While visiting the yearly Parliamentary Retreat in the Radagan Mountians in South Dooring, Defense Minister Condritis was asked about the breaking news coming out of Pantops of a violent military clash with extra galactic life. When confronted with this surprising and startling news the Defense Minister went silent and said that he, "was not prepared to speak to that topic." When asked if he was visiting the Parliamentary Retreat to brief the representatives about the threat he admonished the media, "This line of questioning is a dangerous one. At the moment there is no 'threat', but building this rumor up to the public is a mistake. ISDA military assets stand prepared to deal with any threat to our borders and people, but we are confident that no such threat exists at the moment." When directly asked if he was knowledgeable about extra galactic life and its contact with Pantops he merely said, "There is nothing more dangerous than speculation, and I will not add fuel to the fire." To which he ominously added, "Pantops will have their hands full regardless of what they think they have found." 

Rumor has it that the Parliament is in panic and has made several emergency funds transfers to military accounts in recent hours. While unconfirmed it has also been rumored that accounts belonging to the infamous Baron have been unfrozen in exchange for his fleets help on the border regions. Stay with us for any updates! 

_________________________________
Jaron Janson
435-669-1987
jaron....@gmail.com

[Rich Schoonover]

In response to the concerns over Pantopian reports of Alien incursions The International Brotherhood of Miners has retained the service of the mercenary know has "The Baron" and his Droog fleet to assist us our security forces with the growing dispute over mining rights.  We extend our services and alliance with the ISDA and Yourcurian governments to unite against these Pantopian and Jovian terrorists.

It has come to our attention that several of our ship docks were attacked and sabotaged in the last 48 hours by unknown assailants, but evidence leads to it having been of Pantop origin.  We will not stand for such cowardly actions.  We will soon be massing a new force to sweep over our mining territory.  Any ship caught in that region that does not have permission from one of our allied members to mine there will be shot on sight, and disposes of.  We have posted bounties for any Pantop or Jovian ships found in this region.  They may say they have had there hands full with this new Alien threat, but this likely more lies and trickery of these dishonest governments.  

Prepare for War 

\****

[Rich Schoonover]

#galactictraitors

It has been found that the Pantops and the Jovian have aligned themselves with the Alien presence in this region.  This proves they are the dishonest thieves that we all thought they were.

IBM Transmission End*****

[James Shepherd]

This is a transmission from Cmdr. Eqwille Geier of His Imperial Highness' Expeditionary Force.  We welcome all people needing assistance at Fort Cadmus, located at the coordinates being transmitted on NavCom frequencies.  I am under orders to return fire, repeat, I am under orders to return fire.  We ask all ships operating in the immediate vicinity to set IFF transponders to "friendly" or "non-combatant" within 12Gk of our position.  Message repeats - This is a transmission from Cmdr. Eqwille Geier of His Imperial...

[Steven Vargo]

***Jovian System Hyperrelay Message***

Io Fleet Command

From: Admiral Vontner

          Fleet Command Headquarters

To: Jovian Operational Commanders

     Jovian Parliamentary Council

     Jovian Diplomatic Corps

Subject: Imminent Security Threat -Mining Region Zulu

All Jovian military forces are hereby placed on full battle alert.  Units operating jointly with Pantopian fleet forces in vicinity of mining sector space are to treat all ships operating under ISDA or IBM flags as hostile.  Mercenary ships from the terrorist Droog Navy are reported to be enroute to the same region.  Intelligence analysis has determined that the vector used by attacking unknown ships recently originated in the vicinity of ISDA space.  Reports of alien fleet activity are still of an unknown nature, but should be treated as aligned with ISDA and IBM forces.  

We expect enemy forces to amass in the vicinity of Fort Cadmus and hereby direct all Jovian forces near mining sector space to rendezvous with the Pantopian fleet there.  Yourcurian fleet intentions are still unknown at this time.

Intelligence also reports that the previous attack on our diplomatic envoy was extra-galactic in nature.  There is evidence of recent activity by this new threat in the vicinity of the mining region. Treat any presence by this force as hostile.

Engage and destroy any ship that threatens Jovian or Pantopian interests in the region.

****End Transmission****