(( OK, so you're upset that Whytee and I toppled your little crusade. I can understand that.

Now, here's something that we need you need to understand:

He and I have been roleplaying UIT nationalists for quite a long time--most probably longer than you have, in fact. We do not take kindly to unilateral decisions on our behalf; its hard enough to be taken seriously without fools with delusions of grandeur making a mess of things.

This whole affair was done with no forethought, no collaboration with us or other guilds, and--most importantly--without any lead-in. You've essentially made yourself look like a jackass from the outset. Ordinarily I wouldn't particularly care, but I've found myself if the most undesirable position of being saddled with you because you neglected to consider anyone else who might be affected by your decisions.

If you are going to act spontaneously, we are going to do likewise.

Now, since its clear that you're not going to let this be put down quietly (and mercifully), the rest of us are going to have play ball. Just don't expect us to go along with these insane schemes; you've made opponents here. Expect to be opposed. ))

====

It would seem that Musharov's little conspiracy went deeper than Nikan had been informed of. Most probably, it went deeper than his superiors had realized, which is why he'd been authorized to take more extreme measures.

Since it seemed that subtlety was insufficient, he'd have to go for the direct approach. He'd need to make some vidphone calls.

Nikan had connections in the fleet, and he knew more than a few high-level officers would oppose the order come judgment day. Vice Admiral Essec would hold his ground, and the Verasi Guard would almost certainly back him. Most conveniently, however, their base of operations at Verasi Crossroads was remote enough from the nearest UPK barracks that the 'loyalist' elements of the fleet which didn't outright mutiny wouldn't be able to mount a prompt reprisal, at least not while they had more local confrontations to deal with.

It was funny; Nikan had been recalled to knock over a rogue admiral to prevent a civil war, and now he was all but engineering one. Go figure.

What Nikan couldn't understand, though, was what possessed these people that a blockade was a good idea. As much as he hated to admit it, the Territories depended on trade, which in turn depended on good relations with their neighbors. And even if they could get away with it economically, how the blazes was the Peacekeeping Corps supposed to carry out the order? The fleet was quite literally falling apart, and anyone with eyes could tell that they had a hard time keeping the pirates outside of the borders, let along everyone else. Just where were they supposed to get the resources, or the manpower?

It just didn't make sense for UPK to attempt something like this, but somebody had to be profiting from it. Nikan would bet a megacredit that whoever it was wasn't acting in the Territories' best interest, but who? Corvus? The Dominion? The Order of Akan? Those new KAOS hotshots? Someone else entirely?

There were too many suspects, too little evidence, and too little time. Nevertheless, Nikan was determined to get to the bottom of the matter before things became really ugly.

'A certain director of UIT intelligence might be able to help with that.' Nikan mused grimly, resolving to give Fletholm a call first.

You are really determined to keep UIT RP as boring as possible, ain't ya, mate? xD

oh wow vIsitor made me rofl so much seeing as he isn't even currently subbed and its fucking INTERNET SPACE SHIPS and second off none of this shit is even canon anyways so who the fuck cares. Man you are some fat basement dwelling losers to get mad over this.

tl; dr

Number One Rule of collaborative role play: You DO NOT make other people's characters do things they wouldn't have them do. You DO NOT write your own characters' actions in a manner that forces their hand.

It's kind of disappointing that vIsitor and Whytee, as self proclaimed "roleplayers", violate this rule so readily.

Just sayin'

Thing is, by claiming official backing, the OP essentially decided matters for everyone else. Saying that the UIT Senate has decided to close its borders--and using UPK to enforce it--is analogous to some Serco newbie announcing that the Dominion unconditionally surrenders to the Itani. Its presumptuous, arrogant, and massively out of character.

If this was some private endeavor, I really wouldn't bother. For the most part, I'd just pass it off as some fringe political initiative. If he got it to work, more power to him, but it wouldn't be my concern. However, by announcing his backing by official authority he has--intentionally or not--involved everyone else who roleplays along the same lines whether they want to get involved or not.

The worst part however, is how there is absolutely no rationalization behind this. It runs contrary to the established lore (both canon and fanon), and there was neither singular event to galvanize a reversal of policy nor backroom dealing leading up to this. It just happened, and the result is particularly jarring.

Trust me, there is nothing that would please me more than to have UIT run roughshod over the rest of the universe, but if you expect us to sit by idly while everything established leading up to this point is so carelessly disregarded instead of calling shenanigans then you've got another thing coming.

After all the work we've put into being taken even mildly seriously at our chosen roles as UIT nationalists, we're not about to let someone else stomp everything flat because they wanted to make a scene without first considering the consequences. Our reputation--and those of our characters--are on the line, and you damn well bet we're going to oppose this when it is all but signed in our names.

TL;DR version: In regards to being inconsiderate, Whytee and I are merely returning the favor.

AD4407

The UIT brings to the attention of the Itani several attempts by the Serco to bring large fleets through the Independent Territories to Itani space. The UIT politically prevent the Serco from crossing by threatening to relinquish trade agreements, while simultaneously building up their borders with defensive batteries. The Serco back down, for the moment.

'nuf said, lol

Anyways, this is the most initiative I've seen for a while in regard to reviving RP... and a very interesting development to track. In my personal opinion, it'd be cool of anyone to make oppositions as long as they can back it up with action in-game (I've actually seen several UIT newbies threaten certain non-UIT alts of mine in UIT space with hails telling me to gtfo). You can also oppose it simply on the RP thread and with the news, but only passively (I.E. not spontaneously announcing the end of it). IMHO UIT guerilla civil war with unclear opposing sides would be epic RP, too.

eh ladron? What on Earth gave you that idea? I think it was a cool development and was inspired to write something that supported the idea. And in no way did I want to kill this! Anything that makes "life" more interesting is good.

I do not in any way oppose this thread. However, I think it is a bit sad that it has been smashed by bickering. Back to the UIT internal skirmish!

ITT: we argue about pointless shit that doesn't matter

Asahel had never been so nervous before in his life. Not even when he finally had found the courage to ask Lycu out, hell not even before when she had introduced him to the Big Leader himself. This operation had all the requirements for going pearshaped fast and even though he had trained hard for the mission, he wasn't sure it would work. He stole a glimpse over at Lycu who was bent over the archaic looking codebreaker device, eyes focused on the readout and left hand twitching in concentration. He loved when she did that. With his body and soul. He had told her that he would die for her and with the usual mischief in her eyes she had replied that he would get his turn.

The codebreaker turned from red to green and Lycu looked over at him, surprise in her eyes. None of them had thought it would actually happen, none of them had anticipated that they would actually get through the security that surrounded the defence network. They all hesitated; this was the point of no return. Asahel nodded slowly, this would indeed be his turn. He grabbed the assault rifle firmly with both hands and rose from the prone position, looked down at the assembled youths and grinned firecely. A Death's grin.

"For the glory of UIT!"

That was apparently the icebreaker that was needed and the others rose as well. They opened the half-metre thick xithricite door and peeked behind it into the command nexus of the UIT border defence network. Around fifteen semi-bored operators were sitting at the controls, no-one had noticed the intruders. That ended when Asahel emptied his rifle into the back of three of them.

###

Commander Fletholm tossed the half-used cup of tea at the wall where the cup exploded in what should have been a satisfying crash. Instead of getting some relief from the destruction, all he got out of it was a fairly large tea-stain that seeped into his carpet.

"How the fuck could this happen?"

Eggert had never before seen his boss this mad, had never before heard him swear either.

"Dunno boss. Seems like they were better connected than we assumed."

Fletholm grabbed the report and read aloud from it.

"..blah blah blah, whereupon seizing the border defence turrets, the PUPK initiated a lockdown on all in and outgoing traffic resulting in at least nineteen Serco and/or Itani nationals dead. The turrets were only captured after several hours of intense hand to hand fighting by elite UPK troops. There were no prisoners."

He looked up at Eggert again, "and now for my favourite part. One of the insurgents was reported to have a USN press card with senatorial level clearance. We need to get on top of this situation and do it fast. This Provisional UPK is more resourceful than we dreamed of possible."

Eggert shuffled his feet and decided that now was as good a time as any.

"Sir, I have.. Ehm, there has been reports of Serco and Itani nationals being hunted from Dau as well as at least nine killings in Nyrius. All are claiming to act in the interests of PUPK. I am afraid we have underestimated the extent of this badly Sir."

Fletholm glared at Eggert, then leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck... Right. Damage control. Get a hold on the UPK wetworks division, get them on the senator and the marshal. This time I do not want to see any half-assed incriminating solutions. I want to see good old-fashioned heads rolling. Secondly, assure the major guilds in the UIT area that we WILL provide for their security. Send escorts to them if necessary. Third, get that broadcast chick we usually employ and get her to spin a story of us being the good guys and the PUPK being evil baby-killing terrorists."

Eggert nodded and walked out of the office. Fletholm grabbed the wastebasket and started putting his ex-favourite cup into it, cutting himself twice in the process. This was going to be messy at best!

Let me help ya out here, Pey: ITG: we argue about pointless shit that doesn't matter

Bravo fellas! Nice to see some RP in the RP forum! And I find the fact that our resident trolls decided to circle jerk on this thread, just to let us know they don't care, absolutely hysterical. Go stare at each others wieners some where else guys.

Keep it up vIsiter and Whytee, keep throwing those curve balls USN! Who knew the UIT was interesting?

so...this means, everyone can shoot UIT's now? (because if we shouldn't travel in their sectors they shouldn't travel in our sectors).

oh yeah...that'll make a lot of fun...so many UIT connis out there...

or is this only some random RPG thing which doesn't affect the game itself?

Nah, I'm pretty sure this one effects the game. Well... not the mechanics, just what people shoot.

@Shank hmmm...kay then it's all vs. all now?

It is a bit of RP. Some people are good at converting it into the game, some aren't. My hope right now is that some pilots are out to exact "citizens vigilante vengeance" on the Itani and Serco but I can't really see it happen for real with the borken faction system that is in place. Too many red and blue that are UIT POS.

Remember, you don't have to join the terrorists;)

@WAFFLES: UIT is a nation co-founded by wide, starry-eyed idealists and corporate back-stabbers. How can it NOT be interesting?

@SHANK: Thats about the shape of it. Its politics. Not, perhaps, as significant to the metalore as the Mogul saga, but nonetheless potentially significant if it sticks.

===

The extremists, it seemed, had finally given up pretense at being officially sanctioned after UPK made extensive purges to root out the subversives in its own ranks. Musharov and his coconspirator in the Senate were slated for a hearing and trial for treason, which helped shift the blame somewhat, but the damage to the corps' name had already been done.

The outraged mega-corporations (and not a few of the smaller, lesser-known interests) had called for the complete withdrawal of funding from UPK; some even lobbied for the organization's dissolution in its entirety. If not for the timely intervention of TPG, who preferred to take the long view in spite of their anger, they probably even would have. However, impassioned arguments about prior budget cuts opening security holes in the first place, as well as observations of suspicious prodding of the now-weakened border by the Serco managed to, begrudgingly, stay the Senate's hand.

Dealing with the breakaways, however, would be another matter. Although the views of the extremists were by far in the minority in regards to the opinions of UIT citizens as a whole, their recent recruits accounted for fully a third of UPKs own typical portfolio. Combined with recent discharges, the corps simply did not have the personnel to bring the insurrectionists to heel.

As for the splinter faction itself, it seemed to make no inroads against UPK in turn, let alone the Serco or the Itani. Although they had a fairly substantial number of recruits, few of them were well-trained, and they frequently found themselves smashed for their obstinate attempts to maintain a blockade by (understandably infuriated) seasoned pilots from otherwise 'neutral' guilds in addition to UPK itself. On top of that, they were fast discovering the accusations of illegitimacy (significantly the misconception that "UIT doesn't even have a military") which UPK had battled for years were no less applicable against themselves.

It would seem that the civil war which had been so feared would turn out to be a less bloody conflict than anticipated, if a drawn out one. Fighting was frequent, true, but some semblance of civil order remained, even if impeded. So long as neither faction possessed the means to overcome the other the affair would remain in an impassible stalemate.

Meanwhile, for the past week, Nikan had been preoccupied organizing manhunts against the would-be terrorists. Both be and his men had to pull double-shifts to make up for the personnel shortage in the wake of the recent purges, but Fletholm had ordered heads to roll and 'Nice' Hardrive intended to deliver.

Even as the corps' very existence drew perilously close to oblivion, he had made at least a hundred arrests, killed four confirmed cell leaders, and made some limited progress in pushing the extremists out of the core systems. It was suspected, however, that they had safe-houses in Nyrius and Azek, where UPK presence was more limited, as well as out in the bordering systems in Grayspace.

The breakaway's suspected 'benefactors', however, remained a significant unknown. It was clear that the rebellion had been too carefully planned, and far too well-connected, to be a home-brewed movement. It likely began as such, true, and likewise probably remained as such in the eyes of the majority of its members. Nikan knew, however, that such movements tended attract the interest of puppet-masters who manipulated events from the shadows, unseen.

It was exceptionally unlikely that they would have come this far without a guiding hand to manipulate events to their favor, and who knew who really held the strings by now? Though they were being tried, nobody honestly believe that Musharov or his friend were the true ringleaders. The one thing everyone could agree on, however, was that whoever was really running the show was very, very good.

So ensues the Hydra effect.