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February 29, 3064 – We have arrived in Nanking. We take immediate stock of everything. We arrived, en masse, at a pirate point 42 hours from the planet.
There is a ton of aerospace traffic here in Nanking. As expected, the Brest Fox-class corvette is around the planet. The Brest has 5 DropRings, all of which have assault or similar level Dropships on them. There are a number of JumpShips and DropShips heading to and from the planet (As would be expected for a planet with a large factory)
Duke James Essex is on board the Swift Justice and he sends a quick communication to the captain of the Brest. In a minute, he appears on screen. Duke Essex begins to address him.
“The Celestial Coalition has been specifically asked with coming to Nanking, and securing the independence of Nanking from the Federated Commonwealth. I have here an official request signed by the top three members of the local government, authorizing our presence here. We are here legally, at the behest of the local government.
Hold, let me transmit this letter to you now Captain. Let me know when you’ve gotten it and read it.”
A few minutes later, the Captain confirms that he has the letter.
“Now, perhaps you think that we faked the letter. Or force the people to give their consent. Well, I have coordinated with the local government to contact you and confirm it. Go ahead”
Forty minutes pass.
“Your letter is legitimate. But I cannot let go of the area I was sworn to protect.”
“Captain, you are sworn to the pro-Victor side because you’ve seen the sins of the ruling Katrina Steiner-Davion. You’ve seen how she treats the people. And you are siding with the people against the ruler who is rightfully in charge of your nation. Now we are asked to side with the people. Why would you want to stop us? If listening to the cries of the people and the sins of the government led you to where you are, right now, why stop? They don’t want you, or your nation, to lead them anymore.
Let me put it another way. You’re a military man. Maybe a more practical point – you’ve seen and analyzed our taskforce. We’ve done the same with you. We both know that you don’t have the capability of stopping us. Why not concede the planet, and save your ship, your escorts and fighters, and anyone else on planet who wants to join you, and leave? Relocate to fight against the Civil War somewhere else. You don’t want to lose your flotilla against another nation – Victor can’t afford that. So leave because you are siding with the locals. Or leave to keep the war going somewhere else. But leave. That’s the smart play here.
And Captain, one more thing. Note that I didn’t try to make you angry to fight us. I didn’t start drawing lines in the sand saying, “Leave now, you aren’t welcome” or anything like that to force your hand. I have spoken to you in respect. Just go, and fight again somewhere, and leave the people of Nanking to the will of the people.”
A brief pause.
“I have my orders. I must guard Nanking. And I will. You will not pass to Nanking.”
“Very well captain. Your over-exaggerated view of yourself may be what brings down your side of the Civil War, but alright. You certainly won’t be the first person to rush foolishly to death in a time of war.”
Of course, we broadcast that to the people of Nanking, so they can see what we say and know.
We are coming to save them
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