Old War, Cold War, What's the Difference? (MT/PMT)

And the A&A solders all seem to shake their heads. "You don't understand. We are not going to go to war again. Particularly not against the Swiss."

"The protection of everybody else in the Empire. Truthfully, it's an empire in name only. It's closer to one giant federation of small countries banding together for common defense and free trade. Trade and investment from a very wealthy group is very tempting."

(OOC: Skipping the Municipal involvement because they aren't actually doing very much right now, just sending over a transport.)

Vladimir nods again, and says, "Enticing indeed. Now, what exactly would the application process be?"

***

Colonel Cheng tilts his head, and says quizzically, "So you're afraid to interfere in Alaska because you're afraid of going to war with Switzerland, a 'neutral' landlocked country thousands of miles away? I presume there is a very enlightened thought process behind that, since to me it seems completely and utterly random. Still, in the end, you don't need to declare war on anyone to help us, just send us over a few transports of equipment and supplies and we should be good to go. No one needs to know about it, it doesn't need to be some big official matter. Is that better?"

"A referendum among your people on whether or not to join that is sent over to Parliament for approval."

The head of the soldiers shakes his head. "Oh no. They're no small landlocked country. They've become a very large and influential group of nations now. They've taken over what used to be Russia." He listens to the request. "I can definitely send the request, however, I know General D'Arc will not send any kind of weaponry. Not with the situation as it is. You are, technically, citizens of Alanda and Alexia, so whatever you do here will reflect upon us." He glances toward one of the other soldiers, who provides a current map of the world. He hands it to Cheng. "If the Swiss were not currently involved, we might annex this entire place. Doing so might cause a war. Then there's the Legion in what had been the United states. They might make it up here. If they do, that would not be good for this place."

(OOC: I'm assuming this is prior to the Enclave showing back up, btw.)

(OOC: Yes, it is.)

Vladimir raises his eyebrows. "That's all? Very well, I'll put the matter into consideration and call up a meeting fairly soon, then, we'll try to make some kind of decision on the matter. I suppose we should simply pass the referendum to you, assuming we make one?"

***

Colonel Cheng sighs, and says, "Very well, it's better then nothing. Still, you can count on one thing, and that's that we'll keep on fighting. We've done so for generations and we're not stopping now, not for anyone or any reason."

"Well, there will normally be a longer debate in Parliament but the fact that we were already planning on grabbing land in Alaska will speed things up."

The soldier sighs and nods. "Fine." He turns to the others. "We're finished. They won't listen." And they start to leave. The leader turns. "No assistance from us. We disavow you and your people here. The Swiss will know that. Fight against them if you wish. May you live in interesting times." And he follows his people out.

(OOC: By the way, the last sentence is a curse in Aisa. I'm not willing to get dragged into fighting. The soldiers realise reason won't get through. There's no reason for them to stick around.)

"I see. How long do you plan to stay in the region?"

***

Cheng simply frowns and says, "We have."

"We will be here for the foreseeable future, though the army units stationed here will rotate out."

(OOC: You know what, forget this thread ever happened. I planned this whole thing out very badly and I have no desire to continue this. I guess we'll have to do our Alaskan landgrabs like we've always done them.)

(OOC: Aww. Kind of disappointed. Could we still do this but with only the Swiss and the UMNA? Just retcon out A&A involvement or have A&A leave the Chinese remnants hanging?)

(OOC: Maybe, if you really want to...)

(OOC: Yeah, I want to do something other than the usual "I claim this land in the name of Spain!" sort of thing. I'll be busy in New Vegas, anyway.)

(OOC: Okay. Could you lock this thread, then, so we can try again?)

(OOC: Done.)

(OOC: Alright, continuing in this thread, with my apologies to Rut...)

Vladimir nods and says, "I see. I will call a meeting shortly to decide whether or not we will take such an action."

***

Meanwhile, the first Municipal transport lands in Anchorage with some food and outdated ZPCI arms. It's not much, but the American soldiers there are grateful. The UMNA arranges for another transport to leave soon, this one with some advisers.

The Colonel acknowledges, salutes, and leaves.

Vladimir quickly calls the camp to a meeting in a large ramshackle building near the center as they decide whether or not the pass a referendum opening their camp to the possibility of joining the Swiss Empire. After a long and bitter debate, they eventually reach a majority opinion that yes, they should join the Swiss. Vladimir then relays this development to the Swiss.

The agreement is documented and sent over to Bern, where, after only an hour of debate, the parliament approves. The soldiers start pulling out Swiss flags and flagpoles and erecting them. More food is being shipped on the way, as are extra heating units the Swiss army had already brought with them for making camp.

The Colonel returns to Vladimir and says, "It's been approved. Congratulations, you are now all citizens of the Swiss empire. From what my reports have told me, there are enough people here to make one canton. You may hold an election whenever you wish to appoint your member of Parliament."

Outside, the soldiers are looking to erect further fortifications to the place. They do consult the locals first, though, on where to put them and where property lines are.

The camp doesn't really have property lines per se. People just move into empty shacks when their occupants die and build new ones if they need the space. In any case, they end up electing a man named Taras Sidorov (OOC: No, this is not the old Selathorni Vice Director if you even remember him ) to be sent to the Swiss Parliament.

***

Meanwhile, the second transport with some military advisers lands in Anchorage. Some of the local troops alert the advisers that from scouting missions they've noticed a heavy increase in naval traffic near the Russian camp and that the ships flew the flag of Switzerland for some strange reason. The advisers realize the importance of the development and relay it to the Generalissimo, who then sends a message to the Swiss...

***

To: Chancellor Raphael Bertinelli
From: Gsso. Roald Walker

We have heard word that naval traffic near the northwestern portion of Alaska have increased with many of the ships there flying your flag. Because we have some interest in exploring and developing parts of Alaska ourselves, could you please explain the increase of naval traffic? Doing so would allow us to avoid stepping on your toes in the area and would be mutually beneficial to both of our nations.

Cordially,
Gsso. Roald Walker

To: Gsso. Roald Walker
From: Chancellor Raphael Bertinelli

We, too, have interest in exploring and developing Alaska. We sent an expedition there where we found a group of Russian survivors, who soon became citizens of the Swiss empire. We have staked this area as our territory as the Anchorage canton.

-Chancellor Raphael Bertinelli

*map shown here*

--------------------------------------------------------------

They start erecting metal scaffolds for the walls around the camp and apply spray on concrete to create a wall a hundred meters away from the edge of the camp.

To: Chancellor Raphael Bertinelli
From: Gsso. Roald Walker

I see. We have made contact and sent some development aid to a small group of American soldiers near the area of Anchorage as well. We thank you for giving us notice of your actions.

Cordially,
Gsso. Roald Walker

***

With this development, the advisers begin to tell the American not to attack the Russians, which they really don't seem to mind as they were never their primary target. They begin focusing on the Chinese using their new weapons and armor instead.

A battalion of the First Infantry Brigade moves on towards the Chinese areas, exploring the area.

The area actually seems fairly desolate, for the most part, but Chinese patrols and soldiers abound. In fact, it appears that one patrol has sighted them and is attempting to return to their headquarters with the information.