Ordenreich official announcement pertaining to events in Christana

The Ordenreich as very recently flexed its military power in defense of Christana from an invading Heraklean fleet. Despite similar ideologies and closer borders, relations between the Ordenreich and Heraklea have hit an all-time low especially with the announcement that three Ordenreich "Artillery" Fleets, Fleets with an Ultra-Dreadnought with the new slipspace launcher allowing for Ultra-dreadnoughts to fire FOABs between systems allowing for devastating extreme range attacks, will be positioned at all times on the Ordenreich Heraklean border. The Ordenreich so far has not made any attempts at closing trade routes running through Ordenreich space into or out of Heraklea but with relations where they are it might be a possibility. Despite this the Ordenreich has not made any deals with Christana and the Hierarchy has stressed that the defense of Christana was only to satisfy the provisions set forth in the Writ of the Ordenreich. Because of the original Writ recently being declared illegitimate by the Ordenreich Hierarchy for reasons explained below the Ordenreich no longer has no reason to remain in the Christana system and has now begun pulling its fleet out of the system. The Ordenreich will be willing to open up relations with Christana but as it stands the Ordenreich claims neutrality in the conflict between Heraklea and Christana. On another note the Ordenreich also has declared that it is willing to negotiate with Heraklea in an attempt to normalize relations with the interstellar empire and also prevent a trade embargo between the two powers which would hurt trade between many different powers. The Ordenreich has sent an open invitation to Heraklean ambassadors to visit the Ordenreich homeworld of Livenstein to begin negotiations. Finally, the Ordenreich Hierarchy has unanimously struck the Ordenreich Writ null and void and has written a new one which was put into law immediately. The reasons for the nullfication of the old Writ were for two reasons. One, two of the signatories of the Ordenreich Writ were members of the pre-Hildenburen Hierarchy, the Hierarchy that authorized the experiments at Silesia Nova. These two Paladins Komturs had their names struck of the Order Library records, their ranks stripped, and all shreds of their honor destroyed. By those reasons their names and ranks on all documents were thereby rendered null and void including the Ordenreich Writ. Second, the Hierarchy took a closer look at the position of the Ordenreich in the galaxy both strategically and politically and decided that it was simply unfeasible to enforce such a document as many pre-spaceflight or pre-colonial species either were very far away or within other power's sphere of influence which could result in war if the Ordenreich moved into their territory. The Ordenreich doesn't have the resources, manpower, political clout, or willpower to defend all species protected by the old Writ and has decided to limit the Writ's influence to the Ordenreich sphere. This doesn't mean the Ordenreich will be apathetic to the cries for help from those that couldn't defend themselves the Ordenreich has just given itself a little more discretion in first contact affairs.

Second Writ of the Ordenreich

1. The Ordenreich will not make first contact with non-spacefaring species within its own sphere of influence. We will study them but make no contact until they themselves join the galactic community.

2. The Ordenreich will not interfere in the affairs of non-spacefaring species even in species made extinction events within the Ordenreich sphere.

3. The Ordenreich considers interference by other spacefaring nations in the affairs of non spacefaring nations or pre-colonial spaceflight species within the Ordenreich sphere as wrong and will intervene on the non spacefaring species behalf be it by diplomacy or military affairs.

4. In the event of interference by spacefaring species on non spacefaring species or pre-colonial spaceflight species within the Ordenreich sphere. The Ordenreich will do everything possible to keep them ignorant of the events that transpire. If it is impossible to hide the events from the non spacefaring race then the Ordenreich will attempt to initiate contact and ease their transition into the galactic community.

Signed:

Hochmeister Micah von Guelderlaand
OrdenMarshall Thomas von Danzig Nova
Paladin Komtur Heinrich von Kassel
Paladin Komtur Jager von Port Holstein
Paladin Komtur Maya von Danzig Nova
Paladin Komtur Albrecht von New Prussia

red=changes made

While the Christanan government warns that the Hera machine will return marking it a bad move to leave however they accept the order's choice. They will also happily open trade to the order.

Heraklea welcomes the new revision of the Writ, praising it as a more pragmatic and enforcable creed than the previous. The Heraklean ambassador to the Ordenreich (OOC: Who I will create when I get off work today) greets the oppurtunity to normalize relations with the Ordenreich with much relief and hopes that a future of close cooperation is realized.

Heraklea also makes clear its displeasure over continued Christanan insults to their most honorable state.

*The Ordenreich will be ready to greet the Heraklea ambassador when he or she arrives. As for Christana they will negotiate trade relations but otherwise do not comment on Christana's warning*

(OOC: Whenever you want to start just go ahead and post a dialogue here, I'll get an email notification)

Commodore Cadfan Simona of the Heraklean Diplomatic Service exited the vehicle that had conveyed him to the building that served as the focal point of authority in the Ordenreich. His adjutant stepped beside him.

“Bear in mind, my friend. Our actions this day may shape the history of the galaxy.”

*Upon being identified a cleared by O.S.S.C Livenstein the diplomatic shuttle was directed to the High Citadel. Main Command center and center of government for the Ordenreich Hierarchy. The High Citadel was still rather bare bones as both the original High Citadel and the capital city of Konigsburg were both completely destroyed by the FOAB destination on Livenstein's surface by the Hildenburen a few years back. The High Citadel was the first structure completed in what was formally known as Ground Zero Livenstein and the new capital city of New Konigsburg was still in its early construction. A few skyscrapers had been already built but for the most part New Konigsburg's skyline was dominated by skyscrapers under construction and industrial cranes used to build them. Another notable feature was the depression the capital city and High Citadel now resided in. This was the crater made by the FOAB that destroyed the original capital and High Citadel. Now their new reincarnations now existed about 50 feet below sea level. The Heraklean diplomatic shuttle was quickly authorized to set down on the diplomatic landing pad built at the High Citadel and an Ordenreich security team comprised of one full squad of Ordenreich Black Hole Legion were sent to meet them. The leader of the Black Hole Legion squadron was naturally a big person but with his power armor given to him due to his designation as an Order Imperator made him seem even bigger (he wears the same armor as an N7 Destroyer from Mass Effect 3). He approached the Heraklean diplomatic entourage and tried to make himself as non-hostile as possible which was kind of hard with the massive power armor and guns.*

Order Imperator: Greetings Heraklean ambassador and company. I am Order Sergeant Franks of the Arcanii Network Black Hole Legion, Squadron 46. My team and I have been assigned with escorting you to the room the Hierarchy has designated for negotiations. Hochmeister Micah von Guelderlaand has been expecting you. This way please.

“Lead the way, Order Sergeant.”

*The Order Imperator lead the entourage through the halls of the High Citadel. Many different people both military officers and political figures passed them as they made their way to the negotiating table paying the group little heed at they absorbed themselves in their assignments. After about 10 minutes of walking the group arrived at the room the negotiations were meant to take place. The Order Imperator stepped aside to allow the Herakleans to pass. Inside the room the floor had carpet and the walls were made of old fashioned wood. On the walls were pictures depicting many different key moments in the Ordenreich's history: The signing of the peace treaty that ended the 8th Livenstein Terrestrial War, the establishment of the Ordenreich Hierarchy, a photo taken between the Hochmeister and the various species that made first contact with the Ordenreich, a photo of the first Ultra-Dreadnought's beginning of its maiden voyage, the hoisting of the Ordenreich flag in Ground Zero of the Livenstein FOAB strike, and various other historical images. Along the back wall straight across from the door was a tattered flag encased in glass. It had the same eagle insignia as the modern Ordenreich flag but instead of the burning crescent under it, it had a yellow cross with black trim behind it and a white background, the original flag of the Ordenreich's first predecessor, the Teutonic Order. Sitting directly in front of the flag was the Hochmeister, he kept his head down preoccupied with something on a computer screen apparently not noticing the doors open. He continued to busy himself on the computer even when the doors for the room closed after the Heraklean diplomatic group entered.*

"Greetings, Hochmeister.  I am Commodore Cadfan Simona of the Heraklean Diplomatic Service, and the Chief of the Heraklean Diplomatic Mission to the Ordenreich.  It is a pleasure to meet you and it is my fond hope that we can prevent further unpleasantries between our states."

*The Hochmeister turned to regard the Commordore. He stared at the Commodore for 10 seconds, smiled, then turned back to the tattered flag on the back wall.*

Micah: Do you know what this is and what is represents Commodore?

"I am, of course, familiar with the Sacaen Teutonic Order from which you trace your origins, Hochmeister," said Commodore Simona. "It would be entirely remiss of me in my present duties to not be at least passingly familiar with it. I must, however, claim ignorance on the majority of the history this banner surely represents."

Micah *in grim, tired voice*: This, Commordore, is the flag of the original Teutonic Order from Earth, our first home. This was the flag our ancestors carried from earth to what was once called the "New World" where they accidentally triggered a stargate which brought them to their second home where they became the Sacaen Teutonic Order. Nothing remains of the Old Order back on Earth. From what we got from shared historical data from the Centauri our lost brothers experienced a slow death that lasted centuries till the last of them were wiped out in a great nuclear war which destroyed earth. Nothing remains of the old Order on Earth. There are no artifacts, no traditions, nothing save for a few historical entires that were salvaged when human civilization began to regrow on the planet. Why am I telling you this? It is because if you wish to negotiate with us you must understand the meaning behind this flag and the story which I just told you. This flag represents two things: second chances and how much we can truly lose. If you ask any other species what my people are like they will most likely say severe or militaristic. We do this not because we want to but because it is a necessity very few people in this galaxy can rightly say they know what it means to lose their home world. We have lost ours twice. First, when our ancestors in the original Order left Earth and the second time when our second home world was ravaged by nuclear war and environmental disaster causing our Order to break into two. Not many know this but we are not the descendants of the Sacaen Teutonic Order, they all were left behind on the second home world. My people are refugees from a ocean going navy assigned to meet new people and establish colonies in foreign lands. Whether or not the Sacaen Teutonic Order survived the loss of our second home we might never know. This flag is all we have left of our ancestor's lives and it shows just how much a people can lose in this galaxy. We are militaristic because fear we will lose our third home but we also know just how far this galaxy can push a people and that is why we give second chances because we know that if we don't the galaxy will never know peace. I offered this meeting because I am willing to look past the incident at Christana because I believe mistakes were made on all sides of that conflict including ours and we must look past those mistakes to ensure our respective civilizations don't fall into neverending war. We may be militaristic, we may spy on everyone we can, but we are fair as well and willing to do what it takes to achieve peace. Can you say the same?

“Indeed we can Hochmeister. Heraklea is committed to a peaceful relationship with the rest of the galaxy, in so far as such a relationship can be achieved. That said, Heraklea has always approached war with the same philosophy: don't just win the war you're fighting, win all the wars you would fight against this opponent again. The First Bastillian was the first war we fought against an external power. We ended it amicably. Less than a decade past before the Second Bastillian War, and we ended it with conquest. We learned from that, and ended the War of Yggdrasil in the same manner. There was no second Yggdrasi war. It is how we have approached our military endeavors ever since.

“Still Hochmeister, your description of the Order's history displays to me much similarity to our own. Heraklea is the product of two flights from worlds we called home: first Earth and later Chiron. We have our own fears of such happening again. And we have other fears, as I'm sure you understand. We fear collapse into a society of decadence and privilege unearned as we saw under the Kingdom of Sonoma, and we fear the chaos and anarchy of the Republic of Sonoma. True, Ports Rebellion left an even greater impression than Lambert's Betrayal on our culture, and as such we fear that last far more than others. In fact, that distaste for anarchy leaves us far more uncomfortable with our Christanan neighbors than the war we fought. Still, for the time being at least, we are willing to deal with our issues with the Christanan government diplomatically.

“Additionally, my government is not willing to completely give up our foreign adventures. There are, on the edge of our sovereignty some very concerning situations developing that, if not directly threatening to us, do threaten to have an overall destabilizing effect on the galaxy at large, one we hope to mitigate. There is, for example, a society that practices slavery which our analysts believe to be on the verge of a slave revolt. If one occurs, I warn you my government intends to immediately move to support the rebellion. It may not mirror your state's own position of allowing societies to develop on their own, but I hope that given the nature of the situation and our interference, your government will at least not condemn our action, if not actively supporting them.”

Micah: With the revisions of the Writ we may do as you please within your sphere. I won't recommend a condemnation for a useless pre-industrial practice. All I ask is that if you detect a pre-spaceflight species within our sphere that we haven't previously discovered that you will inform us if you plan to manipulate in their affairs. The Hierarchy has decided that the new Writ should serve more like a guide than a law because some things we cannot ignore. It wouldn't be responsible to our people. But enough of such talk, I believe that we can discuss further on these matters once current issues are resolved now where did I put it...

*The Hochmeister looks around before activating his comm*

Micah (in comm): Knight is the package with you?

Knight: Yes sir

Micah: Send it in

*An Ordenreich knight walks in soon after the Hochmeister closes his comms with a rectangular package. The package bears an insignia on the top of it.

Insignia:

The Hochmeister brushes a hand over the insignia and mutters something quickly in his native tongue before turning to the Commodore.*

Micah: This is an ancient custom of our Order. When two rivals meet to make peace the hand that offers also gives a special sword made of the finest crafting to his rival signifying that he recognizes his rival as an adversary worthy of his respect and his willingness to work with this rival for peace. I present this sword and the parcel that holds it to you. By giving you this your people have gained the respect of myself and my people. The insignia dates back to the founding of the Ordenreich. The predecessor state that made the Ordenreich used this insignia as their flag. This insignia represents what our Order has achieved in its history. The words below the shield belong to the original language of our people. Roughly they say, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

*The Hochmeister opens the box*

Micah: This is a broad sword used by the Teutonic Knights of old, shaped in the image of a cross that is the symbol of their faith. This sword, however, is modified. It is made of the strongest steel available in the Ordenreich and laser cut to a point where it is sharp enough to cut through sheer titanium. We have also added an extra element. Recently we discovered that exposure to the element that powers our ships, shields, and a majority of our weapons, Element Zero, can cause one of our people to exhibit strange powers called "Biotics." These powers allow someone to manipulate the laws of physics around them. They can levitate large objects by turning their mass to zero and they can create miniature black holes called "Singularities." We have recently infused some of our Biotic Black Hole Legion member's swords with Element Zero. This element in their sword combined with their biotics allow them to launch powerful shockwaves (N7 Slayer ability) by swinging their sword. While you are not a biotic we have infused this particular sword with enough Element Zero to launch one shockwave by any normal being that swings it. Please accept this gift in good faith.

“A fine blade, to be sure. Such gifts are not lightly given, nor lightly received. I accept this gift on behalf of the Chief of State and the Heraklean people. I wish we had thought to bring along a gift such as this to our talks, but alas it was not. I shall inform my superiors of the lapse at the soonest opportunity.

“Hochmeister, if I may divert our conversation briefly to other matters, it has been observed in the past that few relationships between states are stronger than one in which they both benefit. Trade, we believe, would expand both of our economies and help strengthen ties to ensure we don't descend into a war. As such, I would like to inquire what sorts of commodities and technologies your people are willing to export, and what sort in turn they may wish to acquire. Heraklea may not have grown to the same heights as the Ordenreich has in terms of technology, but our long isolation means we have explored alternate paths that may be of use to your people, if agreements could be made.”

Micah: Please, we require no gift, your gift is the choice to come before me to negotiate instead of continue in cold war. The discovery of Element Zero has shot forward our technological prowess by many decades. Why if it wasn't for Element Zero we would still be using crude forms of FTL and ships that used primitive MAC guns and forms of FTL. Element Zero has allowed us deploy highly advanced ground units such as the black Hole Legion and allowed us the construction of Ultra-Dreadnoughts and the slipspace launchers that allow us to fire FOABs between entire systems. It has also made our stealth frigate fleet a possibility. If you wish we can trade you this resource and some of the technological knowledge to begin utilizing this resource. Sadly I cannot trade the knowledge of Ultra-Dreadnoughts and FOABs just yet. Maybe once this relationship proves fruitful and longlasting we can discuss the interchange of secret weapons of war. In addition, the Ordenreich and its previous incarnation have experienced much in the way of nuclear war. As a result, we have developed extensive technologies to clean up fallout and revitalize the land of devastated worlds. As an example this office, the High Citadel, and the city you see off in the distance were not here at one point. Their predecessors were destroyed when a FOAB prematurely went off in the middle of our capital of Konigsburg completely wiping out the city, the High Citadel and 1/4 of Livenstein's total surface. Another 1/4 suffered radiation fallout from the blast rendering half of our homeworld unlivable. All these green valleys and rebuilt structures are a direct result of our knowledge and technology in radiation cleanup. This we can offer you without payment if you so wish. As for what you can offer us I am afraid you catch me at a disadvantage into what resources your people specialize in. Perhaps you can enlighten me?

“That sort of revitalization technology would be of great use to us. There are unfortunately several worlds we were left with no choice but to destroy all life upon. I assure you, it was necessary in each instance, not just for the safety of Heraklea, but for the safety of the entire galaxy. Still, those worlds have been devoid of life for a generation, and the air is still toxic.

“In terms of what we export, by far our largest exports in terms of volume are agricultural products. We are in possession of a number of worlds that are used almost exclusively for agriculture, which feeds our entire population and leaves more than enough to sell to the rest of the galaxy. On top of that, we export metal alloys, superconductors, ceramics, and finished products such as electronics, cybernetics and extraplanetary vehicles of various sorts and purposes. Ships we sell are often equipped with civilian grade spatial distortion FTL drives. We also have a number of personnel who are available for a variety of forms of security contracting, if there is ever a desire for such services.”

*Micah nodded in thought as the Commodore listed off what Heraklea had to offer in return before speaking*

Micah: Well we could also use more agricultural products. Garden worlds and planets we can turn into garden worlds are in chronically short supply so an increase in food, spices, etc. Would fix a few minor food problems we have been having. The Hildenburen attack did more damage to our farm planets then we initially thought so there have been rations on more colonies then I like. We could also use technology and electronics. It would be quite interesting to integrate Heraklean tech with our own and vice versa. So what do you say? Heraklean civilian tech and agricultural products in exchange for our Element Zero and the knowledge to utilize it in civilian tech and engines? In addition, we are still including our gift to you of planetary scale radiation clean up technology.

(The following is after you agree or disagree with the offer above.)

Micah: So from what I understand its pretty much inevitable that the Ordenreich and Heraklea are going to be aligned more closely then we ever will with Christana. The Ordenreich has already agreed to enter into an anti-piracy pact with your people and we pretty much snubbed Christana with our recent message to them in regards to their "open" diplomatic meeting.

*The Hochmeister air quoted using both of his hands when he said "open"*

Micah: There are two things I want to take care of and find out where we stand on before we continue, however. First, there seems to be some subversive elements within your sphere that oppose your hegemony over that region of space. I need to know who these elements are, why I should detain them, and what is the procedure if or when they begin to enter Ordenreich space. My issues are that these subversive elements might try to enter the Ordenreich through our future trade routes and use Ordenreich colonies as cover from Heraklean law. Most likely these elements will try to petition my government and I for sanctuary so I would like to know more about them before we have a border incident like you did with Christana but on a larger scale. Second, I know that your government is in talks with Alpha Centauri and we have never really seen eye to eye on most issues. The Planetary Governate as very good reason not to trust us because of Silesia Nova and many in the Ordenreich are hesitant to trust them because of their continued insistence that their home planet is a living creature. Whether it is or not I don't know and I honestly don't care but if you plan to ally with the Planetary Governate there may be some problems. I am quite curious to know how you plan to make a functioning alliance with my people and the Centauri when it is clear that the Centauri and my people have no love or trust for each other

“These terms for a trade agreement are most agreeable. I accept them, pending ratification by the Chief of State.

“On the subject of our subversives, there are really only two groups of concern. The first are the renegade Cortane, the so called 'Free Cortane Forces,' essentially members of their former military who refused to stand down after the conclusion of our war with Corta. They are in truth more pirate than subversive these days. They simply cloak their actions in patriotism, claiming a cause of 'freedom' to justify their atrocities. It is unlikely they will become an issue for you, as they generally operate further to the galactic north near the Christana border regions. If you do encounter them, it will mainly depend on the vessels they appear on. If they are in warships, then the greatest likelihood is that they have been engaging in piracy, in which case they should be detained and subjected to your justice system on those crimes. If they are not on warships, then the greatest likelihood is that they are still fugitives of some sort. In that case, we would appreciate it if your government detained them and made inquiries about outstanding warrants, and if any are forthcoming that those persons are then extradited to Corta.

“The other group of concern are the Halbadins. They are the worst kind of terrorists: religious extremists who believe they are being persecuted and that a paradise awaits them as a reward for martyrdom. That, and it is right and justified to attack the infidel. They've been a problem since the beginning of the occupation of Ofper forty years ago. We invaded their home world to stop an ethnic cleansing, which unfortunately means only about a sixth of the population of Ofper actually like us. Ofper is much closer to you than where the Cortane operate, but at the same time they have virtually no way of leaving the planet. There is a near total blockade of Ofper. Only shuttles with explicit authorization by the Occupation Forces are permitted to leave or enter the atmosphere. If you do somehow find a Halbad Ofperian within your sovereignty, you should immediately detain him. There is no possible motivation he has for being in your sphere that is good news for the Ordenreich.

“As to your second concern, Hochmeister, we have studied the histories of what has happened in the galaxy before we emerged to take our place among you. We have discussed these events with the Centauri, and I think you are more pessimistic about a future warm relationship with the Centauri than is warranted. Brother Lal does not blame you nor your people for Peter Jager's actions. I will not lie to you and say that there is no more suspicion of the Ordenreich among the Centauri, there is. Despite that, we believe the Centauri would welcome a new relationship with your people, even if that relationship is just 'a friend of a friend.'”

*The Hochmeister gave a slight smile when the Commordore finished.*

Micah: Then I will take you word for it about the Centauri Commodore. If you think the Centauri, Ordenreich, and Heraklea can work together towards a common goal then I will trust your judgement. As for the dissidents you have my word if we find anything persons that you described we will defer to you on judgement. Your people are the only ones with experience on them so you can be a better judge than us. If you do need help with pirates I can task some of the Pioneers to hunt them. Essentially Pioneers think like pirates to take down pirates. They are very efficient with their job but unfortunately having an organization think like a pirate means they are barely controlled and we don't trust them in core worlds and colonies. They normally stay out in outlaw space where their talents can be used to full effect without them harming ours or anyone else's population. By the way while I'm thinking about it, Pioneers operate fairly independently of a central command. However, they do have to adhere to some ground rules which we establish. One of these ground rules is don't enter other's nations space without express permission. If your fleets find any of our Pioneers in your borders then you don't need to ask us to engage. As far as we are concerned once a Pioneer ship or person leaves Ordenreich space without permission they have gone full pirate.

“A novel concept. And I for one am not going to lose any sleep over some dead terrorists. I thank you, on behalf of the Chief of State, for your aid in dealing with rogue elements from our sphere.

“Hochmeister, if you will allow a discussion of a potentially sensitive topic, may I ask about your government's relationship with the Veridians? I understand you are friendly with them, but how friendly is friendly?”

*The Hochmeister sighs, knowing where the Commodore is going with this*

Micah: I'll tell you the same thing I told the Centauri. The Ordenreich and Veridia have a favorable trade relationship and, because of recent events, a kinship on the battlefield. Just because the Centauri don't like it doesn't mean I'm going to sever a profitable relationship. Please don't tell me you are the same way

"Peace, Hochmeister, peace. I have no intentions of cast aspersions on a relationship that has benefited your state. I merely wished to inquire about the relationship, much as you inquired about us and the Centauri. I will be honest with you. We aren't particularly fond of the Veridians. There are elements of their society that makes us... uncomfortable. But rest assured that our desire for a strong relationship with you greatly outweighs any concerns we have over your relationship with the Veridians. Perhaps in time you will consider Heraklea a closer and more trusted friend, but that is a matter for the future. In the here and now, the nations that recognize the importance of the rule of law must bring themselves together to suppress the forces of chaos that gather around us."

Micah: Well I don't know about that. As you probably noticed the Ordenreich is fairly unbiased when it comes to dealing with other nations. We don't really care what your creed, system of government, or traditions are. Its more of a question of if your people are willing to keep the peace and whether or not the Ordenreich will be helped or hurt for dealing with you. The Hierarchy has decided that Christana will hurt us more than they will help while it is vice versa for your people.

"Believe me, Hochmeister, we would choose peace over war any day. Such a choice is not always available, unfortunately. That's why nations have militaries. If we could peacefully coexist with the Christanans, we would. But it is clear from their statements they have no intention of honoring the peace long term."