"Tremendous progress has been made in our negotiations with the Darloks, as we grow to better understand their ways. In their minds, it would be dishonorable to receive the planet of Whynil from our hands without a fight after losing it in battle to our predecessors, akin to accepting charity, and for similar reasons, they do not seek reparations in exchange for peace; rather, they consider our mutual interests the strongest bond of peace that can exist, thanking us regularly for our work to bring the Silicoids in line with galactic environmental policy."
"As a result, they have agreed to peace this year on the one condition that we continue to diligently enforce the galactic laws against the destruction of planetary ecologies. Moreover, to seal the new peace, they have agreed to a trade package amounting to 150 BC annually."
Mentar Peaceful Dipomacy Center, 4.9.2397:
"Our diplomats have proven the value and sustainabilty of peace in the galaxy beyond all doubt; both Narzina and Jasana are so pleased with our policies that each approached this very year to request a full alliance with our people. Sadly, we were forced to refuse, since they were particularly interested in a military alliance, and though all of us are at war with the other three races in the galaxy, the Mrrshans and Darloks as yet seem to seek the destruction of those other races, whereas we regret the state of war in which we find ourselves, and seek - for ourselves and our friends and enemies alike - a lasting peace."
Paranar Advanced Electronics Research Facility, 27.2.2399:
"Following up Drain Ceritfy's success last year, when he snagged the plans for Deuterium Fuel Cells from Kholdan, I have penetrated deep into Bulrathi space, and can now provide detailed design specifications for Battle Computer Mark III."
"While I was here, I was also able to observe our activity at Cryslon from this facility's powerful scanning and communications network; it sorrows me to hear that the Silicoids remain intransigent on environmental policies, but I am pleased that Cryslon itself will at last begin the long process of recovery from their flagrant pollution when we colonize it and begin waste cleanup efforts next year. Best of all, of course, are leaked reports from the Klackon Queen that she and her ecological people are deeply impressed by our work at Cryslon and will at last agree to a peace proposal later this year."
Mentar Peaceful Diplomacy Center, 2.6.2400
"Last year's peace agreement with the Klackons is holding strong, and we continue to make major progress on the pan-galactic goal of restoring the galaxy's most polluted worlds to their ecological heritage. With the still-intransigent waste-loving Silicoids marginalized, no longer receiving any electoral nominations, we are near to a time of true galactic peace. With the support we each got from other races, Jasana and I could have cooperated to elect a high emperor of the galaxy this year - indeed, had just one more vote swung to me, I could have elected myself without her votes - but Jasana voted for herself without consultation, and since the Silicoids voted for her as well, not in support of her or her policies but as a statement of displeasure with me, I felt I could not support their position by voting the same way, and therefore abstained. Time enough in the next election to select Jasana or myself as ruler of the galaxy. For now, much work remains to be done."
"Perhaps now that Cryslon is in Psilon hands and recovering from Silicoid pollutants, the remaining crystalfolk will see reason and accept our diplomatic proposals, or submit counter-proposals of their own in place of defiance and war. We can only hope."
Low Nordia Orbit, 25.1.2402:
"The Silicoids remain noncompliant. Seventy-six factory complexes were present, without any EIRs on file, no waste scrubbers, no cleanup efforts, and a planetary atmosphere choked with pollutants, to say nothing of the surface itself. We're going to have to confiscate this world like the others, and clean it up ourselves. We have begun the process already by removing all the waste-spewing factories and Silicoid population from the surface, making room for our clean-up crews. They should be able to land here soon, thanks to the radiation-control bases just devised by our scientists back at Bio Lab Imra, and with Atmospheric Terraforming technology in development, we have hope that the world may someday become a paradise in spite of the horrors perpetrated by the Silicoids here."
Mentar Orbital Force Field Test Facility, 30.3.2403:
"I am pleased to follow up Drain Certify's description of Klackon designs for Battle Computer Mark IV with confirmation that our own repulsor beams have finally passed their full battery of tests, and are ready for deployment in the field. With proposals for highly advanced personal or ship-class shields also on the table, we have elected to pursue a Class X Planetary Shield to help enforce the peace without taking warlike actions ourselves even in defense."
Paranar Warp Mechanics Research Complex, 27.2.2406:
"The necessary formulas for the design of Bulrathi Irridium Fuel Cells have been transmitted to our own scientists successfuly. I congratulated them as well on last year's development of Zortium Armor leading to Reduced Industrial Waste 40%, the better to continue our environmental policies. There is yet more news however: The Bulrathi are continuing to receive GNN transmissions, and thanks to our colonization of Nitzer last year, when our cleanup crews establish their base on Nordia later this year, it is expected that the newsdroid will claim that our 18 star systems threaten control of the galaxy! It appears incapable of recognizing that we seek not control, but peace."
Mentar Peaceful Diplomacy Center, 24.5.2407:
"There's certainly a lot going on in the galaxy ... mostly good news, fortunately."
"One of our agents working in Mrrshan space stumbled on plans for Improved Terraforming +10 while our EIRs were clearing Seidon for our clean-up crews' arrival - but the best news of all is the end of the plague at Fierias; Jasana will surely be in a better mood hereafter, and return to her peaceful friendship with our people."
Rhilus Diplomatic Communication Center, 3.7.2408:
(Trust Celerity smiles with genuine delight upon seeing Jasana's face on the holo-display) "Jasana! It's shaping up to be a great day! I'm not surprised to see you here, what with our cleanup crew arriving at Seidon, and the pollution centers of Gorra wiped out by our EIRs earlier this year. I imagine you wanted to congratulate us, especially in light of the war you've long faced against the Silicoids for their environmentally disastrous activity."
(Jasana's image smiles sweetly) "Indeed. You have done well against our Silicoid foes, making ours the two most powerful races in the galaxy. Please convey this message to the ruler of your people:"
(Trust Celerity stares, unbelieving) "But you were ... Why? When we've been friends for so long, and done each other so much good, why would you want to destroy us and our leader?" (There is no response; Jasana is gone, and the holo-display has gone blank) "... Well ... at least she offered her sincere apologies."
Mentar Galactic Command Center, 17.9.2409:
"The public unhappiness with our present circumstances is perfectly understandable - it was a great blow when Jasana chose to reject the rule of peace - but the increasingly pointed questioning of Imperial policy in public forums must be addressed before it grows beyond a few disgruntled extremists into a misguided movement. Now, when it seems most difficult, is the most important time for us to embrace and uphold galactic peace! Nor are we wthout hope in that regard: The development of warp dissipators earlier this year will give us yet another nonviolent means of containing attacks from less enlightened peoples as our scientists begin work on Impulse Drives, and with the removal of pollution-generating blight from the surface of Kailis, we have again temporarily lost contact with the Silicoid empire, ensuring no further attacks on our worlds by the poor, misguided rock people at least until our clean-up crew reaches Gorras in three years' time. There is yet hope besides that the Mrrshans will not prosecute their war. At the very least, we must give peace a chance."
_______________
Next: One Last Chamce
