QuiteTheUserName

I'd like to echo the sentiments of my comrades and say I don't envy the position STA was put in during the process and I greatly respect and appreciate the final decision. Have fun on the battlefield, and may you reap many victories.

I can fist pump to this beat.

Get 'em guys.

I love you guys.

Thank you for the support, friends. Time to see what the Aircastle war machine is made of.

I like this quite a bit. Similar organizations with like cultures and goals - I dig this union.

Welcome aboard, brothers. After building up a considerable friendship and loyalty between ODN and Vanguard, I'm proud to see you guys in our closest circle of allies. The Network will fit in quite well I'm sure (or maybe "I'm afraid" should be more appropriate? *shrug*). To those who mock, doubt, and deride: heed delendum's words, for he is wise. (Besides, I sense some rather pungent jealousy that certain other people missed out on the chance to gain a very valuable meatshied. )

OUT is simply a barely-functioning economic tool which, while it has the potential, never amounted to a whole lot. That's fine, you can't expect everything to run perfectly in a sphere as large as orange, no? Let me preface this next section by saying that I'm a huge proponent for the spirit of Orange Unity. Although my alliance may not see eye-to-eye or have the same ties as other orange alliances, I respect them greatly as sphere mates. But OUT is also a military tool when convenient, and generally not utilized in a good way. Any sort of low-level treaty between acquaintances, at best, should not in any way whatsoever limit an alliance's obligation to stronger-tied allies. Unity would not put a signatory alliance in a position to decide whether or not they should protect their actual friends or adhere to "sphere unity rules." Therein, the treaty and sphere itself is flawed. So basically it's a shambled economic center with the ability to manipulate an alliance's military actions under the guise of preserving sphere unity? Yeah, I don't mind leaving.

Seems I'm late to the retirement party. In all seriousness, there comes a time whereupon a ruler can easily look out at what he has helped shape and meld - and be perfectly content with it. In the best interest of the alliance, I've decided to step down from the office of Vizier so that a Vanguardian much better suited for the job can leave his own mark. Though many will not have heard of him, a unanimous echo of Vanguardians will tell you that the foundation of Vanguard was built through the tireless efforts of one, Thaliak. By his non-stop commitment to the position of Hammer of Vanguard, Thaliak developed a strong and efficient internal system upon which Vanguard has flourished. His reward is just and comes now, and I am more than happy to oblige to the situation. Though great changes have impacted the government of Vanguard, I daresay there won't be much change at all. Gone as Revanche and myself are, the shoes that were left empty have been filled by two members who have most consistently serviced the Architecture of Vanguard during that tenure. There is no worry about inexperience, no worry for incompetence or dramatic shifts: the successors have shown to be among Vanguard's elite for far too long and it is just that they receive these promotions. They will continue to lead Vanguard toward greatness, of this there is no doubt. Rafa, Thaliak, and Stumpy, aided by superb additions to the Vanguard Architecture, will extend the prosperity of our great alliance. (Also, let it be known that I decided to step down many months before Revanche made his similar decision, that despicable copycat. )

Good move, AB. Can't believe those wily pit vipers would dare to actually budge in on this deal just to get some PR for once. Good grief to them.

You're my boy Hoo! It has most certainly been a pleasure getting to know you, mate.

I had a giggle fit over this one. It was one of the first times I had read a Vladimir wall of text and didn't RAAAAAAAAAAGE.

Get 'em, Tigers.

Heh, leave no bridge unburned, AUT. For someone who claims that the other side is nothing but "hypocrites and trolls," you're certainly not doing anything for yours.

And Joe finally gets his war. Good luck guys.