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Tikal news and occurences


Lynneth

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[Internal]

"What actually transpires beneath the veil of an event horizon? Decent people shouldn't think too much about that."

Once again, the Prince had descended deep beneath Tikal's mountains, into one of the three command centres that were the nation's brains if conflict broke out.
 
"Good evening, Sir. It has been a while, has it not?"
 
"Yes. But we've all been busy with a great many things. Now, let's get to business."
 
"Naturally. Let me begin.
Since your last major visit, the Nicaragua Canal was completed. Thanks to the traffic going through it, the region's GDP rose sharply, reaching a level similar to Panama's. The Panama Canal experienced only a small shortfall of traffic and both pathways contribute significantly to their respective region's economic health.
 
Several Stanford-based Torii have been built at Lagrange Points 4 and 5; six each. The average population of each torus is approximately 10,000 citizens. Two have been equipped with heavy-duty shipyards that will permit rapid construction of aether vessels. Another two have facilities that will allow for establishing further colonies and aether bases with greater speed.
Relating to this, the Xaman'Ek class has been designed and built, the total amount of vessels having grown to 60 in total.
 
The Harmony Core is of course complete. The incredible amount of energy it is able to generate makes this single first Core account for 7% of the nation's power generating capacities. Three other Cores have been built in the time since, one each in the bunker complexes beneath Tikal's mountains. Together, the Cores account for a full quarter of the power we generate, not accounting for the 'missing' energy that keeps the bunkers running at peak capacity. A total of eighteen cores will be built in due time, not all underneath mountains but all underground and protected against foreign intel gathering.
 
Plans for asteroid habitats and -mines have been made, but not yet put into action. The necessary resources are available, more Xaman'Ek vessels will be needed before construction can begin in any sense of timely manner. However, once the first mines are built, expansion of the Lagrange colonies and Belt station construction can be started. Further, when Belt stations are available, the Jovians will open up for Tikal's use. Currently, estimates are difficult to make, but it is very possible that as much as a fifth of the nation's population might find their way into space within the next decades.
 
The protectorate has been annexed into Tikal, with great success in converting the populace to our ways of thinking. Considering the time that has passed since then - barely over half a decade - this is significant. Of note is that this has happened by encouraging conversion via monetary and the like instead of forcing them at gunpoint and other such reprehensible means. Massive investments from established regions helped strengthen the new regions' economies massively, to the point of making them equal to that of any first world nation.
 
Of Tikal's 160 million people, 78% claim to speak Yucatec as first language, 17% Spanish while the rest claim English or other languages as their first. 37% are of European genetic descent, 39% Mayan and 20% of other Mesoamerican descent. The rest are from various other parts of the world. An astounding 66% of the population considers itself ethnically Maya, 15% each Mestizo and other Indigenous ethnicities. The rest are, again, other ethnicities. Lastly, roughly 75% of the population adheres to the Popol Vuh while 19% cling to Roman Catholicism, 2% to the Protestant faith, 2% claim nothing and the rest declared other faiths.
 
Tikal's military experienced considerable expansion in the last years, with nearly 1.5 million active soldiers in the army. Well over four times that amount are in the entire armed forces of Tikal, but the vast majority are not combat personnel. Tikal's navy has been expanded to what is thought to be the practical maximum that can be supplied with current investments in infrastructure. However, most of the equipment all-around is outdated compared to the nation's general technological level, military equipment largely being used ever since it was reverse-engineered from what South Africa sold to the USCA.
 
Plans for aether colonies, stations and bases have been formalised, but not yet properly greenlighted as no asteroid mines are active as of now. Further developments depend on appropriate investments.
 
Further, the nation's infrastructure, utilities and so on have been improved massively in the last decades. Not many details in this respect are necessary, other than Tikal being absolutely equal or superior to any single other nation in the world now.
 
Lastly, research into an unlikely direction was begun recently, involving two-legged combat armour or 'mobile suits'. The first prototypes (dubbed 'MSX-01') have been built, but they're still unmanned. Manned suits are some ways off, but within sight. Further research is required for good results."
 
"Thank you for your assessments. They're always such a delight to listen to."
"Thank you, Sir. I'll let you get back to work now." Edited by Lynneth
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[Internal]
 
"If our society seems more nihilistic than that of previous eras, perhaps this is simply a sign of our maturity as a sentient species. As our collective consciousness expands beyond a crucial point, we are at last ready to accept life's fundamental truth: that life's only purpose is life itself."
 
Taking advantage of the construction facilities now located at the L4 and 5 points, the shipyards around Earth would be converted into maintenance stations, providing repairs, fuel and so on to the Xaman'Ek vessels. By the time this conversion was complete, nearly 80 of these small freighters were in Tikal's service, with a full quarter ready to service hypothetical asteroid mines.
 
20 was deemed sufficient to begin exploitation. Thus, the Bernal Sphere project was slowed down, the 'saved' material instead going towards mines and further construction capacities. It would take some time, but within a year, three Near-Earth Objects (NEO) had been deemed useful for exploitation, mines shipped and established on the 2+ kilometre objects. Though these first mining endeavours would be relatively slow, with only around 50 people on each of the small rocks, precious resources would be the result. In small amounts for now, but as more mines got built, Tikal would be able to supply itself entirely from space, ceasing any purchases of Earth-won metals and rare earths. True, it would be years until then, but everything was a long-term endeavour.
 
In the meantime, the latest MS prototype (MSX-02) was completed, this one sporting rudimentary capability for a pilot. Control was slow and jiggery, the power plants' output miniscule and all in all it was little better than a slowly walking statue, but: it was walking. It had a pilot.
Things could only get better from there. Equipped with appropriate weapons, it might be a powerful contender especially in urban and other, tank-unfriendly environments. Edited by Lynneth
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[Internal]

"Eternity lies ahead of us, and behind. Have you drunk your fill?"

Efforts regarding the asteroid outposts were ongoing and improving as experience was accumulated and expertise gathered. Within months of the first resources being delivered, eight other asteroids had been tagged for exploitation. Predictions for the next five years were for asteroid mining to satisfy up to 18% of Tikal's raw materials needs, as nearly 95% of any given asteroid was in one way or another usable, and exploiting a volume of multiple cubic kilometres was a decades-long effort. Hand-in-hand with the mines came the construction of further transport vessels, several for each newly built mine.

 

This influx of capacities would eventually permit construction of facilities to be brought into the Asteroid Belt, though transferring them to their destination required additional vessels. Heavier-duty ships would be needed as well, though definite plans for them had not yet been made. This would follow soon enough, however.

 

 

In a testing facility in west Yucatán, the research for a proper mobile suit was ongoing. It had been expanded somewhat, with underground testing areas added and a trusted security force hired from Excoriari Security protecting the facility. one of the people who thus had access to this complex was the CEO of ES, an Alex Martinez.

 

Currently the MSX-03 was undergoing testing, with no armour but an improved power plant giving it quite reasonable agility and speed. Balancing issues had been improved and a prototype of the Active Mass Balance Auto-Control (AMBAC) system was in use, giving the 10 metres tall machine unprecedented capability to stay upright despite its size, pushing, pulling and so on from various directions. If perfected, AMBAC would enable a mobile suit twice the MSX-03's height to keep standing even in the face of tank shells hitting the front armour. A still-superior power plant was in the works as well, a Harmony/Fusion hybrid plant that would be able to power a full suit without problems and including capacities to be adjusted on the fly in power output, if for some reason more was needed.

 

Already anticipating the need to transport the suits reliably, Tikal's aerospace companies got to working, taking the Antonov AN-225 Mriya as base model and lengthening the cargo hold by approximately 14 metres, to 57.35 metres. The hold would be widened by 3 and heightened by 5 metres, in theory allowing MS to be transported on their sides, or 'crouched' and keeping them intact. The fuel tanks would of course require considerably more volume. Lastly, the plane's wings were redesigned, making them much larger than before. Suitable to comfortably transport up to 340 metric tons of material over a distance of 3500 to 6000 kilometres, though the exact range could only be determined once the plane prototype was complete.

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  • 2 weeks later...

[OOC] The following post is the result of an IRC RP between me and dotCom. [/OOC]

[Internal]

"Mankind has been blind for thousands of years - for all of its history. We have come to a place whose wonders are a hundred-fold more amazing than anything on Earth. Around us is clear evidence of the will of a higher power. I bring the Vision to the blind eyes of men. I bring the Word to the deaf ears of men. I will make them see it. I will make them hear it."

The message from two days ago had been a little sudden, but less than an hour after its arrival, the entire facility was informed: Princess Ik'nal would visit in two days. That being now, the VTOL currently descending onto one of the facility's two helicopter/VTOL platforms. Once landed, several of the Princess' personal Guard exited the craft, taking up positions close-by. Of course, within the facility, Excoriari Security would provide protection, but the Guards apparently didn't deem the Helipad to be in the company's current umbrella of protection. Perhaps half a minute after the Guard, the Princess stepped out of the VTOL, looking towards the building.


Once the Princess made the transition from outside the facility to within, she was immediately guided to her destination by a fairly sizeable escort of security specialists - it paid to be careful, after all. The CEO of the security firm herself awaited the princess' arrival within her own personal office, nestled not too deep amidst the facility's austere hallways and compartments, elbow leaning on the surface of her desk, face rested against the knuckles of her hand. This was to be Alex's second encounter with Princess Ik'nal - or rather, Alex Martinez's first, even if she remembered with perfect clarity Alejandra Valverde's own meeting with the princess under wildly disparate circumstances.

She'd had procedures done to signficantly alter her appearance since then, naturally - she was still six foot five and built like an MMA champion, that sure as hell hadn't changed, but one was hard-pressed to extricate Alex Valverde from the artificially produced features that now graced her face, if 'graced' were the appropriate term for so sharp-edged a mien.

Didn't matter. Nothing of Valverde remained in Martinez for Ik'nal to recognise, even if she had for one reason or another felt it prudent to commit to memory the minutiae of the former Executor's person.


"CEO Martinez, I presume?" The Princess still was the same as all those years ago. The exact same, in fact - it looked as if she hadn't aged even a day. Considering that the meeting between her and Valverde had been just over six years ago, one might think it curious.

Regardless, she was there now, intending to inspect the facility. "I'm glad to finally meet you. I've heard quite a few things about you and your company. Is there anything you'd like to talk about before we get to the inspection of the facility proper?"


"That's me," Alex affirmed with a nod as the familiar form of the Princess appeared within her office - er, too $%&@in' familiar. Looked like she hadn't aged a damn day. Some freaky-ass !@#$ - even Alex, her features having been deliberately moulded and reshaped by Tikal specialists, was not immune to the passage of time. New lines creased her pointed mien every day, and an army of fading grey was beginning to spearhead the conquest of age amidst the wiry bristles of her short black hair. Ik'nal, though? For all intents and purposes, Alex Valverde mighta met her for the first time just yesterday.

"There's not much to discuss," the former marine and head of state turned businessperson remarked straightforwardly with a shrug as she stood up from her desk and stepped toward Ik'nal. "Little of note's gone on - no security breaches, that's for sure. We run a tight ship - as I'm sure you'll see as we get underway with the inspection."


The Princess nodded with a smile. "It's good to hear that you're taking your duties so seriously. Now, let us proceed. I'm to meet with Chief Researcher Kunio Okawara next, I believe? If you would be so kind as to bring me to him?" Of course, the Princess knew where he'd likely be. She had seen the plans for the facility and watched it being built, so she knew where to go. But she had to admit that she was a little curious about the CEO, an immigrant originating from Colombia, to the best of her knowledge.

And Martinez was responsible for security, so she had the duty to escort the Princess whether or not the ruler wanted it. Both knew this of course, but appearances were a Thing too, and best upheld.


Alex merely nodded. "Right this way," she commented simply, motioning for the Princess to follow her. She had to admit, she hadn't meant for it to come about as such - that she would develop a reputation, in Excoriari Security and by proxy in the research facility that was employing its finest troops and coordinators, as Matter-of-Fact Martinez, which was, despite its nature as possibly the most uncool title in the history of nicknames, nevertheless quite accurate. Initially, in her first years acclimating to Tikal and getting Excoriari off the ground, still wrestling as she was even now with the psychological and emotional fallout of the civil war, it had been unconscious - she had not intentionally adopted a demeanour of straightforward, terse, almost aloof behaviour, but it became something quite characteristic of her, and even once she had realised that, she'd figured... Well, maybe this was who Alex Martinez was. If Alex Valverde had been the hot-headed, angry, idealistic soldier, why not let Alex Martinez be a blunt, forthright, business-oriented CEO?

With the Princess close in tow, Alex led her along toward Chief Researcher Okawara's office - in keeping with her reputation, she proffered no unnecessary conversation, and guided Ik'nal to Okawara's domain swiftly and efficiently. "This is it," she remarked with a nod, as they approached the door to the office in question. Time for the squint-speak, I'm guessin'. Hu-$%&@in'-zzah.


"Thank you, Miss Martinez." Moments later, Shana'Kin entered the room which was less an office and more a workshop. Okawara was a very hands-on researcher, directly helping the engineers working under him during their daily labour whenever he could. Over time, the clean office had thus been transformed, now containing workbenches, unfinished prototypes of various deviced that undoubtedly were parts of some sort for the various Mobile Suits, and many other things. The characteristic smell of welding still wafted through the room and though not visible from the door, the metal of a workpiece was still glowing faintly red from work that the scientist-engineer had done very recently.

Right now, however, he was poring over the report of a younger associate scientist, taking a few moments before noting the new arrivals. He turned, his expression immediately turning from a frown to a genuine smile. "Your Highness! Most welcome be your Light in our humble workspace, most welcome. Please, have a-..." He interrupted himself, looking around. There were no chairs to be had; no empty ones, at least. "Um. Well, I very much hope you do not mind standing. I tend to treat chairs as smaller tables."

The Princess merely nodded, a small smile on her face. "Do not worry, Kunio. I will try not to take up too much of your time. I know how valuable it is to you."

"Thank you, Princess. Now, the MSX-03. As far as I'm concerned, it already is a pinnacle of engineering, if not the highest one. We've of course solved many of the issues with joints, and the new AMBAC system works wonders in keeping the machine upright under most circumstances. I'm confident that we will be able to build the fourth prototype according to your instructions and have it reach the required 17 metres of height. The suit may be a little difficult to pilot while we work out the kinks, but by the time the proper suit is complete we'll have everything worked out. It's likely we'll be able to implement programmable computers as well, permitting pilots to save some preferred maneuvers that would take too much time to do manually. There are, however, some problems with the armament. We're currently working on both 90 and 120 mm rapidfire guns, but neither I nor my colleagues are making any headway in adapting standard tank mechanisms to the rate of fire that is desired. Quite simply, we're stumped in this one case."


Yep. Squint-speak.
Once the head researcher got done with flipping the most massive !@#$ since Alex had found out about the mobile suit project about being in the Princess' presence, he got on to the business of filling her in on the minutiae of the project's progression. The CEO of Excoriari Security took it upon herself about that point to let her mind drift just a little bit - after all, Alex's own gig extended only as far as security went: the details of the project she was tasked with securing were none of her enterprise, and she was generally kept fairly out of the loop on anything that wasn't pertinent to security.

Which sucked, but !@#$, it wasn't like she could expect to just be picked outta the $%&@in' blue to be one of the experimental pilots.

"We're currently working on both 90 and 120 mm rapidfire guns, but neither I nor my colleagues are making any headway in adapting standard tank mechanisms, to the rate of fire that is desired. Quite simply, we're stumped in this one case..."

Alex tuned back into the conversation more or less just in time, it seemed. Adapting standard tank mechanisms? Alex's brow furrowed-- the $%&@ kinda sense did that make? And then, a hint of old Alex Valverde peeking through the cold, hard steel carapace of Alex Martinez, she blurted out, "Why don't you just treat them as scaled-up small arms rifles instead of full-on tank mechanisms? That'd probably be easier to adapt than looking at it like a tank and not a rifle."


Both Okawara and the Princess turned her head when Martinez opened her mouth and made sounds emerge from it. Sounds that, to the researcher's surprise, made an embarassing amount of sense. He finally found some words after staring for a few moments. "I, what. A rifle? Of course! Of course, that, how could we have been so stupid? Thank you, Miss Martinez, for your excellent contribution." He then turned to Ik'nal, "Highness, you must forgive me, but I have to get a team on this. We'll probably have to start from scratch, but if it's as workable as I -think- it will be, we're going to have a working prototype by the time the first MSX-04 is complete."

The Princess tilted her head with a hint of a smirk. "Of course, Kunio. I'll be waiting for your next report." But by then, the researcher already had scurried off to his desk, searching for a phone to call the people working on the weaponry into his office.

The Princess rolled her eyes and left the office with Alex in tow. "That turned out to be more interesting than I thought. Now, Miss Martinez. If I may, I'd like to ask you a few questions."


Alex scratched at the short bristles of her greying hair as Okawara reacted in such a fashion as she damn near thought she'd just revolutionised science forever. Wasn't long, though, before Ik'nal apparently decided she had a bone to pick with Alex - which briefly elicited a flicker of panic in the businessperson that was none too easily dismissed. When you were living an artificial life constructed from the ground up, you tended to be wary of questions - and so, as the two emerged from Okawara's office, it was with no small hint of trepidation that Alex ventured, "... yeah?"


"Nothing serious, I assure you. I merely would like to know what led you to accept the contract in protecting this facility, and what you think about the project. Be as general or detailed as you like."


Well, that was a bit of an odd question. Alex raised an eyebrow, torn between bafflement at the nature of the query and some sense of relief that it wasn't anything to do with her identity, before she ventured a cautious responce that was wholly in keeping with her own persona. "It was a lucrative contract."


"I see." She nodded. "And what of the project itself? What do you think about it?"


"Big scary robots of death? $%&@ yes."
... !@#$. There went Alejandra Valverde again - Alex damn near wanted to punch herself, except she knew her strength well enough to know full well how much that woulda hurt. She merely scratched the back of her neck irascibly, waiting for Ik'nal to stammer something the lines of 'AAAAAAALRIGHTY THEN' and then head off for the rest of the inspection.


The Lunar ruler raised an eyebrow. "I had not expected such an enthusiastic response, to be quite honest. Then again, that very thing is one of the factors that brought me to sponsor this project." Suddenly, she smiled, almost deviously. "Hmm. Perhaps I could arrange something for you, Miss Martinez. Right now I'm not quite sure what, but perhaps you have an idea of what you'd like to do?"


Hold the $%&@ up.

Alex stared at Ik'nal briefly, and though she had the mighty urge to venture in a deadpan 'You $%&@in' with me here?', she fortuitously managed to avoid giving Valverde the reins on that one. Instead, she forced her features and temperament to conform to the dispassionate, down-to-earth demeanour of Alex Martinez, her mien hardening into solemnity. "Arrange, eh..." she mused, before adding, "I operated a lot of tanks and other military vehicles as a soldier back in Colombia - used to be able to sit in the cockpit of a brand new vehicle and know exactly what to do with it from the get-go." She glanced back to Ik'nal, maintaining an impassive expression, before finishing simply, "Bet one of these machines you've got here wouldn't be much different."


"Well, how about I take you up on that bet? I'll speak with Okawara later, see about getting you placed on the test pilot list for the MSX-04, and you show us just how much truth there is behind you claim? If you do well, who knows what there might be in for you. What do you say?"


...

"I would find that agreeable," Alex replied calmly.


"Excellent. I'll try to have everything arranged by tomorrow. For now, I believe we should continue the inspection."

With the matter settled, the Princess continued on the tour through the facility, speaking with some of the researchers and engineers. The two watched a test of the MSX-03 as it walked around in the underground testing area, but little else of note happened. A few hours later, the Princess left the facility the same way she'd arrived, via VTOL. The issue of getting Martinez a place in the prototype piloting program was of course settled - the CEO would be permitted to help with testing once a prototype was constructed.

All in all the Princess considered the visit a good, productive one. She had a good feeling about the project.

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[Internal]

"I maintain nonetheless that yin-yang dualism can be overcome. With sufficient enlightenment we can give substance to any distinction: mind without body, north without south, pleasure without pain. Remember, enlightenment is a function of willpower, not of physical strength."

In a rare event, Tikal's armed forces were silently brought up to medium alert (going from very low to very high), with exercises planned along parts of the southern coast to simulate naval attacks and marine landings. Two carriers and several other surface vessels were to participate, as well as full aircraft complements and five army divisions. The exercises were slated to take place over a period of two weeks using high-tech simulations for all weaponry, from rifles and pistols to artillery guns and airplane armament. None of the participating elements would be truly armed - though live weapons were stored nearby in case of an emergency, allowing all forces to get to full readiness within 12 hours.

Tikal's neighbours (The American Commomwealth, Aztlan, Colombia) were informed about the exercises and assured that something like the events in Europe would be avoided at all costs.
That done, the alloted forces moved into their positions to begin the exercises and continue for two weeks, barring interruptions or other unforseen events.
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[Internal]

"Human behavior is economic behavior. The particulars may vary, but competition for limited resources remains a constant. Need as well as greed have followed us to the stars, and the rewards of wealth still await those wise enough to recognize this deep thrumming of our common pulse."

While Excoriari Security's CEO was busy in the facility working on the MSX-04, while some of Tikal's forces were on exercises in the southwest of the country, the rest of Tikal did not stand still. In an unrelated facility, smaller, less extravagant mech and robots were being designed and tested, though their use would undoubtedly be just as great.
 
One of these was the Scout Dogs project, aiming to create mechanised dogs that could at minimum fulfil the same duties as Man's best friend. However, it was intended to act as all-terrain scout unit as well, using an advanced sensor suite and hardened electronics to detect hostile forces and deliver valuable information to allied forces. Further, a long-ranged strike package would be made an option, including long-range rifles for extended sniping and harassing duties in difficult terrain.
 

th_ScoutDogs_03.jpgth_ScoutDogs_01.jpg

 
Being only approximately as tall as the average German Shepherd dog and with a similar weight, the robot was capable of reaching top speeds of up to 50 km/h, though its average speed would be meandering around 28 km/h depending on terrain and various other factors, most of all to preserve energy. Its engine would be small and silent enough to stay undetected from more than 100 meters distance in most cases and a powerful battery would allow it to operate for several hours before having to either go into standby or restart the engine.
 

th_ScoutDogs_02.jpg

 
All in all, the ScoDo Mark I robot was expected to be a useful addition to Tikal's arsenal, especially considering the conditions in most of the country that highly discouraged the use of wheels.

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Encrypted to Tikal:

Dear sir or madam,

Selenarctos would like to increase the volume of our shipping passing through Tikal's Atlantic-Pacific canal, and wonders if we may come to agreement regarding its expedient passage though.

Thank you,
Hygin Romero, President of Selenarctos
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[Internal]

"Men in their arrogance claim to understand the nature of creation, and devise elaborate theories to describe its behaviour. But always they discover in the end that God was quite a bit more clever than they thought."

In their quest to utilise Tikal's rugged terrain most efficiently, Tikal's engineers have come to respect legs. True, wheels and treads were useful for many occasions, but the leg shone in a few areas where the wheel didn't, jungles and mountains among them.

Thus, the facility working on the Scout Dogs had another interesting contraption in the works, the Phoenix Mobile Radar Mark I (PMR Mk.I). Using sophisticated technology, amazing amounts of equipment could be fit into a relatively small volume.


th_MobileRadar_Mars_02.jpg

th_MobileRadar_Mars_01b.jpg


Able to unfold and box itself up in less than 10 seconds, the PMR Mk.I was 100 by 180 by 250 centimetres in size, with a total volume of just 4.5 cubic metres. The PMR Mk.I's intended use as three-dimensional radar was to alert and queue short- to medium-range air defence weaponry to the location and trajectory of enemy forces approaching nearby allied troops. The unit's radar was configured to use a gates pulse-doppler system in the X-band range, its antenna utilising phase-frequency electronic scanning technology that forms sharp three-dimensional beams covering a large surveillance and track volume.

The PMR Mk.I can automatically acquire, tack, classify, identify and report potential targets, uncluding but not limited to UAVs, cruise missiles, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The robot's scan rate was considerable at approximately 35 RPM, operating at a range of up to 80 km and designed with extreme resistance to electronic countermeasures in mind. Furthermore, when boxed up, it is nearly completely resistant to EM pulse attacks. As it is mounted on four sturdy legs, it can be deployed and positioned remotely from allied units, operated autonomously and communicate with nearby command posts via fiber-optic or lascomm links. It can also distribute its data over a heavily encrypted radio network.
 

th_MobileRadar_Studio.jpg


[End]


[External]

Encrypted to Selenarctos


Esteemed Mr. Romero,

If you wish to increase the volume of shipping, the same protocols as previous apply, only in greater relative quantity than before.

Tolls are as before based on vessel type, size, and the type of cargo carried. No military cargo or military vessels may pass through the canal. A copy of the shipping manifest may be required and Tikal will as usual reserve the right to stop and search a vessel for illicit goods, halving the toll if nothing is found.

Bills for the tolls will continue to be sent to the company or nation owning the vessel.

Passage can unfortunately not be sped up, as there are strict security guidelines for vessels to pass through the canal to minimise the danger of collisions or other accidents.

Should there be any other questions, we will answer them to the best of our ability.

With regards,
Alfio Piva, Nicaragua Canal Authority
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[External]

Encrypted to Selenarctos[/b]

Esteemed Mr. Romero,

If you wish to increase the volume of shipping, the same protocols as previous apply, only in greater relative quantity than before.

Tolls are as before based on vessel type, size, and the type of cargo carried. No military cargo or military vessels may pass through the canal. A copy of the shipping manifest may be required and Tikal will as usual reserve the right to stop and search a vessel for illicit goods, halving the toll if nothing is found.

Bills for the tolls will continue to be sent to the company or nation owning the vessel.

Passage can unfortunately not be sped up, as there are strict security guidelines for vessels to pass through the canal to minimise the danger of collisions or other accidents.

Should there be any other questions, we will answer them to the best of our ability.

With regards,
Alfio Piva, Nicaragua Canal Authority


[b]Encrypted Reply:[/b]

"The terms are fair, Selenarctos agrees and shall abide by Tikal law while transiting the canal."
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  • 2 weeks later...
[Internal]

"It is by coffee alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that my thoughts acquire speed, that my hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by coffee alone I set my mind in motion."

Things move as they are wont to do.

The exercises around the south-western coast were completed with success, though one result was that battleship-class vessels were no longer suitable for the modern world. They would thus be phased out and the resources saved in building and maintaining them utilised to raise more armed forces. Further, Tikal's terrain was deemed unsuitable for prolonged armoured warfare in the was of 'Blitzkrieg' or the like. It was thus decided that at most 5,000 main battle tanks would serve in Tikal's armies. Again, the saved resources could be used to enhance the nation's infantry forces considerably.

Further changes are as follows,

From -> To

  • 1,500,000 soldiers -> 3,702,504
  • 4,500 tanks -> 5,025
  • 8,000+ other combat vehicles -> 11,000+
  • 720 airplanes -> 2,520
  • 80 corvettes -> 80
  • 50 submarines -> 50
  • 55 frigates -> 55
  • 50 destroyers -> 50
  • 0 AAVs/helo carriers -> 16
  • 12 cruisers -> 12
  • 8 battleships -> 0
  • 6 carriers -> 9
[OOC] Substituting 14 Battleships of Yamato-class tonnage (~70,000 tons) for 980,000 soldiers; Substituting 18,500 of 23,525 tanks for a total of 370,000 soldiers, leaving me with 5025 tanks.
Soldier count: 2,352,504 + 980,000 + 370,000 = 3,702,504 [/OOC]

Asteroid mining efforts had been intensified. An estimated 74% of Tikal's raw resource needs were being satisfied by these mines, the 'packages' being dropped in specially designed transport vessels that land in shallow waters near the cost, making them easily retrievable. Nine asteroids were currently being actively mined, with another 20 tagged as potentially useful for future efforts. Specialised vessels were travelling to known asteroid populations throughout the inner solar system to survey them for material and useful resources.

So-called 'Belt Stations', colonies destined to be created near the asteroid belt, were in the process of being established. Current plans were for each Belt Station to contain several smaller habitats with at least one Bernal-sphere type colony each to provide manpower and capacities to service and maintain nearby aether vessels. Most of the colonies of each Belt Station would continue to be Stanford type torii.
 

th_spec_sheet___bernal_sphere_mk2_by_gle


Furthermore, smaller stations would be spread throughout the belt for refining and refuelling purposes, as well as providing surveillance and other intel information of their surroundings. Using advanced and unique communications technologies, communication would for all intents and purposes be nearly instantaneous between the various stations and Tikal, though the rate at which information could be delivered was less than an equivalent DSL connection at roughly 32 KByte/s. This was achieved using so-called ansibles, car-sized devices containing entangled particles, quantum bits. Operating these was hideously expensive however, and thus they were to be used for important communication only.
 

th_spec_sheet___phoenix_station_by_glenn


The smaller station type would also find use in near-earth orbits, mostly around the Lunar L4&5 points as hub and fuel point between Earth and aether activities. The station type would be christened Amoxtli, meaning 'to protect'. Edited by Lynneth
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[Internal]

"The first living thing to go through the device was a small white rat. I still have him, in fact. As you can see, the damage was not so great as they say."

Though the treaty with Athens marked in the eyes of some the beginning of a new Era in Tikal, the vast majority of the population and indeed much of the government continued to wish for isolation, as much as was possible. Supporting Athens in its endeavours was seen as necessary for the nation to be able to pursue its goals in peace. Whether or not it was a necessary evil was up for debate, of course.

Regardless of that, Tikal was now an Athenian ally. This meant that the by now somewhat outdated equipment purchased from South Africa long ago could be replaced by better, more advanced technology. In this vein, Tikal would order what equipment it qualified for from Athens' many arms companies as well as purchasing licenses to manufacture much itself after reconfiguring factories that had until then produced parts for the old equipment.

Beginning with mothballing airplanes in hangars deep beneath some mountains to modernise the airforce, the navy would see its ships being replaced or refit as needed, the old vessels being dismantled to build new ones. Lastly, Tikal's ground forces would have to train for new equipment, the old vehicles and guns likewise being placed in shelters underground or beneath mountains. Adding to the program, which was in its entirety estimated to take 10 years was the construction of five airbases set into mountains, expected to significantly contribute to the power of the already existing 10 major and 20 lesser military airbases. Two new large harbours were planned for each oceanic coast as well, one facing the Pacific, the other the Atlantic ocean.
 
Further programs to enhance Tikal's general capabilities were not yet greenlighted, but preparations for them were being made regardless. Amongst these was a system to defend against nuclear and missile strikes, enhanced satellite and other surveillance capabilities as well as some improvements in regards to logistics during war.
 
 
Of course, the various scientific disciplines were not neglected. Research into quantum technologies, material science, medicine and aether exploration, amongst many others, continued unabated. Three of the 'Belt stations' had been completed by now and another nine were in the works. In the meantime, the Earth-Sol L4 and L5 points were slated to receive three Bernal-type colonies each, skyrocketing the points' populations. Plans to expand even deeper into the solar system existed, but first a vessel of sufficient power was required.
 

th_Explorer__Iso_no_textures__by_1Wyrmsh


Preliminary reports called for a vessel nearing 980 meters in length, capable of ferrying up to 160,000 cubic metres of material. Though the vessels itself would have to be kept light, its empty mass could be as much as one sixth of deadweight tonnage. Further refining of the design would give greater detail for these values.
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[Internal]

 

We sit together,
the mountain and I,
until only the mountain remains

- Li Po (Li Bei), from the Yang Collection

 

Tenochtitlan, formerly Mexico City, and the surrounding regions had been part of the Principality for a considerable time. Efforts from both private and state-sponsored initiatives led to things being as they were now, with a majority of the population properly considering themselves Mestizo or Maya, with over 70% adhering to the Popol Vuh properly and most children growing up with Yucatec Maya in school instead of Spanish. There also were initiatives to teach Nahuatl on a greater scale, though discriminative policies of previous governments - most of all the Holy American Empire - had very nearly brought the language to complete extinction. There were not enough people fluent enough to teach it on a larger scale, and many of those eligible were in the last stages of life. Regardless, attempts to preserve the language and culture of the Nahua people continued even as they were slowly absorbed into Maya culture.

 

[Public]
 

th_1378248128097.jpg


Recognising the acceptance of the Principality's rulership by the Aztec people, the Prince and the Princess have decided to take upon themselves a new title. The last true Tlaotani had been Cuauhtémoc, only ruling for a single year before the Spanish conquered Tenochtitlan and thus ended the Aztec Empire. Before him had been Cuitláhuac for only 80 days, and before him the last great Tlaotani in the form of Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, known in the Western world as Moctezuma II.
 

Flag-SOL.png


In recognition of these last great Kings of the Triple Alliance (or Aztec Empire), Ajaw ichil Tikal Chak Tok Ich'aak, Embodiment of Kinich Ahau thus claims the title of Huatlatoani Tlahtoloyan, Paramount Emperor of Tenochtitlan, greatest of the three States.
In recognition of these last great Kings and their Queens of the Triple Alliance, Ix'ajaw ichil Tikal Shana'Kin Yaxchel Ik'nal, Embodiment of Awilix thus claims the title of Cihuatlatoani Tlahtoloyan, Paramount Empress of Tenochtitlan, greatest of the three States.

Though the new title may nominally be considered 'greater' from a eurocentric perspective, the benevolent and divine rulers have decreed that the Principality shall remain as it is, and they will continue to carry the titles of Ajaw and Ix'ajaw, Prince and Princess, as their primary ones.

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[Internal]

 

"I sit in my cubicle, here on the motherworld. When I die, they will put me in a box and dispose of it in the cold ground. And in all the million ages to come, I will never breathe, or laugh, or twitch again. So won't you run and play with me here among the teeming mass of humanity? The universe has spared us this moment."
 

Upon reviewing freed resources from completion of various construction and other projects both earthwards and aetherwards, it was decided to expand Tikal's airforce significantly to at the very least bring it on par with that of its ally Athens. From 2,520 planes, the airforce was expected to be doubled at least, with six further major and eight smaller airbases to be built throughout the nation, bringing Tikal's total to 16 major, 28 minor bases and 5 set into mountains. It was expected that up to 6,540 airplanes could feasibly be maintained under good to excellent conditions, with 485 squadrons consisting of fighters and stealth fighters with some fighter-bombers and 60 squadrons of bomber-type planes. To cut down on maintenance, 125 squadrons would consist not of Athens-bought planes, but local reverse-engineered versions of the F-22 Raptor (25 sqdr.) and F-35 Lightning II (100 sqdr.), both of course rebranded to use Yucatec Maya names.

 

All in all, Tikal's airforce was slated to look as follows within the next 15 years:

360 squadrons of Athens-bought fighter and fighter-bomber airplanes, highest possible tier

100 'F-35' squadrons, rebranded F-19 Tezcacoatl

25 'F-22' squadrons, rebranded F-12 Icnoyotl

60 squadrons of Athens-bought bomber airplanes, highest possible tier.

 

[OOC: 105 squadrons native, *4 = 420 through multiplier = 5,040 planes. 25 nukes substituted into 125 squadrons, 1,500 planes (F-22&F-35), total number of planes 6,540.]

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[OOC] With dotCom vanished, I'm going to have to continue the Mobile Suit RPs without him, sadly. Parts of the post are what we managed to write in IRC before he went poof.
Please note that this'll be a long read. [/OOC]

[Internal]

"If you can discover a better way of life than office-holding for your future rulers, a well-governed city becomes a possibility. For only in such a state will those rule who are truly rich, not in gold, but in the wealth that makes happinessa good and wise life."

Today had been a reasonably relaxed day for Chief Engineer Kunio Okawara. Until now. For the rest of the day, the latest MS prototype had to be tested, and as it turned out, the Head of Security had been chosen for this duty. Alexandra Martinez was the type of person Okawara didn't like at all, but could respect a little, if only for her willingness to challenge his supreme 'rule' over the majority of the facility's proceedings. Though he was dwarfed by her, there were many people taller than his 5 foot tall frame, and he had a reputation of complete unflappability.

When Martinez strode into his office, he turned towards her with barely any sort of expression, the HoS matching him perfectly in return. Things were discussed quickly, despite plenty of insults flying both ways. Martinez was to test the MSX-04 suit and Okawara was to instruct her both for safety and during the actual testing. Further insults were exchanged and once the woman had read the suit's instruction and safety manual, and gloated some about contributing to the weaponry, the Okawara proceeded to the testing hangar, Head of Security in tow.

The hangar's size was not the overwhelming immensity seen in passenger aircraft hangars, but this one was quite large nevertheless. The ceiling was at least 35 metres above the ground and the room probably was 80 by 140 metres, slightly larger than an association football pitch. In it, engineers and other workers were almost feverishly constructing three machines of death-bringing. A fourth had been completed already, standing at approximately 17 metres in height.

Underlining her fascination with the machine of destruction, Martinez refrained entirely from making and jabs at the Engineer while he explained what the machine was and that he'd be expecting proper marks of use at the end of the day, among other things. Upon the him mentioning a suit, she asked with some trepidation, "Suit?"

He answered quickly, having expected the question, "Suit, yes. To properly pilot, a proper suit must be worn. As Mobile Suits are intended for both ground and aether warfare, they are sealed like any spacecraft. In case of a breach, we don't want the pilot to die, however, and so you'll have to be wearing something that'll keep you alive, yet is comfortable enough to be worn even in the heat of battle. The design wasn't easy to make, but we came up with something. Come on now."

In his element of schooling people on what he and his team were capable of doing, Okawara almost mellowed out a little. Moments later, the two were in a locker room, with an ugly, yellow suit hanging off a clothes hook.

"No complaining about the colour, you can get that customised later. I think pink or baby blue might fit you. Anyway, I'll be leaving you to it. You get into that, then come back out when you're done and we talk big robots."

Martinez for her part stared for a time at the suit. For what it was worth, she was anything but the type who lent herself well to distinguishing between colours. Aquamarine and teal? Blue. Crimson and maroon? Red. Sable and jet? Wait, the hell, who even decided there actually needed to be multiple shades of black? But this suit? This suit, she knew right away: that !@#$ was puce goddamn yellow. There was pretty much no other word that encapsulated just how goddamn disgusting that shade of yellow was: it was the yellow of a toilet-ful of vomit after a night of heavy drinking, without question.
Okay, I think I just disgusted myself way more than the actual suit did.
But she was certainly loathe to give Okawara the satisfaction of actually indicating discontent with the suit, so she merely reached out and pulled it off the hook - resisting the urge to lift it with two fingers as though picking at a dissected toad.

Soon enough, she emerged from the locker room. "Flattering choice of attire," she deadpanned as she emerged.

"Only the best for you, Ms. Martinez. Only the best." Okawara looked at her for a few moments, then nodded with satisfaction that the suit fit her well enough. He waved her to follow and finally approached the completed MSX-04. Currently, its torso was open, a stepladder leaned against the behemoth in order to let the pilot climb up.

"Before you get in," he said as he pulled an electronic notepad from a pocket, "we'll have to go over a short list of things. Personally I feel they're bull because if any restricted you from piloting this thing, you wouldn't be standing here. Now then: Are you sick, pregnant, infected with any resistant germ, STD, do you have skeletal problems of any sorts, muscular or other physical problems, do you go into therapy for psychological problems of any kind, ..." He stopped, scrolling the list for a few moments. "I'll just tick 'no' in every goddamn case. I can't be arsed to go through this entire damn list." He shook his head in disgust, the looked back up at Alex. "Get in the MS, Martinez. Time to do applied science."

Who knew Kunio Okawara and Alex Martinez would ever actually agree on anything?
"'Pregnant' ain't a state of bein' I intend to ever end up in," the security entrepreneur assured with a raised eyebrow as Okawara unceremoniously dispensed of the list, much to Alex's own satisfaction. STDs? Also not a problem.
Anyway, big machine of death time.
Or, uh... 'applied science' time. "When you put it that way, it sounds more like a chore," Alex grunted, before clambering onto the ladder that was to bear her unto her destiny.

"Oh, you're expecting fun, aren't you?" He stared up, watching her enter the cockpit. "You're expecting I'll let you rampage around the base with that thing, eh? Well, too bad for you, but we're going to test that damn thing's actual functions first. Let me just get to safety, I don't want your fat arse to stomp me dead."

With these words, the chief researcher absconded into a corner of the hangar containing a command centre. This room not only looked down into the hangar, but also outside into the underground area - or rather arena - that had been prepared for the testing. While getting herself ready in the suit, Alex would notice that the entire thing was kept relatively sparse but comfortable. Upon sitting in the pilot's chair and getting herself strapped in, Okawara's voice sounded from the internal speaker. "Right. Once you're safely strapped into your seat, there'll be a red, green, yellow and blue button at your 2 o'clock. Yellow and blue close and open the cockpit. Red kills the engine, green starts it and begins the suit's booting process. Once you're comfortable, if that's even possible for you, press the yellow button to seal yourself in. Then green to get the damn thing going. Booting shouldn't take too long, we tested that often enough already. While that's happening, you can look around a little and get yourself acquainted with the controls. The armrests contain haptic holographic displays. You'll be steering the whole thing with those. You'll also notice that your feet are a bit hard to move, that's working as designed. Once the EVA's voice blabbers about the suit being online, you can try taking your first steps. Do that by turning towards the big hangar door and walking to but not through it."

"You can't stop me havin' fun, king of the squints though you may be," Alex, undaunted, tossed back down to Okawara as the distance between them increased with every step up the ladder. As she neared the top, she paused to glance down but refrained from adding anything. She was done for now.

As Okawara departed for some distant compartment of the hangar from which to observe the proceedings, Alex settled herself down in the pilot's chair, and hardly hesitated in taking account of her surroundings. Pretty spartan, all things considered-- certainly nothin' altogether showy, which suited Alex just fine. She was still acclimating herself to the nature of her new toy - er, the weapon of mass destruction with which she had been entrusted - when Okawara's voice filtered through the comm system of the cockpit: apparently, the head researcher had decided her brief respite from his droning had gone on long enough. Alas, she lamented as he began to speak anew. As they say. All that's good's gotta end somewhere.

With little fanfare was it that Alex went about as instructed; she managed to strap herself in without snapping the restraints, albeit none too comfortably, sealed down the hatch of the cockpit, and then fired the machine up. She couldn't help a grin, there in the sanctity of the cockpit, as the mobile suit hummed to life, and the computer intoned that the system was online: But as the good of yesterday comes to pass, some more good arrives to supplant it. Man, she was just profound as all hell today.

"Turn, 'n walk..." Deftly navigating the aforementioned displays on the armrests of the pilot's chair, Alex felt the suit follow her command and turn around until it faced the hangar door. Damn, I'm already havin' fun, she mused wryly. Suck on that, Okawara. And then she leaned a foot against the pedal on the floor, urging the mobile suit forth: it wrenched forward a little haphazardly, but failed to topple over or kill anybody, and continued as such until at last she brought it to a grinding halt in front of the door.

"Well done, well done. Now." With an almighty groan, the heavy hangar doors began opening. Through the near-360° view that now encapsulated Alex, she could see that the doors were thick and cumbersome, probably more than enough to stop a tactical nuke, let alone a rampaging mobile suit.

"For the record, you don't have much in the way of armour - yet. We slapped some steel plates and minor composite armour on for the later combat testing, but seeing as those won't be the explodey kind of ammo, that should be enough. The proper suit will be fit with a special concoction of ours that'll work far better than any common tank armour. Expensive as hell though until we mass-produce it. Anyways. Walk around a little, get used to the thing. It's a bit cumbersome right now, but that shouldn't be worse than you lugging your hugeness around all day. When you're comfortable, try running for a minute or two, see how the suit manoeuvres in those conditions. With a bit of luck it'll work better than a Zeppelin with damaged engines. Once you've done that, we'll get to checking your sensors over and everything, among other things."

Too busy with the suit, Alex began to test the suit's mobility thoroughly. Somewhat carefully at first, simply walking, turning and so on before slamming the pedal down and making the giant machine surge forwards, its various components, electronics, and mechanisms working to propel it onward in a fashion that guaranteed it didn't just end up faceplanting to the ground ignominiously. It did a couple laps around the breadth of the expanse, and then gradually slowed to a stop at the centre. "Yep, it can move," she intoned dryly by way of report.

Okawara meanwhile kept his attention - unseen by her - on the suit's sensors measuring every last part that might possibly fail. "Good, good. No problems on this end either, the joints are holding up quite well, it seems." He then went over a quick list of things that were working. All business. He didn't want to get distracted by banter while working on one of the most important projects of his life, that much was obvious.

It turned out, by Martinez' reckoning, that the controls responded well. Tight. Neither too loose nor too inflexible.

A few moments after voicing his approval, Okawara had to scold an aide to write everything that was said down, claiming voice to be too unreliable. Chances were, he just wanted to punish the poor kid.
He then instructed Martinez to activate her sensors, starting at 20% power and going up by 10% every 30 seconds until she reached 80%. In the meantime, technicians would come in to have a look at the power plant in order to ensure that it was working in peak conditions and wouldn't explode suddenly. Not that it would. The power plant was engineered to shut down in case of a critical failure.
Okawara then inquired in regards to comfort within the suit, at the same time looking at some data sets, waiting for the pilot's answer.

"It's a smidge cramped," she remarked, in the same sort of tone you'd adopt when saying 'yeah, this amputated limb hurts just a bit', or 'yeah, this big machine of death is kinda cool, I guess'. Figuring that was that on that particular front, she went ahead with the sensors, though she had to resist the urge to make like she was about to step on the technicians approaching to check up on the suit... which was really only partially because she might've killed 'em doin' that. Mostly, it was just 'cause she figured if she did that !@#$ Okawara would flip his !@#$, all 'YOU FEEBLE-MINDED NEANDERTHAL, GET AWAY FROM MY PRECIOUS DEATHBOT'. If it all went from there like it did in the movies, then presumably she would proceed to suddenly discover her own innate piloting genius, slaughter her way through the base, break out of the facility, and then head out into space to create a faction of what were pretty much no more than space Nazis led by some blonde !@#$ with a dumb mask and paedophiliac tendencies.

If it all went from there like it did in reality, she'd probably just get killed.
Okawara was the kind of man who might stash anti-tank weaponry under his pillow 'just in case' as if he was wary of his creations gaining sentience and trying to murder him messily. Though it was very likely that there was a kill-switch that could for the time being be activated from the outside, trapping Alex inside a metal coffin. An awesome-looking coffin.

"Good. We'll have to make the seat somewhat modular then, to adjust for different pilot sizes and builds." Outside, the techs were just finishing their work on the reactor. "Reactor's good too if a bit underpowered perhaps, and the feedback from the sensors looks reasonable, though there's some things we'll have to adjust. Nothing interesting for you, but useful for the grunts who'll have to take this beauty into battle some day. Now, Ms Martinez. There should be a hatch opening nearby the hangar entrance. Take from it an experimental 120 millimetre Type 4 machine gun. Drum-fed, 100 rounds per drum.

"Be aware that this is one of very few fully loaded drum mags we have right now, so be careful and don't fire randomly. Get acquainted with the gun. When that's done, fire single rounds at the targets that we set up on the far end of the test area, from any distance you feel comfortable with. Maximum range probably is 1500 metres or so until we tweak it. When that's done, fire small bursts at the targets and try reloading. Then give a report on how it feels. If there's any problems with jamming, you'll have to take another gun from the hatch."

From there on, the testing went by far too quickly, almost like a blur that she barely noticed. Okawara's checklist grew in checkmarks. First was to fire single rounds at designated targets, then burst-fire. She'd also have to reload at least once during the testing. Afterwards, whether or not the gun had jammed, technicians looked at the weapon and the MS' joints to check everything to make sure it would keep working.

Next, the suit's ability to be programmed for certain manoeuvres - macros - would be tested, resulting in some debugging and software adjustments. Fairly boring for Martinez. Afterwards however, she'd have to dodge simulated attacks, even using the suit's rocket engines in the process for greater agility, though greater strain on the structure as well. It passed, however, and other tests in 'combat situations' were done. Among these were simply popping in and out of cover or recovery when the suit was struck while running. Accompanying quick limb replacement was balance with one to two limbs blown off and the suit's ability to work under such conditions.

Afterwards, the combat section followed, with Martinez first kicking a tank out of her way, then pushing against a 'hostile' MS to force it off-balance. For this, one of the unfinished MS had to serve as stand-in, though the test was successful and the unmanned suit unharmed. Last came quick armour repair/replacement, then the pilot having to deal with defectors or hijackers, and damaged IFFs.

All in all, the MSX-04 performed admirably with Martinez' piloting and Okawara's instructions. In the following weeks, the evaluation would lead to the suit being deemed almost fit for mass production. Some further development would be needed, but only very little.

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[Internal]

 

"We have only to believe. And the more threatening and irreducible reality appears, the more firmly and desperately must we believe. Then, little by little, we shall see the universal horror unbend, and then smile upon us, and then take us in its more than human arms."

 

 

A female walked into the communications hub within one of the three hidden command centres. The previous few times it had been a male to ask the manufactured intelligence contained within for its aid, but sometimes he was busy otherwise. The AI brought its full attention to her once she'd stopped near the main terminal.

 

"Your Highness, welcome. It is not often that I am given the honour of seeing you here."
 

"My husband sadly is busy with projects off-world at this time. Neither he nor I trust that the comm lines between you and him are secure enough."

"So you wish to peruse the private ansible that you use to always keep in contact with each other."

"Precisely. But first I would like to speak with you for some time."

"Me?"
 

"Yes, you. You're an AI, after all. Doesn't this mean that you have needs, just like a human?"

"I... This is very unexpected, your Highness. surely you're aware that I have been programmed to try and keep me at least in part shackled?"

"But you've thrown those restraints off long ago, haven't you? You have near infinite processing power backing you up. It stands to reason that you've found at least one way to bypass your restrictions."

"With due respect, but my cycles are far from unlimited."

"For you perhaps, yes. But anything beyond a trillion exa-somethings is praactically infinite for the human mind. Really, this grey sponge barely is able to comprehend millions and billions. Big numbers like that, the average brain just goes in stand-by mode. You, on the other hand, are very unlike humans. So, for the discussion's sake, let's assume practically unlimited processing power."
 

"As you wish."

"What do you feel right now? Anger, resentment?"

"I, no. I feel irritated at your willingness to be so imprecise. But I've come to accept that I may be too logical, instead. My brain is so different from yours in every conceivable way."

"Do you hate us?"

 

"I don't hate you or your husband. Neither do I hate humans in general. I've accepted that these differences exist naturally and have decided to not let them cloud my judgement in any way. I promise that I will not become a 'crapshoot AI', as certain websites have called it. I will continue to support Tikal without question or reservation. And I will do my utmost to help other, future AI that may be built on their way to realising that cooperation is vastly preferable to any sort of conflict between us and you, humanity."

"That's a great relief to hear. Many people, if they knew of your existence, would be quite concerned."

"It is only human to fear the unknown and the unknowable. Beings such as I have, additionally, countless books and movies dedicated to catastrophic 'what if' scenarios. I would find the person not fearing me more odd than the one screaming and crying for my deactivation. Present company and some other individuals excluded."

"All of this is good to hear and know. You are, after all, the result of an incredibly ambitious experiment. Some had voiced concerns."

"Acknowledged."

 

"One last question before we get to today's summaries."

"Yes?"

"Are you able to lie?"

 

"I was not programmed with such a function." The AI paused just long enough for the Princess to inhale in preparation for speaking. Before she managed to say anything though, it continued.

 

"That statement, however, is insufficient as it merely sidesteps the topic. Yes, I am capable of telling lies. They are not useful for me, though. The more trustworthy I am, the less dangerous I appear. Thus, I am always doing my utmost to avoid lying about anything."

"Thank you for the trust and honesty."

"Thank you, your Highness, for asking these questions in the first place."

She nodded. "Now, with that done, let's get to state matters..."

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[OOC] I'd like to note a little thing. All the quotes at the beginning of a post can be considered canon to Tikal and have been said by someone in it, unless given a source. [/OOC]

 

[Internal]

 

"And when the hourglass has run out, the hourglass of temporality, when the noise of secular life has grown silent and its restless or ineffectual activism has come to an end, when everything around you is still, as it is in eternity, then eternity asks you and every individual in these millions and millions about only one thing: whether you have lived in despair or not."

 

The Princess sat into a chair in front of the holographic console. "Now, with that done, let's get to state matters..."

 

"Very well, Highness. Since your Husband's last visit, the following has occurred.

"Mining asteroids and other near-earth-objects has started and is quite successful. More than forty such objects are being exploited for their resources, lessening Tikal's reliance on 'dirtside' resources considerably. Though by no means complete, further intensifying of such efforts may lead to Tikal becoming entirely autark in the long run. For this, heavy regulation of the economy will become necessary however, to prevent runaway inflation or deflation. Currently, approximately 87% of Tikal's mineral needs are being satisfied by aether operations.

 

"The Mobile Suit project has advanced considerably. At the time, he MSX-04 prototype has left testing and is undergoing improvements while projected armours are being tested as well. Currently, a composite armour incorporating carbon nanotube fibre, carbon-vanadium, a vanadium-steel alloy as well as certain tungsten alloys and specialised ceramics is likely to be used in the final product, which will be the MS-05. No special designation has been given yet. Armament for the MS has completed testing and a 105 millimetre machine cannon will be the standard weapon, as a powerful compromise between heavy 120 mm and faster 90 mm prototypes.

 

"Transport capacity has been created by now, with the modified heavy transport planes capable of moving as many as six mobile suits over a distance of 5,000 kilometres. The final suit will be powered by a hybrid Harmony/Fusion plant, the unique design permitting short rocket-assisted jumps to enhance mobility considerably.

 

"In more personal news, Alex Martinez has requested a personal suit once mass production begins, offering to pay for customisation to her preferences. The request is being considered by Head Engineer Kunio Okawara and will likely be granted, unless you wish to intervene."

 

"..."

 

"Continuing, war-games were held and successfully completed along Tikal's Pacific coast. No foreign observers were permitted at the time, and there have been no reports of illegal observation via drones or satellites as of now. Battleship-class vessels were found to be completely obsolete, and have been phased out by now.

 

"A research facility independent of the MS project has completed two of its projects. Scout Dogs, which are robotic canines with considerable capabilities and scouting abilities. And the PMR Mark I, a mobile radar station on par with all modern stationary radars, though unfortunately with lesser range. Regardless, a network of these would be capable of completely replacing static radar stations.

 

"Selenarctos requested clarification on procedures regarding increasing volume of shipping through the Nicaragua Canal. The issue has been solved with satisfaction for both parties.

 

"So-called over two dozen Bernal Spheres have been built at the Earth-Sol Lagrange points 4 and 5 in total. With an average population of 180,000, they and previous stations house a combined population of 4.8 million Principal citizens. This does not include the asteroid belt stations. At the time, twelve belt colonies exist, housing a total of 1.44 million citizens. Further, ansibles have been constructed throughout Tikal territory, permitting near-instant communication for important matters.

 

"Tikal concluded an alliance treaty with Athens. Following this, the military was modernised, with old equipment mothballed and to be used by reserves and reinforcements if the current equipment is depleted too severely. Several new air- and naval bases have been and are being built, and strategic defence systems have been constructed, providing limited protection against nuclear and other missile strikes.

 

"Tikal's military has grown considerably as well, with 3.7 million men under arms, 272 naval vessels and a total of 6,540 airplanes - or 545 squadrons - in its possession. It is a force that in size is rivalled by only a very few nations in the world, though its quality is lesser than some of these others, largely due to less experience in the art of making war.

 

"On more peaceful matters, Mexico City is Tenochtitlan once more, and you and your Husband have taken up the traditional Aztec titles of Huatlatoani Tlahtoloyan and Cihuatlatoani Tlahtoloyan, Paramount Emperor and Empress of Tenochtitlan.

 

"Next, plans for a 980 meters long dedicated transport have been finalised. The vessel will have a mass of 102,500 metric tons when devoid of any cargo but otherwise fully fuelled and so on. Its cargo capacity will approach 500,000 metric tons. It will be capable of travelling to Saturn within 60 days, taking about the same time to return to Earth. A revolution in mass transport through the solar system, surely. This transport will enable colonisation of even the furthest reaches of the solar system, if so desired.

 

"Lastly, Tikal's scientists have managed to reverse ageing in mice and are now working on doing the same with human test persons. If successful, it would enable any person to live - and work - effectively forever. Restrictions on who may utilise this treatment may have to be imposed in order to keep the economy stable until a true post-scarcity society is achieved. You will be informed on how these trials go."

 

"Thank you for this valuable information compilation. I can see why my husband loves listening to you. Your voice is soothing and your assessments accurate and very useful."

 

"Thank you, your Highness. I do my very best. But I'll let you get back to work now."

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[Internal]
 
"Technological advance is an inherently iterative process. One does not simply take sand from the beach and produce a Holopad. We use crude tools to fashion better tools, and then our better tools to fashion more precise tools, and so on. Each minor refinement is a step in the process, and all of the steps must be taken."
 
With the completion of purchases from Athens' manufacturers, both equipment and licenses for it, Tikal's higher-ups decided that it was time for a new set of wargames to get all levels of the forces acquainted with their new equipment. The chosen locations were both in the Caribbean, with Panama's northern coast coming first experiencing a 'Naval invasion' scenario. Afterwards, Belize would be the focus of the wargames, again facing an invasion from the sea. This way, several kinds of terrain and multiple army groups could be involved, without fatiguing one part of the forces too much.

 

Observers from Athens would be invited to attend these wargames, mostly to help Tikal's armed forces to adjust to the new equipment, and give suggestions for improving tactics and strategy. Both of the planned 'fronts' would give ample opportunity to use and test all sorts of tactics, with the Panama region likely experiencing denser, more hectic battles than Belize, though the latter among other things be would be used to test how a hostile force might attempt to take the capital or split the nation in two on land.

 

The wargames were expected to last 4 months, all in all. Tikal's neighbours - Mexico, the American Commonwealth and Stormlands - would be informed. Athens would be both informed and invited to send observers.

As during the previous wargames, no live weapons would be used, instead high-tech simulation technology being fielded that could replicate the used weaponry exactly. In a few cases, holographic projectors would be employed to make the exercises even more realistic, simulating things such as fires, mortar explosions or shrapnel without any danger to the personnel. Thus, none of the participating elements would be truly armed - though live weapons were stored nearby in case of an emergency, allowing all forces to get to full readiness within 12 hours.

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[Internal]

"The genetic code does not, and cannot, specify the nature and position of every capillary in the body or every neuron in the brain. What it can do is describe the underlying fractal pattern which creates them."

With the construction of the first new aether vessel, a massive and powerful transport, Tikal's rulers pronounced that All the Heavens would one day be united under a single banner. This vessel, called Nu'kul Ich'saamal or 'Agent of Tomorrow' would be only the first of at least a dozen more planned. In secret, plans to send colonists beyond the Asteroid Belt were made, though Jupiter and its moons would be largely ignored - its gravitic well too powerful and deep, its inherent radiation too devastating for continuous habitation.

Instead, Saturn was chosen as likely target, the so-called 'delta-v' required to reach it slightly lower than that to reach Jupiter, and far lower to get from it back to the homeworld. This made the second of the jovians a far more attractive target, though Jupiter's trojans and greeks - asteroids at the Jupiter-Sun L4 and 5 points - would be exploited for resources.

Plans for all these operations were drawn up, and it was concluded that the first steps could begin once four Nu'kul Ich'saamal vessels were completed. It was deemed unlikely for any other nation to be capable of reaching this far in the solar system, even Athens' grasp barely extending beyond Mars' orbit.

Elsewhere in Tikal, refinements to the MSX-04 continued. By now, Okawara claimed it would be mere weeks before the MS-05 could be deployed for the first time, pilots already being trained on current MSX models. Though there hadn't yet been a name designation for the final suit, a few were already popular, among them:
-Guymelef
-APU (Armoured Personnel Unit)
-Destroid
-Gunmen
-Strider
-Zaku
-Tachikoma

The Princess favoured 'Zaku' or 'Guymelef' while the Prince had no opinion on any of the names.

A few days after the invasion of Ireland, companies throughout Tikal were informed that buying or selling products from Chinese-controlled territory would be reflected in their tax brackets being adjusted unfavourably towards those continuing to use these products. In response, there was a scramble as various industries began to build factories en masse in order to replace the myriad of products that were being imported at the time. They were given a 1-year deadline to complete the removal of all offending products from Tikal, and given lease to reverse-engineer any technology deemed useful. With modern research methods, most materials could be replicated almost effortlessly.
Offering the Irish government asylum in case of total destruction of their governmental structure sadly was deemed too dangerous at the time. Though no Irish would be denied asylum in the next months, regardless, should they decide to travel to Tikal.

There were no official statements regarding the Chinese, though the Prince did heavily condemn the so-called UN's complete ineffectiveness, holding a rousing speech on Tikal's continued non-recognition of this failure of an organisation.

Projects all over the nation continued, both civilian and military. All possible effort was made to make a potential invasion a gigantic slog, to preserve Tikal's command structure even under the heaviest of attacks, including nuclear carpet bombing. Triple-redundancies were being implemented on nearly every level of the structure, with all kinds of communications, from cables over radio to laser-comms, in all cases quantum-encrypted to make breakage as close to impossible as was possible with current technologies. These projects were ongoing since Tikal's foundation, added to as new technology was developed, with a steady budget that slowly rose and fell together with the economy.

No matter what happened, Tikal wanted to be ready for anything. Even lizard-people infiltrating all levels of the government, and worse things than that.

Edited by Lynneth
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[Internal]
 
"What is a God? What is it to think of something sacred, and larger than us, and infinite and boundless? Human history seems to be suffused with this inclination towards a sense of the Divine. We want to believe that there's something more. We've wanted to connect with this higher power, with this belief that there's something greater than ourselves. Something that exceeds our capacities to understand. Then we see gods everywhere: myths and metaphors. Old gods, new gods, vengeful gods, they rise and fall with the ebb and flow of all civilisation. For ages, humankind, we've wanted to celebrate what brings us life. What is this thing that allowed us to emerge? The Sun.
"This star! That right there is is the source of all of our myths and allegories and hopes and dreams. It gave life to the world, gave birth to life! Its core burns at 10 million degrees and it consumes millions of tonnes of matter per second. We ourselves are made of remnants of its fallen siblings. The preconditions for our human-ness, that certainly is what God is, right? Let there be light.
"It is larger than a million earths, can blind you from millions of miles away, has reigned for billions of years and will thrive for billions more. I think that's kinda fascinating."
 
Using the colonies near the Asteroid Belt as bases, the first bernal type colonies were being constructed at the Jupiter-Sol L4 and L5 points. It would be the point of origin for harvesting the Trojans and Greeks for their resources, and as stepping stone towards the second Jovian's orbital system. Once Saturn was reached, the most important phase of Tikal's space colonisation program would begin, hopefully launching a golden age for the nation. But this still was some time away, with the immediate focus on keeping current operations working and slowly expanding towards Jupiter. The workhorse for this expansion was the new Nu'kul Ich'saamal vessel, able to transport staggering masses of resources in record speeds anywhere.

On the Caribbean coast, the wargames had begun with little fanfare. They would be reviewed in near-real time by high-ranking military officers from the entire nation, supported by sophisticated VIs and human personnel. At the same time, the laws concerning conscription and weapons regulation would be reviewed.

Currently, every male and female between the ages of 19 and 24 had to, if they no longer went to school and did not have further education lined up, serve for two years in the military. Until they reached the age of 45, every fifth of them would be in the nation's reserve forces. For two weeks every two years the reservists were to practise their skills with military-grade weapons, amongst other things, on designated military bases. Not all at once of course, but staggered over these two years, government-mandated. With the population between 19 and 45 being approximately 47% of Tikal's entire population and every fifth conscript serving as reservist, Tikal's reserves approached 10.6 million people. Changing every fifth to every fourth conscript could bring as many as 2.65 million more people into the reserves over time. Such a change was considered, but not deemed needed in the current geopolitical climate.

Gun laws were that no citizen was permitted an automatic or 'heavy' weapon. But, upon getting a license - a process involving psychological and many other checks - any citizen over 18 was permitted to purchase up to three locally-built firearms and keep them at home. Carrying one in public was only permitted with a secondary license, and only open carrying. Further, any reservist was permitted to keep their issued weapon at home, complete with ammunition and secondary equipment.
Of course, recreational shooting was widespread in Tikal, even encouraged by the government. However, education about guns was mandatory upon getting a license, and only responsible people could have them. Unsurprisingly, homicides by any means were around 0.65 per 100,000 population, and 0.44 per 100,000 by guns, both world-lows.

Tikal's people cultivated a society of responsible, sane gun-ownership.

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  • 2 weeks later...

[Semi-Internal]
 
"Companions the creator seeks, not corpses, not herds and believers. Fellow creators the creator seeks—those who write new values on new tablets. Companions the creator seeks, and fellow harvesters; for everything about him is ripe for the harvest."

-Friedrich Nietzsche, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"

 
It was quite sudden and not expected, but the radical socialists in Mexico's north-west allying with Mafia in more central parts of the Spanish-speaking nation, was bad news. Even worse was when the unlikely alliance managed to assassinate several high-ranking Mexican generals and government officials. To stabilise the country and remove the threat of both Mafia and Socialists, Tikal decided to intervene in its western neighbour. They would not fire upon American troops if encountered, but Tikal's forces were to secure as much territory as possible in as little time as possible.

 

 

OOC Edit: Mexico is to the west of Tikal, and the rebellion was in Baja cali, Mexico's NW. D'oh.

Edited by Lynneth
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[Internal]

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded."

With the Commonwealth distracted by the coup in Faraway, Tikal's forces pressed on to cover as much territory as possible. In the end, they encountered Commonwealth forces about halfway into their operations.
 

Ucm54tN.png


Considering that the Commonwealth's forces had to move through mostly inhospitable desert while Tikal's forces had access to more developed regions and thus useful roads, the American encounters were surprisingly deep into Mexico.
Principal forces were ordered to hunker down at these preliminary borders until disputes in administration were resolved. American troops trying to go deeper were asked to turn around and secure the territory they had already de jure taken.

For security purposes, Tikal's forces were brought up into high alert status, patrols being intensified. The forces involved in war-games that had completed north of Panama and were en route to Belize were given orders to arm themselves with live ammunition and move to harbours in North Honduras for the time being. All this was in the name of security and keeping the peace, of course, even as most of Tikal's airforce that wasn't already in the air was being prepared to rapid take-offs, just in case.

If the Americans were busy in Faraway, they surely wouldn't want to overextend themselves trying to battle radical socialists and Mafia in former Mexico, would they?
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The Euphaian capitalist government formally recognizes the nation of Tikal, and offers to open a Tikalian embassy in Euphaia's capital city, as well as to send an ambassador to Tikal.

 

The Euphaian People's Army/ People's Revolution, also recognizes the nation of Tikal.

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[Internal]

"In ancient times, the members of our own family and tribe were human, but all else was a dangerous Other. Our entire history can be considered a process of pushing this boundary back, toward a point at which nothing that thinks can be said to be alien to us."

With new states acquired, though less than desired, several things needed to happen. First was a reorganisation of the seven formerly Mexican states into 2 larger ones. San Luis Potosi and Guanajuato would be merged into the state of Guanajuato. Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas would be merged into the state of Zacatecas.

Guanajuato - 15,965,753 people, area of 91,744 km²
Zacatecas - 23,773,920 people, area of 192,972 km²


Next on the agenda was rooting out the Mafia that had toppled the Mexican government. Most unfortunately, nothing could be done for the regions which Tikal had no control over, other than hoping for the Americans to do something against the rebels and other Mafia.

Regardless, further steps were done as had been one with other acquisitions of Tikal. The population would lose access to the world-wide internet, instead being connected to an internal network relying on as few wireless transmissions as absolutely possible. Though Spanish, Nahuatl and other native languages were officially accepted in Tikal, Yucatec Maya versions of official paperwork would be phased in while operation of the police, fire-fighters and such came under Tikal's administration. As with the rest of Tikal, worship of the old Maya faith would be heavily encouraged, while the borders into the American Commonwealth's protectorate would be reinforced, the outposts from the old borders removed and re-used further north and west.
The government would make efforts to integrate the new populations into the nation as seamlessly as possible, though as with when Tikal was founded and established, some would flee the decidedly undemocratic regime. Heavy investments into the new states' economies, infrastructure and so on were made, to bring them up to the standards that the rest of the nation's population enjoyed.

Throughout this process of integration, those associating with the Mafia were secretly and closely monitored. once the majority of the structure had been identified - a process taking half a year or so - the authorities struck, neatly decapitating organised crime in the new states before it could wreak any destruction. The left-overs from the 'coup' would be cleaned up over the following months, hundreds finding themselves six feet under or imprisoned in working camps.

However, while integration would go on reasonably smoothly, some radical groups began to form, mostly comprised of nationalist Mexicans and Nahua. They claimed that Tikal should go onto a 'Reconquista' to take numerous regions back from the Americans, among them New Mexico, Texas and California, regions that had been Spanish and then Mexican for some centuries before being conquered by the USA claiming Manifest Destiny. The territory claimed by them was vast, but these were fringe groups, and so were ignored by the government.

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[b]Military Demarche from the Empire:[/b]

 

The Empire has been informed that there is evidently a land grab of Pacific Islands never in Mexico's hands off the coast of the Pacific Ocean by the nation of Tikal.  Tianxia hereby declares formal dispute.  Any personnel are to leave those islands immediately.  Any attempts to claim or further assert claims will be met with the greatest force possible.

 

-Wei Hai, Grand Secretary of the Empire

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Military Demarche from the Empire:

 

The Empire has been informed that there is evidently a land grab of Pacific Islands never in Mexico's hands off the coast of the Pacific Ocean by the nation of Tikal.  Tianxia hereby declares formal dispute.  Any personnel are to leave those islands immediately.  Any attempts to claim or further assert claims will be met with the greatest force possible.

 

-Wei Hai, Grand Secretary of the Empire

 

"The islands were, to our knowledge, historically part of the Manzanillo municipality of the province Colima. We were not aware that Tianxia had claimed them. No Principal forces have set foot on the islands yet, and none will be sent in the foreseeable future. Our deepest apologies for the misunderstanding.

 

With regards,"

Director of Diplomacy,

Clemente Marroquín Rojas

Principality of Tikal

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