Definitely true. Does Ersh see it, though? Does he know?
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I'm suddenly reminded of a recurring joke in a sci-fi series by Lois McMaster Bujold. There's a planet that's regarded as the most progressive, permissive and enlightened world in the known universe. Their president is known as Steady Freddie because he keeps getting elected decade after decade. The joke is two citizens are talking and one says "I never voted for him." And the other says "Neither did I." The implication of course... Lol
Rensslaer
Rensslaer
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Yeah, Ersh feels detached from reality here. On the other hand… this refugee thing could help the war. If people flee, then the military forces of the enemy go down - at least potentially. Whether or not that works… we’ll see.
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Haha, yeah. That might or might not be relevant here.
Good point! Thinking positive. I like it!
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Thanks for this wonderful work. The humor is what separates this from the run of the mill. Ersh and reality frequently take different lanes on life's highway. Thank you, my friend and please take care of yourself.
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Thanks for reading! I really didn't think of this as a humor AAR, but I do see your point of view. Ersh is surreal.
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2314.09.02 – President’s Office, Earth
2314.09.02 – President’s Office, Earth
President Ersh na-Filvan looked out of the office window. It was night outside, but he had no time to sleep. The war was finally going places, with the arrival of the Quenti fleet months ago. Now Sol was pushing back, and soon the occupation of Sol systems from the core to the Ubogleelt system would be over. Finally.
He sighed. As Sol was advancing where once defeat was almost inevitable, another big Janislaw fleet had been wreaking havoc further to the galactic east. You gain some, you lose some. But for some reason the Janislaw fleets were advancing slower there than they had been further west. He’d take any and every blessing he’d get.
If his calculations were right, the slow Janislaw advanced in the east meant he could get his fleets to advanced up on them from beneath, seizing enemy lands and retaking lost planets, before the Jansilaws could threaten the core again.
A yawn. He knew he needed to sleep soon. But he needed confirmation things were going to plan. It had been a little over eight months since the Sathorian Death Bringers fell. He shuddered. The very name… And his forces were advancing on the last rebel stronghold now. Then he’d have two Sol fleets to corner the Janislaws.
It would be a year or two still before that became an option, though. And he had recently been told there were rebel sentiments in other parts of Roman lands. What a mess those Romans were for his dear Sol…
He turned as his aide entered.
“A holo, sir. It’s from the defense minister.”
Ersh nodded.
“Let it through.”
He sat down. Big mistake. He could feel his body relaxing – too much. He needed sleep.
“Mister President, I have urgent news! Good, and bad.”
The defense minister waited.
Ersh collected himself.
“Give me the bad news first, Fira.”
The minister nodded.
“Bad news is the Janislaws are attacking the Sharku system. Were they to advance, they’d be cutting our fleets off from the core in five jumps.”
He hesitated.
“But, mister President. With the slow advances they’ve made lately, we should have time.”
Ersh smiled weakly.
“Indeed. It has been a long war. People are tired. We are tired. But I am seeing the end of it now. On better terms than first anticipated.”
He cocked his head.
“And the good news?”
Minister Fira clicked a button. A map came up.
“Our fleets have captured the Shorax system. The first time we’ve captured an enemy star base in this war! The Leesak, Balorix and Ubogleelt systems’ planets are estimated to be freed in a couple of months.”
He paused.
“Sir, we have entered enemy territory for the first time. We are on the offensive. Our plan to occupy enemy lands from Shorax to the Bindur system is now within reach. And then, we can liberate lands the enemy occupied systems in the far reaches of our republic. We are, mister President, finally winning.”
Ersh nodded silently.
“Yes, Fira. We’re doing better. But there’s a lot of ifs and time between now and winning this war properly. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
He paused.
“But we should definitely do a press release on this momentous victory! Sol and her allies need to see that the end is in sight, and it is a bright future in the horizon. I task you with writing the press release Fira. I will do a series of interviews tomorrow.”
As Fira signed off, Ersh closed his eyes for a moment. He needed sleep. But the night sky was already brightening, ever so slightly.
It would be a short night’s sleep.
President Ersh na-Filvan looked out of the office window. It was night outside, but he had no time to sleep. The war was finally going places, with the arrival of the Quenti fleet months ago. Now Sol was pushing back, and soon the occupation of Sol systems from the core to the Ubogleelt system would be over. Finally.
He sighed. As Sol was advancing where once defeat was almost inevitable, another big Janislaw fleet had been wreaking havoc further to the galactic east. You gain some, you lose some. But for some reason the Janislaw fleets were advancing slower there than they had been further west. He’d take any and every blessing he’d get.
If his calculations were right, the slow Janislaw advanced in the east meant he could get his fleets to advanced up on them from beneath, seizing enemy lands and retaking lost planets, before the Jansilaws could threaten the core again.
A yawn. He knew he needed to sleep soon. But he needed confirmation things were going to plan. It had been a little over eight months since the Sathorian Death Bringers fell. He shuddered. The very name… And his forces were advancing on the last rebel stronghold now. Then he’d have two Sol fleets to corner the Janislaws.
It would be a year or two still before that became an option, though. And he had recently been told there were rebel sentiments in other parts of Roman lands. What a mess those Romans were for his dear Sol…
He turned as his aide entered.
“A holo, sir. It’s from the defense minister.”
Ersh nodded.
“Let it through.”
He sat down. Big mistake. He could feel his body relaxing – too much. He needed sleep.
“Mister President, I have urgent news! Good, and bad.”
The defense minister waited.
Ersh collected himself.
“Give me the bad news first, Fira.”
The minister nodded.
“Bad news is the Janislaws are attacking the Sharku system. Were they to advance, they’d be cutting our fleets off from the core in five jumps.”
He hesitated.
“But, mister President. With the slow advances they’ve made lately, we should have time.”
Ersh smiled weakly.
“Indeed. It has been a long war. People are tired. We are tired. But I am seeing the end of it now. On better terms than first anticipated.”
He cocked his head.
“And the good news?”
Minister Fira clicked a button. A map came up.
“Our fleets have captured the Shorax system. The first time we’ve captured an enemy star base in this war! The Leesak, Balorix and Ubogleelt systems’ planets are estimated to be freed in a couple of months.”
He paused.
“Sir, we have entered enemy territory for the first time. We are on the offensive. Our plan to occupy enemy lands from Shorax to the Bindur system is now within reach. And then, we can liberate lands the enemy occupied systems in the far reaches of our republic. We are, mister President, finally winning.”
Ersh nodded silently.
“Yes, Fira. We’re doing better. But there’s a lot of ifs and time between now and winning this war properly. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
He paused.
“But we should definitely do a press release on this momentous victory! Sol and her allies need to see that the end is in sight, and it is a bright future in the horizon. I task you with writing the press release Fira. I will do a series of interviews tomorrow.”
As Fira signed off, Ersh closed his eyes for a moment. He needed sleep. But the night sky was already brightening, ever so slightly.
It would be a short night’s sleep.
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Momentous victory? Methinks he’s counting chickens before they’ve hatched.
Also, the concept of galactic cardinal directions is interesting. But since there’s a third axis in space, how would that be measured? Pitch and yaw? At least, I assume all the star systems aren’t on the same plane. I guess it could be a 2D galaxy…
Also, the concept of galactic cardinal directions is interesting. But since there’s a third axis in space, how would that be measured? Pitch and yaw? At least, I assume all the star systems aren’t on the same plane. I guess it could be a 2D galaxy…
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Oh, I know. I try to use directions as if there's some kind of plane. Makes it easier to describe. Not sure how real galaxies are in this regard tbh. Images sure look flatish, but I really have no idea. For the sake of story, I use the Stellaris map as if it's flat.
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Hey, he's only 148 years old! Practically a youngster.
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While I am obviously pleased that the player is finding success, I am disappointed in story terms that Ersh is the beneficiary.
The free and unrestricted immigration plan seems like it is something that a competent enemy should take advantage of. After all if there is one thing Sol has proved it is that the leadership are catastrophically incompetent at all things security related.
Unless of course it is all a front, Ersh has secretly been running a police state and that is how he keeps getting re-elected. That would give him confidence that his army of brutal henchmen could keep any threat in line. Either way I do hope that plot strand resurfaces in some way.
The free and unrestricted immigration plan seems like it is something that a competent enemy should take advantage of. After all if there is one thing Sol has proved it is that the leadership are catastrophically incompetent at all things security related.
Unless of course it is all a front, Ersh has secretly been running a police state and that is how he keeps getting re-elected. That would give him confidence that his army of brutal henchmen could keep any threat in line. Either way I do hope that plot strand resurfaces in some way.
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This is a victory. Hopefully it can be used for propaganda, but it really doesn't mean much. Sol still had to be saved by her allies, and she still has some of her own systems being occupied or besieged. It's better than it was, yes - but good? That's a stretch.
The immigration thing is very worrying and should come back later.
The immigration thing is very worrying and should come back later.
It is a good question, although sci-fi rarely brings this up. You would have to make up words for it... or do up and down work?
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I've heard terms like coreward and spinward used. And quadrants, except in 3 dimensions you'd have more than 4 quadrants. Anyone familiar with a good system?
On the subject of the war, to be fair, those allies who had to come to Sol's rescue had promised they would be leading everything in the first place, then they didn't show.
Worried about the "bad news" and how that might play out. My games of Stellaris have alot of "I'm winning, no I'm not, now I am again" to then.
Rensslaer
On the subject of the war, to be fair, those allies who had to come to Sol's rescue had promised they would be leading everything in the first place, then they didn't show.
Worried about the "bad news" and how that might play out. My games of Stellaris have alot of "I'm winning, no I'm not, now I am again" to then.
Rensslaer
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Ersh has a way of getting on top. Time and time again. As for getting elected fairly, he certainly did get so. Did it continue to be so, as time went by and he became more ingrained in the woodwork, so to speak? I actually had planned to address that.
Yeah, it's a weak victory, if anything. The immigration thing is a double edged sword. It certainly fits the dream of Ersh, fwiw.
I know I am not aquainted with a good system. I guess as with the flat maps of our time, some simplifications has had to be made?I've heard terms like coreward and spinward used. And quadrants, except in 3 dimensions you'd have more than 4 quadrants. Anyone familiar with a good system?
On the subject of the war, to be fair, those allies who had to come to Sol's rescue had promised they would be leading everything in the first place, then they didn't show.
Worried about the "bad news" and how that might play out. My games of Stellaris have alot of "I'm winning, no I'm not, now I am again" to then.
Rensslaer
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2315.04.01 – President’s Office, Earth
2315.04.01 – President’s Office, Earth
“Gentlemen. Gentlewomen. It is time we increase the authority and centralization of our federation.”
President Ersh na-Filvan looked sternly on the holos of the representatives of the other memberstates of the United Knowledge Partnership.
The leader of the Quenti spoke up.
“It is a good thing, I think. But only as long as power is distributed fairly. Rotation of leadership need to continue, and not be any longer than the present 20 years, which I already find a bit too long. You, president na-Filvan, has already been in power of this federation for a long time, and even longer in your republic. It is not good for a democracy to have one man – or woman – in power for so long.”
Silence.
The president of Colonia Emertia finally broke the silence.
“What are you implying, Primus? And might I add you are an empire, you hardly have much credibility in matters of dem…”
Ersh broke in, smiling gently.
“I am sure the Primus meant no offence. She knows well I am elected on the basis of legitimate votes, and…”
The Primus scoffed.
“Sure, sure. I have no issue with authoritarianism, President na-Filvan. But it reeks of hypocrisy to claim a democratic basis and legitimacy when you win so overwhelmingly for so long, in spite of huge war losses.”
Ersh held up a hand.
“Surely this is not productive use of our time. You said you approved of the suggestion of further centralization. I am happy to hear that, and I can assure you I do not plan on changing the succession type, nor the term limits. Now, with regards to Sol’s inner business, we are a democracy, and that is all that is really needed to say on the matter.”
A slight laughter from the Primus.
“Sure, sure. I hear that is so from my intelligence agency, no voting fraud to be found.”
Ersh coughed.
“No. No such thing. I really don’t appreciate such suggestion, Primus. It is…most unfitting for a great leader as yourself.”
The Primus smirked.
“Sure. You are right, we ought to discuss more important matters. The voting seems to be unanimously in favor of further centralization, as you full well know from the preliminary voting.”
He sighed.
“In any case, I have one more suggestion for law changes before we end this meeting.”
Ersh raised his brow.
“Really, now? And what do you suggest?”
The Quenti leader smiled broadly.
“I think it is time the current president gets the deciding vote for war declarations. As we centralize, that change is a good change that I feel will benefit the federation.”
Silence.
Then raging voices interrupting each other. Words like hypocrite and reminders on the Quenti being next in line for president of the federation were thrown around, before Ersh broke in.
“I think that settles it. No one except the Quenti seems to be in favor of changing that particular law.”
He nodded.
“Now, it is time we discussed the war. There is much work still to do…”
“Gentlemen. Gentlewomen. It is time we increase the authority and centralization of our federation.”
President Ersh na-Filvan looked sternly on the holos of the representatives of the other memberstates of the United Knowledge Partnership.
The leader of the Quenti spoke up.
“It is a good thing, I think. But only as long as power is distributed fairly. Rotation of leadership need to continue, and not be any longer than the present 20 years, which I already find a bit too long. You, president na-Filvan, has already been in power of this federation for a long time, and even longer in your republic. It is not good for a democracy to have one man – or woman – in power for so long.”
Silence.
The president of Colonia Emertia finally broke the silence.
“What are you implying, Primus? And might I add you are an empire, you hardly have much credibility in matters of dem…”
Ersh broke in, smiling gently.
“I am sure the Primus meant no offence. She knows well I am elected on the basis of legitimate votes, and…”
The Primus scoffed.
“Sure, sure. I have no issue with authoritarianism, President na-Filvan. But it reeks of hypocrisy to claim a democratic basis and legitimacy when you win so overwhelmingly for so long, in spite of huge war losses.”
Ersh held up a hand.
“Surely this is not productive use of our time. You said you approved of the suggestion of further centralization. I am happy to hear that, and I can assure you I do not plan on changing the succession type, nor the term limits. Now, with regards to Sol’s inner business, we are a democracy, and that is all that is really needed to say on the matter.”
A slight laughter from the Primus.
“Sure, sure. I hear that is so from my intelligence agency, no voting fraud to be found.”
Ersh coughed.
“No. No such thing. I really don’t appreciate such suggestion, Primus. It is…most unfitting for a great leader as yourself.”
The Primus smirked.
“Sure. You are right, we ought to discuss more important matters. The voting seems to be unanimously in favor of further centralization, as you full well know from the preliminary voting.”
He sighed.
“In any case, I have one more suggestion for law changes before we end this meeting.”
Ersh raised his brow.
“Really, now? And what do you suggest?”
The Quenti leader smiled broadly.
“I think it is time the current president gets the deciding vote for war declarations. As we centralize, that change is a good change that I feel will benefit the federation.”
Silence.
Then raging voices interrupting each other. Words like hypocrite and reminders on the Quenti being next in line for president of the federation were thrown around, before Ersh broke in.
“I think that settles it. No one except the Quenti seems to be in favor of changing that particular law.”
He nodded.
“Now, it is time we discussed the war. There is much work still to do…”
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As you can see, @El Pip is most excellent in chosing his time to ask the prudent question of legitimacy. :nods: I planned to address it quickly, as you can see.
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Political leaders undercutting each other's authority? Perish the thought. These chaps seem very difficult to work with, but I'm sure the alternative would be much, much worse.
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I do like the Primus and not just because she is clearly an excellent judge of character to have seen through Ersh so comprehensively.
The failure of her second vote if anything endears me to her further, because clearly she is a terrible politician and diplomat and this also speaks highly to her character.
The failure of her second vote if anything endears me to her further, because clearly she is a terrible politician and diplomat and this also speaks highly to her character.
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Ah, Ersh. Your long reign is very suspicious. Even the literal empire sees it! They also kind of have a right to call you out on your BS since, you know, they're winning a war for you at the moment.
This new change... it worries me. What happens when Sol is not in power? Then they're going to be forced to play second fiddle to an alien empire with different values... who will defend "The Dream" then?
This new change... it worries me. What happens when Sol is not in power? Then they're going to be forced to play second fiddle to an alien empire with different values... who will defend "The Dream" then?
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