That's assuming that there's a threat at all. The natives believe that there is, but do they have to be right?
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
That's assuming that there's a threat at all. The natives believe that there is, but do they have to be right?
Yes of course! The rules of story telling demand it.
But wouldn't it be a great twist if it was completely irrelevant?
Not that is. I'm not commenting on what exists in the mysterious desert, if anything...
Jack's Last Moves In New Carthage
That was his ambition, not Jack’s. Jack cared not for Marcus’s private ambitions. If he succeeded, then he was likely to have an ally on the galactic political stage, but there were no negatives to Jack if he failed.
However, he knew that he would have to officially give up leadership of New Sidon to Marcus. After all, he had been crowned as Despot of New Sidon, not Marcus, and having confusion about who ruled wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Jack initially hadn’t thought that this would be a problem - he viewed New Carthage as merely a stopover point. However, many of those that he had rescued - or that had rescued themselves - had decided that New Sidon was a good place to retire - or to live. He didn’t blame them, and they had the right to make their own decisions. He wasn’t king of all of the refugees - he wouldn’t order them around unless absolutely necessary.
However, that meant that New Sidon would need a ruler. He couldn’t rule a continent from a different solar system - at least directly. He needed to sort out exactly his, well, he supposed it was technically his succession. Thankfully, there was an easy solution to that problem.
Jack knew that Marcus was ambitious, but he wasn’t worried about that fact. Marcus had made it quite clear that he had no intention of leaving with the refugee fleet. They were going to be parted. This did, however, present a solution to his problem. He could name Marcus as Despot of New Sidon. Marcus wouldn’t refuse, and it would allow Jack to wash his hands of New Sidon entirely.
He’d heavily implied that this was what was going to happen before, but he would need to make it official somehow. Once that was done, he could leave New Carthage. It was highly unlikely that New Carthage would meet with the nation that his refugees had established for a long time yet. Marcus would be free to plot to take over New Carthage.
Jack didn’t know it then, but he would live to regret that decision. Ambition wasn’t an intrinsically bad trait, but it wasn’t good, either. And Marcus was a man ruled by ambition. Ambition was a dangerous thing.
Nevertheless, Jack seized the opportunity to hand control of New Sidon to Marcus. He held a small ceremony where he transferred the title of “Despot of New Sidon” to Marcus. The people swore their new loyalty to their new liege, and all was well.
All of this meant that Jack had effectively washed his hands of New Sidon. Marcus, meanwhile, had to get used to ruling a continent - and Jack could leave for a new planet.
The refugee fleet still had many members, but about half of the refugees chose to stay behind on New Carthage. Jack decided to leave about a quarter of his ships on that planet. The extra ships could be used for other things - and Marcus shouldn’t need a fleet at all. It wasn’t like he planned on building his own empire.
Jack did want to build an empire, though. Nova Roma had been destroyed by the decadence of its rulers, but his new empire wouldn’t fall into that trap - at least not as long as he was still alive.
However, he knew that he would have to officially give up leadership of New Sidon to Marcus. After all, he had been crowned as Despot of New Sidon, not Marcus, and having confusion about who ruled wouldn’t be good for anyone.
Jack initially hadn’t thought that this would be a problem - he viewed New Carthage as merely a stopover point. However, many of those that he had rescued - or that had rescued themselves - had decided that New Sidon was a good place to retire - or to live. He didn’t blame them, and they had the right to make their own decisions. He wasn’t king of all of the refugees - he wouldn’t order them around unless absolutely necessary.
However, that meant that New Sidon would need a ruler. He couldn’t rule a continent from a different solar system - at least directly. He needed to sort out exactly his, well, he supposed it was technically his succession. Thankfully, there was an easy solution to that problem.
Jack knew that Marcus was ambitious, but he wasn’t worried about that fact. Marcus had made it quite clear that he had no intention of leaving with the refugee fleet. They were going to be parted. This did, however, present a solution to his problem. He could name Marcus as Despot of New Sidon. Marcus wouldn’t refuse, and it would allow Jack to wash his hands of New Sidon entirely.
He’d heavily implied that this was what was going to happen before, but he would need to make it official somehow. Once that was done, he could leave New Carthage. It was highly unlikely that New Carthage would meet with the nation that his refugees had established for a long time yet. Marcus would be free to plot to take over New Carthage.
Jack didn’t know it then, but he would live to regret that decision. Ambition wasn’t an intrinsically bad trait, but it wasn’t good, either. And Marcus was a man ruled by ambition. Ambition was a dangerous thing.
Nevertheless, Jack seized the opportunity to hand control of New Sidon to Marcus. He held a small ceremony where he transferred the title of “Despot of New Sidon” to Marcus. The people swore their new loyalty to their new liege, and all was well.
All of this meant that Jack had effectively washed his hands of New Sidon. Marcus, meanwhile, had to get used to ruling a continent - and Jack could leave for a new planet.
The refugee fleet still had many members, but about half of the refugees chose to stay behind on New Carthage. Jack decided to leave about a quarter of his ships on that planet. The extra ships could be used for other things - and Marcus shouldn’t need a fleet at all. It wasn’t like he planned on building his own empire.
Jack did want to build an empire, though. Nova Roma had been destroyed by the decadence of its rulers, but his new empire wouldn’t fall into that trap - at least not as long as he was still alive.
- 1
Yeah, but only slightly less than half of all the refugees stayed. Technically, he's doing it out of pragmatism - he can get rid of ships, and he doesn't have a reason to keep that many extra ships.
Considerations, Part 1
From the deck of the Aurora, he watched New Sidon disappear as his fleet ascended. Soon, it was only a large orb. Once his fleet had left the atmosphere, he began mentally debating where he should bring the Nova Roman refugees.
He had already rejected New Carthage. Nova Romans didn’t kneel to others, and even those that had stayed on New Carthage didn’t plan to stay reliant on the New Carthaginian government. Jack didn’t expect that taking over New Carthage would be easy, though, and so he allowed his lieutenant to attempt it if he so wished.
For Jack, however, there were far more fertile lands. New Carthage was one of the Nova Roman Empire’s lost colonies, but that was why he didn’t want to stay there. It still had a somewhat united government, which meant it would be difficult to take over.
Marcus was going to try that, and Jack was perfectly aware of that fact. However, he believed that Marcus’s chances of success were low. He preferred to try his luck in an area that was more divided and would thus be easier to conquer.
That meant that he needed to find a planet that wasn’t united. After all, his men were now united, and united we stand, but divided we fall. He planned to exploit the ancient tactic of divide and conquer.
The question was where such a situation existed. There were many uninhabited planets, but Jack didn’t want to live on a planet that was uninhabited. Most planets that weren’t inhabited were that way for a reason, and he really didn’t want to understand that firsthand.
Still, there were many planets where civilization still existed, but unity didn’t. Jack intended to unite one of these planets, and, from there, he would build a new empire. That empire would be the instrument of his humbling of New Greece, that civilization that he despised.
The question he had to answer was which planet would become his seat of power. There were many planets that technically fit that description, but some would be difficult to access, much less rule from.
He needed a planet that provided a good enough position to form an empire capable of forming an empire that could take revenge on New Greece.
That automatically eliminated any planet that was located in what was New Greek territory. It also eliminated planets near the New Greek borders, even if they weren’t technically inside said borders. New Greece clearly wanted to expand, and the Great Nova Roman War, as it was already beginning to be called, only proved that.
That still left the vast majority of the galaxy open as a potential beginning of a new empire ruled by the Nova Romans. Unfortunately, there were only so many light-years that the hyperdrives could transport his entire fleet. That eliminated vast portions of the galaxy from his options.
Still, most of the old Nova Roman colonies could still be used as a new starting point. Many of them hadn’t been able to create a unified planetary government, as New Carthage had. Any of those could be used as his starting point.
He had already rejected New Carthage. Nova Romans didn’t kneel to others, and even those that had stayed on New Carthage didn’t plan to stay reliant on the New Carthaginian government. Jack didn’t expect that taking over New Carthage would be easy, though, and so he allowed his lieutenant to attempt it if he so wished.
For Jack, however, there were far more fertile lands. New Carthage was one of the Nova Roman Empire’s lost colonies, but that was why he didn’t want to stay there. It still had a somewhat united government, which meant it would be difficult to take over.
Marcus was going to try that, and Jack was perfectly aware of that fact. However, he believed that Marcus’s chances of success were low. He preferred to try his luck in an area that was more divided and would thus be easier to conquer.
That meant that he needed to find a planet that wasn’t united. After all, his men were now united, and united we stand, but divided we fall. He planned to exploit the ancient tactic of divide and conquer.
The question was where such a situation existed. There were many uninhabited planets, but Jack didn’t want to live on a planet that was uninhabited. Most planets that weren’t inhabited were that way for a reason, and he really didn’t want to understand that firsthand.
Still, there were many planets where civilization still existed, but unity didn’t. Jack intended to unite one of these planets, and, from there, he would build a new empire. That empire would be the instrument of his humbling of New Greece, that civilization that he despised.
The question he had to answer was which planet would become his seat of power. There were many planets that technically fit that description, but some would be difficult to access, much less rule from.
He needed a planet that provided a good enough position to form an empire capable of forming an empire that could take revenge on New Greece.
That automatically eliminated any planet that was located in what was New Greek territory. It also eliminated planets near the New Greek borders, even if they weren’t technically inside said borders. New Greece clearly wanted to expand, and the Great Nova Roman War, as it was already beginning to be called, only proved that.
That still left the vast majority of the galaxy open as a potential beginning of a new empire ruled by the Nova Romans. Unfortunately, there were only so many light-years that the hyperdrives could transport his entire fleet. That eliminated vast portions of the galaxy from his options.
Still, most of the old Nova Roman colonies could still be used as a new starting point. Many of them hadn’t been able to create a unified planetary government, as New Carthage had. Any of those could be used as his starting point.
- 1
Indeed, although that might not be easy or quick. And there are other things that matter, things Jack has no idea of...
Considerations, Part 2
He decided on somewhere in the Far Rim, where Nova Roma had once reigned. Nova Roma had ruled much of the Far Rim, and that area was now in anarchy. He had heard that much. He didn’t know whether that was rumor or fact, but it didn’t much matter. Logic dictated that the former colonies of a destroyed empire would be far from stable.
Jack suspected that a few mini-empires had already risen in the Far Rim, but he doubted that would last for much out of them. New Greece would never allow Nova Roma to rise much more. They wouldn’t get a say in that, of course, but Jack’s fleet was stronger than almost every other force in the Nova Roman remnants.
Indeed, Jack was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the rain hitting the spaceship’s windows. That was a significant oversight, although Jack wouldn’t know that for a long time. After all, the gods didn’t often weep.
Still, Jack had other things to worry about. He still needed to choose a planet to settle on, and that concern trumped everything else.
He would have a new Nova Roma rise. This empire wouldn’t be decadent, and it would be glorious…
He looked over his maps. He frowned. He had maps, of course, but he needed more. These maps could easily be outdated. Outdated maps were completely useless to him, and relying on them would almost undoubtedly lead to the destruction of the fleet - or, at least, its decimation. People took territory - even in space - very seriously.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have any other maps. As such, he was faced with a conundrum - either rely on old maps and potentially destroy one of the last remaining legacies of Nova Roma, or figure out a way to get new maps.
He considered this for a short while, but he quickly realized that he didn’t know how to resolve the problem. Maps were unreliable in the Far Rim, but he had never been to the Far Rim before this.
He had never been to the Far Rim, but some people had. This ship contained people from across the former Nova Roman Empire. It was all that was left of that empire, and that empire had contained portions of the Far Rim. Somebody had to have been from the Far Rim or at least to have visited that area. They would know about how navigation in the Far Rim worked.
Besides, he needed new advisors. He had had one, but that was Marcus, who was a) completely loyal to Nova Roma, and b) ruling over a continent on New Carthage right now. What should he do?
He needed to find a new planet to settle on. That much was obvious. Where could he settle, though? The Feudal Empire of New Greece would probably hunt those who attempted to flee from the destruction of Nova Roma. Marcus knew that the Far Rim had been the edge of known civilization, so it was probably the best place to hide, but he needed someone who knew the Far Rim.
He needed to get new advisors as soon as possible, given that Marcus was ruling New Carthage…
Jack suspected that a few mini-empires had already risen in the Far Rim, but he doubted that would last for much out of them. New Greece would never allow Nova Roma to rise much more. They wouldn’t get a say in that, of course, but Jack’s fleet was stronger than almost every other force in the Nova Roman remnants.
Indeed, Jack was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the rain hitting the spaceship’s windows. That was a significant oversight, although Jack wouldn’t know that for a long time. After all, the gods didn’t often weep.
Still, Jack had other things to worry about. He still needed to choose a planet to settle on, and that concern trumped everything else.
He would have a new Nova Roma rise. This empire wouldn’t be decadent, and it would be glorious…
He looked over his maps. He frowned. He had maps, of course, but he needed more. These maps could easily be outdated. Outdated maps were completely useless to him, and relying on them would almost undoubtedly lead to the destruction of the fleet - or, at least, its decimation. People took territory - even in space - very seriously.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have any other maps. As such, he was faced with a conundrum - either rely on old maps and potentially destroy one of the last remaining legacies of Nova Roma, or figure out a way to get new maps.
He considered this for a short while, but he quickly realized that he didn’t know how to resolve the problem. Maps were unreliable in the Far Rim, but he had never been to the Far Rim before this.
He had never been to the Far Rim, but some people had. This ship contained people from across the former Nova Roman Empire. It was all that was left of that empire, and that empire had contained portions of the Far Rim. Somebody had to have been from the Far Rim or at least to have visited that area. They would know about how navigation in the Far Rim worked.
Besides, he needed new advisors. He had had one, but that was Marcus, who was a) completely loyal to Nova Roma, and b) ruling over a continent on New Carthage right now. What should he do?
He needed to find a new planet to settle on. That much was obvious. Where could he settle, though? The Feudal Empire of New Greece would probably hunt those who attempted to flee from the destruction of Nova Roma. Marcus knew that the Far Rim had been the edge of known civilization, so it was probably the best place to hide, but he needed someone who knew the Far Rim.
He needed to get new advisors as soon as possible, given that Marcus was ruling New Carthage…
All in due time. Of course, a renewed galactic Roman Empire is wanted... but we don't always get what we want. Wouldn't it just be so tragic if Jack failed?
- 1
Considerations, Part 3
Still, he needed advice - and he knew that which could grant him advice already. He needed to talk with Anathema. Perhaps it - she, a small part of him said, but he ignored it - could give him advice.
On that, at least, he was right.
Anathema was everywhere and nowhere at once, so he had to specifically summon it (her). “U hfryt hyu, A Anacursma Quf,” he murmured. I summon you, O Accursed One.
He saw a bright light, and then he heard it (her). It (she) didn’t speak. If Jack was being honest, he wasn’t certain that it (she) could speak. The ways of the Ancients weren’t known to mere mortals, after all.
Instead, he just sort of… knew that it (she) was there. It was a feeling in his mind. It felt… oddly pleasant, if he was being honest. Still, he couldn’t focus on that right now, as he needed answers as to what to do next. He needed to find a new home planet, but how was he supposed to do that?
At first, all he saw was a repeat of his previous vision. That wasn’t even remotely helpful - he didn’t care for Anathema’s games. He needed a straight answer.
Thankfully, Anathema heard his request - his plea, if he was being perfectly honest with himself - and it (she) answered it. He saw a flag that looked vaguely like the old Nova Roman flag, but it was subtly different. He saw this flag planted in many different regions. Some of these regions were so different from one another that they must have been on different planets. The vision then faded away, although he didn’t feel Anathema leaving him.
He smiled. He would build a new empire, then. His expedition would be a success. This was excellent news! All men - and all legacies of men - must die, but his empire would last a long time.
Then, as if Anathema had been tempted by his pride, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. To his credit, he quickly realized that this was another one of the visions that Anathema gave. Why would it (she) show him this? Was it a warning? If so, she could be more straightforward about it, starting with actually showing him a place that he knew.
Wait. This could actually be a place that he knew, just not a place that he knew in its current form. Still, there could be clues as to where this truly was. He looked around.
At first, all he saw was darkness. He looked down, but he couldn’t see the ground. He looked around, but he could see nothing. He looked up, and, at long last, he saw something other than darkness. He saw a blood red moon. There were no stars in the sky at all.
To his shock, though, he then saw a reflection of himself and a pair of eyes. He got the message well enough. “Do you see?” Anathema was asking him. What was he supposed to be seeing? This message meant absolutely nothing to him.
He opened his mouth to ask that question, but that action was unnecessary. Anathema showed him a pit filled with punishment, and he quickly understood what it (she) was truly trying to say. The pit was Hell.
Abandon all hope. The structures and creations of men - of mere mortals - never last. Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair at their might - and at their mortality. Your empire will not last.
An ominous message, but it didn’t actually tell Jack anything. What Jack wanted to know was where the seat of his new empire - where the seat of his revenge - would be. And he would gain his revenge. The Feudal Empire of New Greece needed to suffer as he had suffered.
He then saw a burning planet, and he assumed that it was Nova Roma at first. As he looked around, he realized that this wasn’t Nova Roma - indeed, it wasn’t even a Nova Roman planet. No, it looked more similar to the few New Greek areas that he had seen. It might even be New Greece itself, and it was burning.
He smiled. This meant that he would get his revenge.
Then, his vision changed. Now, New Greece was gone, but wherever he was was still burning. It was still dying. He looked around, and he saw Nova Roman structures. As he looked closer, he realized that structures from civilizations all across the galaxy were present on this planet. And the planet was being destroyed.
Finally, for the first time ever, he heard Anathema speak. “This is the cost of your revenge,” it (she) said. Its voice sounded feminine. “Do you truly wish to gain revenge? Even if the universe is the cost?” She sounded sad. Then, she muttered something. Jack could have sworn that it was, “don’t repeat my mistakes”. He wasn’t certain on that, though, so he ignored it.
On that note, she faded into mist, leaving Jack alone to ponder her words.
He would like to say that he would choose the universe over his own personal vengeance, but he didn’t know if that was true. That was the worst thing of all.
On that, at least, he was right.
Anathema was everywhere and nowhere at once, so he had to specifically summon it (her). “U hfryt hyu, A Anacursma Quf,” he murmured. I summon you, O Accursed One.
He saw a bright light, and then he heard it (her). It (she) didn’t speak. If Jack was being honest, he wasn’t certain that it (she) could speak. The ways of the Ancients weren’t known to mere mortals, after all.
Instead, he just sort of… knew that it (she) was there. It was a feeling in his mind. It felt… oddly pleasant, if he was being honest. Still, he couldn’t focus on that right now, as he needed answers as to what to do next. He needed to find a new home planet, but how was he supposed to do that?
At first, all he saw was a repeat of his previous vision. That wasn’t even remotely helpful - he didn’t care for Anathema’s games. He needed a straight answer.
Thankfully, Anathema heard his request - his plea, if he was being perfectly honest with himself - and it (she) answered it. He saw a flag that looked vaguely like the old Nova Roman flag, but it was subtly different. He saw this flag planted in many different regions. Some of these regions were so different from one another that they must have been on different planets. The vision then faded away, although he didn’t feel Anathema leaving him.
He smiled. He would build a new empire, then. His expedition would be a success. This was excellent news! All men - and all legacies of men - must die, but his empire would last a long time.
Then, as if Anathema had been tempted by his pride, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. To his credit, he quickly realized that this was another one of the visions that Anathema gave. Why would it (she) show him this? Was it a warning? If so, she could be more straightforward about it, starting with actually showing him a place that he knew.
Wait. This could actually be a place that he knew, just not a place that he knew in its current form. Still, there could be clues as to where this truly was. He looked around.
At first, all he saw was darkness. He looked down, but he couldn’t see the ground. He looked around, but he could see nothing. He looked up, and, at long last, he saw something other than darkness. He saw a blood red moon. There were no stars in the sky at all.
To his shock, though, he then saw a reflection of himself and a pair of eyes. He got the message well enough. “Do you see?” Anathema was asking him. What was he supposed to be seeing? This message meant absolutely nothing to him.
He opened his mouth to ask that question, but that action was unnecessary. Anathema showed him a pit filled with punishment, and he quickly understood what it (she) was truly trying to say. The pit was Hell.
Abandon all hope. The structures and creations of men - of mere mortals - never last. Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair at their might - and at their mortality. Your empire will not last.
An ominous message, but it didn’t actually tell Jack anything. What Jack wanted to know was where the seat of his new empire - where the seat of his revenge - would be. And he would gain his revenge. The Feudal Empire of New Greece needed to suffer as he had suffered.
He then saw a burning planet, and he assumed that it was Nova Roma at first. As he looked around, he realized that this wasn’t Nova Roma - indeed, it wasn’t even a Nova Roman planet. No, it looked more similar to the few New Greek areas that he had seen. It might even be New Greece itself, and it was burning.
He smiled. This meant that he would get his revenge.
Then, his vision changed. Now, New Greece was gone, but wherever he was was still burning. It was still dying. He looked around, and he saw Nova Roman structures. As he looked closer, he realized that structures from civilizations all across the galaxy were present on this planet. And the planet was being destroyed.
Finally, for the first time ever, he heard Anathema speak. “This is the cost of your revenge,” it (she) said. Its voice sounded feminine. “Do you truly wish to gain revenge? Even if the universe is the cost?” She sounded sad. Then, she muttered something. Jack could have sworn that it was, “don’t repeat my mistakes”. He wasn’t certain on that, though, so he ignored it.
On that note, she faded into mist, leaving Jack alone to ponder her words.
He would like to say that he would choose the universe over his own personal vengeance, but he didn’t know if that was true. That was the worst thing of all.
- 1
Don't get turned asside! Vengeance is achiveable, that's the only answer that matters!
Right, so, we're back. Here's how my update schedule is going to work. Updates will occur once every two days.
However, these will not all be main story updates. Some of them will, but some of them will just updates to other stories set in the same universe, or even entire stories set in the same universe. There will also be "lore updates" - encyclopedia/historybook style updates on the universe as a whole.
All of this will probably eventually become relevant to the main storyline. That's the current plan, anyway.
However, these will not all be main story updates. Some of them will, but some of them will just updates to other stories set in the same universe, or even entire stories set in the same universe. There will also be "lore updates" - encyclopedia/historybook style updates on the universe as a whole.
All of this will probably eventually become relevant to the main storyline. That's the current plan, anyway.
Lore Update #1: Immediate Causes of the Nova Roman War
The Nova Roman War began when the Nova Roman Empire was attacked by the Feudal Empire of New Greece. This action was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, of course. Nova Roma and New Greece had been rivals - perhaps even enemies - for a long time by this point.
Indeed, some say that the Nova Roman War started as far back as first contact between the two empires. The truth is substantially more complicated than that, though. Nova Roma and New Greece had been allied with each other before, but these alliances were always brief. It would take centuries for the rivalry to become obvious, and even more time before they began a cold war.
Nonetheless, a cold war had begun. By the time the Nova Roman War officially started, this cold war had been going for around two centuries.
Nova Roma had fought for influence with New Greece, and a very volatile situation emerged. The wider galaxy watched, but they did nothing. Why should they? Humanity was a very warlike species, so why shouldn’t they focus on each other, leaving other species alone?
All that was needed was a spark, and that spark did come. There were small sparks before then, but they never escalated into flames. Neither empire wanted to break the tenuous peace, for they feared that they would lose the resulting war.
Unfortunately, some things were inevitable, and some slights couldn’t be overlooked. A spark did light off a flame, and that may well have doomed us all.
Regardless, the spark was lit. It is a little unclear as to how it was lit, as many things could have been the final straw. Rather than speculating, I will simply list the possible causes - which one it was doesn’t matter - at least right now.
Indeed, there were as many as three possible causes. The first did occur first chronologically, but it is also the one that likely contributed the least to the actual beginning of the war. It was a simple border dispute, with one solar system being disputed. This system was called Saquy. Still, this alone wouldn’t have caused a war - the cold war featured several border disputes, and none of those sparked an all out war.
The second possible cause was the attack on both of the delegations sent to Saquy. It is as yet unknown as to who organized this attack. Neither government actively blamed the other, but some in both regimes secretly believed that the other regime was responsible. To this day, if anyone truly knows who was responsible for this, they haven’t told the general public of the galaxy.
The final straw was the death of the Nova Roman Emperor. That was the act that truly began the war. While it is undisputed that the Nova Roman Emperor did die, it is unlikely that the Emperor of New Greece was the responsible party. Many Nova Romans knew this, but the two prior events had caused tempers to run high, so the Provisional Council - acting as regent for the boy-emperor - issued an ultimatum to the New Greeks.
This ultimatum demanded that the New Greek Empire issue an official apology for “perfidious and undiplomatic actions against the Nova Roman people and royalty”. Despite the vague wording of this, everybody knew what obeying this ultimatum would be taken as. The ultimatum was all but a demand to declare the New Greeks at fault for the enormous tension between the two greatest empires of humanity.
That was the final straw. The New Greeks refused, declaring that they had nothing to do with the death of the Nova Roman Emperor. They demanded recompense for this false accusation, and Nova Roma refused. For weeks, both empires refused to back down. The rest of the Galactic Community did nothing. Keeping the two empires occupied against each other would keep them off of everybody else’s backs.
Finally, New Greece attacked a Nova Roman settlement on Saquy. That was when the war began.
Indeed, some say that the Nova Roman War started as far back as first contact between the two empires. The truth is substantially more complicated than that, though. Nova Roma and New Greece had been allied with each other before, but these alliances were always brief. It would take centuries for the rivalry to become obvious, and even more time before they began a cold war.
Nonetheless, a cold war had begun. By the time the Nova Roman War officially started, this cold war had been going for around two centuries.
Nova Roma had fought for influence with New Greece, and a very volatile situation emerged. The wider galaxy watched, but they did nothing. Why should they? Humanity was a very warlike species, so why shouldn’t they focus on each other, leaving other species alone?
All that was needed was a spark, and that spark did come. There were small sparks before then, but they never escalated into flames. Neither empire wanted to break the tenuous peace, for they feared that they would lose the resulting war.
Unfortunately, some things were inevitable, and some slights couldn’t be overlooked. A spark did light off a flame, and that may well have doomed us all.
Regardless, the spark was lit. It is a little unclear as to how it was lit, as many things could have been the final straw. Rather than speculating, I will simply list the possible causes - which one it was doesn’t matter - at least right now.
Indeed, there were as many as three possible causes. The first did occur first chronologically, but it is also the one that likely contributed the least to the actual beginning of the war. It was a simple border dispute, with one solar system being disputed. This system was called Saquy. Still, this alone wouldn’t have caused a war - the cold war featured several border disputes, and none of those sparked an all out war.
The second possible cause was the attack on both of the delegations sent to Saquy. It is as yet unknown as to who organized this attack. Neither government actively blamed the other, but some in both regimes secretly believed that the other regime was responsible. To this day, if anyone truly knows who was responsible for this, they haven’t told the general public of the galaxy.
The final straw was the death of the Nova Roman Emperor. That was the act that truly began the war. While it is undisputed that the Nova Roman Emperor did die, it is unlikely that the Emperor of New Greece was the responsible party. Many Nova Romans knew this, but the two prior events had caused tempers to run high, so the Provisional Council - acting as regent for the boy-emperor - issued an ultimatum to the New Greeks.
This ultimatum demanded that the New Greek Empire issue an official apology for “perfidious and undiplomatic actions against the Nova Roman people and royalty”. Despite the vague wording of this, everybody knew what obeying this ultimatum would be taken as. The ultimatum was all but a demand to declare the New Greeks at fault for the enormous tension between the two greatest empires of humanity.
That was the final straw. The New Greeks refused, declaring that they had nothing to do with the death of the Nova Roman Emperor. They demanded recompense for this false accusation, and Nova Roma refused. For weeks, both empires refused to back down. The rest of the Galactic Community did nothing. Keeping the two empires occupied against each other would keep them off of everybody else’s backs.
Finally, New Greece attacked a Nova Roman settlement on Saquy. That was when the war began.
- 2
So many provocations. The camel can only carry so much straw before its back gives out.
And considering how often ultimatums like this tend to fail in history, I can't help but think that once the Nova Romans sent their ultimatum to New Greece, Nova Roman troops were already moving to their posts.
By the way..
And considering how often ultimatums like this tend to fail in history, I can't help but think that once the Nova Romans sent their ultimatum to New Greece, Nova Roman troops were already moving to their posts.
By the way..
I'm very certain this wasn't meant to be a knock on one of my own stories, but I think it would be freaking hilarious if this line was veiled criticism of My Father's War,
In the end, some things are only preludes. And, yes, demanding things rarely ends well.
The criticism wasn't intentional (this was written pre-My Father's War, I think), but you can see whatever you want in my words.
Considerations, Part 4
The problem was that the Far Rim was really a broad descriptor. Few people agreed on exactly which planets were in the Far Rim, only that it described a region of space about which little was known. The Nova Roman government had considered colonizing it, but they - being the arrogant and foolish men that they were - had also dismissed the project as unnecessary. After all, wasn’t Nova Roma invincible? Even if the New Greeks attacked them, surely the entire empire wouldn’t fall. The capital was impregnable. All of these arguments were used and thousands more.
Jack had known that the capital wasn’t impregnable, but that didn’t matter. He had once tried to tell the Nova Roman Imperial Council of his empire’s vulnerability, but they had derided him as a doomsayer. And even when the New Greek fleets were approaching Nova Roma itself, so few people had listened to him…
Still, a few members of the Far Rim Exploratory Council had joined his fleeing fleet. They were the first people to consult about where planets that could be settled existed in the Far Rim. Unfortunately, they were all on a different ship, which meant that he was going to have to go to them. He could simply summon them to the flagship, but he didn’t wish to give his people false hope. Learning that there was a settlement plan that failed would hurt their spirits far more than simply believing that the commanders of the Nova Roman Refugee Fleet were simply making things up as they went…
As such, he needed to get to another ship - in this case, the NVS Explorer - without alerting the rest of his fleet. Easier said than done. Doing that the simple way was a ticket to some afterlife. The Nova Romans, unlike some other races, hadn’t adapted to living in space. Although, if things continued as they had been, a few might end up doing just that.
Jack quickly shook that thought out of his mind. He needed to stay positive. If he didn’t, his fears might come true. All of his fears.
Thankfully, the front of his flagship was currently empty. That made this task surprisingly easy - all he had to do was release an “escape pod” from there. With himself inside it. Without alerting anyone. Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be that easy. It wouldn’t be impossible, though.
He got into an escape pod and began preparing to eject it, eager to get on with his mission. Then, he remembered that he still had this completely secret. That included keeping it secret from the crew of his flagship. Which meant that the crew of his flagship couldn’t know that he wasn’t on said ship at all.
All of which meant that he could either leave his flagship - and, by extent, the fleet - without anybody in command, or he could command from an escape pod that nobody knew existed. Neither of which was a good option… and they were his only options. He really should have thought this through.
Maybe he could sleep on it? He hadn’t slept in a while, but there was no day or night in space, so it wasn’t like he’d be sleeping at noon.
Jack had known that the capital wasn’t impregnable, but that didn’t matter. He had once tried to tell the Nova Roman Imperial Council of his empire’s vulnerability, but they had derided him as a doomsayer. And even when the New Greek fleets were approaching Nova Roma itself, so few people had listened to him…
Still, a few members of the Far Rim Exploratory Council had joined his fleeing fleet. They were the first people to consult about where planets that could be settled existed in the Far Rim. Unfortunately, they were all on a different ship, which meant that he was going to have to go to them. He could simply summon them to the flagship, but he didn’t wish to give his people false hope. Learning that there was a settlement plan that failed would hurt their spirits far more than simply believing that the commanders of the Nova Roman Refugee Fleet were simply making things up as they went…
As such, he needed to get to another ship - in this case, the NVS Explorer - without alerting the rest of his fleet. Easier said than done. Doing that the simple way was a ticket to some afterlife. The Nova Romans, unlike some other races, hadn’t adapted to living in space. Although, if things continued as they had been, a few might end up doing just that.
Jack quickly shook that thought out of his mind. He needed to stay positive. If he didn’t, his fears might come true. All of his fears.
Thankfully, the front of his flagship was currently empty. That made this task surprisingly easy - all he had to do was release an “escape pod” from there. With himself inside it. Without alerting anyone. Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be that easy. It wouldn’t be impossible, though.
He got into an escape pod and began preparing to eject it, eager to get on with his mission. Then, he remembered that he still had this completely secret. That included keeping it secret from the crew of his flagship. Which meant that the crew of his flagship couldn’t know that he wasn’t on said ship at all.
All of which meant that he could either leave his flagship - and, by extent, the fleet - without anybody in command, or he could command from an escape pod that nobody knew existed. Neither of which was a good option… and they were his only options. He really should have thought this through.
Maybe he could sleep on it? He hadn’t slept in a while, but there was no day or night in space, so it wasn’t like he’d be sleeping at noon.
- 2