The next phase in the Interstellar Initiative has begun and includes competing Empire and Federation community goals intended to provide the generation ship Golconda's population with a new home. Of course, many CMDRs will answer the call for supplies and by extension, combat support, in the following weeks. But what most pilots involved in this effort do not understand is that they are merely pawns the superpowers' political games. The Golconda event is simply another opportunity for the oligarchs and despots to exploit the galaxy and its people.
Ideally, the people of the Golconda should have the freedom to choose their own destiny, especially now that their basic needs have been met and survival for the time being has been secured. However, they have been denied this right as their their fate has been left in the hands of 34th century humans, who have been asked to choose between two flawed plans to effect the "rescue" of the Golconda's people.
The Imperial plan, which intends to forcefully resettle these people to a modern, purpose-built planetary outpost, is flawed at its very core. It is Imperial paternalism and despotism at its worst. In essence, it mandates that these people leave their culture, lifestyle, and space-based home behind and accept modern technology and way of life in an unfamiliar galaxy, and one would assume it mandates their acceptance of Imperial values and rule. For instance, the 22nd century world they left behind was likely one in which all forms of bondage, including chattel slavery or indentured servitude, had been abolished. Now they would be asked to accept government sanctioned Imperial slavery, and perhaps be forced into it, as a matter of course? In essence, they would be exposed to the ugly reality of life in the 34th century Milky Way, a reality they ostensibly wish to avoid if given the choice. This plan completely strips them of their basic freedoms and right to self-determination and should be opposed at all costs.
The Federation's plan is less imperfect, perhaps even noble in some respects, but still denies these people the right of self-determination. The Fed plan calls for the construction of an outpost in which the Golcondans will be allowed to live in isolation from the outside world and maintain their 22nd century way of life and technology. Although this plan allows these people to retain their culture and lifestyle, it still denies them the basic freedom to choose their own destiny. If you must support one of these plans, this is the lesser of two evils.
Ultimately, the best solution would have been to allow the people of the Golconda to choose their own fate and hold a shipboard plebiscite. Allow them to vote in favor of the Imperial or Federation plan, or a third option: the opportunity to repair, refit, and resupply their vessel in such a way as to minimize the impact of the effort on the lives of the Golconda's inhabitants. This would enable them to continue their journey and choose a new home for themselves, whether it be a planetary outpost they construct with their own relatively primitive means, or possibly remain aboard the Golconda indefinitely, forever travelling through space at subluminal velocities. And perhaps one day, soon or in the far future, they may wish to join modern society. But ultimately that should be their choice, not ours.
All things considered, I am announcing my personal intention to oppose the Imperial initiative directly, and will attempt to deter any vessels I believe to be active in supporting it. In supercruise, CMDRs will be queried and given a chance to high wake from the system. Should they fail to see or ignore my comms, then I will interdict and take down their shields and hull to the point of near-destruction, at which point my marks will be given a chance to high wake and leave the system once again. Those that fail to do so, question my motives, or leave but return later will be destroyed without hesitation. So, I am not simply destroying vessels to simply satisfy my personal blood lust. I am giving every CMDR I come across a fair opportunity to save their own skin. If any CMDR dies by my hand, it will be because that CMDR chose to not take advantage of the terms I offer.
Those CMDRs who support the Federation's initiative will remain unmolested, by me at least, although I urge you to reconsider and not support either of these flawed plans.
Instead, join me in upholding the basic right of self-determination and association, and denouncing the machinations of the superpowers, who seek to use these people as a means to achieve their own nefarious ends.
-CMDR Thrender Grone
Ideally, the people of the Golconda should have the freedom to choose their own destiny, especially now that their basic needs have been met and survival for the time being has been secured. However, they have been denied this right as their their fate has been left in the hands of 34th century humans, who have been asked to choose between two flawed plans to effect the "rescue" of the Golconda's people.
The Imperial plan, which intends to forcefully resettle these people to a modern, purpose-built planetary outpost, is flawed at its very core. It is Imperial paternalism and despotism at its worst. In essence, it mandates that these people leave their culture, lifestyle, and space-based home behind and accept modern technology and way of life in an unfamiliar galaxy, and one would assume it mandates their acceptance of Imperial values and rule. For instance, the 22nd century world they left behind was likely one in which all forms of bondage, including chattel slavery or indentured servitude, had been abolished. Now they would be asked to accept government sanctioned Imperial slavery, and perhaps be forced into it, as a matter of course? In essence, they would be exposed to the ugly reality of life in the 34th century Milky Way, a reality they ostensibly wish to avoid if given the choice. This plan completely strips them of their basic freedoms and right to self-determination and should be opposed at all costs.
The Federation's plan is less imperfect, perhaps even noble in some respects, but still denies these people the right of self-determination. The Fed plan calls for the construction of an outpost in which the Golcondans will be allowed to live in isolation from the outside world and maintain their 22nd century way of life and technology. Although this plan allows these people to retain their culture and lifestyle, it still denies them the basic freedom to choose their own destiny. If you must support one of these plans, this is the lesser of two evils.
Ultimately, the best solution would have been to allow the people of the Golconda to choose their own fate and hold a shipboard plebiscite. Allow them to vote in favor of the Imperial or Federation plan, or a third option: the opportunity to repair, refit, and resupply their vessel in such a way as to minimize the impact of the effort on the lives of the Golconda's inhabitants. This would enable them to continue their journey and choose a new home for themselves, whether it be a planetary outpost they construct with their own relatively primitive means, or possibly remain aboard the Golconda indefinitely, forever travelling through space at subluminal velocities. And perhaps one day, soon or in the far future, they may wish to join modern society. But ultimately that should be their choice, not ours.
All things considered, I am announcing my personal intention to oppose the Imperial initiative directly, and will attempt to deter any vessels I believe to be active in supporting it. In supercruise, CMDRs will be queried and given a chance to high wake from the system. Should they fail to see or ignore my comms, then I will interdict and take down their shields and hull to the point of near-destruction, at which point my marks will be given a chance to high wake and leave the system once again. Those that fail to do so, question my motives, or leave but return later will be destroyed without hesitation. So, I am not simply destroying vessels to simply satisfy my personal blood lust. I am giving every CMDR I come across a fair opportunity to save their own skin. If any CMDR dies by my hand, it will be because that CMDR chose to not take advantage of the terms I offer.
Those CMDRs who support the Federation's initiative will remain unmolested, by me at least, although I urge you to reconsider and not support either of these flawed plans.
Instead, join me in upholding the basic right of self-determination and association, and denouncing the machinations of the superpowers, who seek to use these people as a means to achieve their own nefarious ends.
-CMDR Thrender Grone
