A new power to deal with, (Stranger Than Fiction)

> John M. Atkinson wrote:

> So far we have the Alarishi, New Roman Empire, New Confederate States,

Dunno about the NAC allowing seccessionists much leeway. And other powers even
less.

With perhaps ONE exception... the OU. You see, there's precedent.

It's not very well known, but there are actually two sovereign nations
recognised by the UNO inhabiting the continent of Australia at the moment. The
Commonwealth of Australia (about the same size as the continental USA), and...
the Hutt River Province (about the same size as Normal, Missouri).

Have a look at http://www.wps.com.au/hutriver/hut1.htm

You won't believe it. Yet it's true: the HRP _legally_ seceeded from
Australia in 1970, by Australia's own laws. Yes, two burly coppers and
one dog could "re-integrate" it. But that would be an act of aggression,
no different from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, or Indonesia's annexation of east
Timor. The beaureaucrats or politicians who ordered it would be liable for
trial  for commiting war-crimes, to wit, planning and ordering an
aggressive war. Now Indonesia and Iraq would just laugh off such a move, but
we like to think we're a bit more civilised (HA!).

Oh yes, Westpac (one of the larger Banks in the Pacific Rim) changes HRP notes
for Oz Dollars at a 1:1 ratio (or did, last time I looked). And I'm told there
are a number of treaties in place, extradition, tax sharing etc.

I can see the OU being a very heterogenous group of island- and
asteroidal- states, only united by foreign policy and a common currency.
Maybe all those completely useless, planetless M-type stars that are all
over our neighbourhood are "claimed" by the OU, as no-one else wants

> With perhaps ONE exception... the OU. You see, there's precedent.

(snip)

> I can see the OU being a very heterogenous group of island- and

Hey, that's MY concept!  : )   see the Alarishi Empire at
www.geocities.com/Area51/Dreamworld/7643/index.html --> FT --> Alarishi
Empire.

> Maybe all those completely useless, planetless M-type stars that are

Likewise, we love M stars (or anywhere else that has a rock to call home).
Thrity colonists? Hey, if there's one guy and he wants to claim it, why not?
Of course, he's responsible for defending his claim if needed.

> Laserlight wrote:

> >I can see the OU being a very heterogenous group of island- and
Alarishi
> Empire.

Great Minds Think Alike. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, I hadn't
seen the site before.

> >Maybe all those completely useless, planetless M-type stars that are

And there's the difference. The OU fleet, pitiful as it is, would engage
in a guerilla-style commerce raiding campaign against anyone other than
one of the 4 major powers who claim-jumps. Usually in places nowhere
near the territory under dispute. Often using covert or cyber-war means.
A network of treaties means they'd always have help from at least one of the
big 4 if anyone bigger tries it on.

Sort of a "Better for someone small and neutral like the OU to have this
useless rock, rather than it be a (insert 3-letter acronym here) base.
Though why Anyone would want it is questionable."

I can also imagine the OU's relationship to the Alarishi empire to be rather
schizoid. They'd be a) The fleet most likely to give active aid to any
Alarishi system under attack, but b) Doing everything they can to subvert any
Alarishi system so that they can move in themselves.