Thundercloud Galaxy: how the CCW can be racist

[Braden Campbell]

Hi all.

Here is a brief snippet from Thundercloud Galaxy for you to post your opinions on. In brief, it is from the section detailing the Consortium portions of that galaxy, and how the CCW can have lofty and idealistic goals that quickly turn to **** in practicality. I'm in no way trying to change the nature of the CCW... I'm just trying to get the point across that no one is entirely good or entirely evil in this setting. Even the so-called heroes can do vile things.

We are talking about the Civilization Compact, and the Four Freedoms guarenteed to every citizen of the CCW...

It is important to note, especially in the case of the Thundercloud Galaxy, that while all member worlds are covered by the Compact, there are actually two different levels of membership. There are full members, and there are associated races. Full members are those people which have attained the ability, either via magic or technology, to become space-faring. An associated race is everyone else; alien species that are underdeveloped. Contact with these planets is strictly controlled by the Consortium Authority, and usually only consists of a few small trading or scientific outposts, if anything. Ostensibly, all associated races are defended by the Consortium Armed Forces (CAF) and their space fleets, but that is as far as the CCW’s protective umbrella reaches. Associate races have not signed the Civilization Compact, and are therefore not entitled to the Four Freedoms.

Because of this, on any planet where Consortium citizens have settled in amongst a native population, there is an automatic hierarchy. In the eyes of the Consortium Authority, the citizens are more important than the locals; their rights must be respected, while the natives technically have none. If the CAF becomes involved in such a situation (an evacuation or rescue operation, say), then they will tend to the Consortium citizens first and foremost. This policy adheres to the letter of the law, but also opens the door for horrible, racist attitudes. Yet, when one recalls that the men and women of the CCW are caught up in the mindset of New Imperialism, one can see how such a seemingly contradictory attitude can not only endure, but become the norm. Remember that many of the Consortium settlers believe that they are on a civilizing mission. They are trying to turn every species they encounter into productive, full members of the CCW. They are parents guiding and disciplining wayward children. This is their duty; this will make the Three Galaxies a better place, and most importantly, this is for their own good.

[Carl Gleba]

Nice

I can see it being that way too.

Carl

[glitterboy2098]

so, British Imperialism?
are you a history major, or do you just really really study?


on a related note, this makes me really wish i could flesh out my 'independant security forces' idea, freelance 'cops/coast guard' that nations hire to enforce spacelanes/laws, to free up their military for other duties.
basically, mercenaries with badges.
i'm sure i can dig up a historical precedent from real life history.
after all, remember law #10 of science fiction "Everything that has ever happened in human society since space travel, has had its precedent in human history before the first lunar landing." (H. Beam Piper, 'Space Viking')

[Braden Campbell]

so, British Imperialism?
are you a history major, or do you just really really study?

British Imperialism, French Imperialism, German Imperialism... they were all pretty much the same.

No, I'm not a history major, but I have been doing months of research on Africa (circa 1870-1914). So far as I know, the idea of Colonial Africa in space hasn't been done before in science fiction.

As for mercs that fit this theme... you want the Belgian Force Publique... King Leopold II's personal police that operated in the Congo (late 1800's). These guys went... well, nuts with power.

[glitterboy2098]

As for mercs that fit this theme... you want the Belgian Force Publique... King Leopold II's personal police that operated in the Congo (late 1800's). These guys went... well, nuts with power.

i was thinking more of an example of private security hired to perform public security.

imagine is 'Rent-A-Cop' was to start offering 'Rent-A-Coast Guard'.

[anarchclown]

Sounds very cool. Maybe we can get some Rifts Africa after all since we didn't get it in the Rifts Africa book.

Yeah I certainly like the idea of that. Colonies also make room for such great ideas as the East India Company, that ran a country for the British Government.

And as for Leopold II and his lackeys they were responsible for the third largest genocide in history. Accounts say as much as 10 million people. Very mad with power. Stuff like that happening in the name of the CCW, though they probably do not know too much about the details and are trying their hardest not to, makes for interesting alternative plots and bad guys to the normal TGE, Dominators, Necrols and what have you.

[Braden Campbell]

The Hudson's Bay Company, which at one time "owned" most of Canada (they were told that they could have all the land which drained into the Bay... only no one was certain just how much area that really was!)

And don't forget the South African Company, run by Cecil Rhodes (who also founded the DeBeers Diamond Mining Corporation).

Yes, the use of chartered companies is a major element in Thundercloud Galaxy.

[Jefffar]

Well, there are a number of private security firms operating in Iraq at the momment.

Back in the day, many western buisnesses in China had their own, substantial, private security forces. These security forces were known for breaking strikes and massacring student protesters.

[Greyaxe]

Sounds about right for Braden’s Thundercloud Scramble. I love the ideas presented here it turns the CCW on its head without changing the foundations for which is was formed or stands.

[Braden Campbell]

...then you'll like what is happening to the TGE in the Thundercloud.

[Greyaxe]

No I wont...











he says drooling with anticipation.

[anarchclown]

I imagine it will be a pretty spread out effort with different warlords trying to outdo the others expanding with their own personal legions uncontrollably. Only rarely does the empire make a concentrated effort to crush some rebellion.

Possibly with the exception of those that are trying to snuff out the CFW rebellion. That would probably be a pretty organized campaign that would be run by the TGE emperors own chosen hit men.

[Aramanthus]

Good working Braden! Nice!

[Carl Gleba]

Just hope he will continue to expand the PW universe...

I don't think that's going to be a problem. So far Phase World has seen more support than BTS, and Chaos Earth.

Carl

[Aramanthus]

I'm happy with PW where it is right now!

[Aramanthus]

I'll use it as a companion to Rifts no matter happens!

[Kesslan]

Heh I could see the red tape now....

Ring ring...

CCW Plannetary Defence Request Department, Bazel speaking.

Yes this is Yetra, leader of the free peoples of Naronath. We are current experiencing an imminent attack by forces from the TGE. As second tier applicants to the CCW charter we were hoping you could lend us a hand in repelling these horrible invaders.

Oh, I dare say that doesnt sound good. We'll dispatch an evac team imediately of course, to deal wtih all those CCW tourists uppon your fine plannet. It should arive in aproximately.... *pause* Five hours. I'll also get to work processing your application for a defence force. You should hear back from us Tuesday.

Tuesday?!?!

Well yes, tomorrow is a holiday, and then the department closes on the weekends. I'm terribly sorry but its the best I can do.

But their are invading forces closing in on us as we speak! Our fleets cant possibly hold out for more than three days!

Ah I see. Well I'll be sure in that case, to mark it as Urgent. If your lucky you'll hear back Monday. And then you could expect relief to come by about noon galactic time Wensday. Oh say.. would you look at the time. Time for my lunch break Mr.Yetra. Good luck on your plannetary defence initative!

*Click*

[Aramanthus]

But my game actually has perment connects to Phase World! So therefore they are hooked together for good!

[glitterboy2098]

there's a holiday for rescue missions?!!!

no, just for the Beurecrats that fill out the paperwork to make the rescue mission legal, and to OK the funding, write the orders that send the ships and personell, to locate and redeploy the supplies required, to set up refugee camps....

doing any kind of major deployment takes time, and if you can't cut through the red tape, your doomed.

in the CCW's case, if your not a first rank member, you can't bypass the redtape, and thus you have to go through the beuracracy.

[anarchclown]

I don't think that the CCW and TGE are actually fighting over territory yet. More like racing towards who "civilizes" the most worlds and thus grabs the largest territory. Though of course they would probably also spend enormous amounts of resources on sabotaging each others efforts by supplying local insurgents, arming formerly low tech worlds near their enemies territories etc.

[anarchclown]

Yeah. Just thinking more like a cold war or England and France in Africa kind of thing than actually conquering each others planets.

[anarchclown]

Yes though i would say that resources and communications make it a little more of a Cold War situation too. I don't think the colonial powers sabotaged each other as much as tried to explore and conquer first. They certainly never sold massive amounts of weapons to natives. At least not that i can remember.

[anarchclown]

So they actually conquered it from each other by force? But now that you mention it i guess the war for Canada was pretty much a real war too. Though that was a little earlier than the actual conquering of the whole world that went on in the nineteenth century.

[gaby]

I think Kevin Siembieda give to much territory to CCW and TGE,I would have cut it down to 15% Each. it give more space for native space-fairing nations and Savage (Well to the CCW and TGE that is ) Plantes.

How much Resistance the CCW and TGE face will depended on the Tech level of the native Space-fairing nations.
What weapons do you think can wokr?

CCW will try to tempe them into join willingly,The TGE will take them by force,they will not hold back.

The most Vulnerable will be the not space-fairing Plantes,ther will be resistance,but the lower the tech,the lesser the time it will take to conquer.

[Aramanthus]

I'm sticking with the numbers that are canon Gaby. Because even those numbers are a very small percentage of the galaxy. I mean 5000 in habitable systems out of billions is a tiny fraction. And with our understanding of how much more common planets are in our own galaxy allows Phase World to have even that much more potential.

[Marcethus]

I love the teaser intro for the new PW book. Man I gotta get my collection up to date.

[Braden Campbell]

Don't hold me to it, but both Fleets and Thundercloud Galaxy should be out early next year...

[Aramanthus]

COOL!!! Thank you for that update Braden! I know we are happy for that update. So Kevin has your second book? Any idea when You are going to turn over the next one?

[Braden Campbell]

I'll get back to United Worlds of Warlock after I finish the Wormwood Addenda #3: Worldgate, which should be within a few weeks.

[Talavar]

Ah, some sweet Phase World lovin'. Great to hear an update!

[Marcethus]

I'll get back to United Worlds of Warlock after I finish the Wormwood Addenda #3: Worldgate, which should be within a few weeks.

Ooooo More wormwood stuff yay!!!!

[Braden Campbell]

Part one appeared in Rifter #42, and it looks as if part two will be in Rifter #44.

[Marcethus]

Doh Rifter's I am soooooo far behind on them but duly noted.

[Braden Campbell]

Here's a reading list for ya:

Rifter #39 (last year's swimsuit issue); page 67 talks about the Zacchaeans: the elite dimentional raiders of Worldgate.

Rifter #42: Wormwood Addenda, part one; talks about how the great Tribulation came to be.

Rifter #43 (swimsuit issue 2008): page 79 introduces Rahela, the new Queen of Worldgate.

Rifter #44 (apparently): Wormwood Addenda, part two; talks about Ezud, the eastern dominion of Man.

Part three (Rifter #45?) will feature a mini-dimension book all about Worldgate... maps of the city, its histroy, rules for Wormwood flintlocks, converted Harleys, and much more. I swear to God, this one is going to be a must-have issue!

Part four (the final instalment) talks about Reorith Province; the front lines in the war between men and Demons.

[Aramanthus]

Cool! Thank you for the update Braden. I've read your article in Rifter 39, it was an excellent article. I'm behind in my reading so I Haven't finished Rifter 42, I'll get finished with it soon enough. I'm looking forward to see your Phase World material.

[Marcethus]

Thanks Braden Much appreciated when I have some funds I will seek them out and read em.