[.. in a heavily safeguarded meeting room within DB HQ ..]
Welcome, everyone.
I must apologize for dragging you in at such an uncommon hour, but this matter needs to be dealt with urgently.
We are at the eve of a war with the Ningalin without a defense plan.
We drafted a proposal on how to address this problem, or shall we say opportunity? It is based on the earlier NPP, with a few modifications.
Ladies and gentleman, please peruse our draft document and share your opinion.
This is a contract by and between
- Cancer Planeta
- Hammerhead Security Services
- Chia Interstellar
- Blacksand Industries
- Deutsche Bank
(The "Signatories")
Signatories agree to cooperate to exterminate the vermin known as the Ningalin.
To this end they shall coordinate military actions and divide the spoils of war equitably according to contribution.
Section 1: Pact structure
Initially the pact shall consist of only the signatories mentioned above.
Additional Space Lords may apply for membership, but they will only be allowed to join if existing signatories unanimously agree.
Absolute Cancer may be amended only with the approval of more than two-thirds of Signatories.
The Crablord has the power to ACT for Absolute Cancer (as prescribed in this treaty), and make tie-breaking decisions. Initially Chia Interstellar holds this position, but they may be replaced through a simple majority vote.
A Signatory may withdraw from Absolute Cancer at any time, but any Crab Tokens (see section 6) they own will be removed from circulation.
Section 2: Military Coordination
Forces under Absolute Cancer will be deployed under a single banner, precluding infighting for the duration of the Ningalin War. Deployment plans may be proposed by any Signatory. The deployment plan with the most votes (from Signatories, one vote per Signatory) will be enACTed by the Crablord when the 24-hour warning is given. In the event that votes are tied when the 24-hour warning is given, an extension shall be requested. In the event that the vote remains tied come the next warning, one of the leading options shall be picked by the Crablord.
Deployment plans may leave fleets unused if their use is not deemed necessary.
Signatories are not allowed to deploy military forces independently, except for the purpose of self-defence or exploration.
Section 3: Collective Defence
While the primary goal of Absolute Cancer is to defeat the Ningalin Kingdom and conquer its holdings, should Ningalin forces capture a planet belonging to a Signatory, Absolute Cancer will endeavour to re-conquer the lost planet prior to the end of the war. Planets re-conquered this way shall be returned to the original owner. The original owner will pay one Crab Token to Absolute Cancer (effectively removing the Crab Token from circulation) in exchange. Should the original owner be unable or unwilling to pay this Crab Token fee, the planet shall be held by Absolute Cancer until the original owner pays the fee. Should the original owner refuse to pay the fee even after the war is over, the planet shall be auctioned as if it were a conventional Spoil of War (see section 5).
Section 4: Protection Pacts for Non-signatories
Absolute Cancer may agree on a Protection Pact with a non-signatory (a "Protectee"). The Protectee pays a Protection Sum to Absolute Cancer. The Protection Sum can consist of any type of assets, including future payments, as long as all signatories of Absolute Cancer agree that it is sufficient compensation.
In return, Absolute Cancer will endeavour to re-conquer any lost planets prior to the end of the war. Those planets will then be returned to the original owner.
A Protectee still has to protect himself to the best of his ability, deploying all armies and fleet he controls in defense of his own planets. If a Protectee is unable or unwilling to do so, the Protection Pact is voided without repayment.
The Protection Sum will be added to the Spoils of War (see section 5)
Any fleets or armies included in a Protection Sum will be available for Absolute Cancer to deploy as part of the Military Coordination (see section 2)
Additional special conditions of a Protection Pact can be worked out in a separate contract.
Section 5: Dividing the Spoils of War and dissolution of the contract
Spoils of War are defined as the sum of:
- Any planets captured by Absolute Cancer that did not originally belong to a Signatory (see section 3) or a Protectee (see section 4)
- Any assets paid as Protection Sums (see section 4)
All items in the Spoils of War except money shall be sold off individually in an Auction after the War with the Ningalin is terminated. Signatories shall pay their bids with Crab Tokens (see section 6). Crab Tokens used to pay for an Auction are removed from circulation. Signatories may sign additional contracts among each other pertaining to their bids in these Auctions.
Specifically, Signatories can make a deal to buy a planet together and distribute it to a minor lord for prestige to be divided among them.
Any money in the Spoils of War shall be divided after the auctions are resolved. It will be divided over the owners of remaining Crab Tokens, with each owner receiving a sum of money proportional to the number of Crab Tokens they own.
Finally, all remaining Crab Tokens are removed from circulation and the Absolute Cancer contract is dissolved.
Section 6: Earning Crab Tokens
Signatories shall be awarded Crab Tokens for their contributions to the war.
By default, Crab tokens will be awarded as follows:
- Armies: 10 Crab Tokens per Army per turn and 2 additional Crab Tokens as compensation if the Army is lost in battle.
- Fleets: 5 per fuelled Fleet per turn and 25 additional Crab Tokens as compensation if the Fleet is lost in battle.
A motion to review these values, in light of changing strategic circumstances, may be put forward at any time. A simple majority is required to change them. Signatories are encouraged to approve of fair values, taking into account the cost of raising/maintaining the forces in question, and their necessity in the ongoing war effort.
Trading of Crab Tokens among Signatories is allowed and encouraged. It is forbidden for Signatories to trade Crab Tokens with Non-signatories.