McKenna was pleased at the lack of fanfare surrounding this visit, he dreaded dealing with the press and preferred to keep things simple and to the point. The ride to Vila Mulkhaz was calming and he took some time to observe and take in the sights and sounds of the nation he was visiting, details that could often times provide nuances which could prove to be useful. He would offer a firm handshake to Minister Lasha, "I believe we share the same hopes," he said with a smile, "it is certainly the hopes of the Empress we may put such unpleasantness behind us, mutually." Upon being welcomed by the Prime Minister McKenna offered a respectful bow, "Thank you, Respected Minister," he replied as Rokkenjimans traditionally did when dealing with an elected official such as Brdzeni Kvirkvelia.

"I hope for the same," McKenna would respond, awaiting the translator, "now then let us discuss how Abstergo kicked this all off initially, and how we may move beyond that challenge. You do understand that Rokkenjiman privacy laws extend far beyond those of the state you represent, as such the actions you accused Abstergo of are, in fact, invalid? There are those on the mainland who are opposed to Abstego but it's not because they're a privacy concern, so let's boil that down to what it is," McKenna continued. "You can't exploit them as you do your native systems, so the foreign target is the easiest in your view. Yet that foreign target is protected beyond your means so you do all you can do to exclude them, force them out of your market? You couldn't crack the code so you want to use laws to have your way in, but in the case of Abstergo Rokkenjiman law trumps your own, so here we are."

McKenna took pause before continuing, "You won't find a back door with Abstergo, not one that will let you in easily, and as we perfect the SiPh chips your odds dwindle ever closer toward zero. As we erode your cyber capacity against us, tell me what advantages you hold to stop Rokkenjimna from dominating your cyber space operations moving into the future? What benefit is there for Rokkenjiman sources offering concessions in that light?" I think we'll both find there are few and," he continued, "you'll find the cost of meeting our standards are far less than Rokkenjiman firms removing protections to confirm with yours. So what do you say," McKenna paused again, "do we handicap Rokkenjima's protections of consumers or do we allow the Diet to vote in favour of those freedoms being eroded?"

From the Research and Future Technologies Division

---

For Immediate Release
Introducing SiPh, Computing At The Speed Of Light

While many advancements have been seen in the sphere of computing as of late much of our computing technology still works on principles which were first utilized in the 1960s. As the need for processing data in ever greater quantities continues to grow with each passing year we have been looking into methods to increase the efficiency, and security, of computing. As Abstergo has previously announced our initiatives involving quantum mechanics we realize that such systems are at least a few years from broad availability, if not longer. With AI continuing to demand systems that are able to process large sets of data present systems, with their known inefficiencies, also result in a rather high consumption rate of energy.

The Research and Future Technologies Division has designed a solution to these challenges, the silicon-photonic (SiPh) chip which is capable of performing mathematical computations utilizing light instead of electricity. We have chosen an approach which utilizes light, the fastest means for transferring data known to humanity, while utilizing a resource which is available in abundant quantities, silicon, which will allow for this technology to scale quickly. We aimed to design a chip that is capable of performing vector-matrix multiplications. As a common mathematical computation this system is widely used in developing and functioning neural networks which are critical to developing the architecture to power AI models presently under development. The height of the silicon chip is reduced in specific regions of the chip to allow for control of how the light propagates within it.

Using fabrication facilities available to Abstergo and our partners the chips have been designed at sizes currently existing in the market and, with modifications accordingly being applied, SiPh is ready to be deployed almost immediately. We believe that SiPh could replace GPUs that many currently use to train and classify their AI models, with Abstergo utilizing SiPh to give Lexa AI a leg-up in the ever heating AI market. SiPh also realizes new security and privacy standards; as the chip can perform multiple computations in parallel the need to store sensitive information in working memory while these computations are performed is removed. One cannot hack into memory which is non-existent to access information, enabling a future computer powered by this technology virtually unhackable.

Development of SiPh is being undertaken in cooperation with the Imperial Rokkenjiman Government and the Ministry for Defence.

Nation Name:Ojo Libertopia

Nation Link:https://www.nationstates.net/nation=ojo_libertopia

Provinces you wish to claim:
1:Y19
2:Y20
3:Y21
4:Y22
5:Y23
6:Y24

Proposed colour of your nation on the map: yellow

I, T.S, have read the rules set down above, and agree to follow them.

Certainly! Here's a more straightforward introduction suitable for a forum post:

Greetings everyone in the Independent Order!

I'm excited to introduce our nation, Ojo Libertopia, to the community. We're an anarcho-capitalist society founded on the principles of individual liberty and free-market economics. In Ojo Libertopia, we prioritize voluntary cooperation and decentralized decision-making over government intervention.

We believe that our perspective as an anarcho-capitalist nation would be a valuable addition to the region, offering a unique viewpoint on governance and society.

We're looking forward to engaging with the community here in the Independent Order and contributing to meaningful discussions on liberty and autonomy.

Thank you for welcoming us, and we're excited to be a part of this community!
(this is my first rp nation pls help)

Shadows of the Past, Part Two: Voices From Beyond

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Akiōta-Honmachi, Hatsukaichi, Izumi Prefecture
December 6th, 1945
4:47 PM

   It was truly quite striking, Yuna thought as she wandered these streets she once called home, how little of the city was left standing. Even now, just four months on from when the bomb fell, little had been done to rebuild as had been in Kyūre. A most horrible fate had befallen it, one etched into the faces of those who yet survived, who had known firsthand the power of science corrupted in the pursuit of victory. For Hatsukaichi, at least as she had once known it, had died on the 5th of August, and yet it persisted almost as a ghost, a shadow of its former self. People wandered the streets, often aimless as there was simply nothing left for them, save for the scant few buildings which had survived relatively unscathed and the vast number of shacks which adorned the riverside. Many seemed to be searching for their missing loved ones, and indeed some had mistaken her for people they once knew, no doubt hopeful that they had somehow survived.

   It was honestly heartbreaking to see. From the corner of her eye, even she thought she might’ve seen her mother, but that had proven to have just been a case of mistaken identity. She knew she was gone, yet she still hoped that Ikuko had been wrong, that she had survived and maybe, just maybe, she simply had to be hospitalized as Daisaku had earlier in the year. It was a fool’s hope, perhaps, but some part of her still clung to it. As she passed the old Industrial Promotion Hall, ruined as it was, she looked down at the letter her brother had given her a year prior, still unopened and of course, still undelivered. She wished he’d given an address, but he was somehow worse at remembering them than even she had been, so perhaps he forgot. Either way, it was probably impossible to find its intended recipient now, since she’d waited until she could be absolutely certain that he was gone.
   ”...Y’know what, I may as well take a peek.” she thought as she looked at it before, albeit in a haphazard fashion, opening the envelope, propping it against her right arm and pulling out the letter. What she saw was, admittedly, not what she expected.
   ”My dearest sister,” it opened, and almost immediately, she realized that he had lied to her. There was no “special someone” in his life, and frankly, the fact that he’d wanted them to meet despite not giving any information about her gave it away. With a sigh, she continued to walk, making her way towards one of the many bridges on the Watari. ”I suppose you’re probably surprised that I’ve addressed this to you, but in the end, let’s be honest. I’m married to the job, so I don’t have room for a partner. Not yet, or… I suppose I never will, given that I’m likely dead by the time you’re reading this, so I guess that makes this my farewell.

   ”It’s strange, writing a letter like this, knowing that I am not likely to survive. I’ve had time to think about it, and the truth is, I am afraid. Every time I get into the cockpit, I fear that I might not be lucky enough to come home, but more than that, I fear what will happen if we fail. But today is different. I know that, when I climb into that aircraft, I will be fighting to protect people like you, people like Kahori. If I am to die, I take comfort in this fact, for our cause is righteous, even as we scatter like blossoms on the wind.” The letter read, though Yuna stopped for a time, tears streaming down her face as she looked out on the water, out towards Nomijima. Just a few years prior, he’d graduated from there… How proud they’d all been of him. Eventually though, she would continue to read the… honestly kinda short letter. ”I will admit, though, that I envy you, Yuna. I can only imagine the dreams you’ll have, the lessons you’ll learn, the joy you’ll feel. For though these times will certainly be hard, I know you well enough that you will, in time, be able to come back from anything. Hold true to what you’ve learned, and live a good life for me. And when the time comes, I will eagerly await you in the High Heavens. Yours forever, Isao.”

   Truth be told, it was much, much shorter than she had anticipated, but honestly, Yuna also hadn’t expected him to address it to her. The last words of a man to someone he cared deeply for, the last written testament that he had, in fact, once drawn breath. A brother—a son of the Empire—who would never come home again, who gave of himself his very life for those he cared so immensely for. He died so that others might live, so that she might live. If he was watching down on her from the heavens, then what might he think of her now? Best not to squander it.
   “Your sacrifice… You made it so that we may live. I promise I won’t waste it, o-niisan.” She said, her voice wavering for but a moment, before offering a prayer for his spirit in the light of the setting sun. What a familiar sight it was, even with all of this destruction. Eleven years ago, she drew this very scene, and though she didn’t know it then, that very decision changed her life forever. It was just then that she felt someone grab her shoulder.
   “None of us will.” Someone said, solemn yet with a hint of joy, though his voice was hard to make out from the crowd. “I hope you didn’t wait too long, did you, Yuna?”

   She froze for a moment, not entirely sure as to how she should react. Clearly, it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity, for he was too familiar with her. It only lasted for a brief second before she glanced over, then back out at the water before realizing who it was.
   “Iwao?” She asked, surprised to see her. “I didn’t… I… Well, I’m glad to see you’re okay.”
   “More than okay.” Iwao said, leaning against the railing as he spoke. “As of noon, I’ve officially been demobilized. I ain’t getting called back for service anymore.” He added. It was a bittersweet arrangement, since on one hand, he didn’t have to worry about being reassigned to some other far-flung town, but on the other hand, he suddenly found himself out of a job. It was just lucky he still had friends out there. “Though my ex-superior officer did give me a recommendation that’ll help me find work in-”
   “Haruya, is that you?” An elderly woman asked, interrupting them and grabbing his sleeve. No doubt, she was looking for someone she knew.
   “No, sorry.” Iwao replied. “I hope you find him, though.” He noted as she walked off, dejected. For a moment, he was silent, processing what had just happened. After giving it some thought, he said “Everyone here’s lost someone. Searching for someone too, I’d imagine. I can see it in their faces… It’s sorta like what I saw back when Kyūre burned, but not on this scale.”
   “You’re not the only one.” Yuna sighed.
   “Yuna, do you remember how we first met on this bridge?” Iwao said, looking down at his reflection on the water. “Those days… We can’t go back to them, I know. Us, this city, everything is changing. I’m gonna admit, I am worried about what this will all mean, but… I don’t think I could imagine living to see that without you.” He added, stroking her cheek for a moment as he spoke.
   “I… I would like that.” She smiled. “Now don’t leave me, okay? Please, stay right with me, forever.”