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International News Networks / Re: Rokkenjima Broadcasting Corporation (RBC)
« on: April 01, 2024, 10:15:11 PM »Empress Invites Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia To Imperial Palace
"We may either talk now, or continue to exchange blows against one another and while we may establish firmly which of us is capable of enduring more such blows, I'd rather the path of diplomacy win over that of confrontation."
Speaking with the RBC on the situation which has long been simmering with Mktvartvelo the Empress has shared her distaste for the situation. "We may either speak now, or continue to exchange blows against one another and while we may establish firmly which of us is capable of enduring more such blows, I'd rather the path of diplomacy win over that of confrontation. I trust the word of my advisors, such as Gregory McKenna, as well as the assertions of Rokkenjiman authorities who report to me that Mktvartvelo has acted poorly, bringing the First Empire and the Unitary Republic to the path of a trade war. Indeed, I've previously inserted myself into the originating situation which set forth this set of events and I'm quite disappointed that my words went unheard and unheeded then. However, it is not beyond my capacity to forgive and thus I offer Prime Minister Brdzeni Kvirkvelia an audience with myself, Vicegerent Ravenswood and Liaison McKenna to speak on the true heart of this issue in a fair and open exchange between us at the Imperial Palace. I would add that it would be an opportune time to visit Rokkenjima, with the sakura in bloom, the colourful tapestry which nature weaves in our lands is a spectacle I think everyone should experience if even just once. Against this colourful backdrop of nature we may, frankly, share our concerns face-to-face and establish a path forward which does not involve increasingly petty swipes at each other. I'm granting the Prime Minister an open stage to present the concerns of his nation, as well as an off-ramp from the present trajectory our nations are upon, and I promise an open and listening ear and mind."
The Empress continued, "this offer will be issued once and only once; if the hand of listening and friendship is swiped away it will not be offered again. We can talk, find solutions in a mutual manner, or we may continue down the path of confrontation. While that is not a path I wish to walk down I will do so if forced, and I am certain that in the face of such a confrontation the pain exacted from Mktvartvelo will be much greater than that extracted from the First Empire of Rokkenjima. The choice is within him and his Government: we can talk this out or fight it out. I will trust my people to act in manners which forward the position of the First Empire, and as such if this offer is refused it will not be offered again. Let us talk, or let us continue forward in conflict; in this case, it is that simple unfortunately. I hope we have the opportunity to talk, though."
IRN Submarine Equipped with Mundus’ First Silent Caterpillar Dive
IRN Ambush, the newest Rorqual Class Submarine, was taken to Rosa Shipyards to equip the new magnetohydrodynamic drive (MHD).[/i]
IRN Ambush, the newest Rorqual Class Submarine, was taken to Rosa Shipyards to equip the new magnetohydrodynamic drive (MHD).[/i]
Rokkenjiman submarines will further expand their capabilities to operate silently in the undersea domain with the installation of a new type of propulsion system, the magneto-hydrodynamic drive (MHD), on the Rorqual Class Submarine. Representing the culmination of years worth of investment and research the first example of the MHD is set to begin testing in the coming weeks. First mentioned in official reports in 2015 the drive utilizes water which is accelerated using superconducting magnets which is often compared to the crawling of a caterpillar, leading to a colloquial term "caterpillar drive".
The first boat to be equipped is the IRN Ambush, the newest of the Rorqual Class, which was taken to Rosa Shipyards, Azukishima Prefecture for refurbishment. As the system utilizes no moving mechanical parts it is considered particularly stealthy, making it difficult to detect submarines outfitted with such a drive using passive sonar which listens for noises made by the targeted submarine. Sonar operators may, while searching for Ambush, pick up noises that are incapable of being distinguished from natural phenomena such as seismic activity.
Instead of the traditional propeller located at the stern of Ambush the new system is to be located entirely within the hull of the submarine. Experts state that the only external clue is likely to be water intakes in the bow of the ship which, while similar to torpedo shutters, will be larger in diameter. If the tests set to be undertaken aboard Ambush are successful the new system could be installed on more submarines. These are likely to include replacements, such as the hypothetical Rorqual Block II-IV, as well as future SSN-X variants.
While still in its infancy it remains to be seen whether Rokkenjiman waters will be the end of the story, or the beginning of a new chapter in submersible warfare.