OT- Being a Twilight 2000 player has deterrence value

[Jason Weiser]

I am in a Battletech Strategic PBEM (We play NCAs of the various nations)

I am playing the Lyrans (Nice, somewhat corrupt merchant types)

Now I have been getting my arse kicked for the past six months, and finally? I finally am starting to get some of my own back, trouble is? I get bushwacked (Some of it referee intervention, Matt's a good guy, mostly )

Now, I am feeling backed into a corner at this point conventionally. So, I do what any sensible modern leader does:

FLASH TRAFFIC ALL COMMANDS

NCA has authorized potential nuclear release as per Damocles 1138 ZULU 07053025. Consider this a warning order of said release at this time. All commands should open their level one package orders and prepare to execute them upon release of codewords for Damocles. This is not a release of Damocles at this time, but all commands should prepare for release of Damocles within 12-14 recpt of this msg.

NCA Tharkad

I give myself some time to think this over, I figure I am not getting my message across:

FLASH TRAFFIC ALL COMMANDS

THARKAD NCA HAS APPROVED LEVEL 1 PACKAGE RELEASE OF 54 WARHEADS IN THE 5-20KT RANGE TO COMMANDERS IN THE FIELD. STRIKES ARE AUTHORIZED IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS.

POBLUSO - 18 WARHEADS
FORD - 24 WARHEADS
SEVERN - 2 WARHEADS
MORITZ - 2 WARHEADS
LAURENT - 8 WARHEADS

WAIT FOR COPY OF RED DOT 5 MESSAGE:

ALPHA PAPA ONE SIX FIFE BRAVO FOUR TREE SEVEN NINER

RPT

ALPHA PAPA ONE SIX FIFE BRAVO FOUR TREE SEVEN NINER

GOD SAVE US ALL. GOD FORGIVE US.

THARKAD NCA

I accompanied it with this:

Matt,
I do not make this decision lightly as I know what it will do to the story. However, the events of last turn have left the Commonwealth with few options. Skye and Tamar are on the edge of rebellion. I've lost most of Bolan and a good chunk of Tamar, the reserves are committed for the most part and any peace agreement with the Kaeptyn powers would include Skye, Tamar and Hesperus. This is unacceptable. I feel I have been left few options, and thus, like NATO in West Germany, the gloves are coming off. These are a limited package of strikes and will be accompanied by a cease-fire demand. I recommend for the Kaeptyn powers to take this demand. I play Twilight 2000. I will not flinch. I understand this will send the game into directions you hadn't counted on. I am sorry for that. But, certain actions I will not discuss here have made this necessary. I have the support of Bruce and Mike and I feel that's enough to proceed. If the KC powers agree to the initial cease-fire terms, I will stop. I will present those terms at Geneva after the strikes have been completed. I will preserve the Commonwealth by any means. The gloves are off now. Kelswa and Lestrade want action? They're going to get it...in spades.

His response, (edited as there are some in game events it reveals)

OK, just need to breathe for a moment. I know you play Twilight and I believe you when you say you have the will to use those weapons. However, there is no such thing as a limited nuclear release. There is not using them and there is using them.

You could almost hear the "PLEASE GOD DON'T DO IT!". Boy deterrence works!