[TML] RTT FGMP

[Richard Aiken]

On Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 7:16 PM, Garry Ward
<garry.e.ward at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>> Either that or kiss good bye to any rules about not using nukes.
>>
>> Well, this *is* the Empire we're talking about here.  They're the only
>> ones who are supposed to be using this type of weapon.  The Empire's
>> "no nukes" policy has never been interpreted to apply to itself.
>
> Ah, so you're asserting that the Empire doesn't just rule the space between
> the stars, but also has sufficient control over the local planetary
> governments to preclude their choice of weapons for their standing military
> forces? That complicates any call up of local forces for Imperial needs
> because any troops called up may not be trained on Imperial level weapons
> since the Imperials deny certain weapons to local governments.

The applicable Imperial Rule of War is "No nuclear weapons shall be
used in ground combat."  It is *not* "Nobody can possess nuclear
weapons."  The Rules are generally understood principles, not a rigid
code of law.  Basically, the Imperium is saying to it's subordinate
governments: "You can have all the nukes you want.  But if you use
them against anybody, we'll come down on you like a megaton of
collapsed matter.  And since you then won't be around to enjoy the
fruits of victory, what's the point of having used those nukes in the
first place?"  The Rules are also generally understood to apply to
external conflicts - like the Frontier Wars - and seem to have been
tacitly agreed to by all sides . . . so far.

IMTU, the Imperial *monitors* production of nuclear weapons by
subordinate governments.  This is done much like the non-proliferation
treaty signatories do today, but with greater power and reach (and
better sensors).  But the purpose is quite different.  The Imperium
doesn't care how many or what kinds of nukes are built.  It's only
interested in accurate records of the materials and methods used.
That way, if a warhead is ever used in earnest (by anyone within the
Imperial sphere of interest), said warhead can be traced back to the
facility which made it through examination of the byproducts produced.

So the lesson is: If you build yourself a nuke, make damn sure nobody
else gets their grubby little paws on it.  Because if they use it, the
hurt's gonna come down on YOU, not THEM.

But - like the other poster said above - all of this doesn't really
apply to the RTT FGMP, anyway.  Restricting these on the basis of
violating the nuke ban would be rather like objecting to someone for
continuing to use a fission-powered vehicle in combat, after it began
leaking radiation.  You'd never get that restriction agreed to by
anyone.

-- 
Richard Aiken

"Never insult anyone by accident." Robert A. Heinlein