Letter to Editor of The Seattle Times,
Written August 3rd, 2027
Published Sunday, September 26th, 2027
As an auxiliary officer of the ESNA, I've seen firsthand the miraculous capabilities of Trans-Newtonian technology, [redacted], and our mighty navy made capable by it. But I feel it somehow necessary to remind my fellow man that these marvels have not yet had any practical military trial-by-fire, or more than a few years of R&D. Following first contact, a nail biting situation for us all, many of our political and military leaders have clamored for war on those who occupy our "rightful expansion". I vigorously urge restraint. The Charlies, however ugly they may be, have unknown technological capabilities. The following analogy applies well to the situation: In the same way that an English Ship-Of-The-Line centuries ago could easily destroy a Greek trireme of old, our warships may not even last seconds against the technology of the Charlies, even if we could return fire ineffectually.
We humans are smart, adaptable creatures who accept change easily when we see which way the wind is blowing. Given access to the exciting [redacted] find in the [redacted] system, we could improve our understanding of Trans-Newtonian warfare. But a destructive intersystem war today, or even, I'd say, within the next decade or two not only threatens our small and possibly relatively inferior navy, but the whole of our species. I humbly recommend to our leadership and the hawks in government a sizable reserve of navy vessels, other established human colonies, and many years of diplomatic actions and intelligence gathering before we even consider offensive actions against this unknown and entirely alien threat, if it even is a threat. War is rarely productive, unless you have a decisive advantage.
Lt.-Commander Arnold Kiwi Rimmer, ESNA
[letter ghost-written by Rimmer's 2nd in command, Lt. Kochanski]
Written August 3rd, 2027
Published Sunday, September 26th, 2027
As an auxiliary officer of the ESNA, I've seen firsthand the miraculous capabilities of Trans-Newtonian technology, [redacted], and our mighty navy made capable by it. But I feel it somehow necessary to remind my fellow man that these marvels have not yet had any practical military trial-by-fire, or more than a few years of R&D. Following first contact, a nail biting situation for us all, many of our political and military leaders have clamored for war on those who occupy our "rightful expansion". I vigorously urge restraint. The Charlies, however ugly they may be, have unknown technological capabilities. The following analogy applies well to the situation: In the same way that an English Ship-Of-The-Line centuries ago could easily destroy a Greek trireme of old, our warships may not even last seconds against the technology of the Charlies, even if we could return fire ineffectually.
We humans are smart, adaptable creatures who accept change easily when we see which way the wind is blowing. Given access to the exciting [redacted] find in the [redacted] system, we could improve our understanding of Trans-Newtonian warfare. But a destructive intersystem war today, or even, I'd say, within the next decade or two not only threatens our small and possibly relatively inferior navy, but the whole of our species. I humbly recommend to our leadership and the hawks in government a sizable reserve of navy vessels, other established human colonies, and many years of diplomatic actions and intelligence gathering before we even consider offensive actions against this unknown and entirely alien threat, if it even is a threat. War is rarely productive, unless you have a decisive advantage.
Lt.-Commander Arnold Kiwi Rimmer, ESNA
[letter ghost-written by Rimmer's 2nd in command, Lt. Kochanski]
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