| Kantor said: But wait. On restudying the lore, I don't think the Helghan were that innocent. They were the ones who originally started to charge high taxes for ships to pass through Vekta. The ISA could not manage this, they did not have the money, nor the resources, to pay these taxes. The Helghan refused to co-operate, and it was only after considering all other possibilities that the ISA attacked. It wasn't out of greed at all, it was out of necessity! *reignites debate* |
Quote time!
Platinum Age (2156-2190):
The Helghan system is a 'Hub' system that connects Earth to her Colonies - every ship MUST travel through Helghan to get anywhere. The Helghan Administration begins to charge each ship for the privilege - allegedly a fee for Traffic Control, Customs, Search and Rescue and other such services, it is actually a thinly disguised tariff upon all trade in Space. Helghan based ships are granted a 'Residence Permit' that frees them from some charges, encouraging some shipping companies to relocate.
No where was it mention that this caused severe economic strife to the UCN administration, the vast majoritive of traffic through space would be commercial in nature as the backbone of civilisation is and always will be trade. The bolded text especially support the conclusion that most profit was made from commercial traffic which is NOT UCN related.
Tensions (2198):
The UCN grows concerned at the increasing domination that Helghan is exerting over star travel and space trade - traditionally under UCN control. *Fear is thy enemy* They also become frustrated that the Helghan are creating vast wealth off the backs of colonial endeavors that the UCN itself has underwritten. *Jealousy is thy sin* It levies stricter controls and tariffs on all space traffic and taxes the colonies more heavily than ever before - using the money to expand the UCA, the UCA Navy receiving the bulk of the new budget. For the first time the UCA Navy develops large scale troop transports and the new Heavy Cruisers - warships clearly designed principally to smash the ISA fleets of the outer colonies and invade them by force.
As part of these new regulations several privileges granted to the Helghan Administration as part of the Helghan/Vektan Purchase are rescinded - specifically the right to a large home fleet and tariffs on shipping. *Thy convet the wealth of they neighbour*The Helghan Administration refuses, but does agree to high-level talks on a compromise solution. Back home, however, the wealthy people of Vekta and the powerful companies in orbit around Helghan pressure the Helghan Administration not to budge on the issues of tariffs or self-defense.
So lets summerize:
UCN fear the growing power of the biggest colony world/system and made preperation for war, despite the later party making no indication of aggression
UCN is jealous that an enterprising party is making profit despite their monopoly; they sold the right to tariff in ONE SYSTEM after negotiation in good faith but renegaded on the deal once it became obvious that (to use an anology) 'the land they sold had gold on it'.
The trade tariff might not even effect UCN traffic at all as UCN is still a military entity and retain control of all space traffic and tariff overall, but even if they do, they are NOT costing the UCN an arm and a leg, the only thing they are doing is making the UCN look like idiots for selling a lucratic money maker without fully realizing what they are selling.
Caveat Emptor, or in this case, let the seller beware, they had no legal right to revoke the agreement, the UCN were simply acting as bully, flexing its muscle when the target refuse to bent over and take it. They were 100% in the wrong and because they had the neccessary force, got away with it.
Quod erat faciendum
