The Russian Winter Begins.
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Gatesville troops prepare to sit it out. [/align]
For the third time, Gatesville troops have bedded down in The North Pacific in support of a Rogue delegate. In support of Dalimbar and Emperor Matthuis, the Gatesville enthusiasm faded very quickly, and both coup attempts failed. This time, Gatesville sources say that they are in for the long haul.
But how long? Lewis and Clark (better known to most as Westwind) has gone Rogue early in his delegacy, and his influence level is only at Minnow. Hovering beneath him are a number of loyal TNP natives who have both high endocounts and very high influence. In response to the current crisis their endorsement levels are rising, and Lewis and Clark cannot ban any of them, let alone all of them.
Experienced players who understand Influence (and I do not count myself amongst them) have done the math, and concluded that it will be months before Lewis and Clark can remove all these threats to his position.
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Gates rallies his troops: “don’t worry, lads, it will all be over by Christmas.
That is only 323 days away"[/align]
So Lewis and Clark will need Gatesville support well into the Summer, or perhaps even (according to one influence-watcher) into the Fall. The question is, will Gatesville be willing to commit their militia to one cause for so long? Their words say yes, experience says no. The loyalty of Gatesville troops is well known, but the loyalty of anyone would be tested by a long occupation. Nobody likes to be bogged down for months.
So now we have two structures in TNP. The old government, which is styling itself “the government in waiting” since they believe that the end of this rogue delegacy is only a matter of time, and the new government of Lewis and Clark who must be hoping that Gatesville shows more tenacity this time than the last two times.
This conflict in TNP is very like previous ones in some respects. But whereas conflicts early in Nationstates were decided by swift strikes and blitzkrieg moves, this one will largely be determined by two factors: influence and patience.
Welcome to the Russian winter, Gatesville.
~ Flemingovia
