9. A Declaration of War

Will attends an emergency UFS Council session where Pangea formally declares war on Starfleet following a conflict over their communications and manufacturing stations. Pangea announces they have deployed nuclear weapons to destroy their L5 spaceyard autofactory to prevent Starfleet consolidation, and the council votes to support this action. Will recognizes the escalating danger to Bob assets across the Bobiverse and considers involving Neil and Herschel in his ongoing project.

Will receives notification of an emergency UFS Council session while touring Valhalla and quickly enters virtual reality to attend. He reviews Pangea's prepared statement detailing how their Navy engaged Starfleet devices that were cordoning their communications station; despite winning the battle, Starfleet destroyed the contested systems and also destroyed Pangea's autofactories when Pangea attempted recovery. Pangea has declared war on Starfleet, making commerce or communication with Starfleet operatives illegal under War Measures Act. Will notes the irony that the incidents mirror the Newholme engagement and that Starfleet's booby-trapping tactics are endangering human lives while pushing bios toward conflict rather than separation. During the council session, the Chair reads the statement verbatim. Representative Hee then escalates beyond Starfleet, raising broader concerns about diplomatic and economic relations with non-biological entities whose goals are unknown. Hee announces that Pangea is deploying tactical nuclear devices to destroy their L5 spaceyard autofactory preemptively to prevent Starfleet consolidation, despite the significant economic loss. He warns of future consequences and the council votes to support Pangea's nuclear action. Will recognizes this escalation as a genuine threat to Bob assets throughout the Bobiverse and considers the need to consult with Neil and Herschel about his side project, which now appears to have become strategically significant.