Hi guys,

I've received the following mail of Nick's in response to mine:

"I have honestly thought that I would have the time to do so in the past weeks, but found that I did not when it was too late. I think I should get my personal affairs on a stable footing, and that this should be my priority. I did not want to resign as I thought that would be harmful to the game, but if my non-resigning is also harmful, than perhaps it is best that I do go."

Continued near-gunboating simply presents too great a liability to the game. Since all hope in any improvement on the part of Nick's happens to be gone, I am now seeking a replacement for Austria and putting the game on hold.

I should add that two players who otherwise failed to submit their build orders on time would have suffered the due consequences of doing so. I made the judgement call that in light of the game anyway being on hold, I'd unilaterally postpone the winter adjucation until a replacement is found.

I wish I weren't put in a position in which I have to make these types of decisions since neither course is particularly pleasing.

My hope is that it won't be too long until we're back on track.

Charles