Galactic Dreams(Stellaris, Interactive/Community)

[Brian Swartz]

2262(The War Concludes)

Action in the Ullus system took center stage, with few taking notice of the new research direction back on Humboldt, other than those directly involved in those beauracracies. It is ever thus, but those possessed of wisdom understand that the more obvious actions are not possible without the hidden support of others.

03.12 -- The remains, roughly half of them made it out according to our best estimates, of the Djomar transport fleet have activated a wormhole and departed for Semadjo, two jumps away for us but we have no reason to chase them. They pose no more threat for the moment, and it's on to the second planet in the Ullus system, Naff'Fujj.

04.08 -- The first of three power plant upgrades is finished on Eskogg.

04.21 -- The spaceport around Naff'Fujj has been defeated, once again with no losses.

05.05 -- Agglor finishes the first of four power plant upgrades. Monthly energy balance is now positive again for the first time in years, though we're down to just over 600 in the total balance. Still, a good sign to reach that point even with much of the fleet deployed.

05.14 -- First of three power plant upgrades finished on Bakangi.

05.23 -- Power plant upgrade finished on Humboldt. Two more to go there as well. The energy is flowing more freely with each passing week, it seems. Meanwhile, a small Djomar strike force that arrogantly thought it could strike our core systems with their wormhole technology is defeated in Norgon, just two jumps away from our homeworld.

06.18 -- Having journeyed all the way around Djomar space, through the outer arm, back through our core systems, and back to the Kroll border, the Jaschalgur begins the processes of debris analysis from our battles in this not-quite-finished war. It, and the Engineering Dept., will be busy with that task for some time. Meanwhile, yet another decent-sized ocean world has been discovered in the space past the Djomar ... it appears that is a very suitable region of space for future expansion of the Architreuthis. Unfortunate for the ugly and stubbornly incompetent than they are in the way.

08.05 -- Another power plant finishes on Eskogg; one more to be upgraded there.

09.28 -- Naff'Fujj surrenders. We have now accomplished our goals in this war, and Gen. Eola Eusrim is up to ****. The Djomar have no choice but to accept a truce.

http://i.imgur.com/NoMc2lE.png


The Kroll Star Commonwealth is officially relegated to the dustbin of galactic history. Palmieri's Border Sector grows to nine planets with the addition of the new worlds; he now governs more population directly than does any other governor.

10.08 -- Another power plant finished on Agglor; two more remain.

10.26 -- Bakangi completes a power plant upgrade, and has one more left to finish.

11.14 -- Power plant upgrade finished on Humboldt; two more remaining.

12.03 -- Eskogg finishes its last power plant upgrade and can now turn its attention to other matters. The population there has grown to the point where it can support another research lab.

2263.01.02 -- Arid Colonization has been researched.


With the war having been over a few months, this seems an appropriate time to take a look at the new situation: we now have new colonization options, changes to our economy and the faction situation with new occupied territories, and most of the new power plants are now operational so we have a better sense on how things will look going forward. All of that will be up next before we proceed further.

[SirFozzie]

Once again, the Fist of Boojie thrusts itself victoriously into enemy territory.

(wait, that sounds WRONG somehow.)

[Brian Swartz]

I'll start off with internal matters here. First of course we must hear from the Society Dept.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Volcano Removal(New Worlds, 11 mo.) -- Volcanoes are the one obstacle still plaguing our 'four core' worlds(not counting Gabbog, which is Arctic not Ocean and still early in development). There is one on Bakangi, two on Eskogg that could be cleared with this advance.
** Galactic Administration(Statecraft, 37 mo.) -- A big, and costly, development. Monthly influence is increased by 1; the Imperial Capital building is unlocked(final planetary government upgrade beyond Planetary Capital, with increased bonuses that would make Humboldt able to build things no other planet in the empire could get and out-produce any other similar planet as well); and Advanced Government Forms, a new tier of governments, would be unlocked as well. For a very sizable influence cost(250 influence, about five years' worth) we would be able to upgrade from Theocratic Oligarchy to ... whatever. Presumably the new options would be significantly better than what we presently have.
** Xeno Integration(Biology, 27 mo.) -- Unlocks the ability to have aliens serve as leaders in our empire. I'm pretty sure I know what the reaction would be to even considering this from the Collective, but it's still here as an option. More of a Xenophile-type thing.
** Amoeba Breeding Program(Biology, 11/55 mo.) -- Still here if we want it.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock.

[Brian Swartz]

In other news, we've saved up to a little over 150 influence but will soon be needing to use it for colonizing purposes. Energy is still low(just under 700), but rising -- I'd like that to be around 1500 so we'll be a little cautious on spending until it gets higher. We're sticking around +20 per month now since the war, a healthy amount that will allow a modest amount of colonization and shipbuilding while still growing our reserves. Mineral-wise we have tons to spend, closing in on 7k which is a lot more than we've ever had before. New armies in the acquired systems will take a bit, but most will go to whatever needs it and then building up spaceports. Our monthly income there is 234, and there is a forseeable point where we may not even be able to spend it all. Building materials are most definitely not an issue. The other aspects of the economy are more limiting.

We're looking pretty good in terms of the internal political situation. The % of Loyalists continues to decline, now at just 51%(112 of 220). The Docile Slaves[/b[(43) have been significantly more numerous than the [b]Malcontents(17), which is definitely a positive, and as yet neither is causing any major problems. A lot of the credit goes to Gov. Deaconi Palmieri, who has done a great job of pacifying our largest and most troublesome area of space. The Emancipation Movement(33 members) makes some noise from time to time but other than smuggling some slaves out of the empire every once in a while, they seem to be under control. We've also got a single region of Shantari campaigning for a free Kroll Sector, which isn't going to happen, and the Djomaran Homelanders(8) want to return to their own empire. They aren't very popular in this endeavor though, and I don't expect any long-term problems.

There have been no more ill reports from Vurl-Xagh, which is less than half a year away from joining the Collective if things stay as they are. I imagine Operative X-34 still has some tricks up his sleeve but everything's been good there for a while.

In the bigger picture, we've got to decide where to expand next, particularly now that Arid planets are a possibility.

http://i.imgur.com/6WvnXJQ.png


This is the majority of the galaxy, as things currently stand. In the core, the Bhenn'Thell Imperium is growing in strength as well, having expanded at the expense of the Uthonian Star Coalition to its left recently. There are a couple of other smaller empires that are growing in this area. We are larger(23 planets to 19) than the Imperium, but they still have a slightly higher population and somewhat more advanced technology. The Qravadox, in the outer arm, are falling behind us a bit; we still consider them fairly equal but probably not for much longer. Nobody is the slightest concern yet to green circle at the top belonging to the fallen empire; they are still Overwhelming in all categories; our petty squabbles are beneath their notice.

Based on what has been previously stated, our direction for colonization seems clear. We've got 2-3 more systems to occupy in the outer arm, and will then begin expanding in the area below the Djomar League. The other option is to go the other direction towards the fallen empire; there are several more mid-size Arid planets available to us in that direction, but it does not appear than any other empire is interested in those areas. The biggest exploration question mark right now is just how far we can push 'inward' on the middle arm of the galaxy. Conceivably the Collective could eventually stretch nearly from the top of the galaxy to the bottom, unless we run into other empires. Our knowledge of this galaxy is still less than half complete, leaving us with more questions than answers ... but as of now, there is plenty of territory still to expand to.

[DavidCorperial]

Galactic Administration.

[tarcone]

Dr. Tarc will explore the unknown.

He will go where no man has gone before. Or Boojie in this case.

[Brian Swartz]

Actually, by happenstance it is Dr. Tarc who has been assigned the 'grunt work' of debris analysis of the recent war's battles. He will of course resume exploring the unknown when this task is finished.

[Brian Swartz]

2263-64

A computer freeze-up lost most of the writeup details. In short, the plan as described was implemented. All core colonies have fully upgraded their power facilities. A colony ship was built and sent to the region beyond Djomar, but didn't get very far since they quickly built one, then a second frontier outpost in the area, claiming 'our' territory. Ironically they may have done us a favor, since in terms of influence it would be better to take these systems after we eliminate them complete. Still, the idiots have basically guaranteed that we have a vested interest in doing so when this latest truce expires. They have also made flailing attempts at ingratiating themselves with the Ul-Tur Concordat, but this has not yet progressed past a migration treaty, and we could easily take them both on anyway so it makes little difference.

As for the colony ship, it was diverted to the outer arm to press our claims there. Meanwhile, gradual construction of more ships for the fleet and spaceport additions continues as well.

2264.07.02 -- UV Lasers finished.


http://i.imgur.com/DNvSrmD.png


The whole lower third here, a row of several systems, was outside of Djomar space before they built the frontier outposts. It's only a matter of time until this is all claimed by the Collective.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

Some familiar choices are back.

** Space-Time Theory(Computing, 74 mo.) -- Unlocks two more tiers of physics labs, III & IV.
** Database Uplinks(Computing, 8 mo.) -- Unlocks the Assist Research mission, allowing our scientists to increase the tech output of a planet.
** Antimatter Power(Particles, 57 mo.) -- Increases energy storage by +250(presently capped at 4k). Unlocks the Antimatter Reactor, an upgrade over our present Cold Fusion reactors for ships.
** Disruptors and Blue Crystal Capacitors remain as useless, outdated weapon systems.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock again.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Antimatter Power

[JonInMiddleGA]

Largely out of pocket until late Monday. Don't think it matters for game purposes but I'm paranoid like that, so ... make any decisions related to me in my absence.

[Brian Swartz]

So something bizarre happened ... no computer issues but I lost most of the most recent writeup yet again. Forgot to save it maybe? Dunno. In any case, we have finished the end of 2264 and all of 2265, and are up to the beginning of '66. The pendulum appears to have swung back to having more energy than we can use(at least +25 per month), as the sectors upgrade their power plants as well. Most of the minerals have been used up, mostly from shipbuilding and a major spaceport initiative. The majority of our planets can build destroyers now(L3 spaceports) and soon we will probably upgrade Agglor and Eskogg to be able to handle cruisers so that fleet expansions can happen more quickly. Some development in space torpedoes has happened from the debris analysis, which is almost complete now. And of course various planetary investments continue.

At the start of 2266, Galactic Administration was finished, and the upgrade to an Imperial Capital on Humboldt begun. This is expected to take nearly three years, and is quite expensive. Meanwhile, the colony on Rantor has been established and a new colony ship was to head to Nekkar, but we don't have enough influence left to settle that for some time yet so it will have to wait. Instead, it will head to the Zeldrah system, a max-size arctic world on the Djomar border.

02.18 -- Agglor finishes a Mining Network upgrade, built for some Kroll who have migrated there(and been subsequently enslaved). They'll next clear toxic kelp from the lone remaining undeveloped province ... the planet is almost full.

05.28 -- Last of the debris has been studied. Dr. Tarc now makes the long journey down past Djomar space again to help extend our survey knowledge in that direction.

06.29 -- The Scyldari have taken the Nekkar system with a frontier outpost. They are expanding like crazy, and this is unfortunate -- it has the best balance of resources of any system we've yet encountered, quite profitable for energy, minerals, and research. Of course we are past the point of being overly concerned about any one system.

08.02 -- Ceramo-Metals research finished.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

I waited longer than usual in this case in order to knock out two more research choices at once. You've got some saved up now so the required time will be about four months less than what is listed here.

** Noxious Swamp Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.)
** Dense Jungle Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.) -- To my knowledge we have not yet run into either of these, they are more a tropical/jungle world thing and we don't have the ability to colonize those yet.
** Secrets of Life(Biology, 66 mo.) -- Biolabs III & IV are unlocked, allowing increased investment in Society research.
** Amoeba Breeding Program(Biology, 10/51 mo.)

Dr. David Corperial, you know what to do.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Robotic Workers(Industry, 14 mo.) -- I wondered if they'd show up again, having been passed over some decades ago. Robots are constructed population units that are better than we are at mining(+10%), and good for worlds that are not particularly habitable as they don't suffer happiness penalties. They aren't actually better than slaves at mining ... but better developments might be available if this is determined worth investing in.
** Battleships(Voidcraft, 84 mo.) -- The latest development in the trend of MAKE THEM BIGGER!! Unlocks the next level of spaceport, the batteships themselves, and adds 2k to our 14k max. of mineral storage.
** Superfluid Materials(Industry, 84 mo.) -- Unlocks Engineering Facilities level III & IV, allowing for greater investment in Engineering via planetary research structures.
** Nuclear Missiles(Rocketry, 0/7 mo.)
** Space Torpedoes(Rocketry, 10/27 mo.)
** Autocannons(Materials, 3/27 mo.)

Dr. Coffee Warlord, you are on the clock. This could possibly be your toughest choice yet: it's certainly one with considerable ramifications. The path is yours to set.

[Coffee Warlord]

Hmm.

No. It may take forever, but we in Engineering believe that if we can make it bigger, we should.

COMMENCE THE BATTLESHIPS.

[DavidCorperial]

Let's go with Secrets of Life.

[Brian Swartz]

A brief update here as it's time for the Inquisitor to get involved again. I'll endeavor to have the next decision up tomorrow.

2266-67

2266.09.30 -- New science lab is up and running on Eskogg, and will now start the engineering upgrade process.

12.16 -- Having recent reached the required population, Gabbog begins the critical upgrade to Planetary Administration. Our fifth and final core world is on the verge of starting to become useful. It's a big world but a considerable amount of it is covered by glaciers and active volcanoes that we have no way yet of dealing with. Additionally, food is fairly scarce so a lot of hydroponic farms will be needed, at least for a while.

2267.05.24 -- Engineering facility on Eskogg is now completely upgraded. Eventually there will be one more province to develop here. At the same time, a new science lab is begun on Agglor.

06.26 -- The newest colony on Zeldrah has begun setting up after the colony ship landed.

[Brian Swartz]

Inquisitor's Briefing: Roe Laren

At this time we have a question of influence. There's only so much, and we can't do everything we would like to do with it. For reference, we presently have 43 Influence, and gain just over 4 per month. A fair amount was spent on the Imperial Capital on Humboldt and the Planetary
Administration on Gabbwhatever, but those are rare occurences. Not a whole lot has changed since the last star chart posted a couple years ago, in terms of the relevant areas here. We have a few different choices in how to handle the influence situation.

** Continual Steady Colonization -- This means an outlay of 30 for close colonies or those already in our territory, once every year and a half of thereabouts. We'll continue to grow gradually, and will gain influence gradually as well. Then when war comes again with the Djomar, we will deal with trying to cut them off from this game of constantly pushing further inward on this arm of the galaxy.

** Government Reform -- The cost for upgrading or changing governments is 250 Influence, or about five years' worth. We'd have to stop expanding for a while to save this up. Our current Theocratic Oligarchy offers bonuses of +20 to Leader Lifespan and -15% to Ethic Divergence; we have multiple choices but if we stay with the same basic philosophy, the new form would be Transcendent Oligarchy, a further step up with the same mindset and double the bonuses(+40 Leader Lifespan, -15% Ethic Divergence).

** Establish Ourselves Past the Djomar -- In our next war, we will need to take out some frontier outposts, but there would be some benefit to getting a foot in on some of the more lucrative planets in that direction. Still open, for example, is Rakaron with a max-size ocean planet. Unfortunately the cost here due to the distance is even more than government reform: about 50% more, 377 for Rarkaron and the other systems in that area are about the same amount.

Inquisitor Roe Laren, you are on the clock. All further inquiries are welcomed as always.

[chesapeake]

I'd be interested in the Collective's take on this. My sense is that experienced leadership--particularly in science--has a lot of value. Plus, having to replace all leaders less often requires would be about an additional 20% reduction in the expenditure of influence over time.

Are there 1 or two nearby worlds whose colonization would have a lot of value? If so, we could consider weaving them in.

[ntndeacon]

We've also seen how that leadership in government has stopped ( or at least slowed tremendously) problems even in sectors not close to the core planets. I'm for Government reform. A small delay in destroying our enemies is a small cost to strengthen the leaders Boojee has sent us.

[chesapeake]

Picking the government reform option, with the addition of up to 2 nearby planetary colonizations only if they are of a particularly high value--which I doubt, because high value targets would have been colonized first.

[Brian Swartz]

Yeah there's no nearby colonies of particularly huge value. The recently discovered ability to utilize Arid-class planets has changed that somewhat. One system in the outer arm, Ovastivum, is a size-24 Arid and is the 'missing link' to connecting our sectors out there(we will eventually want to combine the four sectors there into two at most). Based on the Inquisitor's orders, we will colonize that planet and then proceed with saving up for the government reformation. Another size-22 Arid in Manthall has no real strategic value and very little energy ... it'd be nice to have but isn't a priority.

We have a 2-year gap to the next research, then two years from there to the second, and another two years to the third, at least at current levels.

The first-ever Shantari colony ship is therefore begun at Micaw(Wexellia system), as they are the most suited to the task. Some of them have adopted our Collectivist mindset -- none are Spiritualists, but it's better than nothing, and this segment is tapped to head to Ovastivum when the ship is done in a year's time.

[muns]

Either of the first 2 options would be my vote.

[tarcone]

Let us reform.

An empire must evolve or die.

[Brian Swartz]

Boy am I ever behind here. This is partly due to it being a tough week in RL, and partly due to me just being a slacker. My apologies; I expect the Inquisitor will soon descend with many firings announced(or worse) to follow in the beauracracy. I hope the Collective is mostly still around and ready to proceed. At least I've got a sizable update(which has been 90+% done for days and I just didn't finish it ... )


2267-69

2267.06.27 -- We have just migrated to 1.2.5, and apparently there are some relations changes with this new patch. No fewer than 14 alien empires immediately inform us that their borders are closed to us. This is apparently the 'new normal'.

09.16 -- Gabbog has finished the Planetary Administration upgrade, making it a fully functioning world at a basic level. Two hydroponic farms will need to be improved next.

2268.01.11 -- It's been a while, but we knew it was coming. A new alien race has been encountered, designated 'Qoph', several systems past the Djomar. The Society Dept., and Dr. Corperial -- now well over the century mark in years lived -- begin investigating their transmissions immediately.

04.01 -- The Zeldrah colony has born fruit, even though it is not yet quite fully set up. Sadalbari, a system that was within our borders at the end of the war but soon reverted back to the Djomar, has once again been captured by our increased border presence. A moderate amount of minerals are the prize in this case. It's more important for the Djomar to be denied them than for the relatively small gain they are for the Collective.

04.25 -- For now, the naval expansion of the last several years has been halted for economic reasons. The Fist of Boojie is now well over 60% larger than it was during the most recent war, with 15 cruisers, 18 destroyers, and 18 corvettes. Naval capacity, previously at 95, is now sitting at 153/251. We have only a modest energy surplus, and so that will be all for now. Only the [v]Bhenn'Thell Imperium[/b] and the Buhavilaa Ascendancy are considered equals to our military among the known empires of the galaxy.

05.28 -- Interesting news from the core. The Beldross Empire and the Polity of Oxx-Oxx have both declared the Bhenn'Thell Imperium to be their rivals. The first two are the Imperium's strongest competition in that region of the galaxy, and could potentially stand a chance against them if united. If that develops into a full alliance, this could get a little sticky.

06.30 -- One hydroponic farm is fully up-to-date on Gabbog, and work begins on the second.

07.01 -- The Zeldrah colony has been established, and the new ship heads for Ovastivum. It will take some time for it to get there. When it does, there is a Renaissance-Age civilization of avian creatures for us to 'study', aka ruthlessly exploit.

07.19 -- First contact with the Anathurian Mandate, who have the sense to focus on spiritual matters but are devoted to the sad illusion of peace. More importantly, they are a moderately-sized empire of nine planets that is not strong enough to challenge us. They appear to have recently expanded from the outer arm to the middle one, and will not be in a position to block our expansion for quite some time.

http://i.imgur.com/PpnmsML.png


http://i.imgur.com/rAtAgeu.png


09.29 -- A new Physics Lab has been fully completed on Agglor. There is only one more province to develop there.

10.01 -- The Djomar League has decided to guarantee the independence of the Ul-Tur Interstellar Imperium, agreeing to defend them from all attacks. From what we've seen, that promise has little teeth. The Ul-Tur and Hakibori continue to war regularly with little consequence, aside from one part of their borders breaking away into its own independent empire.

10.13 -- With great pomp and circumstance(a two-sentence PSA, and that's about it) ... the Galactic Imperial Palace has been established on Humboldt. At the moment, a modest gain in productivity in the surrounding regions, and a +1 to monthly influence(the faster to reach the new government) is all that results. This is just enough for the homeworld to replace one of its hyroponic farms with a research lab, to aid a bit more in the ongoing scientific push. Energy output has been boosted enough that it is decided to even out the Fist of Boojie with another trio of cruisers.

12.01 -- The Djomar have decided the cost was too high, and are no longer guaranteeing the Ul-Tur's independence. That lasted real long.

2269.01.24 -- I don't know how long ago this happened but it must have been recent -- the Hakibori have finally gotten the upper hand against the Ul-Tur, taking over their territory. The Hakibori now have 11 planets, still not nearly enough to challenge us but enough to be marginally relevant.

http://i.imgur.com/VJtd4Cl.png


04.03 -- Second hydroponics farm updated on Gabbog. Plenty of food now, it's time to get the rest of the population to work. There's a good energy source here, but first we must clear out some dangerous wildlife which will take a few months.

05.20 -- The Shantari colony ship has landed on Ovastivum.

07.02 -- Antimatter Power research completed. Current estimates it will take another year and a half, until early 2271, to accumulate the necessary influence for the government reform.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Hyperspace Slipstreams(Particles, 72 mo.) -- The next advance in hyperdrives reduces the charge-up time an additional 25%.
** Quantum Field Manipulation(Industry, 57 mo.) -- Two more levels of power plants(IV & V) are unlocked, along with one more of the 'Betharian' ones(IV). Another major economic expansion would be possible with this, of course.
** X-Ray Lasers(Particles, 57 mo.) -- The next step is standard laser technology. From Red-Blue-UV we have come. As always, 33% armor penetration, just more effective.

** Blue Crystal Capacitors/Disruptors both continue to be available and useless to us.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock. An extra day, so 72 hours, given my hiatus, will be granted.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Quantum Field Manipulation

[Brian Swartz]

2269-70

2269.11.28 -- Power plant on Gabbog finished, and the upgrade process commences.

2270.02.18 -- Physics lab upgrade finished on Humboldt. The homeworld rests again for now.

04.04 -- The power plant on Gabbog is as large as it can grow ... for now. Once the population is large enough to support a planetary capital, further development can happen. There are a couple of other suitable locations on the planet, but for now, pursuant to imperial policy, research labs are the next order of business.

06.01 -- The Ovastivum colony has been fully established. Partly due to the reduced drain on the treasury, the decision has been made to forge ahead with another round of shipbuilding.

07.02 -- Dr. JIMGA Jr. makes a report decades in the making from the Unuk system. Normally exploration is a very dry and unimportant matter, but in this case it was the final system tagged in the 'Mineral Riches' quest. By now finding enough minerals is largely a trivial matter, but it did allow us to trumpet one more success. Finding more relics of the Vultaum Star Assembly, which we haven't learned any more about in decades as well, is the only outstanding matter. It's a mystery that our scientists fear may never be solved ...

Adding to Unuk's value is the fact that there is a large ocean world in the system, which borders Anathurian space.

12.01 -- We're finally ready, and make the transition to a Transcendent Oligarchy! This has the unintended side affect of delaying the next election - it will now occur 40 years from now in 2310. However, since Roe Laren is basically inquisitor for life, that seems to matter little. The term 'old' now applies only to those who are 122 or older. Those with longevity can expect to live until at least approaching 150. David Corperial, the eldest among our leaders at a mere 117, has that ability and therefore will likely live to see the next century.

Not a whole lot going on otherwhise, momentous events are less common at this stage of the empire's growth. Probably in two or three years, the next war will come with the Djomar and we'll have to decide how to handle that. Despite investing primarily in research, we are, if anything, not quite keeping up with the rest of the galaxy -- our sheer size works against us there, though I don't think we'll have much problem simply overwhelming even slightly more advanced empires with numbers. Internally there are surprisingly few problems, with only small amounts of dissention right now and no serious problems. Upgrading the spaceports continues slowly, most systems can handle destroyers(level 3) but not all, and it's time to start colonizing again now that we have the influence available to do so. There's really nothing of strategic value available to us right now, so the choice of where to go will be determined by best close worlds for the Architreuthis ourselves(if any) ... otherwhise we will press upwards in the series of the Arid worlds that will eventually lead to a couple of lucrative worlds in the nebulas out that way.

[chesapeake]

Just returning from a grand processional through all the many worlds of the Architreuthis (aka vacation) and am feeling rejuvenated. Who needs smiting by the Fist of Boojie?

[Brian Swartz]

The usual suspects, basically.

2271-72

2271.01.08 -- Physics Lab finished on Gabbog; one for Engineering will be up next.

05.?? -- Norillga Coalition encountered. The important fact here is that their holdings effectively box us in, blocking off eventual advancement in the space beyond the Djomar.

http://i.imgur.com/WSVqlM1.png


09.18 -- Eskogg has finished it's latest Physics Lab. Development on our third world is now complete, barring a solution to the two volcano provinces.

10.11 -- Gabog finishes the Engineering Facility, and moves on to a new power plant.

10.19 -- New alien race designated, hilariously, 'Alpha'. Did we run out of letters of the alphabet, or something? Corperial's Society Dept. is on the project right away.

12.02 -- Agglor Spaceport finishes a new colony ship. It heads for the modest(size 12) ocean moon in the Ullus system, orbiting one of the captured Djomar worlds on the border.

2272.01.02 -- Dr. Frank Justyce is up to ***** skill. It won't be long until the other two research directors join him most likely, no more than a few years I'd imagine.

04.20 -- Communications from the Assembly of Vuk-Onon Dominions have been translated and first contact made. They basically fill in the region of the outer arm beyond the Qravadox.

http://i.imgur.com/b68zFAD.png


07.14 -- Power plant finished on Gabbog. For now, development there stalls as we must wait for the population to grow larger. We're getting a not-trivial amount of research and energy from the planet at least at this point.

08.02 -- Secrets of Life research is complete. All Biolabs on the core worlds -- and eventually elsewhere, I expect -- will set to begin upgrades. Humboldt/Bakangi have one each, Eskogg/Agglor two apiece.

09.01 -- The new colony in Ullus is being settled, and the next colony ship is begun.

09.28 -- The truce is over. It is time for war again ... but this time will be a little different.


The situation has changed. We must decide how to prosecute this next war ... and new Society research is also needed. Those decisions are upcoming.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Quicksand Basin Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.) -- A provincial blocker on the drier planet types, quicksand basins will become more of an issue if/when we start expanding 'outwards' with the numerous Arid systems in that direction.
** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 6 mo.) -- Increases naval capacity by 10%. This is still not an issue, but is closer to becoming one. The current status is 187/278, so we're almost two-thirds 'full' even with the spaceport upgrades that have been done.
** Desert Colonization(New Worlds, 24 mo.) -- Allows colonizing of desert worlds, which could be done by some of our slaves such as the Shantari. Desert planets are as suitable to them as arctic ones are to the Architreuthis; not optimal, but definitely useful.
** Amoeba Flagella(Biology, 8/48 mo.)

Dr. David Corperial, you are now on the clock.

[DavidCorperial]

Amoeba Flagella

[Brian Swartz]

That's a bit unexpected. Ok, so far as the next war goes, things ended up being a little more straightforward than I thought:

http://i.imgur.com/7kxDUxr.png


Here's Djomar space. Because some of their colonies are newer, the warscore cost isn't as high. As it ends up, we can take five of the six. Leaving them Semadjo, which is presently their capital, allows us to ensure a path past them and also completely block them off. All frontier outposts will be smashed, the crystalline entities in Zarim that killed Dr. Deesh eliminated, and our path further inward secured. The Anathurian Mandate has been busy, and already one of our targets are in their hands. Another is occupied by a recent addition to the galactic neighborhood, the Tycan League, presently a protectorate of the Djomar. But first things first. Those matters can be dealt with once the Djomar have been dealt with ... decisively this time.

[chesapeake]

Make it so.

[ntndeacon]

yup. off with parts of their anatomy

[Coffee Warlord]

Engineering once again requests a proper supply of POW non-believers. It is integral for our continuing battleship research. Honest.

[Brian Swartz]

It's actually quite possibly worse for your research, since research costs go up with more population/planets :).

In other news, I got the war started and then had an attack of massive stupidity, screwed up the game, got annoyed, and haven't done it again due to that. I'll get things sorted and should have a proper update tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

[Brian Swartz]

Another War Begins, But Complications Arise

2272.12.01 -- We weren't the only ones feeling frisky. The Bhenn'Thell Imperium opened hostilities again with the Uthonian Star Coalition, which they have already defeated once. It appears that we are on a collision course with the Bhenn'Thell, eventually ... The latest reports are that we can only sustain the war effort for about six years. Energy deficit is at a massive -30 per month with the fleet away from spacedock. That's at least twice as I long as it is expected to take though, so it shouldn't be a problem.

2273.01.14 -- Bakangi finishes it's Biolab upgrades, and progress has been made on the other worlds as well.

01.19 -- The spaceport and a pair of corvettes have been eliminated in Dastamore, the first and largest of our targets. Only moderate damage to one destroyer was sustained.

02.18 -- As the first to finish his current assignment, Dr. Tarc is recalled to Djomar space for debris analysis.

04.06 -- After essentially playing ring around the rosy with them for a while, the fleet engages the largest part of the Djomar navy in the Tunobo system. We outnumber them about 9:1 ... this will not last long. They have 4 destroyers, no larger vessels, and 22 corvettes. This Third Abyssal Flotilla has already eliminated one of our scout corvettes, but that's as far as they are going to get.

http://i.imgur.com/FA1Tybd.png


This is fairly early on in the battle, with only the long-range red shard throwers able to fire. A few of their corvettes have already been eliminated, and you can see their torpedoes(the bluish things) making their way towards the advance elements of our fleet.

http://i.imgur.com/bDKFmB8.png


Less than two weeks later, there is basically nothing but explosions. Lasers and other weapons are now filling space as the fleet is fully engaged, and as for the Djomar ... well, we've made graves for most of them and the rest will have incinerated within days.

05.19 -- The battle is over, and Admiral SirFozzie has reached the maxium, 5-* rank. Assuming that the Djomar are not so foolish as to attempt further 'interference', the fleet will return to Bastamore and being the process of occupying the enemy's planets.

05.29 -- Agglor's biolabs are updated as well; Eskogg's were finished during the battle. It's time for a new mining network for Kroll slaves to operate to be constructed.

06.01 -- A disturbing report from Ovastivum.

http://i.imgur.com/sHPkBka.png


We have two choices here:

** Establish Communications -- Dr. David Corperial and the Society Dept. will be directed to spend the next six months working on means of interacting with these subterranean creatures, as they've done with so many other aliens in the past. Perhaps we can find a way to co-exist with this newfound civilization.

** Preemptive Strike -- Dr. Coffee Warlord and the Engineering Dept. will be tasked with 'sanitizing' these underground cities. These aliens digging their way to the surface constitute a clear threat that must be dealt with.

Inquisitor Roe Laren, you are on the clock. On matters of this magnitude, you have the final say, though others may chime in.

I have a pretty good idea how the Collective will come down on this one, but it is not for a beauracrat to presume here. The war will continue once I have a ruling.

[tarcone]

Sanitize the bugs

[chesapeake]

They could be seeking the clarifying wisdom of Boojie. What military assets do we have stationed on Ovastivum? If sanitization is ultimately required, we need to be prepared to defend any settlements that might be attacked by and underdark worms that may evade Dr. Warlord's cleansing.

[Brian Swartz]

It's a recently colonized world, so all we have there are a couple of garrisons. All ships are months away. It has a level 2 spaceport for defense.

[chesapeake]

Glad I asked. Increase the garrison and open the lines of communication. If there are ships available (I don't have any idea whether naval vessels factor into this decision tree at all) I recommend to the Admiral that a task force be sent to the world as well.

If they can hear the Word of Boojie, perhaps they can be allowed to live.

[Brian Swartz]

I've thought a bit about what to do with this -- none of the fleet can make it there in the time required(six months) and they are already committed to war, though we could spare some if we needed to, but they'd have to go all the way up to our core systems, across to the outer arm, then down ... it's a long journey. So Ovastivum will recruit armies and build a few corvettes if it can get them done in time, and we'll see what happens. I doubt the fleet will be needed for the resolution here, but we will do this to satisfy the Inquisitor, and it's certainly a wise thing to leave no stone unturned.

[Brian Swartz]

2273, Part 2

2273.06.09 -- Humboldt's biolabs are finished as well.

08.?? -- Everything is going well so far. Some extra time is taken in the Bastamore system to knock out a wormhole station, and a few ships(two destroyers, four corvettes, relatively speaking quite minor numbers) are sent back to Ullus for repairs after the previous battle. Only tiny numbers of additional Djomar ships have been detected in other systems.

09.01 -- Every once in a while the Djomar bands are attacking our scouts, forcing them to retreat. That's merely a harrassment technique and it means nothing in the grand scheme of things ... the fleet will eventually eliminate their hiding places. A third world in Ullus, actually a moon of one of our other planets there, has been colonized. Meanwhile a new colony ship departs Agglor Spaceport for the Pavagh system. New planets for the Architreuthis will continue to be searched out, even while the war continues.

11.02 -- Battleships research finished. New plans for the Navy will wait until the war is finished and the situation has stabilized again.

12.04 -- One of our probes has broken through to the subterranean tunnels on Ovastivum. It was able to establish communications. What follows here is their initial statement:

"Is this thing on? Can you see us surfacers? We understand that you hail from the Great Nothing that lies upwards, beyonds the stone. It was assumed that nothing living could exist there, but evidently this is not so. What are your intentions?"

[Brian Swartz]

So we now have two matters to deal with. First one's for the Inquisitor; how do we respond now that we have communications with the new species on Ovastivum?

** Tell us about yourselves
** We would like to coexist in peace
** Submit or be destroyed

Then, on the research front:

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Deep Space Outposts(Voidcraft, 6 mo.) -- Gateway tech to large-scale orbital defenses(stationary variety).
** Hull Integrity(Voidcraft, 47 mo.) -- Improves ship survivability by increasing hull strength by 5%.
** Plasteel Materials(Materials, 28 mo.) -- The next step up in conventional ship protection, unlocking Plasteel Armor. This is 50% stronger than our present ceramo-metal armor material. For our largest, most armored ships, probably only the recently-invented battleships, plasteel could potentially be slightly more effective than crystal-forged plating. In general, the engineers expect that the plating is better on smaller ships, armor on the larger ones.

** Nuclear Missiles(Rocketry, 0/6 mo.)
** Space Torpedoes(Rocketry, 7/21 mo.) -- If we are going to go this route, it would make the most sense to go straight to torpedoes ... but we may learn more about these things from studying the wreckage of the Djomar battles.
** Autocannons(Materials, 0/21 mo.)

Dr. Coffee Warlord, you are on the clock as well.

As far as the war is concerned, we have, albeit with unexpected delay, finally gotten around to bombarding the Djomar planet in Bastamore and occupation should begin soon. They've effectively chased off or destroyed all of our scout corvettes -- with their wormhole travel we couldn't really do much about this even if we wanted to. We'll station a few ships at each planet we take to prevent any counterattacks, and as we knock out their occupied systems, there will be less and less we can do. It'll just take a little longer, since the fleet proper will have to go to each system and make sure there is nothing that needs dealing with at each one. They can delay us, but they have no real hope of stopping us.

[chesapeake]

Based on the assumption that we have not been able to build the Grand Armee on Ovastivum in the last 6 months, I think peaceful coexistence is the best way to go.

[Coffee Warlord]

Plasteel it is.

My fellow faithful of Boojie, I have given you the capability to build ships of such grand scale that none could ever hope to stop us. Use them well.

[Brian Swartz]

My fellow faithful of Boojie, I have given you the capability to build ships of such grand scale that none could ever hope to stop us. Use them well.

The Buhavilaa(sp?) Ascendancy says hello. But I'm sure they will make a difference. Plasteel it is.

As for the other matter, we have 2 armies and the same number of corvettes in orbit. Planetary maximum for armies is 12, so we have a decent garrison there. I'll wait for the Inquisitor Laren to confirm instructions.

[Coffee Warlord]

The Buhavilaa(sp?) Ascendancy says hello. But I'm sure they will make a difference. Plasteel it is.

Their ships are not blessed by Boojie. They are not true battleships.

[chesapeake]

As for the other matter, we have 2 armies and the same number of corvettes in orbit. Planetary maximum for armies is 12, so we have a decent garrison there. I'll wait for the Inquisitor Laren to confirm instructions.

I'm not convinced that 2 armies is sufficient. Accept peace for now.

[Brian Swartz]

2274, Part I

The response from the 'diggers' was quick and, for our purposes, quite satisfactory:

"Then so we shall, surfacer! Let us share this world together in the spirit of peace. We would be most interested in trading with your people. I believe we have much to offer one another. We shall return to our cities and make the arrangements."

Practically speaking, the upshot of this is a 10% bonus to Society research on Ovastivum.

2274.01.06 -- Matters seemed to proceeding in the right direction, until a surprising report from one of our observation posts was received ...

http://i.imgur.com/4t681fa.png


This matter will require the Society Department's resources, and an orbiting science ship. That last part is a bit of a problem. All of the science ships are waiting on the far side of Djomar space for the fleet to break through and create a corridor for safe passage. They've explored as far as they can in that direction, and the intent was to put them to work on quick debris analysis jobs. Meanwhile, this mission is on the other side of our core worlds, in the Perj Sector, towards the fallen empire and the outer reaches of the middle arm.

It is now all the more vital that the fleet progress as quickly as possible.

01.10 -- The army, as it turns out, was already involved in landing operations. Four days later, ground combat commenced on Fesh'lthi(Bastamore system).

02.03 -- All resistance on Fesh'lthi has ended. One of each ship class(two corvettes, three destroyers, and three cruisers) will be left here to ensure things stay secure, and the rest of the fleet will move on. Eusrim's armies will follow as soon as they are able, again with a few remaining to ensure a secure situation here. One planet down finally, and four remain to be captured. Perhaps we can convince the Djomar to give up the fight before that, but as of now they are only willing to give us what we've already gained, an unacceptable outcome.

02.16 -- In the Qad Vhi system, we encounter a trio of corvettes commanded by Govace, a 3-star Djomar admiral. This 'task force' has eliminated a couple of our scouts already, but it literally takes only a day or two to obliterate them.

04.02 -- Quantam Field Manipulation research is complete. The fleet entered the Saldar system a month ago, and has begun the process of 'sanitizing' it so that the next Djomar planet located here can be occupied. Meanwhile, nine enemy transports have arrived in Bastamore, and the ships remaining on guard there are headed to intercept them. There's still another couple of ships around, a destroyer and a corvette, that we know of -- but they've retreated to the capital system of Semadjo. As long as they stay there, they are of no concern.

[Brian Swartz]

This recently completed research will have far-reaching consequences, and in the long run will be a major boon for the economy. In terms of immediate, core world investment, a number of power plants are to be prioritized for upgrades. Humboldt has four, Bakangi three, Eskogg three, and Agglor four. Gabbog of course, does not yet have the infrastructure to support such large provincial developments. In any case, these improved energy sources will help defray the costs from the war, however long it lasts, and put us a much better footing afterwards. Say, perhaps, for funding a few battleships? It may well be so, but first things first. As always, the most productive provinces will be prioritized for the initial round of upgrades.

It should also be noted that the latest colony ship has just landed on Pavagh. I'm not sure how interaction will go with the pre-sentient race that is there, but I wasn't allowed to land on any province they presently 'occupy'. We'll see how that goes. The next new planet will be another case where we rely on the Shantari, expanding the Perj sector towards the nebula and fallen empire, outward on the middle arm.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Space-Time Theory(Computing, 70 mo.) -- Unlocks two new levels of Physics Labs(III & IV).
** Interlinked Support Systems](Computing, 36 mo.) -- Unlocks Barrier Point Defense, an upgrade to our present Sentinel systems for the point-defense role.
** Planetary Power Grid(Industry, 27 mo.) -- Unlocks Power Hub II. This building improves from our current Power Hub I, allowing a 15% bonus in planetary energy output. Presently that bonus is at 10% wherever a Power Hub exists.

Obsolete weapons systems Disruptors and Blue Shard Thrower are still available.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are now on the clock.

[chesapeake]

The High Inquisitor orders that sufficient ground troops be raised on our new colony of Pavagh to ensure that the existing inhabitants of the planet do not provide any 'surprises.'

[mrkilla22]

Let's start research on Space-Time Theory

[Brian Swartz]

As far as Pavagh goes, that really can't be done -- we can't build armies there until the colony is set up. We'll just have to wait and see what happens then. Proceeding with new research orders now, looks like we've got a couple years until the next one is finished so there should be a decent period here of progress in the war unless something new pops up.

[Brian Swartz]

The War Continues(2274-75)

2274.04.04 -- First mining station in Soldar goes down, and the fleet pushes in across the system to other targets.

04.14 -- The transports in Bastamore have been intercepted. Meanwhile, Agglor has finished the mining network and begins upgrading power plants as well.

06.01 -- All but one of the transports in Bastamore escaped back to the Djomar home system, but at least they will be of no more threat for now, and all sustained some damage. In Saldar, the spaceport and a corvette stationed there have been eliminated, and the fleet moves on to a wormhole station in the system.

06.25 -- A destroyer and a corvette arrive in Bastamore. The ships that were left stationed there are getting a workout.

07.12 -- The wormhole station has been eliminated, and the fleet moves to begin bombardment of Naff'Evamul, the Djomar world in the Saldar system. This will be quick, as it is smaller and barely half as fortified as Bastamore, which was by far the toughest target. The rest here are all newer settlements.

08.11 -- The ships in Bastamore, led by *** Djomar admiral Fern'huss, have been eliminated.

08.21 -- Ground combat on Neff'Evamul commences.

09.18 -- The army has secured Naff'Evamul. The fleet will now move on, again leaving a few ships behind to make sure it stays secure.

10.17 -- The fleet reaches Zarim, an important system. It needs to be cleared to allow the science ships safe passage, and this is where the crystalline entities are that destroyed Aslik Deesh's ship years ago. Time to repay them, and sanitize this system.

12.05 -- Djomar transports arrive in Saldar, and once again the ships left behind intercept them.

2275.01.07 -- The first group of crystals has been defeated, and the fleet moves on to the other one. The way is now clear for the science ships. It may be too late, with just under a year left, to reach the observation post and deal with the implant situation, but we will try anyway. The lot for that falls to Dr. Tarc and the Jaschalgur. The other two science vessels will deal with the battle debris from the war.

03.01 -- The Pavagh colony has been established. It appears that the deal here is that we can only take unoccupied provinces; the ones the current inhabitants have, they will keep. This will be a very minimal colony as a result.

03.11 -- The rest of the crystalline entities in Zarim have been eliminated. The fleet moves on further down. We will not attack any more Djomar planets for the time being; right now, the goal is to eliminate their frontier outposts and wormhole stations. It's a bit of a search-and-destroy operation at this point. It's expected that, at most, we will need to occupy only one of the three remaining systems to force their surrender, but even that may not be required.

03.23 -- Eskogg is the first planet to finish uppgrading its power plants.

04.05 -- The recently built Shantari colony ship is dispatched to Edellimar, a couple systems away from the extent of our space in the Perj Sector. The expansion in that direction will begin here. It's the closest system, of modest size(max. 14) and has a moderate cost to settle(101 influence). Others nearby will be easier once we have this one in our empire though.

05.09 -- The fleet has reached a previously discovered frontier outpost as it's next target, and is in the Shultam(sp?) system en route to eliminate it. Meanwhile, the upgraded power plants have considerably reduced the energy deficit we are sustaining in the war, and the plot stinkens on Ovastivum ...

http://i.imgur.com/N7nhlKb.png


How will we handle this latest issue, Inquisitor?

[chesapeake]

As far as Pavagh goes, that really can't be done -- we can't build armies there until the colony is set up. We'll just have to wait and see what happens then. Proceeding with new research orders now, looks like we've got a couple years until the next one is finished so there should be a decent period here of progress in the war unless something new pops up.

I don't want excuses. I want action!

Demand an apology of the troglodytes.

[Brian Swartz]

I don't want excuses. I want action!

VIR instructs you to build a freaking bridge and get over it, Inquisitor :P.


2275.07.03 -- The frontier outpost in the Shulmak system has been eliminated, and the search for other installations will resume. There has been, as yet, no response from the subterranean life forms on Ovastivum to our demand. The elimination of the Shulmak outpost has freed two systems from the clutches of the Djomar already.

08.12 -- Power plant upgrades completed on Bakangi.

09.01 -- In the Alioth system, the most remote and recently colonized Djomar system, the fleet has discovered a wormhole station. That's the next target.

09.25 -- A new matter has come up. It seems this war is destined to be a time of many diversions.

http://i.imgur.com/NuMhcWg.png


In other words, close the borders or do nothing. What say you, Inquisitor Laren?

[chesapeake]

Who is P'Dykna? Are they/is it one of the Qravadox? If they choose to disrespect Boojie, the All-Powerful, out they go!

[Brian Swartz]

P'Dykna is the Qravadox scientist mentioned above. So we will close the borders(later today, work now).

[Brian Swartz]

2275-76

2275.11.01 -- Dr. Tarc is still four jumps away from Jabeth, and just over two months remain to get there. The status of our observation efforts there is going to go right down to the wire, it seems ...

11.05 -- A new Power Hub is up and running on Gabbog. This gives our fifth core world a good economic base, and we are nearly up to breaking even in total energy now, despite having to sustain the fleet's operations. It's clear that we'll be in a good position economically in the post-war period. Meanwhile, the wormhole station in Alioth has been eliminated, and the fleet moves on to continue it's search-and-destroy protocol.

11.20 -- Agglor has finished upgrading it's power plants as well, inching us into a positive monthly balance for the first time since the war started!

12.15 -- Another remote Djomar frontier outpost has been discovered in the Minokh system.

01.06 -- Bad news from Jabeth:

http://i.imgur.com/HiFZv3J.png


The Jaschalgur had arrived in system just two days prior, and was en route to the planet. Unfortunately the delay while everyone was stuck on the far side of Djomar space proved fatal in this case. Nothing to be done but send the science ship back on the long journey to assist in the debris efforts.

02.01 -- It seems the natives are getting restless on Pavagh ...

http://i.imgur.com/tP7l4El.png


02.04 -- The latest outpost has been eliminated, and it seems the Djomar are about ready to accept to our terms. The fleet will search for other targets that need 'sanitizing' before we allow hostilities to be terminated though. We must be sure they will not be a threat in the future.

02.18 -- The first several debris projects yielded nothing, but one of the fields in Bastamore has given us a moderate insight into something called Armored Torpedoes.

03.15 -- Another wormhole station has been found on the opposite side of the Antares system, another of the Djomar's minor holdings. This is a more developed system though, and there may be momentary opposition on our way to intercept.

05.14 -- More debris yields minor further progress in Armored Torpedoes. Also, the colony ship has finally arrived in Edellimar. This necessitates the forming of a new sector. Another colony ship will be built to further expand our holdings in this region.

07.02 -- Amoeba Breeding Program research finished. Another toy for the navy to play with after the war, if they so choose.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Deep Sinkhole Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.) -- These are fairly common on the dry worlds that we are now beginning to settle more of with the Shantari and Thek'lak doing the heavy lifting.
** Orbital Hydroponic Farms(Biology, 6 mo.) -- These allowing for spaceports to produce some food, freeing up the surface provinces a bit more for other pursuits. It can be a risky thing as the loss of the spaceport could mean problems for the planet, but our empire is large enough that they could be useful a distance away from our borders.
** Frontier Clinic(Biology, 10 mo.) -- Frontier Clinics produce a moderate amount of food, as well as slightly(5%) increasing a planet's habitability.

Three quick projects to choose from, and no reverse-engineer options left. Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock.

[DavidCorperial]

Deep Sinkhole Removal

[Brian Swartz]

2276-77

2276.08.10 -- The Antares wormhole generator has been eliminated.

09.08 -- A mining station attacks the fleet immediately upon entering the seemingly unimportant Wolgun system, and another wormhole generator is here as well. They are buildling the things everywhere it seems.

11.03 -- The latest target has been eliminated, and there are only a few more systems to check. The Djomar are being surprisingly obstinate though and are not yet ready to give in to all of our demands. We may yet need to occupy one more planet.

11.13 -- More progress on Armored Torpedoes from another debris field.

11.30 -- The Mithar system is found to contain another frontier outpost, along with a couple of mining stations. The outpost must be eliminated next.

2277.02.13 -- More progress on Armored Torpedoes.

02.27 -- Humboldt has finally finished upgrading it's power plants. Our first four core worlds are all full and completely developed. It took longer on the homeworld as that's the only place that can build, via the Imperial Capital, the biggest and most productive provincial structures.

03.20 -- Mithar has been cleared, leaving only two more relevant stars to visit.

04.05 -- Next is Jinkath, where another wormhole station is found. Like weeds the Djomar are ...

05.02 -- Deep Sinkhole Removal researched. The war is very close to being finished now, but it is not quite over yet.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** The Collective Self(Statecraft, 76 mo.) -- +2 leader capacity, -10% leader recruitment cost(influence).
** Atmospheric Filtering(New Worlds, 24 mo.) -- Colonial living conditions are improved across the board with advanced biofilters. +5% Habitability on all planets.
** Quicksand Basin Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.) -- Another problematic province type typical of the drier worlds(arid, desert, etc.)

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock again with a somewhat more interesting choice this time.

[Brian Swartz]

I decided to proceed a bit further since we were so close to the end.

2276.06.01 -- The Edellimar colony is now up and running, and a new colony ship(Vurl'Xagh) departs for the nearby system of Troidom. Three other systems in the area can now be developed orbitally, including Cordip which has an available 'Troutstone' deposit.

07.19 -- Jinkath wormhole station has been destroyed.

08.04 -- The Djomar League has accepted our offer of peace. We will need to pause roughly here, as there will be many new decisions to make. Unfortunately their sniveling, sneaking constructors managed to build four(!!) wormhole stations in what is now our space, most of them after we eliminated the previous ones. This will prove no more than an annoyance, as they won't be of much use.

[DavidCorperial]

The Collective Self

[JonInMiddleGA]

+5% Habitability on all planets

Refresh my memory on how that works exactly.

I mean, I get the "fish live on water worlds" basics but I thought planet types / species was like a 4 type deal with 1 perfect/2 so-so/1 impossible as the basic setup for each.

Is it actually species by species for a can/can't, and a 5% change would make the difference on some world/race combos?

[Brian Swartz]

You have the basic idea right.

7 types of planets. For each race, one is optimal(80% habitability), then it goes to 60% for two more(i.e, Arctic and Continental for us), another pair are 20%, and another pair are 0%. Habitability is the base happiness your species will have living there. So a +5% would give us 85/65/25/5 instead. Not a big deal by itself but if you can stack it with other similar techs, stuff like frontier clinics that also give a bonus, etc. that can make a significant difference. Eventually, for example, the 20% tier can end up being half-decent to settle.

.02

[JonInMiddleGA]

You have the basic idea right.

7 types of planets. For each race, one is optimal(80% habitability), then it goes to 60% for two more(i.e, Arctic and Continental for us), another pair are 20%, and another pair are 0%. Habitability is the base happiness your species will have living there. So a +5% would give us 85/65/25/5 instead. Not a big deal by itself but if you can stack it with other similar techs, stuff like frontier clinics that also give a bonus, etc. that can make a significant difference. Eventually, for example, the 20% tier can end up being half-decent to settle.

.02

Thanks. I figure by this point I ought to at least know the hell I'm thinking about when I make the various choices in my head ;)

[Brian Swartz]

GALACTIC OVERVIEW

Several 'maps' will follow, which leadership of the Collective, esp. the Inquisitor, will probably wish to refer to in charting our course from here on out. Present date is 2277.11.01, just under three months after the war, so things have stabilized, all fleets returned to a starport, etc.

The first star chart here shows the recently annexed territory, with everything below Bastamore in blue having been added by our recently concluded conflict. The areas in the white outline have been added to the Kroll Border Sector, which by this point comprises basically half of our empire's space. This sector is badly in need of renaming. Perhaps the Deesh Sector, in honor of our deceased scientist some while ago in the Zarim system?

The red in the upper left is all that remains of the Djomar League. They notably retain control of Jinkath, and therefore the jump into Hakibori space(light blue to the upper left across to the inner galactic arm). The Tycan Nation is the second red blob lower down. They are a small protectorate of the Djomar. As such, we cannot attack them for the same 10-year period of time. Militarily, this means there is nothing we can do in this area.

http://i.imgur.com/nHsJImo.png


Next, this is a galactic overview shot. This may be useful for seeing the relative positions of the major players on a larger scale. We know who occupies roughly two-thirds of the territory at this point, with the undiscovered area lying directly across the galaxy from us to the left. Basically, if you can easily read the name of an empire, it's at least marginally important. If you can't, they can be easily ignored(with the exception of the Buhavilaa Ascendancy, given their technological prowess).

http://i.imgur.com/tQdL9KA.png


Now we'll look at a few other regions, with each area followed by relevant coomments. First up, the galactic core -- or at least that part of it closest to us.

http://i.imgur.com/qu60osa.png


The Bhenn'Thell Imperium continues to hold sway here, and they are the only 'normal' empire that still considers itself our equal. They have not expanded as quickly as we have, but just concluded a conflict of their own, a second victory against the continually diminishing Uthonian Star Coalition. The Bhenn'Thell are considered to have roughly equal naval capacity and fleet size to us, although I think we have surpassed them at least somewhat. They continue to have superior technological advancement. The Imperium has 21 planets(we now number 32) and a total population of 295(326 for us). In general, their systems are more developed than ours, but we are bigger. The Polity of Oxx-Oxx has basically done nothing but saber-rattling for a couple decades now. The Beldross Empire is worth remembering for a bit ...

The next map shows our recent developments outward on our 'middle' arm of the galaxy.

http://i.imgur.com/7Wes0A9.png


Tried to use a reasonably zoomed-in view here so everything could be a bit clearer. Just visible at the top is the green territory of the Buhavilaa Ascendancy, which still considers us insignificant specks beneath its notice(Overwhelming in comparison, all categories). The blue at the bottom is the furthest extent of the Perj Sector. It is named Edellimar at the moment just because, but I plan to eventually rename this the Ibannic Sector unless there is a better suggestion, due to the Ibannic Veil that it will eventually encompass. More on the colonization of this area later. At this point it is worth noting that a few years ago a Beldross science ship passed through some of this region, the first alien vessel ever spotted in the area.


Next up, the area of space closest to the Qravadox.

http://i.imgur.com/YhZMrz8.png


Not all of this is owned by the Qravadox, who are the light blue in the lower left. The navy blue(Hegemony of Yssom) and the one between them(Ethneri Polity) are a protectorate and vassal respectively, so they might as well be. The other player here, the Scyldari Confederacy in the maroon/pink along the left, also has a non-aggression pact. On their own, the Qravadox are inferior to us in naval capacity and fleet size, but they do have superior technology and would be able to add whatever amounts from their two servants to their fleet. We could still probably take them, but they would not be likely to be pushovers, esp. if the Scyldari decided to join the fun. Our border here is as locked as locked can be.

Finally, a look at what lies beyond our recently acquired territory. This is the 'bottom' of the galaxy.

http://i.imgur.com/UFDRNOv.png


This is a mish-mash of several empires, none allied and none at war. There are a couple with 11 planets at the largest, with a few others somewhat smaller. The balance of power in this area is the most stable of anywhere that we have explored so far. The Norillga Coalition seems most likely to break the peace if anyone does, but so far they are just shouting at the wind it seems. The purple is the Anathurian Mandate, and we need to take a closer look at the possibilities between their space and ours.

http://i.imgur.com/BxM785o.png


More on this area when we look at colonization closer. The number of images is necessary to convey the current state of the empire -- we are not just a minor nebula-bound race anymore.

[Brian Swartz]

ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

** Energy -- 1590(4250 max). With the fleet back in port we have a stunning monthly surplus of about 50!! 35% of expenses go to the fleet, 5% to the army, 32% to various orbital stations, and 27% to provincial buildings. The army amount will increase a bit I expect with new recruits needed for the recently acquired territories.
** Minerals -- 1828(16k max). The surplus here has been growing more slowly in recent decades, but continues to increase and is at 277. For reference, we have enough to build a new colony ship and almost enough for a starter spaceport each turn. The larger fleet ships(cruisers, etc.) take multiple months' worth of raw materials.
** Influence -- 154(1000 max). We gain 5.15 per month here, and for the first time in memory are producing more than we need.
** Research -- 179 Physics, 220 Society, 192 Engineering. Roughly the same balance we've had since basically forever.
** Strategic Resources -- Still the same two 'Troutstones', though we are working on acquiring a few more that we've found. Those are still the only type our scientists have discovered.
** Naval Capacity -- 187/347. The population influx and spaceports being built on the acquired Djomar worlds have given us a much bigger margin to work with here.
** Leader Capacity -- Still 14/14, 1 Admiral, 1 General, 6 Scientists, and 6 Governors.
** Sector Capacity -- 5/11 after a re-organization; the four sectors in the outer arm were combined into two -- Haribas by the crossing, and Saiph down closer to Qravadox territory. This still leaves us four governors short of a 'full complement', but at the same time we have plenty of room to expand here and create new ones if we need to.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

After peace was declared, three more empires including the Anathurian Mandate closed their borders. Nobody likes us at this point. A small amount of that is disagreements with our ethics ... purging and slavery continue to make us somewhat unpopular. Most of it is threat, and I'm not sure exactly how that works. Nearby, the Hakibori have an opinion of us of -254 ... all but 20 of that is due to our threat. Further away empires tend to have much lower threat, but generally they still mildly are not in our favor. I'm going to track a few of them and see if it increases with a period of peace, but generally speaking my theory right now is that we've just gotten big enough that almost everyone is afraid of us. Perhaps it is the will of Boojie that we not have many friends of the voluntary nature.

[Brian Swartz]

Inquisitor's Briefing: The End of our Beginning

It's lasted quite a bit longer than expected, but we are now soon to approach the point when we will no longer be able to have room to peacefully expand(not that we've been all that peaceful anyway, but ... ). At the moment there are no vaguely compelling conflicts to recommend, unless of course the Inquisitor sees things differently.

Initial steps that have been taken so far are to get the construction ships working on building new orbital stations -- our borders have continued to expand a bit, the work on gradually upgrading spaceports continues, and quite a few new armies will need to be built. Additionally, a constructor is on the way to build a new frontier outpost in the Lyctabon system near Anathurian space. The reason for this is to provide a bit of discouragement against them advancing further and assure control of the Troutstone deposit there, along with the nearby one in Tatanga.

Pursuant to previously established instructions, the intent at this point is to gradually continue to colonize, emphasizing ocean worlds which are fitting for the Architreuthis. To that end, as mentioned before, there are some lucrative ones in the areas recently acquired from the Djomar and just beyond. Those would be targeted first, followed by renewed expansion in the opposite direction towards the Ibannic Veil -- a second arid colony is about to be settled in that area.

From a strategic point of view, it should be mentioned that our rapid expansion, particularly the successful wars we have fought, have greatly increased our territory but also made it more difficult to keep up in terms of research. The policy to have sectors focus on research and to build as many labs as is sensible on the core worlds has not been able to make up the difference. We are bigger than our rivals ... but most empires are at least as advanced, and the Qravadox, Bhenn'Thell, and a few others have better technology than we do.

It would also be assumed unless there are new instructions that some funding will be made available to the Navy to prepare for and eventually start building the newly engineered battleships. Also worth noting is that our sizable energy surplus will continue to accrue unless it used for either colonizing efforts or new military assets. Once again it is up to the Inquisitor to decide how we will proceed, with contributions elsewhere also potentially useful.

** Colonizing/Expansion -- The status quo is to continue settling new worlds, approximately one a year with two planets producing colony ships and then sending out a new one once the new colony is operational. This could be accelerated or diminished/eliminated based on how much of a concern research is; it's basically a size vs. advancement, wide vs. tall thing. Also, if there are any priority adjustments to be made about where we should settle first, that would fit here.

** Naval Investment -- Our fleet is plenty large enough to handle defense and any minor offensive actions such as the ones we've had so far, but continued shipbuilding will be necessary to keep pace with our stronger neighbors. The status quo here is to continue building in the core worlds(and beyond if the spaceports are developed enough) until there isn't enough income to support it without hurting colonization efforts. It's basically a tug of war between the navy and the expansion.

Inqusitor Roe Laren, you are now on the clock. Any instructions you want to change here, or questions you may have, are now in order.

[Brian Swartz]

Faction Overview

It's been a while now, some years anyway, since I update the factions information. All is going well basically, but it's worth taking another look.

** Loyalists -- 147 of 326(45%). This was a little over half before, but part of the decline might be due to trying to assimilate a few dozen Djomar.
** Docile Slaves -- The 'good' slave faction has 85 members, and 20% support. It's been virtually inactive for quite some time now.
** Malcontent Slaves -- 24 here, as the positive trend of having most of the slaves as docile continues. Right now though, probably due to the war, the malcontents are slightly more popular(192 to 184). At 15% support, they aren't threatening anything immediately and the only action they've managed to take so far is to smuggle two slave pops out of the empire over the past few decades. That's nothing, basically. Gov. Palmieri's leadership continues to get the job done.
** Emancipation Movement -- 50 members, but they aren't particularly popular and have virtually no support.
** Kroll Border Popular Underground -- 1 member, 20% support. They want a free sector, and since it basically constitutes half the empire that's a laughable idea.
** Djomaran Homelanders -- 14 members, which is already well down partly because many have been enslaved. They want to return to Djomar rule. They'll get over it.
** Perj Nationalist Vanguard -- 3 members. The most unpopular faction, yet it continues to persist. They want a free Perj Sector but have never gotten anywhere with their demands or goals.

So basically, everything's still quite fine. Combination of Palmieri and regulating slavery has worked well in maintaining order and productivity.

[Brian Swartz]

Naval Briefing: Admiral SirFozzie

It's battleship time! I wasn't sure if I would get to this before the Heinlein patch(which is going to change a lot of stuff, and will probably require a top-to-bottom adjustment if not complete redesign of the fleet). However it's not due out until 'sometime in October', which probably means late October, over a month away. So yeah, we're moving on here.

First though, and you may want to refer to the maps for this, it's time to do a little redeployment. The Qravadox area in the outer arm needs attention -- it's almost a year's journey for the main fleets to get there, which is far too long. The rank-and-file recommendation is to add a third task force. Presently we have two:

** Home Defence Force -- Defends Humboldt and surrounding systems. Generally bored. 3 cruisers, 5 destroyers, 10 corvettes.
** Fist of Boojie -- War fleet that has been stationed at the Djomar border or on the attack against the Kroll/Djomar when not needed for clearing out systems from hostile 'natives'. 21 cruisers, 21 destroyers, 1 frigate(it's still around!), 26 corvettes.

In general, unless you have a better idea in which case the beauracracy will of course enact that, a fleet to defend against any local problems or border incursions by the Qravadox would be siphoned off. In any case, a new distribution of forces is needed.

But yeah, battleships. The good news is, they aren't that much more complicated that cruisers. Each ship still has three modular sections, the same amount. There are more choices, more equipment, more firepower on each though. So let's get to it!

** Breaker Section -- Six choices here, all of which carry 1 small, 2 medium, and 2 large utility slots. It's about the number and type of weapons they can mount, per usual. Star(2 small, 1 medium, 1 large), Titan(4 small, 1 large), Pulse(2 large), (2 small, 1 medium, 1 strike), Life(4 small, 2 medium), and Soul(2 small, 3 medium) are the options.
** Core Section -- The middle or core of a battleship also has six choices. All carry 1 small, 1 medium, and 2 large utilities. Options here are Nova(4 small, 2 large), Stormbringer(4 medium, 1 large), Thrasher(2 medium, 2 large), Singularity(3 large), Vengeance(4 medium, 1 strike), Garganthian(4 small, 2 strike).
** Bulwark Section -- It's ok if you breathe a bit here, as there are only four options this time. Lots of utility space here, with 2 small, 1 medium, 3 large. Aeon(2 small, 1 medium), Infinity(1 large), Epoch(2 medium), and Zenith(4 small) are the choices this time.

It's a guns. Lots of guns. Thing going on here. As always you can choose as many or as few configurations as you like. It'd be nice if you didn't go for the maximum though(there are 144 possible combinations of modules for the battleship!!!). I'd suggest something close to the three for the destroyer and cruiser that we have and some different roles, maybe four if you want. But it's up to you.

** Combat Computers -- Options are still the same here. Mixed is the default; Attack charges straight at the enemy with +5% damage, +5% evasion, and +10% speed; Bombardment attempts to fire from a distance with +3 to Hit(accuracy), +5% firing rate, and +10% weapons range.

Weapons Systems

We now have 12 of them. No, I'm not going to list them all, just the best ones to fill a specific role.

** Sentinel Point-Defense -- This is only used on small weapons slots and combats enemy strike craft. Other than the space amoebas, not seen in decades, we have not encountered any enemy that uses these -- but you never know when that might happen.
** Railgun -- Third-gen projectile weapon. Projectiles are distinguished by a 15% damage bonus against shields. As bonuses go, it isn't that great of one, though I would expect against a reasonably powerful enemy they'd have at least the option of shielding by this point. I'll use them as a baseline.
** Red Shard Thrower -- Only 82% of the railgun's base damage, this is the best of the shard throwers adapted from the crystalline entities. It's bonus is a 50% increase in armor penetration, which is significant esp. against larger ships. They also use a third more power than the railguns, which means a ship equipped with them needs more utility space devoted to reactors -- and less for shields/armor/plating.
** Ion Disruptors -- Another one we didn't have last time around. Double damage against shields, and they do 90% of railgun damage. The power requirement is the same as the red shard thrower, a third more than the railgun.
** UV Laser -- Third-gen 'standard laser' system. Almost exactly the same damage as a railgun, and also the same power usage, but they get 33% armor penetration. Unless going against an enemy with a lot of shields and little armor, which I've never seen and think we are unlikely to, I'd say this is a better choice than the railgun.
** Amoeba Flagella -- The bad news is that they have to survive enemy point-defense ... if they have any, otherwhise I don't think they can be targeted ... and close to point-blank range. Also, each 'strike craft bay' or whatever houses four and the power requirement is slightly worse than the hungriest large weapons we have so far. Good news is, their rate of damage is a little more than twice that of a railgun ... and they have double damage against shields along with +50% armor penetration. So they're amazing, if they can survive long enough to hit the enemy.

Ship Defenses/Survivability

Crystal-Forged Plating is still the best choice. It adds 50% more protection that our best deflectors and a little over double that of armor at worst(both at second-gen right now). Further advances such as the incoming third-gen plasteel armor may eventually change that, but right now we're still cramming as much of the stuff on the hull as we can fit after power requirements have been met. It sure hasn't let us down yet ...


Admiral SirFozzie, this completes your wall of text. Specifications for the new battleships and fleet division and composition orders are now indicated. I'll assume equal numbers of battleships to the other sizes unless you say otherwhise. Feel free to ask any questions you may have as always.

[Brian Swartz]

And that's that. Input from all leaders/lurkers is encouraged here as the Oncorhynchus Collective prepares for the next phase.

[chesapeake]

The High Inquisitor is concerned about trailing in research. Since we have a solid surplus in influence at the moment, are there any unused edicts available that would boost our research? I also think we need to boost out construction of research supporting station mods and planetary buildings.

The Collective's priorities for now are:
1) Research and Development
2) Naval investment
3) Colonization

As always, input from other members of the Collective is appreciated, and dissenting opinions in most cases will not result in execution.

[Brian Swartz]

'in most cases'? Lol. The thing about boosting planetary buildings and stations for research is that's already been done for some time. Any province that isn't more suitable for other things is already devoted to research on the core worlds. Any sector that has enough minerals and energy has its focus set to improving research. When the last war started there were no systems in our territory that hadn't been tapped for building research stations. A few more now but that process is already underway. Etc. So I can't really accelerate this, it's been at max effort for some decades.

In terms of Imperial Edicts, there are three research ones. Each provides a 30% boost to one branch(society/engineering/physics) with a 10% penalty to the other two, and costs the standard 0.85 influence. If we implemented all there, that would be 2.55 influence -- in that case I would cancel the new outpost as our montly income would still be cut in half to 2.6. This would give us, overall, +10% research to each branch.

There are no Planetary Edicts that boost research, at least none we have. Having the science ships assist at specific planets when they are free to do so will help, but they only increase each planet by 25% and none of our planets have enough research output individually for this to make more than a marginal difference.

As much as VIR hates to be the bearer of bad news -- though he knows that, being merely a computer, a virtual intelligence, it's not really possible to 'execute' him -- the main factor is simply our rapid growth. From the perspective of 'keepin' up with the Joneses ... or Bhenn'Thell/Qravadox, anyway' in research, we simply have gotten too big for our britches, too quickly. There's only so much that can be done to compensate for that.

Would the Inquisitor wish to implement any or all of the three research grants? Otherwhise his wishes seem clear at this time. Perhaps this concern could also be taken as a 'forceful encouragement' to our research directors that they should prioritize any options that might increase our technological advancement.

[chesapeake]

Execute all 3 research edicts.

Since we have to indefinitely defer the outpost (assuming that we don't have any other outposts that have outlived their usefulness and can be disassembled) what does the colonizable planet on Obetellus look like? A colony there at least pulls one of the troutstones into our sphere of influence.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Execute all 3 research edicts.

Since we have to indefinitely defer the outpost (assuming that we don't have any other outposts that have outlived their usefulness and can be disassembled) what does the colonizable planet on Obetellus look like? A colony there at least pulls one of the troutstones into our sphere of influence.

A quiet question that seems ... relevant.

If growth is the primary contributing factor to our less-than-optimal research situation, what impact would an additional colony have on the 10% gains from the research edicts?

[Brian Swartz]

Research costs increase by 10% per planet, 1% per population above 10(which is only a relevant thing at the beginning of the game). So, colonizing one planet would make us slightly worse off than we are now, even with the edicts, since the population is constantly growing. Some of our planets are 'full', but most are not.

Obetellus has an ocean planet that is barely worth colonizing(size 10, just enough for the Planetary Capital, the top administrative tier we can build on colonies). I did already check on the other outposts. Yiriam, up by the Perj Sector, is basically going to need to be there forever as their are no worlds we can settle in the vicinity. Hanneri is the other one, in the outer arm and is there to support the extensive physics research that goes on in the system. Our nearby planets are not yet big enough to support controlling the system without it -- that may change in a few years but for now we can't take it down either. Of course we could just build the new outpost anyway, but that would put our influence at 1.6 per month and we'd have almost nothing to work with.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Research costs increase by 10% per planet, 1% per population above 10(which is only a relevant thing at the beginning of the game). So, colonizing one planet would make us slightly worse off than we are now, even with the edicts, since the population is constantly growing. Some of our planets are 'full', but most are not.

Thanks. Had a feeling that might be about the case.

[chesapeake]

Research costs increase by 10% per planet, 1% per population above 10(which is only a relevant thing at the beginning of the game). So, colonizing one planet would make us slightly worse off than we are now, even with the edicts, since the population is constantly growing. Some of our planets are 'full', but most are not.

I didn't realize the penalty for additional colonizations was quite so steep. In this case, it would seem that the best policy might be to cease focus on expansion and simply seek to grow taller for a while, until our research efforts catch up to those of our galactic rivals.

Do not impose the edicts. Build 2-3 frontier outposts where we can grab significant resources without having to colonize a planet. Colonize only planets that will develop over a reasonable amount of time such that it won't be a long-term drag on research. The Collective's priorities remain as stated earlier. We focus on research and economic development until we reach the top of the tech tree, and then we bring the love, peace and wisdom of the almighty Boojie to the rest of the galaxy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

... then we bring the love, peace and wisdom of the almighty Boojie to the rest of the galaxy.

... by any means necessary :)

[Brian Swartz]

As an fyi, there is no such thing as 'top of the tech tree'. There are procedurally generated techs that come into play eventually which can be researched essentially an infinite number of times. These provide small bonuses to various things. So if we wait until we have discovered everything there is to discover, we'll be waiting a long time.

Queue Snickers bar commercial ... 'not going anywhere for a while?'

[chesapeake]

As an fyi, there is no such thing as 'top of the tech tree'. There are procedurally generated techs that come into play eventually which can be researched essentially an infinite number of times. These provide small bonuses to various things. So if we wait until we have discovered everything there is to discover, we'll be waiting a long time.

Queue Snickers bar commercial ... 'not going anywhere for a while?'

Sure, but I think you know what I mean. We need to get to the point where we can be confident that we aren't going to be bringing a knife to a gun fight.

[Brian Swartz]

I actually wasn't sure exactly what you meant. I don't think we are in a particularly bad situation right now -- technology advances in a fairly linear manner and being somewhat behind isn't crippling. We wouldn't want to take on the fallen empire(Buhavilaa Ascendancy) but from a tech point of view I'm not particularly worried about anyone else. Of course it's not my call to make and switching to a focus on growing taller will also have it's advantadges. I just try to clarify so I'm doing more or less what you want.

In that vein, it seems what we are looking for colonization-wise is to only go for the biggest, most lucrative planets, and space out the colony ships by probably a few years in between. I'll see how fast our research efforts improve. There are several habitable 20+ size worlds we can still go for, so plenty to keep us busy. We won't settle any of the smaller ones for the time being at least.

Since we haven't heard from the good admiral, I'm going to build three classes of battleships roughly along the same lines as the destroyers(1 close-range with strike craft, one long-range, and the third to deal with smaller ships). I expect a relatively quiet period of time upcoming, but I've been wrong before ...

[chesapeake]

My own natural play style is to go wide and not tall. I get frustrated with games that impose an artificial barrier to expanding, which I think this research penalty is.

My sense is that we're going to win this game UNLESS a competitor gets an unbeatable tech advantage over us somehow and we end up sending our dozens of musketeers up against a smaller but undefeatable group of armored infantry. A little time consolidating our gains also allows us to let our badboy go down.

I think you may be 2 task forces short of a full deck. Looking at the starmap, I think we need 3 speedbump task forces--one near the Djomar, a second by the Qravadox and a third to address any incursion from the Bhenn'Thell. Their job is to slow down the progress of any unexpected attack. The Fist of Boojie, containing the largest part of our Navy, lives at the homeworld or another central location and is prepared to deploy to any hot sector where it is needed to lay down the law.

[Brian Swartz]

2278-79

2278.05.01 -- Humboldt Spaceport finishes the upgrade to prepare for battleships; Bakangi is shortly behind. Each of the massive ships will require over five months' mineral supply, and take 16 months to construct.

08.09 -- Colony ship finished at Gabbog Spaceport. It will head to Rakaron, a max-size ocean planet just beyond the former Djomar territory. This will be the last new planet we settle for a while.

09.23 -- As one of the last debris fields is finished from the war, Armored Torpedoes have been blueprinted. These ignore shields and do about 15% more damage than our UV Lasers, but don't have the armor penetration. The long-range battleship variant will make use of them immediately. Power requirements will be slightly higher, but seemingly worth it in this case. As a general rule, torpedoes are slow, but they never miss.

11.10 -- Dangerous wildlife has been removed on Gabbog, so that a new science lab can be built there. Meanwhile the newly dispersed fleet is on its way to the new stations -- more on that when all assets have arrived.

2279.03.27 -- Last of the debris analyzed.

07.24 -- Physics Lab finished on Gabbog.

07.26 -- Qravadox have announced they are integrating the Ethneri Polity, their vassal. Soon, there will no longer be even the pretense of independence.

08.02 -- Fleet redistribution is in place.

What I did was a combination of my proposal and the Inquisitor's suggestion. There are three task forces instead of four, since the Fist of Boojie, stationed near the homeworld, would only be a few jumps away from any Bhenn'Thell incursion. The fleets near the Djomar and Qravadox areas have 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers, and 6 corvettes each at the moment; the Fist of Boojie has over 20 of each type. A 3:1:1 ratio will be basically maintained for now, until and unless the Admiral returns.

Energy surplus is at 52 a month, and that's with the one colony ship out there. Two battleships are on the way and there will be more over time -- they'll eat into that eventually. The first frontier outpost in being built in Lyctabon. All is progressing fairly quietly, and in about a year and a half there will be new research news if nothing else happens in the interim. I'll get a shot of one of the new battleships up for that to provide a bit of visuality.

[Brian Swartz]

2280

2279.12.01 -- First battleship completed at Humboldt Spaceport.

Here it is en route to the rest of the main fleet(Fist of Boojie) in Impal Tov.

http://i.imgur.com/OxTNxvj.png



2280.03.01 -- Frontier outpost finished in Lyctabon. Another will be built in Huntur to seal off any further advance by he Anathurian Mandate.

06.11 -- Bakangi completes a second battleship.

10.01 -- The Rakaron colony has been established.

10.02 -- Space-Time Theory research completed. A new set of provincial upgrades, better physics labs for the core worlds, will now begin.

12.25 -- First contact with the Fex'Klanga Hierarchy. Haven't had one of these in a while. They don't appear to be of any real significance.

2281.01.02 -- Plasteel Materials research finished. Building of new orbital stations etc. continues, but overall progress on increasing research is slow, if steady.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Self-Aware Logic(Computing, 27 mo.) -- +1 to research alternatives(at least four each time instead of three)
** AI Controlled Colony Ships(Computing, 14 mo.) -- Increases speed of setting up colonies by 25%(9 mo. instead of 12)
** Gravitic Sensors(Voidcraft, 7 mo.) -- Increases survey speed by 15%. Sensor range and weapon accuracy are also slightly increased.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Deep Core Mining(Industry, 8 mo.) == +1000 mineral storage(presently 16k). Unlocks Mining Network III.
** Superfluid Materials(Industry, 82 mo.) -- Unlocks Engineering Facility IV & V.
** Impulse Thrusters(Rocketry, 67 mo.) -- Impulse Thrusters give an additional 10% sublight speed and +5 evasion over our present plasma thrusters.

You know what do, gentlemen.

[Coffee Warlord]

We'll do a quick one this time, and see what comes up. Deep Core Mining.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Gravitic Sensors

[Brian Swartz]

As it turns out, VIR gave some bad info. Deep Core Mining isn't an 8 month project ... it's a little over two years. Still the shortest of the three though, and in the interests of keeping things going I'm sticking with it. Will try to be more accurate in the future.

[Brian Swartz]

2281.05.09 -- Eskogg finishes upgrading it's physics labs -- the other planets are still working on theirs.

05.29 -- Frontier outpost finished in the Huntur system. Building orbital stations for everything will take some years yet, but we've secured all the territory up where the Anathurian Mandate lies.

06.02 -- Gravitic Sensors research completed. That didn't take long, esp. since there was some saved up and the physics investment that is going on right now.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 35 mo.) -- Unlocks Barrier Point Defense, an upgrade for anti-strike craft duty to our current(unused) Sentinel point defense weapons.
** Database Uplinks(Computing, 7 mo.) -- Unlocks the Assist Research mission. That would be a nice thing for our scientists to give us a minor research boost, as they are presently all three inactive and twiddling their thumbs in various locations with nothing useful to do.
** Plasma Throwers(Particles, 26 mo.) -- Plasma Throwers get a nice 75% armor penetration, but are not as powerful as our best weapons otherwhise. Of course, it may be possible to develop more advanced variants if we take this step ...

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock again with a quick turnaround.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Database Uplinks

[JonInMiddleGA]

Let's research Database Uplinks

I like the choice.

Aside from the obvious boost, I like the quick turnaround stuff right now. Who knows what we might unlock or have pop up with frequent choices to make.

[tarcone]

Im bored. This gives me something to do.

[SirFozzie]

Sorry, I didn't know there was something requiring my attention. That's good though :)

[Brian Swartz]

Sorry, I didn't know there was something requiring my attention. That's good though

Let me know if you wish to make any rudder orders, else I'll keep on keepin' on.

[Brian Swartz]

2281.10.20 -- First contact with a race styling themselves the Haddam Commonwealth. Weird purplish insect-like things, they are individualists and fanatic pacifists. Don't see us getting on well with them. They are yet another Qravadox vassal. I'll say this for the QSC, they are doing things their own unique way; strength through quasi-independent servants. Incidentally, the QSC's most recent expression of good will and hopes for peace was to refer to the entirety of the Architreuthis race as 'simple-minded herd animals'.

11.30 -- Bakangi finishes upgrades on our third Troutian power plant. We should be able to get two more soon, but the deposits near the Anathurian border have not yet been tapped.

12.16 -- Physics labs upgrades are finished on Agglor. Our first two planets still are working on them.

2282.01.02 -- Database Uplinks research completed. I'll have to look into where the best places are for our scientists to deploy now, but first things first.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

Again :P.

** Zero Point Power(Particles, 108 mo.) -- Unlocks Zero Point Reactors, which are somehow able to extract energy from microscopic particles contained in the vacuum of space. There are no even theoretical ideas about any possible way to improve from here. Energy storage is increased by 250(presently 4250), and these reactors are 20% more efficient than our present antimatter variants.
** Hyperspace Slipstreams(Particles, 64 mo.) -- Improves our hyperdrives to allow for another 25% decrease in charging time per jump, from our present 75% to 50%.
** Uplink Miniaturization(Computing, 25 mo.) -- This doubles the effectiveness of our scientists assisting research on a planet by vastly expanding the data stream they have access to(or some such pseudoscientific poppycock)

Dr. Frank Justyce, it looks like you'll have to pick a somewhat longer task this time.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Zero Point Power!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Let's research Zero Point Power!

Hrm, I was hoping you'd go Uplink Miniaturization, as a quicker followup to enhance the previous choice.

(not criticizing or griping, just thinking aloud a bit)

[Brian Swartz]

2282

2282.04.04 -- Gabbog has grown big enough to build a Planetary Capital. When it's finished, the large frigid planet will be on roughly equal footing with the rest of the core planets.

06.02 -- With the new boosts from the scientists assisting with planetary research, new orbital stations, etc., we've reached the threshold to add another colony. Efoll(Ocean, size 23) in the former Djomar territory is the next target.

08.14 -- First contact with the Conglomerate of Shantaxavani. That's a mouthful. An avian race of individualists and pacifists, they are clearly not to be trusted. They have a moderate-sized empire of 10 planets directly on the opposite side of the galactic core.

09.05 -- Our new relations are apparently not going great as the Shantaxavani have closed their borders to us. Like we're going to journey way over there anyway.

10.09 -- Physics Lab upgrades completed on Bakangi.

2283.01.06 -- Brief diplomatic message from the Qravadox Star Consensus, consisting of only five words: 'Let us end this charade'. They have declared us to be rivals, rattling the saber. We can do the same in return, the usual response which will at least give us an influence boost, or ignore them. This could indicate that the QSC is putting itself on a path to war ... or merely that they are vainly preening for the benefit of their citizens ...

02.29 -- Humboldt has finished it's lab upgrades. All four of our fully developed core worlds are up to date there now.

03.02 -- Deep Core Mining research has just finished. After the recent completion of lab upgrades, the core worlds and beyond will swing back into action with new provincial construction, this time to improve our mineral output. The opportunity will also be taken here to replace some mines that are not sitting on particularly lucrative deposits with more research labs. Humboldt is the only planet where that is really relevant -- a few mining networks were built there back in the first decade or so of the Oncorhychus Collective, networks that were vitally needed at the time but are now virtually superfluous.

Inquisitor's Briefing: Roe Laren

How shall we respond to the QSC's declaration of a rivalry? Ignore them, declare them our rivals in response, and/or some other action?


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Carrier Operations(Voidcraft, 41 mo.) -- Unlocks Basic Fighter Wing & Basic Bomber Wing. The bombers do more damage, but still on about three-quarters of what our present bred Amoeba Flagella do. The military brass believes this is a gateway tech that could lead to more advanced strike craft, however.
** Deep Space Outposts(Voidcraft, 7 mo.) -- Entry-level project for static defensive stations.
** Durasteel Armor(Materials, 49 mo.) -- The next step beyond Plasteel, Durasteel is a third more effective. The engineers believe that durasteel would rival our current crystal forged plating, but would not be quite as effective(about 95-96% as good) even on our largest ships. It would get things close though, and there may yet be more developments in armor materials down the road.

** Autocannons(Materials, 2/43 mo.) -- The one reverse-engineering possibility that may be useful at some point, autocannons are nearly identical to our current railguns in terms of their damage profile, but the principles involved might potentially be carried much further than standard projectile weaponry will allow.

Dr. Coffee Warlord and Inquisitor Roe Laren, you're on the clock.

[JonInMiddleGA]

How shall we respond to the QSC's declaration of a rivalry? Ignore them, declare them our rivals in response, and/or some other action?

Is there a "isn't that cute, they think they're relevant" option?

:D

[Coffee Warlord]

We in Engineering do not wish our shiny new battleships to be harmed. Or scratched. Or dented. We don't even want the paint rubbed off.

THerefore, we need Durasteel Armor.

Also, early research indicates Durasteel acts as a perfect insulator for travel coffee mugs.

[chesapeake]

The Fist of Boojie would squash them like grapes, so we may as well get the influence boost out of it. Make them our rivals. I expect that they will regret the day that they chose to make us their enemies.

[Brian Swartz]

Is there a "isn't that cute, they think they're relevant" option?

*Snicker*

2283


2283.03.02 -- The QSC replies that our 'vapid insinuations will fall on deaf hearing-membranes'.

03.16 -- The final battleship of the current run has been finished; six of them in all at the moment. A combination of those expensive ships and the continued station construction has nearly equalized the economy(+13 energy per month). We are getting a pretty meager 0.4 influence from the Qravadox rivalry, but it's better than nothing.

06.02 -- Dr. Coffee Warlord is up to the maximum 5-star ability now. Corperial's the only one who hasn't gotten quite there yet, but he's very close. Meanwhile, the new colony ship is ready and heads to Efoll.

07.01 -- Tried to take down the Hanneri Outpost but it turns out that we still need it. It'll go eventually, but that might be decades yet.

07.22 -- A big moment for Gabbog as the Planetary Capital on the arctic world has been finished. Several upgrades are now in order there.

08.02 -- Dr. David Corperial has hit 5-star ability. All of our research directors are now there, as well as a few others.

2284.01.02 -- Research on The Collective Self has been finished.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Dense Jungle Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- As you might guess, these tend to appear on Tropical planets, which we have not yet learned how to colonize.
** Administrative Efficiency(Statecraft, 51 mo.) -- +1 Core World added, allowing us to control 6 instead of 5. Not a huge difference when we have a few dozen planets, but being able to guide another big ocean planet would be useful.
** Terrestrial Sculpting(New Worlds, 23 mo.) -- Unlocks strategic resources Terraforming Liquids and Terraforming Gases, as well as the related ability to build Terraforming Stations in orbit. This would allow us to turn, for example, Arctic planets into Ocean, and so forth. Uninhabitable planets would remain so, but anything habitable could eventually be terraformed into an ocean environment fitting for Architreuthis to live on.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock. Some interesting choices this time around ...

[Brian Swartz]

Moving on now: I'm selecting Terrestrial Sculpting as the best long-term benefit.

[Brian Swartz]

2284-85

2284.02.04 -- All mining improvements finished on Eskogg; the planet is now fully upgraded once again.

10.11 -- Agglor has finished it's provincial work as well. It's been another quiet year of development, with no disturbances at all.

2285.04.23 -- Bakangi is finished as well as the latest round of improvements is starting to wrap up.

09.01 -- New colony on Efoll up and running, added to Deesh sector which now has three planets and four systems.

2286.01.02 -- Terrestrial Sculpting research is completed. We presently have access to 8 Terraforming Gases and 6 Terraforming Liquids deposits within our territory -- these are strategic resources much like the 'Troutstones'. Gabbog, our fifth core planet, is a perfect test case for how this will work; a max-size Arctic world that we should benefit notably from turning into an ocean environment. We'll need a terraforming station to start out, so that'll come first and it'll be a few months before a construction ship can get there. Then we'll see how that works out. I don't know if we can terraform sector planets or not, we'll have to take it as it comes.

As you can see, there isn't a whole lot going on that's worth reporting. This can of course be a good thing. Nothing mokre than the usual saber-rattling from the QSC. Overall, the economy is pretty well-balanced right now and stable. Probably the majority of the post-war orbital constructions have been completed, but quite a bit still remains, mostly in the lower areas where we expanded with the frontier outposts. We're pretty much dead-even overall on energy, right now at -1.79 per month. There's almost 3.5k of a 4.25k limit in the bank though, so we've got more than enough saved up for any rainy day that might descend. An extended war would hurt us economically, but that's about it. Plenty of fleet capacity(235/382) but as usual funding is the limiter. Minerals are at 331 surplus a month after the recent mining upgrades, having held in the high 200s for quite some time prior to that. Research continues to inch higher each year ... slowly.

On the aging front, we've passed enough time that despite the 20-year bonus, that's starting to become a thing again. Coffee Warlord should begin to have a chance of dying of old age next year -- he's a ripe 122 right now. Several others will reach that point in the next few years to a decade from now ... unless something happens to stave it off or we just get lucky. Incidentally, it occurred to me just now that I forgot to recruit a couple more governors after the Collective Self research opened up a couple of slots. Having now done that, the only thing we do not yet have leaders for(up to max of 16/16 now) are three of our six sectors; all five core planets, all scientific needs, admiral, general all covered.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Quicksand Basin Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.)
** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 6 mo.) -- Still not an issue as we're at about three-fifths of logistical capacity right now, numbers previously mentioned.
** Volcano Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- There's five of these in the core planets, so we'd get a bit of a boost by having access to them.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock again. I'll make a selection Thursday or Friday if you're not available.

[DavidCorperial]

Volcano Removal

[Brian Swartz]

A quick and verbose response. On we go then.

2286

To begin the year, along with the new terraforming station being ordered, another round of spaceport upgrades utilized a few thousand minerals sitting idly in storage. Most of these are in the newly acquired former Djomar territories, the rest in recently colonized systems. Everywhere else we can build at least destroyers if we choose to.

06.22 -- Gabbog has now upgraded all of it's provincial structures to the latest available standard. There's enough population to supply a couple of new buildings, beginning with a new hydroponics farm to support further growth, but the frigid world is now a fully productive planet otherwhise.

11.02 -- Volcano Removal research completed. Bakangi, Agglor, and Gabbog are the affected core worlds. The first two of those will begin clearing operations immediately.

Another six months is expected until Engineering is ready with the new armor; reactor research from Physics has nearly four years left yet.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Engos Vapor Refining(Biology, 12 mo.) -- Unlocks the spaceport module Engos Refinery, as well as revealing the Engos Vapor strategic resource. These refineries increase ship weapon damage by 10%. I don't know if this affects all ships in the system the spaceport is in, or all ships built there, but either way it would seem to be a good thing for the navy.
** Noxious Swamp Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- A jungle planet obstacle. As far as I know, we have no planets with these ... we can't colonize tropical etc. planets yet.
** Gene Crops(Biology, 23 mo.) -- It has been a very long time since we improved our food production capabilities, but that would be possible with this advance. The level III version of Hydroponic Farms would be made available, allowing for us to use less space for food and more for ... anything else. Like the research labs we can never get enough of.

Dr. David Corperial, it appears to be an interesting choice you have up next. You are on the clock.

[DavidCorperial]

Gene Crops

[Brian Swartz]

2286-87

2287.01.05 -- Looks like the Bhenn'Thell Imperium intends to dominate the entire core region; they have just declared war on the Polity of Oxx-Oxx, with whom they've long had an uneasy peace. As for the Collective, our work continues on the massive spaceport upgrades and periodic provincial improvements.

01.19 -- Eskogg starts work on a new science lab, having cleared a volcano from the area. Bakangi does the same a few days later.

02.17 -- Hydroponics farm up to date on Gabbog. A volcano will be cleared there as well, in an area that is well-suited for engineering studies.

02.30 -- Terraforming Station operational at Gabbog. The process of changing it to an ocean environment begins. It will require a full decade. I'm curious how this will work -- there are seven blocked 'massive glacier' provinces on the planet, which I assume will be turned into something we can at least clear out. We'll find out in ten years, I guess.

I didn't realize until a bit later that it sapped a significant amount of our energy. I think 1500 to 2000 of it. At any rate, we are down to 1707 with a deficit of 7 per month(3 for the terraforming station). This could become an issue again for us, though it would be a pretty small matter to disband a small part of the navy if it came down to that.

05.02 -- Durasteel Materials research completed. That was quite a brief session.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Mineral Isolation(Industry, 47 mo.) -- Further mining developments including advanced spectrometry, fracking, and chemical flushing allow more rapid development of mineral resources. +1000 to our storage(presently 17k) and Mining Networks IV & V are unlocked.
** Superfluid Materials(Industry, 75 mo.) -- Unlocks Engineering Facility IV & V.
** Robotic Workers(Industry, 13 mo.) -- As previously mentioned, these are 'buildable population units' so they allow for more rapid colonial development. Producivity-wise, they are slightly better miners than a free pop but not as good as a slave ... though further robotic improvements may be possible.
** Nuclear Missiles(Rocketry, 0/7 mo.)
** Autocannons(Materials, 2/24 mo.)

Dr. Coffee Warlord, you are now on the clock.

[Coffee Warlord]

Sorry, was on vacation.

Mineral Isolation! More minerals!

[Brian Swartz]

2287-88

Moar minerals it is. For some reason, when I loaded up the game I found an energy deficit much bigger than expected -- about 20 a month, enough to last about 7-8 years yet but definitely a problem. Not sure all of the why, but part of it is related to Gabbog. It seems citizens don't take kindly to a planet being terraformed while they are living on it. Which is sensible, but hadn't occured to me. Happiness has gone in the tank there and one pop is already moving away. So we've definitely got some economic challenges for a bit here, but worst-case scenario would involve just disbanding a few ships. Nothing very serious.

10.04 -- The QSC is integrating another vassal, the Haddam Commonwealth, which is on the opposite side of their territory from us.

2288.05.19 -- The Oncorhynchus has lost another of our long-serving leaders. Dr. Coffee Warlord has died at the age of 124. He will be known for guiding the advancement of naval technology with such emphatic pronouncements as 'More Minerals!' and, of course, 'MAKE THEM BIGGER!!!!'.

Dr. Tarc, merely 109, has been tabbed as the replacement. He'd fit better at one of the other departments, but his genius cannot be matched by any other potential. Tarc is the new Director of Engineering Research, while a new scientist is recruited to fill his spot on the Jaschalgur. He's actually expected to be slightly better than Warlord in terms of research speed.

As always, you may rejoin or not, as you prefer. The history of the Architreuthis has not yet been fully written ...

10.18 -- Bakangi is fully up to date again, having replaced it's volcano province with a new physics lab.

11.02 -- Gene Crops research completed. Farms will be upgraded, and in the core worlds at least, we should be able to get a few more other buildings going with the freed-up space, probably more research labs. As usual, we are slowly growing our way out of the energy problems, up to about 14 per month in the red now with 1.3k still in the treasury. Once Humboldt is ready, we can upgrade to a couple of more Troutian power plants there with recently claimed deposits to aid that situation. Also, the truce is over with the remaining Djomar and Tycan league elements; if the Inquisitor wishes, we can finish them off. They are of no threat to us anymore.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Xeno Diplomacy(Statecraft, 23 mo.) -- Unlocks the Federation diplomatic option. Seems unlikely we'll ever need it at this stage. Tweaks to the game have changed Federations from a very common thing on release to the point where I don't think any are going to form in our galaxy, for good or ill.
** Desert Colonization(New Worlds, 23 mo.) -- Desert planets would be good for our arid slaves such as the Shantari and others.
** Massive Glacier Removal(Arctic, 9 mo.) -- Definitely useful for arctic worlds such as Gabbog, although I don't know what happens to them after terraforming. Of course, we probably won't be able to terraform all the arctic worlds we settle, so it could still be valuable.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

He's actually expected to be slightly better than Warlord in terms of research speed.

Since he's replacing a 109 year old, I would hope he's a little faster :D

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, given the longevity in the game, it's hard to not picture us as being a civilization run by Dr.Farnsworths :D

[DavidCorperial]

Desert Colonization

[Brian Swartz]

2288-90

11.24 -- A new observation post has been finished in Rakaron. The species to be studied are the Karabnar, a Renaissance-Age civilization that have the appearance of amphibious jellyfish. Also, the Deesh Sector has been developed enough to start supporting significant taxes. This knocks a bit off the energy deficit, but not that much.

2289.08.26 -- Physics Lab upgrades finished on Humboldt. Took a while there as they can build the more advanced ones. For the first time, the Physics Dept. is no longer bringing up the rear ... things are quite even but they're second ahead of Engineering.

09.15 -- Agglor and Bakangi have finished upgrading their hydroponic farms. Both will be able to replace one with a new science laboratory, improving the use of their territory.

10.21 -- Gabbog's hyrdroponic farms are up to date now. The planet is now producing almost twice the food it needs, which will help boost the population there. A new Engineering Facility is next up for them.

11.23 -- Eskogg has finished the new farms as well. It will replace one when it reaches full population again, but for now it'll keep them to finish off the growth process.

12.02 -- Well, that was unexpected. A Djomar has immigrated to Eskogg, as far as I know the first one in the core worlds. Hope they enjoy slavery.

2290.01.11 -- Humboldt's lone farm is up to date, and it will now begin the important work of replacing a couple of it's standard power plants with the 'Troutian' variety. Power has dipped down to -20 again, but we'll have a lot better handle on where that will end up in another year or so.

01.21 -- A situation has developed on Pavagh ...

http://i.imgur.com/0qVVxDO.png


Our approach to such situations is well-established, but nonetheless I will ping Inquisitor Roe Laren here, and other thoughts are also welcome.

[Brian Swartz]

Since he's replacing a 109 year old, I would hope he's a little faster

Well actually, it's worse. He's 109, replacing a 124-year-old :P.

Also, as an FYI, all three departments figure to finish up their current research within the next year. An influx of new options will be coming soon.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Our approach to such situations is well-established, but nonetheless I will ping Inquisitor Roe Laren here, and other thoughts are also welcome.

The phrase "It's a trap" springs to my mind here.

I'd advise staying the current course ... for all the weight that carries of course ;)

[Coffee Warlord]

Following in the footsteps of his ancient father, Dr. Coffee Warlord II will await assignment.

Praise be to Boojie.

[chesapeake]

It refers to 'local legislation.' If we lift it, will it just affect this planet or would it be empire-wide?

[Brian Swartz]

It's a local situation only. There's no indication of any impact beyond the Pavagh system.

[chesapeake]

The High Inquisitor is greatly displeased that a provincial issue such as this has disturbed her longevity treatments. But, since she has been disturbed, she has decided to authorize the pompous poindexters' request. And please ensure that the petty bureaucrat who decided it was important enough to interrupt the H.I. is transferred out of the Imperial Capital. Far out. Far, far out. For his/her own safety.

[Brian Swartz]

2290

Essentially our Pavagh research resulted in a two-year decrease in the happiness of the locals, exchanged for 250 Society research, a little under a month's imperial yield. Truly distressing is the impact on the Inquisitor's latest manicure though. Shortly after these events, the last of the latest wave of orbital stations was completed. We're getting close a new stability economically, though there seems to be no end to the planetary changes.

2290.06.02 -- Zero Point Power research completed. The fleet will be outfitted with the new reactors, part of a comprehensive and much-overdue refit.

09.02 -- Desert Colonization completed.

A couple of new choices are now coming up. As for Dr. Coffee Warlord II, he is the latest addition to the research team, taking Dr. Tarc's old post on the [i]Jaschalgur[/b]. Though Warlord is particularly skilled in discovering anomalies, it doesn't seem likely there will be much call for that. He is the youngest scientist by nearly seven decades though. Helping with planetary research may seem a rather menial task, but he'll have greater opportunities soon enough.

[tarcone]

Dr. Tarc is excited about his new post. Even though he will be making research decisions from his hospice residence.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 20 mo.) -- Unlocks Subspace Sensors, which provide another small weapons accuracy bonus(from +2 to +4) and have somewhat larger range than our present varieties. Survey speed is also bumped up by 5%, but that doesn't seem likely to be a significant factor anymore.
** AI-Controlled Colony Ships(Computing, 11 mo.) -- Colony set-up time is reduced by 25%, or three months each. Another issue that is becoming less important, at least for now.
** X-Ray Lasers(Particles, 41 mo.) -- Another advance in our standard laser weaponry(33% armor penetration), offering a moderate increase in firepower.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Galactic Benevolence(Statecraft, 29 mo.) -- Unlocks Ministry of Benevolence. This building has an imperial reach, so we'd only need to build one, presumably on Humboldt. It helps to keep the population unified, granting a 15% decrease in ethical divergence. Note: this is a RARE technology.
** Tundra Colonization(New Worlds, 22 mo.) -- As it says, another type of habitable planet can be settled. A number of Tundra worlds are available for us, and they are reasonably acceptable -- similar to arctic in suitability at a 60% happiness.
** Manifest Destiny(Statecraft, 36 mo.) -- Here is yet another RARE possibility. With this, border generation would be increased by 20%, allowing us to push further into unclaimed territories or also into that of our neighbors.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock as well. Two rare possibilities and a new planet type -- this may not be an easy call.

[DavidCorperial]

Galactic Benevolence

[mrkilla22]

Let's research X-Ray Lasers

[Brian Swartz]

Got sidetracked a little this week and I've been slacking. I think I'll throw the next update at the end of the weekend, since some of the Collective has this bizarre thing called a 'life' that they attend to during that timeframe anyhow. Then we'll try to get some more progress made next week.

[tarcone]

Maybe we will get a technology that eliminates the need for this thing called 'life'.

:)

[Brian Swartz]

Ok, here we go again.

2290, Part 2

2290.09.11 -- Observation result.

http://i.imgur.com/6igT8rO.png


09.17 -- Pavagh raid.

http://i.imgur.com/BusgQM3.png


300 energy credits were lost. As of yet, nobody has come up with a permanent solution to these annoyances.

10.07 -- New lab up and running on Gabbog, even as another pop begins the emigration process.

12.25 -- Bakangi's latest physics lab is finished, leaving the planet fully upgraded.

12.27 -- Fleet upgrades at the borders have been completed, ending up taking only a few months. The Fist of Boojie is expected to require well over a year before it is completed however.

2291.02.02 -- Mineral Isolation research completed.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarc

** Superfluid Materials(Industry, 65 mo.) -- Unlocks Engineering Facilities IV & V.
** Carrier Operations(Voidcraft, 34 mo.) -- Unlocks Basic Bomber & Fighter Wings for use as strike craft. They aren't as powerful as our current amoeba flagella, but could open the door to further advances.
** Robotic Workers(Industry, 11 mo.)
** Autocannons(Materials, 1/21 mo.)

Dr. Tarc, you are on the clock for the first time as Research Director. Choose wisely.

[tarcone]

It's time to gear up. The future is near.

I choose Carrier Operations

[Brian Swartz]

2291-92

** OOC Note: First things first; Heinlein patch is out ... and we can't use it :P. It breaks previous saves, which I found out after over an hour messing around with things naturally. Terraforming, ship designs, habitability, sectors(actually adds the Collective-requested ability to have sectors not enslave people and a few other things), strategic resources, a whole bunch of things got changed. It's highly officially recommended to stay with the current version, so that's what I'll be doing. The incompatibility was doing cool things like invalidating our battleship designs, stopping the terraforming on Gabbog since they totally changed how that works now, etc. Too bad since there's some cool stuff in it, but that's we(I) get for starting this up on release.*

So, Carrier Operations it is and on we go.

2292.05.30 -- Humboldt didn't have as much as the other planets to do, but it's upgraded with the new mining networks.

07.17 -- The Fist of Boojie has finished it's nearly two-year upgrade. Admiral SirFozzie reports approximately a 9% increase in combat effectiveness, which isn't bad at all. However, there is now an energy crisis requiring the Inquisitor's attention.

Inquisitor's Briefing: Inquisitor Roe Laren

The facts of the case are these: energy reserves are nearly gone. 63 is all this is left, and we are hemmoraghing more than ever with the fleet upgrade, over 37 a month. That means that in less than two months, if we don't take action, a number of provincial buildings will stop operating and the economy will flounder. That would be bad. Not to mention that colonization, instead of being slowed down, had ground to a halt for this reason. For comparison, we take in 440 energy per month, so the deficit is only about 8.5% of the budget. Drastic measures aren't really necessary to deal with this, but we do need to do something.

The previous plan had been to disband some of the fleet if we reached this point, which is still an option. However, the new mining improvements suggest another alternative as well. Each mining province now produces about 3 minerals per 1 energy required for maintenance, some of them as high as four. This means that our orbital mining stations, most of which only give a 2:1 yield, are now are pretty inefficient source. For some years now excess minerals have been used to upgrade spaceports. This aids in defense obviously but the fleet is still expected to do the heavy lifting, and adds naval capacity that we don't really need. The only time that we need more minerals is when going through a big period of ship-building/expansion. How should we handle this situation?

** Disband a fairly small part of the fleet.
** Eliminate all of the 2-mineral mining stations. This would give us a significant surplus, and we might even be able to expand the fleet as a result.
** Eliminate enough mining stations to allow for an decent buffer, but leave some of the smaller ones running.
** Something else?

Inquisitor Roe Laren, what approach shall the Collective take? You are now on the clock.

[chesapeake]

The High Inquisitor appreciates the creativity of the staff that prepared the options. She orders that a decent buffer be established by decommissioning inefficient mining stations.

[Brian Swartz]

2292

At the Inquisitor's order, more than 50 mining stations were given evacuation and self-destruct orders, allowing for a +15 monthly energy balance. This would allow for reserves to begin to recover, an important thing in the event the fleet is needed for more expensive operations than holding station in orbit(nearly 50 energy per month is the estimated savings of doing so right now). This is probably somewhere around half, maybe a little more, of our least efficient mining stations. More can be decommissioned if needed, which will happen if the energy surplus drops too low. As is, the mineral surplus per month dropped from 380 to 270, so we took a nice bite out of it and would like to not chomp off any more if we don't have to.

As a result, the next colonization push could be begun as well, with research efforts continue to gradually rise. Next up was Shaula, a good but not great size-19 arid world a bit further out in the middle arm on the edges of the Ibannic Nebula. The nebula itself holds three worlds of interest; a max-size desert planet for our 'helpers', a size-22 arctic and a size-24 ocean for Architreuthis. Based on our experiences with Gabbog, we are definitely going to want to terraform the arctic world before colonizing it. That will probably be the next target, or at least one of them, if the current experimental effort is a success. That's about halfway done by the way, with completion expected in '97.

Anyway, Shaula is basically a 'stepping stone', getting us closer to the nebula without burning a ton of influence needlessly. Of course, with the Theq'Lak, we use nicer-sound PR bs, extolling the 'opportunities' and 'new frontiers' of the Shaula system.

08.09 -- It was realized that, due to a clerical error(i.e, I was an idiot and forgot) there is one more Troutian Power Plant to be built. That effort began on Humboldt.

11.23 -- Agglor is now fully upgraded with new mines.

11.26 -- A volcano has been cleared on Gabbog in an area suitable for Society research. A new lab will be built there.

12.10 -- Eskogg has finished it's upgrades as well.

2293.01.02 -- The continuing building of new mines has shrunk our energy surplus again, something that will probably happen for a while. Five more mining stations go away, dropping the mineral supply down to 269, pretty much where it was a few months ago. As usual at the first of the year, another round of several more spaceport upgrades commenced as well.

02.02 -- Galactic Benevolence research is finished. In a little under a year, the other two departments will finish their current tasks.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Tropical Colonization(New Worlds, 21 mo.) -- Tropical worlds are moderately well suited to us, though a little too wet for our 'assistants'. We've found a good number of decent ones. We have options for where to colonize and won't run out soon; this will give us more choices, which would probably increase the quality of our new planets a little eventually by giving us more good options.
** Quicksand Basin Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- One of the more common problems encountered on the drier worlds(Desert/Arid). The ability to remove quicksand would help significantly on those planets settled by the Shantari and Theq'Lak, of which we now have several.
** Xenology(Biology, 11 mo.) -- Unlocks the strategic resource Alien Pets. They are good for trading with with xenophiles. And that's pretty much it. Yay?

Dr. David Corperial, you are now on the clock. Have at it.

[DavidCorperial]

Quicksand Basin Removal

[Brian Swartz]

2293

02.07 -- Bakangi is now up to date as well.

05.01 -- Another round of mining stations are abandoned, as energy continues to shrink while new mining networks are built. The yo-yo continues ... but this will only last so long. 10 of them this time. Mining output has stayed pretty constant throughout this process, but is now a bit lower at 262(a few research labs eat into the energy budget as well). There aren't that many left to disband at this point, but the energy reserves are over a hundred and steadily rising, so it is progress in that regard.

07.21 -- Colony ships finished in Andack, and it makes it's way to the third of four moons of the second planet, a large gas giant. This world is good for rapid growth of the Theq'Lak, and also for Society research with multiple promising locations.

09.29 -- Dr. Coffee Warlord II is wasting no time, up to *** skill already.

11.02 -- Quicksand Basin Removal and X-Ray Lasers research are completed.

2294.01.02 -- Carrier Operations research completed. That ties things up nicely in a bow at the end of the year. The Shaula-bound colony-ship is in system, and work will soon begin on that setup. Energy is at 211 and continuing to climb, with the margin seeming to have stabilized for now, and all research departments have wrapped up their current projects and ready to move forward.

The aging thing is really starting to come to a head now. We have lost anyone else yet, but Gen. Eusrim and Gov. Palmieri have been on borrowed time for a few years each. Starting a year from now in '95, that will the case for others as well ... including the Inquisitor. Best make sure your affairs are in order, Architreuthis titans -- only the rocks live forever.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Self-Aware Logic(Computing, 20 mo.) -- Unlocks an extra research option, increasing the default from 3 to 4.
** Particle Lances(Particle, 51 mo.) -- Unlocks the Particle Lance, a new, powerful massive weapons system. There is only a large version of these, but focused particle beams have been demonstrated to be very effective. Estimates are that they are at least a third better than our best current ship-based weapons, with 75% armor penetration. However, power usage is tripled as well, so there will be less space to devote to armor and shields on any ship deploying them -- a lot of reactors will be needed instead.
** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 26 mo.) -- Unlocks Barrier Point Defense, an upgrade on our current first-gen Sentinel option for that role.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Noxious Swamp Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- These are mostly a tropical-world thing I think.
** Orbital Hydroponics(Biology, 6 mo.) -- Hydroponic Farm modules that can be built on spaceports, allowing for less space on the planet for that and more for other things. They are, however, less efficient than most planetside hydroponic farms(3 food for 1 energy).
** Dense Jungle Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- Another tropical-class world provincial obstacle.

Definitely cleaning out more of the short-term projects here.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarc

** Standardized Cruiser Patterns(Voidcraft, 40 mo.) -- Unlocks Cruiser Construction Yards. These do the same thing as the Corvette and Destroyer variants that we already have; increase speed of construction by 25% and decrease cost by a tenth anywhere they are built.
** Impulse Thrusters(Rocketry, 52 mo.) -- Unlocks Impulse Thrusters, which increase by sublight speed by an addition 10% and evasion by 5 over our current third-gen plasma variants.
** Standardized Battleship Patterns(Voidcraft, 76 mo.) -- Unlocks Battleship Construction Yards, with the usual benefits.
** Autocannons(Materials, 1/20 mo.)

Definitely some interesting choices to wrestle with here. I have a feeling Admiral SirFozzie would happily take any of these toys.


Well Doctors, you know what to do. All three of you are on the clock at once, and we will proceed once everyone has reported in.

[tarcone]

Impulse Thrusters

[muns]

Ive been shocked ive lasted this long. I keep re-reading updates to make sure I didn't miss the death notice.

[DavidCorperial]

Dense Jungle Removal

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Self-Aware Logic

[Brian Swartz]

Not quite yet muns, though unfortunately since fairly early on there's been jack diddly for you to do.

2294

2294.01.02 -- Good news to start off the year as the Deesh Sector has progressed to the point where taxes have been raised to the maximum level there. Still on Energy Focus though, as they have just enough; it's too thin a margin to switch over to research yet.

02.17 -- First contact with a race of ... felines? The Ruphaari Polity. Located on the 'bottom' of the galaxy, they are xenophobic isolationists; they hate everyone, and even if they didn't, they'd prefer to be left alone. Okey-dokey. They also control only one system, and are a protectorate of another minor empire ... in other words, who gives a %&$!

02.24 -- Initial equipment has been off-loaded onto Shaula, and the setup process begins for our 39th planet.

02.27 -- The Ruphaari Polity closes borders with us, as if we give a darn.

03.04 -- The latest Troutian power plant is completed on Humboldt, making the homeworld back up to speed ... except that we need a Ministry of Benevolence. The least productive research lab, for engineering, will be replaced here.

03.12 -- At age 125, Governor Deacon Palmieri has died. Longtime leader of the problematic Occupied Territories, he has been second only to the Inquisitor herself in terms of political importance. We have two max-level governors at the moment, and one of them will be transferred from Agglor to take over that post. A newly-recruited, research-oriented governor takes over in turn.

03.19 -- Lab upgrade finished on Gabbog, and all useful construction is up to date there as well, for now.

04.26 -- The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The Assembly of Vun-Okon Dominions has declared war on the Qravadox Star Consensus! The QSC is stronger ... but not that much stronger. Mostly they are just bigger(21 planets to 6). This leaves the Oncorhynchus Collective with a choice: shall we attack the QSC as well, or continue to concentrate on internal matters? Neither side has any allies.

http://i.imgur.com/2cPjUaI.png


Fleet Assessment: Both Inferior
Naval Capacity: Vuk-Onon are Pathetic, Qravadox are Inferior
Technology: Both are Equivalent. This is a recent change by the way; it seems our research efforts are finally bearing fruit. Only the Bhenn'Thell and the Buhavilaa still have superior tech to us.

So, what will it be, leaders of the Collective?

** Let them fight out what they will -- we will continue to focus on internal development.
** To war!! Stab the Qravadox in the back, expanding our territory and weakening our most cantankerous rival at the same time.

Ask your questions if you have them. If not, place your thoughts in the appropriate receptacles. Naturally, Inquisitor Roe Laren is on the clock as she has the final word here. And of course, if Palmieri has any relatives, friends, or vague associates who want in, that can happen now as well.

[muns]

I am all for going to war and expanding again.

[chesapeake]

I am inclined to agree, if our energy reserves can handle it. Give them a little time to battle and then strike them with the might of Boojie's divine grace. Any objectors out there?

[tarcone]

Fist em

[Brian Swartz]

Preparations will be made tomorrow evening then if there are no contrary opinions by the. The energy point is a good one though, and one I hadn't really thought about. If things go as planned(ha ha ha) ... but no seriously, if they do, and we enter the back door when all the action is at the front door, it should be a quick conflict. Say a year and a half. Right now we have 250 energy, which would last about six months. If we do this, I'll decommission the rest of the low-efficiency mining stations which should be roughly enough to get us through. There would also be a several-month delay while we get everything in place, esp. the troop transports which are furthest away, and for part of the time we could bank a little more.

We'd actually be able to take about six planets, only one of which is well-developed. More than any other war, it would really need to be a well-coordinated blitzkrieg action. Definitely points up the importance of maintaining a better energy reserve, which we've done for the most part, just not recently. We shouldn't have any of the delay problems we had against the Djomar, because it's a compact part of space where we'd be hitting one or two pretty much every jump, and just as importantly, the Qravadox aren't a wormhole race so they can't surprise or out-maneuver us nearly as easily.

[ntndeacon]

Deacon Palmieri Jr. should enter the game in whatever role that would belp the Boojie

[chesapeake]

Build up what energy reserves we can and prepare the fleet.

[Brian Swartz]

2294(continued)

Deaconi Palmieri Jr. enters politics following in his father's footsteps. We need more good leaders, as it appears that soon we will have a non-FOFC Inquisitor. He is 45, ** and about halfway to the next promotion, presently ruling the Perj Sector with an Iron Fist(+15% slave production of minerals and food).

A dozen more mining stations were abandoned, including our very first step into space, the Maggrathi Mining Station on Humboldt's moon. A sad day, but it was necessary. Gen. Eusrim's two dozen invasion armies are on their way to the QSC border, and another dozen will be recruited to allow them to split into two and more quickly subdue the enemy. The timing of the invasion will depend on how long the transports, furthest away, take to arrive.

05.18 -- New science lab on Gabbog is begun.

08.02 -- Dense Jungle Removal research has been finished. The improved drives that the fleet has gotten since the last war really make a difference ... the Fist of Boojie is over halfway to the border in just a few months. Probably we will be ready to strike by early next year.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 6 mo.) -- Naval capacity increases by 10%. At present, we are at 232 of 442 used, and we've been between half and two-thirds for quite a while.
** Frontier Health(Biology, 9 mo.) -- Unlocks Frontier Clinic. This building produces two food and increases the habitability of a planet by 5%. They are particularly useful for increasing the growth and productivity of inhospitable worlds in the early stages of colonization.
** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- We've run into a lot of these on arctic worlds, although I'm not yet sure what effect terraforming will have on them. At least for now though, Gabbog has several and they seem to be the most common cold-planet obstacle.

Dr. David Corperial, you are now on the clock for another quickie, it seems.

[chesapeake]

The High Inquisitor has declared the Maggrathi Mining Station to be a holy site--the first permanent stepping stone for Boojie's children into the galaxy that He has provided to His faithful. It shall be open in perpetuity for pilgrims from across the galaxy to revel in the loving embrace of His Scaled Majesty.

[chesapeake]

We're not closing a mining station; we're opening a temple.

[DavidCorperial]

Frontier Health

[Brian Swartz]

2295: War Comes to the Qravadox Star Consensus

2294.11.08 -- Gen. Eola Eusrim is gone. If choosing to rejoin, I highly recommend governor or scientist tracks; those are really the two that still have something significant to do. Or maybe admiral if you think the navy's approach needs major adjusting.

2295.03.01 -- Shaula colony has been established.

03.20 -- First contact with the Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta. Um, what? They are militarist and spiritualists, making them fairly open to us. On the opposite side of the galaxy, they have 20 planets and are just as advanced as us, just not quite as big. Similar to the Qravadox in power.

http://i.imgur.com/JROYZYu.png


Speaking of which, intelligence reports they are starting to take significant losses, actually losing early on against the Vun-Okon. It is nearly time ... but the transports are still some months away, so not quite yet.

05.02 -- Frontier Health research finished, and the new Engineering Facility on Gabbog as well.

06.11 -- The first transports are only three jumps away now. Latest indications are that the Qravadox counterattack is underway. It is time.

Technically speaking, we are actually going to war with the Hegemony of Yssom, QSC's lone remaining protectorate. Naturally, they will be coming along for the ride. Yssom itself will be first, and then on into Qravadox territory.

We get the usual exaggerated bravado in reply. They've named their pathetic fleet 'First Murder'. Subtle.

Best estimates are that we've got about a year's worth of energy. This will need to be quick if we want to keep the entire fleet intact. The last economic card we have to play; focusing all sectors on energy production, temporarily for the war.

07.08 -- The Fist of Boojie reaches Yssom, the first and juiciest target. Immediately there is a 'welcoming committee'.

08.02 -- Self-Aware Logic research completed. This is the state of things right now. Quite a cliffhanger, even if the battle really isn't in doubt.

http://i.imgur.com/CcXDTwV.png

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Shields(Field Manipulation, 34 mo.) -- Unlocks Shields, which are an improvement on Deflectors. Planetary fortifications are increased by 20%. Compared to our current Improved Deflectors, Shields would cost 25% more and use 25% more power, but offer 50% more protection.
** Hyperspace Slipstreams(Particles, 52 mo.) -- The latest upgrade possibility for our hyperdrives, decreasing the time required to prepare for a jump by an additional 25%.
** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 20 mo.) -- Survey speed is increased by 5%, and a small increase in sensor range and weapons accuracy is also achieved.
** Extended Combat Algorithms(Computing, 27 mo.) -- Unlocks Advanced Combat Roles, improving the combat computers on our ships. For example, right now the Attack computer gains 5% to weapon damage, evasion, and 10% speed. These would double those bonuses.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Noxious Swamp Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- Another jungle or tropical-world obstacle.
** Tundra Colonization(New Worlds, 22 mo.) -- Tundra worlds will become available to colonize. These seem pretty rare, at least in our part of the galaxy, but are decent(60% habitability) options for dry races like the Shantari.
** Combat Training(Military Theory, 15 mo.) -- Decreases army upkeep by 10%. The army will expand per usual once we complete the current conquest ... assuming that we win. At present we spend just under 28 energy per month on that part of the budget, so probably about 3 energy is what we'd save here, and more of course gradually as our needs expand.
** Epigenetic Triggers(Biology, 22 mo.) -- Unlocks the Uplift option; genetic uplift and social integration of pre-sentient species like those on Pavagh. I'm not even completely sure what that means, but the Collective has generally looked on this as a waste of resources better spent on other species like the Shantari, Theq'Lak, and so on.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock again.

[DavidCorperial]

Noxious Swamp Removal

[JonInMiddleGA]

Did my Jr. ever drop dead yet? Or is he still sailing around the galaxy saying profound things like "ooh" and "ahh"?

[Brian Swartz]

Still on assisting planet research. It'd be more accurate to say he's waiting for others to drop dead, so he can get a research director's position.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Extended Combat Algorithms

[JonInMiddleGA]

Still on assisting planet research. It'd be more accurate to say he's waiting for others to drop dead, so he can get a research director's position.

Well the race is on ... ;)

[Brian Swartz]

2295-96

2295.09.06 -- Ministry of Benevolence finished on Humboldt. This will take another bite out of the energy budget ...

09.16 -- The Battle of Yssom is over. We won with no ships lost. Shocking. The defending admiral, known as Claws of Ivory, was a neophyte and no match for SirFozzie or our Fist of Boojie.

At this point, I realized I had completely forgotten something -- bringing the science ships along for debris analysis. Oops. It will take them some while to arrive ... hopefully we don't lose anything.

10.11 -- Incident on Ovastivum. Strange that there was no other available option ...

http://i.imgur.com/m8No834.png


12.01 -- Ground combat begins on Whoo'tar in the Yssom system. This is taking too long -- we'll just have to make it as quick as possible.

12.26 -- Whoo'tar has been secured. Next up is Edor Vang, just one jump away. Our frigate heads to Rantor for repairs; everything else is fine. The good news is that this was, in theory, the toughest and most developed planet. Intelligence reports are that the Qravadox have equalized matters against the Vun-Okon, so they may send ships against us before long.

2296.01.10 -- Fist of Boojie reaches Edor Vang.

01.25 -- Spaceport and other resistance pacified; planet T'Sondek is up next.

01.27 -- A few ships are split off to head to Bion Dzat, one jump away. There is a frontier outpost and a military station of some kind there. Nothing a small amount of our bigger ships shouldn't be able to handle, while the main force continues towards the bombardment.

02.02 -- Research complete on Noxious Swamp Removal. We're down to four months worth of energy and it's clear the war will take longer than that: we'll just have to bite the bullet and do whatever is necessary when it gets to that point. All possible measures to end the war quickly will be taken.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 7 mo.) -- As before, increases naval capacity by 10%.
** Orbital Hydroponics(Biology, 7 mo.) -- Unlocks Orbital Hydroponic Farms, the spaceport module.
** Xeno Diplomacy(Statecraft, 22 mo.) -- Unlocks Form Federation diplomatic option. It'd be nice to have allies to make this relevant, but it hasn't worked out that way.
** Xenology(Biology, 12 mo.) -- Unlocks the largely-useless strategic resource Alien Pets.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock with an uninspiring quartet of options, all of which we have repeatedly passed over before.

[DavidCorperial]

Orbital Hydroponics

[Brian Swartz]

2296

2296.02.27 -- The Malcontent Slaves are using this conflict as a convenient time to cause trouble. Just working on smuggling more of their number out of the empire though, nothing too severe.

03.14 -- A dozen armies land on T'Sondek, a mineral-poor planet that was poorly defended. The Fist of Boojie can move on with only a couple of corvettes to ensure things stay under control; this will be over soon.

Omaggus is next, and two planets await us there.

03.28 -- T'Sondek is secured just as the Fist of Boojie reaches Omaggus. The armies there will rejoin us when they can -- there are still more than 20 with the fleet. A defense station, spaceports, and a couple of destroyers are all that's waiting -- this should be no problem.

04.27 -- The interstellar railroad activates again and another group of slaves is smuggled out of the empire. Price of doing business, basically.

05.01 -- We now officially have an energy shortage. I've never experienced this before in the game, but it turns out it's a BAD THING. The following are cut in half:

** Mineral Income
** Research Speed
** Shipbuilding Speed
** Army Build Speed
** Shield HP
** Weapons Damage
** Robot production

Yeah, we're not going to let this go. Orders go out for a field decommissioning of several ships. Fortunately, it's as convenient a time as it can be, as the Fist of Boojie has just reached Gluggaben, the first QSC planet in Omaggus.

05.07 -- The budget was in balance again. The unusable space debris now consisted of 4 cruisers, 6 destroyers, and 8 corvettes. The 4 battleships still remained, along with 14 each of the cruisers and destroyers with 16 corvettes from the original invasion fleet. More than enough for Admiral SirFozzie to finish the job, one would think. However, things will be slowed down for the next month, until new disbursements can be prepared. With the losses suffered in the war, the QSC Navy is now listed as 'pathetic' in comparison, so it should not be an issue.

5.11 -- The battle in Bion Dazat is over, and the ships there will move to rejoin the bombardment. A frontier outpost, defensive station, two research and one mining were eliminated.

07.08 -- Ground combat on Gluggaben begins, and the Fist of Boojie advances again, across the system.

07.22 -- Gluggaben is secure. With minimal ground defenses, these planets are falling like flies.

09.02 -- T'Tra Spaceport is down, and once again we will move in to secure the planet. At the same time, Orbital Hydroponics research has been finished. We won't invest in those until after the war, so as not to upset the apple cart.

The conquest is basically half over, though the QSC may fight beyond that point. Right now they are only willing to agree to a white peace or surrender of one of the smaller planets that we've taken. That simply will not do. The Vun-Okon have them at a stalemate on the other end of things. There are a few more destroyers around within scanning range, but nothing to pose a serious threat. Looks like clear sailing.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

Again. A busy man he is in recent years, to be certain.

** Nano-Vitality Crops(Biology, 55 mo.) -- Unlocks the top tiers of Hydroponic Farms, IV & V(as a reminder, V can only be used on the imperial capital, Humboldt). More food being grown in the same space means more population and provinces available for research.
** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.)
** Continental Colonization(New Worlds, 22 mo.) -- A fair number of these have been found, and they might be good terraforming candidates depending on how that turns out; Continental is the other 'decent' world type along with Arctic for our Architreuthis comrades.
** Epigenetic Triggers(Biology, 22 mo.) -- Unlocks Uplift possibility.

Dr. David Corperial, a little more diverse choice of options this time. You are on the clock: what say you?

[Brian Swartz]

It's been a few days, so I'm going ahead with Nano-Vitality Crops. It's a long one, but the only choice with a definite, immediate benefit.

[Brian Swartz]

2296-97

2296.09.02 -- The Korgasch in on station in Yssom and working on debris analysis; the other two science ships are still en route.

09.28 -- It seems there is almost no end to our interactions with the Ovastivum 'natives'.

http://i.imgur.com/xr4Ked7.png


11.17 -- Ground combat begins on T'Tra. The fleet will move on once again, to Spica. The only known Qravadox fleet assets in the area, a few destroyers and another military station, are there.

11.29 -- T'Tra was defended by only a pair of garrisons, no armies, and it fell quickly.

11.30 -- The Fist of Boojie arrives in Spica.

12.02 -- Roe Laren dies peacefully in the Imperial Palace on Humboldt, after guarding the Architreuthis for nearly a century and safeguarding growth from our homeworld to being a leading power in the galaxy. Doubtless she will rest well in the embrace of the great Boojie.

The new leader will be known as Patriarch, no longer Inquisitor, under our new form of government. The election will be in four months, during which time Laren's standing orders will be carried out.

These are the candidates to replace her:

http://i.imgur.com/IwU2h9s.png


Since we have no forum representation among the pool, the agenda and traits of the chosen Patriarch will be used to determine imperial policy. All among the Collective's leadership who wish to may cast their ballots for their chosen candidate:

** Glabonsch -- In addition to the shown agenda and skill, possesses the following traits. Champion of the People(+10% happiness), Resilient(+25 lifespan)
** Bhanogg -- Deep Connections(+1 influence), Industrialist(+10% minerals)
** Glosch -- Deep Connections(+1 influence), Corvette Focus(-20% Corvette build cost)
** Riblogg -- Architectural Sense(-15% Building Costs), Champion of the People(+10% Happiness)
** Abstain -- The 200 influence to appoint a specific leader will be saved, but one will be chosen at random from the four candidates. At present, we have plenty of influence, well over 500.

12.13 -- First debris analysis complete. Physics and Engineering will benefit, along with a modest gain in progress towards Fusion Missiles.

12.23 -- Defenses pacified in Spica. Paaltok is the lone planet, a size-19 world on which the QSC have herded the stone-age natives into a reservation for study. Not sure why that isn't available to us. Regardless, there are a few armies defending it but they will soon fall. They always do.

The loss of Inquisitor Laren, however, has mandated even further naval cutbacks. Without her keeping an eye on the reigns of government, things run more inefficiently. As the fleet was busy mopping up a nearby research station however, there was nothing to be done; a grotesque level of substandard operations could not be avoided for the time being.

2297.01.25 -- Clear of threats, the Fist of Boojie had no choice but to scuttle more ships to get back to full operational status. The required cuts were severe; the Inquisitor's passing came at a most inopportune time. Seven cruisers, eight destroyers, and nine corvettes were lost to bring things back into balance. The Fist of Boojie was now just over half it's original, pre-war strength.

03.01 -- It's time for the new Patriarch to be appointed. Also, Gabbog has completed it's terraforming run. All provincial blockers have been removed as part of the process. Bombardment of Paaltok is almost halfway completed, but is slowed due to reduced numbers of ships and therefore firepower. Dr. JIMGA Jr. has arrived to assist in debris analysis, which will speed up the process; one more ship science ship is yet en route. As for the Qravadox, they are increasingly losing on both fronts. Despite our economic problems, victory is increasingly assured, as the QSC has been unable to mount an effective defense on either flank. In military terms, it has been a masterstroke.

[DavidCorperial]

Riblogg for me

[tarcone]

Bhanogg for me. Is he the Libertarian?

I heard Riblogg sent nude photos of his ribloggs to his secretary.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Back and forth I sway between two candidates. Eventually I settle on Riblogg (narrowly over Bhanogg).

[SirFozzie]

Glosch: Our fleet is our major expense, so that ship cost and upkeep, when we'll need to major rebuild our fleets is necessary.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Glosch: Our fleet is our major expense, so that ship cost and upkeep, when we'll need to major rebuild our fleets is necessary.

Least surprising endorsement EVER

:D

[SirFozzie]

What we Warmonger? :D

[chesapeake]

The late High Inquisitor's personal papers (may she rest close to Boojie's third heart) state that she had a high opinion of Governor Glosch and felt that he would make a worthy successor.

[Brian Swartz]

Looks like we have a tie at the moment. If there are no more votes by Thurs evening I'll have to figure out a sensible way to resolve that. Probably by RNG.

[Coffee Warlord]

In honor of my glorious father, who dedicated his life to designing bigger ships, I must vote for Glosch, who dedicates his life to making those bigger ships cheaper.

[Brian Swartz]

The Collective has spoken. A plurality agrees with the deceased Inquisitor Laren that Glosch should serve as Patriarch and guide the children of Boojie in this new era as they further their galactic destiny.

Patriarch Glosch is 80 years old, having served as the Governor of Humboldt the past few decades. Certainly no Architreuthis alive is more well-prepared for the task. Clearly a high level of naval preparedness is expected to be a hallmark of his rule, but little more is known about his intentions at this time ...

The next election is presently scheduled for 40 years from now, per our constitution, in 2337.

[Brian Swartz]

2297-98


2297.03.17 -- More debris analysis results in more progress on fusion missiles. Meanwhile, as the attack in Spica continues, a few battleships have been detected in the nearby Dalthaana system ...

04.05 -- Ground combat on Paaltor, where there are a few defending armies, begins. On to Salluria, the last of our primary systems to attack, where there is a military station but no ships present. It should be another quick sweep.

04.29 -- Paaltok secured. The Fist of Boojie is already well into it's attack on the spaceport in Salluria.

09.18 -- A couple of far-flung stations in Salluria are delaying matters there. Meanwhile, something new has been discovered while continuing the battle debris work; first minor steps in understanding Devastator Torpedoes. That sounds interesting ...

2298.01.02 -- Extended Combat Algorithms research finished.

02.07 -- Ground combat begins on J'Mideer, a max-size arid planet that is our final target in this war, in Salluria.

02.17 -- J'Mideer has been secured. All that is left is to convince the QSC, which is losing increasingly on both fronts, that further resistance is useless.

http://i.imgur.com/ASvUK4q.png


From here it's on to Dalthaana for the Fist of Boojie, and after that? Well, whatever it takes.

03.14 -- The fleet jumps into Dalthaana in range of a spaceport, four battleships and a couple other vessels, the military station of course, and a mining station. Definitely a target-rich environment.

http://i.imgur.com/8E4k8W9.png


03.16 -- Glosch receives word that Dr. Frank Justyce has passed away. His final order will still be accepted in terms of the new direction of Physics, though it will be carried on by another.

03.18 -- More progress on Devastator Torpedoes, and also something called Plasma Accelerators. Don't know what those are.

07.01 -- The battle in Dalthaana, the most epic one in Oncorhynchus's history to date, has come to an end. One battleship was lost and multiple other ships were damaged, but resistance in the system has been obliterated. The Fist of Boojie will hold here for repairs and to give the Qravadox a chance to 'reconsider' their opposition. Aside from numbers, the big difference appeared to be that they were more heavily armored, but had weaker weapons.

It is soon apparent they are not even close to giving up yet. Remind me to never underestimate the potential length of a war.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

You have the rare distinction of knowing this will be your last official living act.

** Planetary Power Grid(Industry, 21 mo.) -- +500 to energy storage(current max is 4.5k). Unlocks Power Hub II, an upgrade to our current Power Hub that produces somewhat more energy but also increases the planet-wide bonus from 10-15%.
** Particle Lances(Particles, 53 mo.) -- Large, powerful weapons with a very high power consumption.
** AI-Controlled Colony Ships(Computing, 11 mo.) -- Reduce colonization time by 25%(12 months to 9 months)
** Synchronized Defenses(Computing, 11 mo.) -- This RARE technology unlocks a module that improves station fire rate and damage by 25% each. We have essentially eschewed the path of static defenses to date, but could use this on our spaceports if desired.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are dead ... but still on the clock. Make your final choice.

[mrkilla22]

As my final choice before I head into the stars, let's research Planetary Power Grid

[Brian Swartz]

2298-2300

So it will be. You, chesapeake, and any others are free to re-join; there are many chapters yet to write. The replacement as head of Physics Research came down to two highly experienced and excellent candidates: Glorim and JIMGA Jr. As the younger and slightly better researcher, Dr. JIMGA Jr. was selected to take the post as soon as his current debris analysis task is completed.

2298.12.02 -- Here's a new one; our mineral storage has reached it's maximum capacity. Once the war is over, a massive building initiative is likely.

2299.01.19 -- Dr. Glorim has passed away; he was 127. If he had been chosen for the physics spot, it would have been a short stay indeed.

03.08 -- More progress made on Devastator Torpedoes. Meanwhile, the Fist of Boojie is fully repaired and set to push deeper into Qravadox space, seeking to force a surrender.

06.20 -- More debris reveals additional insight into Fusion Missiles.

08.04 -- Admiral SirFozzie is the latest of the leadership to pass on from this life. His replacement Garma, having learned the same style of evasion and trickery, takes over command from the flagship Alascha III.

Later that month, the fleet smashes another station and spaceport in Qasmathon, though the few enemy ships there fled.

09.30 -- 2 QSC destroyers and 4 corvettes show up in Salluria, looking to hit our troop transports there. The Fist of Boojie dispatches a small contingent of ships to deal with them. It seems they've decided hit-and-run tactics are their only hope.

12.02 -- Planetary Power Grid research completed. All five core systems will commence upgrades to their hubs immediately.

12.14 -- With the fleet reinforcements in-system in Salluria but still some distance away, reports come that it is too late for the Jaschalgur. Young scientist Coffee Warlord II perished with the science ship, though the transports did manage to escape ...

12.21 -- More progress on Plasma Accelerators, Devastator Torpedoes, and generally applications to physics.

2300.02.10 -- A new century, yet the QSC fights on. Another spaceport and a few more stations go down in Bintu. The raiding fleet has fled Salluria, and thus far is faster than our pursuers it seems. They'll stay on the trail until they are cornered.

03.12 -- They've come back to defend their territory, attacking the main fleet. That was convenient.

03.19 -- Yet more clues to Devastator Torpedoes and Plasma Accelerators. When this is over, Engineering is going to have a lot of options ahead.

04.07 -- The remains of the QSC fleet jumps out, but their cruisers were eliminated along with half of the smaller ships. Most of them did not even survive the emergency jump.

The war drags on ... but it's conclusion is certain. They are currently willing to give us everything except two of the smaller planets we occupy. Soon they will have no choice. So far, Dr. Warlord II's survey ship is the only casualty, though much of the leadership has died of other causes.

[chesapeake]

I'd love to rejoin in whatever capacity is most useful to the Collective as the High Inquisitor's great grandson, Salve Linus.

[SirFozzie]

Same with SirFozzie's progeny, Tarislan!

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Shields(Field Manipulation, 36 mo.) -- Increases planet fortifications by 20%. Improvement over current deflectors technology, offering 50% more protection though there is a small increase in cost and power required.
** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 22 mo.) -- Modest increase in sensor range, small increase in accuracy(+2 to +4) over our current abilities.
** Phase Disruptors(Particles, 93 mo.) -- 15% damage increase over our current Ion Disruptors, which are used on one of our designs but not a major element. The Disruptor weapons line does double damage against shields, but is generally a little less effective than other options against hull and armor.
** Proton Torpedoes(Particles, 56 mo.) -- Torpedoes are long-range, highly-accurate weapons but slow-moving. Their primary advantadge otherwhise is the ability to avoid shields completely, and they offer a slightly better base damage than any other weapons system. Compared our current Armored Torpedoes, this proton variant offers a 23% increase in damage, which would make them unquestionably the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.
** Plasma Accelerator(Particles, 17/43 mo.) -- A plasma projectile weapon, the Plasma Accelerator is useful against highly armored foes which has been a common theme, especially against the QSC, whose ships are able to halve the effectiveness of standard weapons. With a 75% armor penetration rating, these would still do 11% less damage than the recently discovered X-Ray Lasers(our best AP weapon so far), but with the increased penetration would still be a superior option against hardened targets. It should be noted that it is likely we'll make more progress as the debris analysis from the war continues.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you're on the clock for the first time with a few options to increase firepower seemingly leading the way here.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Shields(Field Manipulation, 36 mo.) -- Increases planet fortifications by 20%. Improvement over current deflectors technology, offering 50% more protection though there is a small increase in cost and power required.
** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 22 mo.) -- Modest increase in sensor range, small increase in accuracy(+2 to +4) over our current abilities.
** Phase Disruptors(Particles, 93 mo.) -- 15% damage increase over our current Ion Disruptors, which are used on one of our designs but not a major element. The Disruptor weapons line does double damage against shields, but is generally a little less effective than other options against hull and armor.
** Proton Torpedoes(Particles, 56 mo.) -- Torpedoes are long-range, highly-accurate weapons but slow-moving. Their primary advantadge otherwhise is the ability to avoid shields completely, and they offer a slightly better base damage than any other weapons system. Compared our current Armored Torpedoes, this proton variant offers a 23% increase in damage, which would make them unquestionably the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.
** Plasma Accelerator(Particles, 17/43 mo.) -- A plasma projectile weapon, the Plasma Accelerator is useful against highly armored foes which has been a common theme, especially against the QSC, whose ships are able to halve the effectiveness of standard weapons. With a 75% armor penetration rating, these would still do 11% less damage than the recently discovered X-Ray Lasers(our best AP weapon so far), but with the increased penetration would still be a superior option against hardened targets. It should be noted that it is likely we'll make more progress as the debris analysis from the war continues.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you're on the clock for the first time with a few options to increase firepower seemingly leading the way here.

Plasma Accelerator

With the progress already made, plus additional debris analysis, this could mean that I live to see at least one of my choices bear fruit :)

[Brian Swartz]

2300 -

As the second century(of many, so long as the blessings of Boojie endure) of the Collective's galactic existence dawns, we say hello to two new leaders. Dr. Salve Linus, a young one at age 31, is known only for expertise in Computing research. Perhaps a career in Physics is down the line for him. He presently commands the Korgasch, one of the science ships working on debris analysis from the Qravadox War. The second is Tarislan. That's Governor Tarislan of Humboldt to you, though he may be reassigned after the war. At 44, he's the youngest of the current crop of administrators and is known only for his eagerness to serve.

05.13 -- Entering Sinistra, the Fist of Boojie encounters another military station and a small spaceport. Nothing else much is here other than a few orbital stations though -- this is clearly not a major system.

06.02 -- Victory in Sinistra, and Nano-Vitality Crops research has been finished as well. At present, even with a few more corvettes having been built, the new administration has a solid grasp on the energy situation(over 800 in the reserve, +18 per month). The go-ahead is given to upgrade hydroponic farms, increasing the agricultural yield of arable provinces.

06.05 -- Power Hub upgrade finished on Bakangi.

06.18 -- From Omaggus, minor progress in Plasma Accelerators and Devastator Torpedoes.

06.23 -- A new science ship, the Lollusch III, is christened to join the debris analysis efforts. There are now three research vessels, just as before.


07.03 -- Humboldt and Agglor finish their Power Hub upgrades, moving on to improving the farms there as well. Energy production sees a significant spike with these developments, presently at +34 a month.

09.18 -- More debris studies finished in Bion Dazat. Some new information on Devastator Torpedoes, but none on the accelerators currently under official prototyping. Dr. Salve Linus now moves on to the Salluria system, deeper in Qravadox space.

09.20 -- Gabbog and Eskogg complete work on their power grids -- now all core planets have moved to farming improvements. Energy status is at +40 per month, with the reserve growing rapidly.

09.29 -- The fleet reaches Ereness, first of four occupied systems that will culminate in the new QSC capital system of Qratrafrana, if necessary. It is hoped that by raiding this series, they will be forced to surrender. They've been doing a bit better against the Vun-Okon, but are still losing overall on that front.

http://i.imgur.com/JpjvF9o.png


10.13 -- Defense station down, attacking the spaceport in Ereness ... and the science ship captained by P'Dykna enters the fray. A brilliant but misguided researcher, you may recall that he is the reason all this nonsense started. Decades ako, P'Dykna's heresies were the reason we closed our borders to the QSC.

11.11 -- P'Dykna has been ... eliminated, to the glory of Boojie. Ereness has been cleansed of all opposition, yet the fight must continue.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 6 mo.) -- Naval Capacity increases by 10%. We're at 149/451 right now, so it's hilariously unneeded at this point.
** Symbols of Unity(Statecraft, 9 mo.) -- Unlocks Symbol of Unity, a building with planetary reach that reduces ethical divergence by 10%. This is RARE tech option.
** Tropical Colonization(New Worlds, 22 mo.) -- Another option to expand our potentially colonizable worlds.
** Propaganda Transmissions(Statecraft, 49 mo.) -- The use of information and disinformation to sway neighboring systems. Increases our border generation by 10%.

Dr. David Corperial, you are on the clock again as the war(presumably) is in it's final stages.

[DavidCorperial]

Symbols of Unity

[Brian Swartz]

2301: The War Refuses to End


2300.11.24 -- The fleet arrives in Tyastedore, where another station, spaceport, and a few orbital mining platforms await.

2301.02.02 -- Tyastedore has been pacified. Admiral Garma is up to *** skill, and a couple of governors, including Tarislan, moved up to ** in the interim. Still the QSC stubbornly persists that we must abandon one of our occupied planets. Not going to happen.

http://i.imgur.com/MFyWXkb.png


That's close. Really close.

02.15 -- On to Enkef, where it's more of the same, though we may end up taking out a couple of science ships here as well.

03.27 -- Bakangi finishes the farm upgrades, the first planet to reach the new standard.

03.28 -- More debris in Salluria, and new hints on both Devastator Torpedoes and Plasma Accelerators.

04.02 -- Symbol of Unity research finished.

04.26 -- Gabbog is now fully upgraded with modern farming infrastructure. A truly ridiculous amount of food is available there; nearly twice what the planet needs. That is expected to rapidly accelerate the growth for a while.

04.30 --

http://i.imgur.com/VEjMOVX.png


06.02 -- Plasma Accelerators research finished.

06.06 -- Humboldt and Agglor are now up to date as well.

06.18 -- The steady progress in reverse-engineering Devastator Torpedoes continues with the latest findings.

06.30 -- Enkef pacified. This is nearly, but not quite, enough.

07.14 -- Arriving in Qratrafana, we find a Vun-Okon fleet bombarding the Qravadox homeworld. The two sides meet, and yet the QSC will not surrender. Time will eventually convince them otherwhise, but there don't appear to be any significant targets within several jumps in either direction ...

[Brian Swartz]

Before we can(finally) finish the war with the Qravadox and get on with other matters, there are more scientific directions to be taken. It seems that never ends.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Combat Training(Military Theory, 15 mo.) -- Reduces army upkeep by 10%.
** Frontier Collectives(New Worlds, 12 mo.) -- Resettlement cost reduced by 15%, speed of colonization increased by 25%. This is a RARE tech option.
** Nutrient Replication(Biology, 83 mo.) -- Going full Star Trek, we can use large amounts of organic waste material to provide sustenance to significant amounts of the population. Food production increases by 25% empire-wide.
** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- Given what we've seen with the successful terraforming of Gabbog, it seems unlikely we'll be colonizing more arctic planets without doing that first ... which makes this sort of superfluous.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** AI-Controlled Colony Ships(Computing, 12 mo.) -- We've skipped this several times. Reduces colonization time by 25%(3 months).
** Assembly Algorithms(Computing, 48 mo.) -- The application of game and puzzle theory to provide great optimizations in modular assembly ... that's some seriously silly technobabble. Practically speaking, a 5% reduction in construction time for, so far as I can tell, everything.
** Hyperspace Slipstreams(Particles, 56 mo.) -- Third-gen hyperdrives reduce 'charge-up' times for a system jump by an additional quarter, from the current 75% to 50% of normal.
** Uplink Miniaturization(Computing, 22 mo.) -- Doubles the effectiveness of scientists on assisting planetary research, which is what our 'junior' researchers do when they aren't analyzing battle debris while waiting and training for an eventual spot as a research director.

Gentlemen, you know what to do. The Collective awaits your instructions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

AI-Controlled Colony Ships

Because eventually this war will end and eventually we will look toward colonization again.

[DavidCorperial]

Frontier Collectives

[Brian Swartz]

2031-32

08.06 -- Eskogg is done upgrading farms. There's more good land there than on most planets, so one of them was left alone and will now be replaced by a science lab, as it is not needed.

08.14 -- Gabbog begins work on a Frontier Clinic. We may want to build more of them elsewhere for the habitability bonus.

09.30 -- The Fist of Boojie finds something worth destroying, a military station and wormhole generator in Jhurope. The Qravadox don't use wormhole travel, so it was probably built by whoever they conquered in this region of space.

10.15 -- Jhurope pacified.

10.29 -- The Qravadox Star Consensus finally agrees to terms of peace. Given how deep in their territory the fleet had to penetrate, it will not be back into our systems for several months. Here's how the newly conquered Coffee Sector looks:

http://i.imgur.com/MPVTOdp.png


A few thousand minerals are spent immediately to get spaceports and army recruitment up and running in the new territories, while the economic priorities internally will return to doing as much research as possible. Fleet buildup and other concerns will happen, but not until the Fist of Boojie returns and there is a solid handle on how the energy situation will look. To the extent they ever were, the Qravadox will no longer be considered a threat. There are a few orbital stations to be rebuilt, so that effort will go forward right away also.

2032.03.20 -- One of the primitive races we are studying has advanced further ...

http://i.imgur.com/ze2fKwJ.png


03.26 -- The last of the debris fields that we can reach, with dozens of them in systems still controlled by the QSC and inaccessible, is completed. The final keys to understanding Devastator Torpedoes, which are better than our current Armored variants but not as good as the Proton possiblity that is still out there, have been discovered. All three scientists head to their appointed assist research locations, with Dr. Salve Linus on his way for what will probably be a solid year-long journey to Rakaron, in the former Djomar territories.

05.02 -- Frontier Collectives research completed. Also, Gov. Deacon Palmieri Jr. is up to *** skill.

06.20 -- The Fist of Boojie has returned. The same contingent as before the war will remain in Spica, the new gateway to Qravadox space, as sentinels against any attack. The rest will return to Impal Tov to safeguard our core systems. Once they have arrived, we will be able to take stock of the new situation.

07.02 -- AI-Controlled Colony Ships research finished.

[JonInMiddleGA]

07.02 -- AI-Controlled Colony Ships research finished.

Yay us :D

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 31 mo.) -- Unlocks Barrier Point-Defense, an upgrade over our current Sentinel system for that anti-strike craft role.
** Proton Torpedoes(Particles, 60 mo.) -- A new step in torpedo technology, high power drain but also very destructive.
** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 23 mo.) -- Increases sensor range and a small +2 bonus to weapon accuracy.
** Particle Lances(Particles, 60 mo.) -- Another high-power, high-damage weapon system. The main difference is that it has excellent armor penetration(75%) instead of ignoring shields like the torpedoes do.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David Corperial

** Atmospheric Manipulation(New Worlds, 40 mo.) -- Unlocks the ability to colonize Tomb worlds, which are so hostile that no species can live there without special equipment represented here. Also unlocks the ability to change the temperature of a planet when terraforming. I am not sure of the precise benefits of doing that.
** Doctrine: Space Combat(Military Theory, 6 mo.) -- +10% naval capacity.
** Xeno Diplomacy(Statecraft, 24 mo.) -- Unlocks the Form Federation diplomatic option.
** Xenology(Biology, 13 mo.) -- Unlocks the basically useless(except for trading) strategic resource Alien Pets.

Three of these we've passed over repeatedly, while the fourth is new, but also time-consuming.

Good work by everyone keeping things moving over the weekend as we push forward into the new century. Gentlemen, you are on the clock once again, while Engineering is back to work after being sidetracked by the debris analysis for the past couple of years or so.

[DavidCorperial]

Doctrine: Space Combat

[JonInMiddleGA]

Proton Torpedoes ... in memory of Admiral SirFozzie

[Brian Swartz]

So a few months passed in which absolutely nothing worth reporting occurred. World-class update, don't you think? Thought so. Don't go away, I'll be here all week.

Oh, and Doctrine: Space Combat got finished at the beginning of December.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. David 'Refuses to Die' Corperial

** Engos Vapor Refining(Biology, 13 mo.) -- Unlocks Engos Refinery module and reveals Engos Vapor strategic resource on the galactic map. This new module increases ship weapon damage by 10%(presumably for all ships built at a spaceport that has it). Each module requires 2 energy and 1 engos vapor to operate.
** Stimulant Diet(Biology, 53 mo.) -- Allows us to abuse the biochemistry of all slaves, boosting their mining output by 10%.
** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 10 mo.) -- It appears someone in the Collective really wants to get rid of these, which is much more effectively done by terraforming, since this keeps popping up.
** Xeno Integration(Biology, 24 mo.) -- Unlocks the Policy option to allow Xeno Leadership; i.e., open up the leader positions to alien species. Former Inquisitor Roe Laren would be thoroughly disgusted at even considering this option, no doubt, but nevertheless there it is.

Dr. David Corperial, you've survived to research another day, and are on the clock again.

[DavidCorperial]

Engos Vapor Refining

[tarcone]

Dang, what did I research? Or did I die?

[Brian Swartz]

Engineering is back to work after being sidetracked by the debris analysis for the past couple of years or so.

You are still working on the thrusters.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You are still working on the thrusters.

You make it sound soooooo dirty.

#RHPSFlashback

[tarcone]

My thrusters do need work. Ah the price of being 100+ years old.

[JonInMiddleGA]

My thrusters do need work. Ah the price of being 100+ years old.

Or maybe just the love of a good woman

http://1.images.comedycentral.com/images/shows/Futurama/Videos/season_2/futurama_214_seduction_640x360.jpg?quality=0.85&width=327&height=183&crop=true

[Brian Swartz]

This took an unexpected turn ...

[Brian Swartz]

Resource Overview

** Energy -- 1714 is the current balance out of a 5k maximum, with almost a 72-credit monthly surplus. Total income is 479 monthly, with ship maintenance consuming 20% of that, army maintenance 6%, station maintenance 25%, provincial buildings 32.5%, and spaceport modules 1.5%. The surplus is at 15% of our total income, which is I think a record and certainly not one that will last long. Sector taxes now account for more than a quarter of the imperial budget.

** Minerals -- For the first time, mineral supply has been at the storage maximum of 18k for the past couple of years. Clearly we can do without the mining stations that were eliminated. Income is 474 per month, most of that coming from the sectors(59%). Ship maintenance consumes 19%, nearly a fifth, leaving a monthly surplus of 383.

** Influence -- From a peak of over 500, half of the 1k storage maximum, expenditures mostly for recruiting new leaders reduced it to less than 200. The balance now stands at 260, with a gain of 3.35 monthly.

** Research -- Physics(320), Society(312), and Engineering(308) have been quite balanced for a while now in their relative levels of investment, and each has grown by about 30% in the last couple decades.

** Strategic Resources -- 5 Troutian Power Plants are available and on-line, with 8 Terraforming Gases and 6 Terraforming Liquids deposits fueling any terraforming efforts we need.

** Naval Capacity -- 149/557. We have a truly absurd surplus of logistical support at this point.

** Leader Capacity -- 16/16, 6 Scientists, 1 Admiral, 1 General, and 8 Administrators.

** Sector Limit -- 7/14. It's hard to imagine a situation at this point where we would approach this cap either. Larger sectors have proven most effective due to economies of scale; the needs of one system can often be supplied by its neighbors.


Leadership

Most of the 'experienced' members have passed on, with 13 of 16 at least two decades away from their natural 'expiration date'. The three senior scientists, all research directors, are the exceptions here. All are expected to drop dead at any moment. David Corperial is the only one left of the originals. He's been the face of the Society Dept. for over a century. Rather stunning.


Military

The army is pretty much ready for any challenge, though there are always periodic needs for new defensive armies. Relatively speaking it is a minor expense, and the three dozen assault armies appear to be enough to handle any war. Perhaps more might be needed if we wished to attack on multiple fronts at some point, but for now it definitely does it's job effectively.

The navy is in serious need of expansion after the energy crisis during the just-completed war with the QSC. The Djomar and Qravadox 'borders' are guarded by a contingent of 1 battleship, 3 cruisers, 3 destroyers, and 6 corvettes each. At Gabbog, the core systems hold the bulk of the fleet with 3 battleships, 7 cruisers, 16 destroyers, and 21 corvettes.


Factions

Internally, things remain remarkable stable. It seems that former Inquisitor Laren's plan to have top administrators in the most troublesome sectors, and regulate slavery, have served us well to stamp out any particularly troublesome elements.

** Loyalists -- After hovering around half for quite some time, they are down to just 41% of the Oncorhynchus Collective. This is still more than any other faction.

** Docile Slaves -- 29% of the population is in by far the second-largest faction. Every once in a while a small group radicalizes, but other than that they've caused no problems.

** Malcontent Slaves -- 8%, much fewer than the Dociles, are here. However, since Gov. Palmieri's departure, this has become a more attractive option for the enslaved elements, which is a little troubling ... numbers are slowly shifting back in this direction.

** Emancipation Movement -- About one in six Architreuthis presently favor elimination of slavery. They are far outnumbered by the Loyalists, and no major problems are foreseen so long as that remains the case.

** Others -- 4% are part of various separatist factions that have been kept well under control. About half of that number are in the recently acquired Qravadox territory. None of them are gaining any traction with the rest of the population, so they can safely be ignored.


Galactic Powers

With our victory over the Qravadox Star Consensus, they are no longer relevant as a major power in the galaxy. In fact, they are continuing to lose against the Vun-Okon, which will make that even more the case.

We now comprise a population of 527 spread across 45 worlds. No other empire comes close on either aspect. There are only two worth considering as threats in the future:

** Buhavilaa Ascendancy -- Stagnant though they may be, with only 5 planets and 125 population, the Buhavilaa remain leaps and bounds ahead of us technologically. They are listed as Overwhelming in terms of naval power and technology, merely Superior in fleet capacity.

** Bhenn'Thell Imperium -- They continue to gradually expand, and are the closest to our size with 22 planets and 347 pops. Their naval capacity is Inferior, but they are Superior in terms of fleet size and technology.

[Brian Swartz]

Had another update covering the year leading up to 2303.08.01 basically. It was lost somehow. Not a whole lot happened. Terraforming stations are being built -- there are six Architreuthis-occupied arctic worlds that can be improved -- and one planet has begun terraforming. Also, the Fist of Boojie just recently arrived back 'home', leading to the above overview. The galactic map hasn't changed much at all, other than what was shown of the gains from the QSC war.

Edit: Or I just posted in the wrong thread again :P. So, here it is:


2303

2303.01.01 -- The first major peacetime decision by Patriarch Glosch is to terraform the six Architreuthis-inhabited planets that are in need of it within the collective; all of them are arctic. This will cause some disruption both economically and socially, but will be much to our long-term benefit. Each of the terraforming stations will cost 3 energy per month to operate, so getting them going now will give us a better handle on where the budget is going to end up. It will have to be a staggered approach due to the massive front-end cost: 1.5k energy for each planet to be terraformed.

01.17

http://i.imgur.com/BLfomaX.png


The last thing we need right now is more minerals. Having said that, it was still a nice gesture.

05.20

http://i.imgur.com/zjfhRxS.png


We've seen this before and weren't able to get there in time due to the last Djomar war. This time will be different -- a science ship is dispatched immediately.

08.01 -- First of the new terraforming stations completed. With the first outlay we are still at 1700(out of 5k), but with a surplus of 71 per month with the Fist of Boojie having arrived at Gabbog orbit a few days prior.

As is traditionally the case with a change in leadership or the conclusion of a war, it's time next for an overview of where things stand with the Collective.

[Brian Swartz]

** This is the longest update there's been in a while here. Part of that is because there was less need to pause for decisions. And there's a quite an important one needing feedback at the end ... **

2303-2306

Patriarch Glosch directed that various construction projects begin immediately in the core worlds. After all, we have plenty of minerals now. Rebuilding the navy is his primary objective, though there is much debate about what to do with it once that happens. To that end though, he wants all of the core planets to have fully upgraded spaceports to contribute to new shipbuilding wherever needed. Gabbog, Eskogg, and Agglor all began new Destroyer Assembly Yards, while new battleships were begun at Humboldt and Bakangi. Glosch intends to emphasize the smaller ships which can be built more quickly and efficiently ... but there is still a major shortage of the larger ones, at least for right now.

Meanwhile, there were also planetside improvements to be made. A Symbol of Unity would be built on all five core planets, replacing the most expendable research facilities except on Gabbog where there is still plenty of room to spare. The message of our common heritage, purpose, and the glory of Boojie above all must never be allowed to be forgotten.

These projects consumed more than five thousand minerals immediately, nearly a third of the reserve, and every year review and expansion of the outlying spaceports and army garrisons where appropriate will also take place, as before the war. We can never be too prepared for any potential threat or calamity that might arise.

A couple other fairly minor changes were instituted by Glosch, who is mostly following the path laid before him by his predecessor. We are finally able to dismantle the outpost in Hanneri, and the Master's Teaching edict has been enacted; this increases Society research by 10%, and our leader cap by 1. The outer rim sector of Haribas absorbs the Saiph sector into one larger one as well. Combined, these two measures shrink the number of ungoverned sectors from four to two.

08.08 -- Word received that the Bhenn'Thell have accepted peace with the Polity of Oxx-Oxx, absorbing three more planets into their empire. Yet another reminder that complacency is not an option.

http://i.imgur.com/zzJW5I7.png


08.20 -- A second terraforming station is completed, the first of two that will be built in the Khamb system, center of the Perj Sector. For now, that is all that will be built; energy reserves will need time to recover before terraforming can begin there in any case.

09.17 -- It was inevitable to happen eventually. 150-year-old Dr. David Corperial has breathed his last. 38-year-old Shuglerm, recently out of the academies, replaces him thanks to his knowledge of the biological sciences. With a new recruit to take his spot on board the Suggron, the influence reserve dips again to 173.

2304.01.02 -- Engos Vapor Refining research is finished. New Society Research Director Shugglerm starts in on Atmospheric Filtering, which offers the promise of slightly improved living conditions -- and therefore productivity -- on all planets. Hopes for widespread production of engos-enhanced naval assets were significantly tempered when only two deposits within our territory were found; at Cordip and Seginus, near the Ibannic Sector. In the same area of space, just outside our territory, we may eventually get a third from Gidzerak. Still, it appears to be quite rare.

http://i.imgur.com/6q1V3Rj.png


Instructions are sent to have Humboldt and Bakangi spaceport, our two primaries, built the new modules as soon as possible. Ship production will have to remain focused there in order to gain the benefits of this new enhancement.

It would be some time before work on Atmospheric Filtering could begin, as Shugglerm soon found himself occupied with coordinating work on the implants on Ovastivum.

03.03 -- The implants issue has been successfully resolved, and the Lollusch III returns to Spica to assist general studies there.

http://i.imgur.com/wtBcYtW.png


04.03 -- The Gwesibor Regime has declared themselves rivals with the Bhenn'Thell Imperium. Probably not a wise move.

05.08 -- Dr. Tarc has died with his current work nearly completed. He was 125. This time, Ethogg is the new fish for the job.

05.12 -- The Cormathani Star Combine has declared a war of independence against the Gwesibor. Their chances of success are not good, but we have no route into their territory to assist, even if we wanted to. What was not immediately obvious was that the Bhenn'Thell were allied with the Cormathani, along the Galactic Uindar, their 'pets'. That ... changed the odds considerably.

06.26 -- The last of the Symbols of Unity have been completed.

09.02 -- Impulse Thrusters are finished. The time-consuming work of Superfluid Materials, allowing for improved Engineering Research, will be next.

10.04 -- A second terraforming initiative is begun, on the planet Raggani in the Khamb system.

11.01 -- An Orbital Hydroponic Farm module is finished at Eskogg, and one of the provincial farms will be replaced by a new Engineering Facility.

2305.07.12 -- Engos Refineries finished at Humboldt and Bakangi spaceports. Battleship construction will resume in both systems.

09.16 -- Eskogg finishes the new Engineering Facility.

09.21 -- More malfunctioning implants, this time on Thrus-Larypoor. This time Dr. Salve Linus, who is across the same system at the Rakaron colony, is called in to assist.

12.09 -- First contact with the Uri Hegemony. They are collectivists who hate everyone, and are on the opposite side of the galaxy as is almost everyone we are meeting these days. Yet they still should not be ignored ...

http://i.imgur.com/WnWfvTB.png


Considered roughly equal in fleet strength and technology though lacking compared to the Collective in terms of naval capacity, the Uri are not an empire we can afford to ignore. Right now we'd rank them as a fourth galactic power along with the Buhavilaa, ourselves, and the Bhenn'Thell. Their holdings span 22 planets and nearly 300 population.

2306.01.02 -- Implant situation resolved.

03.29 --

http://i.imgur.com/8CzZdqL.png


Patriarch Glosch instructs that all remnants of this stupid interference must be eliminated, even though it will result in significant casualties among the 'locals'.

04.02 -- Atmospheric Filtering research completed. Up next is Doctrine: Fleet Support, which unlocks two more modules that allow for further decreases in fleet upkeep costs.

05.11 -- Dr. Salve Linus is up to ** skill.

06.08 -- New power plant is begun on Gabbog.

08.03 -- A third on-going terraforming effort begins, at Izval in the Occupied Territories.

09.19 -- Council convenes immediately following this communication from the Buhavilaa Ascendancy.

http://i.imgur.com/FcWKqp4.png


It seems they are mostly upset about our spiritualism first of all(they are fanatic materialists, stating that 'there is no divine spark that gives value to any living mind') and they also don't like the fact that we use robotics. We haven't developed any ourselves, but have captured some from the Djomar and Qravadox. Or maybe they just think we are starting to get too big for our britches.

Only two choices here, and they are pretty straightforward. Patriarch Glosch will entertain all advice before he makes a decision on how to reply, and those who have died will have a chance to rejoin if they choose, as well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Only two choices here, and they are pretty straightforward. Patriarch Glosch will entertain all advice before he makes a decision on how to reply, and those who have died will have a chance to rejoin if they choose, as well.

Soooo hard to think about this in character rather than OOC.

In-game ... I'm inclined to tell them to get stuffed

OOC ... I'm of the impression that telling them to get stuffed is virtually an automatic game-over.

[SirFozzie]

I'm tempted to tell them to bite the northbound end of a southbound grishnak that has just gone through mating season.

[Coffee Warlord]

Boojie's servants do not bow to Alien Scum. Their time is over. We are in the ascendancy.

(though if we really do tell them to get bent, we're so dead)

[ntndeacon]

we scoff at such prattling. We respect the elders. OUR elders. not some enfeebled morons who pretend.

[tarcone]

Man, I die and the world goes to shit.

I would like to rejoin.

Tarcisius. The son of revered scientist, Dr. Tarc. Although a short time in his position, it was ineffectual.

[Brian Swartz]

Administrator, scientist, or something else? I'll wait another day, but it seems the will of the Collective is pretty clear here.

[tarcone]

Scientist.

[Brian Swartz]

2306-07

With the Collective unified(although a bit nervously), Patriarch Glosch told the Buhavilaa Ascendancy to stop sticking their nose where it was neither wanted nor appreciated. I'm told the actual language was not quite so ... charitable. There was no immediate response, though the diplomats say they are currently considering whether it's worth the effort to obliterate us. The word 'angry' is used to describe their attitude.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tarcisius has been named head of the Society Dept, taking a slightly different path than his father. He is 41, at ** skill, and has expertise in Biology(+10% research speed in the field).

12.03 -- The Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta prepares to integrate a vassal. This news is not of immediate importance, as it comes from the other side of the galaxy, but when this is completed they will be roughly equal to us, or nearly so, instead of slightly inferior.

2307.02.02 -- Doctrine: Fleet Support research has finished. There are two more spaceport modules now available. Crew Quarters reduces the upkeep of ships in orbit by 20%. The Engineering Bay reduces upkeep by 10%, but -- it appears -- only for ships built there. We'll need these in all of the core planets. Repair speed is increased by 25%, and cost of those repairs reduced by 25%. It would probably be best to build these as well where the fleet is usually stationed(i.e, Sosta near the remains of Djomar, and Spica on the Qravadox border, along with Impal Tov where the bulk is stationed) and use those systems to build ships for that particular sector. That way, they'll have a place to return for quick, inexpensive repairs. A significant amount of our stockpiled minerals will now have a use.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

Our new Society Director is needed.

** Transgenic Crops(Biology, 48 mo.) -- The nutritional elements of several common food staples are combined into convenient packaging, slightly improving the overall health. Empire-wide increase of 5% in food production.

** Continental Colonization(New Worlds, 24 mo.) -- Pretty much what it says.

** Nutrient Replication(Biology, 82 mo.) -- A second shot at this one. Synthetic replication of common crops, using a large volume of organic waste as the source. Food increased by 25% across the empire, considerably increasing growth rates of new or developing colonies in particular.

** Xenology(Biology, 13 mo.) -- Reveals the dubious strategic resource of Alien Pets.

Dr. Tarcisius, you are on the clock.

[Brian Swartz]

Apparently Dr. Tarcisius can't be bothered. Nutrient Replication is selected. This will result in considerably more efficient use of arable land, and while it's a long project, it's still by far the best 'bang for the buck' here. Any new worlds we acquire in the future will benefit considerably from the increased growth.

[Brian Swartz]

2307(cont'd)

2307.08.15 -- New power plant operational on Gabbog. It also appears that the new spaceport modules work retroactively, as the energy surplus was boosted by nearly 30 per month when a few of them were completed. Quite the nice surprise there. One of the farms on Gabbog will now be replaced by a science lab, as the building there continues almost non-stop with the massive planet almost two-thirds occupied now.

09.02 -- Proton Torpedoes research completed. Another fleet upgrade is in order, but not until the spaceports are done with their current operations.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Plasma Throwers(Particles, 24 mo.) -- A quite outdated weapons system at this point, Plasma Throwers do have good armor penetration but would only be useful if they led to something else.

** Arc Emitters(Particles, 62 mo.) -- An interesting new option. Arc Emitters are very power-hungry and do a lot of damage, nearly as much as the recently discovered proton torpedoes. They also penetrate armor fairly well(50%) and ignore half of shields. They work by literally creating lightning storms, and and as such the resulting damage can be very destructive ... or virtually non-existent. Overall though, they may be the best weapons system we know of.

** Synchronized Defenses(Computing, 13 mo.) -- This is at least the second time we've come upon this RARE tech option. This module for spaceports or stations increases their weapon damage and firing rate by 25%.

** Shield Harmonics(Field Manipulation, 53 mo.) -- Improvements to our practical engineering of shield systems allow for a 5% increase in effective strength immediately.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you are now the elder statesman of sorts, and are on the clock again.

[JonInMiddleGA]

** 56075994(Computing, 13 mo.) -- This is at least the second time we've come upon this RARE tech option. This module for spaceports or stations increases their weapon damage and firing rate by 25%.

** Shield Harmonics(Field Manipulation, 53 mo.) -- Improvements to our practical engineering of shield systems allow for a 5% increase in effective strength immediately.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you are now the elder statesman of sorts, and are on the clock again.

Let's research Computing. It's quick, seems to be in line with our current direction.

(OOC note: this is the first time I've been able to log in since the great board crash. Was gonna do a temporary ID just to answer but after something like 18 tries previously failed, this one worked. Boojie be praised for her intervention)

[Brian Swartz]

That's what I call commitment!!

[tarcone]

Sorry about that. I was locked out of my office. Took me 6 light years to find someone that could get me in.

What a time it was.

[Brian Swartz]

Nothing to be sorry about. Stuff happens.

[Brian Swartz]

2307-08

2308.01.01 -- Several more armies are recruited on various planets of more security. Only our newest planet, Shaula, is not yet up to Destroyer production at the spaceport if needed, and of course the slow buildup of the fleet continues.

03.05 -- The new Engineering Bays and whatnot have been finished in the core worlds.

07.21 -- Schlurg, the second colony in the Khamb system, becomes the fourth active terraforming project. Two to go. The first of them is just reaching the midway point.

10.02 -- Synchronized Defenses research complete.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

Again.

** Neutron Torpedoes(Particles, 102 mo.) -- For those of you scoring at home, I'm nearly certain this is the most expensive project yet. Another advance in torpedo technology, they are very similar to the Proton Torpedoes we currently have. Accurate, long-range, slow-firing, power sponges. They also ignore shields and do a ton of damage, 13% than our most powerful system to date.

** Uplink Miniaturization(Computing, 24 mo.) -- Doubles the effectiveness of our survey scientists on the Assist Research mission that now takes up most of their time.

** Shields(Field Manipulation, 40 mo.) -- Increases planetary fortifications by 20%. Shields are like Deflectors, only better, offering 50% more protection for the same size of generator.

** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 32 mo.) -- Unlocks Barrier Point Defense, an upgrade to our current Sentinel systems for that role.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., for some reason you are still alive. So do something.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Research Uplink Miniaturization

I figure I might as well shot for short, productive, and things I might see come to fruition before I kick the bucket.

[Brian Swartz]

2308-2310

2308.11.05 -- New Physics Lab operational on Gabbog. Some Djomar have immigrated here, and of course been enslaved. As a result, the population has far outstripped our ability to construct provincial operations. For the time being, we need a few science labs to get the Architreuthis all working, and then mining networks for the Djomar. 80% of the maximum population is present now.

2309.01.12 -- Peace between the Vun-Okon and the Qravadox. The settlement apparently stipulated an independent 'buffer state' between them, the Galactic Haddam Sovereignty. The QSC has now been reduced to 11 planets, making them a minor power but as anticipated, not one we need concern ourselves with any longer, unless we wish Boojie to reign over more of 'their' territory.

http://i.imgur.com/sOPRJqO.png


03.20 -- Another peace is found, this one between the Beldross Empire and the Uri Hegemony. The Uri clearly won this one, though I didn't play close enough attention to see what the terms were. The Beldross are definitely in decline though now. The Uri have 27 planets when you add in their vassals, so they are not to be trifled with.

http://i.imgur.com/5CeYuSK.png


10.02 -- Engineering Facility completed on Gabbog. Time to build another one.

11.18 -- The Tycan Nation sends this lovely comminique:

http://i.imgur.com/e4Q0Iv2.png


Patriarch Glosch has plans for them, but it is not yet time. They can't hide their ripoff of Agent Smith from us.

2310.02.18 -- Dr. Salve Linus is up to *** skill.

04.11 -- A fifth planet begins terraforming in the Zeldrah system, the heart of former Djomar territory.

06.01 -- The fleet now has 15 battleships, more than it had before the war. Filling out the smaller, cheaper ships is the next goal, with 15 each cruisers and destroyers not far away(already have 12-13 of each), and then building up to 45 total corvettes, as Glosch emphasizes those as a screening force. He'll re-evaluate where things stand at that point.

08.24 -- Engineering Facility finished on Gabbog. The population there has grown so fast that we now have some unemployed Architreuthis. Another science lab should handle that situation. '

10.02 -- Uplink Miniaturization research finished.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

131 and still kickin'.

** Plasma Cannons(Particles, 102 mo.) -- Like the Plasma Accelerators, our best AP weapon, only significantly more destructive.

** Gamma Lasers(Particles, 102 mo.) -- Next iteration of laser technology, improving on our X-Ray Lasers. Not as much armor penetration as the plasma weapons, but a hair better base damage. For my money, the plasma weapons are clearly the superior option.

** Sentient AI(Computing, 74 mo.) -- This is our first DANGEROUS technology. It is also RARE. Rare as has been mentioned before means it might not come up again if we pass on it. Dangerous meaning it angers certain fallen empires ... like, you know, the Buhavilaa Ascendancy next door to us, who has done nothing but bluster about visiting Humboldt with a 'demonstration' of their technology. Dangerous also, because if the machines become too smart ... well, you know the rest. Might not be pretty, but chances are if we don't develop them, somebody else will. If they haven't already. Sentient AIs would, on the other hand, improve research speed by 10%.

** Hyperspace Slipstreams(Particles, 61 mo.) -- Unlocks Hyperdrive III, reducing charge-up time for fleet jumps from one system to another by an additional 25%, down to 50% of normal. In other words, a third faster than the present 75%.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you may well go out with a doozy of a choice. The fast, safe route with hyperdrive improvements to allow our fleets to get from one place to another in our vast empire somewhat more quickly? A new, powerful weapons system for our ships? Or will the aging, some say senile, others say venerable, scientist open Pandora's Box and possibly usher in the Rise of the Machines? You're on the clock again.

[Brian Swartz]

Moving on with Hyperspace Slip Streams. With the size of the empire, it's important to be able to relocate more quickly.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Moving on with Hyperspace Slip Streams. With the size of the empire, it's important to be able to relocate more quickly.

So help me, I've been looking at this thing every day, several times a day.
No update. I even wondered where you'd been for so long, figured life just got busy or something.

Now suddenly you post & I see where I was missing a pending question.
Sorry.

[Brian Swartz]

Hehe. No problem.

[Brian Swartz]

2310-2313

2311.01 -- Cruisers have been built and it's on to destroyers now. Meanwhile, Patriarch Glosch has decided that it's time to finish our expansion into the Ibannic Nebula. If the Buhavilaa do ever come this way, it should at least help act as a buffer againt them.

There are three systems of interest to the Collective on the map above. Ustir has a fine arctic planet, Tediss an ocean one. We'd like to terraform Ustir before colonizing of course, which is where Debbux comes in. There is a max-size desert planet there, fitting for the Shantari, the best of our dry-climate 'assistants'. That would close enough to give us control over Ustir to be able to get the terraforming going.

02.20 -- Peace has been announced in the war next door to us. The Cormathani, former rebels against the Gwesibor, have expanded. And of course the Bhenn'Thell's help was not entirely philanthrophic, they took a bit of territory as well.

http://i.imgur.com/BZ9GnCN.png


09.02 -- Superfluid Materials research completed. This allows for top-level Engineering Facilities, and the appropriate upgrades will commence immediately. Humboldt is the only core planet without at least one of them. There is tough choice ahead for Dr. Ethogg, but in keeping with Glosch's focus on the fleet he will pursue Standardized Cruiser Patterns. This unlocks the module Cruiser Assembly Yards, allowing quicker and cheaper production of these larger ships along with the corvette and destroyer variants already in use.

10.01 -- All of the requested corvettes for the Fist of Boojie have been completed. A few more are yet needed for the border task forces though.

10.21 -- Physics Lab finished on Gabbog, and attention turns to the many Engineering Facility upgrades that will be needed there.

12.17 -- A colony ship has been finished at Edellimar, the nearest Shantari planet just a few jumps away, and dispatched to Debbux to begin our expansion further into the nebula.

2312.02.03 -- Bakangi has completed upgrades to it's sole Engineering Facility.

02.21 -- Agglor has done the same. The remaining two core planets have several, and will take much longer to complete the process.

03.10 -- Hark is the sixth and final settled world to begin the terraforming process from arctic to ocean. It is only a little over a year and a half until the first completes the decade-long process.

05.10 -- All of the needed corvettes for the border fleets have been finished. For now, ship production will halt. There is still a large surplus(+52 per month), but the desired level is estimated to be about 30-35 at this point. We'll find more about how big it needs to be soon, because Patriarch Glosch has determined that it is time to clean up a couple of troublesome eyesores. The moment has arrived to eliminate the Djomar League and it's troublesome protectorate, the Tycan Nation. They will not insult us with their words or continued existence for much longer. Admiral Garma and the Fist of Boojie are called into action once more.

It ends up being even more of a drain than expected. We don't get the savings of from some of the recently built spaceport modules when not in orbit, and when the ships leave Gabbog the energy balance drops nearly to zero. That means a drop of close to 50 per month for any war with the current size of our fleet ... and that's with a significant part of it remaining for defensive purposes. We'll probably want to maintain a surplus of at least 30 in peacetime.

05.29 -- The colony ships lands on Debbux. A new one will be built to journey to the ocean world of Tediss, the first expansion of Architreuthis territory in some time.

12.28 -- The Fist of Boojie meets up with the Djomar Guard. The combined fleet then splits in two; half will stay here and deal with the Djomar themselves, the other half going a half-dozen jumps away to the Tycan border. A coordinated attack is the quickest way to deal with this situation. The energy balance has now turned negative, roughly a dozen per month. We can keep up that level for nearly a decade, so there is no immediate concern. The Malcontent Slaves have also chosen this moment to start causing trouble again, but all they'll do is smuggle another group out of the Empire. Cost of doing business.

2313.02.01 -- The Debbux colony has been officially established.

03.09 -- Gabbog has finished with the upgrading of its engineering facilities. The Engineering Dept. is now slightly more well-funded even that Society. The only thing left for full development of our fifth core world is to build several mining networks.

03.16 -- Everything is in position, and the only way the Djomar could be unaware of what is coming is if their agents are asleep. Regardless, the word of war must be officially delivered, and this is the day for it. We are two jumps away from the lone planet each has settled.

04.01 -- The energy situation turns further south. I'd forgotten that some of our citizens don't like offensive wars, and aren't as productive in this situation. All the more reason to build up a big reserve for any major future conflicts. Shouldn't be an issue here though. Still enough for almost five years. Part of it was also the completion of the latest colony ship at Raggani, which heads out to Tediss. After jumping into hostile territory, both task forces are opposed by a single mining station.

04.16 -- The Tycan Nation, possessing the same wormhole tech as their masters, sends a small contingent to the small system of Alioth. They will be ignored. They probably are strong enough to take down our spaceport, but once we take their lone planet I doubt they'll be so enthusiastic to resist.

http://i.imgur.com/q8Od9Hp.png


05.08 -- Eskogg finishes upgrading engineering facilities, the last to do so.

06.18 -- The Djomar's final battle has begun; Admiral Garma engages the Djo Feh'Mari Spaceport. The Tycan front is slower, with a research station a jump away from the target slowing things down.

08.02 -- The Tycan attackers have fled Alioth, probably due to the fact that we've just arrived at their home system. Meanwhile, Mag Rutosch is the first of the six ongoing terraforming projects to complete.

08.05 -- The Djomar are trying the same tactic, attacking Ullus where we have three colonies. They'll not find the welcome any warmer, even as we assault their final homeworld.

08.27 -- Interstellar Railroad activated and we lose another slave pop. At the moment I couldn't care less.

10.30 -- The Djomar spaceport is almost down, and elsewhere the Tycan fleet, such as it is, has been smashed along with their wormhole station.

11.10 -- The Ullus Prime spaceport has been destroyed on our end, with three corvettes lost of a much larger force of attacking Djomar.

12.27 -- A second spaceport lost in Ullus. Another corvette and two destroyers were paid by the Djomar in compensation.

2314.01.02 -- Nutrient Replication research completed.

The current status of the war is that the final Djomar presence in their home system, the wormhole station, is being eliminated. Then we will proceed to their planet of Semadjo. On the Tycan front, the battle against their spaceport and associated, mostly civilian ships, has just begun.

The Djomar fleet in Ullus, known as the 3rd Abyssal Flotilla, is basically the remnant from the last war. They've got 2 cruisers, 3 destroyers, and a pair of corvettes remaining. They can bombard our defenses on the planets there but little else they can do, esp. once we take down their only wormhole station.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

** Artificial Moral Codes(Statecraft, 32 mo.) -- Gotta loves the hubris of this tech in the merely naming of it. 'It is circumstances that dictate what is moral. Define the circumstances, and the ethics are like clay in your hands'. Except ... we're Architreuthis. We don't have hands. Anyway. Resettlement cost is reduced by 10%. Additionally, the Imperial Edict of Share the Burden becomes available. For 1.7 influence per month, slave production of food and minerals is increased by 20%, as well as robot production by 20% across the board. This is achieved by a rotating schedule of duties that allows for a productivity increase through variety. Not sure how that would affect robots, but perhaps they have 'boredom programming'. Shrug.

** Tropical Colonization(New Worlds, 24 mo.)

** Xeno Diplomacy(Statecraft, 24 mo.) -- This is the option to unlock the Form Federation diplomatic option. At this point, we're practically a federation unto ourselves.

** Doctrine: Reactive Formations(Military Theory, 13 mo.) -- Experience of deep-space combat has allowed us more efficiency in coordinate large-scale maneuvers,. Another 10% increase to naval capacity. At present, we are at 255/591, and that's with the loss of a couple of spaceports that will be rebuilt.

Dr. Tarcisius, you are on the clock.

[tarcone]

Since I lack them, maybe I could use these.
Artificial Moral Codes(Statecraft, 32 mo.)

[Brian Swartz]

Good to know one of our top scientists has no ethics., On the other hand, maybe that's how he got to his present position. :devil:

Anyway ...

2314-16

2314.01.23 -- The Djomar wormhole station is down, probably their only one although with one system out of range we can't be certain. The Fist of Boojie has lost three corvettes, quite minor losses overall but still more than we'd like. It's time for bombardmente of Djo Feh'Mari, their last remaining planet.

04.27 -- Resistance eliminated in the Bysh system controlled by the Tycan Nation, and the task force there moves in on Xant Ovoc.

05.04 -- First of five mining networks is finished on Gabbog.

08.01 -- Tediss colony established.

08.06 -- After a fierce battle in which a majority of our attacking armies were badly depleted, Djo Feh'Mari surrendered. With this victory, both the Djomar and Tycan governments signed unconditional surrenders, ending the war. The Occupied Territories sector grows even larger adding Semadjo, and Bysh goes to the Deesh Sector.

Construction and science ships are sent in to build new stations, analyze debris, etc. Meanwhile, the fleet will return to the previous stations.

10.06 -- Raggani is the second of the terraforming operations to complete.

2015.03.08 -- I noticed something interesting. Each sector has its own construction ships, and they are going around rebuilding the 'inefficient' mining stations where there are only a 2-mineral yield. I can't actually stop them from doing this. I think that's a possibility with the better sector controls in the incompatible patches, but as it is it will limit us a little bit. No point in fighting them -- just another reason to leave as many systems out of sectors as possible.

03.18 -- Another 'situation' on Ovastivum. Had a screenshot-taking fail, but the basic deal is that the subterranean race there is in danger of a famine. Not sure how that works underground, but they asked for our help, which would require 100 energy. Patriarch Glosch refused to invest energy resources in such matters. Architreuthis needs come first. Won't help our relations with them, but we won't be held hostage by an alien presence on one planet.

06.23 -- The first few debris fields yielded nothing. In the Ullus system, however, there was found some minimal progress towards Interlinked Support Systems.

07.01 -- Second mining network finished on Gabbog.

12.08 -- The Gwesibor Regime is now rivals with the Anathurian Alliance of Domains. We take notice of this as both are neighbors to us.

12.26 -- More debris analysis gives us a bit of insight into the antiquated concept of Space Torpedoes.

2416.03.02 -- Hyperspace Slipstreams research completed. All ships will begin the upgrade process for the new hyperdrives by the end of the year if not traveling on other duties.

06.25 -- More progress on useless-to-us Plasma Throwers and Space Torpedoes as the debris analysis continues.

08.05 -- Izval Prime has been terraformed into an ocean environment. Three down, three more underway.

08.30 -- Third mining network finished on Gabbog.

09.02 -- Artificial Moral Codes research finished.

We've got the usual research decisions coming up next, but it's also time to reassess the post-war situation. We've reached another one of the those points where we need to take stock of the situation and do some critical rudder orders. The endgame may soon be upon us ...

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Orbital Sensor Arrays(Voidcraft, 10 mo.) -- This is a RARE technology. Unlocks the Observatory module. Sensor range is increased by 50%, and research by 10% wherever it is built.

** Subspace Sensors(Voidcraft, 24 mo.) -- +5% to survey speed. Also unlocks Subspace Sensors which have moderately increased range and a slight increase to accuracy for our ships.

** Assembly Algorithms(Computing, 53 mo.) -- Decreases construction times by 5%.

** Neutron Torpedoes(Particles, 104 mo.) -- Latest advance in weaponry, they are more powerful than our current Proton Torpedoes.

** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 3/32 mo.) -- Point-defense system, improvement over our current Sentinel for the anti-strike craft role.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

** Synthetic Thought Patters(Statecraft, 45 mo.) -- An additional 10% reduction in resettlement cost is achieved. 15% reduction in the cost of edicts as well. Description is amusing: "Thinking outside the box only places you in another, somewhat larger box." This is a RARE technology.

** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 9 mo.) -- Given our terraforming efforts on arctic worlds, it's hard for me to imagine us using this much.

** Xenology(Biology, 12 mo.) -- Unlocks the dubious strategic resource Alien Pets.

** Telepathy(Psionics, 58 mo.) -- Unlocks Psionic Armies. Much like our current armies, only they do a lot more damage, particularly psychologically. This is a RARE technolocy.

Dr. JIMGA Jr. and Dr. Tarcisius, you have another choice ahead of you and are now on the clock.

[JonInMiddleGA]

A rare tech that's also the quickest to complete? Easy peasy.
Orbital Sensor Arrays

[Brian Swartz]

Post-War Situation

Economically things are back to the way they were basically. We're building new spaceports and rebuilding the ones in Ullus that were destroyed by the final flailings on the Djomar. With the size of the fleet now we probably want to maintain about a +50 energy balance in peacetime, and we're at roughly +65-70 so that's no problem. The goals at this point are:

** Terraform and then colonize Ustir when energy supplies recover sufficiently.
** Continue to use surplus minerals to improve spaceports, recruit armies, etc. where needed.
** We'll upgrade the fleet next as mentioned, which will change things a bit. After this last terraforming initiative, expanding the fleet a bit more will happen when there's enough energy to warrant the investment.
** We've got some more systems to expand into with orbital stations, mostly in the Ibannic sector where we've recently colonized. At this point the investment cost of doing such things is quite trivial.
** Internally, even with just over a third of the population Loyalists at this point, things are remarkably stable and likely to remain so.

All of those decisions essentially make themselves. The thornier question is this: what's our long-term strategy? To set that up, here's the most recent zoomed-out galactic map.

http://i.imgur.com/xufKpoF.png


For the first time in many decades, we have no obvious immediate enemies. The Oncorynchus Collective has long been the largest empire in the galaxy, and that remains true. We span 44 planets and 622 population. That's about 40% more than anyone else. There are also no major expansion avenues open to us via colonization; we can settle new average to large-sized planets, but they would all be within our established borders. The biggest, most lucrative destinations have already been claimed.

The stage appears to be set; the final act is not yet here, but it can be seen just over the horizon, so to speak. For decades, our empire and that of the Bhenn'Thell Imperium have progressed on similar paths. Sometimes living in peace, often at war in expanding our territories, both have steadily grown in power and overwhelmed our neighbors. There's very much a cold war/arms-race feel to it. The Bhenn'Thell have direct control over less territory(28 planets, 435 pop) but if you add in their vassal, the Galactic Uthonian Nation, those numbers grow to 34 and 498. Still less than ours, but not insignificant. Their fleet, not counting Uthonian contributions is roughly equal to ours as is their logistical support. Technologically they are still considered superior.

It seems inevitable that our two empires will come into open conflict eventually. It also seems highly probably that the winner of that conflict will come to dominate the galaxy in this age, barring some unforseen disaster ...

Though they have taken no direct action, we cannot discount the possibility that the Buhavilaa Asendancy will join in at some point. In terms of naval might we are now strong enough to be on their radar, though they'd never admit it: they are now just Superior in both categories. Technology rating is still Overwhelming though.

Still, the primary thrust of things is this: how do we deal with the Bhenn'Thell going forward?

** Internal Advancement -- With no immediate, compelling reason to expand further, we could follow the approach favored by our former leader, Roe Laren. This is a 'quiet' approach under which we'd colonize a new planet once every 5-10 years, focusing on developing our technological capabilities. This is the 'tall' vision, informed by the view that we're big enough for the time being and seeing research as the key to making the most of our empire.

** Blob Away! -- Alternatively, we have the fleet capability to simultaneously wage war and keep a sizable portion of our ships at home. This is the 'wide' approach, in which we stake the future of the Architreuthis people on sheer numbers and more alien slaves and regions of space coming under our dominion. What we might lack compared to the Buhavilaa and Bhenn'Thell in technology we will more than make up for in sheer numbers. Admiral Garma would be directed to smash first one enemy and then another; heck, we could even fire a governor and fight multiple wars at once if we chose. The limiter on how quickly we can conquer would be our energy reserves, which must remain high in order to support such campaigns.

The Gwesibor and Cormathani form a buffer inwards between ourselves and the Bhenn'Thell; taking their territory would make a conflict likely sooner rather than later with the Imperium, but also deprive them of a potential avenue of expansion. The Qravadox and Scyldari on the outer rim, or the Anathurians in the middle, are not capable of any meaningful resistance -- and there are others in the lower reaches of the galaxy beyond them.

** Moderation -- Some might also wish to advocate a middle ground, with occasional wars interspersed with times of peace. Once every 10-15 years we might expand, then take some time to consolidate, and then repeat the cycle. Perhaps invading Gwesibor first to put more pressure on the Bhenn'Thell, then going into a time of domestic investment might be favored.

Patriarch Glosch needs to hear from all corners of the Collective in order to decide how to best proceed. What say you?

[tarcone]

Dr. Tarcisius wants to research Telepathy

And in 45 months "Blob Away!"

[Brian Swartz]

Why 45 months?

[tarcone]

Oooppps. 58 months. When my new psi warriors are rolled out.

Nothing and I mean nothing will stop my new psi warriors.

[Brian Swartz]

Except tripping over their own gills? Nm.

2316-17

2316.12.23 -- More progress on Space Torpedoes and Plasma Throwers.

2317.03.02 -- Orbital Sensor Arrays research completed. These will be built immediately on all highly-developed worlds. There is a maintenance cost in energy, but it's minimal(1 each) and will allow further advancement by largely offsetting the cost of bringing new technologies to all corners of our empire.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Arc Emitter(Particles, 62 mo.) -- Lightning-based weapon that comes only in Large. Their primary advantadge is being good against both armor and shields(50% for each), and therefore highly versatile/adaptable to any enemy.

** Plasma Cannons(Particles, 110 mo.) -- These come in any size, and are 75% armor penetrating. Many of our more powerful weapons are available only for biggest hardpoints; these can be used on any ship.

** Gamma Lasers(Particles, 110 mo.) -- Next-gen laser weaponry. A little more damaging than the plasma cannons, but not nearly as good against armor(33% penetration).

** Particle Lance(Particles, 62 mo.) -- A power sink just like torpedoes are, these come only in Large size also. They have 75% armor penetration and each can deal as much damage as any system currently in our arsenal.

** Interlinked Support Systems(Computing, 3/32 mo.) -- Comes only in Small, an upgrade for our point defense.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., this is not a subtle selection here. Pick the weapons system to be developed next.

A quick little project as anticipated for this brief update. I forgot to do the fleet refit/upgrade again. I really need to remember to do that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Might we get some input from our naval commander?

(If not, I'm inclined toward Arc Emitter if you need an immediate decision, but if we could wait maybe 12 hours at least for the fleet to weigh in I'd prefer to)

[Brian Swartz]

You've got 48 hours, so we can sure wait 12. Having said that, Admiral Garma is an NPC. On his behalf, I'll say that:

** We might make more progress on Interlinked Support Systems from the ongoing debris work; about half of available wreckage from the war remains to be studied.

** IMO Plasma Cannons are clearly superior overall to Gamma Lasers

** In fitting with your instincts, I'd take the Arc Emitter over the Particle Lance for versatility reasons just in case we come up against heavily shielded foes.

** So, my/Garma's naval recommendation comes down to Plasma Cannons vs. Arc Emitters. Both are improvements over what we already have, but our best large weapons are torpedoes that bypass shields entirely; the Arc Emitter's damage profile is much more of a game-changer than the Plasma Cannon, which is your typical modest improvement over our existing Plasma Accelerators. And of course it's faster ;).

[chesapeake]

I worry about our energy reserves should we get into a prolonged conflict. Also, aren't we expecting a response from the Buhavilaa to our most recent love letter sent their way?

I think we can handle a moderate approach to expansion. Some care must be taken to not get too deeply embroiled in case the Buhavilaa invade, and we don't want to build up too much badboy rating, as the only thing other than an ascendant race that can take us out is getting the rest of the galaxy to unite against us.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And of course it's faster ;).

And at my age ...

Arc Emitter it is

[Brian Swartz]

Also, aren't we expecting a response from the Buhavilaa to our most recent love letter sent their way?

We're about midway through the cool-down period. I've seen examples of such empires responding immediately so I don't think they are going to attack at this point ... but I'm far from certain. Their attitude is still Angry, and they are still listed as considering whether or not to go to war with us. We'll know one way or another by the time we're done with the current terraforming initiative though -- there are no plans for us to go on the warpath again before that in any case, because of the energy issue you mention.

[Brian Swartz]

** Long Update here, but also an important one after some years of tedium. All leadership are advised to at least read the summary at the bottom and the 'message' from last February. **


Fleet Upgrade

Thought I'd break this out as a separate thing, since there's a significant amount of changes here.

** Everything gets the new hyperdrives, advanced versions of whatever combat computers they had before, and thrusters. I didn't realize how long it'd been since I did this: we were definitely overdue. Sensors have not advanced in some time, and were unaffected.

** Small/Medium weapon slots were changed to X-Ray Lasers and Plasma Accelerators respectively. The lasers do more damage, the plasma weapons more armor penetration. On Destroyers and up, an ion disruptor was thrown in at least once per ship for an anti-shield option.

** Large weapon slots depend largely on the ship's previous type of weaponry, but they are either Proton Torpedoes(most damage by far, ignore shields) or Plasma Accelerators(for armor penetration).

** More power was required by these changes, so generally speaking the ships now have better weapons but not quite as much protection.

** We had some weapons which, by now, are absurdly archaic; mining cutting lasers, red shard throwers, etc. A few decades ago these were close to top of the line and we were still waiting to see what further developments might come. Now, they just look silly; so they're gone.

Total cost, just for the military ships though they are the lion's share, came to just over 4k minerals; about nine months surplus. About 200 more total for the construction ships, and probably similar cost for the science survey vessels though they are busy at the moment with the debris work.


2317-2321

2317.06.10 -- Qravadox Xenos United have destroyed a provincial building in protest of our occupation. This was on Gluggaben, in the Omaggus system a jump away from the border. We were right not to trust them.

06.24 -- More progress on Space Torpedoes and Plasma Throwers.

09.23 -- March towards useless Space Torpedoes continues.

11.03 -- Dr. Tarcisius has reached *** skill, slightly increasing the speed of his work.

11.15 -- Gabbog has finished another mining network. One more to build, but there are not enough Djomar slaves yet to operate it, so that will wait. It occurs to me at this point that I didn't check the core planets when achieved Nutrient Replication a few years back.

2318.01.19 -- The Gwesibor Regime and the Polity of Oxx-Oxx have entered a Defensive Pact. No doubt this is an attempt to protect themselves against further encroachment by the Bhenn'Thell. Of course it also means any attempt on our part to expand at their expense would be a lot more risky.

04.11 -- QXU(Qravadox Xenos United) is started to cause trouble again. In order to attempt to head off further sabatoge, Patriarch Glosch authorizes using some of our influence(100 of nearly 700 saved) for an Integration Campaign.

07.10 -- It doesn't work. Another provincial building has been ruined. Governor Ablogor is reassigned to Gabbog, while Shushk is sent out to the Coffee Sector to establish order.

08.01 -- Schlurg is the fourth planet to complete terraforming.

08.27 -- Terraforming station completed above Ustir IV, and the decade-long process of preparing that planet for Architreuthis arrival begins.

09.29 -- After just over a year and a half, the fleet upgrade has been finished. The admiralty is decidedly underwhelmed by reports that combat effectiveness has only been increased by about 2%. I'd say the increased mobility is worth more than that on it's own.

2319.03.06 -- Last of the debris from the war has been studied, with a bit more progress on Space Torpedoes. The Engineering Dept. can get back to work.

08.10 -- More sabotage by the Qravadox.

09.10 -- Uri Hegemony declares war on the Beldross Empire. The reason we care is that the Uri are basically on the other side of the Bhenn'Thell from us, and are one of a very few(perhaps only two) empires that might potentially be able to rival them. Assuming they succeed in this war, which is quite likely, the balance of power could shift somewhat.

11.19 -- The Assembly of Vun-Okon Dominions has declared war on the Qravadox Star Consensus again. They can fight among themselves as much as they want to.

2320.04.14 -- Zeldrah has been successfully terraformed. Only Hark among the original six, and of course Ustir, remain.

07.02 -- Standardized Cruiser Patterns research completed. There were multiple new options available, but we will proceed next with Standardized Battleship Patterns. When finished, this will allow us to fully optimize ship production. For maximum efficiency, it's been decided that we will build the larger classes at Humboldt, and the smaller ones at Bakangi. There's not enough space to add all of the appropriate modules in both locations.

08.10 -- More sabotage on Gluggaben. Patriarch Glosch tries a second, more intensive Integration Campaign(200 of 678 influence spent, about five years worth of profit).

2321.03.11 -- A potentially ominous discovery ...

http://i.imgur.com/RqWSvY4.png

03.22 -- In a show of galactic unity, several empires open their borders to us. More would follow in the days afterwards.

05.02 -- Cruiser Assembly Yards finished at Humboldt Spaceport. Also, Telepathy research has been completed, allowing us to recruit Psionic Armies. They are considerably more expensive, and take a full year to train. As a result, using them for garrison duty seems foolhardy. An elite 'Boojie's Guard' force for defense of the core worlds and, if possible, assault duty for invasions is a more fitting role. Recruitment begins immediately.

Summary

Obviously the 'subspace echoes' are most concerning. Who, or what, is coming? When will they/it arrive? What will happen when they get here? Clearly the other empires of the galaxy have their eyes on this as well. Meanwhile, over the past few years many of the sector spaceports built observatories, eating up many of our energy gains but swelling our research efforts considerably. Overall a net gain I think. Current surplus is in the mid-50s per month, just above where we want it. Balance is just over 4k out of a 5k maximum. So we're in a very healthy situation, but don't really have the resources to expand the fleet yet. If nothing happens elsewhere, we'll probably be back at war, a conflict of our choosing, within the next few years.

From a galatic political standpoint, the Gwesibor Regime has been shattered into several small pieces, the rest of that area now under the control of their former small rebels, the Cormathani Star Combine. The Cormathani are friends(but not allies) of the Bhenn'Thell. The Vun-Okon are winning against the Qravadox, and the Uri against the Beldross, though both wars appear closer to their beginning than their end.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

** Precognition Interface(Psionics, 52 mo.) -- A combat computer for our ships, this would be a different foray for Society research. Cutting through the mumbo-jumbo, these essentially allow the ship to know what it's officers are about to do before they realize it themselves, drastically reducing reaction times and allowing for a modest combat bonuses across the board(accuracy, range, damage, speed, evasion). An amazing and at the same time terrifying next step into the fusion of man and machine, offering the best of both. This is RARE technology.

** Xeno Diplomacy(Statecraft, 20 mo.) -- A return of the essentially useless ability to form federations.

** Doctrine: Reactive Formations(Military Theory, 11 mo.) -- +10% in naval capacity. We're at 258 of 704 at the moment. I don't imagine more capacity will ever be needed.

** Tundra Colonization(New Worlds, 20 mo.)

Dr. Tarcisius, you are on the clock.

[Brian Swartz]

We'll continue with Precognition Interface. Time-consuming but it's really the only one that's going to provide a significant benefit. The fact that it's rare makes it an easy call for me.

[Brian Swartz]

2321

2321.06.10 -- The QXU strikes again; another building is ruined on Gluggaben. The integration campaigns have lowered their popularity, but it was already pretty low. This issue is about a very small group(2 of 657 empire-wide pops) causing localized problems, not any widespread movement. Another option is to Suppress the Media(400 energy, 50 influence). We've got plenty of both right now. This is based on the no fuel, no fire concept; get the QXU out of the headlines, and hopefully starve their support.

06.27 -- Things are getting serious with the mysterious 'subspace echoes' ...

http://i.imgur.com/gmLQdWq.png


All plans for further military expansion have been put on hold. We must find out what this is about ... and if they are friendly, hostile, or other. Analysis of the readings indicates they are expected to arrive here ...

http://i.imgur.com/sEBsw8h.png


That's definitely problematic. Those half-dozen system are within our territory, just above the Qravadox on the outer arm. After consulting with his council, Patriarch Glosch diverts most of the fleet to these coordinates. We have no imminent threats elsewhere, and a show of force only sensible if we are to have 'visitors' in our space. All research departments are standing by, and the Collective's military is put on high alert. Hopefully they come in peace, but if not, we must be ready. For all we know, they are prophets sent from Boojie to personally deliver new instructions. Perhaps we've reached a new plane of existence and are about to be blessed for our faithfulness. In that case as well, a proper greeting must be prepared.

http://i.imgur.com/yj3mSkJ.png


This is a closer look. Saiph and Khagaton, our two occupied planets in the affected region, are the destinations for this redeployment. There's no way to know if we will get there before the ... whatever they are ... does.

08.13 -- Dr. Salve Linus has reached **** ability.

08.20 -- http://i.imgur.com/E6cRszA.png


That didn't take long. We're only a couple of jumps away from Khagaton with the task force that guards the Qravadox border. Let's see what they have to say ...

http://i.imgur.com/TX2ep9x.png


We can't make any sense of this. Our translators are useless. Not really sure what to make of it. Obviously an organic being of some intelligence, and the implication of their speed of intergalactic travel suggests they are highly advanced. Beyond that, however, we can surmise nothing.

08.25 -- http://i.imgur.com/qsosg8T.png


This ... is not good.

They have arrived in four systems; Cknoor, Talan, Tenecca, and Quannaga. Our 'Qravadox Fleet' is in Tenecca, but readings indicate they would be somewhat outmatched if they engaged this enemy.

http://i.imgur.com/gn0Jm22.png


There are 3 'Prethoryn' task forces in each of the four systems. Each task force is between 2.5k and 3.5k in estimated combat strength. In other words, somewhere around 36k total. We have 6.3k strength in each of our two 'border guard' garrisons, 19k for the first of Boojie. So overall, what we've seen so far is slightly more powerful than ours. Quite likely we could beat them in a war of attrition at worst case: concentrate the fleet as much as possible and take out their weaker elements. Damage/delay from taking out our spaceports and planets would allow us to rebuild. We have a large empire and they can't take it all on at once.

It would be a long, hard struggle, but the Architreuthis would quite likely prevail. Just one problem: this being only the vanguard, we will be overrun when the 'main body' arrives.

Patriarch Glosch calls an emergency summit of all top officials. Insiders report that all experts and simulations show the same dire assessment of the threat. Unless a significant portion of the galaxy outside our borders aids us against this threat, the children of Boojie are doomed.

[Brian Swartz]

Emergency Briefing: The Prethoryn Threat

Our options are limited, but we might as well lay all of the cards on the table.

** Diplomacy -- The Prethoryn have ignored us except for that initial unintelligble message. We have no way of communicating with them, and therefore can't discover what they want -- if they are even interested in anything beyond destroying/harvesting us. There has been no response from the rest of the galaxy as of yet. We can only hope they will see the threat and come to our aid. Literally the only potentially beneficial option we might have is to revoke our rivalry with the Qravadox. Our borders have been open to everyone else for some time.

** Tenecca -- Our fleet in this system has the opportunity to at least give us information. The weakest of the three local Prethoryn task forces is split off a bit from the others -- we could attempt an attack and see how it goes, though this would almost certainly result in these ships being lost. That's probably going to happen anyway though.

** General Fleet Strategy -- It seems the best chance we have is to put up the best defense we can and try to at least slow them down. Anything we can do to reduce their numbers will probably help us hold out longer. How much that will matter is likely dependent on just how big their primary fleet is, however.

Everyone's on the clock here; any ideas on how to proceed in this quite possibly hopeless situation?