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.




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 [b]Docile Slaves[/b[(43) have been significantly more numerous than the 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.




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.





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.







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.




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.




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.




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:




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.




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.




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.




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]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

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]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

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]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

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 ...




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.