Galactic Dreams(Stellaris, Interactive/Community)

[Coffee Warlord]

Engineering gets to research buildings that improve our...Engineering?

SOLD!

[SirFozzie]

Still want that nanocomposite material.

[Brian Swartz]

Seems like you'll have to get used to disappointment

2217 -- Conclusion

2217.07.07 -- The Markaz system has been finished with a decent location for physics discovered and that's it -- no economic resources at all. The Korgasch moves further out on our arm to another chokepoint system. So far it's mission has resulted mostly in the discovery of unimpressive space.

07.27 -- Malleable Goolantha captured. Deesh moves on now into Kroll space, to the Pesch system. It seems that these discoveries are going to be a treasure trove in terms of support for the Society Dept., if this is any indication(nearly a year's worth of advance).





09.07 -- Primitive civilization discovered on Kornaggi II, in the sparse areas of the outer arm. Glabonsch in up to ***, so after he's done in the system he'll backtrack to Assaniz to take a look at the Vultaum station.

09.13 -- Power Hub I finished on Humboldt. The Collective now has a considerable energy surplus(around 16 a year). The final mining network upgrade is authorized.

09.18 -- Mining station finished in Leesak. The next one will finally secure the Troutstone.

09.21 -- The colony ship Lollusch is ready, and makes its way to Norgon III. As it is there wasn't much of a choice, since the moon in Leesak is off-limits until the alien specimen expedition can make its way there.

10.02 -- Frank Justyce promoted to ***.

12.05 -- Another younger civilization discovered, in the Andack system directly above Collective space. The Thek'Qlak are a Steam Age civilization that produces it's own mechanical vehicles.

12.06 -- Fleet upgrade complete. All are now fitted with Defensive Combat Computers.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Still want that nanocomposite material.

We have not seen the proper tithes Saint Einstrout, the Trout patron of Knowledge, nor has there been a donation to the Divine College of Science and Engineering. Minus our administrative fees, of course.

[ntndeacon]

Character: Deaconi Palmieri
Path: what ever comes up

[Brian Swartz]

Right now we have two survey captains and the governor of Bakangi(second of three planets) untaken. Your choice.

[ntndeacon]

Governor Palmieri sounds great!

[Brian Swartz]

Sounds good! I will be working IRL for most of the next 24 hours. When we hit 2220 Stellaris time in a day or two, I'll show you what Bakangi looks like. It's a good time to get in on the colony -- around that time it'll have it's 5th population, which will allow for upgrading the ship shelter to planetary administration, and, after that, a lot of new construction on the planet. When I get to that point you'll have some input on what is built.

[Brian Swartz]

2218

01.23 -- Mining station finished in Leesak. Two more to go in the system, and we can now use the Troutstone, though it won't be needed for some years. Plans are in place though, to build the Trout Power Plant on Humboldt eventually.

02.01 -- Our new colony has been founded in Norgon, known as Eskogg. As before it will take a year for it to fully establish itself.

02.06 -- Final mining network upgrade finished on Humboldt. We have now doubled our mineral income in the past few years to over 50 a year, only 5% of which is used for maintaining the fleet. It will be nearly three years until the homeworld is in need of any other surface additions.

03.10 -- Andack system survey completed. It is strategically important as a chokepoint, but has only a bit of energy and nothing else of value. With no other threats at the moment, it is decided that the fleet with cleanse the mining drones discovered in the Yiriam system. Meanwhile the Korgasch moves further out.

04.12 -- We receive a communique from a civilization styling itself the Unified Djomar Stars. This is our first 'spread of communications' event -- basically they heard of us through discussions with others(Kroll it would seem in this case).




Their space lies on the opposite side of the Kroll Star Commonwealth, effectively boxing the Kroll in the middle. Overall they like us slightly less than the Kroll do -- they are spiritualists which fits well with us, but as a democracy they do not have the wisdom to understand the primacy of the needs of the many. We establish an embassy as we still have two remaining to use. The Djomar seem to have surveyed more of their territory than the Kroll but are otherwhise very similar in terms of overall power, not quite as strong as we are but in the same general ballpark.




05.03 -- Kornaggi has been surveyed and found to be one of the richest in minerals we have yet discovered, second only to Ambisia. We may eventually wish to develop this area in the outer arm.

05.15 -- Tassargoid collection completed in the Pesch system. It seems their prey come to a rather ... unfortunate ... end. The Laggasch will now move on to the Trimus system in the lower reaches of Kroll space.




07.20 -- Mining station finished in Leesak. One more to finish the Mildrosch's work in the system.

08.01 -- Mining drones engaged in Yiriam system. It appears to be the same size force that was easily eliminated in our last encounter with them.

09.05 -- Humboldt begins upgrade to what is so far the only spaceport.

09.28 -- Glabonsch has found something interesting before leaving the Kornaggi system. Here's what he had to say about it:




For now he'll return to the Vultaum site one jump away, then come back to take care of thi.

10.15 -- Mining station defeated in Yiriam, another successful battle for the Nautilus Squadron. They will now head to Cador, to try themselves against an enemy they have not yet fought, the mysterious void cloud. TBH at this point I didn't really remember the strength of the void cloud, so if it's too close to ours we won't actually attack. I know the Space Amoebas are beyond us.

11.01 -- JIMGA is up to ***. Second assault army recruited on Humboldt.

11.05 -- All stations are up and running in Leesak. On to Hodranus, recent addition to Oncorhynchus space, where a physics research station is planned.

12.01 -- Basic hydroponics farm is begun on Bakangi.

12.24 -- Fleet arrives in Cador. The void cloud is estimated to be only half our strength, and we will also have the advantage of numbers. The order is given to attack.


After next year I'm going to update a bunch of details. There will be some decisions to be made. Added Palmieri so he at least can start getting a bit of xp.

[Brian Swartz]

2219, Part 1

2219.01.22 -- With flashes of immense electrical power, the void cloud battle begins. We've named in XUUL, and soon it becomes apparent that it has regenerative properties and can absorb as much damage as 4-5 corvettes.

02.01 -- Eskogg colony is officially up and running.

02.02 -- Nanomechanics research completed.

02.06 -- Third specimen, the Sniran, collected. Off to Leesak now so that we can colonize that system.

03.01 -- Hyroponics farm finished on Bakangi.

03.05 -- Spaceport upgrade finished. Also, the void cloud is defeated. One corvette was almost destroyed but was narrowly able to hold together. The Nautilus Squadron, having cleared two more systems of obstacles, returns to Humboldt. The Korgasch will now have its work cut out over the next years surveying and analyzing debris.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Destroyers(Voidcraft, 1044) -- Mineral Capacity increased by 2000(presently 8000). Unlocks Destroyers, a larger ship class more powerful than corvettes. Unlocks another Spaceport upgrade to allow for three modules each.
** Robotic Workers(Industry, 556) -- Believe it or not, exactly the same thing it was the first time it came up: "Unlocks Robots, a buildable population unit. Robots come at a considerable cost in currency(150 energy, 50 minerals). They are not nearly as good at research(five to equal one Architreuthis) or financial matters(five to equal two Architreuthis) as our citizens. They have a number of advantadges, however. Robots do not consume food, they are equally good farmers, and actually slightly better miners. They also can function just as effectively anywhere, regardless of the habitability, and allow for potentially faster development of new worlds given that they can be built at the same time our own population is growing. "
** Plasma Thrusters(Rocketry, 1044) -- Another 10% upgrade on the speed of our current ion thrusters.
** Nanocomposite Materials(Materials, 115/417) -- You've seen this enough times, it doesn't need to be explained again.

Dr. Coffee Warlord, you're on the clock again. Do something.

[Brian Swartz]

2219, Part 2

2219.05.08 -- Research station operational at the pulsar Hodranus.

06.02 -- Quantam Theory research complete.

06.11 -- While looking at the remains of the gas mining station in Assaniz, we have discovered mostly intact what appears to be a space suit once used by the Vultaum Star Assembly. Four meters long, the tube-like construct has given us some insight into their preferred environmental tolerances.

07.01 -- Planetary Administration is now under construction on Bakangi. Our first colony has now reached the point where it is ready to become a fully productive planet. This conversion will take nine months.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Data Uplinks(Computing, 1044) -- Unlocks the Assist Research feature. This allows a science vessel not currently assigned elsewhere to significantly increase the research output of an individual planet.
** Self-Aware Logic(Computing, 1392) -- Introspective prioritization allows for an additional research alternative(min. of 4) every time a new project is chosen.
** Plasma Throwers(Particles, 1044) -- Unlocks Plasma Throwers, an energy-based weapon that does just a hair less damage than our coilguns but has complete armor penetration due to the massive levels of heat involved.
** Mining Drone Lasers(Particles, 64/696) -- Same as before.

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

[SirFozzie]

Destroyers Please! Who knows when it will come around again!

[Brian Swartz]

I thought you wanted nanocomposite materials? Really should learn to make up your mind ...

[Coffee Warlord]

You weren't getting nanocomposite materials anyway with Destroyers up.

GIVE US BIGGER SHIPS.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

I thought you wanted nanocomposite materials? Really should learn to make up your mind ...

It will come up again. Destroyers might not :P

And yay Bigger Ships to blow things up

[mrkilla22]

Let's start research on Mining Drone Lasers

[Brian Swartz]

2219(Conclusion)

2219.08.01 -- Work begins on clearing out an industrial wasteland province on Humboldt.

09.17 -- The Laggasch has finished upgrading at the spaceport, it's first trip home in over a decade. Dr. Aslik Deesh is now off to the Leesak system to gather another specimen.

10.14 -- The first of two mining stations are finished in Joinum.

10.19 -- In Kornaggi, a very interesting discovery.




We download the neural patterns -- why not? -- and there will be a boon to engineering lasting about a year and a half.

10.25 -- Hadar system survey finished(Korgasch). A bit of energy and some matters of scientific interest discovered. Efforts now move to Yiriam, where the ancient mining drones were most recently encountered. The Nautilus Squadron is now fully repaired, and stands down in Humboldt orbit.

11.09 -- Industrial wastelands cleared on Humboldt.

12.01 -- Having waited a few weeks for the required funding, Humboldt begins work on a new science lab.


We are a couple of years 'behind' at this point but with the holiday weekend and everything that's to be expected. I'm going to pause here to do an overview as there are some things to be dealt with.

[Brian Swartz]

General Briefing: Twenty Years In

Two decades have passed, and much has changed.


The Big Picture




You can't see much detail from this far out, but this shows the boundaries of what we've explored. Of the four directions available to us, only one is cut off so far. Downwards, or in on our arm of the galaxy, the Kroll Star Commonwealth is sandwiched between us and the Unified Djolmar Stars. Both have 15 population spread between 2 planets; we're a bit ahead of their pace, with 18 spread between 3. Above, or outwards on this arm, the Korgasch continues exploration and survey efforts. It appears we have room to grow in that direction. Across the dark space on the outer arm of this part of the galaxy, the Suggron has explored a few systems. The pulsar in the upper right is as far as it will go in that direction for now, as the jump from there is incredibly long -- the longest one in the galaxy actually and I don't think it's close. After that system is finished, it will reverse directions and head down to the denser portions of the arm in the opposite direction. We have not yet jumped to the 'inner' galactic arm though we do have access to it. There are lots of exploration options still available here.


Economics

** Energy -- 792/3000, +16.5 per month. We've got a very healthy surplus here at the moment.

** Energy Budget: 57.6 energy is produced each month. 12% goes to ship maintenance, 2.1% to army maintenance, 41.7% to station maintenance, 15.6% to building maintenance, with the remaining 28.6% as surplus. Plenty of room for expansion.

** Minerals -- 91/8000, +53.8 per month. Ship maintenance is presently 5.1%.

** Influence -- 71/1000, +2 per month.

** Physics Research -- 12.4 monthly

** Society Research -- 11.2 monthly

** Engineering Research -- 12.2 monthly

** Strategic Resources -- We have found only the one 'Betharian' Troutstone so far. It isn't being used yet, but there are plans in place for that.

** Planet Cap -- We're at 3 of 5 right now. It seems sensible to have one more core planet, in Leesak once that is colonized. That would have our core as the Grasping Claw Nebula, and sectors formed outside of it once we get that far.

** Naval Cap -- 9 of 16 used presently. Building more spaceports at our colonies could expand this considerably.

** Sector Cap -- 0 of 2 used.

** Leader Cap -- 10 of 10. We're at the max here right now.


Long-Term Projects

** Battle Debris -- In Yiriam(mining drones) and Cador(void cloud), there are still fields to be analyzed. The Korgasch is in Yiriam right now and will move to Cador when finished.

** High-Value Mining Targets -- We have not yet reached any of these five systems. The closest is four jumps upwards of where the Korgasch has ranged. It will probably be at least another decade before we get to the first of them.

** Vultaum Star Assembly -- We've discovered two of six artifacts needed to develop a basic understanding of this precursor civilization.

** Alien Specimen Procurement -- The Laggasch is on the way to the fourth of seven, nearly halfway done with this.

** Victory by Domination -- We have 3 of the 325 planets required.

** Victory by Conquest -- 29 independent empires remain.


Oncorhynchus Space




This star chart shows the most recent boundaries of our space. The Mildrosch is presently in Joinum, working it's way back down eventually to the lower areas of our territory where there are more stations yet needed. Most of the energy has been tapped at this point, but that is not a concern given how much of a buffer we have now.




The capital is mostly developed, and presently building a research lab. There is enough food for one of the provinces suitable for it to be used for something else. Eventually the 'Troutian Power Plant' will be built on one of these. A couple research lab upgrades would also be beneficial as time and resources permit.




Our first colony is now upgrading to planetary administration, which will be followed by an aggressive building program.




Our most recent establishment, this planet will need many years to grow before it produces much.


Military Matters

The army presently has two assault armies, both on Humboldt. Additionally there are six garrisons and three defense armies on our homeworld, Bakangi has three garrisons and one defense army, while Eskogg has only a pair of garrisons. In general, the goal is to maintain a defense army for every two garrisons.

The navy has the lone spaceport at Humboldt, and the Nautilus Squadron is comprised of nine corvettes. Five are Dorsal-class interceptors(3 small coilguns), while the other four are Sschlurga-class strikers(1 small and 1 medium coilgun).


At this point there are a few matters which need discussion; options on those will come next.

[Brian Swartz]

I think I'm done screwing up the screenshots. Between that and accidentally erasing half of this post, had a bit of a rage-quit so I figured it was time to go do some errands. Anyway ...

Inquisitor's Briefing: Roe Laren

There are two high-level matters in need of attention, and they're a bit related: budget priorities and foreign policy. In terms of the budget there are basically three primary aspects right now, with the usual low/medium/high priorities:

** Interior Development -- Planetary buildings and orbital stations, continuing to expand the economy. With a healthy energy surplus this is primarily focused on minerals right now -- building more stuff that will allow us to build even more stuff faster. This has been on High since the beginning of your now half-way completed term.

** Colonization -- Expanding the number of systems and planets the Architreuthis actually live on. Right now we're at three. Low here basically means we'll only colonize occasionally, keeping the number of developed systems higher than the number of new worlds. Medium, which is where it's at right now, will strive to keep a balance. Under this approach we will soon be ready to colonize Leesak, since Bakangi is transitioning into being a low-level developed planet as we speak. If we go with a High priority on colonization, that would mean settling new worlds more quickly. It also would mean planetary investment would suck up more of our resources, since during the early years a colony can't produce much energy/minerals, leaving less for other matters such as orbital research/observation stations and the military.

** Military -- More spaceports, combat ships, and ground armies. This has been on Low, meaning they basically get investment only rarely unless there are minerals left over which usually isn't the case.


Question two is about foreign policy. It's worth noting that Inquisitor Laren asked for input here some while back and didn't get any, other than Dr. Coffee Warlord basically saying 'kill 'em all and let Boojie sort 'em out'(rough paraphrase). As mentioned it's related to the budget, since you can't really have an aggressive foreign policy without significant military spending -- well you can, but it would end very badly.

** Embassies or Rivalries? This is the 'carrot or stick' option. Embassies increase our relations, and lacking any real reason not to we have embassies with the Kroll and Djomar, two of our three alloted. This helps when we need a trade deal, such as the civilian access treaty that allowed us to complete a couple of alien specimen captures recently in Kroll space. The Rivalry option would make things like this more difficult as it will worsen relations, but due to the use of largely empty-rhetoric public statements about the dangers posed by our neighbors, we will gain influence. How much depends on the particular neighbor, the stronger they are relative to us the more influence we will gain. This influence can be used for more key buildings(power hubs, planetary center upgrades, etc.), frontier outposts, leader recruitment when we need it(no Architreuthis lives forever!), appointing a new Inquisitor rather than leaving it to chance when that comes up, and edicts of imperial and/or planetary scope.

Of course things like alliances, non-aggression pacts, research agreements are also possible -- but not with the empires we've met so far. Their ethics differ from ours too much and they are not willing to consider such arrangements. So at the moment it's very much a binary choice. Right now we need a specific decision here: should we keep our embassy with the Kroll or yank it and go with a rivalry(note that since we have a buffer between ourselves and the Djomar it's pretty much pointless to rival them)? It's also worth considering standing orders regarding how to handle future neighbors when that eventually comes up. Should the carrot(embassy) or the stick(rivalry) be our standard approach -- or perhaps the Collective should decide these on a case-by-case basis?

** Exploration vs. 'Forceful Expansion' -- Should we continue focusing our efforts on acquiring territory in the open directions that our science ships are surveying, or should we contemplate going to war with the Kroll?

** Primitive Species -- We will soon likely be building an observation post in Wexellia to monitor the progress of the Shantari. In keeping with our ethical standing(slavery + purging), the current approach is to exploit all such civilizations, but if a more benevolent approach is desired that could be done as well.


It would be good to hear, as previously requested, from various members of the Oncorhynchus Collective on these matters -- esp. foreign policy. Having said that the choice ultimately lies with Inquisitor Roe Laren. You know the drill.

[Brian Swartz]

Quick note here that there really is no need for a research briefing. I did add the research amounts to the Economics section a couple posts up -- short version is that the three branches have quite even funding at the moment and resources are growing slowly. A lucrative research station that is expected to go up in Impal Tov in a year or two will help that out a bit, and a new research lab being built on Humboldt won't hurt either.

Internal Politics: Governor's Affairs


Governor JIMGA on Humboldt is really a caretaker at this point. As you can see from the schematic on our homeworld, there are only a few provinces left to develop. Basically waiting on the population to run them at this point. The Capacity Overload edict is adding a little over 3 energy a month, about 6% of the imperial total. The last three provinces will be used for the Troutian Power Plant, one more farm will probably be needed, and another research lab.


Bakangi Briefing: Governor Deaconi Palmieri

The Planetary Administration will be finished in three months' time, and the colony needs to instructions on what improvements to build and emphasize. In case you missed it, here's the original stuff I put up on planetary buildings and development.

Originally Posted by me

** The green apples signify food. The more surplus food we have, the faster the population will grow.
** The yellow and black borders indicate tiles we can't use until we clear what is in them. Clearing costs both minerals and energy.
** The resources indicated in each tile are what can be gathered there if someone is at work in that area.
** If you look closely, you can see buildings in the background of some tiles. Where there is a building, the resources produced include what the building contributes. It's important to match the building to the tile. If, for example, we built a mine on the 1-food tile in the right column, we'd get the minerals for the mine, but the food would be gone. Building a hydroponic farm there will add the tile's food to the food from the farm, increasing the yield.
** The planetary capital(second column, third row down), currently at 4 food and 4 minerals, adds +1 to the minerals, food, or energy from any of the four adjacent tiles(shown with the small yellowish triangles/arrows). It's important to remember this when placing a colony on new worlds.
** We can only build/clear one thing at a time.

Originally Posted by me

Food -- Low/Medium/High
Minerals -- Low/Medium/High
Energy -- Low/Medium/High
Research -- Low/Medium/High

The settings for the second part there are what is needed next. Governor Palmieri, you are on the clock for the first time. What shall the developing colony of Bakangi emphasize?

[Brian Swartz]

Military Matters

Naval Briefing: Admiral SirFozzie
There will be more naval matters to attend to once destroyers become a thing -- best guess is that's about three years away. The only thing for the fleet to concern itself with right now is whether spaceports(increasing naval capacity, number of ships that can be built at once in an emergency, and static defense of the colonies) or warships(mobile fleet assets to join the fleet) should be prioritized. Spaceports, Warships, or Balanced are the choices here.
There'll be more to do soon, but Admiral SirFozzie, you are on the clock.

Ground Forces Briefing: General Eola Eusrim
Right now defense armies are a High priority, assault armies at Medium, and no attachments have been requested. Nothing to do here really unless you want to change those instructions or have questions. The assault armies remain on Humboldt as our empire isn't really big enough to worry about moving them anywhere else.

Available Positions
The science ships Suggron and Korgasch are available, and of course a waiting list would be no problem.

And that's all really. Nothing is particularly of immediate importance right now, so get your orders in whenever. In the meantime I'm going to start progressing the timeline again to 'catch up' a bit.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Inquisitor's Briefing: Roe Laren

There are two high-level matters in need of attention, and they're a bit related: budget priorities and foreign policy. In terms of the budget there are basically three primary aspects right now, with the usual low/medium/high priorities:

** Interior Development -- Planetary buildings and orbital stations, continuing to expand the economy. With a healthy energy surplus this is primarily focused on minerals right now -- building more stuff that will allow us to build even more stuff faster. This has been on High since the beginning of your now half-way completed term.

** Colonization -- Expanding the number of systems and planets the Architreuthis actually live on. Right now we're at three. Low here basically means we'll only colonize occasionally, keeping the number of developed systems higher than the number of new worlds. Medium, which is where it's at right now, will strive to keep a balance. Under this approach we will soon be ready to colonize Leesak, since Bakangi is transitioning into being a low-level developed planet as we speak. If we go with a High priority on colonization, that would mean settling new worlds more quickly. It also would mean planetary investment would suck up more of our resources, since during the early years a colony can't produce much energy/minerals, leaving less for other matters such as orbital research/observation stations and the military.

** Military -- More spaceports, combat ships, and ground armies. This has been on Low, meaning they basically get investment only rarely unless there are minerals left over which usually isn't the case.

Are there even any worlds that we know of that are colonizable at the moment?

My initial sense is to rate them in the order presented. I'd like to see the primary goal be infrastructure development followed by colonization when good planets are found. But I do not think the military should be neglected. I want a gradual increase in the size of the navy to ensure that we don't appear to be weak to our neighbors.

So, I think these priorities are best thought of as medium+ to development, medium to colonization, and medium- to the military.

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Should the carrot(embassy) or the stick(rivalry) be our standard approach -- or perhaps the Collective should decide these on a case-by-case basis?

It has to be case-by-case, since the number of both is so limited.

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

** Exploration vs. 'Forceful Expansion' -- Should we continue focusing our efforts on acquiring territory in the open directions that our science ships are surveying, or should we contemplate going to war with the Kroll?

** Primitive Species -- We will soon likely be building an observation post in Wexellia to monitor the progress of the Shantari. In keeping with our ethical standing(slavery + purging), the current approach is to exploit all such civilizations, but if a more benevolent approach is desired that could be done as well.

Exploration for now. The Kroll are effectively bottled up. We should take advantage of the fact that we are not to expand as we can. The Kroll can be addressed in the future when we have a large empire and they are still a minnow.

On primitives, Boojie demands that lesser species be taught his ways through servitude. It has always been thus, and thus shall it be.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by Chesapeake

Are there even any worlds that we know of that are colonizable at the moment?

The moon in Leesak, once the current mission to capture an alien specimen is finished there. There will be at least five more though once Artic Colonization is finished. That'll be a few years probably with Dr. Corperial occupied with the specimen expedition, but it'll get finished quickly once that's done(and a bit in between for travel times).

[JonInMiddleGA]

fwiw, I think -- being that destroyers are around three years away based on the military briefing -- that carrot & case-by-case are the wisest diplomatic options.

Carrying a big stick works best when you HAVE a big stick.

[Brian Swartz]

Or -- a lot of little ones . By the way, I forgot to mention the middling-at-best ocean world in the Pavagh system, which requires clearing out the powerful space amoebas. So far that's the only ocean world we know of outside of our territory(and the Krolls).

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Military Matters

Naval Briefing: Admiral SirFozzie
There will be more naval matters to attend to once destroyers become a thing -- best guess is that's about three years away. The only thing for the fleet to concern itself with right now is whether spaceports(increasing naval capacity, number of ships that can be built at once in an emergency, and static defense of the colonies) or warships(mobile fleet assets to join the fleet) should be prioritized. Spaceports, Warships, or Balanced are the choices here.
There'll be more to do soon, but Admiral SirFozzie, you are on the clock.

Spaceports should be prioritized for now, to allow us to kick on to building Destroyers when they are available

[Coffee Warlord]

The Ancient and Glorious House of Engineering is working around the clock, with most of our scientists working full 45 hour days, pausing only to grab an hour of sleep here and there.

Really, we're not sure why it's taking so long. Dr. Coffee held up pictures of corvettes, and told his team, "See these? Make them bigger." Project should have been done already.

[Brian Swartz]

2220

No huge surprises, no dramatic interruptions, no pictures. Go figure.

2220.01.05 -- A tracking beacon signal is detected in Yiriam. Glorim will investigate -- the failure risk of 7% is negligible.

02.01 -- Humboldt Spaceport begins the first specialized module, adding the Corvette Assembly Yards. It seems foolish to spend more on our corvettes than we have to.

02.20 -- In Beta Corvi on the outer galactic arm, the Suggron will conduct a surface landing to investigate 'more interesting discoveries'. Talk about vague. Glabonsch is not concerned about a fairly minimal 15% risk factor.

03.01 -- The first defense army for Eskogg begins recruitment.

03.09 -- The Yiriam investigations were clearly worth the effort. The signal was marking a large deposit of precious metals, never exploited for unknown reasons. This would be an excellent site for an energy station.

04.01 -- Planetary Administration is now up and running on Bakangi. The one existing mine will get the first upgrade.

04.19 -- Second mining station finished in Joinum, and the Mildrosch moves on to Impal Tov.

04.24 -- Investigations in Beta Corvi has found a metallic tablet that served no obvious purpose. After further study, it appears to contain basic information about a distant system, marked in illustrations and a periodic table of sorts. It's the Khamb system, a few jumps beyond where the Korgasch has ranged, and appears to have a good amount of minerals.

05.07 -- Beta Corvi survey completed. Like both of the other pulsars surveyed so far, the star itself is a beneficial research site, physics in this case. The Suggron will now traverse the other direction a few jumps, having reached the very end of the outer arm.

05.30 -- Science lab finished on Humboldt. An upgrade to a Physics Lab is commenced immediately.

07.05 -- Tarblac captured on Leesak IIb. This was an even larger boon to the Society Dept. than the others. There is now nearly a two-year 'bonus reserve' available. The Laggasch has three more stops, the first involving a three-jump trip to the Rimdur system. Meanwhile, Leesak IIb is available for colonization again, but the required investment is not quite there.

08.08 -- More space amoebas have been found in the Tadasca system, just below Sym, the entry point to the outer galactic arm. That's the third sighting of them, one of which is in Kroll space but two of which are in unclaimed systems. The Suggron will move on.

08.25 -- The Suggron's next destination was Dawcan, which has four groups of crystalline entities. These are red, unlike the green ones previously defeated in Impal Tov. Each trio is more than twice as powerful as those also. The fleet is strong enough to take one group on at at time, but probably not without significant losses. This is looking like a rather hazardous sector, and once again the Suggron jumps out immediately. Even more notably, there is a large ocean world here, the first we've spotted outside of our home nebula ...

09.10 -- Mine upgrade finished on Bakangi, and Gov. Deaconi Palmieri is up to ** already! A second upgrade of the same mine will bring it up to the most modern standard.

09.19 -- More from the Korgasch in Yiriam. An asteroid has been found with the surface littered with various metallic fragments, seemingly from ships of various designs. Failure risk 15%.

11.01 -- Corvette Assembly Yards finished at Humboldt Spaceport. A tenth corvette, this one a fifth Sschlurga, is added to the fleet.

11.03 -- Physics Lab upgrade finished on Humboldt. There's nothing else that needs doing on the homeworld, and won't be for over three years according to current projections.

11.04 -- Mining station is up and running in Impal Tov. A research station in the same system is next.

11.22 -- The Yiriam asteroid has been determined to be an ancient junkyard. Various broken or outdated components were jettisoned into it's gravity well, and left to crash into the growing collection on it's pitted surface. None of them can be used for what they were originally intended, but repurposing the materials with an orbital mine would be fairly profitable.

12.18 -- Yiriam has been completely surveyed. It's unfortunate that neither this system nor it's neighbors have any vaguely habitable planets, as it is a potentially good source of both energy and minerals.

In accordance with recently received orders, the next big-ticket expenses are to be a colony ship for Leesak next, followed by a second spaceport, at Bakangi. I'm also hoping the overworked engineering researchers can give more than a blank stare during the upcoming debris analysis 'interruptions'.

[Brian Swartz]

Ok, so maybe one pic -- that I forgot. The Elusive Tarblac, from Leesak:

[ntndeacon]

Let's go...
Food: low
Minerals: high
Energy: medium
Research: medium

[SirFozzie]

Looks like we have our first target once we get our destroyers. And maybe nanocomposite armor (Grins)

[Brian Swartz]

2221

2221.01.16 -- Mine upgrade finished on Bakangi. The first of two hydroponic farm upgrades is begun next.

02.04 -- Colony ship begun, bound for Leesak IIb when it is completed.

03.03 -- Research station complete in Impal Tov, a significant boost to Society and Engineering. The Mildrosch is now bound for Wexellia, where more engineering research and an observation post on the Shantari homeworld will be targeted.

04.19 -- Ravenous Zulcor captured on Rimdur IV. It's primary moon is the next target, so it will be a short trip with virtually no interlude. Unfortunately I messed up on the screen capture for this one, but it appears that they are lithovores, feeding on rocks, and tried to eat part of the ship at one point.

04.22 -- Debris analysis in Yiriam advances Mining Drone Lasers, Nancomposite Materials, and Fusion Power research by 10% each.

06.14 -- Hydroponic farm upgrade finished on Bakangi, leaving just one more left. It begins promptly.

08.03 -- Last of the Yiriam debris analyzed, nothing here but minor bonuses to a couple of departments. It's on to Cador now to see what the void cloud might reveal for the Korgasch.

09.01 -- The first spaceport outside our home system is under construction now in Bakangi orbit.

09.08 -- Hithram has now been surveyed. Along with Kornaggi, both outer-arm systems, it is the most mineral-rich system yet found.

09.17 -- Engineering research station finished in Wexellia.

10.21 -- Vile Orinthi capture finished, though the wisdom of it is somewhat in question. The only remaining specimen is in the Ferathon system, just one jump away.




11.11 -- Bakangi has finished the final upgrade to it's hydroponic farms. After getting orders from the new gov., a new mining network was built.

[Brian Swartz]

2222, Part I

01.24 -- The colony ship Saloip is completed, and begins it's journey to Leesak.

02.01 -- Humboldt Spaceport begins construction of a Solar Panel Network, as energy is starting to become just a bit of an issue again with the colony ship and other recent construction siphoning off funding.

02.17 -- The observation post in Wexellia is now operational in orbit over Macaw, the Shantari world. We have the following options here:

** Passive Observation(+3 Society research monthly)
** Aggressive Observation(includes regularly capturing specimens, +6 monthly)
** Technological Enlightenment(requires Native Enlightenment, a policy we have not activated. Costs 5 energy and 5 Society research monthly)
** Covert Infiltration(costs 5 energy, 5 society research monthly). This is our chosen option. Architreuthis agents will be genetically modified to infiltrate Shantari society and gradually replace their world leaders. The goal here is to eventually subvert their government and prepare Macaw to be annexed into the Collective. This process is expected to take just over four years. Expensive, but at the end of it we may well have our first slaves, a species adjusted to living on arid worlds ...

04.08 -- Mining network finished on Bakangi. It'll need a round of upgrading, which begins now.

04.09 -- The Nizatorom system in the outer arm has been surveyed. It doesn't have much, a bit of energy and minerals.

04.27 -- Arriving in the Neshmet system, the Suggron reports yet more crystalline entities, though these are of the weaker green kind. It moves on again to the pulsar Hanneri.

05.02 -- Mining Drone Lasers research finished. Naval re-designs will wait for Destroyers, which presently have an estimated completion time of another year.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

** Improved Deflectors(Field Manipulation, 786) -- Adds 20% to planet fortifications. Also unlocks Improved Deflectors which absorb 50 damage -- our current versions are rated at 25.
** Red Lasers(Particles, 314) -- Unlocks basic laser weaponry.
** Hyperlane Breach Points(Particles, 1179) -- Unlocks Hyperdrive II, an improvement to our FTL drives which lowers the charge time required for an inter-system jump by 25%.
** Active Countermeasures(40/471, Computing) -- Unlocks Sentinel Point-Defense. This component allows for the possibility of a dedicated weapons system for use in shooting down long-range missiles and torpedoes. Against other ships they are far less effective, being fairly inaccurate and quite low-damage, but with a fast firing rate.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are on the clock.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

Military Matters

Ground Forces Briefing: General Eola Eusrim
Right now defense armies are a High priority, assault armies at Medium, and no attachments have been requested. Nothing to do here really unless you want to change those instructions or have questions. The assault armies remain on Humboldt as our empire isn't really big enough to worry about moving them anywhere else.

Let's change and go with High/High

Seems like we might have to expand at some point and if we do we need to have the army built up to actually go in an do it.

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Red Lasers

[SirFozzie]

Eee. More weapons to play with.

Combine with Destroyers, you know what that means.

MORE TOYS! More Budget! And more things going BOOM!

(sorry, Boojie let my inner 12 year old out)

[Brian Swartz]

@muns: Will do, just FYI in case it's not obvious/clear, High/High is the same as Average/Average and Low/Low. You're just setting the relative importance of assault and defense armies, not how many you get.

I also think the good Admiral may need a time-out. General Eusrim, see to it.

[Brian Swartz]

As of the start of this year we are now on version 1.1(Clarke patch). As this is the first major one it will affect a lot of things, many of which we haven't gotten to yet.

2222, Part 2

05.14 -- The Cador system has been fully surveyed. It is very mineral-rich(9, same amount as the two leading systems in the outer arm). The void cloud debris field will be studied, and then the Korgasch will return to its normal survey route.

06.21 -- Wily Uddlorans captured in the Ferathon system. Alien Specimen Procurement Expedition has been completed. Rewards are 398 Society research(plus a lot more divided between each stage), 345 energy, 40 influence. The Laggasch will now journey beyond the Hark system, jumping to the inner galactic arm to see what might await us there ...




The Museum of Exobiology is quite the attraction now. Artificial gravity and atmospheric generators simulate the environment of a dozen worlds, and tourists from all over the Oncorhynchus Collective journey to see it's wonders.

Meanwhile, the Agglor colony is being established in the Leesak system. Also, between the society research saved up and the reduced amount available each month due to the infiltration of Macaw, accelerated research will be happening in that department for more than five years at the current rate.

07.16 -- A very challenging anomaly is discovered in the Hanneri system. Glabonsch does not dare attempt it(42% failure risk). Aslik Deesh and the Laggasch are the only ones who could handle the situation(27% risk for him) and he will redirect there first. It is nine jumps away, so for him to get there, get back, and jump across to the inner arm will be quite the journey.

08.01 -- Solar Panel Network finished at Humboldt Spaceport.

08.05 -- Mining station finished in Siccon, the first of two to be built there. Meanwhile, another spaceport is begun, this one in orbit of Eskogg.

08.14 -- Mine upgrade finished on Bakangi.

08.26 -- Void Cloud debris analysis completed in Cador. Further progress is made towards Regenerative Hull Tissue, and also some on something called Cloud Lightning Conduits.

09.01 -- Basic Science Lab begun on Bakangi.

10.01 -- Glabonsch up to ****. Also, the Arrakis system is now inside Kroll space as they have founded a new colony on the Deetenal system, extending their borders. Our six orbital stations in the system -- two each of mining, energy, and reseach -- are no longer functioning . It's just on their side of the border, and it's possible we might get a bit of push if we are able to subvert Micaw and get it back on our side of the border. Wexellia is a lot further away than Deetenal(just below the cutoff here on the right, Arrakis and Theggian jump lanes converge there), so I don't know how far it's reach would be ...




Note that in Dastamon there is a smallish(size 12) arctic world that could be colonized. We'll have options to bring Arrakis back under our control eventually. This will not stand unless we choose to allow it, it's just a case of what the solution ends up being, and how long it takes.

10.21 -- Another tough anomaly, also in the Hanneri system. Deesh will need to handle them both while he's there. Could take a while.

And that's it -- another year in the books. We're now basically 'caught up', barring interruptions 2223 will be up in the morning.

[AnalBumCover]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

07.16 -- A very challenging anomaly is discovered in the Hanneri system. Glabonsch does not dare attempt it(42% failure risk). Aslik Deesh and the Laggasch are the only ones who could handle the situation(27% risk for him) and he will redirect there first. It is nine jumps away, so for him to get there, get back, and jump across to the inner arm will be quite the journey.

10.21 -- Another tough anomaly, also in the Hanneri system. Deesh will need to handle them both while he's there. Could take a while.

It's my time to shine!

[Brian Swartz]

2223

It started boring, but it sure isn't going to end that way ...

2223.01.04 -- Second mining station now operational in Siccon. It's on to Ambisia now. The Mildrosch may have all of the useful stations in our space set up in a few years, believe it or not.

01.12 -- The Hanneri system has been surveyed, with little other than the usual pulsar research and of course the anomalies. The Suggron will move on.

01.28 -- Basic Science Lab operational on Bakangi, and will now be upgraded to an Engineering Facility.

02.01 -- Two discoveries at the same time. More space amoebas on the outer galactic arm preclude exploring yet another system, while outwards on the middle arm(the one we occupy), a bronze-age civilization has been discovered.

03.03 -- Our observation post reports that phase I is complete at Micaw. Our initial cells have successfully infiltrated, and other than a few minor incidents their cover stories and disguises are holding up.

03.30 -- Iron age civilization discovered in Edasich, on the outer arm a jump away from Hanneri. Seems the primitives are popping up everywhere. This is the fifth race we've found, but only the Shantari among them has been advanced enough to be worth the effort of inflitration.

04.01 -- Deesh's investigations at Hanneri V are complete, and the planet has been found to be unusually rich in minerals. A protege on the ship was credited with particular brilliance in this discovery. A recommendation to offer them a leadership posting as a Science Officer was made but there was no choice to decline since we are at our maximum leader capacity. The Laggasch will now research anomalies 20% faster.

04.10 -- As our energy needs have increased, a solar panel network module is begun on the Bakangi Spaceport.

06.04 -- Engineering Facility upgrade finished on Bakangi. This seems a sensible time to develop the planet's best energy source, but toxic kelp will have to be cleared out of the way first which will take a few months.

06.13 -- The second of four planned mining stations is operational in Ambisia.

07.01 -- The Agglor colony in the Leesak system is now up and running. It won't be productive quite as quickly as the others, but will probably be every bit as good once it gets going. With all of the recent construction elsewhere, the economy is still taking a hit with a monthly deficit of 6 energy. This situation is expected to be rectified in time though, and with a current balance of 1150, it is effectively a 15-year reserve. It's a situation to be addressed, but not a major concern.

07.29 -- Another basically identical discovery by the Laggasch on the other side of the Hanneri system! The same Architreuthis was involved, and this time there seems little choice but to promote them, leader cap or no ...

Bagglosch is 44 years old, and has a facility for Computing as well as the Spark of Genius(+10% research speed) trait. Right now we don't have a job available, but with most of our scientists in their 50s and 60s, the aging process will take care of that eventually. It appears we suffer no ill affects from being over the leader cap(11/10 right now), we simply can't recruit more until we are below it.

As for Dr. Aslik Deesh, our finest and most experienced survey captain, he is now free to take his ship on the journey to the thus-far unexplored inner galactic arm. It will be by far the single longest trip undertaken by an Architreuthis vessel, 14 jumps to reach the destination. It's moments like this that we can be thankful we use hyperlane technology(which allows for jumps from anywhere in the system, without having to move across it as in warp drive).

Meanwhile, the Hanneri system is now a potentially ludicrous treasure trove of physics research. The entire department headed by Dr. Justyce produces 13.8 per month; three stations in Hanneri could more than double that, as they would offer 15. Food for thought for our expansion plans this may well be.

08.04 -- Glorim reports that he has strange readings in Jabeth, possibly Vultaum in origin. With a risk of just 7%, he will investigate immediately.

09.02 -- Bakangi has cleared out the toxic kelp, and the colony's first Power Plant is now under construction.

09.15 -- A third Assault Army on Humboldt, and a first Defense Army on the new colony of Agglor are approved.

10.01 -- Clearing on more slums receives funding on Humboldt. It is finally time to prepare for construction of the power plant.

10.08 -- Vultaum subterranean colony discovered in Jabeth!




The nature of this discovery mandates yet another delay in Dr. Corperial's work on Arctic Colonization.

10.10 -- Solar Panel Network finished on Bakangi Spaceport. This reduces our deficit, which had grown to 9 per month, back to 6. The next step is upgrading the spaceport itself.

11.27 -- Growing tensions on Macaw.




Progress has been set back several months, and a science ship is needed to help defuse the situation. Wondering why the idiotic clerks didn't think of it sooner, a new ship is ordered so that we can put Bagglosch to work. A situation like this though requires our best, so Deesh is once again diverted, and guess whose help we will need? Guess??

That's right, Society Dept. head Dr. David Corperial, who may get to do some actual research at some point. Probably not though. There is a 2-year time limit here, so Deesh, presently in the Norgon system a half-dozen jumps away, will head there immediately.

By the way, in OOC hilarity -- the new science ship requires 94 minerals to build. We have 93.96. For lack of the .04, building it had to wait four days. Only four days, but of all the stupidity ...

11.29 -- Anomaly in Edasich, 22% failure risk for Glabonsch. Seems to be one of those stretches.

12.02 -- Destroyers and Red Lasers research have both been completed. You know what that means. Prepare for more briefing spam.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by AnalBumCover

It's my time to shine!

Yep. Good job on recognizing the talent on your ship. Now go fix the disaster brewing on Macaw. And be quick about it. :P

[Brian Swartz]

First things first: I've noticed that I haven't always been scrolling down all the way for the research choices. This is needed when there are more than four. So there are some 'extra' reverse-engineering options that have been there for a while. Oops. Anyway ...

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Frank Justyce

Been burning through the technology lately. Here's what is on the docket now.

** Blue Lasers(Particles, 691) -- Same 50% armor penetration as the Red Lasers just completed. Blue is apparently a better color though, as it provides almost 20% more damage. Don't ask me how. It just does. Accept it.
** Disruptors(Particles, 1296) -- High-energy bolts that disrupt molecular bonds. Disruptors specialize as an anti-shield weapon, doing double damage against them. It's worth noting that we have yet to fight any enemy that has shields, but that doesn't mean it won't happen ...
** Self-Aware Logic(Computing, 1728) -- Adds one research alternative permanently. Because more choice is always better. Isn't it? Maybe? Hrm.

That's the regulars, now time for all the reverse engineering.

** Active Countermeasures(Computing, 40/518) -- Unlocks Sentinel Point Defense, which hasn't changed in the past year.
** Fusion Power(Particles, 54/345) -- Adds 250 to energy storage(presently 3000) and unlocks Fusion Reactors. A small Fusion reactor produces 15 power, compared to 10 for our current Fission models.
** Green Crystal Capacitors(Particles, 194/864) -- Unlocks the originally named Green Shard Thrower weapon. Like lasers, these get 50% armor penetration. They do more damage, but with less accuracy and shorter range. Overall, they are rated as just about exactly as good. But they are exotic, and they look cool! So there's always that.
** Cloud Lightning Conduits(Particles, 338/1728) -- From our good friends -- err, mysterious hostile thingamajigs -- the void clouds, comes this Rare Technology, meaning it may never come up again and it should be grabbed immediately. Except, being a reverse-engineered option, it will always come up again, so it doesn't matter that it's rare. Whatever. Cloud lightning is remarkable similar to the Green Shard Thrower. Slightly less damage, double the range, which is longer even than lasers.

Dr. Frank Justyce, you are now on the clock. Again. But it'll be more of a pause this time since we are caught up(actually almost a year more than caught up, since I miscalculated). And hey, if seven options isn't enough for you, just grab Self-Aware Logic and have at least eight next time! Seriously though, pick whatever you like.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

Thankfully, the Engineering Dept. did more with Destroyers than take Corvettes and 'just make them bigger', as was suggested. Nonetheless, your two cents are needed once again.

** Mineral Processing(Industry, 345) -- Adds 1000 to mineral storage capacity(currently 8000). Unlocks Mineral Silo II, a pointless building which allows further increase of a limit we are likely to never approach. However, this also unlocks the Mineral Processing Plant, which is basically a Power Hub for minerals: it produces some, and also increases all mineral production on the planet by 10%.
** Deep Space Outposts(Voidcraft, 345) -- Unlocks Defense Platforms, a basic orbital static defense station.
** Advanced Spaceport(Voidcraft, 1728) -- The spaceport kick continues -- funny how the researchers seem to react to what you pick by giving you more of the same -- and these will increase mineral capacity by 2000. They also allow spaceports to upgrade to four modules each, and unlock the Destroyer Assembly Yards module which does exactly what Corvette Assembly Yards does, except for Destroyers. Shocking, I know. +25% build speed, -10% build cost for the new ships.
** Nanocomposite Materials(Industry, 158/518) -- You know what this is by now. I'm not saying it again.

Only one reverse-engineered item in the backlog here. I'm going to laugh if it stays there the whole game. But anyway, Dr. Coffee Warlord, you're on the clock again.

[Brian Swartz]

Naval Briefing: Admiral SirFozzie

Ok then. Destroyers are now a thing, Red Lasers are now a thing, and it's time for a big moment in the admiral's career. The last really big force decision was made way back in 2200 when the choice was made to split between Interceptor and Striker-role corvettes. Hence the Dorsal and Sschlurga classes were born, and various changes have been made since but that was really the foundation.

Now it is time to make somewhat more complicated, and probably more important decisions. This may well be the biggest moment of your so-far distinguished career as the Collective's only fleet admiral, thus far undefeated in several engagements. As previously mentioned, we can be both thankful and possibly intimidated by the fact that destroyers are not merely bigger corvettes.

With the not-particularly-necessary blather out of the way, let's look at the destroyer in more detail. There are two cores in a destroyer instead of the one for a corvette.

Breaker Core

This is basically the front half of the ship.

** Hope is the anti-flotilla option, good for fighting corvettes or other small foes. 3 small weapon hardpoints, support for 2 small and 2 medium-sized utility components.

** Fortune is the middle-of-the road choice. 2 small and 1 medium weapon hardpoints, and also 2 small and 1 medium for utilities.

** Faith puts all of it's eggs in one basket. A big basket. One large weapon hardpoint for dealing with larger foes. 2 small, 1 medium on the utilities again.

Bulwark Core

The second module, or back half of a destroyer.

** Flash is the option for anti-flotilla duty. 2 small weapons, 2 small and 2 medium for utilities.

** Shine packs only a single medium weapon for bigger targets. 2 small and 2 medium utilities again.


It's time to envision the next-generation space navy. There are a few aspects to put forward your thoughts on.

** Destoyers vs. Corvettes -- We can go all in on the destroyers and not build any more corvettes, go with a standard mix of two corvettes to each destroyer, keep building corvettes, or do something completely different. Got a feeling you want the new 'toys', as you put it, but hey, everything's on the table.

** Destroyer Core Combinations -- You could be a real pain in the gills and go for one of each ... there are six possible combinations ... but that seems a bit silly. An 'escort destroyer' made for anti-flotilla duty would probably be best featuring the Hope + Flash cores, with five small weapons mounted. Faith + Shine would be the 'strike destroyer' option for attacking the big targets with 1 large, 1 medium weapon on it. Fortune + Shine would give 2 medium and 2 small for a more standard, balanced configuration, or perhaps you might want something a little different. As mentioned, there are a lot of options here. The spaceports need to know what you want to build assuming you are going the destroyer route: what kind of designs do you want, and do you want a balanced amount of each or some more than others?

** Weapon Systems -- The mining drone lasers are better than the red ones, so it's pretty much that and the coilguns. If we go for any big designs, the mining drone lasers can't be built in the large size, making the coilguns really the only choice there for the moment.

** Utilities -- This one's still pretty basic. However many reactors are needed to power the weapons and as many deflectors as can be added to supplement them. There's really no other sensible choice here since it's just the two components for the utility slots.

** Combat Computers -- It's assumed we are staying with Defensive software unless you instruct otherwhise.


Admiral SirFozzie, you are now on the clock. Take some time if you need to, ask questions if you wish. At 51, you still have a lot of time ahead of you but are no spring chicken anymore. Quite possibly the next major redesign of the navy will be the responsibility of your successor. Even if not, this choice will guide the expansion of our fleet for the coming decades. Choose well.

[SirFozzie]

Here's the action plan going forward:

Destroyers and Corvettes in equal number. I think we're doing well with having 10 or so small ships, so this is how we're going to do it (I know it's not so easy to set up, this is just an example)

#1 Corvette (Interceptor Class)
#2 Destroyer (Tentatively named Glashnur class): Hope+Flash, five weapon points (Lasers)
#3 Corvette (Striker Class)
#4 Destroyer (Tentatively named Borrer class) Fortune-Shine (2 medium, 2 small) (Coilguns)

I'm tempted to go with a Large destroyer for dealing with the space amoebas, but not sure how they're classified. If Large weapons would deal with them better, throw a third Destroyer class in there, Faith and Shine (large-medium coilguns). Tenatively named Tapeer class

We're going to stay defensive (If we ever increase survivability with the Nanocomposite armor, look towards moving towards a more offensive combat computer.)

Hopefully we can get Destroyer yards up. If the Kroll are going to encroach on worlds that are ours by Boojie's grace, by Boojie himself, we will take back his gift from the undeserving Kroll!

(BTW, I got the names from the Alien Name Generator: http://www.scifiideas.com/alien-name-generator/

[mrkilla22]

Let's research Blue Lasers for more weapon options for Fozzie!

[Coffee Warlord]

You have no idea how tempted I am. And if there was anything better on the menu, we totally woulda. But.

Let's get our Nanocomposites.

[Brian Swartz]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

I'm tempted to go with a Large destroyer for dealing with the space amoebas, but not sure how they're classified. If Large weapons would deal with them better, throw a third Destroyer class in there, Faith and Shine (large-medium coilguns). Tenatively named Tapeer class

I'll go ahead and build this along with the other two -- the upgrades to be able to build them are not done yet but in the pipeline. There's really no way for me to know, it depends how evasive the amoebas are and we haven't fought them yet.

[Brian Swartz]

2224

2223.12.06 -- Mining station completed in Ambisia. One more left to build in the system.

12.14 -- Clearing complete on Humboldt.

2224.01.03 -- Construction of the Troutian Power Plant begins.

01.29 -- Power Plant finished on Bakangi. The monthly deficit is down to 3.46. For now, a pause for the colony which is roughly as productive as our homeworld was a quarter-century ago. 4 energy(6.5% of the Collective's total), 13 minerals(17%), and 6 research(12.8%) come from our first colony at this point.




02.01 -- A fourth science ship, the Jaschalgur, is now in service and Bagglosch takes command, heading for the jump from Hark across dark space to the inner arm.

02.06 -- Update from Edasich: another alien mural has been found, and the Suggron will investigate.

03.01 -- On Agglor, our newest world in the Leesak system, work begins to clear out some dangerous wildlife. They are located in the best agricultural province on the planet, a key area to develop for feeding the slowly growing population.

04.08 -- The subterranean Vultaum colony on Jabeth VI has revealed fossilized remains from some of the tunnels. We now have a much clearer picture of what they looked like.

04.10 -- Bakangi spaceport has completed its latest upgrade. Both there and in Humboldt a further upgrade is necessary before the new destroyers can be built. Our homeworld's spaceport will of course come first, when the materials are available. Meanwhile, the propaganda campaign to defuse the situation on Micaw has begun.




This is a mock-up of the Glashnur-class destroyer.

05.01 -- Final mining station completed in Ambisia. The Mildrosch will now journey to the Beznar system, four jumps away, for it's next group of tasks.

06.09 -- The Nautilus Squadron is sent to the Impal Tov system to investigate a report of mysterious ships there ...

06.11 -- Dangerous Wildlife cleared on Agglor.

06.16 -- War on Micaw narrowly averted, and Phase II is now complete.







The Laggasch will now journey to the inner galactic arm as well. There are a number of systems there, and it will head in the opposite direction from the Jaschalgur. That is, if Aslik Deesh is not once again interrupted ...

06.30 -- The Nautilus Squadron finds the aliens had left for Swur just days before when it arrives in Impal Tov. The hyperdrives are powered up to follow them ...

07.02 -- The new Troutian Power Plant, the greatest ever built, has been finished on Humboldt. It is 20% more lucrative in terms of output than the standard ones on the planet, and we now have a small energy surplus once again(2.16).

07.18 -- Alien vessel in Swur determined to be a close cousin at least of the space amoebas, but classified as neutral. The Squadron returns to Humboldt. Jabeth system has been surveyed. A couple of habitable worlds of no interest to us, and some minor research possibilities. The Vultaum find was by far the most interesting thing there.

08.10 -- Aliens vessels briefly spotted in Camglaria system, the gateway into the inner arm. They've been designated 'Omicron' for the time being until further study can be done.

08.12 -- Work on the alien mural in Edasich is done, with a bonus to Engineering for several months.

08.26 -- A lone Omicron ship returns to Camglaria for a nearby system and we get a look at them. They have been classified as neutral.




09.02 -- He may not be getting any primary research done yet, but Dr. David Corperial is up to *** now. For some reason, the 'Omicron' research project has disappeared along with their ship. Quite curious, this. The only explanation I can think of is maybe they are researching us?

09.19 -- Glorim is up to the ***** max now, our second survey captain to reach that level along with Deesh.

10.01 -- The next spaceport upgrade at Humboldt finally commences. Requiring more than six months surplus of minerals, it's the single most expensive project we've begun, but will allow for the construction of destroyers when it is finished.

11.07 -- Another defense army for Bakangi, and an assault on the homeworld are recruited.

11.08 -- Edasich system surveyed. Aside from the mural, nothing of interest was found.

11.27 -- Void cloud found in the Dossel system in the outer arm. The Suggron moves on again.

12.02 -- Nanocomposite Materials research completed.

12.06 -- Hiklam, a chokepoint system further out in our galactic arm, has been surveyed with nothing whatsoever discovered.

12.15 -- Mining station finished in Beznar. Two energy stations will be built here as well. Meanwhile, the first discovery of the Laggasch on the inner galactic arm is that of crystalline entities in Rasalas.

12.27 -- Space amoebas are everywhere. Now they're found in Pyla, beyond Hiklam in our arm of the galaxy.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Coffee Warlord

** Ceramo-Metal Materials(Materials, 870) -- Improvements to the just-finished Nanocomposite Materials that will make them twice as effective.
** Plasma Thrusters(Rocketry, 1305) -- Unlocks Plasma Thrusters, an upgrade to our current Ion Thrusters. They add 10% to sublight speed, 5 to evasion chance. Cost and power usage are 15, up from the current 10.
** Nuclear Missiles(Rocketry, 348) -- Unlocks nuclear missiles for use in both ships and spaceports. As before, these are long-range, extremely accurate, with a fairly slow rate of fire.

Dr. Coffee Warlord, you're on the clock.

[SirFozzie]

Me just now reading that last post: "Oh for Pete's sake.. we get nano, and of course there's a step up I have to argue for" *laughs*

Jeez lots of toys for the military.