Galactic Dreams(Stellaris, Interactive/Community)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by tarcone

An unstoppable force that lives forever.

Gimmick infringement

[Brian Swartz]

roffle

2390-91

2391.04.01 -- An asteroid has impacted the recently established colony at Yel Barrasta. Engineering sets to work on possible ways to mitigate further strikes.

05.02 -- A combination of 'extra-sturdy construction techniques' and automated defenses of some kind are implemented on Yel Barrasta.

07.07 -- We have lost another leader: Governor Aboglor. He was 137.

08.02 -- Flak Artillery research finished. It's been literally a decade or two, in between various debris projects, since Engineering was able to finish anything. The fleet will be refitted, a rather major undertaking for the two support classes, replacing the current small anti-strike-craft batteries with these larger, more effective options. Tachyon sensors will be added as well.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Deacon Palmieiri III

** Deep Space Stations(Voidcraft, 17 mo.) -- Next step in static military defense stations, of which have only the most basic kind.

** Advanced Railguns(Materials, 33 mo.) -- Next step in the kinetic weaponry descended from our early mass drivers. They get a small anti-shield bonus, but are woefully inept compared to our Arc Emitters.

** Extraction Patterns(Industry, 37 mo.) -- More efficient mining practices, resulting in a 5% yield increase.

** Hull Integrity II(Voidcraft, 42 mo.) -- Another one of the procedural techs, granting another 5% hull strength to our ships.

** Stormfire Autocannons(Materials, 26/72 mo.) -- One of the systems that was partially reverse-engineered after the Bhenn'Thell war, these are like the Advanced Railguns only considerably more advanced. They still aren't nearly as powerful as our lances, and have but half the range, but are potentially useful on smaller mounts for our cruisers.

** Kinetic Artillery(Materials, 6/72 mo.) -- Like the autocannons, only in a larger size. Their raw damage rivals the Tachyon Lance with the same range, but they lack the armor-penetration capability. However, there is the possibility they could be further improved ...

** Improved Strike Craft(Voidcraft, 3/33 mo.) -- Improved Fighter Wing and Improved Bomber Wing are unlocked. These are not quite as good as the prethoryn swarmer and the amoeba flagella, bred from past enemies we've encountered, but they are very nearly so. Further improvements may be possible once we take this step. Strike craft are not currently part of our naval doctrine since the lances were developed. It is possible, though it seems unlikely, that this could change.

So many options, so little time. Dr. Deacon Palmieri III, what is your first selection in your new role?

[Brian Swartz]

I found this to be a fairly difficult choice, but the VIR beauracratic 'mind' selects Improved Strike Craft. Fairly quick which means I won't tie up the Dept. for long in case Palmieri wants a different direction, been hanging out in a queue for quite a while, and I like the idea of keeping more weapon systems options fairly 'open' in the future in case they are deemed useful.

[Brian Swartz]

2391-94

2391.12.15 -- Governor Tarislan dies at 135. He was latest to have charge of our homeworld, and generally well-liked.

2392.03.12 -- Terraforming begins at Huntur III. That's the third of four such currently planned operations. To reach the last one, the construction ship will literally have to travel the length of our empire, most of the way across the galaxy.

2393.08.02 -- Stimulant Diet research finished.

08.27 -- Terraforming begins on Subra II. As in Teersonia, this will be a long, expensive 2-stage process; from Tundra to Arctic, then again from Arctic to Ocean before colonization. Energy reserves were nearly maxed out before this expense. The monthly surplus has remained remarkably steady at about 150 per, despite the gradual growth of the army and navy.

09.24 -- General Paggro has assumed room temperature. He was 137. Glosch is the name of his replacement, chosen due to his being qualified despite a younger age(37) than the other candidates. Overall, influence is holding steady or slightly increasing with all of these new recruitments -- 241 at present, monthly surplus just over 2.

12.08 -- Shipbuilding continues to proceed gradually, but the core spaceports will now undergo an operational pause which will be as brief as possible. A break is required in order to seamlessly conduct the promised upgrade to tachyon sensors and flak artillery. No other systems of immediate application are expected soon, and this would allow for a better sense of the state of the space navy and of course optimal readiness with the best tools at our disposal made available. Nearly forty battleships and over a dozen cruisers are now at the command of Patriach Clark. To the best of our knowledge, it is roughly the equal of any fleet in the galaxy ...

2394.02.18 -- All systems acquired in the recent wars have now been surveyed.

03.02 -- Improved Strike Craft research finished.

The fleet upgrade is the only thing that needs to be done before a new 'state of things' update. It has been a calm, tranquil peace. Only the Buhavilaa even make us nervous, and less so than in the past.

In terms of the upgrade itself, the workhorse Laren-class battleships just have a minor change with the improved sensors. No adjustments to power distribution were even needed. The Corperials needed to be completely reworked though, as they were designed with the much smaller Guardian batteries in mind. Each now has, instead of many weapons, 4 of the big Flak Artillery placements, along with a single Arc Emitter and Tachyon Lance each. The SirFozzie cruisers are considered completely redundant, and will be phased out.

The cost was shockingly low, and the work took only a couple of weeks. I decided to wait, and then have a new overview rolled up now along with the new research decisions. That took us one more month to the beginning of April, 2394.

[ntndeacon]

Let's go with Hull Integrity II

[Brian Swartz]

Too late, but I'll have another choice up for you later today.

[Brian Swartz]

Patriach's Briefing: Patriarch Roe Clark

Our borders haven't changed enough to merit re-plotting them, but here's the latest galactic map.




There continues to be a small swath of territory on the far left of which we have no knowledge, but we are aware of who rules roughly 95% of the galaxy. It's worth taking note of the middle, at the very top: through a series of small conflicts, the Uri Hegemony has grown strong enough to join the ranks of galactic powers. We now list five of them; the usual comparison will follow. At the bottom, Norillga, Reshethi, and the Anathurians have quite a bit of territory but not that many planets -- less than 30 each, not worthy of considering.

Galactic Powers

** Oncorhynchus Collective -- We now control 73 worlds, and have reach four digits in population at 1.09k.

** Bhenn'Thell Imperium -- 57 planets, 824 pop. Definitely still big enough to be a threat, but we've cut them down to size and seized the top position. Their fleet is rated 'Pathetic' after the destruction of the war, but it will be rebuilt eventually. Naval Capacity is equivalent, technology remains superior.

** Buhavilaa Ascendancy -- 5 planets, 124 pop. The only empire we still consider stronger overall ... but it's getting closer. Our size has allowed us to become their equal in terms of fleet power and capacity, but technologically they still have the edge(superior).

** Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta -- 54 planets, 759 pop. Almost identical in size to the Imperium now. They are basically our only friend. They both trust us and, even half a galaxy away, consider us a minor threat. We continue to have a non-aggression pact with them. They are close to being willing to upgrade to a defensive pact(which would place us at war with anyone who attacked them automatically, and vice versa), but not quite there. That might be an option in the future, but probably not soon. They are still rebuilding their fleet most likely, which is considered Inferior to ours, while they are equal in technology and naval capacity.

** Uri Hegemony -- Controlling the center and left of the upper galaxy, they are collectivists like us, but also hate everyone on principle. Like the Ir-Vol-Ta, they have an inferior fleet but are otherwhise roughly equal. 56 planets, 787 population, right in the same ballpark there as well.

It's a stable pecking order right now: the Oncorhynchus on top along with the advanced Buhavilaa, with the Bhenn'Thell, Ir-Vol-Ta, and Uri very evenly balanced. Some are making the argument that it'd be good for us to try and keep things this way ...

Economic Overview

Energy -- 5k remains our max storage, presently at 4.3k on it's way back to that level, with a monthly surplus holding at about 150. We produce a staggering amount, just over 1k per month. Even at peace, the fleet consumes 37%, provincial buildings 25%, orbital stations 21%, the army 12.6%(and rising), and spaceport modules 4% of our expenses. The surplus is presently at an additional 18%, quite a healthy margin.

Minerals -- 952 produced montly here, with a surplus of 638. Fleet maintenance is almost exactly a third of the total, giving us plenty to build with .. though just two spaceports running full-time still manage to use nearly all of it. Battleships are not cheap. We're presently at 9.3k out of our 20k storage limit.

Influence -- This has been bobbing up and down, currently 254 out of 1k with 2.2 gained per month. We should be fine long-term; once the Huntur outpost is taken down in a decade or so we'll be getting more, and we've had enough to pretty much tread water. The only concern would be needing to handle multiple elections(200 each), but Clark is only 86 and expected to live for decades. Re-election is still 27 years away, so it's really a non-concern barring some unforseen disaster.

Research -- 750 Physics, 767 Society, 742 Engineering. Growth continues slowly, with all sectors focused on scientific efforts.

Others -- 420/1000 naval capacity, 8/21 Sectors, 17/17 leaders(Admiral, General, 6 Scientists, 9 Administrators). Being short on the optimal number of administrators is basically a constant reality: we could consolidate sectors a bit eventually but not enough to make up the difference. Only one of our current governors has reached age 70: it is a young, inexperienced, and quite unskilled group overall. By contrast, partly due to Dr. JIMGA Jr's stark and outright refusal to die(215 and still tickin'), the scientists are all very good.

Factions

Haven't looked at this in a while. We're doing very well -- with one exception.

** Loyalists -- 402(37%)

** Docile Slaves -- 21%. The 'good' slave faction has maximum support, but is no longer quite as popular as the Malcontents who have been gaining members. The dociles never do anything beyond radicalizing some of their number.

** Malcontent Slaves -- 14%. Every once in a while they smuggle a small number out of the empire, but that's it. They haven't become enough of a problem to prompt more aggressive action.

** Emancipation Movement -- 16%. Despite the numbers, they aren't very popular. It seems that this is what you do if you are a citizen of the Collective and you don't want to be a Loyalist and don't know what else to do with yourself politically. Every once in a while they will do something to suopport the Malcontents, but it's quite rare.

** Sector Separatists -- 3%. There's one group of these for almost every sector, wanting self-governance for their region. As you can see, even collectively they are not a significant problem. Almost half are part of the recently formed Core Sector, and none of them are anything other than highly unpopular.

** Bhenn'Thell Repatriarchs -- 7%. This is the problem area. Seems you can't conquer a significant region of a major galactic empire without stirring up a hornet's nest. Long-term they aren't popular enough to sustain their numbers I don't think ... but in the short-term they are causing some trouble. They've chosen economics as their weapon of choice, causing disruption in the 14 different planets represented and reducing their contributions to the Collective through corruption. Their demand is to return to the Imperium ... which of course is not going to happen.

[Brian Swartz]

Patriarch's Orders

A few areas to consider, though you can chime in with your own ideas of course.

** Foreign Policy -- The default position here is to stay at peace and continue development/research. This is also the direction in which your stated Agenda(Scientific Leap) lies. Alternatively, we could always go to war again. The Scyldari Confederacy(near the Qravadox) or the reunified Gwesibor Regime both are small empires that fragment our territory a bit on the edges which causes some(very minor) inconveniences. A pure land-grab might have us face off against the Anathurian or Qravadox. We have a truce with the Imperium for now, but there's always the option of a first-strike against the Buhavilaa. Their isn't a real obvious compelling argument in favor of another conflict at the moment. It would allow us to use up our surplus energy ... but we'd be adding more to our income in the long-term with whatever we ended up conquering.

The double-edged option of furthering our relations with the Ir-Vol-Ta is always out there as well. Overcommitting is never wise, but if we can make allies out of them it is extremely unlikely anyone would be able to stand against us. The only immediate opportunity to convince them to take this step would be to declare a rivalry against one of the many empires they are rivals with -- the whole 'enemy of my enemy is my friend' idea. Both of us already are rivals with the Bhenn'Thell, but if we added the Uri Hegemony to that list, though we have no real reason to rival them otherwhise, we'd gain a bit of influence and it would probably be enough to push the Ir-Vol-Ta over the line and accept a new pact. A true Alliance is still some ways off though; I'm not sure if that's ever going to be possible, but if so the situation would need to change quite a bit.

** Colonization -- Right now our current terraforming projects are focused on strengthing our position at the borders, along with the nice system in Najaga. There are a lot, probably three dozen, of 'decent' systems we could also expand to. This effort would increase our resources of course and use up energy in the short-term for the colonization effort, but it would also slow down research while the new colonies build up. Once they have, Observatories can roughly negate that slowdown. At present, the plan is to focus on the current terraforming efforts, then add a new colony every few years after that, growing at a slow rate. Unless someone tells us differently.

** Military -- Recruitment of Gene Warrior armies from our Ul-Tur 'helpers' continues as quickly as possible, but it will probably be decades before that is completed due to their limited numbers. The fleet will also continue to build new battleships as quickly as minerals allow, until the energy situation is tightened up somewhat. We will continue to maintain a surplus of about 75 or so(exact number changes based on current maintenance expenses), in order to have enough to support any extended conflict that might arise.

** Bhenn'Thell Dissidents -- The basic question here is whether we put up with their corrupting influence until matters sort themselves out, or take a more aggressive approach. Integration Campaigns cost influence and should speed up the integration process; Suppressing Media costs energy and some influence, but we have plenty of energy, and will slightly reduce their support; Bribing Leaders costs some energy and quite a lot of influence, and has the same effect. We can take any of these actions ... or none, and just let things sort themselves out.

Patriarch Clark, you are on the clock. Anyone else who wishes to weigh in should do so at this time as well.

[Brian Swartz]

And now, on to the pressing research matters.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

FYI you are now 129, which means that it is expected you have roughly 5-10 years to live. Unless your 'gimmick infringement' is successful, that is ...

** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 6 mo.)

** Nerve Dampeners(Military Theory, 34 mo.) -- This is a new one I think. Advanced tuning of pain receptors, i.e. adrenaline on crack, allows soldiers to fight on through what otherwhise might be debilitating injuries. Army health is increased by 10%.

** Tropical Colonization(New Worlds, 15 mo.)

** Will to Power(Statecraft, 57 mo.) -- This is not cheap, but is another new one. It is also a RARE tech. "As power is simply the ability to impose one's will on others, the will to power a self-fulfilling prophecy". That's pretty vapid technobabble, as technobabble goes. A new module Orbital Mind Control Laser(seriously) is unlocked, requiring high maintenance but allowing for -30% ethics divergence on the planet. An army attachment as well, Commissar Squads, increases damage by 15% and morale by 10%. We haven't done the attachment thing much but will once the Gene Warriors are ready.

Dr. Tarcisius, you've got some choices here at least.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Deacon Palmieri III

** Teldar Crystal Mining(Materials, 9 mo.) -- Reveals the strategic resource Teldar Crystals. Imagine that. The module Teldar Ammunition Factory increases kinetic weapon damage(i.e., autocannons, mass drivers, etc.) by 10%. Since we don't use those anymore, this would not seem particularly useful at the moment.

** Antimatter Missiles(Rocketry, 16 mo.) -- This would basically 'fill a hole' in our missile knowledge, but the Marauders are much more advanced.

** Advanced Strike Craft(Voidcraft, 52 mo.) -- Another step forward, this would unlock Advanced Fighter Wings and Bomber Wings as well. The resulting craft would be about 17% more effective than anything we currently have ... though we're not presently using them.

** Orillum Mining(Materials, 9 mo.) -- Reveals the strategic resource Orillium Ore. The associated module Orillium plant increases explosive weapons damage(missiles/torpedoes) by 10%. Like the Teldar option, this would be a lot more useful if we were still using those types of weapons.

** Kinetic Artillery(Materials, 6/71 mo.) -- Large-scale kinetic weapons that do more raw damage, but without the armor-penetration, compared to our favored tachyon lances.

** Stormfire Cannons(Materials, 25/71 mo.) -- More typical kinetic-weapon variants, available in smaller sizes. They don't have the range or damage of the artillery, but are more flexible and do get a small bonus(+15%) against shields.

** Marauder Missiles(Rocketry, 18/71 mo.) -- Our best option for improving our long-range ordnance, but compared to the lances they are slower, weaker, and shorter-range. Of course, as always there may be better options later on ...

Dr. Deacon Palmieri III, you have another raft of options to choose from. Both of you are now on the clock.

[chesapeake]

Accelerate the integration of the Bhenn'Thell. They need to be made to understand the natural order of things.

I don't much like the Uri. Their ambassador looked at me strangely at a function last month, as if she was seeking to challenge the supremacy of the Children of Boojie. Notify them that their ambassador's aggression will not go unrecognized! If they want to be rivals, rivals we are!

I don't want us to be wasting energy if our account becomes full. It is probably worth the minor costs of inviting more of our smaller neighbor's worlds to join the Collective. From the business end of a battleship if need be.

Have you completed my pleasure dome on the homeworld yet? All these decisions make me weary.

[tarcone]

Will to Power

I feel like Im 18. And the success with J, jr. has me feeling good about things. But, I have been training my son, Dr. Tarcis. this is in case anything happens to me.

[Brian Swartz]

I'll wait an extra day before going ahead with another choice for Engineering.

[ntndeacon]

Let's go Marauder Missiles

[Brian Swartz]

2394

The Integration Campaign and Suppress Media options were taken with the Bhenn'Thell faction. There wasn't enough influence to do any more than that. That also gave the army more time(due to the energy expense of the suppression option) to travel from the core to the outer arm where the Scyldari Confederacy awaits our 'greetings'. They have very disjointed territory, much of which they lost to the Scourge, but they have one system we'd like and which would allow us to remove an outpost in Nekkar.

10.02 -- Neutronium Extraction research finished.

Not the most exciting stretch of months there. The army is almost in position; energy's up to over 90% of the maximum so we'll be attacking soon. Nothing our border guards in the area can't handle.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Gamma Lasers(Particles, 70 mo.) -- Next step in basic laser weaponry, which are a fair bit inferior to lances across the board at this juncture.

** Phase Disruptors(Particles, 70 mo.) -- Anti-shield weapons, inferior to Arc Emitters overall.

** Flash Coolant(Particles, 36 mo.) -- Increases the firing rate of energy weapons by 5%.

** Self-Aware Colony Ships(Computing, 32 mo.) -- Increases colonization speed by another 25%(9 months to 6).

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you're up again geezer.

Forgot to do the rivalry thing with the Uri, so I'm sure the Patriarch will want to fire a few clerks. Did it just before saving here. The response was 'good. Now we can give you the trashing you deserve'. We'll only get 0.1 influence per month from this, which is terribly wimpy(0.6 from the Imperium by comparison). So, Patriarch Roe Clark, do you wish to go ahead with the Defensive Pact with the Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta? That option is now possible for us, but I'm not doing it without a go-ahead since you didn't specifically address it.

Originally Posted by chesapeake

Their ambassador looked at me strangely at a function last month, as if she was seeking to challenge the supremacy of the Children of Boojie. Notify them that their ambassador's aggression will not go unrecognized!

Probably not a good idea to upset this Patriarch. Just sayin'.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Self-Aware Colony Ships

[chesapeake]

0.1 influence? The rest of the galaxy finds the Uri about as significant as we do. I'm quite ambivalent about the defensive pact. As a general rule, I prefer that we be the ones that pick who we fight. What I was really hoping for a greater boost to influence.

[Brian Swartz]

I think it's a distance issue with the influence there; the Uri are just too far away for our people to care much about them.

[Brian Swartz]

Several images for this particular update.

2394-97

The Ir-Vol-Ta took the initiative and invited us into a Defensive Pact. With the Patriarch unwilling to commit though, we respectfully declined.

10.13 -- What will hopefully be one of the shortest wars we've ever had commences. Our lone goal is the Bihjall system.




The Scyldari Confederacy's response is hilarious:

"But... w-why?"

Your territory is in our way. That's it. Yeah, that's basically it.

11.29 -- After a little over a month, the fortress in Bihjall is destroyed. One of our battleships sustained light damage, and that's about it. Time for the science ships and troop transports to move in, although bombardment of the planet of Vi Makal will take some time due to the small number of ships committed here.

2395.03.01 -- Even though we're not at peace, energy reserves are maxed-out anyway. It'll take a bigger conflict than this to make any kind of a dent.

05.05 -- A Scyldari fleet of surprising size given that they own just four planets arrives in Bihjall. It's even slightly larger than our border guards.




They had shielding and some form of strike craft, so they were not completely helpless. None of their weapons could approach the tachyon lance in terms of range, and the smaller ships were eliminated nearly immediately.

07.09 -- An obsolete cruiser is destroyed. The battle looks fairly even here. Perhaps we underestimated them. There's a chance we might have to send in a real fleet. Soon their larger ships started falling against our pounding though.

08.25 -- Victory. We lost two SirFozzie-class cruisers that would have eventually been scrapped anyway. An impressive showing by our dinky foes, but ultimately not good enough. The six battleships remain and turn back to bombardment duty. During the past few months though, most of the fortifications have been rebuilt. It was still quite an effective delaying tactic; the Scyldari have been seriously wounded by the destruction of almost all of their naval assets, but they are not yet willing to surrender Vi Makal.

10.02 -- Once we get back to orbit, an offer of peace is sent with the condition of giving us the planet. Here's the reply:




Yeah, we're not losing, but you have to give them some credit for moxie.

12.05 -- With bombardment still ongoing, the Scyldari surrender. They threaten to 'unite the galaxy against us' if we do not pursue a more peaceful path. An empty threat, and they know it. Bihjall is added to the Coffee Sector, and the Nekkar Outpost is disbanded. As it turns out, the army was not even needed. It will head back to the core; the Gwesibor Regime is next. We'll need a more substantive naval presence for this bit of acquisition. The Fist of Boojie has 22 battleships and 9 cruisers. That should suffice; we'll leave the border task groups where they are.

2396.01.13 -- We've learned more about Advanced Rail Guns and Advanced Strike Craft from the debris work. Interesting ... I didn't expect to discover anything new from such an opponent. Also explains some of their relative effectiveness in the fleet battle.

06.07 -- Everything is ready to extend our 'invitations' to the Gwesibor once again.




They're a little too big to completely absorb, but the goal is to take the 'outward' systems, those on the right from this view, and afterwards consolidate with an expanded Core Sector. That one patch in the upper right is just a frontier outpost which our border fleet will take care of; the primary thrust will be in the bottom section. Altogether we are demanding four planets, most of their largest ones, in three different systems. This would effectively give us roughly half of their holdings.

Even with such a major operation, we still have a positive energy balance, though it's small(16 per month). It appears we'll be able to sustain a state of perpetual war for quite some time though.

06.29 -- The Gwesibor's main fleet, incidentally much smaller than the Scyldari's probably due to their many regular wars over the past several decades, flees Epsilon Indi shortly after we arrive. Cowards.

They appear to be headed to our nearby system of Hakibori. They must be punished for this affront.

07.24 -- That didn't take long. They've been easily obliterated, so back to Epsilon Indi to continue the campaign.

08.14 -- An interesting step by one of the primitive races we are observing ...




10.04 -- The Yarak system has been cleared including the outpost. It should be ours once peace has been secured. The Imperium Border task group returns to it's previous station in Fillamir.

12.18 -- Grah'Alahb, the only Gwesibor colony in Epsilon Indi, is now under our control. On to Muscida, where there are a pair of targets. What remains of the enemy appears to be massing there as well. Meanwhile energy has slipped slightly negative, though this is not a concern at all.

2397.02.21 -- The Gwesibor have sent a small ship and a couple of transports to try and retake Epsilon Indi, so one battleship is sent there to eliminate those efforts.




05.08 -- All resistance in Epsilon Indi has once again been pacified by the lone battleship sent there, while the first planet in Muscida is currently undergoing 'sanitation' by our armies. Our training and technology is giving us huge edge now in ground battles. Most of the planets are pretty well-defended in terms of numbers, but they've just using basic defensive armies which are easily crushed.

07.02 -- Self-aware colony ships research finished.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

As a follow-up to your last project, we found five deposits of neutronium ore presently within our borders. It'll be a fairly high priority to invest in that at whatever points we find ourselves with a mineral surplus(the continual navy/army expansion eats up most of them).

** Focusing Arrays II(Particles, 45 mo.) -- Procedural tech yielding a 5% increase in energy weapon damage, which is always useful for our lances.

** Dark Matter Drawing(Field Manipulation, 52 mo.) -- Unlocks the strategic resource Dark Matter, which is considered to be fairly rare as it only occurs in black holes or nebulae. The Dark Matter Reactor is allowed, which produces energy and physics research.

** Focused Arc Emitter(Particles, 70 mo.) -- Like the Arc Emitter we currently use, only more powerful(the usual 15% or so increase).

** Quantam Destabilizer(Field Manipulation, 33 mo.) -- Special equipment for ships or stations. These 'agitate the local quantam field'(whatever that means), disturbing targeting equipment on enemy ships. How it only affects enemy ships and not ours is anybody's guess. Only the shadow knows ... along with JIMGA. Anyway the net effect is a 15% reduction in fire rate for these enemy ships. That seems like it might be useful. This is a rare technology.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., take a shot at one of these options before you enjoy your spa treatment and yogurt.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Quantam Destabilizer

[Brian Swartz]

2397-98

2398.03.03 -- Both planets in the Murust system have been secured. A couple of robotic armies under the command of the top Gwesibor general were on the second one, but this made only for a delay of a week or two. An agreement was forged the next day drawing up new boundaries between our empires.

Once again the science ships swing into action. Several new systems to survey, and at least one good-sized planet(20, Continental) for us to claim eventually.

09.01 -- It has been deemed time for a couple of new steps. It has become apparent that there are not enough Ul-Tur to provide the troops we need within a reasonable timeframe. All existing reasonably-sized(10 or higher) tundra planets that are not already being terraformed have been committed to their use. At present there are five such worlds, which would effectively allow us to roughly double the army buildup once they are settled. It may still be inadequate, but it will at least be only half as inadequate as the current situation. However, they will have to be terraformed one way or the other first, as we lack tundra colonization.

Also, a pair of large tropical worlds near our core systems are to be terraformed as well ... eventually. This will help make use of our large energy surplus which continues to persist despite the recent conflicts.

09.02 -- Will to Power research finished.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

** Xenology(Biology, 8 mo.) -- Unlocks the dubious strategic resource Alien Pets.

** Tundra Colonization(New Worlds, 16 mo.) -- Given the situation with the Ul-Tur, some are arguing this should be a priority.

** Doctrine: Reactive Formations(Military Theory, 8 mo.) -- Increases naval capacity 10%, useless at this point.

** Hostile Environment Adaption(New Worlds, 31 mo.) -- Increases habitability everywhere by 5%.

Dr. Tarcisius, you are on the clock.

[tarcone]

Shoot. Lets save the terraforming power usage.

Tundra Colonization

[Brian Swartz]

2398-2400

2398.10.01 -- Energy is maxed out again. That will soon be less of an issue, but for now the expansion continues. The army transports are currently en route to deal with the Democratic Yapathi Union(DYU), the galactic newcomers between us and the Buhavilaa. Just because we can, basically.

2399.02.03 -- Our most insignificant conflict yet begins, with the DYU.




Another case where the border task group should be more than sufficient.

07.08 -- Cador IV, one of the mentioned large tropicals, begins terraforming. This is our sixth planet where that process is underway. Also, we've taken down a Yapathi frontier outpost and are headed deeper into their territory. Their fleet of 5 destroyers and a number of corvettes is headed off somewhere, doesn't really matter where as they will become irrelevant once their lone planet is ours. One of our science ships is diverted from the core to handle debris work in this sector of space.

09.13 -- Another frontier outpost is eliminated.

12.29 -- Terraforming begins on Rimdur III. That's seven now, and the Ul-Tur colony ships are en route to their destinations even though the proper blueprints have not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, the attack on the spaceport surrounding the Yapathi homeworld in Pithria has begun.

2400.01.02 -- Tundra colonization research finished. Now everything is in place.

03.08 -- The DYU surrenders. We'll be able to have peace for a bit here, with energy down to 2.8k, just over half full. Even with all the colony ships flitting about though, we are at +211 per month so this won't last long.

05.23 -- Najaga II has been terraformed to an ocean planet.

06.02 -- Quantam Destabilizer research finished.

New research choices will come later today. Dr. Tarcisius may wish to consider his next genetic modification though. The Gwesibor are now up to 6% overall, and that will get a bit higher. They are an arctic race, and have two points available with the usual options.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Phase Disruptor(Particles, 71 mo.) -- As before, a big anti-shield weapon.

** Gamma Lasers(Particles, 71 mo.) -- Another multi-time repeat, the latest in standard laser weaponry. I've neglected to mention this before, but most of our spaceports use laser-based weapons(for the armor penetration), so this would probably make them more combat-effective. Against a fleet of significant size though, they are never going to matter all that much.

** Flash Coolant(Particles, 36 mo.) -- 5% increase in energy weapon firing rate.

** Sentient AI(Computing, 52 mo.) -- Both DANGEROUS and RARE, this increases research speed by 10%. It is also likely to upset the Buhavilaa .. though they've seemed more bluster than anything else so far. I'm guessing that's because they think we're more trouble than it's worth ... in the first big MP stream for example Arumba got some bad advice and was told he should rival a fallen empire for the influence gain. It ... didn't go well for him. Anyway, up to you if you think it's worth poking the bear here or not; we've reached the point where we might well be able to take them, as noted in the last galactic update.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., another set of choices for you.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Tarcisius

** Tropical Colonization(New Worlds, 15 mo.) -- I think this is the only world type we can't colonize now. Terraforming them to ocean is the current SOP.

** Stimulant Diet II(Biology, 39 mo.) -- Procedural tech, increasing slave mining output by 10%.

** Massive Glacier Removal(New Worlds, 6 mo.) -- We've actually come up with a use for this repetetive offer. There are a few of these present on some of the tundra worlds; apparently they aren't an arctic-only feature. With the Ul-Tur settling those planets now, this is no longer irrelevant and would boost productivity there. On the other hand, it keeps showing back up so it's not like there won't be more shots at it soon.

** Frontier Commissars(New Worlds, 31 mo.) -- -20% ethics divergence, +25% colony development speed(setting them up initially, that is). Essentially official 'party representatives' that enforce strict social control on new colonies.

Dr. Tarcisius, don't forget about the Gwesibor as well. Both of you are on the clock. Engineering is reminded that they are doing debris analysis until the end of time basically, making progress on the Marauder Missiles rare. At the moment they're a little over half-finished.

[tarcone]

Lets make the Gwesibor Intelligent

And lets do Massive Glacial Removal

[JonInMiddleGA]

THIS time, let's go Flash Coolant (mostly cause shortest).

I'm thinking we'll see that big bad rare pop up again sooner than later and I might be more adventurous at that point.

[Brian Swartz]

The two of you are quite punctual and attentive to your 'responsibilities'. Makes things keep moving along quickly, thanks!

[Brian Swartz]

2400-2402

2400.10.14 -- Terraforming finished at Avalam II, now an ocean world near the Imperium border in the core. Another colony ship is begun for this endeavor.

11.02 -- Gwesibor gene modification finished.

12.12 -- Dr. Tarcisius has gone to the embrace of Boojie at a typical age of 135.

2401.01.01 -- The numbers and popularity of the Bhenn'Thell Repatriarchs continue to decline. There are now only 44 of them; 78 a few years ago. Regular media suppression is all we can afford to do influence-wise with all the new colony-building that is going on, but that continues. It's going to take some while longer to complete the process, but progress is definitely being made. Also for the first time this year, new Ul-Tur colonies in Rakaron and Sarack will contribute to the army buildup. Seven instead of five per year is a significant improvement. Three additional colonies are being set up and will join the fray next year, with a colony ship on the way to a fourth. That will eventually leave the total number at 11 annually, which should be enough to at least make some headway. About half of our colonies in the Core Sector have their allotment, but that's about it so far. It's been very slow going.

02.28 -- A provincial building is destroyed by the Bhenn'Thell dissidents, who refuse to go quietly ... but they are going. It is inevitable.

05.02 -- Massive Glacier Removal research completed. There were two tempting choices. Atmospheric Manipulation could potentially lead to even more options for settling worlds within our borders, while Propaganda Transmissions promised a 10% increase in borders. Atmospheric Manipulation is about a quarter faster, and while both projects were worthy, that ultimately was the decision-maker with no replacement for the Society Dept. yet appointed.

05.19 -- Teersonia III, one of the Imperium border worlds in the core, has been terraformed to arctic. One more step now to turn the environment into an ocean setting.

05.24 -- Days later, our first core-bound Architreuthis colony ship departs Gabbog for the big, lucrative target in Najaga.

06.01 -- Finally free of other tasks, the aging Glorim, 130 years old, is the best man for the job of Society Department Head. He'll probably have to be replaced soon, but will significantly matters there as long as he's there. Maniacal(+5% research speed) is his lone trait, but having a max-level scientist in charge instead of nobody is the big difference-maker. We'll actually have to wait a few months before having enough influence to recruit a replacement for him; such is the shortage we are now encountering. I think it's going to be relatively temporary, but it's the first real influence resource-crunch the Collective has ever experienced.

06.02 -- A third Defensive Pact proposal from the Ir-Vol-Ta is declined. Patriarch Clark can of course change his mind on this at any time, but for now that is the way of things.

Meanwhile the good continental planet(size-20) in Mentar, part of the most recently captured systems from the Gwesibor, has been surveyed. Unfortunately, it's occupied by pre-sentients completely. We haven't found a way to deal with this situation when the planet is full of such creatures. We can't colonize where they live, or land armies to clear them out. Perhaps uplifting them and integrating them into our empire is the only real solution, but that would take a very long time and probably would not be worth the effort. We've got a few planets now that are in this category, but it is a disppointment nonetheless. It would have made a fine Thek'Qlak colony.

12.01 -- Peace between the Vun-Okon and Qravadox. As shown, the Qravadox have now splintered again, with a third empire, the Qravadox Consortium, now being formed. All the easier for us to conquer ... eventually.

2402.03.13 -- Huntur III has been terraformed to Ocean. The colony ship headed for Avalam on the Imperium border has been redirected here. It's larger, cheaper to colonize influence-wise, but just as importantly will allow us to remove an outpost on the Anathurian border. The sooner that's done, the better off we'll be across the board.

05.01 -- An unexpected development. For some reason the screenshot didn't take, but the upshot of it is this. A moon we colonized in Cordip, one of the recent Ul-Tur settlements, has demonstrated surprising climactic and geologic instabilities that were not expected. Local scientific teams have discovered long-dormant terraforming equipment deep in an extensive cave network that is believed to be responsible for this. It is estimated that the effort was abandoned thousands of years ago, for reasons unknown.

There is a little more than a year before a couple of research projects will finish, but this matter requires attention first. Patriarch Roe Clark, we have two options; Resume the Process, or Dismantle the Equipment. For reference, this is one of the recently colonized Ul-Tur settlements.

What say you?

[tarcone]

Dr. Tarcis is patiently awaiting an assignment. He very much thought he would step into the Society dept. for his Dad. And, Dr. Tarcis gave his Dad the same shots J, Jr. was getting. Or were they?

Was there treachery?

[Brian Swartz]

You'll have to decide for yourself on the treachery. Personally, I think JIMGA Jr. is blessed by Boojie(aka, bugged for some reason. it's absurd otherwhise). Tarcis may get the Society seat before too long. He's a *** survey scientist right now, and a fairly young 60 years old. Needs more seasoning before he's ready for the job.

[chesapeake]

Originally Posted by Brian Swartz

There is a little more than a year before a couple of research projects will finish, but this matter requires attention first. Patriarch Roe Clark, we have two options; Resume the Process, or Dismantle the Equipment. For reference, this is one of the recently colonized Ul-Tur settlements.

Oooh! Boojie has given left us a gift! Turn it on, by all means. It is not as if any Children of Boojie are at risk.

[Brian Swartz]

2402-03

The early years of our third century as a galactic civilization continue. The Society Dept. turns it's focus to the terraforming project as directed by the Patriarch, albeit briefly ...

06.02 -- Cordip is now an Arid planet with the finishing of the terraforming process. That was ... fast. That's not as good as Tundra for the Ul-Tur, but it's decent for them. It could have gone worse. There should be no more drama associated with this.

08.10 -- A civil war has started between a couple of the Qravadox empires. That's interesting, since our fleet is on the QSC's territory, ready to re-initiate hostilities in a few months once if nothing comes along to dampen our energy reserves again.

11.01 -- Back up to 4.5k energy, 90% full. Time for the QSC to fall ... mostly.




The light blue here is almost all of their territory. Taking that, and then the Scyldari system of Obnoll, will allow for a long-desired second connection between the middle and outer arms of the galaxy. This is the only real strategically significant objective we've had to pursue in a long time.

As it turns out, all three of their remaining planets are in this area; they have other territory a ways away, but that must be simply frontier outposts maintaining it. Not sure what happens there when they fall completely. Let's find out!

2403.03.01 -- Colony in Najaga established. Right now a lack of influence is slowing our progress in getting the Huntur colony up and running next, probably will be about a year there and we still want the Avalam system and a few others. That will work itself eventually, but it's definitely a bottleneck. It doesn't help that it's a few jumps away from our nearest colony; the cost is 71, compared to the minimum 30 for a nearby system.

05.20 -- V'Bindak, the first QSC planet, has been occupied. General Glosch is now up to respectable 3-star ability. They were very well-defended in terms of the surface, but with our advanced armies and dominant fleet superiority(only one small spaceport), that simply didn't matter.

07.?? -- On arriving in Bindu, the next system, the QSC was seen reinforcing the armies on the planet. They have a couple of Gene Warrior armies, better than our current assault corps of psionic and xenomorph troops. This looks to be their last stand. It could get interesting and maybe we even take some losses, but with total naval superiority it still should be fairly straightforward.

08.02 -- Flash Coolant research finished.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Dark Matter Drawing(Field Manipulation, 54 mo.) -- The rare strategic resource of Dark Matter allows us to produce energy and physics research at a related module.

** Gravitational Analysis(Computing, 38 mo.) -- 5% reduction to all building costs.

** Focused Arc Emitters(Particles, 74 mo.)

** Capacitor Fields(Field Manipulation, 34 mo.) -- RARE tech, allowing for special equipment that increases shield regeneration for all nearby friendly ships.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you're up once again.

[JonInMiddleGA]

IF the 5% reduction in building costs would be meaningful for us over the next decade or so, then go with grav analysis. Otherwise, let's do Capacitor Fields

[Brian Swartz]

This might be the only period in which it actually is significant. 5% isn't very much of course, but given how quickly we are expanding, upgrading spaceports/etc. along with continued navy/army construction, I'll take that route.

[Brian Swartz]

2403-07

2403.08.16 -- It seems we have a new problem. Gwesiboran Citizens United have destroyed a provincial building. It's looking like this kind of unrest might be the biggest cost for us during the military expansion; pacifying our new 'citizens' the biggest challenge.

09.01 -- Subra II, near the Buhavilaa border, has been terraformed to Arctic. The next step to Ocean environment is next there. Atmospheric Manipulation is completed as well. A quick study to allow Tropical Colonization is next. That's the last unexplored option in terms of the habitable planet types. The Djomar, and I think maybe another race, prefer that kind of environment. Of course any particularly excellent worlds we can still terraform for Architreuthis use.

2404.01.07 -- We gain control of the Qravadox planet in Bintu. They are forced to sign a peace agreement the next day. Several new systems join our ever-growing empire. Energy is down to just 2.1k though, so we'll be taking another operational pause for the time being. The Fist of Boojie will return to it's usual HQ in Impal Tov.

02.02 -- The Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta announces that they are breaking our Non-Aggression Pact. It appears that they now view as being more threatening. Perhaps our one decent chance for a galactic ally has now passed us by, for better or worse.

04.01 -- The Bhenn'Thell Imperium has expanded on their side of the border; our goals of colonizing Teersonia and Avalam are no longer possible, as they are not within our territory. A couple of setbacks here, though minor. We spent a lot of energy in the terraforming efforts there. A temporary frontier outpost close to the border could give us enough space to get a colony in place ... might give that a try once we have the influence. After taking a closer look, we also lost a couple systems in other locations near them. It appears they have improved their border push.

12.01 -- The long-await Huntur colony has been established. Our outpost there is taken down, increasing influence gain to a very healty 4.3 per month.

2405.01.02 -- Tropical Colonization researched. The risky and time-consuming project of Psi Jump Drive I is the only really useful option that came up. This will take years, and is considered both rare and dangerous. The new propulsion system 'harnesses the psionic energy of the crew to warp the local space-time continuum, eliminating the distance between the point of origin and the destination. Supposedly'. This promises the possibility of allowing us to bypass 'hyperlane' travel entirely, and move fleets great distances almost instantaneously.

10.01 -- Despite our best efforts to spend it, the energy surplus is exploding again. It was down to about +150 per month, but is now back up to about 220. Nearing 4.5k again, it's time for a new offensive. We have enforced truces still with the Scyldari and Gwesibor, so the hammer will fall next on the Qravadox Consortium. Their crimes are being in our way and having a very similar primary color, making it difficult to distinguish our borders. We can't eliminate them completely, but will aim to take four of their six planets.

12.15 -- We begin building a frontier outpost in Yarak. This is a temporary one, just to give us access back into the Avalam system so we can colonize it and hold back the Bhenn'thell.

12.22 -- Society Director Glorim has died at 134. He'll be replaced eventually by Bagglosch, who has expertise in Psionics and at age 97 is the only top qualified scientist available. However, he's on an important mission to deal with malfunctioning implants on one of the races we are studying, so it will have to wait some time.

2406.09.15 -- Dr. Tarcis is up to **** skill now. He remains next-in-line for a Director's post, at whatever time one becomes available. Right now that's expected to be close to three decades out yet.

10.02 -- Gravitational Analysis research finished.

11.22 -- Yarak Outpost finished. The colony ship is finally free to move into Avalam.

2407.05.02 -- Marauder Missiles research finished.

Latest galactic map, as we continue to slowly spread like a plague. There are still a few more small empires around us to eat yet. More and more the limiting factor is just getting our fleet there, which hopefully the psi drives will address. Using the border guards doesn't really work well even in small conflicts, because they take so long to deal with planetary fortifications during bombardment. Making headway in training up the army; the core worlds all have their allotments, and we are making progress in the middle arm. I think we've turned the corner in that endeavor.

[Brian Swartz]

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Gamma Lasers(Particles, 72 mo.)

** Planetary Signal Boosters(Voidcraft, 37 mo.) -- Increases planetary sensor range by 10%.

** Phase Disruptors(Particles, 72 mo.)

** Sentient AI(Computing, 53 mo.) -- Back as you predicted.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. Deacon Palmieri III

** Deep Space Stations(Voidcraft, 17 mo.) -- Next tier of static defenses.

** Loader Efficiency(Materials, 37 mo.) -- Increases the firing rate of kinetic weapons, which we are currently not using, by 5%.

** Heat Recyclers(Voidcraft, 37 mo.) -- Strike Craft firing rate increased by 5%. Also not currently being used.

** Extraction Patterns(Industry, 37 mo.) -- 5% mining increase.

** Kinetic Artillery(Materials, 5/73 mo.) -- Large, high-caliber long-range kinetic weapon. Better raw damage than anything we currently have, but still wouldn't be quite as good(at least not yet) as the Tachyon Lance.

** Stormfire Cannons(Materials, 22/73 mo.) -- Another kinetic weapon, not as powerful but more versatile as it comes in all sizes.

** Advanced Strike Craft(Voidcraft, 9/53 mo.) -- Next-generation strike craft, making them a somewhat more viable option.

Dr. JIMGA Jr. and Dr. Deacon Palmieri III, it's time for new instructions. Do your thing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Another conditional response.

IF we are in a position -- resources/other existing offensive plans/expected fleet positoning in 4.5 years/etc/et al -- to deal with a potential strong negative reaction from the Buhavilaa as well as we would be in the foreseeable future then let's do Sentient AI next. (honestly, even reading back through several posts, I feel like I could be missing something)

If the timing appears wrong for the project then go Planetary Signal Boosters & we'll see what comes around on the next relatively soon spin of the wheel of choices.

[Brian Swartz]

There's still a lot of growth to do for the navy long-term with our energy surplus, so we will definitely be getting 'more ready' for that kind of problem for a while now. Sounds like Planetary Signal Boosters.

I'll move forward tomorrow evening if we haven't heard from Engineering by then.

[ntndeacon]

Let's go Advanced Strike Craft

[Brian Swartz]

2407-09

2407.08.28 -- Within a matter of weeks, a planet and it's moon in Sinistra are subdued, both being relatively poorly-defended.

12.04 -- As the fleet begins bombarding the large world of Bwreek, the Qravadox Consortium surrenders. The war ends with them still controlling two planets in the Ereness system, but everything else is ours. Energy is down to half of our maximum, so we'll pause again for a while here.

12.17 -- The Bhenn'Thell Imperium has declared war on the Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta again. Apparently they haven't had enough punishment.

2408.01.01 -- Dr. Tarcis and his ship, Gisch V, are re-routed to former Consortium territory to assist with survey efforts there.

04.01 -- The Avalam colony has been established, and the temporary frontier outpost in Yarak removed. Next up is another one in Riadore, to give us access to Teersonia.

2409.01.01 -- The economy is starting to slow down quite a bit. Energy reserves are at just over a hundred, and shipbuiling has nearly ground to a halt. Army recruitment continues full speed ahead; all of the core regions are fully staffed, and sections of the middle arm are starting to fill up. Long way to go yet but definitely making good progress on that.

07.01 -- The Riadore frontier outpost is up and running. Teeresonia has not yet finished terraforming. Both there and on Subra II, our last two such projects at the moment will finish in 2-3 years. Meanwhile, influence investment goes back into the matter of suppressing media. Part of the economy slipping is due not to increased expenses, but the continuing corruption activities of the Bhenn'Thell Repatriarchs, and lately also their counterparts, Gwesiboran Xenos United. These groups have been increasing in their support lately, and counteracting them is a priority.

07.10 -- Terraforming on Cador IV is finished. I'd forgotten about that; a large(size-22) planet not far from our core systems.

12.02 -- Planetary Signal Boosters research completed. Meanwhile, energy is down +80 per month. New ship production has been completely suspended. We're still at a little under 60% of the logistical maximum, so there's room for more expansion in the future when resources permit.

I'm assuming at this point that Patriarch Roe Clark doesn't wish us to backstab the Imperium again. We could do that if it is deemed desirable to take the opportunity. Now would pretty much be the time. They presently control 67 planets, while we have 95. We're more than a third larger than them, and they are the 'biggest' competition, so in terms of sheer size there are no rivals at this point. The Buhavilaa Ascendancy is the only empire with a navy that we consider to be equal to our own. Anyone else would need allies to take us on. Or so we imagine. Anyway, absent contrary instructions, we will let the two wanna-bes flail away at each other while we gradually expand, consolidate, and deal with the fairly minor but annoying internal matters that have been mentioned.


Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

All of these have been seen before. Let me know if you want a refresher on any details.

** Dark Matter Drawing(Field Manipulation, 52 mo.) -- Reactors that produce energy and physics research.

** Focused Arc Emitters(Particles, 71 mo.)

** Capacitor Fields(Field Manipulation, 33 mo.) -- RARE tech option. Special equipment for ships, significantly increasing shield regeneration.

** Gravitational Analysis II(Computing, 45 mo.) -- Additional 5% building cost reduction.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., keep on keepin' on at the tender age of 230.

[JonInMiddleGA]

It's both a rare AND a quick turnaround item.
Seems like a nobrainer to grab Capacitor Fields here.

[Brian Swartz]

Less than two months later, with the 2410 troop movements just underway, a matter of spiritual significance requires the Patriarch's attention. During his survey efforts in what used to be part of the former Qravadox holdings, Dr. Tarcis made this discovery:





Patriarch Roe Clark, shall we follow Tarcis's recommendation and commence further inquiries, or raze this shrine as a heresy?

[SirFozzie]

Heresy must be stamped out. Let's find them, and raze them ALL.

[Brian Swartz]

I don't actually think that's an option. It's basically raze this one, or look for more. Good to hear your opinion though, particularly since it's such a ... decided one.

[SirFozzie]

Well, we can raze them all, after we find them

[chesapeake]

Boojie has sent this to us for a reason. We must follow this lead to its source.

[Brian Swartz]

2410-11: The Shrines Reveal Their Secrets

While Dr. Tarcis's find was in former QSC territory, the three additional likely 'Untold Shrine' locations were near our core worlds, just a little bit upwards in the middle arm. Since Tarcis is by definition our resident expert on this matter, there will be a little switcheroo here; he'll journey back, while Paggro, our most junior survey captain, leaves his mundane work in orbit of Humboldt to take over in scouting our recent acquisitions in the Qravadox area. A bit inefficient as the travel time is a few months each way at best, but it's worth it to get the right minds on the right tasks.

08.01 -- Cador colony established. Two more remaining of border importance, but terraforming is still wrapping up on both of those.

10.02 -- Psi Jump Drive research finished. All ships will be upgraded immediately to take advantadge of this exciting new technology, which promises to be a game-changer in terms of propulsion. A small amount of shielding had to be sacrificed in order to satisfy the power needs on all classes of ships, replaced with armor in most cases. The 'inhibitor' special equipment, decreasing the firing rate of enemies, is also added.

The Society Dept. proceeds with another interesting RARE option, Selected Lineages. This institutes controlled reproductive planning among the best in our society, increasing the lifespan and skill(if not maxed out) of our leaders, though with an additional recruitment cost for new ones.

2411.01.14 -- The new 'psi jump drives' are tested out with one of our border fleets. We indeed now have the ability to ignore hyperlanes, and can cover several times the distance in a single jump. There is one downside in terms of having to move to the edge of a system in order to jump out, which will be a detriment in some situations, but they are still overall far superior. Once the jump drive is charged, travel to the target system is instantaneous. There is a brief cool-down period before it can be used again, a mere matter of days. Traveling from one side of the galaxy to the other can now be achieved in perhaps six months, which is at least four times faster than our current hyperdrives, maybe more. Any invasion we might face now would not get far before we could reroute our fleet to it, regardless of the distance needed to travel.

03.23 -- Report from Dr. Tarcis, who is done with the first shrine site:

"After days of activities that can best be termed 'fiddling', Science Officer Tarcis has retrieved the doctrine of the Undaunted, a textile scroll coated with a sturdy plastic polymer"

Two more remain.

05.22 -- Colonization begins in Teersonia, a smallish(size-12) planet mostly already occupied by primitives. The goal here is to give ourselves a better border more than anything else.

07.24




One more site remains.

08.08 -- First contact with the United Ugi-Nollox States. They are a new, colorful, and irrelevant protectectorate of the Anathurian domain.

2412.01.06 --






** Suppress, Monetize, Study, or Worship basically here. What does Patriarch Roe Clark choose?

[chesapeake]

Fascinating, although we children of Boojie always knew we were meant for great things. Boojie has granted this gift to us to study and learn. We must do so, guided by His wisdom.

[Brian Swartz]

The knowledge gained from the ancient teachings advances our Society research by ... almost two weeks. Had we made this discovery say a century ago it would have been a lot more significant, but the Collective is a galactic empire now. Something such as this is interesting, but practically speaking it doesn't move the needle. The main takeaway is the fact that we share religious concepts with some older, unknown spacefaring race. We never may find out more than that.

2412-13

2412.02.01 -- Teersonia colony established.

10.02 -- Selected Lineages research completed. Another rare, and step in the same line, is up next with Capacity Boosters. 'Through exacting curation of DNA banks do we build the leaders of tomorrow'. Does the same thing as this first step, only more so; +2 to leader skill, +50 to lifespan, +50% to recruitment cost.

11.13 -- The Bhenn'Thell Imperium has decisively won it's war against the Confederation of Ir-Vol-Ta. It appears the reports of the Imperium's demise were premature. They were able to get others to fight on their side ... and shared the spoils with them. Hopefully they aren't able to do that against us.

2413.01.02 -- Capacitor Fields Research finished.

Research Director's Briefing: Dr. JIMGA Jr.

** Planetary Signal Boosters II(Voidcraft, 44 mo.) -- Another 10% increase in sensor range(from planets only).

** Phase Disruptors(Particles, 70 mo.)

** Sentient AI(Computing, 52 mo.) -- 10% research speed increase, RARE and DANGEROUS. We've satisfied your recent stipulations with the psi jump drives and the fact that the economy is basically stable. You may(or may not) wish to consider this again.

** Applied Superconductivity II(Industry, 44 mo.) -- +5% energy increase again.

Dr. JIMGA Jr., you are on the clock.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Sentient AI -- and may Boojie bless us with great favor with whatever this brings.