In Progress Let's Multiplay Alpha Centauri

[Kalin]

Let's Multiplay Alpha Centauri

Gentlemen, with the rather abrupt conclusion of our previous game due to massive apocalyptic bug-out and following a period of extreme amateur modding it is finally time for a new prestigious round of the official Cognito Elite Club Codex Martial Arts Contest. This time around we are trying a brave new version completely purified of stinking SMAX references while retaining much of the balancing of Binary Dawn. For the first time we are doing an accelerated start - each faction begins with five colony pods, two super snazzy rover formers and five regular formers as well as a hundred extra starting credits (double bonus for Morgan).

The map is the basic Huge Map of Planet crudely rebalanced by yours truly to provide all starting locations with access to fungal rivers, monoliths, jungle tiles and even some uranium for good measure. I have also manually relocated every single sea pod to the nearest land meaning Unity pods only show up on land now. It is my belief this will reduce the amount of artifacts, though I could of course be wrong. This means we no longer play as a scenario and everyone can once again enjoy the purity of Transcend-level drones and research speed. There is a lot more to add but that is compiled in the list below. Turn one is already underway - let the best man win!

Changes and features:

Spoiler

Tech tree completely restored to classic SMAC
All SE choices restored to classic SMAC
All SMAX projects removed
Self-Aware Colony restored
Voice of Planet restored to its classic tech at the end of the tree
All SMAX facilities obliterated
Most if not all SMAX abilities thrown in the gas chamber
Starting scout patrols are no longer free to support
Borehole Cluster, the Unity wreck and some other SMAX landmarks have been expunged
Farm, Mine, Solar Collector, Sensor Array, Forest and level terrain options available from start of game
Construct bunker cost doubled
Forests take an extra turn to plant
Resource restrictions are now lifted with tier 1 techs
Planetary Transit System moved to late game
Ascent cost doubled to 4000 minerals
Some projects switched around tech tree
Some project/facility costs have been altered somewhat
All factions start with two super agri-bots, +100 cash, extra formers and colony pods
Morgan pop limit increased to 5, starts with 300 cash
Believing bonus now also works in PSI combat (this was in before just mentioning it since it's a yuge deal)
Sparta has POLICE immunity
Hive starts with a synth-steel police squad
Armour has been adjusted
Strength on some weapons has been adjusted
Turns to corner Global Energy Market lowered to 15
There are no sea pods anymore, only land pods
Monoliths, fungal rivers and jungle distributed evenly across map
Faction placement algorithm should ensure decent space between starting locations
Free minerals for a newly built base are doubled
Combat odds will probably not display properly
Abilities moved to simulate balancing in previous games
Copter and needlejet range boosted (no more fuel cells)
Copters moved forward to Mind/Machine Interface as in classic SMAC
Crawlers have been decimated in the pedal-powered skull crusher

PBEM rules:

Spoiler

1. Be a bro.
2. Do not be faget.
3. Do not reload the save and move units differently.
4. Do not conduct diplomacy with players before meeting them in-game.
5. Do not use colony pods to increase a base beyond its maximum population limit.
6. Do not make social engineering changes and then change back in the same turn.
7. Do not RETIRE default designs in the workshop as it will delete units for other players.
8. Do not Allahu Akbar units (i.e. use self-destruct to wipe out enemy units).

Game settings:

Spoiler

Difficulty: Transcend
Higher Goal: Allow Victory by Transcendence
Total War: Allow Victory by Conquest
Peace in Our Time: Allow Diplomatic Victory
Mine, All Mine: Allow Economic Victory
Do or Die: Don't restart eliminated players
Look First: Flexible starting locations
No Unity Survey: World Map not visible

FACTIONS AND TURN ORDER:

University of Planet - Kalin
Peacekeeping Forces - Grimgravy
Spartan Federation - Hellraiser
Human Hive - madbringer
Gaia's Stepdaughters - oldbonebrown
Lord's Believers - BING XI LAO
Morgan Industries - TROYTRON

 

[BING XI LAO]

Well, I would post screenshots here, but don't want to reveal info to rivals..... later in the game, I guess.

For now it's turn 5, The Formers and Colony Pods have been doing their thing. The extra initial production bases get in this mod got put towards Formers, followed by Scout Patrols.
I guess I'll worry about research and facilities later on, for now it's just farms and solar collectors, roads and population.

Very new to SMAC but have played lots of other Civ entries, mostly modded civ4.

 

[Kalin]

M.Y. 2127 - University Ahnenerbe Institute Central Nodefeed

University is No #1 - According to recent data surveys our University of Planet retains its well-deserved and rather natural spot as the most technologically advanced - as well as most populous - faction on Chiron. Technological superiority, of course, is not particularly astonishing considering we constitute the sole contingent from aboard the Unity who have dedicated ourselves not merely "primarily" but rather entirely to the pursuit of scientific advancement and the genetic evolution of our purest of all strains of humanity. With such a grand purpose, it is little wonder that even the promiscuous followers of Deirdre Skye - whom verified radio intercepts suggest quite reliably feed rapaciously off the xeno-fungus and breed among it in wanton abandon, not to mention beat us in some peculiar manner to unlocking the psychic potential of the human brain - cannot even remotely hope to match the fecundity of our soon-to-be-fully-booming population.

The Dronish Question - our imminent *rapid* population growth naturally gives further rise to the mounting question of the deliberating nature of the "eternal drone" - the intellectually insufficient yet as of present necessary evil of enlightened society. The oligarchs of Morgan Industries, solid treaty partners for these last couple of years aside from certain "disagreements" as regards to erroneous opinions of "ownership" in regards to xeno-archeological artifacts, are as of right now suffering the consequences of rampant social strife from their own cognitively challenged strata in at least two bases, following the rather violent ravages of Morgan Wokening in M.Y. 2126 mirrored near-perfectly by the abhorrent strife in Ahnenerbe Institute, prevented only by necessitated use of police power and cautionary nerve-stapling the which of the mercantile CEO apparently lacks the nerve (some pun intended) to implement.

Ever so busy Provost Prokhor Zakharov, commenting upon the state of affairs, lamented the frivolous selfishness of the non-talent population, conceding nevertheless to forego laboratory expansions so as to erect in every University base ample recreational services such as arcade halls, bars, casinos, blood sport arenas and brothels to curb the innate base nature of the pleb, for as he most pointedly remarked: "Like it or not - and I certainly don't! - plebs are needed for at least another hundred years until robotic servants and AIs will utterly render obsolete this last remnant of simian grunts and redeem forever the need for a humanoid to sully his hands by base labour". Further citing the postulates of Doctor Tweed stipulating that you cannot have a society without good proper alcohol, the most essential building block of civilization, our Provost promised additional xeno-fungal gin ratios for all essential personnel as a matter of factional security.

War on the Mind Worms - Following the most sub-optimal loss of some 11,270 dronoid settlers and staff intended for establishment of the much-anticipated Mechanus colony to the xeno-plague known as "mind worms", University Security have announced the rapid drafting of two additional mobile Wormburner squadrons and at least four Recon Rover units to provide rapid-response capability to contain further xenomorph aggression, ideally even turning this most distasteful phenomenon into an overall lucrative Planet-pearl-based enterprise.

In other news:

First University synth-metal laser frigate squadron launched at Nikonov Fleet Base.
Believer fanatics suspiciously friendly to Sparta - Potentially obstructive pact in the works?
Morganite greed exceeding common sense? - Colonial expansion prioritized over drone containment!
Robotic Revolution imminent - Major breakthough in Industrial Automation ETA M.Y. 2128

 

[Hellraiser]

SPARTA’S CALL IN YOUR HEART

This is the FEDERAL NETWORK at 2000 hours, 48 days in the 31st year of the Spartan Era. The challenges of today shall be overcome with both wit and force.

Overpopulation is a growing concern for the colonial societies scattered across Chiron. Top University scientists from the Ahnenerbe Institute have declared it, quote, “the most pressing concern for continued human proliferation on Planet” in their “TOP 10 future challenges for SCIENCE! on Chiron” publication. While the Federation utilizes space efficiently through the advanced technique known as hot-bunking, Helots and Citizens work day and night to ensure that the next generations have ample space in which their bloodlines can continue to improve during our journey along the Spartan Way towards the New Man.

At the northern frontier known as the Hilt of Laconia, the work done so far has been astounding. The local pests, a bunch of weaklings that spent whole days on prayer, charity and worship rather than combat drills, selective breeding or labour, have been forcefully removed from what is undoubtedly rightful Laconian soil as part of Operation Wormwood. Those of them who were smart enough to recognize the great opportunity before them, have chosen voluntarily to join the helot ranks, and some of them might even one day rise to the status of Citizen's should their merit and prowess be proven in the Spartan Cadet program.

The remaining religious vagrants refusing to join the Federation or flee have been punished with crucifixion along the northern federation highways, nailing the offenders to punishment crosses. In an act of mercy the offenders were given oxygen masks to spare them death from suffocation when exposed to Chiron’s atmosphere, which would be cruel due to the undignified humiliating nature of it. After all even cattle enjoy more honorable death in the slaughterhouses than that of death by asphyxiation.

THE FEDERATION WANTS YOU TO TAKE INTEREST IN THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

MAGGOT HUNTING, A DUTY BUT ALSO FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

BEST BEGINNER FIREARMS FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6

FUNGALCRAFT OR HOW TO TAKE XENOFUNGUS BY THE BALLS AND MAKE IT YOUR SLAVE

>>>THE SPARTAN WAY AND HOW WE NEED TO FOLLOW IT

THE TERMINAL MADNESS OF THE END TIMES - BY TEX ARCANE OF THE VAULT-CO BLOG

ADMIRAL DUARTE – A MAN WITH A VISION

***

THE SPARTAN WAY AND HOW WE NEED TO FOLLOW IT

Citizens and Helots alike should take to heart the opening page of Colonel Santiago’s seminal work “The Journey of Mankind”. In it our leader has clearly defined the cornerstones of our current federal society.

“The dawn of the 21st century clearly demonstrated what happens when we take away the evolutionary pressures from our species. The weak outnumber the strong, their systems of government cater to weakness, their societies and industries spoil them creating a perpetuating cycle that is the exact opposite of self-improvement. This downwards spiral of weakness will breed only failure and extinction.

The luxuries enabled by modern technology are not a right, they are a privilege to be earned through valuable contributions to society and the species as a whole, as otherwise they will lead to physical and intellectual apathy. Everybody needs to prove their worth, freedom isn't free. Our species needs to constantly be challenged to prevent decadence. Desirable traits have to be bred into future generations. Undesirable traits are to be bred out. Generation by generation the species must come closer to the New Man, who will be freed of our flaws while combining our strengths, improving upon them and succeeding as the ultimate lifeform fit to rule over all other creation.

This is not merely a noble goal or ambition, this aspiration is a necessity if our species is to survive the future that is ahead of us. It is the only Way in which we can move forward, all other paths lead to extinction and the trashheap of history.“

”Would you like to know more?”

The TURN was 31 yesterday (still waiting for 32), time for some update material hot off the Laconian presses.

The improved starting placement algorithm from one of the mods we used for this game proved to be quite... efficient in potential land area allocation. That is to say it is a bit crowded. So I need the lebensraum, a Federation Corridor if you will. The Believers happen to have lebensraum and I play SPARTA. Add two and two together and we arrive here:

Goddamn it, the Spartans have invaded me! I'm toast.
Anyway, TURN.

PBEM Cognito Elite first timer BING XI LAO gets to learn a lesson on our Codexian PBEM APC and combat terraforming tricknolodgy the hard way. It was quite similar in execution to how I paid Janior back for the original sin of Janioring me two game ago. Although here obviously I just took the initiative because I need 'muh lebensraum rather than due to hostile actions from Believing side. He didn't do nuthin', ITZ just bad luck.

SPARTA STRONG! It also helped that I scouted the base earlier ninja style so I knew how many defenders there were and what to bring for the bold Laconian blitzkrieg. I don’t have a screenshot of the first combat won achievement so either it didn’t trigger, or I didn’t notice it or somebody else already decided to attack someone only they didn’t take a base yet. I'll check on next TURN.

Here’s the result of some other actions.

Captured two bases total and did some additional damage on TURN, pretty good for a sneak attack at this point of the game. Renamed the bases and some landmarks. Obviously the bases are just at 1 pop now and lost the other population from the fighting and capturing.

Also wanted to say I am quite enjoying this accelerated start with more pods and formers plus some other changes, it inclines the pacing and lets us skip a lot of the boring early game swamp that bogs you down. That also decreases snowballing IMO since people can't get as fucked over from bad starts and have an easier time catching up rather than falling behind because they got put on an island or in the desert.

Oh and before I forget...

Believer fanatics suspiciously friendly to Sparta - Potentially obstructive pact in the works?

...I only read that update after the attack yesterday as I forgot to watch the thread and didn’t see Kalin posted an update, which made this line quite hilarious when I read it. Obviously I've been plotting Operation Wormwood for a while now so a pact was never really on the table, didn't even sign a treaty with Miriam so hopefully my integrity is still pure honorable and noble. SPARTA is lawful good but not lawful stupid, FACT.

Anyway here’s the current situation since we’ve been fairly silent after the rather disappointing end to the previous game. Double disappointing for me due to both getting Janior’d and the BUG that prevented TURN from flowing that game, forever. Still that game was over for me anyway when that damn plane flying from janior 2.0 turf made a hole in my orbital drop defenses and I got gassed badly.

Kalin’s University enjoys top score due to tech obviously which inflates score a lot at this point in the game, however Grimgravy’s Peacekeepers are first in pop. Therefore I’m not quite which one of them is the real top dog so far. Also the graph and rankings do not update mid-TURN so Believing score is probably way lower since I deprived them of 6 population, which at this point can be anywhere from 1/4 to 1/3 of total population.

I’m top in military and have been ever since the game started showing the ranking 11 TURNs ago. You can probably guess from this update how and why did that happen.

TROYTRON’s Morgan Industries has most clay, so I guess he’s gonna build golf courses and safari parks. Hive score implies madbringer didn’t meet anyone yet and trade tech (or he lost pods to worms like absinthe did last game), maybe the algorithm gave him a snazzy piece of land with no competition like oldbonebrown got last game. Hard to say if oldbonebrown’s Gaians made contact with anyone yet.

Anyway scores of the top 4 are quite close, accounting for the tech score inflation of the University.

 

[Grimgravy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlO0Ffmt_ZI

Kalin’s University enjoys top score due to tech obviously which inflates score a lot at this point in the game, however Grimgravy’s Peacekeepers are first in pop. Therefore I’m not quite which one of them is the real top dog so far. Past experience shows I am NOT top dog.
[/spoiler]

 

[Kalin]

NEWSFLASH - In order to facilitate inter-factional commerce, coordinate ever-so-vital research and discourage mysterious aggression from potential mysteriously aggressive parties, Provost Zakharov and his very good friend CEO Morgan have signed a Pact of Brotherhood and Mutual Defense with the full support of the Technocratic Concordance and Morganic Stakeholders. Content to ascribe recent military operations involving University reclamation teams and Morganic Chubby Crews as nothing more than "intellectually stimulating exercises among peers" which "frankly served only to deepen our mutual respect and acknowledgement of respective abilities", Zakharov has vowed to support our southern corporate neighbour with the full might and brunt of our Mechanized Campus Security against any mysterious belligerent who would seek to menace legitimate business interests in the region on the condition that an equally brotherly intervention would be launched should any party mysteriously seek to impede our own pursuit of knowledge.

Of course, the recent decision to conduct our wholesome pursuit of knowledge by means of first laying a groundwork of solid wealth so as to foster the most optimal climate of higher learning may well render us less "capable" in the field; human morale is at an all-time low! Nevertheless, our centrally planned [temporarily so!] economy and near-fully automated heavy industry as per the widely adopted Robotix Doctrine would allow us to churn out considerable amounts of fodder, be it weaponized nerve-stapled servitor drones, suicide droids or remote-controlled light tanks, so as to make life most difficult for any would-be aggressors.

Naturally, the rampant destruction of the Lord's Believers - sickos who actually believe Jesus Christ created the Universe - is of no immediate concern to the University of Planet; zealots and zealots-turned-helots are practically interchangeable, and as long as neither infringe upon rightful Faculty clay all is well. The Concordance, of course, laments the seemingly inevitable loss of Miriam as a solid trading partner, but remains hopeful that Sparta will compensate greatly by providing access to human test subjects for most vital experiments.

In other news:

New Crimea established to assert University dominance. Expansion past the 42th parallel to be met with deadly force.
Lazarev Cartographic Expedition prevails! Hostile aquatic xeno-mass dubbed "Terror from the Deep" thoroughly expunged!
Tripartite secret project power push continues unabated - final goals may or may not be obscured even to internal security
Nikonov Fleet Base plagued by "super drones" - incessant dissents who won't even yield to the power of gaming
Bellingshausen Expedition embarks on the Isle of Deianira - preliminary reports suggest it uninhabited though ample in salvage

 

[Hellraiser]

NO MERCY (TO SQUATTERS ON LACONIAN SOIL)

This is the FEDERAL NETWORK at 2000 hours, 118 days in the 37th year of the Spartan Era, celebrating the great victories of Sparta!

A successful nighttime assault by mechanized infantry armed with the potent Scorpion Impact Weapons System dealt a decisive blow to the defenders of the last vagrant camp. With the most powerful defenders gone the remaining defenders met with the most experienced and distinguished Elite Hippeis who have already won a legendary number of battles during Operation Wormwood. The few remaining survivors of those brutal assaults have been pacified up by cavalry with the assortment of ad hoc domes and few unity-habitats that formed the enemy camp destroyed in the fighting.

As the final holdout of the defiant and foolish squatters fell, citizens and helots alike vowed to celebrate victory by working twice as hard in the areas of infrastructure construction, eugenic breeding, research and martial training. The effects of which will amaze Planet at large, just as the legitimate political factions on Chiron started praising the swift and efficient military campaign against the squatters.

THE FOLLOWING CONTENT HAS BEEN RECOMMEND TO YOU BY SPARTA COMMAND:

MARKET AND CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS REFORMS ON THE HORIZON? COLONEL SANTIAGO DOES NOT SAY “NO”

FREE TRADE WITH MORGAN INDUSTRIES BRINGS INDUSTRIAL SYNERGY AND R&R OPPORTUNITIES

UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS ELATED BY NEWS OF VICTORY OVER REGRESSIVE RELIGIOUS ELEMENTS

>>ADMIRAL DUARTE ASSURES SPARTANS AND HELOTS ALIKE THAT “ALIEN SEA SCUM IS NO THREAT TO FEDERATION VESSELS”

SEISMIC EVENT THAT CREATED MOUNT OLYMPUS DECLARED BOON RATHER THAN HINDRANCE

***

Admiral Duarte assures Spartans and Helots alike that "alien sea scum is no threat to federation vessels"

News from the Navy’s first acquisition quickly reached the shore, rumors of “isles” of vile alien scum floating on the surface and seeking to kill the brave men and women of the naval forces. The SNV Hara has indeed encountered a vile sea colony of creatures befouling the otherwise beautiful Gladius Sea. In an official statement by Admiral Winston Duarte, head of the navy, grand strategy genius and game theory enthusiast, the truth about the creature has been revealed.

“Shortly before the alien scum appeared on the horizon the crew felt minor anxiety similar to the psionic attacks of the alien maggot boils found on land. The clearly provocative movements of the creatures forming the isle of filth were quickly linked to the psionic phenomenon, and our powerful naval guns were brought to bear upon the aquatic abomination. It died a painful death and the psionic event ended with its life, I am quite certain the creatures regretted making our seamen angry.”

Additionally the good Admiral has disclosed that remains of the creature were brought aboard and sealed in biohazard and psihazard certified containers for transport to the Alien Extermination Research Corps. “The next time one of those scum colonies approaches a Spartan Navy vessel, it won’t have enough time to realize the mistake it made.” The helots of the merchant navy and of the helot mariner vessels have nothing to fear as the Navy is well equipped to deal with the alien threat lurking on the high seas.

”Would you like to know more?”

The TURN was 37, ITZ over for Miriam.

Not much they could do, BING XI LIAO was still lucky I had to use lazors mostly for this campaign, as the research RNG fucked me once or twice and didn’t gib Impact Weapons for research when it could have. In the end though lazor infantry with SPARTA STRONG morale and the element of BRUTAL SPARTA STRONG SURPRISE BLITZKRIEG was good enough. That and I got to finish and deploy impact weapons anyway, so even if I got stalled in the end victory was likely.

As an unintended bonus there is a BUG where the PBEM game threw me to the score screens thinking I won the game after conquest (or because it triggered for me instead of BING XI LAO due to his loss), which resulted in me having to save and load the turn again, which ended up with a kind of double turn for me (unit moves again, the whole NEW TURN shebang, while preserving turn moves and everything that happened before conquest/save). To the victor go the spoils I guess, but as I mentioned in the TURN convo, best people just suicide last bases to prevent this in the future.

Oh and yeah, one of the BUGZ is that it said Miriam got restarted with a pod but we actually have DO OR DIE enabled, so no restarting should happen and indeed BING XI LAO didn’t get one. Kalin blames the BUGZ on the franken-mod approach and exe-hacks, but apart from that and the double turn it runs ok. Well, except maybe for doubling the minerals needed before the rushing cost penalty is no more, but that’s a minor issue.

Got quite a few bases from this, also destroyed some, I think the Believers had 7 bases total. This was still not enough to boost me to first place in pop, so Gravy must be breeding his Peacenicks well. The other factions I know definitely have a few pop less. Of course the problem I have now is occupation drones and bureaucracy drones, so the extra pop and bases are not that much of an advantage due to the drone riot risk I need to suppress.

Temporarily I was first in score for two straight turns. Gravy’s Lal overtook me on TURN 39. Not much else changed.

 

[Kalin]

PROKHOR ZAKHAROV INTER-FACTIONAL EMPATHIC ADDRESS

Expanding ethereal fluidum...
Mindturbulency activated, standby...
Injecting DNA stimulants in subjects...
Beta spreadpoint level 5b activated
Transference Protocol sub-zeroid technobabblicum launched...
Telepathi-linked aura dispersion in effect..
Proceed>

Zakharov speaking! Testament to the power of pure unfettered research unburdened by ethical constraints, once assumed final sanctity of man - the barrier of your mind - has been expertly breached by yours truly - as expected of the cognitive elite of Planet! Until now predominantly latent psychic/psionic affinity of human species is evidently greatly amplified by newfound proximity to Chiron's xeno-fungal net; after eleven Planet years of intense study and cross-referencing to our great archive in Ahnenerbe Institute, a combination of Planet-wide mental scannings, automated symbolic code-breaking routines and gentle psychic probing resulting in but truly minimal amounts of recipient neural overloads has allowed my staff in Telepathic Observatory to successfully complete long-range thought-transference, effectively establishing communications with members of every faction on Planet - including, in ways most amusing, even scorched remains of what once constituted Miriam Godwinson's fanatic "Kingdom of Heaven" as psionic expressions of pain, terror and hatred can still be read quite reliably and accurately in what now constitutes New Laconia.

One must - naturally - presuppose previously largely dormant capacity for psychic communication may well have played a complementary part to regular sub-humanoid ignorance in regards to manifold religious delusions of the unenlightened past. Simians speak of angels, visitations and communion with the dead -- I call it simply defective self-hypnotic processing of residual psychic emanations. In any case - there is no need to feel violated. As peaceful researchers, the University seek only friendship and commerce with all! Pact offers have been sent to each and every faction leader. Won't you join with us - take our extended hand, to have and to hold the fruits of true knowledge?

We have such sights to show you!

TL/DR

Once again, I have rushed the Empath Guild - like a Soviet engineer would say: I HAVE THE INFORMATION! Feels good man. But one should never get uppity, I've had it and lost games before. Won't call Council yet when I can profit and have yet to feel out the factions - suffice it to say, Grimgravy is doing great, massive population (I've kept mine low on account of the drones), Oldbonebrown has mastered the mind worm and is doing quite well in complete isolation, Madbringer isn't doing too hot due to early mess-ups (he didn't realize he could implement Police State from turn 1 lol), but let's face it, he's still alive unlike Bing (rip bro, better luck next game) and as long as there's life there's growth potential.

 

[Storyfag]

University Ahnenerbe Institute

Oh mein fukking Gott.

 

[Kalin]

MASS PRODUCTION OF DEFENSIVE DROIDOIDS INITIATED

The centrally planned defense initiative of Chiron's Cognitive Elite Gentleman No 1, Provost Prokhor Zakharov, whose unrivaled supreme genius rapidly enhances every campus so as to provide extended factional security capabilities must assuredly be recognized as supreme universal success bar none! Foregoing mere "traditional" military training constituting brute and wasteful diversions - deliberating and *most unbecoming* of learned gentlemen - a concerted focus towards complementary anti-personnel mines, auto-bombs, hunter-killer bots, cyber-dogs and remote-controlled light tanks will not merely compensate for morale issues but frankly elevate University combat readiness far above every non-Spartoid peer.

Commenting on the grand project, Provost Zakharov publicly divulged: "What I originally envisioned, of course, was something akin to a faction-wide set of cyborg factories. Frankly, we're not there yet, but these robotic fellows and snazzy gadgets are nevertheless quite nice - sufficient, one might deduce, for the task at hand, pending, of course, much greater achievements. Naturally, I'd much prefer not to have to bother with these time-sink diversions delaying *PROPER* research, but current climate and unbidden neighbours leaves one with precious little choice in the matter."

In related news, the population boom of multiple yesteryears has abated most swiftly with a mature and coordinated switch to purely hierarchical and authoritative management. Commenting on the radical reform, our illustrious Provost acclaimed: "Feudalism, for all of its baggage and historically Judaic smears, emerges as the most effective and indeed desirable social structure applicable to man." Effective immediately, each University campus is controlled by a certified and most trustworthy TekLord, ruling with a firm but fair hand the affairs of faculty and staff alike, aided in no small part by the recently created Minder Platoons.

University Minders mind your own business

Following the recent and most historic breakthroughs in the new field of Psionics it is only fitting and indeed a natural as per the laws of human evolution that telepathic screening is elevated to a primary tool of local University police forces. Approved by the Cognitive Elite Council and endorsed in particular by the Provost himself, mind-reading police are now busily patrolling the campuses ensuring subversive and degenerate thought is kept to a minimum at worst, and outright expunged at best. Remember: we're all in it together - do the right thing! Think responsibly!

In other news:

Economic trade pacts established with ALL factions - exports soaring amidst inter-factional disputes
Global race for Ecological Engineering, Morgan likely winner, University and Hive stand apart pursuing other venues
University dronoid mass-breeding program helps regain status as most populous faction on Planet

Spoiler

Rushed Command Nexus, it's MINE! Still got some tricks up my sleeve. Morgan is building two projects at the same time, both of which are close to completion, Gaia and Peacekeepers are both chasing after the Longevity Vaccine, Sparta is just building creches preparing to boom. Speaking of which, my mini-boom went quite well, number of bases are maxxed out, of course I still suffered drone riots somehow, prob played drunk.

And yeah I'm kinda doxxing myself here with my bases and stuff, don't care, everyone has pact infiltration anyway. It's preferable to me that way, if they want to aggro me they must cancel pact which transfers units back to nearest base, a very nice safety contingent right now.

 

[oldbonebrown]

A sustainable future

After 50 years together on this strange and marvelous planet, we see the dawn of a global society.
Coinciding with this is the proliferation of advances in the art of terraforming. It would seem that the future of our global society is that of the borehole and the echelon mirror.
Climate science tells us that if we do not all do our part in caring for the global climate, we will all suffer the consequences.
Let us not disturb this ecosystem that we all live in, but instead learn to live in harmony with it and understand it.
The strange psychic/psionic affinity of human species amplified by proximity to Chiron's xeno-fungal net must be studied further.
I thus want to call every faction on Planet to do their part in the fight against climate change, and plant a tree next to their new borehole.
Planting a tree is planting a hope for the future.

But the problems we face in the future are many, and global problems demands global solutions.
I have thus called you all to put your voice forward, in electing a Planetary Governor to steer us into the future.

For his many good dealings with the Stepdaughters of Gaia in the past, for his work with raising up the struggling Human Hive, and because he did not ask for this burden but will carry it nonetheless
I, Lady Deirdre Skye, representing Gaia's Stepdaughters and the interests of Planet, will be putting my voice behind Pravin Lal of the Peacekeepers for Planetary Governor!

 

[Grimgravy]

Pravin Lal addresses the UN council:

Well met, friends and fellow citizens! I'm sure by now you have seen the poling in the Planetary Governor race, and yes I have been elected. I accept the honor of the position and accept it's gravity. I will do my utmost to preserve the peace and restore humanity to its proper place in space. To that end I am setting up an inquest to probe the conflict that saw Miriam and her people conquered. I do not condemn Colonel Santiago at this time. I am confident she will cooperate with this inquest and help us all avoid such nastiness in the future. To that end, I ask all world leaders come together and consider that some projects may be best left unpursued. Some weapons not built. We must learn from the failures of Earth! Lady Deirdre has put forward some interesting theories regarding the planet we reside on the the native flora and fauna. I hereby ask Academician Zakharov to use his expertise to further investigate the issue. Similarly, I ask that Lady Deirde and Mr. Morgan work together to create an economic plan that will allow humanity to grow and thrive without stripping the planet bare as happened to Earth. There must be reasonable limits to our terraforming efforts and I trust these worthy people will find them.

Sad video plays

These commercials are terrible. Seems to be on rotation with the ASPCA and I've fallen and I can't get up! tm. Think of the poor starving, rioting commies!

To address the situation on our southern border, I am pleased to announce that UN Aid Station is up and running and terraformers will soon be deployed to Mr. Yang base of Detroit to improve local living conditions. I have also set up a fund to provide direct economic aid to our southern friends and allies. I propose all factions provide a modest sum of 10 credits to the fund. We will rush life saving food to these unfortunates and save them from hardships unseen since Earth. Donate now and the UN will match these donations credit for credit! You may transfer funds directly to UN Aid Station.

Thank you. Together we will all return to the stars!

Spoiler

This is a strange place for me. Top of the power graph at this stage of the game? Historically, I should be losing ground by now. I'm doing alright in tech, but it's all down to population. I'm doing good there, but I'm afraid it won't last. Kalin's population will rebound and he has a clear lead in projects.
As for the vote, Kalin had Troytron's vote when it came to my. I'm sure I had OBB's. Hellraiser and Madbringer I'm unsure of. oldbonebrown sorry to use your faction so roughly in the LARP. I hope you get a laugh out it.

 

[Kalin]

Industrial Re-Evolution Begins; Cyborg Factory On-Line!

With the fulfillment of Provost Zakharov's Grand Design, wide-spread cybernetic enhancement emerges as the new norm in all techno-feudal campuses, providing through advanced implants and enhancements manifold advantages such as heightened cognitive functionality, reaction-times and brute strength. Considering the natural benefits in the fields of research, industry and defense, Cybern and Servitor populations are estimated to surge sharply leaving but minority segments of non-enhanced Humanoid and Khymera staff no later than M.Y. 2164.

In other news:

Zakharov congratulates Pravin Lal, explains lack of campaigning due to pressing scientific engagements
Deirdre deemed clinically insane for breaking pact and spamming comms with impudent religious inanity
Third Borehole close to completion; drilling impeded by rough terrain, "corrective" options weighted
Science Vessels expelled from Gaian territory resupply in Akademgorodok; to set out for polar expedition

Spoiler

Was a tight race with both Morgan and Peacekeepers close to unlocking Neural Grafting. Gotta say it's mighty nice to have snatched both the Cyborg Factory and the Command Nexus, makes getting elite units quite trivial for me. Also I've been getting quite some uppity requests from Gaians demanding I stop pursue certain projects - such impudence. Probably high on xenofungal fumes.

And since global communications are established:

 

[Kalin]

GAYAN PROVOCATIONS DEEMED INSUFFERABLE - VENDETTA DECLARED!

After a great many Planet-years of enduring incessant and most provocative abuse from the increasingly deranged Gaian leadership - popularly stylized *Gayan* due to their disgusting sub-humanoid proclavities - Academician Prokhor Zakharov, in full concordance with the Citizen Council, has deemed it fit to properly pronounce a preemptive vendetta against the degenerate xeno-WHORE Deirdre and all her followers for the universal CRIME of impeding science, progress and proper healthy free market enterprise.

Directly citing the good Provost, who may or may not have been under the influence of certain cognitively enhancing substances at the time in question, "the intellectual mass-suicide of GAYA by means of abandoning loyalty to one's species in favour of worshiping an alien entity that - albeit vast in scope and peculiarities - ultimately constitutes nothing more than a mere fungal infestation, cannot reasonably be surmised as anything but a deranged and utmost vain declaration of war upon mankind herself." Effective immediately, any skulking Gayan military units will be terminated by force and any attempts whatsoever to menace progress by the unwashed masses of Skye's coven will be expunged as per proper protocol.

Cyborg legions and mass produced war-bots have been mobilized to contain each and every degenerate eco-terrorist threat to the purely peaceful goals of the Faculty. In a friendly advice to the adversary, Provost Zakharov remarked: "You should've watched your stupid whore mouth, but you couldn't, you wouldn't and now you're paying the price. In the words of my good friend Mr. Viper: u gone die."

In OTHER NEWS:

VIRTUAL WORLD ONLINE - WAIFU PARADISE THE NEW NORMAL FOR UNIVERSITY TALENTS
PERIMETER DEFENSE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN SINGLE PLANET YEAR - UNIVERSITY SAFETY ENSURED
SUPER-STRING BREAKTHROUGH ETA IN 4 YEARS - UNIVERSITY MILITARY SUPREMACY A GIVEN

 

[oldbonebrown]

Seers of Chiron
Public statement by Lady Deirdre Skye on the mysteries of Planet life.

From the beginning, things were different on Chiron.
Doubtlessly the sensitive among every faction's talents have felt it in the long sleeps of the gene therapy tanks.
The swaying of a vast ocean, and the wind that sweeps over it, whispering things that cannot be grasped.

For years we probed these dreams with little success, until that day that mankind was first mindlinked with native life on Chiron

Chosen for her insight into remote viewing, Sister Lindley of Gaia's Stepdaughters was the first to take that step into the unknown. It was also she that in a deep trance followed the psionic trace from the worms, through the fungal forest and to that ocean of thought that springs forth from it.
All research done verifies that the the underground mycelium network of the xenofungus likely stretches all of Planet. In it echoes all that its tendrils picks up, and an event on one continent may provoke a reaction on another. While we are used to the interconnected ecosystems of Earth, this is something different, something grander still. In scope this network dwarfs the capacity of even our theoretical computers of the future.
This is the source behind the fearful power of the mindworms. By themselves they do not possess the capacity to organize into the boils that we commonly encounter, nor the capacity to generate any of the psionic power that their attacks put out. Rather they are but simple receivers channeling the will of the vast planetary mind.
Just like there is no one mushroom, there is no one worm, there is only the vast ocean of combined mind, that you can find when you psionically approach the source of their power.

The discovery of the alien mind was only a step into a deeper mystery, for years meaningful interaction with it never came closer. Many feared that the mind-ocean was not truly intelligent, but those of us with keener ears that could hear its voice whisper, knew that we had to keep trying.
The next breakthrough came with the University's announcement that the psionic trace of the Lord's Believers demise had been picked up by their Empath Guild. Death it seemed, was leaving a mark on that alien mind.

Yes, there they go. Dust to dust, but nothing is lost on Chiron, for the mind with which the Lord's Believers sleeps is not the one of their fairy-tales, but a tangible one that is here all around us. The fungus sees all, and it hears all, and the very dust that used to be Miriam Godwinson has now been claimed by its spores.
The once incomprehensible ocean of thought has been illuminated by the blood poured into it by Sparta's operation Wormwood. Each and every one of the Lord's Believers is still there for those who know how to call them out of the depth.
Is this a mirror image reflected by the obscure workings of the fungal network or is it truly their souls trapped in there? No one has been able to tell for sure, but those that have not exited their physical body cannot be called out of the ocean. Only the dead sleep with Planet.

For countless nights I have walked in dreams with Miriam, and I have shown those Gaians with an aptitude for astral projection the secrets to calling forth others from the ocean. They tell us of their old lives and thoughts, but their image grows out of that fungal mind and behind the human interface the endless waves of the ocean crash down. Certain words and phrases resonates deeper with these spectres, and reveal knowledge far deeper than that possessed by them when they were alive.
I discuss with Miriam the garden of her Lord, and a voice not fully hers responds. Eden, through this interface of a woman possessed by the dream of desert scribes millennia ago I have found understanding with the alien mind of Planet. It shows us the way to live in harmony with the land, to build this Eden right here together with a new Lord.

But the trained seers of Gaia are too few for the work that must be done. That was, until now.
With the completion of the great Neural Amplifier project, the strength of one has become the strength of many. By sharing my dreams with my elite talents I show them the hidden paths through the fungal planes, and in turn they pass it on to those who cannot see for themselves.

The will of Planet flows through me and my sisters. Every day we deepen our understanding of this world that we have made our new home, every day we take another step towards a new Eden. Every tree planted, every body recycled, every mindworm linked with man, step by step we walk the path Planet has opened up before us

The Green Grass Grows All Around
Flowerings from Gaia's garden

Great news abound. Barely had the citizens of Gaia's Stepdaughters through the marvels of the Neural Amplifier been initiated into the mysteries of its leaders far-seeing dreams before they were presented with the fruit of this embracing of the alien planet mind. Just this year, the long dreamed of Longevity Vaccine was disclosed to finally have been completed.
The rejoicing of this most bountiful harvest reached every corner of the land, but each great leap comes with its downsides. Chief clairvoyant and city planner Madame Cirronimbus explained the situation saying
"There has been growing concerns that introducing the vaccine under a planned economy there will simply be too many that will live for too long. Not only does the process of physical decay connect us with our nature, but Gaia also needs strong soldiers of the mind to head over to that other side and down into the abyss to expand and deepen our communication with the fungal overmind.
Once the great growth spurt has been completed under our current planned economy, we must return to a green economic plan, where death has its rightful role to play. Extended use of the vaccine will be reserved for those select few who has displayed exceptional gifts in the psychic arts, those whose strength can serve the many with their guidance.
Under this Brood Mother program, generations of Gaian citizens will be guided by the same great minds as their ancestors. Increasing the sense of community and belonging, with each other, and with Chiron, so sorely needed for all us lost children so far away from our mother Earth."

Pop booms in multiple cities, director of human plantation Madame Markos displays her green fingers.

Support for Planetary Governor Lal at an all time high after proposed plans for a space program. It having been made clear to all Gaians that death on Chiron might mean more than anyone ever signed onto, the wisest choice for the future is to allow all those who fears Planet an option to leave.
All expectations for global governance fulfilled, the benevolent Commissioner remains popular with Gaians of all stripes.

Perihelion strengthens and blesses the Gaian psi-corps with reinforcements, while reminding polluters that there is a toll to be payed for not paying enough respect to their new home.

Deal with progressive Morganites goes through. Contact between the factions sparks debate among esteemed Gaian thinkers and mycologists; Is the future non-binary?

Kelp farms combined with tidal harnesses deemed the future of sustainable growth, amazing success seen at Velvetgrass Point

Spoiler

Sorry for the long post, I'm feeling over my TWO secret projects, pop booms in several cities and now a parhelion event leveling up all of my little worm buddies
I just noticed Kalin spazzing before posting this, but I won't let him spoil this moment of rejoicing in the sunshine, will address it tomorrow

 

[Hellraiser]

VIRTUAL WORLD ONLINE - WAIFU PARADISE THE NEW NORMAL FOR UNIVERSITY TALENTS

Sorry for the long post, I'm feeling over my TWO secret projects, pop booms in several cities and now a parhelion event leveling up all of my little worm buddies
I just noticed Kalin spazzing before posting this, but I won't let him spoil this moment of rejoicing in the sunshine, will address it tomorrow

Meanwhile in Laconia....

 

[BING XI LAO]

Expanding ethereal fluidum...
Mindturbulency activated, standby...
Beta spreadpoint level 5b activated
Transference Protocol sub-zeroid technobabblicum launched...
Believer psi-trace signature locked
Initiating psionic relay protocol...


Empathic broadcast of Prokhor Zakharov's dream

In the darkness, something goes >POP<, you are walking through
the noxious green, orange and purple thickets of a vast fungal forest.
The whole world seems to breathe and swirl as endless fungal tendrils
slither about you in your struggle through the damp darkness.

From somewhere, a Voice seems to whisper "Earth-Zakharov",
as you turn to search for the source of the voice you
spot a soft light fluttering behind the tendrils off to your left.
No source of the Voice to be found, you head off in the direction of
the light. The ever slithering path before you seems to open up
and you soon find yourself in a clearing.
A man sized pool of water is softly reflecting the light from
Alpha Prime high up above, shrouded in hazy clouds.

"Join me" a different, feminine voice, bubbles up from the pool ahead
You walk up to it and look down. At first only your own reflection
looks back at you, but behind it and deeper down a different
set of eyes appears, green like emeralds. Again she speaks
"Beware, you who seek first and final principles, for you are
trampling the garden of an angry God and he awaits you just
beyond the last theorem."
The woman now closer, her orange hair like fire against the murky
depths, reaches out her hand towards the surface and you
stumble backwards
"Beware Earth-Zakharov" the Voice from earlier calls out, now
directly behind you.
Your stumble turns into a spin that turns into a fall,
right as you crash into the water you catch one last glimpse of
your reflection

Spoiler

>POP<

 

[oldbonebrown]

The fool fears what he does not understand
M.Y. 2161
Public response to University faculty, by brood mother and saprophyte-seneschal Agnes Hillevidóttir, representing the voice of Gaia's Stepdaughters and the will of Planet in the absence of Lady Deirdre Skye (predisposed by her work in the biology lab breeding a new species of Rhododendron adapted to Chiron's climate)

The self-proclaimed peaceful Prokhor Zakharov has revealed himself to be all that Gaia feared.
In one broadcast University slams Gaia for raising concerns over their amassing of dangerous secret projects, only to go on in their very next broadcast to sabre-rattle with their Cyborg army.
In the same breath as they questions Lady Deirdre's allegiance to humans, THE CHILDREN OF GAIA, they extol the virtue of cyborgs - of enhancing and of updating human nature to one that suits their twisted designs.
With their stated plan of having no natural humans living in their cities by year 2164, who here is abandoning human nature? The self-serving ignorance is plain for all to see!

Zakharov bemoans the good Lady's insistence on respect for the native ecosystem, and tries to reclaim his lost manhood when she is proven correct. The perihelion will bring Planets wrath down upon University, but instead of correcting his erroneous ways he seeks to blame anyone but himself.
A witch whore mutant who talks too much? Nothing infuriates an impotent man as much as a strong woman! Isn't she overbearing when she beats you to the construction of the Neural Amplifier? The fragile ego of your sheltered mind could not handle its power.
"Preemptive vendetta!" he cries, more like a premature vendetta the Stepdaughters of Gaia thinks - well bring all of your little robotic toys, boy! The mindworms are waiting for you. Or are you just going to stand there behind Sparta and talk big? I'm sure Colonel Santiago is very impressed by your bluster!

On the topic of your good neighbours I want to ask the CEO of Morgan Industries to consider what their opinion of Zakharovs most recent outburst is, and what agenda their trade credits are supporting.
"We have such sights to show you!" - It would seem that the sights the great minds of University has promised to show us are the marvels of common bigotry and rank misogyny.
Where would the University even be without the credit backing of the Morganites? Where would they be without the protection of Sparta?
Broke and at the mercy of a Believer inquisition squad!

While all the other factions have shared progress in a brotherly manner, the University hoards technology and projects like a petulant child. As soon as anyone questions their motives they throw a temper tantrum.
Does any other faction have any bad word to say about their dealings with Gaia? We only ask that you know us by our actions and not by the slander of a sad and drunk man who fears what he does not understand.
A drunken man who sees fit to terrorize the world by broadcasting his nightmares through his Empath Guild as if they do anything but prove that he is in the wrong.

The power of Planet frightens the mind that finds comfort in blinding itself to the reality around it. That which doesn't fit Zakharov's ignorant theories cannot be, so he hides in his laboratory and cries that one day he will destroy it.
This mere "fungal infestation" will swallow you Zakharov like it swallowed Miriam, and in its depths you will be eternally aware just what it thinks of you!

 

[TROYTRON]

MORGAN INDUSTRIES LAUNCHES MEGA I.P.O.

Today marked a most momentous milestone in the history of free enterprise on Planet, as the long-awaited initial public offering of Morgan Industries officially took place with the listing of MORG on the Chiron Stock Exchange at 90 credits per share.

The news was met with widespread and unsurpassed jubilation from all subsidiaries of Morgan Industries, whose exquisite pleasure with the performance of Planet’s capstone conglomerate was immediately made known with share prices rising over 11% within moments of the announcement – and no sign of slowing down anytime soon!

No doubt shareholders all over Planet were also pleased by subsequent announcements being made at press conferences by top-level Morganite executives today, including the mass-issuing of complimentary mating licenses so that all employees would be able to properly commemorate the occasion. The Morgan Welfare Office was quick to remind all employees that such celebrations are only to take place after office hours, in accordance with the Ascetic Code of Conduct first introduced in FY 2154. Remember: greed is good, efficient use of company resources is better!

Ceiling Morgan is watching you fuck on company time!

Less visceral but no less important to the company’s future prosperity was the news that voting rights would be expanded for all classes of shareholders, with the promise of even further inclusivity for minority shareholder groups in the future. Initial market surveys show that drone populations were greatly mollified by these measures, with anti-market agitation reportedly down 7% even before accounting for the expensive overhead of full recreational facilities. Not all market analysts agree with this assessment, however, pointing to the continuing roll-out of enhanced holographics as the more likely factor leading to customer satisfaction in the near term.

Concerns that smaller subsidiaries may end up being squeezed out of the market by new requirements for minimum dividend payouts and the rescinding of easy credit schemes for new start-ups were dismissed as “overblown” and “totally unfounded” by senior executives.

“It’s only natural that shareholders should earn a sizeable and proportionate return on their investments,” Roger G. Carlson, Managing Director of Morgan BlazeIt Ltd, spoke to market analysts on the issue. “If you can’t deliver the market returns that shareholders rightfully expect from a competitive enterprise, then you deserve to go out of business.”

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to demonstrate to our loyal customers the proper technique for rolling this joint, the ingredients of which were grown in Morgan Weed House Ltd with new proprietary techniques made possible by our in-house development of the Morgan Weather Paradigmᵀᴹ, on the ass of this hooker I had Short-Bussedᵀᴹ in from Morgan Body Positivity Ltd. Cowabunga!”

Spoiler

Haven’t had much time for propaganda in recent months – but that looks like it’s about to change soon.

Finally made the switch to Democracy. Morgan has a rough start with his -1 SUPPORT penalty, which already robs him of one free mineral per base and then another one when running Democracy – painful for small bases. That’s less of an issue now that boreholes are coming online and I have enough workers to absorb the hit. The other reason for not switching until now was so that I could finish building all the bases I wanted – Morgan needs to spam bases to maximize his income, and the free 20 minerals for founding new bases in this mod are too good to pass up (the equivalent of 80 energy, as the first 20 minerals cost double to hurry!).

Naturally, any veteran of these games knows that Democracy is one of the key elements needed to popboom. The inability to run Planned is painful for Morgan here, as it forces him to rely on Golden Ages to reach +6 GROWTH, which can be difficult to induce if the Psych allocations don’t cooperate. It also rather annoyingly requires the base to be at size 3 before you can even have Golden Ages, compared to other factions which just run Demo+Planned+Creche and shoot straight from size 1 to 7. Still, it has to be done or I’ll fall behind the others. I’m barely treading water as it is.

I was rather unfortunately unable to secure the Human Genome Project, which would have helped greatly with maintaining Golden Ages. But I did manage to grab both the Weather Paradigm and the Ascetic Virtues, which should help my population growth in other ways.

Also, since everyone has pacts with everyone (except Kalin and OBB, lol) and can see what everyone else is doing anyway, here’s my current list of bases:

 

[Hellraiser]

LACONIA STRONG AND GLORIOUS IN NUMBERS

This is the FEDERAL NETWORK at 2000 hours, 118 days in the 70th year of the Spartan Era. We’re doing our part in making key federation numbers larger!

In cities all across the Great Laconia a distinct sound is ever present for the past few years, the sound of infants and small children crying or laughing in the Creches. The Federation has seen a major increase in the number of children born, but this period comes to a close as mandatory eugenic breeding is put on hold while the Federation President Santiago steers our great nation towards new challenges.

While quantity should always take a back seat to quality, the Laconian population is estimated to be 1 million 450 thousand strong making it bigger by 310 thousand compared to the former most populous UN Peacekeeping faction, and 420 thousand more compared to the University of Planet. This unprecedented on Chiron in scale population explosion was made possible thanks to the legion of Helots working tirelessly on critical advanced infrastructure. Condensers, boreholes, kelp farms and creches were erected in a very short amount of time, with multiple new cities erected and quickly grown to target maximum size within the last decade thanks to strictly enforced Spartan discipline.

With this latest bold plan of Federation President Santiago complete, the people who were busy breeding the next generation can return to work on other Federation efforts freeing up the workforce thus driving economic growth. The SPARTEX enjoys major growth of all indices as news of new major hi-tech investments, such as the Eugenic Forestry Plantations or Synthrol Refineries, drives enormous amounts of energy credits into new ventures.

At the same time as the Federation achieves new levels of genetic purity improvement, industrial output and hard-earned prosperity, certain old threats decide to push back harder. Indeed the fungal-psionic abomination known as Chiron’s native ecosystem is growing desperate to preserve its disgusting status quo, suddenly blooming near areas of high industrial or agricultural development. With a new kelp farm suddenly overgrown by aggressive xenofungus, the Federal Engineering Corps vows to take measures aimed at curbing this new threat against advanced infrastructure. The head of the corps had this to say about the incident.

“Laconia is ours, only death awaits the fungus, maggots and alien sea scum in Federation lands. Our newest research into fungicidals will make sure superior eugenic plants or industrial machinery shall thrive in the wastelands once covered by fungus. We will mine and harvest as much as we need to, alien meddling will be dealt with lethal force as we shall execute their extinction!”

*sounds of cheering*

In news from abroad - planetary tensions remain at a stable although slightly elevated level with rumors of further combat between alien creatures enslaved by Gaians and University border patrol forces. The current sunspot activity prevents proper diplomacy thus ensuring such skirmishes will continue for the foreseeable future, with some chance of escalation as neither side seems willing to bury the hatchet. Planetary Governor Pravin Lal has yet to make any official statement regarding the clashes.

”Would you like to know more?”

The TURN was 73, SPARTA STRONG ONCE MORE.

I’m back in first place in score thanks to my much belated pop boom rather than grabbing useless churchnut bases. Regarding my dubious spoils of war, I executed planned genocide via starvation and rushing colony pods to remove the occupied Believer bases from rightful Laconian premises. So now you can consider any remnant hinting of believing history to be burned down. BURN DOWN HISTORY!



BLAZE IT DOWN! SMOKE THAT SHIT! Wait...

Of course I expect I will lose my first place in the near future as people boom their old bases to size 14 in addition to booming any new bases they settled since the last boom. Anyway I’m only leading in pop and because of pop, plus all these helots and citizens alike mean I need to invest more into psych and drone skull smashing if I want to grow any more.

That and it seems my terraforming has been TRIGGERING the dangerhaired lifeforms, on the up side at least this means I can finally raise my clean minerals cap by building tree farms.

 

[Kalin]

MIND > BIO-MATTER; ECO-CULTOIDS EXPUNGED

21 JUNE M.Y. 2174 - Impudent, ignoble and ineffective invasions launched by the degenerate fungal-freak cult against University holdings for no purpose discernible outside irrational religious parameters have been decisively repulsed by our vastly superior technological prowess. While sub-humanoid worm worshipers did manage to devour a full contingent of semi-robotized aqua-former servitors ill-suited for combat engagements, in addition to inflicting the loss of some 10,000 dronoids and lowtek servoids expiring due to menaced nutri-farming, automated deployment of state-of-the-art University CHAOS OBLITERATRON artillery and rapid-response cybernetic Exterminator anti-psychic hover tanks modified off the commercial Tesla Type Zakharov swiftly halted the terrorist operations at a more than adequate cost ratio.

Simultaneously, development of the ROGUEY DEEP RADAR and deployment of Type SnaZzy laser hover scoutoid craft, as well as the aquatic ASP Explorer counterpart, is expected to elevate faction-wide detection against future cultoid attacks by 97.2-97.4%. Whereas talents will delight by default at this spectacular display of scientific refinement, tier 1-3 Faculty staff inclined towards more visceral forms of entertainment are sure to enjoy the imminent disintegration of captured enemy empaths broadcast on University Low-Brow Cooldown Channel. Particular highlights include live chaos gun application to aforementioned captives of vendetta. Morganite customers are advised to make full use of associated discounts.


In other news:

Obsolete Spartan Hara Class craft offered expert navigational assistance to correct evidently faulty navigational pattern
Provost Zakharov vows to device long-term means to facilitate total destruction of xeno-fungal mind worm menace
University explorers successfully chart the Isle of Dexamenus; Unity supply pods excavated, yields disturbingly sub-par
Cultist isles of the deep spotted in Eurytion Bay; TekLords petition Faculty for additional Worm Destroyers

Spoiler

Not doing too shabby, although grabbing all those projects sure set me back. I've boomed during the sunspots applying generous... Ah... "Corrective" treatment, so to say, and I'm holding my thumbs the spots will endure to allow for yet another dosage. Even if it won't I'm close to maxed out, just can't get those condenser farms out quick enough. Former-wise I'm not exactly top dog, I disbanded a lot to rush projects too so there's that, Morgan has the paradigm and Sparta has a ton of formers, plus twice the amount of bases, but mine are bigger and have the free nodes. Also I have elites now which makes all the difference against dedicated PSI Gaians. Gotta say, +60% from Planet+temple and +50% from the amplifier is disgusting to face, I could only kill that boil thanks to artillery bombardment. Still, all in all, it's extremely tight in the rankings (Peacekeepers aren't doing bad either, really strong).

Oh yeah, also lost a team of Spetsnaz probes in Gayan territory (even upgraded them to ECM to counter a rover I spotted after foolishly ending the team's turn, ugh). Well it was a greedy attempt anyway, still sucks. At least I also sunk an isle of the deep with my artillery a bunch of turns back, felt good, forgot to post about it.

 

[Kalin]

NEWSFLASH! - Invigorating reports from University Fleet Command Eastern Operations Directorate proclaim justice has been exacted in the criminal controversy of the sinking of Faculty aqua-former servitors in Nikonov Fleet Base Sector 54-D. A retaliatory strike utilizing automatic exploration vessels reprogrammed to neutralize enemy aquatic infrastructure and activity has successfully brought about the destruction of enemy mining platforms and liquidation of several "civilian" workers.

Along similar parameters, cleansing of Eurytion Bay continues unabated following the unfortunate loss of one ASP Explorer west of Paracelsus BioLab in M.Y. 2177. Newly commissioned Worm Destroyers have expunged major xenofaunautical island-constructs leaving disembarked invaders stranded without clear means of evacuation. Suicide mind worm attacks are expected and local TekLords have been instructed to mobilize assets and "brace for impact".

Addressing the Faculty, Provost Zakharov is reportedly "content" with the overall defense measures, but stressed the need to transcend mere "tit-for-tat" and primitive "eye-for-an-eye" exchanges and explore large-scale industrial containment in alignment with the established Policy on Facilitating the Final Solution to the Xeno-Fungal and Environmentally-Religious Extremist Question as outlined in Sub-Section 47 of the University Charter.

In global news, much anticipated recession of sunspot-related communications-interference has seen a sharp increase of technological exchange, with University Type Z hover tanks, cruisers and chaos guns being exported en masse to both the Spartan Federation and Morgan Industries. In exchange, the Procurement Department reports large-scale imports and industrial adoption of silk- and plasma steel, bio-machinery, experimental rockets and fossil fuels. Bids for the brand new Morganic needle-jet design have also been approved.

Animated by the spectacular business climate, the Cognitive Elite Council has suggested increased, relaxed and algorithmically aided inter-factional exchange in the concise form of the Prosperous Prosperity Pact Proposal, including offers of providing premium Virtual World services to paying non-Faculty customers as the leading tool in sophisticated population control, much unlike crude and obsolete nerve-stapling or barbaric "punishment spheres" as reportedly being pursued by Deirdre's extremist fungal cult. Faction leaders are encouraged to think logically and vote responsibly. Remember: the University is your friend!*

*unless you're an Gayan freak terrorist in which case you will be spectacularly expunged by science

 

[TROYTRON]

THE MARKET TURNAROUND OF THE CENTURY
How market freedom led to market dominance

Profits soared literally sky high this year with the announcement that the prototype Morgan Basicjetᵀᴹ underwent its first successful test flight at the University’s Climactic Research Test and Training Range. News that the “twin rod” fission-powered needlejet concept had proven viable was the final straw that broke the dam of “terra firma”-based aero-skepticism, unleashing a veritable waterfall chart of stock trades that powered the MORG share price up to a record high of 601 credits by closing time.

From gloomy forecasts a mere decade ago, Morgan Industries experienced an incredible turnaround to become the undisputed market leader in such wide-ranging industries as aviation engineering, neural interface networking, environmental preservation, magnetic transportation, and other sectors traditionally deemed non-profit. With an unprecedented 12.6% annual growth rate and near-doubling of employee counts over the last ten years, it is more than clear that the Premium Reproduction policy first advocated by visionary CEO Nwabudike Morgan is now paying dividends – and Morgan Industries is all about the dividends!

“Naturally, the permissive business environment encouraged by our esteemed partners in the University of Planet and the Spartan Federation in recent years was very healthy for our bottom line,” the CEO spoke at today’s press conference, referencing the recent unanimous passing of the Prosperous Prosperity Pact. “But it takes more than a business friendly Planet to become market leader: it was as much my hands-on management style and shrewd negotiating skills that brought about the astounding market expansion we all profited from throughout this last decade!”

CEO Morgan went on to denounce the growing tide of anti-market sentiments Planet-wide, which are rumoured to have torpedoed recent deals to sell the Morgan Basicjetᵀᴹ design to Gaia’s Stepdaughters and the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. “We had thought that they could be reasonable business partners, but it is clear that the same eco-socialist tendencies which crippled free enterprise on Earth have taken root on Planet.”

He warned that recent tensions between Gaia and the University, which saw naval assets from both sides intruding into each other’s waters, could have a “deeply destabilizing” impact on global markets.

NEAR-DISASTER IN MORGAN C.H.A.Z.
Anti-market radicals to blame?

A large-scale containment breach at the Morgan Chiron Heritage Awareness Zone was narrowly contained at the eleventh hour, allowing investors to heave a sigh of relief that anticipated losses did not materialize.

According to a spokesman for Morgan Wokening, signs of increasing wildlife activity were first reported following an expansion in the base’s mining operations. The on-site Diet Chonker crews, evidently passed out on the job due to chronic dietary disorders, proved incapable of holding back the upsurge of native wildlife, allowing the tentacular masses to spill out of the CHAZ and menace corporate property. Zoolander squads were hastily mobilized at Morgan Wokening and marched to stem the outbreak, while a fresh Diet Chonker was rushed from Morgan Intersectional to reinforce Morgan Weed House Ltd before the precious recreational products within could be contaminated by exposure to Planet’s atmosphere.

The Morgan Board of Directors has ordered a full audit into the incident, promising that whichever individuals were responsible for the endangerment of corporate profits would have their privileges checked. Potential eco-socialist subversion has not yet been ruled out.

The Board also announced that funding for future CHAZ activities would be suspended indefinitely, pending a review of the site’s future profitability. Market analysts predict a high probability that the CHAZ will simply be abandoned, citing the high opportunity costs of replacing the lost Diet Chonker crews, the extremely uninhabitable nature of the site making it unsuitable for terraforming and settlement, and the frankly marginal profit numbers when compared to the immense revenues being brought in by other Morgan Industries subsidiaries.

Spoiler

That’s right, Morgan is Number One! I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting that; I figured I was going to be relegated to middle power status behind University and Peacekeepers for a while yet. Just goes to show how much tech inflates the power rankings (traded a bunch now that sunspots lifted); I’ve been pulling in more energy than even Grimgravy and his bloated Peacekeepers for a few turns now. All that micromanaging of base tiles and budgeting credits really paid off.

Of course, being as rich as I am tends to draw covetous eyes, which is why I’m rushing military facilities and units post-haste now. Not gonna get caught with my pants down like last game!

Also, I totally forgot that I could propose the Global Trade Pact despite being the first to research the tech. :D I blame the recent delays in TURN for this.

 

[oldbonebrown]

Call to Council on the war initiated by The University against Gaia's Stepdaughters

With the fading of the sunspot a new age of diplomacy has come upon us.
That new age that has already been tainted by the dirty actions of the University.
Zakharov proclaims that Gaia is a terrorist nation, when it is a fact that the University is the only faction that has attacked the others settlement. With his most recent terror-forming actions broadcasted by himself, there can be no doubt that this is the cheap projections of a drug abusing loser who refuses to stand for his own actions. As Gaia's Stepdaughters has never used Nerve Stapling in contradiction to Zakharovs ramblings, it is likely that this too is a projection.
It was not Gaia who initiated this useless war, and every broadcast Zakharov authorizes makes it ever more clear that he is a petty aggressor, and a danger to global stability.

Due to complaints from Morgan Industries regarding closed-door U.N. tech negotiations following the recent election, I Lady Deirdre Skye, therefore want to to invite all the factions to an open U.N. council on this most urgent matter.
I put forward a motion that these statements are the facts of the matter:
The University is an aggressor, the only one to initiate a war in the age of global communications when troubles could've been solved diplomatically
The University is engaged in terrorist activities, terror-forming important Gaian infrastructure resulting in loss of economic capacity
The University is using spies to steal other factions technologies instead of trading fairly
The University is creepily spying on their neighbours using the Empath Guild
Zakharov is an unstable drunkard
Zakharov has illegally shared classified information
Zakharov is a rank bigot, openly disparaging on the basis of both sex and ethnicity
Zakharov has meglomaniac dreams of achieving military supremacy

I first and foremost invite the newly re-elected Planetary Governor Lal (Grimgravy) to mediate in this issue. I also ask fervent broadcaster Zakharov (@kalin) to step forward and openly defend himself against these claims.
The Human Hive is building an army. Sparta is building an army. The Peacekeepers is building an army. Morgan Industries is building an army. And you have seen Gaia's army in the global rankings for a long time

Turbulent times are upon us, I want to suggest to the council that a five-way action against the University is the best path forward for all of Planet. That way each faction will know where the others army is, and that it is working for a common good.
The University must be disarmed and their research and credits be divided among the more clearheaded. As Morgan Industries has suggested, Gaia too hopes that the productive capacity of no one is unnecessarily destroyed. Surely Zakharov is not mad enough to go against a unified front.
With five resolute factions standing together we can subdue this wolf before it bites anyone again.

 

[Grimgravy]

Lady Skye of the Gaians has made serious allegates against Provost Zakharov, who has been strangely quiet of late. Given the ongoing conflict between their two factions and the very real possibility of that the conflict could expand and draw in other factions, I am calling on the full council to investigate the issues brought forth with the ultimate goal of peace. Both sides shall have time, 3 years, to gather their data and prepare their arguments. Then they will present their arguments to the full council which will deliberate and choose a course of action. To preserve life, I would prefer a mediated peace rather than a unified peacekeeping action, but understand that drastic actions may be needed. I had hoped it would not come to this.

Planetary Governor and Commissioner of the UN
Pravin Lal