The Codexian Saga LP

[Jack]

I change my vote on 3 to B.
We can't have the entire economy come crashing down upon us later on.

 

[treave]

These aren't people, these are popamole consoletard newfags who couldn't find their way off Leonid without a quest compass.

 

[taplonaplo]

Flipping on option 3 to B.(from A)

 

[The Barbarian]

Oh, and another question if I may? What is the attitude of the clans that were/(are?) our allies at the beginning? Have they, too, come to dislike the Codexians, or do they accept our decision to have pulled back when shit suddenly hit the fan the way it did?

None of the Raumeni 'like' the Codexian state, at this point. Some stomach it better than others. But the bugs want their territory back. As of the point at which Codexia pulled out and left the Raumeni to their own devices, trust is at a premium.

Though, on a personal level, they don't hate you as individuals, per se.

EDIT:

The Barbarian hopes that flip-floppers are editing their original vote posts, as they change their minds.

 

[treave]

Though, on a personal level, they don't hate you as individuals, per se.

It's just business, you know?

 

[DarkUnderlord]

There are realy only two paths through:
1: Press onward, bear the cost and crush the Hin'in (BAB).
2: Hold off (BBA).

The fact the Raumen aren't on our side is worrying. It makes me less inclined to really do anything about them, especially when the Hin'in weren't even after us in the first place. Ideally, the Raumen need to be begging us to help them and fighting on our side. The only way for that to happen is to let the Hin'in have at them a bit more. We've at least exposed the Hin'in for who they are.

With regard to the Commonwealth, it CANNOT be recognised. We are all Codexian and I'll be fucked if a bunch of niggers are going to run off with their own little forum. However, the fact they let "non-Commonwealthians" leave in peace needs to be respected. That leaves only one choice regardless of our path here...

Choice A: B

They've got fuck all military anyway so recognising them achieves what? Happy feelings? We should refuse recognition but concentrate on the Hin'in. We can deal with the rebel scum later. Particularly when the war budget is this pressed. There's a risk that more systems will join them but by refusing recognition, we can prevent a mass rebellion by indicating we mean business. Fighting them at this time is just poor form given the peaceful way they declared. There's still time to talk.

With regard to the Hin'in, we could push them to the end. The argument being we've come too far to stop now and it's likely they see us as the next vassals. However, we've also earned their respect and shown them we mean business. They won't fuck with us lightly and again, also still disappointed the Raumen aren't siding with us yet.

Choice B: B

We hold. Let the Hin'in play with the Raumen. Hopefully they'll realise before it's too late that we're on their side. If not, then the Hin'in will consolidate and we may yet sue for peace... or buy enough time to go all out for a last hurrah.

Choice C: A

As we're taking the "hold off" path, our fleets won't decline badly at this point. It buys us time to sort out the Commonwealth and maintain a defense without risking the budget completely. By holding off, we can maintain the current fleet through this critical stage and by keeping social programs, prevent further colonies slipping away. We also need to avoid inflation at all costs. Out of control inflation is the hallmark of the loser.

The Hin'in aren't in our territories yet and we've at least fucked with them enough to make them think twice about it.

Consolidate the home-front, hope the Raumen see sense and buy ourselves some time to re-group.

 

[Angthoron]

Hmm, DarkUnderlord makes a good point in regard of option 2 B in the sense of them not going to easily mess with us in the future... What does the Council think about this point?

 

[Heechee]

Aaah, so retards turned the empire into the mirror image of Soviet Union in late 80s, disintegrating shithole with no economy and strong tendency to increase inflow of material to a pointless conflict, so surprising. They even use the quantity-oriented battle tactics, want to crush a justified internal opposition with brute force they do not possess anymore, and are considering printing money . Enjoy your fall into obscurity. Not much point in voting anymore, but still:

Choice a: A
Choice b: B
Choice c: A

 

[treave]

I can forsee the Hin'in attempting to destabilize us in the future via inducements and trickery of our oh-so-patriotic newfag colonists. Like what I'm suspecting them of doing with the Commonwealth at present. More so than ever our unity is paramount. Any secessionist elements must be stamped out, there can be no quarter, so on and so forth.

I personally believe that by maintaining our current levels of mobilization, we will be able to press our advantage against the Hin'in further while freeing up a minimal amount of troops to admonish the separatists. But of course, this isn't of great importance - we will likely be utilizing ground pounders against the Commonwealth to bring them back under control, and our boys of the Army haven't had much to do since Fleet has been taking the starring role in this conflict. The only reason I'm ambivalent about attempting to push the Hin'in out of Raumen space entirely is due to the Raumeni attitude towards us at the moment.

Again, remember that option B doesn't mean negotiating a ceasefire. It only states that we scale back our meat grinder assaults while we deal with internal affairs.

Would we have a vote on how to deal with the Raumeni Burden if we manage to successfully end this war with holdings in Raumen territories?

edit:

Herp-derp, butthurt detected

 

[treave]

Voted for B myself. I would be satisfied with token tithes from the clans and allow them to patrol their own space, as long as they acknowledge our superiority and perhaps allow us favourable trading concessions. Still, as I mentioned, it really all depends on what we do with the Raumen once/if we push the Hin'in out. Attempting to hold on to an expanse filled with hostile bugs that is as large, if not larger, than our own Codexian Republic is a futile endeavor. Remember, the Confederacy spanned a thousand light years in size.

As for the Raumen integrating themselves into Codexia, this will now require time and lots of credits with which to win their hearts and minds with. Either that or we put a boot to their insectoid neck?

It may have worked had we tried to lead the Three Tone Alliance to victory, but that would've been epically bloody.

 

[treave]

If I'm not mistaken, 150 clans were arrayed against us and the Hin'in because of the xenos factor.

I doubt that more than half of the Raumen clans would have stood against us had we stuck with the alliance and tried to establish the Three Tone Alliance as the predominant force in the Confederacy - Raumen clans would still be nominally calling the shots, not aliens. The anti-alien sentiment would not be as strong. Also, we would have forced the Hin'in hand while they were still unprepared had the Three Toners managed to conquer Four Suns territory. Revealing their actions through deeds, not words, and sacrificing our lives to show that the Hin'in were planning something dastardly - what better way to demonstrate our nobility?

 

[treave]

Of course safest scenario was to stay out of it (and possibly gain a Hin'in influenced Raumen Confederacy for a neighbour), or broker a peace with the bugs at the first chance we got.

But hey, we Codexians are inquisitive folk, can't fault us for wanting to fully explore the side-quest before ending it.

At the rate we're going we'll end up opening the door for some cosmic Lovecraftian horror to devour the galaxy because we "just couldn't leave well enough alone".

 

[Nickless]

Holy crap, this is amazing. How the hell did I miss it?

I'm voting...

BAC

These psychic aliens are scum, vulturous monsters that feed off the carcass of righteous civilisations, we must show our true friends we have not betrayed them. Life's meaning is found in struggle, and we will give ourselves willingly for the glory of mighty Codexia in the face of diabolical evil.

All or nothing.

 

[Nickless]

I firmly believe that Codexians are made of a sterner metal, and possessed of a noble warrior spirit, that will triumph over any adversity put in our path by troublesome alien delinquents. You will see, gentle brother, that a firm stance against these troublemakers will in the long-run bear fruit. We just need that final push to glory!

 

[madbringer]

Great Scott!

Those friggin' opportunists, and their abhorrent "Commonwealth" be thrice damned. They're clearly the Enemy of The People, as bad as the Hin'in are. What proper patriot would strain their government so during a time of strife, nay, a battle that could well be for survival? Still, the time is not right to strike out against them; their time will come, and they are of little importance to the overall conflict thus far, anyway.

So: BBA.

We don't recognize the "Commonwealth". Fuck them. Fuck them and their pathetic claims, their insignificant military force and their traitorous ways.

Let's slow up our production rate and let the economy stand up from being knocked prone by the "Commonwealth" insurgents.

To that end, we hold off the war for the moment to catch our breath. If we knew the Hin'in are in the red of their health bar, i'd say we push on, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. What worth is winning the war when you lose everything else?

I find it deeply ironic that the Raumen find us cynical, by the way. For all their scheming and plotting, they seem to be oblivious that they themselves brought this disaster upon their heads.

 

[Nickless]

glory is all very well, but a penny is still a penny.

How very Raumen of you.

Our people will come to believe in our Mighty Cause, and stand united once more against the psychic alien menace. We have the best minds, the best good old Codexian ingenuity, the best technology, and the strongest moral character to carry on against our nefarious foe until the bitter end. We will reward their Machiavellian schemes with nothing but death and decay. The deaths of our brethren will not be in vain. Never forget, never yield, never surrender!

 

[The Barbarian]

The vote is ended.

Azira - BAA
Cenobyte - CBA
taplonaplo - AAB
TNO - BAC
praetor - CAC
laclongquan - BBA
herostratus - BAC
GarfunkeL - BAC
Jack - BAB
root - CBA
treave - CBB
Luan - CAB
Angthoron - CAB
Radisshu - BAB
wjw - CBB
juggernaut - CBA
DarkUnderlord - BBA
heechee1 - ABA
Nickless - BAC
madbringer - BBA

Option 1:

A - 2
B - 10
C - 8

Option 2:

A - 11
B - 9
C - 0

Option 3:

A - 8
B - 7
C - 5

Option One -> B
Option Two -> A
Option Three -> A

Interestingly enough, Azira's vote turned out to be the only exact duplicate of the outcome.

Update forthcoming.

 

[Jack]

Indeed, we could be dead.

 

[TNO]

Hmm, sometimes compromise is a bitch. I'd have rather gone peacenik then had us take the hit to military. But hey ,without complicated preferences, thats what you get. Arrows paradox, lol.

I hope the troops we have at the moment kick some serious ass. Our space marine/terminator avatars have gotta count for something, right?

 

[praetor]

sweeeet.. this will end in disaster. why isn't everybody happy? i thought that's what we were trying to achieve over the last few council meetings...

 

[praetor]

considering the nonsensical choices that the majority of the councilors pushed forward even when faced with reasonable counter-arguments to their senseless ones, i'd say "yes"

 

[laclongquan]

Lots of cut-addicts in our council. They want to join with the cosmic death, donchaknow?

 

[Orgasm]

Aaah, so retards turned the empire into the mirror image of Soviet Union in late 80s, disintegrating shithole with no economy and strong tendency to increase inflow of material to a pointless conflict, so surprising. They even use the quantity-oriented battle tactics, want to crush a justified internal opposition with brute force they do not possess anymore, and are considering printing money . Enjoy your fall into obscurity. Not much point in voting anymore, but still:

Choice a: A
Choice b: B
Choice c: A

Indeed.

 

[praetor]

pray tell what nonsensical choices these were, and why we disconsidered them, councillor fishface.

for example taking in the furries and exposing the hin'in stick out like a sore thumb. made absolutely no sense

 

[The Barbarian]

A Series of Unfortunate Events

There are many examples in human military history of leaders gambling on desperate, all-or-nothing offensives against terrible odds. The Germans undertook Operation Michael in 1918 knowing full well that it would either win the war for the Empire, or make it utterly un-winnable. In WW2, they launched the Ardennes and Lake Balaton operations in 1945 - the last, gasping convulsions of a dying regime and state system. The Russian Empire, too, had its own Brusilov and Kerensky Offensives - dire efforts at breaking the stalemate of the Eastern Front and achieving a decisive victory against a capable foe. Napoleon had the Battle of Waterloo etc., etc. The exposition of such cases could go on for some time. But it must be said that there is a certain romance - perhaps elan is a more appropriate term - to such obviously doomed ventures. And there is something special about the men and women who throw themselves into the furnace of history, by participating in them. One would not be amiss in characterizing the Codexian offensive known as 'Operation Godhammer' thus.

Even as economic collapse threatened the Codexian state in May 269AU, and more young worlds swirled around the 'proverbial toilet' (a term coined by core worlders) known as the Commonwealth, the Codexian military prepared for a do-or-die effort against the hated Hin'in enemy. The complications besetting the offensive, of course, did not end at economic ruin and possible civil war. In addition to the aforementioned, the government's bid to put a halt to the economic decline was based on cutting military production to the bone. Codexian commanders could expect no serious reinforcements beyond the already badly denuded Strategic Reserve. Therefore, the campaign HAD to be successful; decisively so. Even partial failure could spell disaster. Restarting production of full-fledged military vessels would take months, and would require far greater funds than the government had at its disposal, by this time.

While the military finalized its preparations for the looming offensive, another two worlds haphazardly declared for the Commonwealth. Though it was still a burgeoning state entity, the new additions to its growing family allowed it to now boast of some actual industrial potential and economic heft. Furthermore, by absolving the Commonwealth of Codexian government debt and taxation, its newly appointed statesmen essentially wiped the slate clean. The worlds in question could once again begin developing naturally. This contributed to a real sense of progress in the 'Commo', however fleeting. A complete lack of response from the central government regarding the secessions both emboldened the population of the Commonwealth and enraged that of the core worlds. While most of the latter understood that the Hin'in War had to come first, they nonetheless girded themselves for what many believed to be an inevitable civil war. The Commos, for their part, also considered it merely a matter of time. They immediately began retooling various industrial concerns for the production of arms and munitions. There was a determination there not to go down without a fight.

Such a confrontation, however, was not yet in the offing. Firstly, the little matter of Op. Godhammer had to be resolved. On 15 June 269AU, the greater bulk of the Codexian Navy set off from dozens of established jump-off points - off on their grand attempt to finally break the four-eyed aliens in a sweeping battle of attrition and maneuver. Military leadership and the public alike awaited the results of the offensive with baited breath. The first reports were encouraging. They spoke of rapid victories against diluted concentrations of Hin'in power. Several systems fell quickly and easily, with minimal casualties. An initial euphoria took over on the homefront, in particular, where the people cheered their 'boys' on, as if following an especially heated sports derby in progress. This first period of gain gave rise to that worst of all things: hopeful expectation. When disappointment came, it hit hard. The Hin'in absorbed the force of the Codexian offensive over a period of more than a month, retreating deeper into their portion of Raumeni space, before unleashing a devastating counter-offensive, made up of some two thousand vessels.

A savage spectacle ensued. The Codexians would not accept defeat - and the Hin'in proved unwilling to concede victory. Some five thousand ships battled across six systems, simultaneously, throughout the first half of August. Taken as one compound engagement, it was the largest in human history, bar none. The blood-letting was hideous. Simply indescribable. The humans knew exactly what was at strength, and it gave them preternatural discipline. The Hin'in must have steeled themselves for a decisive struggle, for they did not give. In the end, the extent of the carnage ended the fighting almost by default. The Codexians had lost upwards of sixty percent of the forces engaged. The Hin'in fared better, comparatively, but still lost at least two fifths of their strength during the cataclysmic fighting.

There was no real victor. The two sides were completely exhausted; a pair of punch-drunk boxers deep in the championship rounds, unable to put any power behind their strikes - content to paw at each other pathetically in the endless wait for the bell. There was no more potential for a decisive outcome. The Hin'in took back the systems they had lost, almost as an afterthought, after the Codexians had withdrawn to their bases. But neither side exhibited any will to continue the mortal struggle in an offensive sense. Rest, recuperation and reconstitution was desperately needed on both sides. Plenty of skirmishing followed, thereafter, but no more pitched battle. Now, there is nothing to show the people back home why such sacrifices had been asked of them. The situation is beyond simply 'dangerous'. In the coming weeks, the homefront could veritably explode in discontent. You must handle it very, very delicately.

How do you proceed?

The Barbarian chooses to experiment, in this instance. The voting body will not be asked to make a simple choice between several different options. Rather, you are requested to posit a CLEAR and CONCISE (no more than a short paragraph of less than one hundred words) answer to the above question, as you see it. The Barbarian understands that this invites twenty wholly different responses and a hopeless deadlock. In defusing that potentiality, the Barbarian would ask you to CO-OPERATE with one another to produce joint answers. Whichever one has the most support after a day or two will 'win'.

Alternatively, if we do end up deadlocked (or this simply doesn't function as envisioned), several choices will be presented in the traditional manner, based on the discussion held. The experiment will most likely be discontinued, at that point, and we will return to the standard voting method.