Part 144: Episode XIII: 2425

Episode XIII: 2425 -




Other than the planet count we aren't very intimidating yet. But as has been proven over and over again, the others are simply 'lagging indicators' here. They will come.




There is a Human-Darlok alliance that I expect to be rather short-lived. Other than that everyone is on decent terms, no wars, etc.




Here's where the real picture is laid out.

** Mrrshan(13)
** Darlok(6)
** Alkari(5)
** Sakkra(5)
** Human(2)
** Bulrathi(who cares)




Planetary Shields coming fairly soon, with upgrades to our warships following next.

Cold War: The Mrrshan Menace's Plan for Galactic Strangulation

So we have twice the territory of anyone else. A number of the planets are new, and some are small. But as we know that will change with tech. I'm last in tech and at the same time in a position to strangle the life out of the galaxy until it begs for mercy and accedes to my demands. Which are to put Empress Nermal on the throne with everyone paying homage to her oppressive cuteness for all time. And then some.

The key elements of that plan:

** Reserve transfers. Five of our 13 systems have 14M or less population, and we are about to add another. Funding the buildup on those at maximum levels is crucial.

** The Tech Chase. Abu Dhabi's contributions are vital here, but there are more and more resources coming in from other systems as well.

** Blockade Toxic/Radiated Systems. We've identified six of these. I intend to press our military edge while it still matters, sending as many ships as possible out to these worlds to prevent our rivals from becoming large enough to challenge us. Right now they'll be ignored by at least the Darlok and Humans, who have only Barren landings. Sakkra tech is still unknown, the Alkari possess Toxic landings though. The Toxic systems nearby their territory will therefore be prioritized for now but I'll need to keep an eye on this.

If I'm able to research either of those techs, we'll be able to make our vice-grip even more stupidly abusive.

** Choice of victory methods. Orion if I feel like it or what-have-you. Council success seems to not be particularly fitting for the Mrrshan, so I'm leaning towards just destroying everyone.

At the moment we have only enough destroyers for a few at each of the blockaded systems -- it'll be several years before we have any at a couple due to travel times. With the number of systems still building up, it'll take some time to get significant numbers of ships out. So it's basically a race to see if we can get to them all before somebody else comes in force.




From the latest round of diplomacy. Cost us Robotics III but the Humans are so small I really didn't care -- and we don't have improved armor coming in anytime soon. It'll help our next round of ships. Also signed a NAP with Lasitus here. We got Terraforming +10M from the Sakkra, and learned they have at least Dead landings(which they were willing to trade) but not Inferno. Don't know if they've leapt higher up that tree or not. Nothing useful from the Alkari/Darloks.




Last of the current round. In 2429, our report on the Sakkra comes in; they have now allied with the Humans and Darloks, but Dead is the best environment they have. So really it's only the Alkari we are worried about striking out, and that only on the Toxic worlds. That really allows me to focus movements of our Leopards, at least for now. I'll need to keep a close eye on the tech situation.




2432. Warship production for the blockade part of our plan has been suspended for a few years and now that will continue as we get these built. Still, ensuring we hang onto what we have has to come before getting greedy. Next we'll take Class V Deflectors.

The Darloks have started attacking us a bit in an 'undeclared war', validated the defensive approach once again. They retreated once, and lost a few destroyers and ten fighters the next time before any of them reached our planet(against a single missile base). We're still in the Defense Is King portion of the game. Also spotted a couple of Alkari colony ships that I thought were headed for one of our blockaded systems, so I braced for battle -- but no, they were on their way on another cross-galaxy excursion.




We've got Sublight Drives in now. Could go Fusion but it's not a huge leap here. I'll actually take the range increase, which could bring another system or two into blockade possiblity. We're currently still at Deuterium(5) so upgrading to Uridium(8) is a significant boost. I'm getting greedy here, only because I can afford to be. At the same time, we start getting planetary shields finished, and only Cygni remains in need of transfer funding.




This arrives in 2439, with turned-rich Beta Ceti just about ready to get our shipbuilding going again. It was time for a new design. I decide to go back and grab the super-cheap Hand Lasers next before moving on.




The current Leopard has a single mass driver so this will hit a lot harder, while being also faster and more durable with the improved armor and engines.




First 1-year research task I've seen, and now a new choice. The bottom two will move things upward a rung. Nice to have the bombs available but I'm not close to needing them yet I don't think. On the other hand I don't feel a particularly strong need for the Fusion Rifle yet either. But since those are the choices I might as well get a bomb with the Omega-V and take the somewhat cheaper option.

By the early 40s research was approaching 1k annually and Beta Ceti was pumping out a quartet of Warcat destroyers each year, meaning every three years each blockade target system would get two of them. This ball(furball?) is finally getting rolling now.




Enhanced Eco Restoration is in. We can get +30 Terraforming for literally less than half the price of +40. Unfortunately these choices also mean that both Toxic and Radiated are not going to be available to us. So we'll need to maintain the blockade until we're ready to steal them or take them by force. For the moment, +30 it is for the quicker economic gain.

I could try and steal the capability from the Alkari, who naturally don't want to trade it and are the only race possessing Toxic. I'm not quite ready to do that yet, but once my fleet becomes competitive with theirs I'll probably work on stealing it by either subservise or aggressive means, whatever it takes.




Last of the current round of advances. The list of possibilities is long, but I go for Robotics IV. The Sakkra and Alkari already have it, unfortunately.




Second time they've asked for a boost recently. I've agreed both times even though this one isn't really worth it -- let's keep them happy by all means.




It begins. Bring it, lizardface. Similar comments from the Darlok. Actually, not similar -- exactly the same. Must have the same speechwriter(s). Spose it's tribute time. I give the Darloks some money but it doesn't move the needle. I just don't have enough saved up. The only three techs they are interested in I don't really want to give them. Frankly I'm just not worried enough about them declaring war, even though they have allies. I'm in a good enough position. If they think they can take me, give it your best shot fellas.

Nermal and Sauron in the High Council once again:

** Alkari(4) - Abstain
** Humans(3) - Abstain
** Sakkra(7)
** Darloks(6) - Abstain
** Bulrathi(1) - Abstain

Well that's new. I've never seen everyone else abstain this late in things. Usually they are picking a side by now. We have a galaxy-leading 9. 2 short of veto power. We vote Sakkra to continue currying favor with them.