Part 67: Episode VI: 2575 - 2600

Episode VI: 2575-2600




This should be a low ebb for the fleet here; we just scrapped over three dozen of the old cruisers at Exis. Still nearly respectable, and we're competitive in pretty much everything. Gradually moving up in production at a snail's pace, but the big things are still the Silicoid size and the tech edge that they and the Meklar enjoy. It's not dominant, but it is still significant.

Fleet just took a big hit but we continue to narrow the production gap ever-so-slowly and generally do just enough to stay relevant otherwhise. The same territory we had last time, but all except Paladia, which is well on it's way, are fully developed.




It appears that Exis is going to be a stable foothold, and it puts us just within range of the homeworlds of the Bulrathi, Alkari, and Mrrshan(all of whom began clustered close together, yet still managed to expand. Strange). That gave me confidence in extending trade deals; the Meklar is an increase and the other two are just-signed. Strangely the Meklar are at peace with everyone right now, while the rest breaks down quite clearly as Silicoids/Bulrathi vs. the balance of the galaxy. The Alkari refused our proposed alliance, but everything else went well and we should start to see increased income soon from these new deals.




The Meklar couldn't hold their gains and keep squabbling with the Silicoids, while the Mrrshan fade as Bulrathi power grows in the center-right area. That's the short version. By planet totals:

** Silicoid(18) -- Same.
** Human(12) -- Paladia is well into it's development, Exis just beginning the curve there. Everywhere else is running full-speed.
** Bulrathi(11) -- No change.
** Meklar(8) -- Down by two.
** Alkari(8) -- Holding steady overall .
** Mrrshan(5) -- Lost another one. They aren't totally out of it, but things don't look very good for them right now.

Long-term, I'm watching two systems as our next targets now. The first is Jinga, red flag in the nebula left of center. We had it for a while almost two centuries ago now. That would put us right in the middle of everybody's business, for good or ill. By the time Exis is fully up and running, which will take some time, I think we may want to go for Orion instead though. That would help us in the Council, give us devastating new toys, and the research boost could be decisive. I'd like to have another generation of tech before we do that though.

These plans could change based on events around us, but right now it's looking like Jinga or Orion in another 2-3 decades.




Soon we'll get the slight range boost that we probably don't even need anymore. The new missiles will give us considerably improved security, and are the only other project coming soon.

2576: We take down the last incoming Silicoid wave to Exis, losing 21 more outdated ships. Thanks for the maintenance help fellas! Although now we have little remaining to defend the system. The very next year Paladia finishes it's Planetary Shield though, allowing us to gradually start funneling ships over to Exis as the base buildup commences. Oh, and the Alkari capture Jinga. Outstanding -- and quite good news for us even if doesn't hold up.




Trilithium Crystals(Range 10) arrive in 2579, and the HEF here is the only choice to go forwards. There's no real decision to be made.




The diplomatic situation is shaken up as a Mrrshan attack on Rigel fails. Barely, as you can see. The Meklar do not take this lightly and our two empires are at war. Often reckless, the felines have once again proven their incompetence, and probably also dug their own graves here. No question where our loyalties lie.

2582: The Mrrshan demand that we break our alliance with the Meklar. They are royally ticked when we refuse ... but technically our agreements with them are still in force. For now.




Another year, and this. Entirely predictable and expected. The Alkari are also on the Mrrshan side of this conflict. It's now basically us and the cybernetics against the rest. Practically speaking though there is little change. We aren't quite close enough to their territory for there to be any serious fighting between us.

There is some weirdness though, as the Meklar have sought out the Bulrathi as allies. This we cannot allow to stand. Fortunately we are able to get them to break those ties; otherwhise it could have turned even our closest friend against us.




The birdbrains have paid the price for their insolence. In the year 2587, the Meklar ruthlessly destroyed their homeworld of Altair. They lost little in the process. You can see here Ursa and Fierias, origins of the Bulrathi and Mrrshan respectively, nearby.




We've received many entreaties from the rocks over the years. I seriously consider taking this offer in '89, and ultimately decide to give it a try. The the Meklar demand war with the Alkari and get it. Then ...




Hilarious choice to use nearly 300 years into the game, but I think this is a bribe from them. We are also able to gain peace with the Bulrathi.

An interesting situation has now developed. An emerging consensus among the more powerful races of the galaxy that the Alkari and Mrrshan must be destroyed. How can we profit from this?




The answer lies at Jinga. We are in no position technologically to assault fortified worlds, but the Mrrshan just took this from the Silicoids. Since all others are at war from them, we can secure their good opinion by striking here against the empire I once held to be our strongest ally. As we are under no threat, I feel liberated to send most of our fleet from Exis to handle this task. Much like the victorious Klackon game in Ep. III, we may buy ourselves some time by the good-will of others in striking at targets of opportunity, with the galaxy united against common, weak foes.


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



Well, that certainly could have gone better. Nothing much to say about it other than yeah, the Mrrshans are skilled gunners. We'll need to have a more determined effort to take them down. The mere attempt skyrockets our relations though. In two years, we have gone from centuries-long conflict to an alliance we our new fast friends the Silicoid Empire, and with the Bulrathi as well.

One can now forsee a future in which the four of us allies(including the Meklar) eliminate the Alkari and Mrrshan from the galaxy. In that prospective future, the Bulrathi and Meklar would likely side with us in the Council -- possibly proving enough support for us to become High Master over the rocks. A lot of that depends on who gets the most territory in this war.

Meanwhile our 4th rich system, Paladia, is now ready to enter the shipbuilding business. That'll escalate the buildup of our fleet so that we can see what a larger force will do against the Mrrshan.

2592 -- Things shift quickly. The Alkari take Jinga, and have very little in orbit there. We try again.




Ok, I get the point. I'm sorry I didn't use the name Ender. Sheesh.




And our new toys are thankfully now here, in 2594. So are Class XI Deflectors.




I don't see how we can turn down the chance for the top-level Planetary Shields here. Meanwhile we also go for the Particle Beam, which does the same thing as the Hard Beam only with more damage(halves shields, 10-20 damage), as the next option. would have considered a bomb but there were none available. The Auto Blaster(4-16 damage, fires 3x) might be better against the Mrrshan/Alkari, but frankly they may not be around by the time we get it.




We're back. I was going to invade and have troops on the way -- but one of our allies glassed the thing, so now we have to try to set up facilities before they get here. Mrrshan are incoming, so I send in the rest of the ships we have. We're going to have to fight to keep it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3niKldfJue8


Not so tough against more numbers, as it turns out. Jinga is now our new rally point for the fleet. We risk spreading ourselves too thing, but Altair is nearby, retaken by the Alkari and ripe for the picking. Colonizers were still on the way there when the Council voted again ...




The rocks grow again. +3 out of 5 additional votes in the galaxy this cycle.

** Meklar(7, +1) -- Johann III.
** Bulrathi(12, +4) -- Johann III. Expanding and now in our corner again. Perfect.
** Alkari(3, -2) -- Granid
** Meklar(3, -1) -- Granid.

Naturally the twirps get in their last flailing stabs at us. We surprisingly hold at 12 and abstain with Granid leading the vote 28-19. A narrow majority in our favor if we voted for ourselves.