Part 79: Episode VII: 2450 - 2475

Episode VII: 2450-2475




Production is as good as it's going to get here. I think we may be gaining on the Silicoids in research; we're at least up to half what they have, which is half what the Psilons have. After our support in the council, the frontrunners are not stupid enough to sign an alliance but we do get a Non-Aggression Pact with them. The more they like us, the longer we survive.




Trade is steadily heading in the right direction, while our bases are the only significant drain on the economy and not that much of one. Meklar production FTW there. I'm up to the standard amount on each system for our current, pathetic, tech level.




Speaking of which, we'll be getting a few more items in soon. The Mass Driver that we no longer really care about looks next; the planetary shield and reduced waste are probably the most important.




Very next year, a small bit of luck. Graviton or Stinger for the next tier, and naturally we go with the missiles. All the better to die slightly slower with if(when) we are attacked. After the battle computer came in, the only option was the Advanced Space Scanner. We're overdue for more Robotics, and that's supposed to be our strength so I'm annoyed at the lack of them.




Fast and furious they come, this is a third advancement in four years. I may well come back for the Repulsor beam, as it's always nice to have that option for some potential to neutralize certain enemy designs. Like, say, keeping bombers away from a planet. For now though, it'll be the Class V Shield. Now it's time for Planetary Shields everywhere. Silicoids already have them, Psilons have the second one. Time for us to join the modern galaxy. The larger systems, Meklon and Crypto, only require a couple years for this.




2459. Really?? This is the third major negative event this game. They've all hit us. Never mind how our computer proficiency should make us better at resisting such things. If it weren't for bad luck, we'd have no luck at all.




Mid-60s now. We'll hit Zortrium next for our first Armor improvement. Ecology spending is now pretty minimal, and we'll see a corresponding boost in research. I try again for a Psilon alliance, and fail.




2469, and the Energy Pulsar arrives. Who cares. However, this range boost, the only forward option, will get us contact with more empires. It's past time for that. We need every advantage we can get.




Stingers(15 damage) coming in are a big deal. They can do some harm to almost any ship. The torpedoes are next, as they can serve the same purpose on an actual combat vessel; in sufficient numbers(which we'd never be able to afford), even the Psilons might be slightly concerned. Hilariously, our egghead friends are already building stargates.




The end is nigh. The Psilons are on the attack, at war with(at least) the Silicoids, Bulrathi, and Humans. They've decided it's time to crush the galaxy.

The next year we snag the Advanced Space Scanner ... and have only another Battle Computer(VII, up from V) to work on next. 13 systems, a full quarter of the galaxy, are scouted and then it's time to vote again.




Zygot and Smurch again. Now everyone will vote against the Psilons, and it won't matter in the slightest.

** Bulrathi(10)
** Darloks(2) -- They stay with Zygot
** Humans(2) -- Looks like they've already lost ground.
** Psilons(18) -- And they grow. and Grow. AND GROW.

It's split 20-20 as it comes to our four votes, which we pointlessly cast in favor of Zygot again. He's now immune to being cast out even if everyone else unites against him. The one question remaining; how many will die before the galaxy surrenders to the inevitable?