Part 83: Episode VII: 2550 - 2575
Episode VII: 2550-2575
If our fleet is 5th and the Silicoids 2nd, there isn't a whole lot separating most empires on that score. I'm also really sick of looking at all those big red bars.
We're doing well enough to start tracking system counts.
** Psilons(15) -- Keeping them from growing is as important as anything.
** Meklar(8, +2) -- Second place, half of what they have. We're going to eventually have to be equal with them at a minimum to have any chance.
** Bulrathi(6)
** Silicoid(5) -- Getting smashed by us and the Psilons. They are not long for this galaxy.
** Humans(3)
** Darloks(1)
A third of the thing belongs to the eggheads. We've got to rampage through everything else at any opportunity. Even that may not be enough, but that's where we're headed.
Tech-wise we are in the prototype phase for the robotics.
Populations have mostly recovered from that abysmal failure at invading Tyr via ground assault, and we've now got about 40 cruisers operational. I haven't gotten anything in that would significantly improve them yet. The reserve is up to a solid amount, important to get that going before a big industrial expansion.
This is the most immediate problem. I may consider going after a third system once it has been dealt with.
Comes in the next year despite a low(14%) probability. This will increase our industrial output by 55%, and also ensures that even at max. robotics, no other race can match our production per population. It's kind of a big deal. We haven't gotten any ECM in ... well I don't know if I ever researched any. Level IX is the only forward option now. Research goes back to the usual distribution. Terraforming is the only project remotely close right now, and almost everything we have will go into the industrial buildup anyway.
Another year, and Smurch says that 'both our races have suffered greatly' from our conflict. We actually haven't suffered at all, but whatever. Peace it is. I then discover they are at peace with the Psilons, and at war with the Humans/Silicoids. This is an opportunity, and I sign a trade deal as well(975 BC) and a Non-Aggression Pact. When the time comes, as the next-strongest empire it would be nice to have their aid in countering the Psilon menace.
Then we lose several cruisers but defend well enough when the Silicoids arrive at Tyr. The Psilons destroy Hyades, severing contact with the Bulrathi again. Still worth it to get that NAP in place though.
I decide to sneak a colonizer and some cruisers back up there before anyone else settles it, then try to hold on to these three systems while we build industry. It works, but there's lots of stuff incoming. Mostly Bulrathi. Not sure we'll keep it, but we might if they honor the NAP.
2556: The Bulrathi transports are all destroyed and the first of their ships turn around without attacking. Our agreements hold and we've taken out another Silicoid group. Looking pretty solid at Hyades for the moment, esp. with the new factories now in place.
Seems a good time to re-up with our pretend friends. Last deal was 550, well under half this new one. I'm thinking it's time to start considering Orion. I know the torpedoes can do some damage to the Guardian, and with our expanded industry, sending the whole lot of our Ajax fleet there once these new systems are built up deserves serious consideration.
More and more systems are being fought over, making the Orion route less likely. Phantos is far enough to the right that it should let us establish permanent contact with the Bulrathi. That's pretty important strategically. As the fleet grows, we continue to spread out more. 10 cruisers a system seems sufficient for our needs right now. The machine might of Meklar industry is starting to shine now.
In 2567 we lose Hyades. The Silicoids have a faster Mako cruiser now that can keep up with the Ajax, so we need superior numbers to defend against it. On the other hand, Tyr has the shield up and is starting on missile bases, so that'll be one less system that needs help defending itself soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWtq2BEeNA
I expected that to be a little more of a fight, but the reason for showing it is that we had the opportunity to settle Nazin, former Darlok homeworld. A nice system to add to our collection.
As we make another play from Hyades, using the ships that were re-routed from Tyr, the bears decide they need to be more aggressive as well. Meanwhile we've got the planetary shield up on Escalon. Won't be long till we can start getting research flowing there.
I've now switched to something I don't usually do; two rally points. Four systems send their ships to Nazin, which the humans are trying to attack and their ships do have the ability to threaten us in large enough numbers. Meklon, Vega, and Tyr continue sending their production to Escalon. Going from Escalon to Nazin involves slow travel through a nebula, so this will give me a better strategic situation -- but also requires more micromanagement to ensure the right distribution in both places.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA4...eature=youtu.be
Here's an example of the types of battles we have, with the twist that the humans have some missile ships. That wasn't perfectly done, but the basic idea is take out their missile ships and fast ones, then we can largely run away from the slower threats, or at least buy a little time.
Council results:
** Silicoid(5) -- Smurch. Surprisingly no change as they are hanging in there.
** Bulrathi(10, +2) -- Good to see this from them.
** Darlok(1) -- Zygot
** Human(2) -- Smurch
** Psilon(19) -- No change in any of these.
We are +2 with 8, a third more than we had last time. This time we abstain, as I want to stay on reasonable terms with the Bulrathi. Psilons lead the vote 20-17, but it's been quite stable.