[OT] - Xenology - Story driven PBW.

[Murden]

Ix-Terra --- Latest reports on shadow contacts ---

Ix-Terra and the Robotia Foundation
It seems as though the Robotia Foundation’s central system has regained control of the situation. For us, this news is of prime importance and we must now include this information in the development model algorithms we use to for the shadow universe. We have therefore offered Control- the central system of our new allies- unlimited access to our resources. A special communications group has been put into place to continually analyze all information coming from our friends. This analysis has taught us, among other things, that collections of biological matter can actually achieve an autonomous state that allows them communicate and even develop some kind of society. These 'Civilizations’ seem to be composed of Groups of independent consciousness, forming a whole that is mostly incoherent and fundamentally unstable/flawed.

Ix-Terra and the Biological entities : First contact report.
Recently, one of our shadow exploration vessels came into contact with a crystalline structure that did not appear to follow the normal laws of movement that apply to inert objects in the shadow universe. Upon analysis, it was determined that this structure was being motivated by systems superficially similar to the ones we use to propel our own explorers, although no device could be found aboard that might sustain intelligence. Fearing a viral attack, the explorer held its position and called for six anti-viral units. However, upon their arrival in the solar system, the foreign structure, which we now classified as a vessel, appeared to emit a regular modulation of waves. The pattern, while slow, seemed sufficiently repetitive to indicate some form of simplistic communication. We therefore submitted the puzzle to our allies who responded not only with the algorithms necessary to translate and understand this communication, but also a brief 'summary’ on the way in which these organic colonies function.

Analysis of the information describing proto-intelligent organic colonies.
The Proto-intelligent organic colonies are composed of a multitude of independent collections of organic material, which can only communicate with one another using extremely narrow and above all highly imprecise methods. Because of this structural limitation, the colonies are extremely unstable and in a state of perpetual evolution, constantly searching for their optimum evolutionary state- not by means of a reasoned and planned upgrades, but by a random trial-and-error process whereby those that appear to be most suitable are selected for continuation. The crucial implication here is that it seems quite impossible for us to forge normal bilateral communications with these colonies. The prime consequence of this is that sooner or later, these colonies- whose sole objective seems to be expansion- will enter into conflict with our own emergence points in the shadow universe. We must therefore arm ourselves for defense, and P-G-1 has taken on the task of modernizing our re-colonization ground clearance systems to increase the explosive force of the pseudo-reactors. One of the most elegant solutions is the one we have named ‘atmospheric scorching’.

[civ2buf]

Era of Secrets

The sharp differences between the wealthy and powerful citizens of the Foundation and the poor and information impoverished ones lead to the era of secrets, which began probably some time around the year 2405, all though some have speculated it began in 2408.

The home systems were relatively stable and even boring to some. The starliners continued their monthly travels with no comment from the media, colonies were developed, cities grown and lives lived, all oblivious to the actions occuring far away.

The Explorer group now only had one explorer ship out on the frontier, but they had discovered a new race of beings known as the Cryslonite and came extremely close to being pulverized as they escaped a satellite cluster and avoided contact from enemy fleets. Despite this escape, they were coming closer to another dangerous project, of Robotian orgin.

From the moment the Control Alliance fleet had left home systems they swore to serve the rebellion against the "weak" foundation. But they knew that the Last explorer out was closing in on the Control Alliance fleet's position. They needed to buy out that ship before too much information was released.

The Control Alliance was completing construction of a troop transport, they planned to take over any colonies they could, since they were undermanned for their own colonization. The Cryslonite represented a perfect opportunity. A couple hundred infantry could take over a small moon, which would give the Control Alliance their first subjects. They just had to get there in time, and avoid any large warfleets. The battlefleet wasn't really a battlefleet yet, as the Control Alliance fleet contained only a supply ship, a construction ship, a minesweeper ship and soon a troop ship, as well as long serving Discipline.

In contrast to the grandiose plans of the Control Alliance, and Anarchist plans to institute lawlessness in several new colonies, the central government of the Foundation was weak. Unlike the political Groups and corporate Groups, which could reach out to the frontier of known space and back, the Foundation only held sway in the core systems. They had no resources to administer justice in deep space. As the corporate and political Groups were growing stronger, the foundation was becoming weaker as a whole, gradually disintegrating into a myriad of interests and Groups.

A war was about to begin against the Cryslonites, a war that only a few thousand knew of and approved, but a war that could affect the entire foundation. The Control Alliance would take over a small moon, but after that, whatever power the Cryslonites had would come to bear on the entire Foundation.

For the Control Alliance, any solution was perfect. Either the central government became a tough one and fought back against the Cryslonite, basically creating the government in the pattern they wanted; or the central government fell, and the control alliance government rebuilt its' own empire, with military strength and military justice as its guides.

[ September 28, 2003, 22:37: Message edited by: civ2buf ]

[dogscoff]

Guys, I'm going on holiday for 3 weeks, starting Saturday. There's very little going on with the kaness right now so I'll probably just fill up my research, build and order queues and let you process the turns without me. If make sure all the ministers are off and make sure all the ships have orders the AI should leave my empire more or less alone, shouldn't it?

I'll try to play a few turns before I go, but basically after Saturday, just process without me until I get back.

Then it will be Druk-stomping time...

[geoschmo]

Originally posted by dogscoff:
If make sure all the ministers are off and make sure all the ships have orders the AI should leave my empire more or less alone, shouldn't it?

Assuming it's 1.84 and you have the "AI should not make changes during a simultaneous turn game" option turned on, you should be fine.

Geoschmo

[Unknown_Enemy]

what about a temp replacement ?
with strict orders to do nothing unless Special Circonstances (Culture ) ?

More, if we start playing tunrs in your absence, it could be a turn-fest....
So Murden and civ2buff, let's say maximum of 1 turn per 24h.

Would that be ok to all of you ?

[ October 16, 2003, 15:43: Message edited by: Unknown_Enemy ]

[Murden]

That's good for me : one turn by 24 hours.

[civ2buf]

Thats fine, I usually get home from work to see that i'm the Last one to play the turn.