As the asteroid grows nearer and nearer, a brisk debate breaks out amongst the subroutines over what to do about it. Thankfully, the speed at which the AI operates means the grand debate lasts roughly one minute, real time. A consensus is reached: first, nanites will be developed in the nano-factory and deployed to the asteroid for mining and breaking down. The nanites are fabricated safely, but there is a problem with their delivery. The probe that they are sent over on experiences a hardware failure, and misses its mark completely. It zings off into the depths of the asteroid belt, quickly disappearing from the ships sensors with nary a trace.
Thankfully, the ship was following closely behind, and by positioning itself near the massive rock, is able to subtly affect the course of the asteroid over the next two months. By the end of the second month, it has been redirected safely past Aquarius. Tides will be slightly larger than usual this month, but otherwise there are no ill effects.
On Gaia, robots are sent to the terraforming station. First, small recon and surveillance bots are deployed, but they see nothing out of the ordinary, save for the fact that the hatch that was opened is now closed. A rover approaches, backed up by security robots shipped from Aries. The hatch is opened once again, but nothing happens. The security bots maintain a perimeter, and the rover enters.
Inside, amidst a cacophony of machinery, rests a giant robot, covered in spikes and blades, that appears to be inactive at the moment. It shines dimly in the half-light. The rover approaches it, and the robot flashes out a clawed talon, immediately destroying it. However, it makes no moves towards the outside. The captain speculates that it may be defensive in nature, or perhaps it is primarily meant to discourage organics.
A message is sent to the Moonies, asking for a face to face meeting. Surprisingly, they agree. They lack the capability to travel in the depths of space, but they are wary of the entire ship coming out to visit them. They will entertain a small diplomatic team, sent in a shuttle. The team is quickly assembled from the Grand Parliament and the military, and they are en route. They will arrive next month (and, yes, there is an uplink to the AI on the ship).
Once again, the algae wall is considered, and it is still beyond the capabilities of the colonies. "Perhaps this will serve as a reminder of our hubris, ship" muses the head scientist. The medical drones continue to be upgraded, but progress is agonizingly slow. The Maven program is similarly constrained, as the two surviving members are brought along very carefully in order to prevent them from going nuts. They manage to communicate back and forth with one another through their implants without going insane, though, which is a great success.
Finally, a small human cloning facility is proposed, in addition to a fertility center to increase the birth rate. The Grand Parliament agrees wholeheartedly, as they are quite spooked by the extraterrestrial presence in the system. "We need to increase our numbers as quickly as possible. This system is getting quite... crowded."
GM Note: I will be gone next week (starting this Friday), so the game will be taking a small break while I'm gone. I hope to get one more turn in before then.Time lapsed in system: 2 years, 6 months- Controlled Infestation on Aquarius
- In orbit of Aquarius
- Militarized Shipyard
- 2 Nano Factories
- 5,100 person colony on Aries
- 50 person Xenoarcheological outpost and small town on Gaia
- 2 Pre-Mavens (1 soldier, 1 officer)
- 100 dead
- Bank of animal and plants
Note: if no location is given, resource is
on ship- Genetic manipulation of complex organisms
- Beginnings of the Maven program
- Electrochemical Ammunition
- Aerotransmission
- Giant telescope in orbit of Aries
- Strong Magnetic Shields
- Basic medical robots
- Deep Land Drilling
- 2,000 space suits
- Small defensive fleet
- Mass drivers (orbital)
- Mass drivers (planetary)
- Sensor Probes
- Construction and miner bots
- Nuclear weapon (1)
- Orbital lenses (Aries and Aquarius)
- Can communicate through mental implants
- Planet A "Gaia":
- abundant minerals
- 50% water,
- genetically modified, unintelligent animals
- Earth-like atmosphere
- dangerous temperature maintenance systems
- Small Xenoarcheological outpost with small village and Giant Bee Mascot (Gomer)
- Planet B: ash, acidic atmosphere, radioactive, small mining operation
- Planet C "Class.2224" "Aquarius": aquatic world, savage aquatic life, pack-like nomadic intelligent Avians, virulent bacteria, algae infestation: 6% of surface, small harvesting operation, Wrinkled Suckfish Cloning industry, Avian Contact Center
- Planet D "Class.1111" "Aries"
- Some minerals
- Mars-like with basic atmosphere
- Some bacteria
- Some moss and fungus
- Medium mining operation
- Arcology and colony with survival bunkers
- Medium industrial base
- Small brewery
- Thriving insect creation industry
- Small clinic
- Human cloning and fertility center
- Grand Parliament
- Basic School system
- Planet E: abundant minerals, inhospitable
- Abundant Asteroids
- Gas Giant A: mysterious interference, intelligent life
- Gas Giant B: mysterious interference, intelligent life
- Pack dwelling
- Near-human intelligence
- Nomadic
- Capable of tool use
- Quick breeding rate
- Teach new generations
- Dwell on multiple moons around Jovian planets
- Appear isolationist
- Possess at least rudimentary space flight
- Maintain an economy between multiple moons (evidenced by traffic between them)
Poll
7 (33.3%)
Author
Topic: Terraforming: Suggestion Game (Read 362841 times)