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[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

*****TO THE STARS!*****

Aurora 4X is a space exploration game. It has been called "the Dwarf Fortress of 4X games". So yeah, it's really complex. And challenging.

Spoiler: disclaimer (click to show/hide)

This is my playthrough of a game of Aurora. It is NOT a tutorial. I can't help you with installation, and I'm sure as circus not going to upload ten pictures an update telling you what's going on and how to recreate it. Sorry, but I'm not an expert at this game. I'm an avid amateur.

So what is this for, if not a tutorial? This is me, telling a story. And if I'm doing it right, you might want to see what this game's all about. Wonderful! Go over to its thread for more.

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Spoiler: backstory (click to show/hide)

It was inevitable.

After all the wars the US had fought, and its failed attempts to "set things straight", the past finally caught up to it. Not just terrorists, not even a large army, but several large armies, mostly from the Middle East, flew upon it from every direction. Naturally, its allies tried to help, and then the allies of the invaders were dragged in, and...

You get the point. Just like the first two world wars, the long strings of allies were yanked on, and war broke out everywhere. But this time, it was much more chaotic. The Middle Eastern Rebellion took over most of the governments, and worked in suspicious union, but it wasn't uncommon to see fighting on the borders between Middle Eastern states. And with the new technology available, like drones and mass-producible nuclear bombs, all the borders shifted and exploded.

In the end, it was Great Britain who came out on top. Its allies, the most notable being the US and France, were devastated and broken. Even more so were their enemies, like Russia and the Middle East. (Those two were not so much allies as enemies of a common foe.) Britain had quickly amassed an army, and taking control of more territories, raised more armies, supplementing its forces with the best technology in the world. So after a decade or so, the only enemies left were fighting guerrilla-style in the deserts and jungles. By 2023, Britain taken over 95% of the world, either peaceably or by force.

Why'd France and the US accept being folded into Britain? They wanted order. As I said, they were devastated and broken. And Britain offered to rebuild them, provide police, defense, infrastructure, all that. The loss of sovereignty was a small price for what they got from Britain.

So Britain set about rebuilding the world. There were, of course, many places that had too much radiation to enter, and others that had been poisoned. But Britain worked hard, and so was well about its job when, in the year 2025...

Spoiler: beginning game (click to show/hide)

1st January 2025

Tom Marsh, Governor of the Terran Federation, was sitting in his office, drinking tea, when his secretary ran in. "Governor! I've just got some news about a scientific project - it could change everything!" she said, out of breath.

"Goodness!" Marsh said, getting up. "What discovery is this?"

"You know Scott Franklin, right?" she asked. "Researcher in Construction and Production?" That was the system the Federation had made for categorizing science in order to better use its facilities: Biology & Genetics (BG), Construction/Production (CP), Defensive Systems (DS), Energy Weapons (EW), Logistics & Ground Combat (LG), Missiles/Kinetic Weapons (MK), Power & Propulsion (PP), and Sensors & Fire Control (SF).

There were three influential scientists at the moment, two of whom specialized in the field of defensive systems. Franklin was the third, and he worked in CP. "He was looking into the island of stability, wasn't he? Some kind of element that had special properties..."

"That's right," she said. "The elements predicted by his work have just been found. A deep-core mining facility struck an unusually hard mineral, and asked Franklin to investigate. He was quite excited when he called me. The things he says this material could do! Everything from production and mining to military defense/offense and computers. He wants to speak with you today."

"As soon as possible!" he exclaimed. "And set up a meeting with the Council for tomorrow."

"Yes, Governor," she said, pulling out her HoloTracker and speaking into it. "And there's someone who wants to meet with you - Brigadier Adam Gill." He was the head of the military, woefully small after the war. "He's asking for increased training facilities, and then there's the head of the factory worker's union, who wants a meeting by Tuesday..."

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That day, Marsh met with Franklin and discussed the potential of his work. Impressed by Franklin's theories and graphs, Marsh made a temporary reassignment of the research labs around Britain, letting Franklin use them all. He'd need to convince the Council for that reassignment to stand, but time was of the essence.

The wonders Franklin had described! Automated mines that scraped ore from the rock with robotic arms, construction factories working ten times faster than now, computers thousands of times smaller than the current cutting-edge technology. But that wasn't all.

These materials weren't from our universe, Franklin had said. They "poked in" from another universe, where spacetime was a fluid. This had implications in all fields: spaceships were now firmly in the realm of possibility! Thousands of kilometers per second, speeding through the solar system... But more! Gravitational "jump point" wormholes could be present through the solar system, allowing a special ship to stabilize spacetime and warp through. Everything was possible now! Utopia! Wonders beyond the imagination! Marsh couldn't sleep that night. "Give me three or four years," Franklin had said, "and I can figure out how to harness this potential." Marsh could hardly wait.

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

Spoiler: beginning game (click to show/hide)

So Britain, under Marsh's leadership, began to rebuild the world. But every week, Marsh would check in with Franklin, and see excitedly the development of the research. Sometimes Franklin would show Marsh a particularly conductive crystal, or a machine that passed electricity through what they were dubbing "trans-newtonian elements", making it even stronger.

In February 2027, a scientist by the name of Emma Brooks joined the ranks of the high scientists, focusing on power and propulsion.

In October 2027, the second academy in Britain was constructed. It trained the most important leaders in Britain: government officials, scientists, and naval/army captains.

In July 2028, a scientist by the name of George Howell joined the ranks of the high scientists, focusing, like Franklin, on Construction and Production. He aided in the last months of Franklin's research.

On the 27th of July, 2028, Scott Franklin finished his research on Trans-Newtonian Elements, pleasing the Council. His discovery was released to the public.

27th July 2028: (From the journal of Governor Marsh, but only those pages regarding this topic)

He's done it! He's really done it! After over three years, Franklin has finished his research on TN elements! The future is now!

I made a speech today, giving Franklin much praise, as well as a grant: he'll be developing ways to improve our factories' output.

1st February 2030:

One hundred factories have been converted to use TNE, and Franklin is working on better technology. Truly we will go down in history as those who brought about the future.

I ordered some TNE used to retrofit our mines, too. It is crucial that we extract as much TNE as possible from the core.

22nd September 2030:

Franklin has finished his research, and his technology is being used in the new TNE Construction Factories. He says he could work much faster if he had access to more research labs, so I have ordered more constructed. In the meantime, he says, he will find ways to incorporate TNE into his labs, increasing his research capabilities.

1st January 2032:

Our production capabilities have tripled since 2025. This is amazing. Half of our factories are converting themselves to TNE construction factories and mines, while the other half produce parts for a vast laboratory network.

1st March 2032:

Eighty billion pounds. I am a wise governor, hah! Our budget has always stayed below our revenue, and we have prospered.

1st July 2032:

The first research lab has been constructed, and Franklin moves some of his researchers in. He says that it will cut four months off the time it takes him to research his current project.

1st February 2034:

Franklin has developed a set of guidelines for using TNE in the research lab, dramatically increasing research capabilities. He begins work on improving factory output, while his apprentice Howell sets off on his own to improve the mine output, using two laboratories.

Recognizing the importance of increasing our construction capabilities, I ordered half of the factories producing research lab infrastructure to produce TNE factory infrastructure instead.

There are few journal entries regarding TNE for quite some time. Mostly, he writes about mundane meetings and orders he's given to the factories. As such, there is a time skip to _____.

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

I'm abandoning this, because I just remembered something: I can't write well!  I'm either too detailed or too general, and nobody ever reads what I write.

If you're sad about this not going on, try making your own story: play Aurora!

Otherwise, why are you even reading this post? Go read another story, a good one. (I might have writing self-esteem issues.)

[Wysthric]

Hey man, don't put this down yet. I'm enjoying it!

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

Okay, I got over my depression. (No, seriously, I've had problems with depression before. Maybe my medication?)

Part of getting over my depression involved having fun... with Aurora... in this save game!

Which has an upside and a downside.

Upside: I'm past the boring "wait five years, you've constructed one factory!" part.
Downside: Much has been skipped.

But! I can write it from the perspective of the new governor of the Moon! The colony just got started there. To get everyone up to speed, I'll write it from the perspective of a textbook.

Spoiler: Wysthric (click to show/hide)

Thanks so much, you helped me feel appreciated. I can name a leader after you if you want! A civilian admin, a scientist, a ground forces commander, or a naval commander.

(Naval commander not recommended yet, most get fired because there's no need for them, then the newbie naval commanders come in and get fired, ad infinitum... You'd think the academies would stop training them, but...)

[Wysthric]

I'll be a Civilian Admin, if that's ok. I'll probably have to take Earth at this point but feel free to bounce me around when more planets open up (as would happen in real life.)

[Karlito]

I always like to see Aurora content. Don't mind you skipping over early game stuff either.

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

The following is an excerpt from the homework of a second-year student (approximately ten/eleven years of age) at the Rankine Academy of Science and Leadership:

Class: Postdiscovery History
Unit: 2035-2055
Name: Jak Threto
Date: 21st February 2056
Teacher: Uiran Yllep

Question 1: Describe the change in governorship that occurred during this time period.

Tom Marsh, the first Governor of the Terran Empire, fell ill due to cancer in December 2035, and died nine years later. His successor, Jordan Middleton, was appointed by the Council.

Question 2: How did Marsh inspire the beginnings of space exploration?

His last writings, released to the public soon after his death, urged his successor and the entire population of Earth to dedicate themselves to expanding the Federation into space.

Question 3: What part of Marsh's Last Writings inspired you the most?

My favorite part of his Last Writings finished with the following:

"...and so, we must not stay on Earth and settle into complacency. Our destiny, our opportunity, our path lies in the stars. We need only try, and we will make it there. I believe in the people of the Federation."

Question 4: Analyse that portion for the Three Major Components of an Inspirational or Convincing Speech...

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Part 4: Industry and Research

Question 1: How did Marsh advise his successor to allocate factories and resources? Did Middleton comply?

Marsh recommended that half of the factories be used to construct components for even more factories, thereby achieving exponential growth. The other half, he said, should be split between research laboratories and spaceyards/spaceports/etc. Middleton largely complied with his predecessor's wishes.

Question 2: What was the first TN ship put into space?

The Tribal class Geological Survey Vessel was designed for surveying other solar bodies for TNE. It was soon followed by the Transporter class freighter, which would be used to bring infrastructure to Luna.

Part 5: Colonies

Question 1: What was the first colony on a solar body other than Earth?

A small colony was placed on Luna, using TN elements in its infrastructure. It was intended to be a mining colony and naval base.

Question 2: Who was the governor of the Lunar colony?

Wysthric Woods, who graduated from the Ruile Academy of Civilian Leadership.

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

28th October 2047:

A research project co-led by a Biology & Genetics scientist and Luke Lucas (a Power & Propulsion expert) finishes development and testing of a method of safely flash-freezing humans, allowing them to be stored efficiently in cryogenic bays. Governor Middleton persuaded the Council to fund the project a few years before, explaining how it could make a colony on Luna much more feasible.

30th June 2048:

Lieutenant Commander Liam Dawson watches from the bridge, keeping an eye on the solar radiation, as his spacesuit-wearing crew unloads the last of the boxes. Filled with infrastructure, they will be unloaded and constructed by the workers coming in a few months.

9th August 2049:

The international news station plays a live video feed of the Ark Royal 001, the colony ship built over the last year, landing on the moon. A vacuum-sealed tube is extended from the ship to the lunar base, and ten thousand people enter the base. Governor Middleton makes a speech about how the colony will grow into a mining/naval/manufacturing colony, and keeps everyone motivated with a speech.

9th November 2049:

The biannual officer reassignment takes place.

The duranium stockpiles on Earth shrink to zero, halting construction of a commercial shipyard. The mines quickly produce more, but the demand far exceeds the production. The Council orders more mines dug out, and suggests either the hastening of the Lunar mines or the building of asteroid-mining ships.

9th December 2049:

The Day Shipping Lines corporation, heavily subsidized by the Federation (over $1 billion), launches three colony ships. Currently, mainly engineers and hydroponics workers live on Luna, but more infrastructure and colonists will allow for a class of workers to support industry.

The Council notes that every month, over $1.5 billion is collected in taxes.

30th December 2049:

It has been twenty-five years since the Federation's foundation, and five years since Governor Marsh's death. Governor Middleton makes a speech on international television, noting the incredible speed with which the Federation has taken to space.

[Wysthric]

Very good, keep writing!

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

11th March 2050:

Many minerals have been discovered on asteroids and comets by the two Tribal-class ships.

Jake Humphreys, a scientist researching kinetic weapons, develops a prototype for a weapon called a "Gauss cannon":

"Essentially, it's a nonmagnetic cannon barrel surrounded by coils. Each coil can be powered or turned off quickly. Operation consists of loading the cannon with a ferromagnetic cannonball, then turning on the first coil. The ball is attracted to the coil, since it acts as an electromagnet. Once the ball reaches the first coil, the first coil is shut off, and the second coil turned on. This continues, with the ball accelerating at speeds exceeding those achievable with standard chemical propulsion techniques, until it reaches the end of the barrel and continues through space, eventually hitting the target and achieving, with its high speed, a large amount of damage."

[RedKing]

Heh....I like doing my write-ups in a "found documents" style too. I like the homework assignment, I hadn't thought of using that before.

[EuchreJack]

I'd be willing to be Dwarfed as the Factory Union's spokesperson. 
Jack Eucher, most Duranium* Worker of the Year 2036, reporting for duty!

*Historians would note that with the discovery of Duranium, it almost completely replaced the word "Durable" in everyday use

[Dozebôm Lolumzalìs]

I'm still here, I'm just busy with RL. Tonight: the rise of Communism! Despite anyone's views on it, I am going to demonstrate that one can change the form of government, apparently at will. Though I like to imagine the people demand it.

((yes, fine, a bit of self-indulgence, but i need something to write about, and i'm all worked up over communism.))

[EuchreJack]

Well, I guess I know what my Union Leader is going to be doing....

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Obviously, he will be killed by the Party Leaders after helping to start the Revolution.

EDIT: Spoilered for those who don't know their history of Communism.