We're not quite there. This weekend, I'm going to have to update the save to 3.0.1
BONER BULGE. The save might not survive, so I'll need "thoughts and prayers". Proverbially.
We'll have to wait a while while mods are updated to 3.0, so I'll continue in 2.8 mode without updating the mods in the meantime.
We'll probably get all the Galactic Imperium and crisis stuff if the upgrade goes properly. Note I will not be making the Alternian Empire the "crisis"...
2216.10.24> Arcent: Finally, where are we now?You have finally gotten out of the TWISTED KNOTS OF TRANSDIMENSIONAL STRANDS KNOWN AS HYPERSPACE. Right, where are we now?
> Arcent: HomeYou are in the PYRAL SYSTEM. This is good news, because you're in the heart of the Empire. You set course for the STARBASE in order to repair this vessel and recrew. You seem to be out of engineering staff.
Oh look, some of them were accidentally flushed out the airlock, not that they weren't already metabolically disadvantaged by the HYPERSPACE SHOCKWAVE.
You probably need to get a lot better at this captaining thing...
2216.11.03> Cepros: Ping!You had a supply of RARE CRYSTALS on board your vessel for some time. You weren't told much about what to do with them, but you held on to them, until now. In the end, it was very simple: all you had to do was connect your hyperspace engines in tandem with the RADAR AND OPTICAL SYSTEMS using a specific circuit. You've been assigned a stockpile of these crystals and more are on the way.
You send out a SENSOR PING to check on the nearby systems. Azelah has been vacated. It appears with the OUTBREAK OF WAR, the alien science vessels ABSCONDED ALTERNIAN SPACE AND DESIRED SPHERE OF INFLUENCE, the vessels engaged an emergency hyperspace jump to return to their home systems.
Mail from: heiress@alternia.gov
i guess its time to EVEN TRY THIS NEW STRATEGY. all imperial ships have a
small supply of RARE CRYSTALS on them. these are PRECISELY MACHINED. ive
attached an OPTICAL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM so you can connect it BETWEEN THE
RADAR SYSTEM, LOOKSCOPE, AND HYPERSPACE ENGINE. additional crystals
will be PROVIDED IN TIME.
~T
egreriousZoologist [EZ] has begun trolling traditionalAristocrat [TA]
EZ: ehehehe got some good news out here
TA: Good news is welcome.
EZ: well ih have scanned Lleam so you can send ships down there.
EZ: sadly the alien ships have gone ih guess with the outbreak of war they didnt want to stay round
EZ: they must have emergency jumped
TA: You have not been down the hyperspace conduit.
EZ: actually ih dont think you need to send a science ship down these lanes anymore we got some new sensors.
TA: It was about time.
EZ: it was actually possible to do this for a long time
TA: Are you even kidding me? How could the Empire possibly overlook such a rational course of action?
EZ: ye ih get it
EZ: ihve been trying to contemplate WHY.
EZ: Just why would leadership EVEN TRY TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW.
EZ: then ih realized with my newfound understanding of STATECRAFT
TA: Have you now been studying the noble sciences?
EZ: By DELIBERATELY SHROUDING THE ROUTES TO NEARBY SYSTEMS, the Empress and Heiress forced us scientists to the forefront of space exploration and made them required and essential members of society
EZ: including as the vanguard of fleets you see every hyperlane had to be explored by a science vessel
EZ: now the war has broken out and where locked out of aeran space the heiress and empress were forced to find a new way to keep a lookstub pointed where they need to
EZ: but ive been meaning to ask about something else
TA: Go ahead and make sure it is worth my while.
TA: I have had enough trouble these past few months with the failure at the archeological site on Xarmaton I.
TA: Most depressing.
EZ: ye ih heard
EZ: well thereve been some orders issued in the last many sweeps to do the crystal sensors
EZ: and theyre shithive weird
EZ: theyve also been autodeleted by some subroutine but i got some help to recover the data
EZ: some kind of white text providing the plans
EZ: its like theres conflicting orders being given from the absolute top but that shouldnt even be possible
TA: That sounds absolutely bizarre. I am sure this is just an ordinary average every day computer virus.
EZ: just keep an eye out ok something isnt right here
EZ: ih have a really bad feeling about this
TA: I have heard that you always have a bad feeling. Maybe you should try to look on the bright side of things.
> Aryknu: Watch the NewsThat was frustrating and fucking awful. Seriously, how could this be happening? You're not sure. You don't like being in the not-know.
To take off matters you watch the news. It looks like the new technology has brought scans from the Osmadin system, and a massive 3X SHOWDOWN COMBO is occuring between the Aeran 1st Star Order and the OSMADIN BASTION, and two PAN-GALACTIC ACCORD FLEETS, which are BLACK TIDE, a Kundan fleet under the command of SNAGG WATERSAIL, and WHITE CRUSH, a YALON FLEET which is assigned to follow the Kundan fleet.
The next few weeks may see a turn of the tide in this war. While a weakened Aera Ascendency would be easier to conquer, the Pan-Galactic Accord would have proven itself militarily.
2217.01.21> : Arrive at your new worldAfter over half a sweep moving through alien space, you have finally reached your new destination. This VESSEL OF MIRTHFUL HOPE will land here, and establish a new sector for the glory of the HIGHBLOODS.
Let's help this guy name his colony, OK?
> Bay 12 Reader: Help Out
Rijjin Prime is too generic a name. Let's find something better.
DUBE NO
What is this "Whimsiphae" planet you speak of?
We're not naming it that, no. Come on. Let's have this person introduce themselves.
> : Introduce YourselfYou are ASTLUS MAKARA, and you are the captain of this ship, the AIS TELTIN, which was named after a stemcluster on Alternia. You kind of forgot what the deal is with that stemcluster but it was pulled out as a MORE REASONABLE NAME for a Colony Ship.
You're really angry about that and you understand why you are angry about it.
You don't look like a clown because you've had to TAKE A SOMEWHAT MORE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH IN LIFE and that still makes you angry. You're good at managing clowns though. You think like a true clown and understand how a true clown thinks.
You'd rather ditch the whole professional act though because it's getting real tired. You had to yell at someone to stop eating the rustbloods the COLONY NEEDS TO GET GOING. You also had to get the supply of HYDRATING FLUID completely cleansed after someone put sopor slime in it.
Your XO and Co-Commander is Mirvum Soodak.
Your sign is True Capricorn and your social media handle is bigtopBoss.
> Astlus: Name this conksuck planetThere's no other name you find reasonable. This world will be henceforth known as CAPRICORN and it will become not just a world for the Highbloods but also the capital of the future CAPRICORN SECTOR.
> Astlus: Call for descent.This ship is going down. You take ten days to de-orbit the vessel and set down near some LUSH JUNGLE.
2217.01.30> Astlus: Name the CapitalThis will be the Hivestemcluster of NEW TELTIN. You promptly declare yourself the Mayor, while Mirvum undertakes the care of the mother grub.
You estimate the colony will be operational in a little under two solar sweeps.
2217.02.13> Arkari: Launch the Colony ShipAs of today, you are no longer the captain of the AIS Chiselkind (CSI-1). You are now the captain of the BL1ND PROPH3CY, which is mostly filled with water, in order to own the landdwellers.
You really want to rip to shreds whoever decided to name the ship like that. Oh well.
You set course for Amgathorra IV, a journey which shall take about a month under ION PROPULSION, which has been fitted to this vessel.
2217.02.20> Nullis: Watch NewsThe Aera have moved to reinforce their home system after their Bastion on the Novichok Line was bypassed by Pan-Galactic Accord Forces. There is an ongoing counterstrike on Jhurope by the Miranu.
Closer to home, the 607th Drone Wing has been destroyed by Admiral Ardata Ferroo after its recent reactivation. The vessels were ancient, but were not of Yuht origin as they had hyperdrives attached.
Lastly, the system you are in has been fully explored and you can begin construction of an outpost immediately on arrival. It's about time.
2217.03.14> Arkari: Enter OrbitThis is a fine day as any to ENTER ORBIT AROUND YOUR TARGET PLANET. You have been waiting for this a long time.
Now you need to name the colony world in the name of the NAUTICAL ARISTOCRACY.
> Bay 12 Reader: Name this planetReally, commander?
That name is more suited to a space station, but I'll hand it to you it did not trigger a filter.
> Yeshin: InterveneThis world will be called AQUITTARIUS. It will not be a sector capital, but that doesn't matter.
You also note that as the leader of the militarist faction, your peer Tazsia Edhern will not tolerate any longer the shortfall of nautical aristocracy vessels, of which there are none. She has created a new fleet.
2217.03.30> Arkari: Found ColonyYou land the B1IND PROPH3CY on AQUITTARIUS, and slowly flood the specially designed bulkheads, sinking the vessel beneath the waves. This is now YOUR WORLD, and you declare yourself ITS LEADER. The vessel will become the initial settlement of PORT ENIGMA. You estimate it will be operational in about a sweep or two.
2217.04.13> Yeshin: Check GeneratorsIt is the DAY OF THE BLIND PROPHETS. You and the rest of the NAUTICAL ARISTOCRACY have been GREATLY PLEASED by the foundation of the new colony of AQUITTARIUS, though it has STRAINED BUREAUCRATIC CAPACITY NEARLY TO THE LIMIT.
In three months, the Empire's RECRUITMENT DRIVE will be complete, making sure the armies are READY TO UNDERTAKE A CRUSADE OF GALACTIC CONQUEST. You also need to position them carefully around here.
To aid that crusade, you need to check certain new generators you have commissioned. These lie in APPON, which came online at the start of the month, and in AMGATHORRA. You need to ensure the NAUTICAL ARISTOCRACY has an MONOPOLY OVER THESE.
> Yeshin: Order generator primingThese are not any ordinary generators. You designed these yourself, actually. By synchronizing their frequency with pulsars in the galaxy, it is possible to GENERATE NEW HYPERLANE CONDUITS. There's supposed to be an interface for that, but you're not sure where it is. Damn.
> Yeshin: Finish what you were doingSome days pass, and you finalize your assessment. Damn, these wormhole generators are broken!
mysticalHypothesist [MH] on 2217.04.22 opened memo on board ELITE RESEARCHOCRAFT GROUP.
MH: So I hath completed analysis of the arcane machines.
MH: The wormhole generation apparatus was designed to siphon negative spatiotemporal energy into the device until it could bore a hole through the continuum.
MH: Unfortunately the generations have been damaged beyond repair, but they could be researched for engineering data.
MH: If anyone can locate similar devices that would be most welcome.
MH: I am now headed to investigate the signs of the first music that seems to be eminating from Sigge B IVa.
2217.04.26> Arkari: Preside over the launch of the FleetOnly one vessel has been created thus far. It's name is the AIS Vainglory, perhaps a reflection on your aims. You are determined to ensure, however that this endeavour is anything but Vainglorious.
> Bay 12 Reader: Name the Starfleet something HonestWe're not actually going with that, mate. Let's skip this phase, shall we?
There's something wrong. The fleet shouldn't be the Fourth Star Armada. That's lame. Let's help this guy out with naming the fleet, shall we?
> : Name the FleetThis large-horned troll woman has a different idea. Yeha, we'll go with that!
> : Become the AdmiralYou are HORATA REGULA. You are 18 sweeps old, and have finally obtained a place for yourself as ADMIRAL OF BATTLLEGROUP AQUARIUS. That's it, literally. That's what you're naming this gig.
You're pretty AGGRESSIVE and are GOOD AT DIRECTING FLEETS WHERE YOU HOPE THEY WOULD GO. You really like to make it so.
Hey, that rhymed.
2217.10.03> Camius: Discuss with your SubordinateWith your investigation complete, you consider how to package up the report for the Empire, and discuss with your subordinate, MEPRIN XILITE.
The discovery has lead to a vast amount of influence after claims that the AIS SCIENSTIFF generated a GRAVITATIONAL MURDERWELL and became covered in skeletons.
You check the memo for previous posts. One stands out. In other news, Aozena has also finished research on Fusion reactors, bringing the realm of D-D fusion to ordinary average everyday spacecraft.
egreriousZoologist [EZ] at 2217.09.03 opened memo on board Elite Researchocrat Group
EZ: ehehehehe guess what ih found
EZ theres a massihve collectihon of artihfacts ihn these caves
EZ: so should ih sell thihs stuff or what
AG: JUST TURN IT OVER TO SOCIETY RESEARCH
AG: ALSO SOMEONE ORDER A NEW CORVETTE
Meanwhile, a few systems away...> Crihka: Break out the Heavy FlamerYou break out the Heavy Flamers and go on the offensive. Over the next sweep or so, you expect to eliminate ALL the overgrowth and volatile flora. ALL OF IT.
2217.11.27
> Trizza: Check News
You switch on the news to discover that the AERA ASCENDENCY has declared a rivalry against the ALTERNIAN EMPIRE. Until now, relations weren't bad enough for this to happen, but continued Aera efforts to undermine relations have finally passed the point of no return.
The Empress is reportedly declaring the Aera a rival in return. This will increase influence, please the Strength through Conquest Coalition, and make it easier to press claims on their space.
News from earlier shows that the Aera have lost and then recaptured Jhurope.
2218.01.04> Yeshin: Discover The SignalYour research has pinpointed something important. The signal, the first music, comes not from beyond but from some point on the planet's surface. An archeological site has been registered here.
You immediately report your findings and get on the line with someone who can help claim the system.
mysticalHypothesist [MH] has begun trolling tophatGlubthusiast [TG]
MH: As I hath completed my project here I have a vital request for thee.
TG: Glub glub glub guess who is The MAYOR around these parts.
MH: Art thou still in command of that glubbing vessel?
TG: Nope. NOPE. Not in command. Far above my glubbing station.
MH: I thought thou wasn't quite comforted by that arrangement.
TG: As a temporary glubbing arrangement sure.
TG: Not as a glubbing permanent one.
MH: Can you command the captain of that vessel to annex the Sigge system?
TG: I can probably do so, but with the permission of the sector governor. Their contract will continue until they complete the system infrastructure.
MH: Well fuck.
Meanwhile, back on the homeworld...> Tazsia: Complete Administrative Bureaucracy ResearchYou're done. You know how to make spreadsheets 5% MORE EFFICIENT. Classic. This should give bureaucracy a bit of a break during the Empire's logical expansion, but only a bit.
> Tazsia: Next Research ProjectYou have a decent number of options. The nautical aristocracy is going to rapidly run into issues featuring TOXIC XENOKELP, while the colony of REDEMPTION has charted areas of quicksand.
All in all, however, you have decided to focus on the ENERGY SIPHON project. This, you believe, will allow you to create a NEW CLASS OF CORVETTES. In part, of course. The second component is dependent on the engineering department.
That project will be done by the end of the sweep.
> Astlus: Incoming!You recieve a FRENZIED REPORT from the Big Top Committee on Rijjin Starbase. A force of 14 corvettes is bearing down on Veyer.
Oh shit oh fuck. While the Alternian Empire remain NEUTRALS in this war, the conquest of VEYER OR ESHIUQ would eliminate the hyperspace corridor between DUBIOUS ABYSS and RIJJIN. You are now seriously concerned you might be CUT OFF. Fortunately you have a fully upgraded starbase present, so if you need to Tom Clancy your way out of here you could.
> Astlus: Who is this Tom Clancy Motherfucker?No really, you don't know who Tom Clancy is. You also don't care. Probably some edgy motherfucker with an edgy name that's been cut in half.
You're... just going to continue to mayor your way around here.
2218.01.17> Camius: Establish ContactWhile these aliens didn't enjoy the taste of trolls, they sure did enjoy the flavour of certain purrbeasts from the other side of space. You're not sure how they got here, but you guess they probably used alternatives means of FTL propulsion.
You found the contact details of the Kilrathi Empire and are able to put through a contact.
> Nikhee: Assess SituationThe Kilrathi are a purrbeastoid race of SLAVING DESPOTS originating from the planet KILRAH. They are ruled over by EMPEROR JAGG, SCION OF URUG, who is a RUTHLESS INVESTOR and EXPLORER. They are outside of contact range for normal space travel, and you only got their subspace frequency from Camius' Colbun's research. Therefore, you'll be able to get some relativistic freighters over, but other than that you are not able to establish normal trading relations. That said, you don't really have any problem trying to cut a deal with them for some ALLOYS in exchange for your much-desired SMUPPETS.
As of late the Kilrathi have closer their borders to an INIDENTIFIED EMPIRE, and have taken a BELLIGERENT STANCE.
You do not really see the point of a commercial pact at this time.
Meanwhile, debate has erupted on Alternia as to whether to assign any Kilrathi as "Purrbeast Soldiers" or use them as domestic servants, or "Purrbeast Maids".
2218.02.22> Zekura: Asteroid Welling
SSD-36367 is home to a YUHT ASTEROID DWELLING. The asteroid itself is closer to a DWARF PLANETOID in nature, and quite spherical. You will take 6 months here to research the location.
2218.03.01> Tazsia: Establish Science DivisionWith enough unity to establish a new tradition, you easily pick SCIENCE DIVISION. No longer will the scientists of the Empire be limited to level five! Now seven is the ceiling. You can edge that up to eight in about FOUR SWEEPS. Yourself, you will be the first to benefit from this in a day or so.
2218.03.02> Occeus: Discover StarholdsThe STARHOLD is the logical upgrade to the STARBASE. These structures will allow you to build DOUBLE the number of modules, as well as buildings, you can fit on a normal starbase.
> Occeus: New TechnologyThis is a bit of a hard choice. You'd really like to reduce the cost for upgrading starbases, but you have certain imperial directives from Tazsia Erdehn. Destroyers are more fun anyway.
This research will take about a sweep to complete.
> Trizza: Upgrade StarbasesUsing your significant STOCKPILE OF ALLOYS, you place imperial orders for the upgrades of the Pyral, Appon, and Amgathorra starbases into STARHOLDS. This will take a whole sweep to complete.
2218.03.15
> Laivan: Improve your ExpertiseYou traced the astrocartographic chart to the location noted. Somewhere on this planet, which orbits close to the corona of this A-class star, there was a large vault opened by a code. Or something like that. It wasn't too hard to find save for the planet's slow 3:2 rotation bringing the vault under the blistering sun.
The planet is riddled with stable geodes and useful alloys, and the vault was inside one of them. Curious as to why someone would leave a vault like that here, and it had a curious symbol on it. You take note of it for further reference.
You have banked 957 CREDITS IN THE NAME OF THE EMPIRE, and are now Level IV. One of the subjects you have been studying thus far, in your spare time and in conjunction to your military strategy is the impact of the Deep Troll Subconscious. This has lead you to write a few theories about PSIONIC EXPERTISE. The more "rational" members of the violetbloods deny the existence of suck magicks, but you have reason to believe that these forces are tied up in the FUNDAMENTAL CONNECTIONS THAT HOLD TROLL SOCIETY TOGETHER. You suspect this might come in handy sometime, but you'll need some assistants.
tackyStrategician [TS] on 2218.03.15 opened memo on board Elite Researchocrat Group
TS: ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVEABLE I wonder who would leave a bank vault on this planet.
TS: It is ABSOLUTELY COVERED in magma.
RA: well i dont know about that here im exploring a planet which went the same way but it had a civilization on it x:/
TS: Here's a pic that's absolutely SHITHIVE MAGGOTS. This right here, good sirs, is the symbol of the bank of absolute insanity.
RA: funny you should note that i've seen that symbol a couple of times on these weird tomes im seeing x:/
RA: something really aint right in these parts x:/
AG: ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY SURE THIS WASN'T LEFT BEHIND BY THE FELLOWSHIP
AG: THIS SHOULD BE APPROPRIATED IN THE NAME OF THE EMPIRE
TS: Oh COME ON where do you think this goes?
This is about as far as we got. Other events involved using the hyperlane generators to target systems, which is a neat new feature. Maybe will cover that in the next post. Also contact with ANOTHER Empire.