[ISPG] Interactive SinglePlayer Game

[Mart]

Yes, growth is needed anyway, so more bases will allow for more units.
Crawler will go to MM then to be relocated. In AH it is useful, especially for colony pods pumping, but it can serve MM for some time.
The scouts will soon be needed to guard new bases, meanwhile they can scout surroundings for new base sites.
We seem to be limited to exploration in NW direction only, since wide south border is with Colonials. Their HQ base seems to be very close, something you would not expect in MP game, but here it makes it more interesting.

[Mart]

Marshal Basque ignores our contact attempts.

2112



Proposals:
- Mining Laser goes East, hunting spore launcher
- scout goes West to recover Unity Communication and computing module
- Copter, it seems we would need to enter Colonial territory to scout the area. We could do it, then end turn on neutral or our territory, but I would vote to make this uninvited scouting raid.
- Scout on southern border, it followed the river, but had to enter Colonial area too. Possibilities:
1) we withdraw and resign from exploration in this direction at this time.
2) scout tries to enter fungal tile east, however, we do not have 100% chance to do so.
3) scout moves south and then we decide what's next. It is some possibility, the Colonial scout would be in the area. (AI always knows, it cheats here) however, we most likely would be warned to withdraw.
I would vote option 3.

This scout on the south border could explore area further east, but likely, we would not be able to use it for other bases. It is unclear what kind of terrain is there. Is it good for a base? There could be a tile there sufficient for a base. We could then push Colonials to the west.

[Akritedes]

I would err on the side of caution regarding Colonial borders, but as they are already breached there's not much point. I would make finding out whether they have a broad front near Apollo territory or two isolated bulges a goal though, since if they have managed to claim so much territory near Apollo they are a significant threat for the future.

Regarding future base sites, there is that coastline with the coastal Nutrients and Minerals north-west of Mechanic's Marvel. If there is any additional value in Unity Wreckage tiles that could be an excellent third location, or the base could be placed just out of reach of them.

[Mart]

I think Colonials have only 2 bases, the same as we have. Though they may be more advanced in producing new colony pods, since we have not started them at all.
Having some experience in observing how borders are drawn, it looks like one Colonial base is 5 tiles SW from MM. The other one possibly very similar, 4-6 tiles from AH, and maybe the same (?) from MM. We were started quite close to each other, and before contact, borders do not prevent such close base placement.

I was thinking of complete scouting of that NW direction from MM with current copter mission. The area looks promising.
There is no more benefits of Unity Wreckage, apart from maybe being 2-level altitude, so we get more energy from solar collectors. Building bases there has no preference, except role-play.

[Mart]

Calling Marshall Basque.
Not sure what to expect, cause our copter is flying over their territory at the moment and our scout did not leave their eastern border yet... Let us see.



(Ambivalent mood. So this is not so bad)
Marshall Basque: Architect Roark, I have learned recently, that you posses knowledge of Biogenetics. Would you share this technology with us? I offer my world map in return.
(No, the technology is worth much more than this, Marshal. We have 14 turns reaserch for single tech. You would need to offer more than this.)
Architect Roark: No, this agreement is not good for Apollo Industries.
Marshall Basque: Architect Roark,  I am concerned that you appear to be withholding scientific data in violation of the UN Charter for this mission. Please release your files on Industrial Base to me at once!"
(How polite!)
Architect Roark: Ha! Perhaps you should ask the UN to invoke 'sanctions'! Ha ha ha!
(What am I saying! I am not more polite than her...)
Marshall Basque: Architect Roark, your actions have proven, that you too value the unity of our civilization above all else. With Treaty of Friendship, we can take the first step towards reaching that common goal.
(Not holding a grudge? Great!)
Architect Roark: And let this Treaty be the first step on the road to a united Planet.
Marshall Basque: Splendid. Have you any further business?
(Maybe we would make a pact? Let's try this.)
Architect Roark: Yes, How about we sign a Pact of cooperation?
Marshall Basque: I see. And what do you offer in return?
(You speak like a trader, Marshall. But, ok, let you name your price)
Architect Roark: You need but name your price, Marshall.
Marshall Basque: My colonial policy is developing smoothly. I see no need to enter Pact agreement at this time.
(Hmm, how about your energy reserves...)
Architect Roark: I have urgent need of energy credits, Marshall. Would you agree on generous schedule of loan payments?
Marshall Basque: I am sorry, I have no energy to spare at this time. anything else?
Architect Roark: No. Have a great day.
Marshall Basque: You too, Architect.

[Akritedes]

Huh, that went better than expected. Whenever that happens to me I get a Vendetta. :/

[Mart]

They have strength "feeble," I think this is why.
AI knows what it can do. If they threaten being weak, often they resign before committing to a vendetta. But not always, some "offenses" have too much value. I think, I had cases, when even with one base, AI did not submit. I never played that in MP, but in SMAX, when a faction is defeated, it can still be freed from conqueror HQ base by some other. It is nice thing for role-play. So in SMAX, there is no real defeat, until some faction wins.

[Mart]

The scout on the east border entered fungus and is now outside of Colonial area.
The copter is flying towards MM, over North-West Colonial territory.
The spore launcher reappeared, bombards our Mining Laser

2113



Proposals:
- Mining Laser approaches spore launcher. We would have 3 tiles to choose.
- Copter returns to MM. Theoretically, it could remain in field for one more turn, having 90% damage, but we risk it then too much. It is very useful at this gamestage.
- crawler, after road is completed, rehomed to MM, crawling minerals.
- Scout East goes towards peninsula (?). There may be quite large piece of land.
- Scout in Wreckage area, getting the command module recordings recovered. ...And this maybe will happen very soon. I think there is more people very curious.
- Both bases continue on Recycling Tanks.
- Recycling Tanks in AH are hurried for 40 EC (full). We start second former unit next turn (with 4 minerals already collected)
- Do we want to chat with Marshall Basque?

[Mart]

Scout team from Mechanic's Marvel is rushed towards remains of Unity spaceship command module.



And the map with other factions HQ bases.



Colony One is the closest.
City of the Advent is next, the second closest. Looking at the unexplored tiles, it seems, that Pilgrims faction has land connection with us.

Having knowledge on all factions location that early in the game is lucky. We not only can early interact with one another faction, Colonials, but also were able to recover Unity spaceship. Good thing for role-play.

[Mart]

A plan/project

Project Unity Mission Recovery (UMR)

Although Marshall Basque can have in her plans reestablishing Unity Mission, Architect Roark believes, that it is Apollo Industries, which should take charge of building human future on this planet.
This project will concentrate on establishing contact with all remaining factions in the smallest possible number of years (turns).

Phase 1
It appears, that Pilgrims are on the same continent. It is possible to reach them quite quickly with a scout rover. We do posses Doctrine Mobility.
This will possibly lead to contact with Pravin Lal, but we cannot be sure, Pilgrims will have contacted Peacekeepers by this time.
Scout rover could continue North and then North-West towards UNHQ, if Pilgrims have no contact with Lal. Otherwise, we could trade the commlink.

Phase 2
Acquire Doctrine Flexibility and send a foil towards Morgan Industries and Technocrats. It is estimated, that within 10 turns from completing a foil in some coastal base in Unity Wreckage area (yet to be built), we would have both commlinks.
University Base would be the most far away, a foil would need larger number of turns to get there. It is likely, that no other faction will contact them in some near future.

The aim would be Planetary Governorship. The soonest as possible.

[Mart]

Recovered equipment from Unity Command Module is put into use by Mechanic's Marvel radio enthusiasts.
A new station "Intergalactic Radio Station" is established. It is confirmed, that its broadcasts can be received in all Apollo and Colonial bases. Maybe also other factions can receive it...

Intergalactic Radio Station

[Akritedes]

My general leaning would run more towards a Phase 2 path, while it's more time consuming it opens up the rest of the map to you, as well as potential sea colonies or resource pods so long as you're careful about them. Especially expanding east, there's a lot of empty territory that could be claimed.

Mind, there's no reason you couldn't try for both, although it would have a slightly higher maintenance cost.

Otherwise, the Scout Chopper should definitely be pulling in for repairs, and I see no reason not to accelerate your infrastructure by hurrying Recycling Pods. ECs are made to be spent, unless there is a pressing need to hoard them.

[Mart]

Before endturn, a short conversation with Marshall Basque. She remained ambivalent, wanted to trade her map for a tech (Biogenetics), but refused. Colonials have no energy to lend it to us.

2114

Spore launcher did 30% damage to Mining Laser, but when checking chances, they are 12:5.



We have our first facility in AH - Recycling Center.

Proposed actions are drawn.

We would need proposal for a new base.
What looks like a good place is that moist-rainy patch of hills west from Fountainhead. However, Colonials can be faster and enclose that territory in their borders. My calculations make 2126 as the year when we possibly could have a base established. 6 turns for completing a colony pod in AH (with hurrying) and 6 turns travel, though we would need road to MM.

Reminder, password is a single key:
<SPACE>

[Akritedes]

I've marked potential future base sites, although some may require dispatching a Former to clear xenofungus before a city can be placed. Short term, it may be best to go north and plant a third city near the Spore Launcher, it would certainly be easiest and fastest. Long term the western sites are more lucrative. The eastern site is the most finicky but it could push back Basque's territory and has energy and mineral resources. It would absolutely require a lot of terraforming, however.

The site marks aren't exact, just general location identifiers.

As for the spore launcher, end it. 12:5 is good odds and getting rid of it before it can go after the Formers is important.

[Mart]

... Long term the western sites are more lucrative.

My thoughts too. Worth to try to go there. In case of Colonials making a base there pushing our borders, we loose some travel turns. But I have some idea, how to cross fungus faster.

The eastern site is the most finicky but it could push back Basque's territory and has energy and mineral resources. It would absolutely require a lot of terraforming, however.
...

There is more land to the east, let us see what the scout finds.