Scenario Name: February 2010 GOTM: "What would Pravin do?"
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Buster's Uncle
Date of original posting: 2/1/10
Original host site: WPC
Peace In Our Time - U.N. Succession
Datalinks: Aphelion Meet (redirected from 10-10-10 attacks)
1. Diplomatic context: Initial projections assumed a period of four to
five decades before a full Council could meet. These projections came
from calculations based on limited faction motility, helial radiation
disturbances, and the slow adoption of ionosphere broadcasting tech.
However, the projections failed to account for the presence of Unity
resupply pods littering Chiron's surface, many containing data key to
sending/receiving commlinks. After establishing face-to-face contact
with Believer and Spartan factions, the U.N. communications directorate
pieced together enough data from recovered data files in Unity pods and
inter-faction transmissions to reestablish ties with all existent
factions. The final official "first contact" brought the Hive into U.N.
communications in MY 2108.
The quick pace of interfactional contact allowed for global scrutiny
over any border disputes, forestalling the worst-case scenario of
internecine conflict. An uneasy truce governed the standard year between
full contact and first summit. In MY2110, delegates of all council
member factions met under U.N. auspices at the Neutral Zone to address
the Commissioner's proposed New Charter. The summit drew its name from
the Aphelion of Chiron from Hercules B, considered an auspicious
timeframe due to reduced native life activity.
2. Aims of the Aphelion Meet: The U.N. agenda planned for the meeting
included the following unresolved binding goals: establishment of
multiilateral military communications; clear demarcation of border and
territorial claims; an up-down vote on adoption of the Unity Charter.
The agenda included the following unresolved aspirational goals: opening
round of talks to set a cross-border trade regimen; initial outlines of
a human rights code; discussions on a universal energy standard; and
humanitarian technology-sharing for research vital to Chironside
survival.
Gaian agenda: The only other faction to submit a full agenda was the
Gaian leader Deirdre Skye, whose agenda mirrored U.N. interests in key
concerns, but introduced several measures of binding multilateral
limitations to avert the heavy man-made environmental concerns of
Earthside industrial development through history. Skye also emerged as a
strong supporter of native biomorph research, nominally outlawed under
the U.N.'s interim preservation doctrines.
3. Diplomatic results: The meeting successfully achieved several key
goals: establishing a common commlink protocol; affirming the Charter's
central tenets while leaving key provisions open for revocation at a
later date; and the re-establishment of Earthside "energy credit"
currencies for uniform economic liquidity.
Surviving records show that the meeting was due to begin a second
schedule of talks addressing military cooperation and resolving
territorial disputes. The Meet participants were unable to reach
consensus before the 10-10-10 Attacks, which claimed the lives of all
faction leaders and Meet staff.
4. Terrorist attack: The 10-10-10 Attacks comprised a series of
coordinated attacks on the Neutral Zone complexes. Together, they
eliminated all seven faction members and resulted in the death by
exposure of more than five hundred identified victims. Piecemeal records
suggest that the initial attack occurred inside the Meet Hall, with an
intentional fire or chemical alarm. This caused automated and manned
systems to seal, and to activate oxygenation. Chemical tests from the
site show traces of isotopes, likely pumped into the air supply from
points inside the security perimeter. The initial contamination gave a
lethal dosage of radiation to more than half the Meet staff. Adding to
the confusion, many of those lethally affected from outset were key
personnel, and thus received a disproportionate amount of first aid and
support systems when no remedial effects were possible.
By 2110-10-11, a small remnant of staff were suited against the
atmosphere, attempting to overcome the failsafes and possibly dealing
with armed aggression. In the evening of the second day, vehicle fire
directed by people or persons unknown destroyed the central hall and
dormitories. The last eyewitness account recovered comes from U.N.
Security Detail Pvt. Nova Sudiwikarmi, who recorded that men in his
squad had attempted to exit the compound and come under fire from
vehicles commanded by unconfirmed, and seemingly contradictory,
factions. Sudiwikarmi surmised that the confusion after the terrorist
attack caused many legitimate security personnel to use force in
self-defense, at which point distinguishing terrorist from soldier
became impossible. Sudiwikarmi's last transmission in the evening of
2110-10-11 describes an attempt to regroup and take control of one of
the few mining rovers present as perimeter defense. Sudiwikarmi's body
was recovered along with several civilians approximately 13 km from the
Meet: each had signs of death by nitrogen asphyxiation save one, U.N.
Minister of Education Simi Rosan, who died of a firearm injury and blood
loss.
5. Aftermath and global condemnation: U.N. patrols were the first to
arrive onsite, owing to border proximity, but were slow to respond to
other factions' demands for information. By 2110-10-13, Acting Secretary
Sarita assumed ministerial powers in accordance with U.N. succession
directives. Sarita released full decedent lists to all factions, but
held details of the attack confidential. She also initiated a full-scale
review of security measures and numerous depositions to determine
terrorist complicity within the U.N. These measures, though justified
under the Police Powers act, brought U.N. internal functions to a
standstill, further delaying the release of key facts to other faction
representatives.
Factual findings of the U.N. investigation were made public 2110-10-15,
along with a call for unity in condemnation of the perpetrators of the
attack and in resolution to bring them to justice. Sarita relinquished
her position after the Electorate ratified Prashanti Lal, sister to
predecessor Pravin Lal, as Interim Commissioner. Her first act was the
repeal of the Police Powers and the normalization of citizens' personal
freedoms. Less than two days later, the interim Spartan military command
officially revoked the state of truce between their faction and the
U.N., and advised that U.N. personnel encountered on Spartan claims
would be subject to imprisonment without trial. One week later, forces
under Believer command attacked and overran a U.N. border depot, seizing
sensor technology and materiel. Local reports indicated that the depot
now broadcast the religious agenda of Reverend Manuel Godwinson. Despite
these hostilities, Interim Commissioner Prashanti Lal on 2110-10-33
formally declared her intention to preserve civilian freedoms, even as
she passed the bill mobilizing unprecedented forces to defend U.N.
borders.
The Gaians under Ailean Skye communicated a statement of mutual
bereavement and regret on 2110-10-18, indicating a continuation of
formal truce status. No official contacts have been reported from the
University, Hive, or Morganites. The state of relations with these
factions, and their leadership successions - if any - remain undefined.
* ~ * ~ *
"Sister Lal?" Sarita's soft words brought Prashanti back from her thoughts. "Secretary-General, the meeting is in 20 minutes."
Prashanti turned from the sunset out the window. "Thank you, Sarita. Show them in when it’s time."
It felt strange occupying Pravin's office, being addressed as
Secretary-General in his place. Prashanti was no stranger to command;
since Planetfall, as Pravin's sister and most trusted lieutenant, she'd
issued orders in his name, been his closest counselor.
But with him gone...
Tears began to well again, red in the sunset. The week since the
explosion at the face-to-face Planetary Council meeting had been a
hectic one. The simultaneous loss of leaders had thrown Chiron into
chaos. "Oh Pravi," she thought, desolately.
The task of guiding humanity towards reunification had seemed endless
even with Pravin’s resolute hand at the helm, and now... Prashanti wiped
tears and opened the dossier on the other new faction leaders.
The faces were all new. Many were taken from furtive angles, or strange
lighting, as if the photos were illicit artifacts. Far too little was
known for sure - this dark cabinet of humanity's new leaders. Lord
Ailean Skye was believed more detached than his late wife; the
philosopher of the Gaians. Here was the new University Provost, Iskra
Vadima, whose name turned up no results at all in the academic
publication archives. Smiling out from the page, the broad face of CEO
Chinwemma Morgan seemed oddly out of place, given the solemnity of her
rise to power. The Spartan leader, Colonel Sosimo Fernan, seemed oddly
friendly for a military man, beaming out from the distance like a jolly
uncle, in stark contrast to Manuel Godwinson, whose fiery oratory was
already the stuff of legend. And finally, rounding out the seven, the
enigmatic mouthpiece of the Hive: Speaker Liren Yang, whose
clockwork-regular broadcasts assured the Hive workers - and indeed any
other humans inclined to believe her - of the certainty that everything
was proceeding to her plan.
Already, these faces were making their presence known in the U.N.
corridors of power. Within days, the Spartans and Believers had begun
pushing their troops towards Peacekeeper territory, in clear violation
of the border agreements. Days when Peacekeepers watched their new
leader and wondered if she really had what it took to lead.
Prashanti smiled to herself, despite it all. Turns out, she did. In a
democratic civilian government with strong institutions, all you needed
to lead in times of war was a damn good general. And Daoud al-Bahraini
had been just the damn good general she'd needed. They'd mobilized in
mere hours and held the line until the crisis passed.
And people on the holopodes were cheering in the streets, clasping each
other and shouting with joy. And chanting. Prashanti brought her hand to
her eyes again, but for tears of humbled happiness, not bereavement.
They'd been chanting her name.
She smiled and dried her eyes properly. This was no time to be getting
soft-headed with pride, or a time to be weeping with despair. Her people
were still in peril; they needed her to be strong, sure, and above all,
wise.
And as she had promised at the ceremony, she would lead them out of the darkness.
"What," she wondered as always, "would Pravin do?"
Directions
1) download the zip file and place it into your main game directory.
usually this is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Alpha
Centauri
2) unzip it.
3) start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go to the subdirectory "GotM1002" and choose the scenario.
4) choose the difficulty level and the game will automatically load with the Peacekeepers.
4) if you liked the introductory story, please enjoy the other files in
the .zip- they tell the story of how each of the other factions handled
the transition. Feedback would be appreciated. They might help suggest
creative directions for your AARs, too.
Changelog:
Carrier Deck special ability moved to Doctrine:Air Power.
FACTIONS
This scenario (and the associated stories) was built around the
Alternate Gender Leader Project custom factions- which have all been
specially modified to fit a realistic sudden power-vacuum situation, not
the simple “same persons with their genders switched” that they began
as.
#Objectives:
The PKs must conquer six objective bases in order to capture and interrogate the respective governors.
The six cities are:
- Great Conclave
- Judgement Seat
- Penal Colony
- Spartan Citadel
- Manufacturing Warrens
- Sparta Command
There's no need to achieve a standard victory condition in order to be eligible for the GotM Competition.
The scenario can be played at any difficulty level and even though it
doesn't have a time limit, you should be able to finish it in less than
100 turns.
Have fun reading and playing!
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Buster's Uncle
Date of original posting: 2/1/10
Original host site: WPC
Peace In Our Time - U.N. Succession
Datalinks: Aphelion Meet (redirected from 10-10-10 attacks)
1. Diplomatic context: Initial projections assumed a period of four to
five decades before a full Council could meet. These projections came
from calculations based on limited faction motility, helial radiation
disturbances, and the slow adoption of ionosphere broadcasting tech.
However, the projections failed to account for the presence of Unity
resupply pods littering Chiron's surface, many containing data key to
sending/receiving commlinks. After establishing face-to-face contact
with Believer and Spartan factions, the U.N. communications directorate
pieced together enough data from recovered data files in Unity pods and
inter-faction transmissions to reestablish ties with all existent
factions. The final official "first contact" brought the Hive into U.N.
communications in MY 2108.
The quick pace of interfactional contact allowed for global scrutiny
over any border disputes, forestalling the worst-case scenario of
internecine conflict. An uneasy truce governed the standard year between
full contact and first summit. In MY2110, delegates of all council
member factions met under U.N. auspices at the Neutral Zone to address
the Commissioner's proposed New Charter. The summit drew its name from
the Aphelion of Chiron from Hercules B, considered an auspicious
timeframe due to reduced native life activity.
2. Aims of the Aphelion Meet: The U.N. agenda planned for the meeting
included the following unresolved binding goals: establishment of
multiilateral military communications; clear demarcation of border and
territorial claims; an up-down vote on adoption of the Unity Charter.
The agenda included the following unresolved aspirational goals: opening
round of talks to set a cross-border trade regimen; initial outlines of
a human rights code; discussions on a universal energy standard; and
humanitarian technology-sharing for research vital to Chironside
survival.
Gaian agenda: The only other faction to submit a full agenda was the
Gaian leader Deirdre Skye, whose agenda mirrored U.N. interests in key
concerns, but introduced several measures of binding multilateral
limitations to avert the heavy man-made environmental concerns of
Earthside industrial development through history. Skye also emerged as a
strong supporter of native biomorph research, nominally outlawed under
the U.N.'s interim preservation doctrines.
3. Diplomatic results: The meeting successfully achieved several key
goals: establishing a common commlink protocol; affirming the Charter's
central tenets while leaving key provisions open for revocation at a
later date; and the re-establishment of Earthside "energy credit"
currencies for uniform economic liquidity.
Surviving records show that the meeting was due to begin a second
schedule of talks addressing military cooperation and resolving
territorial disputes. The Meet participants were unable to reach
consensus before the 10-10-10 Attacks, which claimed the lives of all
faction leaders and Meet staff.
4. Terrorist attack: The 10-10-10 Attacks comprised a series of
coordinated attacks on the Neutral Zone complexes. Together, they
eliminated all seven faction members and resulted in the death by
exposure of more than five hundred identified victims. Piecemeal records
suggest that the initial attack occurred inside the Meet Hall, with an
intentional fire or chemical alarm. This caused automated and manned
systems to seal, and to activate oxygenation. Chemical tests from the
site show traces of isotopes, likely pumped into the air supply from
points inside the security perimeter. The initial contamination gave a
lethal dosage of radiation to more than half the Meet staff. Adding to
the confusion, many of those lethally affected from outset were key
personnel, and thus received a disproportionate amount of first aid and
support systems when no remedial effects were possible.
By 2110-10-11, a small remnant of staff were suited against the
atmosphere, attempting to overcome the failsafes and possibly dealing
with armed aggression. In the evening of the second day, vehicle fire
directed by people or persons unknown destroyed the central hall and
dormitories. The last eyewitness account recovered comes from U.N.
Security Detail Pvt. Nova Sudiwikarmi, who recorded that men in his
squad had attempted to exit the compound and come under fire from
vehicles commanded by unconfirmed, and seemingly contradictory,
factions. Sudiwikarmi surmised that the confusion after the terrorist
attack caused many legitimate security personnel to use force in
self-defense, at which point distinguishing terrorist from soldier
became impossible. Sudiwikarmi's last transmission in the evening of
2110-10-11 describes an attempt to regroup and take control of one of
the few mining rovers present as perimeter defense. Sudiwikarmi's body
was recovered along with several civilians approximately 13 km from the
Meet: each had signs of death by nitrogen asphyxiation save one, U.N.
Minister of Education Simi Rosan, who died of a firearm injury and blood
loss.
5. Aftermath and global condemnation: U.N. patrols were the first to
arrive onsite, owing to border proximity, but were slow to respond to
other factions' demands for information. By 2110-10-13, Acting Secretary
Sarita assumed ministerial powers in accordance with U.N. succession
directives. Sarita released full decedent lists to all factions, but
held details of the attack confidential. She also initiated a full-scale
review of security measures and numerous depositions to determine
terrorist complicity within the U.N. These measures, though justified
under the Police Powers act, brought U.N. internal functions to a
standstill, further delaying the release of key facts to other faction
representatives.
Factual findings of the U.N. investigation were made public 2110-10-15,
along with a call for unity in condemnation of the perpetrators of the
attack and in resolution to bring them to justice. Sarita relinquished
her position after the Electorate ratified Prashanti Lal, sister to
predecessor Pravin Lal, as Interim Commissioner. Her first act was the
repeal of the Police Powers and the normalization of citizens' personal
freedoms. Less than two days later, the interim Spartan military command
officially revoked the state of truce between their faction and the
U.N., and advised that U.N. personnel encountered on Spartan claims
would be subject to imprisonment without trial. One week later, forces
under Believer command attacked and overran a U.N. border depot, seizing
sensor technology and materiel. Local reports indicated that the depot
now broadcast the religious agenda of Reverend Manuel Godwinson. Despite
these hostilities, Interim Commissioner Prashanti Lal on 2110-10-33
formally declared her intention to preserve civilian freedoms, even as
she passed the bill mobilizing unprecedented forces to defend U.N.
borders.
The Gaians under Ailean Skye communicated a statement of mutual
bereavement and regret on 2110-10-18, indicating a continuation of
formal truce status. No official contacts have been reported from the
University, Hive, or Morganites. The state of relations with these
factions, and their leadership successions - if any - remain undefined.
* ~ * ~ *
"Sister Lal?" Sarita's soft words brought Prashanti back from her thoughts. "Secretary-General, the meeting is in 20 minutes."
Prashanti turned from the sunset out the window. "Thank you, Sarita. Show them in when it’s time."
It felt strange occupying Pravin's office, being addressed as
Secretary-General in his place. Prashanti was no stranger to command;
since Planetfall, as Pravin's sister and most trusted lieutenant, she'd
issued orders in his name, been his closest counselor.
But with him gone...
Tears began to well again, red in the sunset. The week since the
explosion at the face-to-face Planetary Council meeting had been a
hectic one. The simultaneous loss of leaders had thrown Chiron into
chaos. "Oh Pravi," she thought, desolately.
The task of guiding humanity towards reunification had seemed endless
even with Pravin’s resolute hand at the helm, and now... Prashanti wiped
tears and opened the dossier on the other new faction leaders.
The faces were all new. Many were taken from furtive angles, or strange
lighting, as if the photos were illicit artifacts. Far too little was
known for sure - this dark cabinet of humanity's new leaders. Lord
Ailean Skye was believed more detached than his late wife; the
philosopher of the Gaians. Here was the new University Provost, Iskra
Vadima, whose name turned up no results at all in the academic
publication archives. Smiling out from the page, the broad face of CEO
Chinwemma Morgan seemed oddly out of place, given the solemnity of her
rise to power. The Spartan leader, Colonel Sosimo Fernan, seemed oddly
friendly for a military man, beaming out from the distance like a jolly
uncle, in stark contrast to Manuel Godwinson, whose fiery oratory was
already the stuff of legend. And finally, rounding out the seven, the
enigmatic mouthpiece of the Hive: Speaker Liren Yang, whose
clockwork-regular broadcasts assured the Hive workers - and indeed any
other humans inclined to believe her - of the certainty that everything
was proceeding to her plan.
Already, these faces were making their presence known in the U.N.
corridors of power. Within days, the Spartans and Believers had begun
pushing their troops towards Peacekeeper territory, in clear violation
of the border agreements. Days when Peacekeepers watched their new
leader and wondered if she really had what it took to lead.
Prashanti smiled to herself, despite it all. Turns out, she did. In a
democratic civilian government with strong institutions, all you needed
to lead in times of war was a damn good general. And Daoud al-Bahraini
had been just the damn good general she'd needed. They'd mobilized in
mere hours and held the line until the crisis passed.
And people on the holopodes were cheering in the streets, clasping each
other and shouting with joy. And chanting. Prashanti brought her hand to
her eyes again, but for tears of humbled happiness, not bereavement.
They'd been chanting her name.
She smiled and dried her eyes properly. This was no time to be getting
soft-headed with pride, or a time to be weeping with despair. Her people
were still in peril; they needed her to be strong, sure, and above all,
wise.
And as she had promised at the ceremony, she would lead them out of the darkness.
"What," she wondered as always, "would Pravin do?"
Directions
1) download the zip file and place it into your main game directory.
usually this is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Alpha
Centauri
2) unzip it.
3) start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go to the subdirectory "GotM1002" and choose the scenario.
4) choose the difficulty level and the game will automatically load with the Peacekeepers.
4) if you liked the introductory story, please enjoy the other files in
the .zip- they tell the story of how each of the other factions handled
the transition. Feedback would be appreciated. They might help suggest
creative directions for your AARs, too.
Changelog:
Carrier Deck special ability moved to Doctrine:Air Power.
FACTIONS
This scenario (and the associated stories) was built around the
Alternate Gender Leader Project custom factions- which have all been
specially modified to fit a realistic sudden power-vacuum situation, not
the simple “same persons with their genders switched” that they began
as.
#Objectives:
The PKs must conquer six objective bases in order to capture and interrogate the respective governors.
The six cities are:
- Great Conclave
- Judgement Seat
- Penal Colony
- Spartan Citadel
- Manufacturing Warrens
- Sparta Command
There's no need to achieve a standard victory condition in order to be eligible for the GotM Competition.
The scenario can be played at any difficulty level and even though it
doesn't have a time limit, you should be able to finish it in less than
100 turns.
Have fun reading and playing!