NEB1: One Thousand and One Ways to Die

EDIT: update below!

Popcornlord said:

Quitting the NEB. Sorry, but I've just lost interest.

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@Popcornlord, deserting your people in their hour of need? How noble

Just kiding, and thankyou for all your input

Actually, I'll take the place of the Orange forces

Just NPC me for this turn.

Huuuh.

Me and alex get to be nominal allies. Wheee.

OOC: I told you thlayli, I am a full believer of playing IC to the point I even withdrew as the leader of the LEF I'm *not* out to get you.

Of course you aren't! I don't know what caused you to think that I wasn't earnest in my expression of happiness.

Clearly alex, you're just seeing sarcasm where it plainly doesn't exist.

From: The SEF
To: COBRA

Seeing as you have not responded to our third call for a ceasefire, we assume you have rejected it. Our engagement continues.

We do not negotiate with cultists.

They ain't cultists.

Vertinari118 said:

They ain't cultists.

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The SEF has brought destruction and chaos to an area that would have been peacefully secured under COBRA control, if not for their intervention.

As for their cultist activities, the SEF maintains a strange worship of squirrels. Whether cultism or insanity, we don't really care.

Thlayli said:

The SEF has brought destruction and chaos to an area that would have been peacefully secured under COBRA control, if not for their intervention.

As for their cultist activities, the SEF maintains a strange worship of squirrels. Whether cultism or insanity, we don't really care.

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Penguins?

Orders: Keep doing what I was doing last turn .

Update was Wednesday, hmm? Please get it done soon, I can't wait

Did I send orders...I'm confuzzeled.

lord_joakim said:

Penguins?

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A wobbly, tall and thin figure wearing a long brown trenchcoat with a floppy grey hat, insists that it is Cobra Co-Commander Two, and not a penguin.

Turn 17

INCOMING TRANSMISSION:

- our sacred Gods had contacted us. They promised us a golden age over Soldia and our salvation, or so we thought. But look at the situation now, look at what they have done, they have shamed us and betrayed us and brought no salvation upon us. They are no better than [signal error]

- roadway engineers, and doctors. Our task force is standing by to help. Once again we urge all sides to negotiate. We want all Soldians to know that [signal error]

- You... can't take my... soul away... from me... [signal error]

- Mew? [signal error]

- Greetings ... ​

---

In compliance with a new international treaty, all foreign troops left Soldia, except for the defenders of the north-west refugee camp - which were reinforced by JTLU forces - and other units staying on as 'volunteers' fighting for the various Soldian factions.

---

COBRA forces prepared for battle against both the SEF and the Aliens. The COBRA advance forces at F5, led by Robotanks and Battle Robots, were ordered to stay put and dig in behind the protection of the mysterious Shield. Red forces also dug in nearby, at their E4 'capitol' city, while the Aliens seemed to withdraw northwards. Nonetheless there was an exchange of long-range fire. Red and Alien units kept up the pressure on the COBRA Shield. It seems more and more damage from the Alien weapons was able to get through.

The COBRA airforce was grounded at the newly-liberated H9 airfield for repairs. CGC Guided Launchers kept firing at the giant aerial 'Monstrosity' - attracting more Alien return fire to the COBRA capitol at G7 - but this seemed to have little effect. After reportedly 'harvesting' over a thousand refugees at D6, the Monstrosity was observed 'morphing' into a new and even bigger form. As it did so, no less than two new aerial Monstrosities suddenly appeared nearby.

Things were as stranger than ever in the centre of Soldia. As the trio of Monstrosities floated overhead, a new Alien 'city' emerged at E6 - the site of the former Imperial Capitol - apparently growing larger and taller by the minute. At the same time, the Alien construction at D4 grew into what looked like a giant artillery weapon.

The 'mutated' unit of former Space Pirat Heavy Tanks was seen to behave erratically, firing on both other Alien and COBRA forces.

---

Meanwhile, COBRA forces attacked the SEF, with units crossing both the J4 and H5 bridges, while others attacked from further north. SEF Light Tanks were attempting to blow the bridge at I5, but COBRA commandos bravely charged across - armed with special assault weapons fresh from the COBRA Arms Plant at J6 - and managed to force the SEF tanks back. They were joined by a unit of former Space-Pirat Light Tanks and pushed on towards the much-contested port city of I3.

A brand new unit of COBRA Robotanks was seen emerging from the water at J4. The bridge was too damaged to take their weight, but it was good enough for COBRA troopers - actually Gondwanian 'volunteers' - to cross and join the battle against SEF forces, which were also being aided by former Jade Army units including some veteran Armored Infantry.

A tough fight followed as SEF forces were pushed back into the streets of I3, suffering from COBRA Rocket Artillery along the way. But the defence of I3 was bolstered by determined SEF irregular troops. And again, it seems the COBRA Robotanks suffered some mechanical problems. SEF forces also hired the former Space Pirat Gunships and sent them to attack COBRA rocket batteries near COBRA HQ, dangerously close to Grand Field Marshall Thlayli himself. It was just enough to prevent the I3 port changing hands for yet another time.

The SEF took control of the former Jade Army command post at J2, and received a final convoy of supplies from the departing Lenierde forces. Finally, SEF troops also recovered the last useful parts from the wreckage of the Giant Anarchist Battle Robot in the swamps at H3.

At the same time, the SEF also attacked the Aliens, seeming to dispel rumours of an alliance between them. SEF artillery fired at Alien constructions in F3, while SEF Snipers hunted down the nearby Alien 'creatures'.

Meanwhile, some kind of incident occurred at H2. It is rumoured that Aqua airborne troops tried to attack SEF HQ, flying all the way from the other side of Soldia - over friendly COBRA territory - but were ambushed and captured on the ground, and have now been coerced into joining the SEF army. Soldian news channels have been full of rumours over this incident...

---

The war between the countries of Lenierde and Greater Gondwania was now on a similar scale to the war in Soldia. Lenierde units had advanced deep into the 'Tethos Desert' region to the south of Soldia. Most of the Greater Gondwanian Expedition Force was quick to withdraw from Soldia in order to defend their homeland.

However, COBRA received help from a new brigade, made up of both Soldian and Gondwanian volunteers. This was the so-called Snow Brigade, under the command of Lord Joakim, a veteran soldier from one of the last surviving aristocratic families in Soldia. Snow Brigade was organised as a semi-independent force within COBRA army - similar to the former Green army that had been absorbed as the CGC under Field Marshall Tuxedohamm.

Snow Brigade Snipers saw action first, as they aided the crossing of the J4 bridge with long range shots from the other side. Snow Brigade Commandos later ventured into the jungles of H8 to deal with the last of the Green rebels. These Commandos also found themselves aiding nearby COBRA snipers against the Kangaraptor' creatures, which seemed to be growing stronger and stealthier - perhaps a result of radiation, or natural selection as weaker ones were more easily killed off by COBRA soldiers. It seems the Snow Brigade troops have already earned a good reputation for themselves amongst the COBRA forces.

While a new GCG Light Artillery unit opened fire at the Aliens, most of the GCC troops withdrew from the front lines to recover, rearm and reorganize. COBRA propaganda proudly announced that CGC Field Marshal Tuxedohamm was back to full health, after his recent close shave with SEF forces.

The Rebel Green Speedboats continued to lurk in the north, but there were no signs of further Green loyalist uprisings.

CGC forces also finally secured the crashed Space Pirat VTOL transport at G8.

---

Aside from the strange event at H2, Aqua forces were involved in a surprise offensive against Crimson Ghost 'terrorist' forces. Aqua Stormtroopers and Commandos swept through the eastern highlands, backed up by artillery and heavy armor units - at least when the tanks were not getting stuck in the rugged terrain.

It was ideal terrain for guerrilla warfare, but it seems that Crimson Ghost forces were simply nowhere to be found. Qoou's Commandos agreed to rejoin Red Army, and were picked up from the swamps at A10 by specially-adapted Red air transports, before being sent to join the attack on Orange HQ - dodging Aqua flak along the way. Besthot9's men were still missing, which left only one unit of Snipers and some former-Palatine 'volunteer' Chocobo Riders to oppose the Aqua onslaught. It is rumoured that the Snipers were able to sneak through Aqua lines and evade destruction, and there were also unconfirmed rumours of Crimson Ghost units holding out in underground bunkers.

Aqua command were denied their ceremonial trial and execution of the Crimson Ghost leaders, but otherwise it seems Crimson Ghost faction has been crushed...

According to Aqua news channels, absolutely nothing happened in C9 and B10.

A new Alien 'colony' has been spotted at D8. These Aliens have made no hostile moves yet.

Aqua HQ successfully received several convoys worth of valuable parts and supplies, previously captured from Deep Blue and Crimson Ghost.

---

Another mysterious event occurred at Red HQ. There are reports of explosions and gun battles, but it is rumoured that only a handful of special agents from a rival faction were involved.

There were rumours of an imminent formal pact between Red forces and the Aliens, which would have seen Red troops come under overall Alien command. If this was true, it seems Red Command were doing all they could to stall the Aliens...

Holy Field Marshall Matt0088 left his usual company of Light Tanks in the field and travelled south in person, to the Red Capitol at E4, to address the assembled elite of the Red Crusade. According to all reports, Matt0088 made an impassioned speech against the Aliens, perhaps even calling for war against the so-called 'Goddess'. But the stance of the Red Crusade is still not clear at this point. Even as Matt0088 gave his speech, Red units were skirmishing with COBRA Robotanks on the edge of the city, and effectively cooperating with the Aliens against COBRA forces.

Red units at C4 and B5 have already fallen under alien influence.

Meanwhile, Red troops combined for an all-out assault on Orange HQ at B4. Light Tanks closed in from east and west, while foot soldiers moved through the hills in the south, and Qoou's Commandos - those that survived their dangerous pick-up and Aqua flak along the way - were paradropped straight into Orange HQ.

Orange resistance was fierce, despite their lack of resources. Allied units were on hand to help - the Aqua Armored Cars and COBRA Humvees did just as much fighting in defence of Orange HQ as the Orange troops. On the eastern flank, a unit of Red Light Tanks was completely destroyed. For a while it seemed like the HQ might just hold out. But General Popcornlord decided to take up an offer of evacuation from the JTLU, who sent a transport ship - technically in violation of recent international treaties - to retrieve Popcornlord and a handful of his most loyal troops, and take them to safety. It is rumoured that another unit of Orange troops went into hiding somewhere in or around C4.

Grand Admiral Terrish, leader of the Red Crusade Naval Infantry Division, oversaw the final stage of the battle. Inevitably, the outer defences of Orange HQ fell. Although at this point Red troops are still trying to clear out the central command bunkers.

Like Aqua command, the Reds were denied a ceremonial trial and execution of general Popcornlord, but morale was raised nonetheless by what seems like final victory over the old enemy.

A Red convoy containing parts of dismantled Interceptors from the C5 airfield made it back to Red HQ.

---

Strange creatures and plants continue to lurk by land and sea.

Observers from the Holy Karamandu Empire continue to travel with COBRA troops. Currently they are at G5.

The Stumsoldner Free Company has said a final farewell to COBRA-CGC forces and has withdrawn from Soldia.

It seems the Aliens are able to build underwater. Currently only Submarines, Destroyers and Robotanks (being amphibious) will be able to destroy these.

A mysterious light has been seen emanating from the hills at C4, apparently having an adverse effect on the nearby aliens.

Finally, another giant UFO has been sighted in the north of Soldia, this one bearing a resemblance to the very first UFO that had been seen months earlier...

---

DIPLOMACY:

To: Soldia
From: Overseer 121

"Greetings. We have improved our communication method to speak to you today. We are able to overcome the interference devices of the Opposed Faction due to the proximity of our craft.

Now, after receiving various signalizations from you, in combination with the deterimentifications of the local situation, Cosmic Hierarchy 222 has authorized the deployment of this utility vessel to your country.

Now, it is our goal to allow your people to return to their natural native habits, including wars and other such activities, undisturbed by the intrusion of Cosmic-Culture elements. We wish your planet to develop on its own path, so that in time it will contribute to the diversity of Cosmic-Culture. Therefore, we wish to keep our own contact to a minimum. We create apologies for the role we have played in this disruption.

Now, we detect that a massive Reflexive Reality Failure Event is imminent. The situation appears to be deterimentified to such an extent that the use of Super-Quantum Resonance Cascade Weaponry is called for under the established Doctrine of Disentanglement. The estimated blast radius of such a device is shown below:

We trust that you will accept your own destruction, in order that the rest of your planet can remain disentangled and naturalized.

Our channels of communication will remain open.

Farewell."

-

To: Soldia
From: The Great Goddes Arxilzethusa

"The time for contrivances and politeness is in the past. The moment of decision has come. I will now reveal the splendour of my true form...

If only you knew the wonders of our great civilization. What you have seen so far is but a tiny fraction. We have moulded whole worlds into beautiful and sublime works of art, symphonies of life, technology, energy and consciousness.

We have overcome so many hardships to travel here, at your invitation, and adapt to this new environment. There are strange and unexpected energies at work here... but ah, this is what makes this place so interesting to us!

Now look upon the doom that your so-called 'protectors' wish to bring upon you. You have one final chance of salvation, and that is to pledge yourself willingly and unconditionally, body and spirit, unto your one and true Goddess."
-

To: All
From: The Canbrian Commonwealth (western neighbour)

"Its clear that our proposal has failed. But together with our allies, we are still prepared to intervene in Soldia, if and when the local factions can come to an agreement about the future of their country."

-

WEATHER REPORT:

Some more scattered rain in the south, but nothing that should affect the war. Visibility is expected to remain good.

INCOME:

Red received $3 (+2 special) out of a maximum of $5.
Orange received $0 out of 0.
COBRA received $9 out of 12.
Green received $0 out of 0.
Aqua received $5 (+$5 special) out of 5.
SEF (Brown) received $4 (+$3 special) out of 5.
Crimson Ghost received $0 out of 0.
LEF (Jade) withdrew from the battle.

NOTES:

Thlayli has been given all of COBRA's money in anticipation of certain special projects. Other COBRA commanders have the right to protest this!

Depending on how things go, all UFO's and most weird stuff may be gone next turn. It isn't for definite that giant UFO's are going to destroy everything!

It will take at least another turn for Matt0088's troops to fully capture Orange HQ. At least one attacking unit will have to stay there until it is fully captured. This is the rule for all HQ's.

OK I must admit, I'm in favour of ending this game in a few turns time, or at least concluding this 'chapter' of it. There are lessons to be learned, changes to be made, and other things I should really be getting on with. I'm open to any suggestions for brining things to a conclusion. Note that I plan to include Soldia, either united or divided, into the eventual NEB3 which I'm thinking of doing as a zoomed-out risk-style format including a much bigger part of this world, with named provinces instead of squares. I say NEB#3, because my plan for #2 is going to be a mini-game set on the International Space Station (!?) that runs only for 10 days or so, and will also have some influence over how NEB#3 begins

Also, this isn't set on our Earth at any point in past or future. You could say it's an alternate earth with different geography, and more wierdness. I have built up some ideas for other countries and continents, I will also be opening this up for player input prior to NEB#3.

@lord_joakim, I'm sorry if you were expecting more from this update also I hope you don't mind me re-posting your background for the Snow Brigade:

lord_joakim said:

Snow Brigade background

The civil war brought many a strike of fear through the hearts of the people in Soldia. What was initially general hate, now dissent and weariness as well as panic has spread throughout the civilian population - The alien invasions and foreign interference did not help on the calmness of the population. Soon, many in general taught themselves to fight, joining the causes of their choices.

Due to the rising panic in the Golden Southeast of Soldia, the Gondwanan task forces were easily able to pass through without too much discontent. Actually, with the Gondwanan army, the local civilians felt safe, as the foreigners represented their dreams of a new, socialist Soldian state with penguins. Soon, a number of volunteers decided to fight for their cause - they picked up their primitive rifles and served as small militia task forces for Gondwana. This was how the Snow Brigade was born.

Soon, a definate number of loyal soldiers were deliberately ready to fight for their nation, and the Gondwanans trained them as a special task force of local militiamen. These new soldiers were named the Snow Brigade, and would serve as an infantry regiment that would fight for the common profit of the COBRA faction and her allies.

The Snow Brigade is an organization that is somewhat authoritative of itself, but relying on its fathering armies, COBRA and Gondwana, for its diplomatic stance and overall campaign strategy. Its leadership is coordinated by Lord_Joakim, one of the first soldiers of that army. His abilities in subtlety proves good in his personal command of snipers.

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NOTE THAT THERE ARE TWO MAP VERSIONS - the second one has weather conditions and extra wierdness visible...

Good update Daft!
You seriously are going to force an ending aren't you Daft? Especially with C4...
I'm in favor of ending this when the aliens or COBRA are crushed...

Great update!

Nono, I expected no more, I got my commando pic. I'm a little meh about this NES ending so soon, but I guess it's fine. At least I'll get a little hang of it. I'm pleased that I got the armored truck as well.

Oh, and I was going to post the background here nonetheless.


---:---


Incoming Transmission:/

To: COBRA High Command
From: Snow Brigade Commander

Reporting for duty sir. I am Lord Joakhim, the newly elected commander of the Civilian Volunteers unit, the white-clad Snow Brigade.

I have concern about the news of the true apperance of the Aliens. The nature of the enemies was even more horrifying than I initially expected. I am fearing that if they succeed in invading Soldia, they will not only infest the minds of our nation, they will spread throughout the planet. I have consulted my officers, and they agree that military actions are required to remove the creeps from our rightful soil. To make sure this is possible, we would have to focus less on the execution of the Kangaraptors and more on diplomacy with the now possibly sane Matt008 able to discuss what to do with the infestors - Especially with the recent return of the first Aliens, one might hope that he realizes the menace he had allowed to trespass our borders. We must consult him immediately to deal with the Alien threat.

My personal elite sniping personnel will provide firearms at the frontier, and help blast down the space invaders. However, the small problem with the Kangaraptors to the east remain unsolved. I must ask for a small sum of income (2-3$) to invest in yet another infantry unit to the east; that would do for now, and would help surpress the hideous mutations.

Lord Joakhim out sire. Hail COBRA!

:/End Of Transmission


EDIT: OOC: And no, I'm not contradicting myself.

From: COBRA High Command
To: Snow Brigade Commander

Your arrival is most fortuitous. You are granted preliminary security clearance for most COBRA intelligence, and have our greatest thanks for the assistance your volunteers have provided. COBRA technicians are currently preparing an ultimate weapon for use against the Aliens. Soon, it will be fully prepared for battle. We are unsure what expenditures we will require to complete our project, but we will most likely honor your funding request.

We will consider negotiations with Red commanders, perhaps including a ceasefire agreement. However, we still intend to hold Red leadership responsible for their crimes.

More details will be incoming soon. Hail COBRA!

I believe the certain issue with COBRA funding was actually a non-issue (my mistake). So, I've now split the income between COBRA players, and uploaded new maps to show this (bear in mind that Tuxedohamm now keeps the $1 he had saved).

BTW, players on the same team/faction can exchange $$$ with each other, without worring about supply convoys, even if the team has multiple HQ's.

ALSO, I'm in the process of editing the front page. I understand the rules on unit actions are confusing, so I'm going to try to clear that bit up!

PS, anyone having trouble opening the [spoilers] in the update?

Daft, can I join as a character completely unrelated to my first one?

Crimson Ghost FTW! (3 Troopers FTW!)