SysNES 1: A Murky Pool of Light

…and the Bulldogs win 4-2 in a stunning triumph over the heavy favorites, Ikrasu. No doubt the Ikrasu fans are up in arms.

You bet Abdul, lets just hope they won’t get to angry.

Ha ha, right you are. This is Abdul Jabbar reporting for TBC news, back to you Mehmed.

Thanks Abdul, we are at the top of the hour, and the Prime Chancellor is getting ready to address the nation in moments. Safa, what can we expect to hear in this address by the Prime Chancellor.

Well will most likely be discussing the current state of the new settlement on Errai II, which has been one of the major strong points of the Rasheed faction, and indeed Rasheed himself. Capitalizing on the success of the colony, and future success of mining operations that will likely commence in the coming year.

And what about current relations with the Akresians, there has been word that negotiations between Rasheed and the Akresian admirality have been extremely tense. it seems like the Akresians backed out of a deal which they had previously agreed to and are now demanding technological assistance.

That’s right, now just to recap the Ik-Akresian treaty is slated to expire in the next two years. Leaders on both sides have been struggling to come to an agreement but after last weeks stunning turn around by the Akresian’s, the Rasheed administration is less than willing to come to an agreement.

Ok hold on Safa the Akresians backed out of talks with Rasheed?

Sources say that the Ik-Akresian treaty that was originally proposed would have finally brought an end to disputes over planets, allotting the Akresians Errai VII-Errai IX, while the Ik would take the rest. Apparently, only just last week the Akresians decided against signing the treaty and presented a list of demands instead, ones that were quite absurd.

Truly a shame Safa, I certainly was looking forward to a little bit of peace. Hang on… yes looks like the Prime Chancellor is about to start his address, we now switch to live coverage of Prime Chancellor Rasheed at the Soik press room.


Ladies and gentlemen, the Prime Chancellor of the Republic of Ik, Hezbul Rasheed

As-salaamu ‘Aleykum, please sit. I’d like to thank the press core for coming out so quickly, I know it was short notice but there are many issues that need addressing. My fellow Ik, we, as a people, have always looked to the stars. We have always strived to reach out and grasp at the heavens. It seems that to often critics have tried to derail our dreams and hopes of a larger, and brighter future as nothing but fanciful notions. We cannot allow those dreams die. For without them, our great nation would surely crumble and fall into darkness.

I come before you today to say that never has my resolve, to see this dream come to fruition, been more stead fast. Together we, the Ik people, will rise to new heights of greatness. Our habitat on Errai II is only the beginning of a new age of expansion for the Republic of Ik. This year alone the Errai II habitat will undergo construction to expand its size by over 500%. This construction shall allow for mining operations to commence almost immediately and provide many jobs as well as a large source of raw materials for our existing industries. Our control over Errai II, and its surrounding systems will be strengthened and our dominion over the Errai system will be assured.

We can no longer hide in Taik, afraid to venture out, for surely those who would seek to bring the Ik people harm would take advantage of us. If we continue to let fear rule us we will fall prey to the fiends who would seek to undermine our Glorious Republic. Join me brothers and sisters, let us usher forth a new age. Let us reach out and grasp out is rightfully ours!


Well there you have it Safa, a truly breathtaking speech by Prime Chancellor Rasheed. Seems like he has some big plans ahead, what are your thoughts?

Well as you said, Prime Chancellor Rasheed is moving in a vastly different direction than his first few years in office. But I think its not something many people weren’t looking for. The Prime Chancellor seems to have been securing his base throughout the first 4 years of his office, and I think now we can really see that the rhetoric on rapid expansion will increase dramatically.

The Farheth Solani certainly won’t be happy about this.

Indeed they won’t, but lets remember that Prime Chancellor now controls a majority vote in the Senate and this speech shows that he isn’t afraid to use that newfound power to further his foreign policy as well as his exploration policy.

Exploration policy? So it is true then that the Interstellar Exploration Program will be restarted this year?

It will but with from my understanding of the report released by the National Interstellar Exploration Department, the newly constructed space probe will be accompanied by an Abu class ship to hopefully avoid a catastrophe like the Arrakis Incident.

One ship Safa? Do they really think that will help? Sounds like a lot of hot air to me.

I can’t say I disagree with you, however the DSRT (Department of Scientific Research and Technology) is rumored to have a new ship in the works that might allay the fears that many people have about resuming the IEP.

What about the Akresian situation, I noticed that Rasheed made a point of leaving that out.

From what I understand the Ik-Akresian negotiations had been put on hold for a short while after the Akresian Admirality backed out. However it is possible that negotiations have resumed, or are completed. It is likely that come 09 we will see the signing of a new treaty.

What could the treaty possibly include

The new Akresian satellites pose a serious road block, in the sense that it shows they have the capability to develop viable fighters, possibly mobile fighters. That being said I think…

Hell, that guy looks extraordinarily like the King of... hell, I don't remember which king.

OOC:

I'm guessing that the update will be in approx 4-5 hours IF its going up today; he usually updates around then.

Yes Kal, its almost like I get home from work the same time each day :O

Update 8: For I'm a member of the midnight crew...

With the departure of the 'Al Errai space seems almost boring, as the Ik appear all dominant and the Akresians scrabble to make ends meet. After long delays and set backs the mining project on Errai II comes on line, with the majority of the proceeds under the control of Rasheed and his extended clan within the republic that immediately use to secure complete electoral control. The extended Ik fleet flew hither and fore between the worlds of Errai, proud in their mastery. The fact that in Kaus or Zavi space such an assembly of craft would be a footnote at best is something that the Ik are lucky not to know. On Taik itself more men are recruited into the guard to assuage the rulers paranoia, as the researchers develop weapons and techniques for the creation of ever larger ships. Self-confidently reaching out into the void despite the disaster at Arrakis the Ik build another Scout Probe and crudely lash it to their Abu-class interstellar sloop. The resultant 'fleet' wouldn't be able to move much in system but would be able to both scan and put up a semblance of self defence. The pair jumped away to Minkar after their construction. For their part the Akresians upgraded the small habitat they had stolen from the 'Al so long ago, burying its disquieting angles under their preferred style of plascrete domes. A new mine and farming complex went a long way towards solving their food needs, and population growth picked up from its stagnant baseline. The small republic of free Drones on the outermost world of the system has considerable conversations with the Ik, but declines their offer of membership in the republic. Ominously the Akresians send no messages to the republic at all.

The Lantians engage in much long distance discussion with the 'Al over the future of Horn system, the Lantians gracious decided this rich system has room enough for refugees. Neither side can seem to bring themselves to agree on the fine details of settlement however, and the year ended with the deadlock unbroken. Perhaps out of respect for the Lantians, the ever patient 'Al declined to establish any settlements, and merely remained lurking around the outermost world in their battered hulks. The ending of their dreams of exclusive domination of Horn space saw the Lantians reappraise their current system of Gemstar. Meagre though its resources might be, it could still support a substantial civilisation if properly developed, which could be then leveraged into influence elsewhere. Doing so would require acquiring a source of volatiles, as cracking the rocky surface of Gemstar I would not do for much more population growth. The only in-system option would be to mine the atmosphere of alien Gemstar II, and the first landing team were sent on their way late in the year. Blasting a space in the sulphur reef, a small military base was set up, with the intent to bring in atmospheric drains in the next few years [1]. Meanwhile a more long term strategy was begun on Gemstar I, as the polluting mines were removed from the capital in a beautification project, and the facilities of another habitat were upgraded with the intent to forge an industrial hub. Debate continued in the higher Lantian circles over the appropriate course of action, with the Elders favouring this development scheme whilst hotheads demanded the construction of a warfleet and the burning of the 'Al from the sky. A final note of sadness occurred when the trusty old space probe returned from Wei – the hazardous environment there had rendered the casing radioactive and the machine had to be decommissioned after its Ansibyl Pearl was recovered. A small shrine to its spirit was constructed on the main promenade of the Lantian capital [2].

In Minkar space the Ik commander al’Shadu found something very interesting to report back to his masters, the scout probe of another surviving human faction that was not the Lantians, the probe blaring out cheery greetings from the “Vazan Cyberdemarchy”. He considered engaging the Sloops weapons systems and claiming a precious Ansibyl Pearl for the republic, but decided to wait on orders from Taik before acting beyond sending counter greetings.

In circum-Heze space the Esani finally give in to their curiosity and mount an expedition to the disquieting ruins on the edge of their system. Though much further research would be done before the Esani had even the intellectual tools to analyse the grove of vast midnight black dendritic structures, the sense of awe and wonder made if worthwhile for the independent minded society. [3]

Against all odds it appears that peace has come to Kaus, as the formerly intransigent Gardeners came to the negotiating table under their newly selected Metatron Salah Deen. Deen recognised that despite the Gardeners effortless technological superiority the Soulon industrial capacity made retaking the other worlds of Kaus a dismal prospect that would see millions of deaths if they succeeded, and more if they failed. Thus peace was decided upon, for the Gardener technical edge would only increase and eventually the Soulon ground advantage and suicide tactics would be rendered irrelevant. The Soulon for their part were glad to come to an agreement that saw them secured in all their gains, fearing the arrival of Gardener bombers and civilian riots in future years of war, and happily paid off the Gardeners for damages caused in their violent takeover of Kaus and other worlds. With peace secured and civilian trade reopened the Gardeners turned to the development of their one remaining world, greatly upgrading the living space available as well as their educational and services spheres. This prospect of pleasant living and knowledge combined with repentant and uplifting Gardener multimedia presentations saw many of the remaining Gardeners scattered in Soulon space returning to Kaus II, accompanied by a large chunk of the Soulon youth of Kaus III who found the gardener ideology attractive and the living conditions and opportunities available vastly superior to anything that could be found in the Soulon halls under the autocratic Shadow Lords. Worried about uprisings and this brain drain, the Shadow Lords promised that a new government would be instituted in the following year, but for now they continued to ride the population hard as they spread the reach of Soulon mining and industrial works to every inch of space in circum-Kaus. They also were far from trusting of the Gardeners, starting design on a formidable warship type code named the Farragut, and only standing down a small fraction of their vast ground forces as of yet. The people were rather more unhappy about the corruption instead of the lack of democracy though.

On the worlds of Zavi the Vazan and Kations grew ever more relaxed with each other, though the rapid acquisition of all the remaining areas on Zavi III irked the Vazan despite it having been agreed on last year. The Kations also built a new habitat on Zavi V, an as yet minor part of their economic system but destined under the current Biotechnologist plans to become the beating heart of the Kation polity. This habitat also represented the last free space in Zavi system outside the toasty Zavi I, and the Kation biologists and wanderers were already moaning about the ceding of that world and its intriguing biology to the Vazan. The Kation base on Zavi II remained a hardship assignment, the inhabitants replying to the prissy PI Aiur that being able to do something well is very different from liking it, and anyway the lack of freedom and data pollution are the big irritants. That data overspill from the Vazan proved very useful for the Kations though, as they were able to glean the gist of the Vazan discoveries around Minkar just from reading the feeds, though they couldn't access the technical reports. A more hierarchic and controlled society like the Ik or the Lantians would have been able to keep such sensitive things deeply hidden, but the Vazan egalitarianism and autarkic systems required at least summaries to be presented to the public sphere. The Vazan certainly didn't help matters by building a powerful relay node on Zavi II and a massive chunk of data infrastructure to keep their people happy and included on Zavi VI a, with roughly equal levels of computational and encryption sophistication it was hard for the Kations to not read the flow of Vazan discourse (indeed having a good laugh over Vazan discussions was becoming a favoured Kation pastime). The Vazan also upgraded their infrastructure on Zavi II and began to investigate means of boosting food production, thinking to solve long term problems before they would become irritating.

Random Events
The Lantians loose a ship.
Vazan holoporn design breaks new ground in visualisation technology: +4s to maths.

Notes:
[1] Alex you got your hab calculations wrong – building an Alpha on Gemstar II costs 10e, x4 for doing it on another planet to give 40e. Next turn you can build the beta and mine.
[2] This was a random event.
[3] For pete's sake someone take these guys.

Karmically blessed societies
All stories are loved equally this year: +1 lucky roll to Ik, Lantians, Kations

Random Stats
Master of the Skies (most powerful fleet): The Gardeners
The Ground Pounders (biggest army): The Soulon
Captain of Industry (biggest economy): The Soulon with close Kation following.
Most annoying: The Soulon, who keeping shuffling troops about.

Datalinks: Update Seven ship designer in ods and xls, now features prototyping costs, and automatic ship type generation (IMPROVED!).

Okay attached to this post is the new habitat calculator, with reworked farms and new seperate metals and volatiles mines. Note that unlike the previous calculator there are now combinational costs - i.e. trait X has different effects depending on trait Y, take a while to explore them.

Both types of mine are in general weaker than the current mines, but can be far better in certain circumstances. Hopefully factory world are a more viable alternative for e production.

When I do the shift for update 9 you'll have a choice for each current mine being metals or volatiles, or you can let me randomly/optimally assign them.

Further notes:
Metals mines get bonuses from materials research
Volatiles mines get bonuses from propulsion research

@Shadowbound to prempt a question - the Gardeners are a bit 'meh, we'd rather you don't' for metals mines on biosphere worlds, but really dislike volatiles mines due to there being far more destructive.

I believe the correct amount of e for me this year is...

(12 (mine production-_-) * 3 + 11*1.25)*1.05, which would approximately be 52.

Edit: Unless of course, the new habitat calc has to do something with it. I will check that out

Double Edit: And can I build more than one farm per habitat? And also I believe you made an error in the System Map

Seon said:

I believe the correct amount of e for me this year is...

(12 (mine production-_-) * 3 + 11*1.25)*1.05, which would approximately be 52.

Edit: Unless of course, the new habitat calc has to do something with it. I will check that out

Double Edit: And can I build more than one farm per habitat? And also I believe you made an error in the System Map

Click to expand...

49e actually*, sorry about that. Also how many times do I have to tell people one facility of a type per habitat - I assumed everyone would be conditioned by civ for this .

*Though not for long!

Oh yes. Indeed. The only problem I have with the new hab calc thing is the food .

Well once you get biotech 2 you'll produce enough f not to starve (hmmm I'll have a habitat calculator with technology bonuses detailed up later). Plus, its not like you haven't starved the weak before now is it?

Wow; just played with the habitat thing; economies shrinking to 68% mostly mostly due to the shift from low gravity bonus going to vol from metals (well apart from the standard 10->6).

My Volatiles world now produce loads though; 11 ;0

Also I'm currently in Food debt; will this be smoothed over?

EDIT: Are we still using THIS turns Economy though? So I still have 162 e to play with?

Yes, the changes will occur during update 9. There might still be minor tweeks to the numbers before then though.

You think your going to be in food debt? Better build some farms then.

I've sent my new orders with a drawing for the Space Probe.

The 'Al are now NPC.

Why does everyone hate my NESes?

I should say i don't hate it; i think it was a lot of fun in the beginning. i lost interest along the way and only after i became a non-factor... i think its normal for a losing player to lose interest in their losing faction unless they are a very good and dedicated player of high caliber.

I like them. This one is just a little too stat-intensive for me.

You should recruit on #nes.

Thlayli said:

I like them. This one is just a little too stat-intensive for me.

You should recruit on #nes.

Click to expand...

But there be all manner of fell and twisted beasts there! I'd 'ner escape with my sanity intact.

There'll be alot less Soulon divisions to be annoyed about in just a couple turns Dis, as I've said.