Altera Centauri Scenario Repository

Scenario Name: SMAC Game of the Month
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAC
Author: Kratylos
Date of original posting: 2/14/04
Original host site: Apolyton

Link does not work properly

Probably the first one on the 'Net. Chiron explorers, check it out now!
more info look ->
http://www.civ.org.pl/smac/gotm/rules.php?lang=Eng

Scenario Name: Flo's Morgan Challenge
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Flo
Date of original posting: 11/17/00
Original host site: Apolyton

Link does not work properly: page 66 of 'poly archives

Open challenge for all of us to learn.
You are Morgan on the huge map of planet. Your goal: win the game as
soon as possible. By transcending, planetary conquest, or an energy
monopoly. It won't be easy; too much riff -raff made it to planet: The
Drones, Chairman Yang, Svensgaard and Miriam are your fellow human
factions. Last year two alien craft made a landing, too.

Start: 2106

Good luck

Scenario Name: The Cha Cha Challenge
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Googlie
Date of original posting: 11/21/00
Original host site: Apolyton

Link does not work properly: page 67 of SMAC archives


It's the season for challenges

It's 2106, and you are Cha Dawn, landed on an inhospitable Chiron.

Huge planet, largely landmass, rare native lifeform, weak erosion and
arid. Neighbours are unfriendly and aggressive. Your Cult scientists
have no idea what they are doing, so your research is blind. You can't
capture a tech on capturing a base, and the Unity seedpod ejector drive
was damaged in the meteor collision, leaving just a handful that made it
to Planet's surface around the landing pods.

Could life be tougher.

You betcha - the Aliens have also landed.

Now play on

get the file from:

http://clik.to/sparta

and post your logs here.

Scenario Name: ?
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: zsozso
Date of original posting: 5/29/09
Original host site: WPC

OK, so in the spirit of open source development (release early,
release often, incorporate feed-back), I'd like to present the first
work-in-progress (v0.1) version of the scenario.

The attached file contains the scenario as well as all faction and
graphics files including an alphax.txt, so it is best to unpack it into
its own sub-directory under the scenario directory of SMAX.

The factions:

caretaker based:
hortus - gardener of Chiron, fungus and worm bonuses
pario - builder, constructor, economic power
techtriad - scientist, researcher

usurper based:
chondrichthyes - sea based offensive (latin for shark)
antimind - mindworm, spore launcher, native life offensive
phoenix - air power offense

Please, if you have time to do some play-testing, give it a try and let
me know what problems you encounter or what suggestions you have.

***

ooops, I get a database error when trying to upload my 3MB zip file, but
it works if I upload the scenario only (39KB) and the text files, so I
will limit my upload to that for now...

Some obvious things that need work, and I am open to suggestions for these:
base names
blurbs
leader names
datalinks entries

Download
Download
Download
Download

Scenario Name: SMAX - Christmas Complete!
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Larrin and Buster's Uncle
Date of original posting: 12/24/09
Original host site: WPC

Well here it is, after many sporadic bursts of activity, from
Buster's Uncle & myself, over the last month or so, x-mas scenario
is ready... the scenario is nothing special, just quite an aggressive
game, but the factions and graphics will work for a normal game as
well... Just follow the easy steps below (sorry about the amount of
files, i've not done this before):

1 - Back up your SMAX folder

2 - Unzip the 'Santa's Longest Xmas' in the scenarios folder.

3 - unzip the smaxmas1 through 6 in the main SMAX directory

4 - unzip 'facs' and 'projs' in the same named sub directories in the smax folder

5 - Load SMAX, choose your favorite Smaxmas Faction and enjoy...


Download

Scenario Name: June '09 GOTM
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Russia4Life
Date of original posting: 6/1/09
Original host site: WPC

Well it is the 1st of June and as promised here is the game I designed. Players will be controlling the Drones.

I intended the game to be difficult, but I doubt anyone will experience
any major problems completing the game. It is a scenario game that
starts at turn one with some advantages given to the AI factions. As
such you will need to play the scenario through the scenario option on
the main game menu.

(I can't think of anything else to add at the moment so I guess I will just wish everyone good luck.)

Download

Scenario Name: July '09 GOTM
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Russia4Life
Date of original posting: 7/1/09
Original host site: WPC

Here is the Game of the Month for July: The Ultimate Builder Challenge.
For the purpose of the GOTM any type of victory is OK, you do not need to win by transcendence.

The game is "almost" a standard SMACX game with a very specific set of
setup option and faction choice which makes it hard to transcend.

The factions
1. Planet Cult - the human player, i.e. You
2. Hive
3. Believers
4. Spartans
5. Pirates
6. Caretakers
7. Usurpers

Rule options:
* All victory conditions ON
* Do or Die ON
* Look First ON
* Tech Stagnation ON
* Spoils of War OFF - can't steal it
* Blind Research ON
* Intense rivalry (aggressive AI) ON
* Bell Curve ON - better comparison chances for the challenge
* Iron Man ON
Difficulty: Transcend (of course!)

The game is played on the Huge Map of Planet - so that everybody has the
same chance to know it including me, because I want to participate too
without unfair advantage.

For the same reason, I give you the starting locations (pods/scouts,
look first is on, so you can walk about before putting down your city).
Of course, you can also load the scenario into the editor to look around before you play.

Just don't use the editor during the challenge game...
1. Cult (You) start at (69,17) - Isle of Deianira
2. Hive at (91,71) - near Monsoon Jungle
3. Believers at (110,32) - near Upland Wastes
4. Spartans at (32,102) - near Freshwater Sea
5. Pirates at (74,78) - between Sea of Unity and Geothermal Shallows
6. Caretakers (15,55) - near The Ruins
7. Usurpers (46,54) - near Garland Crater

Now, the only remaining thing to explain is the almost above, i.e. what
makes this scenario very different from a game started up with the same
setup parameters and factions. It is the diplomacy setup!

Each AI faction has the following special diplomacy setting:
* Vendetta with Planet Cult
* Atrocity victim of Planet Cult
* Want revenge against Planet Cult
* Fight to Death with Planet Cult
* Pact with all other AI factions
* Surrendered to all other AI factions (yes the Scenario editor allows
both ways surrendered state - go figure )
* The current diplomacy status is fixed - cannot change during game!

BTW, do not hope to get some freebie tech or Alien Artifacts from the Unity pods. These 2 goodies are disabled.

Download

Scenario Name: December GOTM
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Darsnan
Date of original posting: 12/1/09
Original host site: WPC

Directions

1) In your Scenarios subdirectory create a folder called "Dec GotM", and download and unzip the “Dec GotM” files into it.
2) Start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go
to the subdirectory "Dec GotM" and choose the scenario. The game will
automatically load with the University.



Changelog

The alphax.txt file for this game has been aquatized, with some of the more notable modifications as follows:

#RULES

- Artillery Numerator/ Denominator is at 15/7: with arty, it is much better to give than receive!

#RESOURCEINFO
- Ocean squares yield 1/1/1.
- Monoliths give 2/3/2
#CHASSIS
- the speeder chassis has been disabled. Note that there is a speeder
based unit available at Nonlinear Mathematics, and this unit can be
reverse engineered as the player sees fit.
- the Foil chassis is available at Doc: Mobility.
Needlejet and copter movement have been reduced to 6.
- Gravship movement has been reduced to 5, and the chassis is available at Monopole Magnets.
#UNITS
There are 43 units in the alphax.txt for this game, most favoring the aquatic.

FACTIONS

Several factions have been modified to make them more challenging.

Download

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!


Download

Scenario Name: March 2010 GOTM: UNSA - United Nations Space Agency
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Mart (w/ art by Buster's Uncle)
Date of original posting: 2/28/10
Original host site: WPC

This month we start in mission year 2150. Pravin Lal is busy with
diplomacy, planet wide tensions and a vendetta, but is concerned with
technological progress that would take humanity back to space.

Installation:
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, but use "extract here" command rather than "extract to 'gotm_1003_unsa' "
3) Start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and navigate
to folder 'GotM_1003_UNSA' that is in your 'scenarios' folder (Game
should already be in your scenarios folder).
4) Choose 'Kirkway_UNSA_2150.SC' scenario to play. It is transcend
difficulty and you play Peacekeepers derived faction of United Nations
Space Agency.

Submission:
Your submission is due May, 9th at 12:00 (Noon) GMT.
You can send a game save one turn before launching the first satellite.

Submission by email:
Bdanv:
borcea [ _ ] dan [ AT ] yahoo [ DOT ] com.
Mart:
marcin777 [ AT ] gmail [ DOT ] com.

===============================================
To: Commander Kirkway
From: Commissioner Pravin Lal
U.N. Headquarters, MY 2150, January 29

Commander, I am greatly concerned that recent conflicts on Chiron threaten
our ambition of returning into space. Therefore, I have created United Nations
Space Agency (UNSA). I apoint you to the position of Agency Director.

I prepared adequate means to build UNSA facilities on one of the islands of
Santa Ana Archipelago, south of Monsoon Jungle and east of Sea of Unity,
which was scouted 10 years ago by Believers. Spartans have already established
a base near Geothermal Shallows. So far, we have good relations with Colonel
Santiago. You can also ask assistance of Lady Deirdre Sky, our long time
pact-mate. Her bases are on Monsoon Jungle coast to the north. Our intelligence
is sketchy, but there is possible Hive activity in the west. I know Yang
can threaten your bases, but still the archipelago is the safest location
for UNSA. There is intellegance of a possible recent drone rebellion in the Hive.
Watch for Hive rebels in the region. Send a patrol to South 2 Airbase Complex,
I will send supplies to that location for you.

Your objective, Commander Kirkway, is to successfully launch our first
satellite into Chiron's orbit as soon as you can.

Good Luck!
Pravin Lal

===============================================
NOTES:
- Use CTRL+F4 to see scenario objectives.

===============================================
OBJECTIVE:
- Launch the first satellite of UNSA in the smallest possible number of turns.
You need to acquire Orbital Spaceflight technology and build a satellite in
one of your bases. Save and submit the turn before one such satellite
would be completed.

===============================================
OTHER NOTES:
- Your GotM score depends on the number of turns you played.
- In case of a tie, victory points determine the winner.
- Hit CTRL+H to home your any independent supply crawler, once it is in a base.
- U.N. Airbase Complex, South 2, has some goodies for you! Use Lal's advice!
- Missile chassis is now available with Doctrine: Air Power.
- Colony pods are disabled. Protect your five bases!
- You are allowed to purchase or to sell a base from/to AI for energy credits
(EC) only. Extortion or gifting is allowed too, but you are not allowed to
exchange a base for a base.

Good Luck, Commander!


Download

Scenario Name: April 2010 GOTM: Jihad
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: bdanv (w/ art by Buster's Uncle)
Date of original posting: 3/31/10
Original host site: WPC

The psalmist writes in Psalm 24, “The Earth is the Lord’s and
everything in it, the world and all who live in it;” We are all part of
God’s creation and the Good News is that God is actively working to
redeem and reconcile all of creation. As a follower of God, I must take
an active role in my stewardship of God’s creation and in advocating for
the redemption and protection of this new Earth that God has blessed us
to be a part of.

Planet has spoken to me. In this Promised Land God has given us, there
is a special thing; the Planetmind is touched of His essence – a Holy
thing, worthy of our reverence.

In First Peter 4:10 We are told: “As every man hath received the gift,
even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the
manifold grace of God.” We have done as our Lord has commanded, and He
has smiled upon us, gifting our efforts at good stewardship with
prosperity. But with this prosperity comes a further duty.

I have studied and prayed upon this since we came together as the
Believers of Planet. Our creed is a simple one; we must care for Planet,
Mankind’s new home that God has given us a birthright. To do any less,
as Man did to Earth, defies God’s Holy Grace and would be punished, as
God did Man on Earth – with death. But to be good stewards without faith
denies God just as surely!

We are surrounded by the faithless, the blasphemous and the poor
stewards. This is an AFFRONT to our Heavenly Father! We, God’s chosen,
have a duty to set things right in this Promised Land – God’s new
incarnate being; we alone have the true faith and the backing of God. He
has anointed us – God has made the humble strong!

Were Deuteronomy 7:1-2 written today, it might read: “When the LORD thy
God shall bring thee into the world whither thou goest to possess it,
and hath cast out many factions before thee, the Gaians, and the Hive,
and the Spartans, and the Peacekeepers, and the Consciousness, and the
Drones, and the Data Angels, and the Pirates, eight nations greater and
mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before
thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make
no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them”.

Our crusade against the unrighteous shall not falter; for our faith will
sustain us. God commands us that we issue forth and cut off the
generations of the wicked. NOW is the time! NOW shall we don the Armor
of Righteousness and blot that which is evil in his sight from this Holy
world!

Amen.

...


[2132: Peace Conference]

The xenchibi blooms were beautiful.

His staff had done an excellent job, Cha thought. When they’d urged him
to have a private dinner with Sister Miriam, he’d insisted on a relaxed
setting; he rarely had to deal with people on a one-on-one basis, and he
wanted to be as comfortable as possible. The burgundy colors of the
wall hangings were muted against the background of old wood. The
lighting was low. Mellow music was playing quietly in the background.

The master touch was the extraordinarily robust xenchibi centerpiece
crowning the feast laid out on the table. Xenchibi blooms were in common
enough use as a decoration among the People of Planet for intimate,
social settings – not least for the tranquil, sense-of-closeness effects
their spores fostered. Cha had noticed the soothing scent of the
impressive bouquet as he entered the room and immediately felt more
ready to face the woman already seated at the table... (read more)


[2149: Study]

It was an actual, physical, paper book – and it was massive. White,
leather-bound, faint traces of gold leaf remaining in places among the
floral pattern embossed around the border of the cover; it was obviously
an antique.

“HOLY BIBLE” the title read.

Jezebel Dawn kept running her fingers over it. This… was a treasure!
What an astounding sixteenth birthday present to receive from a
stranger. Long ago, Sister Miriam of the Believers had sent Jezebel a
datapad of the Bible for her 10th birthday; to her puzzlement, Father
had insisted that she write Miriam a thank-you note.. (read more)

[2153: Planet Dreams]

In the darkness, something goes >pop<, and you are lying on your
back on a hillside among the soft orange and purple tendrils of a vast
fungal forest. The sound of running water gurgles loudly in the vicinity
of your right ear, but you cannot identify the source. Panic rises
briefly in your throat as you realize you have no filter mask or oxygen
tank, dressed only in your worksuit, but breath comes easily and you
detect no signs of nitrogen narcosis. From somewhere, a voice seems to
whisper "earthJezebel," but perhaps it is only the breeze.. (read more)

DIRECTIONS
1) Download the zip file (at the bottom of this post) and place it into
your main game directory. usually this is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis
Games\Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
2) Unzip it there.
3) Start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go
to the subdirectory "1004 Jihad" and choose the scenario.
4) Choose the difficulty level and the game will automatically load with the new faction - The Zealots.


OBJECTIVES
For GotM 1004 any square of Planet will count as objective and i will
accept any submission regardless of completing the scenario.
Whether you manage to conquer/subvert only one base or loose some of
the land you own at the start, you are eligible for the GotM contest.
There's no need to achieve a standard victory condition in order to be eligible for the GotM Competition.

In order to complete the scenario, you will have to reach 950 objectives (squares of territory).
That's almost the entire surface of the planet.

WARNING!
Raising/lowering terrain with the formers is disabled in this scenario! You can't acquire territory this way.


CHANGELOG
The main changes in gameplay are introduced by the traits of your faction - The Zealots.
The are some other minor tweaks, none of them worth mentioning. I will let you discover it all by yourself.
The tech tree remains untouched.

WARNING!
Don’t build an army of conventional units! They are useless because of their combat modifier.
Just go native! Natives are cool. Trust me!





Download

Scenario Name: May 2010 GOTM: "Warcrimes: Operation Slapdash"
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAC
Author: bdanv (w/ art by Buster's Uncle)
Date of original posting: 5/6/10
Original host site: WPC

War Crimes (by Buster's Uncle - pt.1)

The rover patrol along the disputed border with the Gaians had been
routine. Ravi was relating one of his stories about yet another
improbable romantic adventure from the driver’s seat, while Lev scanned
the landscape from shotgun and pretended to listen. They’d pulled duty
together lots of times over the years; Ravi wasn’t a bad guy, if you
could stand the bragging. He was a good Spartan.

“So when I put my pants on the next morning, I realized I had 10 more EC
in my pockets than I’d left barracks with,” Ravi said, “I don’t
remember everything, but she must have paid-”

“BOIL!” Lev shouted, pointing towards a fungus-covered rise.

Ravi instantly slammed the wheel left towards the threat; it was
doctrine to attack mindworms on sight, before they attacked you. Lev
brought the turret gun to bear and opened fire.

Lev saw the world swirl before his eyes; contracting, expanding,
contracting, expanding – whirling - impossible pressure building. He
remembered every time he’d been cut in his entire life at once. Ravi’s
screams beside him were the hunting cries of great cats. Fangs ripping
at his flesh, eating him!

WORMS BURROWING IN THROUGH HIS EYES!

…

Ravi slowly realized he wasn’t dead. He hurt too much to be dead. He
blearily realized he was folded over the wheel of the recon rover. Ugh.
The worm had counterattacked while they were still in motion and they’d
crashed into something. He looked over at Lev.

His mind blanked out again.

…

Ravi didn’t remember sealing his airmask, grabbing the flamethrower and
exiting the cabin, but his training had held strong. Making sure of
every last bit of the boil was S.O.P. His throat was too raw to scream
his rage at the burning remains; there was nothing but pain.

He was looking around to be sure he was done when he spotted the
barely-stirring woman lying prone nearby, her hands clutched to her
head. Gaian insignia.

It was true then; the Gaians were controlling mindworms for weapons. Unleashing those horrors on people. Killed Lev.

He couldn't even scream as he aimed the flamethrower.


Editorial (by DrazharLn - pt.2)

The Interview (pt.3)

“Commander Santos? I’m Dean Gómez, with Instant Briefing.” Gómez’ eyes
slowly adjusted to the dim hospital room as Santos turned from the
window he’d been standing at. “I’m here for the interview. How are you
today?”

“Gómez… What rank?” Ravi said.

“Lieutenant,” Dean said, “Reserves, of course, but that won’t last with war on the way.”

“Well sit,” Santos said, himself settling on the edge of the bed, tiredly.

“How are you holding up, Commander?” Gómez said.

“I’ve been better and been worse,” Santos said, “The nightmares are
pretty bad, still, but I’m okay when I’m awake,” he grinned wryly. “Now,
there was this time that I was seeing this woman that- “ He broke off
at a sudden loud commotion of voices in the hall.

Gómez’ datapad beeped loudly at the same time. Glancing at the screen
for a second, he exclaimed, “The Gaians have declared vendetta!”

The two men looked at each other, surprized. Everyone knew war was
coming after the border incident, but no one had expected the Gaians to
start it.

“I’m doing fine, Lieutenant Gómez,” Ravi said slowly, “The nightmares
have gone away. Tell them I’m ready for active duty; I’m going to kill
the Gaians.”

DIRECTIONS
1) Download the zip file (at the bottom of this post) and place it into
your main game directory. usually this is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis
Games\Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
2) Unzip it there.
3) Start up SMAC (not the expansion), then select "Scenario", "Play
Scenario", and then go to the subdirectory "1005 WarcrimesOS" and choose
the scenario.
4) Choose the difficulty level and the game will automatically load with the Spartans.

WARNING!
•You cannot build additional bases in this scenario. The Spartan people
are afraid to relocate closer to the Gaian border because of the recent
war crimes. You will have to 'clean' the shores of the Freshwater Sea
before the colonists will arrive.
•You won't be able to direct the research capabilities of the Spartan
Empire or trade techs with the other factions. Remember you are 'only' a
Governor! (Of course, you can always steal the precious techs available
to the Gaian forces).
•There's no Planetary Council in this scenario. This stuff is only
available for the 'guys in the big league' (faction leaders). However
you will be able to contact the Gaians using the commlink.


CHANGELOG
Habitat Complex available from the begining of the scenario.





Download

Scenario Name: June 2010 GOTM: "Market Forces"
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: bdanv and Rymdolov (w/ art by Buster's Uncle)
Date of original posting: 6/1/10
Original host site: WPC

The restaurant was expensive, possibly the most expensive on Planet,
but in an extravagant, rather than exclusive, way. The cutlery was heavy
with precious metals; the meals were large, even ones made up of
genuine, non-vat grown, meat and rare spices. The room was bright with
harnessed solar energy, leaving the dark Chiron night to those of lesser
means.

In Jeneba's mind, though, the primary source of light seemed to be the
smile of the man sitting opposite her, lighting a fine cigar.

"This, in fact", CEO Nwabudike Morgan said, indicating the cigar, "is a
good example of what I was talking about. If some other faction leader,
Lal for example, was to smoke one of these in public, there would be
talk of the leader setting a bad example by smoking unhealthy cigars
before the eyes of those poor helpless drones who can't think for
themselves. We, however, would think of it as inspirational. 'Look, he
is rich enough to smoke expensive cigars'! Then we leave it to the
individual drone to pursue his or her happiness in order to be able to
smoke one of these one day.

“Or, for that matter, buy a restaurant and turn it into a non-smoking area.

“The point is that we don't demand a certain behavior - all we demand is
that you work hard, by hand or by brain, whatever your assets are, to
be able to afford the behavior of your choice! And we don't need an army
of bureaucrats to make sure you don't put in more than you take out -
because you can't! That's the power of the Market!"

Morgan leaned back, obviously pleased with his speech, cheerfully
slapping the bottom of the waitress who had just brought him a glass of
brandy and laughing loudly at her wide-eyed surprise. He leaned forward
and winked at Jeneba.

"That would have been called 'sexual harassment', or perhaps 'adultery',
in several other factions; indeed it would have in much of our own.
However, in this restaurant, 'brief body contact with serving personnel'
is part of the deal we made when having this table reserved for us. We
paid good money for it and so it's ours!"

"And does the girl get extra money for providing this - service? ," Jeneba asked. Morgan raised his eyebrows.

"Why, if she was smart enough to negotiate for it! Her body is, of
course, protected as her private property under our property laws - the
only kind of laws you need - and may be sold or leased as she likes.
It's all a matter of supply and demand! It's all in her contract; signed
by her out of her own free will!"

"You see", Morgan continued, "the Market is good not only for organizing
the distribution of energy, minerals and other limited resources, but
also for organizing most human relationships. 'Human behavior is
economic behavior', to quote my own greatest role model. And it's not
just crude egotism, either. By striving to accomplish wealth for
yourself, you inevitably create a better life for everyone around you,
from the scientist getting rich from patenting a medical drug which
helps ill people all over Planet, to the actor earning sweet credits
pursuing his dream while at the same time entertaining his audience."

Jeneba considered her next move. Her boss had asked her to question The
Morganite lifestyle, so that he could defend it as a sort of
intellectual pastime.

"Well, but what about inherited wealth? Might that not be construed as unjust? Didn't you - "

"Yes, there's a point right there", Morgan interrupted. "We all know
that some - not all - who inherit wealth become lazy and passive.
However, the urge to provide for your offspring is such a strong driving
force that the benefits are greater than the costs. Market forces gain
their strength because they are tied to the deepest evolutionary drives
imprinted in our very genes. When you mess with the Market, you're
messing with a force of nature, which is why the non-market economies
are like people thinking they've grown wings when they're really
plain-old people in a plane that's about to run out of fuel."

Jeneba spread her hands, "Well, that's plain to see. But the elites of
the other factions have invested huge resources and much prestige in
their systems. They are not likely to listen to reason and some of them
are heavily armed, you know..."

Morgan leaned forward, lowered his voice and put on the
let's-get-down-to-business face that Jeneba had come to admire and fear
through the years of working for Morgan.

"Ah, this brings us to the reason we're here tonight. You see, I have a plan..."

DIRECTIONS
1) Download the zip file (at the bottom of this post):
-for Transcend difficulty download the file: 1006 Market Forces.zip
-for Librarian difficulty download the file: 1006 Market Forces-Librarian.zip
2)Place the archive into the scenarios directory. Usually you can find
it here: C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Alpha
Centauri\scenarios
3) Unzip it there.
4) Start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go
to the subdirectory "1006 Market Forces" and choose the scenario.


Download
Download

Scenario Name: July 2011 GOTM: Drone secession wars - part 1 "First Strikes"
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAC
Author: bdanv and Rymdolov (w/ art by Buster's Uncle)
Date of original posting: 7/2/10
Original host site: WPC

The Alpha Centauri Game of the Month (GotM) is a SMAC / SMAX scenario
made for your entertainment, featuring often custom factions, graphics
and also fanfiction.
It is also a single player contest to see who can beat a scenario in the most effective way.
Scenario objectives can vary from building a facility to conquering some
bases or reaching one of the standard Alpha Centauri victory
conditions.

The July 2011 GotM is called: Drones secession wars - part 1 "First
Strikes" and it's a SMAC scenario (no need for the expanssion pack -
SMAX)
Estimated time of play: 45-60 minutes

The Free Drones were founded very early in Planet's history, only 60
years after Planetfall. During the early years after Planetfall, the
Human Hive was even more restrictive than it is currently, as Chairman
Yang had much more direct control over his subjects. Nevertheless, there
were rebellions.
Domai was a young man, born to drone parents. He grew up in the Hive,
indoctrinated into Yang's beliefs, pursuing the Hive ideal of each
person contributing to the glory of humanity as a whole. His defense of
Hive ideology and his natural intelligence and strength drew attention
to him. He soon became part of the Hive leadership cadre, and slowly
began to rise through the ranks.
However, as Domai matured, he found himself drifting away from some of
the Hive's basic concepts. In particular, he began to reject Yang's
contention that humans were valueless except when they contributed to
the whole. Domai asked himself "If humans are valueless except when they
contribute to society, why then does society have value?" He came to
the conclusion that all humans have value, but they only fulfill that
value when they help others achieve their potential, through their
contributions to human society. Domai also began to question the
nihilism of Yang's philosophy. As he experienced more and more of life
outside the education creche, he saw many things that suggested that it
was not only will that gave humans purpose and meaning.
Indeed, Domai was struck by the simple power of those who resisted
attempts to break them down. They gained meaning through resistance, not
through imposing their will on others. In his private thoughts, Domai
questioned Yang's leadership more and more.
Domai kept these reflections private, but some hint of them began to be
noticed by his superiors. His rise in the hiearchy slowed, and he began
to get more unpleasant tasks assigned to him. He was often involved in
supressing drone dissent, activities that only added fuel to the fire of
his doubt...

Domai had been noticed by Chairman Yang himself, who recognized the
young man's idealism. Yang appreciated Domai's belief in the importance
of cooperation, but he felt that Domai's faith in human nature had to be
broken. As part of this program, he sent Domai to Struggle's Respite,
one of the main Hive bases, where major drone riots had broken out, with
instuctions to subdue the rioters at any cost. Yang hoped that seeing
humanity at its most violent and irrational would crush Domai's
idealism, leaving him an ideal Hive administrator. The effect on Domai,
however, was quite the opposite.
When Domai arrived at the base, he instituted some stopgap measures to
contain the rioting drones. However, instead of then attempting to crush
the dissent, as his superiors expected him to do, he began to
investigate the source of the riots. What he found disgusted him:
widespread exploitation of the drones, including what was essentially
private slaves for high ranking Hive members, arbitrary and unjust
punishments, and extremely inferior living conditions. Domai attempted
to remedy these issues, but he was blocked at every turn by the base's
command, who resisted all attempts to remove their priviledges. However,
as Domai worked, he gained a major rapport with the drones and middle
class of the base, who respected him for his fairness and unwillingness
to give up. Finally, the last straw arrived: Yang sent orders for mass
nerve staplings to quell the rioters, and instructed that no change in
conditions, aside from removal of corruption, be instituted. Domai
rebelled.

Working quickly, he organized the drones and sympathetic talents in the
base. Using his high level security clearances, he was able to allow
drone forces into the administrative and military sections of the base,
where the high officials were captured before any warning could be sent.
The drones were in control of the base. Unfortunately, they realized,
they would be no match for the full military might of the Hive, who
would surely descend on the base as soon as the revolt was discovered.
The drones grimly prepared for a heroic last stand, declaring that they
would rather die free than return to slavery. However, Domai proposed a
daring alternative: an exodus. The base's production facilities were
quickly retooled to vehicle production, and the population willing to
leave began to gather all the equipment they could easily transport.
Meanwhile, captive administrators were forced to send messages saying
all was well.
Finally, after 3 months of backbreaking effort, everything was ready.
The population of the base, almost 10,000 people, were loaded into
massive transports, defended by a mobile rover squadron, and the journey
began. The rover was equiped with a large industrial laser adapted for
combat. This was their only defense against the Planet's hazards.

The Drone Exodus, as it was later called, was an epic tale. Domai led
the drones for over ten years. At first, they were forced to travel as
stealthily as possible, to avoid Hive patrols. Once out of Hive
territory, they still had to contend with hostile native life and
unexplored terrain. Domai pushed the people south as far as possible, to
escape the Hive's reach. The worst section of the trek was when they
passed through Planet's major desert, the Great Dunes. Finally, the
drones reached the isthmus known as Planetneck, and they encountered
their future great benefactors, the Spartans.
The Spartans were surprised to see the drones, but not totally unaware
of their existence. Sparta had been skirmishing with the Hive for
several years, and word of the great escape had caused much amusment in
Spartan headquarters. However, the Spartans had expected that the Drones
would quickly perish in such a mad attempt. But now, the drones were
here, on the Spartan doorstep. The first thought was to simply integrate
the drones into the Spartan's own society. However, this idea was
quickly rejected: the drones were too independent and egalitarian-minded
to fit easily into the Spartan ideal of military dominance. Instead,
Sparta Command decided that the drones should be given aid and
assistance to establish bases of their own. Arrogantly, Sparta assumed
that drones such as these would never make a serious military threat,
and would provide valuable industrial services to Sparta. So, they
granted the Drones the right to colonize the peninsula to the south of
their territory down to Cape Storm.

fanfiction by K.Pedersen

YOUR MISSION
Foreman Domai of the Drones,
In order to qualify for the prizes of the GotM competition you will
have to successfully incite drone riots, simultaneously, in at least 2
of the following Hiverian bases:•Chairman's Burrow
•Social Artery
•People's Endeavor

RESTRICTIONS
No colony pods can be built. Your people are thinking of their brothers
and sisters who are still suffering all over the Hive homeland. You
should do something about them first.
No secret projects can be built. You should concentrate on your mission instead.
You are not allowed in the Planetary Council (you are still the leader of a minor faction).
You are not allowed to conquer any bases of the Hive. Your brothers and
sisters are working in these bases. You must help them overthrow the
Regime not kill them. However you are allowed to fight the Hive's army
as well as engage the base's garrison (you have no mercy for those
fighting for the Regime).


DIRECTIONS
1) Download the zip file (at the bottom of this post) and place it into
your main game directory. usually this is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis
Games\Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
2) Unzip it there. Confirm overwrite if asked (ONLY FOR WINDOWS USERS)!
3) Start up SMAC, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go
to the subdirectory "1107 First Strikes" and choose the scenario.
4) The game will automatically load with the Drones and you will see a
briefing. You can bring back the briefing at any time during the game by
pressing the '=' key.

GOOD LUCK!

*Note: the scenario is made for Transcend difficulty level.



Download

Scenario Name: Battlefield Earth Scenario
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Googlie
Date of original posting: unknown
Original host site: Rynn's Gallery

There is no description with this scenario: if someone plays it please let me know so I can update it accordingly.

Download

Scenario Name: Orbital Wars playtest
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Googlie
Date of original posting: unknown
Original host site: Rynn's Gallery

From the text files it comes with, it appears that it is designed to test satellite combat.

There is also a bug in it when I tried playing it. If I pick the Gaians
the first unit I am given to move is a Supply Crawler if I push O the
game crashes. If I tell the unit to wait or select a different unit then
come back to it later in the turn I can use the O command without
problem.

Download

Scenario Name: The Axis Awakens
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Googlie
Date of original posting: unknown
Original host site: Rynn's Gallery

The text files say it is a single player version of a PBEM game
where you can play as the Hive, Spartans, or Believers. They are allied
against 4 AI's. However I tried starting a game as the Spartans and they
were not allied to the Believers only the Hive.

Download

Scenario Name: Hammertime!
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Darsnan
Date of original posting: 7/20/14
Original host site: CFC

BACK STORY
Location: Dynesian Low Grav Training facility, Greater Pol Sphere

Background: with a gravity of only 0.623 standard and little atmosphere, the Dynesian Low Grav facility is considered one of the best training facilities for low gravity warfare in human space.


Episode 1: Ambushed!

As they walked across the dusty planetoid surface, Brevit-Commander Antonio Al Mudeh realized the visiting Morganite dignitary had said something and was now awaiting a response. "Yes Councilor", Al Mudeh offered, "it is very typical of our organization that we form our new units with a mixture of old hands and new recruits."
"But how can you guarantee their integrity in battle?", the dignitary, Councilor Leonidas, responded, getting quickly to the point, "You have nothing to back your claim as to how they will perform as a unit under the rigors of an actual combat situation". Leonidas stopped and turned to face Al Mudeh in order to highlight his point, "you understand, we are not in the habit of hiring 'show battalions' . The units we contract with will be expected to go and fight where we tell them to, and under extreme and varied environments. A physical unit with a proven record of working together in such environments would be viewed much more favorably than a group of soldiers just picked up off the streets". Leonidas turned and resumed walking, inviting Al Mudeh to respond.
Al Mudeh had enough experience with civilians to understand that the conversation was now more about the contract, and the price he could get for his brigade of troops, than the surface insult which had been directed at him. He turned and walked with Leonidas, "Oh, I agree Councilor, units with experience should be able command more for their services” Al Mudeh paused to emphasize his point, before continuing, “for instance, The Legion deserves every credit their outfit earns: they’ve drawn some of the worst assignments on record, and have come out with a stellar record.” Al Mudeh’s oblique point as to how much it would cost to hire The Legion’s services made, he redirected the conversation, “However the contract you submitted to my organization specifically stated that it would involve deployment to a low gravity environment, and my unit was assembled specifically with that request in mind”. Al Mudeh motioned to the units displayed before them in parade formation, their combat armor in Garrison mode, “All these troopers have experience in low grav combat”. Al Mudeh continued, pointing to the armored chest on one of the Infantrymen before them, “and one of the methods we use to build cohesion within our units is to allow soldiers to wear citations they’ve earned in previous operations”.
Leonidas studied the citations on the trooper’s chest. One emblem caught his attention, “I’ve seen that before – what is that?”
“That citation was for the defense of New Stalingrad”, Al Mudeh answered, hoping Leonidas would pick up on the fact Al Mudeh had taken the time as commander to know each of his soldiers and their backgrounds.
“Oh really”, Leonidas responded, “I heard at one point in the battle they used dead combat troopers to fortify their foxholes – the frozen corpses were enough to stop railgun rounds”. Leonidas turned his attention to the trooper before him, “Is this true?”
There was a slight pause from the trooper, the eyes lost focus for a second and a far away look passed over her face, as if she relived the ghosts of those moments one more time, before the steel of the combat veteran returned, “Yes sir, that was true”.
Leonidas nodded. His question answered, he resumed walking down the line of soldiers, “and what about you, Commander? You seem a little young to be commanding a Brigade of combat troops”.
Al Mudeh resisted stating that all his officers’ dossiers were provided to Leonidas as part of the contract proposal. “I graduated as an officer candidate out of the Variable G Warfare School on Neumar”.
“Ah, always wanted to lead drop troopers, eh?”
Al Mudeh nodded, “I’ve made fifteen orbital assaults since then, ten at the company level leading combat troops. I was then promoted to battalion HQ”. Al Mudeh paused to let Leonidas consider this, before continuing, “on the last drop my HQ was wiped out and I assumed command of the battalion”.
“Ah yes, the Darneth Affair. You weren’t going to take ‘no’ for an answer there, were you?”
So Leonidas had at least glanced at Al Mudeh’s dossier! “In a low gravity environment speed and mobility are paramount. I took advantage of this more so than my adversaries”.
“If I recall correctly you achieved the objective by leading the survivors of your drop and systematically eliminating the other assault forces”.
Al Mudeh shrugged, “When the other assault forces weren’t trying to secure the objective, they were too busy trying to attack me where I had been, and not where I would be. This made them predictable in their movements”.
“Some might say your adversaries merely underestimated your ragtag group”.
Now it was Al Mudeh’s turn to smile, “Would you underestimate me, Councilor?”
Deciding this was not going to be a profitable approach to the conversation, Leonidas took a different tack, “as you had stated earlier, our contract involves a low gravity environment. It also involves the defense of a specific objective, which your troops would be assigned to protect against any incursions onto the planetoid surface”.
“A garrison assignment?”, Al Mudeh asked skeptically, “and you feel you need an entire brigade to protect this facility?”
“Let’s just say the issue of ownership of this facility may come into question during your assignment”, Leonidas responded, before continuing, “thus we have brought you here to our corporation's training facility”.
Al Mudeh nodded, “you want to assess our capabilities under a similar environment”.
“Yes”, Leonidas agreed, “you say that your soldiers have experience in low gravity environments, and you say that your unit can fight cohesively in this environment, but you have no proof of this" Leonidas paused, before continuing, "what my corporation intends to ascertain is whether your claims are factual or not". Leonidas took a step back and made a flourish with his arm, "and thus today's demonstration".
Al Mudeh studied Leonidas for a second. The man had gone passive, a faint smile tugging at the sides of his mouth. "I'm not following".
"When your brigade arrived we had them armed with simulators".
"Yes - you claimed you wanted a demonstration in marksmanship. We are ready to begin whenever you wish".
A new voice piped in over Al Mudeh's command channel, "Sir, tracking multiple bogeys approaching from the north".
Al Mudeh's eyes narrowed as he continued to scrutinize Leonidas: the man remained passive, however the smile on the corners of his lips seemed slightly more pronounced, as if the man was enjoying a private joke. Understanding swept over Al Mudeh - this was the "demonstration"! He snapped into command mode, "All units attack plan Delta", Al Mudeh took a second to assess the map data his combat suit's HUD was feeding him, then "Infantry, bearing West North West, Armor bearing West!"
The units before him responded: almost as one the combat armor of the individual soldiers went from garrison mode to field deployment, their combat suits' choosing the camouflage patterns best suited for the surrounding barren terrain. Infantry began deploying forward in skirmisher mode, while the turrets of the mobile artillery began slewing towards the danger, their tracked vehicles then beginning to follow the infantry.
The armor, the last to respond, moved slowly out from the surrounding garrison area. "Your not going to have your armor engage the threat?", Leonidas asked?
"Its overkill", Al Mudeh responded, pointing for emphasis to his receding infantry who were already approaching the near horizon of the planetoid, "in the low grav environment infantry can cover significant ground, and with the artillery support they are more than comparable to a battalion of hovertanks".
Al Mudeh's command com squawked to life again, "Commander, we are tracking incoming long range artillery".
Al Mudeh turned a quizzical eye to Leonidas, "how are you simulating an artillery strike?", he demanded.
Leonidas was taken aback, the smile fading from his face to be replaced by a puzzled frown, "I.... I don't know", the Councilor responded, "no one said anything about an artillery simulation".
Again Al Mudeh's eyes narrowed as he assessed things, "come with me" he said to Leonidas, and for emphasis he grabbed the collar of the Councilor's environmental suit and began dragging him towards the nearest bunker. Simultaneously Al Mudeh barked into this command com, "Trajectory?"
"Sir, projectiles just clearing the horizon now". A slight pause, then "Parabolic calculated: they are targeting your position. Repeat: HQ targeted!".
Al Mudeh reached the bunker and pulled Leonidas in behind him, and they hunkered down and waited. The final few seconds ticked off as the incoming rounds, bound by Newtonian physics, descended towards their position, and only at the last did the rounds become audible, screaming in through the thin atmosphere and detonating on their position.
The concussions shook the bunker, knocking Leonidas to the ground. Al Mudeh rode through the reverberations, his attention completely on his command channel, "Report", he demanded as the last of the detonations subsided.
"Minor injuries", the reply came, "they were targeting the parade ground - good call moving the unit out".
Al Mudeh ignored the compliment, "Belay the Infantry orders - tell them to skirmish Zebra. Repeat: Skirmish Zebra"
"Skirmish Zebra - acknowledged", then, more urgently, "Sir, more artillery being tracked. Same trajectory".
Al Mudeh turned to Leonidas. His eyes had narrowed again, but now there was a look of complete rage on the commander's face, "I have my soldiers moving towards what they believe is a simulated engagement", he paused in order to add emphasis, "but this is a trap, isn't it, Councilor?"
Leonidas, still on the ground from the last aftershock, looked up at the enraged commander, "I have no idea what you are talking about", he began, "its true that we wanted to see how you would respond to a surprise attack, but that was all it was intended to be - a simulated attack!". Leonidas cringed as Al Mudeh then took another step towards him in response, looming threateningly over him, "If any of your soldiers are killed, we will of course compensate you accordingly!" , Leonidas said almost pleadingly.
Al Mudeh's contempt reached its limit, "Morganite!" he spat contemptuously at the prostrate man before him. Then, regaining his control, he pulled a data pad from his combat armor, "then you will have no issues signing the contract". Al Mudeh proferred the tablet to Leonidas, "this will allow me to switch my men to live fire mode and protect themselves".
" I don't have the authority to sign this!", Leonidas protested.
"Then we are all going to die, Councilor", Al Mudeh responded. The second volley of incoming artillery rounds reached their target and began detonating on the parade grounds outside, nearer this time. The concussions again rocked the bunker, adding emphasis to Al Mudeh's words. The Councilor, just barely recovering from the first round of explosions, was again tossed around from the reverberations. He noted Al Mudeh rode through the concussions and remained standing - no doubt a product of the man's training in variable gravity warfare.
The command com came to life again, "Incoming rounds clearing the horizon, this time in force", the man responded, before adding, "they've bracketed us".
As the last of the previous round of concussions subsided Leonidas looked up at Al Mudeh. The command com was still open, and in the background the screams and moans of the injured could be heard. Al Mudeh stared back at Leonidas, the tablet still profered. Leonidas locked eyes with Al Mudeh for a second, and knew it was a mistake. Gone were the soft outlines from the face of the diplomat Antonio Al Mudeh, replaced by the barely controlled fury of a combat soldier. Leonidas closed his eyes and looked away, relenting. He sub vocalized a command, sending his acceptance of the contract to Al Mudeh, "its done. I've accepted the contact".
Al Mudeh waited for the electronic receipt, then reviewed Leonidas' acceptance of the contract. Once satisfied, he accessed the command com. "Joaquim".
"Yes Commander?"
"Unleash Hell".

PREMISE
You are Commander Anthony Al Mudeh, newly promoted commander for your mercenary organization, and your unit is currently being evaluated for employment into a low grav environment. However something has gone horribly wrong with the simulation: instead of the AIs using the simulator weapons, they are firing live ammunition! It is now up to you Commander to respond: your job is to knock out the enemy bases!

OBJECTIVES
1. Destroy the initial Peace Keeper attack.
2. Immediately locate and conquer the simulator "Peace Keeper" bases.
3. Destroy all remaining AI units, to include all Hunter-Killer Satellites in near-orbit

Changelog

The alphax.txt file for this game has been set up for a low grav environment, with some of the more notable modifications as follows:

#RULES
- Movement rate along roads is now 4. Rationale: simulation of a low grav environment
- Max Artillery range is 6. Rationale: simulation of a low grav environment
- Max Airdrop is 15 tiles. Rationale: simulation of a low grav environment.
#TERRAIN
- all terraforming has been disabled. Rationale: this is a training simulator, so there are no terraforming tools available. If you lose a terrain enhancement at one of your bases, there is no way to replace it!
#CHASSIS
- Infantry, Speeder, and Hovertank movements have been increased by one. Rationale: simulation of a low grav environment.
- there are no choppers or aircraft. Rationale: there is negligible atmosphere on this planetoid, so aircraft cannot fly.
- there is a missile-based drone available immediately for you to build. Rationale: in a low-grav environment missiles require less lift.
#WEAPONS
- Conventional Warhead changed to 6. Rationale: scenario balancing
- the Tectonic weapon value has been changed to 7. Rationale: aesthetics
#UNITS
- the only unit I am going to go in-depth about here is the E-Drone Mk1. This is a reconnaissance drone designed specifically for low grav/ low atmospheric environments. The unit has a missile chassis, as well as drop pods for extended range. Also, because it is flying high above the ground, it has enhanced visibility of the surrounding terrain. The E-Drone Mk1 has limited offensive and defensive abilities: because it is a military craft, the chassis is hardened (armor value of 3-Pulse), and offensively it has a weapon value of 6, so it can put out a punch, however as with all missiles it is destroyed once it attacks.
#FACILITIES
- Recon Satellites are available with Industrial base.
- Hunter-Killer Satellites are available with Applied Physics.
FACTIONS
- the Spartan Faction has been modified to receive a free Aerospace Complex in every base. Rationale: scenario balancing.
GAME SETUP
- no terraforming. If you lose an enhancement, its gone forever!
- Spoils of War is on.
- No native life
- no colony pods can be built
- no technology advances
- no technology trading
- no planetary council


Directions:

1. In your Alpha Centauri/ scenarios folder create a new folder called "Hammertime".
2. Download and unzip the attached files into the subdirectory.
3. Start SMAX.
4. Select "Scenario", then "Play Scenario".
5. Navigate to the "Hammertime" subdirectory and load the scenario. It will automatically start up with the Spartans.

Scenario Name: One if by Land, 2 if by Sea
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Darsnan
Date of original posting: 8/24/14
Original host site: CFC

Welcome to the SMAX Spartans Scenario "One if by Land, 2 if by Sea". History on this one is that I recently CMN'd a PBEM for Kirov and Kataphraktoi, and while playtesting the PBEM I thought to myself that this would make a great scenario. This game is the result.
Highlight of this scenario is that it uses a low grav mod in that movement values for most units have been increased by one. And the only other thing I'm going to say about that is that its a good thing that the Spartans get to use 2 military units for Police purposes!

Directions

1) In your SMACX Scenarios subdirectory create a folder called "1 Land_2 Sea", and download and unzip the “1 Land_2 Sea” files into it.
2) Start up SMAX, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then go to the subdirectory "1 Land_2 Sea" and choose the scenario. The game will automatically load with the Spartans.



Changelog

The alphax.txt file for this game is using a low grav mod, with a majority of the various chassis receiving +1 movement. Infantry now move 2, Speeders 3, Hovertanks 4, etc. Other notable changes are listed below:

#RULES
- Max Artillery Range is 6: the AI rarely uses it, however it is "in theme" for a low grav mod in that ballistics should be able to travel further in a low gravity environment. Have fun with it!

#RESOURCEINFO
- Ocean squares yield 1/1/1.
- Monoliths give 2/3/2

#WORLDBUILDER
- Global Warming has been reduced significantly.

#CHASSIS
- As noted above most chassis have increased movement points.

#DEFENSES
- most defensive armor types have been increased by one.

#UNITS
- There are 41 units in the alphax.txt for this game. It is advised to review these units at game startup, and develop your strategies accordingly.
- Several of the base units (such as Colony Pods, Probes, Scouts) have been aquatized, meaning they have the Amphibious Pods ability.
- The 8th Faction has been replaced by my own set of units called the Sentinels.


#FACILITIES
- The Virtual World has been moved to Social Psychology. Rationale: watering down the beeline to Industrial Automation.
- The Cloudbase Academy has been moved to Monopole Magnets. Rationale: watering down MMI.

FACTIONS
AI factions have been modified to make them more challenging.

D

Scenario Name: Sid and Brian (a.k.a. "The Easter Eggs Game")
SMAC/ SMAX: SMAX
Author: Darsnan
Date of original posting: 11/7/15
Original host site: CFC

A couple months ago a player named slaughterfish had mentioned that he had been playing around with one of the hidden Firaxian factions that comes with SMACX, and it got me to thinking that no one had ever made a scenario with these hidden factions, so once I got the opportunity I thought I'd whip up a scenario with them in it, and here it is! These two hidden Firaxian Factions are also referred to as "Easter Eggs", which got me to thinking that I'd include some of the other Easter Eggs which come with SMACX. So in this game you will also find the following:
- the original default cvr image of the mindworms
- the original default cvr image of the alien artifact
- the image I believe was designed to represent a skybase
- the natural landmark called "Nessus Canyon"

I've modified the "Sid" and "Brian" factions to make them playable by removing the free "Superstring Theory" technology and replacing it with "Industrial Base". Otherwise these factions are exactly the way they came with the game.

Directions:
1) In your "scenarios" subdirectory create a folder called "S and B", and download and unzip the attached files into it.
2) Start up Alien Crossfire, then select "Scenario", "Play Scenario", and then
select the scenario "S and B". The game is set up to allow you to choose your own difficulty level, and then you can choose to play either Sid or Brian.

Hope you enjoy!

D