1730 (0) cont. Expel Japanese diplomat; advance Alpine brigade to cover final approach to Holmpatrick. Reassign workers in various cities to minimize pollution, with losses to shield and food production.
I take a long, long look north from Emain Macha. ... And I establish the city of Dunsany northeast of Armagh, and complete intervening railline; and I have one of the Achill engineers rejoin that city to create the unit support for a second transport that will be needed. Rush buy (RB) 12 transports, 8 engineers, 2 barracks, plus some Superhighways, Mass Transits, and Supermarkets. RB's partly financed by Derry Gold, Vallodolid, 2430g; Belfast Gold, Vallodolid, 2214. Begin dismantling the Spanish ship chain.
Spanish develop Communism.
1740 (1). Amphibious Warfare. Share Maps w/ Spanish; we learn more of the lands of the English Civilization; they seem to prefer Copper over Dye, and they like Coal and Silk. (Actually, a pretty decent recon courtesy of our allies). Try same with Americans; they demand computers, we decline, they end our alliance. Okay ... We pester the Japanese.
Establish the cities of Kells (nw of Conner), Ballaghadereen (on island due west of Emain Macha), Port Erin (on isthumus between Seville and Saragossa); and, toward the English, Portadown (via transport on neck of land ne of Dunsany).
Portmarnock Gold, Vallodolid, 1620g; Merthyr Gold, Vallodolid, 2420g (demand expires); Galway Hides, Vallodolid, 870g; Dinas Powys Dye, Vallodolid, 1368g (Gold demand remains blocked). RB 18 engineers, 8 transports, 2 barracks, 14 city improvements. 174g left in treasury. Budget changed from 6.4.0 to 5.5.0, the raise luxuries to help ensure Engineer-producing cities remain in WLKD mode.
1750 (2). Nuke Fission. The city of Skull founded SE of Cordoba to realign trade route to Spain: Raphoe +++ Ardmore === Kells +++ Ballaghadereen +++ Skull +++ Port Erin. Japan now reached via Quilty +++ Leenane === Shrule +++ Bantry +++ Holmpatrick, with Kerry +++ Lahinch +++ Holmpatrick as a backup route. Pair engineers (in addition to some trucks) land in Skull and begin work on improving Spain's road and rail network.
Lisdoonvarna founded (via transport) NW of Portadown; Spy commences westward exploration therefrom. Galway Silk, Cartagena, 2900g; Guinness Gems, Seville, 1134g; Derry Hides, Seville; 860g; Dinas Emrys, Gems, 2502g; Derry Hides, Seville, 816g. RB 15 engineers, 4 transports, 14 supermarkets, 2 Superhighways, 2 Harbors, 2 Aquaducts, and a few military units. Cure for Cancer "seeded" with two trucks of food, and rush bought for 2000g. 38g left in treasury.
1752 (3). Nuke Power. Cure for Cancer in Belfast. Gregorian calendar adopted. Establish city of Castlereagh founded (via transport) on island NW of Lisdoonvarna; Spy and our NON 'Phant commences exploration on mainland to the west thereof. Using a pair Achill transports -- now Nuke powered (!) -- as part of a chain from Dunsany, establish Tipperary ("Long Road") NE of Castlereagh, and right next door to the English city of Bristol. Land seven units in city. Contact with English at Bristol; diplomatic exchange refused, and our 1200+ year Cease Fire with English finally expires. NON Settler and Engineer joined to Tipperary, bringing to Size 3. Spy reconnoiters Bristol and neighboring city of Manchester (courtesy of preexisting rails); destroys barracks production in Manchester, survives to become Vet. Barna Silk, Manchester, 1620g. Senate overrides attack by Howitzer battalion at Bristol; pre-charged Engineer fortifies intervening square, and a Mech. Inf. brigade settles down therein.
Galway Hides, Vallodolid, 870g; Galway Gold, Valencia, 2574g; Guinness Gold, Valencia, 1068g. Rush buy 15 engineers, 4 city improvements, and a half dozen military units. 33g left in Treasury.
Japanese develop Conscription. Emissary from the English; we hear them out: "If you do not leave the vicinity of Bristol immediately, we shall send our mighty armies to drive you out."
1754 (4). Flight. Howitzer battalion attempts attack at Bristol -- and the eight sweetest words in Civ II are heard: "Hawk Party derails attempted Senate Interfence. Action confirmed!" Two more transports arrive at Tipperary (3 Howitzers, 1 Alp.Inf., 1 Armor, 1 Partisan, 1 Freight, and 9 Engineers -- 3 of which are pre-charged). Howitzer battalions complete garrison reductions of Bristol and Manchester, eliminating eight English Rifle brigades in all. Leenane Coal, Manchester, 945g. Seven engineers are committed to establishing the city of Enniskillen, to the north of Bristol and on the coast of the "northern seas." Remaining engineers fortify adjacent to Manchester. A third transport establishes the city of Downpatrick between Castlereagh and Tipperary, the final link in our northward route to the English civilization (Raphoe +++ Ardmore === Kells +++ Emain Macha === Dunsany +++ Portadown +++ Lisdoonvarna +++ Castlereagh +++ Downpatrick +++ Tipperary). This completes phase one of a plan. Durrow Gold, Valencia, 1530g; four "lesser" freight to Spanish cities. RB transport in Enniskillen; Fighters in Castlereagh, Downpatrick, and Tipperary (for Partisan suppression); plus a few city improvements. Our NON Horsie commences exploration to the Northwest of Downpatrick to ensure no English settlements to the west of Bristol.
Vikings develop tactics; Viking Ironclads spotted off Notre Dame, Portmarnock. (And our defenses versus the Vikings are all but non-existent.)
1756 (5). Radio. Belfast Gems, Madrid, 1320g. City joinings: two Engineers each to Enniskillen, Downpatrick, Castlereagh, Lisdoonvarna, Portadown. More forces land at Tipperary (3 Howitzers, Mech.Inf., Alp.Inf., Armor, and Freight). Derry Gold, Bristol, 2316g; Wexford Gold, Bristol, 2094g (demand lost); Galway Hides, Bristol, 798g (opens Silk demand). Bristol and Manchester garrisons again destroyed by Howitzer battalion. Fighter recon from Tipperary: Norwich discovered, one attack by English Dragoons anticipated. With the prospects of making a killing on the English markets, we pay 3100g to convince the Americans to declare war on the English (and hopefully keep any English naval units far north occupied). And, in a modification of plans, launch transport with Spy and Partisan from Enniskillen, heading northeast; Spy discovers city of Warwick. RB: 24 units, 15 improvements.
Americans go Fundy. English develop Tactics. English Dragoon defeated at Manchester; our transport outbound from Enniskillen remains undetected. ...
1758 (6). Advanced Flight. After dropping off partisan outside Warwick, and reinforced by units on second transport out of Enniskillen, Irish land west of London and establish the city Antrim (Forever!); Engineer added to bring to size 2. Mech.Inf brigade destroys English Cannon on railway to London. Warwick, Nottingham, and London reconnoitered; barracks destroyed at Nottingham (Spy-->Vet). Galway Dye, Nottingham, 1760g; Dublin Dye, London, 1884g. Fort Sein Finn established in hills between London and Hastings; city walls rush built in both outposts. Bristol and Manchester garrisons again destroyed by Howitzer battalion. Glenfiddich Silk to Bristol, 1770g. Engineers build Manchester by-pass road; Irish seize intervening fortification. Howitzer battalions destroy four English units advancing from Norwich toward Manchester. More units and Freight land in Tipperary. Glenfiddich Gems, Madrid, 1116g. After heavy infrastructural RB's (Offshore Platforms and Superhighways), 14g left in treasury.
Viking gov't overthrown (to Republic). Sneak attack by Vikings! Alpine Inf. brigade lost to Vikings Ironclad at Dinas Powys. Spain goes Democratic. English Dragoons nearly win against our Mech. Inf. brigade at Fort Sein Finn; another Dragoon defeated at Norwich. English Cavalry fails to attack at Antrim. Again, no attack on transport between Enniskillen and Antrim.
1760 (7). Laser. Another shipment chained from Enniskillen to Antrim. Howitzer eliminates English Engineers on RR to London. Pre-charged Engineer fortifies outside London, fortification occupied by Mech. Inf. Vet. Armor and "insurance" food freight to Fort Sein Finn. (Oddly, Food freight does not take effect: no route, only three food added to storage ... but it provides us with a couple of turns insurance against starvation) Engineer added to Antrim, bringing to size 3. Airports rush built in both Antrim and Fort Sein Finn. Belfast Spice, London, 2112g; Drogheda Gold, Nottingham, 2652g.
Guinness Copper, Norwich, 604g. Howitzer battalions make short work of Norwich garrison; Fighters support with Partisan suppression. Captured with Partisans (51g); EP. Howitzers eliminate four more units outside Norwich. Airport rush built in Norwich. Spy on recon discovers Newcastle and Canterbury; Newcastle reconnoitered (six Rifles, and significantly, no naval units). Holmpatrick Coal, Newcastle, 1075g.
Intel Report: Vikings, 1760. They like Copper, Coal, Dye.
Spy damages Viking Ironclad off Raphoe, is lost. Dinas Powys garrison replaced, irrigating Engineer withdrawn. Battleship in Roskilde Bay temporarily withdrawn. Letterfrack Oil, Galway, 1223g. Barna Oil, Dundalk, 1316g. RB: Transports in Castlebar, Wexford, Ennis, Derry, Dundalk, Tara. Also RB some more barracks, airports, as well as Superhighways, Sewers, and Offshore Platforms.
Japanese Gov't Overthrown; Japanese Musketeer wanders toward our Vet. Alp. Inf. outside Holmpatrick. Wounded Viking Ironclads withdraw. No English attack at Sein Finn; English Cavalry and Cannon behave very confused in front of fortification covering Antrim, with no attacks and leaving themselves sitting ducks to Irish Howitzers. English Partisan destroys its own fortification near Norwich.
1762 (8). Rocketry. Population exceeds 50 million; pollution indicator finally off. Emissary to Japanese. Our demand for troop withdrawal is met with War!
One last shipment from Enniskillen to Antrim, starring the "octo-charged" engineer, which "upgrades" our defenses in front of Antrim. Howitzer battalions dispatch six English units in front of Antrim defenses. Armor battalion destroys English Rifles near Fort Sein Finn. With railways reopened to commerce, Lahinch Dye, Warwick, 1072g; Shrule Wine, Cambridge, 1520g; Kilkenny Coal, Hastings, 1810g.
And one last double shipment north to Tipperary (mainly freight); "normalize" ferries between Dunsany and Tipperary, sending three excess transports through the Downpatrick canal into the northern seas. Ballybunion Silver, Newcastle, 2140g; Leenane Silk, Newcastle, 1664g. Howitzer battalions destroy six English Rifles in Newcastle. Full Partisan suppression employed, city captured for 144g. Port Facility rush built. Barracks destroyed in York, spy lost. And, as there's no real rush to overrun lucrative markets, transfer four Howitzers south from Tipperary to ...
Holmpatrick -- via ten separate ferries -- for operations against the Japanese. One Howitzer battalion destroys Japanese rifles at Kyoto, leaving our antique Cannons an opportunity against some vet Muskets. Two cannons succeed, one cannon fails; Howitzers polish off remaining Musket, Engineer, and Transport. Partisans suppressed, and Kyoto captured for 627g (plus Adam Smith); Japanese capital to Edo. Howitzer destroys Rifles at Osaka; remaining Cannons destroy a pair of Muskets in an unfair fight (i.e., no city walls).
With an extra transport available at Port Erin, send transport to inlet near Toledo in hopes of setting up attack on Yokohama. Also park a Truck full of Hides next to Japanese dragoons outside Yokohama in hopes of bringing the Spanish into the war. I hope this works, because in an effort to repair relations with the Spanish (down to neutral), I accede to their demand Advance Flight.
RB: Continue rush building Viking invasion force, plus more freight and city improvements, including some sewers where needed.
Japan to Republic. Japanese Dragoons withdraw in the face of our mighty Trucks; unfortunately, our Transport near Toledo is lost to a Japanese Frigate. Japanese Ironclad arrives at Port Erin, but fails to attack our units adjacent to the city. Wounded Viking Ironclads withdraw westwards. Three English Cavalry are defeated.
1764 (9). Space Flight. More freight shipped to Tipperary. Portmarnock Dye, Hastings, 1396g; Notre Dame Gold, Nottingham, 1638g; Derry Oil, London, 3169g (!); Achill Silver, Dublin, 2320g; Ballybunion Silk, Madrid, 1494g; Killarney Gold, 1656g; Tara Dye, Cadiz, 850g.
Spy reconnoiters Liverpool (2 Alp.Inf., 2 Rifles, no naval units, no Cavalry); reconnoiters Canterbury (6 Rifles, 1 Alp, no Cavalry, building University); reconnoiters Richmond (4 Rifles, no naval units, no Cavalry). We decide to bypass the first two cities, and use Engineers to advance rails to Richmond (and then Exeter), and give our Howitzers a brief respite.
Cannon destroys Transport in Osaka; city captured for 400g (plus the loss of two Ironclads, three transports, and three Engineers). EP. Howitzers eliminate three Partisans. Aegis Cruiser out of Port Erin destroys Japanese Ironclad and Frigate (plus two units in Transport); Aegis finishes turn with transport ready to try assault on Yokohama again.
Aegis Cruiser out of Dinas Powys sinks Viking caraval; assembly of Viking invasion force continues.
RB: Finish rush building Viking invasion force, plus many Superhighways and Offshore Platforms. And a mere 755g left in bank.
Japanese and Vikings form Yokohama Pact (Corporation and Atomic Theory exchanged); Japanese and English form Gloucester Pact; Vikings develop Communism; Vikings acquire Seafaring from our so-called Allies, the Spanish. (!!!) Aegis Cruiser successfully defends against Japanese Frigate and Ironclad.
1766 (10). Plastics. Spy is lost destroying Cavalry production in London, this covering completion of railline around London. Reconnaissance reveals Diplomat production in both Cambridge and Nottingham; spy transferred north to cover probable espionage attempts. Lahinch Wine, Richmond, 1065g; Barna Beads, Antrim, 876g (not bad); Belfast Spice, London, 1880g (to assure acquisition of Combined Arms next turn, with Stealth to follow?). Howitzer battalions destroy Richmond Rifles; complete Partisan suppression achieved, and city captured for Howitzer repair. EP. Elsewhere, two Marines and one Cavalry destroyed, though Howitzer nearly lost against one of the Marines. Transport encounters English Frigate in Northern Sea, and disembarks our NON Horsie and 'Phant on second English continent (#4). And ... our Northern Fleet is launched from the cities of Enniskillen, Norwich, Newcastle, and Antrim.
Our attack against Yokohama having successfully thwarted by a Spanish Frigate blockading Port Erin, we instead attack Nagasaki; and in a case caution leading to an overkill, Nagasaki is defended by single transport. One of three Howitzers eliminates garrison, and full partisan suppression, city captured for 350g. Howitzer battalions eliminate three Rifles, and Cannon destroys one Engineer at Edo; full partisan suppression, city captured for 552g (capital to Satsuma). EP. Two Japanese diplomats and a Rifle then destroyed outside Edo. Aegis Cruiser sinks another pair of Japanese Frigates.
With the completion of initial build-up for invasion of Viking Civilization complete, phase one of "Operation Marlborough" is launched. First transport arrives off Jarlshof; spy reconnoiters and discovers no Coastal Fortress. Irish Battleship and Aegis Cruisers destroy two Rifles, one Alp.Inf. Downpatrick Copper delivered for 616g. Second and Third transports follow; complete Partisan suppression achieved, and city captured. EP. Armor and Partisans destroy two Cavalry, two Settlers to clear some roads. Dunsany Dye, Aarhus, 484g; Annagdown Copper, Ravning Edge, 388g. A pair of Viking Vans eliminated near Aarhus. Advanced fortification seized between Viborg and Aarhus; Spies reconnoiter to just past Uppsala. Total "First Wave" Landing: 2 Howitzers, 4 Armor, 4 Mech.Inf., 4 Partisans, 4 Engineers, 3 Spies, and 3 Freight; ready for "Second Wave": 10 Howitzers, 7 Freight, and 7 Engineers.
Spy discovers Advanced Tribe of Skellig on island northeast of Skull ... (Partisans would have been so much nicer!).
* * *
And a few notes on "Economic Grand Strategy" ... which is to say, I've been taking my time against the English because it's a lucrative new market, with big cities and a good "supply and demand" relationship. With the exception of Newcastle (as a northern port), I've been bypassing the bigger cities and picking off the smaller ones. I've targeted Exeter as the next city to fall, since apparently there is no road connection between Exeter and Brighton. After that, I'd swing back north to take York, Hastings and Cambridge (for their potential as ports for continued north- and northeastward expansion). And then maybe Nottingham so that when London then falls, the capital will move south to one of the "isolated" cities to the south; I'm guessing Canterbury. This should also help with corruption in Manchester and Bristol, increasing the potential payoff for freight delivered to those cities. (I've been slowly building roads around these cities to improve future profits when I've had engineers to spare ...). An eye should be kept on Liverpool's production if this order is followed.
According to our latest intelligence, the English have a total of 28 cities. We've id'd sixteen "core" cities, plus the three cities further north close to the Americans. There is another city to the south of Richmond that my "partisan suppression" fighter couldn't quite discover. That leaves eight other cities, the majority of which are probably on continent #4, where Horsie and 'Phant may run into ...
The Vikings, on the other hand, are not such a lucrative market. Might as well blitz them, keeping an eye out for Copper production when the cities are captured. The Americans want Copper, and right now are Copper production is almost non-existent. (Note: they have one city for which we do not a positive location ... it could be quite close to one of our cities. Some of our first Stealth Fighters in the south should try to locate their last city.)
I had considered the Japanese to be a non-threat. After the tech exchanges and alliances last turn, this may have been a premature judgment. And caution may be needed with our Spanish allies. I've soured relations with them enough that if we don't give in their tech demands, they may cancel our alliance. (Hmm, you know we've given democracy a bad name when the only civ that likes us is Fundy.)
There are few Engineers still available for work this turn; those near Merthyr I'd precharge before their shipment to Jarlshof next turn; and those near Norwich are available for operations against the English, depending upon which ever direction the next move will be made.
The discovery of Plastics has increased pollution in a number of our cities; these are designated with Mass Transits in the production queu. Asterisks denote our cities with barracks. Capitalization indicates no particular suggestion on my part on what to produce next. A lot of cities could use some marketplaces, especially in the new cities I've founded (too busy building transports and freight ...)
With three wars in progress, the turns are getting longer. Perhaps a five (or six) for the next round of play?
It's the ultimate teaser!! Here I sit, knowing it's all there in front of me, but unable to load the game until I get home.
But one can always try guessing what happened:
