Year 10
The First IG Games at Sol may well be remembered by history as the peak of post-scourge peace. Old grouches were put aside, as people from all over the galaxy came together to celebrate mankind's tenacity and refusal to be extinct. It would also be remembered as a grand moment in the history of the United Systems Commonwealth, as the capitol of the Commonwealth itself was moved to Sol, center of the galaxy and cradle of humanity. A brilliant PR coup most analysts would agree, despite some Eridanian toes being stepped upon.
(U.S.C. capitol to Sol, +stability at Sol, -stability at Epsilon Eridani)
But even as the IGG celebration of peace and prosperity was playing out, the varnish was cracking at the edges. The Furians, ever superior and proud, continued to frustrate and aggravate their diplomatic peers by going back on deals and simply ignoring communiquees sent to them, and generally acting more insular than even the Ascendants of Imperial Guangdong. This may well prove their downfall in the end, and anti-Furian sentiments are beginning to grow even at Fury itself. Rumors that the Furian infantry, pride of the faction, had been surpassed in practically every area by that of an
entertainment faction didn't really sit well with the populace. And really, since when was the military ever fit to rule?
(-stabitily at Fury, Altara, Kruger)
On a more positive note, Colonial Federation had been going through a period of indecision and stagnation as the ruling Nebulan party, the only political party on the arena, was fraught with internal strife. Washed clean by fire they are now emerging from their isolation seemingly stronger than ever, and may well become a major player on the intragalactical arena in the near future.
Both the Nekomi and the Democrats of Huris continued their respective expansion sprees, claiming new systems in the name of their factions. But where the Democrats systematically claim systems bordering their own, keeping a well-connected domain, the Nekomi stretch out to whereever they can reach. The result is a very fractured domain, and it remains to be seen how the Nekomi will handle the logistical and security problems that will most certainly arise. Not to mention that other factions may not be particularly understanding of Nekomi claims to a system in their own midst.
Also the Wrath Incident at Botein, or Misery, seems to have been resolved as the Democrat blockade has been lifted. Still, tensions are up, and neither side really trusts the other very far.
Random mini-spotlight:
What had been a highly tense relation ship from the very beginning was now stretching beyond the point of breaking, as Emergent officials were highly upset by the percieved double morals of the Norsk in colonizing the Acrux system. It had been long since claimed in spirit by the Emergents, and yet the Norsk saw fit to colonize it, while at the same time complaining loudly over the Furian colonization of Kruger, similarly claimed by the Norsk. To add further fuel to the flames, the Emergents realized they had been fed false information regarding the gate network several years past, only just now being able to verify it. The Norsk blame corrupted data, claiming as proof that other factions have received the correct maps, but the Emergents have not been convinced. Over this, and over the inability of the Norsk to produce a response regarding the Acrux Affair, the Emergents have decided to sever all diplomatic and economic ties, blocking the Norsk out of their markets and refusing to forward communication. In this light the new Emergent colony at Acrux, now a shared system, has more the looks of a forward staging point than a peaceful cooperative. And so the peak of post-scourge peace may well be just the beginning of a long downward slope.
(Emergent colony at Acrux, Emergent-NAM trade cut)
Story Bonuses
+ U.S.C. government meetings are much more informal than their old Shuurai equivalents.
(+4% stability at Sol)
+ + The Nekomi know their systems very well.
(+1 redev at Regulus and Procyon)
+ The IGG is closing in on the final stretch, and viewer numbers are higher than ever.
(+4 banked PP)
+ Gustav Black is one of the leading artists in the new holosymphonic era.
(+4 banked PP)
+ Project Symbiosis begins in ernest.
(+5 to research of choice)
+ The Yamoto is designed to be nothing but deadly.
(+1 PP to Cost-Efficient Design research)
Random Events
The distributed nature of Emergent research gives unique opportunites to test things in practice.
(Gate Forwarding research completed despite underspending)
Ascendant researchers are just as paranoid as the rest of the people.
(Proactive Defenses research completed despite underspending)
Sol's new status as Capitol of the U.S.C. inspires many to work even harder.
(+2 redev of Sol)
Special Bonuses
The Sword of Wrath keeps the faithful in line.
(First orders - +3 redev of Blight)
The Nekomi know their systems in and out.
(Most stories - +1 redev of Regulus, Procyon and Barnard)
OOC:
germanicus12, if you want to stay in the game you'd better contact me fast. I know you were online last night without a word to me. Otherwise, for all purposes, the Furian faction is now NPC. Any takers feel free to contact me via PM.
Considering previous statements from the Sword of Wrath I have not turned on trade for them, which would otherwise be possible for the Democrats. MadDogOfMI, tell me if i should reverse this decision.
Dis (and others), you cannot use the effects of a researched or traded tech until after the turn you research/trade it.
PMs out later today. Any of the usual complaints
by PM please.