Chapter 8: The old Aabraxan rears his ugly head.
Just in case anyone was wondering, here's the political overview:
In 1580, the wars continue, as do the MGLs
1580 -- Germany and Russia sign an alliance against Persia. Space Flight comes in, no SGL. Head for Synthetic Fibers. No culture there, but Modern Armor will help. Given that Greece has an MPP with Sumeria, it seems likely that I'll be fighting Greece soon, too. Besides, the Internet is ~10 turns out, so I can't start on a new wonder yet, anyway.
Sumeria completes The Manhattan Project
Remember that I said I'd be fighting the Greeks soon? Sure enough, on the very same IBT (1580 AD):
1585 AD -- Germany and Russia sign an alliance against Greece.
1595 AD -- I capture Der from the Sumerians. No Wonders, but lots of buildings to sell off. This is also the year that I succeed in pushing the Sumerians off of a small part of the western "wing" of my continent, thus eliminating one front that I've had to guard. The Infantry stationed there are moved to the eastern "wing" and upgraded to mech inf.
Babylon and Russia sign an alliance against Greece.
We catch Gilgamesh trying to plant a spy in our capital.
1600 AD -- The Sumerians take Leipzig and the Greeks take Hamburg, both from the Germans. Life doesn't look pretty for the Germans. Then I turn right around and take Leipzig from the Sumerians.
In an almost unprecedented move, I agree to a ROP with the Babs. Now I can rail a path across their land so that I can get at the Persians.
In 1610 AD, I take another Sumerian city and capture 3 Sumerian artillery, a rarity!
Russia signs peace with Sumeria (in violation of our alliance
).Sumeria IMMEDIATELY declares war on the Russians on the same IBT!
I discover that, in spite of our trade embargo against the Persians, Babylon has granted them an ROP!
Time to go put a stop to this.
In 1615, another MGL shows up.
I decide to use this one to rush the Apollo Program at Aabraxa after The Internet is done.
I will need to end X's ROP with Hammy, and it looks like a tech trade will seal an alliance with Hammy, accomplishing this.
This leaves ~10 Persian units trapped inside Babylonian territory when Hammy DOWs. Unfortunately for Hammy, those units will eat him alive. I also give Hammy refining. I rarely give away a tech, but I need to prop him up a little, for whatever good it may do.
WW is hard on my empire at this point. I have to run 10% science (+ specialists), because I'm running 50% lux. Ouch.
Sure enough, on the IBT, all those Persian units trapped in Babylonian territory decide that he's a much more tempting target than I am. As a result:
Looks like X-man got Hammy's last king unit. Guess that will teach him to be my ally . . . at least until the next game.
In spite of 12 turns remaining in our alliance, Otto bails and makes peace with the Sumerians.
On the IBT, the Greeks come looking for peace. I turn them away, and I hate to say this, but it's time for some peace. My reserves are low, my people are war-weary, all of my alliances have ended and there aren't any resources within easy striking distance of my borders. It's time for the Ottoman Empire to talk Turkey.
Once peace is made, I sell off Space Flight to get some luxes and cash flowing again. That enables me to drop lux spending to 0%, and raise science up again.
Peace reigns once again, The Internet is due in 3, Synthetic Fibers in 2, and an MGL just waiting to rush a Small Wonder.
Good stopping place.
