PEACE survival plan

[GeoModder]

Checking the presend 2156 turn on our PEACE infiltration I got the following impression:

The building of a colony pod in Atlantis is a survival attempt of theirs. They still have one transport which is unaccounted for. I suspect that it is in the area or coming full speed to Atlantis to take that cp aboard next turn since it is now finished.

Since I haven't seen this idea come up in our forums, I thought it important enough to make a new thread for it.
I don't think we can allow PEACE to escape this close to assimilation. Therefore a change of movement orders for our impact cruisers in the area and perhaps the probe as well should be discussed.

[Maniac]

I've had a look at the problem.

If everything happens more or less according to plan, we should have captured the three current PEACE bases MY 2158.

So if PEACE wants to survive, they'll have to found a new base their MY 2157. The only way possible at the moment seems to be using their Calico colony pod and found a base on (59.43) or so, Yardarm Island. They can most likely defend that base with three units: their scout rover (which we know is on that island - we spotted it MY 2147 or so), a unity rover (I assume they found it in a unity pod while exploring Yardarm Island, as they didn't have that unit a few years back and they didn't build one), and a former.
I've explored a few possibilities, and I think this way we can capture a new base on Yardarm Island fastest: MY 2161:
1> MY 2157 build a cheap impact needlejet in Logic Loop. With hurrying of some four minerals or so, we should have it MY 2158. MY 2160 it can be ready in Thermal Tassagrad to strike at a base on Yardarm Island.
2> MY 2158 (after the Aerospace Complex is completed) we can produce a missile needlejet in Gardens Point. MY 2159 complete, two years to fly to Calico Island, so we can attack MY 2161.
3> MY 2157 send CCS Impaler (filled with one marine - better leave the other behind to deal with the former and crawler) to Lair, MY 2158 to Pamplona. There, before CCS Mammoth leaves for Atlantis, it picks up the amphib impact rover and sets off for Calico Island. It should arrive there MY 2160. So MY 2160 the rover can land on Yardarm Island and possibly even attack a base if it's within two squares of Calico. In any case it should be able to capture the base the year after, MY 2161, I think.
4> If that would not even be sufficient, MY 2160 when we get MMI and drop pods, we can always upgrade some units with drop pods and drop them in or near the PEACE base to capture it quicker.

All this means that PEACE has to found a new base with their Atlantean CP in the next four-five years. The only free land they can reach in that time is Bones Island or the two islands NW of the Atlantic Ocean. If they found a base on one of those islands, we can quickly send CCS Mammoth (which at that time would be in Atlantis ) towards it and capture the base, before they have the chance to build yet another CP and flee somewhere else.

As for changing the impact cruiser destinations, I'd support letting them follow and escort the Mammoth taskforce, but I'm unsure about sending them off on their own in a search towards that transport (which can be in a wide area - hard to find) while there are still 4 ships of PEACE roaming around.
As for the probe skimship: that's even more vulnerable for PEACE attack. How about sending it west (36.42), and MY 2158 let it attempt to infiltrate the Angels at Coder's Pit?

[GeoModder]

Yea, ok, let that probe continue as it is.

I suggest using the LL cruiser escort the mammoth task force, and let the cruiser near TT go west to that seafungus tile NE from Seven Inlet if Calico is taken by the last cruiser.

If that transport is now one turn from Atlantis, then it is stuck there for the next turn. That way, on the second turn when it's leaving with a cp onboard, our cruisers are ideally positioned to intercept it. One from Pampalona and the other from Seven Inlet to the west. The east and south is under surveillance since our task force (and cruiser escort) comes from there and the sensor arrays there.

[Maniac]

Originally posted by GeoModder
and let the cruiser near TT go west to that seafungus tile NE from Seven Inlet if Calico is taken by the last cruiser.

Under normal circumstances I would agree with this, but we're dealing with PEACE here.
We already know of two cases where PEACE broke the rules and sent their ships in different direction in parallel turns.
The first is Hobbes in MY 2149 or so sending a probe skimship in all directions, thereby discovering our invasion fleet.
The second is this year MY 2156. If you look at the first PUT turn we got, played by Hercules, and have a look at the Pamplonan "Forces supported" screen, you'll notice that the Barque is pointing SouthEast IIRC. However when you look at the second official PUT turn, which was supposed to be like Makahlua's first play, you'll notice that the Barque is pointing NorthWest. So we have strong indication that PEACE is sending their ships into different directions in parallel turns. It may be unintentional because Makahlua is not following official orders, but fact probably still is PEACE has sent their ships in different directions in the past, and may do so in the future. So I would be very careful in moving any unit within attack or movement range of a PEACE unit, even if the unit is located on a fungus tile, where under normal circumstances it would be unlikely to be spotted.

Therefore how about sending the cruiser near TT either to Pamplona, or to (51.45)? That way, because of its high movement rate, it will still be able to intercept a transport coming out of Atlantis, but it is safer from PEACE attacks by their schooners or barque. Also the ship will remain in our territory, so we won't face pacifism drones.

[GeoModder]

If a majority votes for FM, I agree to send that TT cruiser to 51,54. Otherwise I suggest to bring that cruiser to the seafungus tiles north of Kew Gardens (48,50 or 50,50). That is far enough from Atlantis and Pampalona and the cruiser can still scout 2 tiles or so to the west of Kew Gardens to check for PEACE boats that turn. Any boat that isn't seen in that scout run, is to far away, since we do not see any in the PEACE bases.

[Maniac]

Okay.