2126 Update

Archaic · August 3, 2003, 06:22

Apologies for not posting the pictures for the past few turns. I've had some problems with the computer recently, though they seem to be fixed now.

Finally popped that east most pod. It was a Mineral Resource and 25 credits. Using those creds, plus 5 more, I've rushed the Rec. Tanks in Uni Base. We'll have 11 mins a turn there from next turn on, though we'll need to use Crawlers to get the most out of those tiles.

I haven't heard anything from the Pirates, or from our own Ambassador, however from the power graph positions of the factions, and the fact the Cyborgs are listed with the most tech, I'd hazzard a guess that the Borgs have met the Pirates already, and traded quite substantially. For all we know, they could've formed an alliance against us. -_-;; If the Pirates have already met them, it also raises the question...how close are they to us? One wouldn't think it'd be too far, unless the Pirates are doing a *LOT* of exploring. No way to tell unless someone's lips slip up really.

moomin · August 3, 2003, 17:39

Hmm. Worrying, that powergraph is, Yoda thinks.

But even as they trade and swap freely, they shouldn't be making substancial inprovement toward any beeline, although they're getting a broad base of early techs - especially military. Perhaps it's time for us to comlink the sea dogs and offer them some tech swaps? We don't profit from being out of that game, even if I'd rather not see it being played at all...

What are your plans for UB, btw?

Archaic · August 3, 2003, 17:54

We've offered them some tech swaps, including one which would net us a commlink (Assuming they've met that faction, as the rumours hold). It could be a while until we hear back from that though.

As for UB.....I actually didn't have any plans for it until Crawlers became available. One possibility would be to have it create another Former I suppose, since we're soon going to need extra Forsests for these Crawlers to go on.

GeneralTacticus · August 3, 2003, 21:09

After sending this message to the PEACE:

Quote:

Given that Mr. President appears to not be doing much in his capacity as our Foreign Minister, Archaic has asked me to temporarily take his place. This is, hwoever, only a temporary arrangement, which may end at any time.

Anyway, with that out of the way, We'd like to make the following proposal to the PEACE:

- We both sign a Pact of Brotherhood.
- If, as rumours have suggested, the PEACE have met another group of survivors from the Unity disaster, calling themselves 'The Hive', the University will trade Industrial Economics for Doctrine: Mobility and the Hive commlink.
- The PEACE will trade Doctrine: Flexibility in exchange for another University tech (to be negotiated).
- The University and the PEACE will trade maps, with the University possibly throwing in some ECs or another tech as well.

Does that sound acceptable to you, or is there anything you would like revised?

I recieved this reply:

Quote:

I will have to put forth your proposal to the Peace council of captains but I can give an initial response

pact-- I have no instructions on this point and will start a thread in our private forum

Hive-- I'm not aware of us meeting them-- I've gotten no messages and no mention of a Hive meeting in our forums-- where were these rumors-- was it Kody's cartoon?

Our initial internal discussions on possible tech policy indicated a strong reluctance to trade doc flex-- I will bring your proposal to the council but it would have to be a pretty sweet deal

Maps-- Our treasure maps are considered secret-- feelings on this were very strong as the biggest advantage our faction has is the extensive maps.

I feel like I am a naysayer but the reality is that your proposals ask for our most valuable assets which many inside the council are reluctant to part with.

I understand that I may offer doc mob in trade-- If you have something to trade for that tech we can probably reach a deal. Your other proposals will be brought to council and I'll get back to you

Any thoughts on how to respond?

Archaic · August 4, 2003, 03:04

Tell them that we have reason to believe that they have already established a commlink with another faction besides our own, though apparently not the Hive, and that we'd like to trade for it if at all possible. If he asks why we have that reason, say that we aren't at liberty to divulge where we've recieved that piece of intelligence. It's a big bluff, but it might pay off. I hope.

If you can, try to play up the fact that we could bring a great deal of commerce income to them if we were to Pact and/or Trade them Ind. Econ. Afterall, if there's anything a pirate loves, it's gold. We'll just have to make our credit chips gold coloured.

GeneralTacticus · August 4, 2003, 03:15

Ok, I'm working out a reply now (this should probably go in a separate thread, really...), but it would be nice to know what techs we have that they don't.

Mr. President · August 4, 2003, 07:02

Sorry I've not posted a follow-up to my discussions with Flubber - I asked him what techs he had to trade, and hadn't heard back. I guess you picked it up.

I apologize profusely.

GeneralTacticus · August 4, 2003, 20:27

Well, if you can pick up the negotiations again, I'd be happy to hand the position back...

Archaic · August 5, 2003, 06:46

Quote:

Originally posted by GeneralTacticus
Ok, I'm working out a reply now (this should probably go in a separate thread, really...), but it would be nice to know what techs we have that they don't.

There's no way to tell until we Pact or get Infiltration.

GeneralTacticus · August 5, 2003, 07:05

Can't we find out by opening contact with them in-game and offering them all our tech?

Archaic · August 5, 2003, 08:39

Well.....yes, but that's kind of an exploit.

Googlie · August 5, 2003, 16:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Archaic
Well.....yes, but that's kind of an exploit.

I think it's done all the time in PBEMs (there's no way of checking, unless someone inadvertently leaves the diplobox open) so much so that no commonly accepted set of rules tries to ban it

And I'm sure you wouldn't be the first to do it in this game either

G.

Archaic · August 8, 2003, 00:34

In that case then......*Does so*

Alright, I was right, the 'Borgs have met the Pirates. And who knows who the 'Borgs, etc might have contacted also. Those other factions seem to have way too much tech.

moomin · August 8, 2003, 13:15

Which should rather force us to adopt a much more aggresive stance on pursueing diplomatic exchanges, no?

GeneralTacticus · August 9, 2003, 03:35

I just recieved the following PM from johndmuller of the PEACE:

Quote:

We (the Pirates) have an interest in making a (time-sensitive) trade with you, and as Ambassador Flubber is starting his vacation, I am picking up this tast for the moment. (I sent this to you because you appeared to be online at the moment.)

Please contact the appropriate people in your faction and ask that they contact myself (the Cuspidore Brownbeard), Cap'n Callico Hercules and Cap'n Flubber (please cc: us all to accomodate time-zones and lifestyles).

We wish to acquire Industrial Base from you on a rather short fuse and are willing to offer your choice of Doc:Mobility or Progen Psych in consideration of your haste, so that we are not obliged to extend our turn unduly.

Thank you for your swift response.

The Cuspidore - Johndmuller@msn.com
Cap'n Hercules - cathal.mullaghan@ntlworld.com
Cap'n Flubber - sharris4141@yahoo.com

Any thoughts on how to respond? Personally, I'd be in favour of accepting the deal and taking Doctrine: Mobility in exchange...

Mr. President · August 9, 2003, 04:31

I got the same one. It sounds like a fine deal to me, but I defer to the judgment of the more experienced players.

Archaic · August 9, 2003, 12:00

Obviously they're one turn away from getting Ind. Base, and they need it so they'll get a double tech discovery next turn.

I say....why don't we try to wring a concession from them? Specifically, the Cyborg frequency.

GeneralTacticus · August 10, 2003, 07:07

I've indicated to Herc that we'd like the CyCon frequency thrown in an as well; waiting for a reply currently.

GeneralTacticus · August 11, 2003, 02:44

I've recieved the following reply:

Quote:

Hello there esteemed and learned Dons, Deans and Professors,

It seems to us that you may have misunderstood our request. Pending the
thorough, detailed and more lengthy negotiations between our two
Ambassadors, which would involve ratification of a deal, by our Council
of Pirate captains and your equivalent university council chamber, we
thought you would be attracted by a simple tech exchange, Ind Base for
Doc: Mob, without prejudice.

Instead, it seems you wish to launch into a full blown treaty like
negotiation.
We Pirates can appreciate a good bit of offer, counter offer, tactics
and bargaining with the best of ye, but that is not how we wished to
approach it on this occasion. From our point of view (due to the time
constraint), this was to be a straight forward, no conditions exchange.
And as a signal of cooperation.

We all had a good belly laugh (spilt some Xenorum) at you thinking we
had the CyCon Comm channel, we reckoned you must have the Hive Comm. So
if you trade us the Hive Comm link sure we'll have a think about passing
over an ehh comm link.

Anyways back to the trade issue. We thought you would be interested in a
straight forward exchange at this time as a way of demonstrating good
intentions in advance of those more detailed discussions.

No big deal if your council does not wish to trade, sure we'll pursue
our second line of enquiry. no harm done, and don't let this sour our
future negotiations, as we sprung it on you rather suddenly.

If we don't hear rather soon, then we'll proceed on the understanding
that no arrangement is on at this time.

yours
Cap'n Calico Hercules

Personally, I think we should just take the deal as is. With their time constraints, we can't really go into drawn-out negotiations, and as they claim to have a second avenue to pursue, we might as well take them up on their original offer (which, IMO, was quite fair).

Archaic · August 11, 2003, 03:22

We can agree to the deal, but we really should see if we can continue these negociations. There's no doubt in my mind with those power graph positions that they have the CyCon frequency, and from one of their lines there ("we'll have a think about passing
over an ehh comm link."), it seems like the bluff has worked. That's basically an acknowledgement that they have it.

GeneralTacticus · August 11, 2003, 03:25

Oh yes, we should certainly negotiate to gain their comm frequency, but I don't think we should push for it to be included in this deal. We can persuade them to hand it over another day, when we can both negotiate at our leisure.

GeneralTacticus · August 11, 2003, 18:37

So... I assume there's no objection to just taking the deal as is?

Mr. President · August 11, 2003, 19:40

I guess not.

GeneralTacticus · August 11, 2003, 22:59

Ok, I"ve indicated as much to Herc...

GeneralTacticus · August 12, 2003, 03:23

Well, apparently they aren't too pleased about the delay that this whole thing caused. Next time someone wants to make a time-critical deal, I suggest we come to a decision promptly, rather than trying to "wring concessions from them".

Googlie · August 12, 2003, 11:30

Don't forget to insert stockpile energy in the build queues in bases where units are being built - you're passing up valuable ec's if you don't