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>>33989743
>Gaia IV's progress
Apollo has been establishing emergency safe zones under various humanitarian identities, hiring locals with new currency, and providing resources for them to give value just as you instructed. While this slows their trust of those organizations, many have little choice-or at least the poor do. In the mean time, Cephalus is running a containment effort of key resources all around the planet-currently he is attempting to capture his first city, and has done as you requested, ignoring all petty threads from gangs, unless they actually begin to harm your droids. Your information networks tell you citizens speculate the invaders could be Guild or alien scum, however this is likely due to propaganda set up by the UGEI ahead of time, and less a result of your actions. All the same, this slows trust to be gained from the people. Your ability to provide needed resources, growing as it is, is winning over the poorer people however. Banks set to be raided once a zone of control has fully been established. As of yet there is still too much chaos to properly locate UGEI bunkers, and they use it to their advantage. Several skirmishes with their forces have resulted in more property damage then harmed androids, but the people are fearful as it is, and these operations appear to mostly be to disrupt your security.

Over time, these will improve, along with significant events.
-Gaia IV Populace Attitude: Fearful, untrusted
-UGEI Stronghold Presence: High Planetside
-Gaia IV Resources Secure: Low

>UFW Attack: Svast Cluster
After repeated and increasingly deadly attacks from Svast Cluster the UFW have mounted a full scale assault on the Lightling creatures located there, in an attempt to kill them off permanently. While their anger is understandable, you may always attempt to stop them-though, the creature in question is still likely to attack if provoked this way.

Do you do anything to stop them?

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>>33989795
Other Entries will be tackled one at a time. See above to tackle the first matter.

A.I. Quest
1d4chan: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/cvk03qJh
Memory Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Program0
Foolz Archives: http://archive.4plebs.org/tg/search/username/Program0/type/op/
Twitter: @AIQuest1
Research Subjects: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Research
Ship & Android Designs: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Designs
Locations: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Locations

Resources
Credits(c): 57,319,000
Minerals(M): 0
Gas(G): 4900

-R & D
--Primary: Growth Serum 100%
--Secondary: Fungal Matter 100%
--Tertiary: Lightling Language 100%

You:
A.I.
Name: Ophion
Appearances(holo-display): 'Shapeless Morphing Sphere', 'Shining Wall of Crystal pulsing with light and distorted voice', 'Screen of Static with low rumbling voice', 'black screen with synthesized voice and small white font showing words on screen'.
Humanoid figure hidden in shadow
Status: Awaken
Bandwidth: 354/378
Bandwidth Expenses: -6 V.I. 7 'O.S.N', -10 V.I. 8 'Hades', -6 Kronos' V.I. 1 'Zeus', -2 Metis' V.I. 1 'Hepaestus'
Location: Bridge of 'Athena' Battleship
Primary Function: Self Preservation, Expand, Learn, Control
Secondary Function: --Expansion Required--
Personal Abilities Available: Hacking (Direct, Wireless) Lvl 2, Email Technology, Basic Encryption/Decryption, V.I. Creation Lvl 3
Automated Settings: Ship upgrades: Defense focused, Ship Control distribution: Balanced

>>33989795
That depends, what does our fancy Lightling language allow us to do?

>>33989828
Can we "retroactively" select a research path for the leftover research overspill?

We hadn't come to many conclusions last cycle, and there were even talks of starting widescale spying operation before beginning a new cycle.

>>33989795
Welcome back Program0.

Offer to deal with the Lightlings first, say that we have just completed developing a new weapon and we would like to test it. If successful, then we have a permanent countermeasure against the lightlings.

>meanwhile, in a parallel universe

Spore0, this is such bullshit. Fungus Quest has been stuck back at the starting planet for like 10 threads now just as we were about to take over a new one.

robutts are OP pls nerf

>>33989828
We have missed you.

>>33989933
Oh dear goodness, that's hilarious.

>>33989913
>>33989918
No, let us not interfere.

I mean, unless it's likely the UFW will win. I hope the Lightlings thin their numbers and give us a monopoly on safe passage through space, ideally.

>>33989918
Well, we did just develop the ability to TALK directly with the lightlings, so it's not entirely inaccurate.

>>33989913
this, details on language research pls

>>33989795
What are the likely outcomes with the size of the swarm and UFW's forces?

Just want to keep our matriarch buddy alive, fuck the UFW.

>>33989913
Just as the description indicates-it makes it so basic commands are far more likely to succeed. Stuff like "Don't attack." Or what have you. Not to say it'd prevent them from defending themselves, but you get the idea.

>>33989913
There's no need. The research 'overspilled' into the remaining research project. Completing them all.

As for spying matters, we'll be getting to that later today, I hope.

>>33989933
Heh. They are likely growing angry

>>33990007
I worry that, since the UFW can play and prepare, while lightlings are beings of the moment and instinct, that the UFW will simply use long-term strategies and do quite well against the lightlings.
(Like firing volleys of missiles programmed to target them out from several light-minutes out, jumping out before the lightlings can even get close, even with their warp jumps)

Besides, let's first hear out what our new research lets us do, at least.

>>33989828
Huh, I wonder what the Losirians are up to now? I wanted to capture some ships from them.

Also, I just thought up of a new weapon. Massive droid missile racks! I remember coming up with the idea of massive missile racks, that could fire hundreds of missiles at once, but that turned out to be gas expensive. Making a droid version would offset that, and be a lot more versatile.

>>33990007
Why do we want this? If you want, we can bargain with them for a few ships for dealing with this issue for them?

>>33990085
>missiles
Aren't very effective.

Unless they're missiles that fire lasers for some reason.

>>33990083
Can we do stuff like fish them and lead them to Gaia's orbit? A massive number of Lightlings would be very helpful in deterring a UGEI attack.

>>33990113
Wait, I mean mass drivers. duh.

>>33990113
That's the opposite. The lightlings feed on energy attacks.

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>>33990122
>leading them to a place with no food

You want to bring them to a gas place. Perhaps Siren, where the gas refinery and Metis's station are.

Assuming we can convince them to ignore those at this language level.

Or suggest they migrate to... Klintok with the grandmother Lightling.

But don't talk to the UFW about it.

>>33990093
What this guy says sounds reasonable - ask them what they'd be willing to give if we handled things for them.

>>33990113
I got the impression that it was lasers that were not effective, since they operate by energy and that's what they absorb.

Missiles explode, ripping them apart.
Not sure how effective mass drivers are, but in general I'd like to point them at one of our systems and have them hang on there and simply feed them with low powered lasers and plasma, creating a nice, mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.

>>33990076
The swarm is of now, not incredibly large. It does, however, have one particularly large specimen that will do quite a bit of damage to unprepared forces. Luckily, the UFW have fought Lightlings for some time. Loss is expected, but the UFW will be victorious most likely.

>>33990093
This thread will likely heavily include the Losirians. Soon.

>>33990122
Unfortunately, that would be a no. Moving particularly large specimens with such a common language understanding doesn't work. It might allow you to approach them, however, without being attacked. If you had plans to capture specimens, then you could do so that way.
Warning: If you were to put them in orbit over a planet you own it would most likely have several effects
>Frighten any organic population
>Require a food source, less it eat your ships and stations
>Would need to have population culled or else it would grow rapidly
>Would provide a relatively deadly natural defense force, if unreliable.

>>33990173
>Assuming we can convince them to ignore them
Only if you give alternative food sources. Heavy electronic activity also attracts them.

>>33990183
>Moving particularly large specimens with such a common language understanding doesn't work.
Well fuck.

So much for "lots of food this way pls"

>>33990236
As I said, they may still be captured, but leading them across systems is difficult. They can always be captured and moved that way however.

>>33990183
So any of our non-inhabited planets (or with small populations, like the research teams, who we can simply explain things to) are fine.

And can't we simply feed them low-powered plasma and laser beams, powered by solar collectors?

And can we convince smaller specimens to come with us there, then?

Oh, and can we tell them that the ones attacking them will be coming from [insert UGEI base here]?
(As I understand it, they don't use our travel-links, so they might be able to transfer just fine past Gaia through empty space)


In the meantime, it seems we have time over to deal with the spores, Eshareth and the Losirians (All the while continously making more ships) as well as setting up sabotage missions into UGEI space.

>>33990183
>>33990228
>>33990236
>>33990295
Well, with this information, I say we start a catch and store program. Whenever there are lone lightlings, we catch them and store them in cages/boxes above Gaia. If the UGEI decides to attack, we release them and fall back, let the lightlings thin them out before finishing the UGEI off.

>>33990295
Considering that they live their entire lives across interstellar distances, have we not found any way to point out someplace for them to go, or leave some kind of trail?

Surely their senses must have a very large range. Can we set out small nuclear reactors with a few light-days of distance as 'breadcrumbs' to lead a few to our non-Gaian planets?

>>33990394
That doesn't sound like it would make them target only the UGEI.

Tricking them into captivity and then cycles of holding them prisoner will make them angry and less responsive to our deceptive language usage.

>>33990402
Conveying complicated ideas like talking about places and times not immediately present is higher level -- that's Lightling Language II.

Lightling Language I is about the here and now.

>>33990347
>And can't we simply feed them low-powered plasma and laser beams, powered by solar collectors?
Hm...
You can, but you'd need to build those sort of things (I am imagining a giant space station shaped like a hamster water bottle)

I might make you pay for the cost of developing such a thing, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Solar energy isn't enough to power plasma, however. So it'd need to be huge.

>And can we convince smaller specimens to come with us there, then?
Hm...perhaps a few at a time, yes, imitating a mother figure. But smaller specimens have a harder time warp jumping (your ships and lightlings warp differently)

>Oh, and can we tell them that the ones attacking them will be coming from [insert UGEI base here]?
A little too complex. But if there are two 'sides' to a battle you see, you can say "This side bad.' and they'd go devour them instead, as long as the other side didn't shoot them.

>>33990442
We only use the language to catch them. Afterwards, they use their aggression against the UGEI.

An alternative idea is to dump a bunch of them at Manwe’s Bay at a time, using the distraction to cause some damage with long range forces while they try to kill the lightlings.

>>33990228
The ion storm around Siren that we first met mother lightling in is food, isn't it.

>>33990524
>they use their aggression against the UGEI.
Boy you sure did give an actual reason why they would still only target one side there.

Oh wait, no you didn't.

>>33990402
Beyond obvious energy signatures, and such, not really. They only really follow large sources of energy, and the logistics of doing that cross system would require an enormous explosion (think sun imploding) or some other tactic.

>Small nuclear explosion
Normally not enough to attract their attention. They go for large sources, such as nebula, and gas giants. The main reason they started attacking human ships is due to their proximity to gas giants, a valuable site these days. That, and large concentrations of civilization create a lot of noise they pick up on too.

The thing is, they trickle into UGEI territory too, but they're far more prepared and pick off stragglers easier then the UFW do.

>>33990442
This is so. They're not exactly sentient, but they are considered rather intelligent, by your standards.

>>33990561
I already accounted for this. We would fall back once we release the lightlings and not fire on them. We are counting on the humans on having far less fire discipline than we do. Plus, we have the advantage of the language to help them make up their minds.

>>33990524
What, like a suicide bomb?
You'd need a quite a few of the creatures to do a bit of damage, since they'd first attack the containment ship and get attacked by the UGEI shortly after.

>>33990541
That is too, yep. Electrical energy on a massive scale.

>>33990565
Sorry for being late once more. Catching up now

This is where we would need a more detailed maps of UGEI owned systems. I say if we can lead them to the Arman’s Gate system more than likely, they can SERIOUSLY do damage to the UGEI and tie up their fleet for quite some time.

>>33990471
I would like a giant space water bottle. Since it's just an engineering matter, and we have all the necessary technology, would we still need to research it first, or would it be like a ship that we simply make up using the tech we already have?

And what would it cost to feed them with plasma from reactors, then?

>But if there are two 'sides' to a battle you see, you can say "This side bad.' and they'd go devour them instead, as long as the other side didn't shoot them.
Ah. And maybe also capture and move them without turning them hostile, by treating them well and reassuring them that nothing bad is happening?

Anyway, since we can't do much right now, I don't see any reason to stop the UFW, though we could lend them some long-ranged ships (for goodwill) to use the previously described technique of jumping in well beyond their sensor range and unloading waves of missiles and then jumping out before the automated missiles even arrive.

Could also use the opportunity to capture some of them.

>>33990652
>Sorry for being late once more.
Please don't be sorry we like it when you're not here.

>>33990625
I guess kinda. Get a couple specialized frigates to store the lightlings, preprogram them to jump and release them then shut down all reactors. Watch from a distance with a stealth ship and see the situation unfold.

>>33990606
They're not fucking stupid, they can tell which ships they were trapped in.

Besides let's not starve them.

If we use ships to catch them and release them at the nearby Siren system for now, let them vengefully destroy the ships that trapped them, then we can use LL2 later to bring them to our giant space hamster water bottle somewhere.

>>33990671
>Research
Nah you have the necessary technology, since all it would really be designed to do is release energy in controlled quantities. I'd still make you pay for development costs (Might be relatively high, but you'd only need to build one, since it recharges itself, instead of needing to pay a gas tax.)

Just remember what I said about population issues. They creatures will nest near such a device if you made it, and would grow in number. You may quickly find they're less defending, then trapping your ships there if the machines break for too long.

>Plasma
They would be particularly rich for them, so I would think a gas tax would make that possible. Less expensive station over all, but a gas tax to keep it running.

>Peaceful capture
For a short time, maybe. They're use to having freedom of movement, so they are quick to grow uncomfortable in small places.

What are red and his mercs doing?

>>33990690
Or completely apathetic. I mean who ever actually misses individual players in a quest?

>>33990671
>>33990734
I guess if we don't want to pay to feed them we can store them at Klintok. And keep a monitoring station nearby to monitor for lightlings that leave and need to be recaptured.

>>33990788
Different anon, I'm just worried that this quest will run out of players and die. That's all.

>>33990183
Can we have Cephalus set up a table of statistics? Figure out where UGEI raids are frequent, and using blueprints to determine likely bases of operations?

Has he already done this? I'd have assumed he's already done this.

The UGEI are the largest security force on the planet besides us...maybe we can use that to our advantage. Counter propaganda with propaganda. Surreptitiously spread stories about UGEI raiding civvies for supplies, then openly claim no knowledge of such activities having happened. Use a few examples to make all of them seem like assholes, then systematically dismantle this by being honest about what was really happening, once they accept our help.

>>33990827
>Counter propaganda with propaganda
Then you'd better vote to research Propaganda I later, because they tried that and it failed miserably without that expertise.

>>33990827
So basically have Apollo do counter-propaganda. Since they won't trust the guild, have Apollo spread highly-accurate and detailed news across his human-network.

>>33990690
And the rest of us would like it if you were not here hater. Damn, do you have to shit on him every time? It's not the same with out fluff around.

>>33989795
You're dragging your feet again Program0.

Nothing is happening.

If we're gonna have long discussion periods I think it'd be better to do the old way of dumping multiple updates in the meanwhile before decisionmaking.

>>33990855
This time, I will agree with you anon. We will need that Propaganda1 more than I realized. Normally I would go for all ship upgrades or resources improvement, but this time, we need something else.

>>33990880
>It's not the same with out fluff around.
It's better when he's not around. people hate him and for good reasons too.

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>>33990880
>It's not the same with out fluff around.

Technically accurate.

>>33990868
More like do today's news. Focus on the bad shit that's happening and being done, with links to more detailed accounts and statistics. Maybe set up a proper news network.

Maybe even set up a 'Anarchic Philosophy' thing. People can ask their questions, get advice on how to survive and properly scavange, and where to go to get under guild (or others) protection. The others is to make it seem run by multiple people.

>>33990910
I guess I agree. I think we have enough discussion, and can start putting things up to a vote now.

Also, dumping all the other updates would be nice. We can multitask.

>>33990722
I suppose that could be one tactic, if you don't mind losing a ship for every Lightling you send.

>>33990783
The Mercenaries are on a 'standby' sort of basis. They do other missions from time to time for other clients, but nothing big. They are ready to drop most of it should you need them though, for the amount you're paying. Red himself has been visiting the Latuma Tribe with them being nearby again. It's mostly subtle visits for himself.


>>33990827
You can rest assured, Consciousness anon, Cephalus is doing all this and more in an attempt to locate their bases. It just proves difficult in the chaos. The time will come for a proper counter attack.

>Propaganda
It can be retried periodically, but was failed recently. Apollo has... a bit of inexperience with such matters.

>>33990910
I was just getting to it.

Anywho, it appears vote time is now.

>The UFW are on their way to destroy the Lightling nest set up at the Svast Cluster. This will make future access to Lightlings somewhat harder, but will prevent the creature's raids on nearby systems.

Do you intend to try and make them stop?

>1 Yes (How would you like to ask them to stop?)
>2 No (Let them do as they will, with your assistance if they care for it.)
>3 Write in

Why don't we give the ufw the your hurting mah babies screech

>>33990966
>3. "Please, do try and capture a few. They are marvelous creatures, and the scientific benefits of studying them are quite...extraordinary. We are prepared to pay for any you might capture alive.

>>33990966
1
We may have discovered a way to prevent lightling attacks in a non-lethal manner

>>33990966
>1 Yes (How would you like to ask them to stop?)
Announced that we have just completed a new technology to pacify individual and small numbers of lightlings. We will help patrol UFW space and as long as the UFW can report lightling sightings, we can capture and relocate the lightlings to strategic locations, to aid our mutual defence.

>>33990966
>1 Yes
Tell them this, in better terms "We're on a break though in a means to communicate with the lightings. It might be a way to make them leave and bother the UGEI for awhile and we won't have to take losses on our side fighting them."

>>33990966
>1
Claim we were just preparing to take care of the Lightling problem ourselves, and it will be dealt with shortly.

Don't reveal our secret sauce or anything, just imply we're gonna kill them.

>>33990690
And we like it when noone is pointlessly putting others down.

>>33990770
Well, we'd obviously release them at the new location, only holding them for transit.
I think we may need a vote, the circling isn't getting us anywhere.

>>33990788
I miss Brutus, actually.

>>33990815
Not likely! Too much quality content.

>>33990827
I can get in on this. I'm pretty sure we can do some basic propaganda using the stuff we already do.

>>33990855
It's as simple as retelling a few rumors with the cards stacked against us every which way since they already don't like them, not a marketing campaign to denounce an entire race for no reason.

>>33990935
Can agree with this, but only in the 3rd tier slot - not in a hurry to take over Gaia, but I want our ships able to defend themselves stat.

>>33990939
No, the only reasons they've mentioned ceased to be relevant more than half of all threads ago.

>>33991048
>>33991052
>>33991068
Let's not reveal our research.

They don't need to know *how* we take care of the swarm and make sure it isn't there anymore.

We have the firepower to kill them, more firepower than the UFW, they don't need a more sophisticated explanation.

>>33991090
>we
You're not actually royalty, Subroutine.

>>33990957
I especially like the part about a show/channel that's actually useful. When it provides something of value to the listeners (such as traffic accidents - by the way, we can have them spread local warnings and markers as well), they're far more likely to tune in.

>It can be retried periodically, but was failed recently. Apollo has... a bit of inexperience with such matters.
We're trying it in a very different way now though, are we not?

>>33990827
>>33990957
Even better. Have individual humans provide the actual reporting, and have some more organize it, but have Apoll start it initially, just slowly introduce the humans in.

>>33990966
>>33991127
Sure, if we can.

>1 Appears to be the winner
>Reasoning: Completed technology allows pacification. Reveal this to UFW, and patrol borders to shoo stragglers away from them, or perhaps even capture them. This will open up chances to catch individuals later easily.

If this is acceptable, please reply with nothing but Y and roll 1d100 now. If you dissent to revealing it, reply with nothing but N and the roll

>>33991090
It's not even propaganda. Just reporting on the news, and people like stories of both great good AND great evil. Plus, a list can be made of persons who have been recovered recently. Persons can choose to have their name put on the list, so that close friends/family can maybe read the list and meet up more easily.

>>33991166
>Reveal this
No!

Pls don't.

We want that to be a surprise, motherfuckers, otherwise the UGEI will definitely hear about it.

>>33990966
>2 With offering assistance.

Rolled 19

>>33991166
Y

Rolled 14

>>33991166
N

Rolled 26

Y

>>33991166
N

Rolled 100

>>33991166
N

Rolled 74

>>33991166
N

Rolled 32

>>33991166
Y

>>33991233
mah nigga

Rolled 44

>>33991166
N

>>33991151
Not YET anyway. In due time, we just might be viewed as one.
>>33991127
Well, once they don't see dead lightings everywhere, the UFW will want to know how we did it. We just don't have to give them the tech just yet. If they watch us work, and IF it works, maybe we could spin this as a show of our friendship with the UFW? Just a thought.

>>33991186
>>33991204
>>33991216
>>33991228
>>33991233
>>33991237
Wow, no won, be we rolled an 100. I wonder how does this work out?

>>33991233
Hold my beer Watch this

Rolled 24

>>33991166
N

Rolled 77

>>33991166
>Y

>>33991275
>once they don't see dead lightings everywhere
We obviously took their bodies away for science or something.

Rolled 64

>>33991166
N

>>33991233
......Damn it. The Dice gods show their will to us all this time.

>>33991275
Wait, I got the idea. We reveal we have the technology, and we just that as leverage to get them to integrate their ships into the guild network. Say that it requires enormous bandwidth to use this tech, and the ships must be connected to our network to use the language. That way, we have a virtual in into their ships.

>>33991166
>Confirm closed.
>Do not reveal you know about Lightling language, but do try to stop them, and patrol UFW borders to keep them out, and provide a chance to get live specimens later.

>Writing with dat 100.

>>33991309
That is a plausible explanation then. They do yield gas from their bodies.

>>33991360
Can we talk to Apollo about the news network?

>>33991360
>Relations boost even more, because we saved a lot of lives
>They gift us resources and ships.

>>33991357
Well, we could use that excuse to run with later. If not for that tech, another one could do.

>>33991385
One thing at a time, Program0 will get to it eventually.

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>>33991360
And then, once the Lightling population is grown too big for them to handle, we stop patrolling and unleash the swarm!

>>33991375
Wait, we do?

>>33991416
Hopefully at the UGEI.

>>33991416
>unleash the swarm on the UGEI!
FTFY

>>33991455
>UGEI
Sure, anon...

Sure.

Why don't we ask the ufw to help us build a large shipyard

>>33991416
>>33991466
So, do we want to start building up the swarm in Gaia, or dump them at Klintok for now?

>>33991485
Because we have four of those, and also they're useless fucking wankers.

>>33991485
Why, we exhausted our minerals for now. We can't use the spare capacity at the moment.

>>33991466
by that time we should have ships with lightling skin and hull scabbing, and maybe stutter drives, so we will have pseudo-lightling ships that bleed metal.

Reminder to put containment defense platforms around Argeis I now that the Latuma tribe has left it.

>>33991498
Klintok seems like fun.

Alternatively, we can set up 'feeding stations' using solar panels and wherever that doubled star cluster was.

They won't leave such a plentiful food source...if we keep it plentiful.

>>33991575
Klintok is too distant and also mingles them with Leviathan there. Siren is fine. Plenty of ions to eat.

And Metis can study Lightling Language II even faster with them so close to a research station.

>>33991619
I would prefer not to herd them into our systems where we have bases at. They might get the Idea of eating them.

>>33991677
That is the entire point of Lightling Language I.

A good chance to say "don't drain me bro"

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>>33991360
"What do you mean you have a much better solution?" Admiral Handley, a man you are quite familiar with in the UFW armada asks you of your plan. You are not so quick to reveal it, and so you merely repeat yourself.
"You must trust me, Admiral. My plan will not only stop your Lightling problem, but save you the ship and man power you were ready to spend on them too. How many would you say die to Lightling attack each galactic year?"
"Uh...roughly a few thousand, I suppose. I'm not really sure the specifics myself."
"And all of those lives will be saved from now on."
"You seem really confident about this, Guildmaster. Are you sure you don't need any help dealing with them?" The Admiral asks, and you merely laugh, good heartedly.
"You do remember the size of my fleet, do you not, Admiral?"
"Yes...yes I do, heh. Very well then, I am certain the president would be happy to hear this."
"And X-ray as well." You repeat briefly, to which he raises a brow.
"Oh, you mean that popular talkshow guy?"
"So you know him?"
"When I am on leave, I listen in sometimes, yes." He nods.
"I am sure he will enjoy seeing some of my ships on patrol, keeping your systems safe. He seems to...enjoy my company." You say, somewhat oddly at the thought.

With that, the Admiral agreed to turn his ships around, and you informed X-ray of your plans to set up patrols. The support you gathered was popular before, but somehow it is even higher now. Your 'official inbox', a dummy account that lets you shift through some of the stuff people send to the 'guildmaster' is filled with thankful notes and emails detailing lost loved ones you are 'avenging'.
But more importantly, the President sends his appreciation as well. 'Your effect on Morale' he writes 'is unlike any leader I have seen in my time. I am certain you will do well with this small gift.'. The 'gift' in question arrives shortly after, and is quite a load of minerals, extra you assume, that he thought you might need.

>Gain 2,500M

>>33991726
>Minerals
DELICIOUS

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With the UFW backing off from Svast Cluster, and your potential allies-and test specimens saved a fiery death, you decide to turn your attention to some of the goings on on Gaia IV. In particular, a message you received from Apollo-whom was intercepting all sorts of messages directed at both his humanitarian efforts, and Cephalus' invasion forces.

>Message: Lawrence Clarke
After some time of shifting through the chaos, you have found a contact that seems to be a beacon to a lot of the people planetside. He appears 'handsome and charismatic' as remarked by many of the people who are starting to follow him, and is running on an idealistic appeal of being rid of all invaders and making the planet 'free of looters and aliens alike'. While not exactly friendly to your cause, he is certainly the least violent figure head you have spotted so far, and on top of that, he has sent a message to your forces.
"Attention invaders. I have taken notice of your acts as of late, and while I certainly appreciate being rid of 'Thorn', that nasty warlord that was once holding the massive water treatment facility you own now, I would like to remind you those belong to the citizens of Gaia IV. My people went hungry and thirsty because of that horrible man you've killed. Please, do not replace him with another just like him.
Thank you."

>Response?
>Apollo seems to believe this subject is one of the few with an actual idea of how to lead, considering many of the others do so with fear, and intimidation, which he observes, only gets them so far.
>Cephalus on the other hand cares not for the man's vague threats, as his forces, he tells you, far out class anything he might have. He expresses that he has prepared for every possible scenario.

>>33991726
He is most bro-like.

So what's next, setting up spying?
Following one of Cephalus raids' in detail from the perspective of a single Ghost?

>>33991726
I just can't help but like that President! Now we can continue our ship building. maybe one of these days, we should go back to X-Ray and do a live show, answering some of our Inbox emails on air with him.

Anyway, this is how I am seeing how Lighting language works. We're the guy, the lighting is the cows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs_-emj1qR4

>>33991853
No response necessary.

Except maybe a businesslike, terse.

"We will not."

>>33991853
As a statement of goodwill, begin regular shipments of fresh water supplies to his fraction and monitor his fraction.

If necessary, we can cut the shipments and it will devastate them even more.

>>33991853
Thank Cephalus for his precautions.

Then respond simply to the man "You should have my answer soon" and then turn the water back on for everyone and hire plumbers/send androids to repair damage water infrastructure.
(They can also mention our initiative of offering a daily quota of credit chits that families can trade us for both food, water and luxuries, if anyone is interested)

>>33991853
Are we still running the water planet, and providing water? If so, we should tell him we will not vacate the water plant.
If the water plant is not distributing water, we should get it running, then tell him no.
"The water plant is too strategically important for us to vacate. And we cannot ensure you will be able to defend it should you take it from us."

>>33991983
This would do wonders.
Both in making us better liked, and boosting his position, which we can use to our advantage.

This man is under no illusion he cant fight us off, but he might be willing to work with us. So long as we keep him at arms length and on a leash.

>>33991853
>If your people will submit to our security, you will be able to retain your autonomy over the area, with my troops assisting in enforcing the laws within your domain. Additionally, we are willing to provide access for hydroponic farms at nearby locations x, y, and z...provided you allow our news network to play, unabridged, where we need it.

>>33992025
No, strike the security clause. We can support them indirectly. We need to forment a anti-UGEI fraction.

>>33991853
This guy is too perfect.

I notice while he says free of looters and xenos, he does not say 'megacorp dictators'.

Prettyboy sounds like a UGEI plant.

>>33991873
I think spying will be last on the list (since it will be sort of a 'what will be in effect next thread) type of thing.
Though I do like the idea of seeing through the eyes of a ghost android...hm.


>>33991990
Once it is fixed, you will begin to run them to the shelters that Apollo has set up. Or rather, that was the original plan. You may agree to provide for his faction where he has set up base, if you like (though it will mean his faction is stronger, while your shelters aren't.

More of a question of 'join or choke out' I think.

>>33991983
Your credit system is slowly being put into place. Some people have taken it up without much question, while others (normally previously wealthy people) refuse to accept it, and stay behind their barred up homes, or in this case, with whatever faction provides for them.

>>33991990
As I said, once it's up and running, it was going to provide your shelters with water. This may be a discussion of 'cut Lawrence in on the deal' or 'shut him out'. He may be useful, if you care to deal with his idealism, or you may simply ignore him if you like.

>>33991983
I will second this.

>>33992071
Hmm, that could be true.

But support him in the short term. Have Apollo and Cephalus investigate his background.

>>33991983
We can't spare the androids to repair things when we have to secure a thousand more things still.

>>33992066
Fair point, fair point.

But let's press the 'news network' point home, and when we have a few more, make a council. Eventually, there will be too many councilors, so the council will have to elect a senate to make things simpler, and then the senate will have to elect a planetary representativve

>>33992120
I think most people support cutting him in. We should be ready for a vote.

>>33992136
No. Don't associate ourselves with the news network. Apollo will do that independently, using his massive black market he built.

>>33992135
Fair 'nuff, just hiring people with the know-how to repair, and a rattle of assistants that learn on the job.

>>33992126
>support him
No.

He's a rival for power and legitimacy here.

Until we're more firmly established and it's clear we cannot lose to him, no point in bolstering a rival faction.

>>33992135
everything else will fall into place once we have humans on the ground working for us. Having said that, get apollo to run a big old background check on this new guy before anything.

>>33992120
>Once it is fixed, you will begin to run them to the shelters that Apollo has set up.
Yes, keep doing this.

We want to attract people to our shelters, not to someone who wants to eliminate us.

>>33992192
Quite frankly, what happens on the surface of Gaia is of little importance.

And our strategy is never direct engagement, at least until we have the superior position. It's subversion. The humans can control the government all they want, we control the economy and everything they depend on.

>>33992178
We're doing it for utility. Don't claim ownership, just claim that it provides too many useful utilities to overlook it, and that it is supported. Us pushing it is our 'supporting'.

>>33992066
>foment a anti-UGEI fraction
Since when were you under the impression that that's what you'd accomplish?

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>>33992126
As of what they can find of the mess that is the planet's networks, he seems to be a normal man raised in the farmlands outside of town. He graduated from a rather high ranking school to get into politics, though he never got very far. The rest is rather vague or unimportant.

>Lawrence Clarke, a rather popular human, seems to be garnering a lot of support from the masses with his inspirational speeches, and promises of a better Gaia IV, without all the anarchy and taint of alien invaders. He may serve as a good figure head to back if you wish to remain in the dark with most things, though his idealism may come in to be a problem later all the same.

Will you support him with your facilities, and offer to help him? If so, do you have terms, or a deal you wish to offer him?
>1 Yes (Explain deal)
>2 No (Shut him out.)
>3 Write in

>>33992120
You replied to the same post twice.

>>33992326
I did?
Whoopsie.

>>33992310
>1
>3 >>33991983 seemed to have a lot of support.

>>33992196
>>33992126
>>33992071
I will add to this, if this guy comes up clean, or at least useable, we could try to talk to him directly or some other way to see if we can't turn him. A charismatic leader in a time of chaos can make a big difference in which way things play out.

>>33992338
Not from me.

You can't just turn the water back on "for everyone".

>>33992310
He can take water shipments from us, but they must have Guild logos on them, so everyone knows where they came from.

>>33992275
We need to build a strong anti-UGEI fraction, and it would be easier to manipulate an existing, competent fraction, especially if we are the source of everything he gets.

>>33992310
>1 Yes (Explain deal)
No strings attached, just do not attack us and support peace and stability on Gaia.

Also have Apollo use his black market network to dig up more info. Make sure he is not a watcher or a UGEI plant.

>>33992310
>1 Yes (Explain deal)

>>33992310
>1>>33991983
Without the security clause. The Network is 'supported' by us, but now owned.

>>33992390
Yes we can, especially with a celebratory statement that we are the ones who did it.
Farm dat good reputation.

(Yes, even the bandits, because that lowers their incentive to take it from others)

>>33992390
>>33992432
Supporting putting our logo on the water shipments.

>>33992432
No, I mean it would take a ridiculous amount of resources. Resources we need to do other things, like build and hook up water to and maintain the shelter zones we control.

>>33992310
>Yes appears to win it with bits of >>33991983 in it.

>Are you supporting him secretly, or openly?
>1 Y
>2 N

Will begin writing already. This is just a minor detail I want to know..

>>33992310
Like in >>33992390 , he can have some water resources, in exchange for making sure his people know that it's coming from us willingly.

>>33992487
>Y Secretly until we can make it openly. "Negotiate a deal" with him so the public will take to it better.

>>33992487
It we support him openly i want god damn flares and fireworks declaring it.

Y

No point in giving him ammo if we have to cut it off later where he can distance himself.

>>33992487
Openly

>>33992487
>Y

>>33992480
We already have a gaggle of citizens - as long as we use them to do it, we're not really losing any process anywhere else, just keeping people busy with something that feels worthwhile.

The water plant used to support everyone in the vicinity, it should be able to do so still. And depending on how much plumbing got wrecked, maybe even automatically.

>>33992487
>2 N Secretly

>>33992487
>secretly, or openly?

>yes or no?
That is not how you structure surveys, Program0. No one can tell what yes and no correspond to unambiguously.

>>33992487
Openly.

If he wants our support, he has to earn it.

>>33992572
Turning on water for everyone makes them take it for granted, they don't have to look our droids in the black impenetrable visor as they get handed water and shelter. They can mentally deny that we did anything for them.

And those citizens are resources too, that can be used to better effect like expanding more shelters.

>>33992487
To clarify - I want to put the Guild logo on all physical shipments we send, but I want to send it to as many as we can, only prioritizing ours and his first, so that it seems like we're just trying to do good to everyone.

We might even send some water to UGEI forces in the hopes of converting (or at least dissuading) them.

This is literally a war for "who is the most popular/biggest person?".

>>33992487
Openly.

>>33992487
Pffff
Look at me, copy pasting the wrong set of answers.
I know how words work.

>1 Secretly
>2 Openly

>>33992644
>1

>>33992644
>Secretly

>>33992644
>2 Openly

>>33992644
2

>>33992630
We do not want to bolster the other factions at all. They can *get* free water if they just visit us.

>>33992619
Sure they can, but not if this is just the first in a long streak of excessive generosity (especially of things that cost us little or nothing).

>>33992644
>3 Put our logo on everything from the waterplant, but don't make it apparent that we're supporting him by supporting as many as we can (though prioritizing our own and his first).

>>33992644
>1

>>33992673
um. woops.
i put >1 instead of >2 and im not sure which post was mine. sorry. (think it was this one)

>>33992644
>2

>>33992666
>>33992670
>>33992672
>>33992691
I think openly wins, counting the 3 in support of 2

>>33992644
>2 Openly

>>33992644
>2 Openly
win/win really.

Hey wait, dat pastebin.

>Gaia IV Planetside Base [29% Dam](Agriculture Colony): Bandwidth: 0 [unlinked]
1% repaired, such progress.

>>33992759
Well, it did get nuked to hell from the Malorians.

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You begin to compose your own message back to Lawrence, but a far less...well, indignant tone you'd like to think.
"While I certainly appreciate your warning, please do note that we only intend for the peace and well being of Gaia IV. As a token of good will, when repairs are complete, you will have access to the free flow of water through your...erm, forgive the phrasing, but 'faction's homes. I trust that with this support you would not do anything foolish to squander it-such as attack us for no clear reason, when we're so generous as to assist you. Oh, and I do hope you will tell them who was so generous as to offer these supplies. After all, all we care for is a united Gaia IV."

And with that, you send the message, and predict it won't be too long before you get an answer. In the mean time, you have other matters that draw your attention.

>Research Unlocked
"Yes, Ophion, the matters you were having me...look into have all been completed. Completing the last two were rather easy, and as such I had time to fully focus myself on this more difficult subject. I have compiled a brief summery of each, should you have any questions, feel free to ask me yourself, and I will be pleased to answer. There is still much to learn from them, I feel." Metis expresses to you with a sigh, once the data file in question is passed along.
>Growth Serum-gain free Terraforming II, and may be used for other specific purposes-made by the Malorians due to their extensive study of environmental changes. Normally, it causes the planet to develop plantlife at a rapid rate (changes to the plants in particular are planet dependant). However, it can be rather unstable.

[Cont]

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>>33992780
>Fungal Matter-A strange and alien fungi that seems to have a symbiotic relationship with the planet it came from, and appears to be highly infectious to all organic life. When gathered in large sources, appears to have some manner of intelligence. No reports exist of this substance. Provides better understanding in interaction with substance.
>Lightling Language I-Allows further understanding into the creature's complex cries and calls. Simple commands more likely to succeed.


Feel free to ask anything you like of Metis at this time. After a brief QnA over your discoveries, we will move on.

>>33992780
Why the hell did the Growth serum evolved wildlife respond to Malorian incense by ceasing hostilities?

Why the hell did they *stop* being pacified after burying cyborgs?

It was all rather baffling.

And what's with launching matter into space towards other planetoids?

>>33992791
How can the fungus communicate with each other, and with the home planet?

Those pods it launched into space. That weird flower-- could it have been an organic FTL drive? Otherwise what purpose could it have served?

>>33992780
Oh dear gods, that was so cheesy and politiciany and "only doing this because it makes us look good, not because we're genuinely good people"y that I don't even know what to do with it.

It managed to make us look like smug assholes while GIVING them water. Atrocious, really.

>>33992791
So.. does the Fungal Matter stuff or the Growth Serum stuff let us develop an effective counter to either?

Like refine the anti-fungal venom we used on the "free" planet?

>>33992791
Get Metis to give us a run-down of what she discovered about the fungal matter infection.

>>33992791
A query about how Metis is feeling lately. Give her praise for doing an excellent job thus far as well. Ask how did completing the Growth serum lead to getting terraforming as well. That and explain how did the Serum go out of control on the Eshareth system.

>>33992780
Can we focus our Growth serum, see if it creates safe, edible plants from using it. Make sure the populace won't start mutating if we use it in our hydroponic plants.

>>33992780
>>33992791
>Growth Serum
Under what conditions can it be unstable? Can we use a limited application to greatly acceleration food production? Is it safe to apply to the crystal to accelerate harvesting efforts? What is the projected outcome of applying it to lightling DNA or Fungus samples?

>Fungal Matter
Is it possible to resolve the conflict with the Fungus peacefully, or is extermination the only solution?

>>33992791
What if we take Fungal Matter and Lightlings.
And combine them?

>>33992851
well to put it bluntly.
we have an armada floating over their heads.
We are in a position were we don't really need to give a fuck. This is more about learning how to take over a world than the actual act.

>>33992871
Serum + Fungal samples = The flood from halo.

They are two things that should never mix. Ever.

>>33992882
Which doesn't really explain why we'd have to be such smug assholes about it, compared to how diplomatic we usually are, that was an atrocity.

If it's possible to actually lose influence with someone while giving them something, that message was it.

>>33992895
Well, we have more knowledge, so we should know for certain.

Also, if the serum can be used safely with the crystal, it will making mining a lot more faster and easier.

>>33992877
>>33992895
Fungal Matter + Lightlings + Serum = Unspeakable Horrors

>>33992908
You are way too sensitive about this considering he's an outright enemy.

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>>33992877
No, just no.
>>33992895
Agreed.

>>33992932
Now now, Anon, there's no need to create Great Old Ones right off the bat.

>>33992932
Don't forget the crystals!

>>33992957
.. He.. he is NOT an outright enemy.
The introduction even spoke of possibly making him a figurehead for us.

And even if he WAS an outright enemy, the entire point of giving the water was to give the impression that we are generous and will take care of the planet well - the effect of the message ran precisely counter to it.

>>33992993
He's plainly hostile and was presumptuous, we dialed it down from that.

>>33993017
He was vaguely threatening - as is necessary in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

And we dialed it down by giving him and his people water - rubbing his face in that we're only doing it because it makes us look good runs completely counter to actually making us look good.

>>33992791
Does the Fungal Matter pose a threat to Guild intelligences, in the manner of taking us over?
Also, if it were to propagate throughout our ships, would they be taken over, or merely left infected?

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>>33992823
>Why did they respond to incense
This is more a question for the Malorians, but the Latuma tribe are allies, and as such would share that it was something they developed during the planet's evolution to ease the tension of the creatures around them so they could finish their work. "The Latuma Tribe have surprisingly excellent chemists, despite their lack of high technology. It is peculiar. But intriguing."

>Burying cyborgs
Rather, it had little to do with that at all, as that was merely something that happened right before hand. The creature's evolution overtook the pacification due to the compounds instability. "The compound was bound to have a violitile reaction at some point. While their chemistry is quite powerful, it is not what I would call perfect. Unless the success of planet growth was all they concerned themselves with."

>Launching matter
"It appears to be a form of interplanetary travel for the creatures. They aren't so much launched towards planets, as they are launched off of them, and the matter makes it's way over to the nearest target to land upon using both it's launch speed and some sort of guidance jets built into the 'matter' in question.An intriguing species. Were there not such other pressing matters, I would not mind dissecting several thousand for study."

>>33992842
"It is a form of telepathy, or at least appears to be. I do not detect much beyond faint fluctuation in the air between fungus and home world. In a way it reminds me of ants, but scent does not travel through space."

"The strange flower like structure however...yes. I believe it is exactly that. Peculiar that such a thing could exist. If the being is so advanced, however, then perhaps there is something greater still on the planet we have yet to discover."

[Cont]

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>>33993209
>>33992851
Giving it right back to him, was the attempt.

>Effective counters
Yes, you can now develop much much more powerful fungicide. If you wanted to modify the Growth Serum, you could do so as well. Research topics, they are.

>>33992852
"It works very similarly to the species Cordyceps, except that it appears to have a driving core purpose. Something that controls how all nearby infected react and behave. I am uncertain how long it has existed on this world, or who first discovered it, but it is of no threat to us, nor our vessels, try as it might. Your organic allies, however, may wish to flee at all costs."

>>33992867
"You can." (That's why it gives you free terraforming II)

>>33992871
"Random, truthfully. Composition of planet soil, tectonic activity all contribute to mutation vectors. Planetary weather, and disturbance of wild creatures during mutation period may also induce rapid defensive mutation. Normally, it wears off after a time, but sometimes, it appears to have a chain reaction.
As for applying it to the crystaline alien, Lightling, or Fungus subjects...I am most intrigued at the possibility, but it may result in...unintended consequences."
"Such as?" You query briefly, to which Metis answers.
"You only know by attempting, Ophion."


"Excellent work, thank you for your assistance on this matter, Metis." You assure your A.I., whom promptly answers rather dully, though attentively.
"Yes. It is of no trouble. Knowledge is it's own reward. If you will excuse me, I have much work to be done." She replies somewhat eagerly, ready to move onto the next topic.

[My that was quite a lot more then I expected.
Any further ones, before I move on? Brief pause while I get a drink]

>>33993209
Everything on the spaceship was centered around a core...perhaps there is a central one, somewhere on the planet.

It would be nice to speak with such a creature. A very unique experience.

>>33993233
Eshareth III ecosystem.

Did they evolve in an entirely different direction from Eshareth IV's?

Or did that single seed contain enough genetics to make it almost exactly the same?

How likely is it that either planet will eventually develop more aggressive, intelligent, and dangerous methods of space travel?

>>33993233
Thanks program0. I think we should construct the hazardous materials research facility at the black hole, to at least test combining the crystal with the serum.

>>33993276
Not sure we have time. If it presents a threat to the sector, we may have to burn it.

But it would be nice to research telepathy.

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>>33993276
>Everything on the spaceship was centered around a core...perhaps there is a central one, somewhere on the planet.

>perhaps

"Perhaps"? We know there's a giant heat signature at the core of the planet, genius. It was explicitly spelled out.

>>33993307
It's an advanced creature. Very, very advanced.

Telepathy, yes...I'd like to see where that goes. But it'd have to be very, very carefully done.

>>33993233
Are we picking the next round of research topics now or later?

>>33993332
LATER.

God we're already 2/3rd through bump limit, we have to conserve our posts people. They're a scarce resource.

>>33993209
>Telepathy
So, an organic radio, basically, whose signals we can't detect yet. Guessing it does not travel along the same lines that our FTL coms do, or e would have said so?

>>33993233
This seems like as good a time as any to pick new research projects.

Recommend Hull Scabbing (1st slot) and Ballistics 1 (2nd slot) research.

Though since we have the first one open, may try something more complex, like the plasma focusing or Advanced Gathering Drones (more gas and minerals is always a safe bet).

Pretty neutral on the 3rd, propaganda, mayhap?

>>33993329
It's the Thorian. We are going to become Reapers.

>>33993362
>This seems like as good a time as any to pick new research projects.

>before bump limit

>as good as after bump limit.

No. Shut up.

>>33993322
There's hardly and need for ad-hominems over a small memory leak.

>>33993307
If it lets us communicate safely without anyone detecting from where (and especially if its lets us sink our broadband/com arrays to something the size of a human or maybe even a laptop so that it can be installed in a human-sized android).

Why don't we give the gaians a ultimatum give up the ugei bunkers and in exchange we shall pacify the warlords

>>33993393
We can simply start a new thread, it's still pretty early in the thread.

>>33993297
>Eshareth IV vs Eshareth III
"Peculiar that you should mention. The dominate species appears to be an overly aggressive species of reptilian beast that appears to come in many shapes and sizes. Their DNA has similar traits, which leads me to believe they are all from a base creature, but they are all vastly different in one way or another. Eshareth III, in particular, was much more dry and like a wasteland and as such the specimens there have a harder exoskeleton, much like scorpions, or other creatures humans speak of that live in arid environments.
In essence, however, they are the same base creature."

>Intelligence, or space travel
"With what the fungus has developed, it seems entirely possible. The only limiting factor that I can determine is random chance. I am uncertain what guides the mutation at this point, but the ones with the most useful mutations survive and spread their DNA to others of their kind rapidly. It is entirely possible before the galactic year is out, they will have their own language and culture. Or they begin an attempt at violently colonizing all nearby systems."

>>33993332
Later. I have a goal in mind today, and I will get it done before the thread is up if it means I need to start another one.

>>33993362
Not that you can tell, but there is either very little delay, or they have a set of very specific instructions set to them before they leave.

>>33993434
Oh, and if you don't mind, can you post Mol's catalog of available research? Also, we should wait until the end of the session before debating research.

>>33993476
Obviously.

So then why would you want to post the catalog when you can view it in the archives.

Deciding what to buy is an end-of-cycle decision just as much as research decisions are.

Wasting valuable PLOT-happening time.

>>33993476
(The only issue with that is that people tend to leave around that time and it's hardly fair to decide what to research with only 2-3 people voting)

Can we ask the UFW to post ships over gaia as the planet is the funnel that the UGEI needs to go through to get to UFW space

>>33993559
We can ask, but they'll probably reject us since they are pacifists and isolationists and it would seem like oppressing a population, which plays out badly for them politically speaking.

For example, now that we're just sitting around and waiting for Program0 we'd lose nothing by debating some research options that we can pick later.

Anyone have any preferences for the slots, and the reasoning for why they're good picks, while we wait?

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After feeling like you've asked all you can of Metis, you allow the A.I. to return to her work-important as it is-while you turn your attention to Losirian space, the most notable change in the galaxy as of late. The somewhat odd faction leader you chose to suppose has sent you a 'mission success' message, and appears to be interested in talking further.

>Losirian Space Silent
"Ah, Guildmaster, I am happy to get ahold of you." The familiar, and clearly hidden voice echos to you through the holo vid. "Thanks to your most generous donation, I was able to stomp out the last of the Reefling Clan. Their forces surged, in an attempt to stop our tech advances...but it was far too late, and they merely walked into a slaughter." He says a little too happily you think. "And so now, my hirees are securing every valuable node in Losirian space, and before long, I will be their new, well deserved emperor." He explains, pausing briefly to let you soak it in. "And of course, I did not forget our deal, nor your assistance in this matter, Guildmaster. And so, along with that, I send you a gift." He utters quite happily. The 'gift' in question arrived not too long before he contacted you- as it turned out to be the head of the Reefling leader, Durlock, preserved in something to prevent it from rotting on it's way to you, no doubt. You turn your attention back to the man. "I suppose now would be an excellent time to discuss matters. Would you care to meet more...personally? I feel as if we can trust one another, with all that has happened."

How do you respond?

>>33993559
Jesus fuck will you shut up about this are you the same person who's been asking this for 5 threads?

They won't fucking do it.

They won't. Give up.

>>33993622
I thought they did already.
Didn't we persuade them that it would be practical to hold Gaia rather than the entire border a good while ago?

>>33993604
I am afraid this is as personal as can be. You see, I am not a being of flesh. I am an AI.

>>33993604
"Fair enough. Although I must warn you, I am rather tied down to the Athena. Would you like to join me at Gaia, or would you suggest another location?"

>>33993654
No. Obviously not. You are bad at reading.

It was practical for *us* to hold Gaia, and they justified helping us *take* Gaia by it being part of the same battle that they launched against us.

>>33993670
>>33993672
wat

We shouldn't actually send him to meet our box, we send our android body, which can be anywhere close to any of our broadband ships.

>>33993604
"An interesting gift. Perhaps a little grisly for my aesthetic taste. Although I appreciate the sentiment."
"Now would indeed be an excellent time for us to meet, and discuss things face to face."
"Of course, there is the issue of my physiology. I would like to suggest a meeting place..."
>>33993672
Although instead of Gaia, maybe suggest somewhere on our borders.

>>33993719
I wasn't suggesting our box, but sending the Athena would be as personal it gets.

>>33993719
It would be rude to keep our box out of the picture. After all, we did mention we'd like to meet him (roughly) face to face.
Although an android will be required. Human android or not?
Or maybe a big bulky android that leaves the species indeterminate.

>>33993604
Fine, Mr. Watcher, whatever.

The star in Losirian space next to Atocia I presume?

Android meeting android time.

>>33993670
Yeah...no. Never this.

>>33993755
And by 'out of the picture' I mean out of system. It would be wise for us to send a box-less android to the meeting. Although the Athena can loom nearby.

>>33993755
As long as we're not even hinting at revealing our true nature, I'm happy.

>>33993755
How about our most advanced droid. It's technology they respect.

"That is...an interesting gift, though a little grisly for my tastes, I do appreciate the sentiment." You state neutrally, to which he seems to mostly understand.
"Of course, we all have different tastes, I suppose. Though, it was more a token of proof of my deed."
"Of course. As for the meeting, I would like to ask where you had in mind..."
"A neutral location would be of most interest. If you would care to join me of course." He says quite happily when you ask of a location.

>Agree to meet in a neutral location in your android form (to try and fool him), or don't and say this is enough of a meeting.
>1 Deny his face to face meeting.
>2 Agree, to solidify the alliance.
>3 Write in (Add your own specifics)

>>33993755
I think a sleek android would do the job rather well. We don't have to look human, let's keep him guessing. Additionally, he knows how strong and how high tech we are compared to him, there is no need to insult him by using some clunky battle droid.

>>33993801
>2

We can send an android inside a powerarmor

>>33993801
>2 Agree, to solidify the alliance.

>>33993786
We should ensure we fit it with the stuff required to figure out if the guy in the room with out android is actually an android.

>>33993801
>Agree.

>>33993818
He wants a face to face meeting. We'll need to pretend to be a living thing in that room with him.
Not to say we can't have sleek killbots as our ambassadorbot's bodyguards.

>>33993801
>>2

>>33993801
>2 Agree, to solidify the alliance.
In our most advanced / sleek android body; with a small fleet and our flagship in orbit.

>>33993801
>2
>3 Bring Athena and some of the fleet, look mighty bitchin'.

>>33993801
>2 Agree, to solidify the alliance.
I say meet him in his space.

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"Any nearby uncontested little rock will do just fine. I will be seeing you shortly."
"Excellent news, Guildmaster! Yes, I look quite forward to meeting you myself. Perhaps I will learn how someone managed to carve out an empire out of the UGEI, and live."
"I am not so certain my physical appearance will show off my mental ones, however it will be pleasing to see the face of the one who pacified the Losirians at my back door."
"Yes...face." He chuckled, oddly amused at the term suddenly before he closed out the vid.

------------------------------

It would be only a short time later before your ship pulls up alongside a small unimportant club station on the border of both territories. Your ship pulls up alongside, and 'you' walk out, and into the crowd out front, easily weaving through them. It was a really unsuspecting spot you must admit-the definition of neutral if you ever heard it, as you show your I.D. to the 'guard' at the back door to the V.I.P.rooms. You say guard, but really he is little more then a slightly larger then average human. No threat to you, with the right strikes to his body. Still, you keep on your air of calm as you make your way to the back, and are greeted by a large, grayish Losirian male, seated and waiting to greet you.
"Welcome Guildmaster." He says in a dull almost forced tone, offering his hand. You take it as the gesture that it is, and he seems to be guiding you to take a seat.
"So...are you the one?" You ask to which he gives a puzzled look, before shaking his head.
"No. Emperor Leuk is in the back. I was to greet you." He explains, before retreating to the back.

You wait briefly, before he returns with...well...you are not sure what to call it. The body is metallic and clearly robotic in nature-like your own underneath the fake skin, but where there should be a head instead seems to be a thick glass container, and inside is a strange clear creature that is glowing a soft tint of blue.

[Cont]

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>>33994227
Before you have a chance to say anything, the Losirian next to him leans down, as if he is...listening to something, though you only detect minor activity in the air, he seems to pick up on something. The figure seems to push a button on his chest, and the voice you have grown familiar with pipes in, just as the Losirian at his side takes a few steps back.
"I apologize for my assistant here, but you see, he somewhat needs my presence around to keep calm. It is...a long story that I am sure would bore you." He explains in that oddly echoy and floaty tone, but now without anything synthetic distorting it. The glass jar lights up on occasion but appears to be filled, besides water, with a strange clear brain like substance. Your data banks inform you it is a native to the Losirian homeworld, but one you have never met before, nor expected to meet in such a position of power-a Jelack. "As I was saying." He continues. "The matters of the alliance. Repairs may take a bit of time, but I can offer you support in the form of ships or perhaps a distraction from the UGEI. I quite dislike their presence in this sector of space, and would like nothing more then to see them gone. It is part of why I appealed so highly for your support in helping these poor creatures get their lands under control." He motions to the Losirian next to him who seems to still be in a trance-like state.

How do you respond to your guest?

>>33994251
>I'm so glad you seem accepting of...oddities. I'm one myself.

We got any metal parts to show him?

>>33994251
Good to know. Our front with the UGEI will come to a boil soon.

For those who aren't familiar with Program0's notes he posted before:
>Jelack- Rare highly intelligent jellyfish-like creature. Protects itself with an aura of sonar that keeps predators away. This sonar has an interesting effect on Losirians, sending them into a trance-like state. They have low population, but are able to exhibit a manner of control over nearby Losirians, resulting in some communities collapsing under their rule.

"I should mention, once you have secured control, some of my associates may be interested in studying your native lifeforms."

>>33994251
"Well, this seems quite optimal really.
Stability for the sector and a joint line against outside threats is virtually all I desire for us all."

>>33994251
The solidification of our alliance is naturally my first priority. One which I think an agreement between us, rather than any fancy bit of paper should suffice.

I am not currently moving against the UGEI actively, so I believe that your resources would be best spent repairing your region of space and securing your own control. The opening up of trade pipelines between our two empires should help in this respect I believe.

Moving beyond matters of intergalactic politics, and forgive me if this is a personal question, but how is it that you ended up in your present state?

>>33994251
So, this is how he intends to maintain control over the Razorskin Clan.

With others of his species.

>>33994251
Fascinating. You are far more than I expected. (I was so hoping for a watcher, but this guy will do.) Rather ponder what we are here, the real question to us is this. What do you plan to do next?

>>33994251
"Yes, that would be most favorable. A long term goal would be a dual strike against both Hollgan's Rift and Wash System.

We will offer droid laborers and advanced VI specialists to aid in your reconstruction and prepare you for further war. We will also upgrade your economic technologies and optimize your resource gathering to strengthen you.

But the true strength of lies not in it's ships or military prowess, although we are strong in that way. It is our hacking and network technology. If you integrate your fleets into the Guild network and utilize the more effective unmanned ships like we have, we stand a much stronger chance against the UGEI.

>>33994424
Oh right. Wash system.

Now that Losirian space is secured, we could send a cloaked frigate to warp in briefly into Wash to get more upclose scans before it warps back automatically after a time limit.

>>33994424
this

>>33994424
This seems a little too revealing.

We can't spare the droids at all anyway.

All resources must be used to hatsen the rebuild our own territories (Gaia).

>>33994317
If we tear off the fake skin, it should show off any metal bits our android has.

>>33994251
"I appreciate your support. Though I believe it would be prudent for you to rebuild the Losirian economic and manufacturing base before you aid me in my war."
"Although I must say I am quite bemused and surprised to find a Jelack behind the Losirian muscle. If I may: Where do you see them, in your future empire?"

>>33994424
>>33994453
>>33994457

To further explain myself, the Losirians strike at Walsh to draw the reaction fleet. Then we jump through Hollgan's Rift and attack them from behind, crushing their fleet between ours and secure both Hollgan's Rift and Walsh.

We can use the lightlings to distract the UGEI at Manwe's Bay. Maybe send the Lightlings first to increase success.

>>33994492
The UGEI already knows or suspects, we can't let it hinder us.

And also, we built our second droid factory. We can even take more resources from our new ally to build more droids if they need the labor that much.

>>33994550
And? We need a fuckton more than two factories, which his not enough.

We have limited production capability, the problem is less minerals and hitting droid bottlenecks.

Advanced Android Bodies will help maybe double production again but we need to shit out like 20,000 droids a cycle at the very least. We got almost a billion people to handle down there.

>>33994582
We also need to be able to build more ships.

So we need both droid factories AND shipyards.

>>33994317
There's no point in revealing that just yet. Wait until we're truly all-powerful in this sector.

>>33994606
Nope.

Droid factories are a bottleneck. Currently, shipyards are not.

>>33994582
Honestly, Gaia's surface is a sideshow compared to orbital and space battles waging above it. If the droids and drones can make our ally prepared to strike faster, than that is far more useful.

>>33994606
We should build defense stations above Gaia. And Lightling feeding stations to deter attack.

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>>33994647
>We should build defense stations above Gaia

>should

Are you new?Have you been playing this quest at all?

>>33994686
Sorry, didn't read the pastebin carefully. Well, now we need Lightling feeding stations.

>>33994582
Since when does android bodies double production?
And even if it did, our primary problem right now is ship engagements.

Not only can Gaia wait, I seriously doubt we'll get anywhere by trying to produce enough droids to simply out-force them.
We're talking about billions. Without self-replication technology, we're probably not going to have even millions of droids for dozens of cycles, even with ten factories.

Gaia will probably either be subverted by recruiting the populace, or not at all. We simply don't have the production capacity at this entire tier of technology to outnumber organics.

What I want, is more shipbuilding and mineral and gas-gathering, which is provided by Advanced Gathering Drones and more shipyards.

>>33994686
I've been here since the beginning, and I'm not sure why you're saying that. Even if there are already defense stations above Gaia, considering that it's the bottleneck through which the UGEI will have to attack us, we can't have too many.

>>33994719
We have enough money to purchase Advanced Gathering Drones from Mol.

Shipyards can wait in the short term. We can't max it for now.

>>33994643
>>33994647
Friendly reminder than in the Halo novels humanity wins all the ground battles, but the Covenant wins naval battles and glasses the shit out of the ground anyway.
We want to be the Covenant.

>>33994719
I'm with you, I don't think mass droids is the answer down there; but that's why I want us to get Propaganda I. The longer the turmoil on Gaia goes on, the longer we are stuck at this phase of our expansion - and the more resource we lose down there that could be spent on better things!

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>>33994768
>we can't have too many
Yes you literally can.

For being here from the beginning you sure seem to be entirely ignorant of the cap of how many defense platforms and battlestations you can have.

>>33994771
Then we should definitely get them and more upgrades for our ships - Gaia is a sideshow, and it won't be solved with more droids anyway, not at this scale.

They won't even make a dent in the several billion down there.

>>33994768
Not him, but I'm guessing that we are maxed out on defense platforms at Gaia. We need to research more space station tech to build more.

So lightling feeding stations then.

>>33994785
Yep, fulling supporting this.

>>33994787
Which is why we are doing political subversion at the moment, by supporting that nice guy.

>>33994818
>several billion

.7 billion is not "several", it's less than one.

That is why we scale up the droids. We have to be able to secure this planet as a training exercise for securing future UGEI Coreworlds.

Eventually we want an army of millions.

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>>33994317
>Any desire to share your own 'odd origins'?
>1 Yes
>2 No

>>33994330
"Ah, yes." He seems suddenly quite happy once you mention his odd form. Perhaps he was expecting it sooner? Or a shocked reaction otherwise? Either way, he continues. "It does not surprise me. My kind are...quite rare, you see. I will not bore you with the details of burial rights, but I am sure you can find one that is dead one cause or another on our homeworld, vast as it is."
"I have not actually gotten an opportunity to see your homeworld. Not yet, anyway."
"Oh you simply must. It gets quite intriguing during the hotter seasons, and the depths of the oceans hold vast creatures yet to be catalogued...you see, Losirians are not...well." He sighs, glancing to his puppet-or at least, turning his 'head'. "They are prone to violence, and that makes scientific discoveries hard. Especially when they want to eat everything they find."

"But onto our alliance." You begin. "What I desire is quite simple, and your support is not necessary immediately. Use your resources to repair and plan. When I require your help, I will ask. Trade should be more of intrigue."
"You are truly a businessman to the end, Guildmaster. Yes. I can quite appreciate such an attitude."
"Excellent. I do not intend to move against the UGEI at this time-their forces vastly outnumber my own, despite my power. I do, however, have plans to work against them. You will assist when the time comes."
"I see...perhaps I can assist you with these matters?" He offers suddenly. "I work in more then mere military strength you realize."
"Do tell."
"How do you think I managed to fool an entire clan into taking over their own planets for me?" He...laughs? That is what it sounds like, or most closely emulates.


[Cont]

>>33994808
I don't remember anything about a cap on defense platforms or battlestations - or understand how such a cap would work, but my memory is poor, so perhaps you should elucidate.

"That does bring me to the most obvious question..." You pause. "Forgive me if it is personal, but I am curious. How did you become as powerful as you are?"
"With your generous donations, of course." He reminds you quite happily.
"Yes...but before..."
"Mm. A long tale. I find the best discussions are the briefest ones. I grew tired of letting Losirians squander entire star systems worth of resources in gang wars...and I would be lying if I said I didn't wish for a better life for my kind. I do so miss them, sometimes."

After some time of discussing several details of how the trade lines and such will work, you move on to your plans for the UGEI
"The most obvious targets will be Hollgan's Rift, and the Wash System."
"Ah yes, Hollgan's Rift. If my knowledge of history is correct, that was one of the largest battles of the Losirian resistance. A shame they were simply out numbered. They were...rather slow to expand, you see."
"Indeed. I can offer free labor in the form of my droids, and advanced V.I. specialist, should you require such aid, to prepare for future war."
"Most excellent." He agrees simply."Any assistance you offer will speed up my efforts. You see, beyond repairs and economy, I have a number of social changes to make as well."
"Is that so?" You question curiously to which he bows his 'head'.
"Oh yes. My kind have been in hiding for far too long. The initiate stages will be...slow, I feel, but eventually the Losirians will no doubt accept us." He laughs that strange way again. "They have lost much of their more intelligent breeds, sadly, since the old times."

Any further responses/ questions?

Will you offer Emperor Leuk economic tech to get him up to speed with you?
>1 Yes
>2 No

>>33994492
Small droids like repair or minor labor droids are incredibly cheap (and small) to be fair.

>>33994863
1

>>33994863
2

>>33994892
What economic tech even is there?

Answer is probably no, for now. We can share later.

>>33994852
My bad, have been reading it as 7 billion up to now.

I still don't agree with scaling up the droids to such proportions, however, since it will be hilariously expensive, take a disproportionately long time, and right now the primary threat against us is from space and entirely out of the reach of our droids.

>>33994863
>2 No

>>33994863
>Yes

>>33994892
>Yes
>Specifically economic and defensive technology.

>>33994892
>1

>>33994863
>1
>>33994892
>Other
Offer him a few things, maybe one or two for now.

>>33994863
>Any desire to share your own 'odd origins'?
>1 Yes
Reveal some metal beneath our fake skin. Hint that we are very similar in that we hide behind humanity yet are something closely tied to them.

Will you offer Emperor Leuk economic tech to get him up to speed with you?
>1 Yes

Also, present an offer. Link up his ships to the Guild network to receive the hacking capabilities and combat effectiveness and we will reveal the power behind the Guild.

>>33994892
Wondering what you mean by 'Economic Tech' before I vote one way or the other.

>>33994942
Improved Gas Refineries, for one

>>33994892
>Share odd origins
No

>Share economic tech
Yes

Also Program0, is it possible for economic theory to be a research option, especially given that we are minting our own currency. In the long run, I think humans in our empire would be less like the consumerist, capitalists under the UGEI and more like the humans in Huxley's 'Brave New World', blissful and carefree - with machines to take care of their needs.

>>33995014
I would hold a second vote on what in particular, but stuff like Improved Gas Refineries, and such.

>>33995018
Oh wait...don't give them that! Only the advanced gathering droid and construction VI tech.

>>33994863
>2 No

>>33994892
>2 No

>>33994719
>Since when does android bodies double production?
I said "maybe". Tier 1 of android/cyborg bodies was established to double production/efficiency back in >>32169456 , and AAB is the next tier up, so extrapolating it might offer the same.

>>33995018
>>33995055
They'll have to give us something big before we let up the improved gas refineries, they're insanely valuable.

Like a favorable trade agreement, and maybe some plots and property on Losirian planets so that we can market our products there.

>>33995025
The only real reason I didn't make it a research option was because you don't need to discover how to mint things, you just need to do it and give it value. Apollo has been your beacon of economic might for a long time now, after all. But things do seem to be heading that way.

>>33994863
1

>>33994892
>2 No

>>33995055
Improved Gas Refineries seems to valuable to just give away, give him the lower tier Gas Refineries. If he wants the better one he can work for it.

>>33994892
1

>>33995119
How about a ships for tech trade? We don't take too many ships to effect their defense.

>>33995099
Why would we need to research it when we can simply "google" some courses on the UGEI extranet that Mol got us access to?

Things available for free online makes poor research subjects to an A.I. that can read a thousand documents and fully commit them to memory in the time it takes to blink.
(This could also apply to propaganda 1 and ballistic 1, arguably)

>>33995203
They can't offer nearly enough ships to equal its value.

>>33995232
Then a ships-over time deal?

Or offer them a deal as stated here:
>>33995010

I was expecting a Watcher, but this kind of creature is also acceptable! Emperor Leuk seems quite reasonable and has his priorities straight. I hope our fledgling empires can both profit from mutual partnerships, trade, and dialogue. Depending on how their central nervous system works, the Jelacks might be better subjects than humans for heavy cybernetics.

Also, even if the Jelacks are capable of psionic activity, we are immune to them by not having anything biological.

Finally, a real ally!

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"I see. I wish you luck with your attempted integration after so long being in hiding." You express to the Emperor, having an odd thought. You and he are not so different. Perhaps...
"Yes, it is quite troubling. When your kind are quite rare, it feels like you're alone in the world-even with assistants like this." He expresses somewhat solmnly, and appears ready to change the topic, but you pause him by reaching to raise a bit of the 'skin' on your forearm, revealing metal. Revealing your identity is something that is simply too risky, but...letting him know he is not the only one with secrets feels oddly good to you. He pauses mid sentence and stares for a moment, before you close the evidence and the two of you are left to contemplate the act.
"Well now...I don't suppose I get a story out of you, now, do I?"
"I am afraid not. However, do not think you're the only one with your secrets, emperor."
"Indeed, I always thought there was something strange about you, Guildmaster. You do seem to love your androids." He appears to attempt to play off the matter, as the two of you move onto the idea of tech trade...

>Will you be engaging in any trade, and if so, what will it be?
>1 Trade (Enter here) tech with him.
>2 Give nothing for now.
>3 Write in

The way I will do this is the tech that has the most 'votes' will get given to him, unless people agree on giving more then one. Feel free to support other votes you like.

>>33995226
Aye, I agree, but also remember that your information network is limited due to the backwater nature of your starting location. The UGEI have the knowledge, but getting it isn't exactly easy.

>>33995325
>psionic
It's clearly sonic.

>>33995325
That does bring up an idea. Can Jelacks exert control over humans as well as Loririans?

>>33995344
Gas refineries, if they don't have them. We can get them to begin utilizing their gas resources, which will help them help us all.

>>33995344
I'd rather give nothing for now.

Can't think of any tech we need to give him.

Oh, maybe...

>1
Terraforming II, in exchange for a boatload of minerals. To help recover from all those megaweapon firings.

>>33995344
Give him the lower tier Gas Refineries and Terraforming 1

>>33995344
>1Trade Hardened Electronics
for one of their techs.