File: Expanse.png (583 KB, 3711x3217)

583 KB PNG

>>34372921
>Current armory
121 Thorn Launchers
2 Thorn Cannons
53 Sting Casters
1 Rotary Stinger
3 Fire Sprays
1 Plasma Spray

>Current resource reserves
Nutrients: 2969
Metals: 14730

>Hive population and upkeep cost
Hive maintenance – 75
Queen – 5
Worker (1200) – 2400
Radiator Worker (40) – 160
Warrior (109) – 436
Thinker (49) – 147
Quantum Thinker (20) – 100
Speaker – (1) – 4
Digger (80) – 320
Refinery (10) – 70
Sniffer (2) – 8
Small Sniffer (40) – 40
Fly (10) – 40
Wasp (59) – 295
Antenna (3) – 9
Haz-mat Workers (20) – 80
Shock Troops (25) – 325
Excavator (9) – 171
Colossus (2) – 30
Advanced Relay (6) – 600
Space Pod (3) – 90
Shuttle (2) – 50
Scout Corvette – 325
Lancer Corvette – 200
Nutrient costs: 5455

>Income
Metals: 3750
Nutrients: 8505
Net: 3050

Hive Structure
>Reservoir
>General storage
>Food storage
>Advanced Laboratory
>Infrastructure
>Hangar facilities: Room for 40 Aero Drones and 20 Shuttles (25N)
>Mine: +1500 M per day (+25 M per digger)
>Asteroid mining base: +2250M per day (+50 M per digger)
>Algae Farm: +8000 N per day, 80 Workers (1 worker per 100N)
>Clarke Research Outpost
>Hel’s Angel Prison Outpost
>Docking Pylon: Space for docking and construction of 4 ships (50N)
>Anti-orbital battery: 2 (125N per battery)

Finished construction
40 Algae Farms (+4000N, 40 workers)

New Construction Options
>Algae Farm – +100N per day, 1 worker to maintain
>Hangar Expansion – Add on to current hangar facilities for your choice of +40 aero drone space, or +20 shuttle space. 50N 100M
>Anti-orbital battery – A bunker armed with a massive Particle beam capable of attacking ships in orbit from the ground. It includes the power and sensor systems required to operate it. 250N 1500M

Ship Construction Options
http://pastebin.com/YTwGk8n1

>>34372954
Didnt we start building a anti orbital battery yet and more farms last threads?

>>34372994
We did!

File: Leeland.png (1.31 MB, 3733x2860)

1.31 MB PNG

>>34372954
Finished Research

>Extended nature study
Fast
Using your new drones you should be able to quickly cover the remaining areas of jungle and study the rest of the local life, especially the various forms of worm that seem to fill the soft soil of the area.

Current Research

>Union culture research
Medium
Designate several thinkers to read through and disseminate the information within the samples of human literature found within the Clarke. With the wide range of topics covered this should reveal some bits of interesting information on all manner of subjects.

>Carbon liquid
Medium
This strange substance appears to be alive, and reshapes itself by assembling itself into various crystalline structures as needed. You're still not sure if it was trying to attack your ship or if it was simply reacting automatically in some fashion. An extensive battery of tests should reveal more regarding the substance.

http://pastebin.com/F6t39KSp

>>34372994
You did, and they are now under construction, as well as a new scout corvette.

>>34372994
We didn't.

>>34373059
K just list it before we have decision wars starting then

>>34373059
>Extended nature study
What did we get from this?

>>34373059
what did we learn about the nature study?

>>34373059
Contact unity about space amazon.

>>34373161
Not the time.

>>34372954
so can we lay some quantum thinkers?
So that we can research more things at once.

>>34373059
We need to slide in that crab dissection work so we can get aquatic options.

>>34373240
Already did that, got us gills and maybe the tail?

>>34373204
How many should we lay?

>>34373240
Fluff stop being a moron.

>>34372921
Is the doctor with all the other prisoners or is she isolated?

>>34373204
I'm up for doing that how does 180 new Quantum Thinkers sound?

>>34373374
sounds good to me.

>>34373374
Sounds good.
That should allow more research, and help the overall hive.

>>34373355
>>34373059
yep isolate the doctor
find out what that psi device did to her

>>34373332
>>34373305
Did it? Am I? It doesn't look like that in the pastebin. It said other wise.

>>34373374
fuck of on the thinkers dumbass
we can only research 2 things at a time
get over it

File: 6305450865931ccc5119759d0(...).jpg (435 KB, 997x665)

435 KB JPG

>>34373059
You watch through the dim lighting of the hive as the humans sit or pace about in the large holding area your drones had carved out for them. Most are in good health, although several suffered various injuries during your attack. They appear to have made a makeshift medical area near the back wall, collecting what supplies their suits provide to tend to those most injured. The human you had briefly spoken to still lies unconscious, along with the captain she had been arguing with.

>Isolate Dr Vaughn
>Leave her for now

In the jungle of Raligha you listen as the search team continues to find little.
"Move to the next grid line."
"I can't see anything under the treeline. You'll need to search the area on foot."

You can still hear the occasional drumming of the natives in the distance.

>>34373400
It probably connected her to the ship.

>>34373400
Kind of want a surgeon variant of worker for treating human injuries. Basically just give it the fancy blades. Of course, we've got heading vats lying around so that's probably silly.

>>34373428
>Isolate Dr Vaughn

>>34373428
>Isolate Dr Vaughn

>>34373427
Ou research list is getting bigger, and having more thinkers helps the hive overall, hell at the very end of the last thread we had gotten to an understanding to lay more.

>>34373374
I'd be up for more Thinkers but not that many.

>>34373428
Scan Vaugn with the medical equipment in the Hel's Angel.

And get the twins to explain that tech to us so we can have an organic version.

>>34373428
>Isolate Dr Vaughn
>>34373512
Pretty cheap considering our income.

>>34373510
Yea and you know what
I bet QD hasnt really thought of what half those things mean for us in upgrades or story purposes
so right now we can shift resources on to more pressing things like ships and units
The 2 limit gives the man time to plan
no amount of thinkers is gonna change that

>>34373355
Seconding isolating and interogating the good doctor.

>>34373374
Too many.

Also, we need more troops, and more guns for those troops. I suggest we lay 100 warriors. This will cost us 800 nutrients, and bump our upkeep up by 400.

>>34373570
It's really not.

A more balanced mix of normal Thinkers and Quantum Thinkers in more modest amounts would be more sensible.

Because Quantum Thinkers are creative, which helps with innovations like bioweapons an cryogenic weapons, but doesn't help with dissection and reverse engineering other people's tech. And we do more of the latter really. So half and half is good.

Maybe 50 normal and 50 quantum.

>>34373570
Add in more workers and farms to compensate for their upkeep and you have my vote

>>34373428
>Isolate Dr Vaughn
QD, Since we already have eyes in the Raligha system in the form of the pod, would it be possible to have a stealth corvette jump in to a location in the system where the Union wouldn't be able to detect the radiation burst, like behind a planet? Or does it not work like that?

>>34373545
I want to use the healing vats to rouse the captain. Show of good faith.

>>34373428
>Isolate Dr Vaughn
And we do need to lay some more speakers to talk to all these people.

>>34373640
I'm game, since quantum thinkers are for our own research tree, and we are lacking in thinker, either way.
>>34373576
I'm suggesting the thinkers, to help out in the hive as well.

>>34373597
However Thinkers can be used to boost rolls which is one of the reasons I want some.

>>34373597
Sounds like a good plan, Raligha really showed how understrength the hive is compared to other forces in the galaxy. Perhaps we should consider laying more collusi as well?

>>34373692
I think early on it was said they could boost production as well? Probably only at a large scale, but even a 5% boost is significant.

>>34373692
Just make more shock troopers, and either make 1 shock trooper for every 5/10/20(depends on what you guys want)

>>34373695
Our issue was that nades fucked us up, and we didn't know how to fight a siege.

We need anti-grenade methods (getting warriors to jump on a nade, anyone?), and more flame throwers and grenade launchers in our warrior's hands.

>>34373742
I think QD said 1 shock trooper can boost the rolls of 20 warriors.

Guys I think we should use the Slip Drive when we head to Raligha again.

>>34373690
With what we aren't even taxing the ones we do have with controlling the drones

The only reason some idiot keeps bringing up the thinkers is that he has a hard on for tech for some belief that it already planned out
>>34373374

Again we can spend resources on other things like maybe finally getting a colony set up somewhere or some ships

We had this stupid argument last time

>>34373742
bring back the banlings they were supposed to act as bullet catchers after all

>>34373862
Baneling are best used for rushes.

>>34373899
yea there the first wave while the real warriors flank and use them as a distraction
we got the units but everyone figured just use the warriors with the grenade upgrade
The banlings were our first wave cannon fodder there made to die after all

File: alien_bio_ship_1_by_ander(...).jpg (258 KB, 972x648)

258 KB JPG

>>34373428
>Isolate the doctor

The door flexes open and several warriors march into the room surrounding a pair of workers. The humans give your drones a wide berth as they move to the back of the room. One of the humans stands nervously at attention. A look of confusion crosses his face as your drones march by.
"Hey, what are you doing?" He asks as turns to watch your drones. "I'm the senior officer of this expedition and I-" Your warrior quickly turns to face him with its blades held up. The man jumps back slightly before continuing more slowly as your workers move towards the doctor.
"I am Major Michael Randolph. I'm the ranking officer of this expedition and I would like to request an audience with whoever is in charge here."
As your workers start to pick up the doctor several of the other humans move in.
"Wait! she's still in critical condition, you can't move her!"
Your warrior unsheathes its blades as it chitters its massive mandibles. You can hear a growing commotion in the room as your drones move back to the door.


>>34373576
Actually, no matter how much of the tech I plan out, you guys seem to come up with really cool applications I never thought of. Half the fun is watching what cool stuff you guys make with the resources available.

>>34373646
Yes, you would be able to target the space on the far side of the horizon from the Union fleet, although you would still have a slim chance of one of the patrolling fighters detecting you.

>>34373944
"Might become queen, must study."

>>34373944
yes.

"Critical condition".

Aka possessed and gestating.

To the medical scanning equipment she goes.

>>34373944
You take the doctor to the main medical bay of the Angel. It seems the best suited for handling a human's proportions and is well equipped with supplies.

>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
>Take a blood sample and test it yourself
>Leaver her alone and observe for symptoms
>Other

>>34373944
Dump her in the regen vats,under guard (like that'll do shit) and with a speaker nearby and convince Huey and Duey to help with it.

And can we have the Shocktroopers in the Temple start exploring in our stead? We still have control over them.

>>34373944
Well this is roleplaying not a videogame so we go as far as you let as gamemaster

>>34373944
Might as well send a Speaker to inform them of our intention to treat her. We've got more resources than they have. We have no intention to harm her.

>>34374040
>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
>Take a blood sample and test it yourself

>>34374040
>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests

>>34374040
>>Leaver her alone and observe for symptoms
>>Take a blood sample and test it yourself
>>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
In that order.

>>34374040
>>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
>>Take a blood sample and test it yourself

>>34373944
>you guys seem to come up with really cool applications I never thought of.
Like cryo weapons.

>>34374053
fuck them
this guy was a dumb-ass nearly as bad as lyle
let them stew for a while

>>34374040
>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
>Send a Speaker to placate the humans re: we're treating her. Don't bother responding to their questions.

>>34373944
Speaking of cool applications of tech, would it be possible to make stealth missiles? As in missiles covered in cloaking field? Because that would be awesome.

>>34374146
Seems wastefully expensive.

>>34374102
They're potentially valuable political prisoners. There's no point in riling them up for no reason.

>>34374158
Might be worth it on nukes. Capital missiles, basically.

>>34374104
>>34374180
No. One, they can stand a little uncertainty, they can be assuaged later. It's not urgent.

Two, on a meta-level, Speaker-ing slows down the pace of the quest. It's fun sometimes, but we have to conserve our updates.

Three, they aren't ever going to see the Union again.

>>34374146
making what ya call them fireships? a pod with cloaking and a nuke you mean? gonna need a nuke then

>>34374180
no point telling them things either

>>34374180
>>34374212
>Might be worth it on nukes. Capital missiles, basically.
Yeah, that was what i thought. If they are unable to counter them we can be pretty certain it hits, so all we need is just one motherfucking huge missile.

>>34374180
Maybe on the nukes I guess. As for the prisoners, fuck em. We only got them for test subjects anyway.
>>34374212
Dont we have 11?

>>34374250
cant build them though so yeah goona need to research them

>>34374040
>Have the twins assist in using the medical tank to run tests
>Take a blood sample and test it yourself

>>34374202
One, granted, though starting early is usually a good idea.
Two, no reason we have to answer questions. Just send a speaker to speak a sentence or two and leave.
Three, that depends on both how we treat them and how diplomacy with the Union unfolds over the next while. I don't like limiting our options.

Swarm (50 fighters) – A hangar filled to the brim with dormant drones, which are awoken and released when needed for combat. They are linked directly to the parent ship, and cannot function away from it. The fighter drones themselves are each a cheap and disposable craft designed to pose a threat with sheer numbers, and can each be equipped with a single weapon. Together, they can form complex maneuvers to intercept attacks with themselves, attack hostile targets, ram into targets and perform patrols in close proximity to the ship. When not in use they are kept in hibernation, reducing their cost to a bare minimum. Cost represents the cost of a single hangar bay and its associated swarm. (600N 300M)

>>34374285
Test subjects bro.

>>34374285
Agreed, If we can use them as pawns to buy us time with the Union or get them off our backs for awhile, I'm all for it.

>>34374040
Your drones quickly take a small sample and you call in Huey and Dewey. Their understanding of the devices is more from rote memory than any understanding of human biology, but they quickly set the tank to perform a full battery of tests before a warrior escorts them back to their maintenance duties.

Please roll 1d100, best of 3

You watch from the small sensors of the cell walls as the disgruntled Union officer beats the chitinous door in frustration. He quickly gives up and returns to pacing near the center of the room between several others.
"How long until you think we can expect a rescue party?"
The Major chews his thumb for a moment before responding. "Until someone comes looking for us? A fleet should be on the case already. If you mean when someone will find us, that's harder to say."

>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience
>Send a speaker to dismiss their concerns and attempt to calm them
>Leave them alone

>>34374045
I've always been a follower of the "yes, but" philosophy myself, it always makes thing more interesting and more entertaining.

>>34374088
Yes, exactly, those are a neat idea.

>>34374102
I think you are referring to the captain that breached the temple with the grav-bike? He is also in critical condition with severe lacerations across the torso. The Major was one of the captured soldiers at the base camp.

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>34374439

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>34374439

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>34374439
>>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to dismiss their concerns and attempt to calm them

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
worst case scenario expose her to the crystals
oh and test lyle for exposure and the control group cause he had headaches after jumping right

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34372921
>Using what's available in the drone builder could you show us what the queen has?

>The queen is a special case and has some adaptations for free. Obviously the egg sac is free of upkeep, but the queen also has a medium relay, medium wings, combat blades, dexteritus graspers, endurance legs, advanced acoustic and basic radio.
Lets upgrade ourselves.

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

>>34374439
>Send a speaker to grant Major Randolph his request for an audience

Why not?

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

File: 464335664.jpg (40 KB, 485x500)

40 KB JPG

>>34374439
>Leave them alone

Your preliminary findings don't seem to show anything unusual, although you are still not very well versed in human biology. The current extent of your knowledge has been the charred and half-eaten corpses and a single, highly modified individual who is still held deep within your hive.

A blip in your mind calls your attention to Theseus. "I have received additional information requests for the monitor satellite directing it to enter a geostationary orbit." You watch as the satellite slowly drifts into a new position above your hive. "The satellite has also received a new security code, valid through the next three days."

>>34374439
>>Send a speaker to dismiss their concerns and attempt to calm them

>>34374842
Why?

>>34374902
>"I have received additional information requests for the monitor satellite directing it to enter a geostationary orbit.
The humans are getting pretty suspicious.

>>34374902
huh we got their attention then
best prepare a welcoming party

>>34374902
We should have cloaked the docking pylons.

>>34374902
>"The satellite has also received a new security code, valid through the next three days."
Oh dear.

We're gonna get an audit.

This is the worst time to be building anti-orbital weaponry. Even if it shoots them down, they'll have working FTLComm and that alone will raise suspicions.

3 days is enough time to tear down the docking pylon and hide fucking everything though.

The docking pylon should only be built in a 1km ravine somewhere on the other side of the planet.

>>34374902
Damn, may want to start construction of more ships and defenses.
A question, would it be more effective at this point for a wolf-pack of stealth frigates or a pair of highly visible cruisers? and is it possible to put ships into a state of hibernation like normal drones to save on upkeep?

>>34374966
Firstly no one has seen them yet, secondly wasn't it said that would just end up being a giant weird blurry thing instead of being cloaked?

>>34374977
a wolf pack along with the fireships that were described earlier
right now we need numbers and we aint got the time to build up

>>34375007
But wouldn't that be good enough for them not to be spotted from spaceships?

>>34375015
How long does it take us to build ships anyway?

>>34374966
You can't cloak structures that attach to the ground like that. It has to be a seamless discrete object, otherwise you get that blur where it touches the ground.

Also it's goddamn 10 times the size of the Corvette or something, too expensive.

The answer is to build a different docking pylon on the far end of the planet. There is no reason to have the pylon for building ships next to the *known* location of the hive.

Go build one somewhere very far away, deep between two mountains or something.

>>34374967
Wait wait wait. I have two ideas:

We hide our shit in the docking pylon, and we fill it to the brim with flying drones. The drones fly around and shit, and just plain act like they're doing important shit.
They see it and think "Oh, they just have a flier nest." Bam. No suspicions.

And the other thing is we need to build some grenade launchers for our troops.

Hi, recently discovered Hive Quest, and I've been lurking waiting for this iteration. Anyways.

I say we grant his request for an Audience, and see what information we can wring out of him, and maybe if we reassure him it will calm the humans in the area.

Also, what about Lyle? He's been reduced to a head and a torso and stuck to a wall, and he hasn't changed from that position for 7 or so threads. Perhaps we should do something with him? A highly skilled human merc with a reputation for professionalism and discreet operations will be useful should we ever feel the need.

>>34375024
No.

We do hit and run on the first wave
we beat them back and can replace our losses a hell lot faster
just need to buy time and entrench our system so yeah some orbital weapons on our moon base to

>>34375028
Corvettes have been in a day. The bigger issue is that we need to build more pylons to properly house the ships.

>>34375024
It can't be 'spotted' from space ships through the planet's thick cloud cover already.

The problem is if they're actually *coming* here, they will definitely coming surface-side. If they only needed to see what they could see from orbit, they wouldn't need to come --- they could use the monitor satellite.

>>34375046
Alternatively, we setup the pylon so that it shoots flame everywhere. And then we have small things everywhere that also shoot out fire.

When/if they land and check it out, we praise them as fire gods, and ask if they like our tribute to their power.

>>34375046
>No suspicions
>was a tribe living in a cave a couple weeks ago
>built a giant organic skyscraper since then
>No suspicions

>>34375046
You mean add Seeker pods to some drones? I'd support it.

>>34375118
That and we should build a pylon on our mining asteroid so we can build battleship sized craft. Nothing says "Fuck off" like a battle ship can!

>>34375163
I'm fairly certain that's an entirely different structure not called 'pylon' though it serves the same essential purpose. Not sure the asteroid is hollowed out enough for it anyway.

time to equip that ship we stole with weapons
what was its name the clarke?

>>34375217
we salvaged it actually.

>>34375217
Yep

File: large.jpg (22 KB, 450x300)

22 KB JPG

>>34374902
As you contemplate the news your pod in the Koenig system detects the arrival of a single union ship. The voice of a woman barks through the radio to the Calpamos station.
"Calpamos, this is the Dauntless requesting resupply, on mission to G-426 for satellite maintenance."
"Roger that, we have your acquisition requests and your supplies are ready for loading in berth five. We are sending tugs to pull you in."

The ship drifts slowly towards the station and is met with a number of small, plump shuttles that dock to the bulky vessel and slowly guide it into dock.

>>34375217
Yes, that Clarke. It may still be recognized as the Clarke, but it would apear damaged and worn due to the ways you repaired it. It looks much worse then it is.

>>34375293
good surpise the fuck out of the union
>>34375260
>>34375263
so clarke is the bait and we board this next ship the dauntless with as many warriors as possible?
or call in the unity for another distraction?

>>34375293
Uh oh

>>34375293
You quickly ponder how to prepare for the arrival of the Union ship.

>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
>Interrogate the Major and the other officers
>Discuss this with Theseus
>Other (write in)

>>34375342
I like the way you think anon. A boarding party on spaceship will leave one hell of an impression.

>>34375293
>>34375382
>Discuss with Theseus
"Theseus. Is it possible to leave obvious signs of Unity tampering on the satellite? We're going to have visitors soon."

>>34375382
>>Discuss this with Theseus
"Humans are coming, at the least they will be examining the satellite. What are the risks? What if they look for the Clarke's crater?"

>>34375382
>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375382
>Other (write in)
Equip the clarke with weapons and warriors and try to board the dauntless either from the clarrke or by corvette while there distracted

>>34375382
>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375382
>>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
>>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375382
oh by the way recall all our corvettes then and make sure they all have cloak and a detachment of warriors
Wait do we have enough?
breed more warriors and weapons

>>34375382
>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
and
>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375293
>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375048
We've debated about back and forth, so far, the concensus was that he wasn't worth the trouble of releasing him back to society and only then if we were to finish the research on human mind control technologies.

>>34375435
Perfect. Seconding this.

wait we got theseus on that sat right?
we wait for them to connect to the sat and hope theseus can get into there systems and then attack while some of the systems are disabled? those that sound alright to you guys or hit them the moment they come in system?

>>34375382
>Speak with the Major and try to get information from him while trying to appease his request for an audience and decorum
>Discuss this with Theseus

>>34375382
>Discuss this with Theseus
I wonder if we could put some of those nukes back on the satellite and have Theseus detonate them when the ship goes to maintain it.

>>34375656
>we wait for them to connect to the sat and hope theseus can get into there systems
Good idea, though they may freak out when they notice the fuck-huge docking pylon on the ground before they dock with the satellite.

>>34375703
To add: it could be hidden as a malfunction and the detonation of nuclear weaponry in orbit would give us reason to have been /aware/ of the satellites armament and therefore capable of using it as political leverage should negotiations open with the Union. They'd look like idiots for accidentally exploding themselves too.

File: dontpanic.png (95 KB, 192x279)

95 KB PNG

>>34375703
Wait.

Waaait.

The nukes!

We took away the nukes they had onboard.

They will notice they're missing unless we make some fake ones and stick em in their place!

There's also the possibility their "maintenance" was code for coming with a code from parliament to authorize the launcing of them, but that seems extremely unlikely. They have no evidence to motivate such extreme measures yet.

>>34375293
You quickly respond to Theseus.
"What traces have you left in the satellite?"
"I would be able to leave it in the exact state I found it in, leaving hardly a trace."
"What about the areas you have obscured from the transmissions?"
"They would still be obscured by the atmosphere, which may be blamed for some of the discrepancies, but certainly not all of them."

As you discuss the situation you take a look at the status of the Clarke. It has no weapons or shields, but it is fast and maneuverable. It has room for six point defense mounts and a spinal mount, as well as a number of missile launchers, although all of its ammunition has been expended.

>Equipt weapons to the Clarke (what armament)
>Leave it unarmed, but fill it with warriors (write in)
>Other

>>34375765
The "acquisition requests" being mentioned separately from supplies has me thinking they're bringing nukes too.

>>34375785
Lets Trojan Horse this motherfucker.
>Leave it unarmed, but fill it with warriors (As many as we can fit, and all armed with rapid-fire close-range weaponry.)
Then we ask Theseus: "Where should we leave the ship so as to entice them to board it, while keeping their suspicions to a minimum?"

>>34375785
>Have the two Stealth Corvettes wait in position near the satellite
>When the ship gets close, blast it
>Hope to the dice gods that the humans don't notice anything strange before they get to the satellite.

>>34375785
Does our regular ships have shields as a standard? Also, would we be able to manufacture human ship weaponry or would we have to jerry rig our own tech onto it?

>>34375785
>Equipt weapons to the Clarke (what armament) make them hidden
Plasma Lance for the spinal mount and the point defense will be autoguns
and yeah some warriors in the ship too cause we need to ram these idiots and board them

>>34375849
We could alter it until it looks nothing like the Clarke.

>>34375785
>>Leave it unarmed, but fill it with warriors (write in)
Have stealth corvettes standing by, also how noticeable is our handiwork? Will it be obvious from a distance its been worked on by non-humans?

>Leave it unarmed, but fill it with warriors (write in)
75 warriors. 15 equipped with fire sprays, rest with thorn launchers.

>>34375862
We don't have shields, but our ships are less delicate and don't implode. Also, the latter.

>>34375862
No, but your ships are able to be easily repaired, and are much cheaper to replace. Union ships rely more on shields to mitigate damage due to their relatively light armor and high costs to replace and repair.

You do not currently have shield technology, although you could gain it if you were to acquire a Union ship intact, or purchase it from the Unity.

>>34375785
Who do we have to kill to get some damn shields?

>>34375785
>>Equipt weapons to the Clarke (what armament)
I suppose some Linear Particle Beams for point defense.

Going by its stats, LPB seems to be a superior option to the Autocannon in every way for point defense.

>>34375996
These guys coming at us, apparently.

>>34375996
union who else
oh can we build another 500 warriors with weapons then cause we gonna need it
>>34375785

>>34375996
A whole bunch of Union spacefarers evidently. Time to rally the warriors!

>>34375938
It looks, for lack of a better term, like shit. That has nothing to do with the quality of the repair work, just that your metallurgy techniques and construction methods don't have the same focus on a fine coat of paint and coat of wax. A human would likely look at it and wonder how it's still functioning, but not think it was altered by aliens.

>>34375891
>>34375856
>>34375849

I propose an idea combining these. We trojan horse it, fill the Clarke with warriors but also arm it, and have the corvettes standing by. We lure the enemy ship in somehow, then either board it or cripple it instantaneously with all three ships. Then we plunder.

I don't wanna fight if we can get away without it but... it's probably going to end up as a fight. Not great chances of being able to take em out before they get off an FTLcomm message either. Ah well.

>>34375987
>purchase it from the Unity.
>Shut up and take my data.jpg
Now is the time hand over what we got to get that critical tech we need!

>>34376102
Nope.

We've got stealth ships and should be good at boarding actions.

>>34376102
Cool your tits, fluff. A bunch of dead Union soldiers and a handful of moderately successful rolls and we'll have that tech by the end of the thread.

>>34376094
it was coming
one way or another
no civ quest those not have a major war at some point
but this is a just a skirmish and we have the advantage

>>34376196
>Laughing Dice gods
>a handful of moderately successful rolls
Right.

File: mantiscrew.png (313 KB, 600x480)

313 KB PNG

>>34376124
>should be good at boarding actions
We're gonna be-
the very best-
like no mantis ever was!

To capture Union ships is our real test-
to tear them down is our cause!

MANTIS CREW!

We'll need poison gas for this too.

>>34375785
>speak with Theseus (write in)
>Ask to trade for shield technology
>Load the Clarke with warriors (75 warriors, or write in)
>Equipt the Clarke with Plasma Lance and autocannons (or write in)
>Other

>>34376261
>Load with warriors. Give them close ranged weaponry.

It's time.
We should also get Theseus to hack them a little.

>>34376261
Could we somehow use poison gas as a part of the boarding action?

>>34376261
Are we giving up entirely on deceiving them and letting them go on their way then?

We should produce canisters of the same weight and appearance of the nukes and stick them in the satellite at the very least, that doesn't cost us much.

>>34376210
>Load the Clarke with warriors (75 warriors, or write in)
No point arming the Clarke, we should just have our corvettes stealthed nearby if it comes to a fight.

The Clarke should be set drifting in an irregular orbit or something. All spooky like. Get the union curious.

>>34376261
>Load the Clarke with warriors (75 warriors,
>Equipt the Clarke with Plasma Lance and autocannons
>speak with Theseus (write in) will the union vessal fall for this trap?

>>34376327
This.

Maybe even have its transponder active, and sending out an SOS.

>>34376261
>>Load the Clarke with warriors (75 warriors, or write in)
Equip them with special ammunition too. Also have it escorted by a pair of stealth corvettes, just in case.

>>34376310
Yes, although your own drones will be vulnerable to it as well.

>>34376320
You could still attempt to maintain the ruse if you wish, although it would be very unlikely that you would be able to capture the Dauntless and its shield tech without revealing yourself openly.

>>34376327
Thirding. We have to make this trap as believable as possible.

>>34376261
>Load the Clarke with warriors (75 warriors, or write in)
>speak with Theseus (write in)
Ask what would be worth Shield Tech and would the Union likely fall for this trap? Also, have a pair of stealthed ships lay in wait as well.

>>34376261
I don't know what the point is of the Clarke ghost ship MASTER RUSE QUEEN plan.

We can afford basic cloaked Corvettes--without psionic relays, they can rely on the scout ship nearby to control them.

All with the plasma lance on their Auxiliary mount.

We can make 12 of them, at 4 a day.

They can all launch their plasma lance at once and cook the enemy ship before they have a chance to do anything at all.

That's the only feasible way to silence them I can see.

Attacking them with warriors will just ensure an SOS gets off over FTLComm.

>>34376261
We need to fill the Clarke with our sedative pheromone. Let them wander the ship for a time and see if we can take them as quietly as possible.

>>34376439
I would rather maintain the ruse.

If they find evidence of Unity here, ok.

But the hive should remain hidden entirely.

Tear down the docking pylon, go full Madagascar, shut. down. everything.

>>34376442
What is gonna be believable about this at all?

Why is capturing this ship worth giving up all attempts at stealth, we can capture one of the Union ships that are at some of those uncharted systems like M-199 later.

Capturing one at our home system instead of deceiving them is way too risky though.

>>34376471
If we want to stealth insta-kill them we can just use our corvettes. The issue is that if we start shooting them, they might explode instead of us getting our hands on their tech. Because unions ships are silly and explode when damaged.

The other issue is that if we kill it, a bigger fleet will get sent to investigate later anyway. it'd just be attacking them for no gain and the same consequences, effectively.

>>34376439
I'd rather keep the ruse for as long as possible .

>>34376622
>The other issue is that if we kill it, a bigger fleet will get sent to investigate later anyway

But you're going to get a bigger fleet with the ghost ship full of warriors plan!

>>34376514
>>34376592
>>34376656

Hey again we were gonna get outed at some point
we make them understand we can fuck with them if they come into there territory and a lot players have been sick and tired of this ruse bullshit jammed down our throats
so again shut it and prepare for war

>>34376592
Peeps are preparing because it doesn't look like our ruse is actually going to be sustainable.

>>34376439

Maintain the ruse, install cloaking field on the Clarke and conceal its presence entirely.

Construct fake nukes with the same weight and appearance and stick them into the satellite.

Tear down the docking pylon and construct a new one on a different continent.

We turtle up, and try the Clarke plan only if they won't leave. If they are trouble, THEN we uncloak it and try the ghost ship plan.

>>34376724
Yes, but preparations that spoil the ruse just by doing them are counterproductive.

Shit's like in the cartoons, "How did you know?" "YOU JUST TOLD ME!"

You can both prepare for war *and* maintain the deception until it's clear the other party is gonna be trouble, at which point we can do the plan.

Just cloak everything.

>>34376729
>install cloaking field on the Clarke
Fuck that idea.

>>34376729
yeah no
fuck off

>>34376729
>>34376781
Yeah, just park it on the opposite side of the planet instead if hiding it.

>>34376700
How about I back the plan I want to and you go fuck yourself?

>>34376776
Just cloaking everything doesn't seem sufficient to me though. It's the damn satellite. I'm tired of it.

>>34376592

It only has to be believable until they dock with the Clarke and open our tin full of murder bugs.

And at this point I think our cover as stone smashers is as good as blown. All they have to do is compare the images they have from the satellite with what they're actually seeing, and it won't matter anymore if the docking pylon has been hidden our not. They will know at that point that the satellite has been tampered with even if we replace the nukes we pulled from it. If they are allowed to leave the system, our cover is as good as blown. Best take em down now and look for some way for to distract the Union from the disappearance of one of their ships or blame it on the Unity somehow.

>>34376874
OHHH
I'VE GOT A BRILLIANT PLAN

We take our cloaking tech
and put it on the satellite!

>>34376874
The satellite is fine. I don't know what problem you could have with it, as long as Theseus OS is installed.

It's not that hard to manage. You give up too easily.

>>34376951
Okay, that would be hilarious. What would they even think?

After this, we need to build more ships, too.
Like, larger than corvettes.
We need to be able to defend ourselves.

>>34377006
They'd follow it's signal and find a cloaked satellite. I've no idea what they'd think about that.

>>34377008
We can already build frigates and cruisers, we just haven't bothered yet. Probably over concerns of cloak effectiveness, but frigates should be decent under cloak.

>>34376999
Theseus OS is the reason our cover will be blown.

File: c104-e470-publicimage.jpg (3.36 MB, 3296x1350)

3.36 MB JPG

>>34376261
As you make early preparations for the eventual arrival of the Union ship you take a quick note of the level of activity. You manage to pick up a short transmission to the Dauntless scheduling its launch for the following day. You have noted a steady increase in local traffic as shuttles move in and out of the station, cluttering the space around the massive floating city as they move in or out to the fledgling colonies.

Meanwhile, on Raligha your drones have been slowly exploring the alien structure, being very careful to not trigger any potential traps or unknown technology. The entire mountain seems to be hollow; a massive honeycomb of alien metalwork and hexagonal tunnels intertwined in seemingly random patterns. The tunnels are interspaced with the occasional chamber, most of them empty or nearly so. The rooms clearly once served a purpose, but whatever equipment granted it that purpose has long since withered away or been looted by some other party.
Outside the drumming has become louder and more frequent. The small village at the mouth of the cave entrance has swollen to a far greater population than before, and it loud howling and bellowing from the hollow trees echo through the valley.

"Hey, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"That howl, almost like a didgeridoo."
"Who the hell knows, man? We've been looking all night and all day for survivors and have nothing to show for it. I somehow doubt they would be having a cookout."

Meanwhile Theseus continues to adjust the orbit of the satellite, coming to rest in the southern sky with its gaze on the hive. Theseus sends the requested data by you to ensure it is properly modified to remove the heat signatures of the Clarke and your corvettes as they continue their construction.

>>34377042
"With the dramatic increase in ground activity, the tampering may be obvious even from orbit, if they bother to look close enough." Theseus says. "However, a malfunction in the satellite's payload may not give them the time to perform such a scan."
You wonder for a moment. You should still have time to prepare.

>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.
>Lure the Union with the Clarke and attempt to capture the Dauntless
>Launch a surprise attack and attempt to destroy the Dauntless, framing the Unity or satellite malfunction.
>Other (write in)

>>34377040
What? Theseus OS is the reason it wasn't blown earlier. It's the reason the satellite hasn't tattled that the USV Clarke is still alive and not nothing more than a crater, prompting an investigation last week.

It sounds like Theseus can cover up his presence entirely just fine, according to him.


>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

The payload of nukes, he says?

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>34377234
>Lure the Union with the Clarke and attempt to capture the Dauntless
Lets do it

>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.
But, prepare:
>Launch a surprise attack and attempt to destroy the Dauntless, framing the Unity or satellite malfunction.
If the first option is failing.

>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

>>34377234
>Other
Lure in the Union with the Clark to capture it, but frame the Unity for it. That way the Union won't bother seeing about taking it back, writing it as a total loss.

>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

>>34377234
>>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.
If it works it will bring about the best possible outcome for us. That said, I think we should consider getting the Clarke prepped and/or corvettes in orbit, juuuust in case.

>>34377234
>Lure the Union with the Clarke and attempt to capture the Dauntless

>>34377234
Why don't we put them through a test of moral foundation? Prepare an ambush, however, see if we can stealth our way through it. However, instead of destroying them immediately, we could wait to see if they try and activate the nuclear package on the satellite or not.

>>34377234
>>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

Guys, I'm scared

>>34377426
Yeah, a few non-relayed Corvettes with instakill plasma lances nearby in orbit, waiting to pounce if things go south would be a wise backup plan.

>>34377443
Reread that thread.

That isn't a test of character, that's a test of "has the bureaucracy of Parliament given them an authorization code to launch them."

>>34377465
I suppose you're right. It just seems a little more ruthless than we need to be, killing all the people we have. We've probably slaughtered more than our fair share of Lees.

>>34377234
>>Attempt to deceive the Union ship and attempt to maintain your cover.

>>34377619
I know anon, personally I would've wished that diplomacy would've been viable, but the nuclear-armed satellite was the tipping point for me and we have the survival of our species at stake.

>>34377234
Would it be possible to put the Clarke into orbit on the other side of the planet? If our deception with the satellite failed we could have it pull into view of the Dauntless and make it appear as if it suffered a catastrophic failure of some sort, and have the Dauntless attempt to board.

>>34377234
>Attempt to deceive the Union and maintain your cover.

Your corvettes are still not ready, although soon their repairs and refits will be complete. You schedule them to launch as they are ready and cloak within the asteroid field and wait for instructions. Theseus appears slightly disappointed. "I had hoped to get some more action. Exhibiting the inherent flaws in Union political procedures and watching the results are always entertaining. Still, if they move along with no issue then no sense in forcing a conflict. Will you be reloading the satellite, or will we just hope they don't bother looking for it. I could claim they are still loaded if they only use the exterior access terminal, but otherwise..."

>Yes, reload the nuclear warheads
>No, it's too risky
>Other

>>34377700
Diplomacy is still viable. Just not in this immediate situation.

>>34377748
>>Other
Ask Theseus how viable fakes are.

>>34377748
>No, it's too risky
One thing real world nations learning not so long ago was that if you take nukes form someone you don't give them BACK.
Also, ask about fakes.

>>34377748
>>Other
Ask if fakes can be made
otherwise
>No, it's too risky
We can blame it on Unity, right?

>>34377748
>>No, it's too risky

>>34377748
>other (fakes?)

>>34377748
>Other: Fakes, OR: Have it throw up an error code complaining about possible danger, and that extensive repairs etc. will be necessary.

>>34377748
Seconding this>>34377779

>>34377748
Place in fakes.

>>34377800
It's actually fairly low-risk, because:

- if they decide to launch them, they still need to get an authorization code from Parliament -- this will take time.
- Theseus can re-hack it easily and wirelessly at any point in time if the jig is up, if ever.

>>34377748
>Other
Fake them!

Maybe it is time to start our own Manhattan project?

>>34377748
>>Yes, reload the nuclear warheads
We should be able to intercede should they attempt to launch them and as the Clarke demonstrates, our productions methods produce fundamentally off-looking materials compared to human-made junk. I doubt we can make any fakes.

>>34377748
"How effective would fake warheads be in tricking them?"
Theseus thinks on it for a moment. "Any lack of radiation would cause immediate suspicion, and the casings are highly particular. It would be quite difficult to construct a decoy payload, especially on such short notice."
"What about a diversion. A warning of danger or radiation?"
"No." Theseus is rather clear this time. "Radiation shielding would let them ignore such a warning, and a warning of critical damage would likely result in more attention, or result in an extended schedule for repairs. Even worse, once they had opened it they would be even more concerned over the false reports."
"And what if they were to be reloaded and be used?"
"I would be able to intercept any such command, or return fire with them. The possibility of them unloading the warheads themselves may be a potential danger, however."

>>34377748
>>Yes, reload the nuclear warheads
I don't care if they're real or fake, because the risk from real ones actually hitting us is miniscule between bureaucracy and a hotshot hacker who plays by his own rules.


>>34378079
Load the real ones.

What if we could reload them and then rig them to blow?

>>34378122
Nope.

>>34378079
May as well put the nukes back then, maybe have Theseus rig them to blow on command if neccesary.

>>34378130
This.

>>34378122
No.

>>34378130
We can just ask Theseus to trigger them at any time, there's no rigging involved.

>>34377748
>Yes, reload the nuclear warheads

>>34378079
Did the Clark use up all it's warheads? Just curious.

>>34378079
Yeah, just put them back.

Worst that can happen is they run off with the nukes which... doesn't really concern me, honestly. We weren't likely to start researching those anytime soon and we can get more.

>>34378245
That it did, along with all the other weapons it had.

>>34378079
Don't put them back.

>>34378245
Yes.

>>34378259
>we can get more.
We can't. That would take a shit ton of resources just to get one and we just got humans that could help us research the damn things.

>>34378079
don't load them

>>34378245
The spinal mount was snapped in half when it crashed, all of the exterior weapons and the shield emitters burned up on re-entry, and its payload of missiles had been expended in combat prior to the crash.

>>34378259
Really, what are the odds of them being able to remove them before we notice*them trying to unload them and attack to stop them?

The risk is low.

>>34378315
Totally can. We can ambush a warship later on, board it, and steal their nukes. Which would be lower risk than not putting the nukes back in the satellite in this instance.

The chance that they take the nukes is lower than the chance that they notice something is wrong if we don't put them back. Even if that weren't true, the stakes are way way higher for not putting them back. If the nukes' absence are noticed by them, further scrutiny that we can't dodge will come at us. Losing nukes is barely a pinprick compared to union attention.

Ambushing a ship in another system would be far preferable to having a ship mysteriously disappear, or worse broadcast an SOS, in our system.

>>34378392
Are you sure you'd want to attack them just to keep our hands on a few nukes? It'd blow our cover.

>>34378079
Reload the real ones.

>>34378428
That would take more resources than its worth. Especially since Union ships are prone to exploding.

>>34378526
And risking a full armed conflict with them is expenditure of resources that is worth it? I'm sorry, I don't follow your logic.

>>34378079
>Reload the satellite's payload
You send a shuttle to pick up the buried weapons and carefully lift them into orbit to the satellite.
"I will monitor the situation as closely as possible, although opening communication will alert them of the Clarke's presence as well as my own. Under what circumstance would you want me to engage?"

>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.
>If they attempt to take the warheads.
>If they become suspicious of tampering.
>Other

We should just reload one and blow them to bits. Hey QD, how many do we have?

>>34378622
>If they attempt to take the warheads.
>If they become suspicious of tampering.

>>34378622
>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.
>If they become suspicious of tampering.

>>34378622
Damn. I'm conflicted, but.
>>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.

>>34378622
>If they become suspicious of tampering.

>>34378622
>If they become suspicious of tampering.

>>34378622
>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.
The only reason we need nukes so far is to have harder hitting missiles. Not really worth killing everything for.

>>34378639

See >>33388807 >>33389700
>>Payload full: 16 warheads available for dispersal


>>34378622
>>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.

>>34378678
>>34378679
>>34378662
>>34378655
We tell Theseus if they become suspicious, make it look like Unity tampering.

Just light the nukes. Let the Unity take the heat. We wouldn't lose our cover.

>>34378622

>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.

>>34378755
Actually, pirate tampering! There we go!

Or maybe tampering by the guys to the Union's South?

>>34378639
16 in total. Each one is labeled with a unique serial number.

>>34378709
The nukes are just a small part of a larger category of tech known as Atomics.
>>34378760
That will still attract attention.

>>34378755
This is the best answer.

Losing the nukes isn't worth blowing them up over ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'D LOSE THE NUKES ANYWAY THAT WAY.

>>34378828
You are an oasis of reason anon.

Anyway, if we manage to get out of this intact, we need to invest on off-system production facilities, so that we don't have all our eggs in one basket.

>>34378788
No one is as good and subtle at hacking as Unity, how would you pin it on the Commonwealth or random pirates, why would random pirates take interest here?

>>34378622
>Not at all, let them poke around and leave without incident, unless they attempt to launch the warheads.

>, although opening communication will alert them of the Clarke's presence as well as my own. Under what circumstance would you want me to engage?"

I assume he means opening wireless communications to rehack the satellite/give it commands. But we have a FTL psionic relay hooked and wired directly into the Clarke, so Theseus and the Queen can talk via that interface freely even while they're here, right?

>>34378904
I saw look for more asteroids to hollow out and out labs inside them. absolute perfect containment and if needed, disposal.

>>34378904
You one of the thing I've been trying to push for the long time. So why haven't we tried colonizing OM-759?

>>34378622
"Do not engage unless they attempt to launch the warheads."
"Very well. If they detect any anomaly I will attempt to integrate with their system before they can isolate it. An infected piece of software should not arouse too much suspicion given the circumstances."

>>34378943
You would need to remove it for your current plan to work, as it looks like a space slug with a USB port jammed into the radio. Theseus has embedded a copy of himself in the satellite, although he usually maintains continuous contact between the Clarke and the monitor so they are essentially the same.

>>34379083
Current plan? We don't have a psionic relay inside the satellite, just the Clarke.

Also what ground activity does Theseus determine is detectable from orbit? Just the hive's docking pylon and the ships (corvettes, the Clarke) docked there?

Hey I went through the ask and put stats to idea's would you guy's like me to post them now?

>>34379083
The day is spent readying your corvettes and preparing for the worst.

Next Day

>Current resources
4379N 17180M

The Dauntless embarks in schedule from Calpamos station and begins to accelerate out of system. After several hours of steady acceleration it vanishes with a wink of radiation as it wraps itself in a bubble of twisted spacetime.
You suspect the Dauntless will arrive in mere hours, and only one issue remains. What to do with the Clarke.

>Have the Clarke hide in the asteroid belt on the far side of the system.
>Send the Clarke out of system into deep space.
>Other
>>34379177
All of the growing activity has resulted in an anomalous and very large heat signature. A mix of the anti-orbital batteries, the repair, refit, and construction of your corvettes, and the pylon itself.
Also, I misread that, sorry.

>>34379408
>Send the Clarke out of system into deep space.
Obviously.

Dammit it's too late to replace the docking pylon with one on another continent. I've been wanting to do that for threads and threads.

>>34379408
>Have the Clarke hide in the asteroid belt on the far side of the system.

>>34379408
>Send the Clarke out of system into deep space.
Minimum risk of it being found there.

>>34379408
>Send the Clarke out of system into deep space.

>>34379408
Which does Theseus think woulf be better?

>>34379408
>>Send the Clarke out of system into deep space.

>>34379408
Make sure to attach a cloaking device just it case.

>>34379767
NO

>>34379788
YES.

>>34379809
NO

>>34379820
YES.

>>34379820
YES.

>>34379838
>>34379842
NO AND THAT'S FINAL!

>>34379857
>>34379842
>>34379838
Are you being serious or are you guys just fucking around?

>>34379857
YES AND WE CONTINUE.

>>34379860
MAYBE.

>>34379860
I really hope they're not serious about giving Unity stealth tech for nothing.

>>34379912
Who said it would be active?

>>34379878
>this kills the bump limit.gif

>>34379912
Well, there would be a stupidly large degree of trust that Theseus wouldn't jaunt off to Zero Five and have his drones reverse engineer the devices we attached to the Clarke's hull immediately.

I agree it's an unnecessary leap of faith, yeah.

>>34379987
What's your thoughts on the advanced relay we have on the ship?

>>34380056
We should start adding self-destructs to those.

>>34380076
Probably, not likely the way we all argue.

File: STi_Dropship.jpg (290 KB, 1920x1080)

290 KB JPG

>>34379408
Theseus takes the clarke and quickly accelerates out of the system and envelops itself in a blanket of twisted gravity as it passes the light barrier.

Not long after the Clarke vanishes from space, your cloaked corvettes detect the distinct burst of radiation from the Union ship. You note that Union vessels seem to emit much more radiation than your own when exiting FTL.
The Dauntless is slow to move, accelerating at a crawl as it drags itself across the system. It transmits the security code almost immediately, but it takes long hours to finally reach the planet. As it nudges itself into orbit with the grace of an Excavator in a pit of grease you see a small ship emerge from a hangar bay near the bottom of the hull.
"This is gunship two-zero. Dauntless, do you read?"
"Loud and clear two-zero. Atmo is thick down there. Hot-drops will offer landing guidance."
"Roger that, Dauntless. Will await the go ahead. Moving to holding pattern."
The small craft fires a number of small jets and nudges itself down and to the side. Shortly after four small metal pods erupt from the belly of the ship and streak down towards the hive.
"Dauntless to two-zero, you are clear for approach. Report any sightings and avoid contact if at all possible. Just stop by and say hi, fellas. We shouldn't take too long on our end."
"Copy." Another voice can be heard over the mic from the gunship. "You don't need to tell us twice. Place is a shithole, what I hear."
"Don't go saying that to any locals, private. In fact, just don't talk for the rest of the trip."
The mic cuts out and the ship descends.
1/2

>>34380096
I still want to establish backup hives on the far side of the planet where we can build another docking pylon, since other continents receive less scrutiny.

And also as a panic room to move to in case of serious war erupting.

But I haven't gotten enough backup to make it a thing so far.

>>34380378
Welp, time to see if we can even intercept them in time.

>>34380378
>In fact, just don't talk for the rest of the trip."
Right they know we hear radio waves.

>>34380378
Dammit QD, you're supposed to write up parts 1 and 2 at once and *then* post them near-simultaneously. QD pls.

>>34380488
Something must have happened to QD?

>>34380378
We should get our speaker out with a bunch of unarmed warriors, and have the speaker rush out calling them fire gods. To reinforce the idea that we're primitives.

>>34380548
No. He always does this.

>>34380566
Haha. Claim the pylon is a temple to them or something?

>>34380378
Too bad we don't have any aerodynamic drones.

>>34380632
Our ruse is compromised get over it.

>>34380632
Shit's like Prometheus.

"HE BROUGHT US FIRE. THE LIGHT OF CIVILIZATION."

As long as all our ships aren't docked and are cloaked and in orbit.

>>34380669
How quickly can we whip up statues of Lee?

File: 1399776986711.jpg (231 KB, 650x919)

231 KB JPG

>>34380378
Bellow, from the surface of your hive you watch as four red hot canisters break through the cloud cover, each one streaking a small chute behind it and shaking from the force of a set of retro rockets. They burst open shortly before impact, release a set of bulky humanoids that each impact the ground at a force you would expect to kill a human. Your patrolling sniffers hide in the trees not far from them as they quickly move to a clearing.
"Landing beacon is set. LZ clear."

The gunship drops down and in moments releases a large rectangular vehicle that quickly spins its wheels in the mud before starting to move across the plains. It comes to a stop not far from the site of the original camp where you first found the Clarke's crew.
"Dammit, somebody wake up Scotch." You hear over the radio as the vehicle's door swings open and a number of humans clad in dark armor rush out with weapons at the ready. Their uniforms shift in hue until they match the mossy plains and they quickly assemble a perimeter around the vehicle as the gunship ascends back into the air.
"Camp is clear, sir."
"You don't need to call me sir. It feels weird." You recognize the voice. It's difficult to tell at first, but as your sniffers watch from the treeline you see Lee stumble out of the vehicle, bumping his helmet visor against the roof. He is followed by another man you don't recognize, although both of them are wearing similar uniforms, more ornate than the soldiers.
"We should be careful out here. The airborne predators are a real issue."
"No worrying about animals, man. Some dino-bird can't stop a marine!"
"I thought I told you no talking for the mission."
"Yes, Sarg."

>>34380566
>>34380488
It's a bad habit, I know.

>>34380729
Not quickly enough.

>>34380669
Lee is subsequently reprimanded for passing valuable technology to class 0 culture and accelerating their technological culture to the point of constructing skyscrapers in prayer to Union forces.

>>34380729
You mean we don't already have them?

>>34380742
Our favorite human is back. Quick, whip up some lighter banners.