03-03-2004 20:58									#1
	The Contact - Map - Monkey Puzzle Tired of ads?

However much we want to hide our lack of iron, it is highly unlikely that Monkey could be destroyed before they meet Tabemono.

As we cannot hide the map and contact, we're only delaying the inevitable and paying a diplomatic and technological price. What we get in return is a bit more time before they meet Monkey - maybe.

Unless we're confident that Monkey could be destroyed before contact (and we don't know how many ships Tabemono have got out there - especially if they're on a Quest), we have to secure NIAs (non-intervention agreement) with any external civs before they meet Monkey. Thing is, we'd be commited to handing over Monkey-contact before we could trade for the others.

Hence, our best bet is to find and meet the others before they find Monkey. This would seem unlikely since the others are already here. If our galley could nip west though, before LL / Tabejin go clockwise round our Comedia, we might have a chance. We'd need a second galley, though, doing an anti-clockwise run looking for Monkey. If Tabemono get a galley over near Monkey, we're in trouble.

	03-03-2004 21:09									#2
	Remove this text

The thing is, if Octavian is right and Tabemono's galley is ALSO moving north, like LL's, we might actually have a shot at destroying Monkey before they contact anyone else.

If that's the case, then I think we want to refuse contact trading, and at least delay map trading.

We can send a rushed galley from New Plymouth southwards and try to intercept any Monkey galley that might be sailing north. At the very least, if we cannot stop them (or if LL/Tabemono gets a galley sailing southward down our coast) we will have advance warning of immenent contact.

Hmm... though if LL/Tabemono's galleys really are sailing north around Python, we might instead take a shot at plugging the crossingpoint to prevent any more galleys coming over and going south. Though that will probably piss people off more than simple refusal to trade maps/contacts.

The third option, of course, is to send our galley out to try and make contact with the other teams ourselves.

-Arrian

	03-03-2004 21:18									#3
	Increase the size of your Attachments

An Embassy with Tabemono might help - if they haven't already done it.

	03-03-2004 21:26									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Yep, it might. Let's establish this turn if they haven't already.

-Arrian