24-05-2002 21:44									#1
	Among Friends? Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Among Friends?

My friend MasterBuilder and I are doing another role playing PBEM. He is the PKs, and I am Zak for a change. We are using a random map, 2x Huge size, standard settings, non-directed research. We chose the ‘nice’ factions (Lal, Dee, Zak, Morgan, Aki, Domai, and Rose) to see if we could get a constructive “can’t we all just get along” game.

Hydro

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2101


My Dear friend Prokhor Zakharov,

For the past several months I had almost lost all hope of contacting any other pod leaders when one of my technicians by accident came across your comm-frequency. I hope that all of your people arrived safely and you have been able to establish some sort of colony. We have landed almost next to the southern polar cap. It does get very cold at night sometimes but we should be able to stay warm and hopefully prosper.

I am still trying to review the data files as to why the accident occurred but for some reason many of those files have been removed. Not erased, or deleted or even copied over, just removed. As to how this could have been accomplished I do not know, my techs say it is impossible to just remove time encrypted files but who knows.

My pod files did contain data on the recycling tanks that can be connected to the colony base infrastructure. Perhaps your pod also contained some data that would be of use to us.

Lastly, I want to remind you that even though it seems our mission might have failed as long as one human still lives the dream we have worked so hard for can still be achieved.

United Nations General Secretary

Brother Pravin Lal

United Nations - Headquarters

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2102

Pravin,

It is good to hear from you. I still haven’t gotten over the fact that my Unity is gone, despite all I did to try to save her. What happened was obviously part accident, but also by design and I will not forget that. Nor will I forget what this failure of human nature has reduced us to – pathetic little plastic pressure tents in the middle of a hostile alien environment! Granted, we knew life would be difficult, but this is unthinkable!

Dwelling on the past will not help except to focus ongoing concerns. I am more than willing to cooperate with you, Pravin, since we both need every advantage we can get. This transmission includes the specifications for Network Nodes, which a sharp-eyed technician hurriedly downloaded just before our pod broke away from Unity. I am sure that your data on biogenetics will be most useful.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2102

My friend Prokhor,

I have accepted your offer of an alliance of friendship. I have also sent you the colony files on recycling technology as well as a map of our current position. I hope that this will begin building a new foundation for us all on this planet. I am still dismayed and angered over the situation we are in. Humanity's last hope for survival and we cling to edge of the cliff by our finger nails looking down at oblivion. We lost so many souls on the Unity. I have decided to inform you of some "additional" information I have concerning the loss of the Unity and the events just prior to it. Just an hour prior to the reactor problem that forced us from the ship I received an e-mail in my quarters alerting me to the danger as well as a "secret plot" to overthrow the legitimate authority aboard the ship. The message detailed a plot by Miriam Godwinson, Corazon Santiago and Sheng-ji Yang to lead independent groups to the planet surface to establish their own governments. The e-mail even detailed which of the ships security guards were still loyal to the United Nations flag and which were not. I ordered the loyal guards to seize the traitors and dispatch them to a cargo hold pending further inquiry. I know believe that the accident was due to supporters of these traitors trying to free them from the hold. I believe this due to the fact that just minutes before the claxon went off one of the security guards assigned to guard the traitors reported a "disturbance". I hope that you do not hold the destruction of the Unity against me but my lack of vision to anticipate the greed in the hearts of those people is my burden to bear. I suspect, no I pray, that they all perished during the chaos of the flight from the ship before its destruction. I am telling you this since I wish to know was it you that sent the e-mail? Only some highly trained in computers could have sent me the encrypted message bypassing me security walls and leaving no trace of the sender. If it was you then I thank you or even if it was one of your scientists I thank them as well, as does the remaining members of the Unity.

Lastly, I wish to inform you that we have encountered our first alien life form. It was buried under the remains of a Unity pod and when we opened it this fungal spore creature emerged. It launched these spores at our people with little effect and I have ordered it to be captured and studied. I will pass on to you all relevant data.

United Nations General Secretary

Pravin Lal

United Nations Headquarters - Planet

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2103

Pravin,

I was too busy trying to fix the meteor damage and system failures to be worried about plots and e-mails. As you may recall, Unity was literally coming apart at the seams when we woke, and after that point it was one long series of crises and decisions that I had to make to try to save Unity. My engineering teams would fix one problem, such as a conduit breach, only to have some other component fail. Damn low-bid contractors! And those insipid designers streamlined everything so there were almost no reliable backup systems. I can hear their mewing now: “The chance of a meteor impact is 1:234,000, so the risk is minimal.” Risk! They talk about risk and budgetary concerns, and in the process they jeopardized this mission. It is a good thing they are all dead, crisped on Earth like they deserve.

You mentioned native life, well we have seen lots of it but most has been sessile and not especially threatening. Let me know when you learn more and I’ll have my scouts keep an eye out for these Chiron life forms.

Now, you mentioned Unity pods. I have seen one and am now reticent to investigate it if it may contain a hostile infestation of life forms. We are ill prepared to deal with such items right now, I’m afraid, due to the botched mission we headed.

Every time it goes back to the botched mission. Idiots!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2103

Prokhor,

What is done is done and we can do nothing to go back in time to change the events that took place. I take great pride in the fact that we were able to make it this far even with the tragedy that befell us. We even survived and prevailed against an attempted insurrection that could have caused irreparable damage to the future of mankind on this planet. Imagine if you can what it would have been like on planet if those traitors had been able to build their empires and impose their will on the planet and us. But I do worry about who did command the other five pods and if they even survived the landing. What if they leaders of the landing pods were even more evil than the ones I had arrested? I shudder to think such thoughts.

The fungus creature is still launching small spores at our scout team but they should be able to make contact with it next turn and either force it from our area or destroy it if we have to. We will also establish our second colony base next turn as well. It is a strain to do almost anything right now since we lack support in almost every area. We need agricultural specialists, laborers and skilled technicians to build infra-structure and enhance our computer systems. Our landing pod was not staffed very carefully with a good mix of "talents". I had thought the assignment of specialists had been done but for some reason changes were made that I was unaware of. Also, I can now report that many other specialists, such as security staff and military troops, were transferred back into the main cargo cryo-chamber holding tanks and not the landing pods. I still grieve terribly at the thought of all those people who lost their lives. Luckily for me and our colony the Peacekeeper scouts were not moved and we have some "core" of professional troops to rely on.

United Nations Secretary General

Pravin Lal

United Nations Headquarters - Planetary Command Center

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2104

Pravin,

I suppose you are right that grousing about the past will do little good. In reality I have little time for such idleness since it is a constant struggle to keep everyone fed and clothed, much less devoting significant materials toward more advanced programs. Luckily my staff included most of the engineers and many of the scientists from Unity so we have a good cadre of professionals necessary to make things work. Right now I wish that we had more biologists, and even that sanctimonious Deirdre Skye would be welcome right now.

We founded Zoloto-Gold this year at the mouth of a very small river, and with its establishment the meager resources we have to allocate to research increased 50%. The key to surviving and thriving here is research, pure and simple, and woe to anyone who thinks otherwise.

It looks like we are on a significant peninsula, and we will have to explore the territory to the south. All indications are that there is a significant landmass there, which should serve use well as we expand.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2104

Prokhor,

We established our second colony and it should be very productive. We have established the base within four sectors of our main UNHQ and we hope to complete a third colony pod within 10 turns. The site of the third colony pod will be to our east and the site will anchor a triangle formation of bases we have planed to build. The new site will also contain what we have named, a monolith. This monolith has strange markings and when our scout patrol got near it the monolith "infused" them with strange energies that we have yet to explain. The end result is the scout patrol has more stamina, strength and what seems to be a boost in intelligence as well. I am forwarding to you the vid files taken by the scout team, perhaps your teams of scientists might unlock something we could not.

Another scout patrol from UNHQ did try and scare of the spore launcher but it would not go so they had to attack it with rifles and soon the creature was dead. The few scientists that we have will forward to you their results as well as raw data they processed from the remains. What seems even more "intriguing" is that in the remains the scout team found a large "pearlish" looking object that gives off energy! We placed it into a power converter and extracted 10 energy credits from it before it shattered.

I have uploaded our most current map files, perhaps you could do the same since my planners are still working on the means to try and "join" the lost colonies.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2105

Pravin,

Damn fungus! We are surrounded by this blight, a never-ending expanse of gray and crimson. It is utterly useless for anything, and won’t provide more than the most base provisions, and then only after fevered scavenging and unpleasant trial that frequently end in severe diarrhea. I know this from personal experience! And, to make matters worse, it is almost impossible to traverse through this morass. Our scouts have tried and failed three times! They always come back exhausted. But, what is really infuriating is that the only way to explore this landmass is to plunge into this same fungus. We are cursed!

Damn fungus. Damn planet!!

Zak

*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2105

Prokhor,

We have encountered a new species of life form on this planet! Once again it was hostile but it attacked our scout team using a form of psychic energy that our few scientists are still trying to fathom. Be warned that these "mind worms" are found in those very same fungal patches you were lamenting about. Your scouts could be in danger! What seems to trigger a mass attack by the tubular worms is contact with our metallic bodysuits and equipment or so my technicians suggest. However, once again we found a small supply of these "planet pearls" in the remains of the mass. The energy is most useful and has allowed us to power some systems that we did not think possible for some time.

The distance between our two landing sites is far to great to be expect our two parties to expect a "quick" rejoining so for the immediate future and perhaps for some time we will have to operate independently. I hope that the spirit of the mission is still with you and that we will continue to work together to bring a common purpose to our new lives here.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

	24-05-2002 21:45									#2
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

University Base, MY 2106

Pravin,

And here I thought you were imaging things when one of my scout teams reported the ‘mindworms’ you had just warned me about. I had, of course, briefed my scouts but they were still a little surprised to see this hostile life form. They prevailed without damage, which is fortunate, and they even report being more confident in their explorations. But they still haven’t been able to penetrate what we are calling the Fungal Wall! Another scout is on the way to help them force their way through, and perhaps investigate a Unity pod that is nearby. It would be more than unfortunate if they investigated this pod and, as you found, it was infested with these hostile life forms.

The energy the mindworms released has boosted our reserves by 50%, and my scouts now have standing orders to identify and slay all these creatures we can find. At this point I could care less about ecological balance and all that claptrap Deirdre used to drone on about – we are talking survival, pure and simple. If I have to choose, the mindworms die every time.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2106

Prokhor,

I have good news for you. Our newest base had a visitor this turn, a "Data Angel" as they call themselves. It seems one of your computer systems assistants named "roze" commanded one of the landing pods and has established a base somewhere to the north of my bases. It must not be too far since her "probe scout" as she calls them was able to reach us fairly quickly. We talked for some time and though I could not persuade her to join under the mission flag of the United Nations she did agree to a treaty. It seems this Roze character has built a society based upon computers. I will never be convinced that such a society could thrive and prosper especially under these conditions. I find it regrettable that this "rogue" leader who commanded a landing pod has set-up her own society rather than follow the mission goals. However, perhaps in time they can be persuaded to re-join the United Nations government.

I have included in my transmission the latest map files and as a courtesy to you to foster greater prosperity for us all I have up linked her communication frequency. I would think that your scientists would have a great need for more computer time and perhaps this Roze can assist you.

We are building two more colony pods and we should have them complete with ten turns. This will double our colony size and make it more prosperous and less susceptible to any catastrophic event that might cause one or even two bases to fail. We will then build those recycling tanks next to improve our efficiency.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2107

Pravin,

Rose!! I wouldn’t let that little anarchist within a hundred kilometers of my datalinks. You need to keep a sharp eye on her, Pravin. She was a protégée of that industrialist Morgan who built components of Unity, not me, and like Morgan she is a dedicated opportunist. I would never allow someone of such low character to work with delicate operations, and I would trust her with nothing. Still, I will allow dealings with her since she is safely a LONG way from me. If she decides to share technology, all the better. Again, be careful. She isn’t called ‘Datajack’ for nothing; she has light fingers.

Our facilities are not as productive as yours, unfortunately. Nutrient production is so low at University Base that we have produce a recycling tank lest we depopulate the city in our efforts to start another. Our other base has a very rich nutrient sector in the ocean, but it produces no minerals or energy. So, while they are growing quickly their infrastructure construction is likely to be very poor.

Our scout teams were finally able to penetrate the fungal wall! This may seem like a small victory but to date we have not been able to do so. Now we will see if the territory to the south is as interesting and productive as yours!

We are likely to make a breakthrough next year. Since you were so generous in your gift of Rose’s communication frequency I will forward our discovery to you. But, please be careful in what you transmit to Rose. She is not to be trusted.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2107

Prokhor,

I was not aware of "Data Roze's" full biography. I had been told that she had worked for you, interesting. I am afraid your "cold shoulder" method might work well for you but since she is my neighbor I do believe a little more understanding and the fostering of mutual cooperation is in order. I can only hope that in time she and her followers will see that it is in their own interest to respect the leadership that we as mission leaders have. Hopefully in time we can persuade the "Data Angels" to incorporate themselves into the greater United Nations family again. However, right now it is a fight for survival, pure and simple. I marvel that you are close to making a scientific breakthrough with the poor conditions your colonies are faced with. Our land has abundant mineral and nutrient sources that we can use to expand.

One thing has troubled me since encountering the Data Roze. As I told you earlier many computer files were corrupted and data stolen along with the fact that many orders were issued, and not be me, to re-arrange the mission parameters. I suspect that Roze and her followers had the most skill in carrying out this operation but I doubt they had the vision to do so. The question is, who? Who would have gained the most by exposing the traitors to me so they could be apprehended before they could do serious harm and for what reason? More questions than I could begin to answer right now.

Next turn our scout team expects to open another Unity pod and I hope we can find some additional resources to aid us in our expansion.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2108

Pravin,

I am attaching a stupendous breakthrough, one that will literally change the world: Centauri Ecology! My scientists and researchers are few, but I impressed upon them the imperative to develop the poor land that surrounds us and they came through. They took my directives to heart, apparently. Of course, I made a few key contributions, such as retrofitting an ORD to ensure excess nitrogen was fixed and converting a few components from our Unity pod that might serve as a mobile platform. We were able to push the prototype through, and University Base will have the first terraformer on Planet ready next year! That is not bad at all considering that we weren’t even sure that the bloody thing would work!

I held my nose and contacted Rose. She was surprisingly solicitous, considering the pandemonium she caused my engineering security back on Unity. After a few minutes of pleasantries I realized what she was after: technology. Well, I’m just as reasonable as the next man, but she asked for technology for FREE! She wouldn’t even reciprocate with her own technology! After I stopped laughing I told her “no” in no uncertain terms. She looked put out, but at the end of our little chat she gave me a sly smile: it had all been a test! Well, looks like I passed, I was not so stupid as to give her something for nothing. She can play her little games if she likes, but you may want to impress upon her that life is a series of quid-pro-quo situations. Nothing in life is free.

The blasted fungal wall is being as obstinate as ever, and our scout team is bogged down. I even had to paraglide some supplies to them since I didn’t want them to give up the meager progress they have made. We are also setting up to investigate a Unity pod that is nearby University Base. I am calling out two scouts to ensure there are no unpleasant occurrences, such as one of those nasty mindworms that might be infesting the thing. It would not do to have those nasty beasts running free about University base, now would it?

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2108

Prokhor,

On behalf of the United Nations Peacekeepers I thank you for your gift of terra-forming technology. Once we establish two more colonies we will work to build several of them to improve our mineral production and build a system of roads.

Little occurred this turn. We opened another Unity pod and it activated a nutrient production facility that greatly enriched the soil in that sector. One of our scout teams should make contact next turn with another of those alien monoliths.

I have begun to re-organize the administration of the Peacekeepers and I plan to establish a Council of Governors that will report to me. These governors will be responsible for the day to day management of each colony base. I plan on having my son become the Governor of UNHQ base, he has earned this reward for the many hours he has spent building our second colony base and restructuring our food supplies. He should be a very able administrator and leader.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2109

Pravin,

Our terraformer is complete and on its way. I viewed it as absolutely necessary to get the terraformer into operation immediately since our territory isn’t as beneficent as yours. A roads and, most importantly, farms will be the order of the day. It is critical to have more than one nutrient production so that University Base can grow to its full potential.

The scout plowing through the fungus made a little more progress this last year, but the exploration rate is painfully slow. Our other scouts are nearly in position to explore the Unity pod I mentioned. I intend to be very careful, since our hold in this area is precarious and a disaster could overwhelm our meager defenses.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2109

Prokhor,

Our scout team did investigate the monolith and while studying it they were engulfed in an energy field that healed all of their wounds and left them in a state of readiness that they had not ever achieved before! We still do not understand how these devices work but I do hope we can learn in time.

Little has changed since last we communicated. We are within seven turns of building two more colony pods and then we estimate another four turns for transit. Perhaps we will use some of meager energy reserves to quicken the production process.

Lastly, we do believe we have discovered a land bridge to the southern polar cap area. Once we get our colony pods done we shall investigate this area.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2110

Pravin,

That damn fungal wall! My intrepid scout team was plowing their way through when one of those blasted mindworm boils up from the fungus and attacks them! Well, they have encountered these little beasties before and summarily flamed them before they did too much damage. In the aftermath they forwarded the little spheres, which we nicknamed planetpearls, to UN Headquarters, which was appreciated since we depleted our reserves completing the terraformer. I was more than a little concerned for the scout crew’s well being, but they estimated they had only been damaged to about 10% of maximum and that they saw no reason not to continue forward. I fully intend, when we have the resources, to blast this fungal wall out of existence and exterminate every one of the malevolent life forms within it! At least they will give us these useful planetpearls in their miserable deaths.

In better news, our scientific progress continues apace, and we should have another breakthrough in another four years or so. I can’t help but be curious how your scientists are doing, and what their priorities are? I gave instructions that they concentrate on technologies that would help us Explore our area and Build our resource base.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2110

Prokhor,

I am astonished at your rate of scientific capabilities! Our scientists estimate that the best they can achieve will be a breakthrough in the next 25 turns! I am sure that your labs and computer networks give your scientists a significant "edge" over the rest of us. Currently our scientists are working on colonization technologies as well.

We have located another Unity pod and we will open it next turn. It has been located on the isthmus that connects our island with a landmass to the north. Perhaps this is where the Data Angels have set-up their camp.

In ten turns we will be able to establish two more colonies and with this expansion completed we hope that the added resources and production facilities will, in time, give us a better grasp on this land.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2111

Pravin,

More mindworms! Our scout team tried to push forward into the fungal wall and they found ANOTHER mindworm boil, which they dispatched. This time, however, they were gravely wounded and they will likely have to return to base, or sit in the dangerous fungal field to heal slowly over time with what supplies we can send in via glider. And, guess what was in the Unity pod? MORE MINDWORMS! Our team was already exhausted from moving down the short river to get to the pod, but they bravely attacked anyway and they barely killed the blasted things. Our energy reserves have increased markedly, but at the expense of exploration and the health of our scouts. Exploration will grind to a halt now for some time. Both are now more experiences, but that is small comfort when they came so near to being overwhelmed by this pink blight. When I find a way I will root out the fungus I will, and my objective for the mindworms is simple: extermination!

I must say that I am shocked at the progress of your science teams. 25 years? Our bases are the same size, and I can’t imagine that your output is so much less than ours. Still, our Unity pod did get most of the scientists during the evacuation, and under my brilliant leadership our teams are proceeding beyond expectations. When Zoloto Gold grows to size two this next year they will be able to harvest energy from a small river, so their advancement rate will grow again. So, it looks like you have the advantage of a friendlier environment with fertile land, while we have better advancement but poor land and all this malevolent fungus!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2111

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I have attached technical blueprints for the building of recreational common areas that should prove useful to you. Consider this repayment for the files on terra-forming you provided to us. People can not toil and struggle from dawn to dusk without some means to relax and enjoy life and it should in the end make them more productive. The technology was obtained from a trade with Data Roze. She contacted me and asked for our files on recycling in exchange for the recreational files, I agreed. What troubles me now is that at the end of our discussion she wished to form a "pact" so that we, and I quote, " sweep the others before us". I can not agree to any pact with the foundation that it would lead to world domination. I think the harsh demands of this planet have only forced some to revert to more basic instincts rather than focus on the noble vision that we had when we left earth. My advance scout opened the Unity pod only to find that it landed on another of those monoliths. It is if the monoliths somehow attracted the pods to them for some reason. The scout did report back that they found signs of the Data Angels outer territorial boundary so I have ordered them to investigate across the border to find out what state they are in. I have issued instructions to the scout team leader to not take any hostile actions that might be seen as offensive in nature.

What troubles me now is that if Roze's territory is that close it leaves us little room to expand. I see that we can add perhaps two maybe three more colonies without any serious encroachment upon the Data Angels but what happens after that? Some of my military advisors suggest that it would be in the better interest of the Data Angels if they were re-incorporated into the greater United Nations Command. I am not sure of this path since if I extend the logic further then I should also force you back into the United Nations family. I would rather have you re-join of your own free will rather than by force of arms. However, it might take many decades before we even are able to have face to face exchanges so by then for all intents and purposes you and your people will be as removed from the original United Nations structure as this planet is to earth. I grieve each night that this situation came to be but it is what we have been dealt and we must make do.

Please pass on my condolences to the families and friends of the scout team that was badly hurt. Planet is becoming more dangerous each turn it seems.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

	24-05-2002 21:46									#3
	Put an end to popups!

University Base, MY 2112

Pravin,

As I told you, beware of Rose. By your comments I assume you did not accept her offer of a Pact, and if so that is a good thing. If you had Pacted then you would not be able to control the Data Angles delegations that might visit your territory. Many, if not all, of these delegations will be espionage proficient, and they are likely to ‘find’ all sorts of things, like technology specifications, that you might rather they not have or that they trade for on an equal basis. If you have a trade relationship you can evict any delegations that are, well, inappropriate and send them packing.

Your territory issue is a bigger problem, and all I can suggest is to claim as much territory as you can before Rose does. Since you have some raging militarists among your advisors this might appease them since it is aggressive and just shy of war. Rose might whine and complain, but once your base is set it is done. Your situation would be especially bad if Rose has access to much more territory than you do. Remember the land locked powers of old Earth – they rarely did very well since they inevitably came into conflict with hostile neighbors or foreign powers that saw them as an easy mark.

As to reincorporating other factions, I can assure you that you will have University support in your endeavors as long as any requests you have are reasonable, but we are in no mood to join under a UN banner. Keep in mind there is lingering suspicion of the UN since their bungled Unity effort failed so miserably, and I for one put the blame squarely on the now-incinerated UN planners for failing to provide us with basic backup and, evidently, wholly inadequate security.

We should have a breakthrough next year, and I hope it is not in Social Psych, otherwise our efforts will be wasted since we haven't received your files yet. Apparently you didn't pre-approve the transfer so it will have to go through a few more bureaucratic channels. I fully intend on sending you what the data on what we discover as a gesture of good will, assuming we my beleaguered scientists time wasn't wasted and we discover nothing to send to you!

In other news, Zoloto Gold rioted. In my haste to explore our territory I had the scout team leave, and some local dissidents reached critical mass when they grew to size 2. Luckily the road between University Base and Zoloto Gold will be complete next year, so the scout team at University Base should be able to make it to assist in quelling the disturbance. I hate to be harsh, but if people are going to be idiots then so be it. I can promise you that we will not take inappropriate measure. At most a few will be placed under house arrest, or put to work in the bio-recycling fields, formerly known as the sewage treatment plant. That is not a pleasant job, so the lesson will hopefully be understood and the mistakes not repeated.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2112

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We completed ahead of schedule our first colony pod since landing on planet and it will leave UNHQ the beginning of next turn. I will take three turns to reach its location and then another turn to establish the colony. We are now well under ten turns of the expected date of establishing our fourth colony. The pod will be ready in 5 turns and I expect it will take the same time to reach its target as well. We will then begin building some terra-formers and recycling facilities to help improve our situation.

Your "assumption" was correct, we did not "pact" with the Data Angels. When we establish our third and fourth colonies I am sure that the boundary lines will be pushed back further than Data Roze will like. I do not consider my military advisors "war mongers" but their goals are the same as mine it is just their methods are different. I will be blunt Prokhor if our scout team does reach Data Angel territory and finds one maybe two bases that are undefended I might re-visit the issue of forced incorporation at that time. Life on this planet is too tough as it is to have what I presume is six other factions all scrambling for resources. If I can bring the Data Angels back into the UN family sooner than later all the better. As it stands now I fear that enough time has elapsed that many have turned their backs on the goals of the United Nations. I can only hope that the United Nations charter will be honored by all and that certain actions will remain outlawed.

If Data Roze and her followers could be trusted more I might consider a situation similar to ours, one of mutual friendship and cooperation. However, I find the idea of having a large number of "anarchists" perched on the edge of U.N. territory disquieting to say the least.

We shall see...

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ Base

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2113

Pravin,

My scientists came through for me! Remember on how I was complaining about how those blasted mindworms were afflicting use so much? Well, I was in my office yesterday and my science lead Manchel came in with a big grin on her face, and then presented me with the specifications on how to defend against mindworm predations! This involves special training techniques to resist mindworm attacks, which has been dubbed a trance defense. I am attaching this for your use since it was your data on Social Psych that made it possible. Sadly, all this technological advancement has exhausted my resources and strained the abilities of my labs, and it is likely that our next advancement will not occur for another 20 years. We will have to work hard to draw in more energy, and our formers will be key for this.

I also included another present for you. I contacted Rose to see how she was doing. Well, truthfully I wanted to spy on her a little to see what she was up to. She gave me a tempting proposition: her world map for one of my technology on Centauri Ecology. After thinking about it I agreed, and I have attached this map for your inspection. You may not like the results, though. Your landmass looks limited and Rose is likely to block significant expansion to what may be open areas. But, at least you know the lay of the land. Our scout patrols STILL haven’t been able to penetrate the Fungal Wall. It is very exasperating, especially since we will need to know the lay of the land when our first colony pod is done in the next 5 or 10 years. This is much later than you I know, but we chose to construct formers first.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2113

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I appreciate your generous gift of information; the map files are very interesting indeed. I think it will amount to a race, who can build colonies the fastest and establish domination of the larger land mass area. The Data Angels do not strike me as a very industrious lot so I suspect that we will have the edge. Already our colony pod is moving forward and in three turns a third colony will be established. I was amazed at the amount of land that Roze had already surveyed but her "probe teams" seem to be very quick since they are not burdened with weapons.

I do not understand as to why but our labs are falling even farther behind. Currently, my scientists tell me that our next breakthrough will not happen for nearly eighty turns! This might be due to the result of us shifting so much of our energy reserves into completing the colony pod - I am not sure. Perhaps when we can build a few network nodes then our research rate will climb.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ B

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2114

Pravin,

As we continued our efforts to penetrate the Great Fungal Wall guess what we found? That’s right – more mindworms! Is this whole world covered with this pink blight? I’ve recalled our original scout team to University Base to make sure it is defended when it population increases, and to prevent any rogue worms from entering an undefended city. When it gets back it will be upgraded to have trance defense, too, as will the team at Zoloto Gold. That is one benefit of all these worm encounters, as we now have some energy to fund these upgrades. In the meantime our poor explorers will have to wait and recover.

The only other news is that our damaged scout team from University Base made its way to Zoloto Gold to quell the disturbances there. We were able to put the rioting people to work, and they are now harvesting minerals, nutrients, and energy from a modest river sector. With the extra energy our critical research rate is down to an advance in 18 years. In a few years our former will modify it to have a farm, which will double its nutrient yield. Hopefully the former will be able to move to University Base, or give up this sector to University Base to increase its growth rate. All we have are poor choices, I’m afraid.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2114

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Little has changed this turn which I should count as a blessing. My son has ordered our garrison out to the west to investigate an area that we have yet to map. I am not sure if this was such a wise move but he is the governor and as such it is his right to make that decision. My concern still comes from the fear of an attack by those mind worms. My scientists report that each turn the worms seem to gain more strength. Without the garrison our base is wide open to attack. I pray my son has made the correct choice. The other governor does not feel it prudent to make such a risk but his territory is slightly more productive than the UNHQ lands.

Our deep scout team is still exploring deep into the large continent to the north of us. I now believe it is imperative to build even faster to colonize this area as quickly as possible. I am now thinking that when our fourth pod is complete it would be wise to advance it deep into the north and then fill in backwards. Once the land has been claimed short of going to war there is little the Data Angels can do at that point.

In some ways Prokhor we face challenges of equal difficulty. I have very productive land and little fungus to block expansion you are the opposite. While my labs are primitive to point of backward while yours are state of the art. If only the Unity would not have failed and we could have reached the planet as one group, could you imagine the possibilities?

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2115

Pravin,

You may be better off placing the pods closer in, since then you will get more production out of the new city. You will expend so much time sending the pod so far north that I hardly think it is worth it. This is especially true if you think that Rose will not expand aggressively.

If Unity hadn’t ended in disaster we would not faced with these troubles, which is true. However, in the chaos that resulted leaders like Rose now lead a faction of dubious basis, and I doubt she will be very interested in reuniting now that she has power. The same goes, to a lesser extent, with me. Distance is a severe obstacle, too. Still, it is better to dwell on the here and now, since that is where our challenges lie.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2115

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

My sons expedition proved to be uneventful and the sector of land was very ordinary. He has issued orders for the garrison to return to UNHQ, thankfully. Perhaps one of my son's motives was to try and "scare up" some mind worms for the energy nodules they contain. The extra energy would be of great benefit right now. The governor of our new colony has transmitted that the colony pod has arrived on schedule and that next turn the base will be up and running. This is good news. Should any calamity befall one base the other two can more readily absorb the shock of the loss.

Our deep scout team continues to probe deeper into the north. I am beginning to believe that Planet has more water area than we had anticipated or dreamed. If only we had some time to do complete one orbit of the planet and download the radar images . Once some faction is able to develop sea based transportation I suspect that this will be the key to the conquest of Planet and domination of the factions on Planet.

I have been asked to travel to our western colony base next turn so my son will be communicating with you while I am gone. Currently only UNHQ has the advanced radio equipment to transmit these messages to you and unless I am here I do not like the idea of sending my message to you on an open frequency back to UNHQ and then having it forwarded to you.

I do hope that you will soon "crack" your fungal wall. Even though you have gained much energy the wall will prevent you from expanding making your bases more vulnerable.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2116

Pravin,

Our scouting team tried to penetrate further into the fungal wall and failed again. That is frustrating, but at least they didn’t encounter another mindworm. They are committed to trying again as soon as they can but it is slow going.

We finished the former at Zoloto Gold, and now they can start on a colony pod. Our next terraforming project will be a forest, which may spread if we are lucky. Then we will go over to the small river and add a farm to increase its nutrient production. I’ll have to consider having both formers go, but it may be dangerous to have both formers in one area if a worm attacks. Zoloto Gold will start on a colony pod next, and University Base currently is working on one. I am worried that we may have a colony ready to go but nowhere to put it. I hate to have bases to close together, but I am loath to let a pod terry waiting to go into or in the dangerous Great Fungal Wall. Luckily I won’t have to worry about that for a few years, and maybe our scout team will have made some progress by then.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2116

Members of the University committee and Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

My father bids you well. We have excellent news! We established our third base was this turn and it is now up and running. The new base governor expects that within ten turns he will be able to launch another colony pod and then begin building infrastructure. My father’s work at our other base has brought about fast rewards as well. The base completed ahead of schedule the colony pod and my father is selecting a new governor to watch over it as well. The only problem is that the population at the base is not sufficient yet to crew the pod completely so there will be a delay of several turns in order for this to be worked out.

The second most important effect of the new colony is that it "pushed" out our territorial boundary even further so that the Data Angels will not think we are going to allow them sole access to the larger island area.

My father will return next turn and with hope his work there will be done for now. I expect that he will have to leave soon so as to prepare our third colony for its new colony pod. At last we are seeing the fruits of our labors!

United Nations Peacekeepers

Governor Joshua Lal,

United Nations Headquarters Base - Office of the UNHQ Governor

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2117

Pravin,

We finally made it through the Great Fungal Wall! It was fully 3 sectors thick, and there may be a significant extent of land beyond it. Now that we are through our team has to head right back so they can escort our soon to be completed colony pod through the Wall, and we will have to hope there is good terrain and no incidents on the way.

Congratulations on your bases, by the way. The extra bases will provide you with significant support, and I expect your scientific advance rate will increase accordingly, in addition to your productive ability. Just remember – keep an eye on Rose!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2117

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our deep scout team reports that the Data Angels have established a colony to the far west blocking any expansion in that direction. The base is defended by a scout team garrison and a probe team. The scout team is slightly under strength from the reports the team captain has obtained. The security committee and the council of governors are split on the idea of "forced" repatriation of the Data Angels. The land we are on is so small that further expansion will only cause shortages and rationing. I admit I am torn on the issue. I have confidence in my scout team but I do not think they have the means to capture the city. If we could bring our two camps together we could most certainly prosper at a greater rate but the means to that end is through blood.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2118

Pravin,

Are you really so pragmatic that you would initiate war for expansion? I can understand your concern but you may want to tread carefully. What you do will affect your authority to lead in the future, since naked aggression will surely sully your reputation.

Our terraformers have done an admirable job. They have connected our bases, built a farm, and now completed a forest. Now I am trying to decide whether a sensor or a farm for University Base is in order, and I am leading strongly toward the farm since nutrient production is critical.

Zak

	24-05-2002 21:47									#4
	Put an end to popups!

UN Headquarters, MY 2118

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We have struggled through the long night and have decided that violence will only create more violence. We will put our efforts into expansion in other areas for now. This does not mean we will sit by and allow the Data Angels free expansion but rather we look at it as a race to see who can claim what land and how quickly can it be done. Our fourth colony pod will leave next turn and will establish a base to the north in four turns. Our fifth colony base will be setup on the southern shores of the large land mass to the north in fifteen turns or less. With five bases or better we should become the dominant "partner" on this island chain.

We rushed to complete a terra-former last turn at our UNHQ and it will begin building roads and forests and create a link with our other bases. Then the terra-formers can work on sensors, mines and farms/solar collectors. Our land is much more "fertile and mineral laden" than yours so the pressing need for nutrients is not overshadowing.

We have ordered our deep scout team to return to the northern border of our territory with the Data Angels to provide border surveillance.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2119

Pravin,

Yes, our territory is not very favorable to development and I can see why you opted for colony expansion before terrain enhancement. By contrast it will take years to plow through the fungus, and I am tempted to use the small territory on our side of the Great Fungal Wall just to get a base started. Still, we have to move through sometime, if for no other reason than to see what is on the other side.

Posting a sentry by Rose’s territory is a good idea. Be sure to send any probe sneaks packing if you see them!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2119

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our fourth colony pod left this turn under the command of Governor Gunthar Spande, a geologist by training but an able administrator as well. His background and training will serve him well since the sight he has selected will be on the small river that flows on the northern side of the island. Governor Spande thinks that the river will aid his movement and he should be able to "cut" a whole turn from the schedule. We have discussed his priorities and he will first build a colony pod and then concentrate on energy and mineral production.

Our first terra-former left UNHQ under much fanfare and will begin building roads and forests between the colonies. I wish that we had sent an escort with the crew for protection but that was not in "the cards" yet. My son promises that he will try and do so soon but with the project two terra-formers and then the demands of the city keeping more troops supplied will be difficult.

Our deep scout is now en-route back to the border but he will not have to travel far since we expect the border to shift soon.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*

University Base, MY2120

General Secretary,

Dr. Zakharov is currently undergoing regeneration and has been put into an artificial coma while the procedure is completed. A good portion of his vitality will be renewed when he is awakened in 2 months.

Vice Governor Ahrens

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2120

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am "curious" about these treatments you are taking to extend your vitality? Is this some new "fountain of youth" that your brilliant team of bio-genetic scientists have discovered. I ask not for myself but more for my people. The council battles we had just several turns ago brought home the reality that only my steady influence kept the Peacekeepers from becoming the war-mongers. The harsh realities of this planet have brought out the best in some and it also brings out our worse traits. I am old, older than all of the other Unity leaders and each year the time presses even more on me. Please, for the sake of the future of this planet I ask you not to hold back this technology.

Our fourth colony pod will arrive next turn and we also expect to set it up at the same time since the river will speed up its transit time. Governor Spande assures me that with the rich territory he has construction and improvements will happen quickly.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2121

Pravin,

The treatments I underwent were common on Earth at the time of our departure. They involve a combination of selective DNA repair of key immune system cells and organ replacement. It seems my kidneys were likely to fail in the next few years, or so my doctors told me. They put together a full regime of treatments to be completed both in parallel and in series, and to expedite the process they thought it would be better if I were in a coma. I am still in significant pain and discomfort, since invasive surgery is not an easy thing. You can have similar treatments, although the cost in resources is frighteningly high.

Our first colony pod has successfully made it into the first sector of fungus, and our intrepid scout team is waiting for it at the midway point. We have upgraded their equipment for trance training just in case some of those malevolent mindworms pop up again. They have assured me they are being careful to stay in the areas of fungus they have already explored, and we all hope they will have no incidents on their way to their new home. Now, we have no idea what their home will look like, or if the terrain is at all favorable since we had to recall the scout team to escort the pod through the Great Fungal Wall. If we are lucky there will be as favorable a territory as you have.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2121

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We have established our fourth colony and the Governor was very quick in completing a garrison unit to help protect the new colony. Once the garrison is equipped I have asked Governor Spande to begin construction of another colony pod as quickly as possible. It turns out that our deep scout encountered a Data Angels colony pod, their fourth, while en route to its site. The scout team has blocked its further progress which I am sure is very unpleasant for the Data Angels. I am sure the pod was trying to reach the edge of the ocean on the northern shores of the small bay that separates our two islands/continents? I doubt that the Data Angels will set-up the colony pod on the land they are currently "stuck" on since it is very arid and un-hospitable. It will be 12 turns before our next colony pod is established in the area we have selected, assuming nothing changes in the boundary lines. We are quickly "squeezing" ourselves into an area that will soon become very crowded I think.

I commend you and your scouts and colony pod crews for their bravery in attempting to breach the fungal wall. I do not think I could ask my people to take such a risk. However, if you do not grow you will die and unless you plan on destroying the fungus wall your only option is to go over it and deal with it later.

Lastly, I am glad you included the files on the medical technology. My medics are reviewing them now and next turn they will set-up a treatment for me. None of the files you sent were included in the Peacekeeper landing pods computers so once again you come to our aid.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2122

Pravin,

I assure you that the Great Fungal Wall will be rooted out and destroyed in good time. Right now, however, there are other matters to attend to. You are quite right that if the lack of growth will lead us to a very precarious and vulnerable position.

Our colony and advance scout team experienced no problems in their passage into the Wall, and they should exit is a few years. It seems impossible since on Earth it used to take only hours to move from one side of the globe to the other! We are reduced to slogging through this blasted xenofungus.

Zak

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2122

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our deep scout team reports that the Data Angels have turned their colony pod about and is headed north. I have issued orders to our scout to follow it for one more turn before turning south to take up a position on the border. In ten turns we fully expect to have our fifth colony pod established and within twelve turns our sixth. I am not sure if we should try to continue expanding beyond that point since any further expansion will cause much friction between us and the Data Angels. I wish we had a faster means of transport other than foot or crawler tracks. Building more scout teams and equipping them is not a very efficient means to scout out this planet when what I most need is ships.

Our expanding colonies are adding to our energy and scientific research. We are still over twenty years from our next discovery but that is much better than before. Perhaps when we build our fifth colony it will improve even more.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2123

Pravin,

Where are you going to put all those planned colony pods? Or are you going to push very deep and poach into Datajack’s territory? Not that I mind, but it is likely to cause considerable conflict between you and Rose. I am a cynical old man but I can’t help thinking that you are pressing to cause conflict, and then have a ‘Peacekeeper Enforcement Action’ against your neighbor. While I have no love for Rose I do not have much patience for naked or partially clothed aggression.

Our colony pod is almost through the Wall and will be set up in a few years. Our scout, however, will have to immediately go back through the Wall to escort another colony pod from Zoloto Gold. Incidentally, Zoloto Gold rioted last year when it went to size 3. What is sad is that mineral production is so low and nutrient production so high that they can’t slit off their population fast enough to avoid social instability. It is all very sad. I could authorize the construction of a recreation commons, but that seems like a luxury at this stage of the game.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2123

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I resent the implication you make that the Peacekeepers are trying to "provoke" an incident over land. Their is land unclaimed and we simply mean to claim it and establish colonies within our territory. The southern side of the larger northern island that the Data Angels occupy is very barren and almost devoid of life sustaining properties. Colonization of this area is almost unthinkable so it makes a suitable boundary for both of us to respect. We plan on placing only one more colony pod on the northern area of our island and then establish two coastal bases so that we can deploy a fleet at some point. This was one of the reasons why our initial colonies were set-up in the higher elevations. I pray that either more land is uncovered or we are able to make a breakthrough that allows us to expand into the seas.

It seems that your hands are full with the problems of overpopulation. Colony pods are expensive ways to relieve excess population when a simple recreation common could do wonders to help make your people more productive. Recreational sources are a drain on energy but your people are not robots.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2124

Pravin,

We may have had our first bit of good luck in our miserable part of Chiron. It turns out the new spot for our colony pod has not one but two Unity pods immediately adjacent to it! I have been advised that setting up a base in such close proximity causes nasty mindworms to flee, and allows better scanning before entry. This will hopefully help decrease the chance of disaster, like when we opened the other pod and got bloody mindworms! At this point absolutely anything beneficial would be welcomed. Unity as rich in resources in comparison to what we have now, although I remember complaining that it wasn’t enough when we left Earth.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2124

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am glad your colony pod made it through the long and dangerous trek. Do be careful with the Unity pods even with extra precautions I do not trust them anymore.

I have unofficial reports that the Data Angels might be surpassing even your scientific prowess. It seems that Roze has made in roads that allow her to store energy and use it for enhancing production. However, she will not share the technical files with me.

Our fourth colony pod will be done soon and we will send it on its way. I must travel next turn to choose a new colony governor that will work hard to build a prosperous city for the future.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

	24-05-2002 21:48									#5
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

University Base, MY 2125

Pravin,

We’ve depleted most of our remaining energy stockpile to finish the colony pod at Zoloto Gold. The population there was unruly, and sending them off where they will be far too busy with mundane matters like survival will likely cure them of whiny complaints.

I’ve contacted Rose in the past and she has not been forthcoming about technology trading. I offered to trade her technology she doesn’t have, fair and square, and she refused. It seems she bears me some grudge, and the last time we spoke she mentioned a pointed exchange we had before Unity left Earth when one of my technicians caught her ‘looking’ where she was not welcome. For that matter, if you have technology to trade I will entertain reasonable offers. My guess is that you are more persuasive in your dealings with Rose than I am and may have pried some of the breakthroughs she has acquired.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2125

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We completed two terra-formers this turn and we will quickly put them to use building roads, forests and a mine. I have consulted with the governors and it has been agreed upon that the first base improvements will be recycling tanks. Then two of our bases will begin projects that will have a long term impact on our society, the Human genome project and the weather paradigm. I know this sounds ambitious but the mineral resources are there to build these projects and since expansion further south is out of the question our first two bases are prime candidates for these projects. We argued for sometime for the need to build more infrastructure improvements first but our lands are very productive and with the few terra-formers we have only minimal improvements are needed to keep an expanding population fed and supplied with raw materials and energy. Perhaps we will re-visit the issue when it comes time to start these projects. I for one would like to have one or two network nodes in operation first in order to increase our scientific output but the long term benefits of these two projects outweigh the immediate need for more labs.

As expected our fifth colony pod will be completed next turn but once again the population is not sufficient to support its departure for at least on more turn. I have selected a very capable man to be governor of this new colony, Timothy Anderson. He does not have the background in science that governor Spande does but he is a military man who can quickly organize the population and since his colony will be the closest to the Data Angels his training will be much better used there if a "problem" occurs.

I am beginning to feel the weight that the fight for survival seems to bring being lifted somewhat. The Peacekeepers are expanding and growing and in time we will make a paradise of this world.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2126

Pravin,

Mir Lab is up and running, and I have decided that a trance defender is the first order of business to ensure its protection. With it we have increased our science by 33% and we should have another breakthrough in a couple of years. I noticed you weren’t very forthcoming about your technology, and that is OK. I’ll be mum too, if you prefer. It is interesting that with every new base we establish we seem to have the basic infrastructure for these network nodes you talk about. Moreover, we seem to be able to get a significant utilization from this infrastructure. Once we can get beyond this damn Wall we should be able to establish a great many bases since, based on the topography, there appears to be a significant expanse of territory to the southwest. Of course, I have no idea if the territory is as favorable as yours, or if it is inhabited.

Our second colony pod is on its way, and it may have some difficulty getting through the Wall. I may have to send the garrison from University Base to escort it part of the way through the Wall, and I shudder to think what might happen if some mindworms come slithering this way.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2126

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I did not mean to ignore your inquiry about our laboratory status but little has changed since last we spoke. Our labs are still 18 turns away from making a breakthrough at the rate they are working. Without the advanced computer systems and energy resources the scientists are slowed considerably.

Our fifth colony pod will leave its mother base next turn and we expect it to be up and running in 6 to 7 turns. Our terra-formers are hard at work clearing land and building a mine next to U.N. Commerce Committee. We fully expect that the added minerals at that base should help increase the production of our project there.

The fourth colony pod from the Data Angels must have established a colony on the far northern shores since no sighting of it has been seen since our scout team "chased" it away.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2127

Pravin,

One of our scout teams was able to move into the Wall, but the other failed. This will delay the advance of our colony pod, unfortunately. At Mir Lab the scout team couldn’t even examine the pod next to them since they were mired in fungus! We’ll have to wait for next year to try again – delays, delays!

Our terraformers are busy building forests near the Wall in hopes that it will grow into the pink blight. Next we’ll build a sensor to give us advance warning in case a mindworm boils out. I’m even considering the extreme step of having them remove the fungus, although the time required is frightful. Still, our two bases are small and have all the improved territory they are likely to need, especially since they are building colony pods to keep their population low.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2127

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our colony pod will leave next turn and begins its long trek to the river delta on the southern slopes of the northern island. Our terra-formers and crews are hard at work and we have two crews working in tandem to complete the mine for UN Commerce Committee so it can be ready as quickly as possible.

Our scouts now indicate that the Data Angels did move their colony pod to the north and set it up along the shores of the northern coast of the big island. This was welcome news since we did not want our colony pod to arrive on site just to have it move again.

My administrators inform me that once we have recycling tanks in operation our efficiency will rise in orders of magnitude which might allow us to spend more energy for lab work.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2128

Pravin,

The first Unity pod contained nothing, but it did have a lode of nutrients underneath. It is too bad there isn’t a terraformer to develop it properly, but it is welcome. Perhaps the other Unity pod will contain something better!

I just noticed the strangest thing. Our scouts seem to have a significant problem moving through the Wall, but our colony pod and terraformer didn’t! The pod and former crew reported that the fungus almost seemed to part for them to allow them to pass, while the scout teams reported significant obstructions. I’ll have to think about this since I have no explanation except, perhaps, nitrogen narcosis if the crews didn’t have their nitrogen scrubbers on.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2128

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our colony pod left as scheduled and is now making its way north. I have sent word to our deep scout team to intercept the colony pod and escort it to is colonization sector. I plan on having the scout team assume the duties of base guards rather than having the colony build new equipment for a garrison. This will allow the colony to begin construction on a terra-former immediately.

Little occurred this turn. We are switching production sites every other turn so that we can maximize mineral and nutrient production for our bases.

Lastly, I wish to begin a dialogue with you concerning the subject of technology exchanges. It will be sometime before the Peacekeepers make another breakthrough and I wish to explore the possibilities of other means of "tender" for any breakthrough you might make, ie.. energy credits for technology. Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this subject.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2129

Pravin,

Yes, let’s discuss technology. Some of my staff has been having, shall we say, professional conversations with some of your staff. They have rather loose lips, which isn’t surprising considering that most people like to talk about themselves, and show that what they are doing is important. It is amazing what you can learn by just listening, and I have been listening very well. It seems that your staff thinks that you are the technological leader here on Chiron. Isn’t that strange? Didn’t you just tell me you have no technology to trade, or did I just read that in to your statement? Rose has the specifications for the basics of and Industrial Base, but she won’t part with them. Perhaps she has traded them to you, or you traded them to her? Quid pro quo, Pravin.

The second Unity pod near Mir Lab held a rover, which has been sent speeding southwest to explore territory. I don’t think I could have asked for a better find since our trance scouts are so slow, in short supply, and needed for defense.

Zak

*~*~*~

UN Headquarters, MY 2129

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I take great insult at your "implication" that we, the Peacekeepers, might be withholding some technology from you. Of all the people you could level such a charge the one person on this planet that such a charge has the least merit, baseless in all forms, is myself. I, Pravin Lal, who lead the United Nations legislative changes to open technology and informational networks to all. I, Pravin Lal, who oversaw the dismantling of the Microsoft technological monopoly that had strangled the informational networks for years. Prokhor I assure you we have no technology that you do not already have. My scientists tell me that we have a standardized rating of 216 on the technology scale so I do not think we are hiding any secret advances. By the virtue of having more bases our labs are more but in no shape or form are they superior to yours.

We have completed our first mine! The mineral wealth we are pulling out of it is staggering since it also sits right above a large mineral deposit. Our terra-formers will build a road next to better facilitate the transfer of ore and they will next move on to build a farm that will allow the base to begin adding more citizens. We should have the road and farm completed in ten turns along with our recycling tanks. Improvements are popping up all over now and our own UNHQ will soon have its first farm and then a solar collection facility.

I envy your scout rover greatly. However, such a vehicle would do us little good since the Data Angels block our northern expansion. I have been toying with the idea of equipping a scout team to move south into the polar cap area. My scientist believe that the magnetic poles might have drawn more of the Unity pods to them rather than the center regions. This could be a boon for us all.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~

University Base, MY 2130

Pravin,

Apparently the Unity rover inspired my scientists, since they presented me with the specifications for Doctrine: Mobility. I was less than impressed. Although I said the appropriately thankful pleasantries to them I did suggest that they might want to concentrate more on Build technologies. They agreed, but it will be a while before they will be able to present us with any breakthroughs.

Out colony pod is half way through the Wall, and the brave trance scout is waiting for them on the hind end. I’m going to place the pod as soon as possible to minimize the production delay, but it will still be a few years before it is set up.

Zak

*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2130

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

In two turns we will complete our sixth colony pod and it should be up and running in seven turns. Our fifth colony pod is four turns from being set-up so once again I am amazed at our rate of expansion even during these hard days. We completed our first farm but we are somewhat disappointed at the lack of nutrient production. We had hoped to get more that two nutrients but in time we might get more. We are building a solar collector and a road system on the farming sector and then the three terra-formers will move on to connect our third colony base. Our mine is producing seven mineral units per turn and combined with our other mineral production we produce a total of 9 mineral units in all! As soon as we complete the recycling tanks UN Commerce Committee will start on a project, which we expect to do in three turns.

Little else has changed and I can only assume that the other pod leaders are thriving as well.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2131

Pravin,

Our pod is now at the edge of the fungus and will settle in few years. The territory should provide a minimum of substance, and growth potential will be low, unfortunately. Our rover is probing far to the south and in a few years we will have explored more territory than we did in the last 25 years. That is heartening, since knowing the lay of the land is always an advantage.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2131

Members of the University committee and Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

My father asked me to communicate with you and bring you up to date on any current events this turn. Pravin has gone to our base at UN Great Refuge to select a new governor for the colony pod that is about to depart there. He had been delaying the mission for some time but since the pod is depart next turn it makes it all the more critical to select the proper man or woman for the job.

Little occurred this turn and I expect things will remain calm for several more turns. After that many improvements and new bases will be built so it should be interesting to see how these develop.

United Nations Peacekeepers

Governor Joshua Lal,

United Nations Headquarters Base - Office of the UNHQ Governor

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2132

Pravin,

It turns out my continent is inhabited too. I found a solar collector, and only a human could have set that up. Our rover will investigate at once, of course. If this is true than I am in the same position as you are, except that I found out much later than you due to our severely impeded exploration and that damned xenofungus. It remains to be seen how big this continent is, the extent of the area to be settled and if this other faction is willing to share this land.

Zak

	24-05-2002 21:52									#6
	Put an end to popups!

UN Headquarters, MY 2133

Members of the University committee and Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I relayed your last transmission to my father due to the extreme importance. He was overjoyed to know that you have found signs of another group of Unity survivors! He is returning as quickly as possible to UNHQ so that he can communicate directly with you.

Our fifth colony pod will arrive at its destination next turn and we then expect to have it up and running the following turn. Our sixth colony pod will leave UN Great Refuge next turn with governor Lance Armstrong as its leader. Lance is an old friend of mine and has extensive training in marine science and oceanography that is good since his base will be a coastal one.

We completed a solar collector unit on our farm sector and our energy out put increased 30% from it. We now have produce and excess amount of energy of over 6 energy units per turn! This energy will be used to complete projects and increase our lab productivity. Our laboratory leader expects a breakthrough in ten turns!


United Nations Peacekeepers

Governor Joshua Lal,

United Nations Headquarters Base - Office of the UNHQ Governor

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2134

Pravin,

I’ve contacted my neighbor and it wasn’t very pleasant. He is none other than CEO Morgan, the industrialist that contracted to build Unity. How he arranged to get on Unity I haven’t a clue, although I’m sure it involved a few well-placed bribes. He and Rose are cut from the same cloth, it seems, as they are both unscrupulous and opportunists. The CEO was downright rude and even went so far as to make unpleasant threats such as demanding technology and offering thinly veiled threats against my safety, which is hardly a good way to start off a relationship. It seems he objected to my economics and, frankly, the way I choose to run my society is none of his business. If he is going to be a judgmental busybody then the best we will able to do is a tense peace.

Until he improves his attitude I’m afraid I can’t in good faith give you his communication channel. Our position here on Planet is tenuous enough and if he is going to be a bad neighbor I prefer that he be an insolated bad neighbor.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2134

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

When I read your last transmission I was both elated and angered. I do not recall that CEO Morgan was ever part of the expeditionary team so I can only assume he used his vast wealth to "bribe" his way onto the Unity. With that being said he is now a leader and as such we have to deal with him. What I am angered about is your refusal to transmit his frequency to me. I shared the comm. frequency of the Data Angels with no regard for "compensation" from you. And yet you will now refuse me! I still feel that as the leader of the Unity mission it is your obligation to render unto me the comm. frequency of any or all of the Unity mission survivors. How can we foster greater understanding if you do not help yourself by helping me. With that being said I will not try to force you to provide the frequency since I do respect your views. Perhaps you could a list of unacceptable technologies you would not like to see Morgan get his hands of so when I do talk with him I can set those items aside.

We have begun the weather paradigm project! In fifteen to eighteen turns we should have made a significant breakthrough in terra-forming technology! Also, we are now nine turns away from making another major breakthrough in our labs as well.

I do hope you reconsider and opt to provide the communication frequency. The Peacekeepers can be a powerful ally!

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2134

Pravin,

I understand your distress at my withholding Morgan’s communication frequency, and in your place I would likely feel the same. You must note that I was honest with you in letting you know I had contacted Morgan, and in my reasons for withholding it. However, giving his comm. frequency to you would only strengthen him and, since he has been ambivalent at best toward me, this would weaken my tenuous position here on Chiron. I am thoroughly alarmed that I will have even less territory than you, and that my territory is so poor and will require extensive terraforming efforts to make it minimally profitable. Already Mir Lab is suffering from a lack of having a terraformer, which is due to a lack of resources to rush one to completion.

On a whim I called up Rose. She was ambivalent toward me, too, and I asked if she might be willing to trade technology. Surprisingly she said yes and I now have the specifications for Industrial Base. She may have gotten a better deal in our trade, but it pains me to have to reproduce research already completed by others, and I am willing to sacrifice a bad deal in order to ensure my valiant scientist’s time isn’t wasted.

When that surprising deal was done I remembered that Morgan had refused me Industrial Base so that the “Merchant Exchange” wouldn’t fall into my hands. As if I care! Well, now that Rose had thoughtfully supplied this technology to me I contacted Morgan. He demanded technology, and used some less than flattering verbiage again. I sighed, and refused. Then he offered his world map for my data on Doctrine: Mobility. I view this as a fairly useless technology, but if Morgan was willing to take it for his world map I am willing to say yes. I was pleased with the results, since I now know that Morgan has only a slight toehold on my continent, and most of his holdings are on a small island! He must have a Unity Foil to have gotten his colony to this land, and I intend to take most of the land in this area as I can, like you are doing with Rose. It was well worth the trade.

I do want to ensure our relations are at least friendly, Pravin. I would be willing to transmit to you my files on Industrial Base to you as a gift, provided you are willing to exchange technology for what you discover in the near future. If you agree you will see that I have given you three technologies (Information Networks, Centaui Ecology, Industrial Base) for the one you have given me (Biogenetics), so I feel I have been more than supportive of your people’s efforts to thrive and prosper on Chiron.

Congratulations on starting the Weather Paradigm. Our resources are too strapped to start a Project like this, and I envy your resources. Just don’t let Rose near it!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2134

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I agree to your terms for the exchange of technology. Our scientists will complete a breakthrough in five turns so I would hate to see the waste in duplication of resources and time. Immediately at the completion of our breakthrough we will transfer that technology to you.

Our fifth colony has been established and it now gives the edge to the Peacekeepers in territory. Our sixth colony pod will be set-up next turn and we fully expect to establish a seventh within a decade.

You should not be so hard on yourself Prokhor in time you will be a very developed territory. If you would like once we have sea-based technology I could send one or even two of our special terra-formers to your area to build you some improvements. A few boreholes or even a condenser would greatly increase your resources. We would do this to help even up the balance of technology you have gifted to us. The main reason we are pushing so hard to complete the weather paradigm is that it will allow us to create new land by raising the seafloor. This will greatly help our expansion.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2135

Pravin,

We just established our fourth base, Monitoring Station. It isn’t in the best territory, and in fact the territory is awful, but it is up and running. Each base we add increases our scientific and productive output, and I continue to do so. Zoloto Gold just finished a colony pod that is on the way. Conveniently one of our formers just finished removing the fungus from part of the Wall so we can move back and forth more easily. A forest is being planted, and hopefully this will spread and eliminate this blight.

I also made an error since I forgot to send the specifications for Industrial Base to you and I am told the system can’t allow me to send it until the next Chiron year. From what you have described this shouldn’t interrupt your scientific discovery rate, and I will pre-approve the transfer to ensure it gets to you.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2135

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We are making plans for our seventh and eighth colony pods but they will not be ready any time in the immediate future. We have reached a point in our expansion where only a few "select" spots are left to expand that offer good resources and a decent chance to prosper and grow. We intend to build a colony on the very southern tip of our island and equip it with advanced sensing equipment. However, before that is done a large patch of fungus must be removed first. It will also alert us to any ships passing through the narrow straits in that area. So the weather paradigm project takes on even more importance since with it we can create our own land.

I appreciate your gesture on sharing the map files. It does seem that Nwabudike was in an even worse situation than any of us with such a small island. I do hope you "beat him" in the expansion race since if you do not you will be blocked.

The extra bases are doing wonders for our research capabilities we have reduced the interval between expected discovers to 15 turns! I am sure once we build some more network nodes and gain more energy sources the interval can only drop more.

I do hope that next turn the agreed upon technology is transferred without further delay. I do not want to be seen as ungrateful but the technical blueprints and files will be of great use to us in helping our people prosper.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2136

Pravin,

I have attached the specs for Industrial Base, as promised. I hope they will be of use to you!

The only bit of news from my bit of Chiron is that I gave our rover crew the authorization to investigate a Unity pod near the Morgan-University territorial boundary. I was concerned that Morgan might investigate first, otherwise I would wait until a base was placed next to it to avoid unfortunate incidents. As is turns out we got a huge bonus. The Unity pod covered a nutrient lode, and the pod itself contained enough resources to complete a recycling tank at Monitoring Station! The resources will be sorely needed since the territory there is so poor, and every bit of energy boosts our lab output! Completing the recycling tanks at University Base chopped 3 years off our research time alone, and that was only one energy unit! The multiplier for our allocation for research is significant, and with a few more bases up we should be in much better shape.

Our colony pod for our 5th base is stuck in the Wall again. It is so frustrating. In desperation I ordered our scout to enter, and they failed. Then I ordered a nearby former crew and they succeeded! That blasted fungus is so hard to figure out. Now that the former is there I think it will just remove another sector of fungus, even though it will take 6 years! What a waste, but it wastes more time not to.

University Base should have its rec commons done in a few years, and then we will start on the Virtual World. It is critical for us to complete this project, and we will do anything to do so. I have been informed that our intrinsic infrastructure will allow our people to be healthy and happy, and we can avoid all the riots that are so common otherwise. I do hope the project is finished before someone else.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2136

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

On behalf of the Peacekeepers I thank you again for the transfer of technical files. It should aid us in protecting our scouts and making sure they have the most advanced defensive systems possible.

I doubt you will be able to complete the virtual world project. My intelligence team reports that another faction that survived the Unity calamity has been working on this project for some time, for nearly 12 to 15 turns. They have a significant "head start" on you. Perhaps on of the other remaining projects would be better and more "winnable". We intend to start the Human Genome project in a short while so perhaps the merchant exchange would be something you could complete. The extra energy would give your labs a great boost.

We are dispatching our terra-formers to prepare the site for our eighth colony and the remaining formers are making their way to a large mineral deposit area that should provide over 7 minerals per turn!

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2137

Pravin,

Merchant Exchange? PAH! What a waste of time and resources. It would cost much less to simply build a few more colony pods or harvest resources remotely. We will try for the Virtual World and, failing that, some other worthy Project.

We finally found some rainy territory south of Mir Lab. It even has another of those small rivers, and our rover has been sent to investigate. Roads are being constructed to speed the pod to its destination, and if this proves to be less than useful then we will start poaching on Morgan’s territory. That nutrient sector is particularly interesting, but it is a long way away.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2137

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I did not mean to offend you Prokhor but the weather paradigm will be completed in 13 turns and I fully intend to use the mineral wealth of UN Commerce Committee to complete the human genome project as well. As it stands once I complete the weather paradigm it will only take me 21 turns to complete the human genome project for a grand total of 33 turns to complete both not counting if we use any energy resources to speed up the production. Perhaps your base can begin to accumulate resources for a future project that you feel is more worthy.

Little else occurred this turn. Our terra-formers are either en route to build infra-structure or they are building some now. UNHQ just complete ahead of schedule due to the wealth of energy we now generate a recycling facility which should only boost our production capacity to build a network node. Once the node is complete we can begin building our eighth colony pod. By that time UNHQ should be at a population four rank and unless we build a recreation facility to increase morale I would think we would suffer the same riots you have had many times. Several other bases are building recycling tanks as well so energy and mineral production should go up even more.

I would hope you can come to some sort of mutual agreement about territorial boundaries. Though I have not talked to Roze in sometime the simple fact that the southern side of her island is desolate wasteland serves as an effective means to keep our two factions apart. Any colony set-up in the wastelands would for all intents and purposes set to fail the minute it is built. Once we can begin creating our own land by raising the sea floor up the issue of expanding north becomes a non-issue.

Lastly, I am still troubled by your need to keep Nwabudike Morgan's comm. frequency all to yourself. I would be willing to allow you to oversee any exchange of data or whatever and if reasonable object and veto any exchange. I think if you would allow me to communicate with him I could bring him into the family of nations that we are building. I have begun to accept that we will never be able to unite under the UN banner again so I can only hope that in time we can come together as equals.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:27									#7
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

University Base, MY 2138

Pravin,

By your definition all the territory I hold is a “desolate wasteland”, so perhaps you can see why I am interested in preserving any small advantage I might have. I have not contacted Morgan since he has made it abundantly clear that he thinks my economic system is wrongheaded; therefore I will not trouble him about boundaries. I will set them myself, and if he was a problem with this he can call me about it. I believe that is the same tacit border resolution system you are pursuing with Rose, is it not?

Zak

*~*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2138

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I see there is no changing your position when it comes to Nwabudike so we shall table the issue for now. We are now 7 turns away from making our next breakthrough and the interval between expected discoveries has been reduced to just under twenty turns! Once we complete one or two more colonies and a few network nodes I am sure our labs will be up the challenge this planet has created. I know it is unrealistic but I have asked my son to help "prod" the scientists into trying to focus their minds on creating the means to travel the seas of Planet. Once we have this technology we can then begin to harness the resources of the vast oceans of this planet.

If you could send us a current map file I would appreciate it greatly,

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2139

Pravin,

You will need to do more than prod your scientists; you will need to give them direction. After all, look what my cadre of scientists gave me when I asked for technologies to build and explore: they gave me Doctrine: Mobility. While this may be useful in the future it is not useful now, and it is a pity they spent about 10 years developing it.

It isn’t likely that we will get much more map information that you might find to be useful, but I have included my map none-the-less. Our rover took a detour and is will work its way back southwest, but it will take a while. You may note that the map information I acquired from Rose and Morgan was dearly bought, and that you are the beneficiary of our sacrifice. Science is just a currency, like so much else. I hope you find it to be useful.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2139

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am distressed concerning your view towards information as a "currency". I am not as zealous as some of the Peacekeeper High Commissioners of the General Assembly concerning the "free flow of information" but surely a map file or a communication frequency does not constitute or equal the same as a technical file on high energy weapons? I can understand and even sympathize with you if you were protecting your most advanced state secrets but "some" information must be shared with all. I doubt we will ever see eye to eye on this since I believe the harsh demands of your region, the constant battle with Planet and the fungus, has hardened you to the grand picture. Our people can only prosper by the prosperity we bring them, by the openness we can give to each other to aid each other. If your trades in information have left you bitter, then, I am sorry for this and I wish to make amends.

We will transfer immediately to you the moment we have completed our next scientific breakthrough. Also, if you feel "owed" some additional compensation then please address to me the remedy that you feel fair. Information flow must flow but it can also have some extra "help" in getting there. My last thoughts to you on this: do not let Planet change you but let us change Planet together.

Lastly, in four turns we will begin the Human Genome project at UN Aid Station. The medical facilities there are the best we have and that will surely help them in working to create this wonderful project. With the abundance of minerals in that area and with the help of a monolith and recycling tanks the project should be ready completed in 21 turns. This is good news for us all. With the completion of the Weather Paradigm project in 11 turns we will have reached a turning point in the advancement of civilization on this planet.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2140

Pravin,

Bitter? No, realistic. Life is always hard, and don’t delude yourself by believing that what you want is reality. I am perfectly willing to trade information, but I have come to understand that ‘gifts’ are simply a nice way to repackage an exchange of information or services - as I said before, qui pro quo.

We started the Virtual World this last year. As you said, it is probably late but all our meager resources will be put toward its completion. University Base now has a recycling tank and a recreation commons, which will be critical to maintaining order when it goes to size 3. It may have been a mistake to create the recreation commons, but that is past and cannot be changed.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2140

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I wish you luck on your endeavor to catch up and win the virtual world project. I expect that you might need those recreation areas to help ease the sense of anger and frustration of your population when your competition for this project beats you to it.

Our terra-forming crews have begun to remove the fungus from the small tip of land to the very south of our UNHQ. It does turn out that a land bridge does exist between the Peacekeeper lands and the polar caps. A small isthmus of land connects the two areas but it is also criss-crossed with rivers that allow ships to move from one sea to the other. I think this sector of land will be very valuable to the Peacekeepers in the future. If we had rovers like you then we could traverse the polar caps and explore this region, but, alas we do not have that technology. Our scientists seem poised to make a breakthrough in the field of colonization and expansion areas but who can say what they might "actually" come up with.

Little has changed this turn in the way of events. Our High Commissioner of Terra-forming has informed me we have completed "another" terra-former and it will speed up our completion of a mine over the rich deposits of minerals that are found in the center highlands of our island. He has also drawn up several plans as to how to create more land and in which areas but I have yet to okay which plan yet. We still have ten turns before the weather paradigm project is done.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2141

Pravin,

Sometimes the most satisfying victories are the minor ones. We have cleared the second sector of the Great Fungal Wall and placed a road through it! This has taken a combined 14 years of effort for our two formers, and I hope that in the end it will be worth it. In spending this much time we have neglected other tasks, but with our two small home bases it doesn’t seem that important since they didn’t need more terraforming. Now one former will continue to breach the wall while the other will start on a low priority solar panel for University Base.

In other news that also counts as a minor victory we have placed a forest on the nutrient lode. Normally we might leave this alone, but the sector was utterly barren. Now it produces three nutrients, two minerals and one energy, a veritable cornucopia! Or, at least, it is by comparison to the resources available at other bases. This development was important since the base was likely to grow to size 3 before producing its colony pod due to low mineral production, and that is a bad thing since it leads to social instability. Next the formers will build more forest on the south end of the Wall, and then roads connecting our bases and developing this territory. Then we will have the luxury of building the road system to new territory I intend to claim before Morgan gets his grubby little hands on them. This continent looks to be large, and I can’t wait to see what it contains.

I noticed you have six bases developed, and I envy you that. In the long run that will be a huge benefit to you, and I intend to catch up and surpass that count by a good measure. But, as with everything, there is a price – we will miss out on the Projects you are developing. We have learned to do without, and will do so in the future.

Good luck in your Projects, Pravin.

Zak \

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2141

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am glad you have made headway in your battle with the fungus. It became clear to me within the first turn after landing that the road to victory could be found in terra-forming.

We too have reached population index #3 at our UNHQ and I have ordered some of our excess energy to be used to improving the amount of time for recreational activities and other events. My hope is that extra energy credits spent to improving the psychological needs of my people will give me time to build a network node and a colony pod without having riots on my hands. If what I fear becomes reality then I will order some of the specialist in UNHQ to help calm and soothe the fears and problems of the population. After the colony pod leaves we can then focus energy and minerals on building a much more substantial recreational facility such as the one you have. All of our other facilities have found a balance in resource intake that has left them static for now which allows them to concentrate on projects and infrastructure without having to worry about population problems. Once we have more land then we can start expanding again.

We begin next turn the human genome project that should also help us in "balancing" the needs of our people and helping to maintain order and civility in our cities.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2142

Pravin,

Terraforming is invaluable, and it is a way to rip from Chiron what we need to survive. This is prima fascia proof that technology will be our salvation, and that we must develop these technologies if we want to succeed and even thrive in this hostile environment.

Out Unity rover is nearing another fungal wall, which it will enter next year. Do you want to place bets on whether it will have difficulty forcing its way through, or if it will encounter any of those nasty mindworms? Actually I wouldn’t mind if it were to find and destroy some mindworms since the energy would be most welcome. Morgan even has a monolith nearby to repair, although he may not appreciate a rover adjacent to his base. If he does that is too bad, let him whine and cry about it. It is unarmed, and has no armor, so it is not a threat. I intend to explore this territory, and when I establish our 5th base the border will be pushed back so he will have no cause for concern.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2142

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I have received word, but not confirmed, that someone else might have completed the virtual world project? Can you confirm this? The High Commissioner for military intelligence and surveillance has reports that the cybernetic consciences might have completed the virtual world project or canceled it, we are unsure yet as to which might be correct. I do hope your work thus far has not been in vain.

We have started the human genome project and should have it completed in the anticipated 21 turns. The weather paradigm will be completed in 8 turns, slightly ahead of schedule I think. Of our six colonies, three now have recycling tanks and the remaining three should soon have tanks as well. Our UNHQ will soon have a network node up and running and we expect that within a decade we should have at least one more.

Our effort to expend energy into improving the psychological welfare of our people seems to be working. The workers of UNHQ have not rioted yet and do not seem to want to. As soon as we complete the network node there we can build an extra colony pod and remove the excess population and then we can reduce the extra energy spent in these pysch efforts and plow them back into our economy.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2143

Pravin,

Well, last time I checked we were the only faction building the Virtual World. Now, Morgan has just begun the Weather Paradigm, so you better watch out. He has a lot of cash bankrolled so he might beat you to it or the Genome Project.

As usual our rover is having trouble with the New Great Fungal Wall southwest of our territory. It is very irritating, and I wonder what I will have to do to finally be able to penetrate these pink morasses! One day I may have the ability to rip all the fungus I see out by the rhizomes, but not today. Now it is just irritating!

As usual we are behind you in infrastructure. We only have two recycling tanks and one rec commons. Everyone else is too busy building colony pods, and in 5 years or so we should have the makings for a total of 8 bases. Our 5th base should be established in a few two years. Another milestone will have been reached – University Base will grow to size 3! It is amazing what the recycling tank can do, and once we are better established that and rec commons will be our highest priority.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2143

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I really think you are being an alarmist when it comes to the weather paradigm. We are seven turns away from completing the first project on Planet and I doubt that even Nwabudike has the resources, the thousands of energy credits to crash build a project. If he did, well, I would retire and let him run Planet.

We now have four recycling tanks done and our network node will soon be done as well. Until the weather paradigm is complete there is little we can do now but wait. There is simply not enough land for us to expand and any further expansion would over colonize our current area. Once the project is done we intend to send a team of terra-formers to the southeastern tip of the larger northern island and begin raising land. I have been asked by many why do we not colonize further north. Our new condenser units would turn the sands into grass in time but for now and for some time I think the arid sands provide a nice boundary for both the Data Angels and us. In the time we can build a condenser we can raise land greater than the amount the condenser can irrigate.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2144

Pravin,

You are probably correct about Morgan and the Weather Paradigm. Actually, he is a bigger threat to me completing the Virtual World than he is a threat to you. I will have to look into this closely and weigh my options.

Your plans for terraforming your territory seems ambitious, but sound. It will be a long time before we have the technology to do such a thing, so we will have to expand the old fashioned way – build colony pods, and we are doing that with a vengeance.

Thank you for the data on Progenitor Psych, although I am entirely unclear what this is good for. Also, why did you attach 5 energy credits? Although I always like gifts, and they are welcome, I can’t but wonder why you would gift this sum?

Zak

	17-06-2002 02:29									#8
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

UN Headquarters, MY 2144

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

The energy was a gift to your people to help them prosper but more importantly survive. Our energy collection is increasing daily and we are stockpiling more energy each turn, so a few energy credits sent as a gift to aid you is the least we can do. I myself had the same feelings towards this new technology we had uncovered. Once we have command of the seas I think the ability to harvest more nutrients from it than normal will only help to boost the prosperity of any city.

My High Commissioner of Industrial operations has informed me that within six turns we will complete the weather paradigm project, in ten turns we will complete two more recycling tanks and another terra-former and a network node. Within 2 decades we will complete the human genome project. With that said it does seem that the Data Angels are growing far faster than I had expected. Several of their bases are at population four index now and they are only getting larger. What I fear now is that Roze might look south to exploit the rich land we have and try to seize one or more of our bases.

With that in mind I have issued orders to the base governors to begin building anti-espionage teams to maintain base security. What I really need is a faster mobile force. So I wish to ask if you would accept energy credits in exchange for a technology, in particular, speeder technology. I had in mine, 25 energy credits to be paid out in 5 installments. Would this seem appropriate to you? I do hope that we can work together to find a mutually agreeable solution.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2145

Pravin,

Well, I feel much better this year. We just founded four 5th base, Otkrietia-Discovery, and I was completely thrilled to find out that our discovery rate had decreased to one per 12 years! Just think, with every base we build our research rate will only increase, and our scientific advancement will allow us to thrive here on this nasty planet. Next year two more colony pods will be done, baring a riot at those bases, and another is being prepared at Mir Lab. Our road system in and between the Fungal Wall will be complete soon, and that is a good thing, too.

I think I understand your gift better now, and I have to say it has improved my mood, so it is already paying dividends, so to speak. I would be willing to part with Doctrine: Mobility for 25 credits paid over 5 years. You might also be interested in other technology my valiant scientists have discovered, including basic offensive lasers. If you intend to defend yourself against Rose, which is a good idea, then these technologies could be invaluable for you.

Lastly, I contacted Rose this last year and she was incredibly antagonistic. We are so far away I almost threw caution to the wind and said “Up yours, too!” but I held my tongue – after all, a certain decorum must be maintained. Personally, I think she is jealous of our scientific achievements and furious that she isn’t closer so she can steal our secrets. I certainly hope you aren’t Pacted with this vile lady, and you would be wise to defend yourself against her. At least be prepared since she will only grow more arrogant as she gains resources and power.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2145

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am very pleased with your acceptance of this negotiation. I can only hope that it will lead to more discussions and more treaties that will benefit both of our peoples. I have issued orders that the first installment of five energy credits be sent to your minister of finance. I hope that my word alone is sufficient for us to "seal the deal" and that on your next transmission you can send the technology we have agreed upon.

As for Roze, no, we have not "pacted" with her. The few times I have contacted her she has been pleasant and very cordial actually. As to why she is belligerent to you I will have to agree with your statement about her envy. Technology means much if not everything to the Data Angels and you and perhaps a few other "faction" leaders are her competitors. In time I hope that I can build a bridge of understanding between the two of you but for now I need to work on a bridge between the Data Angels and us. I suspect that soon Roze will make her move but as to what it is, who can say. All of my bases are protected with very highly trained and hardened garrisons and each one does have protection against mind attacks from the worms. With the speeder technology we will be able to patrol our border better and intercept any problems before they become flash points.

I am almost like a child waiting with joy and desperation for the last work to be done on the weather paradigm, I grow more impatient each turn wanting to unleash the power and control it will give us over Planet. When it will be done it will be a great moment for all of humanity.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2146

Pravin,

We have our first war.

My rover was making good time down a river in unclaimed territory when a mindworm burst out of some fungus. The veteran crew immediately went on the defensive and prepared to attack when some humans came out of the fungus too! These humans are a ‘mindworm’ team from my old subordinate Deirdre, who call themselves “Gaians’, whatever that means. The meeting was chilly, and then these mindworm trainers told me that Deirdre had declared vendetta against us! We had done nothing to her, and we had just met! All I did to ‘provoke’ her is refuse her demand for technology, and I do that all the time. Well, if she wants hostile we’ll show her hostile. Our rover team knew what to do, and they attacked and destroyed the “Gaian” mindworm and slaughtered its trainers. They are worm food now.

It seems enemies surround us since we have competition with Morgan, who is thankfully not based on this continent, and now outright hostilities with that sanctimonious and self-righteous Deirdre. I don’t know how she controls these mindworms, but if she is in league with them she must be brought to heel. Morgan has been civil so far, but Deirdre has just earned herself a ticket straight to hell as a result of her rash actions.

I attached the files for Doctrine: Mobility. I hope it serves you well, and it may be that we will be using it very soon to build an army to crush Deirdre.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2146

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am greatly troubled by the news you sent, war. I cannot think of anything more terrible. I hope you can understand that as the Unity leader I cannot take sides in this altercation you and this Deirdre Skye have created. This situation is terrible, that the two people on this planet who have the most scientific training and are the most educated are the ones that have created the first war.

I ask you to send Deirdre Sky's comm. frequency to me so that I can try and broker a cease-fire to these hostilities. I promise not to exchange any technology that would be of a benefit to her unless you approve. I see no reason to help either of you try to kill each other. I hope that you will forward the comm. frequency and that I can start my work in rebuilding the bonds that must support us to defeat not each other but Planet.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2147

Pravin,

Deirdre said that “the planet isn’t big enough for the both of us” and she said she would enjoy my execution. You will excuse me if I take offense to that, and to the fact that she summarily declared war only moments after I had said, “Hello.” She is obviously unbalanced, and now a menace. Perhaps she has been frolicking with her mindworms too much and it has twisted her puerile little mind. I have not included that *****’s comm. frequency, and I won’t until she comes to my terms.

I did have an interesting meeting this last year. Another foil pulled up to University Base, and it was flying a flag I hadn’t seen before. The ‘Unified Worker’s Front of Greater Chiron’ delegation stayed at University Base for a few weeks, and they explained in irritating detail their plans for a worker’s paradise and equality for all. They had taken literally decades to get here, they said. After a few expertly placed questions it seems their worker’s paradise is pretty sparse, and that their ideology is antithetical to true research. Poor bastards. These ‘Drones’, as they informally refer to themselves, are a pretty backward bunch, although they are friendly. I traded some technology for their world map, and you are likely to see the bizarre course of their foil and how they made a b-line for our shores when you get my map. I am willing to transmit their leader Domai’s comm. frequency to you, if you would like.

In other news we had another breakthrough, although I’m not sure how soon we can use Ethical Calculus in our impoverished state. Eventually this will allow unprecedented development, but at this point we are simply too limited to enjoy its benefits. The main bright spot is the breakthroughs it might allow.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2147

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I find it more and more astonishing each time we make contact with a new faction. Except for you none of these leaders we have met were ever supposed to have commanded a colony landing pod. I fear that the lack of training and preparation by these people, in time, will de-stabilize this planet and plunge us into the destruction. This new "faction" of workers scares me worse than any other faction we have encountered yet to date. A whole people dedicated to a philosophy of worker superiority and class regimentation without the slightest regard for those who have spent their entire lives training, learning, sacrificing so that they can lead and make the correct choices, to see the true path is almost an abomination. I have held secret meetings with my city governors to inform them to be vigilant in regards to any subversive elements in the worker ranks.

Your last transmission did not contain the frequency of these "drones", but perhaps this is for the best. I doubt any of them would even begin to understand the complex and intricate arts of diplomacy that I practice. However, in time we can only hope that we can bring them to the table as "equals".

We are down to three turns before completing the weather paradigm project and only 16 turns from the human genome project. We are now building anti-espionage teams in order to protect our forward bases from any possible incursions. Once we complete some of these projects more network nodes must be built to improve our research capabilities.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2148

Pravin,

Do you want the comm. frequency for these Drones or not? I offered, and the standard response is to either accept or decline. It is your choice, and if you don’t want to chat with these Drones that is your decision.

We have a number of colony pods en-route and in production. Our two southern bases are proving to be most productive since both of them have a nutrient lode nearby, which incredibly speeds growth. Our northern bases are now working on other concerns, including the Virtual World. I’m afraid that we will not complete the Virtual World as soon as you will, but it is a more resource intensive project. I just hope we can pull it off.

Our rover is continuing to plunge into hostile territory. I briefly considered pulling it back, but then I decided it was much more important to know where that witch Deirdre is hiding so I can determine if I need to hem in my base expansion a little. So far I have seen no indication of her territory, and even if I did it wouldn’t stop me. She has made a potent enemy, as she will learn – the hard way.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2148

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Yes, the United Nations Peacekeepers government would like the comm. frequency for this "Drone nation". In time I think we can help these drones to see the error of their ways and return to the various nations they left from. I doubt that these drones are well looked after or have much guidance, something every drone needs.

I was contacted by Roze and she offered me, us, a technology trade that I think was a great boon for us. We exchanged files on doctrine mobility for her files on advanced energy management systems. With these new plans for energy storage devices our cities should soon be generating even more energy than before. There was some misgivings about sending to her technology that "might" be used against us in a military conflict but with her technological speed I am sure she would have discovered it sooner than later and then we would still be out the energy storage systems.

It is our hope that within two turns we will complete the weather paradigm. We have stationed two terra-formers to begin the sea raising process as soon as the technology is made available.

I am still not pleased at the rate of scientific expansion at our labs. The need for more network nodes is becoming even more painfully obvious.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*~*~*

University Base, MY 2149

Pravin,

Have I told you recently how much I hate this damn fungus? I suppose I have. We have finally breached the Great Fungal Wall and are building a road through it. Next this former will begin planting a forest and I would hope the fate of this blight’s would be complete. In another area a scout has tried for years to penetrate a certain area of fungus to no effect. And our rover has tried to penetrate some fungus on a river and has been denied.

I’ve attached Domai’s comm. frequency. Hopefully you’ll be able to talk him our of his worker’s paradise nonsense, but I doubt it.

Zak

*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2149

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Each time I hear of your struggle against the blight I thank whatever force that put us down here. Imagine if your pod had landed in a more "hospitable" spot?

I have accepted your offer and I plan contacting these drones next turn. I can only hope I can talk some reason into them. I have to inform you that there has been more discussion about our second project. There is a good possibility that we might switch the human genome project over to the virtual world. I regret having to inform you of this since I am sure it will strain our relationship but the ability to provide more outlets for our people to relax and prosper is becoming to great to ignore and this project will do just that, and quicker than the human genome project. I am sorry. No firm decision has been made but with our second project only 15 turns away from completion it is becoming to tempting to not to.

Next turn we should complete the weather paradigm if we do not use our stored energy to complete the network node at UNHQ. Otherwise it would be the following turn for sure that it is done. What a relief for us all.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2150

Pravin,

So you are not content with simply acquiring the wonders of the Weather Paradigm, and the Human Genome Project isn’t good enough for you? You want to grab it all, and try for the Virtual World Project, which is 50% more ambitious than either the WP or the HGP? The VW is critically important to the University so let me be blunt. If you start and/or complete the Virtual World you will have declared war on the University of Planet. It is that simple. There will be no further conversations between us, no technology trade – nothing. You will note that I declined my goodwill ‘offer’ of the Drone’s comm. frequency. As the old saying goes, one ill turn deserves another, and that is a small payment of my future ill will if you assault us in such a way. You would be surprised at the technological lead we have on your people so think carefully Pravin. War can be cold, so be cautious when you declare one.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2150

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I think in time you might regret your hasty actions. The United Nations General Assembly members were just discussing the possibility of switching projects, nothing more. No decision has been made. However, should I allow an un-edited copy of your speech to be transmitted to everyone I doubt there would be much resistance to switching. If the project were so "key" to your survival on this planet then all you had to do is state your case and the Peacekeeper councils would hear your plea and act accordingly. No insult or threat was implied to you or your people I assure you. Both projects are very powerful projects and the key advantage for us to switch to the virtual world would be another way we would not have to pay for the effects of a hologram theater since that technology is built right into the system, it is very similar to how your own network nodes are set-up in your cities at time of construction. Do we rant and rave about the fairness of your ability to establish an energy free network nodes when it takes us decades to build just one! No, we do not! Prokhor you must understand that all things can be worked out. For instance I could give you my assurance that we will not build the virtual world project in exchange for your promise of support for me as Planetary Governor, quid pro quo. I think that this is a very equitable exchange for us both. Please think it through and let me know.

I wish to thank you for the most fair and reasonable exchange of energy credits for technology that we just completed. From my records we have completed our first technology.

Lastly, we are very proud to support that our completion of the weather paradigm project is complete, next turn we should start seeing the effects of this very important project. We are also 13 turns away from completing either the Human Genome but suitable test subjects are becoming harder and hard.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2151

Pravin,

I agree to your deal that I will support you when and if a vote comes for the election of a Planetary Governor in exchange for your agreement not to complete the Virtual World. The only exception I would stipulate to this agreement is that I could vote for myself in the unlikely case that I am a candidate for planetary governor, and considering my territory that seems highly unlikely. When you and your General Assembly agree to this deal we can resume other exchanges, so I await your reply.

We now have 4 colony pods en route, and it looks like that will fill out our little island. Now if I can just keep Morgan contained I may get them up and running, too.

Zak

	17-06-2002 02:32									#9
	Support Apolyton

UN Headquarters, MY 2151

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am glad that we were able to once again find "common ground". The leaders of the General Assembly all agree to accept the deal that we have made. I do hope that we can complete our earlier negotiation and you will send us the comm. frequency for this drone faction. As far as your stipulation goes, well, I would hope that even if you are nominated I hope you will see the wisdom in electing me as Planetary Governor. Since you are on poor terms with the Data Angels and are at war with the Gaians I doubt you will get much support from them. However, if you stick to your "guns" so to speak and do vote for yourself you could end up electing Data Roze as the next Governor and I doubt that you would really like that.

We have completed the weather paradigm ahead of schedule and it is already paying for itself. Our terra-forming rates have increased by 50% and we are beginning to create our own land now. Roads, farms, solar collectors, thermal boreholes, condensers will all be very easy to make now. We are also only 12 turns away from completing the human genome project as well. We also just completed our first network node and we have four bases now working on building more that all should be done within 10 turns. With the completion of those network nodes our scientists estimate we should have a research capacity equal to even you!

Lastly, I do suggest you allow me to try and broker a "deal" with Deirdre Skye. If you wish I can compensate you for the comm. frequency but I would hate to see your colony pods destroyed in revenge for the destruction of her pet native life form and soldiers. Please consider this carefully.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2152

Pravin,

I am capable of brokering my own deal with Deirdre and, while I appreciate your concern, I feel I have the situation well in hand.

I am happy to note that we are finally catching up with you a little in population. Where before we had half your population now we are only 20% behind you. This may seem strange but we have struggled so much that to us it is an issue of paramount importance since, as you have ably demonstrated, population is the key to gathering and utilizing resources. Basically, if you don’t have hands to think and do the work it doesn’t get done. That said our infrastructure is sadly lacking and now that we have a good idea on the size of our island we can start devoting resources that will allow us to grow.

Congratulations on the prospective increase in your research rate, by the way. Since science is a currency, like everything else, when more people have it we are all richer. I look forward to trading with you in the future. I have a few technologies I am sure you would be interested in.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2152

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I am sure your scientific vaults are full of technology that you would like to trade for unfortunately we do not have any that we can trade at the moment. We plan on having our next breakthrough, providing there are not problems, in 10 turns. All I can offer you is our promise that any exchange of information will be repaid in full. We are trying to focus on one technology in particular, ethical calculus. With this technology we can then institute reforms and open the Peacekeeper society for all its citizens. I think this is a very important step we need to make as a society, a society that wishes to grow.

I understand your reluctance to transmit the communication frequencies. However, should any hostilities flare up there is little that I can do to help you. Your point is well taken that science is a coin, a currency. But you fail to see beyond that one form of currency. Friendship and mutual respect is another coin of the realm. The current situation does not look to good for your faction. The Gaians are at war with you. The Data Angels are hardly friendly to you as well as the Morganites and you seem to have also gained the anger of these drones. Only us, the Peacekeepers are your allies so I do hope you keep that in your thoughts when you look out of your plas-window and contemplate what might be out there lurking to attack you.Then ask yourself, who can I trust to help me, Peacekeepers...

Lastly, I did have a long talk with this Domai character who is the "leader" of these drones. I think too much time has passed to hope that we can bring these drones back under our protection. We were able to work out an exchange of information that was beneficial to us both and we were able to sign a treaty of friendship, our second. So I suppose if I had to choose so far these drones are not so bad as neighbors and I could think of worse. In time I am sure they will come to look to the Peacekeepers and myself to take the helm and help provide guidance and direction for them.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2153

Pravin,

When you have a breakthrough I will be happy to supply you with Ethical Calculus, which we discovered almost a decade ago. It will allow superior growth and I’d love to implement it in our society, except that a full fledged democratic government will place an enormous burden on the support our bases can have due to their meager industrial ability.

I have found that technology is a better currency than energy might be. In fact, I have found that for technology other factions will trade their world knowledge, in the form of their world map, most readily. We have done this with the Angles, Morganites, and Drones, and even Deirdre Skye. We have given you the information from Rose, Morgan and Domai free, mainly since you kindly provided us with the frequency of that irascible Rose in the early years of the settlements. I feel we cannot continue this free transfer of information based solely on this early gesture of goodwill on your part, and I believe that your act of generosity has been reciprocated many fold. This information is dearly purchased with the toil of our scientists and we do not lightly give it up. Therefore we have not included our latest world map to you.

In other news we have established our sixth base, Koppernigk Observatory, and with its founding we have pushed back Morgan’s territorial claims so that we can colonize the rest of this island. There should be room for 5 additional closely spaced bases, and these bases will not have much in the way of development room or friendly territory like you enjoy. There are a few areas that are rainy, and there is a river that looks inviting, but sadly there are no broad expanses that promise rapid growth or resources. We are used to this, however, and will make due as we have in the past. It is my hope that the two colony pods that are en-route will be set up soon, and that the other two in production can be deployed as soon as possible.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2153

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I think your position is very naive and in time you might regret it. If science is the only "coin of the realm" you will consider then so be it. I hope, no I pray, that it does not come back to haunt you. If you require anything from us in the future such as our assistance in helping you with a dispute, map information, comm. frequencies or technology it will done through the exchange of technology. We do hope that we can still maintain "civil tones" to each other and we do expect that you will honor your treaty with us in supporting our claim for governorship of the planet.

Our terra-formers completed last turn the first land expansion project and are now working on site preparation for our ninth colony site. Our eighth colony pod will soon leave UNHQ and make its way directly south and link into the sensor array that has been built for it.

We are now 11 turns away from completing the human genome project that should boost our production capacity greatly.

Once again, I do hope that the course you have charted is a safe one.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2154

Pravin,

I regret many things, but I doubt that I will regret husbanding what few advantages I have on this blighted planet. You may recall that the successful societies of Earth used the free market or variant of capitalism, and that requires an exchange of goods and/or services. All I am saying is that one shouldn’t give something away unless that gift will provide value and, frankly, I have been doing all the giving when it comes to maps of Chiron. I am more than willing to exchange maps, it is just that I would like there to be some new or interesting information attached to those maps on your part. Due to circumstances we are both on little islands so this information is limited unless other means of data gathering are employed, such as I have done. When you have some new information you will find me more than reasonable, and the ‘coin of the realm’ need not be technology. You may also want to compare my behavior to that of the other factions. Will Rose give something away for free? Or Domai? I think not.

In other news we have just launched our first sea foil. It is a modest affair but it should give us a bit more information on the seas that seem to cover this planet. This will be extremely useful since all the factions seem to be on islands and, as a result, there will be little interaction except for you and Rose, and Morgan’s singular base on my continent. I would love to build a sea transport but I am racing to build recreation commons before my larger bases go into revolt. In many ways I envy your social stability, and while our scientific output is significant I think that this will be an ongoing challenge for us.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2154

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I just do not see or understand why a man with your intellect cannot grasp the problem your reluctance to exchange information creates. My scientist are less than 10 turns from making a discovery and chances are we will most likely duplicate a discovery you have made. Where is the advantage in that? If I expect to make a discovery in the field of colonization next that you have made, why duplicate the research? Do you have two teams of scientists working on the same project with the same resources, I think not. All I can
offer you is the following agreement. We expect to make a breakthrough in the field of exploration and colonization, a field you have already made considerable headway in. Chances are we will only duplicate research you have already made, ethical calculus and doctrine flexibility. If we had one of these technologies it might make it easier for us to reach the next level which in turn allows you the advantage of getting a new technology ahead of schedule for the price of research already paid for at an earlier time. The free flow of information can aid us all and the word "free" does not mean at no charge but relates to the unimpeded flow of information. Your argument of having an advantage over planet can only be strengthened by helping and getting help from others. If your meaning is to maintain an advantage over the other faction leaders, well that is another situation altogether different, one that I hope you do not mean since there will be little for us to talk about then.

If you were to transmit your files on ethical calculus then we will transmit our expected breakthrough into intellectual integrity the following turn. You have much to gain from this arrangement so I hope you choose wisely.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2155

Pravin,

Let me see if I understand. You want me to loan you information I currently have for the promise of repayment at a later date with like information, and this repayment is likely to occur approximately 10 years in the future. In the meantime your society would gain the benefit of this technology while you are waiting for your scientist to finalize their experiments. The benefit to me is that you would have a lessened chance of duplicating research that has already been completed, thereby increasing our store of ‘pooled’ knowledge. Of course, if you do duplicate other research I already have then I will have to wait a long time to get any return on my loan to you.

Is my understanding correct? If so I don’t have a large problem with this, although you will gain a significant benefit while I will wait, as usual. Isn’t it interesting that my advantage, technology, is readily transferable and your advantage, superior resources and terrain isn’t? I can get over that problem, however. Let me know if I fully comprehend your proposal so we can initiate a transfer in the near future.

The fungus holds up our colony pods again. Three attempts were made to penetrate a line of fungus and they all failed, resulting in our pods being delayed. This is distressing since each year they are delayed is production lost, mineral, energy, and science. Our rover is heading to the scene and maybe these veterans can break through and shepherd the pods to their destination. I am also thinking of building a base in the middle of the former Great Fungal Wall. It is poor territory, but in a way it is poetic justice that the Wall should be a base for future operations!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2155

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Your summation of our plan is, in essence, correct. However, I still think you are not grasping the true benefits of our plan. Yes, you are correct in that we would get the benefit of your technology for as many turns as it takes us to make the next breakthrough. But you also benefit from this trade as well since in essence you now have a second set of labs working towards a breakthrough in one area while you can concentrate in another, two for the price of one, correct. That must be a savings that even you can appreciate. If that is not enough perhaps a small installment of energy credits each turn till we make the breakthrough? My resources can be as transferable as your technology if we can come to terms on the exchange rate, yes? Did we not do this earlier when we purchased doctrine mobility from you for 25 energy credits? Was this not beneficial to you? I think the answer would be yes to both questions. We can also come up with additional means of compensation if you like as well, for the transfer of your designs on sea craft we could build a transport vessel and send you a specialized terraformer crew who would build whatever project you would like. Imagine how much more quickly your labs could operate if you had access to the energy of thermal-borehole or how prosperous your farms would be with the addition of a condenser unit? We would be willing to bear the cost of supporting the terra-former crew in your area for the exchange of those sea plans? Also, we could build a sea-former which could build sea farms and tidal energy collectors that would boost your energy and nutrient production greatly. The advantage of using our crews rather than yours is that we could accomplish the tasks in half the time! There are many ways that we can both prosper and that really is the key that we both prosper. If you cannot accept the fact that the Peacekeepers will prosper in kind then perhaps we are talking about two different agendas and we should end these discussions. I am looking for a partner to build a better world and the more partners we have the better chance we have that we will all prosper, correct?

We completed our seventh colony pod and it will head south next turn to the site established for it with the sensor array. Our eighth colony pod is 4 turns away from completion and it will move to the southeast in the area we just raised. There is a large offshore nutrient deposit that will serve to boost the nutrient production. Our ninth colony pod will move to the far east area and establish a base just south of the monolith on the south eastern tip of the larger northern island. Once the colony is set-up we will begin to raise more land and build some condensers to improve agricultural production as well as a thermal borehole to increase energy. My advisors warn me that building more that nine colonies at this time could over stress our management capabilities and cause even more waste in our system.

We are 9 turns away from the humane genome project that should allow us to hold off on building any additional recreational areas. Most importantly within 8 turns we will complete three more network nodes, which will enhance our lab capabilities even more. Currently it takes us between 15 to 18 years between breakthroughs so the addition of these nodes should bring us down to 12 turns or less!

Lastly, I want to congratulate you on your victory over the fungus. I think you can now look back over the past years and realized who the victor is!

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:34									#10
	Remove this text

University Base, MY 2156

Pravin,

I think I understand most of your plan, although I am skeptical of the efficacy of your assertion that my gifts to you will help me. As I see it unless it helps both of us, as a trade would, then the benefits to one side are far greater. Do I see the beginnings of your designs of the University being a junior partner with the Peacekeepers? All of us united under the failed banner of the UN? That said I am willing to send you my files on Ethical Calculus, and I will do so in MY 2160. I don’t ask any energy in compensation – consider it an experiment in your ‘plan’, and we will see how it works.

I read through your second suggestion on sending a Peacekeeper terraformer to us, with its enhanced abilities, and I almost laughed. Do you know how long it would take to first build the foil and then transport this former to our territory? Decades, or likely many decades! We are very far away, Pravin, and transports travel at sea at a rate of 3 sectors per year. That is barely a crawl, and there are so many likely barriers out there, like fungus and other continents, that your plan simply isn’t workable. Let me know if you have other ideas.

We had another encounter at sea this last year. Our foil investigated a Unity pod that was bobbing in the water and a sea-based mindworm vector came out and attacked! Our foil crew barely was able to kill it, and they harvested a nice cache of 40 energy worth of planet pearls. Still, this shows me that even the sea on this planet is fraught with peril. Our foil crew is gravely damaged and it will take years for them to repair. So much for the plan to explore the sea.

In other news we finally were able to get through the other fungal wall and our pods should be able to set up in a few years. This is distressingly slow work, but each base increases our resources so we must push on.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2156

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I write this letter with a very heavy heart since if I can not persuade you, one of the original landing pod commanders, that by trust and sharing we can expand our horizons how will I ever be able to persuade any of the other pod leaders who were never meant to command a landing team. It seems I have no choice but to accept the reality that building a coalition of partners to expand our horizon is dead. I have had long discussions with the Council of Governors and the General Assembly and we have all come to the same conclusions that building a partnership will not take years or decades but perhaps centuries if not longer. I suspect from this point only ill things will become of this.

If you wish to transmit the information in the time you stated very well. We will transmit whatever breakthrough we happen to make which I am sure will duplicate your research. Our network nodes are coming on line and as such I cannot determine exactly when we will make a breakthrough, it could be a few years or 7 years? After we complete that exchange let us see what fortune brings us.

I think that this moment marks a fork in the road for both of our peoples Prokhor and I think it is time that I try to build new bridges as you seem to be doing now.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2157

Pravin,

Little birds tell me that Rose is now the technical leader on Chiron, and Deirdre now has the highest population! Isn’t that interesting? Of course Rose has told me she is not interested in trading technology, and Deirdre has some secret technology she isn’t willing to share. So you can see that everyone is playing their cards close to their chest; it isn’t just me.

Nothing of any great excitement has happened in the last year. In about 4 years we should have about 4 new bases, and at that point I think we will stop for the moment and we will consider a change to a Democratic government. Moreover, in that time we should have completed a few key recreation commons so it will be possible to dump the inefficient Planned Economics and switch to a more lucrative Free Market. The key is social stability, and these recreation commons will be key to that effort. I am sure that Morgan will be thrilled that I have seen the light, and that Dee will be furious. Oh, well.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2157

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

If you are looking for confirmation of your analysis of the world situation I can confirm your findings. I should add that my latest reports indicate that one of Data Angels bases is in a state of revolt. I am sure this will have an impact on the growth of the Data Angels but probably not too much. It seems that the Gaians are making progress in reaching parity with you and I do hope that should she bring the war to your doorsteps that you will be prepared for it.

Little occurred this turn as well for us. My minister of terra-forming has ordered several formers to start building a condenser unit just south of our UNHQ base. We hope that this will add enough moisture to boost agricultural production in that area. Several other terra-formers will work their way northward to link up our northern base to our main settlements. Next turn we should be able to establish our seventh colony base that will be welcome news to us all. Two to three more colony pods are in production or scheduled to be built. Two sites are being prepared for them and it is our hope that we can get them ready in 10 turns.

Lastly, we are now seven turns away from completing the human genome project and once that is complete we can begin our transformation into a true democratic society as well. I have no real love for free market economics and the negative impact it has on society as well as the environment. A word of caution since you do have such vase amounts of fungus in your territory the ecological damage you create could cause a wave of native life form attacks.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2158

Pravin,

Let that hypocrite Deirdre try to bring her war mongering ways to me. She will find our trance defenders with sensor backup more than unpleasant, and that is assuming we aren’t able take her forces out first. Her last worm died nicely, thank you, so I am not terribly worried. Moreover, continuing a war from an island is difficult with our limited resources, so I might be worried in a couple of decades but not now. By then we will have surpassed her, and Rose for that matter, in every way that matters.

On economics, why should I care one whit if I cause ecological damage? I’ve conquered the Great Fungal Wall, and any other unpleasant events, too. All that matters is the advance of knowledge, and that takes energy that only Free Market can provide. I will have to be careful to keep my people reasonably happy though since I’d rather not have revolts like Rose and Deirdre. One bad result is that our exploration will slow or come to an end, but that can be remedied at cost with transports and probes. I expect that we will scrap our foil, for instance, to help build the rec commons at Monitoring Station. It paid for itself when it killed the Isle of the Deep, so I have few regrets. It was an interesting and partially successful experiment.

We founded our seventh base Budushii Dvor on a nice river with some actual rainy sectors. There is even an unexplored Unity pod adjacent to it, which we will investigate next year. I authorized a rush-build former, and I don’t anticipate any difficulty finding something for it to do. In a short when we establish three more bases while I expect to get an efficiency warning and we will convert to a Free Market system since if I have to have unrest I’d rather rake in the energy and do it properly. Of course, once we finish the Virtual World much of our unrest difficulties will be alleviated. At that point our expansion will be at an temporary end and we can consider a Democratic system of government.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2158

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We have also established our seventh colony on the southern tip of our island. It should prosper very well down there since it does have an abundant supply of nutrients nearby. We also plan on putting together a survey team to explore the southern polar cap area. With the magnetic effect of the poles there should be an abundance of Unity pods there.

We are now five turns away from making our expected breakthrough and we have reduced our interval between discoveries to 14 turns. So we should now start making some rapid progress in the science arena. Since our people are very content we are focusing our efforts into network nodes and energy banks to boost overall production. Once we switch to a fully democratic society we can then start building some recreational facilities but our specialists should be able to handle any problems that arise until then.

Our formers are hard at work building needed projects and next turn we expect to raise more land for colonization. We also began the first stages of a fresh water condenser unit to the south of UNHQ.

You seem to be very confident of your mastery over Planet and I hope you are correct for your sake as well as you peoples.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2159

Pravin,

We investigated the Unity pod near Budushii Dvor and it contained a trove of energy, 100 to be exact! That is a welcome addition and it allowed us to finish some rec commons and still have ample energy reserves left over. There is one other Unity pod on this island, but we won’t get to it for a long while. Two additional base sites exist on the south edge of the island but I don’t think that will be necessary right now, since next turn we will establish 3 new bases, bringing our total to 10. With that we will be in contention for Deirdre and Rose for the highest population! That is quite and achievement considering the poor start we have had, and all the setbacks that damned fungus have given us.

I have noticed that the inefficiency at our bases grows exponentially as the bases get further away, resulting in a critical loss of energy. This is very unfortunate, and I think it would be prudent to switch to a Democratic government to alleviate these concerns. At that point we should have most of our rec commons done so it will be possible to consider a Free Market system, then anything is possible! Another possibility is moving our capital to a more centrally located area, but that is beyond our capabilities right now.

Chiron will be conquered, Pravin. It is just a matter of time and technology.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2159

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I have been asked by several of my High Commissioners to propose the following exchange. If you are agreeable we will send you our map files for yours. It has been some time since either one of us updated the map files and I think we would both benefit from this exchange. If you agree please include in your uplink a pre-approved map file and we shall send you ours, pre-approved.

We are only four turns away from completing the human genome project and the benefits I am sure will be fantastic. We are also four turns away from our next breakthrough. We are still anticipating a breakthrough in colonization and exploration technologies but who can say what might be achieved. You have never agreed to our earlier proposition so we are assuming that you will not make the transfer of technology in ethical calculus. We hope that you do reconsider and inform us of your decision.

I congratulate you on your discover of energy credits. Such a windfall of energy can only be seen as a reward for your hard work in your struggle against Planet. We have several pods in our area that have yet to be opened but we will soon. The news of your "jackpot" has caused many of the colony Governors to send me requests to send off their garrisons to hunt for these pods, to which, I have had to say no. We will soon build several exploration units but for now protecting our people is paramount.

This turn we completed several infrastructure improvements including another network node. Within the next 5 turns we will complete several more along with some energy banks. We have raised more land and we are building a sensor array for that colony site as well. Our tenth colony site has been determined and it will be placed in the western end of the northern island that will create three colonies on the south side for the Peacekeepers and four on the north side for the Data Angels.

Lastly, a movement within the UN General Assembly is getting underway to try and broker a full-fledged pact with the Data Angels. I can understand their motives since we wish to avoid the troubles you have with the Gaians and the best way to do that is to become full-fledged partners. I am sure once we complete the human genome project the demand will become even greater. If we can gain the support of Data Roze in our attempts to become Planetary Governor our election would almost be locked in.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:35									#11
	Remove this text

University Base, MY 2160

Pravin,

As promised I have attached the files for Ethical Calculus, pre-approved for you use. I trust you will find it to be useful. By a strange coincidence we switched to a Democracy this year and it already has had telling effects on our efficiency and growth. The hit we took on support is workable, and the efficiency increase sets us up for a switch to Free Market.

We established the bases Mandelev College, Gagarin Memorial, and Climatic Research this last year, and the increase in resources has been significant. Our scientists were laboring under the weight of previous discoveries, and these new bases and the switch to Democracy has increased our laboratory output by over 50%! I can’t wait to find out what a switch to Free Market will do for us! Another interesting tidbit is that our population is now 16, which is more than Deirdre and it may be more than even Rose. Democracy has had the added benefit of growth, and at least one base will grow to size 3 in the next year so we may well lead the pack at 17, for a while at least.

I noticed some kelp growing in the waters off of Mandelev College. I can’t image how it got there, but it must have been in a pod opened by Deirdre during her exploration. I don’t mind at all since the nutrients it will provide our base will be significant, and like forests the kelp is likely to spread and obliterate that nasty sea fungus. I only wish we had opened the pod and not that green hypocrite! We will work on that later. In the meantime Monitoring Station is starting a sea former, which I hope will be able to explore the area immediately surrounding our island and terraform some of the sea for us, in particular a sea nutrient sector – that will be a real boon.

I’m afraid I’m going to turn down your request to exchange maps. I doubt you have much new information, and that was the point of my ‘quid pro quo’ discussion with you a while ago. When your map is significantly updated please let me know.

Lastly, it seems that the Angles have started a project called the Planetary Energy Grid. I can only image what this is, but it is clear that it means that Rose has made some serious progress in that line of technology. More bases, increased efficiency, and Free Market should spur our scientists along so that we will beat Rose’s pants off soon!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN headquarters, MY 2160

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I wish to thank you for your far keen insight into accepting our proposal. I was not sure if you would accept the proposed trade and I do hope that all goes as expected. As a partial reimbursement we have included our map files for you review. We do not expect yours in return but we send you ours as a sign of good faith. We will begin reforms next turn and switch to a democratic society and it will mark a new day for all Peacekeepers.

We have completed the site preparation for our eighth colony location and we should have it occupied soon. Our ninth colony is being setup near the southeastern tip of the northern island. Once we clear the fungus and build the sensor array things should be set-up very quickly.

I have ordered a celebration to mark the completion of the human genome project and the great advancements we have made. I expect that along with the project we will complete several energy banks and two more network nodes.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2161

Pravin,

This has been a grand year. With our switch to Free market and Democracy our science rate is 2.5 times that of two years ago! Moreover, the surplus energy that is generated is fully three times what it was just last year. The price was steep, of course – 80 energy over the last 2 years, but it was worth every joule. A few bases grew too fast and I had to devote some of the population to keep the peace, but that should be fixed as soon as they complete their recreation commons. Our core bases have finished their recycling tanks, and we now have 2 sea formers in production.

Every once in a while I call up Rose and she is generally seething. This time she has reason to be since we have exceeded her population by a good amount, and our science rate is likely much higher than hers. She has been running a democratic free market for a while now, and that is undoubtedly the reason for her fast growth, social instability, and (temporary) lead in science. I imagine Morgan will be pleased, but I have no reason to call him so I won’t bother. After all, even your friends get tired if you pester them too much. Dee is off in her own little world, and I expect she will be less than generous when she finds out I am running a Free Market.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2161

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We have made the transition to a full democracy and it is wonderful. Production is up as well as growth! The colony governors expect growth almost every 5 turns so it is lucky our terra-former crew just finished a condenser unit with the result of adding 4 sectors of very lush and nutrient laden land. We will build several farms right away in that area to help feed our exploding population. Also, our human genome project will be complete in three turns so that should help considerably in managing our people's needs. We are also planning on building several children crèche's to help improve morale and efficiency.

Next turn we expect our breakthrough as planned and we will forward to you whatever discovery we make. We have allocated a good sum of the excess energy we have to our labs and we now expect to make a breakthrough every eight years! What a fantastic achievement for us! I believe we can sustain this for some time before we have to cut back to support our many projects and improvements. We have discussed moving to a market or planned economy but for right now it makes more sense to stay put as we are. Too much growth too fast even for our vast resources could be dangerous.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2162

Pravin,

Our growth rate has decreased, but in a way this is a good thing. Our society is not as stable as yours and there is a great fear that if our cities grow to size 4 there will be severe unrest. We will manage our resources so that this doesn’t happen until we are ready.

I agree with your observation that children’s crèches are a valuable improvement and we intend on completing these when our existing basic improvements are done, which will be soon. We should have significant terraforming completed at that time, and we will start preparing the two southern base locations.

Good luck in your scientific pursuits.

Zak

*!*!*!*’

UN Headquarters, MY 2162

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I have terrible news to inform you of. It seems the expected breakthrough did come in the field of exploration and colonization but we were able to perfect sea going technology not the anticipated breakthrough as anticipated. I feel that we have somehow failed you since you have had this technology for some time. I do hope that we can come to some "accord" and offer compensation to you on this regard. We would not want this to sour any future negotiations. I suppose, you could look at this as an example of how trading technology can benefit the whole more than its parts. I doubt you take much "solace" in this since you did expect a breakthrough in a field you could have some use for. Should we make the expect breakthrough in the next 10 turns we will of course transmit the files to you if you do not have them already.

Little has changed since last we talked. If you do have a formula for compensation please communicate it to me.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2163

Pravin,

Soured? No, your duplication of my research has just reinforced my realistic outlook on the world. In other words, you will frequently not get what you want. In fact, you will generally not get what you want. So while I am disappointed I am not surprised. My main hope is that you will grow, expand your technological base, and then have some technology to pay back your loan, hopefully with interest considering the advantages it has given you.

Nothing significant happened at our homeland either. We tweaked a few production centered to shave a few more years off our research rates and, as always, our terraformers are very busy. Now that most of our territory is settled I have started looking toward a large expanse of fungus in the southeastern portion of our island. This expanse is too large to completely terraform, but it does make sense that a significant number sectors can be planted with forests, and that these may in time expand. Later I am sure we will be able to rip this fungus out mechanically, but in the mean time it seems proper that nature do some of our job for us.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2163

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We expect to complete the human genome project next year and the boost in morale and productivity from this will be most welcome. We also completed another network node and upon completion one of my aids informed me that through some department it seems we, the Peacekeepers, are the leaders in technology now! I find that report hard to believe but who can say. Perhaps are hard work has paid off at last.

We are working on building several sea foils to began searching the seas and I intend to order one ship to begin a trek to reach the Morgan territory. I know you have kept their comm. frequency to yourself for a long time so I suppose it is time we find out what they think.

I am beginning to feel the sense of frustration you had in breaching your fungus wall. We have a colony pod trying to beat its way through with little luck. The site should be clear of fungus next turn but we have yet to decide if the colony should be established before we can build a sensor array.

We hope to complete several more terra-forming projects next turn and complete the link-up of all of our cities via a network system. Our two future colony sites lack only a road system, but they will have one soon.

Lastly, I am glad you are not too dismayed over the lack of progress but if we could have come to terms sooner about the ship technology then we both could have benefited from the breakthrough. I give you my promise that we will transmit the first technology we have that you do not.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2164

Pravin,

You are the leader in technology only if you have been lying to me that you don’t possess technology that you can repay my ‘loan’ to you. I have one or more technologies you do not have, so unless you have been something of a hypocrite then you are not the ‘leader’ in technology. I chose not to believe that, however. Since I have reason to believe these ‘ratings’ are flawed. For instance, Rose is supposedly the population leader and by my understanding Rose has 4 bases with 4 population each. This yields 16 population. My population and that of Deirdre are greater than this, so I would suggest that these rating are not as accurate as one might hope.

I hope your exploration of the sea will be fruitful. As I mentioned we terminated our exploration when we went to a free market system and, in time, you may have enough new map information that a map trade might be possible. I also have no problem with you trying to reach Morgan. He might be friendlier toward you than he has toward me, but I wouldn’t know since I haven’t bothered talking to him recently.

Zak

*!*!*!*!

UN Headquarters, MY 2164

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I can assure you once again that we do not have any "secret" technologies that we have not shared with you. I suspect that the rating is "skewed" as you stated but it might also take into account that we have completed the human genome project this turn! By next turn our new specialists should be able to help improve morale and efficiency throughout the Peacekeeper lands. With the completion of our second project while no one has yet to complete even their first one I suspect that might be the rationale behind the ratings. I do believe that your superior labs do give you the technology lead in that regard.

In just several more turns we will establish our eighth colony and within the next eight turns we will set-up our ninth colony. Colony number ten is still in the planning stages and no site has yet to be prepared for it. However, I suspect that we can soon expect a revision in the planning schedules since our population is doing so well.

We will complete another network node next turn along with several other key improvements. We are working on a second condenser unit on the southern end our island to improve the soil and nutrient capacity of that area. We will also plant several tree stands to provide immediate nutrients and resources to our newest colony. I suspect that when we establish colony number eight it will push the boundary lines back even further and it might cause the Data Angels more irritation. It might get worse when we build colony number ten. So far Roze has been pleasant but "reserved" when it comes to my proposals for an alliance, a pact. I hope to get the established before colony number ten is set-up since it will most certainly "push" the Data Angels back even further. Essentially, they will only be left with a small strip of land along the northern coast of the island.

Lastly, I wish to remind you of your treaty with us in supporting our claim for Planetary Governorship. Many people on the council wished to switch over at the last moment to building the virtual world as a means to "hold your vote hostage" but I assured them that you are an honorable man and the University will uphold their treaty. So we did complete the human genome project which will allow you sole claim to the virtual world, providing no one else beats you to it.

I hope in time you can grow beyond your "cynical" view of this world and look at all of the positive elements we have created. Except for a minor disturbance between you and Deirdre Skye this planet has been at peace since we have landed, a welcome reward for our people after the troubles on earth. In time I hope we can build on what we have done so far and work towards creating a new paradise.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

+++++++++++++++++++++++

Pravin Lal hit the send button and transmitted his latest message to Prokhor Zakharov and then eased himself back in the deep creases of his chair. As he drummed his fingers on the side of his chair his mind kept mulling over different means to try that would bring the University into the bosom of the United Nations again. With a half smile on his lips he might as well dream about fairy tales and dragons for all the success he had in trying to forge a new United Nations alliance.

After a few minutes a tone chimed on his desk computer informing him that his son, Joshua Lal, had at last arrived in the Governors council chambers. Pravin eased himself up from his desk and turned off his desk and silently made his way to the lift that would take him down to the council meeting. As the doors closed he took in the view once again of city. United Nations Headquarters sat on the southern slope of the island and had a wonderful view of the ocean and surrounding countryside. Countryside, yes, that is what it is now. Farms, forests and solar collectors, along with an impressive looking fresh water condenser unit, dominated the southwest view. To the east formers could be just made out building a second unit to change the surrounding terrain. What a paradise!

The doors closed and in a few minutes the doors opened again revealing a large room swathed in darkness except for seven cones of light that illuminated the seven colony governors that sat around the table. As Pravin made his way to the head of the table and sat down a cone of light appeared above him.

"Father, we have good news! Colony pod number eight will reach the site next turn and the terra-former crew reports that they will only be another two turns before they complete the sensor array." Joshua punched up on his data pad the information and it was fed to the other leaders in turn. "I have also included the latest production reports as well for your review and the news that our ninth colony pod is only several turns away from completion. I have ordered a new table to be made so that we can accommodate our new members." Joshua completed his report to the light laughs of the other leaders.

"The human genome project is done as well." Pravin broke in to the quiet silence his statement created. "I have ordered the first subjects that have undergone the gene mapping process and enhancements to report to each of their assigned colonies and begin the important work that they must do." Applause broke the quiet tense moments after Pravin's speech but he began again. "I have ordered more subjects to report to the labs at UN Aid Station and I expect that they will quickly be processed and enhanced to help improve morale throughout the land. It is crucial that these people understand the importance of their work so that we do not need to devote resources to building non-essential improvements before we complete more network nodes, energy banks and then we can move on to children crèches and recreational commons."

Pravin shifted in his chair and continued. " We must maintain our edge, to grow our population to improve out technology so that we are the leaders on this planet and then we can begin our true work our first mission, to create a global community under the guidance, but not control, of the United Nations. We stand on the verge of surpassing the University with our research rates and our terra-formers will create more usable land for food and resources. I ask you all today to re-commit yourselves and your administrations to meet these goals."

	17-06-2002 02:39									#12
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

University Base, MY 2165

Pravin,

I have to say I’m envious of your prospective completion of the Human Genome Project. The rediscovery of these secrets will give your society a profound into its origins, and it will help unlock its potential. By comparison we have made considerable progress on the Virtual World, but are hampered by the fact that it is 50% more resource intensive than either the Weather Paradigm or the HGP. In fact, we could complete the HGP next year if we chose to, but we have our sights fixed firmly on the Virtual World since it will give our society an intrinsic stability that we have so far found to be elusive. While you have been able to build recycling tanks and network nodes we have had to build recreation commons by the time our cities go to size 2 or they suffer from unrest. Moreover, we will have considerable problems when we migrate to size 4, but that is a ways away at this point.

Next year our population will be equal to that of Deirdre, and I believe 33% larger than yours. Beyond that growth will be slower since larger bases do not expand as quickly, and the available food-rich territory has already been allocated. That will hopefully be alleviated by the completion of the first of two sea formers next year, and I am sure that the sea will be bountiful if properly nudged.

Take care,
Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2165

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

We completed the human genome project last turn along with our ninth colony pod and another network node! Progress, Progress , Progress! We should be completing next turn several more network nodes along with an energy bank or two. Within the next five turns we should have two sea-formers and a trance foil for exploration. What progress!

I would have to say the only "negative" thing that happened last turn was my executive veto on a measure to exchange technology with the Data Angels. Roze and her people seem desperate to obtain sea going technology in exchange for laser weapons. Based upon earlier discussions before I trade this "particular" technology with Roze I wanted to get your confirmation. The laser weapon technology is very important to us since it will give us weapons parity with Roze but I do not think it right that we should purchase this technology at your expense since it was your assistance that made it possible. Please let me know how the University council wishes us to proceed.

Perhaps with all the extensive modifications we have made to both our lands it might be in our best interests to exchange map file information?

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2166

Pravin,

Congratulations on the completion of the HGP! That is quite an achievement, and you should be proud of it. Our progress has been less stellar, and we are now building children’s crèches in two bases. All bases will get them as soon as other required infrastructure is complete. Although energy banks might be useful they don’t seem like critical infrastructure right now.

As to Rose, I would take some offense if you were to trade with her. She gave me nothing but misery on Unity and she continues to vex me in any way possible. I don’t have any suggestions on what to do but I am open to suggestions.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2166

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

Our bases continue to grow and colony pod number eight is en-route to its colonization site. The colonists should be pleased at what they find since upon arrival they will have a highly advanced sensor array to tie into the bases defense system along with a network of roads, a fresh water condenser unit and a farm with solar collectors! This should allow the colony to begin its life with a vast advantage. Once the colony is established there is a Unity pod that was unearthed during the seafloor raising process so they will investigate that. Our ninth colony site is almost done and the sensor array for that base is almost done. The colony pod is already there, arriving just last turn from plowing through the fungus. Once the array is up the colony will use the monolith to support itself until more land can be cleared and prepared.

As for Roze, might I suggest the following. We will not trade with Roze until matters can be worked out between us concerning the technology trade. Once that is complete then we can exchange files freely with Roze. What I need from you is your commitment that you will transfer laser technology to us so that we can defend ourselves. If your motivation to agree is wavering hink of the old saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend". I have to think on some level the idea of pulling one over on Roze would be its own sweet reward. Imagine if you can her surprise and anger upon learning that her troops were turned back by weapons that they thought we lacked, weapons that YOU gave us. Frankly, I would think a situation like that would be too tempting for you not to agree. I know that this might sound very "odd" coming from me but this is the only way I can "sell" this plan since there is great demand to maintain an equal footing with the Data Angels. I hope you think this over and see that there is little downside to this arrangement. Of course, if you need further incentives think of it this way. If by giving us the laser technology this keeps Roze from getting ship designs that is just one more turn, perhaps one more decade that you do not have to worry about Data Angel probe teams landing on your shores to infiltrate your research labs. You might scoff that the distance is too far that it will taken them decades to reach you but once there unless you have your own anti-espionage teams ready your labs will be drained of there information quicker than you can blink and the information does not take decades to get back, only seconds. When it comes to information the Data Angels see this as their sole goal in life and what if it does take decades to reach you when in the blink of an eye they could steal one, two, three maybe even four technologies from you and infiltrate your networks so they can monitor all of your factions data what a feat of data-jacking it would be!

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*

University Base, MY 2167

Pravin,

So, let me see if I understand you correctly. In order for you not to trade your technology to Rose you want me to give you my technology for free? Hmm, let me think about this. Ok, done: no. I fail to see any reason why I should agree to such a deal. It offers me no benefit, and you benefit greatly. I’ve noticed this happens a lot when dealing with you Pravin. Perhaps you might come up with a better deal.

As to the Angles, any probe that lands on my shores will be summarily executed, and executed in as messy a way as I can imagine and I have a knack for being very creative indeed. If you value peace on Chiron keep her well away from me since I am liable to get an itchy trigger finger. She has tasked me to the point of breaking in the past, and it won’t be much to push that tasking into something more unpleasant. Also, if Rose were to take any of my technology she will have declared war, and it will be a war she will lose. Then you might have me for a new neighbor.

Lastly, you should know I’ve made a breakthrough in Gene Splicing. While I am delighted with this advance it is a bit uncomfortable since our growth rate is a bit too high, yielding to social instability. Our technology advancement rate is still, shall we say, robust and it is improving massively. Of all the disappointments we have experienced on Chiron, and there are oh so many, this is not one of them. The thrill of discovery exceeds anything else and all of our efforts will be focused on this goal.

Zak

*!*!*!*

[b[UN Headquarters, MY 2167[/b]

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I felt very tired after reading your last communication. I feel we constantly have to re-cover the same ground again and again. I was offering you alternative option as a means to exchange information and you keep bringing up the same old cliché's about you being wronged or slighted, taken advantage of. I seems I can do little to change your perceptions that as a scientist you of all people should be more willing than any other leader to see alternative "possibilities". However, you share the same tired qualities that almost all the other leaders seem to share, paranoia.

Your boasts about destroying Data Angel probe teams sound more of bluster than of true conviction backed by the means to do it. I doubt that the security of your labs are so tight that you could even stop such thefts even if they did or could occur. As for mounting military actions. Well, my money would be on Roze. For a fraction of the cost that it takes for you to build an invasion force she can send several waves of low cost probe teams into your lands, even if they take decades to reach there, to subvert your bases, infiltrate your networks and steel your technology. And once her probe teams hit and do their jobs they are expandable while your forces would still have to be built and transported. So you threats are only that threats. I suggest you start building your anti-espionage teams. We have had many of these teams in operation for some team coupled with vast sensor arrays and rovers to stop any possible penetration of her teams. Luckily or unluckily we have always been slightly behind Roze and in the technology race so there is little for her to profit from any incursions except to raise my anger while you are a far different story.

We established our eighth colony, UN Pillar of rights, and the terra-forming crews will have their hands full with that area. We plan on building a kelp farm first along with a tidal energy collector first to boost food production since all of the land surrounding the base is fit only for tree stands unless we build a condenser. We did complete our second condenser unit last turn and it did do wonders yet again for the surrounding land. More farms will be added to harvest the windfall. Also, we did complete our first sea foil equipped with trance protection. It should start exploration next turn while making its way to Morganite territory. Perhaps then you might have reason to exchange maps.

Lastly, we expect to make a breakthrough in either of the following technologies very soon: industrial automation or adaptive economics. I expect one of these would be of use to you.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2168

Pravin,

Bluster? No, a promise. I am perfectly aware how far Rose is from me and that any operation, probe or otherwise, would be exceedingly difficult. In fact, this distance gives me some comfort since Rose will have to be quite motivated and I don’t think she has it in her. But if she should, for some strange reason, decide to violate me she will find out that she has made a grave mistake.

As to technology, the problem is that your suggestions aren’t ‘exchanges’ they are gifts to you. If you can arrange for exchanges you will find that I am quite reasonable. I have already tried it your way once and I have yet to see any return on my investment. Now I’m starting to sound a little like Morgan, and that isn’t entirely a bad thing.

Lastly, we just finished the Virtual World. Already I have received reports that our citizens are responding favorably to the increased diversions and are better able to focus their productive efforts. As we theorized the Virtual World program and hardware integrates perfectly with our intrinsic infrastructure, allowing seamless operation. It is interested that we had the breakthrough in Gene Splicing just as our society can handle the growth, which will now be our priority.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2168

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

I take great insult to the implication you make that what we want are more "gifts" and not exchanges. It was through no fault of ours that the expected breakthrough was not as anticipated, that is science, pure and simple. I am sure even someone of your great intellect and training would know that science can be unpredictable and we can not always dictate what happens. Perhaps if you had been more willing to help us in this endeavor by giving us the additional technology so that we did not duplicate what you had already discovered we would have made more progress. We do not feel that it was our failure but rather yours in that you failed to fully support the program. You could have had the gene splicing technology long ago and perhaps something even better if you had been more willing to support us. I doubt we will ever try such and endeavor again since it is bad enough that you think we "cheated" you yet you have never asked for a remedy other than a replacement technology. Our next discovery is close but not immediate so as I stated before I can offer you some energy credits, 25 energy credits perhaps, as a remedy for your ailment and we can call it even. I would hate to have your ill feelings to continue to fester. We have found other supporters that are more willing to exchange information or other forms of currency for technology. We will begin next turn transferring the energy credits to you in small batches and complete it as quickly as possible and we can then call our account "clean".

We have established our ninth colony and it should prosper with the abundant resources they have at their command. We have decided to raise the surrounding land adjacent to our UN Pillar of Rights in hopes of creating more stable and resource abundant land. Currently the land is very arid and our base sits on some very low ground that has given us concerns about flooding issues. Our tenth colony site should be set-up in ten turns and it too will also have the benefits of a condenser unit nearby along with a superior sensor array. This tenth base will be on the western end of the larger northern island on the southern side. I expect that this will put even more pressure on Roze but I think we can come to some form of accommodation. Our tenth colony will be the last one built on this island chain since we are now drafting plans to build a transport and colony pod to be transported to the first site that is unclaimed and has abundant resources. Our foil should find us a suitable place to colonize.

Our naval ship UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY is exploring the western seas while setting a course towards your area. We are most interested in making contact with CEO Morgan and Lady Deirdre Skye. I have never been comfortable with your reluctance to share their communication frequencies when we shared the Data Angels with you. I realize you did compensate us with some technology but your lack of understanding to come to terms on other means of exchange for these frequencies border on antagonistic behavior. It will take our foil some time to reach their area, we realize this, and in the meantime we will chart a great "chunk" of this world in the process so we will reap the two benefits from this.

Lastly, I wish to congratulate you on your completion of the virtual world project and the benefits that it has brought your people. I wish to remind you once again that your completion of the project was the result of our treaty that requires your support for our claim to the mantle of Planetary Governor. I know you are a man of your word and will not fail to carry out your promise.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*!*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2169

Pravin,

Since we converted to a free market system energy has not the problem and, while a gift of energy would not be rejected, it does not replace the obligation of ‘quid pro quo’ in this technology exchange we agreed to. You suggested this innovative exchange and I agreed over my misgivings. I placed my trust in you in this matter and I will be sorely disappointed if you go back on your word. If that would come to pass I would have to reconsider my support of you in the election of Planetary Governor if I cannot place my trust in you on such a basic matter.

You also seem to be concerned with comm frequencies and, as I remember it, I gave you one of our early breakthroughs in Centauri Ecology and the Drones comm frequency. You have, therefore, been well compensated for Rose’s comm frequency so I see no reason for your complaint. I would be willing to trade either of these faction’s comm frequency to you for some interesting technology, and that offer will not go off the table.

Deirdre may have just crossed the line. She planted a base in the southern edge of my continent! In this whole world she chose to expand on a little strip of land on MY CONTINENT! Even as we speak a former is heading that direction to plant a sensor and some forest to keep an eye on that meddlesome busybody, and she had better not make any hostile moves or her base will be my base. At the very least she has denied me expansion of two more base sights, so I will likely have to invest in a transport and colony pods.

We also had our first run-in with a new form of hostile Chiron sea life. A Chiron sea serpent, nicknamed a Sea Lurk, attacked and destroyed the defender at one of our bases. A sea former was just completed by I dare not deploy it since it will likely be destroyed since the blasted thing is still lurking outside the base! As a result I’ve had to authorize the construction of a sea foil to destroy it. Wasted resources - setbacks, setbacks!

Zak

	17-06-2002 02:43									#13
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UN Headquarters, MY 2169

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

If I was not such an even-tempered man I might have done something very rash after reading your last message. My offer was to compensate you NOW for your technology at a "fair price" nothing else, rather than you having to wait for our next breakthrough. If you need technology so desperately that is what you will have, when we make our next breakthrough. Until that time when we can bring our books into balance there is little I can do to offer you in the form of technology, since all of the technology we have, you have. It was very clear, pristine clear, that your only coin of exchange is technology, for technology. If I had a map file of the entire planet I doubt you would trade it for any technology. So now that we clearly understand each other, perhaps for the first time, we can now move on. When we get our next technology, no matter what form or type it is we will transmit it to you and the accounts will be balanced. We do expect, no require, that you honor your agreements with us. It will not be through Peacekeeper actions or in-actions that our agreement for your support of our claim to the Planet Governorship will be broken it will be yours.

As for Deirdre I can not comment on the matter. I do not have any updated map files. I do not have her communication frequency. So any actions that the Gaians initiate that you might take offense to are your own fault. I could have helped to mediate a settlement to this affair but you did not wish it. From my last report the Gaians surpassed even you in the field of technology so your most prized labs are of little effect in this affair. It also seems your troops are not very prepared to defend themselves against the mind attacks of these worms. With that in mind I would take heed and not dismiss the Gaian threat as insignificant. As for her claim on the land, well, this could have been another issue I could have addressed with her but you once again walked away from my hand of help.

What I can do is make the following suggestions. First, attack her city and capture it. Do not allow her the time or resources to build a brood nest for her native life forms. If anything the possible attack of espionage teams alone might be reason enough to strike the first blow. Of course, once again, this wastes valuable resources. Perhaps, if I had been able to negotiate a treaty between you two you would be wasting these resources you are screaming about. SO perhaps there is value attached to my efforts that does not involve a direct exchange of technology. Think about the amount of energy, minerals and time you will expend to build colony ships and form an army to stop the Gaians. Perhaps when you make your tally it might have been less expensive to give me the comm. frequency and allow me to help you.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2170

Pravin,

It seems I owe you an apology. I read your missive as a change of our agreement and I took offense to that. If you were only suggesting another way to resolve these differences then it is me who was had the blinders on. You must understand that I believe that technology will be the salvation of us and that it must be properly managed. Moreover, it is the one advantage we have, and it has become painfully clear to me that we have many liabilities, among the most significant of these is a growing societal instability. I have droned on about these at some length so I will not bore you with these petulant whinings again, but rest assured that I reacted in haste. My only polite suggestion is that you is that you may want to word your suggestions in such a way that I am less likely to misinterpret the message for, although it was clear, it was not crystal clear.

On the technology front it is Morgan who has the apparent lead, not Deirdre. Morgan has been operating on a Free Market system for quite a while and has amassed quite a fortune and a respectable science rate. His is not as good as mine, I am sure, but he has done very well for himself. We have traded a few technologies, two to be exact, and I sold him a few to fill in a few holes. Now, before you get upset, these were basic technologies like Social Psych. To be honest I felt a little sorry for Morgan who was sitting there with all this energy and slowly falling behind. Another reason is that I used that energy to complete the Virtual World, which was a critical Project for us. Unfortunately Morgan has a technology now that he refuses to part with for blood or energy, and as a result he will sell me nothing. I expect you are having the same problem with Rose, is that not true?

Your observation that I will only trade technology for technology is false. I traded technology for Rose’s, Morgan’s, Dee’s, and Domai’s world maps. I also gifted a technology to poor, backward Domai to improve his mood, although it did little good. I sold some low-level technologies to Morgan to fund the Virtual World. So, you see technology is a tool, perhaps the most valuable tool in existence, nothing more, and I am willing to be quite flexible if it will enable an exchange for something that is advantageous to me. The problem I have with your proposals is that they are predicated on my gifting or loading technology to you, and if I were to do so this would largely nullify the one advantage I have on Chiron and I can’t and won’t let that happen.

My ‘Deirdre’ problem has largely resolved itself in my mind. I no longer care about her base on my continent as long as it does not expand and she doesn’t encroach further on my territory. My Council of Advisors agrees, and further has recommended that we find some nearby territory to expand into. You may have noticed that we packed our 10 bases rather close together, and that will limit further growth. For good or for ill all of these bases have access to the sea, which will allow harvesting of food from the sea in otherwise poor land. You can conveniently build your own land, and I envy you that since you don’t have to spend the resources to build a sea fleet and have colony pods go on long treks into dangerous uncharted seas.

Another couple of interesting things happened this year. Deirdre has a sea colony, which stopped right next to my western coast. While I can tolerate her southern encroachment I will NOT tolerate a sea base that steals my sea resources! Our ability to expand is limited, and the sea is the key so some future growth. The southern area was undeveloped and, to be honest, I wasn’t planning on developing it for 10 or 20 years so it is a future loss. Dee stealing my western coasts is a loss now.

Also, the Sea Lurk attacked our sea former while it was in port and died in the process. It was severely damaged and the former crew, while surprised, wasn’t even hurt, and that is a lucky thing. They are now planting kelp on a sea nutrient lode and the city switched from building a basic foil to a transport. They will watch closely where Dee’s sea colony pod goes. It must have been hideously expensive for her and she is welcome to plant it wherever she wishes as long as it isn’t near my territory!

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2170

Academician Prokhor Zakharov,

If I understood your last transmission "correctly" you have exchanged "minor" technologies for energy credits, correct? If that is the case why did you refuse us this same accord. We purchased one technology from you and after that you have refused us at every attempt. I find this disturbing.

Your situation with the Gaians I predict will only get worse. If the good Lady has the resources to "plop" down sea bases off of your western coast I submit she has much more resources than you give her credit for. I also submit that your continuing use of free market economics and the destruction it brings only antagonizes her more. We still operate on a very simple economic model. We looked at both economic models, planned and free-market and the damage it does to a society and the resulting attacks by the planet are not viable alternatives at this time. Good luck with your negotiations with her since I believe you will soon have your hands full.

We are completing work on our tenth colony site and plans have been completed to build a transport ship and colony pod to depart within the decade to begin a remote colonization plan. There is still great debate by many of the High Commissioners about how to proceed some argue for sea bases and others argue for more terra-forming since this can be done in under five turns and offers us the best chance to maintain our interlocking integrity of bases. I am not sold on any "one" plan yet. We will see how our next land raising attempt works and what it will bring.

Lastly, I do believe I was clear in each of my transmissions as to my plans and policies. We only wish to keep on friendly terms with you and try and build a better future for us all. However, I can not see that as a possibility as long as you harbor some deep resentment about a "slight" or "injury" you received from us. In time I hope we can overlook such misunderstandings.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*

University Base, MY 2171

Pravin,

You are correct that I have sold technology. In fact, I sold Doctrine: Mobility to you, and several technologies to Morgan. You will note that these were technologies that were either commonly available or not of primary interest to me, and neither were vital to the interests of the University of Planet. I will happily exchange valuable technologies, as I have done with you.

Deirdre has taken her sea colony pod elsewhere, and that is fine with me. It shows that there is some level of respect even though she took in upon herself to invade my territory for so little gain except to antagonize me. When she has called upon me she has not been early as hostile as Rose or Domai and that is a hopeful sign. I also feel you are missing a sterling opportunity when you reject more advanced economic models. A planned society has its place, as does a free market society. I have no doubt that one or the other will irritate someone, but the point is to tweak the advantages you have to grow and expand. For instance, I switched to a planned economy to help build the Virtual World and stayed with that economic model for a few years, completing a few base infrastructure improvements and growing a few bases to their next level. Then I switched back to free market when my energy reserves allowed. I fully expect that any of these models, including Democracy, will become obsolete in time. Or maybe not. Time will tell.

We started building a colony pod to go with our transport, and this with a former will go on a hunt for new territory. Our existing maps are fragmentary at best and it will be complete guesswork, but there are a few islands that may be promising. As I said before, your ability to harness the power of the Weather Paradigm is of enormous benefit to you and that you are using it well.

Lastly, I don’t harbor any significant resentment toward you or your people. The fact that I have declined your requests for technology or information is more a reflection of a Machiavellian principle of realpolitik. This is not a reflection on you, or me, but a realistic reflection of the hard planet we live on. This does not mean that there is no place for idealism or good works, but that it does mean that these are tempered by enlightened self-interest.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2171

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Let us be frank and open since you seem to be. Your self-interests do not benefit the entire human condition on this planet. Your actions benefit only yourself, plain and simple. Not once have you provided information or technology without some "quid pro quo" status. I do not blame you for your actions or policy but you must be held accountable for them and I believe you will someday. When I sent you the Data Angel's comm. frequency the Peacekeepers did not "expect" compensation only that we expand our frontiers, expand our community, expand our knowledge. Your policy will only be judged a success or failure when you and your people become pushed or pressed into a situation that might spell your doom. At that point it will be interesting if the course you have blazed has given you enough to win through the situation or not. Since I doubt that the Drones or the Data Angels or the Gaians and especially the Morganites will come to your assistance.

I do agree with your statement about the great advantages that advanced economic models can bring to a society but the choice we make has to be "true" to the spirit of our beliefs and values. We owe it to our people to make the correct choice first, using an economic model and methodology for a few turns only to switch back and pay the costs that it does to our society is not the Peacekeeper way, it is the Machiavellian way. We are trying to take the proper "Peacekeeper" approach that follows the will of the people. We are a true democracy. With that said it has been agreed to that we will move to a planned economic model in five turns. Our social scientists are still working on a "green" approach, one that I would favor the most, but we are still decades away from that.

In other important news we have decided that creating more land is more economically efficient than building transports and colony pods and spreading our people to the four winds. In less than five turns we can raise five sectors of land and we are doing so now at our UN Haven City colony. Terra-formers are going to work eastward and we expect that within fifteen turns we will have added almost eighteen sectors of land at a cost of 18 energy credits. We also believe that the direction of terra forming should lead us to connect a small chain of islands to our east. This would then create a giant "C" formation of land that we could then place sea-colony pods in that would sheltered from three sides and create a zone of entry control that would provide optimum protection from sea borne attackers. We will be able to create a system of interconnecting roads that will give us the ability to dispatch forces within our lands to meet any challenge, quickly and effectively.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2172

Pravin,

I think you are being a bit too idealistic in rejecting varied economic models, or governmental models for that matter. After all, these models can be used to benefit your people when used at the correct time, and they can be invaluable in achieving goals. Principles are find and good, and we all have our principles, but I think that blind adherence to an overly strict set of principles will restrict the prosperity of your society.

I do have some good news. We have started a grand Project called the Empath Guild! The plans are rather sketchy but it seems that some people have an ability to sense the feelings and thoughts of others. In the past I would have dismissed such talk as idle chatter and superstitious nonsense, but I have to admit the evidence is quite compelling. In any case it will be quite some time before the Project is done with our meager resources.

As I said before your ability to expand your land, and it will take us at least 10 years to build and then transport our colony to its intended location. I fully expect that you will be able so expand while our society is effectively in stasis, such is the power of the Weather Paradigm.

Take care,
Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2172

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I am amazed at the speeds at which your labs are now making progress. Your discover of the Empath Guild is just the technology I have been prodding my scientists to make since it holds the key to unlocking a "green" economy. However, since we do not have any technology to trade you for it at this time and since we already "owe" you a technology it is a "double" moot question. We wish you luck.

I do wish to report a strange event. Our UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY reported passing a small island chain on it voyage westward and on the island was a massive fungal tower that stretched over 50 meters tall. It was amazing and our crew will take many scientific observations and forwarded them to us. I could not believe that such a thing existed on this planet, why it is a large as the main complex building here at our UNHQ base! I have asked the captain to report any further discoveries and that t he should feel free to make small detours to investigate such things. Since there seems to be large amount of sea fungus to our west his speed has not been the best and he has only just passed beyond 9 sectors distance from our base, but still that is not too bad since they just left three turns ago. I suspect that they will pick up more speed soon.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2173

Pravin,

A fungal tower 50 ft tall? That is yet another monstrosity that this planet has afflicted us with. It will undoubtedly be hostile, and I wish you luck in your study and destruction of this beast. I just hope that you have minimal losses in your investigation. Now I don’t feel so bad at having curtailed further exploration of this blighted planet. There is a wide world out there but we don’t have the resources or societal stability yet to undertake much exploration, much less eliminating a threat such as this fungal tower.

Our science rate is accelerating in its progress but I fear it will hit a brick wall soon. We have no more room for bases on this small island, and we must expand oversees if we are to continue our growth. I also plan on issuing orders soon that will allow unfettered growth limited only by food supply that our theoreticians call a ‘population boom’. There are many hazards in this for us and I hope our society can stand the strain but the potential benefits are too great to ignore. This change will also cost us significant transitional energy and a temporary switch to a Planned economy, which we will undertake after our next anticipated breakthrough.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2173

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,
I think you might have mis-read my last transmission, it was 50 METERS not feet! It was HUGE! How something so huge could grow is amazing, its roots must stretch hundreds of feet deep to support it! UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY is still moving westward at better speed. I have asked the captain to increase speed as much as possible since the area they are in seems less fouled with those fungus patches. My chief of naval operations reports that within a decade we should reach the edge of Morganite territory.

It has been agreed to by popular vote that we will begin next turn to transform our economic structure to a planned economy. I have been assured that our bases/cities can support the move since our terra-former crews have prepared much land for harvesting. Little else occurred this turn to report to you. I did try to contact this Foreman of the Drones and he would not communicate with me. I then tried Roze who was polite but very cool to my requests for information or exchanges of information.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:45									#14
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University Base, MY 2174

Pravin,

Our transport and colony pod are complete and they will begin their long trek to their new home, wherever that may be. They will be striking north-northeast and will explore some territory Domai sailed adjacent to in his journeys. There is some territory that looks promising and it may be the rich territory we were denied when our pod landed in this blighted land.

Not much else is going on. I would be interested in any other observations you have on the fungal tower and any ideas you may have on killing them.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2174

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We have made our transition to a planned economy with little disruption for our society. Our newest High Commissioner of Economic Planning has advised us that though there are some inefficiencies created by our new economic structure the upside has been a factor of four growth rate and a sizable increase in our industrial output. With the rate of growth we are expected to achieve we have ordered several more terra-formers to be built to keep up with production of farms, mines/bore-holes and other improvements.

We expect to launch our tenth colony pod next turn and we have plans to build an eleventh and twelfth as soon as more land is raised which should be soon.

UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY just cleared what seems to be the far western island of the Data Angels territory. The captain expects that it will eight turns before he reaches Morgans territory.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2175

Pravin,

We have switched to a Planned economy also and anticipate that two or three of our bases will begin a population boom. I’m not sure how long we will continue, but it is likely that we will switch back to a free market economy as soon as it is feasible and the energy becomes available. It is likely that we will stay on this course less than 4 years.

Our transport and colony pod are off and running, and it should be in place in a bit more than half a decade. This is a long time, and I expect that you will have a number of new bases in your newly expanded territory. The new territory looks like it is a nutrient rich territory, like a monsoon jungle in fact. Deirdre has placed her sea colony there off the coast, but when we will deny her this boon when we place our colony there. In this case it will not be first come, first serve.

Zak

*!*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2175

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

My new High Commissioner of Economic Planning has informed me that the Peacekeepers now have the largest population on the planet! We had to devote a few extra energy credits to expanding recreational outlets but we will soon start building more of the recreational centers and hologram theaters to provide even more recreation releases for our people. In the meantime our people our prospering and growing.

We completed another land raising project and our High Commissioner of Terra-Forming ordered the crews to continue east so that they can reach the islands to the east. Our scout rover team opened a unit pod and found over a large supply of energy cells that we converted into 200 energy credits! I have ordered the scout team to move south into the polar region since there are several pods we have identified down there. We expect to complete another land raising project next turn and with luck it will also add some much needed land on the easter tip of the northern island.

Our tenth colony pod will leave next turn to the site on the far western edge of the northern island. I expect the Roze might get "annoyed" at our expansion there but in reality she should not. The land was awful until our terra-formers turned it into a paradise, so the land is ours. We plan no further expansion north and I have sent her a message to that effect.

I am still displeased with our science rate but I am told until we can complete some energy producing facilities like the borehole mine we are building our tech rate will lag. I expect that when we do make contact with Morgan he will chastise me for not following his economic model.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2176

Pravin,

Your lead in population was short lived since our population exceeds yours by a small margin. I suspect we will not be able to keep up but at least we are not falling behind by a great degree. I suspect that your expansion will continue even without recreation commons or hologram theatres due to your ability to attract the best and the brightest. Our society is graced by a proclivity toward research while yours with an extensive stability. Which is better? It is hard to tell, and likely depends on circumstances.

We considered a borehole but we don’t have the technology to create them. Moreover we wouldn’t be able to harvest these resources even if we did. You may want to hold off creation of boreholes until the technology exists to take advantage of their bounty.

Morgan is likely to be highly displeased with your economic model, and I have specifically avoided calling on him while we are using a Planned economy to avoid antagonizing him. Be careful how you approach him since he can be touchy.

Zak

*!*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2176

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Yes it does seem our growth lead was short lived, for now. However, the rate at which we are growing I doubt you will be able to claim it for much longer. I do have to disagree with you about the borehole pressure mine construction plans. You are correct that currently our technology will not allow us to "reap" the full mineral/energy potential but in the meantime it will provide us with much resources and the heat it generates will only increase the precipitation levels in the surrounding sectors making them even more productive.

UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY reported in and the captain wishes to alter course to take a more west by north approach. It seems long range radar indicates if he will continue on his westward course he might encounter a barrier to his goal of reaching Morgan territory. It does seem that many Unity pods have fallen into the oceans and are just floating along on the currents. The captain was eager to investigate each one but until he completes his mission of reaching Morgan territory they will have to wait until the return voyage home.

We did complete the planned sea floor raising and our base on the south east tip of land on the northern island and it has increased by four sectors! In the south our terra-formers are once again raising more land which will take five turns or less to complete. Once we make the connection to the eastern island chain then we will build a sensor array and send out our eleventh colony pod. Our tenth colony pod should arrive at its new home next turn and set up for business. This is welcome news to us all.

I am pleased to report that we will make our next scientific breakthrough in six turns. This is welcome news to us all. I have been prodding the High Commissioner of Science to aim or guide his people so that they can complete plans on supply crawlers. These transports would be a boon to us since we have many high yield mineral and nutrient deposits that could be exploited that way leaving the population to work on more useful tasks.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:48									#15
	Remove this text

University Base, MY 2177

Pravin,

Our growth has already slowed down and our sea formers have not been able to keep up, so I suspect you are correct that your population will exceed ours very soon. We have eked all we can out of this territory and it is likely at is maximum potential without more advanced terraforming. Unfortunately we don’t have the technology to do so, and that means we will have to wait. In the meantime sea forming, forests, roads, sensors, farms, and mines will have to suffice.

We are likely to beat you to the next technological breakthrough, even with our inefficient planned economy that has cut our scientific rate in half. We are also hoping for Industrial Automation, since it will massively increase our productive potential.

Our transport has noticed the many Unity pods too, but we have been hesitant to investigate since many of these pods have been infested with hostile sea life. We investigated one with our sea transport and the crew barely escaped with their lives, and they limped back to port. Shortly thereafter we scrapped the foil.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2177

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I wish you well on your colonization program. I can only imagine what the effect of having your colonies scattered across the face of the planet. Communications, resource sharing, economic and military assistance must be a nightmare but I am sure your able scientists will discover the means to overcome these problems.

It seems our new High Commissioner of Economic Planning has engineered what he calls "A Golden Age" at several of our colonies. The people are so happy and prosperous that growth and energy output has increased dramatically! We can only expect even more of these as our cities complete several other children crèches and other improvements. Our tenth colony pod arrived at its location and it will set-up next turn. I have selected a former commander of our Peacekeeper military forces as the base Governor. He is very wise and though he was in the military I suspect he more than anyone else understands that peace is much better than war. I selected him due to the disturbing reports that the Data Angels are now the planets leading military power. I can only hope that our troops can be hold up under the assault of advanced weapons while in a defensive position.

We are within 5 turns of making our next breakthrough and I do hope it will be a useful technology for us all. Our terra-formers will make raise five more sectors of land in three turns and then move on again. I plan on adding a third terra-former to the team to increase the effectiveness of their efforts. It will also make it quicker for them to build roads on their return trip.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2178

Pravin,

Our scientists came through, but not in the way I expected. I asked them to focus on technology that will allow us to build our society and they came through. However, they gave me Adaptive Economics. I have to say I was disappointed but I hid it from them since they were so proud of their achievement. Rose has had this technology for a long while, as has Morgan. Neither of them have shown any interest in trading technology so I guess we were fated to have to discover this by ourselves.

In other news, Monitoring Station has grown to size 6 and the base immediately went into riot, so we now know the upper limits of societal stability. It is interesting that you have ‘golden ages’ and we have riots, so can see that each of us has our tradeoffs.

I now can’t wait to switch back to a Free Market system. Our research rate has increased to every nineteen years, and that is completely unacceptable. The combination of inefficiency and the decreased energy production is sapping our ability to make progress, and that progress is all-important. I will not let our progress flag and we must get back on track.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2178

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I really find it hard to understand why your society is so unstable. Perhaps the allocation of more energy to your recreational facilities would be in order.

We have established our tenth colony base, UN Data Acquisition. I am not to pleased with the name chosen since it sits so close to the Data Angels but perhaps that was the purpose. I have asked for "clarification" for the reason why that name was chosen but I have not received my answer.

Little else happened this turn to report of any consequence. UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY is now rounding the small island chain just east of Morgan Industries. At his present course and speed he will arrive at Morgan's territory in five turns or less.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNH

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2179

Pravin,

The cause of our instability is two fold. First, the bases that are having instability are growing at an almost uncontrolled rate, and even your society may have trouble controlling these dynamics if your don’t have a hugely significant control facilities. We have built both a recreation commons, and we were fortunate enough to get the benefits of the Virtual World to help our stability. Second, our society is apparently more prone to instability due to our focus on science. In the end I believe this will be a huge benefit, but in the meantime we are likely to suffer for it. For instance, we are likely to suffer another bout of instability when we convert to a free market society. We will learn to live with that, however.

Next year we will convert to a Market Economy, and even with the potential pitfalls we will push forward. Our science rate will likely double due to the extra efficiency and raw energy, and I can hardly wait.

It looks like your expansion into Rose’s territory is, shall we say, aggressive. Good! I much prefer you expanding into this territory than allowing it to Rose. Keep expanding!

Our own colony pod will be in place in a year or two, and set up in two or three. It all depends on if Dee’s sea base gets in our way, and it is likely that it will. Oh well. She was there first, but we will claim the better territory.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2179

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I can assure you our building of UN Data Acquisition was not meant to be "provocative" to the Data Angels. We do not have any plans to build any further bases northwards. Our land expansion plans by use of terra-formers has yielded us more land just this turn and we hope that within 4 turns we can complete our "link up" to the small island chain to our east. In fact, in a few turns our own UNHQ will begin building our eleventh colony pod to begin its trip to the new area just uncovered. We expect to have a colony established within the decade in that new area.

Our captain of UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY has hit a bad patch of sea fungus this turn and was only able to make modest headway towards his goal. He reports that by next turn he should clear the fields and make contact within 4 turns. We are now debating that just prior to making that meeting with the Morganites that we should not transfer to a more free market system to better smooth over our relations. It has also been decided that once we make our meeting we will explore northward and visit the small colony that the Gaians have setup.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2180

Pravin,

Our transition to a Free Market economy has been successful, and there has been no social instability. I was, to say the least, extremely gratified since I was almost sure that some of our larger bases would immediately go into unrest. The upshot is that our research rate has increased by 50%, and our liquid cash reserves have increased 4-fold. Now we can focus on other development activities and facilities that will allow our newer bases to ‘population boom’ in the near future.

I am also interested in your upcoming technological breakthrough since our loan to you has yet to be repaid. You should know that I am willing to make you another ‘loan’ once the previous balance is erased. I would be more than willing to ‘loan’ you Gene Splicing, for instance, if you are willing to take on such a debit. Gene Splicing has been instrumental to booming our population to 34, and it seems our lead will hold for a while even though our ‘booming’ is over for a while. I suspect that with this technology you will be able to surpass us in short order, but I think this would be worth it due to the future increase of technology.

Now that we are finished our basic infrastructure at some bases we are starting to build luxuries. For instance, we are building a Command Center so we can construct our first synthmetal trance garrison. Why would we do this with no enemies nearby? The answer is that we will be constructing a number of trance synthmetal transports to start harvesting the Unity pods near our territory. Without synthmetal the transports are very vulnerable to attacks by Isles of the Deep, and prototyping a trance synthmetal transport is far too expensive.

Take care,
Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2180

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

As agreed in two turns we will disclose whatever "new" technology we have and then we will be even. As to future trades let us wait till we reach that point.

Last turn we encountered another new native life form on this planet, a spore launcher. This creature is unlike any of the previous life forms. It's mode of attack is launching spores that clog your lungs and burn your skin and should you try and attack it the creature has the same defensive capabilities as the mind worms, psionic mind combat. Our trance scout rover encountered this creature while enroute to a Unity pod. The rover team returned to the base safely but their vehicles were badly burned and the crews shaken. In even more dire news UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY while plowing through the fungal patch fought and defeated a sea version of the mind worms. The ship has been damaged and the crew shaken up and injured. The ship will now be able to make top speed for some time until repairs can be done. I have ordered the captain to continue forward and get clear of the fungal patch as quickly as possible. As soon as they have done this they can "heave to" for several turns on the north side of the island and make repairs before proceeding to see CEO Morgan. The extra energy they harvested from both encounters allowed us to complete one children's crèche and two recreation commons expansions but the time wasted repairing the ship and vehicles is disappointing.

The will of the people has spoken and we will remain in a planned economy until the High Commissioner of Economic Planning reports that we can no longer sustain our growth. He estimates that we shall carry on this path for eight more turns before moving to a market economy. By that time we will have made major population expansions throughout our lands.

Lastly we are building a echelon mirror complex just to the west of UN High Commission to increase the energy collection systems of the surrounding solar collectors. We hope the boost in energy will help us continue to grow.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2181

Pravin,

A word of warning: your foil will cause unrest when you change to a Market economy, so be prepared. You may recall that we had a foil, and that we eventually decided to scrap it since it couldn’t do its job if it left its base. Although it was a waste it did allow us to complete a recreation commons at a nearby base with the resources its hull provided.

Your report on the spoor launcher is disturbing, and it is one more reason that the forms of life on this planet generally need to be exterminated. I am still looking for the tool to do this, and I plan to do so efficiently. The benefits are many since their destruction will yield planetpearls, and we will be rid of these hostile life forms that threaten our very survival.

I don’t think your echelon mirror will gain you any additional energy, although it may be so in the future. Still it is an admirable project and the University will likely follow your lead when we can, and when it makes sense.

Zak

*!*!*!

UN Headquarters, MY 2181

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We now have three cities that have entered what we now call "golden ages". The effects are dramatic and the boost in production and energy and population growth is dramatic. However, time is beginning to run out on us since our many city improvements and extra energy spent for recreational outlets has all but dried up our cash flow. We still have a good amount of cash reserves but to maintain extra lab and recreational expenses does cost. I now see that our High Commissioner was correct with his timetable. So in six turns we will move to a free market economy.

Little has changed since last we communicated. I do have good news in that UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY did clear the last part of the fungal patch and should now make better speed. I can only hope that when they do reach Morgan territory that they will aid us in repairs.

We should next turn make another land expansion jump and it should but us "inches" from connecting to the small island chain to our east. My son is building a new colony pod that will establish a colony in that area as quickly as we can.

We are now only a turn or so away from our next breakthrough and it will not be too soon for me. I can only hope that it will be a "new" technology that you can use.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2182

Pravin,

I can completely empathize with your maintenance concerns and how it decreases your energy reserves. Prior to our switch to a Free Market economy we had a very small positive energy balance, and that was sure to decrease as new facilities were built. I can imagine that your intrinsic inefficiency and bureaucracy would place additional demands on your reserves, and that is augmented by the likely fact that you have more infrastructure and therefore cost than we do. For us a Free Market system was the answer, and I suspect that it will be for you also.

We tried to set up our colony but we got a nasty message from the Gaians to back off, and that we must place our base at least one sector away. That is most unfortunate since we will not be near the sea, and it will take up too much of this valuable territory. Now that we have had a chance to explore it a little we have found it is full of Unity pods, and it is covered with virulent green growth, the first we have seen on the blighted planet. Our colonists have labeled it the Monsoon Jungle, and it should prove to be a fertile area indeed! I expect that this base will be the start of something truly great!

Good luck on your sea voyage. Morgan has proved to be much friendlier since we switched to a Free Market system, and we have entered into a Pact brotherhood a while ago. He used our road network to send a probe to the Gaian base that is on my island. I suspect he did something unfriendly, and I got a fragmentary message that said they are in a state of Vendetta. Dee and I settled our differences a while ago, so this distressed me. When I say ‘settled’ I mean I bribed Dee with a choice bit of technology to call off her vendetta and enter into a friendship treaty. Now I am in a situation where Morgan will likely call me up and ask that I also declare war on Dee and I will not do this. Despite the unfriendly reception she gave me when we met, and the fact she settled my territory, I do not wish her ill. I just want to be left alone and pursue my projects in peace. I hope I can put off Morgan and that Dee will leave me alone. If she doesn’t I may have to take matters to a more pointed end.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2182

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We had to have an emergency meeting of the economic council and a motion was put to the people to change immediately to a free market system and it was accepted. Our energy production was almost to zero and we would soon be eating away at our reserves. So, it was decided to move on now to the new system. We have yet to feel the full impact of the change this turn so we will see what the next turn will bring. Planned economic growth has made us the leader in population. Now we hope our labs can help move us forward faster. As of now our scientific breakthrough rate is once every eleven years with our next discover to be next turn. It is my hope that whatever advancement we make it will give us the opportunity to start another project. We had domination in this area for some time but many other factions, including yourself, are catching up quickly. We have several colonies that have superior mineral deposits that should help quickly finish any project.

UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY is still fighting its way through the fungus. It should now be clear of the fields this turn and be able to move on to Morgan territory.

We will complete several important improvements next turn and we did complete several more land improvements such as our fifth condenser unit, a echelon mirror and a thermal borehole. We are concentrating on more farms and forests for now and will switch back to more advanced improvements soon.

Perhaps it might be also time to exchange map files since we have made considerable headway in exploration of this world??

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:50									#16
	Increase the size of your Attachments

University Base, MY 2183

Pravin,

Your lead in population is short lived since we have eked ahead of you with internal growth and the establishment of Academgorodok in the Monsoon Jungle. I doubt this will give us a long term lead since we don’t have a plan to expand our holdings in the near future, although in a decade or two there will be many more bases in the Monsoon Jungle and I hope there is a huge potential more bases.

Two projects have been started, and we have a good lead and I expect to get at least one of them. At this point I’d put my energy on Rose finishing the Energy Grid before anyone else since she started it so early. Of course, she could be an idiot and started it at a base with a pathetic amount of minerals. If you review the intelligence report you may notice that there are a number of Projects in progress, so you will have a good deal of catching up to do.

Most of our basic land terraforming is done so we will be removing fungus and planting forests in a large swath of fungus in the southeastern portion of our territory. Dee stole the territory for two bases and I will have to make it up somehow. Plus, I do enjoy ripping the fungus out by the roots and replacing it with good ol’ Earth vegetation.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2183

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I have most unfortunate news. We did not make the breakthrough, we wanted, as anticipated, we did achieve technology on gene splicing which allowed us to increase our food production. In all I suspect that it was a very important breakthrough since it did give us the means to feed our growing population. I have attached our map file to you, gratis. Should you choose to send us yours it would be welcome, but, not required. We can only hope that it somehow compensates you on not getting your repayment as expected and it "sooths your ruffled feathers". We still plan on repaying you but I doubt we will be able to send you anything new soon. It will be ten years before our next breakthrough.

Our free market economy is having some disturbing effects but the ability of our specialists to calm the fears of the people have been most useful. We are still growing and I think we have passed you once again in population.

Little else occurred this turn I am sorry to say...

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2184

Pravin,

I know how you feel about technological breakthroughs, they are both unpredictable and exasperating. Even though we discovered that technology a while ago I know you will still benefit from it, and I suspect you already are. I noticed your population is surging, and I think it will likely surge more as your society attains it full potential. We will not be able to ‘boom’ again for a half-decade or so when some more critical infrastructure, namely children’s crèches, are complete in our younger bases.

I’m glad I had a terraformer with our new base in the Monsoon Jungle. Although the growth and efficiency associated with a Democracy is terrific it is punishing for a new base such as Academgoroduk, and if it didn’t have the former with it there likely would have been a wait measured in decades before its scout defender and former were done. As is stands they have already built a road, and will start on a forest next year. This area is so rich I am somewhat worried that our bases will grow too fast and outstretch our ability to maintain societal control.

There is sad news, too. Our transport captain decided to take a chance and investigated a Unity pod. An isle of the deep promptly killed the crew and sank the ship. Its last transmission was heart rending since the crew realized in those few terrifying moments that they were doomed, and they continued transmitting while the visions of horror permeated their consciousness. They died in agony, which started out as mental agony as the mindworms paralyzed them with terror and then physical agony as the worms ate their way into their bodies. It is episodes like this that increases my dedication to fortify our defenses, and eradicate these foul creatures once and for all.

May they rest in peace.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2184

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

What I feared the most with our change to a free market economy is happening, the planet is rising up against us. A rogue mind worm attacked one of terra-former crews and destroyed them and did collateral damage to the remaining two units. I am ordering the garrison from UN Haven City to sortie and destroy the worm and I have recalled the trance rover as well from the polar area to provide quick response alert if another worm attack is expected.

We are still working to build more infrastructure and work towards a more peaceful society. But, it is hard. Many of our citizens seem to demand more and more recreational outlets and while I really cannot blame them they do take time and money. I can only hope that with a few more improvements we can add to our resources and help build them quickly.

UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY has cleared the last of the fungus and is now in route to Morgan territory. We expect to make contact in three turns. I hope that once we make contact Morgan and I can help build a bridge to a greater understanding on this planet.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2185

Pravin,

We are working toward a vast improvement in our infrastructure also, and all my bases except the base in the Monsoon Jungle will have the basic recreation commons, recycling tanks, and children’s crèches, in addition to our ‘free’ network nodes and hologram theatres. Our capital has been working on a Research Hospital, which should ‘goose’ our research there dramatically! Moreover, our food resources are not so limited as they once were so our growth rate, when not booming, is acceptable. We have even started prototyping a trance synthmetal defender in our new Command Center! Shortly we will be building trance synthmetal transports to start harvesting the Unity pods in the vast seas that surround us.

I now know what precipitated what I believe to be a war between Morgan and Dee. It seems Morgan ‘appropriated’ Centauri Empathy from Dee and she was none too happy about it. Now Morgan has the gall to start building the Empath Guild! Of course he will fail since we have such a large head start, but he does have some chutzpah, doesn’t he? I also noticed that Rose finished the Energy Grid project. I regret getting that one since it would have boosted our energy production significantly, but we can’t have everything you know (but we can try!!).

I haven’t noticed the native life being any more nasty and voracious than they are normally since our shift to a Free Market system. Still, your warning was taken to heart and our veteran Unity rover has been upgraded to have an empath attack ability. This should prove invaluable in fending off these malevolent Chiron life forms, and it is an obvious outgrowth of the trance defense that has served us so well. All our bases’ have had this ability for a while now, and it only makes sense to augment this with a few mobile empath reaction squads.

Take care, and good luck with Morgan. He can be quarrelsome, but if you butter him up a little I’m sure he will be reasonable. Dee is another matter, but that may come later.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2185

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Our captain from UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY reports that he will make contact with the Morgan main base in two turns! I am beginning my preparations for our first dialogue and I do hope it will be productive. Perhaps I can help negotiate a peace between the Gaians and Morganites? In any event I at least hope to get safe harbor for our ship and some needed supplies and repair assistance for our ship.

I was contacted by Roze and we were able to make reach an agreement for a technology transfer. Roze sent me technical files that will allow us to maximize our energy production from tidal generators in exchange for our files on gene splicing. The technology was about equal in importance and it will give our coastal bases the chance to improve their energy production.

The garrison from UN Haven City did sortie from the city and found the rogue worm and destroyed it. The planet pearls were collected and returned to the base for more energy. The garrison will return as well next turn and assume their duties. The terra-formers are moving back into position to begin the final task of raising the ocean floor to connect our land mass with the small island chain.

Our veteran trance rover team will open a Unity pod next turn and I do hope it will have some vital information our resources we can use. The reports I get from the council of High Commissioners indicate that our society is becoming more adjusted to the effects of the free economics and we should not have anymore riots for want of material goods and recreational outlets.

We also will begin building several more sea foils, UNSF PEACEKEEPER and UNSF KOFI ANAN, equipped with trance protection as well as a transport to begin searching these sea for Unity pods. There are a great many in our area and with adequate protection we should be able to harvest them with ease.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2186

Pravin,

I am not entirely positive the Morganites and Gaians are at war, but I got a fragmentary message to that effect. If you can arrange a settlement of their dispute that would be excellent since I don’t want to be caught between those two. Dee is enough of a pain without having Morgan turning into a nuisance by trying to drag me into a wasteful war. I have nothing against Dee, and Morgan and I see eye to eye on most things, so an intervention on your part would be a good thing.

We have something of a minor crisis on our hands. The isle of the deep that destroyed our transport is making its way to University Base in a frightening and single minded b-line, and it has one of those vile mindworms in its gut that I would be willing to bet any amount of energy would like nothing better than to devour the brains of our good citizens. This, of course, is completely unacceptable. Our fast response empath rover is on the way and should be able to make it before the worm can strike and I will take great pleasure in watching every one of those slimy wormlets wither and die under the onslaught of our emapthi. Crispy fry them all! The only remaining problem will be the isle itself that is a threat to our sea formers. I will likely have to switch production somewhere to an empath foil, although I regret having to do so since it is a waste of resources. And here I thought things were going pretty well! Damn worms!

You will likely note that the witch Rose has developed Industrial Automation – my ‘little birds’ tell me that she has started the Planetary Transit System, and this technology will allow that. While I care little of this project I want the technology that allow it in the worst way. Both of us have been disappointed for a long time since our scientists have denied us this boon, and this technology will allow both of us to prosper. Luckily we are scheduled to make a breaththrough soon and I truly hope our dreams won’t be dashed yet again.

In other news our population will grow to 39 next year, and this will be the old fashioned way – no ‘population booming’. Our smaller bases did not participate in the last boom since they did not have crèches constructed, but abundant nutrients and newly built crèches have made all the difference. Soon we will be ready to boom again, but not in the near future. They will be nowhere near a stability crisis, but I expect that a few more booms will put them there.

I have also noted I now have some stiff completion to complete the Emapth Guild. Morgan and not fewer than 2 Gaian bases are working on this Project, and this is one of those critical Projects I simply just must have! I am even thinking of asking Morgan for a loan to hedge my bets, and it will be worth it even if the terms are harsh. Heck, I’d even ask Deirdre for a loan! It would serve her right if I got a loan from her and then beat her to the Empath Guild! After all the irritation she has caused me such a turn-about would be just deserts!

Lastly I think you need to talk to Rose. I looked over the maps you sent (which did improve my mood, by the way) and it looks like Rose has expanded west. There is a trace of a base boundary on one of the western islands your foil passed by and I suspect that she has either ferried a pod over or her landmass is attached to more territory to the west. This is not good news since I would like nothing better than seeing that sneak-thief Rose bottled up, and if you can do it at her expense so much the better. It is truly alarming to think she might have plenty of elbowroom to the west!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2186

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Or captain of UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY reports he will make contact next turn with the headquarters of Morgan Industries. We have completed our preparations for the upcoming discussions and I do hope they will go well. I think Nwabudike Morgan and myself will have much to talk about.

I did notice the boundary a line that extended westward along the islands that I am sure Roze has colonized. It just stood to reason that she had moved that way since she had been the population leader for some time and I doubt that she could have achieved that with only the small portion of the northern island that we share. Our sensor arrays keep the border under constant surveillance and we have plans to boost our border garrisons to include anti-espionage teams. We have achieved a defacto peace arrangement with Roze but I am not so trusting to believe that she will never turn her gaze south.

We now have solid confirmed reports that there is an island to the east, as to the size it is still unknown. Our problem now is completing the last section of land bridge to connect our area to it. My High Commissioner of Terra-Forming reports that the area is extremely geologically unstable and will require more energy than had anticipated completing the project. It is very fortunate indeed that we have switched to a market economy that will generate the funds we need. What aggravates me is that we did complete our eleventh colony pod but it will now be at least a decade before we can set it up. During that time the colonists will have to be supported by UNHQ resources, a further drain.

We expect to open a Unity pod next turn that we found in the southern pole area. I once again hope that it will be of some great use for us.

Lastly, my High Commissioner of Intelligence and my senior military commander reports that all evidence and long range radar indicates that the rogue isle of the deep has reached your land base. I hope your rover team did reach the coast in time.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:56									#17
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

University Base, MY 2186

Pravin,

I am not entirely positive the Morganites and Gaians are at war, but I got a fragmentary message to that effect. If you can arrange a settlement of their dispute that would be excellent since I don’t want to be caught between those two. Dee is enough of a pain without having Morgan turning into a nuisance by trying to drag me into a wasteful war. I have nothing against Dee, and Morgan and I see eye to eye on most things, so an intervention on your part would be a good thing.

We have something of a minor crisis on our hands. The isle of the deep that destroyed our transport is making its way to University Base in a frightening and single minded b-line, and it has one of those vile mindworms in its gut that I would be willing to bet any amount of energy would like nothing better than to devour the brains of our good citizens. This, of course, is completely unacceptable. Our fast response empath rover is on the way and should be able to make it before the worm can strike and I will take great pleasure in watching every one of those slimy wormlets wither and die under the onslaught of our emapthi. Crispy fry them all! The only remaining problem will be the isle itself that is a threat to our sea formers. I will likely have to switch production somewhere to an empath foil, although I regret having to do so since it is a waste of resources. And here I thought things were going pretty well! Damn worms!

You will likely note that the witch Rose has developed Industrial Automation – my ‘little birds’ tell me that she has started the Planetary Transit System, and this technology will allow that. While I care little of this project I want the technology that allow it in the worst way. Both of us have been disappointed for a long time since our scientists have denied us this boon, and this technology will allow both of us to prosper. Luckily we are scheduled to make a breaththrough soon and I truly hope our dreams won’t be dashed yet again.

In other news our population will grow to 39 next year, and this will be the old fashioned way – no ‘population booming’. Our smaller bases did not participate in the last boom since they did not have crèches constructed, but abundant nutrients and newly built crèches have made all the difference. Soon we will be ready to boom again, but not in the near future. They will be nowhere near a stability crisis, but I expect that a few more booms will put them there.

I have also noted I now have some stiff completion to complete the Emapth Guild. Morgan and not fewer than 2 Gaian bases are working on this Project, and this is one of those critical Projects I simply just must have! I am even thinking of asking Morgan for a loan to hedge my bets, and it will be worth it even if the terms are harsh. Heck, I’d even ask Deirdre for a loan! It would serve her right if I got a loan from her and then beat her to the Empath Guild! After all the irritation she has caused me such a turn-about would be just deserts!

Lastly I think you need to talk to Rose. I looked over the maps you sent (which did improve my mood, by the way) and it looks like Rose has expanded west. There is a trace of a base boundary on one of the western islands your foil passed by and I suspect that she has either ferried a pod over or her landmass is attached to more territory to the west. This is not good news since I would like nothing better than seeing that sneak-thief Rose bottled up, and if you can do it at her expense so much the better. It is truly alarming to think she might have plenty of elbowroom to the west!

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2186

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Or captain of UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY reports he will make contact next turn with the headquarters of Morgan Industries. We have completed our preparations for the upcoming discussions and I do hope they will go well. I think Nwabudike Morgan and myself will have much to talk about.

I did notice the boundary a line that extended westward along the islands that I am sure Roze has colonized. It just stood to reason that she had moved that way since she had been the population leader for some time and I doubt that she could have achieved that with only the small portion of the northern island that we share. Our sensor arrays keep the border under constant surveillance and we have plans to boost our border garrisons to include anti-espionage teams. We have achieved a defacto peace arrangement with Roze but I am not so trusting to believe that she will never turn her gaze south.

We now have solid confirmed reports that there is an island to the east, as to the size it is still unknown. Our problem now is completing the last section of land bridge to connect our area to it. My High Commissioner of Terra-Forming reports that the area is extremely geologically unstable and will require more energy than had anticipated completing the project. It is very fortunate indeed that we have switched to a market economy that will generate the funds we need. What aggravates me is that we did complete our eleventh colony pod but it will now be at least a decade before we can set it up. During that time the colonists will have to be supported by UNHQ resources, a further drain.

We expect to open a Unity pod next turn that we found in the southern pole area. I once again hope that it will be of some great use for us.

Lastly, my High Commissioner of Intelligence and my senior military commander reports that all evidence and long range radar indicates that the rogue isle of the deep has reached your land base. I hope your rover team did reach the coast in time.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2187

Pravin,

Those blasted mindworms! The isle dumped its lethal progeny in the one place where our empath rover can’t get at it, and I expect that it will attack the trance defenders next year. They will have the advantage of trance, and a sensor, and I hope they are able to hold out until the rover arrives. The isle is still lurking too, so I have ordered the cheapest empath foil to be built. I plan on attacking and destroying the isle, and its nasty mindworm minions. If anything this is a lesson that we need another empath rover since our territory is so linear and hard to defend with a few rovers.

I did call on Morgan and he was very pleasant, but refused my request for a loan! Imagine that, and I was willing to give him very generous terms too. So I went to plan B. Dee called me and demanded some low level technology, I believe it was Planetary Networks, and seeing her mood I thought it best to give into her demands. Then I called her up and asked for a loan and she gave me one! While Dee is belligerent she loans me energy, and magnanimous Morgan say nyet – very strange.

It looks like Rose is about to complete the Planetary Transit System. I can’t imagine how she did this so fast, but can only guess that she had several bases working on the Energy Grid and had one switch over. I don’t like the idea of her getting too powerful, but will have to live with it I guess.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2187

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Like many things we have both discovered about life on this planet when you gain a benefit you also seem to gain a negative. My negotiations with Nwabudike were marvelous! In fact they went so well he offered to form a "pact" as he put it where we would increase our economic/social and military assistance, we agreed. Nwabudike even up linked Lady Deirdre Skye's communication frequency to us for free! We talked for days about future planning and goals. During the discussions we broached the subject of a loan and he all but fell over himself offering us very generous terms and a large sum of energy credits. The credits we used to begin our land expansion efforts anew and complete several other projects and we still had a large amount of funding left over for our reserves. This a very good thing since my High Commissioner of economic planning has informed me that within the decade we might have to impose some planned economic measures to "reel in" the economy for a while. The energy credits we will bank will give us the time to fund our planned economic expansion.

The negative side of the situation was that Nwadudike did give us Lady Skye's comm. frequency and in my pride I thought I could contact her and help smooth over relations with all concerned. Unfortunately Lady Skye was extremely belligerent to the point of out right hostility. She ranted for hours and would not let me even try to explain things and issues we had in common and not in common. She then ended her tirade with an outright demand for technology. I was almost willing to capitulate to her demands but the Council of Governors vetoed any transfer of technology. We Peacekeepers believe in the free flow of information for the prosperity of us all but not under threats of violence. With our refusal she then declared a state of vendetta, as she called it. We call it a state of war. Luckily for us with our new alliance with the Morganites I feel much more secure. Nwadudike has offered to help repair UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY and I will then order her out to scour the oceans between us to keep any Gaian ships from coming to close to us. I begin to see why you have had so many problems with her. I wish I had taken more time to prepare for our first meeting like I had with the
Morgan. I think it would have gone off much better for us all.

Our trance rover team did uncover the Unity pod and it had plans for laser technology stored in some data crystals. I had been hoping that it would have more advanced technology but laser weapons will put us on par with the Data Angels should a conflict arise. I have ordered the rapid construction of a laser/trance rover team at UN Commerce Committee base due to its vast mineral resource base the construction will only take six turns to complete. With the recently constructed command center at the base the team will undergo training there before departure and be highly trained to handle any problems on this planet.

We also begin building our foil/transport/foil exploration team at UN High Commission next turn. I can only hope that the team will quickly pay for itself by returning many Unity pods for our use.

Lastly, since we have made a pact with the Morganites I think it is only fitting that we discuss this issue. I have worked out a treaty with the Data Angels and I have even done so with the drone faction. I have even worked out a deal in which the leader of the drones will support my candidacy for governorship! So I think it would be in both our interests to at least explore the possibilities of a pact? If anything I would suspect that in the depths of the Gaian councils if they knew if any attacks would be launched against you that your allies, the Peacekeepers and Morganites would come to your aid. This I would think would give them pause before attempting such a thing.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2188

Pravin,

I hate to say ‘I told you so’, but I will anyway. Deirdre has been a major pain since we first made contact and she immediately declared Vendetta. She has generally been irrational and, I believe, unstable. At the moment we have a Treaty, as does Morgan, so I am not willing to antagonize her unduly. She does have the ability to inflict damage on us through bombardment from foils or action by sneaks. Sadly, I just gave her the technology to make sneaks in MY 2187, which she ‘demanded’. I could tell she was a centimeter way from declaring Vendetta and I decided to part with this technology to put off the day when we may be at war. You are so far away that I can’t believe you will be able to pursue your vendetta against her, but you are welcome to try. It all strikes me as so pointless – I mean, why would she declare vendetta on you? You have much in common, although she may have an issue with your economic system if you are running Free Market.

I suspect that Morgan may think I am a bad credit risk since he already loaned me energy to finish the Virtual World. I suspect he doesn’t want to loan me too much so that he doesn’t put all his eggs in one basket. After all, if he loans me all his energy then who is in the driver’s seat? Why, I am since he will be living in fear of my default. Maybe he is diversifying and I can see why that makes sense.

I am willing to consider a Pact with you and Morgan since we seem to have so much in common. We have been Pacted with Morgan for a long time and we have had no trouble at tall with him or his people. I was very nervous when I found his base on my continent by the last 50 odd years of peaceful coexistence have allayed my fears. I cannot say the same about Dee’s impetuous colonization of my island AFTER she knew I was here! That is an outright provocation and I suspect that it will turn out badly, for her that is.

As for Dee’s fleet, she has explored the area around her island and I suspect she has colonized other islands. Many of the Unity pods along my western coast have been opened, and Dee’s foils have disappeared mysteriously afterward. I suspect she has had trouble with isles of the deep and it serves her right. The oceans are truly huge and I don’t think you have to worry much about Dee’s fleet, whereas I will. So, if we decide to Pact I would ask that you not take you foil to any of our western ports. This way we can avoid any incidents where Dee attacks you, and me in the process. I would hate to have Dee’s and the University’s tenuous relationship shattered as a result of collateral damage from another war.

I did have one ‘oops’ this last year. I sent a trance scout to snoop on Dee’s base on my territory and as soon as it left my territory the scout’s home base went into riot. The citizens started whining and crying about ‘war mongering’ and ‘military action’. I almost couldn’t believe my ears. Here we have a scout with no offensive and little defensive ability doing a little exploring and they think I have authorized a military invasion?!! Clearly these idiots don’t know what war really is, which makes sense since almost none of them were on Earth in its final harrowing decades. Unfortunately there is no reasoning with them so the scout will be recalled, rather ignominiously I might add. I guess that means we will have to build a sneak to check up on Dee, and considering her hostile proclivities I think it might be appropriate to link into her datalinks. For warned is for armed, as they say.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2188

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

A leader of the opposition led a movement to end the conflict with the Gaians and as a result we did transmit the basic information on probe teams and the like. I suppose it was a small price to pay for peace when compared to the loss of life she could have incurred.

We expect to have four cities enter into "golden ages" this turn and more to come. At several of our bases the decisions are being made as to if the they should be medical research complex are continue on as they have in the past. I can only the addition of research hospitals will only add to the overall knowledge of the planet and of us.

UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY entered a dry dock and main Morgan base and it will be rebuilt as quickly as possible. Once we have completed the proto-type for laser weapons we will upgrade the ship as well.

There is little to report this turn. Perhaps in five turns when we make our next discovery we can then shore something then.

United Nations General Secretary,

*~*~*~

University Base, MY 2189

Pravin,

Foiled again! We got our breakthrough, but as usual things didn’t go as planned. My august scientists provided me with the specifications for Ecological Engineering. This is useful, of course, since it lifts mineral production restrictions, but it isn’t what I wanted! I even held my nose and called up Rose (or maybe I should call her ‘Thorn’) and offered to trade Industrial Automation for Ecological Engineering. She muttered something about ‘aiding your unethical and immoral research’ and gave me a resounding ‘no’! The gall of that woman! After she was done lecturing me she gave me one of her infuriating sly smiles, blew me a kiss, and abruptly broke the connection! Now we will have to wait up to a decade for our next breakthrough unless your scientists manage to get there first.

If all goes well we will complete the Empath Guild next year. This will be a singular achievement since I am told it will allow us to snoop into Dee’s and especially Rose’s nefarious plans, and hopefully detect what they are up to. Dee seems to be predictably antagonistic, but Rose is more sinister and I trust her as far as I can throw her and considering my age this is not very far. Moreover, I think it is eminently possible that there may be other factions here on Chiron that we have not made contact with yet. We have explored only a small fraction of this world, and it will take a long time to do this manually. It has been suggested that the emapthi may be able to hone in on these other settlements and it is possible we may be able to make contact with them.

You will note that I have offered a Pact treaty to you. I think it is in our best interests to have a closer relationship since most of our misunderstandings seem to be behind us. Plus, the trade energy would be most welcome. If you accept I will be more than happy to exchange world maps.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2189

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We welcome you and the University into the pact of friendship that I hope in time will grow as big as Planet. Once our foil has been repaired I might have the good captain pay you a courtesy call so that we can exchange information face to face. Since we are now pact brothers perhaps we could work on the following proposition. My scientists are about to make a breakthrough in a field that we expect to allow us to build artillery weapons. This would be our repayment to you. However, perhaps we can work the following deal. Transfer to me a technology that you believe that Roze would be interested in. I will then try to broker a deal for industrial automation. When I am able to complete the deal I would transfer back to you the new technology. In turn, our next discovery we will send this to you as well. In essence, you and I both get two new technologies while Roze only gets one. Please consider this offer I believe that Roze and I have a much more cordial relationship and I will be able to get the deal done. If Roze does not agree to the deal then I will still transfer to you our next breakthrough. Either way you gain at least one new technology for your troubles.

Little else occurred this turn to remark on. Our foil is being repaired and our trance rover team is still exploring the pole region. I hope that they will be lucky.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	17-06-2002 02:59									#18
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

University Base, MY 2190

Pravin,

We finished the Empath Guild, and it will be up and running next year! This opens up a whole new world of information, and I can hardly wait to start poking around in Dee’s and Rose’s business. I’ll be happy to give you a report summarizing the basics since I’m sure you are curious.

Your foil is welcome at our bases, and they can stay as long as they like. I will ask that you not investigate the Unity pods in the area since we will be investigation these shortly. There are plenty of pods, and a whole ocean full near your territory, so I would appreciate it if you were to respect the sea in my neighborhood.

I’m going to decline your offer to broker a deal with Rose to get Industrial Automation using my technology, presumably Ecological Engineering. Your ‘fee’ is a little too high for my taste, but I’m willing to listen if you have other ideas.

By the way, I did a little poking around on your bases and I have to congratulate you. If only our University bases were so well developed, stable, and contiguous. It will take us a long time to catch up with you, and many of our ‘ends’ are ragged.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2190

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I assume you have received the same warning I have from my ecological engineering scientists that native plant and animal life activity will increase dramatically as we approach Alpha Centauri B. I have taken some measures to minimize our exposure to attacks but who can say what might happen. I have attached a map file for your review and now that we are "pact mates" I expect that you will respond, in kind.

The only major event that took place is the completion of the land bridge to the small island to our east. We are clearing out a fungal patch and we will begin installing sensors for our eleventh colony. I will order up a twelfth colony as soon as our new laser/trance rover inspects the area and selects a spot for colonization.

Little else of importance happened this turn. We are only two turns from our next scientific breakthrough if all goes well. We completed our second trance foil UNSF PEACEKEEPER and once it clears the dock we will put down the keel for the transport ship. Once the transport is complete we will move out and investigate the Unity pod just off our coast. We will also begin at that time our third foil UNSF KOFI ANAN that will be a new class of foil, one that has laser canons.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2191

Pravin,

The Empath Guild has lived up to its billing. It is very interesting to be able to snoop into other people’s business, particularly if they seem to have hostile intent. I know, for instance, that Dee has the same number of technologies as I have, as does Rose. Here is a quick breakdown of the various factions on Chiron:

Gaians: pop 33, 9 bases
Cyborgs: pop 22, 9 bases
Morganites: pop 12, 3 bases
Angels: pop 34, 8 bases
PKs: pop 38, 10 bases
Drones: pop 15, 4 bases
University: pop 41, 11 bases

You can see that we are the population, and hence resource, leaders here on Chiron, and we are followed closely by the Gaians and Angels.

I did get in contact with the only other faction to survive the Unity disaster. One of my lab assistants Aki heads a faction she calls the Cyborgs, and they are a strange bunch. They have taken to merging themselves with machines and various algorithms to a point where the machine and human consciousness are interchangeable. In many ways this sounds like it might be advantageous, or even a natural outgrowth of what technology provides. We have had machine prosthetics and artificial limbs and organs for a long time, but this is the first time that semi and fully aware entities are bonded with the human brain. I can only guess on how this influences human decision-making, but the effects must be profound. For instance, Aki didn’t even mention the fact she was a lab assistant on the Unity mission, and insisted on being called the Prime Function, whatever that is. In any event she wasn’t very friendly and refused all issues of technology trade, although she did agree to a Friendship treaty after I gifted her some technology. Overall she seems less developed, and it is my guess that is because she has been excluded from the world community for so long. I will be happy to act as her ambassador to the rest of the factions.

Dee has done it again. She opened a Unity pod and released an isle with a spoor launcher and mindworm, and these horrors are just 2 sectors from Monitoring Station! Luckily our empath foil is located there and will be able to deal with the threat, assuming Dee doesn’t capture or destroy it first. I even rushed our empath speeder to that base in case the blasted things land. I am afraid that the spoor launcher will start pummeling the base or pulverizing the forests of the area. It would please me to no end to kill the unsavory thing and harvest a good lode of pearls, since I estimate there would be at least 60 when the mindworms are destroyed. The foil would more than pay for itself, assuming it isn’t sunk in the process. I will be sure to let you know the outcome, which is sure to be messy.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2191

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

On behalf of my government I thank you for your information concerning the population and resource statistics. The empath guild I think will serve you well. I am somewhat displeased though by your comments about performing liaison duties between the Cybernetic Conscience and us. What if anything would you consider for the comm. frequency for them. I ask this because in a turn or so our UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY will be repaired and I will send her on her way to find Conscience. It could take decades if not longer. On the other hand I could loan the UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY to you and have her secure your coastal area and patrol for sea creatures in exchange for the comm. frequency. I suppose it is a matter of accounting, rebuilding a base defender unit several times or a comm. frequency, which costs more. Please consider this plan.

Little else occurred this turn. UNSF PEACEKEEPER left the yards and is now patrolling the coastline while the freighter UNTF U.N. AID is being built. We should have it done in four turns with the application of some extra energy. We are nearing the completion of site preparation for our eleventh colony and have ordered a twelfth colony pod to be set for construction at UN Great Refuge.

Our sensors detected one of the Data Angels supply crawlers just on the border extracting minerals. I hope that someday soon we also could benefit from these vehicles and the prosperity that they bring.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2192

Pravin,

That b*tch Deirdre! Now she is sending a colony pod from her base on my island to steal more of my land! It is headed at this moment northwest, and if she establishes it some of the land around Gragarin Memorial will fall into her dirty hands, including forest and a sensor I built to keep a watch on her. I am telling you right now that if she does this then all bets are off and you can expect unpleasantness. I exact my pound of flesh for this aggressive act! The trance scout from Gragarin Memorial is rushing south to station itself near the border to…discourage…any attempt by Dee to steal from me, but if she does then one ill turn deserves another.

One thing that occurred this year that will make you happy is that the isle Dee loosed north of my coast fought and sank Dee’s foil. My empath foil promptly left port and ripped the isle and its two mindworms apart and came home with 90 energy! Dee’s capricious act resulted in her loss and, due to good planning and good fortune on my part, we netted the equivalent of 5 years of our current energy surplus. So now there is one less Gaian foil out there to trouble both of us, and harvest my pods. I’ll do a little snooping next year to tell you how much of a Navy Dee has left.

This next year our basic infrastructure for bases on the main island is complete, and we are working on 3 trance transports, an extra sea formers, and a variety of other projects. I am currently sending a trance scout and 6 of our formers to rip out the fungus in the southeastern corner of our island. This area is blighted with an almost complete cover of fungus, and this former gang should do a good job of tearing the fungus out by the roots, planting roads, forests, farms and sensors so we can have two new base sites! It will likely be a long while before it is done but I think it will be worth it. This is not as effective as your ability to build land but it will have to do.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2192

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We completed our new transport craft early with the addition of a few energy credits and it will now begin exploring the seas with UNSF PEACEKEEPER to harvest the Unity pods. I do have concerns that with the increased native animal life that opening these pods could be very risky. With that in mind I have ordered the rapid completion of our third sea foil, UNSF KOFI ANAN. We completed our laser/trance/synth-metal rover team early as well so additional upgrades will now be done at all of our bases so they will ALL have the most advanced weapons.

We should be able to establish our eleventh colony next turn baring any troubles with the installation of the sensor equipment. We will soon transition back into a planned economic model. The need to expand once again is paramount and since our foil at Morgan's base will leave soon I doubt he will even notice the "blip" on his economic radar, we hope.

Our next discovery should happen next turn and I can only hope it is what we expect rather than a surprise. I grow tired of the inability to selectively "pick" our science direction and it is proving frustrating indeed. The High Commissioner of Science and Technology always gives me the same speech over and over again that scientific breakthroughs are more akin to an art than science. My response lately has been that we should put him in charge of the arts rather than our labs.

I would be careful in antagonizing the Gaians as long as the extra energy from the sun seems to give the native life more robust energy. We lost our polar exploration rover team this turn from an attack by a spore launcher. I no longer underestimate Planet anymore.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2193

Pravin,

Deirdre established a second base on my island and, as expected, she took my forest and sensor, which her base is not using to build and expand. My retaliation will be series of probe attacks where I will strip her of her technology, energy, and world map. If she doesn’t like it that is just too bad since she has done nothing but be aggressive and disrespectful of my people and territory since we met. I even gifted her technology to stop the war she declared when we met, and once in the near past to avoid a war. No more! She may declare vendetta when we get our due, and we will be upgrading our coastal defenses as a result so we can deal with this likely threat. A new combat foil may be needed, too, to ward off any bombardment she may care to undertake. In short, we are preparing for war, even if it is a cold one.

You are wise to think twice about harvesting the Unity pods during high native activity. I would suspect that most of the pods would be infested with native life, and that this life may be strong and hostile. Our transports won’t be done for a while, and in some cases a long while, so I am not too worried. Another suggestion: if you do inspect a pod make sure it isn’t in fungus since the native life seems particularly adept and destroying humans caught in the mindworm’s native environment.

Although it is frustrating, there is nothing ‘sure’ about science. You may not get what you want, but that is the way things work and I wouldn’t get too worried about it. If anything it makes us more careful in how we lead our scientists, and their work can bear unexpected fruits. For instance, I was upset when my scientists gave me Adaptive Economics until I understood that this is a stepping stone to Environmental Economics, which promises to unlock the maximum energy we can harvest from Chiron. It is likely that either Environmental Economics or Industrial Automation will be our next breakthrough, but nothing is certain.

I am contemplating a switch to a Planned economy soon so we can do a short population boom at the bases that recently completed crèches. I have found out that the maximum size our bases can achieve without riots is 4 or at most 5, depending on energy production. You, and to some extent Dee and Rose, can expand further but we are saddled with a social instability that grows when our bases get to size 4. As a result we have started building research hospitals at a few bases, although this is very expensive. In the long run it will be worth it.

Our base in the Jungle finished its colony pod, which will not be on its way. It will be slow since there is very little infrastructure, but that will change with time. All these bases will continue to produce colony pods to prevent them from growing too fast, and expand our holdings in the area. I want 3 bases in the area before one can start building infrastructure while the newer bases continue to pump out pods until the landmass is full, or so full I don’t care anymore. I’d like to have between 15 and 20 bases in the near future.

Lastly, Dee has 2 synthmetal laser foils, one isle of the deep, and sea lurk, which is similar to what attacked Monitoring Station a few decades ago. I was disappointed since I was hoping her navy was destroyed, but not such luck. It also seems she has 2 sea colonies in production, and 2 established sea colonies. Both sea colonies are around the Monsoon Jungle, and I am tickled pink that we prevented her from utilizing the landmass by colonizing it first.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2193

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We did make the scientific breakthrough and in the field we expect, artillery weapons. We can not convert any weapon system into an artillery system, if needed. My security council immediately argued for the need to build several of these units along our border with the Data Angels so that we can hit any probe teams that cross over, uninvited. What I am most pleased about is that we at last compensate you. This technology might come in handy with your up and coming battle with the Gaians. We were also able to trade with Nwadudike Morgan the files on artillery weapons for his files on Centauri empathy. That technology alone is ten times the value of the artillery systems and since our next anticipated breakthrough should come in the field of exploration. We suspect that either we will make a breakthrough in intellectual integrity or ecological engineering. Either of these would be of great use to us. Our next breakthrough will not occur for most likely 12 to 15 turns depending upon how much we gear up our economy. It has been agreed to that when we do make the next breakthrough we will switch back to a planned economy. By that time we should have built several new bases, and this is likely three counting from this turn. With that in mind we will need to "boom". However, that boom will be contingent upon us getting industrial automation technology. It is crucial since all of our bases will soon be near the maximum limit of population so it will do us no good to "boom" with no room to boom in.

Little else of interest occurred this turn. Our foil and transport are now moving out to explore the sea Unity pods and I hope they will bring back many valuable items. We will concentrate those pods that are not in the fungus first then move back to those who do. By that time our third sea foil should be ready to help assist in guarding the transport.

Now that our books are "clean" do you have any suggestions for any other exchanges in technology. Since we are now "pact mates" I do hope you can look beyond the "quid pro quo" attitude you have taken for so long.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	22-06-2002 19:13									#19
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

University Base, MY 2194

Pravin,

I got another wonderful call from Rose. Before I could even hold my nose and say ‘hello’ she got to the point: give me your worthless technology ‘or else’. I couldn’t say “Shove it up you’re a**! I’m not giving you one tidbit of information, you black hearted b*tch!” fast enough, and she promptly declared Vendetta. Her intentions are finally out in the open, and in a way I’m relieved since I knew this was coming; it was only a matter of where and when. Watch your back Pravin, since I started snooping in some detail and she has a significant probe force and a surprisingly large laser infantry and rover army. Luckily she is still running Free Market, so if she decides to use them offensively her people will punish her (although I think that is a grand idea!). Moreover, she is so far from me that I am not worried one bit. Let her declare her pointless war, but I will not forget – she is on my ‘list’ and one day I will have my revenge for all the slights and attacks she has heaped on me back on Unity and here on Chiron. As a side note Morgan called me as his foil was passing by and after we had conducted some very pleasant business I asked him to honor our Pact and declare war against the Data Devils. He declined, and I can’t blame him. He is in a pretty weak position and war is bad for profits. Luckily he has a choice; as usual, we of the University don’t.

Our efforts to rip the fungus along the southeastern portion of our island have hit a snag. As a former was attempting to enter a fungus-infected sector a mindworm boiled out, and it is now poised to attack. Luckily we have a trance defender there to guard the three formers, but they may not be able to hold out since they are green and without sensor support. Our empath rover was speeding to the area and didn’t quite make it there. If the trance scout succumbs the empath rover will be able to take care of the blasted thing, and guard against future attacks as the formers thrust deeply into the pink mass of death. A backup trance scout is on the way too, since these formers need protection in such a hazardous area.

We converted to a Knowledge based society this year and the effects have been immediately felt. The boost to our science rate was significant, and we now can expect a breakthrough every 7 years. The efficiency boost, although minor, is welcome, too since it decreases the loss of energy due to distance from our capital, and the economy and lab penalty since our energy allocation is 40%/60% to energy/labs. I’d prefer a Wealth society focus, but Industrial Automation has proved elusive to everyone but the Data Devil Rose. Maybe one day I’ll have the pleasure to pry it out of her cold, dead fingers.

By the way, thank you for the files on Polymorphic Software, which I assume will be authorized for transfer next year. A few well place artillery units may be useful against any wandering foils that decide to plague our bases, but that is a task for a later date. I haven’t considered military technology seriously but maybe I should. It is so tempting to build our society but some thought should be given to a stout defense and a worthy offense. Laser weapons are, in my opinion, pretty worthless and adding Conquer to the mix of objectives for our scientists may be a good idea, especially since Dee has been getting more and more belligerent as time continues and I may have to do something decisive about the bases she has infested my island with.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2194

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I presented your last communication to a combined meeting of the Council of Governors, Security Council and the High Commissioners and we have reviewed the situation between you and Data Angels and have formed the following policy. First and foremost we support you as a pact partner and as such we will support all ethical policies that you take as long as they conform to the UN Charter. Second, we encourage you to try to come to a peaceful solution to the current problem with the Data Angels. We were able to work out a similar arrangement with the Gaians shortly after our failed first attempt at diplomacy with them and since then we have worked out a solid plan of peaceful coexistence. Third, as long as this vendetta does not get into a shooting war we will maintain a non-aggressive stance with the Data Angels. If you expected to have the Peacekeepers march across the border to fight a war for you, you are sadly mistaken. Fourth, if the Data Angels should cross our border and launch attacks at us we will expect the following from you. Military intelligence as to the exact disposition of the Data Angels forces, energy credits to offset our expenditure in war material and the transfer of any military technologies that you should make. Fifth, we will continue to try and ease the situation with the Data Angels and if we are able to broker a truce then we will expect you to accept whatever terms we can negotiate as long as they do not require a monetary or technology transfer from you. WE the Peacekeepers will bear any cost of any compensation packages to the Data Angels in support of peace on this planet. I think you will find these conditions both fair and reasonable to all concerned. These are our terms and if you do not wish to accept these terms then we will have to rethink our diplomatic position with the University. I think you will find the Peacekeepers a most honorable and fair ally. We welcome your response to this proposal.

Last turn was a very eventful one to be sure. We did establish our tenth colony along the area that we had raised from the sea floor. In building the colony there was, what we thought to be, a Unity pod to the south. In reality it turned out to be an alien artifact that looks to contain data crystals of some sort. We have yet to find such a device and we are returning it to UNHQ for analysis that should only take a couple of turns for transit. Our transport also spotted what they thought was a Unity pod floating at sea but upon retrieval they brought on board a most wonderful and dangerous object. When the outer casing was removed they found what turned out to be an alien war machine of untold power and capabilities. It is heavily armed and protected by unknown armor plating they we can not even begin to fathom. The battle ogre as the science team calls it seems to have "coded" itself to the commands of the first creature it saw and will only take orders from it. It seems to understand very rudimentary commands like defend, attack and move. The operator of the battle ogre is a young ship handler who is just 18 turns and is now in command of the most fearsome weapon system we own. Just the presence of the thing seems to strike fear into all who look at it. We intend to sail it back to UN Data Acquisition and transfer it to the base so that it can upgrade the defense of that base since it does seem most likely that should the Data Angels attack the first blow will land there.

I do hope that you will understand our position that we have taken and see it for the fair and reasonable approach that we Peacekeepers are known for. Perhaps it might be time for us to convene a planetary council and elect a Planet Governor who can insure some stability. You have the remaining comm. frequency and as such you can call the meeting and propose and SUPPORT our claim for the governorship of Planet. In that role I can hopefully broker a stronger peace and insure that the UN Charter is enforced.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2195

Pravin,

To be honest I am not concerned with Rose or her dirty war. She is simply too far away to be much of a threat to the University of Chiron. I do appreciate your and the Council’s vote of support in this matter, however. I don’t have a problem with your terms, except as follows. Point one – accepted. Point two – I will not, under any circumstances, authorize the transfer of real or intellectual property to settle the war that Rose started. I am done buying off aggressors, be they Dee or Rose. If peace can be arranged without the University having to pay extortion then fine. Point three – I don’t expect or necessarily want you to gear up and attack the Data Devils, so we have no conflict there. Point four – I will gladly ‘loan’ you military technology as long as you agree to do the same. It does me no good to have Rose run roughshod over you for want of decent defensive or offensive weaponry. She has used sneaks in the past, and that is likely to be her opening salvo, so I suggest you prepare for such an eventuality. I will also happily give you as detailed a rundown as I can on the disposition of her forces. As to compensating you for your energy expenditures in a possible war, there I draw the line. I will assist you as I can, but I will not fund a war Rose declares on you, which would punish me for her warmongering. Nor would I expect you to fund a war declared against me, although I would appreciate support as you are able. As to compensation packages, don’t be too generous with warmongers since it only whets their appetite for more. History is replete with warmongers who took tender morsels of appeasement, only to go back for more. Look at Dee – she extorted technology out of the University and the Peacekeepers under threat of war. As the old saying goes, fool me once…

Congratulations on your good luck with the Unity pods. I will be interested in your mysterious Battle Ogre, and its arrival seems well timed since there may be trouble with Rose. Just don’t let her subvert your bases or this weapon! It would be tragic if it fell into her grubby little hands. Your artifact is just as mysterious and I look forward to your report. I’ve notice that Dee and Rose have items that resemble the artifacts you describe sitting in their bases, and they must not know what to do with them.

As to the Planetary Governorship, it is likely the contest will be between you and me. In fact, I can guarantee that it will be between us since we have the highest populations, due to your eminent prestige and leadership abilities, and my influence with the Empath Guild. As I mentioned before, I will support you if I am not a nominee, but since it looks like I will be a nominee I can’t give you my support. I will say that I will do nothing to influence the other faction leaders to vote for me, and I’d bet Rose will be none too interested in seeing me as Planetary Governor. Aki, Dee, and Morgan are wild cards, and Domai has pledged to support you. So as I see it any election would be up in the air, so the results will be interesting, although I’d give you a big edge.

I also have an offer for you. I will ‘loan’ you a technology, such as Ecological Engineering, if you will agree to forward to me a technology you get in the future. To me this seems like a wonderful deal for you since you get to use the benefits of this, or another technology, while you gear up your labs, and it reduces the chance of technological duplication. If you examine our lab output you will note that we are producing 2 to 13 times more scientific research as the other factions. Poor Domai is way behind the game with a measly 12 research, and I have gifted him a few technologies. The next highest scientific output is yours at about 70 per year, and that says a lot since you have had to build your infrastructure while our bases seem to come ready-to-research. Our research is over 155 per year, and it will only get larger as we expand in the Monsoon Jungle and get Research Labs on line. The only request I’d have is that you not give or sell this technology to opposing faction, which in this case means Rose and Dee (who has a poor track record of hostile actions against both of us). I’d also appreciate it if you didn’t give or sell this technology to those outside of our tripartite.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2195

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

On behalf of planetary peace I contacted the Data Angels and had many meaningful discussions with them. The end result is that I was able to broker a truce for you and the vendetta has been called off. So neither one of us has to "gear up" for war, our positive relationship with Data Angels and Data Roze paved the way to peace.

I think you fail to understand how critical technology is and how vital it is to survive on this planet. In your last letter you commented on how fortunate you are that ALL of your bases come with network nodes pre-installed which is a fantastic boon for your people coupled with the virtual world this gives you two improvements at no cost, a tremendous advantage. The drones and other factions do not have your capabilities and what you see as envy they see as the right to survive. I doubt you will ever fully appreciate this fact since to be without is something you most probably have not had to live with for some time and time blurs perceptions, myself included. So your actions antagonize those who can not meet your currency of exchange, technology, plain and simple.

This does bring me to another issue, namely, the planetary governorship. I thought our agreement was for your FULL support for our claim for the mantle of Governor. My High Commissioner of Intelligence reports your empath guild already gives you a great advantage in any planetary vote since you can use your agent’s empathic abilities to sway the votes of other leaders. An advantage I think you would not have been able to gain if we had not struck our original bargain that "allowed" your completion of the virtual world project. We could have easily switched the virtual world project to UN Commerce Committee and completed it many DECADES before you and we could have still completed either the human genome project or the weather paradigm. I doubt you would be where you are today without that agreement. So even though you will most likely be nominated for the role what I am asking you is to support the spirit of the agreement and support us for the role of governorship. I think anything less smacks of ingratitude of the agreement we made. It was obvious that without the aid of the virtual world you would not be able to support a large population and with your higher science rate you were able to gain more technologies than anyone else and thus reach the point you are at. To believe anything else is to deny the facts. With the large population you gained stature on the planet and thus have a role to play, but not as planetary governor. If for some reason we would have fallen behind and had never "boomed" our population and thus never had enough votes to be even nominated to the position then we would support your role as governor and would have most likely voted for you. THAT IS WHAT THE AGREEMENT WAS DESIGNED TO DO, not for you to use the benefits to block our claim. We the Peacekeepers would never have agreed to allow you the virtual world only to have you use the benefits to block our rise to the governorship.

So I have to be blunt about this and to the point. If you will not honor the spirit of the agreement in which it was forged then I have been ordered by the combined councils of the Peacekeepers to end our pact and revert to our previous treaty of peace arrangement. We take this action not lightly I assure you but if you do not support our claim then essentially you bargained in poor faith with us since you had no intention what so ever to support us. This we would see as the mark of someone who does not truly honor the scope and purpose of an agreement. I hope both you and your academic review board take the time to fully appreciate this situation and I hope you choose the honorable approach. I think you have a vital role to play on this planet but I do not feel your leadership will unite this planet and maintain peace.

As for your proposed trade of technology we can only agree to such a treaty when the issue of the planetary governorship is resolved. We should not "muddy" the waters any further until we can get a new solid agreement and partnership established.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	22-06-2002 19:17									#20
	Browse Apolyton AD-FREE

University Base, MY 2196

Pravin,

Thank you for brokering a truce with the Data Devils. That is one less thing for me to worry about, until she decides I need to be executed again, of course.

As to the governorship, I was quite clear that our agreement in my vote for the Governor of Chiron had the exception of voting for my self if I were to be a candidate for Governorship. I have not been duplicitous in this, and agreed under your threat to complete the Virtual World ahead of us. What you failed to realize is that the VW takes 50% more minerals than either the WP or HGP and it is entirely possible you wouldn’t have finished it AND the WP ahead of us. Our position stands as it is – out in the open and crystal clear. Would you like me to quote you from the text?

If you choose to end our Pact and not take advantage of technology trades that is your decision. I think you will be poorer for it if you do and I will regretfully have to conduct my business elsewhere.

Zak

*!*!*!

UN Headquarters, MY 2196

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It is my duty to report to you formally that we have ended our pact agreement with you. It seems that your intent all along was to not honor the "spirit" of the agreement we forged. I can assure you the Peacekeepers would not have allowed the virtual project to fall into your hands if we did not believe that you would support our claim for governorship. Your own words suggest that you "could" support our claim now you take the position that you "would" only support our claim if you were not a candidate.

The only exception I would stipulate to this agreement is that I ("could" - not would ) vote for myself in the unlikely case that I am a candidate for planetary governor, and
considering my territory that seems highly unlikely.

It now seems clear that you never had any intention of supporting our claim. I regret that we fell into your web of murky intentions. With that in mind we have ended our alliance with you so that we can recruit other leaders to our cause. I think we can, in time, build a solid foundation with the Data Angels and the Drones. I think we can also maintain our "pact" with the Morganites. With the support of these factions we might stand a chance to gain enough support to claim the governorship. I also wish to let you know that should we fail to unite enough leaders behind our leadership we will then support the next likely candidate, other than you, most likely the Data Angels. It is in our best interest to forge the strongest alliance possible with the Data Angels.

We hope that we can still maintain "civil" tones but do not look to the Peacekeepers for any additional support. As to your "conditions" for the exchange of technology we find them far too restricting. I suggest that that we continue as we have done in the past, if possible, a technology for a technology.

We will continue to exchange communications but it seems redundant to inform you of the day to day happenings since you have your empath guild to give you this information.

Good luck Zakharov...

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2197

Pravin,

Well, your ‘creative’ interpretation of our agreement and hard feelings over my keeping my side of that agreement is very disappointing. ‘Spirit’ has nothing to do with – it is more wishful thinking on your part. I even agreed to your agreement under your threat against us and, regardless of the situation and your accusation, we will keep it even now. Be careful or this apparent self-delusion and bitterness will eat at you and spoil your idealism.

I also find your claim that our terms for technological exchange are too ‘restricting’. We offer to ‘loan’ you technology for a promise for a technology in return seems more than fair since you get to use it to expand and enhance your society. After all, what better terms would you wish? Or are you looking for gifts?

Good luck with the Data Devils, and with Dee. You are libel to keep Morgan happy as long as you remain in a Free Market system, but Dee is not likely to be so friendly and Rose can be downright cantankerous and…dangerous. Oh, and did I mention that Rose has the largest army on Chiron? Now, I wonder what she might do with that, with you so close to her and all.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2197

University Council of Regents and the office of the Provost,

It seems you still seem to labor under the perception that we "threatened" you into agreeing to support our claim for planetary governor. I spent several days reviewing the UN Charter trying to find the passage that expressly prohibits one faction from building a project that another one is already building, I could not find it. I can assure you that we COULD have completed the virtual world project and either the humane genome project but most likely the weather paradigm before you. It would stand to reason that once you were blocked from the virtual world you would go for the humane genome project leaving us the weather paradigm. However, I am sure this would have caused much "grief" on your part and as such we worked out a deal, you got the virtual world and we got an empty promise. How fortunate for us. Either way it is now water under the bridge and we plan on moving on to bigger and better things.

Your inept attempts at trying to scare us away from the "Data Devils" just proves our case more that our "alliance" with you was wrong from the beginning. Regardless of what if anything would you have done to help us should the Data Devils attack. Would you send troops, no. Would you provide energy credits, no. Would you have given us military technology, perhaps. I think, as does my father and the entire Peacekeeper councils that it we are better off with the Data Angels as an ally than you as a friend.

What I find most illuminating is your complete reversal of your stance on technology sharing. My father advanced this program over 60 turns ago and you turned him down at every point. The one time you did agree and it failed to work as expected you swore never to participate again, but here you are now asking just that, WHY! Also, I should add that you wish to make so many "regulations" concerning our use of the "loaned" technology that it is hardly in our best interest to do so. When the other leaders to share approach us, my father would be forced to deny them and thus erode our status even more. No, you plan is too rich for our blood.

I have studied the figures and it now becomes a waiting game. Who will blink first. Should either one of us turn away from market economics we risk alienating CEO Morgan. Morgan is the key, plain and simple. I have studied this problem in depth for my father and I suspect that the Gaians will abstain, the Data Angels will vote for us and perhaps the Drones as well leaving the Consciences and the Morganites holding the "trump cards". Should you call a vote while maintaining a free market economy, and us as well, Morgan could go either way, but should one of us go to a planned economy then I predict Morgan will vote for the other. I suspect this is why you have not called the planet council all along.

Well, perhaps when my father is feeling better he will take time out of his schedule to inform you of our newest breakthrough.

United Nations Peacekeepers,

Joshua Lal

Governor - United Nations Headquarters, First advisor to the General
Secretary and head of the Council of Governors
United Nations Headquarters Command Center - United Nations Headquarters

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2198

Pravin and Josh,

We will have to agree to disagree on the ‘agreement’ we have. You will note that I did not put in past tense since in my mind an agreement is an agreement and, if you carefully review all of our conversations, that we have always kept the letter of our deals. Honoring the ‘spirit’ of deals is a shockingly naïve statement from a faction that holds a legal document, the Charter, in such high regard. Is this document up for interpretation based on what an individual faction wants? I would suggest this would be a very poor idea since a written agreement, or document like the Charter, needs to be held for what it is, not for what you want it to be. ‘Wishing’ for something and reinterpreting documents is a slippery slope of revisionism.

I had to laugh as you expressed your desire for a pact with the Data Devils. The irony was striking: the Peacekeepers want to ally with a faction that, without provocation, declared war on another faction. And have you asked Rose for technology lately? I’d bet she was even less forthcoming that I have been accused of being. So, who would be a better friend to the Peacekeepers? Think long and hard. As to a potential war, I was very clear that I in no way expected or wanted the Peacekeepers to pursue war with the Devils. I offered support, as I was able, but drew the line on a full fledged bankrolling of a future war, and said that I wouldn’t expect but would appreciate support from the PKs if I was invaded. That seems about as much as an ally could provide, especially since our resources are very similar, and in many areas (such as mineral production) your are superior to ours.

You are correct that my stance technology has changed in that it has become more liberal. I found your father’s argument that technology should benefit everyone to be somewhat persuasive and was willing to bend. Your society benefited from Ethical Calculus for about 30 ro 40 years. If you review our conversations you will not find any significant complaint on my part, only my disappointment that the ‘loan’ wouldn’t be repaid. If you don’t like my terms that is your problem, but in any case the offer still stands. If you would like my files on Ecological Engineering all you have to do is ask. My other terms apply to those that have or have had hostile intent toward us. After all, would you give a weapon to someone who had attacked you in the past? I view technology as the most potent weapon available, and I am loath to have it fall into hostile hands.

I haven’t called a Planetary Council vote out of respect for you, Pravin, since I know it means so much to you. I haven’t spent much time tallying votes except to note that you have more influence than I do, even with the Empath Guild. The only point I would disagree with you is that Morgan is almost irrelevant due to his small population, and small influence. The linchpins in my mind are Rose, Dee, and to a lesser extent Aki. I don’t know how the other factions will vote but I have my suspicions. My only conclusion is that there are so many variables that the results are unpredictable.

In other news, we established our second base in the Monsoon Jungle, and another colony pod will be complete next year. My goal is at least 4 bases there, and more if possible. One site in the southeastern edge of our island is ready, and a second will be done in the next decade or so. It is hard going since there is so much fungus to rip out. A few years ago we had a breakthrough in Industrial Automation and our first supply crawlers will be complete in the next year or so. We have prepared mines for many of our bases, and these or forests will boost our mineral output significantly.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2198

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

My friend I wish that we could rebuild some of the trust that seems to be lost on our part. I blame myself for agreeing so quickly to the earlier arrangement without getting more details ironed out. Let us just say for now that we need to start fresh and try and rebuild our bonds of support. In time your actions will have a much greater impact to how quickly or slowly we will start that process.

As for Roze I really think you need to understand our situation. We look at you and the horrible problems you seem to have with the Gaians as a model of how not to treat your neighbors. We intend to build a strong relationship with the Data Angels because we are neighbors. With all do respect your faction is very far away and the Angels are right on our doorstep. Logic dictates that until technology or time can shorten the distance we are better off building a geo-political axis in our own backyard rather than half a world away. Unfortunately your mere presence seems to send the Angels into a tail spin and as such it will complicate our work in building a pact with them.

We also plan several more colony pods to be built along the new area we discovered along the south eastern area of our territory. In fact, we should have colony number twelve up and running in a decade a colony number thirteen not far behind that. At that point we really need to re-exam our growth and see what can be done at that point. We always seem to have at least three to as many as five cities in "golden ages" so these help expansion and our cash flow greatly.

As your empaths will report we completed our first hospital complex at UN Great Refuge. It should do wonders to advance our science and benefits to our people. We have several more slated to be built. Also, your agents will also report that the mysterious artifact unlocked the secrets of high energy plasma. Our scientists quickly used the information to begin designs for an armor plating that can be used both for soldiers and vehicles. The armor is all but impervious to any weapons we have and only at close range can the armor be damaged. Once we complete the prototype our front line garrisons will be upgraded.

Lastly, we have dispatched our two foil ships UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY and PEACEKEEPER along with the transport to search out another sea pod for investigation. We can only hope it brings back even greater treasures.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2199

Pravin,

Gotta love those Unity pods! We found one of those mysterious artifacts this turn, and we should be able to link it to a network node in a few turns. Then the trance transport will go out to acquire even more of these wonders! Who cares if they are from a dead alien civilization as long as they yield up their secrets to us! At least their extinction will give us some benefits, even if it didn’t benefit them much.

By the way, congratulations on equaling our population during the last year. I’ve been surprised you haven’t done this before due to the greater stability our your society and the effects of the Human Genome Society. It is unlikely we will be able to keep up with your expansion, although we are likely to retain our lead in science. Our one hope are the four or five new base sites and the construction of additional facilities that will allow greater expansion.

Your comments on our rocky relations with the Gaians are a little surprising. While they declared war on us immediately after we bribed them with technololgy they have been fairly communicative, although our relationship has deteriorated since we have been running a free market economy. They trades us Centauri Empathy for Gene Splicing, which I was happy to trade for since it gave us the ability to build the Empath Guild. See the advantages of technology trades? Dee got the ability to expand her society while we got the opportunity to compete with her to build the Empath Guild, which she lost.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2199

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

This turn was both very profitable and rewarding for the Peacekeepers. Our new found technical files on plasma armor were exchanged with our good friend Nwabudike for his advanced ecological engineering files. As you know already those data files allowed our engineers to unlock the mineral secrets of this planet and our mineral production has skyrocketed. Our thermal boreholes are pumping out 7 minerals per turn and in one case we can not even use the borehole due to the extreme negative damage it would do the environment, we would be simply squeezing the planet dry. With the massive increase in mineral production we were able to close the production gap on several projects. You have commented several times about our seemingly lackluster growth. Yes, we could grow faster but we have accepted the lack of extreme growth in exchange for more stability. As your empaths have informed we have fostered many medical/psych talents at each base to promote more harmony and understanding.

As to the diplomatic front your "peace" was brought about by OUR intervention on your behalf during my discussions with the good Lady Deirdre Skye. So even though you have peace with both the Gaians and the Data Angels it was due to Peacekeeper expenditures of political capitol for the purpose of maintaining peace.

We offer the following trade in technology. We will transmit files on plasma armor in exchange for industrial automation. This is a very "similar" deal that we struck with the Morganites as far as levels of technology. Since it was not an issue for him I doubt it will be for you, correct? This will be a straight up trade, with NO exceptions. I also plan on contacting the Gaians next turn to see if they might be interested in this technology since we are in great need of technology to help reduce the impact our industrialization has on this planet. If you agree I will pre-approve the transfer on the next turn.

Lastly, I wish to clarify something you have "eluded" to on several communications. You seem to be saying that you still plan on honoring the original agreement, as you perceive it, concerning the planetary governorship, correct? Does this "sum up" your position. So even though we now agree to disagree about the meaning and spirit of the agreement you still plan on honoring the agreement as YOU see it, correct? Have I gotten this clearly?

Little else of importance occurred this turn of note. Once again your trained empaths will keep you up to date as to the "details" of our land.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

	22-06-2002 19:21									#21
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

University Base, MY 2200

Pravin,

Morgan will be giving me the files on High Energy Chemistry for free, although he doesn’t know it yet. You see, he committed an unpardonable sin – he stole my technology, the same technology you now possess. He will be donating High Energy Chemistry and one other technology he might acquire in the future to the University of Chiron the same way he acquired them from me: probe action. The first time he stole my technology I vacillated between rage and knowing that Morgan had been a good neighbor. I decided to forgive but not forget. Then, despite my best efforts, he stole a second technology under the guise of our Pact and that was the last straw. I terminated our Pact so he could not do this again and stationed a defensive probe along our border. There are now four probe teams in production and Morgan faces a storm until I get compensation of what was stolen from me. Do I care if it harms our relationship? No. I haven’t decided whether Morgan Studios itself is forfeit yet, but I have time. He has this one base on this island and I have many. He will pay for his grievous error in judgement. So, you see I will not need your technology since Morgan will provide it for ‘free’. And you can bet that an anti-espionage team will now defend every University base since it is clear I cannot even trust my ‘friends’.

Your hubris is amazing, Pravin. I bought my peace with Dee with a technology bribe, the same way you bought your peace with Dee the pacifistic warmonger. Is your memory that short? You did assist us in resolving the war Rose declared on us, and I appreciate that, but to be honest I was completely unconcerned if that war was resolved since she is so far away. We now have a profitable trade treaty with her (although I have no memory of agreeing to this treaty) and I will happily rake in the energy. Who knows – maybe she will become more reasonable, but I am not optimistic.

I will honor my agreement with you on the Governorship issue as I agreed to it. I have been clear and consistent on this issue, and you will find that I keep my word when I give it. I have little sympathy for those that lie, cheat and steal and I will apply those same ethics at me and those with whom I do business.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2200

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I was grieved to hear that you have broken off your pact status with Nwabudike Morgan. I think you have to look at the source of the problem as to why in the past one hundred years almost every faction that comes in contact with you either antagonizes you or declares war against you. I think if you look closely you will see that it is your strict policy of information exchange that baffles and angers many of the other leaders. I myself would never "stoop" to such attempts but desperate people take desperate actions. Morgan is now "hemmed" in by either your faction or the Gaians. He has little room to expand so he must use technology to expand his resources to help his people. I know what I am saying will be like water rolling off a synth-metal roof and you will most likely think me mad but you are to blame for your own troubles. You could share more or help your fellow planet citizens. Why every once in awhile we contact Forman Domai and he always ask for a new technology or a map file or energy credits and we give them to him. Why do we do this, because we wish the Drones to survive and prosper and not fall so far behind that all they see is the gleaming towers of prosperity shadowing their empty and broken lives. One day your position on this planet might draw enough negative feeling that not one but three maybe four factions might "team up" to pull you down. I hope that will not be the case. Rather than you inciting more riots and panic if you agree to hold your hand against the Morganites I will transfer to you the plasma armor files at no cost. This alone will save you considerable amounts of minerals and energy that you can then use to rebuild your perimeter defenses and block the Morganite industrial espionage teams from entering your cities and labs. Please consider my offer.

Little else of interest occurred this turn. Our ships are exploring more territory and we have selected the site for our first sea colony. It will have access to two mineral rich deposits on the sea floor as well as two very rich nutrient growths. We will begin building and preparing the site for our tenth colony along the southeast section of our territory. Once we complete that site and our thirteenth we will begin "raising land" again to close even more the " C " shape area to our territory. We hope to eventually enclose almost 90% of the area to our east to provide a safe haven for our ships and people.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2201

Pravin,

Who is antagonizing whom? Dee declares war on me when we first meet, and Rose declares war for no reason I can detect (other than her own depravity). You will note that other faction leaders are even less forthcoming with technology as I am, so that part of your argument falls on its head, too. I have a simple sense of right and wrong that maybe you don’t understand: declaring war for no reason is bad; stealing is wrong; honoring agreements is good. If these principles have antagonized the other factions then I would suggest that they are the ones who are mad, not me. Now Domai is a special case and I HAVE given him technology.

Morgan is a special case also since he knows better and he will pay the price. I should have invested in anti-espionage teams before and this is the perfect opportunity to both exact fair compensation for his wrongs and ensure it doesn’t happen again. I’ll have to destroy his probe team, but that is a bonus. That said, I will absolve Morgan of one of his debts to me if you will transmit the files on High Energy Chemistry. He will still ‘owe’ me, but that remains to be resolved. Morgan is expecting a breakthrough in a few years and then I will have that too. When this issue is resolved perhaps Morgan and I can resume what may be a mutually beneficial relationship. If you are serious about this arrangement it would be best not to dawdle since our probe assault teams will be ready next year and the assault will begin in two or three.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2201

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We had a most wondrous and joyous turn in celebration of the centennial date of our landing on Planet. I ordered a two week break for all citizens to enjoy time with their families and rejoice in the accomplishments we have worked and forged on Planet. There were many parades and feasts for all and a special banquet was held in my honor and all of the remaining pod members who landed here. There are only 23 left of the original pod members left. The longevity treatments are too costly still for all to partake so they are rationed out according to position and need. I myself will undergo another treatment next turn in order to continue my work here. I almost hate going into those tanks and having to submit to the pain and agony that they inflict but without them I would be gone so long ago. I only hope that either we can improve the process or I can someday forgo the treatments and pass on look so many other good people have. However, for now I have work.

I think you do not understand the "terms" of our proposed trade. We will "gift" you the plasma armor and with it the means to upgrade the armor to make it withstand the mind attacks of the mind worms. You will get two very important and powerful technologies but only if you do NOT in any way cross the borders into Morganite territory. I fail to understand why would we give you plasma armor technology if you still plan to cross the borders to inflict harm on the Morganites. If you accept our terms your probe teams will stay on your side of the border and will on "interdict" any "possible" Morganite industrial espionage teams should they try to cross. I will try to convince my friend Nwabudike to forestall any future actions against you but you can not in any form cross his borders. I am trying to keep the escalation of violence to a minimum and under your plan you only mean to ratchet up the tension. I think I can appeal to your sense of reason. The two technologies I am offering will armor your troops and vehicles to such an extent that only the largest and most terrible of mind worm attacks will be able to effect your troops. The armor is also based on the plasma armor designs that we are now prototyping that makes the wearer all but invulnerable to normal attacks. I think this is a tempting offer since it will also protect you against the native life form attacks that the Gaians are using so in a sense your troops will have the edge in both conventional and non-conventional combat. Please consider this offer carefully. I am only making this offer once and should you decline I will not re-offer it again since I will then concentrate on supporting my pact-mate Morgan. For now I will try and remain neutral in this affair.

I also pleased to report that we had a VERY productive trading session with the Data Angels. We gained access to the "resonance" technology that upgrades our plasma armor to offer psionic defense and we also gained the most elusive technology, industrial automation. We also exchanged maps files with Roze and it was most illuminating to say the least. She has an enormous amount of land to colonize and has only begin to "scratch" the surface of her area. She could easily build 5 to 7 more colonies on the small "continent" to her west. That is right "CONTINENT"! It is enormous! If she every is able to expand more quickly she could build a huge civilization that would dwarf both of us! We were stunned into silence when we looked at the files for the first time to say the least. I can only hope that our meager holdings do not "encourage" her to take any brash actions. I think this was the first step for us to build a new alliance with the Data Angels one that will be prosperous for us both.

Lastly, I wish to try and make you see that the reason these other factions "strike first" is because they feel they have no other recourse but to do so. They have little if nothing to trade since all you prize is technology so if they can not meet your price they have no other choice but to get it by other means. Does this justify their actions, I do not know. We have been almost as blessed as you have with some natural and system advances while others have not. I can not say how exactly I might react if I knew you had the technology I needed to make my people's lives better but I had no means to get it. I might like to think I would still take "the high road" but who can say when your people, the children are crying from hunger. I doubt you will understand this but you have only to look at our earth history when the third world nations rose up and tore at the industrial world to demand their fair share of the resources and bounty. You too could become the next United States if you are not more "giving" and "generous" with your resources and technology. I offer this only as a warning, please take heed...

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center – UNHQ

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2102

Pravin,

I’m glad you party is going well. You must be very pleased that the technology you acquired from Morgan, who stole it from me, has yielded you such fine returns. I don’t hold this against you much, but I do hold it against Morgan. At this moment there are three probe teams on his border, a fourth on the way, and several more in production.

If you are offering the two technologies High Energy Plasma and Field Modulations as compensation for Morgan’s theft then I accept, and I will wipe away the two black debits he incurred when he violated my labs and stole what is mine. I will also agree not to violate his territory as a result of his incursions. Kindly transmit these in the next year, pre-accepted, and I will call off my espionage teams, who will assume a defensive posture around my bases. I will not drop my guard again, I can assure you, since Morgan has shown me the level of trust I can expect out of Pactmates.

By the way, I can see a way to agree to your last point, which I read as the end justifies the means. If I read it correctly then I have the right to take what I want because others are unjustly withholding it from me. Therefore I am perfectly justified in not only taking my ‘compensation’ from Morgan, but whatever else I want if I don’t happen to have it. And perhaps I should apply your logic to Dee, too? She may have technology she has been unjustly withholding from me, and it would only be fair is she were to ‘share’ it with me, even if she didn’t agree to it. Or maybe I should apply this ‘rule’ to you, since you are unfairly withholding High Energy Plasma and Field Modulation from me, and therefore putting my people in deadly peril from attacks from my ‘friends’ like Morgan or from mindworms. Somehow I think you might take offense to me stealing from you, hmmmm? And you might take offense if I were to liberate all that illegally hoarded technology from anyone else? Beware the slippery slope of your illogical deductions, Pravin, since you may not like where they lead. There is either the rule of law or there is not. Theft if theft. Murder is murder. If some theft or murder is acceptable you may find your precious Charter in shreds, and you may feel a singular piercing glimmer of understanding that it was you who started the shredding. I am willing to be reasonable, but there must be a certain justice, and compensation for wrongs, or the rule of law that you espouse is an empty and false promise.

Lastly, the United States slid into anarchy and destruction because they turned from science and logic to religious fundamentalism. I can assure you that will not happen to the University of Planet.

Zak

	22-06-2002 19:24									#22
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

UN Headquareters, MY 2202

University Council of Regents and the office of the Provost,

While my father is undergoing his treatments this turn I have been asked to respond for him on behalf of the Peacekeepers. You will find attached, as agreed to, the two technical blueprints for the armor designs. We will monitor each turn the border you share with the Morganites to observe if any violations occur by ANY party. I am sure my father will be most pleased that once again his skill in diplomacy has once again diffused a hostile situation without loss of life.

As to other issues. First, we had no idea the technology that we traded with the Morganites had been obtained through less than honorable means. If we had know, IF YOU HAD INFORMED US OF THE TRANSGRESSIONS, we could have declined the exchange and brought it to your attention. We do not traffic in information that was obtained without the willing consent of both parties. The FREE flow of exchange must be a willing an open exchange that benefits the whole. If you think we feel guilt or remorse, no. We had no idea as to HOW the technology was obtained nor did we ask since we had NO REASON TO DO SO SINCE WE WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. Your failure to "share" even that information is your fault not ours. How can the police catch the robber if you never report him to the police? In the future we will try to be more careful and demand more details as to the source of the technology to insure that this situation will not happened again. Second, I find it hard to sympathize with your situation as to the free exchange of technology. Your labs and computer networks are the finest on this planet. I am sure your science rate is twice ours if not more. If one or two lesser technologies might "slip" through your fingers do not expect a Peacekeeper to weep for you. We do weep for the other factions on this planet who measure their science breakthroughs in quarter century intervals not years like you. Your argument when boiled down to the a simple analogy is one of a child collecting marbles. There is always one child through hard work or luck or indulgent parents who has nearly ALL of the marbles and when he sees one child with the one type of marble he can not have he cries foul. If you NEED a technology all you have to do is a little increase in resources to your labs and BAM instant breakthrough! We do not discount or take little the enormous sacrifice it took you to get to this level you are now. We respect the hard struggle you went through but other factions have had worse luck than you. Or these other factions for whatever reason can not match your science rate, for many obvious reasons, and as a result have found themselves lagging behind and being forced to do with less to help the increasing numbers of people they have to support. We have both been lucky since we have both benefited from the inherent bonus our people seem to have as well as those alien artifacts and Unity pods. I also feel as well as many others on the Peacekeeper councils that your exchange rates are too high for many other factions to meet. There are also many cultural differences that now block the exchange of information such as the Gaians revulsion to free market economics. It would have been "simpler" for us all if we could have remained under one command, one system so that we could have pooled our resources but that is not the case. We are as unique and different as the people and cultures of earth when we left. So if you expect the Peacekeepers to offer up any breakthrough we make at no price to you, you can think again. We might not always demand a technology for a technology, we can see beyond that basic and primitive agreement. If the Drones should contact us and demand a technology, even the Data Angels, we will give it to them. Will we try and get "something" in exchange, yes, but if not, we will still transfer it to maintain prosperity for all. I think that is why we have never been "probed" by the Data Angels since why do such a thing when you can just "ask for it". That stolen piece of technology triggered the exchange of eight technologies among four factions, though the means by which it started are not honorable the end result was a huge net gain for us all and for our people. We all benefited from the exchange, even yourself. So in the future if you should find yourself falling behind the other factions and needing a particular form of technology to aid your people and economy please contact us and we will assist you. On the other hand while you remain the premier faction on this planet, a millionaire among the middle class, do not expect charity from those who need it.

We have little else to report other than the High Commissioner of Colonization had decided it is time to begin the construction of sea colonies and our first colony should be under construction within a turn or two. Our eleventh colony should be up and running in three turns, if all goes well and our twelfth within eight turns. This makes three more colonies within a decade. We have also prepared plans for the construction of large habitat domes for our larger cities so that they can accommodate larger populations. Rather than the expanding and expanding it is time to grow up rather than out. We now have more than sufficient infrastructure in four cities to support a growing population. Once we have three habitation domes completed we will move back to a planned economy in under to fill them up, so to speak.

I hope that we have clarified our position....

United Nations Peacekeepers,

Joshua Lal

Governor - United Nations Headquarters, First advisor to the General
Secretary and head of the Council of Governors
United Nations Headquarters Command Center - United Nations Headquarters

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2203

Pravin and Joshua

I already told you I don’t blame you much for acquiring the technology from Morgan, who got it through nefarious means. You are also correct that I should have contacted you earlier, but you must understand that I had essentially forgiven Morgan his first theft after I sent him a strong rebuke and that he had only stolen the second technology in the very recent past. He will not have the opportunity again so I do not think this will be a problem.

Your marble analogy was amusing, though, since it can be applied to any number of abilities, not just scientific advancement. We have all been gifted or cursed with different abilities or liabilities. For instance, our society excels at science and we are prone to social disorder that limits our vertical expansion. Your society has an innate leadership and talent advantage, while having a tiny problem with bureaucratic inefficiency. The Gaians have their strange rapport with the strange blighted ecology or Chiron, but they (as you noted) are blind to the advantages of a Free Market system (btw – I’m amazed we’ve been able to maintain a friendship treaty with Dee, whereas you have a truce. I may have to sweeten the pot to keep this situation). And so on. You can hardly share your ability with me neither can any other faction. We of the University of Chiron have a ‘mobile’ ability that can be easily transmitted. I do not mind this, if we are appropriately compensated but I object when this is done against our will. This would be no different than me stealing a Gaian mindworm, or one of your lofty bases with all of its talents. You must understand that to us our scientific advancements are like children, and to see them stolen or abused strikes at the very nature of our society, much like atrocities or violation of the Charter would strike at yours. I would suggest you not be too blithe about criticizing us for objecting to theft, or for compensation for our sweat and blood.

As a thank you for your recent efforts I have a gift for you – information. I poked my Empaths of the Guild to pull a little data you may find useful. As odd as it may seem I do not spend a whole lot of time worrying or obsessively poring over their data and there were a couple of items that I found to be interesting. I will let you draw your own conclusions.

University – 50 pop, 12 bases, 22 techs, tech 1/8 yr
Gaians – 46 pop, 11 bases, 18 tech, tech 1/15 yr
Cyborgs – 29 pop, 11 bases, 17 techs, tech 1/10 yr
Morgan – 12 pop, 3 bases, 20 tech, tech 1/51 yr
Data Devils – pop 4? (oops – need to recheck), 10 bases, 21 tech, tech 1/10 yr
PKs – 48 pop, 11 bases, 21 tech, tech 1/11 yrs
Drones – 21 pop, 4 bases, 12 tech, tech 1/27 years

So you can see that there is an amazing degree of similarity in bases, and population among the lead factions (University, Gaians, Devils, and PKs). Our science rate is much higher than everyone else, but since we earned our tech our tech rate is artificially high.

In other news, we now have 3 artifacts that we will cash in soon. I can barely wait to see what wonders they will produce! In addition there is a likely breakthrough next year, so we have the possibility of 3 technologies in one year! I can hardly wait!

Lastly, we are likely to establish 4 or 5 new colonies in the next 10 years or so. This will round out the land on our island with two new bases literally carved out of the fungus, and take advantage of the Monsoon Jungle, which is not explored so I have no idea how much expansion room there is here. Dee has inconsiderately placed a number of sea bases near the Jungle, and these bases are making colonization less than optimum, resulting in wasted time. She was there first, but I dislike the delay, and she likely dislikes the denial of the wonderful resources of the Jungle to her sea bases. I can’t help but wonder if the Jungle is connected to the large continent Rose has! Wouldn’t that be a bit of irritating irony if my Jungle were near Rose? I would have to build a bunch of infantry probe teams fast…

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2203

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I am no recovered from my treatment and I feel much better, much younger. The after effects of the treatment I still find very unpleasant but they fade over time until the next treatment.

I doubt you will ever truly understand our argument. The fact that you are about to "cash in" on three new possible technologies only proves my point. When the drones called us about 15 turns ago and asked us for the plans on ship designs we gave them to them, with no strings attached. In essence this is their version of a Unity pod. I studied the data and yes it does look like that nearly four factions are almost equal in power and capabilities but that leaves three others behind. Bad luck on Nwabudike's part landed him on a small island with little room to expand. I do not condone his actions but I will not condemn him to the pits of hell for stealing your technology. Suffice it to say it will be another point where we will have to agree to disagree.

Little else of interest occurred this turn....


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2204

Pravin,

Yes, this was a grand year! First my loyal scientists presented me with the specifications for Environmental Economics, which finally unlocks the energy this niggardly planet will provide to fund our labs and fill our coffers. Moreover, we will be able to unlock the latent ability of the forests we have planted to give us food, and extra psychological benefit for our generally unruly citizens. Then the alien artifacts yielded Optical Computers and a complete surprise – Synthetic Fossil Fuels! Now I know what you are thinking, that Synthetic Fossil Fuels will throw a ghastly weapon that is three times more effective than lasers on the world scene, but this is only part of this technology. Much more important, in my mind, is this will allow us to put a specially adapted Fungicide on all our formers! Finally we will be able to not only rip the fungus out by its nasty roots, but to also poison it to make the task 50% more efficient! I authorized, at great cost, 4 of our formers to be upgraded with fungicidal ability immediately, which will greatly assist our placement of bases in the southeastern portion of our small island.

I have been persuaded by part of your argument regarding technology, Pravin. We will gift appropriate technologies to the factions that have fallen behind in the technology race, which are the Drones and Consciousness. Neither of these factions is anywhere near us and they can’t possibly present a threat so I see no problem in gifting them one or two, and maybe more in Domai’s case, technologies. This should allow them to expand their holdings and, hopefully, thrive. I am more reticent in giving technology to Dee considering our history, and the fact she is my neighbor and stole some of my limited land. Now she has the gall to build yet another colony pod! She has nowhere to place it but two sectors from my southern-most base, and she is in for big trouble if she does that!

The only other news I have is rather unpleasant. One of our trance transports investigated a Unity pod and found a Unity rover. Normally this would be great news, but the citizens of University Base decided it was their rover and, since it was outside our territory, immediately went into revolt! I had to take three sectors out of production to quell the unrest, and the foil is rushing back to the mainland to dump the foil in our territory so that these whining idiots will stop blubbering and resume their work. We will refit it with empath ability so it will be useful, but in the meantime University Base is in starvation and has no mineral production. This is not quite a disaster, but it is close, since having University Base go off line dropped our science production by 10%, and that galls me. I considered scrapping the rover since that would quell the idiots but, considering how short resources are, couldn’t bring myself to do it – and now I have to pay the piper.

I’m glad your treatments have gone well. In a few years we will have developed a new regime that will hopefully make the procedure less painful and lengthy, and I will be happy to forward it to all the faction leaders as soon as our research hospitals can make some progress.

Zak

	22-06-2002 19:27									#23
	Avatar Enlargement: We've got the solution

UN Headquarters, MY 2204

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

This turn was not as fortunate to us as it was to you. In opening a Unity pod our famed UNSF GENERAL ASSEMBLY was destroyed by a rogue worm that was clinging to bottom of the pod. Whatever was in the pod was long since gone, consumed by the sea worm I suppose. UNSF PEACEKEEPER was able to destroy the worm with no damage to itself but none of the crew survived from the General Assembly.

I wish you good luck once again but I doubt you will ever need luck again after the windfall that has befallen you. It seems with the discoveries you have made you may have rounded the corner on this planet and it will soon know its master. I am sure this will catapult you into a lead that will be hard for anyone to catch, your labs and your faction will be a leader on this planet. We ourselves are expected to make a breakthrough next turn in either cyber-ethics or planetary economics. I have been told that it will most likely be cyber-ethics since some of the research is still not "there" yet to possibly support the science of planetary economics.

I applaud your "new" program to "gift" needed technology to the more impoverished factions, a program we have followed for decades, in order to aid them in their cause and the plight of their people. You will soon see the benefit of your actions by the fact that these factions will soon have the means to support themselves and feed, cloth and house their people in a manner fitting to a human being.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters, Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2205

Pravin,

Luck? Not so much luck as perseverance. My teams have opened at least a dozen or two Unity pods and we finally got a string of good results. I will admit that the early string of pod’s yield of nutrient squares were incredibly important in the early days since our land was so poor, and if I had to do it over again I’d pick the nutrient sectors. I seem to recall that you had an artifact a while ago, too, and when you linked it with a network node you got High Energy Plasma, which is a good thing. All I can suggest is to continue to investigate the Unity pods, using proper safeguards such as resonance trance foils, of course. We currently have 3 transports roaming the seas, which is OK for now but I’d like to have a few more when we can scrape up the resources.

I have to compliment you on your suggestion on sharing technology, by the way. I called up Aki and offered to give her a technology, and she gratefully accepted. Then she offered a Pact, and I threw in a second technology for good measure. Neither of these technologies was new or critical, and as I recall both were technologies the rest of us have had for a while. Now, Domai was a different story. I was willing to give him anything but our most recent advances and guess what he insisted on? In the end I had to turn him down, and we both went away disappointed. To my mind he is greedy and grasping, and he has some cheek asking for Environmental Economics AND Cyber Ethics! There are any of another dozen techs I would have gladly given him but he wouldn’t even consider it. Oh, well – his loss.

I noticed your population is pulling steadily ahead of ours, and I can’t say I’m surprised. We seem to have a huge problem growing past size 4 without riots, and one of our population needs to be diverted to mollify the discontent. This effectively means our maximum population size with a recreation commons, holo theatre, and research hospital is 6 and I’d bet you’d be able to have at least 8 or perhaps 9 with the same facilities. Our only hope is to invest in tree farms and hope that increases our stability, but I’m not holding my breath. As a result we are taking a more horizontal expansion approach, which is less efficient but probably needed, considering our stability issues.

An interesting proposal crossed my desk this last year: a cost benefit analysis of switching to a Green economy. I know this is going to be a surprise, but it is almost better for us since the efficiency boost is tremendous, we can quell unrest of our workers better than in Free Market, and I am told we might be able to capture some of those nasty mindworms and make them work for us. The only hit is in commerce and in energy production, but not as much as I might have thought. At this point it makes more sense to stay the course, but as our society gets bigger the efficiency drag will get larger. A side benefit is that Dee may be willing to be friendlier, although Morgan is liable to slip into an apoplectic fit. I have been wronged by both parties but, if I had to chose, I ‘d chose Dee since Morgan hasn’t seen fit to expand to adjacent islands or sea colonies like Dee has. I might even be able to work with Dee, too. Now, isn’t that strange? I sound a bit like you when you talk about how strategic it is to keep Rose happy since she is a neighbor. Basically, I’d rather have Morgan as an enemy than Dee. However, we are not developed enough to pursue this yet, but maybe sometime in the future it will make sense.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2205

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I have the most glorious and wondrous news to report. A lone researcher in a section that had little to do with the emphasis of our scientific progress happened to contribute some very needed data and as a result we were also able to unlock the energy secrets of this planet as well along with the knowledge to create vast tree farms to increase resources and provide a very, very needed eco-system friendly technology. There were two stumbling blocks for our continued "prosperous" growth: energy and the environment. In one step we have conquered both!! UN Great Refuge had unearthed a vast mineral supply which in one sense is very good but to truly "exploit" these reserves would have meant damaging the environment to such an extent that I would have expected the entire planet to rise up and attack us. I have ordered well over half of our bases to beginning construction of tree farms as soon as they clear any current production backlogs from their factories. Once the production facilities can "ramp up" to make the needed seedling planting machines and other support equipment to nurture the trees and supportive growth our eco worries will be long past. What a glorious day this had been. I intend to contact my good friend Nwabudike next turn as well as Roze to see if we can not work out a trade, if not I will give them the technology anyway since such a powerful technology can not be kept under wraps. The advantages of this technology outweigh any "faction" concerns in favor of the prosperity of the whole planet.

Our twelfth colony pod will arrive on site next turn and set-up next turn. Our thirteenth colony pod is done but the needed sensor improvements and road work are lagging behind. Once that complete the road and sensor and I fear clear some fungus before the colony pod can leave. With the unlocking of our energy resources it has now opened the door to some needed changes in our society. Once we complete the tree farms for several of our cities we will switch back to a planned economy but with a slight modification that will allow our citizens to accumulate wealth and in turn prosper. With these changes our population will expand almost at the speed of light and then when the end looks close we will also transfer to a "green" economy to put the breaks on the expansion and increase our economies efficiency.

On a somber note we lost our last sea foil UNSF PEACEKEEPER last turn. Our transport opened another Unity pod and another sea worm moved to attack the transport. The captain of the foil moved his ship in and almost killed the worm but the ship was consumed by the worm mass and all were lost. The transport was not able to rescue any survivors and it looks like we will order the transport back through a southerly route to complete mapping the western seas. Any "new" foils will be armed and protected with the resonance armor technology that might have saved these foils.

Lastly, I agree your achievement in missile/chemical technology was terrible and wonderful breakthrough for you. However, we also agree that we too must try to achieve the same breakthrough and have ordered our labs to try and make the same breakthrough as well.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2106

Pravin,

Please accept my condolences for your foil crew. Our first foil had a near death encounter with an isle and only just escaped with their lives. So far our sea foils and transports have been relatively fortunate. The only casualty was our first unarmored foil that transported our colony pod to Acedemgorodok in the Monsoon Jungle, and luckily he did so on his return trip. Being unarmored they succumbed quickly and the only message we got was a garbled farewell from the last semi-sane crew member as the isle was engulfing the stricken foil. Your idea to equip your foils with resonance armor is an excellent one, and all of our transports will be equipped with resonance armor.

We switched to a Planned economy for so we could complete a population ‘boomlet’. Budushi Dvor has lost two population in the production of two colony pods in the last three years, and Climatic Research has just finished a crèche. A few of the other bases are going to try to go to population five, or six, and the governors of these bases express profound optimism that this will optimize resources. I am not so sure since I know once we move back to a Free Market economy we will have to deal with riots again and, although our population and energy will be higher, our mineral production will be lower since we will have to rely on kelp and tidal harnesses to boost our food supply. I only plan to use this economic model for a two or three years and then we will switch back over to a Free Market economy.

Our prototype of resonance armor will be done this year, but through a bit of bad luck and bad planning it will be completed in both a transport and a plasma garrison. The switch of a planned economy is the rub since otherwise the transport would have taken a year longer. This is vexing but if I would have studied the yearly reports from Mendelev College I may have caught the error.

Congratulations on discovering Environmental Economics! With the echelon mirrors and boreholes that you’ve mentioned have been constructed I would guess that your energy production will spike nicely, resulting in more energy reserves and a nice boost in your scientific research! I’m glad you agree with me that giving certain powerful technologies to potentially hostile factions is not a good idea. The last time I checked Domai and Dee wanted nothing to do with you, which is their loss considering how generous you may be with your discoveries. Or are you hoping to improve your relationship with them with a gift? I’d be curious how that turns out.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2206

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It was a busy turn for us all again here at headquarters. Many decisions and plans were prepared to begin our next phase of growth. Our problem is that many of our bases are at size 5 to 6 population index already and soon they will be at 7. My planners inform me that we can make some adjustments to housing accommodations and could support up to possibly a size 9 population without habitat domes but the problem is the environment. Feeding our population and providing resources will be tough job for us all. At UN Great Refuge the population is "stuck" until we can either solve the ecological problem or find more nutrient resources, such as sea farming, that will not impact the environment so harshly. We are building more sea farms in that area. My High Commissioners of Economic Planning, Terra-Forming and Environment do tell me that moving back to a "planned" economic model will reduce greatly the amount of pollution that is created since we can impose regulations and limits on the factories and plants that create the toxins. We are still studying the issue for now but a decision must come soon. We have been a free market system for some time and as such it has brought about a great many boons as well as busts.

We will establish our twelfth colony next turn, there was some delay in getting to the spot. We will also complete the site preparation for out thirteenth colony in about 5 to 6 turns, about the same time as our first sea colony is ready. Once we have completed some needed improvements in our new colonies, farms, tree stands, boreholes we can then move to expanding more land by raising more sea floor. My High Commissioners are still studying sites as to where to expand to but no firm decision has been made. I suspect the most likely area will be to continue to close the " C " shape entrance even tighter so that we can more closely protect our "inland" sea area and raise more sea floor along our southern shores moving south to the polar cap area. We also are beginning to build a borehole along the thin edge of the polar cap landmass to provide energy and minerals for UN Health Authority. I had ordered several impact studies to be made to see what effect there would be in building a massive borehole so close to the ice caps but I have been told it would be minimal at the worse. As long as we do not build many more in that area the borehole should have no effect.

Lastly, I was unable to contact either Roze or Morgan this turn for some strange reasons. I am sure that once they hear what I have to say they will want to talk. It does seem our next breakthrough will come in the area of military science again. I am not too pleased with that prospect since there are so many other fields that we could be exploring but that is what happens in science. One discovery leads you to another and you never know what that can be.

I appreciate your condolences for our valiant crews. As soon as we can
build up some more improvements we plan on rebuilding our fleet with the
most advanced armor and equipment as possible so that we can explore our
eastern sea area.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2207

Pravin,

We made a breakthrough this year in Doctrine: Initiative, and I ordered Mir Lab to complete the Maritime Control Center this year. This required 200 energy, which I didn’t have, so I had to call up Aki for a small loan and I sold Environmental Economics to Rose. I didn’t think you’d mind since you intended to give or sell this technology to Rose anyway, and the 75 credits did allow us to complete the MMC immediately, and this Project will be instrumental in our transports exploring the seas and gathering the abundance of Unity pods. Effectively, this will increase their movement rate by 67% and that is significant! I will also consider constructing cruiser-based transports, but that will likely be delayed until after tree farms are done since they are hideously expensive, and more expensive to prototype.

Our population boomlet is giving me cold sweats since some of our cities threaten to grow to size 7 and I know that is not sustainable once we go back to a Free Market system next year. I did a little tinkering so that most bases will not grow that much since I would hate to have rampant starvation cause the death of my whiny but productive citizens. This last boom will be the last one until we get a good number of tree farms built, and perhaps a few more crawlers to boost mineral production.

I forgot to mention we established a new base Zvedny Gorodok two years ago in the southeastern part of our continent. Our fungicidal formers have removed the fungus at another colony site nearby, but it will be a while before we level the rocky terrain there so it is likely that it will be two years before the colony is established. The fungus in the Jungle is giving me big problems since, when combined with Dee’s bases, our base sites are limited and there is always that blasted fungus in the way! Every time we try to enter a fungus sector some blasted mindworm comes boiling out. Luckily the scout is outfitted with empath ability so, even when we are running Free Market, we are able to deal with it, but every delay vexes me. We only have one former there and I hope to get more soon. Unfortunately the bases grow so quickly due to the high nutrient production that there is likely to be instability in the near future, especially if we aren’t able to spall off a colony pod to ratchets down the population a bit – effectively sending the troublemakers to found a new colony, which gives them no time for petty things like rioting and complaining about only getting two hours a day in the Virtual World.

I have no idea why you haven’t been able to contact Rose or Morgan since they answered my calls immediately. Perhaps you are calling them too much? Even a good friend can get tired of they are bothered all the time.

Zak

	26-06-2002 06:00									#24
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UN Headquarters, MY 2207

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I am truly amazed at the progress you have made my friend. I doubt there is anyone anywhere on this planet that could possibly complete a secret project such as the maritime control project in one year. The total commitment of your entire society must have put into such an effort. I could not ask this of my people to make such a sacrifice, this might explain why your society is so unstable at times. I congratulate you on your efforts.

We have passed the required legislation needed to make the changes to a planned economic society. There was some resistance and there was a lot and I do mean a lot of credits that came into play by lobbyists for the free market system. I suspect that many of the syndicates had help from the Morganites but the leaders we have groomed looked past many of these bribes, and that is what they were, and voted for the needed legislation. The special interests were able to push the non-corporate income preservation act so that individual citizens and partnerships would not be effected by the changes so many of our citizens can still pursue dreams of wealth.

We did establish our new colony and we should have several more up and running in a 5 to 7 turns. Our emphasis now is on internal growth not external. We will be habitat domes and tree farms and other improvements and our cities will explode. Our economic planners expect that we could out surpass and out distance even you in two decades. In the meantime our terra-formers will raise more land to prepare "spin-off" colonies.

There is little else I can tell you that your empath spies can not. I think we have all turned a corner on this planet that we will see major events occurring that will change the face of this planet forever.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2208

Pravin,

Finish a Project in one year? Hardly! Mir Lab had been stockpiling minerals for over 20 years, ever since Rose finished the Energy Grid in fact. I decided that it was a waste to reallocate the minerals, and lose half in the process, so I had the base administrator keep on accumulating. I knew another Project would come along, and the Maritime Control Center was certainly a worthy Project. I did have other reasons, though. Mir Lab couldn't build anything else while it was accumulating, and getting the Project off the books let the base get up to speed on its resources and improvements. In other words, it will now be able to complete a supply trawler or two to goose mineral production, and start a tree farm, which I view as critical to our expansion.

I decided to stay on a planned economy for another year. The reasons were a little subtle, since when on using a Planned Economy New Arzamas would finish its colony pod next year, which will speed it on its way. We were also able to rush the completion of Zoloto Gold's research hospital, which would have been too expensive if we had switched back to a Free Market economy. After running the numbers it is clear that there will be a day when a Free Market is not as efficient as a Green economy since extra citizens are taken off resource production to keep riots in check. This limits our food, energy, and mineral production to a degree I hadn't really understood until the last few years.

One of our transport captains investigated a Unity pod bobbing in some fungus this last year and, as he approached the site, we all held our breath. Being caught in the fungus by an isle of the deep is potentially deadly regardless of the armor and abilities you may have. The fungus makes the craft and its crew vulnerable to native attacks, and it is highly likely that they might succumb or at least be grievously damaged. They were lucky this time and hauled in 150 energy credits - which is quite a boon. The day will come when our luck will run out, though, so it is best to be prepared.

In the next five years we will have established a total of 17 bases. Three colony pods are en route, and a fourth will be finished at New Arzamas next year. I suspect that we will have to stop since I have been advised that there is a limit to how much horizontal expansion we can have without severe instability, which we are susceptible to anyway. There is no use pushing our luck.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2208

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Our economy is now settling in to the changes we have made and our growth and industrial production are up greatly. The only thing that will stop our rapid expansion is the lack of nutrients, city size and ecological issues. We expect that with our terra-former abilities nutrients should not be a problem as to city size we are in the process of laying out habitat domes for all our major cities. Lastly, the ecological issues are our biggest concerns and once we complete the tree farms we have started this last issue should not be a problem and it will also help solve the nutrient problem.

We completed our first sea colony and we might build several more and place them in the western sea area. They will serve as an important forward listening post for our territory. We are also planning to rebuild our navy and with that in mind we are rebuilding them with the best technology we have. We are in the last stages of building the sensor array for our thirteenth colony and it should be done next turn and the colony will establish itself the next turn.

Little else of any importance occurred this turn that your empaths have not already reported to you. It does seem clear though that your technological lead is increasing by an almost exponential growth. I suspect that unless something "tragic" happens I doubt that little will trouble your lead in that area. It was very far sighted of you to keep accumulating the resources for you project. This is the advantage of being a technology leader in that you gain the first chance to accumulate any projects that make themselves available. I fear now that short of a miracle we will not be able to claim any future ones since we are constantly playing "catch up" in this race. Who can say, perhaps when our new fleet is complete we can discover a few of these artifacts and return them to our base to aid our cause.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2109

Pravin,

We have not seen exponential growth, merely a 'boomlet' similar to the one you are now likely enjoying. Our primary bases are now size 5 to 7, although any base about size 4 is likely to have some serious instability. We are done growing vertically for a while and will have to rely on horizontal growth. Our scientific rate did rise with the last boom, but only marginally since there was an 11% increase. This was not nearly as great as our last boomlet where our scientific output almost doubled. There is the rub, and the reason why I always fear for the ability of the University to compete. The other factions, and especially yours, have the ability to population boom and experience a huge increase in resources as a result. Already many of your bases are size 7, and the only bases of ours that are size 7 are hovering on the brink of chaos and have no hope of growing further anytime in the near future. So you can see, perhaps, why I am always afraid since our growth ability is quite limited and we have always had to fight hard for what we have. Half the other factions on Chiron have shown me ill will in the past, with the notable exception of you and Aki and to some extent Domai, although he is none too friendly. In many ways I am surrounded by enemies who would like nothing better than to take what I have worked so hard for.

I do have a suggestion for you that has served us well: invest in supply crawlers to harvest minerals. I noticed that your bases are harvesting them manually. This is a waste, since your people could be harvesting food, energy, and a more modest set of minerals in other places - a far richer and lucrative 'haul', if you will. You have some rich mineral deposits in your territory, and a single crawler on a mineral lode with a road and mine will take in 7 minerals, and will pay for itself in a mere 3 or 4 years. Even crawling the minerals for a forest makes sense since this may boost the minerals output by 20%. All of my bases completed at least one crawler before starting on their next improvement, which was typically a tree farm. If you have any bases with less than 10 or 15 minerals you might consider switching production to a crawler. Another benefit - you can cash in a crawler for a prototype or project, so they are a great investment any way you slice it

Also, it doesn't look like you have adopted a Wealth strategy. Why? Although morale takes hit as citizens and soldiers become a bit soft, the boost to energy production is significant and the reduction in industrial costs is wonderful. It also has the effect of increasing trade income, and in combination with Free Market this can be significant indeed.

One of our transports opened a Unity pod and got a surprise - a Unity helicopter! Luckily it was relatively close to a base and, after exploring for a bit, it headed for Mir Lab before its fuel ran low. This copter will be used for exploration, but after a while its usefulness may decrease as the areas around our little island are fully explored. Maybe I can refit it with empath ability? I'll have to check that out - it would be a terrific fast-response defender against worms or isles!

I have a few more items before I let you go. Rose has developed Non-Linear Mathematics. I called her up and she told me, in no uncertain terms, to get lost. I would gladly trade technology to you if you could acquire this advance for us. Let me know what you think.

Lastly, you mentioned you had acquired Rose's world map. I purchased Aki's world map a short while ago. Ever since I found out Rose had taken control of one of the Unity pods I have been worried and I would be willing to trade maps just so I can know what she is up to. Aki is a long way away, but it is illuminating to see her territory and how she is doing. You may have noticed that she is growing and thriving, unlike Morgan or Domai. She may make up for lost time.

Zak

*!~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2209

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We accept your proposal for the exchange of map files. Ours is being sent pre-approved to you and we would expect the same in exchange. I think you will find the maps of interest to you.

I was able to contact Roze but little came of the exchange. I currently lack any information she would find of interest it seems and as such had little time to communicate. I could only suggest possibly working a three way exchange in which I contact Roze and offer her a technology that she does not already have that you would route through me. As I stated before my scientists expect to make a breakthrough in the military science field in a few years so perhaps we could work out something then. I contacted my friend Nwabudike Morgan since we have been growing more and more worried about his situation. It seems that for many, many years a "cabal" of industrial leaders have all but taken over the government and Morgan has been locked in an industrial power struggle with them. This would explain why the Morganites have done so little to expand their holdings and I see that you have even taken another "bite" out of their meager holdings as well. I am not all together pleased by this move by your faction since you seem to have found a very rich and prosperous land to the north that you are colonizing. I would hate to see you to continue to exploit the obvious problems the Morganites seem to be having for your gain. You have achieved much and I would think that a few "sectors" of land is not worth the problems you will create down the road by this provocative move.

Some of our cities have reached population index number eight and are still growing! I appreciate your advice and we are making plans for more crawlers but the bottom line is environmental damage. We simply are pulling minerals and energy from the earth at the maximum capacity at which it can handle it. Any more, even by using a crawler would send shockwaves of ecological distress through the area and summon forth massive amounts of mind worms. No, that is something we cannot and will not risk. At one base if we were to add even one more sector of production that might include mineral production it would shoot us over a pollution index rating of 35!! Our hope for sustained growth is the tree farms and with them we will reduce by over 1/2 the pollution problems we have and open up even more nutrients to sustain growth. By completing one tree farm at one base we will add over 5 nutrient levels to our reserves in one instant. That would fuel a population growth of unprecedented proportions!

By some stroke of luck our lone remaining transport UNFT AID came across what they thought was a Unity pod and when they pulled it aboard it was an alien relic. The transport is far at sea and it will take almost four to five turns for it to make its way back to a base but that should put it around the time we will make our next discover. So we should have a double bonus that year. Our sea colony pod put to sea this turn and it should arrive in three turns and our thirteenth colony will be set-up next turn. At that point we will concentrate on sea colonies for a while and expand our holdings that way for the foreseeable future until we can add more land through our terra-former operations.


United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2210

Pravin,

I've attached my map files, pre-approved for your inspection. I hope they prove to be useful.

One of our transports has determined that the Jungle is indeed an island and that it isn't even close to Rose, for which I am supremely grateful. It is also apparent that it will not be possible to set up more than one or two more bases than the planned number, which is 5. Planetary Archives was established this last year along the eastern coast of the island, although it is not in the Jungle itself, which is only in the northern 2/3 of the island. It will be able to harvest a few of the sectors, though, and that is the important thing - early growth. A fourth base will be set up next year, and a fifth the year after.

We finally ran out of luck investigating Unity pods. One of our synthmetal trance transports sighted one last year but wisely decided to prepare by parking himself next to it. It was a good thing he did since when he opened it a nasty isle came out and readied an attack. The good captain promptly sped away at full speed and is now 4 sectors away, which I sincerely hope will be enough. A bad thing is that the isle and its mindworm cargo could make for the Jungle and the vulnerable bases there. I'll have my administrators keep a careful eye out so we are prepared.

It turns out the Unity copter isn't such a boon after all. The craft went on an exploration mission at the maximum edge of our range and when it was done I got an emergency message from Mir Lab - riots! I had to authorize the governor to take 2 sectors out of production to quell the disturbance. This means that the copter will be next to useless if it has to stay within our territory without citizens staging violent protest against my 'war mongering'.

I do have some good news, though. Monitoring Station completed its tree farm this last year, and I am anxious to see if it helps quell some of the unhappy citizens at that base. The rest of the bases are further behind Monitoring Station since it has a relatively high mineral production and had a head start.

As to Morgan, I have zero empathy for his loss of territory. He was not using the Monolith since it was outside of the useful range of Morgan Studios, nor was he using the now arid farmland with a solar collector. He also lost a forest sector, but I consider this as a mild punishment for his poor behavior. If you are concerned you might want to consider gifting him a base since he seems to be unable to do such basic things such as run his faction - pathetic.

Here is a rundown of the factions. You will note that Morgan is now far behind everyone, including Domai.

University - 68 pop, 15 bases, 27 tech, tech 1/6 years
Gaians - 50 pop, 11 bases, 20 tech, tech 1/9 yrs
CC - 37 pop, 12 bases, 22 tech, tech 1/10 yrs
Morgan - 12 pop, 4 bases, 22 tech, tech 1/30 yrs
Data Devils - 43 pop, 10 bases, 22 tech, tech 1/14 yrs
PKs - 68 pop, 12 bases, 22 tech, tech 1/14 yrs
Drones - 17 pop, 5 bases, 16 tech, tech 1/17 yrs

BTW - congratulations on finding the alien artifact. They are invaluable since they have so much potential. But I can't help wondering why their society is now extinct, or are they just hiding? I'd bet Dee has something to say about this.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2210

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

All of the senior councilors have studied the maps you sent us with great interest. I am amazed at the architecture that the Cybernetic Conscience has developed. It is truly unique to say the least. I really do wish that sometime I will be able to make the long journey to visit them.

I have wonderful news. We had a city actual reach population 9 index and with only a very slight extra application of energy the entire population is stable and happy, an impressive achievement! UN High Commission is at population 9 with several other cities in hot pursuit. With the almost completed tree farms we will begin habitat domes that will skyrocket our population since the last roadblocks will be removed, ecological destruction and nutrient deficits. We have debated for many years how much more to grow out and we have decided that we will only build a new colony once every decade and we will use the surplus resources to build up our "core" cities into true metropolis!

Our long-range sensors at UN Data Acquisition picked up a strange event just across the border in Data Angel territory. There used to be a farm and solar collection station at sector 97-107 and now all there is a fungus. I suspect the Data Angels ran into ecological problems and caused the planet to "fight back" so to speak. I am glad the ecological retribution did not carry over to our territory but who can say. I am ordering the garrison unit and our battle ogre on full alert.

Little else of interest occurred this turn of note.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

	26-06-2002 06:21									#25
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University Base, MY 2211

Pravin,

I have to say I'm impressed. Size 9 cities, and no end in sight! I knew it was only a matter of time before you 'boomed' your way past me, and 'boom' you have and continue to do. We will have to do what we can to catch up, or at least keep competitive.

This has been a good year, Pravin. I got around to reviewing a proposal from one of our junior scientist administrators, and she suggested upping the energy allocation to psychological welfare of our citizens would have a positive effect on lab production. At first I though this was completely ridiculous, and then I scanned the simulations she had done. It was, quite simply, brilliant. For a mere investment of 10% of our energy output to luxuries to sate the savage wants and desires of our scientists we will create 'talents', or super motivated scientists (instead of simply brilliant scientists). I took her beta run and its input parameters;,put in a number of variables she didn't have access to (she is a junior level researcher, after all) and was shocked to find out that she had underestimated the effect! I gave an emergency call of the Academic Council, and a rather flustered Ms. Su-Ung, to an immediate meeting and had her present her findings. The Council agreed whole-heartedly and this last year the energy allocation was altered from 60% labs/40% economy to 60% labs/10% psych/30% economy. The effects were profound - a 12% increase in lab output! Now our output is nearly three times that of any other faction, and it will only grow as our infrastructure falls into place.

In other news, we established Lab Three on the northwest coast of the Jungle. Just before we planted the base we noticed Dee had placed a sea colony called Ocean Flower, which will deny us much of the sea in the future. This is a port city, so at least we will have some access, even if Dee will command most of the territory. Now we have 4 bases in the Jungle and, like I mentioned, a fifth will be set up next year.

The isle that I mentioned is heading toward Gaian territory for some reason. I'm letting it go, not that I can do anything about it. The transport captain is breathing a sigh of relief and is heading on his way. Another transport captain opened a Unity pod and it, too was infested with an isle. He was able to get 3 sectors away, and we will see if it was good enough. A third transport found a Unity transport. It was old and slow, and I authorized 80 energy to upgrade it with trance and resonance armor. Now it will stand a chance in the days ahead.

I do have some bad news. The tree farm at Monitoring Station did not make the base more stable, for which I was profoundly disappointed. We are now seeing the ecological damage you mentioned. Citizens have reported disturbing dreams, which are often so vivid that they have to go on holiday for a week or more to recover. The dreams are the same in every case - the knowledge that we are harming Chiron, and that Chiron is angry. What kind of rot is this? Still, there are many things different about Chiron than Earth. The advent of psychics is one, since in over 200 years of scientific study there was not one shred of evidence that there was any psychic ability in humans (or animals, for that matter). Now we are here on Chiron and these same abilities are manifest, and the Empath Guild and Dee's ability to control these mindworms and talk to them is all the proof I need. The rules have changed.

Glad you like the map. I was unimpressed with Roses' progress, and her territory. She needs some serious lessons in terraforming. At least Morgan and Dee understand the value of forests, and even Aki and Domai have a few.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2211

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We have good news to relate even though I am sure your empaths would have informed you of this at some time. We completed our first tree farm at UN Headquarters. I am awaiting the results and they should be complete by the end of the turn. We do not really need the added psychological benefits but it is the ecological improvements we are seeking. Even with all of our advanced terra-forming capabilities we simply have reached the maximum amount of resources we can pull from the area surrounding our headquarters without inflicting massive ecological trauma. If we can boost our nutrient production and reduce the amount of pollution by the expected 50% then each tree farm will be a miracle. More bases are reaching the population index level of 9 and with the completion of the tree farm at UN Headquarters we will begin building the first habitation dome. The plans are remarkable, truly inspirational. We do plan on quickly building another supply crawler but we will then start on the dome. The project will massive with part of it encompassing our current headquarters complex. I will be able to look out one side of my office and see the face of Planet and through the other, the Eden we will build. Parks, waterfalls, trees, lakes and even part of it will be dedicated in my honor to recreating the lush landscape of my homeland, India. Each habitat dome will recreate some part of the lost eco-system of earth so that be traveling to each city we will preserve what our planet could have been.

I applaud your redirection of resources into additional psychological outlets. We Peacekeepers have been practicing this for almost the entire time we have been on Planet. As we completed more infrastructure improvements such as holo-theaters and recreation commons the additional energy has been magnified since there are more outlets for the energy to be used by more people.

I thank you for your compliments and I do agree I doubt there is anything you can do to catch up with our population now. Once we have the habitat domes operational our cities could reach a population index as high as 19 perhaps 20. With that many people all working in one area focused on one task it will be child's play to build anything. We also will be able to dedicate more of our people to science our engineering so that they can improve both areas. I even have a dream of creating several bases that will only have scientists! Imagine that, no workers no drones, just scientists all working, focused on one goal. All of the day to day needs will be met through automated equipment and the supplies will be harvested by the supply crawlers. I doubt this base will get a habitat dome but image a population 9 index city with just scientists!

Next turn we will be establish our first sea colony to the west and within the decade we will setup one more in the western seas and then at least two maybe three to the east. This would account for our growth for the next fifty turns which should give us ample time to raise more land to prepare more land colonies. The advantage of only building one colony a decade is that any colony will immediately receive high priority in energy allocation to complete needed base improvements to allow the colony to thrive and expand quickly.

Lastly, I wish to broach the subject again, will you call a planetary election? I have made plans to build a sea foil to depart for Conscience territory within a few turns. It is a large expense in material and support cost and time to have the foil take what will most likely be a fifty turn trip if not longer. We will do it but the cost for the crew is immense to say the least the sacrifice they have to make. The bottom line is that the Peacekeeper nation will grow and continue to grow for a long time and if you were hoping to out populate us to garner more votes I doubt it will happen. We need a leader for this planet.

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2212

Pravin,

It seems I'm in something of a fix that is partially of my own making. You see, there are no less than three isles of the deep loaded to the gills with mindworms and they all appear to be headed directly for my home territory. My own transport crews when trying to unlock a Unity pod released two of these and the third was evidently released by Dee. The third was badly damaged so I took a chance and had our damaged Unity chopper try to take it out. The last I heard was a muffled scream, silence, then a confused crash and abrupt silence. Sensors report they nose dived into the sea. I expect this isle, which is 90% damaged, to disgorge its two mindworms next year near Mandelev College, and our empath rover will be waiting for them. The sea former in that area had the good sense to run away. We have one empath foil at Zoloto Gold, but it can take out only one of the two approaching from the northeast and northwest - so I will have to choose carefully. One has a mindworm and the other a spoor launch, and I think the spoor launcher is the bigger threat since it can destroy improvements with impunity from the sea.

There was one other odd occurrence. There was what appeared to be one of those fungal blooms near Koppernigh Observatory this last year. They did report some pollution but evidently it doesn't take much. I've carefully checkED our other bases to ensure there isn't too much pollution just in case. This is also another very good reason to build more fast-response empath rovers.

We discovered Adaptive Doctrine this last year. While seemingly unimportant it is a probably key to military technologies of the future.

If you want to call a planetary election I will call one. Frankly, I'm surprised you've never asked before. The election will be held in MY 2213. Good luck.

Zak

*~*~*~*

UN Headquarters, MY 2212

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I admit I was surprised at your reaction to the planetary vote you have stalled on the other times I suggested it to you. Perhaps I was not so "blunt" as I was this time. I have to be brief since I am working long hours in preparation for the vote.

We have reached our maximum base limit without increasing more waste an inefficiency due to the large expanse of territory and people we guide. Our population index is now over 83! I have ordered all city population 9 governors to put more emphasis on supporting more "talents" at each base thus reducing the pressure for more production. Once the new habitat domes are built we can then move forward with more nutrient, mineral and energy production. The tree farm at UN Headquarters has done wonders! We put two sectors of tree stands into production and the extra nutrients and minerals has boosted our production all without any impact to the environment!

We get only "sketchy" reports here but I did see the attack wave of worms heading to your area. I am glad the long ago we have dedicated ourselves to making sure each city has two garrisons that both are equipped with trance defense capabilities, good luck!

United Nations General Secretary,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters , Planet Command Center - UNHQ

*~*~*~*

University Base, MY 2213

Pravin,

Or should I say Governor Lal? Unless you vote for me or abstain you are now Governor of Chiron. The vote went in a way that is not hard to fathom. Morgan voted for you, and Aki voted for me. That much was apparent since they are pacted with us. Everyone else abstained. Apparently Rose doesn't like you or me very much, and Dee likely hates our economic choices. As for Domai, who knows?

Part of my isle problem was solved when my empath rover took out two mindworms that put ashore near Koppernigh Observatory, yielding 60 energy which is always welcome. The damaged isle is still there, and I ordered a sea former to make itself a potential victim since the isle will likely lose against a fully healed former since it is 80% damaged. If it doesn't attack this year then the former will retreat. The isle to the northwest is making a b-line for Mir Lab, and our empath foil will intercept it. The worst news is that the northeast isle is making for Lab Three, which doesn't have a defender yet. I fixed that by allocating energy to rush build a trance scout, and an empath scout is nearby and may be able to help. By way of luck a Unity pod in the area yielded another Unity copter, which is now 2 sectors from Lab Three. The isle could also consume Dee's base Ocean Flower, which has no defender. I've warned Dee and the sea base and, regardless of our differences, I hope they pull through. I know we will.

We had another artifact breakthrough this year - Advanced Military Algorithms. This dovetails nicely with last year's discovery of Adaptive Doctrine and will go a long way to filling our applied military void. There is a particular Project we have draft plans for, the Hunter Seeker Algorithm, and we are only one technology away from unlocking its secrets.

We should be finishing a host of tree farms in the next few years, and then we are on to bigger and better improvements. This last spate of mindworm and isle attacks has reminded me that, while our defense are good, they are not as good as they could be. We also need to build a few sea bases as a screen, but this will take a long time since our long, thin island will take a lot of sea bases to form a bulletproof screen. Those are tasks for the future, though.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2213

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I have to brief once again since the demands of my new office are still new and weighty. We are still working on the planetary administrative staff and selecting key people to fill agencies and departments and the selection of ambassadors. As one of my first acts I did contact each, or tried to, faction leader and see what if anything I can do to help build a stronger alliance. The most interesting of all was Aki of the Conscience. My dealings with her were very similar to dealing with you. The most important trade we made was the acquisition of technical blueprints to build a perimeter defense around each base. My military advisors prodded me into this trade and we have made production changes to our border cities production schedules so that they will be equipped with the defenses as soon
as possible.

We should be able to complete within the next five turns the tree farms that we need and then we can build the habitat domes and start expanding again. Many special interest groups wish for us to move back into a free market economy to fund this expansion but under our current system with the special legislation allowing the citizens to accumulate wealth and prosper without state restrictions we seem to have the best of both worlds. My only concern is that our smaller bases will grow to quickly and place to much of strain on the resources they have.

Lastly, I do not blame you for voting for yourself but I am disappointed that I could not have solicited more support so that I could bring a mandate to this office. I intend to make sure the guiding principal of our mission is restored on this planet and that the UN Charter becomes the bible for all to live by.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor, Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2214

Pravin,

This has been a terrible year. Lab 3 is gone, wiped away as if it never existed. This is the fatal reward for our exploration of the sea and its byproduct of releasing and then running away from this isles, and the citizens of Lab 3 paid the ultimate price. Will this halt our exploration of the sea? No, but it will make us more virulent in our defense.

Speaking of defense, our empath foil destroyed an isle that was bearing down on Zoloto Gold, and the isle along the western side of the island died attacking our sea former. There are two more isles in the area, and to defend ourselves I ordered a resonance empath foil to be built at Mir Lab. It looks like defense is now higher on our list of priorities.

I have to cut this message short since I have a wake to attend.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2214

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

The loss you have been dealt is terrible and the horrible loss of life is beyond comprehension! On behalf of the Peacekeepers I wish to express my deepest condolences and as the Planetary Governor I promise you the full support of our office in your time of need. In that regard I have included in our transmission an aid package of 37 energy credits for your use and we will transmit another 25 energy credits per turn for the next four turns. This aid package is the least we can do to provide succor for your people in their time of need. There is no expectation on our part for repayment and we would not accept it if you did, this is a disaster relief package. The atrocity that has befallen you transcends any petty problems or issues we might have. I hope the sum of 137 energy credits will be of use to you in rebuilding the lost colony and the defenses to protect them.

The relic we up linked into UN High Commission gave us some very interesting military data. Unfortunately for you it would not aid you in your struggle against the worms but it would be very effective against an enemy that would attack you with ships or vehicles that had great speed. The computer technology it provided seems to help "anticipate" the opponents attack and where it will fall.

Lastly, I was able to make contact with Deirdre Skye and for her protection and that of her people I gave her the resonance armor technology. I suspect that even the Gaians are plagued by these worms and it seems they have little pre-disposition to develop these technologies.

Good luck and I hope you pass on to your people that the Peacekeepers and the Planetary Governor stand with them. In light of this tragic attack I felt what we need is the ability to respond quicker to such emergencies. As such, we will begin "alter" our expansion plans and prepare a colony pod soon to colonize the small island/mountain to the south east of Morganite territory. This should put our Peacekeepers in a position to provide military assistance to help defend other factions from just these types of incursions.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

	05-01-2003 08:22									#26
	Got spare money?

University Base, MY 2215

Pravin,

I appreciate you gesture, but I have to decline. Although our loss if profound it would be better to gift these resources to factions that are at a significant disadvantage, like the Drones. We will recover, and I can assure you that the lesson has been learned. From now on all our new colonies will have defenders with them to that they at least have a fighting chance.

The mindworm assault continues. It turns out that air cover will not protect a land-based unit to be protected from a mindworm assault. On a good note, Lady Skye took care of our isle problem off our western coast by capturing the isle and the spoor launcher it contained. Another new isle is approaching from the east, and it contains two mindworms. Luckily two empath rovers are available to take care of their slimy pink butts. It seems we are a magnet for these worms, and it is incumbent on me to defend my people with defenses and an appropriate offense.

On a good note, we completed seven tree farms this last year, bring the total to eight. To do this I authorized a change to a Planned economy, which improved production but hits deeply at our scientific output. I had to balance the loss of progress to potential growth, and I chose growth. After the tree farms are complete we will work on more supply crawlers, defenders, prototyping, and more research facilities, and hab complexes.

Lastly, I am willing to trade you any technology I currently have for Advanced Subatomic Theory. If you are interested let me know.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2215

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I have consulted with the Peacekeeper councils and we are willing to make the following exchange. We will transmit the files that will allow you to upgrade your equipment with the comm. jammer computer chips and the technical blueprints on how to build specialized proto-type labs in exchange for your technical files on fossil fuel formulas. We feel this is an equitable exchange since the potential energy/time/mineral savings these "skunk work" labs offer is almost immeasurable. If you agree we will pre-approve the transfer of the information next turn.

I was amazed to see how drastic a reduction you labs have suffered. My planetary administrative staff inform you have almost the worse science rate now on this planet! I would predict if you allow your science rate to suffer so you will soon find yourself behind many other factions in a quick order. Why next turn alone we expect to make another breakthrough in the field of military science and also have the expected interval between discoveries drop to about every 8 to 7 turns possible. A rate almost ½ faster than yours! This is also why we were so motivated to help your people rebuild after these terrible attacks. If you still need the energy credits you have but to ask and the aid package is yours.

We have little of else to report of any importance. I do hope that you will quickly restore your defenses and I am equally sure the proto-type labs will aid you in your work.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2216

Pravin,

I have attached, pre-approved, the files for Synthetic Fossil Fuels, and I trust you will attach the files for Advanced Subatomic Theory in return. I am sure these files will assist you people very well, as will your files help us prosper.

The output of our labs has indeed been drastically reduced with our migration to a Planned economy, but we are in no way scientifically destitute. In fact, our output is half what it was, but it is still approximately equal to yours and many multiples that of the other factions. I place very little stock in the years to a breakthrough; I focus on the output itself and the number of breakthroughs we have had (we have 5 more technologies that any other faction so our technology breakthrough cost is much higher). With all of our primary bases to size 7 our long-term output will be substantially increased, as will our mineral and food output. We will move back to a Free Market system next year, and I expect our lab output will reach new heights.

I do have some good news. The worms that landed next to University Base have been dispatched, with a good haul of energy too. Our empath foil will kill the isle next turn if it hasn’t moved on. A greater danger is a rogue worm roving in the Jungle since our defenses are rather thin there. A Unity pod yielded a rover, which will do a good job and hopefully kill this worm before it does us more harm.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2216

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We have up linked the required files and have pre-approved them for release. Unfortunately for us our breakthrough this turn was a technology that was made redundant almost immediately, particle accelerators, by the plans you will send us for missile technology. I ordered a survey of your area and you do seem to be attracting an undue amount of worms and other native life forms. I have asked the city governor of UN Great Refuge to prepare plans for a biology lab so that we can study these creatures more in depth and perhaps hatch, or grow or whatever these things do to reproduce in a laboratory environment. Once the trained worm is of sufficient size then it can be turned over to our Peacekeeper forces for incorporation into our defenses.

We have completed the habitat complex at UN Headquarters and it is magnificent to behold! What a wonder it truly is to see. I have up linked data files for you to review so that you to can rejoice in splendor of it all. Nutrient production is still a problem but another supply crawler will be put into production to increase our resources at UNHQ. Little else of interest has occurred this turn of any importance except that our brave captain of our newly commissioned transport ship sailed forth on his shake down trials and decided to take it upon his own initiative to open the Unity pod that had been "bobbing" in Peacekeeper Bay for over a 100 turns. What we thought was a Unity pod all this time turned out to be another alien relic! It will be returned to UN Temple of Sol for linking into the network there. My planet administrators tell me you have several of these items sitting unused for some reason. I ask out of curiosity as to why you have
not up linked them already? You are not required to answer but I was just curious.

Good luck in your defense of the worms. If you feel that a UN Peacekeeper sea base strategically located offshore of your territory would help in alerting you to a mind worm sea attack I could consult with the Peacekeeper councils to see what could be done.

I do worry about your constant shifting of economic strategies to "eek" out some meager gain here and there. Perhaps switching to a green economic model could offer you the best of both worlds without the constant upheaval and it would possibly help you against these worms, just a thought...

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2217

Pravin,

The reason we haven’t linked the two artifacts is simple – I didn’t want to duplicate the research we had agreed to exchange. Once we had your files I gave the base administrators at Academgorodok and Academy Park and we had two breakthroughs: Planetary Economics and Centauri Meditation. The applications for Planetary Economics is clear – hybrid forests, and an economic trade boost. I think that eventually we will invest in biology labs and Centauri preserves and we will breed isles of the deep. It is only fair that after they have plagued us so much that we make use of them.

We do have an interesting problem – too many artifacts. I am considering establishing colonies simply to cash in the artifacts at the intrinsic network node! Sea bases will be prefect for this, and I think that after we have hab complexes in place and boom a little more that we will concentrate on hybrid forests and sea colony pods that will gird our island nation.

We switched to a Free Market again and, as expected, our scientific rate doubled. That is most satisfying, let me tell you, and the longer we harvest these resources the better off we’ll be! I have to disagree with you on switching economic, or political, systems. Switching to a Planned economy for two years saved us years of labor and hundreds of energy credits when completing our tree farms, the resources of which will be invaluable.

Lastly, we appear to have pierced the upper limit on mineral production. One base is harvesting 17 minerals without ecological damage, even under a Free Market economic system. With our closely spaced bases and small territory will limit further mineral expansion until we can rip out the remaining fungus, build land as you have done, or build boreholes. All that we can do at this point is rip out the fungus and plant trees since we can’t raise land (yet!) and boreholes take 24 years to build! That is a long time, and it is only feasible if there are multiple formers working the project at one time.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2217

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It seems that every artifact we discover and unlock only seems to "fill in the gaps" in technology that we have jumped over. The information on fossil fuels allowed us to build missile launchers but we skipped a vast array of other particle weapons that we are just discovering now. I suppose if war should come we would have the means to build state of the art weapons as well as more reliable and inexpensive ones.

We made vast progress this turn and completed many projects ahead of schedule. This has been a great boon for us. We have also celebrated a milestone since UNHQ just passed the population 10 index level and we are still growing! Many other bases will soon grow as well since the habitat domes are being built at a quicker pace.

Little else of interest occurred this turn to report or inform you of that your empaths will not have done so already.

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2218

Pravin,

Well, there were no crises or rogue mindworm attacks this year! We didn’t even have to dispatch a nasty spoor launcher or isle this year, and that is truly wonderful. I suppose it won’t last long, and we will be prepared. There is a rogue mindworm stalking Academgorodok and for the moment I am happy it doesn’t attack. If it does we will have a severe counterattack, and will harvest the pearls in compensation.

Our transport fleet is very busy indeed, and building a few more might be a good idea. Like you we are very busy with infrastructure, and after we have a few hab complexes done a pop boom might be in order. The only other bit of news is that we are expecting a breakthrough next year and I can hardly wait!

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2118

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Our colony pod has set forth for the long trip to the large island just east of the Morganite territory. It will be the first base of many on the island that will serve as a Peacekeeper forward observation post in that area.

Once again it was a very prosperous turn for us and we continue to grow and grow and grow. My High Commissioner of Terra-forming reports that another land raising project will soon be completed in along our southern coast line. We will then turn the terra-formers loose in that area and build up a sensor station for new colony pod along with other improvements in that area.

We will soon complete our prototyping of a missile empath foil and it will escort our transport pod into the eastern seas to discover new areas and treasures. I can only hope that either more land or Unity pods will be found.

I am afraid once again I must return for another treatment to help restore my vitality. I have had to rely on my son more and more of late to help with the smaller tasks at hand. I am pleased to hear that your people were spared any further attacks this turn.

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2219

Pravin,

We finished a few improvements, including hab domes and recreation commons in our smaller bases. When we finish a few more hab domes and tree farms we will pop boom again to grow our resource expansion, which has been rather flat recently. Another key will be establishing a few more bases in the near future – our transports are looking for likely sites. If we don’t find anything especially fruitful I suppose we will have to invest in expensive sea colonies.

Our breakthrough was a surprise – Nonlinear Mathematics. Our research was set on Discover and Build, so this was the last tech I thought would come to light. It is needed, I am told, as the underpinnings of other more useful technologies so I suppose we would have to acquire this technology sometime.

I hope your longevity treatments go well. I have had only two since being on Chiron and I can’t imagine why you seem to require them so often. I hope you are well, and if there is something I can do to enhance the treatment regime let me know.

Lastly, we did have a mindworm attack last year at Academgorodok and we lost a trance scout. The worm was severely crippled and a Unity rover finished it off. Luckily a pod at Academy Park yielded an Ogre, like the one you have. I will be our defender at Academgorodok in the near future, and the rover will be upgraded to empath to help our new colony pod through the fungus.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2219

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I am now recuperating in the hospital facility at UNHQ following a replacement of several my organs that failed prematurely. For some reason unknown to the doctors I have a condition that rejects the effects of the longevity treatments I take. Perhaps when our technology becomes more advanced we can conquer this problem.

Little of any drastic importance occurred this turn of note. I did contact several leaders and made some technology trades for energy credits, some were very rewarding in deed. I wish I could get a better exchange from the some of the other factions but their meager resources seem barely adequate to sustain them let alone pay or exchange for technology. We also completed our first perimeter defense system around UN Data Acquisition. This should prove very useful should any attack fall on that base. We also completed our land raising project and once we complete some more improvements in that area they will move on to raise more land. Our colony transport is making slow progress right now so it might be a while before they reach the island.

Well, good luck again on switch economic models. We intend to stay with our current system until we reach the up most capacity of our habitat domes. At that point we will switch to a green economic model.

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2220

Pravin,

Like you there is little new to mention, and that is a good thing. The last 10 years have been rather traumatic and while I didn’t really think we would succumb to this nasty native onslaught it did hurt us. Maybe one day we will migrate to a Green economic model but for now we will have to live with the depredations of these nasty native life forms, and then kill them and harvest their pearls.

You will note we have started a few hybrid forests in our bases that have completed hab domes. Our other core bases have a small problem of riot control and they need research hospitals to be completed before they complete hab domes, and then they too will likely start on hybrid forests, too. I will not mind the research boost either, so the significant investment will be most useful.

As we grow I am finding the penalty of our closely spaced bases. Our island is so small that we would have been cramped anyway, but I am finding that there is no longer room for crawled forests and expansion of our base populations. I may have to allocate these crawlers to finish prototypes and Projects unless our formers can catch up with the demand for space. This problem will only become more acute as we population boom after the hab domes are completed. You will note that we are working on Aesthetic Virtues, which promises to allow greater population expansion and an inherent police benefit. This last item attracts me due to the inherent instability our bases, which will only get more problematic as we grow.

Lastly, would you consider a technology trade for your technology Superconductor? We have a number you may be interested in.

Zak

	05-01-2003 08:25									#27
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

UN Headquarters, MY 2220

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We agree to an exchange of technology. We have attached the files on the superconductor technology but we have sent them in an encrypted format. What we propose is the following exchange, you will transmit your files on centauri mediation and planetary economics for our files on superconductor material. We also promise not to pursue the project the ascetic virtues or the xenoempathy dome since they do seem so crucial to your people. We would also either transmit to you our next scientific discovery, whatever it might be, that we make or the sum of 100 energy credits of your choice. Please consider this offer...

Last turn we experienced our first attack by the native life forms in some time. An isle of the deep deposited on the coast next to UN Haven City several mind worms and a massive spore launcher. The garrison from UN Haven city defeated the spore launcher and a mind worm and survived both attacks. My son ordered the garrison from UNHQ to attack the remaining worms and end the threat. Unfortunately one of the garrisons, one of our first that has never been upgraded with any advanced armor or weapons was defeated in the attack. However, the reserve garrison did defeat the worms and will shortly return to the base. Aside from the loss of life the worms destroyed the improvements in that sector and left a massive fungal growth in the wake. It will take some time to rebuild that sector to its previous state.

The one advantage in the destruction of all of those worms was a massive infusion of energy credits that allowed us to complete many city improvements. Some of our cities are actually nearing the point that they will run out of improvement projects and there is always the need now to improve our environmental status since we are pulling even more resources from Planet. They hybrid forest project is crucial to our continued growth and the ability to create a centauri preserve to help reduce environmental effects are as well. I do hope that you will agree to our proposed exchange so that we can use the needed technology to help our people. I also realize that the superconductor technology is the "lynch pin" to making many more advanced breakthroughs such as fusion power and advanced labs such as a supercollider.

Our brave transport in the eastern seas opened a Unity pod and the resources found in it did allow us to complete the recycling tanks at UN Amnesty Town. We will also complete very soon our missile foil and it will sail forth with our transport to seek more lands and Unity pods.

Lastly, I hope you find the solution to your growth problems. It is a constant struggle for us but I can assure you that it is possible since some of our cities are approaching population index 13, almost twice the size of two of your cities.

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2221

Pravin,

I will have to decline your offers for the technology trades. Did you seriously consider I’d trade two of our hard-won technologies for two, especially when one is a key technology as Planetary Economics? As for selling eight years of research for 100 energy I would have to say no, too. Consider this – our energy surplus on a given year is over 100 energy when considering trade and energy allocation. To sell this would cheapen our accomplishments. If you have a counter offer I’d consider it.

We will be migrating to a planned economy next year. We now have five hab complexes done and can make a good use of a population boom, and there are a few improvements that will benefit from the industry bump. Of course our lab output will suffer, but that is life. I don’t see us staying on this path for more than five years of so.

We did have a bit of good luck with Unity pods. In one case we got a Battle Ogre, which strangely needs no support. We also got a couple of energy boons, which are also welcome.

I have to agree with the benefit that planet pearls give when destroying mindworms. It is annoying to have them show up in at inconvenient times, but it is up to me as the faction leader to ensure that we do not have too many lapses, and hopefully no lapses, in defense. Eventually we will migrate to an active offense to eliminate these and any other blights that might afflict me.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2221

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I think you spend too much time in your labs and not enough time with the administration of your government Prokhor. I will assume that my last transmission was "edited" for your review and it did not come across in its complete form. Here is the relevant passage again that was somehow edited and misunderstood:

" We have attached the files on the superconductor technology but we have sent them in an encrypted format. What we propose is the following exchange, you will transmit your files on centauri mediation and planetary economics for our files on superconductor material. We also promise not to pursue the project the ascetic virtues or the xenoempathy dome since they do seem so crucial to your people. We would also either transmit to you our next scientific discovery, whatever it might be, that we make or the sum of 100 energy credits of your choice."

As you can plainly see we are offering two technologies for two technologies, plain and simple. We are also imposing self-limitations upon ourselves to not exploit two projects that would also be of benefit to us as well. I think you offered this same proposal not too long ago so perhaps for some reason you have changed your mind since you now seem to expect more than a one for one or two for two exchange of technology (see below )

" Pravin, I will have to decline your offers for the technology trades. Did you seriously consider I'd trade two of our hard-won technologies for two, especially when one is a key technology as Planetary Economics? "

It does seem to me that some technology now has more value than others to you, is this correct? For sometime you seemed to have lived by the simple rule "technology for technology" and when I offer it to you, you now decline. I do wish you provide some guidance or format by which you will exchange technology. I have offered again the same exchange under the same terms. If you have a counter-offer than please submit one. I do not wish to diminish the work of either your scientists but many of the accomplishments you have achieved have come about by way of alien artifacts and not do to any expenditure of energy on your part. We do not discount the resources and manpower you have expended to build ships, just as we have, to explore the seas and harvest the Unity pods. But our ships have already paid for themselves many times over in the wealth in resources and technology they unlock. So I do wish you would not "preach" to me of all people about your sacrifice and how an offer of 100 energy credits for technology is a "slap in the face" when many of the technologies cost you nothing. Your network nodes that unlock the artifacts are built at NO COST to you do to your engineers expertise in this area so there is no cost there to you, unlike us. The ships that return with the artifacts more than pay for themselves once they harvest even one pod. We ourselves have not been as fortunate since our first ships were all destroyed, except of one, in opening the pods, but even so they did destroy several sea worms and the energy returned in planet pearls more than compensated for the cost of the ships loss. So I expect these comments will make there way into the "edited" form so you will most likely get much of this out of context and as a result become infuriated. I hope that you can see the point I raise and at least see the merit in it. If you choose to decline the trade then we will not offer any future trades in any form until you can provide an acceptable format that we can both agree to work out an exchange. We will wish you luck and pursue trades and exchanges with other factions that we hope will be more open to the free flow of information.

We also completed several more habitat complexes and we also completed our first aqua-farm that boosted our sea farms production greatly. Our colony ship is making slow progress through the fungus fields but we expect once it is clear it should make better progress. What has become apparent is the need to build more kelp farms to harvest the needed proteins and nutrients they offer to maintain our rapid growth.

Little else of importance occurred last turn of note except that our brave captain once again opened a Unity pod and the resulting resources allowed the rapid completion of the recreation commons at UN Amnesty Town. My admirals have tried talking to the captain to warn him of the dangers of opening pods without an escort but he seems head strong to do things his way. As long as he succeeds there is little that will happen to him but should he open a pod that has been infested with a sea isle than may luck be on his side for nothing else will. I suppose this is the luck of the draw as to what these pods and relics might contain but fortune does seem to smile upon you in this regard. I do hope that you will share some of that fortune with others as well.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2222

Pravin,

You are correct. I didn’t read your missive closely enough and I apologize for my lapse. Perhaps I was tired, or simply in a bad mood. Regardless I think you have been ill used. So, to clarify – my stance is that the University will trade technology for technology. There will be occasions where we will not want to trade a technology right away because it is of a sensitive nature, or to ensure it doesn’t spread to other factions that have, in the past, threatened us. It is possible that we will consider some technologies more valuable than others – that is simply a fact of life. But most, or almost all, are not inherently more valuable than another.

As to acquiring technology, I will not apologize for how we have acquired our technologies. The advantage of our faction is our scientific ability just as yours is leadership ability and the draw of a good majority of Chiron’s human talent. You are fully as able as we are to link artifacts to your nodes, the only difference is that you have to build them, which you can do due quite easily to your extraordinary growth and the talents your society has. Moreover, I would argue that we have fully invested and risked in our transport fleet to gather the resources from Unity pods at sea. You have done the same. So, these technologies are not ‘free’, nor are they the purview of only the University. We have simply had the advantage of a more aggressive exploration of the sea, and a bit of luck. You will note that most of this is not really luck, but the number of Unity pods we have explored. On average our transports investigate one every year, or one every other year at worst (unless they are transporting some prize to a base) – so our haul of artifacts is an artifact (if you will forgive the play on words) of statistics and numbers. Nor have we been immune from the trials of the sea – witness the attacks of the isles, which were largely released by our own transports. We have paid, and paid dearly, for our artifacts.

We had a bit of good luck this last year. A Unity pod opened by a transport resulted in a tree farm at Academy Park being completed in one year! The same thing happened at Planetary Archives, and I think you can appreciate this since you have had several facilities completed by the resources from Unity pods, too.

I expect our Planned economy to help us population boom this next year. I do not expect it to be as smooth as your population expansion, however, and it is likely that our expansion will reach a functional roadblock around base size nine or ten and that many of our additional citizens will be needed to quell riots.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2222

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Since you made no "counter-offer" in any form that would even approaches an equitable exchange of information we will be forced to adopt our policy as stated in our last transmission.

" If you choose to decline the trade then we will not offer any future trades in any form until you can provide an acceptable format that we can both agree on to work out an exchange."

I think it very unfortunate that as time goes by that you seem to become even more alienated from your fellow leaders and other people on this planet. Every day that goes by I realize how fortunate it was that I was elected Planetary Governor to lead this planet and not you and the xenophobic/paranoid approach you take to diplomatic exchanges. This is not meant to be an insult simply a statement of the facts. Your actions clearly indicate more than your statements do. Over the past century you have pursued an isolationist policy in all forms and on the few times you have wanted to initiate an exchange you wished to dictate the implementation, use and dissemination of that technology. Even when we agreed to "limit" ourselves in the use of the technology ( see our last transmission ) this was still not good enough for you. These are not the actions of an inspired leader, rather, the actions of a dictator. I sometimes doubt if your society is a democratic one since I would suspect that your people would enjoy and prosper from exchanges with other factions. I suspect that this is how you keep a choke hold on your control of your people and government.

Little else of importance took place last turn. We contacted several leaders and made several exchanges of technology for energy credits. Except for yourself no one else has any technology that we do not already have or they posses some type of technology that is allowing them to pursue a secret project and do not wish to see it fall into our hands. We respect this stance that they take for we would do the same. However, even with that being the case the need for us all to prosper we Peacekeepers have found a way to exchange information on an "equitable" format.

Some of my planetary staff did report that your cities seem to be under constant strain and turmoil. Perhaps the constant drive to increase your population and maintain your technological lead is too much a burden for your people. Might I suggest building more cities but keeping a population "cap" on each one so that you do not put such a strain on the meager facilities that they offer to your people.

Lastly, I have been taking a keen interest in the operations of the Gaians. They seem to have the ability, as do you I believe, to "grow" isles' of the deep. It is the consensus of the Planetary administrative staff that this can only be a positive development since these "tame" isles will do much to keep the seas clear of the rogue sea creatures. I do hope that you will try and help protect the other factions as well, simply out of a sense of humanity for you common man.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

	05-01-2003 08:27									#28
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

University Base, MY 2223

Pravin,

If you read my last transmission carefully you will see that I did offer a means for trading information: quid pro quo. The only exceptions I offered were if the data were deemed to be of a sensitive nature, which you have already acknowledged is the stance of other faction leaders who seek to protect their Projects from others. This offer is open and if you choose to not take advantage of it then that is your loss. I have traded information with other faction leaders quite frequently, most noticeably Dee and Aki, to both of our benefit. In fact Dee has been a most willing technology trader, even giving us access to Projects we would not otherwise have access to. Now, we did give her very valuable technology in exchange, but that is only fair.

I will take umbrage with your assertion that I have alienated the other faction leaders. I have a trade treaty with all but Aki, which whom I have a Pact. I noticed you have a trade treaty with Domai, Rose, me, and the Data Devils and a Pact with Morgan, so apparently you have poorer relations with Dee than I do. Moreover, we have had these treaties and pacts for a very long time while some of your trade treaties are rather recent. So, who has better relations with the other factions? That can change in an instant, of course, and our relations with some are rocky, but I am currently pleased with our progress in diplomacy.

I also find your accusation of me being a dictator to be truly insulting. Just because we don’t give away our technology, which our one true asset, you accuse me personally and our society in general of being a dictatorship. Protecting our own interests does not make us a dictatorship any more than you trying to get the best deal for your people. The fact that I may decline the ‘deals’ you suggest may lead to hard feelings on your part but it does not mean that I am a ruthless dictator. I think the values, and progress, our society has established under a democratic political system speak for themselves. We have readily traded technology with any faction that has technology to trade, and in a few instances we have ‘loaned’ technology or gifted technology to technologically barren factions (as yours once was before you population boomed). This has enhanced all of our cultures, whether you wish to acknowledge this or not.

Our cities are not experiencing as much stress as I might have thought as we pop boom to our next plateau. I suspect we will always be behind you in population, and hence resources, and will have to make up for this deficit with creativity, drive, and the proper application of resources. As you surmised, we will begin our next phase of colonization soon, and I haven’t decided whether this will be sea or land based, but it will likely be more sea than land based.

Our transports continue to yield results, both fruitful and interesting. One transport yielded enough resources to finish the recycling tanks at Academy Park in one year. This means that this base has had two or three significant improvements filled for ‘free’, and as you said, the transport (and the expensive upgrades it required) have paid for themselves many times over. The other event was a temporal rift, where one transport was catapulted across the sea into unknown territory. When it was done its fuel supply was mysteriously recharged and it was able to continue its mission of exploration. Our other transports are busy hunting down Unity pods, as you might expect. Our modest foil fleet has also started exploring since we have left the Free Market economic system, and their departure won’t cause mass riots. They won’t stray too far from home, and the empath foils will shadow the transports in case of trouble. I’d rather slay the isles they unleash before they get our homeland, and gather the energy credits they yield, than let them come to us and wreak their havoc.

Our terraforming issues at our home territory are becoming more acute since any improvement requires the removal of fungus and then forming the un-blighted territory. The fungicidal formers are a great help, but they just can’t keep up with the demand now that we are booming. I am tempted to tell the crawlers that are harvesting forest minerals to report to Monitoring Station so they can complete the Aesthetic Virtues Project, but I think I have a few more years before things get wildly out of hand. It is a good problem to have – exponential growth, and the increased resources it provides!

By way of summary, here is the status of all the factions:

University – pop 92, cities 16, sci/turn 214 (planned eco), # tech 34
Gaians – pop 70, cities 13, sci/turn 107, #tech 27
CC – pop 43, cities 12, sci/turn 113, #tech 31
Morgan – pop 13 (pathetic!), cities 3, sci/turn 66, #tech 26
Data Devils – pop 47, cities 11, sci/turn 100, #tech 28
PK – pop 112, cities 14, sci/turn 241, #tech 28
Drones – pop 20, cities 7, sci/turn 37, #tech 23

I find it interesting that the primary contenders are now you, the University, and the Gaians, with the Consciousness catching up as a middle weight power to the Data
Devils. Poor Morgan and Domai - they are now so far behind I don’t see how they can ever catch up. It is a good thing you are cleaning out their energy credit reserves to sell them technology or they’d be completely outclassed right now.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2223

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

Let us once again, agree to disagree, when it comes to the subject of technology and the governing of your people. We Peacekeepers would never interfere with your internal politics unless you commit an act that would be in violation of the UN Charter, then by Charter regulations we would move in to restore order and perserve the UN Charter. As to technology exchanges once again we refer to our previously stated position. It is obvious to us that you do have several technologies that do not by themselves have exceptional bonuses for instance your files on building cruiser hulls. I also do not believe that centauri mediation is more valuable than my files on superconductors. So I can only assume is that you only wish to beguile me into an exchange that only favors you and the end result is a quid pro University not quid pro quo. Offer terms of an exchange to us and we will review them, until then we consider this matter closed. I do not blame any faction for preserving a monopoly on a particular technology that they might use to gain a lead in a secret project. That is why when we brokered the exchange we do so with the idea that we would not pursue those projects, so there would be no risk to you and your projects from us. We did engage in some trades with our good friend Nwadudike and the result of that exchange is that we gained files on how to train our soldiers better and the creation of a police force and files on societal changes that would allow us to switch, if need be, to a society that prizes knowledge over all else.

Our valiant transport captain escaped death again when he opened a Unity sea pod and found it infested with sea worms. Our empath/missile foil protected in resonance armor is speeding to intercept the sea worm before it makes landfall. The transport captain promptly radioed in the coordinates of the beast and it should be no problem.

Little else of importance occurred this turn of note so I leave it to your empath guild to review with you the details of our lands.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2224

Pravin,

I have good news. We built a new base in the Jungle named New Lab 3 in honor of the base consumed by mindworms. This time we did not mess around and had an empath rover lead it to its new home, and that rover will remain there until its defender is constructed. We also had another bit of good luck when we explored a Unity pod adjacent to the base since it provided the resources to complete a tree farm! What luck! That is three tree farms completed in the Jungle from Unity pods! The only bad thing about this base is that fungus or rocky terrain surrounds it. It will be a long time to develop this base to any level of productivity.

We immediately linked an artifact at the New Lab 3 network node and got Superconductor, so I’m afraid that we will have to wait for a technology trade. This is…unfortunate. It seems you wish me to place an offer with you when we wish access to one of your technology files for your immediate review. In the future I will offer you a technology for one we have that I believe you may find to be useful, and I will do so immediately. Perhaps if our communications are clearer and less acrimonious we can avoid this duplicated research and linkages to the benefit of both of us.

Our sea foils will be migrating home starting next turn in preparation for our migration back to a Free Market economy. Our transports will continue to troll the seas for Unity pods, and a rover will investigate land based Unity pods on coastlines. Hopefully this will yield more treasures since the picking of Unity pods is becoming a bit sparse.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2224

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It was a very interesting turn for the Peacekeepers. Our brave transport captain and crew took it upon themselves once again to open a Unity pod, or what they thought was a pod, and they found another alien relic. It will be returned as quickly as possible to our base and installed into the network node under construction at UN Haven City. In all that should take 5 to 6 turns depending upon how quickly the captain can make it back and dock at UN Social Council and transfer the relic. Combined with our expected breakthrough next turn we should have several major breakthroughs in a very short amount of time especially since our interval of breakthroughs should drop to one every eight years! Another more ominous development was the landing of several mind worms by the isle of the deep next to UN Amnesty Town. There are several defenders, both equipped with trance protection, so my generals tell me we should defeat both worms and our empath/missile foil should be able to dispatch the isle of the deep so it can no longer wreak havoc.

We are having more problems each turn maintain food production at UNHQ and
the main reason for this is the proximity of bases to each other and the allocation of sectors of production to each base. I have ordered a review to be completed next turn to analyze how we can be more efficient in food production. When the review is done we will order some major changes in sector resource allocation so that our headquarters can continue to grow. What is becoming more clear each turn is that the sea is becoming a critical source of nutrients for our people. Without them I doubt we could ever have grown as quickly and as much.

Lastly, with all due respect to you and your government the reason for the severe decline in our relationship is the result of your desire to maintain a superior technological lead over everyone else on this planet irregardless of need. Your data files on hybrid forests would help our people immeasurably in all aspects of development yet you will not even discuss the issue of an exchange even when we made certain promises as to the development of that technology to preserve your project. Each turn you have had the chance to submit a "plan" by which we could broker a trade and you have failed to provide one. I see no other reason other than your desire to maintain your fragile lead in technology at the expense of my people and the other factions of this planet. So when you are willing to make a "deal" so to speak then please contact me but until then do not expect the Peacekeepers, and in particular myself, to be friendly in the face of this form of oppression. I think your reluctance to make an exchange stems from the simple fact that you now see our Peacekeeper labs as a threat to your monopoly on technology. You see how strong our people have become and how developed and stable our cities have become and this is a threat to you. I think this is very plain to see by all concerned and it is the only reasonable explanation that we can discover as to why you will not even discuss an exchange of information since each exchange does more to help us now than you, plain and simple. It is a sad reality that we are now faced with that we are no longer partners on this planet but competitors.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2225

Pravin,

I do congratulate you and your scientific output, which is about the same as ours while we are in a planned economy (which is shockingly inefficient, although it does allow explosive growth and good industrial production). Our ‘issues’ around technology are centered around communication and self interest. You wish to get technology in trade or on loan, whereas I want to exchange technology – and there is part of the rub. As a result of my society’s scientific ability and aggressive exploration of the sea (and investment in the Maritime Control Project) we have had a consistent lead. If choose to begrudge us our lone advantage in science then that is your problem and all I can do is make my position clear, and be painfully explicit when I want to trade technology, since that is what you seem to want and require.

The Unity pods have once again yielded us a huge boon, which this year is the completion of our first hybrid forest at Zoloto Gold! These are very expensive improvements that cost more than the Human Genome Project or the Weather Paradigm! Of course, the benefits are enormous in food, energy, ecological and societal stability. A few other bases have started this enhancement, but it will be a long time before other hybrid forests are done.

I agree that sea terraforming is key to growth and success here on Chiron. In fact, we would not have been able to grow as much as we have since our territory is so limited and we didn’t have access to advanced terraforming techniques available to you from the Weather Paradigm. In the future I see the sea providing huge energy and potential food benefits due to sea trawlers, although building supply crawlers on a foil chassis is not prohibitively expensive.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2225

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It seems that you have finally made yourself very clear and we the Peacekeepers now understand your true intentions as you stated below:

" If choose to begrudge us our lone advantage in science then that is your problem and all I can do is make my position clear, and be painfully explicit when I want to trade technology, since that is what you seem to want and require. "

I think you could have summarized your policy more clearly by just stating that " we will only trade when there is an advantage to us only". I think this clearly shows that you no longer follow a "quid pro quo" policy of technology exchange as I stated earlier in my last transmission. The idea of a mutual exchange in which both parties benefit does not seem to factor into your equation anymore. So even though you could make an exchange you will not do so since any exchange with the Peacekeepers will not benefit you as much as it does us. I think that I intend to close the chapter on this issue and move on and not broach it again, even should you make an attempt to somehow justify your policy in light of the obvious reasons why you really pursue this policy. When a time presents itself again for a possible exchange, in whatever form that takes, then we will have to cross that bridge when we get there.

We defeated the sea launched worms with ease and our missile/empath foil UNSF Unity defeated the isle with only minor damage. The foil will make a course to UN Social Council to complete the minor repairs and scout ahead for the transport with the alien relic. Out of nowhere another worm appeared next to UN Great Refuge and several military units were dispatched to defeat the worm. It had been the hope of the generals to give the border garrison units more battle experience for our troops but they were not ready it seemed for the challenge. Though they did weaken it considerably so that the garrison from UN Great Refuge destroyed it with ease the border garrisons themselves were destroyed. I suppose that in some sense I should be grateful that this was just a lone worm and not a full fledged invasion since the failure of those troops then could have spelled even greater problems. We have issued orders for new garrisons to be built with the latest technology and I have conferred with my generals that we need another rapid attack force in the central provinces of our area to provide support against future occurrence.

Lastly, I wish to congratulate you on your completion of a hybrid forest. It was no small feat for you to complete and I am sure it will help your stability problems.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

	05-01-2003 08:28									#29
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

University Base, MY 2226

Pravin,

I’m surprised that you don’t invest more in trance, resonance-armored transports. They are quite expensive but the dividends they yield are very significant. We currently have four scouring the seas and they have been quite lucky. Well, luck doesn’t have everything to do with it since the Maritime Control Center lets them investigate Unity pods and then flee if an isle shows up (the fact that these isles and their mindworm cargo then afflict our cities I will leave for the time being). Standard foil based transports are at something of a disadvantage due to their flow speed, but I have found that pairing them with an empath foil would work well. Unfortunately for us our extended periods of time in a Free Market economy makes this strategy infeasible, but it would work very well indeed for you if you run a Green economy or even a Planned economy.

A Planned economy is yielding us a huge population increase, but our energy surplus has shrunk considerably. Imagine my surprise when a Unity pod gave us 200 energy! This boon allowed us to finish a research hospital, hab dome, crèche, tree farm, and a rec commons. Granted, all of these improvements were near completion, but allocating these resources allows them harvest their benefits and work on another improvement.

This last year we have completed the minerals necessary for the Aesthetic Virtues Project. It turns out we had a surplus crawler and allocating it to the Project allowed its completion much faster. Significant benefits are the increased hab allowance in our cities, but more importantly the extra discipline gives us greater stability.

It seems you are having the worm problems that afflicted us for about ten years and I wish you well in your efforts to exterminate these blights on life on Chiron. It seems they come in waves, testing the defenses of all but the most prepared societies. I know that we invested significantly in a series of modestly priced empath rovers as a fast reaction force to slay these monsters, and a few empath foils to take care of any isles that happen to harras our cities. This last point is especially important since, due to the long, thin nature of our island, almost all of our cities are coastal.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2226

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We completed our review of resource allocation and it has become clear that the central cities, in particular UNHQ, can not support themselves without major outside assistance. Even UN Aid Station that reached population index 15 has reached a "plateau" of growth unless we can furnish it with more resources, in particular nutrients. What we have decided is to use the eastern peninsula of land as a source of supply for the central cities. We also plan on raising more land soon but first we need to build the farms to support the cities. In support of the outer colonies they will now get more sea-formers for building sea farms to help compensate them for the loss of land that by rights should belong to them. Luckily for us we are not talking about huge amounts of sectors, perhaps only 3 to 4 at most. Of course, this entire effort would be irrelevant if we had hybrid forest technology. But since you found someone else to trade with and obtained superconductor technology we currently have nothing to offer you for it. Of course even if we did you would not transmit it since you wish to use it to maintain your technological lead at the expense of my people. But of course, I digress once again…

Nothing else of importance occurred this turn of note. Our colony ship has at last sighted land and it will pass through the narrow straights on the southern side and land our colony pod on the western slopes of what we think is a volcanic island. The crew sent a transmission informing us that they have sighted land but the central mountain is "obscured" from what we think is smoke. We can only hope that the volcano, if it is one, is going into dormancy.

I also thought you might want to know that I commissioned a study in which the Peacekeepers would move back to a "free market" economy with a knowledge emphasis and the results were surprising. Our energy rate would climb to almost 300 credits per turn and our science rate would expand to such a rate that we could expect a breakthrough every 6 years! This is becoming a very tempting possibility but one we will not broach until at least half of our cities reach population index 14. At that point we should have even greater resources and our labs should be even more efficient. My only concern would be the resulting "unrest" that might occur but I am told our specialists can deal with it.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2227

Pravin,

Isn’t the lure of the Free Market almost irresistible? I have been checking what switching economic plans would do and, like you, I found the impact on our laboratory output and energy yield to be tremendous. Of these, the laboratory impacts are the most significant, since the yield would double! However tempting this is the prospect of exponential growth in population is a greater siren call, since population equals resources. I had expected our society’s stability to be tenuous as it grew, and it has, but not so much that it is stopping our growth. Therefore we will stay with the inefficient Planned economy, for a while.

The only other bit of news is that we found another relic this last year. It will take a while to shepherd it to a node, but that is a priority and it will take the transport out of action for at least half a decade and maybe more. Another transport found a nice cache of 50 Unity credits, and energy is always welcome.

We also started the Xenoempathy Dome. I don’t expect to finish this Project, it will merely use it to stockpile resources for a future Project. Who knows what the future might bring?

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2227

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I have little of any thing "important" to discuss with you this turn. In all it was a very uneventful year. Only a few items of importance that came across my desk. It does seem that several of the Data Angels bases are running exceptionally high pollution rates. While aside from the obvious what does concern me is the "proximity" to that area. Should any mind worm attack be triggered we could quickly see worms coming across the mountain range that separates our two factions. Fortunately for us we have completed our first biology lab this turn and we intend to grow our first trained mind worm. It should be a very interesting experiment one worthy of you studies. Our transport foil with our colony ship began its run through the narrow straights and we hope to unload the colony pod within a few turns. We intend to focus on building at least three interlocking bases on that island so expansion will be the first priority. Lastly, our foil carrying the relic shall dock next turn and with luck we should have it installed within the following turn. I have ordered the foil captain to take some much needed rest and his crew some shore leave.

We completed several city improvement projects but many of our cities are now simply running out of "stuff" to do so we will turn over their surplus energy and resources to a stockpile for others to use.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2228

Pravin,

I have a gift for you: Centaur Meditation. This will allow you to build the
Centauri Preserve, which, in addition to giving ecological benefits, will also allow you to nurture native live. I wish you the best in your effort in creating slave native life and hope you will give me updates on your efforts. Another plus is the empath, which should help your societal stability. This should allow you to continue your improvements.

We are still growing and expanding and I expect that in three or four years it will transition to a Free Market economy. At this point I expect that our energy and lab output to skyrocket and that we will have maxed for a good period of time. Our last two main bases will complete hab complexes this or next turn, and when these two lagging bases catch up a bit is when we will consider our transition.

One last note – there appears to be no ‘maximum’ limit on our mineral production now. One base is putting out 20 minerals and I will be very interested when the borehole is completed nearby, which will spike its energy and mineral output. Have you found any increase mineral production after the completion of the ecological friendly improvements? I don’t snoop in your bases that often so I am just curious what your experience has been.

Zal

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2228

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

On behalf of the Peacekeeper people I wish to express our gratitude for your generous gift in technology. I am still somewhat taken aback at your change in heart since for over a decade now your intentions have been very clear as to your desire to maintain a technical superiority over us. However, I will take the gift and give you our thanks and perhaps we can at last turn the last page in this book and begin a new one.

Next turn should be a wonderful one indeed. We will unlock the secrets of a relic and we will most assuredly continue our impressive growth in population and industry. We can only hope that the new information will help us to become even greater masters of this planet.

I am becoming more and more concerned with the reports I get from the Data Angels and the seemingly total disregard they have this planet. It seems clear that if they continue on this path they most assuredly will fall victim to this planet and then we Peacekeepers will be forced to help the Data Angels from themselves.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2229

Pravin,

It has happened again – Rose the Data Devil gave me a call, demanded energy, and when I refused she declared vendetta. I can only surmise that she thinks she is powerful now that she is building up a grand army and she thinks she can use this to intimidate me. She can think again. She is so far away that she is, quite frankly, irrelevant. Now, if Dee or Morgan declared war that would be different. They could both be threats, but Rose is not one. I will be content to let her have her useless war and the, when she is least suspecting, I will strike back and teach her what war really is since it appears she needs a lesson.

The only other event was that we completed the hybrid forest at University Base, and the boost in energy and food will be most useful, and it will also allow us to grow our capital to size 16! In other bases our growth has stagnated, but just as many can continue to grow. We will soon need much more terraforming.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2229

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

2230 will be one of those turns that the historians will right about as a turning point, a watershed mark, for the Peacekeeper civilization. Our relic unlocked secrets on how to build very effective anti-aircraft weapons and advanced military installations like bunkers to help protect our soldiers. We also were able to make an exchange with our pact brother Nwabudike and we got the elusive hybrid forest technology at last which we immediately ordered all major cities to start production on at once. What was most pleasing of all is that we were able to call a planetary vote to increase trade relations on this planet and with a little bit of negotiations I was able to get everyone to support the pact, except of you. I do hope you will support it since even if you do not you will not be able to cancel the pact since everyone else supports the measure including myself leaving you very little votes, if any, to support you. What this will do is double the energy production/trade we enjoy and we expect to produce/trade over 400 energy credits a turn!!! With that amount of resource at our command we can crash build any hybrid forest in a matter of several turns if need be!! We also discovered two more Unity pods within in just a few sectors of our coastline so we will move quickly to try and exploit these gifts, no matter what they bring.

After reviewing the data from our economic advisors it has been determined to stay on this current economic course for a while longer until we get several more cities, our goal is 7, to population index-15/16 level. Once we complete that we will transfer not to a free market system but a green economy. Several simulations indicate that switching to this model will give us almost the same level of economic power along with a move away from a wealth driven society to a knowledge based one will give us a research level that will be massive!

With so much else happening this turn there is little else we could say that your empaths do not already know. We do hope to land our colony pod next turn on the mountain island and we will keep the transport handy in case we need to move any specialist teams into areas that require Peacekeeper intervention.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2130

Pravin,

This is a great year for the University too – we discovered Pre-Sentient Algorithms! We immediately started the Hunter Seeker Algorithm at University Base and we will do everything in our power to complete this all-important Project forthwith.

Another interesting note is that our science output is almost at a level when we were in a Free Market system before our population boom. I have done a few simulations too and noted that a Green economy has its advantages, but the lure of all that trade and raw energy and the scientific production is just too good to ignore, for now at least. This may change as our far flung holdings expand and the inefficiency loss mounts, but for now it is clear which economic model is superior.

One of our transports had an interesting occurrence – it was ‘cloned’, so to speak. Imagine – one minute you are approaching a Unity pod and then next there is this strange vortex, or a convergence of some sort of unknown particulate emissions, and then there are two of the boat, and the crew. The captain of the transport had a spooky meeting with himself, as did the rest of the crew. There was an immediate question as to which was the legitimate crew and I had to insert myself by declaring that both were University citizens with full rights and privileges, and that their situation is not dissimilar to that of identical twins. That seemed to appease them and they went on their way to explore and gather resources for the University.

The only other news we have is the fast completion of two crèches, a research hospital, and a hybrid forest.

Zak

BTW – I did support the trade treaty. I will not begrudge a little more trade energy, especially when we will be in a lucrative market economy! The energy boon should be significant.

	05-01-2003 08:30									#30
	Enter the AD-FREE zone

UN Headquarters, MY 2230

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I was a bit dumbfounded to learn that you, the University, have surpassed the Peacekeepers in population! However, I did take some comfort when I was also told that Aki and her Consciousness had surpassed you in technology. Perhaps this is all just temporary since we are all expanding more quickly than you. I was also amazed to hear that Peacekeeper labs actually have a higher technology rate than your labs! This was the greatest shock since all the separates us now is just a few technologies and for intents and purposes we are equal in all aspects it seems.

After the fanfare had died down we had much work to do. Our expanded energy credit supply was of great use and we put our wealth into the near completion of the hybrid forest at UNHQ. UN Aid Station, Great Refuge and Commerce Committee will all complete hybrid forests within the a decade with the extra application of our vast energy resources. We will also concentrate on more boreholes and kelp/tidal farms to continue to supply more energy to our cities.

The Unity pod we found just of the shore line of UN Social Council only had map/sonar readings of the surrounding area but the fortunate thing is that it did reveal several more Unity pods making three pods in all just at our finger tips, so to speak. Also, our colony pod at last landed on the island and it will be two more turns before it is set-up but then we can apply some
resources to expanding that area as well. My generals tell me we should concentrate on building several more sea colonies westward so as to build a "chain" of bases linking our main area to our newly colonized area. One suggestion has been made by both the Data Angels and the Morganite factions is that we help them out by building several bases for them to aid them in their expansion. There are several small islands in the vicinity to your east that could be of great use to the smaller factions. I think it is a noble endeavor to bring us all closer together, wouldn't you agree?

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2231

Pravin,

Yes, this is a year of surprises. The University has been growing very fast indeed, and it is interesting that as our base improvements come on line that the societal instability I was worried about has turned out to be manageable. The result is that almost all of our cities will be size 16 in the near future, and that the growth potential of the cities in the Jungle is significant.

As to technology, I am confident that the University will retain its lead due to our laboratory output and the lead we hold over many of the factions. Aki did surprise me by discovering Pre-Sentient Algorithms shortly after we did, and it is somewhat ironic that she did so because of the technology we sold her. If you care to look you will see that we have a significant lead in the race to complete the Hunter Seeker Algorithm, which is very important to our future plans. When this is done I will be happy to Pact with anyone, including that sneak Morgan, since there is little chance of him breaking our interlocks. Our technological advance will take another leap when we migrate back to a Free Market system which should increase our lab output by at least 50%.

Your suggestion that we build bases for other factions has my qualified support. I would be happy to build bases for Aki, and perhaps Morgan and Domai. Neither of these is a threat to us. I am currently ambivalent toward Dee due to her past and her significant potential. The Data Devils are a different matter and I would view gifting her any bases as a hostile act since she has declared Vendetta against us; in fact, she has done now declared vendetta twice. Or maybe I should support this so when our troops sweep through her bases we will have a greater pool of spoils? Maybe. That is an interesting thought.

When our major infrastructure improvements are complete we plan both colony expansion on land and sea and also a significant enhancement of our military. There is prime sea territory around us and I would like to grab it before Dee does. These bases would provide a useful early warning center, as well as being a useful location for future growth. Currently our military has been given short shrift due to our focus on infrastructure and this will change. It does us no good to build these wonderful bases only to have a half-hearted attack take this away from us. A full-fledged program of construction of Command Centers, infantry upgrade, probes, speeders, and cruiser transports will be started in the next few years. In particular, cruiser transports seem tempting since with the Maritime Control Center they have an enhanced movement rate. Now, I wonder why I might like a long-leg amphibious strike force? Perhaps they could pay Rose a visit.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2231

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

We have completed our first hybrid forest at UNHQ and next turn we should be able to complete another one the following turn at UN Aid Station. Our plan is to complete at least two more at UN Great Refuge and UN Commerce Committee within four turns so as planned four hybrid forests within a decade! That is a massive achievement. My High Commissioner of Terra-forming was quick to point out that there are several sectors of land that though they have farms on them would produce more resources if they had forests on them. So once we complete another borehole at UN Haven City we will move four terra-formers back into the central cities to re-terra-form about 6 perhaps 7 sectors of land into forests. I also have plans to begin a solar collection facility on Mt. Unity as well.

Our colony pod should reach next turn the colonization site on the mountain island. We have also began to prepare another sea colony pod to be dispatched to the area on the eastern side of the narrow straits. This should provide another link in our chain of bases and provide security for those approaches.

We did open the Unity pod and it was filled with energy modules that we used to nearly complete the hybrid forest at UN Aid Station. They transport crew will move on next turn to open another pod just to the south west of their location.

I am still very concerned about the rampant ecological disruption that the Data Angels are doing in their territory. Should it trigger a massive mind worm assault we Peacekeepers would have to step in to take action to halt it.

Lastly, I am glad you agree with our proposal. Once we have our mountain-island colony going and a second support base up and running we will build another colony pod and place it on the small island just to the east of your territory and then decide if we will give it to the Data Angels or the Drones.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2232

Pravin,

I am quite satisfied how our infrastructure is coming along. We already have four hybrid forests, and innumerable tree farms, completed and more on the way to completion. The high cost of investment is well worth it and there is little, save a hot war, that would dissuade me from altering our course. More importantly, we are far along in our building of the Hunter Seeker Algorithm, and are accumulating the resources for the Xenoempathy Dome that Dee completed a while ago.

You may have noticed that we are steadily upgrading our garrisons, too. This was brought home by Rose’s gratuitous declaration of Vendetta on us (again), and it would be unfortunate if we were caught with our pants down. In short order all of our coastal bases will have the latest armor, and we will soon build a quick reaction force and strategically placed empath rovers to deal with other threats. I am a little worried a bout Dee, but I will continue to pay her demands (like Planetary Economics, which I was loathe to give up – that is how she got it, by the way). I will likely feel free to say no next time, and if she declares Vendetta then I will be in a position to take the bases she planted on my territory, and maybe bases on her island. You should note that I would only accept surrender from those that declare war on me, Pravin. I am not an aggressor and am more than willing to live in peace with all my neighbors, but I have a long memory. Chiron is a big place and there is no excuse for declaring Vendetta for no cause. Rose is already on my ‘list’, and Dee and Morgan have black marks.

Lastly, one of our bases is producing 28 minerals without eco damage. Isn’t that extraordinary? I wonder how high that can be pushed? We completed our second borehole recently – I am reluctant to spend so much time since they take 24 years for a single former to complete.

Take care,
Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2232

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

It was another wonderful year for the Peacekeeper nation! I contacted Roze and after some initial discussion she agreed in principal to a "pact". I immediately traveled to their headquarters and spent several months in consultations with her and the end result was the signing of a "pact" that will cement our two nations together. We talked about a wide variety of issues and of course your "vendetta" did come up. I told her in all good conscience that the Peacekeepers could not declare at this time a state of vendetta against you since from our perspective you have given no overt act of hostility to force us into supporting the Data Angels and she supported our position, which was surprising. I asked her to end the vendetta but the Angels seem to think that YOU are the instigator of this fray and not them and as a result they can not end the conflict until you do so. So as long as you take no overt action against the Data Angels we should be able to maintain normal relations with the University, for now. I do hope you can work out some means of seeing a way to end this conflict.

On another front we also contacted our friend the Drone leader and worked out an exchange of technology that allowed us to develop "silk steel" armor. This material makes plasma armor look like paper and it also opened up several more very interesting industrial applications. What I would like to do is exchange this technology for your cruiser hull technology. If you are inclined please uplink the files and we will of course un-code ours and the exchange can be made. I have been told that we are two turns from another estimated scientific breakthrough in the same field as the cruiser hull technology so I would ask that you "pre-approve" your files and I will of course unlock ours. Should you choose to not trust us and not pre-approve the files then should we make the projected breakthrough next turn and in the same field of cruiser hulls then we would of course have to decline to make the trade, unless you would be willing to offer something else.

We completed our second hybrid forest and it should come on line next turn. We are only three turns from building a borehole at UN Settlement Agency and then as I told you earlier we will move our terra-formers out to build more tree farms and several mine/energy stations. It is unfortunate that your formers do not have the speed of building as does ours. Almost every base has a borehole except for one and of course our sea base but the minerals/energy they provide is unparalleled.

Our mind worm and trainer are about to embark on a long-range expedition into the polar region to recover as many "pods" as possible. We hope the worm will be able to travel much faster than a vehicle and as such recover more pods.

United Nations General Secretary,

His excellency The Planetary Governor,

Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS

*!*!*!*

University Base, MY 2233

Pravin,

So, you have Pacted with a warmonger, someone who demands and then summarily declares war when they don’t get what they want. History is replete with this type of individual and the societies they support, and those peoples that find solace in having such ‘friends’. I would expect that those that declare war without any defensible justification would be sidelined and ostracized by the Peacekeepers, and here you Pact with them. All I can say is that you are a hypocrite - so much for the ‘Peacekeepers’ and your precious Charter.

I will not trade technology with someone who has pacted with someone who has declared war on my people, and with whom we are currently at war. I contacted Domai myself and acquired the files on silksteel armor. As for future technology trades, they are at an end until you end your Pact with Rose the Data Devils. You are on your own.

Zak

*!*!*!*

UN Headquarters, MY 2233

Academician Provost Prokhor Zakharov,

I was very disturbed by your last transmission. I really do suggest you "re-think" your statements and revise your position. I think it was you who said just a few turns ago that, and I quote, " I am a little worried a bout Dee, but I will continue to pay her demands (like Planetary Economics, which I was loathe to give up - that is how she got it, by the way). I will likely feel free to say no next time, and if she declares Vendetta then I will be in a position to take the bases she planted on my territory, and maybe bases on her island. "

It seems that you are the obvious aggressor in this situation, and in all situations when it comes to technology. When Lady Skye demands information and technology, you bow to her demands in order to maintain peace yet when the Data Angels ask, you refuse because they are not to much of a threat to you. I think this "sums up" your position in a nutshell. We made our pact with the Data Angels in order to maintain a sense of order and harmony in our corner of the planet. I used what influence I had with Roze to try and end the conflict and she agreed as long as you end it first. I suggest you pay whatever "coin" she demands so that world harmony can be maintained. When I have been contacted by your pact mate Aki I have bowed to her demands in order to maintain civil relations with all the planet leaders. I highly suspect that you have benefited from those demands as well so I really do not wish to hear how wronged you are and how you have been taken advantage of since I am sure these exchanges have helped you. The exchange of technology by all parties results in the greater advancement of the whole rather than the one and I now see very clearly that statement is your antithesis. In the future I suggest you do the same as we have done and trade information for peace and as such increase the whole over the one. I also wish to bring up another subject based upon the statement above. I wish to make it very clear as Planetary Governor I will not stand for your active aggression against Lady Skye and the Gaians. If you require more land or more colonies simply build them. Any act of overt aggression upon your part against the Gaians, which we are not pacted with by the way, will result in our declaration of support of the Data Angels and Gaians. As far as I can tell the Gaians have done you no wrong and have taken no overt hostile actions and as such any action on your part is strictly prohibited if it involves attacking them to seize their colonies. The land she claimed was "unclaimed" land and as such she had the same right to it as you did, she just got their first. I think it was very wise indeed that we choose to end our alliance with you since you now seem to be the belligerent on this planet. As such I intend to rapidly build up our island base as quickly as possible and expand our holding there to serve as a military staging facility should you choose the reckless course that past tyrants have taken. Be forewarned that the Peacekeepers will now keep a strict eye on your day to day operations and as such we will make sure that all of the other faction leaders will get up to date information as to your industrial/military and social status.

Since you have decided to proceed down a path of destruction I see no reason to elaborate any further on our factions development. Rest assured that we will work even harder to prepare for any possible eventualities. Our labs our now superior to yours. Our population will soon match yours, again, and surpass it. Our military forces are nearly equal. So should you choose the patch of destruction be for warned that you will stand alone against three very strong allies.

United Nations General Secretary,
His excellency The Planetary Governor,
Pravin Lal

United Nations Peacekeeper Headquarters
Executive Office of the Planetary Governorship - Alpha Centauri System
Supreme Planet Command Center - United Nations HEADQUARTERS