09-09-2003 08:24									#1
	The General's quandry Increase the size of your Attachments

roleplay

General Hilgard, Commanding General of the Supreme Headquarters for the Apolytonian Force for Truth (SHAFT) relaxed by the campfire by his war tent. Campaigning over the recently hewn roads was a destinct improvement over whacking a way forward in the beloved jungles of Apolytonia. But the general was not sure if it was worth the candle. Yes, his foot units could now move 3 times as fast and his fast horse patrols could move 6 times as fast. But the Jungle still closed in around his war tent, and who knows what lurked just beyond his line of sight. Only 6 save cycles remained before he must commit his forces. For the civilian command had so decreed. In his heart the General knew that his position was strong and his forces were gaining strength with each passing save cycle. And that was the quandry. Victry cannot be obtained simply by holding of defeat. The battle must be fought. And G3 keeps stating how much more Apolytonia's strength grew when compared to the enemy.

So the General squinted to read the force estimates by the flickering light of the campfire. The estimate was now 2 save cycles old, but no matter. The tone and tenor of the report did not change, just the dry statistics the Geeks insisted on including in the report.

Basis T113

The GC Civ is 31 pop units within cities, and an unknown number of field workers. The GC Civ struggles with despotism and is still mired within the Ancient age technologically. The GC city placement and government type indicates a significant loss of productivity due to corruption and waste. We currently estimate the net shield production capability of GC to be between 35 and 40 shields total. We are unable to extimate the GC free cash flow at this juncture.

Our own position can be determined more accurately. The Glorious Apolytonian Hegemony currently holds sway over 42 pop units within cities, 18 local hires, and 1 third world national. Our enlightened Republican form of Government and our tight city placement strategy is ideally suited to combat corruption and waste. The nation currently has 63 net shields of production and a total of 44 free cash flow per save cycle after corruption, building maintenance and military salaries. 12 of this free cash flow is now allocated for general entertainment. The balance is accruing to the national treasury. Most of this is expected to be used for military upgrades in support of our campaign to rid the contienent of GC influence.

To summarize, if both civs are on a full war footing, that Apolytonia can out replace GC by approximately one half of a MI unit per save cycle. Assuming that the conflict initiates our GA, our shield production increases by 53 gross and 43 net while our free cash flow increases by 40 net. This represents an overwhelming production advantage due almost entirely to the sacrifices of the Apolytonian field pop units as they chopped their way out of the jungles. Their contribution to the glorious task we are about to underatake cannot be allowed to be forgotten.

In light of the recent outbreak of peace west of the pinches, G3 recommends that the DOW date be brought forward to the soonest possible save cycle before the bulk of GC forces can become in theatre.


Respectfully submitted
Lt Colonel Bloodaxe
G3 SHAFT

And the general shivered. For he knew that G3 was correct.

/roleplay

	09-09-2003 20:31									#2
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Awesome read!

I love the roleplay that is tainted with real numbers from the game.

	09-09-2003 21:43									#3
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Good work RC, glad to see you back. Hope your around for a while and I hope to see you (and a lot more people) in chat soon.

E_T

	10-09-2003 07:38									#4
	Tired of ads?

roadcage is back!

welcome back, man.

This is good material.

	11-09-2003 03:54									#5
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

roleplay

Heavy is the burden of placing brave young lads in harms way. The General knew of the burden from past campaigns in other games but had limited experience within the current scenario. So the General vowed to quest after a keeper of the Spelz. For the General knew that the answer to his questions were located long long ago and far far away. In Macross City, where his Platoon Sargent from the Persian campaigns of his youth and first command had retired. But would the Sargent remember him? After all he had just been an extremely green platoon leader with one shiney new collar bar.

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

"Hilgard"

an erie silnce falls

"Oh Hilgard"

hooves click ominously

"Answer me Hilgard"

and Hilgard turns over in his bed, looks out into the mists that will be dew upon the jungle's canopy come morning

"Hilgard, must I bare my lance?"

It must be a dream, thought Hilgard but that voice is familiar. So Hilgard replied, "I beseech the to show thyself. For as you can plainly see I am unarmed."

And lo, the voice became a swirling cloud which slowly parted revealing an elite Knight bedecked in yellow. Not just any Knight, but a very special Knight that the general remembered well.

"It cannot be! For you did fall at Antioch. I grieved thee for many save cycles."

"Yes, Lieutenant, I fell at Antioch. I believe I was your first casualty. And as I am sure you are aware I was not your last. But I come to remind you that I gladly gave my last hit-point for Apolyton."

"Your story is still remebered by those from SPDG1. It was required reading at the Military Academy after all. I believe I can recite it now."

"Created to horseman specification in a small town near the original eastern front with Persia, the jungle stallion got his vet hp on his third archer in three turns. Back to Uber and the barracks there for upgrading and a string of 5 more Persians fall to the jungle Knight, our first elite and a role model for all to come. Duty, Honor, Forum. Remember him well. The Jungle Knight who gave his all for Apolyton on Antioch Green."

"Enough Lieutenant. I do not come to hear the living recite odes to me. My purpose is to remind you of your duty as the Commander of SHAFT. To remind you that in save cycles to come there will be many who join with me. To remind you that all the brave young men have stories, which must be told. I am aware that you seek passage to Macross City. I am here to help prepare you for this journey. But before you can begin, you must accept the burden. You must accept the responsibility to tell the tales of those under your command. We will begin by becoming familiar with some of your lesser known front line troops. No, I will not accompany you for this duty is yours alone. I cannot tell you which of these will join with me for several reasons, the foremost of these is that only the Great Banana is aware of individual outcomes. Sufice it to say that all of your army already have tales worth the telling. Many of them will be able to pass their stories on themselves. We are not concerned with these, but rather the ones that join with me.

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

Hilgard awoke dripping in sweat. He was not sure why, but he knew that he would be talking to the warrior with no name. The warrior camped out in the jungle keeping a lone vigil over Incredible Dancing Girl. There has to be a story there. But will it be one that is recited as part of the Small Units Tactical curriculum, or passed down from warrior to warrior. Hilgard knelt down and prayed to the Great Banana for guidance. But none was forthcoming. Hilgard ran outside of his war tent and looked for any sign that verified his dream. Finding none, he got on his horse and proceeded southeasterly. To where the warior with no name was stationed.

It is unfortunate that Hilgard had never trained as a scout. For if he had, he would have noticed that several of the hoof prints were depressed slightly deeper into the soft moist ground than all of the rest.

\roleplay

But will this omission play a part in the story?

Stay tuned
Ssgt roadcage (ret)

	13-09-2003 07:02									#6
	Increase Your PM Length

static...static...

*Beta fiddles with the radio dial in an effort to stay tuned .....*

	13-09-2003 12:00									#7
	Remove this text

I know....these are good stories! Keep it up RC.

	13-09-2003 19:01									#8
	Increase the size of your Attachments

roleplay

"Halt! Who goes there?"

Hilgard had not even traversed a single tile when he was befronted with a Merc unit, fortified with 'shields up' and that long spear raided overhead for rapid response.

"I am General Hilgard."

"And I am the Spear Fairy! Would you like to rephrase? No one is allowed to traverse this road to the south without specific keypad instructions from a player."

"But I am a player"

"Then prove your status by giving the password."

"*******"

"Being a smart A** are we now"

"No, the GUI traps passwords and displays the keystrokes thus. I beseech the to forward my keystrokes for interpetation"

Loud rumblings in the background, a drum flamadiddle and

Marcos, (Player 5) it is your turn to move

And so, roadcage the Numidian Mercenary, a virtual construct existing in full and total Union with the save did on the 115th rendering communicate with a player by other than the numberpad or hotkeys.

"By your command"

"Tis understood. Duty is paramount, especially when on guard duty for such a large camp. May I proceed"

"My orders are explicit. For reasons of safety I must clear your request with the Officer of the Day."

"And who pray tell is the Officer of the Day"

"The Officer of the Day is the .... Carry on Sir!"

"I will soon enough, but since I am now stopped, I will take this opportunity to water my mount. And perhaps we can chat."

"Sir! Chatting at the Guard Shack is expressly forbidden. You shoud proceed to one of the approved secure chat channels. Sir!"

"No, I guess I used the wrong word or rather the wrong meaning. My purpose on leaving the camp is to collect intelligence from our forward outposts. I seek Warrior with no name."

"Sir! I am one with the save, and therefore "know" the answer you seek but the FOW and the game pledge limit my reply Sir!"

"Understood, pray tell me what you can"

"Sir! 221 will take you to the outpost of BigFree the warrior Sir!"

"Can you say more?"

"Sir! You may make furthur inquiries at that post Sir!"

"Thank you soldier, Carry on with your duties"

And thus General Hilgard was reminded of the seriousness of the business at hand. The General made a mental note to be more direct at future checkpoints. To promptly reply with the password as required by the General Orders. What is good for the private is good for the General. His heart raced as he scrolled the map south south southwest.

"Sir!"

Hilgard was taken back by the reply, for it was clearly not as expected. He answers with "At ease soldier, Why is there no challenge."

"Sir! I thank the General. I, BigFree the Warrior am also in total Union with the save. You identified correctly at the post of roadcage the Numidian Mercenary. You are hence cleared for scrolling to and investigating any tile. Just be aware that the FOW is not affected by you since you are a player and therefore not in total Union with the save. Sir!"

"Noted. May I call you BF?"

"Of course Sir!"

"And please drop the Sir! bit. Before this military buildup began, I was simply Hilgard. It would please me to be called thus. May we chat here?"

"This is a listening post. All passers by are encouraged to chat. But be forwarned, all raw intellegence (communication) is passed on to SHAFT G3 for analysis."

"I know, I see G3's reports every day. So what do you do here other than stare at the enemy spear and sword fortified to your southwest?"

"I listen for clues of what goes on within the enemy town of Catcher in the Rye. It was I who first reported the recent border expansion there. I am on constant lookout for troop movements across the border."

"And"

"It has been quiet. To be honest, I welcome your company to this banana forsaken hill that is my post. Being in the no man's land between the cultural borders definately limits the visitation."

"Yes a lonely but necessary post. Any thing you would like to say off the record?"

"Only that I wish I could move from tile to tile like Warrior with no name. Being fortified on a hill is the pits."

"Funny that you should mention W w/o N, for that is why I am here this save cycle. Can you tell me where he is?"

"Tis easy to tell, but hard to travel for it is in the jungle. Go 3 and wait as he is under orders to return to that tile. If you are impatient, then continue 6 into the jungle where he ended the last save cycle."

"Thanks BF"

The General made a mental note that BF needed to see action soon as he was loosing his edge. Maybe a rotation of duty assignments would suffice. He wondered where BF would go if given a 3 cycle pass. Would he head for the big enemy city of Catcher in the Rye, or would he attempt to mask his sorrows in Cuido de Alcohol. What is good for the general is rarely good for the Private. After a brief time of reflection on the ways of the flesh and the universal weakness of man, the General regained his composure and scrolled the map southeast then east.

"Yo"

And the general was once again surprized, then answered "Is this the way you greet your commanding officer?"

"Yo. The Jungle is a great leveler of men. Workers curse it while they chop. Warriors such as myself adapt and live meagerly off the land. Relaxed protocol is part of the coping."

"But you are on guard duty aren't you"

"Technically yes, but I am under cover as a one unit traveling mystery show and need to keep in character."

"Oh, so what is the mystery this cycle"

"Let me begin with last save cycle. One truly FOXY worker, bedecked in a furry loincloth, came out of Incredible Dancing Girl. I whistled at her as she passed, and she gave me a come hither look. We chatted for a bit and she volunteered that her shield count had ripened that turn, and asked if I would like a private dance?. I mentined how much I liked her loincloth. She said that it was Mink and comes from far to the south."

"You did this on duty?"

"I am under cover, and would like to get under covers too."

"Noted. Can we proceed to this save cycle?"

"Ok, the FOXY worker is nowhere to be seen, but she has left a note that she will be busy in support of the newly ripened Settler from Algalord"

The general makes a note that Warrior with no name should hence forth and forever more be called "Randy"

/roleplay

I guess I could have just said IDG shrank from 2 to 1 pop on turn 114 and Algalord shrank from from 5 to 3 pop on turn 115. Also on turn 115 Du na Anarchy grew from 3 to 4 pop and Port Blacksand grew from 1 to 2 pop.

But would have anybody read this without the story?

Ssgt roadcage (ret)

	14-09-2003 00:29									#9
	Support Apolyton, buy Call to Power 2

Very sweet stuff! Good story mixed with the facts. I can't wait till the war actually breaks out!

	28-09-2003 01:31									#10
	Suffering from ads?

-----
editor's note
I intended this to be posted a while ago, unfortunately the dialup godz have worked their will and this may end up posted after the actual war turn
-----

roleplay

As Hilgard scrolled his way back towards his war tent, he noticed he was traveling against the stream of flow of his very army. This seemed odd to him so he looked at the lower right display and Yes! the display said 150 BB. So yes this was the fateful turn.

And at the front was the attack settler, sitting at Cuido 2,2 with a turn yet. So Hilgard ambled up to the settler and "This is your day my son, We pray to the almighty Banana that those who remember it will be dressed in pale blue. Are you ready for your rendevoux with destiny?"

And the settler said "I am past ready sir! The new MI's all give me a rutual pat with their WMD and I am now a little too dark in spots to be called Pale Blue. They were all upgraded sooooo fast, and still think they wield a stone axe. The new fangled spiked ball and chain has a slightly different swing to it. Judging by the inpact of their "salute" to me, the men in black are in for a real surprise."

"Yes, my son, they are gladiators all and need to keep their edge. They mean you no harm."

"I know Sir, but just the same I cannot wait to found my city and get some walls of stone about me."

And about that time one of the new MI's came up, gently (or so he thought) tapped the settler with his spiked ball and said, "We go forward this day under the guidance of the Great Banana. We shall go forward to our last hitpoint, or until GCA is Nevermore"

The Settler shuddered and replied "This lowly settler thanks the infantryman, the queen of battle. The bards will sing of your actions for a hundred save cycles."

And Hilgard replied, "Has this been going on all day?"

"Yes Sir, the exact same phrase from every one," replied the settler.

Then we know what your City will be called don't we."

/roleplay

And so it begins, on a fateful day in the newly consecrated Fort City of Nevermore.

My the Great Banana defend the right,
and the way of the Pale Blue.

Ssgt roadcage (retired)

Last edited by roadcage on 28-09-2003 at 01:41