Let's Seek the Galaxy's Riches in... Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Video Games > Let's Play! > Let's Seek the Galaxy's Riches in... Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

-excerpt from Accord chat discussion- posted:

Sy$^m: She's pretty expensive, though, and the idea of her defecting to US of all people seems hilariously misplaced.
Sy$^m: "I mean, the subtext of... $%#&^ ...hostility to individualist/commercial values... You know what I mean?
V33: Kinda. But hey, there's nothing like being broke and out of a job to make you suddenly value capitalism. ;D
Sy$^m: 'We hate to break it to you but...'
V33: "I want to bring down the corrupt corporate overlords who oppress the proletariat! ...And also I'm kinda out of soup money. Please hire me?"
Sy$^m: 'We are the corporate overlords!'
V33: "But you do have soup money, right?"
Sy$^m: "Well, yes."
V33: "Cool. I'll take the job."
Sy$^m: Hahahaha.

I vote hire. Doing what I vote for is probably a terrible idea. But it's too funny to pass up for me.

# ¿ Jun 6, 2020 18:12

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 19:45

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Nightly Naval News posted:

Drevner Mass Drivers today put forward their design for the Negotiator Class space control cruiser. While some praised it at the future of space combat, skeptics point out the massive cost and the over-reliance on as yet unproven technology..."

Drevner Mass Drivers posted:

Introducing the Negotiator Class Cruiser!
Featuring cutting-edge targeting electronics and top-end electronic computers as well as electromagnetic defensive screens. Armed with a complete set of full rotation turret mount Mass Drivers for full 360 degree firing coverage, a second set of broadside mounted mass drivers for additional side firepower, and a special point defense mass driver system to deal with hostile missiles. The Negotiator will ensure our point is made in any argument, through any shield, at any range!

Drevner Mass Drivers: When you need to drive a hard bargain, go with Drevner!

A creddit user posted:

It's pretty obvious they just wanted to get as much of their product onto a ship as possible, while making the rest of us pay for all the expensive stuff to make sure they came out looking invincible. Is anyone really going to go for this?

# ¿ Jun 12, 2020 00:27

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Use the extra space as point defenses. Don't mind my silly inexactness.

# ¿ Jun 12, 2020 01:08

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drirlan Drevner, CEO of Drevner Mass Drivers posted:

No no no! I -know- that an alliance means we won't go to war with them, and that if we won't go to war with them we can't sell mass drivers to shoot them, you're missing the point! Sooner or later someone else is going to come along who doesn't buy our merchandise and they'll be the one to start something, and when they do having two major markets to sell to is going to be a lot better than one! Why, we might even end up with an opportunity to supply a war that we could have entirely missed otherwise! So you make sure they know we want them to take this human alliance all the way!

Full Alliance

Drevner Middle Management posted:

You should be making it as clear to them that funding those naval upgrades is vital to our future as it is clear to you that them doing so is vital to your upcoming bonus!

Yes to refit and expand Navy

Professor P. Poundsworth, before having his posting rights permanently revoked posted:

People, please! Proponents positing potential prototypes for production pipeline purification should perhaps ponder perfecting patented preliminary prefabrication procedures pursuant to providing prime perennial profit performance!

Advanced Engineering

LIIS Trainer Alpha posted:

I am aware the bridge from the shorter path shows all the little signs it will start to collapse under your weight, that's not what's important here! You have to- look, it's not even a three foot fall and you can jump the distance, stop worrying and listen to me! Humans miss the signs. They do not see what we see! So if they're trying to get in somewhere they shouldn't be, they will concern themselves with the shortest route with the least exposure. Which means they're vulnerable to setting this sort of trap. You have to think like they do and plan accordingly!

1 Counter-intel team

# ¿ Jun 16, 2020 05:24

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Yes on ultra-rich swamp.

Yes on colony ships.

No new spy teams just yet.

Yes to take down old forts.

And a vote Genetic Mutations research.

# ¿ Jun 21, 2020 05:06

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

I know we have Gnolam and human corporations operating on each other's turf. I'm a little curious about the details of how that works.

# ¿ Jun 22, 2020 07:03

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drirlan Drevner, CEO of Drevner Mass Drivers posted posted:

"You're telling me that we were just attacked by the worst enemy our species has ever faced, that has put fear for the future and concern for self defense front and center in the minds of every Gnolam in the entire league, and that we -don't have a gun that can kill them?!- That we're on the verge of the greatest potential market increase in history and that our company, which is entirely dedicated to having product to sell for exactly this sort of situation, has -NO RELEVANT PRODUCT TO SELL!?!?-"

"Um. Well. Yes sir, you see their technology is just too-"

"I don't give a drat how their technology is, if you point enough guns at something and pull the trigger it will eventually be destroyed! And our job is to produce those guns until that point! So if you're telling me that our current guns... that make up the entirety of the product that this company was created to produce... do not work for the purpose we need them for... then you take yourselves back into that lab and you make ones that will! We will not be exterminated! And more importantly we will not lose the opportunity to become the most profitable company in the history of the league because you couldn't figure out how to make a more powerful projectile! Do your Job!"

# ¿ Jun 23, 2020 09:50

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drirlan Drevner, CEO of Drevner Mass Drivers posted:

Obviously the league can't afford to build every form of defense over every colony. They need to focus on the most well rounded... the best crash for the credit defenses available. And that means Star Bases. Star Bases that can help us manufacture fleets, that can help us coordinate them, and can help us defend our colonies... with a generous armament of our mass drivers of course. Perhaps a few... other weapons, to pacify the other manufacturers. But I'm sure they'll want the main loadout to be the best we have available. You understand what I'm saying?

Complete fortifications as reasonable, up to starbases.

LIIS Encoded Communications posted:

GR: "How's it look up there?"
3E: "It's a bit of a fustercluck. With this Antaran situation everyone is scrambling asking everyone else for anything they have, and no one has much. Tempers are going to flare when the budgeting comes down. Everyone wants to have assurances, but they'll never be able to afford to protect everyone, and that means..."
GR: "Someone gets shafted. And with everyone worried about the big scary threat out in the open..."
3E: "Yeah. A sudden drop in interest in shadow work."
GR: "What do we do?"
3E: "...we get ourselves more chips at the big table. We need to catch ourselves some more spies."

No new LIIS teams, unless we capture and ransom another spy. In which case 1 new LIIS team per ransomed enemy spy.

League Security Briefing: Winter Contingency posted:

"...but if that doesn't work, if we can't fight them off for the foreseeable future, then we're down to surviving the attack, and it'll come down to how much we're able to get out of harms way before they arrive, and how much what's left behind can endure until they leave. And in that scenario, early warning as soon as possible matters."

Tachyon Physics with Long Range Sensors

# ¿ Jun 25, 2020 03:31

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

I will vote for Taurio Prime for the next colony.

# ¿ Jun 28, 2020 20:09

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

nweismuller posted:

All right, I'm pretty busy today- have the whole afternoon and evening wrapped up with making sure a dwarven rogue helps kill some giant murder hornets, you know how it goes- so I don't think I'll be doing uploading and writing today. I'll aim for it tomorrow. And, as of today, officially 42.

Happy Birthday! And congratulations! You are now the answer to life, the universe, and everything!

# ¿ Jul 5, 2020 18:56

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Advanced Optronics for Research
Parmag Prime for colonisation target.
Yes to Atmospheric Renewers.
Continue Ransom for captured enemy spies. Keep the capture-gravy-train going!
One new LIIS field team.
No to banning large scale data gathering, but also no to implementing it until further technology is researched to allow it to be implemented in a less problematic fashion.
Two more battleships.

# ¿ Jul 10, 2020 05:39

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drirlan Drevner, CEO of Drevner Mass Drivers, in a company wide address posted:

"My friends, by now I'm sure you've all read the reports. Antaren's came for us. They came to exterminate our people. They came with their ships, with their bombs, with their shields. The last time they came, nothing could stop them. But this time... this time when they came those shields were pierced... their armor sundered... their ships blown apart... by the mass drivers created by the hard working men and women of this company. This is a historic day. This is the day we showed the Antaren's... the League... and the entire galaxy that what we make here, at this company, together... is what will drive back the darkness. Is what will protect our people from the unknown. And is what will safeguard our hopes for the future. Be proud, all of you. And remember this moment as you go about your work. Remember that the work you do is the work that will help save us all."

Drirlan Drevner Personal Notes posted:

"Note to self: Assess larger headquarters possibilities, prioritize luxury locations. Increase size and selection of CEO Penthouse bar. Add personal suite of Holo Simulators. Get one of those Luxury Chickens from Republican Space."

Yes to Drive Systems.
Molecular Compression for Research.
Yes to tech trade with the Humans.
Ston Computing and Stollen Physics.
Yes to construct Suppressor
Seek Trade and Research treaties with newly discovered Aliens.

# ¿ Jul 11, 2020 07:34

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Torrannor posted:

And while I'm already delurking, thanks for this amazing LP. I'm not good enough to engage in voting or writing cool in-character snippets, but I enjoy reading all your posts, and the posts of the contributors in the thread.

MechaCrash posted:

As for being good enough to vote, have you seen the bullshit I post?

Seconded. My CEO literally just prioritized the acquisition of a luxury chicken. You can't do worse than me. I say come up with something, anything, and go for it!

# ¿ Jul 11, 2020 19:00

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

nweismuller posted:

Luxury Chickens are, after all, the source of that ancient Republican delicacy, Chicken Egg.

"Clucksworth the Luxury Chicken approved of this."

# ¿ Jul 11, 2020 20:39

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drevner Executives Audio Clip posted:

Exec 1: Any word yet on what we're going to do about these new races? I think we have some great options for potential sales.
Exec 2: Nothing yet. Board keeps trying to get something out of Drirlan, but he's holed up in the holo-suite, says he's running "simulations" with Clucksworth to find the best business strategy.
Exec 1: Clucksworth? The Chicken?
Exec 2: I guess when you become CEO of the company that makes the weapon that drove off the Antaren's you can afford to be a little eccentric.
Exec 1: Maybe we should just announce something, see if he notices and comes out, or if he just keeps drinking and holo-ing with his chicken...

Drevner Mass Drivers Company News posted:

Growth projections are up following the discovery of additional alien races that company higher-ups believe present new opportunities for additional products. Company research has begun work on smaller scale ground-based defense Mass Drivers, perfect for the Sakkra warlord looking to secure their compound/fiefdom/tiny dictatorship against rivals! Company scientists are also hard at work prototyping new mass-driver based mining tools which could be used to rapidly excavate underground tunnels for the Klackon without the need for massive application of physical labor.

# ¿ Jul 19, 2020 08:19

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Drevner Mass Drivers Executives posted:

Exec 1: This is a huge opportunity for us. We need to get on this naval expansion thing as soon as possible.
Exec 2: How hard do you think we should push this thing?
Exec 1: As hard as possible. Don't settle for anything less than two full fleets, and make sure they're the biggest fleets we can manage. We want them to be paying for guns for at least 5 battleships if we can swing it, and six frigates too if at all possible.
Exec 2: You don't think we're maybe overextending a little bit? Can we even fill that many orders?
Exec 1: It's fine, we'll get them to get new shipyards running on Teziz and we'll have all the production capability we need. Oh and... uhhh... there was one other thing...
Exec 2: Don't tell me... the chicken wants something.
Exec 1: Yeah. They're calling him Chancellor Clucksworth now. And apparently it's very important to him that we try and get these Sakkra goons hired. Supposedly they want them for something special.
Exec 2: That sounds a bit... ominous.
Exec 1: Tell me about it. One of the other execs protested over some of the stuff in the contract we're supposed to get them to sign, they fired him right away. Just like that. I saw him get escorted out yelling something about "Directive 77."
Exec 2: drat. I used to think this job was a great deal, but this deal is getting worse all the time...

Yes to two new naval task forces with five battleships and six frigates. Yes to Tessin naval construction. Yes to Lilka's Raiders.

Other votes... Galactic Economics for research. Sena for colonization. Yes to bribing for border access with UR and GOC. And yes to filling out charts with one LIIS team.

# ¿ Jul 27, 2020 10:23

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Since there was some understandable concern over what was going on with Drevner... >.>

LIIS Gamma Team debriefing posted:

Control: What's the word? Do we need to be concerned about what's going on with Drevner?
Observer: Someone should be, but probably not us. We brought in the executive that was recently axed and had a long chat with him about what's been going on. We were able to get the information we needed to tap all of the feeds in the CEO's office. We watched him for a while and concluded a mix of over the top drinking and constant holo-sims has him detached from reality. He probably needs some serious medical help. But no, he doesn't seem to be compromised by any foreign intelligence assets and the chicken appears to be just that, a chicken. ...someone should probably take it away from him.
Control: And this "Directive 77"?
Observer: Apparently a secret order that would have the raiders under contract march into the assembly and throw several thousand chicken eggs at everyone in attendance.
Control: ...I can see why that would upset someone. Well. Flag him for continued observation. If he doesn't self-correct, we'll direct medical attention their way and nudge someone competent in the company towards considering taking over.
Observer: Understood.

# ¿ Jul 27, 2020 11:45

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

-excerpt from Accord chat discussion- posted:

Tinker: No no no. You don't get it. It all looks infinite right now, but sooner or later we're going to run out of free real estate and then we're going to need to make the most out of what we got. And this is how we do that.
$keptic: By doing what? Are you just going to spit out some sort of green goo and it changes everything on the planet to be super perfect somehow? That's silly.
Tinker: You say that, but that's because we don't know how to do it yet. But it should be possible. Or something like it.
$keptic: Uh huh. Sure.
Tinker: Hey, we're going to need this sooner or later. And it might as well be sooner. So stop grouching and help me raise some support for once.
$keptic: Fine, fine. But next time I get to pick the goofy idea to support.
Tinker: Deal.

Transgenetics research.

Internal strategy meeting: Antaren Task Force posted:

Bulwark: Defensive preparations for the next attack are in place. We should be ready this time.
Scythe: We cannot know if we're ready when we cannot know the forces our enemy will bring against us.
Bulwark: We can make certain that whatever is sent against us is met with our full force.
Scythe: That will not be enough. Not in the long run. An ever escalating enemy that we can't strike back against? It's only a matter of time.
Bulwark: Then what would you propose?
Scythe: Find a way to strike back. We're not the first to fight the Antarens. We need to learn how they were stopped in the past. And that means we need more information.
Bulwark: .....Lirr II?
Scythe: Exactly.

Lirr II for colonization.

Meanwhile in the Drevner Mass Drivers CEO Penthouse posted:

Drirlan Drevner splashed water onto his face and shook his head. This whole sobriety thing was proving to be extremely unpleasant, and he found himself wondering how he had managed to survive so long in such a state before. But it had been impressed upon him that the company needed his leadership and that if he didn't clean himself up then an appropriate substitute would be found, and that was something he couldn't allow. So now here he was: Sober, clean, clear headed and focused on determining the most beneficial direction for his company to take. Clucksworth signaled his approval, before beginning to pontificate at length on the relative virtues of Drirlan's newfound alcohol free state, before finally concluding his praise with a suggestion that the two of them celebrate immediately by ordering more drinks.

This seemed like a fantastic idea, and he filed it away for later. But for the moment he had grand strategies to devise. War, it seemed, was coming. Possibly. Sooner or later. It was possible that war had taken a wrong turn somewhere and been delayed asking for directions, but it was still definitely probably coming. Most likely. And he needed his company to be ready. A number of different technological innovations and potential colonisation targets were under consideration by the league, but he was too busy processing things at the grand strategy level to be concerned by these minor questions.

The first priority, he decided, was to ensure that the Tessin Shipyards were dedicated to Naval shipbuilding. While colonization was good for the overall economic health of the league, colony ships continued to resist proposals to replace half their hull with mass drivers and this was problematic from a sales perspective. Naval ships were far more reliable customers, and thus they had to be the focus.

The other pressing concern was who to prepare to use the mass drivers on. There had been some whispers that perhaps the Meklar should be more actively restrained, but the more he thought about it the more this seemed like a rash course of action. The Meklar had remained peaceful neighbors and useful trading partners for quite some time, and it would be morally wrong to strike first under such conditions. Also they made the most excellent sugary drink mixes, and their adventure simulations were second to none. It was clear to him the Meklar should remain friends.

That was liable to cause difficulties with the Empire of Bulra, but their obvious belligerence marked them as problematic anyway. Their apparently warlike nature, their territorialism, their obsession with nature and their awful selection of importable drinks all pointed to one conclusion: If things went south between them and the Meklar they would have to side with the Meklar.

But before that happened, there was one more potential conflict: The Klackon. They had been expanding far too quickly for comfort and settling too close to league worlds. They were taking too much territory, breeding too quickly. And their hive clusters were far too capable of buying up all the collectors editions of the newest sims. It was madness. They didn't even have the technology to use them. They were buying them up just to annoy him and then force him to pay higher prices to them to get what he needed. It was unacceptable. They had to be stopped. A line had to be drawn in the sand. Or perhaps, as Clucksworth helpfully suggested, constructed out a line of immaculately polished empty liquor bottles. Yes. Yes, that would be the most elegant solution.

Clucksworth applauded the clarity of his reasoning, and he nodded in satisfaction as he finalized the strategies his company would push for. As difficult as it was, he had managed to regain his sobriety. And that was an accomplishment he could drink to.

Tessin Naval Shipyard
Favorable to Meklar/Unfavorable to Bulrathi
Line of immaculately polished liquor bottles in the sand against the Klackon.

# ¿ Sep 25, 2020 03:44

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

High Level Operatives Meeting posted:

Rapier: Thoughts on the current predicament?
Gauntlet: They want us backing them up bad. They're offering very nearly everything they have from the looks of it.
Cleaver: They're asking for our help. They took heavy losses last time. This time it might be even worse for them.
Scythe: But if we join in, doesn't that mean it will could be worse for us too?
Gauntlet: Perhaps. But if we don't help we're going to suffer some fallout anyway, and if we stay on the sidelines now and the Bulra end up winning this fight...
Rapier: Say we do agree and do get involved. Just how much are we going to be on the line for?
Cleaver: It depends how it goes. We might be able to get by mostly by helping them shore up their defenses and let them handle any offensive pushes. If we're lucky we might not even need to commit too many forces.
Scythe: But if we're unlucky...
Gauntlet: We're going to be unlucky sooner or later. The Bulrathi aren't going to play nice. This only ends with either them broken or the Meklar broken. Frankly, I'd rather have the Meklar come out on top.
Cleaver: Let's just focus on helping them protect their people. We can not overcommit too much, help protect our ally. And maybe put our forces through some live fire to get them ready for whatever else might come.
Scythe: I still think there's too many threats, but if you really think this is the best plan I won't stop you.
Rapier: There will be resistance among parts of the league.
Cleaver: Then convince them! It's the right decision and you know it.
Gauntlet: We'll give it our best shot. That's all we can do.

Voting Yes on accept the Meklar offer.

# ¿ Sep 26, 2020 04:40

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

nweismuller posted:

It is the finding of this inquiry that the actions of Warden Ariaa, although motivated by a desire to protect His Imperial Majesty's servants in the local government from imminent death at the hands of rebels, nonetheless constitute the crimes of insubordination and dereliction of duty. Save His Imperial Majesty issue a pardon we therefore order that Ariaa be stripped of rank of Warden and of position in the Homeworld Defense Force and be struck from all honors due her. In the sight of the Sons and Daughters of Orion may she be known as one who turned away from duty.

I sense a new leader approaching!

# ¿ Sep 28, 2020 01:47

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Can't get my brain to work for IC lately, so I'll just vote.

Nanotechnology.

Industry on Val and Tessin.

Trade and research on Skeggi.

Stick with the Sakkra over the Mrrshan.

Side with Alkari over Klackon.

Try to aquire a planet or two from the Bulrathi during the war.

Hire Ariaa for internal security.

# ¿ Oct 15, 2020 02:01

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Voting no on this. The cats have already been given a lot, and we don't want them to scoop up a bunch of territory by clearing the way for them. They're supposed to be stalling the Sakkra for us, not using us as a bludgeon against them.

# ¿ Apr 1, 2021 03:46

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

Research: Hyperspace Physics and adamantium armor.

AM-175 : No

Military considerations: I think you're probably right about the Olor system. Though if we get a shot at it, Mechacrash is right that the Sakkra home system would be an especially sweet prize.

Keep working on domestic development spending for the moment.

And since you asked about lore questions, I'd be curious about Lilka's response to war with the Sakkra.

# ¿ Oct 19, 2021 04:26

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

+1 for the Relentless and +1 for the Anvil.

# ¿ Oct 23, 2021 01:57

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 19:45

Vee2003: Jul 12, 2018; "In retrospect, flying into the black hole may have been a tactical error."

+1 for the Shield of Hope!

# ¿ Oct 29, 2021 01:20

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Video Games > Let's Play! > Let's Seek the Galaxy's Riches in... Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars