Drone Negotiations

[Vev]

or "Claire Forlani's Solidarity"

[EZRhino]

Do we have planetary networks? If so we should begin building probe teams to safeguard our cities against spies. At the moment our weakness seems well known on the forums, but exactly how weak we are, they can currently only speculate. If they infiltrate our datalinks, not only can they dictate diplomacy from a position of strength, but it will also give them more credence to act aggressively against us
Also, We should endeavor probe the drones datalinks at our earliest possible convenience.

[Vev]

We are currently researching the tech to give us probes "Planetary Networks" and Planned economy too!

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Vev
Still, it would be handy to recall why buster joined this ACDG and see if our philosophy are compatible. If I can recall, he wanted to show someone how to play a builder faction?

Vev - I think that is key and "right on the money"

Buster entered this game to use it as a learning experience for his buddy, Triped. He wanted either Morgan or the Drones - both builder factions. Sparta and the Cult were still available if he wanted to tutor in a momentum fashion.

Perusal of PBEM logs would, I think, show that Mark, Mongoose and Shadowlord3 are all builder players. I don't have enough data on main_brain or the others.

So the discussion should be:

Are the Hive and the Drones an ideal, long-term fit?

If sufficient reasons can be presented, then discuss the terms of a Permapact .....

...if only a handful, then go for a commerce pact (just for the added commerce income) and trade techs etc as you would any Treaty partner .......

...... and if none, then prepare for early battle to clear and secure your expansion space.

They shouldn't be able to out-tech the Hive, although they can outbuild you. Right now they shouldn't outgrow you either - not until they can run Dem and Planned, and build creches for the pop-boom (which you can't without going GA)

G.

[Kody]

I wonder if you are going to eat those words several turns down the track. However, since the turns are going so slowly it's likely we would have all forgotten about this.

Here's the full picture showing our colony pod too.

http://apolyton.net/upload/files/Kody/Temp.jpg

Kody

[Googlie]

I have asked the Drones to speed up their deliberation process

[Kody]

That is appreciated. When can we expect a reply?

Kody

[Googlie]

*Chuckles* - I don't know - I asked in their forum.

They'll prolly now deliberate what reply to send to me.

To stall for a turn (ie, ask for more time, meanwhile not move your CP or their scout but otherwise complete your move) really isn't an option for you as that precious turn advantage is then lost as regards getting your next base up and running

Of course you could always change Voltairograd's production from a CP to another scout, and rush it in 1 turn for 22 ec's, just for added security - and move it's current garrison out to join the colony pod for extra defense ..... but that's only if they choose the "get lost" option, I guess

G.

[Googlie]

See my comments in the Hive Turn Update thread

[Googlie]

Given that:

1) it's kody's downtime right now

and

2) Kody would post the e-mail contents anyway for general discussion

and

3) the timeline is now getting close to its 48 hours (and I'd rather not promulgate a further extension beyond 24 hours from now)

here is the (unedited) text of the communication from Mongoose of the Drones to Comrade Kody of the Hive:


*******************************

Kody,

I blush to confess that Drone deliberations have been little and inconclusive. I don't know if it's due to the summer holiday season, to Buster's temporary absence or to an odd alignment in the stars, but few of our members have yet expressed their opinions on the Pact proposal.

What views have been expressed support a Pact of some nature, but have reservations regarding the land issue. We have little land compared to our aspirations. You will notice form astronomical observation that we are pressed up rather rudely against the north polar region of Chiron. No northern expansion route is available to us.

Therefore, we seek to negotiate a presence on your continent in the general area north of Sunny Mesa sufficient to support two or three bases .

Anticipating that there may be substantial Hive reluctance to accepting that proposal and in the interests of continuing play in as speedy a manner as can be, I present a temporary and temporizing proposal:

Let us treaty for the time being.

We are willing to exchange technology. We have Industrial Base and Industrial Economics that you lack. (or did during our last turn) We will trade them for two of the three techs you have that we lack. Kindly present options. I presume that Doctrine Loyalty is one of the three. Which are the other two? Loyalty does not interest us as much as others you might have. We are particularly interested in Information Networks.

As we negotiate, we will withdraw our exploration party to the north to re-embark on our unity foil and to seek other (hopefully uninhabited!) lands.

Sincerely,

Mongoose

*********************************

G.

[Snowflake]

Ok my initial reaction. It makes sense that the Drones may not want to commit to leave the entire continent to us if it is true that they don't have much room for futher expansion. What it means to us is that the Drones will remain a big threat to us no matter if our current relationship is treaty, truce, or non-permanent pact. We need to prepare because there WILL be war between us for lands. We should expand to the north/west as soon as possible. So after Jamski Clovek, the next two bases should be HongHu KongHu and Rokossovky CMC HQ. If possible, we should build a sensor on both base site in anticipation of future probe and war threat.

Second, it's clear that they are working on making up for they -20% research penalties by the ME SP and wanting to get tech IN from us. Not sure what this means to us in terms of what tech we could exchange with them. IB and IE will be useful to us. I do believe tech exchange is mutual benefitable for both sides. How soon will we get PN? We really do need to get those probs since they'll be trying probing us for their lack of research abilities.

Their commitment of withdrawing the scout is a good gesture although it could be because they believe that it's overpowered by us and do not anticipate the scout is a threat to us. We should build on this in our effort to set up the Jamski Clovek base as soon as possible.

[Voltaire]

After the last Drone response, we will keep the Colony Pod where it stands, delaying it for a few more turns will not cause us any serious harm. Also I am giving an order of general mobilization. We will in no way let the Drones lay a foot on out rightful land. That IS absolutely out of the questing, as such we must colonise the west of the continent before the Drones do.

This message is intended for Hive members only, we will handle the Drones more diplomatically, stall for time.

I sugggest we get them to move back their scout patrol and pertend we're deliberating whether or not to let them colonize our continet while we pump out Colony Pods and military units to ensure we get there first.

Alternatively, the only way I would agree to letting the Drones have bases on our continent would be if they agree to a Permanent Pact; even then it would be an if.

-Chairman Voltaire

[Snowflake]

When will be the next turn chat? I believe this is kind of important for Chairman and Marshal to be present or at least leave their directions.

[Voltaire]

Originally posted by HongHu
When will be the next turn chat? I believe this is kind of important for Chairman and Marshal to be present or at least leave their directions.

We can do it now, I'm online.

[Snowflake]

Chairman, you are always on top of things. It's a great relief for us to see our great nation is in good hands.

Unfortunetaly I don't have messenger at work. Also, do you want to wait for more comrades to weigh in this issue, Chairman?