Turn 2161

[Voltaire]

We in this case face the question of do we want to occupy the base. I would recommend first offering the University the chance to surrender. If they do so we can let them live as our vassals, if not then by all means destroy the base.

[Voltaire]

ACDG-Hive2161 [Final Draft]

[Octavian X]

How's this sound as a message?

Free people of the Planet University of Technology:

Your time has come. It is only a matter of time before the combined might of the forces of the glourious Free Drones and Human Hive finally crush the imposter CPU government that has taken over your nation.

We present you with a choice. The Hive and our allies, the Drones, will spare your freedom and last base, if and only you rid yourselves of the evil capitialistic CPU government and swear and oath of eternal fealty and service to the allied powers of the Drones and Hive. Should we refuse, we will have no choice but to destroy you.

This is a one time offer that is non-negotiable. If you do not respond, we will assume you have rejected our gracious offer.

~Octavian X
Special Representative of the Central Foreign Affairs Committee of the Human Hive

[Snowflake]

Should we refuse

Should that be "should you refuse"?

A technical question. Are we expecting PUT to surrender as separated from the CCs? This sounds to me highly unlikely. Do we want to offer something like if PUT surrender then we would sign a treaty with CCs and promise we won't attack in 10 years or something like that? Then CCs might actually consider it since they know they will only need to deal with the Drones. But that means we cannot include Drones in our offer. While for us it is likely we would be concentrated to conque Roze in this ten years? And we can even offer another option, that is if the entire CPU were to surrender to us then we can pact with them again and gang on Roze and Miriam. I am not sure what this option really means though. Should they surrender to both Drones and us? Or us only?

Also, we need the eloquent Arnelos for this tough task. It seems unlikely to me, but worth a try in my opinion. However we decide, we need to decide quick. The options need to be offered in this turn, not the next turn.

[Voltaire]

Hmm, all excellent questions, I wish I had the answers. The surrender offer in my mind would never be accepted, the reason I suggested we offer it was because if we do so we look better than if we do not.

We need to ask ourselves what do we gain from their surrender, what they would be willing to offer, and what we want.

Why don’t we leave the ball in their court? Tell them we are willing to negotiate and ask them to put an offer on the table, this makes us look good and we can also see what sort of deal we can get out of them. Of course this will need to be composed eloquently, but that is a matter of rhetoric, what is at issue now is the content. I think this last approach makes it appear as though we will seriously negotiate [which we will] and it looks less arrogant [versus us demanding in not so many words their unconditional surrender].

[Snowflake]

I agree with you Chairman. To ask them to put an offer is a good idea.

[Octavian X]

Truth be told, I'd rather just get rid of them. At this point, the world is divided enough that foreign affairs with Uni and CyCon don't matter. Just crush them and move on.

[Frankychan]

Agreed with Comrade Octavian X.

Wipe the pathetic University off the face of Chiron.

We are the Hive....ruthlessness is the best course of action in a case like this. Squash them like bugs then wipe our boots clean and don't have a second thought about them.

[Frankychan]

A more "Hive appropriate" message to the University:

*blasted from Hive loudspeakers*

Citizens of the Planet University of Technology.

Your defences have fallen. Your government is in chaos. Your allies have deserted you. There is no hope in survival. Your very existence hangs on a mere thread.

The armed forces of the glorious Human Hive, along with her Free Drone allies, are poised on your very doorstep. Our armies fill the skies and march upon the landscape as far as the eye can see. The hammer has fallen and you are offered one last chance at survival.

To prevent your destruction, the Hive offers you a new vision of Chiron without the trappings of capitalism and greed. The Hive and the Drones offer you this chance to join our "workers paradise" and "collective thinking" or you will be eliminated.

Failure to capitulate will result in your last base reduced to rubble and it's ashes flung to the far corners of Planet.

Surrender or be destroyed.

[Snowflake]

[Frankychan]

Sorry, but when it comes to military campaigns in SMAC, I tend to favor ruthlessness instead of diplomacy and "niceness".

This vendetta has gotten me into a bloodlust frenzy.

[Snowflake]

Where is Arnelos? We need to send it out don't we?