Sparta-Morgan Relations

[Googlie]

I posted it in the Commerce section as well, then thought that maybe they were thinking that this was an in-game diplomacy roleplay, so I deleted both versions of the post from the Embassy and sent it as a PM to jtsisyoda instead.

[Googlie]

And a not-quite-a-trade-but-more-of-a-thinking-aloud suggestion from jtsisyoda

Posted in the Embassy by jtsisyoda

We acquired Soc Psych this turn and switched to Eco Eng. Again, just thinking out loud-- not official yet-- maybe we could do Eco Eng, Env Econ, and HEC for SFF and I.I.??

We're now going to get Int Int from the Angels, and in 6 turns we can pilfer (or tradefor) SFF from Lal, so why would we even consider Morgan's offer?

Methinks oodles of cash, perhaps, may induce us to part with EE, EE2 and HEC

[Googlie]

And they have replied to Maniac's post re probe action guarantees:

Posted in the Embassy bu jtsisyoda

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How will we be given assurances that future unfriendly acts will not be conducted against the Federation?

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

You have the same assurances we do. That is, only the honor of the allied faction.

You asked a lot of other questions because there's a boat in the water that might infiltrate. Wouldn't the questions be more appropriate directed at you, who actually infiltrated?

Our 'Gator Boat in the northern waters is merely a fast, support-free explorer. Chief Litigator Moneypenny would like to extend an invitation for a Spartan observer. Besides, surely you already have strong probe defenses at this stage, and we couldn't hope to infiltrate with one lonely boat?

[Modo44]

Since we have the deal with the Angels now, milk Morgan for all you can.

The situation of the Gator boat is simple, IMO. If we can sink it, we should. Declaring the Modo Doctrine at the same time. I just love that name.


Anyone interested why it fits well, check Modo <-> Shakespeare cross-reference...

[Googlie]

Arginine has posted a "clarification" to jtsisyoda's post quoted a couple earlier above:

Posted by Argenine in the Embassy
I would like to repeat my previous statement that I suspect the price for us researching I.I. would be considered a rip-off by Spartan standards.

My unsupported position is that I would see a long term alliance (not necesarily as Pact-mates) as potentially profitable (depending on the details). A long term alliance ~40 years would result in the Federation getting many of the fruits of Morgan researchers. Unfortunately, the profitability of such an alliance is dependent on internal corporate policies, so the corporation would have to accept the policies needed for profitability in addition to agreeing to work with the Federation. I would expect the same to hold true for the Federation.

My thoughts are to post a reply alomg the lines of:

Suggested reply by Googlie (or Kassiopeia, if back in harness)

Events are moving a little faster than our Morgan-Sparta diplomacy seems to be able to keep up with.

The Federation will shortly be acquiring the technologies of Intellectual Integrity and Synthetic Fossil Fuels without involving Morgan researchers in their development.

We are open to any other suggestions that the Corporation may have regarding future technology trades.

(of course, Int Int will come via the Angels deal, and SFF via either a PK trade of a Longstrider visit)

That ought to gall Morgan - researching three of four techs that they know we have!! (with nothing really to offer us except cash)

[Modo44]

Cash we can use. I think we should seriously consider selling them one tech for energy, and for energy only. I mean a lot of it. Then do all remaining upgrades... and go after Morgan.

[Maniac]

Hmm, I wonder how Morgan got SocPsych. They don't have contact with the Angels or Gaians, and on first sight Zak or Lal haven't received extra techs or cash.

Originally posted by Modo44
Cash we can use. I think we should seriously consider selling them one tech for energy, and for energy only. I mean a lot of it. Then do all remaining upgrades... and go after Morgan.

Use a faction's own money against them is always a good strategy.

[Modo44]

Yes, I thought you'd like it.

We could time it with their war with Yang. Even if we don't get to pact with him, he's clearly more of a threat to Morgan, than to us. This means, he could create a serious distraction...

[Googlie]

Originally posted by Maniac
Hmm, I wonder how Morgan got SocPsych. They don't have contact with the Angels or Gaians, and on first sight Zak or Lal haven't received extra techs or cash.

Perhaps they popped a nautical pod with one of their 'Gators and got a tech

They didn't pop either of their two landbased pods this turn (Two of their bases have unpopped pods in their radii - Money Valley and Paramiria)

And as I haven't seen Kass for a couple of days, shall I go ahead and post that reply to Arginine's comments?

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Googlie
And as I haven't seen Kass for a couple of days, shall I go ahead and post that reply to Arginine's comments?

Perhaps wait a short while until we've cleared up the IntInt matter with the Angels?

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Modo44
The situation of the Gator boat is simple, IMO. If we can sink it, we should. Declaring the Modo Doctrine at the same time. I just love that name.

Perhaps you, as writer of the Modo Doctrine, could post a reply to jtsisyoda regarding the Gator Boat? Something like this, edited to sound more like you, or something you yourself want to write?

"You are of course correct your disciplined Gator Boats can do little against our commando probe defences. However it is Spartan doctrine to deal with any possible security threat as early as possible.

But the nature of your Gator Boats is of no significance. We treat the ocean your Gator Boat is currently sailing as our territorial waters, and we don't allow ANY ship on our territory without permission. Therefore we would like to request you to withdraw and explore elsewhere, in neutral waters."

[Modo44]

I like the idea. I tried to mix it up a bit. If we're doing the Modo Doctrine, it shouldn't sound so nice.

"You are of course correct your disciplined Gator Boats can do little against our commando probe defences. However it is Spartan doctrine to deal with any possible security threat before it becomes a real one.

The nature of your Gator Boats is of no significance. We treat the ocean your Gator Boat is currently sailing as our territorial waters, and we don't allow ANY ship on our territory without permission. You didn't receive clearance for this mission, therefore we ask you to remove the ship NOW. You are welcome to explore elsewhere, in neutral waters."

Added parts are marked like this. The first part is, of course, a reminder of the probe team they lost to our probe.

Thoughts? I'll post it, when it gets an "ok" here. (Just tell me where exactly, so I don't make a mess...)

[Snoddasmannen]

For what it's worth, it looks great to me

[Modo44]

Posted it.

Can someone check, if I have my military rank right, over at the embassy? Just in case.

[Maniac]

Looking good. And (AFAIK) your rank seems also correct.

I like your current signature btw. That's going in my list of "Spartan quotes to use one day."