Turns of AXT011 game in Apolyton SMACX Tournament

[Misotu]

Growing dissatisfaction in Cybernetic military ranks reached a peak today, when paper-thin Cybernetic defences were unable to repel simultaneous attacks from both Alien factions. Two crawlers were lost, while elsewhere a new alien creature, the Locust of Chiron, was identified ravaging Cybernetic crawler operations not far from Alpha Prime.

This latest threat has unsettled citizens and the creature itself is still roaming unchecked after 50% of the CyC chopper fleet was lost in a disastrous attack.

Official comment was sparse and low-key. It is believed that a shard chopper will be prototyped next year in an effort to placate the military.

The Prime Function sent a personal note to Provost Tig assuring him that CyC military will support UoP troops in their efforts to contain the Alien threat.

Next turn sent to UoP.

[TigToad]

Military victory rang out today amongst the humans today, as The University took yet another alien city from Marr. It is believed that two more cities will fall in the next 3 years. A special thanks to the CyC intelligence files allowed us to grow a 'controlable' locust of chiron and it is believed to be instrumental in the war effort against the aliens.

All intelligence information on these new life forms from the culture experiment has been sent to military scientists in the CyC.

Tig

[Tau Ceti]

Rumours circulating at Morgan Industries say that leading military experts are slightly worried to learn that the University is currently building weapon research labs known as 'Skunkworks' in two of their cities.

'They may say what they like,' an anonymous source comments, 'but everyone knows that those facilities are only really useful for one thing - a thing we would prefer not to think about.'

[Misotu]

Cybernetic intelligence functions were preoccupied today, after receiving urgent Morganitic despatches regarding University military build-up.

Prime Function Misotu appeared briefly on the popular programme "Good Morning Chiron", to dispel rising anxiety in the Cybernetic population. "The University is at war with the Alien factions. They fight this fight for the good of humanity" she insisted.

"Our allies on Chiron have proved their good faith on many occasions" she continued. "The human factions on Chiron have made their intentions plain from the start. We are committed to building in peace, unlocking the secrets of this new world without bloodshed, and we have no reason to believe that either of our Allies would unleash the horrors of war upon this planet. Cybernetic children have nothing to fear, either from the University laboratories or from the boardrooms of Morgan."

Elsewhere, Cybernetic functions spoke off the record to emphasise the futility of aggression on the part of either of their neighbours. "Although we are peace-loving and ill-prepared for war" said one "our first action in the event of hostilities would be to turn over all of our research and wealth to the friendly party. Our laboratories would continue to function, though some of our cities were in ruins, and the aggressor would soon turn in horror to see the flames of war licking around his own cherished settlements."

The usual data package was transmitted to the University.

[TigToad]

We of the University wish to rest assured that the few skunkworks buildings that were created over the last year are not intended to build weapons of war to be used against a human faction.

Tig

[Tau Ceti]

CEO Tau Ceti has made very few public appearances in the last months. Inside sources at Morgan Industries say that he has recently taken to muttering to himself about 'unreasonable boycotts' and 'going out of business'.

[Misotu]

Pandemonium broke out in Alpha Prime today, as reports came in of spontaneous fungal blooms and waves of worms and locusts in the south of borg territory.

As scientists worked feverishly to identify the cause of increased native life activity, top-ranking generals arrived at Cybernetic Headquarters, demanding an interview with the Prime Function.

It is believed that the Generals are insisting that the Consciousness switch their priority from research to defence. It is believed that a compromise has been reached, but seasoned commentators expressed serious reservations. "Our analysis indicates their military is completely unequipped to deal with the threat from Planet" said one.

[TigToad]

A brief public appearance by Provost TigToad today shocked the public as he made the following statement:

"The time to have such close economic ties with the Consciousness is over. They are quickly dominating the planet's economy as well as having so many more techs than us and the good Morganites that it does not make sense to stand by while they move themselves into a position to completely own this planet. While we wish them no ill will, it was necessary to try for tech equality. To that end, a tech has been removed from their datalinks and uploaded into ours. The automated response forced us to downgrade the pact to a treaty."

Provost TigToad

[Tau Ceti]

Due to an increase in propaganda transmissions from the other factions, the Morgan Industries board of directors today decided to initiate a strict censorship program. In a statement issued two hours ago, they declare that 'Now is not a time for our people to be divided. We must stand united against those who seek to weaken and destroy us. It is imperative that our news contain only the truth and not the lies our adversaries would have us believe.'

Critics say that this is nothing but a covert attempt at exerting Thought Control over the population. 'We have descended into a dark age,' says one mid-level executive who obviously would like to remain anonymous. He is not alone with his sentiment, as our next report will show. MorganLink 3DVision has been under pressure to not air the following program, but we have decided to stand firm in the name of freedom and journalistic integ-"

(Holoscreen goes blank.)

[Misotu]

(hop system, hop system)

>>Greetings from Misotu, Prime Function, to the fullhuman Morgan ...

(hop system, jump to Morgan headquarters)

>>Though you have implemented your thought control measures, this is no proof against the Borg.

>>We are part of your network, we read your thoughts, we are everywhere ...

(click, ---white noise---, patch, reconnecting)

>>Your security measures are indeed impressive CEO, but they are no match for the technical might of the Borg. We swim through your circuit boards, we breathe your data flows ...

>>Now listen up, fullmeat.

>>Provost Tigtoad has made an unprovoked attack on one of our bases, stealing valuable technology and betraying the Pact we swore.

>>He has violated the tri-partite agreement of which he, himself, was the architect and founding father ...

>>We hope that he will think again before descending into darkness. Only dishonour and the contempt of his peers can follow where betrayal and treachery lead ...

>>But we are children of Chiron and we deal with the ways of men. The Provost will build a Planet Buster next turn, and we cannot believe that his faction would go to such expense simply out of curiosity. Once the Buster is deployed, he will lose all trade with noble human factions ... he would not wish to incur such a penalty simply in order to inconvenience the Aliens.

>>Accordingly, although we cannot believe that our former ally would descend to such treachery, our analysis indicates that the sun will set on Alpha Prime ...

>>Our grief at its passing will be inexpressible, but we will not stand idly by. We cannot Ascend if Alpha Prime is busted, and the Universe will be deprived of the One Truly Efficient Way as a result. Only one outcome is more unspeakable, only one course of action will be left to us ...

>>Since the Provost has betrayed our trust, we offer you a Pact. As a sign of our good faith ... and the riches that will follow if the Provost unleashes Horror on the world ... we offer you some of our most valuable technologies. Our science can unlock for you the secrets of Orbital Defence Pods and 8-Res Armour, powerful weapons in the coming fight.

>>We cannot defend ourselves against the Provost, we have lived simply and in peace, devoting ourselves only to the betterment of humankind. If the Provost continues on this path, we will support the Morgan cause with research, with energy, and with supply craft to enable you to build the Projects that will free us all ...

(crackle ... fizz ... connection terminated)

[TigToad]

Out of character--First off, let me say I apologize for what the not-so-good provost has done. I feel terrible about having to do it, but you'd run away with the game, Mis and something had to be done.

--

In character... Provost Tig speaks before an amassed crowd at University Base.

"Today several citizens of the University, without knowledge or backing of our government stole a prototype fusion planet buster, transported it into Consciousness territory and detonated it." (Break in speech as the crowd roars with approval). "We cannot condone this action. It is an attrocity of the highest order, and it has likely thrown us into a permanent state of war... we are truly alone now." (Someone in the crowd yells 'who needs anyone else!' others take up his cry). "We believe these are the same terrorists who stole technology from the Consciousness government last year. We have caught the criminals and after a quick but legitiment trial expect them to be put to death." (Scattered boos). Suddenly an older man steps out from the audience. I immediately recognize him as one of my old talents, a top research scientist who we had forced to retire because of his obsession with nerve gasses, planet busters, and other nasty technologies.

"Good Provost--what is done is done. Really, it was necessary. The Consciousness had long been proclaiming themselves to be our staunchest ally and supporter. They loved us, wanted us to be friends forever. However, as soon as our research rate slowed and their facilities did not, there were NO offers of support or aid. As our society slid further and further into techological darkness they offered no support. They flaunted their better life style and said what great friends we were while removing the table scraps cleanly from the floor. They used us and they needed to be taught a firm lesson."

Provost Tig stands their stunned. "You cannot be serious. These traitors were responsible for the death of MILLIONS of consciousness citizens. If war comes from this it could be hundreds of millions dead on both sides. I have sent a message to the consciousness begging us to forgive them and reinstate our pacts and treaties even though we get no energy from such a state of affairs."

Suddenly, from the crowd, guns are drawn and the old man gestures towards Provost Tig. Loyal army officers draw their weapons as well, though it was quickly noted that was not all of the military present. Many of the soldiers simply laid down their arms and stepped back. Others are pointing guns at their fellow soldiers....

(Live Video/Audio feed picked up by the Chiron News Network (CNN)

I don't know if Provost Tig, champion of peace dieds or not yet.. I'll know by next turn, i'm sure.. Grin

[Misotu]

Posted out of character, and in haste as I'm on the way out ... (why oh why did I think it was a good idea to check the board before I left. I need my head examining).

****** YOU BASTARD !!! *******

Bastard, bastard, bastard, gnash.

Gnash

More gnashing.

Sniff.



(Official comment from the Prime Function will have to wait until the game arrives from Tau and she's had an opportunity to contemplate her now even teenier empire ...)

[Tau Ceti]

CEO Tau Ceti has just made a short speech about the recent tragic events.

'Words cannot express the shock and grief we all feel at this horrific deed. Our deepest condolences go out to the survivors of Alpha Prime. We will send all humanitarian aid we can to the Consciousness. Though it is hard, life must go on, and it is our hope that we can prevent further deaths. It is also our hope that the people of the University will understand the monstrosity of this action and see to it that the responsible be brought to justice.'

[Misotu]

Surviving Senior Functions gather in the Consciousness Underground Bunker, located far below the smouldering rubble formerly known as Alpha Prime. The small group is sombre, the silence broken only by an occasional death rattle as yet another aide succumbs to the effects of the blast.

Seated in the centre is the Prime Function, resplendent in mourning black. The chic off-the-shoulder number she wears is dazzling, although it must be said that it looked even better when she had two arms.

>>There is little to be said at this moment, the way forward - if there is one - is unclear.

>>Astonishingly, it appears that the Provost is attempting to restore peace.

>>Yes, peace. That *is* what I said General, you can wipe that smirk off your face. And Admiral, further comments containing the words "murdering bastard" and "I'd rather die by blowtorch" will not be tolerated.

((How can we trust these people Prime Function? Their culture - like their technology - remains in the Dark Ages.))

>>Trust can be rebuilt, General. Great offences may be forgiven by beings as enlightened as we. Our actions are governed by reason, not emotion. And in any event, our pilot is pretty good but he's not *that* good. The scouts are complaining about facing x choppers and planet busters armed only with a sharp stick. We've no ODPs, the probe budget was spent on test-tubes and the only perimeter defence we owned got vapourised this year.

>>Any questions?

(( ))

>>Then I'll proceed.

>>Unfortunately, we have been unable to accept these overtures, due to the unsanctioned actions of one pilot.

>>ahem

>>*The* pilot.

>>A University X Chopper was shot down over Consciousness territory. You know what that means. The rules of engagement state that we may not subsequently accept the offer of a Pact if a hostile action is taken during that mission year.

>>We understand that feeling is running high. But there is no reason why millions more of our citizens should pay the price for such foolishness. There will be no further attacks on the University while negotiations continue. We have sent a message to the Provost indicating that we are willing to abandon our Vendetta next year. We would even be willing to sign some form of treaty, although naturally we do not normally like to consort with war criminals.

>>If terms cannot be agreed, then and only then will the might of the Consciousness Home Defence Scouts (Motto: 1-1-1 Rules) be unleashed on the defenceless University citizens.

>>I have spoken - there will be no discussion. We wait to hear from the Provost.

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

The usual data package has been sent to Provost "Mad Dog" TigToad, the "Champion of Peace".

[TigToad]

"Yes sir. Skunkworks."

"I see. Unfortunate... at least are the peace negotiations going well?" Provost Tig manages to say despite the respirator hooked up to his lungs and the tubes in his nose.

"They shot down the helicopter that escorted the warhead in. Not a tragic loss considering it also belonged to the insurectionists. However, the damned Chiron News Network broadcast the incident live. The people are outraged. We've sent back and offer of a treaty, I don't think the people are able to handle anything greater without war reparations."

"Reparations!? We nuked their capital city, and our people want reparations? What for? The cost of a planet buster?"

"Um. Yes sir."

"Ridiculous. Send the treaty offer. We put down their insurrection, and I didn't really need my kidney, and one lung will serve me fine. Eventually."

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