Turns of AXT042 Fourth Thread

[Flubber]

2237 to Allen

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REPORT TO THE FOREMAN


The acquisition of the Cloning Vats by the Druids was a blow but we continue to keep pace through creating new bases all over Planet. These new bases can be fed solely through their base squares and satellite support and earn a few satellite energy regardless of inneficiency.

The change to a free market economy was not without pain but the additional energy is well worth the cost of quelling a few drones. We have achieved a respectable science rate and, although the gaians will likely beat us to the next few key technologies, there is a good chance that we can maintain tech parity with them over the long haul.

Our military remains prepared for hostilities but know that you wish to avoid further conflict. Tha gaians have spoken of a long-lasting peace but as it stands now, the truce ends in a few short years

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2237 to Stephen.
_______

Transcript of HoloComm Conference
Druid Tenchusatsu, Gaia's Landing, conversing with Governor of Nessus Shining

T: That's right. I want you to stop building Drop Colony Pods for now.
G: Why is that? The Drones are building bases all over Planet as we speak. They are expanding like crazy.
T: Well, let them. Let them handle the chores of added Drone control, ironic as it may sound for them. We need to focus on growing our bases in West Gaia and East Gaia. More bases will only add to our administrative overhead, and the return on investment will not come for many years. Instead, I want you to commence building construction supplies for a new Secret Project ...

[Flubber]

2238 to the gaians

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2238 to Stephen
_______

Transcript of Security Holocam Footage
Covert Ops Center, Fallow Time
Conversation between Druid Tenchusatsu and Colin Cooley, Head of Gaian Intelligence

C: ... You know, as far-fetched as your plan sounds, I think it's actually quite workable.
T: So you're confident you can stick to the timetable?
C: It'll be a stretch, especially with Parliament drastically cutting into our budget. I think we can meet all of the milestones and deadlines, however.
T: And you realize how important it is to keep this well under wraps? Make sure the people who are in the know are kept under very close scrutiny. And not a WORD to anyone else, not even your family, nor your most trusted friends, no one. Understand?
C: Yes, I understand. ... Uh, I have a question.
T: Yes, make it quick.
C: I find it hard to believe that Lady Deirdre would want to carry through with this plan. How did you convince her?
T: ... I didn't.

[Tenchusatsu]

Stephen, if you are reading this, I'm having trouble sending anything to your Hotmail account. Maybe Hotmail (Microsoft) is hit hard by the NIMDA virus, just like my workplace here. If you haven't received the turn yet, I'll try resending it today and tomorrow until you get it.

[Flubber]

I understand that my hotmail address is temporarily acting up. Players can copy turns to sharris4141@yahoo.com so that there are no delays.

[NorthSwordsman]

Sounds like there is intrigue fermenting within the hallowed halls of Gaia's Landing yet again. Is a coup in the works? Tune into the next episode of "Gaian's Landing!"

[Flubber]

Yup

I am worried as well as to what allen might be cooking up next. he is full of suprises sometimes and since he will likely get two techs next turn there are all sorts of mischief he can get into.

[NorthSwordsman]

Allen has a rather devious mind when he wants to. Personally (nothing against you Stephen!) I would like to see the high and mighty Drones brought down to the pit. (Staying in character as the 'departed spirit of Cha'Dawn who infects Dierdre from time to time'). That's one way to get my revenge, But I wonder what he is cooking now.... maybe you should him?

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2239 to Flubber.
_______

Green House, Home of Gaia's Parliament
Gaia's Landing
Budget Hearings

(The Gaian Attorney General is standing on a circular platform in the middle of an indoor amphitheater. A look of obvious nervousness is crossing the AG's face. The Senator from Deirdre's Fishery is seated behind a desk on the first row, asking questions.)

Senator: I don't see why you are asking for a 25% increase to your budget over the next three years.
Att'y Gen.: It is because ... uh ... this money is necessary to help ... uh ... police our colonies even more. You know that with the ... uh ... rapid increases in population ... uh ... my people have to work twice as hard to ... uh ... keep the peace and ... uh ... prevent Drone Riots.
Senator: But we already approved a budget increase several years ago shortly after the Cloning Vats were constructed. This increase was approved to take effect over the next few decades. Surely that ought to be more than enough for you. And now you want an increase above that?!?
Att'y Gen: Uh ... you see ... uh ... circumstances ... uh ... we underestimated ... uh ... (He starts whispering to a colleague next to him. The colleague frantically whispers back while the Senators impatiently look on.) We forsee our task to ... uh ... increase in cost and complexity in a ... uh ... at a ... uh ... an exponential rate.
Senator: MISTER Attorney General, you are NOT doing a good job convincing this panel. You also seem to be hiding something, MISTER Attorney General. I can see it in your eyes. Unless you are more forthcoming in the near future, we cannot approve this budget increase you are asking for. Good day, MISTER Attorney General.

[Flubber]

2239 to allen

[Flubber]

2240 to Allen

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Journal of Hixley Soma, chief of the Drone Intelligence Agency


Tomorrow I have to brief foreman Flubber and I am about as uncertain as to what to tell him as I have ever been. There are so many contradictions coming out of the gaians these days.

I have had a number of indications that SOMETHING is up, but have no idea as to what. There has been increased activity at the Gaian intelligence bureau and there are rumours that there have been budgetary increases. Agents around the globe have had indications of a master plan but no one has come forth with the gaians proposed target.

Against all this is the analysis of one of my top agents. He thinks that the gaians are running disinformation on us. His report outlines his belief that the gaians fundamentally want peace now but they are willing to make us just nervous enough to take resources away from science and colonization and place it into military and intelligence funding. If he's right it has worked. My last two reports to the foreman warned that the gaians remain a credible threat. We continue to spend on probe teams to protect our bases and we have undertaken extensive defensive terraforming. Our interceptor budget is up and we have taken to breeding locusts to act as unbribable sentries and patrols on the approaches. If this agent is right we have been duped into wasting considerable resources against a threat that does not really exist.

The foreman would tend to believe this report if I show it to him. He has been trying to reduce ALL non-science related spending for some time now. What do I do?? If we reduce our preparedness I risk falling victim to some major heist by the gaians. If I continue to argue for more stringent security they may soon dismiss all my opinions as alarmist and not heed my advice in a case of clear danger.

I think I should check satellite intelligence one more time . . . . .

[NorthSwordsman]

You two should collaborate on a book. This whole thing is just.. fantastic!

NS

[NorthSwordsman]

YEEHAW! Just made prince!

[Tenchusatsu]

Year 2240 to Stephen
_______

Report on Project Big Sister
Colin Cooley, Head of Gaian Intelligence
Covert Ops Center, Fallow Time
Security Level: TOP SECRET

I am pleased to announce that even without the 2nd budget increase that we asked for, we have met all of the major milestones in the project. As soon as the Universal Translator is completed, we will start on the final phase of the project.