TTT and related files for 3man game

[Chip_Buckner]

Turn 2184 to Lady Steve.

[ForesterSOF]

2184 turned

[Chip_Buckner]

Turn 2185 to Lady Steve.

I've gotten the pieces of my audio computer back together, but it doesn't POST. Having swapped out everything but the CPU and the motherboard--they're my only two Socket 939 parts--I narrowed the problem down to one of those two things. I guess I'll have to commandeer my son's machine if I'm going to get any recording done in the near term.

[ForesterSOF]

2185 turned

Had to be at work 4 hrs early so with luck it was in.

[ForesterSOF]

2186 turned

[drlaryp]

Intercepted Communication Betw. CEO Lary and Col Chip

To all interested factions, the following confidential communication was intercepted by our surveillance teams: Stamped Eyes Only:

CEO Lary:

I am Colonel Chip of the Spartan Federation. One of my scout ships has
located one of your infantry units.

Merry--if my records of the Earth calendar are correct--Christmas. Have
you found opportunities to make the holiday as commercial here as it was
back on Earth?

I've not met all our former companions, but I somehow have a sense
that--if they survived--we've fallen behind. I know that you and
Santiago had problems in the past, but she shouldn't pose any trouble
for you in the future. We have found life on Planet sufficiently
challenging that I propose we put those differences behind us while we
catch up to the pack.

Permit me to make a couple of proposals.

First, each of us is likely to benefit from trade. To that end, I am
tempted to propose a commercial treaty. Your reputation as being an
especially sharp trader, however, makes me wary. How about a deal in
which we form a commercial alliance, but if one of us benefits more than
the other, he transmits half the surplus (rounding down) to the other?
If for example, you get five trade credits from me and I get two trade
credits from you, you are getting three more than I. Half of three,
rounding down, is one. You would send me a credit each year. The net
result is that you get four credits per year that you would not
otherwise have gotten. Of course, if it turns out that I have the more
developed economy, I shall end up sending energy presents to you. Is
that fair?

Second, a quick scan tells me that I probably have no technology that
you would find interesting. It may be, however, that you have something
we would find useful. If so, let me know. I think I can put together
an offer you will find attractive.

Colonel CHIP



C.E. 2186

To the formidable Col. Chip:

Greetings.

re: Christmas. Our merchants here prefer to recognize the potential diversity of our society by wishing potential customers a Happy Holiday. In this way we are able to de-emphasize the outmoded belief in a Supreme Being and the attendant responsibility that accompanies such a philosophical framework, while all the while maximizing our profit potential.

As to your diplomatic proposal it brings to mind a ditty that Great Uncle Hiram Morgan was so fond of: "That may sound ok to you, to me its kind of queer. We do not sell that brand of oil, so don't unload it here!" In other words, I have one advantage in this harsh new world and that is my business acumen and my ability to improve a marginal position to my advantage. I have no intention of trading it away. Besides, I'm sure you must realize that I'm responsible to a Board. I have no intention of overstepping my authority and going the way of your cohort Col. Santiago. I'm of course eager to improve commerce between our two factions but am only authorized to do so under the standard contract. Of course, I will present your proposal to the Board of Directors of Morgan Industries at my first opportunity along with my recommendation for their speedy consideration of your proposal.

Yours Truly,

CEO Lary, Morgan Industries

[drlaryp]

Developing......

CEO Morgan:

Who has not heard of your Uncle Hiram Morgan. Those engaged in
commercial operations can always learn much from his example. I
suspect, however, that your Uncle Hiram Morgan did not contemplate
mercantile existence on a world such as this, where profit can be
measured in a variety of ways.

Let us first consider my proposal narrowly, solely in terms of energy
credits. Neither of us knows the amount of commerce our transaction
would create. The worst that could happen is that no credits are
created. In that case, we break even and the transaction costs us nothing.

If energy credits are generated, we each gain. You are correct when you
imply that you do not gain with respect to me. You do, however, gain
relative to any of the other surviving factions. Nor do you lose ground
with respect to me.

Consider the military side of the equation. If we have a commercial
understanding, we cannot attack one another without declaring a
vendetta, which (as I recall, it's been years since I played) causes all
of the attackers units to be removed from the defenders territory. You,
my dear Morgan, are not a threat to attack me. You don't know where I
am. You are not likely to have a way to deliver units to my location.
Your social engineering choices have not traditionally favored warfare
as a means of expansion. Which of those things do you thing is true of
me. I, therefore, am trading away the ability to launch a surprise
attack on--let us call a spade a spade--a traditional patsy.

Diplomatically speaking, if you will not trade with me, I shall have to
seek trading partners elsewhere. Surely you are aware that there are
factions that are predisposed to work with me, but not with you. If
they survived, they will certainly accept the offer of a commercial pact
from me. We then, shall benefit relative to you. Moreover, if factions
have an economic tie, they are more likely to be swept into joint
military operations when one of the treaty members is attacked. Are you
better off having me swept in with--or against--you?

If you will but broaden your definition of profit, I think you will see
that my proposal offers you much potential gain and--unless you were
planning a sneak attack on my unknown position--no possible way of losing.

Isn't that the kind of deal most favored by your Uncle Hiram?

Please consider formalizing a Treaty of Friendship with the Spartans?

Colonel Chip

[Kataphraktoi]

No nation was ever ruined by trade, even seemingly the most disadvantageous -Benjamin Franklin

[drlaryp]

Oh Yeah?

Tell that to the AFL-CIO.

[Chip_Buckner]

Gentlemen:

Various bits of news.


(1) drlaryp: I await 2186.

(2) All: I got my audio development machine back together and spent a hunk of the day installing software. It looks like I'll be back on the air soon. (An Opteron processor, a silent Antec Sonata case and an audibly undetectable Zalman CNPS7700 fan. I LIKE it.)

(3) CEO Lary:

One of two things has just happened. Either (a) you have just perpetrated a massive hoax by fabricating an elaborate dialog between the two of us or (b) you have just intercepted a confidential communication addressed to yourself and published it. (Can one intercept a communication addressed to himself?) If the former, did you think I wouldn't disavow it? If the latter, are you mad?

(4) To, depending upon which personality has invoked the AFL-CIO, either drlaryp or CEO Lary:

Franklin is right, if for no other reason than the AFL-CIO is not "the nation". Besides, labor is Yang's concern, rather than Morgan's.

CHIP

[drlaryp]

Leaks

Where are these leaks coming from and what do they mean? What is real? Did I forget my medication again? I'm SO confused!



An intercepted then transcribed Communication from a military frequency broadcast: Marked Ears Only!: Listen then forget!

C.E. 2186

Col. Chip:

You raise some interesting points in your latest communication. Perhaps unfortunately, in a free society, my ability to enforce such unilateral choices are limited. While I have been granted somewhat expanded powers during the current extraordinary circumstances I have no desire to make rash decisions and enforce them by fiat as some societies have been known to do. Should I choose to embark on the course you suggest (without strong economic incentives and sufficient safeguards) I could very well be giving the rash young hotheads in my organization ammunition they need to campaign for my replacement. I have no desire to go the way of your dearly departed Santiago. Though my organization has a gentler forced retirement plan, rest assured it is every bit as unpleasant. Speaking of which, you are somewhat new to the scene and as such are a bit of an unknown quantity. Though I keep a tight reign on my IT department I have had disturbing reports of parts of our confidential dialogue being made available over certain unsecured communication nets. Or is this merely another one of your infamous diplomatic ploys which I've heard so much about? Subsequently, I have been accused of considering "giving into blackmail" or "buying into a protection racket" by members of my board. You need to find and plug the leaks in your organization! Certainly the section of your communication where you lecture me on your perception of "the military side of the equation", though totally naive, could be construed as vaguely threatening.

In my last official communication I offered you the standard pact contract. You are free to accept or reject it with honor. Despite the fact that free trade is generally much more of a boon to a technologically backward society which has been historically dependant on advancing by force, I might be inclined to grant you some of the concessions you suggest for the sake of peaceful coexistence and to guide you into a more enlightened and productive life for your consum... uh, citizens. Whether I can sell "paying for free trade" to the Morgan Board, remains to be seen. I myself see advantages, but judging by past experience with Spartans it is difficult to believe that you're much interested in peaceful coexistence. I would find it much easier to "sell" your proposal if I had a concrete example of your goodwill to point to. A willingness to trade your World Map in exchange for a tech you lack might be a start. I expect I will be making such an offer through official channels in the next year or so. At any rate, I have no doubt that I will soon map your positions with my air fleet given the likely direction and range of your scout ship, and relatively short time since our societies have been released from our computer controlled restraints. As you so astutely recognize, my organization has been noted for advancing with a carrot instead of a stick. Indeed, I hope I can continue to reserve the stick for assistance in walking softly.

As I promised in my last communication I intend to present your proposal to the Morgan Board at an opportune time. Your action or inaction can, in my estimation, largely influence the timing and results.

Finally, I admire your ability to think beyond the rigid confines of what have been traditional Spartan methodologies. In fact, my organization could utilize a man of your talents and imagination. Give it some thought. I could make it very worth your while. I'd hate to see you go the way of dear Santiago, Profit rest her soul.


Hopefully yours,

CEO Lary Morgan

[drlaryp]

waiting

Waiting to hear from Lady Steve (I think).

[Chip_Buckner]

Lary:

I mistyped the turn for which I am waiting. I thought I was waiting for 2186. I see, however, you sent it to me yesterday afternoon.

My apologies.

CHIP

[ForesterSOF]

2187 turned

No contact in game yet so saying nothing to spoil the surprise.

[Chip_Buckner]

2188 to Lady Steve.

Here's what happened that turn that one of my units did something silly. (I've used a substantially smaller bit-rate to encode the MP3. It's about a third of the size of the last one.)

http://www.thebucknerhome.com/SMAC/SP_MW01.MP3