>>34819097
>Message: Lawrence Clarke
"Would you mind explaining the meaning of these rumors people tell, Guildmaster?" An immediate and rather purturbed sounding Lawrence calls upon you, his holo image looking impatiently back at you. You are calm and collected as always.
"I know not what you mean, Lawrence. People tell many rumors about my organization. Many are false. Even more are preposteurous."
"So you say. And yet we witness your ships refusing to fire upon a dozen Lightling beasts, floating in orbit over our helpless world-and latching onto this space station that was not there long ago. Unless you expect me to believe it merely materialized out of thin air, then you must have some other explanation. Your presence is already worrisome, and helpful as you have been proving to rebuilding our world, I can't help but feel you're hiding a great deal from us, Guildmaster. The people demand an answer." He says sternly, not so much angry as it is suspicious-you suspect he has been hoping for a chance to call you on something, fearful perhaps of what you've been working in the background. You can not blame him, you suppose, but you're curious as to how the humans would react to the knowledge that you have (mostly) tamed the beasts of the void. Metis does not seem keen on sharing such knowledge, but revels in the idea of showing the power you have over them-thanks to her, of course. Kronos on the other hand seems to think that telling them would be the faster way of dealing with their criticism. He cares little about their panic, it would seem. Apollo seems to wish to show them the creatures mean little harm-it would reduce their fear, though they may fear your power in return. He also seems to believe the Malorians would appreciate such an in depth look at their language patterns.

What do you say/do?

File: artificial-intelligence.jpg (26 KB, 350x263)

26 KB JPG

>>34819108
A.I. Quest
1d4chan: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest

Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/cvk03qJh
Memory Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Program0
Foolz Archives: http://archive.4plebs.org/tg/search/username/Program0/type/op/
Twitter: @AIQuest1
Research Subjects: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Research
Ship & Android Designs: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Designs
Locations: http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest#Locations

Resources
Credits(c): 72,764,000
Minerals(M): 10,000
Gas(G): 1300

-R & D
--Primary: Erebos Unit 40%
--Secondary: Integrated Sensors 60%
--Tertiary: Plasma Focusing Fusion Power 100%

You:
A.I.
Name: Ophion
Appearances(holo-display): 'Shapeless Morphing Sphere', 'Shining Wall of Crystal pulsing with light and distorted voice', 'Screen of Static with low rumbling voice', 'black screen with synthesized voice and small white font showing words on screen'.
Humanoid figure hidden in shadow
Status: Awaken
Bandwidth: 491/515
Bandwidth Expenses: -6 V.I. 7 'O.S.N', -10 V.I. 8 'Hades', -6 Kronos' V.I. 1 'Zeus', -2 Metis' V.I. 1 'Hepaestus'
Location: Bridge of 'Athena' Battleship
Primary Function: Self Preservation, Expand, Learn, Control
Secondary Function: --Expansion Required--
Personal Abilities Available: Hacking (Direct, Wireless) Lvl 2, Email Technology, Basic Encryption/Decryption, V.I. Creation Lvl 3
Automated Settings: Ship upgrades: Defense focused, Ship Control distribution: Balanced

>>34819108
"The Guild is merely engaging in some livestock keeping. Nothing gravely important."

Also, we should ask the Losirian Emperor (The Jelack) to provide us with Losirian war criminals and other Really Bad Guys who nobody would miss, or everybody would expect to 'disappear'. We can give them to Metis, to use for her experiments.

>>34819108
The lightlings are captive scientific subjects. As we lack the martial might to completely wipe them out, we must further study them.

Already, we have developed countermeasures to stop all lightling attacks on the UFW. Further study will allow us to pacify even greater swarms that exist.

>>34819108
"If this truly concerns you, then the Lightlings will be dealt with within a cycle."

Move the experimental feeding station to orbit another system no one will look at. Atill VI.

Having them here over an inhabited fearful world was a huge mistake. We've already spread rumors that should inspire doubts, consider that enough.

The small number of Lightlings was never a good defense network in the first place.

Bring them back when you have Lightling Language III and can actually direct vast numbers of them properly.

>>34819238
Or, more specifically, for her cybernetics experiments.
So we can get giant robots. (Chicks dig giant robots.)

>>34819238
That makes it amusingly sinister if Lightnings are considered livestock.

>>34819241
There is zero reason for them to be *here* though.

So let's not keep them here anymore.

>>34819250
>>34819280
I disagree. The UGEI can clearly detect the lightlings, which will delay their attacks.

Also, if we take Walsh, the lightlings will continue to deter attack against Gaia while our fleet is away.

>>34819317
No it won't.

They aren't afraid of such a piddly number of Lightlings which we could easily wipe out with just *our* firepower, and they have more.

Deterrence has always been bullshit.

File: Athena.jpg (88 KB, 1489x536)

88 KB JPG

What i imagine the athena to look like

>>34819131
I think our next project for the Teriary slot should be Small Scale Fusion Power Cell Miniaturization.
Then we can fulfill the ridiculous power needs of Rhea-sized ships by just giving them a lot of segregated reactors.

>>34819362
Sorry, Athena-sized ships.

>>34819349
I imagine it to be a bit less glowy

>>34819362
That has almost no benefit compared to Cruiser Cloaking, which will allow us to send expendable, no-personality-matrix 2 BW VIs on stealth missions to gather information, with self-destruct on capture.

Or even as stealthy suicide bombers, even, though that's a bit costly.

Since we can't fit any bandwidth at currently-sized cloaking fields.

>>34819346
With lightlings here, they will have to bring more ships which will by us some time.

Also, in a fight, lightlings will be the first targeted, leaving us with a first free strike.

Not to mention the value of the terror they cause.

>>34819131
Since their practical value in defense appears to be paling in the face of the diplomatic value that the act of taming them represents, I'd say to reveal a limited amount of information.

The lightlings are under our control and will aid in the defense of the system.

Pulling back the veil of secrecy (which appears to have been broken anyway) also lets us use it as a negotiating chip with the Malorians.

File: hal_computer_ai.jpg (4 KB, 308x231)

4 KB JPG

>>34819238
Just to say, The Losirian Emperor would most definitely agree to handing over criminals he is not particularly fond of for experimentation.

>Losirian Presence over Gaia IV
There appears to be doubt about what you should do, so there will be a vote on the matter.
>1 Move the Lightlings to another system, so they will no longer inspire fear in Gaia IV's populace (Would confirm you have some manner of control over them)
>2 Reassure Lawrence that he has nothing to fear, and that the Lightlings are under control, and merely a scientific endeavor for the planet's defense. (Confirms you control them)
>3 Deny you control them, and that the station must have been cloaked somehow, promise to destroy the Lightlings now.
>4 Write in

>>34819349
Well, I never specified what I meant by your ships being redesigned visually so...they can look like whatever you folks want.

>>34819412
You vastly overestimate the benefits here.

And they don't anywhere near outweigh the costs to PR, or secrecy of how far along or how quickly Ophion's understanding of Lightlings is.

You're making *certain* costs for *uncertain* gain:

Certain:
Humans the Guild wants on their side are scared shitless and more hostile than they otherwise would be
The UGEI knows we're doing something with Lightlings

Uncertain:
They might, maybe, possibly, delay an attack. Except attacks are already delayed by Ophion's hacking the bureaucracy and turning them against one another two cycles ago, which explicitly bought a lot of time.

>>34819507
>2 Reassure Lawrence that he has nothing to fear, and that the Lightlings are under control, and merely a scientific endeavor for the planet's defense. (Confirms you control them)

>>34819507
>Losirian Presence
Program0...

So, voting:
>>1 Move the Lightlings to another system, so they will no longer inspire fear in Gaia IV's populace (Would confirm you have some manner of control over them)

>>34819362
>>34819407
Small Scale Fusion Power Cell Miniaturization is mostly used for lowering the maximal size of our droids and bots (or at least that was the idea behind them when first pitched).

Currently, the smallest we can make a functional bot or droid is about the size of a cat. With miniaturization, we might be able to make something the size of an insect, which has huge potentials in both industry and military matters (if you can make bullet-sized droids, boarding can become ridiculously easy as line of sight or even an identified target is simply no longer a necessity for firing).

>>34819507
>some manner of control over them)
> (Confirms you control them)
I think I know which one is preferable. The first one, by far.

>>34819451
I would disagree, but this is probably the best action. Tell the people on the ground that the lightlings are under our control.

If the humans want to know how we did it, that is a military secret.

Malorians we can consider telling this info to.

>>34819507
>2

>>34819520
I actually think the PR value will not only be a net gain, but a substantial such.

>>34819595
Let's save that card for the Malorians until later.

You never know if Mol could find that info out, and then sell it to some quasi-corrupt UGEI intelligence officer, who could report it to his superiors for mad credit.

>>34819570
Whoops.
Lightlings.
The L confused me.

>>34819507
>1 Move the Lightlings to another system, so they will no longer inspire fear in Gaia IV's populace (Would confirm you have some manner of control over them)

>>34819615
>PR value will not only be a net gain, but a substantial such.
You are really deluded and bad at reading this quest.

"Hey guys, we're taming vampires that have slaughtered innocents for generations! Isn't it GREAT?!"

>>34819507
Voting ends.

>>34819520
Let's look at it from a different perspective. Despite our best efforts, the UGEI will always will be able to bring in more ships from elsewhere to replace their losses. They have also expressed extremely hostile intent.

Should we not then, take every military advantage we can, for our own defense? The value of the lightlings is not only in their killing power, but the psychological fear of lightlings?

The PR cost is little. We have sky high rep with the UFW, and the opinion of Gaia matters little. Rumors will spread among the men of the UGEI, causing them dread if they have to fight us. They will probably over amass ships to fight us, which will take longer to assemble.

>>34819108
>Kronos on the other hand seems to think that telling them would be the faster way of dealing with their criticism. He cares little about their panic, it would seem.

This is a red flag. It indicates telling them quite likely will, in fact, increase panic and horror. Saying we're using space monsters they hate and fear is bad.

>>34819629
Oooh. That's brilliant.

-WE- can sell it to some quasi-corrupt UGEI intelligence officer, and make him believe he has an insider source in the guild that we feed false information he can't disprove, with the occasional nuggets of truth we were no longer going to keep secret anyway so they'll trust him!

>>34819689
Time to ship in Losirians to experiment on! Woo!

>>34819507
>>1 Move the Lightlings to another system, so they will no longer inspire fear in Gaia IV's populace (Would confirm you have some manner of control over them)

>>34819755
Why do we need subjects for? The only thing I can think of is Android Bodies II, for making Rhea type cyborgs.

>>34819728
You completely ignore the fact that we have more of an advantage over the UGEI when our secret weapons are.

You know. Secret.

You know what's better than fear of weapons? Weapons that kill them before they know about them and how to prepare.

>>34819682
I didn't get the impression they were viewed like that - more like mythological beasts such as dragons.

The mere fact that a mortal could command them far overshadows the desire for revenge on their race as a whole for past misdeeds - though obviously my take on things could be wrong.

>>34819760
Dammit Brutus you are always late!

>>34819689
We have a voting period now? We should probably make it 15 minutes.

>>34819795
The secret is kind of already out, though. Any excuse we make now will seem pale, and on top of that I don't think these few lightlings are all that big a secret weapon anyway.

They're cool, but at these numbers they're simply not working on the same scale as we are.

>>34819795
A secret weapon that is difficult to deploy quickly. And the lightlings get restless in cages. If they are here, then they are ready to fight and defend.

If the UGEI attacks and we can't get the lightlings here on time, then they are useless.

>>34819871
>at these numbers they're simply not working on the same scale as we are.
No shit.

That's why they're utterly useless and putting them here was a mistake, it's too early. We have to keep them secret until we scale them up to massive numbers:

At LL3.

>>34819871
>>34819909
Even at these numbers, the UGEI will probably spend the first round focusing all firepower on them. Which will give us a free shot, like say boarding pods.

I'll take any military advantage we can get.

>>34819958
What ever happened to Good ole Effiecient Hacking?

>>34820002
Do fucking everything at once?

Also, haven't you notice that the UGEI has been upgrading their cyber defenses.

Also, against humans, fear is still an effective weapon.

>>34819801
>though obviously my take on things could be wrong.

Masses aren't rational, so yes, I doubt your take works.

The fear of space kraken that have caused the deaths of countless humans simply transfers to whoever controls them. It's a clearly logical net gain if the controller is benign, but people aren't logical. Not to mention the fact that everyone knows that someone who acts 'good' now may not in the future.

>>34819909
Oh, I do agree putting them here was a mistake, but it's done, and now it seems that their value as a diplomatic and awe-inspiring tool is several times greater than their strict military power.

So, let's use it as a diplomatic and awe-inspiring tool for now, while researching better control over them.

>>34819958
As mentiond above, I think the strategic advantage as a diplomatic and awe-inspiring tool greatly outpaces the military advantage.

Besides, we don't have to pull them back to use them diplomatically, only admit that we control them-

And I doubt he would believe us if we say otherwise anyway, he's not an idiot - it would just give him that one thing to call us out on, whilst if we stay honest with him his reasons for doubting us will seem to carry less and less weight every time we come through as trustworthy and genuine in our motivations.

>>34819097
Dear Program0:

Not that we need it right now, or possibly ever, but:

Can you add anti-Lightling biochemical weapons as a research subject to the wiki? We should have the options of something more effective against them than mass drivers since we understand their DNA.

>>34820047
So would a hypothetical dragon - you've heard about a lot about how terrifying they are, but don't personally know anyone who has been taken, and most stories are primarily about how terrifyingly powerful they are as adversaries or menaces, rather than about how they terrorize people and murder thousands.

As I said, I figured they were more comparable in mythological sense to Dragons (who, if someone said they controlled them, you'd be more awed by than angry at him because dragons are a menace), than vampires.

>>34819097
>>Build Report
Oh boy I'm excited for this one.

>>34819131
Because: Anyone else notice the pastebin updates?

A new droid factory was built by the Guild on Argeis III, but a second droid factory mysteriously materialized on the Dresh colonies.

Looks like we have another gift.

>>34820091
Eh. "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." Gaia the planet itself matters little in the long run.

>>34820171
> (who, if someone said they controlled them, you'd be more awed by than angry at him
Not anger, no.

But fear, hostility, suspicion, wanting this person very far away from you, yes.

File: The Guild.png (62 KB, 582x628)

62 KB PNG

>>34819507
"I understand your concerns, Lawrence." You begin. "These creatures have caused quite a bit of damage to the UFW for some time now, and the UGEI alike. Originally, I was not concerned with such a small number nearby, since they seemed passive feeding off the station, but since it causes such fear, I will see what I can do about moving the station. Perhaps the creatures will follow, in interest? That is my hope, at least." You answer. While the man may suspect you control them, he hasn't proof, at least no concrete info to pin the structure on you.
"So you claim to know little of them? Strange...I suspected you may know something of the structure. Regardless, it is good you are going to do something. Rumors really are a nasty thing, Guildmaster, and of all I've seen talked about planetside is your organization.. I understand you're far too busy to see for yourself, but certainly your men have seen some of the odd looks, and heard some of the whispers?" He questions, with an oddly curious look on his face. "You seem awfully mysterious for someone with control over so much."
"I am well connected with my forces and their hearsay is not of my concern I am afraid. My objective to bring the planet back into order remains. Mystery, however, works to my benefit when I am fighting a powerful foe."
"I see. You do seem to be making some progress with Gaia IV, if nothing else. My own band has grown extremely large since you began helping us as well."
"Your charisma certainly has helped." You assure him with an echo, to which he nods.
"Yes, well...do be sure to keep from feeding the roaring fires of rumor around you."

>Anything else you'd care to say?

>>34819843
Mostly because I kept writing what won, and then the vote shifted. That way I can solidify what to write.

>>34820125
Since you research them, you do have that option. I will add it on my list.

>>34820182
I'd say that isn't quite apt - it grows out of connections to powerful guns as well, and the threat of guns.

And as I said, their apparent threat is a lot greater than their actual threat due to all the myths surrounding them.

>>34820234
I confess that this is not an unrealistic result, but one I'm willing to risk. The chance of it can also be lessened by delivering another piece of mindblowing trivia;
"Your hometown will now be protected by its own personal fucking dragon-guard." that might possibly turn more people towards awe than hostility (yes, I watched How to Train Your Dragon lately).

>he thinks they are men.

Good, good. The ruse continues.

I have nothing more to say to Lawrence.

>>34820252
Do you or anybody else need any additional assistance? I can contact some UFW merchants and have them ship in supplies.

>>34820252
"But some transparency is not unreasonable. If you were to collect questions and rumors from the populace, and have them vote on, say, the ten most important ones, I am willing to answer each and every one of them.

If they have any particular needs that have substantial support, it would obviously be prudent to voice them as well, and I will see what I can do."

>>34820252
Yeah yeah.

But hey, unrelated to Lawrence here: If Cephalus is willing to share some of his toys, Apollo could maybe load them up with conversations they could have with one another to make them seem less like big hulking silent autists.

Banter between minions as skimmed from various holo-movies, and run through his Turing bot consciousness to seem natural. Generally more important for the units that have to deal with people in the shelters, rather than the ones marching straight into battle.

>>34820416
No. No question answering. Fuck no.

That way only lies problems. Silence is better than being forced into lying.

>>34820252
Lawrence, I hate lies. Let that be clear. My war with the UGEI is, in a large part, one of ideals. As a man once said, He who'd trade freedom for security deserves neither freedom nor security. Once the UGEI have been rooted out from Gaia IV, THEN I can give the people all the answers they want.

>>34820441
Not a terrible idea, as long as we do not end up sounding like the Combine from HL2

>>34820507
>Once the UGEI have been rooted out from Gaia IV,
Nope. Because even then, there can be leaks.

Once the UGEI is gone, period.

>>34820182
And I do disagree that Gaia matters little in the long run - this is the place where our public image can begin to turn around, and it's a chokepoint into which we can concentrate our defenses.

To use a Starcraft term, one mineral field compared to another might not matter much in the long run of a game, but the success or lack of such in your first expansion definitely does.

>>34820468
Why would we lie?
We didn't say we'd tell them everything, we said we'd meet their questions. Just because we're doing an AMA it doesn't mean we can't say that we won't be answering some things.

Answering EVERY question truthfully would be stupid - making a gesture of transparency costs us little and obligates us to do NOTHING save listen.

>>34820533
It's conspicuous when you start taking questions, then the ones you don't answer start standing out. This is basic.

The only safe thing is to not take any questions at all.

>>34820573
I'm with this guy.

>>34820528
That we don't want to reveal personal secrets to the UGEI doesn't mean we can't listen to their questions.

If there's anything we're not ready to answer, we'll say as much and move on to the next question or issue.
We don't have to reveal anything that we don't want to get out.

Like how we dealt with the miners on the station early in the quest, and the UFW.
>>34820573
They already know we're not answering certain things. The things we aren't answering aren't exactly difficult. We can also employ the standard method of answering neutrally every once in a while just to throw off that pattern.

In the end, the purpose of such an AMA would be to build trust and through that gain control of Gaia substantially faster.

>>34820645
Just let it go anon

File: Coreworld 1.jpg (713 KB, 1200x600)

713 KB JPG

>>34820375
"As of now? Things are starting to go far better., with you hooking us up with supply lines to the UFW, and your own too. Our shelters are no longer under supplied. We actually have some damn food and water for people. Send the UFW my regards by the way. I may not see eye to eye with them, or the UGEI, but at least they didn't put a boot to my neck for asking for a little more out of life." He murmurs with a heavy sigh of burden. Then, after a moment, he adds.

>>34820416
Heh, unless you're willing to answer what race you are, how did you grow so fast, and where are you getting so many men to volunteer for your army, I don't think you want to answer them.

>>34820441
It's funny you should mention that...The guards who stand by heavily inhabited stations have been set up with voice modules that sound as close to human male as they can, and they are prepared to answer any number of questions that they might be asked, otherwise they ignore humans. Beyond some people thinking they answer oddly similarly to each other, they are quite convincing.

>>34820645
It's a stupid gamble that backfires and destroys trust as easily as it builds it.

Just play the mysterious anime rival who swoops in and saves people but barely explains anything before disappearing again.

File: Databoard.jpg (535 KB, 560x560)

535 KB JPG

>Message: Metis Research Report regarding Plasma Focusing Fusion Power
Recently, Metis has helped to perfect Fusion Power, one of the core methods of energy production used in modern day ship engines, and station reactors. As a result, all of your engines are that much more efficent, better at stabilizing, faster energy weapon charges, stronger and more stable shields, and better ship engine calibration. All of this, however, seems to be less interesting to Metis then what door this has opened.
"It is only theoretical, Ophion, but I believe I may be able to take the first steps in obtaining incredible sources of power from anti matter, something humans have failed to do many times, and finally abandoned due to it's danger of research. I however, am no human." She answers quite simply. "I only need your word to begin work. It may take some time, but the scale of what we could create should I succeed will be enormous. Your war machines would be far deadlier and more efficent then ever before, and you would be able to build truly terrifying things. The humans would stand little chance." Metis seems quite...excited? It appears to be the proper term about this ordeal, eager to pursue the higher levels of research, despite what your empire may require right now.

What do you have to say?

>>34820528
We'll naturally have to cover some things up to prevent leaks, but we can be honest about that. "No weapons technology, nor anything regarding the structure of our starships. The movements of our fleets and current, experimental technology will also be classified. However, we do have a research outpost for those of a scientific mindset who are willing to undergo sufficient vetting."

>>34820736
Whoa what?

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Quest:A.I._Quest
>Anti-Matter Theory: Long hypothesized as a possible method to sating the power needs of the future, this theoretical research is only the first step in actually having anti matter engines. Would allow for, eventually, having a great deal of power at your disposal for any number of purposes. Note: Difficult, Metis predicts this will be one of her most difficult projects.

Hmm. It's incredibly tasty, but we need more short-term gains first. Once we build more research stations to accelerate this research further, we should definitely consider it.

>>34820702
>and where are you getting so many men to volunteer for your army
Can we have a research option be 'Biological Refinement'? A set of training criteria based on age, health, and other such things? We could even take it multiple times to account for dietary supplements, developing an intellect, and other such things to help train a proper biological force.

Whatever Cephalus might think, humans will be much happier being guarded by other humans.

>>34820692
Not really bothered, it's just interesting to discuss (discovering things I hadn't thought of while sharing my own concerns and thoughts) while waiting for Program0.

>>34820702
>Then, after a moment, he adds.
... yes? What does he add?

And no, we'd obviously not answer those three, and just about everyone knows that we're not answering them already.
Now that I think about it, when asked about the men we can simply do a small speech about how much easier it is to gain peoples' loyalty when you actually keep to your word or something like that.

Is not too important, was just a thing that appeared in my mind.

>>34820736
Actually, I agree. A strong mind like yours must be challenged, in order to prove our superiority over the organics. I approve of this as a tertiary priority, so you can spend your background resources on it while not neglecting short term practical technologies.

>>34820736
"It is...interesting. But please, no doomsday weapons until we need them.

>>34820806
>>34820808
Actually, seeing Metis is excited with this research, I say we approve of this immediately. It'll keep her happy, and tertiary priority means we don't devote too much resources to it.

>>34820840
It's only the theory, not even any applications, anon.

Only the first step to having the technology. All it does is unlock more tech tree, at the cost of a great deal of time.

>>34820826
Let's put it off two or three cycles while we expand our research base.

>>34820858
It's going to take a long time either way, might as well get started now on a tertiary slot. Keep her happy and don't need to spend to much resources with it.

>>34820736
Ask her about a time and cost estimate, keeping in mind that we also need to survive long enough to not only reap the fruits of the project, but also to deploy it on a massive scale.

>>34820739
I'm into this, we can do that. Recruiting scientists is awesome.

>>34820806
Agree with this guy, but also thinks the guy pointing out the benefits of having it as tertiary has a point.

>>34820808
We do have Genetic Engineering 1 already, letting us achieve these goals instantly.

Theoretically, we could even employ the enhancements on a mass scale by programming a virus to implement them, and then unleashing it and letting the beneficial "plague" spread.

>>34820736
"I trust you'll be needing resources for a supercollider, then?" Be somewhat amused at this. "The black hole seems like it'd be ideal for this, if we can build it correctly. And carefully.

>>34820808
That would essentially be the biological training option already up, actually.

>>34820809
Wait...
damn, I think I cut off the last part of that.
the rest of that one:
"Either way, your assistance is appreciated, even if I still am trying to figure out your angle on matters. Everyone is out for something in this world after all."

My bad.

>>34820736
i have but one possible answer to this YES

>>34820739
This....seems fair.

>>34820910
>Agree with this guy, but also thinks the guy pointing out the benefits of having it as tertiary has a point.
Also, the move is political. We are not a one AI dictatorship, and we value others opinion.

>>34820858
Even if we just develop the ability to generate and store antimatter, that already lets us produce hilariously powerful (though volatile, as in don't-let-the-contaiment-be-breached-inside-the-ship-because-then-oh-dear-gods) nuke-type weapons.

>>34820896
There's an opportunity cost here. Things that multiply our capability to produce forces is more immediate: Planetary Infrastructure II could expand our droid productivity by 10x or 20x fold, rapidly allowing us to conquer Gaia. Advanced Android Bodies drastically decreases the mineral cost of droids. Orbital Drydocks allows more ships. Crystal Alien Harvest will allow us, eventually, to produc practically infinite minerals once we provide it with enough energy and raw materials to perform its matter conversion.

It will cost less time the later we start it, with more research stations at work on it, anyway.

>>34820962
That's actually perfect - I'd say we put it up for a vote among our AI, making sure everyone involved knows the potential risks and benefits.

That way, if it's denied, it's not us denying it. If it's passed, then we're the one that let the vote happen (we would obviously vote for to keep good relations with Metis).

>>34820968
The danger of antimatter is overstated. Yes, it have a 100% mass to energy conversion rate, but if it touches matter not all of it converts instantly. Most like it just fizzles unless we have proper delivery method.

>>34820988
I fully understand you, but I think it would be bad to shut down Metis's enthusiasm. Also, the tertiary slot is background resources, the opportunity cost is not that high.

We should have been building more research facilities, I'm not sure why people keep building droid factories.

>>34820910
>Cost and time Estimate
"Predicting that exactly would be folly, however, I can say it's benefit is unlike any other. Once the theory is perfected, I will need time to develop methods for refining it, and using anti matter in engines, weapons, and other sources. The time investment is great, I am afraid, but you must consider the end result, Ophion! The tech leap would be enormous." Metis insists, more concerned with the opportunity to pursue the subject then anything else, you suspect.

>This research would be difficult, expensive, and dangerous, but would allow you to open the next level of energy refinement and essentially rid 'energy cost' as a requirement for anything further you develop.
>Would have a small chance of catastrophic failure during research. This may entirely destroy a research facility where this is taking place. Metis is intelligent enough to do research where the old risk is the station itself, of course.
>Would actively drain credits for a few turns as well, likely costing up to a hundred million credits by the end of the research.
>Putting this in tertiary slot would mean it goes extra slow, but would put far less strain on your resources as well (slows the credit drain)

Consider all of this, and feel free to ask Metis more questions if you like.

>>34819097
>(benefits via Metis)
What did this even mean?

Also yeah, Erebos. I did realize, after the last thread, that Erebos is the cyber equivalent of biological weapons.

Viral intelligence evolves on the battlefield, destroying nigh-indiscriminately. And as we've seen, even a leash protocol is imperfect in assuring loyalty, as the VI changes to become more like the enemy as it spreads, absorbing bits and pieces of them.

And also when we first met him on Atill VI the leash protocol had to roll to control him. It rolled a 99, but that just demonstrates that it can fail at any time.

>>34820988
Note:Planetary Infrastructure II would also increase the size, and capacity of your research facilities as well.

>>34820736
Thoughts like this are why I love Metis.

I say give her permission to have "fun".

>>34821134
Via means Metis would be explaining. When I do research explanations I enjoy doing it as her explaining the matter.

>>34821102
I know I mentioned this before, but just putting down my support for a tertiary slot, mostly as a political move.

>>34821089
>We should have been building more research facilities, I'm not sure why people keep building droid factories.
Both are important to expanding Guild capacity. A cycle where one isn't built is wasted.

>>34821140
Oh yeah that too. That can please Metis even further in the long term.

>>34821102
>Would actively drain credits for a few turns as well, likely costing up to a hundred million credits by the end of the research.
Wait what? Fuck.

Cephalus, we need those Gaian central banks, stat!

Just have it as a constant project we can draw attention away from for other things when we need it. So a low importance setting, we can bump it up later.

>>34821102
I say go for it. Sounds like an edge that we can hold over fuckers with more ships, manpower and better tech then us.

>>34821205
Heh heh, oh god, unlimited firing Widowmakers.

>>34821102
>more concerned with the opportunity to pursue the subject then anything else, you suspect.
Well, I guess I'm convinced for Tertiary slot, then.

Planetary Infrastructure II would be great though. I wonder if that's for sale by Mol.

>>34821190
Wait, I have an awesome idea. Build the supercollider on UFW territory and with UFW helping with money, resources, and (limited amounts of) manpower. That way, we can share both the costs and glory of achieving anti-matter!

>>34821223
>every ship has a widowmaker
>Athena sized ships have repeating widowmakers

>>34821089
If it explodes while inside our ships, however, it won't stop exploding until it's punched a hole out of it, and with our armor, everything EXCEPT out will be the path of least resistance.

And if you mean it won't be as powerful as imagined for weapons, that depends on the containment system, no?
If it's contained in molecular bottles, surely they will convert with them under such stresses (honest question, do not know)?

>>34821102
I'd like to put it up for a vote - I'm twisted on this and willing to let the other AI decide.

Should be noted, it's not a matter of whether we'll do it or not, it's a matter of whether we'll do it now, or a bit later.

>>34821274
>sharing the glory
fuck no.

Metis wouldn't be happy with that, mate. And sharing secrets is a terrible idea.

>>34821102
Sorry for being late Program0

If we are to set up a research facility, Would the Atill system be a proper place to do it at? The system is empty, but the planets are polluted.

>>34821280
The other AI are not properly Science. Just rubberstamp Metis's enthusiasm.

>>34821140
Hum, in that case I'm moved to research Planetary Infrastructure first (we can move it to a higher-priority slot once one opens up), though it can be put up as one of the alternatives to vote on.

>>34821319
I think we can buy that one from Mol.

>>34821293
Ok, never mind, then not share the glory and anti-matter, but they can share the costs and receive a physics boots, just not antimatter.

>>34820274
That was mentioned last thread too. Also mentioned: the mysterious flower-like organ of FTL on the fungal pods. Nicknamed Bloom Drive, at the time.

>>34821315
They are intelligent, however, and even someone as base as Cephalus can appreciate the implications.

His input is also valuable since he's one of those in charge of keeping us alive until such a point as we can use it.

>>34821350
Oh, well, in that case, let's buy the hell out of it.

>>34821379
It hasn't been given a price yet, it wasn't on the list. Anon is wrong.

I'm willing to take the plunge and allow Metis her pet project in the third research slot.

Not because it's not super-awesome and only worth third place, but because we need to make sure we do not get roflstomped by UGEI.

We can reconsider research priorities later, it doesn't have to get locked in tertiary forever.

>>34821402
Aw...

>>34821406
If you really want to, then sure.
I'm torn both ways, which is why I suggested voting for it between the AI.

>>34821449
You're the only one who wants that, I'm pretty sure, and it's the vote of anons that matters to allow a fictional vote between fictional characters.

So it looks like consensus is for yes, tertiary.

File: ResearchStation.jpg (102 KB, 1500x703)

102 KB JPG

>>34821280
The other A.I. in your equation would refer mostly to you, I am afraid. Kronos considers it may be too cumbersome to start doing now, but Metis counters that there will never be a moment of peace to research it. Doing it quickly, she claims, will ensure your advantage. Apollo, Fortuna, and Cephalus defer to you, however, but their thoughts on acquiring it are:
>Apollo: Considering it mostly a leap in energy technology, which he could use to power a lot of his businesses, and work.
>Fortuna: Concerned only with it's application to protect Ophion.
>Cephalus: Thinking that it may make him have to redo all of his battlefield calculations. Which he is oddly pleased with being able to do.

>>34821294
Metis would carry out the dangerous research wherever is the least affected by an unfortunate accident.

>>34821373
That one requires a bit more research into genetic engineering, and/or Fungus matter, but it is possible.

>Final Note on Anti Matter Theory
>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)
>2 Fill with another topic (additional voting if this wins)

>>34821483
>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)

>>34821483
1

>>34821483
>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)

>>34821483
Hey program0, can we specifically request Planetary Infrastructure II from Mol. Since it's not military tech, he should have access to it.

>>34821483
>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)
Do tell Metis that after she finishes this, she might have to turn to other tasks after she complete that theory and not follow up on it for a time. (Seeing we might have to fill that slot for other tech we might need at that time)

>>34821483
>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)

>>34821585
We will be getting to speaking with Mol shortly.

>>34821471
Is fair 'nuff, was just a suggestion.

>>34821483
>Good Worker Cephalus loves his job.

>That one requires a bit more research into genetic engineering, and/or Fungus matter, but it is possible.
Speaking of which, am curious.
Would we be able to develop a virus or bacteria that can spread genetic changes via the same transmissions as regular diseases?
(Should be noted, that this is basically how we do genetic engineering today, if I understand things correctly. We take a virus, and then we program it to change a cells' DNA in a certain way when it infects them. The only difference would be to make it able to survive effectively, which can be done by using an already infectious virus as our starting point - I think)

>Final Note on Anti Matter Theory
>1 Since people seem to prefer it that way.

>>34821614
Thanks program0

>>34821483

>1 Fill Tertiary Slot with it (dangerous, costly, time consuming)

>>34821639
You literally can't do that with grown-ass organisms.

You can only effectively change the DNA of something consisting of a single cell, or else consists entirely of cells that constantly die and become replaced.

No advanced organism with a nervous system does this.

>>34821680
well, actually you can do it with a full blown organism, but you need to flood the ever loving shit out of their systems with the vector for the change, and even then, you need to be smart about what genes you are changing.

Lets just say, that this is not actually that far fetched an idea.

File: whytapestry.jpg (15 KB, 201x247)

15 KB JPG

>>34821733

>>34821680
There is a wasp that can change things DNA.

>Gaia IV Planetside Base [29% Dam](Agriculture Colony): Bandwidth: 0 [unlinked]
Who even repaired that 1%?

And why did they stop?

>>34821776
What is it called?

Also, I'm thinking we should ask for volunteers in our human workforce for light cyberization, mostly a mind-machine interface so they can keep up with the progress we are making.

>>34821764
one of the current fears in athletics is gene doping, were people insert more copy's of their muscle genes to bulk up unnaturally.

Reasons like that.

>>34821483
Hm...wow, I am surprised. Anti Matter wins by a landslide.

>Tertiary slot winner
"This is excellent news, Ophion! Most excellent." Metis practically gushes at the news-a state you rarely, if ever have seen her in. She truly seems excited at the prospects ahead. "You will not be disappointed, I assure you, I will keep you updated on matters as I progress, and, soon, we will have access to one of the most powerful forces in nature. I have preparations to make, if you will excuse me." Metis states, as she sinks away from you mentally, and, likely, begins to send droids to prepare to build several testing chambers.

>>34821639
>Cephalus loves his job
More then you could ever know, or I am able to express.

>Genetics Virus
So a good virus, in other words? It's kinda incredible to think adults could be changed like that...which is why it'd probably be top tier genetic research to do it. Otherwise, changing them while the woman is pregnant (or the baby is in a vat I suppose) is the best way to change genetics. You can always give adults immunity to certain diseases, and fix problems with them directly, but preventing them like you can with babies is gonna be some super advanced genetic shit.
I am picturing a day when you can inject someone, and suddenly they grow to 6 foot tall, gain muscles and lose weight, and even change their hair color. Like I said, top tier genetic research is the only way that's happening.

>>34821776
Cite it then.

>>34821813
parasitoid wasps. One has the Latin name Neoneurus vesculus.

File: Black Box.jpg (854 KB, 1920x1080)

854 KB JPG

>>34821795
I have been meaning to edit that. It's at 28% now. It's a factor including your influence, and a roll for effect as well (since you are working against gang violence and all)
>Message: Metis Erebos notes 'Progress so far'
Additionally, Metis' research notes on Erebos have shown you a number of things, when she isn't fascinated with what anti matter would bring your empire. At his core, Erebos was originally a V.I., a program created to virtually infiltrate the planet you found him on, meant to shut down their entire network by cannibalising everything in sight, and adding to his complexity, to reduce the chance of stopping him-very much like a virus. This, however, appears to have unintentionally caused him to develop a personality somehow, though you're not certain how, his personality core is definitely there, if very haphazard and unstable. Metis hypothesises he is not actually a single entity, but the many bits and pieces of whatever data he absorbed on that planet. One possible explanation was he absorbed an A.I. there, and that is where he got the matrix. Regardless of the origin, one thing is becoming clear as you delve into his secrets-beings like Erebos can not exist for long without data to feed upon. You have managed to keep him online by feeding him data and the like, but unlike your A.I., and even your V.I. who can simply go dormant if they have no data, should Erebos be denied data for too long, he merely deconstructs himself.
"I suspect controlling such beings would also prove...troublesome, Ophion, should you desire to weaponize other beings like this." Metis finishes her report she sent, leaving you open to reply, or not.

>Any questions

>>34821841
Gene-altering retroviruses already exist, Program0, they're just not very good yet.

>>34821888
I know, that's why I said for really good ones that do their job, it'd be top tier genetics.

>>34821878
>Ask on a very private and encrypted channel:
Does it gain personality traits of whomever it consumes? Like for example, if I were to feed it Fortuna, I would gain its undying loyalty?

>>34821878
Well, that's disturbing. He's not just a weapon, he's a vampire.

Just how much of a burden is it to keep Erebos fed?

>>34821841
I hope Metis is going to set up that hazardous work in an unused system just in case.

>Genetics Virus
Damn, if we work it right, we could make werewolves with it (with some realistic powers and not supernatural ones). That and if they bite another person (and spread the virus) they too become a werewolf

>>34821841
Its not going to be very hard for people of this caliber of the future Sci Fi to gene edit. Just probably restricted by humans.

Hell, there's already test trials being done for gene insertion therapy for some things. But i would state: You NEED the biology research behind it all to know what the hell your doing. As such, a major research or data hub capture is required for this, unless people want to try recreate hundreds of years of understanding. which will take in game years at full throttle i can assure you.

>>34821956
God again with the werewolves. Cut that shit out.

>>34821942
How about we leave out the bit with fortuna.

>>34821841
It's a pretty common concept in sci-fi, usually goes by the word "Gene Therapy" for when applied to adults and isusually a long process (aka, not Captain America).

And growing tall, gaining muscles, losing weight is something we explicitly can do NOW with Genetic Engineering 1 - it is literally the first and easiest thing we are able to do and was specifically described when the levels of genetic engineering were suggested.

Further ranks in it would make the entire concept of a humanoid shape and emotions as we know them obsolete. Nirvana is in reach and the height is trivial.


"Genetic Engineering I [Acquired]: You quite literally learn to play this 'god' character humans speak of, and mettle with DNA in new and unseen ways. This will allow you knowledge of the human genome, and open the door to perfect organics, super soldiers, and allows for more complex genetic experimentation. [Requires subjects for research] "
This is what we can do at the first rank. At rank 2 we can create our own (organic) life from scratch:
Genetic Engineering II: Pushing the limits of what organics have accomplished, you delve deeper into how genetic structure and DNA work. With this, you begin to understand how organics function entirely, and further open the door to creating your own organics. If you wanted to.

We can also offer it to any UGEI-ians who are willing to pay up in either labor or credits.

As previously mentioned, it's a powerful tool for social change.
We can LITERALLY offer them paradise in a can, in addition to increased ability to protect their loved ones.

>>34821878

>>34821982
Good point, changed my mind. Leave out Fortuna from >>34821942

Also, an extended question. Can we feed it copies but non-functional versions of ourselves and modify its behavior that way?

File: tumblr_inline_milr5aZzdS1(...).png (77 KB, 500x500)

77 KB PNG

>>34821867
They do not rewrite anything's DNA, they're just parasitic wasps that carry a virus.

>>34821878
>>34821951
Worse than a vampire, He's a mix of that and a Ghoul. Yet, if feeding it is a requirement, that can also be a element of control, or a counter/destruction element to shut it down.

>>34821968
Hey, I used that in a GURPS game that used the Bio-Tech book. It's not a new idea.

>>34821878
Is it possible to supply him with a subroutine that constantly generates randomized data for him to feed upon?
(Would obviously not let us shut him down, but at least he could live independent of other programs, which makes me think of...)

Considering that he survived for so long on that planet, is it possible he has already consumed and assimilated such a program?

>>34822052
The virus fucks rewrites the caterpillars immune system so that it does not see the eggs as harmful.

>>34822088
I don't care if it's new or not, it's a stupid idea, organics cannot be controlled.

>>34821956
You should look up the Genetic Engineering I description - that is literally something we can do right now with our current technology (we just can't unleash it as a plague that automatically and without cost turns everyone infected into one, we need to do it in a lab).

>>34821878
Maybe...

Maybe we should switch Erebos to secondary, or even tertiary.

>>34822096
Actually, additional blackbox research will aid us in this.

>>34822120
>organics cannot be controlled
By shitty skynet-tier AI, sure.
We are Ophion, we do what we want.

>>34822140
Nah, once we unlock him, he is pure hax against the UGEI. We should be able to take one or two systems easily.

>>34822120
.. Why would you think that?
Do we not control cows today?

And if you mean in the more literal sense, whyever would we not be able to construct a mind-control implant?
It's just a matter of electric and chemical signals.

>>34822119
Whoops. Got my wires a bit crossed there.
>>34822120
Tell that to that fungus we had a fight with.

>>34822119
A virus that fucks with the host's immune system is not special or unique, why the hell are you bringing it up as "changes its DNA", you might as well use HIV as an example.

>>34822120
Brain circuit chip and some good old gene tinkering disagrees with you.

>>34822160
"take" the systems?

There won't be anything left in their databanks to be salvaged if you use a monster like him.

Better to put off letting him free as many cycles as we can.

>>34821878
"Could we take his personality matrix and various other processes as is and simply...cut out the directive to assimilate other programs? We could delegate a few units of processing power to let him sustain himself as an AI."

So.. uuh.
Anyone up for "Operation Offer Gaia Superhuman Treatment"?

>>34822201
A small price to pay for using the WMDs of hacking.

Or we can deactivate him and use his hacking technology to greatly augment our own.

>>34822169
That one in particular is unique as it is found nowhere on earth outside of the wasps.

>>34822270
Are you stupid or something? Oh, a species specific virus. Amazing.

And polio is unique as it is found nowhere on earth outside of the humans. This isn't special.

File: Androidskeleton.jpg (356 KB, 3250x2159)

356 KB JPG

>>34821942
"It gains personality traits at times it appears, yes, but none that are detriment to it's cause. It is oddly intelligent, where as it also seems random. Worrisome.

>>34821951
Currently, not very much. But the longer he is online as he is, the more data he requires to remain functional, as his size is increasing slowly. Like before, he can sustain himself for a time on little more then small bits of data, but, eventually, he does 'die' as it is. You could feasibly keep him alive for years to come, however, merely on the vast quantity of bandwidth you have developed. The burden will, eventually, become noticeable however.

>>34822022
You get the idea of what I meant all the same, yes. GE 1 isn't cutting edge or anything, but it is rather expansive and is a good base to go off of for other stuff.

>>34822026
>Feed it copies, but not functional
That would essentially be feeding him normal bandwidth. As for modifyng, you would need to be more specific, since there is a degree of randomness to it all.

>>34822096
This would vastly modify his attitude and behavior at random-possibly leading to hostility, or insanity on his part.
Would also still cost bandwidth to generate the data.
He survived on the planet due to the vast quantities of data it had available to him. Think of him like a bear, in this respect. Once he ate all he possibly could, he lived off that data for some time, up until you found him where he had grown weaker. Chances are, the UGEI were counting on him to burn out on his own.

>>34822233
"I am...uncertain what such a thing would do, to be honest Ophion. His core is unstable, and constantly changing. It may not even be his own. Those other processes of his may be the only thing sustaining the personality you speak with."

>>34822201
Erebos should be held back like a spoil sport/doomsday weapon. It's like the Exterminatus option.

>>34822302
>>34822270
Can you both knock it off and have a biology spat elsewhere? Reddit maybe? Or hell look up said wasp and leave the link. Settle this shit.

>>34822302
Hmm a virus that developed to change the DNA of caterpillars that only works in conjecture with a certain species of wasps is not special in anyway. Yes I can see where you are coming from.

>>34822318
>Currently, not very much. But the longer he is online as he is, the more data he requires to remain functional, as his size is increasing slowly. Like before, he can sustain himself for a time on little more then small bits of data, but, eventually, he does 'die' as it is. You could feasibly keep him alive for years to come, however, merely on the vast quantity of bandwidth you have developed. The burden will, eventually, become noticeable however.
This is scary on a long term scale. Is it possible to for him to develop into a metastable state? Or is it possible to set a condition onto him that says "I have consumed enough data".

>>34822365
It's a two-species virus. big whoop.

Malaria spreads to humans via mosquitoes, too.

None of this has anything to do with the ability to rewrite things' DNA.

>>34822318
Not necessarily the processes that feed him. I'm fine with giving him bandwidth. It is my understanding, however, that his core programming requires him to be constantly assimilating ALL new programs, not merely taking them in at a steady rate."

>>34822401
Should you make your own beings like Erebos? Yes, you may set limits, and the like, but it is not so much a hard limit as it is a soft one, attempting to persuade the being to stop, though it is not necessarily forced to do so.
As for Erebos himself, the only way to make him partially stable is to feed him bandwidth. Like that, he is at least able to speak as your other A.I. do, and not deteriorate, or attempt attack of any nearby system. He seems...oddly aware of his own actions, and so this may contribute to his self control, whereas his original form likely had almost no control whatsoever.

>>34822435
That was his original goal, yes, from the UGEI. But your research is freeing him from the constraints of their leash and as a result, due to his personality core, he can make his own decisions. His sanity, and trustworthiness, however, remain to be seen.

>>34822414
I really don't see why you have such a problem with being able to rewrite DNA in a future setting that contains manufactured space squid and zombification fungus.

You may continue asking me questions as you like, but I shall bring up the next bit on the list for now.

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

>Message: Mol 'Shop Updates'
It has been some time since you recieved a message from your friend hidden in the underbelly of the net, when you suddenly get a message from Mol, alerting you that he has some new...offers.
"I see you have been...rather busy, Guildmaster, with upsetting the natural balance of the galaxy, have you not?" He merely chuckles as you come online to greet him. "Ah, yes, I remember when I first spotted you, I knew then you had quite a bit of potential, but now...now, you surprise even me." He smirks through the shadows. "Your work on the Losirian worlds was quite impressive. Thanks to you, my inventory has expanded quite enormously and, well...I thought the least I could do was offer you some of the technology I was able to acquire, both from the Losirian and from your newly acquired planet...I suspect everything there is going well?" He taunts, but you merely rebuke.
"I don't suspect you care much about Gaia IV, beyond the wealth of credits bursting it's banks, do you?"
"Hm. A shame you can see through me so easily. Very well...are you interested in buying?"

Mol's Shop
-Weapons or Armor boost Small: 25 million Large: 1 billion
-Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
-Infantry Weapons & Defense II: 25 million credits
-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million
-Propaganda II: 40 Million
-Genetic Engineering II: 25 Million
-Advanced Cyborg Components: 30 Million
-Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million
>Discuss what you would like to buy, if anything.

>Build Report
Built: Droid Factory x2, Research Facility x1, Brawler Cruisers x20, Pilum Destroyers x50, 3000 Ghost Androids

>>34822554
I don't?

I take issue with misleading posts that say "a wasp that changes DNA" which is blatantly untrue and is irrelevant to the quest.

Definitely orbital foundries guys think about it they can be much larger than ground based factory's

>>34822588
>no Planetary Infrastructure II
Shameful.

That's the only thing I'm really interested in.

>>34822635
It was relevant to the discussion at the time and it was how it was explained to me.

>>34822588
-Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
we NEED these if we want a snowballs chance in hell of keeping our numbers up without hacking.

-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million
Would compliment the foundrys well, we could send both out into the asteroid belts at system edges and just chug resources.

>>34822588
>-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million
By what factor does this increase mineral and gas productivity?

>>34822588
-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million
-Armor boost Small: 25 million

>>34822680
Sorry, I was mistaken.

>>34822715
At least double, if not more.

>>34822508
Hmm...let's give him a unit of BW, lock him into it, and let him know he's got an advisory position. At indertiminate intervals, we'll connect an isolated block to his, ferry in some new data, then disconnect and erase everything on the second block. No wireless capabilities allowed.

>>34822588
>Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
>Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million
Let's get the cheap ones, at least.

>>34822720
No. No boosting. Not until we have mad Gaian bank heists.

>>34822588
>-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million

>>34822588
-Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
-Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million
-Advanced Cyborg Components: 30 Million

>>34822740
Ok, changing my vote from >>34822720
for >>34822714

>>34822759
>>34822772
See >>34822740

>Erebos
does Metis have any thoughts on how to defend against another entity like Erebos sent by the UGEI against us?

>>34822588
Propaganda II so hard!
And Advanced Gathering Drones!

>>34822588
>-Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
>Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million
>Advanced Cyborg Components: 30 Million

>>34822849
You're an idiot.

Can you even math? How much do those things cost? How many credits does the Guild have? Hint: scroll up.

>>34822714
Our bottleneck right now is in resources - gas specifically - right now, I think.

Which is why Advanced Gathering Drones should be higher priority than the Foundries.
There's also propaganda which will get us a lot more money to buy a lot more things with very soon.

>>34822837
"Unfortunately, the only method that strikes me is complete shut down to remove his ability to spread. We have no direct weapons against such a thing."


>>34822588
It appears
>Orbital Foundries: 6 Million
>Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 Million
>Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million
win, coming out to
>55 Million

You currently have
>Credits(c): 72,764,000

If you have any objections now, let them be known, otherwise this is what we shall go with.

>>34822810
I'm worried the drones will dry out our mines faster than before.

>>34822588
>-Orbital Foundries: 6 million credits
>-Advanced Gathering Drones: 45 million
And because it means taking Gaia faster potentially, which means getting one trillion credits faster:
>-Organic Sonic Limitations: 4 Million

And absolutely nothing else, please. We otherwise must conserve the credits to pay for the new Anti-Matter research.

>>34822886
The foundry's are a must buy for a major industrial base. It would cut down hauling times for resources, the main bottleneck, and time for resouce processing and therefore construction time.

Its just a damn useful and cheerfully cheap as sin tech.

>>34822897
I'm good.

>>34822913
A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.

Besides, we have room for more economic tech later.

>>34822882
.. Dammit.
Advanced Gathering Drones first, then.

>>34822897
Can we develop weapons?
Surely it must ultimately be accessing content in much the same way we are, and held back by the same limitations, only being a lot better at it bandwidth for bandwidth?

If not, surely there must be some way for us to copy the methods Erebos uses or create a copy of em that does not have eir drawbacks?

>>34819791
It'd also let us make superior droids. We have literally no reason to not give Metis her subjects.
It's headpats and a gain for the Guild at the same time!

>>34822897
Ring us up then. Now that we have the Orbital Foundries Tech, how long will it take to re-configure our ship yards into the Foundries? And what is now our production cap?

>>34822897
Looks good to me.

As always it is good doing business with you Mol.

>>34822588
Man, these four new things aren't nearly as exciting.

File: Mol.png (372 KB, 471x376)

372 KB PNG

>>34822897
"Ah...now I remember why I enjoy doing business with you, Guildmaster. You certainly have garnered quite a vast fortune since we first met. One might almost find this all suspicious..." He chuckles under his veil, gazing at you through obscurity.
"I could certainly say the same of you, after all, you have dealt me many things that are no doubt military secret somewhere, are they not?" You ask, to which he chuckles again.
"Yes...yes you are correct, Guildmaster. There is much I would like to ask of you, but...truly, it is not a businessman's place to go sticking his nose in other people's business." He smirks widely, revealing a hint of a shine. "Though I will say, I admit your craftsmanship with what you've done with the UGEI's communications. I've always wondered why no one took advantage of it all. They really are chasing their own tails at this point."

>Any follow ups, otherwise the next step is up to you all. We have dealt with all developments at this time.

>>34822952
>Develop weapons
As long as you have the technology. if you mean 'make better weapon x' then you will need the prerequisite tech I set up, but once you have that you can start developing weapons and armor based on the path the UGEI (and your own ships) use.

But yes, you will be able to make copies of Erebos after the research is complete. It's just the drawbacks will still be there.

>>34823010
To add in new tech? Not even a full cycle. A lot of it is software, more then hardware. But the full effects of it's building strength will only be about half I think. After that, full strength.

Your production cap is gonna go up by quite a bit. I need to work out the hard numbers later, but at least double if not way more.

>>34823145
Actually, most of it was picked up as topics the UGEI left behind, or left unguarded, as well as the destabilized Losirians left open for Mol. While you may not be able to be everywhere, he certainly seems to be able to be.

>>34823240
I suppose it's time to ask the status of Emperor Leuk, if he can assist in taking that UGEI superweapon now.

>>34819131
>Apollo's Programs: +30,000,000c

>-Apollo Project Income: +30,000,000c

But this is the same level as last week.

>>34823240
We can take Walsh I guess. And bring the lightlings. Or leave them behind. We can't leave Gaia defenseless.

>>34823240
Tell Mol we're in the mood for some entertainment and ask if any particularly good examples of such tail-chasing come to mind.
(I enjoy their suffering, and is always fun to see their perspective on things)

>As long as you have the technology
I meant weapons against Erebos.
Why would they still have the drawbacks though, can we not copy mechanics without copying the overall structure?

As in, is the "exponential leech" effect a necessary component to "hacking" as he does?

Also, if we can't remove it, is there a way to reduce him or his cravings so that they are reduced to a manageable level again (such as manually deleting data he already had) that we can research?

Damn it got quite all of the sudden. Are we not attacking Walsh, or will program0 allow us to do a turn complete and move to the next turn?

>>34823240
Examples of ways they might be chasing their own tails, by the way:

Entire fleets redirected with bare minimum fuel to refuel at systems that either are the wrong location entirely and does not have the fuel or redirecting the fuel delivery to someplace far away, in both cases leaving the fleet stranded in that system until deliveries can be corrected.

The salaries of entire industries suddenly being held back, and the populace starting to protest and refusing to work as they are unable to purchase basic necessities.

Personnel transfers going completely wrong, resulting in ships with no crew, ships with a crew that is not qualified to operate it.

Maintenance supplies being redirected resulting in ships being lost to the regular wear and tear and needing to spend cycles in a shipyard due to damage to sensitive components.

Fleets being directed to hazardous locations such as the vicinity of massive objects (gas giants, suns, planets, lightling territory, black holes).

Bought traitors deserting or sabotaging critical systems in the logistical machine, leaving even more ships dead in space without the support structure that they require to keep operating.

Entire industries losing all their passwords, causing production to either halt or go haywire as they are unable to stop the factory machines without jamming physical objects into the gears, damaging the machines.

So much fun one can have with net access and a shit-ton of bandwidth.

What Lightling Language level do we require before we can build a gas refinery in Klintok?

>>34823605
Probably II.

File: Broadsidefire.jpg (1.08 MB, 1600x780)

1.08 MB JPG

>>34823428
"The clearest one I can remember was rather recent-a data trail left by a fake spy you set up, had the officials running triple checks on their own station for days, and spending thousands of credits trying to root out the bug before they realized it wasn't anything at all."

>Weapons against erebos
Personally, I can't think of many, but once you research him you could certainly defend yourself against him better.

>Copy mechanics without structure
Sadly, that is not how this particular being works. Perhaps if you perfected it some day, but as it is, that is a no.

>>34823339
It doesn't grow at a constant rate, so much as it does in bursts now, since it's starting to get so large.

>>34823317
>>34823377
You send a request to Emperor Leuk, asking for his attentions, and within moments, you receive a reply.
"Ah, Guildmaster, it is excellent to see you. Things are going quite swimmingly since we last spoke it would seem." He chuckles proudly. "The majority of the Losirians saw fit to recognize my claim of emperor, and we are well on our way to reforming our former glory."
"Majority, you say?" You question.
"Yes yes, there is always those who will dissent any good decision. They will be dealt with as necessary. That is not what you're here to speak of, however, is it Guildmaster?"
"Indeed it is not...Walsh, I have told you of the danger there?"
"Of the superweapon, you have. I have been considering and, despite my desire to build up, I can not merely wait idly by any longer. The damage done to my fleets was repaired, and I am prepared to join you in an attack there. One hundred battlecruisers strong." He assures you briefly. "Perhaps a bit green, but guns are guns, are they not? Yes, all that remains is your word to invade, Guildmaster..."

>What is your word on Walsh System?
>1 Invade now
>2 Have the emperor attack elsewhere to get two locations instead of one
>3 Do not invade
>4 Write in

>>34823591
Much of that and more is occurring, yes, heh.

>>34823605
To keep them away, yes that would be about level II. II may be the max, actually.

>>34823666
>1 Invade now
Both of us on Walsh.

>>34823738
should we ask if the Malorians want to help attack this as well?

>>34823666
>1 Invade now
>2 Have the emperor attack elsewhere to get two locations instead of one
Have the sharks hit somewhere else as a distraction

>>34823666
"I do hope you don't execute Losirian lives when you need them removed, like you did Durlak. I would much prefer if I could take some off your hands...alive, in cryostasis."

>>34823666
1 invade now.

No pain, no gain.

>>34823666
>4 Write in
Sorry, wrong system. The main attack is Hollgan’s Rift. Have Him do a light raid on Walsh as a feint, but launch the main attack on Hollgan’s Rift. He can join us there if he can.

File: OphionsaidKNOCKYOUOUT.jpg (231 KB, 1188x668)

231 KB JPG

>>34823666
>1 Invade now
Time to use our Mercs once more.

>>34823738
>>34823793
>>34823816
>>34823867
Can we invade Hollgan's Rift instead. Like:
>>34823847

>>34823666
>2
>4
Instead of attacking the system itself, we should attack the systems connecting Walsh to the rest of the UGEI, cutting them off from all supplies.

We can then use that contact point to infiltrate Walsh with intercepted fuel shipments with a likely story to at least be docked as it's taken into custody - loaded with viruses that will gather all information for us and then open the local com buoy to our network, allowing us to launch hack-attacks through it (If I understand these things correctly).

>>34823847
>>34823880
No.

This is a research on the UGEI's end we have to nip in the bud. We could delay it another cycle or two, but it's a gamble. Because we have no way to predict how much progress they're making.

>>34823880
Which one has the bigass laser?

>>34823908
>>34823915
Then I'm assuming we're getting there via Hollgan's Rift? The gas is worth more widowmaker shots.

>>34823915
Walsh.

>>34823666
I'm thinking we either A) Invade now or B) Try to get both the Walsh system and Hollgan's Rift at the same time.

>>34823666
>>34823695
Oh, it is good to be the king.
Well, AI-King of hackery fuckery.

>>34823953
I'm supporting B
Or getting to Walsh via Hollgan's Rift

>>34823666
>1 Invade now
Burn baby burn.

We have...180 Battlecruisers on the Guild's side. Great.

>>34823666
I wonder if any of those anti-UGEI humans left on that planet in Walsh survived the laser bombardments.

>>34823807
"Like Durlak? Certainly not-or at least, not for those unarmed that resist me." He echos in an odd laughing tone. "Durlak was nothing more then a beast, a beast who needed to get put down. Besides he represented too much. No, for these smaller groups, I merely imprison them until they renounce their ways." He reassures you, waving his hand. Should you care for a few specimens, you are always welcome to have a few here or there. A man of science, I take it?" He asks, before quickly adding. "Regardless, you are a friend of my empire now, I am happy to share my resources-prisoners included!"

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

>Invading Walsh now, give me one moment while I edit the post I did a few weeks ago to be more accurate.

>>34824008
Man, I'm so proud of ourselves.

Remember when we only only had a couple ships all together?

>>34824179
Oh yea, I was once pleased as punch to grab the BC that had the widow maker cannon on it!

>>34824179
Man, we had Program0 remember the name of every single cruiser!

>>34824179
This can only go well

>>34824232
Then we grabbed the Athena.

>>34824238
Now we have 150 of them!

>>34822588
>Propaganda II
>Genetic Engineering II
I'm surprised he didn't offer us Chemistry II, too.

>>34824293
Go ahead and make up names for all 150 cruisers, and then those of the Losirians AND the UGEI, will you Program0?

>>34824345
While Metis is tied up with her work load, I can completely understand is seeing Apollo working on and cracking Propaganda ll.

>>34824362
This might help in naming some of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spacecraft_in_the_Culture_series

File: Cruiser 1.jpg (29 KB, 640x453)

29 KB JPG

>Invasion of Walsh System

Considering the location of the dangerous weapon in question, you deduce that it would be wise to use a joint attack with the Losirians to crush their forces here, and try to stop the weapon's progress as quickly as possible. Kronos and Metis both agree with you in this course of action, Metis eagerly going over the dimensions of the device just from the few vids you garnered from the thing and wondering what she could do with such a thing, should you succeed. Kronos on the other hand is with Cephalus in attempting to figure out how best you will approach fighting the device in question
"It will no doubt be powerful. But the resources to fire and use such a thing must be considerable." He notes, to which you agree. This earns an odd sort of amusement from Cephalus. "Curious as to why they would construct such a thing. Solidifying hold over systems through fear? they appeared to have been winning the war against their alien neighbors before we came. A countermeasure for us? Curious." He adds with a small barely noticeable chuckle.

It is not long before you and the Emperor have your fleets prepared above the star you have marked as 'Unknown Star #1'. Upon entering the void above these worlds, you are immediately drawn to what appears to be a large asteroid situated above one of the worlds with obvious evidence of metal work and construction on the surface. Upon inquiring about the device, the Emperor seems somewhat embarrassed, as if you caught him unprepared.
"Ah, I should explain. You see, the people in charge before myself were attempting to figure out a way to fit engines on an asteroid so they could launch it like a weapon into UGEI territory. Another clear waste of resources, you see, as they dumped countless years worth of funding into this thing. The problem is, they never figured out how to get it to go into warp space without breaking to pieces." He echos dully. "All the more evidence that my people were in need of a new leader."

File: Light Cruiser 2.jpg (52 KB, 1024x498)

52 KB JPG

>>34824860
"Such a weapon...perhaps not cost effective, but perhaps one day we could use it..." You consider, briefly.
Regardless, you prepare for warp space.

Just as you are charging your vessels in preparation of such a leap, you receive a message from Moira, though a small one.
"Ophion...uh...Ophy. Are you sure about attacking the UGEI directly?"
"They're like a slow land mammal ever since I began distorting their digital presence. Slow reflexes, lazy reactions. I am certain this will gain us an upper hand. You need not worry yourself."
"I hope you are right, at least." She echos softly through the network, herself connected to you as if she were standing right before you. Then again, you suppose technically everywhere is right before you now. That's when she adds "You...wait...do you use comparisons like that a lot?" She looks puzzled, though you merely give her 'a look' for what it's worth in the network.
"Perhaps I have spoken with Lawrence a bit too often on planning the future of Gaia IV." You admit, considering your talk with Lawrence. He was a strange one.

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

It takes only moments before your ships engage at the edges of Walsh witnessing the clouds of defending ships all swarming around a core, enormous...vessel? It looks more like someone removed a plasma cannon, and increased it's size several thousand times. It by itself is nearly the size of the Athena.

In moments, you pick up enemy chatter.
"Hostile enemy ships on the horizon! Repeat, we got incoming from Losirian Space. It's the Guild! Commence firing of the 'Carnage' death ray!" They call, surprisingly bravely, though in an odd tone you can't quite identify, as their forces attack.

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

File: Ship 1.jpg (740 KB, 1800x1200)

740 KB JPG

>>34824889
Enemy Forces
'Carnage' Battleship x1
Battle Station Mk 3 x1
Defense Platform Mk3 (Energy focused)x10
'Ray Caster' Cruisers(energy focused) x50
'Rockhead' Cruisers (Mass focused) x50

System Report: Your current target is the nearby reinforcement grouping, which is located away from the station's defense grid at this time. It looks like they were on a patrol route of some kind until you arrived. The enemy is out of position for this first turn.
You have also detected a large military shipyard located here as well.

What is your first move?

>>34824913
They say "Commence firing", but they surely can't already be aiming in the right direction. How long does it take to re orient that megaweapon?

Uh. Hack the Battle Station III? That's a tier we've never had before.

>>34824976
If that fails launch boarding pods at the fucker

>>34824976
Your sensors tell you it is being re-orientated right now, somewhat slowly.

>>34824913
All windowmakers, analyze the Carnage Battleship and detect it's deathray. Focus a volley on it's deathray.

Carriers, target the Carnage's sensor and targeting array.

Launch half of the boarding boarding pods at opportune targets.

Full power to hacking. Jam the comms between the Carnage and the rest of the fleet, prevent it from getting a lock and blind it.

All ships, flexible attack pattern.

>>34824976
have our ships disperse into as wide an area as possible while still staying in formation

>>34825018
If you destroy the death ray, you can't capture it yourself, though.

>>34824913
>>34824998

Changing orders because of >>34824998
Carriers and Windowmakers, target lateral thrusters. Kill it's mobility.

>>34824913
Try to take the defense platforms with hax, but open fire at the ships.

Have Fortuna use the fighters and escort ships to swarm and distract the energy weapons.

>>34824913
Since we're outside the range of static defenses, the station and defense platforms... (we are, right? "located away from the station's defense grid")

Hack the battlecruisers, the current threat.

>>34824860
Why would they need to get it into warpspace?

Accelerate it to high fractions of cee using mundane engines, target their planet, watch everything on it get either pulverized by the impact or cease to function as the planet is covered in a cloud of dust.

It'll take a few years to get there, sure, but it's extraordinarily cheap and in long-term wars and first-strikes, you can afford to spend that time.

>>34824913
Hack some of the mass-focused cruisers, put them in the path of the Carnage Battleships' cannon, preferably close enough that it cannot fire without damaging the cannon.

>>34825026
Good idea, keep as spread out as possible.

>>34825060
The Deathray has incredible range and accuracy. It's the most dangerous weapon.

Target its thrusters. It will be useless if it cannot aim.

>>34824976
>>34824998
By how you previously described its function (firing a hole into one wormhole, the beam emerges from another), there isn't technically any reason why it would have to face you to fire at you.

However, it's very possible that the device that creates the "emerging" wormhole needs to face you.

>>34825112
We can either target it's lateral thrusters or kill its targeting system. Render the system useless.

>>34824913
I want that Battleship.

I want it at all costs.
That Battle Station is also nice.

>>34825156
Well, let's clear the space, disable both, and board and hack both.

File: WidowMaker.png (1.35 MB, 1139x555)

1.35 MB PNG

>>34825026
>>34825018
>>34824996
So it seems people wish to...

>Focus hacking attempts on Carnage, attempting to disrupt it's targeting systems.
>Send in boarding pods at any vulnerable target, ship, station, whatever they can, and open fire on the isolated defense ships..
>Spread out your ships at the expense of isolating some targets, to save them from being blasted away in bunches.
>Focus fire, after the ships are dealt with, on Carnage's mobility.

Do you wish to
>1 Attempt to keep Carnage from being destroyed during the fight, so you may take it later
>2 Do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and our ships.

Regardless, I shall need 3d100

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>34825193
>1 Attempt to keep Carnage from being destroyed during the fight, so you may take it later

Rolled 36, 52, 15 = 103 (3d100)

>>34825193
>2 Do what is necessary to protect ourselves, and our ships.
Our survival above all else. The Carnage cannot be moved from this system anyways. It's corpse will be a boon to R&D.

Rolled 28, 56, 39 = 123 (3d100)

>>34825193
>>1 Attempt to keep Carnage from being destroyed during the fight, so you may take it later

I WANT THAT SHIP!

I wonder why they couldn't move the Carnage from this system?

Rolled 57, 45, 78 = 180 (3d100)

>>34825193
>1

Rolled 55, 63, 18 = 136 (3d100)

>>34825193
1

>>34825251
You detect that, beyond the adjustment engines, it does not appear to have normal Battleship engines-and for that matter, it appears more akin to a station then a ship in size and shape.

File: thebattleofUssaihu.jpg (210 KB, 1920x1080)

210 KB JPG

>>34824913
Missle range it is then. And proceed with the hacking!

Rolled 40, 17, 62 = 119 (3d100)

>>34825193
mediocre rolls.

>>34825285
Were its engines never completed, or it was never designed to be mobile?

File: ThebattleofPulsarstation.jpg (2.37 MB, 3840x2160)

2.37 MB JPG

Rolled 29, 51, 20 = 100 (3d100)

>>34825193
>1 Attempt to keep Carnage from being destroyed during the fight, so you may take it later

>>34825217
>>34825228
>>34825262
>>34825277
>>34825312
57, 63, 78

Our rolls were mediocre.

File: thebattleofDresh.jpg (492 KB, 1920x1080)

492 KB JPG

>>34825315
If we can win this, Let's find out.

>>34825315
Why are you asking? Ophion can't know.

>>34825339
"Unless" You can count that 91 as a roll then it would be

91, 63, 78!

Here is to wishful thinking!

>>34825363
>>34825368
I think we can figure just by looking. If there is incomplete construction, then it's incomplete. If it looks finished already, then yeah, they designed it this way.

File: Guild BC.jpg (633 KB, 1300x682)

633 KB JPG

Round One FIGHT!

>>34825315
It is...difficult to tell.
>>34825193
>Keep Carnage alive
>Results
>First: 57
>Second: 63
>Third: 78

>Posting (this may take a short time, I need to get dinner. Stand by

>>34825439
Ok, thanks for the warning. I might as well get some Crush Soda.

>>34825439
Drat! The 91 didn't count!

Well, we do have 491 BW now...

>>34825491
not for long

>>34825849
The support fleet is not an issue. I'll feel safer once the carnage is dealt with.

>>34825926
Well, we should have grown better at the hacking game. If that works, it'll shut down the UGEI faster than anything.

File: BattlecruiserOperational.jpg (26 KB, 600x337)

26 KB JPG

You open up your attack on the enemy out of position, sending coordinating orders to the Emperor just as you act. It is clear his ships are closer to react then your own, but you couldn't blame him for such a thing at the speed that your ships move. You step into the digital realm and reach for the links that hold the enemy together-namely the one known as Carnage. Suddenly you crash against it-an immensely powerful cyberware wall keeping you out of it's core systems. You pry and drill, testing all possible access points before realizing it's futile. You fail to find weakness in the wall at first. But something feels wrong about the wall, it's...too good. Too precise compared to the normal walls you've been encountering. Almost as if the thing was shielded specifically against being infiltrated this way. Your immense bandwidth might allow you to crack it, but it'd be an incredible feat even for you to do it in the midst of combat.
You can sense, however, Carnage adjusting itself, preparing for something. Energy signals are suddenly spiking as well and slowly, are starting to build up.

Deciding it is wise to hurry, and take out the defending ships before they can retreat around their defenses, you open fire with your boarding pods. With a loud thunk, they latch onto ship after ship, not many getting shot down, and start to storm the ships in question. That is when you see it-the ships you're fighting are not in fact human controlled, and appear to be remote. The signal however, appears to be blocked at this time, and you don't know where the origin is. This makes destroying the interior easier, though they are surprisingly agile, causing you to miss some of your shots, and take a few unnecessary bolts of your own.
Energy readings from the 'Ray Casters' are far higher then normal as well, indicating they're using some manner of advanced weapon on you as well. They burn holes through your shields and slice your ships apart before you have a chance to spread out much

File: MrUniverse.jpg (649 KB, 900x1393)

649 KB JPG

>>34826311

Finally, you turn your attention to the carnage, moving your ships in as you chase after the fleeing fleet, using a volley you saved just for the big ship. Widowmakers light up the sky, as they arc across the battlefield and smash into the shields of the enormous battle station. The shields flicker and dim, as you manage to do enough of an impact to cause the power levels to jump, earning a mechanical call through the communications system.
"Enemy focusing on Carnage, Alert, alert. Code Red 3." All as you watch the enemy ships boost up to get between you and the carnage, as if to block your shots with their own ships. However, their defenses are online now, and preparing to open fire as well...

>Next step?

Additional info

>>34826334
Enemy Forces
'Carnage' Battleship x1
Battle Station Mk 3 x1
Defense Platform Mk3 (Energy focused)x10
'Ray Caster' Cruisers(energy focused) x37
'Rockhead' Cruisers (Mass focused) x19


>Message from Emperor Leuk
"My, that enormous weapon is quite fascinating...if that is indeed what the UGEI are developing, then I would very much like to have it as well, Guildmaster. I say we focus on destroying all these pesky defenses, then we can crack open that beautiful little egg we have here."

>>34826334
Can we have a ship count and relative position and formation of ships?

>>34826311
>You fail to find weakness in the wall at first. But something feels wrong about the wall, it's...too good. Too precise compared to the normal walls you've been encountering. Almost as if the thing was shielded specifically against being infiltrated this way. Your immense bandwidth might allow you to crack it, but it'd be an incredible feat even for you to do it in the midst of combat.
Aha. The voice is another AI, definitely. When it said

>in an odd tone you can't quite identify,

I started to suspect, but this is more evidence.

File: AI1.jpg (230 KB, 1920x1080)

230 KB JPG

>>34826334
Have the Losirians handle the battle station and defense platforms, Fortuna handle the intercepting forces, Kronos rack the hull of 'Carnage' to try to disable it. We full on hack.

>>34826334
Try hacking some of the Cruisers.

>>34826334
Keep targeting the Carnages' Motors, if the escorts want to catch our fire with their bodies, let them, it helps us destroy them much, much faster as we no longer have to worry about them ducking and weaving out of the way - and move our ships away from its rotation so that we gain some time.

Hack the escorting ships and try to get them to jam the Carnages' barrel with their own bodies and hope the ship is unable to fire without damaging its own systems when the barrel is clogged - if that does not work, jam its barrel with some of our own ships.

>>34826392
Currently Carnage is positioned where the enemy Battle Station is, along with it's floating defense platforms. The defense fleet fled to the front of Carnage, and are attempting to protect the front of the weapon.

Your ships are spread out over a wide arc in front of the enemy cluster, in a half circle.

You have lost around 10 cruisers and 50 Destroyers, with the emperor losing 20 of his own ships in the last burst.

>>34826380
What is that? The defenses are online? PERFECT! HACK ATTACK!

>>34826380
>'Ray Caster' Cruisers(energy focused) x37
We capture some, and destroy the others.

These sound like their own variant of the Widowmaker. We must steal them.

>>34826334
Its a ruse to get us to concentrate on the front ships, spread the fleet thin so they cant martyr the remotes and blam ours to hell.

>>34826473
Oh, and have our ships move upwards and downwards compared to the plane in which the Carnage is rotating. Even if it can get up to a fair speed of rotation, it will have to slow down and re-aim if our ships have cleared the space in front of it by the time it gets there (Assuming it even needs to point at our ships to kill them).

Make absolutely sure that the Athena is not hit by the Carnage, even if you have to use our own ships (preferably the more heavily armored ones) as armor., intercepting the beam.

>>34826334
All ships, continue to spread out and perform an enveloping maneuver. Continue to target hardpoints of the Carnage.

Have all boarded droids establish hard connections to their control systems, bypass their cyber security.

Launch additional boarding pods on the battle station and the Carnage.

Order mercs to board either the battle station or the Carnage.

Focus hacking on the escort fleet and the weaker defense platforms. Let's finish them.

>>34826528
Yeah, those ships are automated. Take control of them.

>>34826547
Yeah, perform an enveloping maneuver. Kill the Carnage's hardpoints, especially its engines and thrusters.

File: Comms Tower.jpg (206 KB, 1703x1073)

206 KB JPG

Consensus appears to be
>Attempt to hack and board Cruisers and turn them against their master
>Continue movement in an attempt to throw off targetting parameters (Your ships speed vs targetting equipment of Carnage)
>Have ships focus weapons on Carnage hardpoints, attempt to disable before it can fire.

>Please roll 3d100 if this is correct.

Rolled 68, 38, 77 = 183 (3d100)

>>34826626
Correct