Matrix Games Forums

Salve,

some thread here reminded me of X3:Terran Conflict,
which then reminded me of the minigames stated in the galactopedia.
Particularly the one encouraging you to automate the empire
and just restrict yourself to one ship for a while.

Especially because after a (really) quick look I did not find
some AAR in this direction yet.
I will try and automate from the beginning on. Everything.
From colonization, over shipbuilding to diplomacy.

I will only intervene for roleplay reasons and try not to
exaggerate it. That is I will design my own ship and maybe
alter some AI decisions, but I will certainly not build some
Killership and whipe out everything in my way.
So if my auto AI empire badly loses a war, I wont build
some uber fleet to turn the tide.

That means I do not expect to "win" the game. I expect some
story in which I am only an agent among many (agent-theory,
not the intelligence agency term).


Settings:
Small (250) Spiral Galaxy
teeming
Restless
slow Research
normal Space Monsters
normal Pirates

Feudalistic "Terran Dominion"
all basic tech
all young
Max # of races



Robotics Section of the High Tech Research Lab,
Kuurembos 7 ME761 SpacePort.
Stardate 2756.04.03

"All Preperations and Checks are complete.
Android body functions within normal parameters.
Organic skin temperature 36° C, acceptable.
EHE matrix stable. Data implementation complete.
We are ready to activate the prototype."

"All right, initiate higher order functions"

"Initiated"

"Status?"

"Android is gaining consciousness."



Military HQ, Administration,
Kuurembos 7 ME761
Stardate 2756.04.04

"The initiation was successfull. The Android is finally working"

"You mean it is operational?"

"They call its status Closed Beta"

"??"

"It does what it should, most of the time"

"And when it doesnt?"

"Only one casualty has been reported so far, and that was an
accident"

"An accident? So now it is offline again?"

"Well, not quite. The projects military advisor recommended to
continue, they gain valuable info from such occurances"

"To continue? We have a casualty! We have to stop this at once!
Who was the killed one?"

"A long time researcher, working all the time for the project.
Responsible for the construction of the androids body,
very good documentation."

"So in other words, he was short before his pension, had no
social contacts we have to worry about, his part of the project
is done and everything he knows is there in writing?"

"Well ... kind of"

"Great, I start to like this Android. Tell them to continue"

"But..."

"Oh, and I always wanted to show my mother-in-law around, ask them
for an appointment at once"



Military HQ, Administration,
Kuurembos 7 ME761
Stardate 2758.06.29

"News from the Android project"

"Good ones or standard ones?

"Very good, it is ready to operate in the field"

"No casualties anymore?"

"Nope"

"Can you give me an estimate on a casualty prob?"

"Based on the last 20 days it is zero"

"Great! Did they find the cause for the last killing spree?"

"As you know they emulated human behavior based on audiovisual
documentation of humans. In the recent hype about the discovery
of the ancient data storage from our ancestors and under public
and political pressure, they used the data on that storage device
to model his personality.
The last they used, was a folder entitled 'Spl4tter Downlo4ds'.
Due to the political pressure they were not able to screen it first."

"Aha, and after removing it, they spent the last 20 days to review
all the other data and test the android for leftovers?"

"Well, they removed this content, but then they did the already
scheduled publicity tour using remote control"

"And call it ready?"

"Officially yes, but rumors call it public-beta"

"And the military Advisor knows about it? What does he suggest we
use it, or him, for?"

"Sure, he proposes to use it as space ship captain for pirate hunting
and deep space exploration, including first contacts. Because it does
not age it will hopefully gain valuable tactical infos, easily
accessible by our analysts. And well, they want to switch it off
within the home system, just in case"

"Hm, sounds great, especially the latter part"



Robotics Section of the High Tech Research Lab,
Kuurembos 7 ME761 SpacePort.
Stardate 2758.07.12

"Finally."

"Last check successfull. He is ready to go"

"What do they call it now?"

"Data. They found this name in the records. And it is 'him' from now on"

"Did they delete his knowledge of his record"

"No, that was not necessary"

"Explain"

"His memory about his previous behavior was stored under the names of different politicians
of the time the audiovisual data came from. Because his consciousness is based
on the audiovisual data from our great ancestors, their consideration of
politicians seemed to be implemented as well. So he is unable to remember
anything a politician did, even if it was only one day ago."

"So he is totally unable to learn from his past mistakes? Isnt
that kind of dangerous?"

"I heard we will get a bonus of 0.01% for completing this milestone today instead of tomorrow"

"What are you waiting for? Activate him at once!"

"Data. Corvette Captain. Terran Dominion. Reporting for duty"

Data, Personal Log
Stardate 2758.07.12

Accessing Terran Dominion Global Information.
1 system, 2 planets, 1 known colonizable planet



sufficient resource base, about 16' surplus, 24' in treasury
outer core region
small existing fleet



A new, Special Exploration Craft was laid down today.

The premise was to build a ship, able to penetrate deep into
unknown space, fight off any singular enemy and leave an
impression in potential first contact situations.

Better Shields, Armor, Weapons, Fuel Storage
Acceptable Intra System Speed and Turn Rate.



The Terran Dominion Long Range Exploration Vessel "Magellan"
will be ready within months. Enough time to complete the
Captains training and get accustomed to work with humans.

The basic objective is, to support the interests
of the human species.
Or what the human authorities define this to be.




Data, Personal Log
Stardate 2758.09.26

The TD LREX Magellan is at 63% completion.
Reports of first Contacts come in.
Explorers have found a mining station of Alien origin in the
Urd system. They call themselves Wekkarus.
According to basic info exchange they are miners and traders.



Our diplomats expect them to be peaceful.
Interesting.
According to Earth files mining and trading went along with
the urge to expand, to increase the sphere of influence for
the own economy, absolutely void of consideration or mercy.
Treaties lasted only as long as it was useful for the stronger
side.

Doubt the Diplomats choice. Wish the Magellan would be ready.


Captain, TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2758.11.21

Assuming Command of the Magellan.
Fine ship. Only minor incident. Deactivation attempt from
unknown individuum. Said it would only be temporary.
Individuum deceased shortly after.
From the stars we came, to the stars we return.
Some earlier, some later, some need help with it.
Temporarity.

Adjacent systems swarming with Wekkarus ships.
Wekkarus pose a threat to humans.
Programmed to protect humans.
Programmed to follow human orders.
Humans say, not to attack Wekkarus.
Apply logic.
Only possible to further follow human orders, if humans
are protected.
Implication: Diminish Wekkarus threat to be able to
not attack Wekkarus as Humans say.
Logic. Fascinating.

"Captain, the starbases long range sensors have picked up 2
contacts closing in to the Nuthueen system. Wekkarus signature.
We also got our orders to explore the systems in the E6 sector"

"Calculate intercept course for Wekkarus ships. Systems Report"

"All systems operational. Fuel at max, Energy at max, shields down"

"Get those shields online. Plot course and engage"

"But shouldnt we follow the mission objectives relayed to us?"

There it is again. Temporarity. And the cry for help to return
to the stars. Location and situation unsuitable. Will first bring
this one closer to a star. Humans value kindness and generosity.
But contemporary solution needed.

Accessing Earth files.
Presumption of innocence. Interesting concept. Marked to be
relatively old. Later files indicate opposite behavior to be the
norm. Must have vanished do to the advances of moral consciousness.
Precise accusations found. Seem to be always suitable.

"I accuse this Officer to be a traitor, a witch and a communist!"

!%&?=$§!$

Hm, thats an easy way to help someone to return to the stars.
Humans seem to be quite efficient at it.
And these accusations also seemed to spare all involved from
inquiries and paperwork. And everyone seems to feel better
afterwards! Great. Well at least those that still can feel.

"Plot course and engage"



Captain, TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.01.19

Missed them, just too fast for us. Not a single shot.
Extrapolated their course to the Kandumar System.
Given their speed advantage it is pointless to follow.

The Anuat system, close to the Urd system which has already a
Wekkarus mining station, has an independent Wekkarus colony.
Will greatly enhance their power, send request for a troop
transport to HQ.

...

Seems to be, that the validity of an argument and hint to an
opportunity depends on the military rank.
Might not be the case for the survival of a mining station.
Or a likely Wekkarus colony ship to take over the Anuat system.

Meanwhile Kuurembos 5 has been colonized by one of ours.
And the cashflows went into the red. That was fast.
At least the cashflows going into the red...



Captain, TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.02.29

Arrived at Anuat 3. 110mio independent Wekkari. Nepthys Wine.
And Some Wekkarus Escort orbiting it.
About to correct the latter part.



"Status report"

"Fuel 390, Shields 160"

"Tactical Report"

"We have 3x the firepower and 1/3 more shield energy. No other
Wekkarus ships within the system. One Wekkarus Escort reported
in neighboring Urd System."

"Battlestations. Get closer"

"Incoming transmission"

"Shall wait"

"But doesnt"

"This is Fleet Command. You were ordered to explore sector E6.
Our freighters report you in the Anuat system, sector E5."

Really? Havent noticed
"The Wekkarus pose a threat. They are weaker now and can
be contained with little effort"

"Your order is to resume the exploration mission."

Reminds of an ancient earths proverb.
Never fight an idiot. He pulls you down
on his level and wins by experience.

"But this would worsen our strategic position."

"Resume mission at once or be replaced"

Chain of Command. Hierarchy. Peters principle. Promotion earned for
competence in lower position. Promoted until competence in current
position is not sufficient for further promotion. Regardless of
suitability for higher positions.
Rule of the least competent.
Logic.

Hm, logic seems to be fascinating and frightening.
Would assign internal resources to find philosophical subroutine.
Seems to be a total waste of processing time.
But dedicated squander of resources impresses humans.
And thus might be useful.
Which leads back to the fascinating and frightening part.
Loop of irrelevance.
Fascinating. And frightening.
Have to assign the name of a politician for this.
Found one.

//5min later

"Helm, set course for the nearest star system in sector E6.
Engage when ready"

"Aye"

TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.06.28

While exploring the Sector E6, news came in of a Wekkarus expansion.
The Nuthueen system to the south of our Home system was colonized by
Wekkari.With their home system to the northeast and 2 indep Wekkarus
colonies close by, an encirclement is expected.
There are no other planets for colonization available for us, so
the FC (Fleet Command) ordered a colonization attempt for the indep
Wekkarus colony in the Anuat system, although the likelyhood of success
is not promising.

At least the fear of encirclement led to some changes in command staff,
and to a new mission for us.
That is to find potentially colonizable planets, instead of detailed
systems exploration. With respect to our superior fuel capacity we
will do so on mid range missions, leaving the closer ones to ordinary
explorers.

Our new destination is the E3 sector, with previous refuelling in our
home system.






TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.09.14

Excellent news today.
Anuat 3 was successfully colonized, not only bringing in a new colony
with 115mio people, but more importantly the ability to colonize ocean
planets from now on, and at the same time diminishing the Wekkarus
colonization targets.
And at the same time a human indep colony was found in the Sol system

Unfortunately the Sol system is swarming with pirates. Since we are still
in the vicinity, We are oredered to engage the pirate threat to ease
a colonization attempt.

"Tactical report"

"The explorer in the Sol system reports 5 pirate vessels.
4 escorts 8/120/38 and one frigate 12/240/44. The latter one already
intercepting our explorer.
With regard to our 25/360/40 victory will be unlikely."

"Ack. But nonetheless we will engage and at least try to destroy one
of them. Plot a course"

Although even the destruction of one is unlikely, this will at least
test the ships and the crews ability to handle tough situations.
If on a deep space mission I need to know their capabilities, not
only from spreadsheets, but first hand.






TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.11.11

We arrived in the Sol system and made contact with a humanoid race called
Securan. Shortly before we also got to know the Naxxilians, a reptilian
species.
With 3 known empires around us, the need to claim more systems fast is
obvious.

"Captain, 3 pirate frigates on intercept course."

"Battlestations. Status"

"Shields at 360, fuel 320."

"Tactical"

"They form a group of 2 behind us and a single one in front of us,
their combined weapon and shield power equals ours, but with a range
advantage due to our torpedo launcher"

"Ack. Focus on the lone pirate in front of us. We need to destroy it
before the others catch up."






TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.11.18

"Sir, another escort and the pirate frigate are closing in, our targets
shields are still at 90, while ours have fallen to 330."

"Continue the attack. Lets see what this ship can do"






TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.12.03

"Incoming report. Wekkarus escort attacked the colony ship build at
Anuat 3. One of our frigates is nearby and handling the situation."




"Report"

"Shields down to 160, we are under fire from all pirates.
Primary targets shields down, it tries to flee"

"Pursue the primary target, we need to destroy at least that one."






Captain, TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2759.12.16

"The pirate is destroyed, shields at 90. The pirate frigate fires on
us, the rest closes in"

"We did what we could. Any news from Anuat 3?"

"The colony ship is severly damaged, but so is the Wekkarus escort.
Our relations with the Wekkarus have deteriorated (to -26). They claim
that our frigate fired first."

"Sir, one of our explorers just detected 3 biological life forms in
the orbit above Sol 2. They appear to be hostile. Sol 2 was furthermore
flagged as 'colonization planned'."

"Access Fleet network for colonization status."

"Colony ship 90% ready"

If the bio forms are hostile, a fight between them and the pirates would
result in a decreased opposition against us. Maybe they will do this on
their own. In any way we have to recharge our shields.

"Set course to unknown neighboring system and engage when ready"



TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2760.01.05

We have arrived in the neighboring Bisteni system.
The scheduled colony ship is ready and on its way. Although one of
our components is damaged and the %&!?%&% computer overrides every manual
command with the order to repair at HB (home base), we need
to jump back to Sol to determine its status.

Meanwhile the Wekkarus imposed trade sanctions (-71) and we had first
contact with the Haakonish.



TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2760.01.22

We are back in the Sol system.

"Tactical report"

"We detect a heavily damaged pirate frigate in Sol 2 orbit, and 3
biological lifeforms identified as Giant Kaltors. Two of them appear to
be minorly damaged."

"Status"

"Shields 20, fuel 290, still 1 component damaged"

Based on our scientists, shields are irrelevant against Kaltors, so
we will find out the effectiveness of our weapons.

"Set course for Sol 2"



TD LREX Magellan
Stardate 2760.02.11

Just before we jumped towards Sol, a pirate escort managed to shoot at
us in the Bisteni system, it most likely followed us there.

When we reached Sol 2, we just witnessed the escape of a pirate frigate.
We engaged the remaining Kaltor and destroyed it.
This encounter showed some design flaws in our ship.
We were not able to manually go to emergency speed, resulting in the
destruction of 2 more components and the loss of our audio and video
protocol of the fight.
Another flaw is our max hyperspeed of only 16', restricting our
strategical potential.

With the colony ship underway to Sol 2 we will refuel there and wait for
its arrival.

On the empire level, we managed to colonize the other indep Wekkarus
planet. This system is right next to the Wekkarus home system, but
heavily flooded with pirats. Thus being a strategic pivot of utmost
importance, for the diplomatic relations to the Wekkarus are rapidly
deteriorating (-96).

Why u stop? This is exciting.

I found this fascinating. They should make this an alternative gamemode... something like Space Rangers 2 with a MUCH bigger galaxy.

Hmm I tried this using a heavily armed resupply ship as my ship. Needless to say the game lasted 20mins before I died, and my empire was losing a war that had I been in control would have lasted 30 seconds

have had the same urge to get the best of both worlds: imagine the SR2 gameplay with the universe in DW and once you get all the promotions you can become later the head of a pirate faction (as pirate) or the commander in chief for a races's armada (as the military) or the head of a huge corporation or even an empire (as a trader) and actually get from SR2 into DW. RPG is fun also

Maybe someday this will be done as well

That'd be awesome. I heard someone saying something about implementing Factions... maybe this is a start in that direction.