Governor Challenge

[Mart]

After Action Report of Governor Challenge

Rules are in this thread/post.

Starting as Lal. Somewhere on southern hemisphere, as shown in the screenie. Two colony pods and a scout.
UNHQ is established on landing spot, and since colony safety is priority, it is allowed to create a second armed force, scout patrol.
The second colony pod goes east and finds the first found on planet Unity starship resuply pod. Inside was mineralogical probe, which located abundant nutrient deposits.
That's great, only they are on barren plains and colonists find it more profitable to work in a river valey west from the base.



Winds, mostly from west to east, suggest, that it would be better to find suitable place for a second colony somewhere on western slopes of hills, therefore, colony pod goes north.
Meanwhile, UNHQ starts working on knowledge of planet's ecology and building recycling tanks system.
In 2105, the second Peacekeeping colony is established "U.N. Information Agency".
Governor of this new base hesitates between building a colony pod and recycling tanks, but receives advice from Lal to concentrate on "build" directive, so he chooses a facility. Choosing colony pod at this time would delay base growth and waste production.



Another Unity pod, very lucky and there is enough minerals to complete recycling tanks.



2108, the first technology is researched, and the first facility completed.

[Mart]

In 2115 a scout patrol from Hive appears east.
Yang is willing to exchange techs, but not Industrial Base.
Two new techs:
Doctrine Loyalty
Applied Physics.

[Buster's Uncle]

 

[Geo]

Wonder when the inevitable assault will begin.

[JarlWolf]

I give it 5 turns for the assault. Either Yang is the aggressor or Mart/Lal scums him in a surprise.

[Mart]

In 2118 both bases complete formers. Now there 3 of them, making road connection between settlements and making more productive two nutrient fields.
Next production - colony pods.
UN Information Agency governor is convinced when base priority is changed from "Build" to "Explore".
Yang has second patrol on our border.

Peacekeepers are the best in technology, population and overall.

[JarlWolf]

What difficulty is this on, by the way? Just wondering when or if  is going to see you as a "security" threat and attempt to murder you and your fellow bureaucrats

[Mart]

I think I forced difficulty to transcend. And also, personalities were not randomized. There is scenario file to check.
Our borders are already "pushed". However, it was nice to see him exchange already 2 techs. Having Hive as opponent is always interesting.

[Geo]

I'd be hard pressed to believe the Peacekeepers wouldn't be first in pop with their double votes ability.

[Mart]

M.Y. 2122
Yang establishes a base in the area already explored by PK patrols. "The Leader's Horde". This changes our borders, and we need to push it back, otherwise he will reach vicinity of UNHQ.
Somewhat good location, though not the best is where a former straight east from UNHQ base is at the moment.

Colony pods in 3 and 5 turns.
38 EC in reserves.
Integrity: Noble
Might: Potent



There is no time turns to be wasted... in 2123 both colony pods are rushed to be completed in 2124.
In 2125 a new base is possible to start, but 2 formers start a sensor net, so colony pod waits till 2126. In that location having sensor right beneath the base can turn out very useful.

Terraforming.
Forests on nutrient bonuses. These are very productive 3-2-1. On the northern bonus near UN-IA, it was necessary to flatten terrain, from rocky to rolling. But it was worth it to invest 8 former-turns.

The second colony pod tries its luck north. There is some land outside of Yang's territory.



At this stage of the game, priority of conquer builds scout patrol, while build - recycling tanks.

[Mart]

Yang signed Treaty in 2115, if I remember correctly, and since then diplomatic status has not change.
In 2128 he has less technological advancements and wants to get more from Lal.
Industrial Base was discovered in UNHQ around 2122, and since then efforts go towards Planetary Networks...
We do need internet...   

So Yang wants Biogenetics. For his maps. No way this is going to be beneficial for UN.



M.Y. 2130
UN has now four bases. And quick look at F4 screen makes it possible to check if "Governor Challenge" requirements are met. At least in its most important part.
Priority - conquer, now assigns colony pod!

[Mart]

M.Y. 2131

Like out of nowhere a scout patrol of Yang appears between our bases.
Yang has a new tech and wants to trade. We get Nonlinear Mathematics.
And then map exchange.
It must have been teleportation, there is a piece of land uncovered with visible fragment of Unity wreck.





MY 2137
Yang agrees to sign Pact!
Surprising!? Maybe not...

MY 2141
Two new Hive colony pods travelling on PK soil. So it was about that, Chairman? Are you going to establish bases somewhere near the border taking land from PK, by pushing borders?




MY 2143
Planetary Networks researched, next Industrial Economics.
Yang establishes a base, making UN Planning Authority isolated.

[Mart]

M.Y. 2150
Probe team infiltrates Socialism Tunnels. In case, Yang gets less friendly.

M.Y. 2153
Yang ends pact agreement. Some units get returned to PK bases, but there is a colony pod with scout patrol going towards Unity wreckage, that stays in place. There is visible Zakharov scout, but I have no contact.
I could have asked Yang for commlink, but did not, and it is too late now.
And additionaly zones of control make these two units "locked"



MY 2154
Yang Launches a surprise attack!
PK bases are in peaceful mode, although making some military units.
Colony pod and scout get destroyed.
Hive has 5 bases, and quite good military. It will be difficult to fight his faction.
Yang finished Industrial Economics few turns ago, so the probe team gets that tech from Socialism Tunnels.




MY 2155
A new tech must be selected. Choices are interesting, including Industrial Automation, but due to military needs Mobility is chosen.
And as expected, attacks will be made on UN Equality Village. But first, a stationed (made by switch from almost completed Network Node) 4-2-1 impact unit can attack approaching opponent with winning chances of 32:21.

[Flygon]

This is getting very interesting!

[Mart]

And PK forces for comparison.



Setting bases to conquer and manipulating unit workshop gives good options.

MY 2155
A 4-2-1 unit gets built in UN Equality, so it can attack a synth garrison approaching. What was that Chairman? Cannon fodder?
And 4-1-1 reinforcement comes from UN Information Agency, should be in the base next turn.
Only latest base, SW from UNHQ builds recycling tanks.

MY 2156
Three Hive Impact infantry (4-2-1) approach UN Eq. Village from east. And 2 of them are destroyed by impact defending units. One left is 60% damaged. There is really no synth defender in the base, though there is scout and two formers holding position. A 4-2-1 is used as offensive unit and it is already damaged. Though this 60% down Hive infantry will most likely pose no real threat.