In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 930):

I definitely suggested the idea, but do not recall seeing anything I could interpret as you doing that. Let me know if you did...

Well I thought we did... we paid to have them converted.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 932):

The two ships, a Gashidda and a Shamshir you paid to have converted are yours. The others were surplus stock from the war.

OK, but "Yours" as in AK Enterprises or Cyril's?  Just want to be clear...

In reply to Fate (msg # 933):

AK Enterprises, but under your command.

OK, so we sell them and the money is to buy new AK ships to fulfill the mission.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 936):

Ok. The Shamshir will net you M $800 delivered to Ceti Command. The Gashiddas modified as an assault craft will be harder to sell, as Ceti Command has been blockaded as a result of earlier raids. Perhaps M$400? I thought you intended to use it for raiding? Also, what ships/bases do you plan to purchase?

17 Nov 2180, Argon 27/27 dTon of supplies (0.3 dTon/week), Current Budget: B$1.9145

Sigh.. so we'll keep the Gashidda, originally thought about using it vs Sikigi. I am not selling it for dirt...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 938):

Ok, then keeping that. What about purchases?

17 Nov 2180, Argon 27/27 dTon of supplies (0.3 dTon/week), Current Budget: B$2.7145

Two of those AK Ball outposts with fighters and bombers and such...  actually might be able to swing a third one... The question is how do we move it to where it needs to be.
2923, 2924 are the first two, then 2321 and 2421 are next in that order.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 940):

Andrew will ensure they are moved into location. Many of the bases come with jump drives anyway, but if not, they can be fitted into the hanger.

Expect to get back this week for details.

In reply to Andrew Kalishnakov (msg # 941):

The Ball outposts are to be moved into position using a jump drive in the Cargo Bay, which is then removed and transported back for use in the next base.

AK Ball Outpost, 872 M Solars, 1000 dTon Sphere, 37 yd dia.
The craft costs only M$ 510 Solars without the small craft.
(0.8G/Move:370, dDR:240, dHP: 90, Cargo Space: 161.5 dTons, Fuel: 200 dTons, SM:+10)
Crew:58, Life Support:90(10 Low Berth), Food Production for 60 Persons
4 Workshops, (5 Robofacs), 4 Bed Hospital, 4 Laboratories, 1 Survey Modules,
1x AKHB Recovery, 1x AKHB Freight, 2x AK Modular Fuel Drone Skimmer, 2x AK Miniminer
Weapons: 12x Beams in 4 turrets, 2x Plasma in 1 Heavy turret
4x AKHB Fighter, 2x AKHB Bomber, 2x AK Modular Combo Fighter

Three of these without small craft will cost B$1.53. The small craft for all three will cost B$1.086, however, the time taken to construct these will be approximately six months, outsourcing some of the production to Iishuni (sensitive items, such as VatFacs, Robofacs and computers will still be done by AK Enterprises, however). The small craft will only be constructed in the last two months, so you can make payment for the small craft at that time if you wish. Actually, you could have construction started on four bases if you wanted to do that. That would cost B$2.04 now and B$1.448 in four months time.

17 Nov 2180, Argon 27/27 dTon of supplies (0.3 dTon/week), Current Budget: B$2.7145

Estimated delivery date: 20 May 2181, small craft payment would be wanted mid-march 2181.

I thought small craft were included in the price...  if not we can order two w/ small craft and submit plans for two more when cash is available.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 943):

Small craft are included in the price of M$872, but the bases without them cost just M$510. Given the difference in time of construction, (six months for the base, and 2 months max for the small craft) it makes sense that the two parts can be paid for separately. Or together, as you wish. Just gives options, that is all.

Well to be honest, I am rather confused as to where we are going and what we are doing at this point.
Between stuff going on here and your travels, the game has sort of been forgotten.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 945):

Yeah, I get that. At this point you are trying to raise forces for control of systems that are used to approach Argon. The details is left up to you, but either raiding systems controlled by Dingir (now once again at war with Terra) or capturing ships seems the most profitable way of raising cash.

You named four systems that, if controlled, would serve as excellent systems for controlling access to Argon. Starting bases in those systems, and then getting the small craft later would work pretty well to finishing off this tasking.

17 Nov 2180, Argon 27/27 dTon of supplies (0.3 dTon/week), Current Budget: B$2.7145

The bases don't seem able to function without the small craft to refurl and protect them.

I remember the war and all ... but have sort of lost track of potential targets...
I know I was thinking of capturing Sikigi at one point, but that really not a sustainable position.
Guess we'll go seek most current intel for weak points to be exploited ... the guard ships on Nushmi?
The base at Kamuukshar?
Some place else?

Just pirating may cause Dingir issues, but I do not want to irritate the Kimashargur and push them toward the Vilani for security.
Getting over closer to Dingir is somewhat difficult and recovering captured ships all but impossible.
Gloria was on a military mission, with no need to capture ships; Cyril is under a very different mission.
He also has a lot of semi-friendly systems to not upset (Girii, Shululsish).
Places like Nunashi are up in arms, so not good hunting locales. Perhaps the systems just behind Nunashi?

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 947):

Yeah, there are a lot of points here.

Start with the bases, true, they do need the small craft to function, but they will not be functioning for at least another six months. Based on history, you will have earnt enough for the small craft within three months to cover the small craft.

As for the war, the Dingir sector is far from united, as you know. Political divides between Shululsish have been exploited recently by yourself, and they may have made peace for now, but you can be sure tension is simmering, allowing operations in systems near the Vegans worlds and against Apishlun. Vegans are masters of passive aggressive submission...while they will not be seen to assist you, they likely will assist in any way they can without being seen to do so! Apishlun have also quietly been doing what Dingir directed, but it has cost them considerably, especially in relation to Shululsish, with whom they were once close, so there may be work you can do there. These regions are probably the source of most finances at Dingirs expense...

And yes, there is also Nushmi and the prison planet of Unsharlur, where there are possibly a lot of potential allies that can be released. These systems are clearly held by force, as Gloria has found out. Whilst not necessarily profitable, military assistance there could widen the gap, and robbing the overlords would always weaken their position.

While guard ships on Nunushi and Iishu are very strong, they are at the expense of other locations and there is likely to be fear to move them, given the previous raids on those systems. As such, only 10 Kargash and 30 Shamshirs defend the rest of the sector, including Sikigi, Dzosuiken and Sukun itself, as well as the prison planet and Nushmi. Vilani tactics would call for the Kargash to remain as a unit to defend the key installations, meaning that you could have up to 30 Shamshir spread across two 'gateway' systems, a rebellious system and that small cluster of planets around the prison system. Of course, there are likely to be a number of Gashiddas thrown in as well, but capturing a number of Shamshirs, manned by ex-prisoners and leading them on a breakout to Argon may be an option as well.

Cyril does some research... the Prison planet concept appeals to him more than some of the others, especially as he could also leave via Nagunishmure if need be.


Let me contemplate the options...

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 949):

I notice on the Players Vessels thread you currently have the 3 Bounty Hunters and the Mercenary Hero. Let me know which systems the Bases you have purchased will be destined for.

The Gashidda Raider that will accompany you can have the following statistics. it is essentially 20 troops with APCs to insert them and a Light Tank. You have 1 APC and 2 Combo fighters (the only fighters really capable of planetside operations are the modular ones, as they are aerodynamic). You also have one heavy ball transport, though it will really only make deliveries as it is a clumsy flyer. (It is a ball, hey).

AK Gashidda Raider, Upgrade 47.2 M Solars including small craft, 400 dTon Close Structure
(5.9G/Move:370, dDR:90, dHP: 62, dTons of Cargo Space: 1.5, SM:+9, Fuel: 4 Parsecs)
Crew:37 (Includes 20 Troops), Life Support: 60, Endurance: 12 weeks, 1x Workshops, 2x Sickbays
2x AK APC, 1x AK Light Modular Tank,
Weapons: 15xBeam in 5 turrets

You do not really have any details of what is on patrol there, but estimates place it at a couple of Shamshirs and Gashiddas. The system has 3 Gas Giants and three planets, but none are particularly hospitable.

You expect extra ships at Shuurashana, the last Dingir controlled system. This system has 2 gas giants, one with a colony orbiting it with a dense atmosphere. You expect at least 5 Shamshirs in the system, spread over the two gas giants.

OK, Last I heard the two Hero and 3 Bounty hunters had been commandeered by Andrew ...  all of them would certainly be useful if we want to really disrupt things. The Gashidda provides welcome assistance in killing missiles, since the other ships are deficient in that ability.

The 2,3 4 outposts should go to the  systems mentioned: 2923, 2924 are the first two, then 2321 and 2421 are next in that order.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 951):

The Bounty Hunters and single Mercenary Hero was commandeered to work as a patrol until more permanent patrols could be established. They are vulnerable to pulse laser fire due to their low armour though, and do not have a large capacity for troops.

Ok, so to check your last sentence, you are going for the four outposts at 2923, 2924, 2321 and 2421 and them pay for the small craft later?

I guess ... you've sort of pushed me that way...

Understood... Not sure there is anything that could be done to up armor the bounty hunter easily without seriously slowing it down.
The Hero is a support vessel, so it is just what it is.

I need to get the ship program out and work with it, but life is fighting me on that.

In reply to Cyril Zotmund (msg # 953):

Well, that would be Alexander's preference, but you still can make your own call.

Yeah the shapes do not favour addition of armour. The Hero is kind of support, but it still has bugger all endurance. The ship program will show that, I expect.

So taking just Gashidda (does it have a name, or just using the serial number?) and the Kugel Blitz and heading to ...?

24 Nov 2180, Argon 27/27 dTon of supplies (0.3 dTon/week), Current Budget: M$674.5

Well I was thinking of taking the other ships too, Probably best to go 2421 -> IIlukin -> Dishushashig -> Udkikhii -> Nagunishmure -> Shuurashana.

We can create some havoc there, then depending on how it goes, we could move on too Unsharlur and see what sort of recruits we can find.