Art of Domination - Thread 02

[Rysan Marquise]

I suppose we are waiting on this HQ call then. I am taking odds that they sound subtly crazy.

[DWeird]

That's the HQ of our own troops calling, probably about an impeding enemy attack or something they found in the location we claimed... High Command is not yet talking to us.

By the way, does anyone remember what the Sarami system of rule is? If it's anything that allows for civilian control of the military, we can expect heads to roll at High Command... And various individuals with a track record of not losing wars already won may find themselves suddenly promoted to fill the gap. Individuals like Vora.

[gloomyMoron]

You realize we can't let this change how we approach combat right? I know Vora will know that, but I'm making that clear to everyone now. We cannot let this news effect how we run this campaign. That will only makes things worse.

Shouldn't it? If we knew we would never be able to build any kind of aircraft, wouldn't we try to keep whatever air force we had going for the long haul, and build more things like sonic swatters to deal with enemy air force? More artillery, because we wouldn't be able to get more air strikes?

It should affect how we make our purchases, yes, but not how we actually run the campaign. If we start getting more conservative and taking less risks to go after Smith's troops when we need to, than that will have a negative impact on the war. I'm talking combat strategy and deployment, not our purchases.

[DWeird]

If by "not change our strategy" you mean we should remain aggressive, you are right.
If by "not change our strategy" you mean we should ignore the fact that any loss battallion combat strength is permanent from now on, you are wrong.

No one mentioned anything about slowing down on our expanse or bunkering in or anything. We're still going to take risks - it's just that now we have a very good reason to get units that are not sarami infantry to shoulder the burden of the risk. Vehicles and mercenaries should now be where the enemy's punches land, if they have to land at all.

[Hype]

I really wish we'd gotten those education facilities up and running now - that could really help with our human recruitment and training programs...

[BigBurkhart]

This does change how we have to run the campaign - preserving our soldiers is a key priority. Any research that can help keep them alive should be seen as very important.

I'm also very glad we have the medipacks given this news - and agree we need to get on the ball with helping the Al Barri get their comm equipment fixed and get the factories running.

I don't think conscripting the rockhearts is a good idea given their history and image (they're the ones who kidnap people for sex slaves, right?)

That was the Ax gang. The SoS wiped those guys out. The Rockhearts were the guys with the advanced Anti-Tank weaponry, and some former Smith weapon designers. If for nothing else, I want to deal with the Rockhearts peacefully to get to those weapon designers. The amount of intel that they can give us will be astronomical.

[Dragoshi]

Oh dear god, yes. Sure it might be a little bit dated by the time we get to them, all things considered, but! We'd at least be a bit less blind, add to it maybe we could make our own variants of things, depending on what they are/if it's not completely and utterly fucked up. And yes, the intel would be very handy.

The Rockhearts are quite the important target. Though speaking of important groups/organizations/wolf kabob roth vantages... We'll also be looking to get in on Una-G's good side as well, right? Considering that we can help with their whole energy problem thing, soooo... :Vc

Edit: Crap, wait. Was Una-G in R4 or R5? My memory's kinda bad, and I'm sure it's R4, but... A little refresher wouldn't hurt. :s

[BigBurkhart]

Una-G is in Region 4. They'll likely want to ally themselves with us with no major complaints. Al Barri will just want their comms equipment fixed before they want to come work for us. SoS... well... yeah. And that leaves Rockhearts as the last real faction we need to talk to. It'll basically come down to us saying "Hey guys, we'd rather not have to come in and kill you all. Want to talk it out?"

[Bloddyredcommie]

Una-G and Al-Bari we can count on, Una-G will be crucial in our winning support in Region 5 (Which is probably facing food shortages), and Al-bari's security mechs will be great for keeping the peace in Region 4.

The Rockhearts, we might be able to bribe into an alliance. Give them uniforms and training and turn them into a militia. The only problem will be keeping them in line.

[PaperGolem]

Oh wait, I bet that's why we're on Protocol Biotic. It's not that High Command saw our reports of our enemy's unique biological weapons. It's because of those other wars where our Commanders made the enemy desperate enough to use biological and chemical weapons. Rather than reigning in Commanders to accept surrender, High Command just made everyone start wearing Gas Masks.

[BigBurkhart]

Oh wait, I bet that's why we're on Protocol Biotic. It's not that High Command saw our reports of our enemy's unique biological weapons. It's because of those other wars where our Commanders made the enemy desperate enough to use biological and chemical weapons. Rather than reigning in Commanders to accept surrender, High Command just made everyone start wearing Gas Masks.

...Or it could be because our enemy is confirmed to be very fond of bioweapons...

[Dragoshi]

Yeah. I mean sure the timing on it is kinda odd, but. I doubt the two correlate. 'sides that's just kinda veering into conspiracy theorist territory and I'd rather not do that just yet. Anyways...

Yeah. Seems like R4 will have the matter of making allies with folks an important thing. Especially considering our current situation wrt troops.

[Hype]

Ghulls ==> what's the call say?

[Schlega]

I think it would be a good idea to get as much detailed information as possible about the previous wars where we suspect the AoD was used. If there are any clues about which side(s) had it or what other entities may have been involved, that would be useful information.

This also seems like a time where we might want to check out some conspiracy theorists who mention beings from a different universe with mind control powers. Most of them really will be crazy, but if any of them mentions things that sound like Alone or the Authors, we should take a closer look.

[Andorxor]

=>Take the call

[Asmodemus]

> Don't take the call, stick your fingers where you hear stuff from and sing the song Louie Louie loudly.

[Hype]

> Don't take the call, stick your fingers where you hear stuff from and sing the song Louie Louie loudly.

(I know you're joking but it made me have an interesting thought)

Pfft, it's not like high command would attempt to read The Art of Domination aloud to all fleet captains to test their competence... wait... Well there would be no need for them to do that, it's not like we're in an emergency sit... shit...

Well, we know what the first page says and can cut comms if they really try something like that. I can see the advantage to having all the idiots being driven insane and having all the smart people gain psychic powers and why someone might consider doing something like this.

(I think I may have misinterpreted where the call is coming from XD)

[Dragon Fogel]

The call is probably about Linesman showing up; I kind of remember something about him heading for our HQ after being found out?

[mechanicalFactory]

I think Command might be desperate enough to use the AoD.
They already suffered massive causalities from the wars, and now they have access to a book that is indestructible and can help them win a large number of wars, they're probably going to use it.

[Hype]

Don't forget they're also reputed idiots according to our protagonist.

I really, really, don't think we should mention the book to them if we haven't already sent it in a report. (I didn't want to before, but now I'm 100% against it).

[BigBurkhart]

...Can we just wait for the next update, Tinfoil Hat Brigade?

And Hype, don't encourage them!

[Dragoshi]

No. We can never wait. Ever. But no seriously. Can we please save the conspiracy theory derpery for later? e_e

Also, going by the numbers Rainhar mentioned in the update... That means the combined soldier loss total weighs in at a fuckmassive Twenty-one billion, three hundred forty-nine million, four hundred and forty thousand. And for those of you that can't math, that leaves the Alliance with six billion, six hundred fifty million, five hundred and sixty thousand troops who are either perfectly fine or only minorly injured.

Just. Let those numbers sink in. You know. Just in case they haven't already.

Also, just to break things down a little bit more:

Soldiers killed: Eight billion, four hundred million. (presumably a rough estimate)

Soldiers critically wounded: While it was said to be roughly 13b, it'd be more around the numbers of twelve billion, nine forty nine million, four hundred forty thousand. Of course this is all some pretty major ballparking, but. Still. Just. Keep those numbers in mind. No conspiracy shit. I just want people to see how immense that count is and think about how absolutely fucked up that is. Just... woah.

[Hype]

I was contemplating the use of the AOD as a weapon if read aloud to a population is all, if it really drives the unworthy insane it would be the perfect tool to cleanse entire populations if someone so desired.

[The_Codfish]

Yeah, but we're not going to consider even using it. It is an 'evil' weapon and its creators likely are not the type to create something that could ever be used against them.

[Hype]

wasn't implying vora would be the one to use it in such a manner...