A short story of The Invigis Supremacy

[Lilium Atratum]

Index

Early Expansion
The Beginning - The Expansion - First Contacts - The Honorbound Warriors - Landgrab - The 4th colony

First Conflicts
Trespasser - War Preparation - The Ipa'Go Tryll Conflict - The Resolution - Talon of the Galaxy - Algol - The Choke Point - Chickenscratch - Survey

The Snail Campaign
Preparation - Tactical Situation - The Long Road - The Simtinasca Maneouver - The Clash - The Aftermath

The Grand Conquest
Crusade - The Legend of Shutra - Interface - Rejection - Nightmare - Discovery - Discrete Transformations - Dream

The Ancients
The Awakening - Intel - Romsir's Gambit - Incursion - The Hunt - The Escape - Witness - The Dance - Negotiations

...

--------

1. The Beginning

It all began on a small planet on the edge of the Galaxy.
The Casivia, the home planet of Seilivi, with tens of millions of small islands, with no well-defined continents or other major landmasses.
In the early years, each island acted independently from all the others.
The Seilivis species were very diverse but disorganized.

Over time however, with the technological revolution, coalitions began to form.
Within a single century, the chaotic, boiling nations of Seilivi crystallized into three distinct groups.
The Invigis Supremacy - one of the three factions - sought to unite all the Seilivi through scientific enlightenment and, if need be, through force.
Unlike all the other groups however, the Invigis welcomed everyone in their borders, regardless of the color of their feather - as long as they remain loyal and act for the benefit of the Supremacy.

The other forces resisted, and the borders on Casivia froze even further into the form of a 3-way cold war.
The last decades of the XXI century were spend in a space race on a grand scale between the three nations.
All parties tried to militarize the whole star system, checking all corners on every planet and asteroid, as a potential place for a military station, mining station or a surveillance outpost.

And then it happened. In the year 2193 the Invigis Supremacy revealed that in the preceding decade their scientists had been working on something unprecedented:
They were seeking ways to travel across the system within minutes.
While their experiment failed due to strong gravitational pulls of the celestial bodies, it has been shown that the technology can be used to travel beyond the system instead, exploring new stars and planets.

Given that this, otherwise significant, technological leap had little application in the scope of the planetary conflict, Invigis Supremacy decided to share their findings with the other forces on Casivia.
This unprecedented act of trust was warmly welcomed by all Seilivi and marked a shift in their planet-wide diplomatic relations.
The Invigis became the leader of the space program, but all parties joined to seek out new worlds and new civilizations... and to fold them under the wings of Seilivi.

The year 2200 is known as the unification day of the Casivia and a beginning of a new era in the history of Seilivi.
The government was reformed to be more democratic, with all the past nations having a say in the domestic as well as foreign affairs.
Still, the notion of supremacy and the military service remained central in the Seilie culture.

The name Invigis Supremacy remained as well, but a different meaning was assigned. It was no longer about superiority among Seilivi, but among all other forces in the Galaxy.

----

So here my story begins. This is my first game with Leviatan and Utopia DLC, and 4th game overall. I still consider myself a newcomer, so I will be happy to get any remarks or suggestions regarding the play, although I don't want to swarm you with the details too much.

This is also my first AAR. I am not going to write long essays, as I have seen in some other AARs, but I hope you will enjoy a short stop in here too. However, I hope to cover the whole play up to the point, hopefully, when the whole galaxy is ours

Some technical details:

• Difficulty: Normal (some stuff are still new to me + I don't like the idea of AI cheating. But will probably amp it up with the next plays)
• FLT type: Hyperplane only
• Galaxy: 600 stars, 4 arms
• Empires: 13 AI, 3 advanced, 2 fallen. I like crowds and stuff happening
  
• Multipliers: x1 everywhere

 

[stnylan]

Welcome to AAR-writing. I hope you enjoy yourself.

Nice little backstory. I had to chuckle at the race display at my own current game has the same portrait.

I will be interesting to see how your game develops.

 

[Nikolai]

Welcome to the world of AAR writing! I wish you luck, both in the game and in the writing process.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

Thank you for your kind words.
Let the game begin!

Nivia Wings of Brown, the elected ruler of the Invigis Supremacy, 03.01.2201, a year after the election:

[...]
I would also like to address the rumors about me abandoning the Seilivis traits.
I would like to stress that I remain loyal to the true values of our great world.
It is unfortunate that my opponents seek to undermine our work for some minor political benefits.

But even my opponents know and acknowledge that the unfortunate location of our home planet in the Galaxy requires us to adapt.
We need to set up nests in the void and reach distant island planets in order to expand our borders and establish self-sustainable economy.
The construction of the nest in Codria system is already underway. Plans are laid out for another nest in Raymia.
I would also like to announce that we are securing funds for our first colony on an island in Naos.

These are our current priorities. We cannot corner ourselves only to Casivia and our home Sian system.
Last thing we want is the whole space program depend only on your hard work on the surface of Casivia.
A day will come that our achievements out there will benefit every citizen down here.

I promise, like I promised at the day of my election, to set up more mining stations.
I also promised additional funds for our education sector and science programs.
The necessary law changes have already been laid out and resources are secured.
We are still consulting the changes with all interested parties and making adjustments to best fit your needs.

I have not forgotten my promise to you, neither should you.
I believe in every one of you. Together we can overcome the odds.

Stay strong, stay Invigi.


Seili refer to habitable planets as "islands in the void", taking similarity from the early days of island colonization at the oceans of Casivia. What Nivia did not mention was that due to early exploitation of their home system, not many resources were available, and the star distances prevented any other mining locations to be directly supported from Casivia.

For that reason the space program in the first decade after the unification had to rely heavily on the planetary production. For example a single colony ship required for colonization of the Naos Island needed a two-year interrupted work of Casivia to construct.
That however, of course, could not be said in public.

 

[stnylan]

A very out of the way starting position.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

Very out of the way position indeed. Not sure if good or bad.
On one hand it means less enemies to worry about, on another - expanding anywhere is a major influence cost. I have merely 2 orbital mines to construct and then I have to go for an outpost already. Or a colony. Or both

3. First Contacts

Long Range Observatory, high orbit over Casivia, 23.03.2200

- What am I looking at? - Nivia asked
- It is a long range image we took about a year ago, of a nearby star. In false color, obviously - one of the scientists responded
- Interesting. So, why this is not in public yet?
- Because... we do not really know what it is...
- I am telling you, it must be an asteroid belt! - another scientist interrupted
- It's too dense for an asteroid belt. It is reflecting too much light in these regions - he pointed with his wing
- Could it be an early stage of a planet formation? - Nivia suggested
- Unlikely. When a planet forms it can be perceived as an interruption in a wide asteroid disk. Here it is something opposite
- A catastrophic event then?
- A planet falling appart? It would have its debris very localised, not spread along its whole orbit...
- What if.... what if.... - the second scientist mumbled - it is not a natural occurence?
- You mean, a construct of some sort?
The scientists continued the discussion between themselves, with Nivia listening quietly...
- A ring world?
- That's impossible! Ring worlds are very inconvenient to maintain. Why would anyone build something like that?
- What do you mean?
- Ring worlds are unstable. A small course deviation and it falls into the star. Another star or a planet passing nearby, and lateral forces break it into pieces. A meteor hit and all the atmosphere is sucked into space.
Also, you need to artifically create gravity on such a thing. For a 1g force, this ring would have to rotate fast, really fast. I mean crazy fast! Almost half-a-percent-C fast!
- From what we could gather from our sensors, this thing rotates the star at the speed somewhere between 25-30 km per second. That's nothing spectacular.
- Also, with the resources needed to pull this off, you would be better of building hundreds of independent habitat stations.
- Maybe it is a matter of prestige?
- You say, someone built it just because they could? Ridiculous!
- So, not a ring world? - Nivia concluded
- Nope.
- Unless there are forces at play beyond our comprehension - she remarked
- Even beyond what we know about theoretical physics?
- Yes.
A silence filled the room. Suggesting that the Invigis Supremacy is *not* the most advanced force in the Galaxy was a major offense. No one expected such a bold statement from the leader of Invigi.
- Invigi are not great because of what we know Today - she explained - We are great because of our capability to learn. For now, we must investigate all these marvels of the galaxy. I am sure in the future we will be able to construct such things with ease. If we do our best, we may be able to make this even in our lifetime... - she paused -
But now, I am ordering our fleet to jump and investigate it, whatever it is, at close range!

- If this is an artificial thing - the second scientist concluded - I am more interested in meeting the birds who built it...

The image Seilivi took was indeed of a ring world. In june 2200, merely a half a year after the Unification, they Seilivi made the first contact with the species who built it. The ringbuilders called themselves the "Uthabulan Chroniclers" or "Keepers of Knowledge" - an ancient empire of unknown origin, occupying two star systems with two, partially functional ring worlds.
The one that Seilivi could investigate, however, was completely destroyed, beyond repair, in the state of violent breakdown.
Whatever forces kept it once in one place - were gone, and Invigi were unable to study it.

About a year later, another ancient empire was encountered - the "Avarrian Progenitors", or - as some call them - the "Enigmatic Observers".

To Seilivi's dismay, neither of the species wanted to maintain any kind of relations.
"If all alliens are like that" - Nivia Wings of Brown once said - "the galaxy is going to be a very boring place!"

 

[stnylan]

This is looking an increasingly challenging start. It could be worse - there could be the Isolationist FE instead.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

This is looking an increasingly challenging start. It could be worse - there could be the Isolationist FE instead.

That's the one that doesn't like when you colonise too close, right?
Anyway, thanks for responding. I know someone is reading. It's definitely motivating

4. The Honorbound Warriors

Central Command, Casivia, 19.10.2202

- We have established communication with a foreign nation! - Plume of Lavender exclaimed in excitement.
- Someone who actually wants to talk to us - Nivia Wings of Brown raised her short beak - put them on screen.

- Wait, what? - Eyes of Silver, sitting further in the back, squawked
- Is there a problem?
- It's a... snail!
- It is the Commissary-General Gobb of the Independent Norillga Confederation, show some respect!
- Those snails... are the honorbound warriors I have been hearing about in the past few weeks?
- You will keep quiet! - Nivia put him in order
- My Nivia - Lavender quietly noted - they can't really hear us anyway
- Ow?
- Snails don't have ears.... - Lavender explained
- Snails? - Nivia stared at Plume of Lavender with an expression "You too?"
- My apologies, my Nivia. The proper name of their spiecies is Norillga. But we all have been calling them Snails internally.
- You might as well translate "Norillga" as "Snail". They would never know... - Silver suggested
- OK - Nivia sighed - so how do they communicate?
- We suspect that their primary way of communication is through the movement of their forehead tentacles
- Let's grow tentacles! - Silver interrupted again - If they are warriors, how do they actually fight? How do they fly?
- Snails don't fly... As for fighting, I suspect these Snails hug you and then release some neurotoxin.
- Oh, ok. I will remember not to go on a date with these Snails!
- Silver has a point though - Nivia calmed the discussion - how do we actually talk to them?
- We managed to establish communication through secondary means. We type words into the computer....
- So we are going to send love letters to them? - Silver continued
- More like chat. The signal is carried through hyperspace and reaches them nearly instantly. My Nivia, if you would like, here is your keyboard...
- Let us begin - Nivia approached her keyboard - our friend Snail has waited long enough. They may get... impatient.

 

[stnylan]

At least they are xenophiles - potentially useful allies.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

5. Landgrab

The promised academic living standards were finally legislated near the end of the first term of Nivia Wings of Brown. This move secured her reelection.

Her main goal, however, was to prevent the three powerful neighbors from dictating the borders of the Invigis Supremacy. After making a contact with yet another neighbor - the Regime of Ipa'Go Tryll, she made a risky move of colonizing an island near their borders, relatively far from the rest of Invigis territory.

Nivia tried to convince the Regime that the island marks the end of Invigis claim and would not try to expand further. While diplomatic channels remained open and active, the Regime remained wary of Invigis actions.

These moves caused even worse domestic traction, however. Her own political party started to openly protest her expansive policy and pressure to focus more on the scientific development. Moreover, the energy requirements of such an aggressive expansion exceeded the output of all the power plants available at that time.

But these did not stop her. By the end of her second term she erected two more nests, securing the Ceberlai-Hischmal hyperlane (CH-lane for short), at a cost of worsening the relations with the Snails and putting the economy at a major crisis. While some had seen wisdom in her long-term plans, others believed that her negligence of the more immediate threats may lead the Invigi into a demise.

 

[stnylan]

Given your start such aggressive colonisation was necessary. Of course one should prepare now for possible conflict with those snails.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

6. The 4th Colony

Somewhere, some time before 2214. Historians have problems pinpointing the exact moment due to secrecy surrounding the depicted event.

We were promised a new land of opportunity, of wonders, of prosperity ....
We thought it would be yet another colony. A fourth island in the crazy expansion plan of Nivia Wings of Brown.
But she betrayed us. She betrayed all that stands for Invigis Supremacy.
We are no longer the Supremacy. She yielded to foreign demands and sold us out.

Here we are, on a distant island, under stars we do not recognize, on the ground that is not of our own, separated from our loved ones.
We cannot expand, we cannot learn, we can just be in this golden cage.
Many other species are here who were either abducted or sold by their respective governments as well.
Our benefactors call it The Preserve, but we call it Zoo - and we are the exhibition.

But the day of our reckoning will come!
One day, Nivia Wings of Brown, we will bring you to justice for your crimes!

 

[stnylan]

Well that was expected, if unfortunate. Best to get it out of the way and not think too much.

 

[Lilium Atratum]

7. Trespasser

Hyperspace control, Lathoros Prime, 7 August 2216

<channel open>
- Space control to the unidentified vessel
... silence ...
- Space control to the unidentified vessel, identify yourself!
... silence ...
- Space control to the unidentified vessel, you are in the Invigis Supremacy space. If you ...
- Hey, yes, I know!
- Who are you?
- ITRE Cablarex of the Ipa'Go Tryll Regime. Last time I checked we were permitted to move through your space.
- You are. May we ask about your purpose of your visit?
- Just passing by, let me go!
- What is your destination?
- None of your business!
<channel close>
- This is a construct ship. Contact Nivia, as we may have a situation on our hands!

The next day Nivia was briefed on the situation and immediately waved the foreign ship again.
- This is Nivia Wings of Brown, leader of the Invigis Supremacy, calling the starship ITRE Cablarex
- Nivia herself? To what do I owe this honour?
- You are traveling into our territory. I would like to remind that by our treaty from 2209, no constructs within our border may be raised without my prior approval.
- I am not going to build anything within your borders.
- We consider all stars between Lathoros Prime and Casivia our territory.
- Interstellar law says - territory is defined by the region that you can directly supply and support. Rasalas star, for example, is not.
- Are you going there?
- I didn't say that.
- Good. Because constructing a nest there would seriously jeopardize our relations.
- Frankly? You on this planet here is already jeopardizing our relations.
- You will not go to Rasalas system.
- I don't recognise your authority over there.
- Oh, but I have every authority!
- Bite me! - he responded and disappeared in the hyperspace.

The connection was reestablished as soon as the ship reached the next star in the lane.
- This is Nivia Wings of Brown to ITRE Cablarex and any other Ipa'Go Tryll ship. As of this day all ships of the Regime are forbidden from entering the Invigis space.
If you find a path to Rasalas or any other nearby system that does not cross our border you may take it. Otherwise, that region is off-limits for you.
- Hey - ITRE Cablarex responded - may I at least leave your space first?
- Yes, you may.
....
- Back to where you came from, not forward!
....
- If you continue on your present course, we won't hesitate to open fire at you!
- Ok, Ok... chill out! I will comply!

While the immediate threat that could split the Invigis territory was resolved, the Regime could not be prevented from building a nest next to the border, in the Simtinasca system. As a result, the Regime took control over a few mining stations that Invigi had raised in the nearby system. Nivia was not pleased, to say the least.

At around this time historians record the first use of the word "opponents" referring to the Regime of Ipa'Go Tryll. The diplomatic channels remained open, however, and no hostile declarations have been made at that time. Invigi were not prepared for war yet. They also feared that pushing the Regime too hard could convince them to form an alliance with the Snails, forming an unbreakable wall between Invigi and the rest of the galaxy.

 

[stnylan]

Very cheeky

 

[Lilium Atratum]

Very cheeky

That's actually how I felt about the Regime when I saw what it was doing. I know, it's merely a computer program behind it, but its play was annoying
While I am not going to talk about it, Snails tried to pull a similar thing, by bringing a colony ship all the way through the CH-lane in order to reach Josq-Fomat (the red planet on the bottom of the last screen).
I guess it was a reasonable direction for expansion if you consider Euclidean distance, but horrible in hyperlane distance (and the game is Hyperlane only). I closed borders for them for a few days only, just to force the colony ship to disappear without damaging our relations. They didn't try it again

 

[Lilium Atratum]

8. War Preparation

Tension between the Invigis Supremacy and the Regime of Ipa'Go Tryll grew.
Nivia Wings of Brown, elected for the third term despite the domestic issues, kept the diplomatic channels open.
However, her true intentions were to gain access to another important hyperlane, connecting Grunthirst and Glyderrum starsystems (the GG-lane)
The lane was a passage to a vast cluster of stars that were presumed free at that time.

In the year 2221 the Invigis Supremacy ended their non-agression pact with the Regime. The following decade can be split into two parts:
- In the first part, the main focus of Nivia was on strengthening the economy and colonization within the already fixed borders.
- The second part was dedicated solely on fleet production.

Nivia Wings of Brown managed to resolve the power shortages, partially through trade.
She managed to colonize 3 more islands and reformed the governing style by splitting the country into sectors.
At the same time, the fleet production rate exceeded all the expectations.

Since everyone was happy with the results, no one posed the question at that time - how was that possible.
Only recently we have found documents proving that Nivia secretly received an outside help from the Avarrian.
Documents on this topic are scarce because she kept this knowledge only to herself.
What we can prove is that the donation in minerals and energy was a major sum at that time, probably at around 4-5 thousand units in total.

These recent revelations spurred a heated discussion, not only among historians but common folk as well.
What was the true role of Nivia Wings of Brown in the early years of the Invigis Supremacy?
Was she the leader who acted for the benefit of her people and greatness of the Supremacy?
Or were she merely seeking power through any means necessary? Selling off their own people - the 4th colony - to foreign nations if need be.
Or maybe both?

But this also puts in question the logic of Avarrian.
As an empire with a long history they should be able to predict that a donation exceeding a 2-year production of the whole country is going to tip the balance of force within the galaxy.
When that happens, a war is a natural consequence. This case was not different: the correlation between the donation and the breaking of the non-agression pact with the Regime cannot be denied.
Avarrian action was inconsistent with their goal of seeking peace and preservation of all the species.
This brings up the question - what were the real goals of Avarrian by setting Invigi on this path?

I used console commands to bring up some of the information depicted above. My game however is further ahead of that time and checking this had no impact on how I played. The information here have merely a historic value.
I did see the enemy fleet composition though through the Active Sensory Link trade.

 

[stnylan]

And one doesn't want to get too boxed in. I think Nivia has played a relatively poor starting hand very well thus far.

 

[Nikolai]

Quite the expansion being done, and good is that, with that horrible starting position! The betrayed birds, I guess that was a "gift" to the observers?

 

[Lilium Atratum]

Quite the expansion being done, and good is that, with that horrible starting position! The betrayed birds, I guess that was a "gift" to the observers?

Yes, you read that right. The Avarrian try to collect all the species predicting that they will all get extinct.

The expansion comes at a cost. In the first few years I couldn't construct any mines, and later everything was spent on expansion and economy. As a result research was hurt a lot and I am now behind in terms of tech. For example, the Regime has shields one level above mine.

Before I pressed the "Start" button and saw my position I wanted to focus much more on tech - but had to adapt. And I tried to reflect this in the narration.