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Intelligence Report - Burgundy Collective. 1661. January.
Associated political unit Castile has completed assimilation of political unit Algiers.
The Queen was less than impressed. She hoped there would be no repetition.
Internal Report. 1661. January.
Sub-unit Tarasco has turned from their false gods. The True Faith reigns supreme over all Mexico.
This at least was progress, and the efficiency gains were gratifying. The next priorities would be the formerly Polish sub-units in Central America.
Exploration Report. 1661. September.
Conquistador-unit de la Roche has completed mapping of the North American interior.
A report of numerous low-value zones inhabited by hostile organics would not usually occupy much of the Queen's time, but this one was a distraction from the seemingly-endless stream of rogue outbreaks (seven in the previous year). Political unit Aragon, she noted, was expanding in the west of the continent, while England was consolidating control over the north. Their expansion would have to be monitored.
Colonial expansion continued - Timaru was the latest colonial-site to complete development - and the need for additional target-zones became more pressing. There were possibilities on the North American coast, and the island-zones between Timor and Timaru.
Internal Report. 1662. January.
Primary coordination-unit "Henri IV" has ceased functioning.
New coordination-unit "Francois I" has superior capabilities.
The Queen was actually moved to send a message of approval to the Genetics Nexus. Perhaps an unorthodox approach would better encourage consistent performance.
Internal Report. 1662. May.
Praise the Lord! The Protestant heresy has been purged from Sub-unit Toulouse.
Hallelujah! Sub-unit Languedoc has embraced the True Faith.
Sub-unit Blois remains obstinate in its heresy. Stronger measures should be taken.
Two out of three, the Queen reminded herself, was not bad.
Intelligence Report. 1662. November.
Hostile infiltration-unit affiliated to political-unit Crimea identified and destroyed in sub-unit Santana.
"Santana? What was it doing there?"
"Apparently, it was attempting to induce unaffiliated naval-units to engage in hostilities against Collective resource-transports."
The Queen scrolled the holomap back and forth between Crimea and Santana. It took some time. "Why?"
"I would not venture to comment, Directing Intelligence."
The Queen briefly considered counter-action, before deciding Crimea was too remote and insignificant to merit it. Yet.
Internal Report. 1663. October.
Multiple sub-units report local stability levels critical
Priority Report: Major rogue outbreak imminent in sub-unit Brabant. Urgent action required.
Priority Report: Major rogue outbreak imminent in sub-unit Breigau. Urgent action required.
Up until then, 1663 had been a satisfactorily boring year, notable mainly for the initiation of three new manufactory facilities. Two major rogue outbreaks, with no apparent cause, threatened simultaneously in sub-units that had been part of the Collective for decades was something else. The Queen ordered an immediate sweep of the affected areas for infiltrators and settled down to wait for the reports.
None came, which was not satisfactory at all, but before there was time for more than a couple of minor rogue outbreaks another matter claimed the Queen's attention.
"Unit D1P-1-J! Has the requisite period of non-hostility towards political unit France elapsed?"
"Truce period elapsing in 3 .. 2 .. 1 .. gone. All clear, Directing Intelligence."
"Unit M1L-1-E! Are the combat-units in position?"
"In position and standing by, Directing Intelligence."
"Very well. On my command. Initiate!"
French resistance was futile, verging on token. Fewer than 10,000 units opposed the Borg Strike Forces and they lasted less than a month. The Siege Forces moved in and then it was just a matter of time.
Having a significant naval force available and wishing to expedite the process, the Queen authorised a blockade of the French coastline. The resistance of a handful of galleys and transports was swiftly overcome. Seeing the last French icon disappear from the holomap, the Queen turned her attention to other matters.
Sub-unit Blois continued to resist the Catholic religion. The currently-active colony-sites were approaching completion, and colonist-units were dispatched to open the next set - Aorangi, Eora, Bundjalung, Gubbi Gubbi. Political unit England completed military operations against Sicily, assimilating three sub-units in northern North America.
Sub-units Bourbon and Limousin were secured. A major rogue outbreak boiled out of Slavonia. More hostiles than France could manage, the Queen noted idly.
Colonial development was completed in Great Karroo. Sub-units Rouergue and Poitou were secured. A missionary-unit malfunctioned in sub-unit Kalisz.
Sub-unit Perigord was secured. Colonist-units were dispatched to zones Mobile and Choctaw. The primary French sub-unit was secured. Not long now.
"Directing Intelligence! I wish to report the presence of combat-units affiliated to political unit Ottomans in zone Saintonge."
"Saintonge? What are they doing there?"
"They are attempting to conduct military operations against France, Directing Intelligence."
The Queen checked the datalinks. Yes, political unit Ottomans was listed as conducting military operations against France, for what reason only organics knew. It might be problematic, if they interfered with operations - or attempted to secure French territory for themselves. "Have them monitored and - wait a moment. Attempting to conduct?"
"They cannot attempt reduction of the Saintonge control-site, because Collective-affiliated forces are already in position. They cannot engage French field forces because-"
"-no such forces remain. Very well. Have them monitored, and inform me if they take any positive action."
Castile was attempting assimilation of political-unit Cyprus. The Queen approved and dispatched a force to assist. En route, its escort destroyed four Cypriot ships, which was long overdue.
Gascogne was secured and the Siege Forces moved to concentrate on the last strongpoints. Colonial development was complete in Roggeveld. Political unit Vijayanagar and its associates was once again conducting military operations against Ming.
Saintonge was secured, and Armagnac. Colonial-sites were initiated in Mobil and Choctaw. Bearn was secured and it was done.
Almost. It was still necessary to wait on the Castilians who (naturally) were reducing the Cyprus control-site in deeply inefficient fashion.
Internal Report. 1666. June.
Sub-units Poznan and Hinterpommern have renounced the Protestant heresy. Praise the Lord!
Rogue outbreak in Nassau, rogue outbreak in Blois. Colonial development initiated in Eora. Missionary-unit failure (again) in Blois.
Intelligence Report. 1666. September.
Associated forces from Castile have secured control of sub-unit Cyprus.
"At last. Direct them to begin assimilation immediately."
There was a pause. "They claim that that is not possible, Directing Intelligence. As an associate political unit they require the Collective to take the primary action."
"Very well. Begin assimilation of political-unit Cyprus."
"That is not possible, Directing Intelligence. Political-unit Cyprus is occupied by associated forces, not by the Collective directly."
The Queen's foot began to tap. "Inform political unit Castile that their forces control Cyprus, and tell them to assimilate!"
"They claim that such action is not possible. Protocol prevents them from ceasing military operations against Cyprus while operations against France continue."
As if that mattered. "They have our permission to cease operations against France. Now tell them to get moving."
"They claim that protocol prevents them from ceasing operations against France until the Collective has likewise ceased operations."
The Queen made a note that when the time came, Castilian-type drones would uniformly be classified as manual-labour models. Or possibly as vegetables. "You are authorised to conclude military operations against France."
"At your command. Concluding operations."
Intelligence Report. 1666. October.
Assimilation of political unit France initiated successfully.
Military operations against France concluded.
Military operations against Cyprus concluded.
There was a deathly silence broken only by the gnashing of the Queen's teeth.
* * * * * * * * * *
stnylan - Hopefully less. The idea is to annex France before 1690 and Castile/Portugal before 1700. If I get some decent monarchs or diplomats I'll be able to pick off the Incas along the way.
Duke of Wellington - The trouble with Poland was that they had about 20 provinces, so annexing them put my BB through the roof. It made sense to leave them for last.
crazypeltast52 - Novgorod. It's still around, has taken out the Teutonic order and even holds most of its eastern territories. Lithuania got ripped up by the Ottomans after it lost the Polish alliance, and Novogorod/Muscovy were able to beat Kazan.
Ahura Mazda - Term "re-assimilate" not understood. Please report to medical centre for mental reset.
ColossusCrusher - Your efficiency is noted. Has anyone seen unit DarkReborn?
Associated political unit Castile has completed assimilation of political unit Algiers.
The Queen was less than impressed. She hoped there would be no repetition.
Internal Report. 1661. January.
Sub-unit Tarasco has turned from their false gods. The True Faith reigns supreme over all Mexico.
This at least was progress, and the efficiency gains were gratifying. The next priorities would be the formerly Polish sub-units in Central America.
Exploration Report. 1661. September.
Conquistador-unit de la Roche has completed mapping of the North American interior.
A report of numerous low-value zones inhabited by hostile organics would not usually occupy much of the Queen's time, but this one was a distraction from the seemingly-endless stream of rogue outbreaks (seven in the previous year). Political unit Aragon, she noted, was expanding in the west of the continent, while England was consolidating control over the north. Their expansion would have to be monitored.
Colonial expansion continued - Timaru was the latest colonial-site to complete development - and the need for additional target-zones became more pressing. There were possibilities on the North American coast, and the island-zones between Timor and Timaru.
Internal Report. 1662. January.
Primary coordination-unit "Henri IV" has ceased functioning.
New coordination-unit "Francois I" has superior capabilities.
The Queen was actually moved to send a message of approval to the Genetics Nexus. Perhaps an unorthodox approach would better encourage consistent performance.
Internal Report. 1662. May.
Praise the Lord! The Protestant heresy has been purged from Sub-unit Toulouse.
Hallelujah! Sub-unit Languedoc has embraced the True Faith.
Sub-unit Blois remains obstinate in its heresy. Stronger measures should be taken.
Two out of three, the Queen reminded herself, was not bad.
Intelligence Report. 1662. November.
Hostile infiltration-unit affiliated to political-unit Crimea identified and destroyed in sub-unit Santana.
"Santana? What was it doing there?"
"Apparently, it was attempting to induce unaffiliated naval-units to engage in hostilities against Collective resource-transports."
The Queen scrolled the holomap back and forth between Crimea and Santana. It took some time. "Why?"
"I would not venture to comment, Directing Intelligence."
The Queen briefly considered counter-action, before deciding Crimea was too remote and insignificant to merit it. Yet.
Internal Report. 1663. October.
Multiple sub-units report local stability levels critical
Priority Report: Major rogue outbreak imminent in sub-unit Brabant. Urgent action required.
Priority Report: Major rogue outbreak imminent in sub-unit Breigau. Urgent action required.
Up until then, 1663 had been a satisfactorily boring year, notable mainly for the initiation of three new manufactory facilities. Two major rogue outbreaks, with no apparent cause, threatened simultaneously in sub-units that had been part of the Collective for decades was something else. The Queen ordered an immediate sweep of the affected areas for infiltrators and settled down to wait for the reports.
None came, which was not satisfactory at all, but before there was time for more than a couple of minor rogue outbreaks another matter claimed the Queen's attention.
"Unit D1P-1-J! Has the requisite period of non-hostility towards political unit France elapsed?"
"Truce period elapsing in 3 .. 2 .. 1 .. gone. All clear, Directing Intelligence."
"Unit M1L-1-E! Are the combat-units in position?"
"In position and standing by, Directing Intelligence."
"Very well. On my command. Initiate!"
French resistance was futile, verging on token. Fewer than 10,000 units opposed the Borg Strike Forces and they lasted less than a month. The Siege Forces moved in and then it was just a matter of time.
Having a significant naval force available and wishing to expedite the process, the Queen authorised a blockade of the French coastline. The resistance of a handful of galleys and transports was swiftly overcome. Seeing the last French icon disappear from the holomap, the Queen turned her attention to other matters.
Sub-unit Blois continued to resist the Catholic religion. The currently-active colony-sites were approaching completion, and colonist-units were dispatched to open the next set - Aorangi, Eora, Bundjalung, Gubbi Gubbi. Political unit England completed military operations against Sicily, assimilating three sub-units in northern North America.
Sub-units Bourbon and Limousin were secured. A major rogue outbreak boiled out of Slavonia. More hostiles than France could manage, the Queen noted idly.
Colonial development was completed in Great Karroo. Sub-units Rouergue and Poitou were secured. A missionary-unit malfunctioned in sub-unit Kalisz.
Sub-unit Perigord was secured. Colonist-units were dispatched to zones Mobile and Choctaw. The primary French sub-unit was secured. Not long now.
"Directing Intelligence! I wish to report the presence of combat-units affiliated to political unit Ottomans in zone Saintonge."
"Saintonge? What are they doing there?"
"They are attempting to conduct military operations against France, Directing Intelligence."
The Queen checked the datalinks. Yes, political unit Ottomans was listed as conducting military operations against France, for what reason only organics knew. It might be problematic, if they interfered with operations - or attempted to secure French territory for themselves. "Have them monitored and - wait a moment. Attempting to conduct?"
"They cannot attempt reduction of the Saintonge control-site, because Collective-affiliated forces are already in position. They cannot engage French field forces because-"
"-no such forces remain. Very well. Have them monitored, and inform me if they take any positive action."
Castile was attempting assimilation of political-unit Cyprus. The Queen approved and dispatched a force to assist. En route, its escort destroyed four Cypriot ships, which was long overdue.
Gascogne was secured and the Siege Forces moved to concentrate on the last strongpoints. Colonial development was complete in Roggeveld. Political unit Vijayanagar and its associates was once again conducting military operations against Ming.
Saintonge was secured, and Armagnac. Colonial-sites were initiated in Mobil and Choctaw. Bearn was secured and it was done.
Almost. It was still necessary to wait on the Castilians who (naturally) were reducing the Cyprus control-site in deeply inefficient fashion.
Internal Report. 1666. June.
Sub-units Poznan and Hinterpommern have renounced the Protestant heresy. Praise the Lord!
Rogue outbreak in Nassau, rogue outbreak in Blois. Colonial development initiated in Eora. Missionary-unit failure (again) in Blois.
Intelligence Report. 1666. September.
Associated forces from Castile have secured control of sub-unit Cyprus.
"At last. Direct them to begin assimilation immediately."
There was a pause. "They claim that that is not possible, Directing Intelligence. As an associate political unit they require the Collective to take the primary action."
"Very well. Begin assimilation of political-unit Cyprus."
"That is not possible, Directing Intelligence. Political-unit Cyprus is occupied by associated forces, not by the Collective directly."
The Queen's foot began to tap. "Inform political unit Castile that their forces control Cyprus, and tell them to assimilate!"
"They claim that such action is not possible. Protocol prevents them from ceasing military operations against Cyprus while operations against France continue."
As if that mattered. "They have our permission to cease operations against France. Now tell them to get moving."
"They claim that protocol prevents them from ceasing operations against France until the Collective has likewise ceased operations."
The Queen made a note that when the time came, Castilian-type drones would uniformly be classified as manual-labour models. Or possibly as vegetables. "You are authorised to conclude military operations against France."
"At your command. Concluding operations."
Intelligence Report. 1666. October.
Assimilation of political unit France initiated successfully.
Military operations against France concluded.
Military operations against Cyprus concluded.
There was a deathly silence broken only by the gnashing of the Queen's teeth.
* * * * * * * * * *
stnylan - Hopefully less. The idea is to annex France before 1690 and Castile/Portugal before 1700. If I get some decent monarchs or diplomats I'll be able to pick off the Incas along the way.
Duke of Wellington - The trouble with Poland was that they had about 20 provinces, so annexing them put my BB through the roof. It made sense to leave them for last.
crazypeltast52 - Novgorod. It's still around, has taken out the Teutonic order and even holds most of its eastern territories. Lithuania got ripped up by the Ottomans after it lost the Polish alliance, and Novogorod/Muscovy were able to beat Kazan.
Ahura Mazda - Term "re-assimilate" not understood. Please report to medical centre for mental reset.
ColossusCrusher - Your efficiency is noted. Has anyone seen unit DarkReborn?
Unit DarkReborn reporting for duty.
The collective must grow.
Probabilities estimate of assimilating political-unit France by 1690 99.99%, Probability estimate of 00.01% that political-unit France, by impossible means, resist assimilation.
The latter comment is completely irrational, because Resistance is Futile.
The collective must grow, we are the Borg.
The collective must grow.
Probabilities estimate of assimilating political-unit France by 1690 99.99%, Probability estimate of 00.01% that political-unit France, by impossible means, resist assimilation.
The latter comment is completely irrational, because Resistance is Futile.
The collective must grow, we are the Borg.
Perhaps now that assimilation of France has begun, the new DIP drone can be named Locutus?
merrick said:
0% inflation this late in the game? I'm impressed. You're doing great but time is running out.
joe
Turks trying to help out, I see. Heh.
And those pesky Cypriots. Too bad Castile could not teach them a sufficient enough lesson.
And those pesky Cypriots. Too bad Castile could not teach them a sufficient enough lesson.
Burgundy Collective - Central Nexus. 1666. November.
It was back to the mundane run of things, in this case colonial expansion. Sub-unit Timaru would not have been on any rational list of priority sites, but the surrounding zones held distinct possibilities. Operations had been successfully initiated in Aorangi, Eora, Bandjalung and now Gubbi Gubbi (and which defective organic designated that, the Queen wondered), and the Pot de le Roche conquistador-unit was dispatched to eradicate hostile organics from the island north of Timaru. There were other possible targets to the West, she noted, some with significant mineral resources.
Also there were rogue outbreaks. Outbreak in Ruthenia sub-unit - suppressed. Outbreak in Kalisz sub-unit - suppressed. Outbreak in Lublin sub-unit... Nothing the Strike Forces could not control, of course, but it was ... disturbing ... to see how many defective units remained even after full assimilation.
Intelligence Report. 1667. September.
Infiltration-unit from political unit Incas has attempted to penetrate Security Nexus. Unit detected and eradicated.
The Queen nodded. Efficiency, it seemed, was on the rise.
Internal Report. 1667. September.
God be praised! Sub-unit Sieradz has abandoned the false beliefs of the Protestant heresy!
Intelligence Report. 1667. September.
Infiltration-unit from political unit Incas has disrupted Collective merchant operations.
The Queen almost nodded a third time by reflex, before the true content of the report hit her. "What? How did they manage that?"
The new Diplomatic sub-coordination unit shuffled his feet. "I understand they obtained access to the Centre-of-Trade facility in the Santana sub-unit in guise of suppliers of the primary Inca trade good, chocolate..."
"Chocolate?"
"Yes. It is a premium nutrient-product produced in the Inca political unit and parts of the Mexico region. Have you tried it? It's quite good..."
"Infiltrators, drone."
"Err, yes. Well, having obtained access they took control of the trading communications nexus and denounced, well, you, Directing Intelligence."
"Denounced me?"
"Ah, yes. Death to the Evil Goddess of the East, freedom to the spirits unjustly bound to her, that sort of thing."
"I see. And the disruption to merchant operations was caused by the local drones abandoning their duties to purge this infestation?"
"Err, not exactly, Directing Intelligence. I understand there was applause-"
"Eradicate them. And their chocolate. At once."
"Yes, Directing Intelligence. At once, Directing Intelligence. Err ... were you referring to the merchant-units or the Incas?"
"All of them, drone. Now."
Internal Report. 1667. October.
The vile Protestants have been driven from sub-unit Plock. God is with us!
The Queen looked up from the datastream before her (economic development in sub-units Trier and Provence, positive results predicted) and ventured an approving look. Possibly normal operations had been restored.
Intelligence Report. 1667. October.
Hostile infiltration-units have attempted to destabilise the Collective. Source of threat unknown.
"Unknown? Concentrate resources and find out! Before I designate the entire Intelligence Nexus as under-performing."
Priority report: Hostile infiltration-units from political-unit Incas have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
"Abort investigation." The Queen glared at D1P-1-K, who looked distinctly nervous. "And prepare for immediate military operations against political unit Incas."
Intelligence Report. 1667. October.
Hostile infiltration-units from political-unit Incas have attempted to destabilise the Collective. Threat level continues high.
"What do you mean, military operations will cause significant internal instability?"
"Well..." the word sounded as if it was being dragged out of D1P-1-K by mechanical means. "It turns out that the Incas haven't actually done anything that the drones -as a whole - would recognise as justification for miliatary operations. Without that, such action would appear as a ... random ... initiative of the Directing Intelligence, and so-"
"They have disrupted Collective economic activity, infiltrated Collective security, attempted large-scale destabilisation - sure even a labour-drone can comprehend the threat."
"Maybe they like chocolate."
"Very funny. Report to the Recycling centre on the way out. See if they can fit you in anywhere."
Unfortunately, D1P-1-K's removal did not also remove the problem. The Queen was still grappling with the dilemma, against a background of further rogue outbreaks, when a solution unexpectedly presented itself.
Internal Situation Report. 1668. January.
Collective internal organisation optimised to Level 25. Options available for Collective self-development.
Option Smithian Economics - Collective productive output has proved more than adequate. Rejected.
Option Military Engineers - Increased speed of reduction of hostile control-sites would improve efficiency of military operations. Under consideration.
Option Deus Vult -
"Would option Deus Vult permit immediate initiation of military operations against political unit Incas without risk of internal instability?"
Affirmative.
"Option Deus Vult authorised."
The Collective didn't appear to believe it either.
Confirm selection option Deus Vult.
"Confirmed."
Of course, military operations were not initiated immediately, whatever the Queen's desire. Combat-forces had to be assembled and brought to readiness. The Pot de la Roche-unit was still engaged in the mapping of the Australian interior, which took most of the rest of the year and revealed another priority resource-supply in the Wiradjuri zone. Meanwhile the Protestants had been driven from sub-unit Kalisz, though Blois (of course) and Bourbon continued to resist. Development of military technology allowed the Collective's artillery-units to be re-equipped with the new "Coehorn Mortar" design.
Internal Situation Report. 1669. January.
Collective naval operations optimised to Level 25.
New light combat-unit design "Heavy Frigate" now available.
The Queen authorised several new units to reinforce the Collective's naval presence in the Baltic region. There were several detached sub-units along its coast that might need reinforcement by sea.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1669. January.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
The reminder of the risk did nothing for the Queen's mood. She switched the holomap to South America. Strike Force 1 was now almost in position, but the assembly of forces was still being delayed by the remoteness of the Inca interface and a shortage of resources in sub-unit Jujuy.
Internal Situation Report. 1669. March.
An opportunity has arisen for Collective self-adaptation.
That was an easy decision. Overseas operations were becoming ever more central to the Collective's functioning and expansion was still severely constrained by shortages of colonist-units.
A reminder - and a justification for the Baltic naval expansion came a few days later when a horde of rogue units from Lithuania crossed the boundary to wreak havoc in sub-unit Ostpreussen.
Internal Report. 1669. May.
Sub-unit Zapotec has embraced the True Faith.
The demons of paganism are driven from Campeche. Hallelujah!
Internal Report. 1669. July.
Theologian coordination-unit de Donzy has ceased operations. Additional diplomatic coordination-unit de Vexellon now active.
The Queen frowned. Diplomatic coordination was indeed a primary priority, but the recent coordination-units were distinctly substandard. If this "de Vexellon" was the best the developers could manage, she knew another section of the Collective where efficiency had been allowed to slip.
Time passed. Painfully slowly, forces were assembled and brought to readiness. Missionary-unit operations were successfully completed in sub-unit Yucatan. Colonial operations were successfully initiated in Woiworung. Colonist-units were dispatched to open new colonial-sites in Wiradjuri and Whangarei. An additional conquistador-unit, designated "de Beaumont" was converted and assigned to the combat-units now approaching readiness in sub-unit Jujuy.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1670. April.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
That was enough. The final combat-units had not quite reached their final positions, very well they could adapt. The Queen had delayed too long. "Initiate operations."
The plan was for the Strike Force to strike directly at the Inca combat-units on the border while two lesser forces with conquistador command-capability would bypass resistance and strike for the interior, mapping the Inca interior as rapidly as possible. Behind them, smaller follow-up forces would advance.
Combat Situation Report. 1670. May.
Strike Force 1 has encountered opposition in Chichas zone.
Opposition totals in excess of 20,000 infantry-units of primitive design.
Strike Force 1 totals 9,500 equine-units. Resistance will be futile.
So it proved, although it took two months to finally wear the Incas down. By that time the Pot de la Roche-unit was deep in the interior - and the Queen had had to divert resources twice to head off threatened instability in in sub-units Ersekujvar and Holland.
Thereafter things improved. The Pot de la Roche-unit beat off disorganised Inca forces to map a string of interior zones - Huamanga, Huancavelica, Tarma, Huanaco, Canelos. The last Inca combat-forces in the southern sector were hunted down and destroyed. The Incas were too inefficient - or too backward - to properly secure their control-sites, so the sub-units were secured rapidly. By the year's end the Collective's advance was being delayed only by the terrain.
There was more good news elsewhere, as missionary operations were brought to a successful conclusion in sub-units Guatemala, Belize and even Blois.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1670. December
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Karaman have penetrated the Security Nexus. Intelligence operations compromised.
This on the other hand was simply unacceptable. The Queen found herself wondering whether recycling the entire Intelligence Nexus would make the organics' task any easier. Perhaps if there was nothing left to infiltrate....
Inca combat-forces were still significant in numbers, but totally unable to effectively oppose the Borg equine-drones. The only difficulty was the need to fully secure captured sub-units against infiltration.
In March, the Incas threw 9,000 units into a futile counter-attack in Huanaco. 6,000 equine-drones tore them apart. In May they could still manage 16,000 in three separate forces, none of which held together when the Strike Forces caught up.
Intelligence Report. 1671. June.
Political unit Incas assimilated successfully.
Some things could still be done in an efficient manner.
* * * * * * * * * *
All at once everyone thinks it's a good idea to infiltrate the Borg. Don't ask me why.
* * * * * * * * * *
ColossusCrusher - Term "Plato's Forms" not understood. Does it refer to administration?
DarkReborn - Devotion to duty is desirable. Efficiency is more so.
stnylan - An underestimate, as it turned out.
stephanbathory - Do you think the Collective has time to give them all names?
Storey - I haven't migrated the game to NA (save compatibility issues). And I've been playing a very conservative game, living off my annual income and not tackling the major powers until I had a significant advantage of force. Of course, if I can't win the BB wars in 80 years, it could all backfire.
coz1 - Attempting to assimilate French provinces under the nose of the Collective is not "helping". If they wanted to help, they could go assimilate Cyprus. (Yes, once I sank the French navy, the mice started to play)
It was back to the mundane run of things, in this case colonial expansion. Sub-unit Timaru would not have been on any rational list of priority sites, but the surrounding zones held distinct possibilities. Operations had been successfully initiated in Aorangi, Eora, Bandjalung and now Gubbi Gubbi (and which defective organic designated that, the Queen wondered), and the Pot de le Roche conquistador-unit was dispatched to eradicate hostile organics from the island north of Timaru. There were other possible targets to the West, she noted, some with significant mineral resources.
Also there were rogue outbreaks. Outbreak in Ruthenia sub-unit - suppressed. Outbreak in Kalisz sub-unit - suppressed. Outbreak in Lublin sub-unit... Nothing the Strike Forces could not control, of course, but it was ... disturbing ... to see how many defective units remained even after full assimilation.
Intelligence Report. 1667. September.
Infiltration-unit from political unit Incas has attempted to penetrate Security Nexus. Unit detected and eradicated.
The Queen nodded. Efficiency, it seemed, was on the rise.
Internal Report. 1667. September.
God be praised! Sub-unit Sieradz has abandoned the false beliefs of the Protestant heresy!
Intelligence Report. 1667. September.
Infiltration-unit from political unit Incas has disrupted Collective merchant operations.
The Queen almost nodded a third time by reflex, before the true content of the report hit her. "What? How did they manage that?"
The new Diplomatic sub-coordination unit shuffled his feet. "I understand they obtained access to the Centre-of-Trade facility in the Santana sub-unit in guise of suppliers of the primary Inca trade good, chocolate..."
"Chocolate?"
"Yes. It is a premium nutrient-product produced in the Inca political unit and parts of the Mexico region. Have you tried it? It's quite good..."
"Infiltrators, drone."
"Err, yes. Well, having obtained access they took control of the trading communications nexus and denounced, well, you, Directing Intelligence."
"Denounced me?"
"Ah, yes. Death to the Evil Goddess of the East, freedom to the spirits unjustly bound to her, that sort of thing."
"I see. And the disruption to merchant operations was caused by the local drones abandoning their duties to purge this infestation?"
"Err, not exactly, Directing Intelligence. I understand there was applause-"
"Eradicate them. And their chocolate. At once."
"Yes, Directing Intelligence. At once, Directing Intelligence. Err ... were you referring to the merchant-units or the Incas?"
"All of them, drone. Now."
Internal Report. 1667. October.
The vile Protestants have been driven from sub-unit Plock. God is with us!
The Queen looked up from the datastream before her (economic development in sub-units Trier and Provence, positive results predicted) and ventured an approving look. Possibly normal operations had been restored.
Intelligence Report. 1667. October.
Hostile infiltration-units have attempted to destabilise the Collective. Source of threat unknown.
"Unknown? Concentrate resources and find out! Before I designate the entire Intelligence Nexus as under-performing."
Priority report: Hostile infiltration-units from political-unit Incas have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
"Abort investigation." The Queen glared at D1P-1-K, who looked distinctly nervous. "And prepare for immediate military operations against political unit Incas."
Intelligence Report. 1667. October.
Hostile infiltration-units from political-unit Incas have attempted to destabilise the Collective. Threat level continues high.
"What do you mean, military operations will cause significant internal instability?"
"Well..." the word sounded as if it was being dragged out of D1P-1-K by mechanical means. "It turns out that the Incas haven't actually done anything that the drones -as a whole - would recognise as justification for miliatary operations. Without that, such action would appear as a ... random ... initiative of the Directing Intelligence, and so-"
"They have disrupted Collective economic activity, infiltrated Collective security, attempted large-scale destabilisation - sure even a labour-drone can comprehend the threat."
"Maybe they like chocolate."
"Very funny. Report to the Recycling centre on the way out. See if they can fit you in anywhere."
Unfortunately, D1P-1-K's removal did not also remove the problem. The Queen was still grappling with the dilemma, against a background of further rogue outbreaks, when a solution unexpectedly presented itself.
Internal Situation Report. 1668. January.
Collective internal organisation optimised to Level 25. Options available for Collective self-development.
Option Smithian Economics - Collective productive output has proved more than adequate. Rejected.
Option Military Engineers - Increased speed of reduction of hostile control-sites would improve efficiency of military operations. Under consideration.
Option Deus Vult -
"Would option Deus Vult permit immediate initiation of military operations against political unit Incas without risk of internal instability?"
Affirmative.
"Option Deus Vult authorised."
The Collective didn't appear to believe it either.
Confirm selection option Deus Vult.
"Confirmed."
Of course, military operations were not initiated immediately, whatever the Queen's desire. Combat-forces had to be assembled and brought to readiness. The Pot de la Roche-unit was still engaged in the mapping of the Australian interior, which took most of the rest of the year and revealed another priority resource-supply in the Wiradjuri zone. Meanwhile the Protestants had been driven from sub-unit Kalisz, though Blois (of course) and Bourbon continued to resist. Development of military technology allowed the Collective's artillery-units to be re-equipped with the new "Coehorn Mortar" design.
Internal Situation Report. 1669. January.
Collective naval operations optimised to Level 25.
New light combat-unit design "Heavy Frigate" now available.
The Queen authorised several new units to reinforce the Collective's naval presence in the Baltic region. There were several detached sub-units along its coast that might need reinforcement by sea.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1669. January.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
The reminder of the risk did nothing for the Queen's mood. She switched the holomap to South America. Strike Force 1 was now almost in position, but the assembly of forces was still being delayed by the remoteness of the Inca interface and a shortage of resources in sub-unit Jujuy.
Internal Situation Report. 1669. March.
An opportunity has arisen for Collective self-adaptation.
That was an easy decision. Overseas operations were becoming ever more central to the Collective's functioning and expansion was still severely constrained by shortages of colonist-units.
A reminder - and a justification for the Baltic naval expansion came a few days later when a horde of rogue units from Lithuania crossed the boundary to wreak havoc in sub-unit Ostpreussen.
Internal Report. 1669. May.
Sub-unit Zapotec has embraced the True Faith.
The demons of paganism are driven from Campeche. Hallelujah!
Internal Report. 1669. July.
Theologian coordination-unit de Donzy has ceased operations. Additional diplomatic coordination-unit de Vexellon now active.
The Queen frowned. Diplomatic coordination was indeed a primary priority, but the recent coordination-units were distinctly substandard. If this "de Vexellon" was the best the developers could manage, she knew another section of the Collective where efficiency had been allowed to slip.
Time passed. Painfully slowly, forces were assembled and brought to readiness. Missionary-unit operations were successfully completed in sub-unit Yucatan. Colonial operations were successfully initiated in Woiworung. Colonist-units were dispatched to open new colonial-sites in Wiradjuri and Whangarei. An additional conquistador-unit, designated "de Beaumont" was converted and assigned to the combat-units now approaching readiness in sub-unit Jujuy.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1670. April.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
That was enough. The final combat-units had not quite reached their final positions, very well they could adapt. The Queen had delayed too long. "Initiate operations."
The plan was for the Strike Force to strike directly at the Inca combat-units on the border while two lesser forces with conquistador command-capability would bypass resistance and strike for the interior, mapping the Inca interior as rapidly as possible. Behind them, smaller follow-up forces would advance.
Combat Situation Report. 1670. May.
Strike Force 1 has encountered opposition in Chichas zone.
Opposition totals in excess of 20,000 infantry-units of primitive design.
Strike Force 1 totals 9,500 equine-units. Resistance will be futile.
So it proved, although it took two months to finally wear the Incas down. By that time the Pot de la Roche-unit was deep in the interior - and the Queen had had to divert resources twice to head off threatened instability in in sub-units Ersekujvar and Holland.
Thereafter things improved. The Pot de la Roche-unit beat off disorganised Inca forces to map a string of interior zones - Huamanga, Huancavelica, Tarma, Huanaco, Canelos. The last Inca combat-forces in the southern sector were hunted down and destroyed. The Incas were too inefficient - or too backward - to properly secure their control-sites, so the sub-units were secured rapidly. By the year's end the Collective's advance was being delayed only by the terrain.
There was more good news elsewhere, as missionary operations were brought to a successful conclusion in sub-units Guatemala, Belize and even Blois.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1670. December
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Karaman have penetrated the Security Nexus. Intelligence operations compromised.
This on the other hand was simply unacceptable. The Queen found herself wondering whether recycling the entire Intelligence Nexus would make the organics' task any easier. Perhaps if there was nothing left to infiltrate....
Inca combat-forces were still significant in numbers, but totally unable to effectively oppose the Borg equine-drones. The only difficulty was the need to fully secure captured sub-units against infiltration.
In March, the Incas threw 9,000 units into a futile counter-attack in Huanaco. 6,000 equine-drones tore them apart. In May they could still manage 16,000 in three separate forces, none of which held together when the Strike Forces caught up.
Intelligence Report. 1671. June.
Political unit Incas assimilated successfully.
Some things could still be done in an efficient manner.
* * * * * * * * * *
All at once everyone thinks it's a good idea to infiltrate the Borg. Don't ask me why.
* * * * * * * * * *
ColossusCrusher - Term "Plato's Forms" not understood. Does it refer to administration?
DarkReborn - Devotion to duty is desirable. Efficiency is more so.
stnylan - An underestimate, as it turned out.
stephanbathory - Do you think the Collective has time to give them all names?
Storey - I haven't migrated the game to NA (save compatibility issues). And I've been playing a very conservative game, living off my annual income and not tackling the major powers until I had a significant advantage of force. Of course, if I can't win the BB wars in 80 years, it could all backfire.
coz1 - Attempting to assimilate French provinces under the nose of the Collective is not "helping". If they wanted to help, they could go assimilate Cyprus. (Yes, once I sank the French navy, the mice started to play)
No, Directing Intelligence. It refers to the universal form of what a thing is. For instance, you are a particular of the universal "Borgness".
It is a way of thinking.
It is a way of thinking.
The Queen actually selected Deus Vult. No doubt the Collective things that God moves in mysterious ways.
That thing about the game where a spy action does not give a CB has always irritated. I can only presume that it made wars against the ai too easy to carry out and was not included but it's still infuriating at times. Well Deus Vult was a good option to choose.
Burgundy Collective - Central Nexus. 1671. July.
Military operations successfully concluded, tedium returned full force. Oversee internal development (first priority - reinforcement of the former Inca control-sites, in preparation for the inevitable rogue outbreaks), oversee colonial development, eradicate rogue activity. And wait. Especially wait. The Plan called for the Collective to do absolutely nothing ... dynamic for almost twenty local years, until organic suspicions were sufficiently lulled for assimilation to continue. Too early a move,the Intelligence Nexus reported, might rouse even the organics to united action and the Collective could not fight the entire planet. Not yet. After assimilation of France was completed, after assimilation of Castile was completed, after assimilation of Portugal was completed. Then it would be the time for conquest. But for now it was the time to wait. And wait.
There were occasional surprises. Hostile indigenes damaged the colonial-site in Squamish. The Queen had forgotten the existence of Squamish and was not impressed when she was reminded. A low-value outpost, miles from anywhere of strategic importance, just across the water from the Papal State. The population of the Papal State, the Queen noted, appeared to be in inexorable decline. It appeared the indigenes cared no more for God than they did for the Collective.
Colonial operations begun in Wiradjuri, colonial operations begun in Whangarei. Eastern colonial development was going well.
Successful missionary operations in sub-unit Bourbon left the Collective, once again, cleansed of the Protestant and Reformed heresies. The Queen was mildly surprised at the Collective's lack of overt celebration of this achievement. Diligent research disclosed a stray province on the eastern interface which adhered to the Orthodox heresy. It was assigned secondary priority for the missionary-units, immediately after the former Inca provinces, the processing of which was projected to take a minimum twelve years.
The first rogue outbreak erupted in the Peru region, wrecking the half-built defences in Lima and overrunning the control-site. The Queen resigned herself to tedium.
Organic political units were not so restrained. Vijayanagar dealt a savage blow to Ming, assimilating no fewer than six sub-units. It looked increasingly as if the Vijayanagar-unit would be the Collective's primary opponent in Asia. It was large - but pitifully backward, even more than Ming. Collective combat-forces would meet little opposition - when the time came to unleash them.
Internal Report. 1672. March.
Sub-unit Podlasia has assimilated to the Collective. We welcome their distinctiveness to our own.
"What? I was not informed that the Collective was assimilating a political unit designated Podlasia."
"We weren't. Podlasia used to be a sub-unit of Lithuania. It fell under the control of a rogue faction, which took the initiative to self-segregate and assimilate to the Collective."
"Hmm." The Queen was not entirely sure what to think. On the one hand, it was gratifying to know that at least some organics recognised Collective superiority. On the other, she could not quite shake the feeling that the Collecitve should expand on her initiative, not that of a bunch of rogue organics.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1672. August.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
"I was informed," the Queen said slowly, "that internal security procedures had been completely overhauled."
"That was correct, Directing Intelligence. The latest infiltrators were forced to gain access in an entirely novel manner."
"That does not constitute progress. See that it does not happen again."
Tedium was restored. Colonist-unit, missionary-unit, internal development. Even the rogue outbreaks had slackened off, not that the Queen was complaining. And the assimilations were progressing, oh so slowly.
Colonial operations initiated in Matto Grosso zone. Colonial operations complete in sub-unit Mobile. The Queen supposed she ought to be enthusiastic.
Internal Report. 1674. August.
Diplomatic coordination-unit "de Franchi" has ceased operations.
No replacements unit available.
"No units available? What is the Genetics Nexus doing?"
ADM-1-H hesitated. "I'm not sure. They... they appear to have an extensive line of espionage coordination-units."
The Queen's interest was caught. Maybe a new de Chalons-Array could resolve this muddle. "What rating?"
"Highest available is ... level 2, Directing Intelligence."
"Insufficient. Diplomatic-coordination units are supposed to be priority. Find me one."
"But there are none avail-"
"There are millions of drones in the Collective. Locate one with suitable potential and have it converted. And while you're about it, find some suitable replacements for the Genetics Nexus."
The Queen decided to install the espionage-coordination unit anyway, as an interim measure. Maybe it would prevent any further security "incidents."
Priority Intelligence Report. 1674. October.
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Moldavia have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1674. November.
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Moldavia have incited unaligned naval-units to disrupt Collective resource-transport operations near sub-unit Trinidad.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have incited unaligned naval-units to disrupt Collective resource-transport operations near sub-unit Roma.
Apparently not. The Queen issued the recycling order without regret and went on to other matters.
The political units to the east were wracked by rogue activity, which repeatedly sent armed bands blundering into Collective territory. Moldavia had previously been another sub-unit of Lithuania. Sub-unit Warmia self segregated from Mazovia, but instead of assimilating to the Collective it chose to declare itself the Teutonic Order political unit.
Colonial development continued (Eora was the latest sub-unit to complete development). The Security Nexus was infiltrated again, by unknown agents apparently posing as "security consultants". The Queen found it increasingly hard to care.
After a mere two years of searching, ADM-1-H actually found a minimally-qualified diplomatic-coordination unit. The Queen was forced to accept this as a success.
Political unit Ming continued to stumble, conducting unsuccessful miltary operations against Sibir, then initiating hostilities against Korea and Manchu. Colonial operations were completed in Choctaw, initiated in Karankawa. Rogue activity was on the rise again, nine outbreaks in a year.
Internal Report. 1677. October.
Missionary-unit operations successfully completed in sub-unit Caracara.
We welcome sub-unit Chiquitos to the Holy Church. Praise the Lord!
Sub-unit Charcas has embraced the True Faith. Hallelujah!
The taint of paganism have been driven from sub-unit Caranga! God's will be done!
The denizens of sub-unit Chichas remain steadfast in their ignorance. Stronger measures must be taken.
Now there was no real prospect of the Colective being able to act on the provocation, boundary incidents began to escalate all along the interfaces - Castile, Aragon, France, Sweden. Their time would come, but not yet, not yet.
Sub-unit Aorangi was fully developed. Sub-unit Chuquiabo was Catholic. Sundry rogue outbreaks occurred as well, but the Queen no longer really allowed them to register. The Strike Forces could handle matters. It wasn't as if they had anything else to do.
Missionary-unit operations successful in sub-unit Huamanga, failed in Arequipa. Political unit Maya - Maya! - dared dispute the Collective's delineation of the boundary of the Honduras sub-unit.
The Collective could assimilate Maya in a matter of weeks at no real expense - and yet it could not. The Queen did not appreciate the paradox.
Internal Report. 1679. August.
The Pope-unit has requested restitution of the Papal States.
"The who wants what?"
ADM-1-H hastened to explain. "The Holy Father wishes to be restored to the dignity associated with his office, Directing Intelligence."
The Quuen was not impressed. "Didn't he have that in - Nootka, wasn't it?"
"It is the wish of the Holy Father that the Holy See be restored to Rome."
"And why should the desires of the pope-unit be of any consideration to the Collective?"
"Directing Intelligence, the Holy Father is God's representative on Earth."
"Then God should see to his accommodation, instead of bothering the Collective. Carry on."
"To insult the Holy Father will be to insult every Catholic in the Collective. There will be ... instability."
"Directing Intelligence," D1P-1-L broke in, "I must warn you that the effects will extend beyond the Collective's boundaries. Relations with Catholic political units will be affected. The assimilation of the associated political units will most probably be delayed. "
The Queen contemplated the ceiling. "Under pressure from all sides, I accept. You may authorise a Holy See-adaptation in sub-unit Roma." She paused. "Is there a protocol for a Holy See-adaptation?"
The two sub-coordinators looked at each other. "Not exactly," said ADM-1-H slowly.
The Queen brightened. "How unfortunate. You may inform the Catholic Nexus that compliance with the request is impossible."
"I understand, Directing Intelligence, that the intention of the Holy Father was that coordination of sub-unit Roma should be made his responsibility."
"Very generous, but if the protocol does not exist, he can hardly execute it."
"Not within the Collective, but once the sub-unit is under the Holy Father's direction-"
Light dawned. The Queen would really rather it had stayed dark. "Are you saying - are you telling me - that the pope-unit has proposed that sub-unit Roma be segregated from the Collective?"
"A gift to Mother Church, Directing Intelligence."
"A token of a greater union. The Faith-"
"Enough! This is not some faction-riddled mishmash of an organic political unit. This is the Collective. We are the Borg! Unity is to be achieved, not sacrificed. You can remind yourselves of that on your way to the recycling chambers."
The sub-coordinators made no move to leave. "You cannot do this! The Church will never forgive the insult!"
The Queen was saddened, but not greatly surprised. "Unit M1L-1-E, summon the nearest security patrol and remove these rogue units."
That got them moving. "It's not over yet!" was D1P-1-L's parting shot.
The Queen took a moment to enjoy the silence. "Request denied," she announced to the Collective in general. "And schedule the pope-unit for deletion." A thought struck her. "Has the security patrol apprehended the rogues yet?"
Behind her, M1L-1-E's feet shuffled. "Not yet, Directing Intelligence. Their current location is ... undetermined."
The Queen turned to the holomap, now speckling with the red icons designating declining stability. "Find them. Find them all."
* * * * * * * * * *
Disadvantage of annexing too many countries in your tech-group - finding the advisor pool consists entirely of low-grade spies
* * * * * * * * * *
ColossusCrusher - Ah. It seems very inefficient. Did an organic develop it?
stnylan - No doubt. I thought I was going to get through without having to take it, but then I needed to take out the Incas and I couldn't fabricate claims on them because they kept infiltrating my spies!
Ahura Mazda - Assistance no longer required. Sorry.
coz1 - They had it coming all right. Of course, I'd been planning to take them out anyway, but the spies made it justified.
Duke of Wellington - It would be all right if the AI didn't think it was fun to spam you with umpteen spy missions - on no apparent provocation. Moldavia revolted from Lithuania, was promptly DOWed by the Ottomans/Crimea, so what was the first thing it did? Spy Burgundy.
Military operations successfully concluded, tedium returned full force. Oversee internal development (first priority - reinforcement of the former Inca control-sites, in preparation for the inevitable rogue outbreaks), oversee colonial development, eradicate rogue activity. And wait. Especially wait. The Plan called for the Collective to do absolutely nothing ... dynamic for almost twenty local years, until organic suspicions were sufficiently lulled for assimilation to continue. Too early a move,the Intelligence Nexus reported, might rouse even the organics to united action and the Collective could not fight the entire planet. Not yet. After assimilation of France was completed, after assimilation of Castile was completed, after assimilation of Portugal was completed. Then it would be the time for conquest. But for now it was the time to wait. And wait.
There were occasional surprises. Hostile indigenes damaged the colonial-site in Squamish. The Queen had forgotten the existence of Squamish and was not impressed when she was reminded. A low-value outpost, miles from anywhere of strategic importance, just across the water from the Papal State. The population of the Papal State, the Queen noted, appeared to be in inexorable decline. It appeared the indigenes cared no more for God than they did for the Collective.
Colonial operations begun in Wiradjuri, colonial operations begun in Whangarei. Eastern colonial development was going well.
Successful missionary operations in sub-unit Bourbon left the Collective, once again, cleansed of the Protestant and Reformed heresies. The Queen was mildly surprised at the Collective's lack of overt celebration of this achievement. Diligent research disclosed a stray province on the eastern interface which adhered to the Orthodox heresy. It was assigned secondary priority for the missionary-units, immediately after the former Inca provinces, the processing of which was projected to take a minimum twelve years.
The first rogue outbreak erupted in the Peru region, wrecking the half-built defences in Lima and overrunning the control-site. The Queen resigned herself to tedium.
Organic political units were not so restrained. Vijayanagar dealt a savage blow to Ming, assimilating no fewer than six sub-units. It looked increasingly as if the Vijayanagar-unit would be the Collective's primary opponent in Asia. It was large - but pitifully backward, even more than Ming. Collective combat-forces would meet little opposition - when the time came to unleash them.
Internal Report. 1672. March.
Sub-unit Podlasia has assimilated to the Collective. We welcome their distinctiveness to our own.
"What? I was not informed that the Collective was assimilating a political unit designated Podlasia."
"We weren't. Podlasia used to be a sub-unit of Lithuania. It fell under the control of a rogue faction, which took the initiative to self-segregate and assimilate to the Collective."
"Hmm." The Queen was not entirely sure what to think. On the one hand, it was gratifying to know that at least some organics recognised Collective superiority. On the other, she could not quite shake the feeling that the Collecitve should expand on her initiative, not that of a bunch of rogue organics.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1672. August.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
"I was informed," the Queen said slowly, "that internal security procedures had been completely overhauled."
"That was correct, Directing Intelligence. The latest infiltrators were forced to gain access in an entirely novel manner."
"That does not constitute progress. See that it does not happen again."
Tedium was restored. Colonist-unit, missionary-unit, internal development. Even the rogue outbreaks had slackened off, not that the Queen was complaining. And the assimilations were progressing, oh so slowly.
Colonial operations initiated in Matto Grosso zone. Colonial operations complete in sub-unit Mobile. The Queen supposed she ought to be enthusiastic.
Internal Report. 1674. August.
Diplomatic coordination-unit "de Franchi" has ceased operations.
No replacements unit available.
"No units available? What is the Genetics Nexus doing?"
ADM-1-H hesitated. "I'm not sure. They... they appear to have an extensive line of espionage coordination-units."
The Queen's interest was caught. Maybe a new de Chalons-Array could resolve this muddle. "What rating?"
"Highest available is ... level 2, Directing Intelligence."
"Insufficient. Diplomatic-coordination units are supposed to be priority. Find me one."
"But there are none avail-"
"There are millions of drones in the Collective. Locate one with suitable potential and have it converted. And while you're about it, find some suitable replacements for the Genetics Nexus."
The Queen decided to install the espionage-coordination unit anyway, as an interim measure. Maybe it would prevent any further security "incidents."
Priority Intelligence Report. 1674. October.
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Moldavia have penetrated the Security Nexus.
Intelligence operations compromised.
Priority Intelligence Report. 1674. November.
Hostile infiltration-units from political unit Moldavia have incited unaligned naval-units to disrupt Collective resource-transport operations near sub-unit Trinidad.
Hostile infiltration-units from an unknown source have incited unaligned naval-units to disrupt Collective resource-transport operations near sub-unit Roma.
Apparently not. The Queen issued the recycling order without regret and went on to other matters.
The political units to the east were wracked by rogue activity, which repeatedly sent armed bands blundering into Collective territory. Moldavia had previously been another sub-unit of Lithuania. Sub-unit Warmia self segregated from Mazovia, but instead of assimilating to the Collective it chose to declare itself the Teutonic Order political unit.
Colonial development continued (Eora was the latest sub-unit to complete development). The Security Nexus was infiltrated again, by unknown agents apparently posing as "security consultants". The Queen found it increasingly hard to care.
After a mere two years of searching, ADM-1-H actually found a minimally-qualified diplomatic-coordination unit. The Queen was forced to accept this as a success.
Political unit Ming continued to stumble, conducting unsuccessful miltary operations against Sibir, then initiating hostilities against Korea and Manchu. Colonial operations were completed in Choctaw, initiated in Karankawa. Rogue activity was on the rise again, nine outbreaks in a year.
Internal Report. 1677. October.
Missionary-unit operations successfully completed in sub-unit Caracara.
We welcome sub-unit Chiquitos to the Holy Church. Praise the Lord!
Sub-unit Charcas has embraced the True Faith. Hallelujah!
The taint of paganism have been driven from sub-unit Caranga! God's will be done!
The denizens of sub-unit Chichas remain steadfast in their ignorance. Stronger measures must be taken.
Now there was no real prospect of the Colective being able to act on the provocation, boundary incidents began to escalate all along the interfaces - Castile, Aragon, France, Sweden. Their time would come, but not yet, not yet.
Sub-unit Aorangi was fully developed. Sub-unit Chuquiabo was Catholic. Sundry rogue outbreaks occurred as well, but the Queen no longer really allowed them to register. The Strike Forces could handle matters. It wasn't as if they had anything else to do.
Missionary-unit operations successful in sub-unit Huamanga, failed in Arequipa. Political unit Maya - Maya! - dared dispute the Collective's delineation of the boundary of the Honduras sub-unit.
The Collective could assimilate Maya in a matter of weeks at no real expense - and yet it could not. The Queen did not appreciate the paradox.
Internal Report. 1679. August.
The Pope-unit has requested restitution of the Papal States.
"The who wants what?"
ADM-1-H hastened to explain. "The Holy Father wishes to be restored to the dignity associated with his office, Directing Intelligence."
The Quuen was not impressed. "Didn't he have that in - Nootka, wasn't it?"
"It is the wish of the Holy Father that the Holy See be restored to Rome."
"And why should the desires of the pope-unit be of any consideration to the Collective?"
"Directing Intelligence, the Holy Father is God's representative on Earth."
"Then God should see to his accommodation, instead of bothering the Collective. Carry on."
"To insult the Holy Father will be to insult every Catholic in the Collective. There will be ... instability."
"Directing Intelligence," D1P-1-L broke in, "I must warn you that the effects will extend beyond the Collective's boundaries. Relations with Catholic political units will be affected. The assimilation of the associated political units will most probably be delayed. "
The Queen contemplated the ceiling. "Under pressure from all sides, I accept. You may authorise a Holy See-adaptation in sub-unit Roma." She paused. "Is there a protocol for a Holy See-adaptation?"
The two sub-coordinators looked at each other. "Not exactly," said ADM-1-H slowly.
The Queen brightened. "How unfortunate. You may inform the Catholic Nexus that compliance with the request is impossible."
"I understand, Directing Intelligence, that the intention of the Holy Father was that coordination of sub-unit Roma should be made his responsibility."
"Very generous, but if the protocol does not exist, he can hardly execute it."
"Not within the Collective, but once the sub-unit is under the Holy Father's direction-"
Light dawned. The Queen would really rather it had stayed dark. "Are you saying - are you telling me - that the pope-unit has proposed that sub-unit Roma be segregated from the Collective?"
"A gift to Mother Church, Directing Intelligence."
"A token of a greater union. The Faith-"
"Enough! This is not some faction-riddled mishmash of an organic political unit. This is the Collective. We are the Borg! Unity is to be achieved, not sacrificed. You can remind yourselves of that on your way to the recycling chambers."
The sub-coordinators made no move to leave. "You cannot do this! The Church will never forgive the insult!"
The Queen was saddened, but not greatly surprised. "Unit M1L-1-E, summon the nearest security patrol and remove these rogue units."
That got them moving. "It's not over yet!" was D1P-1-L's parting shot.
The Queen took a moment to enjoy the silence. "Request denied," she announced to the Collective in general. "And schedule the pope-unit for deletion." A thought struck her. "Has the security patrol apprehended the rogues yet?"
Behind her, M1L-1-E's feet shuffled. "Not yet, Directing Intelligence. Their current location is ... undetermined."
The Queen turned to the holomap, now speckling with the red icons designating declining stability. "Find them. Find them all."
* * * * * * * * * *
Disadvantage of annexing too many countries in your tech-group - finding the advisor pool consists entirely of low-grade spies
* * * * * * * * * *
ColossusCrusher - Ah. It seems very inefficient. Did an organic develop it?
stnylan - No doubt. I thought I was going to get through without having to take it, but then I needed to take out the Incas and I couldn't fabricate claims on them because they kept infiltrating my spies!
Ahura Mazda - Assistance no longer required. Sorry.
coz1 - They had it coming all right. Of course, I'd been planning to take them out anyway, but the spies made it justified.
Duke of Wellington - It would be all right if the AI didn't think it was fun to spam you with umpteen spy missions - on no apparent provocation. Moldavia revolted from Lithuania, was promptly DOWed by the Ottomans/Crimea, so what was the first thing it did? Spy Burgundy.
*Realizes that the Borg have arrived in Texas*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
*Flies through cieling of Borg control room, straped to a nuke Dr. Strangelove style*
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
*Flies through cieling of Borg control room, straped to a nuke Dr. Strangelove style*
I note that the Military control drones do seem to have rather more life expectancy that the DIP and ADM strains. He's only an E after all!
A great update. That Pope is truly too much trouble. Well it is interesting to see the drones beginning to see something in this God. However the Queen's darker side gives me hope that they shall not be allowed to threaten the Collective. Crush them all.