User Guide

Sometimes communications are terse—a curt demand that a unit be removed
from faction territory, or a to-the-point death threat—but many are quite
involved conversations. At any point during communication you can consult
the Datalinks for information about the faction, technology they may be
requesting, or military units.
When you are in communication with another faction leader, he or she might
start off by offering you an alliance against a common enemy, or offering to
improve your diplomatic relations status (see Diplomatic Relations, facing
page). They’ll often offer to trade technology or world maps, and they’ll fre-
quently demand tribute of tech or energy (sometimes expressed as a “fine” for
some unspecified infraction of their faction legalities). They’ll often tell you
about their latest military innovation, to let you know they’re ready for trou-
ble. They might even offer to end a vendetta between your factions. Once
these preliminaries are over, it’s your turn. Your options are:
OFFER A PROPOSAL
Proposals that may be offered include:
• A gift, or “token of your esteem,” consisting of technology (one or all of
your available technologies), energy credits, or even one of your bases. This
makes a leader more friendly towards you, and if the gift is truly significant,
she might forgive your past transgressions.
• Upgrading diplomatic relations (truce to treaty, or treaty to pact brotherhood).
If your first proposal is accepted, you can try to upgrade again immediately.
• A request for technology, either as extortion or in trade.
• A request for energy credits, as extortion, in trade, or as a loan.
• A joint attack against a common enemy.
EXCHANGE BATTLE PLANS
You and the other faction leader discuss your immediate plans for battle, in
order to coordinate your efforts. The other leader presents you with a list of
targets, and you may select the target that you wish the other leader to attack.
CONTROLLING SOCIETY
CHAPTER 5
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