Trani - Feb 27 09:30 - Tick 116, Cycle 5

Approaching the end of this cycle but I'll be out and about for the next few hours so a good point to do an update. There's also a lot happening diplomatically and strategically.

Stars: Gilgamesz (28) Necria (26) Inerz (24)
Total ships: Gilgamesz (981), Inerz (835), Darrow (651) Necria (583) Ktoc (310)
New ships: Gilgamesz (14) Inerz (14) Necria (13.6) Ktoc (6.65)
Cycle income: Not really accurate since people will be buying economy before end of cycle and I've already bought mine. Biggest economies are Necria and Inerz though, Gilgamesz and Darrow close behind.

Strategic

• Gilgamesz is a really good ally but his alliance with Anita is a problem for me because whilst the tech is flowing across to me from Anita and visa-versa, Anita has no strong bond with me. Gilgamesz is using his geography wisely to have an ally on either side. This means in the endgame he has the choice of who to 2v1 with and should then win the game.
• Anita preparing to capture Denizen's territory is a further problem. If Anita stays weak then I could probably handle Gilgamesz in a 1v1 for the win later but if Anita is strong this will be a major problem. One option I have considered is warning Denizen and advising them to bulk up their Weapons and southern front but it's a risky ploy. If it gets out I leaked info it might undermine the alliance with Gilgamesz and create security risks for them. To be clear, I want Gilgamesz to do well but I don't want Anita to do well.
• A big priority is securing the Ktoc/Dust block of territory. I need to fight for this and keep out Darrow/Inerz and Gilgamesz (on the route to succeeding with this via diplomacy.) If I control all this territory, and especially if I can do it before Darrow/Denizen fall I think I win the game.

Diplomatic

• Successful negotiation with Gilgamesz over Dusts territory. He asked for three stars. I negotiated him to one star, this means I will cut off the route into Dust from him and if I can suppress Ktoc should mean I'm on my way to that big strategic priority.
• Trying to open up communication with Inerz. At the moment it looks like the game will be won by either Inerz, me or Gilgamesz so it makes sense to know what they're planning. Inerz is keeping mostly to themselves though. 

Tactical

• Updates in the image but key points. I have a huge economic, industrial and logistical advantage and barring some external diplomacy driven intervention (possible scenarios: Darrow alliance, very unlikely. Inerz alliance and intervention, plausible 20% chance) I will beat Ktoc, it's more about how fast I can beat him. Ideally he will fall before Darrow or Denizen do. This three way race may decide who wins the game (even though Anita will take most of Denizens territory as per Gilgamesz plan, if Anita does that I think it's a big boon to a Gilgamesz win)