The Void - Tick 708 Cycle 32

The southern alliance has been defeated (at least mentally) and we're likely entering the final stages of the game, with TdT (CRISPR) on track to win. My guess is we have a few days of gameplay left as both alliances wrestle to see who comes out on top.

The enemy in the south

Major Tom upheld his end of the surrender bargain and didn't resist the attacks on the three stars he held. TheBorg and Tube-Pipe pulled back to more defensive lines and are looking primarily to hold their star count and wait out the RTQ. They're still a formidable road block to quick advances but I am now making some solid gains and pushing as much as I can. 

I think the game deciding war will be up north though so have now detached around 30% of my industry to pool ships in northern stars.

The enemy in the north

My situation with HRE is an interesting one. We've been allies in diplomacy all game and we have both respected the situation on our border. We both have our own proper alliances though and they are increasingly moving towards a potential conflict, with Ragnar Lothbrok needing to be tackled to ensure a victory. I believe both me and HRE planning for conflict at this point. I am storing ships on Nebulas near the border and from what I can tell and see he is doing the same. I have better scan visibility than he does due to my deep lying scouts both up north and through the wormhole to the far south.

Up north we are tucking ships away.

Through the wormhole there are huge Sea Serpent, Beez, Ragnar and HRE fleets stored and mostly not fighting each other. My main risk and worry at the moment is what happens if Sea Serpent and Beez ally with the northern pair. I will have a very short response time. I'm consulting with my allies about how a war with Sea Serpent and Beez would look. I worry it would be a victorious war, but not necessarily very positive for me. I am the most exposed to war with that group.

I think objectively, I'd be wise to launch a pre-emptive attack on HRE, but I'm going to let him make the first move. He's honoured our peace and like us, has refused direct requests to attack us. I think I owe him the responsibility of making the first aggressive move (I'd perceive any large fleet movements in my direction as aggressive). I will only break that stance if Ragnar attacks an ally elsewhere. As soon as he or Ragnar pull the trigger I will respond.