Milliways - GP Archive: Trade and Raid V.2

[Harry Krishna]

Death Control Unassailable?

Even the recent concerted attacks of 2 major alliances on Death Control strongholds in different galaxies have proved insufficient against formidable DC defenses.
The attacks by Crusaders and Dark Knights on DC territory and on a DC planet in one of their secondary galaxies resulted in nothing more than minor damage to the planetary defenses, the clearing of a fraction of the extensive DC minefields, and the loss of 2 defending Death Control ships. The attackers, on the other hand, suffered the loss of 12 ships total.

This makes local residents wonder if there is any one of the standing top 10 alliances who can meet the Death Control alliance mano-a-mano and breach their defenses.




Alliances in Constant Battle for Control

Sterling. Trigek. The elusive Jester.
These are some of the names that strike fear into the hearts of traders, sending them scurrying for dark corners and federal space. For as long as some players can remember, Death Control has been the home for the top dogs. Fast, powerful, rich in experience and cash, and more organized than your local mafia, they strike like a sledgehammer and then vanish like smoke in the wind.
But now, amidst the creation of new alliances, the strengthening of old ones, and the rise of others to power, Death Control could be facing some competition.

The Milliways universe is more dynamic than any this game has ever seen, with alliances blooming briefly then returning to obscurity, and others rising to power and staying there. Peace is uneasy, ports are short-lived, and planets are less of a sure thing than they ever have been. Many new hunters have risen up, new groups of diplomats and terrorists are staking out territory.

Many of these alliances are made up of experienced independent hunters with less experience in organized group tactics. "They are logged-on a lot with very good internet connections. This forgives a large part of sloppy group OPS. As they gain experience and coordination, DC becomes one among many dangerous fish in the pool," says one veteran player.

But does all this really pose a threat to Death Control? "Their ability to bounce back and dominate is unparalled in SMR as of yet," says one ex-DC member of Death Control's mastery. Adds DC member Mareuder I, "We are planet builders, not hunters... anyone who doesn't fear us can come try to PB us and see what they think after that."

Furthermore, rumors are circling about Death Control using it's wealth to place bounties not on particular players but rather on entire alliances. If this is true, it puts them in a unique position to do as they choose...sit in their own territory, and venture out once in awhile to pick off the odd trader, bust the odd planet, or expand their territory as they will, while others fight to keep the hordes of enemies at bay for them. Whether they have the manpower and money to maintain their position remains to be seen.

One thing is for sure. As more alliances become better organized, more active, and learn to work as a cohesive unit, Space Merchant Realms is slowly returning to that chaotic, difficult, and often profitable state known as "Anyone's Game."



Why do the WQ guys get the Thevian chicks?

It used to be that a high rolling Creo was the look to sport, or a life-on-the-razor's-edge Salvene look was the way to go. Heck, you could even find a few ladies that liked those Alskant solid-citizen types, but nowadays, you gotta be WQ.
I don't get it. Maybe it's the shiny metal ships, or the way that they chromatize everything? Even their gear is reflective. Who knows, maybe the women like seeing themselves in those reflective clothes ('cause god knows it sure can't just be the guys!). Could it be all the latest tech gear that comes outta WQ that everyone is so hot to get their hands on?...the pictureless phone, where the telltale whisper of someone's voice leaves ohhhh soooo much to the imagination? Or maybe it is because they have the weirdest nightlife on their ports, or perhaps those illegal battlebot dens stir the inner who knows what?

Whatever it is, this poor Nijaran lad just can't compete these days, and I guess I better go take up farming.........




Federation Fleet Proposed

Dark times, Dark places, Dark people, Dark alliances, that sums up the last few events here quite well. But have ever you considered the innocent people? No. They have a voice too, and it shouts out "Federation Save us!!"
But the Federation's plans have all but failed so far. There are no more bounty hunters, Federal deputies have all fled, Federation ambassadors have no charisma, and the Federation itself does little to protect those that it is supposed to. Federal banks don't even pay interest to it's citizens!

So the innocent people of many planets and ports, many under the rulership of a tyrannical alliance, have come together not to propose but to force the Federation to do more. "There will be a huge fleet going around as one under the banner of the Federation, we will be safe again!" said one optimistic port owner recently.

It seems that the people's hopes are high. But it also seems unlikely that the Federation will do such a thing. For a start, there is the question of whether the Federation can afford the ships, or find the pilots for such an idea. Even if there was one, it's questionable that one Federal fleet could patrol the entire universe. It would only be able to be at one place at a time in order to have the strength it would need to carry out or withstand an attack, and big attacks against some of the large nefarious alliances who threaten the galaxies would probably wipe it out. So sorry peoples of the galaxies, you are not safe yet.




Alliance Mergers: New Life or A Fools Plan?

It appears that the recent reformation of Black Sun Ascending has started a growing trend in the Milliways universe. To secure new members, BSA annexed two smaller alliances: the Yakuza and long time alliance The Grey Death Legion, both of which have ceased to exist as forces in this game.
Now it seems 2 other alliances, the Legitimate Businessmen and Astronic Corp have merged into a new alliance dubbed the Flying Hellfish. The Legitimate Businessmen have been around longer than most alliances, but seemed to be unable to become a sizable alliance this game. Astronic Corp was made up mostly of former Crusaders who split from that group earlier in the game. The Flying Hellfish now operate under former LBM Fat Tony's leadership. Many question Tony's leadership experience, some thinking that Astronic Corp and former Crusaders leader Hadeslady would have been a better choice. It remains to be seen which would have been the wiser choice.

Recently there have also been rumors that Alpha Factor and The Shadow Guild have entered merger talks. Both alliances have existed for a long while. TSG was formed during the NG era and AF started up in Crossroads. But this round neither alliance has been able to do too much, being crippled by lack of members, no direction, or low activity. When AF recently lost some key players to BSA, DoW, and Crusaders, the talks were started, so the rumors go.

Mergers can be beneficial to an alliance. The BSA mergers have seemed to have helped BSA alot, as it quickly rose to 6th place in the exp race. But alliance mergers don't always turn out so well. As was reported in the last GP issue about the merger of Dynasty and Knight Vision, often the leadership isn't strong enough to unite the groups or the players get divided on alliance politics. Sometimes this sadly ends up to be the death of both the alliances who merged and the newly created one.

Only time will tell if these mergers were smart moves by the leadership, or if they were a last ditch attempt to breathe new life into an already dying body.



No One is Attacked; DoW Claims Victory!

In a stunning turn of events, a Dogs of War fleet sat in Thevian space with a real specific target in mind: No One!
After sitting in space for about 45 minutes, the DoW leader LotuS declared a cease-fire and claimed a one-sided victory in favor of DoW. His minions were seen waving the DoW flag and cheering as they sold off their weapons and returned to Federal beacons. No one was completely destroyed. Their mission was accomplished.

In a copy-cat crime, Ultra Blue is said to be doing the same thing: targeting and attacking No One in Lu. Apparently it's working, as No One is being destroyed in their home galaxy as of this writing.

Could this be an indication of future events...Will No One ever be safe as long as these alliances keep up their tactics?



One Reader's Opinion on Death Control

As most of you have seen, Death Control has been around for 3 or 4 games now and they seem to always have the #1 spot for killing and then go dissin' other hunters and traders on Global Messages. Does this alliance have any class? With Sterling leadin' them all the time I only see Space Merchant goin' downhill. Because of this alliance, traders are not tradin' and hunters are not huntin' anymore because traders won't trade anymore, and Death Control havin' 3 galaxies leaves no room for any other alliance to go through with out gettin' ;) off at them.
In my opinion, Death Control needs to be stopped and some one or some Alliance needs to show them the door and let them know that a new age is comin'. But who will stop them -- "Choose Your Poison"..."Dogs Of War"? or someone else?

I have no clue, but someone needs to show them who is the boss.