All the technology we took from the ruins was thoroughly obsolete, except for a fusion beam - the terraforming techniques we discovered had just become so, thanks to our scientists, this very year. The planet itself is a jewel however - one less in dishonorable Bladrov's misbegotten crown. This will be standard practice for the remainder of the war: As soon as a human planet's advanced terraforming completes, we send a sea of transports - usually due in just a year, or two at most, thanks to our advanced engines - and the bombers with a dreadnought for support.
2443: The huge new human Dreadnoughts each carry ten heavy blast cannons and 22 anti-matter bombs apiece, plus an energy pulsar that can instantly wipe out my fighter fleets. Two, with hundreds of fighters and three cruisers for support, arrive at Dunatis, only to find I had missile bases stacked high and a dreadnought of my own, the Interdict 4, with auto repair and a repulsor beam. Some of their fighters survived long enough to flee. This dance, of course, will also be repeated, with variations, until the humans are removed from the galaxy. At the same time, my attack fleet handled the Dreadnought at now-Gaian Argus, and our troops moved in, taking the world and yet more technology.
Star Gates will make logistics much simpler, especially around the nebulas peppered around the galaxy, and we learned to build a very useful battle computer (and various junk, such as atmospheric terraforming) simultaneously.
2445: At some point, the dishonorable humans managed to make enemies of everyone else they had met as well as me. This is not surprising, considering their personality. The result is, thanks to my destruction of their forces and conquest of their worlds, I can start a NAP with the Sakkra again, and was able to open trade with the Alkari last year, to the tune of 200 BC.
This is the first time they would agree even to trade with us, more than fifty years after we met them, but that is why it is wise to take the long view of the stone. We also traded them ECM for a fusion bomb design, as this will improve our options for a small bomber in case the humans build better shields eventually. This is also the year we develop more advanced robotic controls at last, and get to work implementing them throughout our empire, even as we capture Neptunus, another immense gaian world.
2448: Following human Toranor's fall last year, I of course accept the Psilons' offer of peace when it comes, but Farseer calls just four years after our trade deal was made to replace it with a war against me. This merry-go-round will quickly cease to amuse me; I'll accept any further requests for peace from non-blood enemies, but take little further notice of declared war or peace. All my planets are slowly preparing defenses anyway, to be ready in case someone eventually discovers thorium fuel, and they will defend themselves, no matter from whom.
2450: The galactic council meets again.
More human stars have fallen - last year, Beta Ceti; this year, Sol - and the rock beings now have more than enough votes to name me emperor of the galaxy. Instead, we take the long view, and prepare to merge the galaxy as one in the year of the prophecy: 2800, when the doom foretold in the beginning and heralded by the 20th oracle shall begin to approach, but not yet arrive.
2458: The powered armor we developed three years ago makes the invasion of Zhardan last year even simpler than usual. The same goes for Seidon this year, rightfully our own colony even were it not necessary to purge the galaxy of the bloody humans, and the only world we have taken from the humans without waiting for it to become a Gaia. Seidon in human hands is just too much of a defensive logistical liability.
2461: Arietis fell last year as we developed our first planetary shields - class 15s. When these are finished everywhere, it will be a great relief, especially as the launchers they protect will be firing pulson missiles, just developed this very year. The humans begged for peace at the close of each of the past two years, but we have learned how far we can trust such vile beings. They are a threat no longer, and will never be one again so long as we do not let up on them. We shall not, but right now, we have another priority.
The Artemis 6.0 fighter has a single mission. To accomplish it, over 2,000 will be built next year.
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Next: ...to End All War
