Lock's transfer: Hovercraft Battle

Welldone Zion and EPN!

Good to have the former commander back safely.

(( 5.5 hours? *CENSORED*, I couldn't be there for obviously timeline issues, but knowing it took that long would have sucked for me too ))

[[It was fairly amazing to watch it all happen, though I'm still going to have to stick with the fact that these maps always need to be labeled. The Cyphs would have had a hard time anyway, being "stuck between" Zion/EPN as we were, but deploying on top of zion because of a misunderstanding in terminology didn't help either " />]

NightTrace wrote:

[[It was fairly amazing to watch it all happen, though I'm still going to have to stick with the fact that these maps always need to be labeled. The Cyphs would have had a hard time anyway, being "stuck between" Zion/EPN as we were, but deploying on top of zion because of a misunderstanding in terminology didn't help either " />]

There should have been coordinates in each hex, but that was abandoned at the last minute when it was figured that this custom map would require writing in 169 individual coordinates. I'll take the blame for this.

If I may suggest, just put the hex labels on the spaces along the outermost edge of the map. They are the only ones that matter.

We enjoyed that, up to a point. Sadly, I let fatigue get the best of me at one or two points and put my *CENSORED* hat on. For that, I apologize to everyone. But overall, it was fun.

In the end, it was a good fight and had it been any less, I don't think it would have been nearly as interesting. Although I was terribly angry about it at the time, I have to say 'well-played' to the Mervs for getting the most out of it with the least effort.

The only other suggestions I would make in an effort to make these more enjoyable for all involved would be to a) put a timer for submitting moves that starts after the energy rolls, and b) do not change anything once the battle is begun. No rule changes, no objective changes, no player changes, etc. I'm not referring to anything in particular, just putting that out there.

Last but not least, a special thanks to the BattleCoordinator for last night's fight. I don't know how you put up with us for 6 hours, but mega-kudos to you for managing it without losing your composure.

Last couple of boards:

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 The thought that the Architect broke it is ridiculous and downright laughable.

Vinia wrote:

 The thought that the Architect broke it is ridiculous and downright laughable.

If he hadn't declared the truce was over, it would still remain. Sound like an obvious statement? There's much more to it if you give it some thought. However, as said earlier, I've been over it way too many times with Machinists, and agree it's futile.

The Architect said 'Zion has broken the truce...' The Architect didn't break it, he merely identified that the truce was breached by Zion and informed his people of the action to be taken next. Even if he hadn't have said anything the truce still would have been violated by Zion but you honestly didn't think that he'd ignore it and let Zion get away with it, did you? There's a difference between a side breaking a truce and the otherside identifying the point.

Getting hung up on this point is not a good situation for a LO now is it?

Merrit wrote:

Vinia wrote:

 The thought that the Architect broke it is ridiculous and downright laughable.

If he hadn't declared the truce was over, it would still remain. Sound like an obvious statement? There's much more to it if you give it some thought. However, as said earlier, I've been over it way too many times with Machinists, and agree it's futile.

The Architect said 'Zion has broken the truce...' The Architect didn't break it, he merely identified that the truce was breached by Zion and informed his people of the action to be taken next. Even if he hadn't have said anything the truce still would have been violated by Zion but you honestly didn't think that he'd ignore it and let Zion get away with it, did you? There's a difference between a side breaking a truce and the otherside identifying the point.

Getting hung up on this point is not a good situation for a LO now is it?

Zion does not break the Truce because the Architect says so.  Building a defensive home where we can properly defend our people and non-combatants is hardly a violation of the Truce, even if it was done in secret.  The fact is, the Architect got his bucket of chicken in a mess because he could no longer wipe Zion out with the flick of a drumstick.

A guy might live in Mega City and be friends with his neighbors, but still desire a home where the door isn't wide open and have two gaping holes in the ceiling.

The fact is, the Architect got his bucket of chicken in a mess because he could no longer wipe Zion out with the flick of a drumstick.

Zion does not break the Truce because the Architect says so.  Building a defensive home where we can properly defend our people and non-combatants is hardly a violation of the Truce, even if it was done in secret.  The fact is, the Architect got his bucket of chicken in a mess because he could no longer wipe Zion out with the flick of a drumstick.

Again, as I have asked many, do you know what was stipulated in the truce, the exact wording and details? The Architect would and so would the Oracle. I didn't hear the Oracle once say, when she lived, that the truce wasn't broken and the Machines were wrong. Zion broke the truce because they broke the truce, this fact was simply confirmed by the Architect.

I often wonder if, say, over one-thousand Zion operatives decided to gather in one area in the Matrix one day to have a picnic, then the Architect got word of it, slammed his giant gavel, and stated that Zion had broken the truce; one-thousand plus Zion operatives in one area of the Matrix is a threat to the simulation; would Machinists still defend the decision so fervently?

I often wonder if, say, over one-thousand Zion operatives decided to gather in one area in the Matrix one day to have a picnic, then the Architect got word of it, slammed his giant gavel, and stated that Zion had broken the truce; one-thousand plus Zion operatives in one area of the Matrix is a threat to the simulation; would Machinists still defend the decision so fervently?

I guess it would depend on whether having a mass of Zionites in one such area was a violation of the truce and how bad a violation it was. Of course the situation is completely different, Agents would have no trouble breaking up the 'picnic' and I doubt that Zion would defend their decision to have it so 'fervently'...

As long as it wasn't a cover for terrorist actions I'm sure the Architect would overlook it the way each side has overlooked a few minor indiscretion's of the other during the truce.

NightTrace wrote:

[[It was fairly amazing to watch it all happen, though I'm still going to have to stick with the fact that these maps always need to be labeled. The Cyphs would have had a hard time anyway, being "stuck between" Zion/EPN as we were, but deploying on top of zion because of a misunderstanding in terminology didn't help either " />]

There should have been coordinates in each hex, but that was abandoned at the last minute when it was figured that this custom map would require writing in 169 individual coordinates. I'll take the blame for this.

If you have the coordinates of the previous maps, especially the three-way org battle that happened on Recursion saved as layers on .psd files, you could easily merge and copy them, then paste them onto the new map, thus reducing the number of labels that need be individually filled in to a much more manageable number. At least I think it would be. Trace's suggestion of just labelling the starting coordinates and the squares around them (so we can say facing x square instead of 4 o'clock) would work too.

And eh... Is it just me, or is that response of Vinia's near-definitive proof that the Machinists will believe that anything the Machines would have told them was a break of the Truce?

And eh... Is it just me, or is that response of Vinia's near-definitive proof that the Machinists will believe that anything the Machines would have told them was a break of the Truce?

Vogt wrote:

Greetings.

A special hovercraft battle will be held tomorrow, Wednesday the 23 at 6:00 PM MCT. Cypherite operatives discovered secret data about the transfer of Commander Lock to New Zion by E Pluribus Neo. Cypherite and Machine captains are determined to ambush EPN and Zion at the rendez-vous point, as the location is now known to them. In response, Zion and E Pluribus Neo also sent their best captains to defend Commander Lock's transfer.

Each organization has to submit a list of 4 experienced (if possible) captains, regardless of instances. This battle will run a special scenario. EPN/Zion will be teamed up against Cypherites/Machines. The battle will end when one side is completely eliminated. One liaison officer for each organization has to assemble a team and post the list here. Once they are convoked to the battle by their liaison officer, captains should post to acknowledge that they will attend the battle.

The battle coordinating itself will be held on the Recursion instance of the Matrix. If a captain is from either Syntax or Vector, it will be necessary to have an alternative RSI available, if possible, with a similar name.

It is also known that Cypherites have very little experience with Hovercraft Battles. BattleCoordinator will be available at least one hour prior to the battle to give a comprehensive tutorial if needed.

This battle is considered a critical Hovercraft Battle. Rank points obtained for this battle will be doubled.

I don't see any mention of the Mervs in this post, nor did I see any post from Vogt saying that it was alright for them to invite themselves.  Also, my understanding was that the Cypherites discovered the data about Lock during this operation:

http://forums.station.sony.com/mxo/..._id=36300022641

But how the hell did the Mervs know where to find him?  (I'm not just asking because the battle lasted a lot longer than it should have.  I honestly don't see how this makes any sense in regards to the storyline.)

Just to post this ahead of the finish, thank you Merv operatives for calling a ceasefire with us.

Ah, so Zion and the Mervs carebear in the real as well as in Mara...  *winks*

Illyria

Gerik wrote:

Just to post this ahead of the finish, thank you Merv operatives for calling a ceasefire with us.

Ah, so Zion and the Mervs carebear in the real as well as in Mara...  *winks*

Illyria

Gerik wrote:

Just to post this ahead of the finish, thank you Merv operatives for calling a ceasefire with us.

Ah, so Zion and the Mervs carebear in the real as well as in Mara...  *winks*

Illyria

((Honestly?  We would've loved nothing more than to wipe the Mervs out...  we had planned to until the BC decided to make them an offer.  It had nothing to do with being 'carebear', it had to do with the fact that the battle had lasted well over five hours, we were tired, and a lot of us had to work in the morning.))

I find it funny you call us carebears when you had worked out the same deal with the Mervs in secret before the battle.  I think when they realized that Machines and Cypherite operatives were no match for the combined might of Zion and EPN, they rethought their agreement with you.

We were approached with that offer, we didn't officially agree to it.

Illyria

Illyria22 wrote:

Gerik wrote:

Just to post this ahead of the finish, thank you Merv operatives for calling a ceasefire with us.

Ah, so Zion and the Mervs carebear in the real as well as in Mara...  *winks*

Illyria

((Honestly?  We would've loved nothing more than to wipe the Mervs out...  we had planned to until the BC decided to make them an offer.  It had nothing to do with being 'carebear', it had to do with the fact that the battle had lasted well over five hours, we were tired, and a lot of us had to work in the morning.))

I find it funny you call us carebears when you had worked out the same deal with the Mervs in secret before the battle.  I think when they realized that Machines and Cypherite operatives were no match for the combined might of Zion and EPN, they rethought their agreement with you.

(( I was considering taking the night off that night, but the chance to take part in something this critical was too big to resist.))

:: Sighs:: We do what we need to do to ensure our survival and continue to have a hand in every pie, the better to protect our liege's domain and we get slammed. We do the right thing and fold while we're ahead and we get slammed. Why I bother being in any organization at all, let alone the one that's practically the friggin' *DARTBOARD* for everyone else is beyond me.

We were approached with that offer, we didn't officially agree to it.

Illyria

Meaning "We didn't discuss it in a formal committee, weighing the pros and cons, as well as who's palms had been greased, for several days so that we could reach the most innane and aesthetically pleasing response possible. However, if the Merv operatives thought that the deal was acceptable to us, then that was their fault for not clarifying. Of course, we had no intention of honoring any deal, having never made an official response to their offer in the first place, because, well, that's just how Machinists do."

I do so love a bureaucracy.

The truth is that if we would have had to, we would have blown the mervs out of the sky. The only reason for the ceasefire, which was neither EPN nor Zion's idea, was to put a quicker end to a lengthy battle. Check out the last shots of the map. See the yellow ship labelled 1? Thats me. And guess who was in my sights right before they withdrew from the battle. We didn't need the Mervs to drop out, but they did. Lets not confuse what we needed with what we didn't.

You can consider your payment for repairs the cease-fire. It ended things far more promptly and allowed us to get away with Lock before reinforcements could arrive and launch any further attack. I'm sure Lock and the council won't have any issue with giving me the required parts to repair the Saltpillar anyhow.

I hope you know that the condition that you agreed to in the end was the one I was attempting to offer to you earlier, with additional incentives. But... It's your choice, I suppose.

Remotely controlled? Right...

I thought you said 'Ceasefire: 100 percent chance of us getting 4 pence for both retaining our lives and participating.'

You can't 'retain' your life if you didn't risk it...

Did anyone else notice that in all three of the new critical missions, there was no mention of the Merovingian operatives participating in the battle?  I wonder why that is...