Home » Stars! 2.6/7 » New Game Announcements » Cataclysmic Chasms
| Re: Cataclysmic Chasms |
Thu, 21 June 2012 14:12   |
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| Alter Ego |
 | Officer Cadet 4th Year |
Messages: 283
Registered: November 2002
Location: Germany | |
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After the members of the council have found seats around the large table in the middle of the chamber, they cast expectant looks at the old man who has remained standing to one side. He raises his chalice in salute and clears his throat.
‘Ah, nothing like a shot of PGGB to get the old brain cells fired up, is there? Or was fried the word I was looking for? Fired or fried? Or what? Or how, who or why?
Anyway: Friends, colleagues, fellow members of the Grand Council of the Ancient Order! I have asked you to convene once again, because it is time to rise from the slumber we have fallen into. It is time to once again sally forth – now, that was a really nice girl, that Sally Forth was – and reclaim what is by rights ours to claim: The Universe. And Life of course. And Everything. Well, you know… Maybe I got the order of things a bit mixed up there. No, not the Ancient Order. That’s us. Isn’t it?
Where was I?
Ah, yes. The purpose of our gathering here. I suppose we are all in favour of once again building ships to colonise planets near and far. Are we?’
The other old wrecks at the table look at each other silently. Shrug. Nod.
‘Indeed! Thank you for your approval. If we intend to sally forth – I think she had a sister called Sally Ann. Or was that Ashlyn? – we should take stock of our situation first. Then we can settle on a strategy. Later on, there will be tactical questions to discuss. But first: Where do we stand? Seejee, you are the Chief Geneticist of the Ancient Order. Please let us know the pertinent facts about our present population and the possible developments in the near and not so near future.’
The only clean shaven member of the council rises to his feet, staggers slightly, grimaces with distaste and sinks down into his arm chair again.
‘Sorry! Well, standing was easier a few hundred years ago then it is now. Please excuse me if I remain seated.
As you all know, the folk of the Ancient Order deeply resent all kinds of questionnaires, census taking and similar undertakings. For this reason, it is extremely difficult to get accurate statistics relating to the number of us who survived the ‘little mishap’ in the laboratories. Current estimates are that there are about 20000 men, women and children gathered here on our homeworld. There is a margin of error in that figure in the region of 25%.
Yes, I agree. It is indeed pitiful. But there is good news as well. The survivors seem to be in good health. They can and will reproduce. As a matter of fact, they have already started, as you may have noticed on the way to the Council Chamber. Ayyeeh, that is something I wanted to talk to you about. I consider these going ons – err… goings on… goings ons … errr – what ever. I consider them highly immoral.
Yes, I know I have digressed.
The good news is: We are reproducing. And apparently, the rate at which we do this is not regulated by any external factors. So the Ancient Order could grow by something like up to 20% each celestial year, depending on the environment in which we find ourselves. Although I am not sure if such a fast increase is really desirable. Maybe we should go for a lower figure. After all, somebody will have to wash all those soiled nappies. I hate dirty nappies. Uggghhh.
Yes, I know I’m digressing.
Environment. Genes. They interact, you know. It’s the economy, stupid? No way, Jose! It’s the genes, stupid! No, not Gene Vincent, you oaf!
Yes, of course I accept your challenge. Yes, I will meet you on the Duelling Ground tomorrow when the First Sun rises.
Where was I?
Ah, yes. The genes. I’m happy to say that the genome of the Ancient Order is stock full of possibilities. With a bit of stringent selection, I should be able to forge new generations of members that could survive, nay, even prosper, in a wide range of different environments. That does not mean that we will be able to live anywhere or everywhere. It does mean that I can influence the genetics of the Ancient Order in such a way that they will adapt to one set of environmental factors quite well and that the choice of these factors is not governed by any external factors. Give me a few generations, and you will see what I mean.
Thank you for your attention.’
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Cataclysmic Chasms
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Asmodai on Tue, 29 May 2012 04:53 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: nmid on Sun, 03 June 2012 14:21 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Coyote on Mon, 11 June 2012 01:41 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Coyote on Thu, 14 June 2012 21:46 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: nmid on Fri, 29 June 2012 04:24 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Coyote on Fri, 29 June 2012 19:23 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: nmid on Fri, 29 June 2012 22:30 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: nmid on Sat, 02 March 2013 05:10 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Ashlyn on Sat, 18 May 2013 00:45 |
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Re: Cataclysmic Chasms
By: Coyote on Mon, 02 July 2012 05:34 |
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