[Alneyan]

42: I will acknowledge that there are actual threats which may be lurking in the least welcoming corners of space, waiting to endanger my Empire (and above all, my life). Therefore, I will set up a very tight blockade around any red nebulae which happens to be too close to my worlds for my liking. Mines and spy ships are to be deployed in the wormholes leading to such nebulaes, for there is no way of detecting an enemy ship in the mist of the interfeces of such systems. As soon as the technology is available, I am to close the wormholes leading to these awful systems, while keeping a close eye on any wormhole being opened directly to this nebulae.

43: I will remember that having too big an Empire is ground for being declared "Mega Evil Empire", especially if I am regarded as being a successful Evil Overlord. Therefore, I will do my best to hide the true strength of my Empire, while maintaining the façade of a peaceful and enlightened leader. Obviously, I will not appear as a weakling either, since I would then be a likely target for another would-be Overlord. If my Empire seems to be the most powerful in the galaxy, paranoia is the wisest course of action to take, as your allies might be plotting to bring you down as you are reading these lines.

44: If I ever happen to have the slightest doubt about something, don't. Only a lunatic Overlord would take any chance when it can be avoided by careful planning, and so I will gather the best intelligence available fore making any move. Thus I will create the Space Patrol to act as cannon-fodder and suicidal reconnaissance, and these bold scouts going where angels fear to tread will mostly be my too intelligent advisors and other threats to national security (and to my own hide, obviously).

45: Research will be my sole priority, for even vast numbers of ships will avail little if they cannot hit the enemy or do any significant damage. I will not consider giving my technology away to petty allies and cunning foes either, but instead I will do my best to find a weakling ruler willing to enter an unilateral technological exchange with my Empire. In exchange for my protection, this Empire will focus on specific areas for my exclusive benefit, areas not critical if possible. (It would not do, for example, if my partner decided to give away on a whim the secrets of the fabled Stellar Destruction device to my arch-nemesis)

[ May 24, 2004, 19:05: Message edited by: Alneyan ]