[1FSTCAT]

STONE MILL VS. 1FSTCAT

After a "long" 38 turns, or so, the game is done.

We both went with Ancient Race, so we started the game, knowing we were next-door neighbors. Within a few turns, my first strike-fleet went forth, being beat-back by a mine layer and some satellites, and an enemy that had an instinctively better combat nature.

In our Last game against one another, Stone Mill taught me the value of Light Carriers in combat. I expected a similar strategy from him this time, but instead he went the opposite direction, with smaller, harder to hit ships. I was pressed to research the sensors, and thought that ECM would do me some good. (I wasn't thinking on this one..)

By turn 20 or so, I had a huge fleet of 30 some ships. I retrofitted every ship with 2 mine sweepers x 2, each, and pressed for our shared warp point. For some reason, they only swept about 40 mines, and the rest destroyed the entire fleet. I'm convinced something malfunctioned within the game here, but I didn't think it was a maker or breaker.

On turn 32 or so, I made my next move. This fleet was about 20 carriers, and 6 or 7 sweepers. They broke through, only to see the enemy fleet of equal number, but mostly LC's and Destroyers. I was convinced I would smash them, but decided to wait for reinforcements.

Good ole' Stone made his move. He'd already managed to train this little fleet to 20/20, and he completely obliterated my fleet without my poor carriers (equipped with sensors 2, to boot!)being able to land a single shot! The battle went 4 rounds, with his little ships, pounding on my larger ships, until they were no more. It was downright HUMILIATING. I was ready to quit then and there.

I tried to make a recovery, setup some Kamikazes on the other side of the next warp point, but it was futile. They didn't even get a chance to make their move. My homeworlds fell in a period of 1 per turn, for the next 3 turns. The game is up. Stone Mill is the victor, once again.

All hail Stone!

--Ed