What? Don't you already see I almost don't stand a chance now?
The second front is too poorly defended for now, although I believe I have still the lead in the other backwater systems. Not for long though.
Indeed, you guessed right. My main priority was research since the early game, as I had slightly better maintenance than you and thus didn't need quite as many resource facilities. I hit the 90,000 research points quite early, somewhere during the fourth year (That is, between turn 30 and 40). Erh... I checked and I was actually on equal footing with you at this time. (Perhaps slightly ahead, but not by much. My memory seems to be faulty) Perhaps was I ahead during the very early game? (Turn 10 to 30) Apart from that, I cannot see why I was leading on the research field.
At any rate, I was lacking systems and breathable planets after the few good systems at the beginning. No matter what 40 colonies (including more than a few one facility unbreathable colonie) cannot keep up with your 60 planets. That's why I was researching Gas Colonization, it was done in five turns and was needed so that I could keep up with you. (300 additional facilities would have been most welcomed!)
However, you stroke Last turn, meaning my research won't help me much. (I will have done this research next turn or in two turns) And in the end, your bigger production base eventually pays off against my stranded League, and logic is once again ruling as queen on the battlefield. That was also why I tried to make you stay on the defensive, at least for a few turns, but it didn't work as you saw. (I am not sure sending wrecked ships over your worlds helped in any matter)
It was indeed a very good game, proceeding at an hectic pace and enjoyable to play, although the outcome is not quite to my liking.
The end of the Oxygen Breathers is unfortunately coming, in spite of their efforts.
[ November 24, 2003, 19:27: Message edited by: Alneyan ]