Turns 41-45
Dynamic Synergistics work on genetic modification and enhancements paid dividends, as they discovered a gene therapy process that would allow human explorers to become radiation resistant. (Adaptation Radiation Resistance, Offers 3, 4, +2 Profit total.) SpaceCorp constructed a refinery on Io, its third base on Jupiter’s moons. (+5 profit for fulfilling contract 5, three bases in one region).
Dynamic Synergistics acquired additional technology from the market, including a rare Antimatter Prototype drive. SpaceCorp shifted its team from Titania to Ariel, preparing to explore the moon. 3S&M acts deploys a team to Iapetus, hoping to exploit the exo-microbes and exotic elements littering its surface. SpaceCorp’s exploration team on Ariel found Abundant Water, which it was able to exploit for an immediate profit. (+2 Profit, Base -2). SpaceCorp constructed a Research base on Ariel (mistakenly advancing its revelation cube, which is not legal in the Planeteers phase) while Dynamic Synergistics continued its buying spree.
CNSA explorers continued their efforts on Saturn’s moons, discovering exo-microbes on Enceladus, which they were able to exploit for immediate profit. SpaceCorp focused on positioning its teams, sending its team on Ariel to Umbriel, hoping to complete the exploitation of the Uranian moons. The team on Io was likewise relocated to the Spaceport on Titania.
Turns 46-51
As genetic modification efforts continue, explorers from Dynamic Synergistics are verging further from standard humans in appearance. The newest breakthrough sufficiently reduced the body mass of their explorers, the first change that was obvious to the naked eye. (Adaptation Low Body Mass, +1 Profit.) Dynamic Synergistics also continued to exploit the market, using substantial influence to increase profits. (Offers 1, 4, draw Market Influence as a replacement card, +2 Profit.) Spacecorp continued its exploratory efforts, discovering exotic elements on Umbriel. (+2 Profits, P2, Base +2.)
Dynamic Synergistics continues to chase genetic engineering technology, even at the cost of profits. (Offers 2, 3, 4, including one genetics card for -1 Profit, followed by Offers 1, 3, 4, including two genetics cards for -2 Profit.) SpaceCorp, ignoring genetic research in favor of boots on the ground, moved a team from Titania’s spaceport to neighboring Oberon, on which abundant water had already been found. The team built an industrial base on Oberon, in order to ease the development of the other moons in the region.
Dynamic Synergistics genetic modification team had yet another breakthrough, creating a gene therapy that allowed for exquisite Sensory Focus. (+1 Profit). Dynamic Synergistics continued its buying spree, clearing the market for a new run of fusion drives. (Offers 2, 3. +1 Profit. Remove Analytic Excavator and Mobile Labs. Add 2x Fusion Drive.) SpaceCorp teams on Umbriel, aided by the industrial base on Oberon, were able to construct a research facility, developing Fusion Drives to push toward the Oort Cloud. (Build research base, Take Fusion Drive from offers). The completion of four bases on planets with water fulfilled a contract, earning further profit for SpaceCorp. (Fulfill contract 7, +5 Profit).
3S&M’s research teams had been active for years working on practical applications of Quantum Mechanics. They had a breakthrough, creating quantum computing systems that were revolutionary, generating substantial profit. (Breakthrough: Quantum Mechanics, +2 Profit. Also, I forgot to award Contract 1, two progress cards earlier, resulting in an additional +3 Profit.) SpaceCorp, continuing its focus on exploration, launched a mission from Umbriel to the Oort Cloud, relying on newly acquired Fusion Drives for the final push. (Take First Beyond marker.)
Dynamic Synergistics managed to acquire key technologies that undermined SpaceCorps ability to freely operate. While SpaceCorp was eventually able to acquire the license, it took a toll on profitability. (Offers 1, 2, 3, +1 Profit. Draw Competitors, which has the edge effect of -2 Profit for SpaceCorp.) SpaceCorp focused on upgrading its travel capacity, replacing its Closed Gas Core Nuclear Drive with Survey Drone technology. (Move 4, Explore 2).
The End of an Era
The expansion of SpaceCorp to the Oort Cloud opened up a new era of space exploration. No longer content to remain in the solar system, humanity had entered an era of Starfarers.
SpaceCorp maintained its highly profitable Water and Abundant Ores refinery on Io as a key profit center going forward. Thanks to its pole position exploring the stars, it had a team in place orbiting Alpha Centauri before any competitor could make their move.
The massive growth of Dynamic Synergistics, paired with the cost of interstellar travel, led to an unexpected merger. The CNSA, long subject to the whims of China’s authoritarian capitalists, agreed to a joint venture to colonize the stars, which would be called CNSA-DS Interstellar, which would explore the near-earth star Luhman-16.
C. F. Kane's Solitaire Games 