(Standard movements such as scout picketing, research stations and the like will not be mentioned. They happen with every strategic event, no matter what the situation. Also, every system that lacks strategic importance receives exactly 5 standard turrets per type, two AOE turrets each, six sniper and six spiders, one normal and one hardened shield, two tractor beam turrets, and one counter-sniper turret, as well as one space dock.)
The constant Tiger swarm aimed for Zamarye fails to do a thing. The Tigers' FRD logic seems to prefer single fleet ships over juicy guard posts, and an aggravatingly efficient Gravity & Laser Guardian combo annihilates any cats coming into their range with appaling ease. The local radar jammer doesn't help either. I send in the fleet and, without even considering the use of more sophisitcated tactics, drive them right on top of the Gravity guardian. A slugfest ensues, and the system gets cleaned up rather thoroughly. The shield bearers prevented any losses whatsoever. Zamarye is downgraded from P6 (nuisance/threat) to P1 (Insignificant), and the fleet moves on to southeastern Kuraxi, the primary defences of which are an a horde of mkII ships and a planetary armour booster.
And a devourer Golem that forgot to mention its travelling plans in the region. I give the order to board transports for the regular fleet and Starships, then stop the production for further Tigers. Kuraxi's mkII fleet is annihilated though, so there is something gained after all. As the Golem moves on to impervious KADESH, the Tigers resume their now unimpeded bombings, and sanitise Kuraxi without further incidents. Fleet support was not needed, although I did send in the fighters to mop up the Viral Shredders. New priority rating: P3 for resources.
The PzKpfWs are redirekted towards Admmic in the further west, sporting another Advanced Research Station and no defences worth mentioning. Waves of Armor Ships and Polarizers are poised to strike against Clumnae, but lack the strength to do any damage. Starships and Guardians in Admmic delay progress, but as the waves are beaten back and the fleet moves in, the system falls. I build my command station and defences on the wormhole to Wltooth, hoping that they will protect the Regenerator Golem there from any potential harm coming against it from this flank. Thanks to the shield bearers, the command station is swiftly finished and the sound of blades scraping on spire-stuff fills the audiosphere. Spawners are unlocked, and I am a very happy man.
I thoughtlessly send the remaining Tigers into Witooth, not recalling that the Raid Engine in Arkmir will want to ruin my day after a very mkIV fashion. Considering for a moment to retreat from this front and pursue the Hive Golem at far-western Iusakiyi instead, I nonetheless come to my senses in time and give orders to redirect the flow of tigers towards the Raid Engine, while also building Engineers to subsidise this move with from my overly full resource budget. Gaining a further increased sense of sanity, I also manage to observe that this strategy is full of fail, since the Tigers would need more decisive orders than "Go over there as soon as you're born" to break through to the target. Offensive operations are suspended until Admmic is properly fortified, and the fleet rebuilt to full strength.
An enemy counter to my Tiger aggression destroys the ARS, but is naturally to late to effect any change of importance. The work of SCIENCE! is resumed by a common research station while the incursos are being dealt with.
