Nemaka, 2515. First Terran Armored Division. Commanders Log.
Almost shedding its leather-bound skin, this poor journal has seen more than its share of wear and weather. The base it was found in appears to have been abandoned for years – at least a decade and probably more, in my Science Chief’s estimation.
We knew there had been skirmishes with both Zerg and Protoss out this way, but there’s no record of an actual base here.
The journal’s inside page is a mess of ;( and other symbols, but there’s a name scrawled across the top edge.
Cmdr D. Tristram
Dear Journal,
Sorry I haven’t written much. I’ve been busy annihilating Zerg and taking those snotty Protoss down a notch.
We had our first round of competitive simulated combat today. Apparently the bigwigs up top figure that fighting other “human opponents” is a good way to hone our skills. I think it’s a waste of resources.
I mean sure, the Protoss operate with an almost computer-like precision, and the Zerg seem stuck in the most primitive repetitive loop imaginable, but they’re a challenge enough for me, and the men.
I made my report to the higher-ups about what I’d “learned” from our little wargame this afternoon, but frankly most of that was BS. What I really learned they wouldn’t want to hear, but it’ll come in handy when I’m out there again for real, and it should cost me less of my men.
Oh journal. What would I do without you? (there’s a <3 symbol here, though what that means is anyone’s guess)
The fact is, we’ve been too sluggish to get on the offence. At the beginning of the match, I and the other two commanders each had only a handful of units. Had I sent all six of mine against their two and three, respectively, victory could have easily been mine.
We’re a skittish bunch out here, so far from home. We need to be more aggressive.
The other thing I noticed was that we were all slow to build. This is what the brass wants, since they’re always prattling on about mineral cost vs. actual effectiveness, but more units more quickly is the way to go.
I think six gatherers would do the trick. That, and an abundant mineral supply, would put us in the black right away. Building a seventh gatherer would let me build a barracks or machine shop, and I could start churning out units. And the more buildings that get laid down, the more units I can support. Minerals just sitting around stockpiled do no one any good.
On that note – I saw one of my fellows try a gas capture strategy in one of the earlier matches this afternoon, and it was a dismal failure. Sure, he had top-of-line units, but so few he was overwhelmed by his opponent’s brute force. Save that Vespene for when a standing army already exists.
I also found myself reluctant to expand my base, even though I had good line of sight on more minerals and a decent choke point to stop the enemy advance. I did it, eventually, but the thing got overrun before I could get properly set up. If I’d double-timed my marines down there and really dug in, it would have made all the difference.
We need to stop thinking like outsiders and remember what we came here to do. We’re Terrans, dammit, and it’s time we start acting…
The journal cuts off at that point.
A strange man wrote this, to be sure, but it might just help us out. He’s right. We’ve been too reticent, too slow to move. We need to be aggressive, build more units and leave that Vespene gas until we’ve got the infrastructure to handle it.
We’re going to need all the help we can get. My tactical officer doesn’t believe it, but I feel it in my bones, and I’ve led men long enough to know when to trust my instincts. A second war is coming, soon. I just wish I knew exactly when.
