Have they made the trade?
Yes, Tzaero sent us the banking tech, he's holding back on the Warp drive tech though, he wants us to wire the Weapons tech first.
No, don't do that.
What? Why? Isn't he an ally?
Hackett, we're dealing with an enemy of our alliance, if we were to give up the tech now we'd look like traitors and 8ball will pull his fleet back. That is something I don't want.
But we can handle all of them. We've got 8Ball outnumbered nearly 3 to 1 if we combine with Tzaero's forces. Isn't this what you wanted?
*chuckles* Not really. Would be nice, but not the best outcome.
What is going on? Are you hiding something from me?
Hackett, the real purpose of Operation Jagged Alliance is to force Tzaero into a conflict that he cannot easily pull himself out of. 8Ball is of no threat to us, but his expansion might give him just the chance to match our strength. Hence, Operation Jagged Alliance is conceived.
Think about it Hackett, who is the strongest empire at that time?
Ours.
And second strongest?
Tzaero's.
A lion has no need for a wolf in his pack.
The emptied colonies, the simulated attacks. Everything is to push the Weapons tech into our hands...
Precisely.
Without the weapons, Tzaero's fleet will suffer massive losses, and in staging the fake attacks - we've secured forward bases to launch an invasion into his capital worlds.
So that's why you got the Warp gates working.
Yes, I wanted to make sure my biggest fleet ever arrive on time for the greatest push.
And with our Western and Southern Quadrant secured and unchallenged, I can focus on what's important...
Alas, it was not to be...
What happened?
Tzaero, upon realizing our treachery, resigned almost immediately.
Oh god.
Reroute the fleet to Heka System, it's time to end this charade.