I’m going to rule that the bonus counter is removed before the merc swap. Reasoning being the explicit use of immediately in the base game rule book. I consider the FAQ concerning a specific AC to be the exception to the rule.
I actually have a problem with the FAQ concerning this topic. What if someone takes Bureaucracy with bonus counters on it, reveals an objective or two, and then plays that AC to put it back? Do you then take away those objectives you just flipped? Or is this a way to get very deep into the deck very quickly? (granted the odds are not high of this happening, but I’ve been wondering about it.)
Nekro 2/6/4 2/5/3 Decline secondary of Diplomacy.
Tactical Action. Activate Tiamat/Heraclor. Move from Jol-Nar 1 DN with General, 2 CA. From HE 1 DD and 1 CV with 2 ST,2GF,1MU,1PDS. No PDS fire.
2/6/3 2/5/3
Space Battle
AFB 2@8
Nekro
1 DN 2@5
2 CA 2@6
1 DD 1@8
1 CV 1@9
Norr
1 CV@8
1 FT?@8
Dont think I gain a tech if I bombard so I wont. If I do then I will bombard Tiamat.
Invade Tiamat with MU and General, Heraclor with 2 ST and 2 GF. Edit: PDS on Heraclor.
Gain Gravity Drive, Automated Defense Turrets and Sarween Tools.
Activate Garbozia.
Move 1 Cruiser (with 1 Ground Force, Dal Bootha) from Dal Bootha/Xxehan into system.
Move 1 Cruiser, 1 Destroyer, and 1 Carrier (with 4 Fighters) from El’nath into system.
Absorb any PDS fire (Fighters, Carrier), then land Ground Force on planet, claiming it.
2.5.2 0tg 6ac 3pc
NAALU
After Nekro/N’orr battle,
and Arborec/Nekro battle,
and Naalu/N’orr skirmish,
N’orr will be next.