>>23792964

Archive link:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=mechengineer+quest

Sarna.net for a helpful reference and to learn more about the Battletech world.

The proposed downtime/fastforward honey-do list:
MAIN PROJECTS:
We are an engineer so we should devote most of our time to engineering stuff.
1. Finish all of the smaller engineering tasks we still have to do on the Phobos like vehicle flamers, screamers, shock absorbers etc.
2. Half-bins for missiles and feed systems with Wanda

ACTIVITIES
1. Work with Bruce and the crew on finding Goddard with the realization that he is still here and Vincents ship was taken over by the people who abducted him. Tie up loose ends and enlist Garrison and maybe Comstar.
2. Coworker time, socializing for sanity and companionship. Look into hiring new coworkers.
3. Lostech facility investigation: See whats in the systems we can use, and clean it up so it doesn't arouse suspicion during the visit, explore reverse engineering feasability without damaging anything YET
4. Investigate the mech design Richard left behind, including his pseudo endosteel analogue

Extra Main Projects
x) Reverse Engineering Lostech
x) New mech Ideas
x) setting up a weapons development lab wing

Extra Activities
x) Hatamotos energy weapons project (he said this was after HZP)
x) Boresight laser aim
x) Small laser Array
x) fix up the spider and base defenses in case we get attacked or something
x) Specialty missile ammo types

>>23792990

The way this thread will work is I want to see if people want to pick up where we left off last time, OR, have a metadiscussion about where to take the game and whatnot, since the gears are about to shift after this two weeks lapses, and knowing where you want to be at that time is pretty important stuff.

So this thread is open to be another quest thread to continue the story, OR as a metathread to discuss the continuation of the story next time.

The choice is yours.

>>23793033
If we stick just to being a mech designer and engineer, what will separate this from being just a very verbose session of designing a mech in MegaMek or some other mech design program?
Not that I particurly want to play detective tracking down Goddard, but what about MechEngineer Quest will distinguish it from just being a collectively run instance of using the a mech builder program? And since people were adamant about us not being in charge of the company, we're not in charge of hiring, firing, or making other strategic decisions of Skvorek.

>>23793218

What keeps any game of D&D or somesuch from simply being a game where you roll a die to add a random number to a non-random number to see if you can meet or beat a pre-determined number, and acquire points? And then whoever has the most points wins?

Roleplay, developing the character, interactions, story, and the players' ability to influence things and work with others towards a goal. Of course, some people enjoy rollplay over roleplay, and we're not judging them here. Just saying what -could- make the quest more, since you asked.

My opinion isn't the only one though.

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Fucking finally!

:D

>>23793033

Keep playing the game, and continue the story!

'Cause the meta stuff last thread really annoyed me and I don't see the fun of arguing for 3 hours about the fucking paint job or something miniscule like that.

>>23793697
>>23793771

I'm the same fag here, and I'd love for us to go through the Capellan inspection.

I was the faggot who kept asking if we were gonna do that in the last few threads.

>>23793771
>>23793782
add my vote to continuing, we have the battletech general to argue out of the game

>>23793771
>>23793782

Well the fast-forward is already going to happen, it's just a question of whether you guys want to have a discussion thread about planning the next phase of the game or not.

So far the thread is pretty dead, but we'll see if people notice we're up and running here in a bit.

>>23793813

I don't want to clog the general with quest stuff, so that's why I am offering the meta option. Not everyone in the general participates in this quest and it is not fair to them to take up post space talking about something they have no interest in.

>>23793831

What are we planning for?

(I'm making sure I know what you are referring to and that I'm not an idiot making assumptions)

>>23793858

What you want to do. Where you want Daniel to go. Focus. A lot of people have piped up that meta discussion slows the threads down because we have to get everyone on the same page and things progress slowly, so I thought having one big metathread to get everyone at least somewhat on the same page for the next phase of the quest might be constructive, but I'm letting you guys decide that bit.

>>23793884

I say we try and get some info somehow on Goddard's location and status; get everything looking nice and in order; and ask the Steiner woman (whose name I forget again) if we're needed during the inspection.

>>23793913

That is one of the things on the list that was made for 'Fast Forward To-Do Stuff' during the two weeks, yeah. >>23792990

>>23793955

Ah, well then I say we just follow >>23792990

Makes a lot of sense and I do agree with all that.

So I vote for the previously made to-do list.

>>23793771
Voting to continue.

It's 1AM for me, so I have to catch via the archives but it's been a good read so far!

>>23793884

Voting to continue as well. I very much like the mech-designing aspect of the quest, but I think there needs to be some variety to keep things interesting. We're here to design 'mechs and meet sometimes pants-on-head-retarded design specs given to us by (potential) future clients, no question about that; however, I think the things on the side that flesh out Daniel & Co. are a good thing, and should not be a problem so long as mech designing remains the main focus.

Alright, so it looks like it's story time then. Rolls to follow, if you are following the list.

After I run the exposition about what happens in the two weeks leading to the Capellan visit, the game will proceed as normal.

That work for everyone?

>>23794068
yep

>>23794068
Yes

>>23794068

Sounds good to me. Let's get to designing multi-ton killing machines to palm off to horrible people!

Once the construction of the Phobos began in earnest, the difference between theory and reality became apparent to everyone who had never worked on a 'Mech from scratch before; on paper, the Phobos was a clean-cut, masterfully engineered piece of machinery. In the MechBay, it was finicky, prone to re-dos, and slowed everybody down. The non-standard structure, with its channeled design and redundant conduiting posed the first challenge to techs and fabricators who were accustomed to less over-engineered features, and work slowed once assembly began on the lower legs. Plans had to be checked and re-checked, and the dime-a-dozen nature of the workers in your crew became very apparent. Such are the risks of a startup so small though; you have no clout to hire anyone better, since top jobs are in high demand and your selection tended to be less... stellar as a result. Still, Ivan proved his worth as the pit leader, and conferencing with you regularly, began to show some progress in getting the shins, feet, and thighs fabricated, all to spec, or as close to it as possible. Thankfully, working on a macroscale with robust material makes for a forgiving process, assuming no one is too scared of the big Tikanovan to report any errors in production to him.

You are thus able to spend less time on frills and bells and whistles, but you do find time to select TWO things you want to add from the running list you had. You may pick those now amongst yourselves. Of course, other things are keeping you back as well, but we'll explore those in a moment.

>>23794216

So we get to pick from two activities to do from this list?

>Extra Main Projects
>x) Reverse Engineering Lostech
>x) New mech Ideas
>x) setting up a weapons development lab wing

>Extra Activities
>x) Hatamotos energy weapons project (he said this was after HZP)
>x) Boresight laser aim
>x) Small laser Array
>x) fix up the spider and base defenses in case we get attacked or something
>x) Specialty missile ammo types

>>23794271


I mean add-ons for the Phobos, sorry.

>>23794295

The add-ons are stuff like the painted-on emergency targeting reticule, modular armor, and modular weapon frames, right?

If so, then I think one thing we should definitely work on implementing the modular weapon frames. The main strength of this design is its flexibility, since we're real short on weapons to work with and have to compete with other big-name Battlemech corporations.

>>23794295

Where would add-ons for Phobos fit in the list?

>>23794384

Yes, this. You have the locking thing and the holographic display already added, i mean like the screamers and all that.

>>23794388

I can try to dig up a list if you need it, I think I have it.

>>23794412

Screamers
Pilot Comfort Items
Non-Military Equipment Rigging
Modular weapons frames
Cockpit 'Jaw'

I think this was the list.

>>23794455
Comfort Items and Jaw please.

>>23794455

Screamers & Pilot Comfort items, please.

>>23794455
Weapon frames and non-mil equipment rigging might be the best bets if we're looking to impress prospective buyers.

>>23794455

Non-Military Rigging and Creature Comforts.

This thing is going to be a garrison/workhorse, so we might as well make it have some points for the 'civilian' market.

>>23794412
>>23794482
>>23794520

If the Modular Weapon system on the chassis count as integral systems and not add-ons, then the Pilot Comfort Items and Non-Military Equipment rigging have my votes.

Pilot comfort items have a direct impact on morale. Non-military Equipment rigging has the added utility factor.

>>23794455
weapons frames and rigging put us further down the road to Omnitech.

Sounds fun.

>>23794577

I meant actual mounts for stock weapons that fit around the weapons for use in the rails instead of the mech owner's techs having to fab them as-needed. basically a pure profit item.

>>23794638
So, primitive Proto-omnipods.

I'm sold.

Okay, first item is Pilot Comforts.

Second is a choice between Weapon Mounts and Non-Military Weapon Fittings. You guys break the tie.

>>23794661

I'd actually keep that idea in mind, but not work on it now. Keep it as aftersales that you might be able to do.

>>23794695

Pre-fabbed Weapon Mounts. They complement the HZP's weapon railing system quite well, and they'll turn a profit for us in the process. And even if they aren't too hot about the idea of us making money off of every LRM rack or Laser rack they mount on the HZP, we could always see if we could license the weapon mount designs for a smaller profit.

>>23794455
Pilot Comfort Items
Modular weapons frames

>>23794695
Weapon mounts.

>>23794780
>>23794827
>>23794857

Okay, so the choices are Weapon Frames and Pilot Comforts.

Next installment incoming.

>>23794882

In the meantime, between consulting sessions with Ivan, you manage to incorporate some of the pet projects into the Phobos; the cockpit is now lavish for a Light 'Mech, and any garrison would be happy to have something like it, not to mention the appreciation scout pilots will have for the long-term camping arrangements the Phobos now offers to them for extended stays behind enemy lines.

The custom Weapon Frames was something you had stewing for a while, and as a pure-profit project, will lend much needed money to Skvorec, allowing for a better budget for your next project.

(Rolls! You rolled successfully for both these items when I was putting everything together, so both Additions are successful. Your cockpit even got a positive quirk: Additional Mission Endurance (this means pilots in long-term stays will be more comfortable and less fatigued, preferring this chassis for such missions)

>>23794984

Hooray!

I guess warm showers and hot meals go a long way to sustaining morale when you're a scouting/raiding force.

>>23795050
>be clan pilot
>get captured by Phobos lance after long, tense campaign of hide-and-seek
>tired, sweaty, aches and pains
>Phobos pilot exits their mech
>well-rested, hair damp from the shower, adjusting their fancy monocle
>"Problem, clanner?"

>>23795125

Gold. Perhaps Skvorec will gift a Monocle for each Phobos Purchase including on the inside a Phobos face with monocle.

>>23794984

Your other priority had been setting up your CombiBin project with Wanda, which you manage to iron out some basic details, but with the Phobos' manufacture taking most of your time, you don't get much further than that.

However, it seems doable. Wanda seems confident, and the design of the thing has started to encompass most of her free time. She seems very dedicated, and you're impressed with her design ability. She seems to have a lot of practical knowledge she's been able to apply to design work, and if you're not mistaken... she might actually be trainable to do your job! or at least to assist you in it, for certain. You make a note of that for the future.

(cont.)

>>23795160

We may also have to come up with a plan to make money off of mech pilots opting to use their HZP as an impromptu dorm instead of sleeping in the barracks with everyone else.

>>23795203
Air Fresheners.

>>23795163

About a week passes before you get the call. Everyone gathers, and you all pile into a company van, headed for the city.

You had been conferring with Bruce all week, and relayed your theories and ideas to him, and he'd finally take the initiative and arranged a way to get ComStar (you were right!) to interdict on Vincent's dropship by accusing the security forces that deployed from the station of orbital piracy (ironic). ComStar, shunning such actions, as they are a breech of interstellar security, moved swiftly.

The scene was a massacre. The entirety of Vincent's crew was dead, and the ship had been taken over. The security forces resisted, and ComStar overran them with marines and took the survivors prisoner. There were not many to take.

Vincent was identified later that day, and a call came down to the garrison about the need to identify a body. The call then came to you, and you all somberly made your way to the coroner.

Goddard looked terrible. The had been starved, beaten, and tortured, and it was determined that dehydration killed him, due to a congenital heart condition and the related stresses endured during that time.

After he was IDed, and everyone had their time to speak and mourn openly, Janine was taken aside to declare herself the newly elected CEO of Skvorec Armorworks, and signed some papers with the garrison to legalize it.

You all decided to take Goddard's body back to the complex and bury him at home, as a family.

(cont)

>>23795283

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *breath in* NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>23795283
...damnit.

>>23795283

The services were simple, and everybody cried, even Hatamoto. In fact, Hatamoto had to leave due to being unable to stand. Ivan escorted him back to his shack, and the services continued.

When it came your time to speak, you stepped forward, eyes bleary, and just nodded your head.

"I... I don't have anything to say to you Goddard, except 'Thank you'. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be here. We all owe you big, and wherever you are, I'll shake your damn hand when I get there someday."

Your words touched everyone, and there was hugging and comforting all around. Everyone took the day off, and a nice dinner was made, and drinks were had, and everyone tried to smile when Dieter reminded everyone that was how Goddard was. He even had a smile on his face on the slab, like he knew you all would see him one more time, just like that, and so he did his best to smile.

So you all tried to smile, and spent the day together lamenting. Goddard was an idiot, but he was your idiot.

Taking into account how much time we didn't spend looking for him, the result should have been expected.

>>23795283

I expected as much, not a good way to go. Still we are going to do our utmost to make sure his dream works.

And we need tributes in his name eventually.

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>>23795283

We should name a 'mech variant after him or something. He got us into this business after all, and seemed like he saved a lot of people by creating the startup company.

>>23795125
Clanners don't even have toilets in their mech.
I'll say that again:
THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TOILETS.

>>23795283
>Goddard looked terrible.

Yeah! He looks like shit but still oka-
>that dehydration killed him

FUCK

>>23795394

This. As well as every. single. one. of the mechs we produce have 'For Goddard' in a quite obvious place either painted or engraved.

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>>23795364>>23795283

>>23795425
We're not Wobbies. A tasteful "in memory of..." plaque or engraving would do.

>>23795425

I think in not so obvious places would work better.

After all he found everyone in out of the way places and situations, he was himself rather devious in his own way. And he is and will always be our family, not of others.

>>23795364

After the funeral, you buried him under the tarmac at MechBay 5. The crew had just managed to get it working, and you were making plans to christen it with a small ceremony, but this interrupted those plans. So you all thought that it'd be nice to bury him someplace where he'd have a tombstone big enough for his personality. And damn if you didn't have that at MechBay 5.

After his interment, you ended up spending a lot more time with Janine, in both a personal and professional capacity. You managed to make time for everyone else too, but with the events you felt that since you and her were the two people the Capellans would be talking to, you needed to be composed and ready. She agreed, so you ended up basically living together for that week, getting everything, including yourselves ready.

In that time, you saw a newsfeed about a military action taking place about 100 km away, at a different city. Some complex being raided with Battlemechs (!), and heavy fighting. The complex appeared to be a private mansion, and the 'Mechs were painted white.

The broadcast was then cut off.

(cont.)

>>23795465

Close enough. Just something.

>>23795477
>and the 'Mechs were painted white.
oh fuck
OH FUCK

>>23795495
...What do white mechs mean?

>>23795477
pfff
>>23795495
It's a good thing (I think)
The mansion's owners were the ones who orchestrated Goddard's kidnapping probably.

>>23795477

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

>>23795506
Comstar. Which, considering that they're on our side (For now anyway), is a good thing.

>>23795477
oh hell, Comguard

>>23795506

Interstellar AT&T (Comstar) was pissed at someone.

>>23795508
>The mansion's owners were the ones who orchestrated Goddard's kidnapping probably.
Oh. I missed that somehow.

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>>23795506

ComGuard, if I'm not mistaken.

Well damn, we were right after all. I really wish I had picked up on that thread earlier but I kept thinking that "kidnapped" meant "in another star system by now". Which it would in almost any other setting with space travel like Star Wars. But BTech FTL doesn't work that way.

At least the guilty party seems to be getting it's shit stomped. I wonder what tipped them off, I didn't expect them to get this involved.

>>23795534
Well, it's not explicit, but considering that Comstar is pissed about the pirating, I'd say it's a reasonable conclusion.

>>23795523
>>23795528
>>23795532
>>23795536
Ah, thanks. Most of my Battletech knowledge comes fro MW4.

>>23795477

About four days ago, they arrived.

A radio signal came from orbit, and went directly to you at Skvorec Armorworks. It was received by Janine, and she gathered everyone to share the news.

A dropship requested permission to land outside your complex in the flood plain. They stated that a 'perimeter' had to be established, and that your security could not be trusted.

The next day, they landed. A Leopard-class dropship, bearing no insignia, touched down about a half kilometer from the compound. The doors opened, and out strode four (!) Battlemechs, all painted flat black with minor decoration. Two Vindicators, one Wasp, and one... you're not sure. A very bird-like design though.. even sporting a torso design to look sort of like a beaked head.

You were expressly told not to contact the garrison upon their arrival.

(cont.)

>>23795495

Mind explaining what that means?

>>23795547
knowing com*, they are probably already watching us and are waiting for us to 'mature' for lack of a better word, and then send ROM in the night to take us away to design more mechs and stuff, so they would want our progress unhindered

>>23795584
oh shit, they brought a raven...

well its a good thing we didn't try designing for a EW mech

>>23795584
>your security could not be trusted.
Normally I'd be mad, but I gotta agree with them on this one.

>>23795584

Huh, a Raven from the look of things. So wireless will be useless from now on.

>>23795618
yea...
>You were expressly told not to contact the garrison upon their arrival.

like we could if we wanted to

>>23795633

I was referring to potential spy equipment such as remote cameras and microphones.

>>23795591
Eh what can I say. Comstar likes cool toys as much as it want's to keep a lid on technological progress.

>>23795618
>So wireless will be useless from now on.

Why?

(I seriously don't know shit about Battletech, so mind explaining?)

>>23795584

The next few days the arrivals kept only minor contact with you, but Hatamoto knew who they were...

"Death Commandos. Do not interfere with them,:" was all the advice he'd give.

They then set up a comm station of some sort, and plugged the bird-'Mech into it, sending and receiving communications from.. someone.

One day left till the Capellans arrive.

(we'll pick it up here)

Is there anything you'd like to do last-minute?

>>23795584
Wonder if it's the Cappie SRM-4 Wasp.

>>23795684
The Raven is an electronic warfare platform with a bitching ECM suite. Radios aren't worth shit when a Raven is around.

>>23795692
shave, take a shower, get the panic out.

just like before class presentations in school

>>23795684

(That mech they think they recognize uses sophisticated electronics to jam communication and targeting, as well as detection, etc. It has the entire complex on lockdown all by itself, if they are right)

>>23795725

Only thing it could be is a Raven, unless you're pulling out MechAssault inspired variants, in which case it might be a Stilleto, which is still an OH CRAP because those pack gauss.

>>23795708

(it's easy to see that it does not have the traditional shoulder-mounted SRM box)

>>23795746

(well, Daniel wouldn't know what a Raven is, they are too new. Like, one decade or less new.)

>>23795746
I think he's trying to remind us that IC we don't have access to Sarna or anything.

>>23795692
>Is there anything you'd like to do last-minute?

Study the Raven from afar and take notes.

>>23795774
well Daniel is smart enough to recognize that you wouldn't usually plug a normal mech into a comm array and then not be able to access anything outside the base... so while not knowing its a Raven, he would be able to guess at its capabilities

>>23795692

This Capellan representative must be someone real important if Death Commandos were dispatched as an escort.

>>23795806
The only thing that tells him is that it has an ECM suite. If he guessed right, that is. They could also have used the 'mechs fusion engine to power an onboard jamming device, among other possibilities.

>>23795806

(yep, that's totally logical. and being an engineer, he'd be VERY interested in it, to be sure)

Besides getting cleaned up and drooling over that new 'Mech the Death Commandos have, anything else you'd like to do in this last 24 hours?

Anything you'd like an update on?

Did we do any digging into the lostech stuff during the timeskip? And how hidden is our stuff?

>>23795897

(you didn't have time for it, but it is hidden away in the cache, with everything else you don't want ComStar to see, among other things)

>>23795861

Check designs we're going to show the Capellan representative, make sure said designs are all up to snuff, rehearse presentation, prepare to improvise in case Capellan rep is exceptionally terse and impatient and dismisses presentation.

Also check up on Janine. She's probably under a considerable amount of stress since she was officially made CEO of Skovrec.

>>23795897
well if the Cappies try anything with the lostech, Com* is nearby and probably keeping watch so they'd swoop in

downside is probably everyone would end up dead

>>23795589

(white 'mechs are usually either ComStar, or Genyosha, which is a DMCS unit, and on the other side of the Inner Sphere, so unlikely)

>>23795929
>>23795841
>>23795791
>>23795714

You get together with Janine, and after a little stress relief you get everything together, opting not to commit to a grand presentation, but a more down-to-earth discussion with the officials, and to allow them to set their engineers on the design and scrutinize it with minimal interference.

The day passes quickly, and everyone does what they can to smooth the process. A few last-minute tips from Hatamoto and you learn that if the Death Commandos are escorting this person, or people, they must be nobility, and part of the higher government. That means this is pretty serious.

(If there's nothing else, on to the meeting?)

>>23796021
Onwards.

>>23796021
I can't think of anything else. Continue.

>>23796021
onwards, unless anything really interesting happens in the intervening time.

>>23796021

Les do this

>>23796021
To the meeting!

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>>23796021

Briefly consider viability of mech-sized pogo sticks.

Then proceed.

>>23796021

If it's Tsun-Tzu, we're probably okay. He's smart.

...though, he's like, ten? in 3040? SO probably not.

>>23796118
What the fuck ...

>>23796134
Mechanical jump boosters.

>>23795283
>You had been conferring with Bruce all week, and relayed your theories and ideas to him, and he'd finally take the initiative and arranged a way to get ComStar (you were right!) to interdict on Vincent's dropship by accusing the security forces that deployed from the station of orbital piracy (ironic). ComStar, shunning such actions, as they are a breech of interstellar security, moved swiftly.

HAHA YES.
I WAS RIGHT!

Is there any way we can get the 240U engine returned to us as stolen property, or is that sale on record?
Hell, can we inherit or buy the ship, if its owner is dead?

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>>23796021

DO IT

>>23796144
The thought of an Atlas jumping around anywhere near like that ... I just have no words.

>>23795425
>Yeah! He looks like shit but still oka-
>>that dehydration killed him

Nah.

When we get hatamoto's prototype laser weaponry idea off the ground, that line of weapons is going to be named after him

>>23796217

I'm not sure about weapons, but I do want to name something after him.

>>23796044
>>23796050
>>23796072
>>23796077

The next day dawns, and you shower, shave, dress up, and scratch Max behind the ears.

After breakfast, cigarettes, and coffee, you meet with Janine in front of the main building. You opted to set up a tent near the MechBay where the Phobos is being built to allow the representatives to see the actual product being constructed, so they can get a feel for the innovations that can already be seen (the structure layout, for example). Plus, it is a beautiful day.

Around 11 am, the shuttle lands in the floodplain, amongst the black 'Mechs stationed there, and a small party exits. They take a limo unloaded from the Leopard and arrive at the compound after a few moments.

Six people exit the limo: One in silk, sharply cut, and simple dark green with a gold trim. His narrow eyes survey the compound, and he adjusts his cuffs. He is flanked by two bodyguards in faceless armor, and three men in lab coats of black trimmed in green and gold. His short hair gets ruin through by spidery fingers as he approaches.

You and Janine stand straight and tall, and he steps in front of you, looking you both over for a moment. He then extends his hand to Janine.

"Miss Steiner. I am Han Lao Shun of the House of Scions. It is a pleasure to meet you."

She shakes his hand, and he smiles.

"Clammy. No need to fear, Miss Steiner. My Death Commandos are intimidating, but they are also mine, so as long as this remains amiable, so shall they."

She nods, and you can see her blush a little. "Of course. I apologize for the unprofessionalism, er, Lord Shun? Is that right?"

The man smiles. "That will do, Miss Steiner. And you must be Daniel Holdt. A pleasure. I look forward to seeing what you've laid out for us; I am a bit of a Battlemech fanatic, though my family was bereft of allowing me to pursue my passion for science, and instead it was politics for me."

He extends his hand to you.

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>>23796199

Oddly enough, it never occurred to anyone that it would make a snazzy-looking melee weapon.

>>23796234
>He extends his hand to you.
best shake it, and dont play strength games

>>23795545
>Well damn, we were right after all. I really wish I had picked up on that thread earlier but I kept thinking that "kidnapped" meant "in another star system by now"

:)

Man I kept asking you guys to CHECK UP on whether he had actually LEFT or not. Repeatedly.

But NO, throw bruce at it, bruce can handle it, stay away from comstar, etc from the rule of majority.

I hope the lesson the takes away from this is to read into the details of the events presented, and act on them, instead of assuming we know what's going on.

>>23796259
Pile Drivers are actual statted weapons.

Weight inefficient and uncommon, but extant.

>>23796234
Shake it. Then walk him over to the mechbay, and start talking about all the things we did.

>>23796234

Shake his hand.

Thank him for offering to examine our design. It's an honor for a major house within the inner sphere to consider using our design for their forces.

>>23796234
Shake it briefly but firmly.

"Then I am sure you will be interested in the Phobos Lord Shuri, I know better than to blow my own horn, but letting you see what I've made for yourself should be a treat for the both of us."

>>23795861
>Anything you'd like an update on?

Manufacturing status.
How fat max has gotten on eggs?
Is wanda healed up now?
Any followup from comstar?
Any chance of acquiring our missing parts/extra weapons from goddard's ship? Or at least an update on 'the piracy case' from the space police?
Any new developments on the crazy 8's?
Whatever happened to that Mercenary Banshee pilot we were going to get in touch with, under the General Communication/Socialization subproject?

>>23795897
>Did we do any digging into the lostech stuff during the timeskip? And how hidden is our stuff?

I believe one of our main priorities was tightening that shit up and sweeping it under the rug.

>>23796307
>"Then I am sure you will be interested in the Phobos Lord Shuri, I know better than to blow my own horn, but letting you see what I've made for yourself should be a treat for the both of us."

Seconded, plus: "I'm relieved to hear you have a scientific background - I was expecting to have to use a lot of layman's terms and long bureaucratic meetings. You should see all the notecards I made. If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular field you have a passion for?" (joking)

>>23796366
is that jokingly saying that or you just joking about it? cause we gots to be professional.

>>23796263
>>23796277

You shake his hand firmly, and he chuckles.

"Calloused, as I'd expect. Though these are the callouses of a man of science, not a technician. I am enthused to see what it is you've made, my friend. New concepts are uncommon in these barbarous days indeed."

You make your way over to the tent, his entourage in tow.

"I had heard about your troubles, and I am sorry for them. It is how I came to know you were the woman in charge, Miss Steiner. If it is not an affront, I would later like to light some incense at your former employer's headstone and pray for his journeys in the afterlife."

Janine nods, and so do you.

"Excellent. Ah, I should also inform you that we will be remaining here for three days. Is that acceptable? I will be providing for myself, so no need to feel put out in that regard."

Janine nods again. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need to, Lord Shun. Mi casa, as they say." She smiles.

He chuckles. "I am glad to see you are relaxing, Miss Steiner. I hope this meeting of minds will be a casual affair."

He turns to you.

"And Mr. Holdt, I should like you to know that I requested this envoyship, since it is the only chance I may ever get to experience such a down to earth project. This is grass-roots engineering, my friend. It is almost as though you were a well-funded hobbyist, putting your heart into that one perfect project. I very much relish experiencing it with you."

You arrive at the tent set up at MechBay 3, and he takes his place near the table.

"Enlighten us, Mr. Holdt. What have you wroght?"

>>23796386
>is that jokingly saying that or you just joking about it? cause we gots to be professional.

The (joking) was supposed to go next to the Notecards comment, and got swept away while I continued typing and should be in the middle of the sentence, not the end.. a LITTLE bit of dry humor while being an engaging professional, basically.

>>23796390
do we have the faceplate already fab'd?

because if so we could just say "Terror" and unveil it

but lets not get all ego-maniacal yet

>>23795861
>update

>>23795861
>Anything you'd like an update on?
Also, we were going to assess Richards TERRIBLE design with the small amount of time you allotted us

>>23796429

Hatamoto said that the Capellan rep would likely value substance and features over showmanship.

>>23796312

(max is not an ounce chubbier, thanks to lots of running
wanda is enbroiled in the CombiBin project, and she seems to be almost healed
the Phobos is about 8% done.
ComStar has not contacted you.
the garrison hasn't contacted you about the ship or the engine, though it was a sale you were paid for, so it is unlikely you will get it back. also nothing about the eights or the pilot. you do know he and bruce are friends though, so you could get ahold of him if you had to)

>>23796429
>do we have the faceplate already fab'd?

... no, but we have ilsa's mask. We should give it to him as a souvenir, that he can take home and hang on his wall and remember us every time he looks at it.

Though we should give it to him AFTER we explain why we've crafted our baby into such a terrifying visage. Because of what's under the hood...

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>>23796264
Sadly, even if we had realized that Goddard was still in the star system it probably would have taken too long for the wheels to turn anyway. We would still had to have pinpointed his location within reasonable doubt before the authorities would help us.

>>23796464
don't give him the original, that goes on our wall, but give him a finely crafted duplicate

>>23796442

(you didn't have time to pick it apart sadly. at least, not yet)

>>23796390
Start by talking about its weight, top speed, weapons and armor. Then say something like "Furthermore, by redesigning the mulescular structure I saved 10% on ongoing maintenance." and that's our segway into all the cool stuff we added.

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These are fun to make

>>23796390
>"Enlighten us, Mr. Holdt. What have you wroght?"

We've Given the 'mech the name Phobos. Terror.
(Hand him the mask we had made)

It's a 'light 'mech, 35 tons. And has a high ground speed. It is designed to fulfil a broad variety of roles - though it excels in both extended deployment,s operations behind enemy lines, and in a garrison capacity.

It has been designed to embody two main design goals - Toughness and flexibility....

<Summary of general capabilities>

<Summary of modular stuff, chassis, myomer structure, etc.>

<Summary of cockpit and crew comforts>

<Summary of variants and the ease of switching between them via modularity>

<Summary of the Visage/Appearance>

...That's all i've got.

>>23796410
That makes a lot more sense.


>>23796496
I second this.

>>23796484
Thats ours man, so we can terrorize our coworkers

>>23796496
>>23796527

Aff. We should really emphasise ease of maintenance. meaning they can keep these things in the field longer, easier and more cheaply.

>>23796390
>"Enlighten us, Mr. Holdt. What have you wroght?"

"Surely you know the myth of Phobos, the god of fear? I chose the name after the fact. Not because of the looks, but because of its -capabilities-. "
"My inspiration came, in part, from the Mercury - it was one of the more notable designs that crossed my eyes at the university(where DID daniel go to school anyway?)" - but I don't think it went far enough. Its a bit dated, and there was room for improvement. There's ALWAYS room for improvement, "
"We have - or are building - a fast, thirty five ton mech, that you might normally call a scout. The trick is, the armanent is not fixed... and neither are the armor levels, nor the presence or lack of jumpjets. "

>>23796429
>do we have the faceplate already fab'd?

We scared janine with it by wearing it, and got kicked in the balls for it.
I'm saying we give the SMALL one to him.

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Meanwhile, on Tukayidd...

>>23796527

Weapon railings that include lasers and missile systems, modular armor that can make room for more weapons or enhance the Phobos' endurance, flat myomer bundles that are redundant and also easier to replace than the ones that traditionally twist and wrap around Battlemech limbs, jump jet mounts, roomy cockpit with generous facilities that can make long operations less fatiguing for the pilot, etc.

>>23796590
I mean the Phobos' actual faceplate

the one we scared Janine with we keep, we can make Lord Shun a duplicate fast enough

>>23796609
>mean
meant*

>>23796496

You unveil the prints, and almost immediately the three labcoats move in to surround the other side of the table, pointing with laser pointers and conversing in Mandarin Chinese.

Shun looks impressed. "You have not only produced something new, but you have innovated as well? Impressive. So you say these myomers will save on maintenance costs, as well as time? The layout is peculiar, to be sure. I have not seen its like."

You go on to explain it, as well as any other features he points out, letting him guide the conversation while his engineers pick apart your design across the table.

You discuss the Phobos for hours with him, and he seems genuinely interested in the design. He also seems knowledgeable, so the explanation goes quite smoothly. The modular torso rails seem to be the thing he is most interested in, and he even asks the bodyguard about the cockpit layout, if he'd enjoy something like that for long campaigns, which the man nods in apparent affirmation.

As the day winds on, he suggest a break for a meal, inviting you and Janine to his accommodations on the shuttle.

>>23796584
(cont)

"We've wrought something more akin to a jet fighter than a mech, really. A fighter gets loaded up with any given ordnance it needs for a mission. Strength through flexibility."

Then segue into details about myomer/structure/circuitry/wiring details.

>>23796584

(Daniel graduated from an academy in Davion space, near the border with the CapCon)

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>>23796593
>Meanwhile

Let me improve that for you....

>>23796626
gladly accept the meal, let him guide the conversations

>>23796626
>As the day winds on, he suggest a break for a meal, inviting you and Janine to his accommodations on the shuttle.

And now comes the hostile takeover

>>23796626
Do any of the techs that Lord Shun brought with him appear to speak English? We may get more in-depth with some of them concerning weight and power distribution ratios and heat dissipation rates.

And we should accept the invitation, and let him direct the conversation.

>>23796700

Oh! by the way! How did the roll for the jumpjet perks go?

>>23796722
>>23796742
>>23796752

You break for the meal, and he escorts you back to the shuttle in his limo.

"Miss Steiner, I did want to ask you about what sort of arrangement you'd want to work out for this, regarding licensing. You and I both know this facility can't manufacture enough vehicles to supply us, should we choose to purchase. No need to give me a figure now; feel free to mull it over then if we are greenlit, we can proceed."

She nods, and you embark the shuttle, taking off for a bit of a 'mealtime cruise'.

As you survey the scenery passing during your flight, Shun actually puts the conversation into your lap, asking you if you have any questions for him.

>>23796851

(the jumpjets were just mounted successfully, no perks)

>>23796857
What he thinks of the design. And if there is any other mech roles they are in the market for.

>>23796851
>>23796866
and we haven't gotten around to the Screamers yet.

>>23796857

This is either a chance to talk more business with him, or a rare chance to geek out with another 'mech enthusiast.


Business Topic: Modular weapon torsos + proprietary weapon mounts. Would the Capellan Confderation prefer to have their own weapon mounts fabricated by local sources, or would they be interested in the weapon mount design that we've come up with for the HZP?

Geek out topic: What's your favorite Battlemech?

>>23794216
>accustomed to less over-engineered features
aka popsicle sticks

>>23796857
What does Lord Shun think about the quad-leg Battlemech designs?
Many professors and contemporaries believe that they are a design dead-end, but perhaps that's only because the right role hasn't been found for it yet.

>>23796857
Ask him about common complaints that he hears from the troops.

I think that'd be very nice information to know when designing future mechs.

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Did some more research on jump jets. Turns out that they worked entirely differently from how I thought they did. They use a totally separate fusion system from the mechs main reactor. Instead of using plasma to generate electricity, they use electricity to turn air and other fuel INTO plasma. This fuels fusion rockets on the mech and allows it to fly.

>>23796866
>(the jumpjets were just mounted successfully, no perks)

No, we did that last time. Debated locations, and put 8 hardpoints in successfully.

It was in the tail end of the last quest, but spending 8 hours a day on Phobos to straighten everything out with the Primary systems was to try to take advantage of the center torso location for the jets.
We put two there just SO we could take advantage of the stacked fusion/sinks/perk possibility that you pointed out(not sure if you remember, it was spoilertexted).

What I'm saying is we already mounted them, but it looks there weren't any follow up rolls to take advantage of where we intended to go with them.

Just saying, if we'd opted to play day-by-day, there'd be a LOT more rolling to improve things happening.

>>23797098

I think we rolled for the design of the JJs, and got a 50-something which meant no positive quirks but no bad ones either.

Not wanting to risk /tg/ dice and pressed for time, I think the common sentiment was to overly tinker with it due to deadlines and stuff.

>>23796889

"Well, to be honest with you we are shopping for a speedy escort for our pet project out there. I am quite sure your mins has been livid with questions about that peculiar Battlemech you have seen us employing, Daniel. I am willing to let you take a cursory look at it, if you wish. Your machine, should we choose it, would be its bodyguard."

>>23796933

"Well, I can say with budget constraints we will be constructing our own, however... since we will be licensing the design from you to construct at our own facilities, you would receive royalties similarly to the way you will receive them for the Phobos."

He pauses when you ask him what his favorite 'Mech is.

"It may sound unpatriotic of me, but I have a soft spot for the Zeus. It is just a perfect blend of flexibility and function, to me. It can perform any role, and does so well. The only issue is that it is slightly brittle, wouldn't you agree?"

>>23796991

"Ah, that is a debate I have had many times. I actually was a proponent of making the Raven a quad, you see. I think they have a future if someone with enough brains and lack of bureaucratic red tape can build one to suit, instead of it being a walking compromise."

The meal is very good, if not simple: a Dim Sum sort of affair. He asks both of you a few cursory personal questions as well, and small talk abounds.

All told you are gone for about three hours, and when you return it is going on dusk.

"I will return to you on the morrow. But for tonight, I communicate with my superiors, and my engineers and I have much to discuss."

You disembark his shuttle, and he sees you off with a handshake and a wave.

You and Janine are driven back to the compound in the limo, and are dropped off at the main building.

What now?

>>23797141
>I think we rolled for the design of the JJs, and got a 50-something which meant no positive quirks but no bad ones either.
>Not wanting to risk /tg/ dice and pressed for time, I think the common sentiment was to overly tinker with it due to deadlines and stuff.

No, we didn't roll for it again THEN. But we DID decide to put the max # of CT jumpjets in to to take advantage of the perk being related to the CT - so we could revisit it later.
..and its two weeks later
... and we've been trying to finish everything up to impress the cappelans, which we knew ahead of time are Results Driven.

So there's been no follow up on that, but there should have been

>>23797142
>you wish. Your machine, should we choose it, would be its bodyguard."
Can HZP even keep up?

>>23797142
We should recall our coversation we had with Hatamoto over the wiring and ask if he prefers redudancy or extra protection in a Battlemech the next time we see him.

>>23797142
Ask Ilsa if she can get some of the techs together to make a copy of the faceplate of the Phobos to give to Lord Shun, both as a souvenir and as a physical representation of what the mech will look like.

Talk with Janine and Hatamoto about how the negotiations are going; so far, everything seems to be proceeding smoothly.

>>23797142

Ask Janine what she thought of the meeting.

>>23797142
Now, we drop all semblance of civilized restraint and smoke, after all it has been over four hours.

>>23797198
Easily

>>23797198
HZP is pretty damn fast, dude. IIRC it's got speed on par with a Jenner's, if it didn't have Jumpjets.

>>23797198
It's more a question of how much escorting the raven will for it to hold back.

>>23797142
Well, the Cappies are amenable to a quad in the future. This bodes useful.

As for stuff to do, we should review. The engineers will probably have much to ask us in the morning.

Also, the idea of the Phobos buddying with a Raven is intriguing.

Narc-capable ammo in the LRM/SRM bins, fkamers to deter infantry (Which us how the Fedsuns captured most if their Ravens, infantry assaults), etc.

A Raven acting as CNC/EWAR support for three Phobii would be a tough combo.

>>23797231
>>23797244
>>23797262
Huh, I remember being under-engined for some reason. Does HZP have a sheet?

>>23797198

If I remember correctly, the Raven is a 6/9/0 'mech (97 KPH max speed). The Phobos' movement profile is 7/11/0 (118 KPH max speed).

It can keep up fairly well.

>>23797293
HZP is either a 7/11 or 8/11 I just can't remember which due to knowing nothing about the system.

>>23797189

(putting them where you did just made it easier to jimmy them in last-minute instead of having to work for a while on it, since you had already laid the torsos out and it was an afterthought. that was the perk, the roll confirmed a standard success, so you were able to add 8 mounts and make sure there were clear channels for port and feed installation without interfering with the torso rails that were already there. sorry if there was confusion)

>>23797198
It's faster than most Raven variants, equal with the rest.

>>23797290
>A Raven acting as CNC/EWAR support for three Phobii would be a tough combo.

How would you set up the escort?

Two shortrange fighters, one long-range with a holepunch?

>>23797371
Personally?

Two of the ML+SRM variants to beatstick, and one with either the LL+Flamer, or, if NARC or Thunder LRMS are available, one with 2 LRM5s, an ML and a Flamer.

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>>23797420

Such a squad could rape a Steiner scouting force.

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>>23797371
I'd throw in one of these.
But alas, that is years and lightyears away from here and now.

>>23797420
Agreed.

At least one flamer, or MGs, are essential - most Ravens salvaged by the Davions were gained via infantry attacks - the Raven has a decent short-range punch, but no Anti-Infantry defence.

>>23797214
>>23797223
>>23797229

You light a smoke, and one of Janine too; you can see that look in her eye.

"Well, at least he's nice, or trying to be. Act or no, it makes things easier. He's smart too. And I bet pretty damn savvy to boot."

She takes a drag, and you propose getting Ilsa and some of the techs to fab him a mask like the one she made you. She laughs.

"Oh god, why do I see him doing the same thing to his noble wife that you did to me when he gets back home? Sure, why the hell not?"

As you walk to get some 'real' food, as she puts it, you encounter Ivan at the door.

"Engineer! How is going with noble type?"

>>23797487

Seems to be going rather well, so far; he seems to be very interested in the design, and he has some background with Battlemech design, which made explaining things to him much easier. I think it also helped him appreciate all the extra coffee, blood, sweat, and tears we all put into it.

>>23797487
"They haven't tried to kill us yet, so pretty good."

>>23797487
"Swanky; he wants our baby to play big brother to that beaky Ewar unit they brought along, might even let me snoop a bit under the hood. Guy knows his stuff."

>>23797487

We can't rightfully say, seems to be going well, first impressions were good, but he's a noble, and used to the game of bullshit and masks.

>>23797317
>sorry if there was confusion

I see what happened, though.

You used starshadows consolidated list, and forgot/left off all the details that went into it.

MAIN PROJECTs:
1) Small improvements to HZP(JJ quirk, starshadow's convenience list, the time-lapse video)

No, i get what you're saying, its just that two weeks of work involved in the time skip have, apparently, had no effect.

We've literally made more progress assembling the HZP, on screen, in less time than we have with the 'assum stuff happens' behind scenes fast forward button mode.
Or if it HAS made a difference, you haven't really told us what all we've gotten out of it.

I think you may have assumed that MAIN PROJECT was more related to the HARDWARE(assembly?) side of things, than us assuming we would be doing the same thing we've been doing for 17 threads.

Just, you know, without taking 17 threads.

Also, I totally would have voted for less superficial things here >>23794216 if we'd known that it wasn't going to be included in the main project.

And I think that's where the confusion is coming from.

>>23797487
"Kinda pleasant, really. He's pretty much like a guy you wouldn't mind sharing a pint with.

I suppose it's why he's an ambassidor, he seems good with people."

>>23797487
"Seems to be going smoothly. He's definitely a mech hobbyist, so I can get a little more technical, and he can see the advantages of some of the design features I made readily."

>>23797487
The Lord likes us, we like him, I thnk we'll get along fine.

(It's pleasant to see Cappies written as something other than mustache-twirling villains, especially in Romano's era. Paranoid, sure, but pretty cool.)

>>23797538

(well, considering you hardly had time to work on anything besides conferring with Ivan about keeping production straight and on track, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that JJet mounts weren't touched again because the initial effort was successful, and no one really brought it up besides you, iirc. like i said before they were added as an afterthought, so the fact that the engine and whatnot is as it is lended itself to easily adding the mounts after you normally would, which was the 'perk' of the whole situation. if i'm missing something, feel free to quote a previous thread, because I forget things too, and miss notes. i'm only human)

>>23797523
>>23797532
>>23797534
>>23797536
>>23797551
>>23797557
>>23797591

"You think he is buying? If he is wanting to tour build site, I am alright with this. Letting him know, okay? Good! Now come, we share a drink, and you can tell Ivan all about it!"

He escorts you inside, and you all sit in the commissary and have a drink, a smoke, and some BLTs and mashed potatoes, courtesy of Ivan apparently, his reasons being 'Capellans eating too little, so small ,so skinny! Needing REAL food after that, I am thinking, so.. I make! BLT is official sandvich of Tikanov!"

What's on deck after 'dinner'?

>>23797668

Its less about specific things, and more that I feel that we were somewhat cheated out of design time.


Context is good though. This list turned into the one you have in the op, and all the good stuff is inbetween it.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23549936/#p23553625

>>23797538
I believe the original plan was for two 1-week timeskips. We are at the halfway mark between them so we still have some time left to work on our goals for this "period".

>>23797371
Well assuming the scout lance is 3 Phobii and a Raven I would try to spread the armaments around. Since we have rails this is fairly easy. ML+SRM with half inferno rounds. ML+LRM for fire support. And for the last one either jump jets or a large laser.

Being a scout lance the bodyguards only need to be able to overpower anything they can't outrun, which isn't much. In fights where the Raven has to stick around for EWAR stuff things would get a little more tricky. But since all of the variants are easily capable of mounting a flamer fighting infantry will be no problem. Plus the REEEEE!

>>23797731
Probably a panic attack and last minute double-check of all of HZP's systems.

In our nice suit.

>>23797731
Detail review.

The labcoats will probably be grilling us hard in the morning. We should make sure we'rd prepped for any tricky questions.

>>23797745

(Actually I derped and carried on with both weeks. I completely forgot that I was supposed to give you a 'break' to change up; if you recall the Cappies were 2 weeks away. That's my fault, so I'll toss a roll in there for quirks if you want to make up some time in between working on that, no problem)

>>23797745

I imagine any infantry getting an earful of screamers at 90m would seriously consider getting shot up by machineguns or doused in hot plasma instead.

>>23797668
Nothing prevents us from going back and doing them "properly" right? Everything is still on paper at this point so we don't lose anything by refining the design further. We can always fall back on what we know works.

Because we were rushing construction with the Cappies coming most of our design time was instead sunk into "overhead" making sure the techs were fabbing everything correctly. Once the cappies are gone we can spend more time in our den doing engineer things.

>>23797731
Review all of the design details of the Phobos like we're cramming for a final in the morning, then get a good night's sleep; we're going to want to bring our A game tomorrow because those techs are going to grill us.

>>23797809
Imagine any lance facing an orbital landing party equipped with screamers.

>THEY'RE HERE!

>>23797809
>>23797836
And thanks to the loudspeaker system you can blast Flight of the Valkyries at the same time.

>>23797823

(they are done properly, just no Positive Quirks; the roll was a 54 I think)

>>23797876

So there are no faults to our baby correct? Everything was fabricated correctly?
No misplaced paneling or wiring or a welding torch left haphazardly in a bunch of myomer bundles?

>>23797904
Fabrication is only 8% complete.

Currently Cappies are going over plans and blueprints.

>>23797876
Makes me wonder what kind of funky things we can do with jump jet design. Like sinking reactor power into capacitors to power the jets so that the mech can run at full speed plus rocket boosters to make the mech "lighter".

That would obviously make piloting much more difficult, but that could be perfect for a quad.

>>23797759
>>23797789
>>23797824

You spend the rest of the night cramming for tomorrow's meeting like it was your Final Exam in school; you know all the answers but you still feel compelled to study. To be ready.

Max watches you as you study yourself into a coma, slumped over your drafting desk, your cigarette putting itself out as it burns down to nothing.

>>23798018

(and with that I think we'll call it there for the night. i'm getting a bit of a headache, as i need new glasses and can't afford them at the moment, so i am having a hard time with long sessions in front of the computer. sorry guys. next time we'll start at day 2 of the Cappie meeting, if that's okay)

>>23798059
Alright. See you next week!

>>23798059

Will you archive the thread, Anontech?

>>23798059

(thread's archived, so no worries there. and sorry about the skip last week; i was too busy to run.

also, think about what you want to spend your free roll on, since i am a derp and forgot to give you a break after week 1 to consolodate. alternately, you can opt out of a roll for some free experience instead. up to you.)

>>23798119
experience?

>>23798187
Iunno, what /might/ we use the free roll on?

Idea-time, gais, throw some spaghetti at that wall

>>23798119
>some free experience

What'chu talkin' 'bout, Anontech?

>>23798187

(daniel has stats associated with him that i roll against to determine degrees of success when you do something with him, so choosing experience would raise those stats by a bit)

>>23798203

(rolling for a JJet quirk, or a quirk on the weapon rail fittings you designed to sell along with the phobos would be the two obvious things)

>>23798246
>raise stats by a bit
huh, well, we did just basically run our skills through a blender, an xp boost couldn't hurt the next leg of designing

>>23798246
rail fittings.
JJs are just window dressing. Rail weapons, though... that would be a huge breakthrough.

>>23798246

I say an increase to stats.

>>23798246
I'll take the experience.

>>23797745
>I believe the original plan was for two 1-week timeskips. We are at the halfway mark between them so we still have some time left to work on our goals for this "period".

DOH!

>>23797793
>Actually I derped and carried on with both weeks. I completely forgot that I was supposed to give you a 'break' to change up; if you recall the Cappies were 2 weeks away.

DOUBLE DOH.

Yeah I KNEW something was fishy.

I won't say no to free rolls, but now's not the time to handle it.

Be well, anontech! I too have a headache, and I suspect its eye related as well. I have an appointment tomorrow, though. Either way, getting one of these earlier was WIERD http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma

>>23798246
>(rolling for a JJet quirk, or a quirk on the weapon rail fittings you designed to sell along with the phobos would be the two obvious things)

Are there any other things we should consider improving?

We could have a shot at making our armor more modular, right? As I recall we never really finished that up. We got it workable, but not perfect.

Any other ideas? voting no on XP, for now

I for one, want to see what the jumpjet quirk is - if it does something like adds a movement or reduces heat for it, that potentally effects our loadouts.
Maybe its something incredibly silly like being able to replace engine heatsinks with jets. That would be hilarious.

I'd say take the experience and then work on quirks the hard way as we have time.

See any particular issues with this? >>23797073 Screamers are one of those things that are simple on paper. Horribly complicated and dangerous in practice. Either way getting to do some rocket science should be fun.

(thanks guys, i'll take it easy tonight. also, i'll check the archive to see what you decided on between rolls and experience tomorrow night after work)

>>23798412
lets go with the exp

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>>23798404
Jetsinks!

Instead of generating heat, you generate lift!!

10 PPC STEINER ORBITAL INSERTION LANCE IS GO!

>>23798412
>I'd say take the experience and then work on quirks the hard way as we have time.

We want to develop potential quirks before all the icky hardware goes in, though. thats why we were ironing things out before construction started.

then again, we DO have time before we ship final blueprints off to a factory, and experience helps with our next project, too....

>>23798412
agreed, can't wait to do some field rigs to check the stability on the feed-through method you've developed

but still, I can't help feeling like you make it so much simpler by having the whistle mechanism fold into the interior of the main nozzle

>>23798446
>Instead of generating heat, you generate lift!!

well, no, he was making it sound like it could be hooked up to the engine, so...

instead of reducing heat, you generate lift. (by replacing a sink you lose it)

>>23798505
So it's... a normal JJ?

>>23798463
from the wiki
>The whistle works by causing the smooth flow of air to be split by a narrow blade, sometimes called a labium or windcutter, creating a turbulent vortex which causes the air to vibrate. By attaching a resonant chamber to the basic whistle, it may be tuned to a particular note and made louder. The labium excites standing waves in the resonance chamber, and the length of the chamber typically defines the resonant frequency (pitch) of the whistle. A whistle may also contain a small light ball, usually called the pea, which rattles around inside, creating a chaotic vibrato effect that intensifies the sound. Japanese bird whistles use several small balls and are half filled with water in order to reproduce the sound of a bird song.

>A steam whistle works the same way, but using steam as a source of pressure: such whistles can produce extremely high sound intensities.

>Sometimes, air or wind blowing past an opening can create an unintentional "whistle" effect. A common one is the opened sunroof of a car: air passing over the top of the vehicle can, at certain speeds, strike the back edge of the sunroof, creating a very low frequency whistle which is resonated by the closed interior of the car. Since the sound frequency is infrasonic, around 4 Hz, the effect is very uncomfortable for occupants, who feel the vibration rather than hear it. Such low frequencies can induce nausea, headache, disorientation and dizziness. The effect can be prevented by opening a side window a few inches. Subsonic whistles have also been developed for use as non-lethal area-denial weapons for crowd control purposes, or to deliberately create a sense of uneasiness in an enemy.

You can use the main nozzle for the plasma whistle, but you still need a resonant chamber right near the blade, without an RC in the construction, I suppose backblast from a nearly perpendicular ring of blades would be able to use the jet itself as a resonating chamber

>>23798543
Fuck, yes, I love it when my buddy dips his window down just enough to cause the interior space to vibrate - makes everyone else nauseous as fuck, so the windows get adjusted, but I love every moment.

>>23798463
As >>23798543 pointed out you do need some form of resonance for it to work properly. You could modify the nozzle, but then it might be simpler just to have a separate chamber because changes we make to the nozzle will affect it's performance as a rocket. We can try both ways, we have the Urbie as the perfect testbed.

>>23798522
>So it's... a normal JJ?

Mounted in the engine

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>>23798736
tl;dr It looks like pic related whenever you generate heat/the coolant system kicks in.

>>23798764
But the engine mounted heatsinks are just an abstraction.

Engine sinks are included in the weight of the engine, thought you still have to allocate extra space for them if the engine is too small.

Well, next time lets find a way to seal the deal.

>>23799213
So, the HZP could keep up with the reaven if it dumps something?

>>23805567
The Phobos has a top speed one notch higher than the base Raven so keeping up will be no problem. I think some of the later Raven upgrades have better speed or jump jets, but those are a long ways off.

>>23807128
Aren't Chicken Mechs faster than humanoid ones?

>>23808193
Depends more on the engine.

>>23808193
They have a smoother ride at higher speeds, but in game terms there isn't any inherent advantage. In fluff terms having little stick legs would let them move faster, but it still comes down to reactor power feeding the myomer.

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YES

>>23808653
I.. dont understand.

>>23810498
mispost most likely