Shepard Quest Mk VI, Technological Revolution

Also @UberJJK I'll get back to you I wanted to get this up for review soon...

No problem. Speaking of review, just based off a quick look through:
  1. Anti-Starship Torpedos - Why is it locked? The only pre-req we see is AT Missile Launcher and we've unlocked that.
  2. You should probably make it clearer when a tech requires two or more techs. For instance I presume that while small ship scale mods requires basic vehicle scale ammo and basic weapon mods the 200m MAC requires neither and the Advanced Weapon Mods only requires basic weapon mods? Because it's rather ambiguous as it's currently set up.
  3. I would advise thicker lines for the arrows since with arrows as thin as they are the colors don't stand out as much.
  4. What is the Thermal Compensator tech?
  5. Shouldn't there be Gen 1 reactor in the Arc Reactor tech box?
  6. Any particular reason the re-entry shroud is still a thing? Or rather the Re-usable one since that's for the Mk2 which wouldn't need one.
 
What does Project Lazarus entail? Could we do full brain emulation and personality backup and restore with it? Being able to restore your mind from a backup when you die is exceedingly useful. :)
 
So, this is the last quoted value I found for RP, and this is the last plan I believe:
Research Actions
[] Peak Human (212/400)(30d10+55) (98.08%)
[] Frigates (400) (70d10+55) (95.40%)
[] Improved Warhead (150) - 0d10 +50 (Tiger Reward) +50 (Lagrange Omake) +50 (Reference Recognition) (100%)
[] Mk II Suit (500) - 40d10+20 + (Overflow)
[] Legionary Re-Entry Shroud (50) 0d10 +50 (UberJJK Omake) (100%)
Just wanted to make sure - that 650 is on top of the 200 already used in the plan, right? And can't be assigned until the next research segment?
 
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Note that we have a point value for thermal annihilation now; That should be worked into our plan documents... ^.^
 
Typos:
Invisable Man > Invisible Man
AI Licencing Preperation > AI Licencing Preparation (note: I had no idea licencing was a word; I thought it was just license)

Also, holy fuck that's a lot of stuff we can research.

Thanks yEd doesn't seem to have a spellchecker or I missed it :oops:

Fucking sweet...but just to be clear, what is the difference between an Dark Energy Warhead and the disruptor torpedoes of canon?

Dark Energy Warheads includes, but is not limited to Disruptor Torpedoes.

You research Dark Energy Warhead you get Disruptor Torpedoes, but it also allows the use of any other Weaponizable Dark Energy effect you have enough tech for. Also includes the Disruptor Torpedo's cousin the Javelin.

No problem. Speaking of review, just based off a quick look through:
  1. Anti-Starship Torpedos - Why is it locked? The only pre-req we see is AT Missile Launcher and we've unlocked that.
  2. You should probably make it clearer when a tech requires two or more techs. For instance I presume that while small ship scale mods requires basic vehicle scale ammo and basic weapon mods the 200m MAC requires neither and the Advanced Weapon Mods only requires basic weapon mods? Because it's rather ambiguous as it's currently set up.
  3. I would advise thicker lines for the arrows since with arrows as thin as they are the colors don't stand out as much.
  4. What is the Thermal Compensator tech?
  5. Shouldn't there be Gen 1 reactor in the Arc Reactor tech box?
  6. Any particular reason the re-entry shroud is still a thing? Or rather the Re-usable one since that's for the Mk2 which wouldn't need one.

1) Derp, fixed.
2) The colors of the lines are supposed to make that more clear... in theory. :oops: I kinda hit the auto sort after a bit and gave up. If two lines point to the same tech it needs both except in the one case of Small Ship Scale Mods that's an or. Hmm. I suppose I could have them pointing to an "Or" labeled node... I'll fix the more prevent of the errors as they get pointed out. I'm kinda at the point were I know aht things are supposed to do so I kinda autocorrect.
3) Can do!
4) What ever black magic the arc-reactor uses to not overheat generalized. Its not perfect as the cooled object can still over heat but it basically provides a semi-infinite heat sink as long as its powered limited primarily by the amount of heat it can get rid of. It's also best for small things, say guns or powered armor, or vehicles. Think of it as the Thermal Annihilator's little brother, the Thermal Annihilator is better but needs more power and is much larger in standard size (Usually ship size). I tossed it in part due to early comments on arc-reactor thermal abilities and also due to some people taking about guns overheating and stuff. and If you have abetter name feel free to suggest it!
5) There probably should be, It never existed in the old tree, but I'll add it.
6) Legacy, I'll cut it I guess. Unless anyone really cares.

What does Project Lazarus entail? Could we do full brain emulation and personality backup and restore with it? Being able to restore your mind from a backup when you die is exceedingly useful. :)

More or less what Yog said. As long is there is technically not to much degradation of you brain and DNA you can be brought back. In theory if you had a full brain scan and the ability to freely manipulate neural matter you could restore from back up. However this would probably need another tech that branched from Project Lazarus and/or Extrimis (sp?).

So, this is the last quoted value I found for RP, and this is the last plan I believe:

Sounds right that's what I have. 650 banked, 200 spent on the last plan

Just wanted to make sure - that 650 is on top of the 200 already used in the plan, right? And can't be assigned until the next research segment?

Yep I'll also probably be refunding 50 if I cut re-entry shroud, the other 100, will go to finishing the frigate/MAC tech combo that got split.

What is the thermal compensator under arc reactors?

Because it uses the same tech base?
 
@UberJJK - We are hiring 20 security teams over 2173-Q3, that means another 200 Legionary suits? I don't think the finance doc has the $140,000,000 and 60 production set aside.

Because it uses the same tech base?
I think he's asking what it actually is since it only briefly came up...pumping heat into the Arc Reactor somehow, right?

What is the Extrimis thing? I haven't figured that out yet.
Super-nanotech.
 
@UberJJK - We are hiring 20 security teams over 2173-Q3, that means another 200 Legionary suits? I don't think the finance doc has the $140,000,000 and 60 production set aside.

[x] Hire an additional 20 Security Teams on Mindoir to protect the facilities under construction in the other cities. Keep their equipment at normal hardsuits and smallarms for now, to be upgraded to Legionaries later.

Only our initial hire of security teams have Legionaries. Something to fix when we get the chance, probably 2173-Q4, but until then...
 
I think he's asking what it actually is since it only briefly came up...pumping heat into the Arc Reactor somehow, right?

More or less. You can either build a device a bit smaller then a normal arc-reactor* that you can toss heat into to make it go away** or use an existing arc-reactor to sink heat in exchange for a loss in power output.

Thermal Annihilator is better esp at larger scales, Thermal Compensator is more convenient, esp at smaller scales.

*It does need power though.

**and possibly become some other guy's problem either far far away or some long long distant time away or whatever. It goes somewhere but where ever that is is not here and that's what matters. :p


Super bio-nano tech to be a little more precise. It may need to be split up a bit or have expansion on it later... Nano-tech often comes down to massive case of "what do you want to do?" and "Is doing that with tons of tiny robot feasible or a good idea." Also if the GM feels like letting you get away with that
 
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Facility Message Broadcast Log
search: thermal clips
search: Attention all security staff
-=-=-=-=-
Attention all security staff:
Despite the clamor about the supposed superiority of thermal clips. We will not be switching to that system. All security personnel will now report to the armory to be issued a second assault rifle. When one overheats, please switch weapons instead of waiting for the first to cool down. We will also be issuing the Sledgehammer ammunition mod free of charge for use in all regulation weapons.

Non-regulation weapons are not the responsibility of Paragon Industries and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. Additionally, we will not issue thermal clips for those who wish to use them. Thermal clips will come out of your own pocket.

Thank you.
-=-=-=-=-
Attention all security staff:
Please take charge of your spent thermal clips and make sure that they are properly labeled so that they may be returned. Please bear in mind that as thermal clips are not regulation gear, thermal clips found unattended in and around a restricted area including the armory, shooting range, and weapons testing labs will be confiscated for subsequent destruction. Paragon Industries will not reimburse such destroyed articles. Please keep your thermal clips either on your person or inside your locker. In addition, non regulation gear is not permitted inside secure facilities.

Due to popular demand however, there is a cooling station for spent thermal clips in the armory and shooting range. These are public use however, and Paragon Industries will not replace, nor is responsible for any thermal clips that are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed.

Thank you.
-=-=-=-=-
Attention all security staff:
The lab technicians use detachable heat sinks in the cooling equipment used to keep experimental equipment cold, not thermal clips. Though they look similar, detachable heat sinks are not thermal clips. Be advised that though detachable heat sinks have a higher maximum heat tolerance and will fit into the clip slot of the gun, the heat injection mechanism is different. The consequences of this difference has been observed to cause damage or destruction to the gun's firing mechanism, heat disposal mechanism, and other electronics.

When used in sniper rifles, detachable heat sinks have been known to cause explosions.

As always, please observe proper workplace safety proceedures. A pamphlet pointing out the differences between detachable heat sinks and thermal clips will be handed out at the yearly new staff orientation seminar on Friday. Please read them. If you did not get one, you may get one from the human resources department front desk.

Thank you.
-=-=-=-=-
Attention all security staff:
While the armory does allow staff to use B-class experimental weapons which use the dual clip/vent system, these weapons are not intended for a consumer audience and will destroy themselves if taken beyond the laboratory premise. Additionally, A-class and S-class experimental weapons are DNA locked to Lab technicians, Revy Shepard, Hannah Shepard, and Revy's boyfriend Brian.

Please bear in mind that C-class experimental weapons and above use the lab's in house Type-A detachable heat sinks, not thermal clips. Paragon industries is not responsible for any injuries or deaths related to the misuse of experimental weapons or the Type-A and Type-B detachable heat sinks.

Also, due to complaints about the lack of a proper sidearm, the armory will now distribute pistols, or shotguns with sledgehammer ammunition mods.

Please remember that Paragon Industries weapon mods, though freely distributed to security staff, are only compatible with Paragon Industries issued weapons. Additionally, distribution of the mods to outside parties will be considered a violation of the security contract and offenders may be subjected to legal action.

This friday is "take your daughter to work" day. Please note that daughters over the age of 12 will be given a scan for any contraband. If you have any issues with this and still wish to participate, please contact your supervisor for other options. Any sons brought will immediately be silly stringed.

Thank you.
-=-=-=-=-
Attention all security staff:
Our resident thief Kasumi Goto is filching thermal clips this week. It is advised that those of you who use thermal clips leave them and the weapons that use them at home until friday and simply use your standard venting weapons. In addition, we are having an inventory check tomorrow. Please bring in all Paragon Industries issued gear so that it can be inventoried. If you cannot bring a piece of gear or equipment in for any reason, please fill out the number three light blue sheets in the requisition office. If you have lost any gear or equipment due to either forgetfulness or theft, please full out the the number four salmon colored sheet in the requisition office.

Next thursday is the Mindoir Scientific and Military Expo where thermal clips are distributed free of charge. Afterwards is the Paragon Industries Bi-monthly company barbecue, We are using the heat from spent thermal clips and heat sinks to heat the grills so make sure to save some clips for that.

Thank you.
 
Okay so I cleaned things up a bit and I think I've got it so all those annoying techs with long running lines each have their own color. Also the lines are thicker. Fixed a couple of other minor things...

Link

Also : :rolleyes: Thermal clip stuff.

I guess I'll toss another 50RP your way. 700RP banked.
 
Sounds reasonable! Maybe they would start in response to the therapy vote? Revy could ask her mother to run her through some military training so she can be more ready for situations like they had on the transport.
We've already been doing this for years in personal actions.

@UberJJK @Van Ropen: don't forget to remove the "X"s from those brackets, as I don't think we've officially called the previous vote yet.

@Hoyr: Excellent, a new tech tree has appeared! Even better, for me at least, I don't think I need to make much in the way of adjustment to my current 3-year plan.

Just wanted to make sure - that 650 is on top of the 200 already used in the plan, right? And can't be assigned until the next research segment?
Um, is that how that works? Because that's a bit of a departure to the normal way bonus RP gets spent: usually it all takes effect at the same time as the current pending research actions. In this case there's just a lot of bonus RP backlog due to 4 months of between-quarter side-quests and such.

Yep I'll also probably be refunding 50 if I cut re-entry shroud, the other 100, will go to finishing the frigate/MAC tech combo that got split.
Well the single-use shroud still has some use, given that the Mark 1.5 probably doesn't have enough fuel to do both a powered orbital drop and orbital insertion without needing a refuel. The Mk 2 never runs out of fuel, so that consideration just goes completely away.

Oh, and why do 1000m MAC weapons require Superalloys? Don't MAC weapons that large already exist without even our Advanced Materials?
 
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Um, is that how that works? Because that's a bit of a departure to the normal way bonus RP gets spent: usually it all takes effect at the same time as the current pending research actions. In this case there's just a lot of bonus RP backlog due to 4 months of between-quarter side-quests and such.

Technically speaking the RP used to be assigned by the writer of the omake after it was written. After a point though most people just let the group vote the points around. So I've kinda switched to banking the points and allowing them to be spent in 50 point lots every time a research vote comes up (or during one if voting is pending). This also means I don't have to fiddle with the old research votes to determine where the points are spent if they get donated to the group.

On the other hand if you want an alternative reward for your omake that can be discussed at the time of the omake or whatever.

Mind it doesn't have to be an omake, just a "productive addition" or whatever.
 
*blinks* Petawatts are the capstone, Petawatts?! We have Petawatt lasers now, in 2014, I certainly hope we've improved somewhat over the last century and a half of unprecedented technological development. Admittedly, said lasers are enormous pieces of cutting edge tech, but still, we do have them.

*It's called the Berkley Labs Laser Accelerator, or BELLA for short btw. And right now they're utilizing it in experiments to shrink particle accelerators down to a more manageable size.*
 
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Technically speaking the RP used to be assigned by the writer of the omake after it was written. After a point though most people just let the group vote the points around. So I've kinda switched to banking the points and allowing them to be spent in 50 point lots every time a research vote comes up (or during one if voting is pending). This also means I don't have to fiddle with the old research votes to determine where the points are spent if they get donated to the group.

On the other hand if you want an alternative reward for your omake that can be discussed at the time of the omake or whatever.

Mind it doesn't have to be an omake, just a "productive addition" or whatever.
So could we theoretically spend those points right now, for research to be completed over 2173-Q3?

Because in that case...650, plus 50 refunded from the Shroud and minus 100 for 200m MAC from the Ship/MAC split leaves us with 600. That is enough to outright buy Advanced ME Theory, which is critical since we can start Optical Computing a quarter sooner (and could you refresh my memory on the mechanical benefits of Advanced Neural Interface and Optical Computing? I think Advanced Neural Interface was +5 to all teams and heroes?) and put the other 200 in CASIE Implant since we need that ASAP too. Hell, 200 more RP and we can buy it outright over Q3 so we can get it installed in the beginning of Q4.
 
So could we theoretically spend those points right now, for research to be completed over 2173-Q3?
That's sort of what I had been assuming we were doing already, which is why I had made previous posts updating current spending, like this last one which sort of continued the research plan revisions from the previous two months:

[ ] Peak Human (212/400) (30d10+55) + Overflow(1) (98.08%)
[ ] Frigates (400) (70d10+55) + Overflow(2) (95.40%)
[ ] Improved Warhead (150) - 0d10 +50 (Tiger Reward) +50 (Lagrange Omake) +50 (Reference Recognition) (100%)
[ ] Mk II Suit (500) - 40d10+20 + 300 (bonus RP backlog) + Overflow(3) (98.73%)
[ ] Legionary Single-use Re-Entry Shroud (50) 0d10 +50 (UberJJK Omake) (100%)
[ ] Advanced Mass Effect Theory (400) 0d10 + 350 (bonus RP backlog) Overflow(4) (~50%)
[ ] Advanced Neural Interface (400) 0d10 + Overflow(5)


I mean, we have to kind of update that anyway, since the Frigates tech has now been split up into two techs and increased to a 300+200 point tech.
 
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@UberJJK @Van Ropen: don't forget to remove the "X"s from those brackets, as I don't think we've officially called the previous vote yet.

I don't actually think I've voted yet so it doesn't matter. Speaking of which:

[X] Talk to someone.
-[X] A professional
-[X] Dad


Professional counselors exist for a reason and will help Revy deal with any trauma over been helpless.

At the same time when you've got a good relationship with your parents, as Revy does, talking with them can really help. I chose Revy's dad rather then her mom for a couple reasons.

First off we've been spending a lot of time with Hannah so her dad could use some time. Secondly while Hannah likely has experience, from her time in the military, Revy's father will probably do a better job at making her feel safe. Finally he likely has experience dealing with knowing that Hannah was in combat and knowing there was nothing he could do, a situation Revy will be encountering sooner or later (likely sooner).

[X] Nothing, there is little you can do.

Revy knows as well as we do that there is basically zero chance of an investigation, no matter how much money is thrown at it, finding anything solid. It's mentally healthier to accept that and move on.

*blinks* Petawatts are the capstone, Petawatts?! We have Petawatt lasers now, I certainly hope we've improved over the last century and a half of unprecedented technological development. Admittedly, said lasers are enormous pieces of cutting edge tech, but still, we do have them.

*It's called the Berkley Labs Laser Accelerator, or BELLA for short btw. Right now they're using it in experiments to shrink particle accelerators down to a more manageable size.*

Remember we're talking about combat lasers. These things are all of two meters long and have pulse durations in the 100ms to 1,000ms range. BELLA is a 40 femtoseconds duration pulse.

To put it another way; BELLA has an energy output of 42.2J while PW lasers are more 100TJ to 1PJ energy outputs.
 
I don't actually think I've voted yet so it doesn't matter. Speaking of which:

[X] Talk to someone.
-[X] A professional
-[X] Dad


Professional counselors exist for a reason and will help Revy deal with any trauma over been helpless.

At the same time when you've got a good relationship with your parents, as Revy does, talking with them can really help. I chose Revy's dad rather then her mom for a couple reasons.

First off we've been spending a lot of time with Hannah so her dad could use some time. Secondly while Hannah likely has experience, from her time in the military, Revy's father will probably do a better job at making her feel safe. Finally he likely has experience dealing with knowing that Hannah was in combat and knowing there was nothing he could do, a situation Revy will be encountering sooner or later (likely sooner).

[X] Nothing, there is little you can do.

Revy knows as well as we do that there is basically zero chance of an investigation, no matter how much money is thrown at it, finding anything solid. It's mentally healthier to accept that and move on.



Remember we're talking about combat lasers. These things are all of two meters long and have pulse durations in the 100ms to 1,000ms range. BELLA is a 40 femtoseconds duration pulse.

To put it another way; BELLA has an energy output of 42.2J while PW lasers are more 100TJ to 1PJ energy outputs.
That... makes a bit more sense now. Sorry, I just had my Suspension of Disbelief shattered like cheap porcelain. Honestly, it probably should've broken a lot sooner, and the sheer suddenness of it all caught me off guard.
 
I mean, we have to kind of update that anyway, since the Frigates tech has now been split up into two techs and increased to a 300+200 point tech.
Yup. So just write it as:


[] Improved Warhead (0/150) - 0d10 + 150 Bonus RP
[] Advanced Mass Effect Theory (0/400) - 0d10 + 400 Bonus RP
[] Peak Human (212/400) - 30d10+55 + Overflow (1)
[] Frigates (0/300) and 200m MAC (0/200) - 70d10+55 + 100 Bonus RP + Overflow (2)
[] CASIE Implant - 0d10 + 200 Bonus RP + Overflow (3)
[] Mk II Suit (0/500) - 40d10+20 + Overflow (4)


So if we can scrounge up that missing 200 Bonus RP we can buy the CASIE Implant outright. I think the average overflow only comes to 68 points, so we won't be getting past the Mk. II Suit. Actually wish we could set those Mk. II Suit dice onto the CASIE and just have it be the overflow project, but I really doubt Hoyr would let a closed vote be changed like that.
 
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*blinks* Petawatts? We have Petawatt lasers now, I certainly hope we've improved over the last century and a half of unprecedented technological development. Admittedly, said lasers are enormous pieces of cutting edge tech, but still, we do have them.

*It's called the Berkley Labs Laser Accelerator, or BELLA for short btw. Right now they're using it in experiments to shrink particle accelerators down to a more manageable size.*

Yes but the pulse is only ~40 femtoseconds at one pulse per second. In effect its only a about a ~40J laser. Remember total human electric energy use is only a few terawatts world wide.

I'm not quite sure the Petawatt laser tech should give you Petawatt lasers in full effect as that is frankly insane. Unless their really large. Dreadnaught guns are ~81 Terawatt weapons and reaper guns are only ~three times more. Petawatt lasers in effect would be ~5-10 times better (And possibly have ranges around... 10,000,000m?), a little cheap at 3200 points. Though TIR can kinda screw that over.

The combat lasers I sim for the GARDIANs are 200MW technical, 100MW effective due to their 1:1 on off cycle, with pulses around 0.001s. But that's just a very loose guesstimate, based on Tungsten armor and only having about 0.003 seconds to kill a fighter. You could easily challenge any of those assumptions and change things by orders of magnitude.

False edit: And Kasumi is up to her tricks again.

So could we theoretically spend those points right now, for research to be completed over 2173-Q3?

Do you guys want to re-vote the techs for 2173-Q3? I'd delay the update more. I was just going to roll with what you had voted and adjust for any changes. Possibly being a little generous if needed.

Also good timing UberJJK I was just going to call the vote! :)

That said vote called, vote count please.
 
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