Well the votes almost over, so here's what I'm editing in as a brainstorm vote for a non-gun mounted option.
[ ] Perhaps some form of 360 degree camera to make sure Agent can see in all directions constantly? The easiest place to get full circle coverage of lenses around her without interfering with the movement of her arms and legs would be on top of the head. Agent probably wouldn't like a big sphere on a pole stuck on top of her and that's a big "shoot this" sign, so you could make it into a more discrete metal band encircling her head. Almost like a minimalistic crown, though Agent might have to adjust her hairstyle a bit to make sure the buns don't block vision of some arcs. Depending on the size and FoV of the lenses plus however many you need to fit to get 360 degrees of vision, you might even have the space in it to alternate different types of sensors and give Agent two different kinds of 360 vision at once, whether that's conventional+thermal cameras or something else entirely if you can make it fit.
Adhoc vote count started by Solark on Jan 13, 2024 at 4:55 AM, finished with 23 posts and 6 votes.
7
[x] Hmmm, might I propose sensors mounted on each of your machineguns, directly linked to you to avoid jamming ? That way you could ''see'' in every directions just by moving your guns around...and even engage multiple targets in the same time !
[X] Integrated drones, similar to what Scarecrow uses. Custom flying drones with direct links to Agent's neural cloud, providing vision on demand.
-[X] Shortwave radio signals and encrypted comms. Might limit their use to Agent's close proximity, but make them harder to jam.
[x]-Simplest option: sensors ringing her head, which on top of being simple is minimally obstrusive and can be incorporated in a fashion accessory, like a headband.
[x]-Silliest option: DINERGATES!! with target painters, they have many advantages, Cheap, all terrain, networked, have IFF systems, and most importantly, expendable(see if we can mount a claymore on them.)
[X] If the issue is Agent needing to see the target to hit it, then a more direct solution would be to integrate a gun cam into her machine guns to use as a targeting system, so that Agent can always see what her guns are pointing at to hit them. Visible light is conventional, but night vision or thermal would be good to include if there's space. The main constraint is how big and heavy they can be before they noticeably interfere with the use of the machine guns.
-[X] Is there a need to stick with conventional though? Incorporating a tiny RADAR or LIDAR targeting and tracking system would still let Agent "see" in the direction her gun is facing, while also being able to provide useful ranging data on the target to more accurately lead shots. They would give off noticeable emissions when active though, so maybe pair them with a passive visual sensor if you're not running into the mass or size limits?
[X] Perhaps some form of 360 degree camera to make sure Agent can see in all directions constantly? The easiest place to get full circle coverage of lenses around her without interfering with the movement of her arms and legs would be on top of the head. Agent probably wouldn't like a big sphere on a pole stuck on top of her and that's a big "shoot this" sign, so you could make it into a more discrete metal band encircling her head. Almost like a minimalistic crown, though Agent might have to adjust her hairstyle a bit to make sure the buns don't block vision of some arcs. Depending on the size and FoV of the lenses plus however many you need to fit to get 360 degrees of vision, you might even have the space in it to alternate different types of sensors and give Agent two different kinds of 360 vision at once, whether that's conventional cameras+thermal cameras or something else entirely if you can make it fit.
[X] If the issue is Agent needing to see the target to hit it, then a more direct solution would be to integrate a gun cam into her machine guns to use as a targeting system, so that Agent can always see what her guns are pointing at to hit them. Visible light is conventional, but night vision or thermal would be good to include if there's space. The main constraint is how big and heavy they can be before they noticeably interfere with the use of the machine guns.
-[X] Is there a need to stick with conventional though? Incorporating a tiny RADAR or LIDAR targeting and tracking system would still let Agent "see" in the direction her gun is facing, while also being able to provide useful ranging data on the target to more accurately lead shots. They would give off noticeable emissions when active though, so maybe pair them with a passive visual sensor if you're not running into the mass or size limits?
I really like the idea of including a radar on her, since she's got a lot of firepower. The obvious solution would be a 360 degree camera and/or cameras on each gun, but that still relies on visibility. It just changes her issue from not being able to see from all angles to not being able to see through smoke/cover.
Troops have used thermal sights to see through smoke, so we could also try to include something like that for thoroughness. I dunno much about GFL, but the first fight against Agent in the anime really drove home how effective she is in terms of sheer firepower. Her big issue was that she fought in a place where G&K troops could find cover and move. Thermal sights mixed with the formerly discussed cameras could be a neat fix, but we'd need to check how strongly the mechanics of dolls' guns and bodies appear on it.
TLDR: If Agent's issue is being outmaneuvered visually, let's include some spice along with her cameras. Alas, Architect must say goodbye to being able to slack off when Agent's around. She'll never be able to sneak off and have fun again!
Edit: Just realized that the vote I slightly modified already mentioned thermal cams. Thus, I'm removing my modification. Nice vote!
Edit 2: While I'm going through and tweaking my post, I should add that the modifications should be kept barely visible at best. If G&K thinks they have found a formula to beat Agent in a fight, it's best to keep her looking the same. That way, they won't think anything's up and will keep doing the same guerilla tactics. I specify this since Solark mentioned that they'd take non-vote suggestions into account. Thus, I thought I'd better be thorough!
Since enemy maneuver is an issue, should we also make it so Agent herself is also more mobile and harder to pin down?
A hoverboard of some kind, perhaps. Or even skates? Make her more zoomy to avoid getting flanked, or to escape after getting flanked.
This can be done in conjunction with the previous suggestions made such as cameras and sensors.
[X] A harness/vest with enough cameras, both infrared and regular, to cover all angles.
- [X] A sensor module with a RADAR/LiDAR.
- [X] Something to improve mobility, like a hoverboard or skates.
[X] Acoustic Gunfire Locator: It's old tech these days, but it'd be nice to be able to pinpoint where fire is coming from no-matter what clever all-frequency smoke G&K decides to come up with. It might even be able to track quieter bursts of sound, like... footsteps?
And maybe:
[X] An Umbrella: an armored (shielded?) parasol to block flanking fire. With wide-angle camera on the tip to provide vision coverage (180 deg min, 270+ better). Stylish, and also good for peeking around corners! (or to leave behind for an additional vantage point) (and maybe with a remote self-destruct in case G&K tries to steal it)
[X] extra camera's, scouting probes, and Lidar is all well and good. but do you know what would make it so agent was even more effective? SMOKE ROUNDS! by blocking the enemy from seeing her, she doesn't need to worry about the enemies from behind shooting her! or them shooting her drones! or having more equipment that can be shot out from her! just shoot smoke behind her, and focus the fire of all four of her guns on the targets in front... of course, you could combine this with more camera's, or infrared sensors to shoot through the smoke, if that is what agent wants instead.
we are here thinking about what looks cool! not what's most practical! and I will accept no responses to the opposite.
for extra style points, and showing the key of innovation, have the smoke rounds use the same casing and settings as Destroyer, just modified enough to be used by Agent (hand thrown perhaps? t-dolls seem strong enough to lob grenandes if LAMG could grab a human and jump out a window, this is done for two reasons, to save on time. and possibly provide a upgrade for Destroyer as well!
By the time Agent puts down the empty cup, you're full of ideas and confident in success.
"Oh, I'm sure I can!" - you beam at her.
As usual, Ringleaders' internal workings are off limits to you, and anyone else aside from the Mastermind as far as you know. You don't even comprehend what makes you tick on a low level - you're able to query submodules via interfaces, but not define the protocols used for this. Some of your internal components are generic, they have clear purpose and properly report their names and parameters. Others are semi-transparent, having cryptic codes for names but still interfacing with your core. And lastly there's the central core, a black box which you have absolutely no knowledge of awareness about.
But you digress. What this means is you can't simply bring up Agent's schematics and read her data processing capabilities from that. Most likely she also won't be able to answer even if you ask, so empirical studies are inevitable. But you do have schematics for her weapons, and the over-the-net targeting data transmission protocol, intended to be used by external entities, is openly defined. That's something you can use.
You start with the guns. Wow, perfectly flat firing lines! No bullet drop, no ballistics to worry about. And speed-of-light delivery! How cool is that! Though it turns out they don't have a single targeting sensor of their own. Which means... Agent is essentially hip-firing her weapons, deriving their bearing through the attachment arms? That can't be too accurate.
"Soo... how good is your aim now?"
You companion thinks for a moment. "First shot from any single gun has about 40% chance to hit a T-Doll sized target at 100 meters. After that I see impact points, make adjustments, and it gets better. Not having to deal with any recoil also helps."
You think this is bad, but then remember she has 4 MGs. That alone raises combined first shots hit probability to 87%, and after you add the rate of fire into the equation... yep, you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it. Still, the potential for improvement is obvious, and considering it'd be an extra over the initial objective, you can't ignore it. So you identify gun-mounted sensors as the cheapest, simplest, most obvious and effective solution to the problem.
Next you compare the types of sensors you can offer. There are many, so you discard omnidirectional options first since the main advantage of a gun-mounted sensor is being aligned with the gun barrel. Then you discard those too bulky, too power-hungry, too low-res and too slow. What's left is a regular camera, a night-vision light amplification device, and a thermal imager. Combining all 3 makes the bundled scope too bulky, so you'll have to go with a workaround.
"Alright, let's try installing scope cameras on each of those machine guns. Hook them up through the existing wiring, align with the barrels. Four independent feeds, each with a crosshair at the center." You grin. "What do you say?"
"I... would like to try that." Agent nods and gives you a faint smile. Ooh, it's been a long time since you've seen one! And this one is specifically for you! Aren't you awesome? And you're not even done yet!
You focus on the targeting-over-network protocol. It's very simple, but also very specialized. Essentially it carries data that's intended to be fed to the weapon attachment arms, almost like a remote control for the MGs. You browse through SF units and find none supporting this protocol. Hmm, maybe you can get this data on the fly? Let's see, the unit would need to know it's own precise location, Agent's precise location and bearing, target's precise location, or to be able to calculate that from bearings and distances, essentially solving direct or inverse geodesic problems. None of the existing units is equipped for the task, as it'd make even Ringleader-grade artillery suite work overtime. This doesn't add up.
"And about the network targeting protocol... how do you even use it? I don't think any of our units..."
"The Mastermind."
"...Right." The Mastermind, the biggest mystery of Sangvis Ferri. Another piece of the puzzle that simply doesn't fit. She rarely shows herself, you've never seen her fight, and to be honest she seems be doing nothing at all. Yet Agent hold her in the highest regard. You shake your head.
"Can you aim using regular footage from our drones?"
"To some extent. It's good enough for suppressive fire, but too slow and imprecise otherwise."
"Got it. Let's install those cameras then."
You lead your guest to the workshop. There you choose a rugged miniature camera model from one of SF drone types and make Agent interface with 4 of them at the same time to see if there's any issue with processing all the feeds. There isn't, and you're excited to go ahead.
"Place your weapon on this bench, please. One at a time."
Agent gracefully lifts her skirt - not high enough to be indecent, but still a gesture completely out of place after her weapons, resembling legs of a spider bot, unfold from underneath with a soft whir. She then detaches one from the mounting arm and places it on the bench. You set about installing a mounting rail.
"Uh, boss... you know, I've wondering for a while..." - being in your natural habitat and facing away from her emboldens you to reach beyond the usual comfort zone. "Why the maid outfit? Why have the weapons under your skirt? Don't take me wrong, I'm not judging. It's just... doesn't make much sense?"
You don't stop working, and for awhile it's only the clanking of your tools. Then Agent speaks.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." Her voice softens. "Imagine... a social event. High-class guests from all over the world, top scientists, government officials, influential businessmen, the press. Tuxedos, ballroom gowns, live music. Security too, but they do not brandish weapons. It's all hidden under their immaculate suits." She pauses, and you hold your breath.
"All the attendees have gathered there for a purpose: to lay their eyes upon the treasure of humanity, to witness a new epoch budding. Then, the main guest makes an appearance, and I'm but a humble maid by her side. Attending to her needs, protecting her from excessive attention, escorting her. This uniform is not a whim, this is simply who I am. Who I meant to be. And should a madman decide to deprive humanity of its treasure... I could draw my concealed weapons faster than the black suits, and have firepower to drop a rhino. I wasn't supposed to do that often, if at all. And when I would, then it'd be a situation where no one would care about the color of my panties."
You catch yourself staring at her wide-eyed. Her eyes are closed, and she looks sad, almost devastated. Then she opens her eyes, and the usual Agent is back. "But enough of that. Are you done?"
You know better than to push for more, and you already have enough surprises for the day. So you proceed to equip her weapons with mounting rails, then disassemble the cameras to laser-etch reticles, and after it's done, finish putting everything together. You zero the MGs on a bench and give Agent a thumb up. She reattaches the weapons, folds and unfolds them to make sure the cameras are not interfering with anything, and nods at you.
"So, shooting range?" - you ask.
"Shooting range."
Agent exits the workshop, and you follow. On the way, when you approach a T-section of the corridor that goes left and right from there, your guest holds up her hand, her weapons unfolding. You tense. She approaches the intersection, then steps out, her weapons fanning out in pairs in both directions. Then fold back under her skirt. She turns her head to give you an approving look.
"Very good."
Phew. She's testing it even before the shooting range? Maybe that's the stuff she also deals with. At least she's pleased with the upgrade.
At the range Agent rechecks her zeroes and starts with engaging unmoving targets at 100 meters. She uses single shots, alternating between her guns after five each. Then she does it again with her eyes closed. None of the shots misses, and you confirm the improvement from baseline 40% up to 100%. She proceeds to engage at 200 meters, and the results are much less stellar, closer to 40%. She doesn't attempt greater ranges, instead moving to the center of the CQB section. Multiple targets raise up around her and start moving in random patterns. Her guns fan out like a compass rose in four directions, and four targets are reduced to splinters simultaneously. Then the bursts of energy get longer, and all the remaining targets are gunned down in seconds. She stands there, her guns swiveling about, scanning the surroundings. Then they fold up, and she walks up to you.
"Impressive. Not only you've resolved what I asked of you, but my accuracy has also improved."
You grin and make a V-sign with you fingers over you eye. "Architect's workshop takes pride in being a customer-centric business! But wait, there's more!"
You hand four cases to Agent.
"Here, night vision attachments for the cameras. Fusion type, thermal overlay over light amplification greeny stuff. Easy to put on and off, selectable modes. Might come in handy some day... I mean, some night."
Agent weights those in her hand.
"Too heavy for dynamic combat, and will interfere with folding. Nevertheless a great asset to have in certain circumstances. I'll put them to good use." You see a menacing glint in her eyes. "You have helped me more than I expected. Well done, and... thank you."
Yes!
Agent Interrupt assignment assessment: Success conditions: independent per-gun targeting systems (1/1 required)
✅Gun-mounted cameras Major success conditions: provide additional capability (1/2 required)
✅ Night-ops capability (night vision, thermal vision or equivalent)
❌Extended range target identification and engagement capability (LPVO, or variable zoom, think Trijicon VCOG 1-6)
Agent's request: major success
Remaining days: 23
Breakthrough points: 1
"We are, but our enemy wouldn't have it. Fortunately the Mastermind provided me with a mean of fast transportation and a capable helper, so we've been hitting them where they feel it. Their helos are grounded for now."
"I... can do more for you. Give you some extra protection, maneuverability, situational awareness..."
"I have no doubt you can." Her gaze is unusually kind. "But I can't spare any more time, and you have a queue of... customers to take care of. You can do me one extra favor though: modify the blueprints for my weapons. I wouldn't want to be without these cameras when I wake up in a new body."
With that she turns around and leaves. Even limping and in tattered uniform she looks graceful, resolute, unwavering. You look at her back until she disappears around a corner, then hear something like a motorcycle engine revving up and fading into the distance.
She said when I wake up in a new body, not if. Seems like repairs were never on the table. She's just going to push herself until she's destroyed, then do it all over again, huh? Before you retire for the day, you update the schematics as she asked.
Wow, that brainstorm vote went way better than I expected! Lots of interesting ideas, some of them never crossed my mind. I'll be using this type of vote on a regular basis from now on.
So, as you probably figured already, the success condition was to suggest gun-based targeting sensors. It's simple, but still different from situational awareness, and many had misjudged that. Of course, from my side wording is very important, and though I don't think I messed up anything here, I'll be careful with it.
Major success condition was to provide Agent with one or more additional capabilities while resolving her problem, i.e. something she wasn't able to do before. I identified 2 of those, and decided 1 would be enough to fulfill the condition - since Agent would adjust her operations to take advantage of whichever is provided to her. Nobody mentioned variable zoom, so be sure to mention all the little details even if you think they should be included by default. You essentially provided a 1x / red dot scope equivalent to her.
Now props to those who identified the root of Agent's problem correctly- it's very important for this quest.
Also good job distinguishing between getting ambushed and getting flanked/attacked from behind. Especially categorizing flanking and encirclement as maneuvers. Agent was aware of the enemies moving behind her, she just couldn't target those behind and in front at the same time.
Props for suggestion to reuse the results of our previous research - I was wondering how long it'll take for someone to do it.
And lastly, lots of great ideas were suggested that'd make Agent more effective in many ways. I have an idea about taking advantage of them better from now on.
Would shaped charges have worked for Destroyer? Higher skill floor and ceiling, but more boom. Only thing better would have been explosives that deploy a short-lived energy shield. After a certain point explosives don't really get more powerful, hotter maybe, exotic effects sometimes, but you need to concentrate the force to get more boom after a point.
Multiple feeders with different grenades would have worked too. A limited load-out of stun/blackout/emp grenades, shaped-charge/shield-concentrated explosives... hmm, grenades with small explosive detonators on the sides slaved to her targeting systems so she can adjust trajectory mid-air (also avoids upping the size too much since the targeting isn't inbuilt to the projectiles, but risks interference since it isn't self-contained, which would just default it back to direct-fire anyway). Napalm isn't as effective against Dolls as humans (see submarine base event in canon), but its great area denial and sabotage still. And morale.
What would we even do for Intruder? Her primary "weapon system" is doggo hordes. And those are purposefully cheap, easy, and disposable drones meant to be used and discarded easily, so there's not really much way to "improve" them unless we could make them cheaper. And we can't really touch core soft-ware either.*
Now hand over the Manticore designs, which are already meant to be expensive, and we could go places.
If you want force multiplication then this is where you'd go, the base units. Two design thoughts for Manticores, make a little brother version as kind of shown above. Four legs with lowerable wheels for maneuverability, dual-machine guns on traversable turrets, angled armor, possibly divots/slots to let other units ride as support/reinforcement like an apc for dolls. Take another queue from Takomachi and put grappling hooks/wires to let it scale things and it could be a very dangerous flanker and scout too.
Big Brother would be to upscale the size, flatten the head down like the pic above still, but turn it into a lumbering mobile artillery platform with a (set of) mortars on top of it's body. Probably six-legs for better stability, mobility, and redundancy. Underbody would probably be dual cannons for long-range direct fire combined with point-defense machinegun turrets, mostly on the legs I think? Provide adjustable firing angles both outside its body and underneath. With harness points it could also serve as a moving platform for Jaegers to snipe from safely.
As is Manticores and the uh, I forget what they're called, the two-legged armored walkers with a big gun for a head? They fulfill more or less the same roll, but I imagine Manticores are a whole lot more expensive for a bit more maneuverability and maybe being able to lunge?
As is, only upgrading the Ringleaders, while nice and cool, still seems to run into the same self-sabotage that plagued them from the start, just in a different flavor.
*Speaking of, the hell happened to Mastermind? Did M4 and M16 get dumped in the past after they did the vanishing act or something?
