oh I like this, especially with the golith trick. she could have them floating around in the edges of her shields, then just shrink it so they are outside. While I doubt she's going to be able to bring a lot of em along, it is an attack she can use a few times without exposing herself or her weapons.
@Solark a question, if her plasma guns get shot off, how big of a deal is it? does she need to fall back to base or can spares be reattached in the field?
You're absolutely right, about both the issue and the solution! You just saved Architect some embarrassment from watching Judge figuring it out by herself during trials. And I'm happy you mentioned this, it really helps me with balancing the quest difficulty.
@Solark a question, if her plasma guns get shot off, how big of a deal is it? does she need to fall back to base or can spares be reattached in the field?
hmm, might be worth some kind of protection though, with the present plan they are going to be the element of her exposed. Some sort of armoring over the most exposed sections of them could keep them shooting for far longer.
edit: a possible tactic to pitch, we're not removing her shields ability to use the normal firing cycle. She could mix and match which attack method she uses, depending on what she'd rather expose.
I do worry that there may not be enough space within the shield to contain 3 consecutive shots before it shrinks, so we may have to turn that into one big shot instead
My plan is let her choose to either single-shot with shield shenanigans, or Hyper-Burst to dissaduate opposition and GTFO to let shield recharge. Not to use them together, but in tandem.
Gonna suggest we drop the hyperburst, as a time-saving measure. We already have more folks to help/upgrade than we can cover in our remaining time, and Judge should be pretty happy with 'merely' gaining full invulnerability.
Adhoc vote count started by Solark on Dec 24, 2024 at 6:38 AM, finished with 35 posts and 14 votes.
[X] Plan Shutter-Shield
-[X] Since the shield can reform itself smaller in an instant, you can use this to cycle the plasma shots: Have the shield at normal size when firing, then right after the plasma shots exit the barrels (but before they would go through the shields), have the shield shrink itself to reform behind the plasma shots. In its second configuration, the shield will be just big enough to protect Judge and her HPTs, while having shrunk to be behind the plasma shots, letting them travel to their targets without passing through the shield barrier. This means plasma shots can be fired without needing to weaken the shield barrier.
--[X] Diagram key: () are shield barriers, <- is HPTs, J is Judge, * is plasma fire, __ represents empty space.
--[X] Sequence start: (__<- J__)
--[X] Shot is fired: (_*_<- J__)
--[X] Shield shrinks:_*(<- J)
--[X] Shot exits normal shield radius: *__(<- J)
--[X] Shield reforms at normal radius, and repeat: (__<- J__)
-[X] Mention the Goliaths trick too.
[X] Plan Shutter-Shield with HyperBurst
-[X] Since the shield can reform itself smaller in an instant, you can use this to cycle the plasma shots: Have the shield at normal size when firing, then right after the plasma shots exit the barrels (but before they would go through the shields), have the shield shrink itself to reform behind the plasma shots. In its second configuration, the shield will be just big enough to protect Judge and her HPTs, while having shrunk to be behind the plasma shots, letting them travel to their targets without passing through the shield barrier. This means plasma shots can be fired without needing to weaken the shield barrier.
--[X] Diagram key: () are shield barriers, <- is HPTs, J is Judge, * is plasma fire, __ represents empty space.
--[X] Sequence start: (__<- J__)
--[X] Shot is fired: (_*_<- J__)
--[X] Shield shrinks:_*(<- J)
--[X] Shot exits normal shield radius: *__(<- J)
--[X] Shield reforms at normal radius, and repeat: (__<- J__)
-[X] Hyperburst to deliver x3 damage or attack 3 targets per HPT during one firing window. Requires 1 minute cooldown. (1d)
-[X] Mention the Goliaths trick too.
Adhoc vote count started by Derpmind on Dec 23, 2024 at 12:37 PM, finished with 29 posts and 12 votes.
[X] Plan Shutter-Shield
-[X] Since the shield can reform itself smaller in an instant, you can use this to cycle the plasma shots: Have the shield at normal size when firing, then right after the plasma shots exit the barrels (but before they would go through the shields), have the shield shrink itself to reform behind the plasma shots. In its second configuration, the shield will be just big enough to protect Judge and her HPTs, while having shrunk to be behind the plasma shots, letting them travel to their targets without passing through the shield barrier. This means plasma shots can be fired without needing to weaken the shield barrier.
--[X] Diagram key: () are shield barriers, <- is HPTs, J is Judge, * is plasma fire, __ represents empty space.
--[X] Sequence start: (__<- J__)
--[X] Shot is fired: (_*_<- J__)
--[X] Shield shrinks:_*(<- J)
--[X] Shot exits normal shield radius: *__(<- J)
--[X] Shield reforms at normal radius, and repeat: (__<- J__)
-[X] Mention the Goliaths trick too.
[X] Plan Shutter-Shield with HyperBurst
-[X] Since the shield can reform itself smaller in an instant, you can use this to cycle the plasma shots: Have the shield at normal size when firing, then right after the plasma shots exit the barrels (but before they would go through the shields), have the shield shrink itself to reform behind the plasma shots. In its second configuration, the shield will be just big enough to protect Judge and her HPTs, while having shrunk to be behind the plasma shots, letting them travel to their targets without passing through the shield barrier. This means plasma shots can be fired without needing to weaken the shield barrier.
--[X] Diagram key: () are shield barriers, <- is HPTs, J is Judge, * is plasma fire, __ represents empty space.
--[X] Sequence start: (__<- J__)
--[X] Shot is fired: (_*_<- J__)
--[X] Shield shrinks:_*(<- J)
--[X] Shot exits normal shield radius: *__(<- J)
--[X] Shield reforms at normal radius, and repeat: (__<- J__)
-[X] Hyperburst to deliver x3 damage or attack 3 targets per HPT during one firing window. Requires 1 minute cooldown. (1d)
-[X] Mention the Goliaths trick too.
[X] Plan Shutter-Shield
-[X] Since the shield can reform itself smaller in an instant, you can use this to cycle the plasma shots: Have the shield at normal size when firing, then right after the plasma shots exit the barrels (but before they would go through the shields), have the shield shrink itself to reform behind the plasma shots. In its second configuration, the shield will be just big enough to protect Judge and her HPTs, while having shrunk to be behind the plasma shots, letting them travel to their targets without passing through the shield barrier. This means plasma shots can be fired without needing to weaken the shield barrier.
--[X] Diagram key: () are shield barriers, <- is HPTs, J is Judge, * is plasma fire, __ represents empty space.
--[X] Sequence start: (__<- J__)
--[X] Shot is fired: (_*_<- J__)
--[X] Shield shrinks:_*(<- J)
--[X] Shot exits normal shield radius: *__(<- J)
--[X] Shield reforms at normal radius, and repeat: (__<- J__)
-[X] Mention the Goliaths trick too.
A/N: Requires "Shrink the field to bring the HPTs outside of the field bubble. Dynamic field bubble size + modification of the generator's power supply to handle energy fluctuations. (2d)", and explains how it's going to be used.
This time you have an unusual situation: a clearly superior solution that overshadows, or even deprecates all the other options you came up with. You consider going above and beyond the request and throwing in a little extra for Judge, but reluctantly decide against it after checking the date.
You drop a message to Judge inviting her to come over tomorrow, and focus on the theoretical part of the solution. Dynamically adjusting the field bubble radius is simple control-wise, but comes with some hardware challenges. The radius parameter was intended to be used during tune-ups, not flicked around multiple times per second with split-second accuracy. With the electrical current values involved at the required frequencies, the power conductors start to exhibit considerable induction properties, breaking down p–n junctions with over-voltages. Separately, the power unit itself was designed for a steady load and can't keep up with frequent demand changes. Dissipating excess energy is not an option, Judge will quickly run out of power. Instead you'll store the excess when the field shrinks, and supply it back when it expands, reusing over 98% of it.
Electric diagram of the power unit feel nostalgic and simple, maybe contrasted by the complexity of the field generator. You spend the day redesigning the circuitry for the new purpose, and then designing and integrating a recuperator. The work doesn't require much innovation, it's all about known equations and materials. Your only challenge is extra weight, so you incorporate a number of weight-saving upgrades as well. It's a well-spent and productive day, and when you clock out having done everything you planned, you're satisfied and looking forward to meeting your client tomorrow. Just how much more will you be able to do in the ten remaining days?
You wake up with a jolt at 3:07 a.m. Something isn't right. The eerie darkness of your bedroom looms over you, the ominous silence feels threatening and unnatural. You sit up in the bed and command the lights on over the net. Nothing happens. A power outage? No, you'd have backup or emergency lights on. More like something has tripped the breaker for your bedroom. A short circuit somewhere behind the walls? You're about to order your personnel to reset the breakers, when a muffled thud just outside of your room sends your digimind into overdrive.
"You sure this pretty head of yours isn't going to warrant an abduction mission of its own?"
Intruder's joke helpfully surfaces in you digimind. Shit. Someone is out there, trying to sneak up on you in your sleep. Your sensitive ears pick up a barely audible swish as they take positions outside. Time slows to a crawl as you take in your surroundings and identify available options. You have the advantage of the first move, and only a split second to make your choice.
[] Fight. You'll grab your weapon and give a warm welcome to the intruders.
[] Flee. You'll jump out of the window and keep running until your forces deal with the intruders.
At the same time you're activating the base defense protocols. The intruders may have sneaked in unnoticed, but now every last SF T-Doll will know they're here. Your security personnel will act immediately to protect the base and you, but you have two options to make it happen.
[] Silent alert. No sirens, no beacons.
[] Blaring sirens, flashing beacons.
Don't remember what quest events like this are called. "Hidden timers" or something. Some action for Architect that I've planned to happen from the very start at -10 days. Good luck!
[X] Hide. Your security forces will fight well, especially with the new autonomy/coordination protocols, but they will be even more effective with an observer platform (you) providing real-time updates on hostile activity. -[] Architect's decoy drone to provide distraction by running away.
[X] Silent alert. No sirens, no beacons.
I think of Architect as a bit of a coward, but I think there's a way to split the difference.
Edit: folded in Derpmind's idea
Edit2: foiled by WOG
"You two have done exceptionally well, thank you. I know it's not much, but I have something for you too. Here."
Your eyes grow into wide circles as you watch yours and Scarecrow's mirror images entering the room. A moment later you assume control of your doppelganger, which turns out to be a Ripper in state-of-the-art disguise. You surprise doesn't go unnoticed, Intruder seems happy with the effect.
"I know it's not your style, but I'm sure you'll figure what to do with them sooner or later. Take your time."
I fear that if we try to flee, we might getting caught, and while silent sirens might give us the chance of capturing/getting the jump on them, the blaring sirens might put a timer on them and force them to retreat or get hasty...
It might be a mistake, but I feel that fighting/blaring sirens give us a good chance of forcing them to abort
[X] Fight. You'll grab your weapon and give a warm welcome to the intruders.
-[X] Prepare an ambush, we have a rocket-launcher; we can turn the doorway into a dead-zone and make a lot of damages.
[X] Blaring sirens, flashing beacons.
I was thinking more in a wardrobe*, or maybe up in the rafters.
I kinda visualize where we are with an industrial concrete-and-steel-beam aesthetic, but I guess I don't have much of a mental image of Architect's room.
* Though on further consideration, she only has like one outfit. What does she need a wardrobe for?**
Edit:
** Oh, her shark costume, of course. Silly me.
There's not enough time for it, Architect believes the breaching is starting already. She can try to hide once she's out of the room, i.e. the window option.
