Mackie was a Maus: A BattleTech design quest

[tomwritestuff]

A Misplaced Periphery Colony BattleMech Design Quest​

Spoiler: Quest goals

The goal of the quest is to design a series of several BattleMechs to serve as the defense force for the world of Nukashuba, which hasn't had contact with the Inner Sphere since about … 2440.

Initialization will take three steps. The first will establish who you are personally. The second will establish the composition and quality of the OPFOR and why the Nukashuban military has turned to you for answers. The third will establish the available technologies. Nukashuba is technologically advanced for a misplaced Periphery colony, but is missing some important pieces and has no prior experience with BattleMechs.

The initialization votes will involve a certain amount of complex chaos in order to provide a suitably messy sandbox to play in. Afterwards, the actual design process will involve plan votes and very little chaos.

Your coffee mug is made of gold, courtesy of your favorite (and only) niece. The letters crudely hammered into the soft metal pronounce you "Best Profesur!" You look furtively out of the hallway before adding the dollop of whiskey, hiding the bottle back in your desk. One shot of whiskey, two shots of espresso, three sugar cubes, and a half cup of steamed milk make for a perfect start to the morning.

You sniff your coffee deeply and appreciatively before taking a small precise sip and placing it back on an osmium-platinum alloy coaster. Sinfully good, and you usually have privacy in which to enjoy it, one of the perks of scheduling office hours at eight in the morning. Your office hours are usually a very peaceful time to catch up on work, and usually none of your coworkers are around to nag you about your coffee habit. Not even your department chair.

"Excuse me. Dr. Mary Kliger, do you have a minute?" A rotund older man in a general's uniform is tapping politely on the door. "You wrote the Mickey Mouse dissertation, right? I saw your special on the history infotainment channel last year."

Adding significant gravity to his request are his bookend bodyguards, two massive enlisted men with serious-looking iridium-barreled sidearms hanging at their hips.

"My dissertation was partly on the Maus and Mackie projects, yes," you say, gently correcting his pronunciation. "I studied the impractical military projects of fascists throughout history, starting with the Third Reich and ending with the Terran Hegemony."

The full title of your dissertation was From Maus to Mackie: Five Hundred Years of Frightfully Fraudulent Fascist Fantasies (1939-2439), but nobody really cares about subtitles anyway.

"We need you to come with us. I've already cleared it with your department chair, she'll have someone cover your classes for as long as necessary. It's a national emergency, and we need your expertise on the Mickeys," the general says, waving you forward. "I don't care if you're a freak with filthy habits, doc, we need your brain. Pack the espresso machine for the doc, boys. Nobody on this planet knows half as much about Mickeys."

You clutch your coffee mug. "Um. Okay."

Pre-Schism Earth history has a solid reputation as one of the least practical subjects of academic study, and most courses on the subject stop with the fall of the Terran Alliance. During the early settlement period, the Elders had kept most information about the Terran Hegemony to themselves. What limited information they released to the general public was limited and contradictory, and their digital archives had been heavily damaged during the wars following the Schism.

How could you know anything of practical use to the military?

***
​

"We've designated these Mickey-2, Mickey-3, Mickey-4, and Mickey-5. In one of the cabins on their landing ship, we recovered a decorative scale model of what we believe to be a related war machine, which we will designate either Mickey-6 or Mouse-1," the technician says. "They've come from outside our star system."

"It's pronounced Mackie," you correct the technician's pronunciation reflexively, watching the recorded footage in horror as the largest of the four BattleMechs stomps on a tank and then uses its particle cannon to blow a hole in one of the cooling towers of the distillation plant's reactor complex.

​

"That seems impossible," you add. "One of the main conclusions of my research was that the Terran Hegemony military had exaggerated the success of the Mackie test, and that it was a desperate ploy to claim some new level of military superiority over the outer worlds. Mechs simply aren't practical, just as a two-hundred-ton tank isn't practical, but building one can be very intimidating."

You watch the footage, dumbfounded, as the unit designated Mackie-4 rockets upwards into the air and over the falling cooling tower before unloading a barrage of missiles. "And they fly?"

What is your name?

[] (write-in your name)

CHAOTIC VOTE: What visible traits make the Nukashubans distinctive?

[] (write-in as many traits as you want)
[] (one per line)
[] (like this)

Spoiler: Trait voting rules

The top three non-contradictory traits are automatically included as the description of Nukashubans. For example, Nukashubans cannot both typically have seven fingers per hand and also typically have four fingers per hand, or typically have blond hair and typically have black hair. The first contradictory trait is the rare variant that sets you apart from most of the Nukashuban population and is why the general has rudely called you a "freak."

For this reason, you should probably vote for at least three traits.

The quest will eventually utilize as many as ten traits depending on decisions made, so feel very free to provide more rather than fewer characteristics if in doubt. This will mostly not be important, however.

 

[tomwritestuff]

Character sheet and prototypes​

Spoiler: Personal details for Mary Kliger

You are a historian who specialized in the military history of governments that Nukashuban scholars identify as fascist, which has been taken to include the poorly-documented entity known as the Terran Hegemony.

You have a niece. You are fond of having sugar and whiskey in your morning latte. You are abnormally tall, well over six feet, which is quite unusual for a Nukashuban.

Spoiler: Raid location table

Roll	Location of interest	Nudezret subtable	Other planet subtable	Diocese subtable	Interest subtable
2	Outside Nuzhup orbit	North polar region	Beacon	Other	Personal
3	Hefusts	Northern reaches	Beacon	Other	Personal
4	Nuhai	Temperate north	Beacon	Other	Political
5	Nukashuba (random)	Coastal north	Beacon	Nucarline	Military
6	Nukashuba (historian)	Confederacy of Independent Cities	Guardian	Numassachu	Military
7	Nukashuba (princess)	Confederacy of Independent Cities	Herald	Nunavu	Economic
8	People's Republic of South Nudezret	Confederacy of Independent Cities	Herald	Calinova	Technological
9	United States of North Nudezret	Coastal south	Herald	Ohitu	Technological
10	Union of Christian Socialist Republics	Temperate south	Herald	Idanova	Political
11	Ribbon Sea Union	Southern reaches	Herald	Other	Personal
12	Nudezret - other	South polar region	Hydra	Other	Personal

Note that Calinova, Numassachu, Ohitu, Nucarline, and Idanova are the five largest dioceses. Nunavu is the location of the BattleMech research center.

Spoiler: Production and orders

New FNA systems	FY 3003 orders	FY 3003 production	FY 3004 domestic orders	FY 3004 exports	FY 3004 production	FY 3005 domestic orders	FY 3005 exports	FY 3005 production	Total orders	Total exports	Total production	Reserve	Backlog	Cost	Total committed budget	Pending	Idle
Ettin primary	83	30	21		30	4		25	108	-	85	-	23	11,081,560	1,196,808,480	254,875,880	-
Mini Maus	57	60	2		-	1		-	60	-	60	-	-	19,604,200	1,176,252,000	-	-
Heavy Scorpion					10	75		25	75	-	35	-	40	7,622,725	571,704,375	304,909,000	-
Unity						61	30	60	91	30	60	-	31	5,037,934	458,451,994	156,175,954	-
Ettin export model			4	16	20	7	3	10	30	19	30	-	-	9,797,160	293,914,800	-	-
Raven primary	46	10	99		110	59		20	204	-	140	-	64	1,416,875	289,042,500	90,680,000	-
Lorris	8	10	9		10	2		-	19	-	20	1	-	11,716,000	222,604,000	-	11,716,000
Goldfish 1GF						13	10	20	23	10	20	-	3	4,897,845	112,650,435	14,693,535	-
Raven aquatic model			28	24	40	27		10	79	24	50	-	29	1,416,875	111,933,125	41,089,375	-
Guardian III						41		48	41	-	48	7	-	2,147,875	88,062,875	-	15,035,125
Capybara						3	7	10	10	7	10	-	-	8,359,600	83,596,000	-	-
Raven downgrade model			-	40	40	-	10	10	50	50	50	-	-	1,416,875	70,843,750	-	-
Goldfish 2GF						11		10	11	-	10	-	1	5,851,095	64,362,045	5,851,095	-
CJA						9		10	9	-	10	1	-	4,374,978	39,374,802	-	4,374,978

Spoiler: Intelligence file for PROJECT MICKEY MOUSE

The Nukashuban military has good "educated guess and some concrete pieces" technical information available about the following BattleMechs:

• Dr. Mark Kliger's dissertation
  • MSK-5S Mackie (prototype)
    • The Ribbon Sea Union has produced a 120 ton version of this.
• Pirate raid ships:
  • UM-R60 UrbanMech
    • The Confederacy of Independent Cities has produced a fission-powered 35 ton version of this.
  • BJ-1 Blackjack
    • Fission-powered Type 216 from the People's Republic of South Nuderzet
    • Fission-powered Redjack (55 tons) from the Union of Christian Socialist Republics.
  • CPLT-C1 Catapult
    • See Raven below (25 tons)
  • BLR-1G Battlemaster
    • 100 ton Warmaster from the United States of North Nudezret
• Physical model:
  • SCP-1N Scorpion
    • See Heavy Scorpion below (65 tons)
• Salvage from Scoutcargo bay:
  • CLNT-2-3T Clint
  • ASN-21 Assassin
  • CDA-2A Cicada
• Described in great detail by Rebecca Fitz-Steiner:
  • CP-10-Z Cyclops
    • See Ettin below
  • DRG-1N Dragon
  • WSP-1A Wasp

There are non-functional (mostly destroyed) examples of the following:

• Aquila JumpShip (crashed on Herald in the year 2440)
• Leopard DropShip (de-orbited into a shallow ocean on Nukashuba after sustaining significant battle damage)
• Sholagar (attacking pirate craft)
• Shilone (attacking pirate craft)

The following pirate-owned vessels were captured structurally intact:

• Scout JumpShip (K-F drive reportedly malfunctioning prior to introduction of extensive internal combat damage due to excitable Nukashuban marines)
• Astrolux Star Yacht (decorated inside with colors, artwork, and royal insignia associated with the Great House ruling [SUCCESSOR STATE A], requires cleaning due to extensive pre-existing battle damage and bloodstains)

Reasonable Expectations, aka Rex, has the following quirks:

• Stable (solidified)
• Poor targeting, short range
• Poor cooling jacket (particle cannon)

Both the current and one prior configuration of Reasonable Expectations (AC/10, fewer heat sinks) have been demonstrated to the Federal Council (completed). No configuration of the Reasonable Expectations has been productionized.

Spoiler: Reasonable Expectations

Reasonable Expectations Mark VI
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 150 Fission
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Armor: Stealth
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 Heavy PPC
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 5,258,250 C-bills

Type: Reasonable Expectations
Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental)
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,156

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	4​
Engine	150 Fission​	10​
Walking MP:	3​
Running MP:	5​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	9 [18]​	4​
Gyro:		2​
Small Command Console:		5​
Armor Factor (Stealth):	152	9.5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	8​
Center Torso	16​	16​
Center Torso (rear)		16​
R/L Torso	12​	12​
R/L Torso (rear)		12​
R/L Arm	8​	12​
R/L Leg	12​	20​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
ECM Suite	CT​	2​	1.5​
Heavy PPC	LA​	4​	10​
2 Double Heat Sink	LA​	4​	2​
Double Heat Sink	LT​	2​	1​
Medium Laser	RA​	1​	1​

TwoCan has the following quirks:

• Unstable
• Cooling System Flaws
• EM Interference
• No Ejection Mechanism
• Weak Head Armor

The TwoCan has not been demonstrated to the Federal Council (is incomplete).

Spoiler: Two Can Be As Bad As One

Prototype 1 Mek
Prototype 1 Mek
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 150 Fission
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
4 Medium Laser
1 SRM 6
1 Large Laser
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-F
Cost: 5,473,500 C-bills

Type: Prototype 1
Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental)
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,034

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	4​
Engine	150 Fission​	10​
Walking MP:	3​
Running MP:	5​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	8 [16]​	3​
Gyro:		5​
Small Command Console:		5​
Armor Factor:	152	9.5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	8​
Center Torso	16​	16​
Center Torso (rear)		16​
R/L Torso	12​	12​
R/L Torso (rear)		12​
R/L Arm	8​	12​
R/L Leg	12​	20​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL​	1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​

The Ettin is in production with the Improved Targeting (medium) and Battle Computer quirks. Production variants:

• CP-11-ND: This variant is designed for export to Nudezret. It has also been purchased by some diocese militias on Nudezret.
  • The Chameleon Light Polarization Shield is stripped from the model.
  • The heat sinks are converted from double heat sinks to single heat sinks.
  • One center torso medium laser is exchanged for one heat sink (this new heat sink is internal to the engine).

Spoiler: Ettin

Ettin Ettin CP-11-N Ettin CP-11-N Mass: 90 tons Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped Power Plant: 360 Fusion Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph Armor: Standard Armament: 4 Medium Laser 1 AC/10 1 LRM 10 Cost: 11,081,560 C-bills Type: Cyclops Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental) Tonnage: 90 Battle Value: 1,896 Equipment Mass Internal Structure Endo-Composite​ 7​ Engine 360 Fusion​ 33​ Walking MP: 4​ Running MP: 6​ Jumping MP: 0​ Double Heat Sink: 10 [20]​ 0​ Gyro: 4​ Cockpit: 3​ Armor Factor: 272 17​ Internal Structure Armor Value Head 3​ 9​ Center Torso 29​ 40​ Center Torso (rear) 15​ R/L Torso 19​ 28​ R/L Torso (rear) 10​ R/L Arm 15​ 28​ R/L Leg 19​ 38​ Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage Chameleon Light Polarization Shield RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL​ 1/1/1/1/1/1​ 0​ 2 Medium Laser CT​ 2​ 2​ CASE RT​ 1​ 0.5​ AC/10 RT​ 7​ 12​ Medium Laser LA​ 1​ 1​ Armor-Piercing AC/10 Ammo (10) RT​ 2​ 2​ CASE LT​ 1​ 0.5​ Armor-Piercing AC/10 Ammo (5) RT​ 1​ 1​ LRM 10 Ammo (12) LT​ 1​ 1​ LRM 10 LT​ 2​ 5​ Medium Laser RA​ 1​ 1​
		Head Life Support Sensors Standard Cockpit Sensors Life Support
	Left Torso C.L.P.S LRM 10 LRM 10 CASE LRM 10 Ammo (12)		Right Torso C.L.P.S AC/10 AC/10 AC/10 AC/10 AC/10 AC/10 AC/10 CASE A.P. AC/10 Ammo (5) A.P. AC/10 Ammo (5) A.P. AC/10 Ammo (5)
Left Arm Shoulder Upper Arm Lower Arm Hand C.L.P.S Medium Laser				Right Arm Shoulder Upper Arm Lower Arm Hand C.L.P.S Medium Laser
		Center Torso Engine Engine Engine Standard Gyro Standard Gyro Standard Gyro Standard Gyro Engine Engine Engine Medium Laser Medium Laser
	Left Leg Hip Upper Leg Lower Leg Foot C.L.P.S		Right Leg Hip Upper Leg Lower Leg Foot C.L.P.S

The prototype Lorris has the following quirks:

• Cowl (+4)
• Difficult Ejection (-1)
• Stable (+2)

The production version of the Lorris has the following quirks:

• Difficult Ejection (-1)

Spoiler: Lorris

Lorris Mark II
Mass: 100 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Tripod
Power Plant: 300 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 43.2 kph
Armor: Hardened
Armament:
4 Rocket Launcher 10
1 Anti-Missile System
4 Large Laser
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-F
Cost: 11,716,000 C-bills

Type: Lorris
Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental)
Tonnage: 100
Battle Value: 2,375

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	8.5​
Engine	330 Fusion​	24.5​
Walking MP:	3​
Running MP:	4​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	20 [40]​	10​
Gyro:		4​
Tripod Cockpit:		4​
Armor Factor (Hardened):	208	26​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	31​	28​
Center Torso (rear)		9​
R/L Torso	21​	19​
R/L Torso (rear)		6​
R/L Arm	17​	20​
R/C/L Leg	21​	24​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12)	CT​	1​	1​
Anti-Missile System	CT​	1​	0.5​
Large Laser	RT​	2​	5​
4 Double Heat Sink	RT​	8​	4​
Large Laser	LA​	2​	5​
2 Rocket Launcher 10	LA​	2​	1​
Large Laser	LT​	2​	5​
4 Double Heat Sink	LT​	8​	4​
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL/CL​	1/1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​
Large Laser	RA​	2​	5​
2 Rocket Launcher 10	RA​	2​	1​

Spoiler: Lorris Mark III

Lorris Mark III
Mass: 100 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Tripod
Power Plant: 300 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 43.2 kph
Armor: Hardened
Armament:
3 Medium Laser
2 Heavy PPC
Introduction Year: 3007
Cost: 12,584,000 N-bills
Battle Value: 2,951

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	8.5​
Engine	300 Fusion​	19​
Walking MP:	3​
Running MP:	4​
Jumping MP:	3​
Double Heat Sink:	22 [44]​	12​
Gyro:		3​
Tripod Cockpit:		4​
Armor Factor (Hardened):	208	23​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	31​	28​
Center Torso (rear)		9​
R/L Torso	21​	19​
R/L Torso (rear)		6​
R/L Arm	17​	20​
R/C/L Leg	21​	24​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Jump Jet	LL​	1​	2​
ECM Suite	CT​	2​	1.5​
Medium Laser	RT​	1​	1​
4 Double Heat Sink	RT​	8​	4​
Heavy PPC	LA​	4​	10​
Double Heat Sink	LA​	2​	1​
Medium Laser	LT​	1​	1​
4 Double Heat Sink	LT​	8​	4​
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL/CL​	1/1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​
Jump Jet	CL​	1​	2​
Jump Jet	RL​	1​	2​
Medium Laser	HD​	1​	1​
Heavy PPC	RA​	4​	10​
Double Heat Sink	RA​	2​	1​

Spoiler: Super Ettin

Super Ettin CP-12-N
Mass: 90 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 360 Light
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
4 Medium Laser
1 LRM 15
1 SRM 6
1 Heavy PPC
Introduction Year: 3007
Cost: 20,307,960 N-bills
Battle Value: 2,193

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	7​
Engine	360 Light​	25​
Walking MP:	4​
Running MP:	6​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	14 [28]​	4​
Gyro:		4​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	272	17​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	29​	40​
Center Torso (rear)		15​
R/L Torso	19​	28​
R/L Torso (rear)		10​
R/L Arm	15​	28​
R/L Leg	19​	38​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL​	1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​
2 Medium Laser	CT​	2​	2​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
LRM 15	RT​	3​	7​
SRM 6	RT​	2​	3​
LRM 15 Ammo (16)	RT​	2​	2​
SRM 6 Ammo (15)	RT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
Heavy PPC	LT​	4​	10​
PPC Capacitor	LT​	1​	1​
ECM Suite	LT​	2​	1.5​
Medium Laser	RA​	1​	1​

Features the following design quirks: Battle Computer, Improved Targeting (Medium)

The prototype Heavy Scorpion has the following quirks:

• Inherited, immutable: Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere)
• Combat Computer (+3)
• Reinforced legs (+1)

The production Heavy Scorpion has the following quirks:

• Inherited, immutable: Bad Reputation (Inner Sphere)

Spoiler: Heavy Scorpion

Heavy Scorpion SCP-65N
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Quad
Power Plant: 325 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 SRM 6
1 Heavy PPC
1 Flamer
Cost: 7,622,825 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,459

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	5​
Engine	325 Fusion​	23.5​
Walking MP:	5​
Running MP:	8​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	13 [26]​	2​
Gyro:		4​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	176	11​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	21​	24​
Center Torso (rear)		7​
R/L Torso	15​	19​
R/L Torso (rear)		5​
FR/L Leg	15​	22​
RR/L Leg	15​	22​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Heavy PPC	RT​	4​	10​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 6	RT​	2​	3​
SRM 6 Ammo (15)	RT​	1​	1​
Flamer	LT​	1​	1​
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/FRL/FLL/RRL/RLL​	1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​

The Raven has the following quirks in prototype and all current production models:

• No Arms + Narrow Profile (linked package, net value 0)
• Fast Reload (Long-Range Missiles) (+1)
• Compact (+1)

Production variants:

• RAV-2A: Aquatic model designed for export to Nuhai. Also purchased by Calinova, Numassachu, and Nucarline for wet-carrier-based deployment.
  • Eliminates one ton of ammunition and one medium laser in exchange for 4x UMU.
  • Converts LRMs to LRTs.
  • Downgrades heat sinks to singles.
• RAV-2N: Downgraded model designed for export to Nudezret.
  • Eliminates one ton of ammunition and one medium laser in exchange for 2 heat sinks.
  • Downgrades heat sinks to singles.

Spoiler: Raven

Raven RAV-1N
Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 100 Fission
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
2 Medium Laser
2 LRM 5
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 1,416,875 C-bills

Type: Raven
Technology Base: Mixed (Experimental)
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 578

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	2​
Engine	100 Fission​	5.5​
Walking MP:	4​
Running MP:	6​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	5 [10]​	0​
Gyro:		1​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	80	5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	8​	10​
Center Torso (rear)		5​
R/L Torso	6​	8​
R/L Torso (rear)		4​
R/L Arm	4​	6​
R/L Leg	6​	10​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Medium Laser	CT​	1​	1​
Double Heat Sink	RT​	2​	1​
LRM 5	LA​	1​	2​
LRM 5 Ammo (48)	LT​	2​	2​
CASE	LT​	1​	0.5​
Medium Laser	HD​	1​	1​
LRM 5	RA​	1​	2​

Spoiler: Raven

		Head Standard Cockpit Medium Laser
	Left Torso LRM 5 Ammo (24) LRM 5 Ammo (24) CASE		Right Torso DHS DHS
Left Arm LRM 5				Right Arm LRM 5
		Center Torso Engine Standard Gyro Medium Laser
	Left Leg		Right Leg

The Goldfish prototype has the following quirks:

• Low Profile (solidified)
• Compact (solidified)
• Command BattleMech
• Improved Sensors

The Goldfish production models are Low Profile and Compact. The -1GF has a light AC/5 and single heat sinks; the -2GF has a large laser, double heat sinks, CLPS, and an additional SRM-2 rack.

Spoiler: Goldfish DRG-1GF

Goldfish DRG-1GF
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 275 Light Fission
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Light AC/5
1 Medium Laser
1 SRM 2
Introduction Year: 3005
Cost: 4,897,845 N-bills
Battle Value: 980

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	4.5​
Engine	275 Light Fission​	15.5​
Walking MP:	5​
Running MP:	8​
Jumping MP:	5​
Heat Sink:	10​	0​
Gyro:		3​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	144	9​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	18​	27​
Center Torso (rear)		8​
R/L Torso	13​	15​
R/L Torso (rear)		7​
R/L Arm	9​	13​
R/L Leg	13​	15​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Jump Jet	LL​	1​	0.5​
Jump Jet	CT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 2	CT​	1​	1​
Jump Jet	RT​	1​	0.5​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 2 Ammo (50)	RT​	1​	1​
LAC/5 Ammo (20)	RT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
Jump Jet	LT​	1​	0.5​
Jump Jet	RL​	1​	0.5​
Light AC/5	RA​	2​	5​

Spoiler: Goldfish DRG-2GF

Goldfish DRG-2GF
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 275 Light Fission
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 SRM 2
1 Large Laser
Introduction Year: 3005
Cost: 5,851,095 N-bills
Battle Value: 1,208

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	4.5​
Engine	275 Light Fission​	15.5​
Walking MP:	5​
Running MP:	8​
Jumping MP:	5​
Double Heat Sink:	10 [20]​	0​
Gyro:		3​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	144	9​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	18​	27​
Center Torso (rear)		8​
R/L Torso	13​	15​
R/L Torso (rear)		7​
R/L Arm	9​	13​
R/L Leg	13​	15​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Chameleon Light Polarization Shield	RT/LT/RA/LA/RL/LL​	1/1/1/1/1/1​	0​
Jump Jet	LL​	1​	0.5​
Jump Jet	CT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 2	CT​	1​	1​
Jump Jet	RT​	1​	0.5​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 2 Ammo (50)	RT​	1​	1​
SRM 2	RT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
Jump Jet	LT​	1​	0.5​
Jump Jet	RL​	1​	0.5​
Large Laser	RA​	2​	5​

Compact Jump Artillery Unit
The new prototype of the DRG-3T Compact Jump Artillery Unit, aka "Goblin," has the following quirks:

• Low profile (+3) (not on production)
• Compact (+1) (not on production)
• Accurate weapon (Thumper) (+3) (Solidified)
• Modular weapons (+1) (Solidified)

Spoiler: DRG-3T Goblin

"Goblin" Compact Jump Artillery DRG-3T
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 220 Light Fission
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
2 Medium Laser
1 Thumper
Introduction Year: 3005
Cost: 4,281,978 N-bills
Battle Value: 784

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	4.5​
Engine	220 Light Fission​	7.5​
Walking MP:	4​
Running MP:	6​
Jumping MP:	4​
Heat Sink:	10​	0​
Gyro:		3​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	144​	8​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	18​	22​
Center Torso (rear)		5​
R/L Torso	13​	13​
R/L Torso (rear)		5​
R/L Arm	9​	13​
R/L Leg	13​	15​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 Jump Jet	CT​	2​	1​
Jump Jet	RT​	1​	0.5​
Thumper Ammo (40)	RT​	2​	2​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
Medium Laser	LT(R)​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
Double Heat Sink	LA​	2​	1​
Jump Jet	LT​	1​	0.5​
Double Heat Sink	LT​	2​	1​
Thumper	RA​	15​	15​

Spoiler: Light Scorpion prototype

Light Scorpion SCP-30N
Mass: 30.0 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Quad
Power Plant: 180 Compact
Cruising Speed: 54.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 77.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 PPC

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	2.0​
Engine	180 Compact​	11.5​
Walking MP:	5​
Running MP:	7​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	10 [20]​	0​
Heavy Duty Gyro:		4​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	80	5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	8​	10​
Center Torso (rear)		3​
R/L Torso	6​	9​
R/L Torso (rear)		2​
FR/L Leg	6​	9​
RR/L Leg	6​	9​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
PPC	RT​	3​	7​

Spoiler: Super Wasp

Super Wasp WSP-NH
Super Wasp WSP-NH
Mass: 30 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 180 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Light PPC
1 Medium Laser
1 SRM 4
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3010
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-X
Cost: 2,877,940 C-bills

Type: Super Wasp
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 824

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	2.5​
Engine	180 Fusion​	7​
Walking MP:	6​
Running MP:	9​
Jumping MP:	6​
Heat Sink:	10​	0​
XL Gyro:		1​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	96	6​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	10​	15​
Center Torso (rear)		4​
R/L Torso	7​	10​
R/L Torso (rear)		3​
R/L Arm	5​	10/8​
R/L Leg	7​	12​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
SRM 4	LL​	1​	2​
3 Heat Sink	RT​	3​	3​
3 Jump Jet	RT​	3​	1.5​
3 Jump Jet	LT​	3​	1.5​
CASE	LT​	1​	0.5​
SRM 4 Ammo (25)	LT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	RA​	1​	1​
Light PPC	RA​	2​	3​

Features the following design quirks: Easy to Maintain, Extended Torso Twist, Combat Computer, Poor Targeting (Medium), Improved Life Support, Hard to Pilot

Spoiler: Light Scorpion

Light Scorpion
Mass: 30 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Quad
Power Plant: 240 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Armor: Stealth
Armament:
1 Light PPC
1 Medium Laser
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 3,721,900 C-bills

Type: Light Scorpion
Technology Base: Mixed (Standard)
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 948

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	2.5​
Engine	240 Fusion​	11.5​
Walking MP:	8​
Running MP:	12​
Jumping MP:	0​
Double Heat Sink:	10 [20]​	0​
XL Gyro:		1.5​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor (Stealth):	96	6​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	10​	13​
Center Torso (rear)		4​
R/L Torso	7​	11​
R/L Torso (rear)		2​
FR/L Leg	7​	11​
RR/L Leg	7​	11​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
ECM Suite	RT​	2​	1.5​
Double Heat Sink	LT​	2​	1​
Light PPC	LT​	2​	3​
Medium Laser	HD​	1​	1​

Quirks: Grab bars (solidified)

Spoiler: Mark VII Main Battle Tank

Mark VII Prototype B Nukashuban Main Battle Tank
Mass: 50 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Power Plant: 115 Light Fission
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
2 Light AC/5
1 Medium Laser
1 Anti-Missile System
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3007
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 4,504,333 C-bills
Battle Value: 891

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure		5​
Engine	115 Compact​	10​
Cruising MP:	7​
Flanking MP:	11​
Heat Sinks:	10​	0​
Control Equipment:		2.5​
Lift Equipment:		5​
Power Amplifier:		0​
Turret:		1​
Armor Factor:	120	7.5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Front	5​	30​
R/L Side	5/5​	20/20​
Rear	5​	20​
Turret	5​	30​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
Active Probe	Rear​	2​	1.5​
ECM Suite	Rear​	2​	1.5​
Medium Laser	Front​	1​	1​
Anti-Missile System	Front​	1​	0.5​
2 Light AC/5	Turret​	4​	10​
Flak LAC/5 Ammo (20)	Body​	1​	1​
CASE	Body​	1​	0.5​
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12)	Body​	1​	1​
Armor-Piercing LAC/5 Ammo (10)	Body​	1​	1​
LAC/5 Ammo (20)	Body​	1​	1​
CLPS	Body, Front, Left, Rear, Right​	5​	0​

Spoiler: MANY MICE

MANY MICE has now in production:

• Upgraded Type 216 (Blackjack clone)
• Upgraded RSU Blackjack (90 ton assault Blackjack)
• Upgraded IslandMech (40 ton 5/8/5 design based on the UrbanMech

Spoiler: Blackjack RSU-2

Blackjack BJ-RSU-2
Blackjack BJ-RSU-2
Mass: 90 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 360 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
4 Medium Laser
2 AC/2Introduction Year: 3006
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 9,797,350 C-bills

Type: Blackjack
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 90
Battle Value: 1,297

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	7​
Engine	360 Fusion​	33​
Walking MP:	4​
Running MP:	6​
Jumping MP:	4​
Heat Sink:	15​	5​
Gyro:		4​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	168	10.5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	29​	25​
Center Torso (rear)		10​
R/L Torso	19​	20​
R/L Torso (rear)		7​
R/L Arm	15​	15​
R/L Leg	19​	20​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 Jump Jet	LL​	2​	4​
Heat Sink	CT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	RT​	1​	1​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
Flak AC/2 Ammo (45)	RT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
AC/2	LA​	1​	6​
Medium Laser	LT​	1​	1​
CASE	LT​	1​	0.5​
AC/2 Ammo (45)	LT​	1​	1​
2 Jump Jet	RL​	2​	4​
Searchlight	HD​	1​	0.5​
Medium Laser	RA​	1​	1​
AC/2	RA​	1​	6​

Spoiler: IslandMech 2

IslandMech UM-CIC-F2
IslandMech UM-CIC-F2
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Endo-Composite Biped
Power Plant: 200 Compact
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Light AC/5
1 Medium Laser
1 Flamer
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3075
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Cost: 3,878,933 C-bills

Type: IslandMech
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 820

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Endo-Composite​	3​
Engine	200 Compact​	13​
Walking MP:	5​
Running MP:	8​
Jumping MP:	5​
Heat Sink:	10​	0​
Gyro:		2​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor:	112	7​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	12​	15​
Center Torso (rear)		8​
R/L Torso	10​	12​
R/L Torso (rear)		6​
R/L Arm	6​	10​
R/L Leg	10​	12​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 Heat Sink	CT​	2​	2​
Jump Jet	CT​	1​	0.5​
Flak LAC/5 Ammo (20)	RT​	1​	1​
2 Jump Jet	RT​	2​	1​
CASE	RT​	1​	0.5​
LAC/5 Ammo (20)	RT​	1​	1​
Medium Laser	LA​	1​	1​
Flamer	LA​	1​	1​
2 Jump Jet	LT​	2​	1​
Light AC/5	RA​	2​	5​

Spoiler: Type 216b

PRSN-M03 Type 216 BattleMech
PRSN-M03 Type 216 BattleMech
Mass: 45 tons
Chassis: Industrial Industrial Biped
Power Plant: 180 Fission
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Commercial
Armament:
4 Small Laser
2 Light AC/2
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3007
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-F-D
Cost: 2,549,294 C-bills

Type: PRSN-M03
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 45
Battle Value: 473

Equipment		Mass
Internal Structure	Industrial​	9​
Engine	180 Fission​	12.5​
Walking MP:	4​
Running MP:	6​
Jumping MP:	4​
Heat Sink:	5​	0​
Gyro:		2​
Cockpit:		3​
Armor Factor (Commercial):	132	5.5​

	Internal Structure	Armor Value
Head	3​	9​
Center Torso	14​	18​
Center Torso (rear)		9​
R/L Torso	11​	15​
R/L Torso (rear)		6​
R/L Arm	7​	12​
R/L Leg	11​	15​

Weapons and Ammo​	Location	Critical	Tonnage
2 Jump Jet	LL​	2​	1​
LAC/2 Ammo (45)	CT​	1​	1​
Small Laser	RT​	1​	0.5​
Light AC/2	LA​	1​	4​
Small Laser	LA​	1​	0.5​
Small Laser	LT​	1​	0.5​
2 Jump Jet	RL​	2​	1​
Light AC/2	RA​	1​	4​
Small Laser	RA​	1​	0.5​

Spoiler: History of Nukashuba

Nukashuba has been through two major high-morbidity periods, one during the early 2200s during the initial settlement period, and then during the Schism and the earliest subsequent wars (most particularly the 2440-2484 period). This produced significant genetic bottlenecking.

Most agriculture is still hydroponic or domed in order to ensure tolerable levels of heavy metal contamination, relying on distilled water. Eating wild-caught goldfish or wild-grown plants is not advisable. The climate is mild overall. The local ecology is limited and not native to the planet.

Currently, Nukashuba has a unified indirectly elected secular federal government, which does not claim sovereignty over or ownership of any other moons or planets in the system due to various international treaties. During the early colonial period (2240-2440), the Papolris System was subject to theocratic governance by the Council of Elders.

Spoiler: Papolris Sysetm

Papolris is a dim and relatively anonymous K5V star (about 0.70M☉​, 0.67 R☉​, and 0.15 L☉​) located somewhere to the galactic north of the Inner Sphere. It has five known planets and a typical collection of smaller orbital objects.

The following system chart lists the planets and major moons of the system. It neglects minor moons that are both under 0.1 R⊕​ and 0.01 M⊕​, and includes mass, radius, and surface gravity (although that may not be meaningful for gas giants).

1. Hydra (0.31 AU, 2.1 R⊕​, 9.7 M⊕​, 2.1 G⊕​)
   1. Cerberus (0.19 R⊕​, 0.010 M⊕​, 0.19 G⊕​)
2. Nuzhup (0.41 AU, 9.3 R⊕​, 240 M⊕​, 2.76 G⊕​)
   1. Hefusts (0.24 R⊕​, 0.013 M⊕​, 0.23 G⊕​)
   2. Nudezret (0.82 R⊕​, 0.59 M⊕​, 0.88 G⊕​)
   3. Nuhai (0.71 R⊕​, 0.32 M⊕​, 0.63 G⊕​)
   4. Nukushuba (0.45 R⊕​, 0.19 M⊕​, 0.94 G⊕​)
3. Herald (2.08 AU, 0.34 R⊕​, 0.08 M⊕​, 0.69 G⊕​)
4. Guardian (7.01 AU, 3.7 R⊕​, 15.4 M⊕​, 1.12 G⊕​)
   1. Beholder (0.55 R⊕​, 0.12 M⊕​, 0.40 G⊕​)
   2. Gem (0.33 R⊕​, 0.011 M⊕​, 0.10 G⊕​)
5. Beacon (19.3 AU, 1.41 R⊕​, 0.9 M⊕​, 0.45 G⊕​)

tomwritestuff threw 5 6-faced dice. Total: 19

 

[Neodymium]

[X] name: Mary Kliger
[X] abnormally tall with most people above 6 ft
[X] green eyes are the dominant eye colour
[X] they have sixth thumb size digit on the opposite side of the normal thumb on the hand

 

[butchock]

[X] Estebano Mertano
-[x] you have balding hair due to stress
-[x] a hooked nose that makes you look villainous
-[x] you sweat a lot when nearing deadlines
-[x] dreams of having a loving wife and three kids as well as a dog

[X] Nukashubans are Tree-huggers
-[X] conservative, anything new should be tested until proven safe and will last the ages
-[x] nature-lovers, God made man to protect his creations
-[x] family-focused, lets say they believe in filial peity
-[X] the planet is composed of two main continents and lots of archipelagos, lots of bush wars going on those islands
-[x] has a mining colony on the moon to protect the ecosystem
-[x] lots of eco-tourism going on
-[x] life is idyllic and the people are generally laid-back and live worry free lives
-[x] medicine and luxury goods are prime exports, heavy industry not so much
-[x] the people are not adonises with imposing physique, but they have coppery skin and generally 5'8 in average height
-[x] they tend to have purple-blue eyes and straight hair, with facial features probably originating from south-america and southeast asia
-[x] due to the huge amount of sea-based activities, the people tend to have strong lungs and can go underwater for a long time. See Badjao ethnic group and their unique mutation

 

[tomwritestuff]

To clarify, the vote isn't intended to establish the physical characteristics of Nukashuba. Nukashuba is a moon of Nuzhup, which is a gas giant. It's on the small side but dense (meaning near-normal Earth gravity) with plot-relevant geology that we'll get into a little bit more later. Here's a major object list and illustrated system diagram (orbits and star not to scale):

1. Hydra (0.31 AU, 2.1 R⊕​, 9.7 M⊕​, 2.1 G⊕​)
   1. Cerberus (0.19 R⊕​, 0.010 M⊕​, 0.19 G⊕​)
2. Nuzhup (0.41 AU, 9.3 R⊕​, 240 M⊕​, 2.76 G⊕​)
   1. Hefusts (0.24 R⊕​, 0.013 M⊕​, 0.23 G⊕​)
   2. Nudezret (0.82 R⊕​, 0.59 M⊕​, 0.88 G⊕​)
   3. Nuhai (0.71 R⊕​, 0.32 M⊕​, 0.63 G⊕​)
   4. Nukushuba (0.45 R⊕​, 0.19 M⊕​, 0.94 G⊕​)
3. Herald (2.08 AU, 0.34 R⊕​, 0.08 M⊕​, 0.69 G⊕​)
4. Guardian (7.01 AU, 3.7 R⊕​, 15.4 M⊕​, 1.12 G⊕​)
   1. Beholder (0.55 R⊕​, 0.12 M⊕​, 0.40 G⊕​)
   2. Gem (0.33 R⊕​, 0.011 M⊕​, 0.10 G⊕​)
5. Beacon (19.3 AU, 1.41 R⊕​, 0.9 M⊕​, 0.45 G⊕​)

Nuzhup's other three moons are inhabited as well. We'll get to more details on that in a little bit.

 

[butchock]

@tomwritestuff how about the other parts of my plan like the fact that the people are laid back and good at diving/swimming?

 

[tomwritestuff]

@tomwritestuff how about the other parts of my plan like the fact that the people are laid back and good at diving/swimming?

Click to shrink...

The things about people are fine. I do want a pool of roughly ten traits on tap, and we'll be using four traits right away.

 

[tomwritestuff]

As a quick note on voting progress, I'll extend the voting deadline unless we pick up a few more votes and start having fewer ties in the trait pool. Right now it's scheduled to end at 23:00 Eastern, but I'm not going to roll on a batch of 1-1 tiebreaks.

 

[DaLintyGuy]

[X] Nukashubans are Tree-huggers

The phenotypic portions anyway. As for the main character appearance? I can't be bothered in a design game. It isn't tied to the main game play loop.

 

[Temperus_Maximus]

With a name like nukashuba we ought to be turbo Taurians as far as nukes go.

 

[tomwritestuff]

With a name like nukashuba we ought to be turbo Taurians as far as nukes go.

Click to shrink...

• Nukushuba (0.45 R⊕​, 0.19 M⊕​, 0.94 G⊕​)
• Density of Chemical Elements - Material Properties
• Earth Fact Sheet
• Abundance of elements in Earth's crust - Wikipedia
• Nucleosynthesis - Wikipedia

Estimating the availability of fissile materials on Nukashuba is left as an exercise for the reader.☢️

 

[tomwritestuff]

Scheduled vote count started by tomwritestuff on Feb 14, 2022 at 9:07 PM, finished with 10 posts and 3 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] Nukashubans are Tree-huggers

  • butchock
  • DaLintyGuy

  1 people have voted

  [X] name: Mary Kliger

  • Neodymium

  1 people have voted

  [X] abnormally tall with most people above 6 ft

  • Neodymium

  1 people have voted

  [X] green eyes are the dominant eye colour

  • Neodymium

  1 people have voted

  [X] they have sixth thumb size digit on the opposite side of the normal thumb on the hand

  • Neodymium

  1 people have voted

  [X] Estebano Mertano

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] you have balding hair due to stress

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] a hooked nose that makes you look villainous

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] you sweat a lot when nearing deadlines

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] dreams of having a loving wife and three kids as well as a dog

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[X] conservative, anything new should be tested until proven safe and will last the ages

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] nature-lovers, God made man to protect his creations

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] family-focused, lets say they believe in filial peity

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[X] the planet is composed of two main continents and lots of archipelagos, lots of bush wars going on those islands

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] has a mining colony on the moon to protect the ecosystem

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] lots of eco-tourism going on

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] life is idyllic and the people are generally laid-back and live worry free lives

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] medicine and luxury goods are prime exports, heavy industry not so much

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] the people are not adonises with imposing physique, but they have coppery skin and generally 5'8 in average height

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] they tend to have purple-blue eyes and straight hair, with facial features probably originating from south-america and southeast asia

  • butchock

  1 people have voted

  -[x] due to the huge amount of sea-based activities, the people tend to have strong lungs and can go underwater for a long time. See Badjao ethnic group and their unique mutation

  • butchock

 

[tomwritestuff]

Okay, so parsing this into a ranked list of ten traits after parsing Dalinty's vote as being for the phenotype variations, prioritizing contradictable traits, and breaking various ties, I have:

1. Coppery skin
2. Average 5'8" height with not imposing Adonis-like physiques
3. Purple-blue eyes and straight hair
4. Strong lungs with Badjao-like mutation
5. Conservative, anything new should be tested and proven safe and will last the ages
6. Nature-lovers, God made man to protect his creations
7. Family-focused, believe in filial piety
8. Abnormally tall
9. Green eyes
10. Sixth thumb digit

Top three traits (therefore assigned to almost all Nukashubans):

1. Coppery skin
2. Average 5'8" height with not imposing Adonis-like physiques
3. Purple-blue eyes

The top contradictory trait is then "abnormally tall." The general thinks Mary Kliger is a freak because she is abnormally tall. The following traits will appear later in the story:

1. Strong lungs with Badjao-like mutation
2. Conservative
3. Nature-lovers
4. Family-focused
5. Green eyes
6. Sixth thumb digit

None of these traits are unknown on Nukashuba, but they will not be near-universal traits. Sound reasonable?

 

[tomwritestuff]

Project Mickey Mouse is authorized!​

Spoiler: Previous vote

Okay, so parsing this into a ranked list of ten traits after parsing Dalinty's vote as being for the phenotype variations, prioritizing contradictable traits, and breaking various ties, I have:

1. Coppery skin
2. Average 5'8" height with not imposing Adonis-like physiques
3. Purple-blue eyes and straight hair
4. Strong lungs with Badjao-like mutation
5. Conservative, anything new should be tested and proven safe and will last the ages
6. Nature-lovers, God made man to protect his creations
7. Family-focused, believe in filial piety
8. Abnormally tall
9. Green eyes
10. Sixth thumb digit

Top three traits (therefore assigned to almost all Nukashubans):

1. Coppery skin
2. Average 5'8" height with not imposing Adonis-like physiques
3. Purple-blue eyes

The top contradictory trait is then "abnormally tall." The general thinks Mary Kliger is a freak because she is abnormally tall. The following traits will appear later in the story:

1. Strong lungs with Badjao-like mutation
2. Conservative
3. Nature-lovers
4. Family-focused
5. Green eyes
6. Sixth thumb digit

None of these traits are unknown on Nukashuba, but they will not be near-universal traits. Sound reasonable?

Click to shrink...

It's 0700 hours and the project that was approved by the Nukashuban Federal Council* under the unfortunate budget line item of "Project Mickey Mouse" is already an hour into its first high-level strategy meeting. Your fellow history professors always thought you were crazy for setting your office hours at 8 o'clock in the morning, but the military has a different standard for early in the morning, and the general wanted to meet first thing.

You stare blearily across the table, feeling self-conscious about the fact that you stand a head taller than everyone else. "All four of these 'mechs are smaller than the Mackie was, then. That's not good."

The lieutenant taking notes looks up at you quizzically.

The general sighs. "Mary, please explain what you mean by that."

"It's the classic problem of the Maus. Hitler wanted big, Jacob Cameron wanted big, even if it wasn't the best military machine. These are small and efficient. And they're still fusion powered?" You shake your head.

The engineer nods. "Incredibly lightweight portable fusion engines. From what we've been able to reconstruct from the wreckage, the largest one, what the prisoner says is called a Battlemaster, had a power plant massing no more than 27 tons. That's a little beyond the limits of our technical capabilities, but the smallest one, the UrbanMech, was also equipped with a fusion plant. From the overall size of it, the plant must have been as small and compact as any fission plant I've ever seen."

You nod. The fact that fusion plants didn't get much smaller than the one powering the oversized Mackie was something you'd dug up while researching Technical Appendix E in your dissertation.

"I'm sure the scientists can figure it out, especially with several examples to work from," you say. "Not that I don't appreciate collecting an extra salary, but what's the urgency? Surely the Hegemony – if it even still exists – is very far away, and from what you say, the raiders had a JumpShip was damaged and unable to escape, so they shouldn't know where we are. Were there other ships that escaped?"

The general shakes his head. "They just had the one landing ship, and we were first on their list." He hesitates. "The problem is that even if they didn't return, we're less than fifty light-years from a massive interstellar empire. It's a feudal monarchy of some sort and very aggressive. Three jumps, maybe as little as two. We're still trying to decipher the navigational logs on their JumpShip to nail down the exact star system. And … well, play clip five, Major. It will explain the reason why we can expect search parties."

The intelligence service major nods, pushing a button on the table. The projector whirs to life, and a life-sized portrayal of an alien-looking person – freakier-looking than you, in your humble opinion – sits in a chair, arms crossed, answering a long series of questions. At the end of the eleven-minute clip, the major flips the projector back off.

"As far as we can tell," the major says, "those answers were truthful. A member of the ruling house was kidnapped. The kidnappers then jumped to an uninhabited system, where they were ambushed by pirates. After realizing the value of their prey, the pirates decided to go two jumps away from the star empire's territory while they conducted repairs on their ship. Then they stumbled across us, and decided that we might have the spare parts they needed."

The major takes a deep breath, nodding to a Fleet captain who has stayed quiet throughout the meeting.

"At the maximum known jump distance of fifteen** light-years, that's forty-five light years," the fleet captain says. "If they can trace the original kidnappers to the system where the pirates ambushed them, that would be within thirty light-years of us, making it one of the five hundred or so nearest systems. That might sound like a lot, but it isn't really, especially if they already have charted many of those systems before and prioritize checking systems with exoplanets in the habitable bands, or if they have sensitive radio-wave detectors that might pick up evidence of habitation from several light-years away."

After the initial settlement of the habitable moons of Nuzhup, the second planet of the Papolris system, the Elders maintained tight control over the three JumpShips that had been used in the settlement process. The navigational information about how to get to and from Earth was a closely guarded secret, and it perished with the Elders and their last functional JumpShip in the Schism.

"In summary, there's a feudal star kingdom looking for a missing royal, and if they decide to check every system within two jumps, they're going to show up on our door," you say, looking carefully at the general.

You're a historian, and you don't know anyone who ever thought feudalism would ever exist in an interstellar society. Well, except for Dr. Mako, but his specialty is in the Roman Republic, and everyone else in the department thinks he only got tenure because his wife was the chancellor's niece.

"Yes. Go get your espresso and whatever else you need to help figure this out," the general says. "I got a vice waiver from the council. Your expertise is crucial here. Lieutenant Murphy here will see to it that you get anything you need, provided it's legal. The machine from your office is already set up in your new office. You may be a towering freak, but you're our towering freak, and Nukashuba needs you at your best."

It's been centuries since the Defenestration of Slakecitu, the Schism Wars, and the subsequent secularization reform, but the teachings of the church still linger in a largely secular society. Coffee and alcohol are sinful, and not things to be enjoyed publicly without facing some level of social disapproval, and certainly not things to spend government money on without a special waiver.

Which the general has obtained for this project.

Oh dear, this really is an important project, you think to yourself.

What do you ask Lieutenant Murphy for?
[] Just coffee.
[] (write-in any requests for Lieutenant Murphy)
[] (as many as you want)
[] (no, really)

Spoiler: Somewhat chaotic vice vote rules

All options that are either in first place or have majority support will be recurring vices. This is your personal bit of chaos to contend with. If you want to sober up and only drink coffee on the job, saving the whiskey for after hours, select "Just coffee."

What great noble house controls systems only 2-3 short jumps to the galactic south? And what is the name of the kidnapped royal?

[] (write-in first and possibly second name) Davion
[] (write-in first and possibly second name) Steiner
[] (write-in first and possibly second name) Marik
[] (write-in first and possibly second name) Liao
[] (write-in first and possibly second name) Kurita

Spoiler: The royal

This determines the eventual OPFOR that your designs will be tested against, both by faction and era. Call this the difficulty rating.

Yes, you can choose a hyphenated last name, but one of those five Great House names needs to be in there. You may also specify a year or age; if there are multiple years / ages on the winning vote and no majority winner, I'll go with the median age / year. In the absence of any specification of age / year, canonical characters are inserted at a point in their life when they were scheduled to have a political marriage, were kidnapped by pirates, or were about to ascend to their highest office. Failing any such incidents, at age 25. If you pick a name not corresponding to a known canonical character and don't specify an era / rating, I'll pick out of a hat, pretty much.

Spoiler: Footnotes

*The Federal Council is elected indirectly and is a unitary governing body for the planet.
**Hey, the Aquila class could manage a maximum of 15 light-years per jump, don't blame the Fleet captain for not knowing any better.

 

[DaLintyGuy]

[X] Just coffee.
[X] Steiner
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[Uhtread]

[X] Just coffee.
[X] Steiner
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[Neodymium]

[X] Soda Please.
[X] Lee Liao
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[butchock]

[X] Just coffee.
[X] Steiner
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[Orangeduke38]

[X] Soda Please.
[X] Marik
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[Vauron]

[X] Cocaine
[X] Marik
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[LokiJones]

[X] Just coffee.
[X] Rebecca Fitz-Steiner
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[KreenWarrior]

[x] Guava Juice
[x] A portable music player with really trashy pop music and headphones
[x] A supply of fidget cubes (you tend to break them)
[x] Aina Kurita
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[always floppy]

[X] Just coffee.
[X] Steiner
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)

 

[tomwritestuff]

As noted in the previous informational bulletin, all four of Nuzhup's moons are inhabited. None of the other planets in the Papolris system have a permanent population of note, although there are a few scientific, commercial, and military outposts and stations scattered around the system. Most notable among these is an astronomical observatory on Beacon that has been in place since 2733 and which has been continuously staffed for almost two hundred years.

Nukashuba, your homeworld and the outermost major moon of Nuzhup, has a surface that is approximately 50% water, courtesy of cometary bombardments carried out during the terraforming process. The oceans are relatively shallow and not very saline in the traditional sense, although the wild goldfish tolerate the heavy metal content fairly well. The total land area is a bit over 50 million square kilometers, supporting a population of about 2 billion in an energy-intensive lifestyle based on domed agriculture and distilled water - an energy-intensive lifestyle powered by the planet's extensive fissile natural resources.

Nuhai, the next major moon inward, was never terraformed, and has native flora and fauna. A strong greenhouse effect and cloud system help maintain a steady climate with no permanent ice caps. About 96% of Nuhai's surface is covered in saline oceans, leaving about 10 million square kilometers for land. Goldfish do not thrive in the wild in Nuhai, as the local chordate piscines are much better adapted to Nuhai's thriving seas ... with some species reaching lengths of up to fifteen meters. You're pretty sure goldfish don't get any bigger than two meters. Near the end of the Schism Wars, Nuhai had the largest population of the four moons, but today Nuhai is in third place with a population of about 900 million.

Nudezret is the largest of Nuzhup's moons. Although not as large as Earth, only about 20% of Nudezret's surface is covered with water, leaving nearly 280 million kilometers of available land surface. Nudezret has two ice-covered freshwater polar seas and a saline equatorial ocean that divides the land surface into two continents, imaginatively named North Nudezret and South Nudezret by the Elders. The total population of Nudezret is approximately 10 billion, divided between a handful of large nations and an assortment of smaller nations. The ecosystem is primarily Terran, although continued inter-moon commerce has resulted in the unintentional release of some Nuhai flora and fauna into Nudezret's terraformed environment.

Hefusts is the innermost moon of Nuzhup, and tidal forces from the Jovian-scale planet have helped maintain significant tectonic and volcanic activity on an unpleasant planet that the Elders initially deemed unfit for terraforming efforts. However, once the terraforming of Nudezret was well underway, the Elders found that it was convenient to have an expensive and difficult project that could occupy the hands and minds of heretics who they felt needed to be mercifully removed from society. The low surface gravity - barely one quarter of Nukashuba's surface gravity - helped ensure that exiles stayed exiled, and has continued to limit emigration. There are no major bodies of surface water on Hefusts, and while the atmosphere now has almost a 16% oxygen content with widespread outdoor growth of lichen and even some unusually hardy varieties of mosses and ferns (including both Terran and Nuhai varieties), the population still mainly lives in domes and uses respirators when traveling outside. Hefusts today supports a population of nearly 100 million.

 

[TheOmnimercurial]

[x] A Coffee and Guava Smoothie
[x] A portable music player with the newest fusion music that has become popular, Electro Synth with Steel Drums and Saxophone.
[x] A Hyperactive Catgirl PA and Masseuse from Hefusts.
[x] Aina Kurita
[X] 3001 (Golden Age)