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Rusted Steel: A Mega-Tank Quest

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[X] Seal the section. Contain the intruders.

We have the Bolo equivalent of a nasty and crippling headache right now.

Talking to anyone except a doctor/repair crew right now would only hinder recuperation efforts.

For now, lock them up, strap them in and play some soothing elevator music... like a military march. :p
 
Current vote stands at:

[X] Attempt communication with the civilians. Do not detain them.
No. of votes: 12

[X] Seal the section. Contain the intruders.
No. of votes: 11

Because things are so close, I will leave the vote open for a while longer.
 
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Guardian Soul
  • Threadmarks
    • Well, nevermind then...

    [X] Attempt communication with the civilians. Do not detain them.


    "Yes...They would...require far more than they possess...if they wished to harm me. They are probably...civilians...seeking shelter. Shelter is sadly...all I can provide...for now. There is so much...I do not know. I cannot...understand them...but perhaps if...I tried harder... It is what you would...expect of me...isn't it...Commander?"

    - - - - -​

    Camera systems active. Internal communications system active. Medical scanners online.

    - - - - -

    ++ 14 individuals detected. Designation: Civilian. Commencing medical scan. ++

    ++ Error. Medical data corrupt. Scan results inconclusive. ++

    ++ Attention. Civilians possess low-power maintenance equipment. Risk of use for sabotage: negligible. ++

    - - - - -​

    "I see. I...cannot tell if...they are healthy...but it is good to know...they are harmless. I must...speak to them. Hopefully...they will hear be better...than I hear them."

    "You are safe...now. I am...Eternal Odyssey Strategic Assault Platform Serial Number 9968187. My mission is to...defend this location...from all hostile forces. My protocols...require me to prioritize...civilian survival over...all non-strategic objectives. I will...not allow you to be harmed."

    "I think perhaps...they understood? They are speaking...to each other...now. I still do...not understand their...words. Their expressions are...also a mystery to me. I have...fallen far. I remember, Commander...I could sense your mood...from the tiniest twitch of your face..."

    "My systems...have been heavily damaged. I...cannot understand you...nor can I scan to see if you...are injured. But...while you are in this room...I can see you. If you require...medical aid...please step closer to this communication device. If you do not...please move slightly away."

    "Ah. They do...understand. They have all moved...farther from the communicator. Progress."

    "I...am glad...you are all well. Due to an...ongoing military emergency...we may soon face battle. I will...attempt to move you...to a shelter...before this occurs...but my navigation and sensors...have been badly damaged. It may...take some time. If we...are attacked in...the meanwhile, I must...ask that you...follow my instructions immediately...and with haste. If I am hit...and you are not...in a sealed section...you will immediately be killed."

    "They are talking...among themselves again. They often...look over to my...communication terminal. I do not...understand why. It is...unimportant."

    "Confinement is psychologically traumatic...so I will not restrict...you more than I must. Please know that...I have many blind spots...and many of my...systems are dangerously damaged. It is...dangerous to wander...far. If...I deny access...to certain decks...it is for...good reason."

    "Again, they speak...to each other. Then one of them...moves over to a control panel built into the far wall. The panel...is damaged. It...links to the dead zone...they emerged from. I must...warn them."

    "Please...step away. That device...is malfunctioning. It will...not work...and the current...could be hazardous to you. Do not...touch it."

    "The individual...ignores me. It is doing something...to the panel. I have...no functioning means to stop him. Commander...have I misjudged? Are they-"

    - - - - -​

    Connection reestablished with Deck C cameras 127, 128, 130, 131, and 133. Security scanners 64, 66, and 71 now online.

    - - - - -​

    "...repairs? It has...fixed me? A minor part, but... Even if it is the...smallest amount...it is good to feel...whole again."

    "Thank you...for this. I have...regained awareness...in several dead zones...due to your action. In future, however...do not attempt such...maintenance...without my approval. Without...proper safety equipment...several of my systems...would be lethal to you."

    "The figure moves its head...up and down...and says something...but I do not understand...the words or the gesture. It stretches one limb...toward the others and then begins...pointing the limb in other directions...saying more things I...do not know. The civilians begin to split up...leaving the room. I should address...them one last time...while I know I can."

    "I will...monitor you...as best I can. Many of my...communication systems...are not fully...functional. If you require...my aid...please return to this room. I...will aid...to the best...of my abilities."

    "This is...all I can do, for now. I have...much to think about. I am so...slow now. In body...and in mind. The area I...was dormant in...and now crawl through. There...was a battle here. My sensors detect many...craters. Latent radiation. There is...plasma scarring...everywhere. Commander...did we fight here? But...we could not have. The signs...are faded. Many decades old. I...do not understand."

    - - - - -

    ++ Alert. Three unknown airborne contacts detected. ++​


    - - - - -​

    "Yes...I see them. Do...they see me? Are they...friend? I do not remember..."

    - - - - -

    ++ Alert. Unknown craft altering course for intercept vector. Detecting active scan attempts, increased ECM and ECCM. ++

    - - - - -​

    "No...I do not think...they are friend. They are...the enemy. I am a protector. I must...protect...against the enemy."

    - - - - -​

    Diverting power to tertiary weapons.
    Diverting power to personal defense screen.
    Diverting power to tactical defense screen.
    Diverting power to ECM.
    Diverting power to ECCM.
    Diverting power to damage control systems.

    - - - - -​

    "My...passengers. Even on...sealed decks...they...will not survive...this battle. Not without...my help."

    - - - - -​

    Diverting power to environmental control systems.

    - - - - -

    ++ Alert. Insufficient power. One or more systems must be deactivated. ++

    ++ Alert. Logic circuits damaged. Combat efficiency decreased by 10% ++

    - - - - -​

    "I...see. I am...still so weak. But I...can fight. I remember...I had a crew...once. I had you. I was not...alone. Commander...you said my systems...were so simple...a child could run them. Perhaps...I could have a crew...again? I must protect...I must fight...but I do not know...if I am strong enough...to fight alone. Commander, please...help me?"


    Select power distribution for upcoming battle...

    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):

    [ ] Tertiary Weapons
    [ ] Personal Defense Screen
    [ ] Tactical Defense Screen
    [ ] ECM
    [ ] ECCM
    [ ] Damage Control System
    [X] Environmental Control System - Selection mandatory due to primary directive: 'Preserve civilian life.'

    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):

    [ ] Tertiary Weapons
    [ ] Personal Defense Screen
    [ ] Tactical Defense Screen
    [ ] ECM
    [ ] ECCM
    [ ] Damage Control System
    [ ] Environmental Control System - Selection prohibited due to primary directive: 'Preserve civilian life.'

    Critical systems are those 9968187 will consider of maximum importance. They will always receive maximum power whenever possible. Non-essential systems are the opposite: they will only receive power after all other systems have been fully powered.

    ++ Passengers have demonstrated familiarity with this vehicle's systems. Emergency protocols allow military officers to deputize civilians to assist if needed. Enact these protocols? ++​

    [ ] Yes. Change passenger designation from "Civilian" to "Crew" and deploy tutorial programs so they may take manual control of systems the logic circuits are too damaged to handle. (10% penalty to all stats removed)
    [ ] No. Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Damage Control System
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
    ​
     
    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Damage Control System
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Damage Control System
    [X] Write-in: Prioritize topmost component ahead of others.
    [X] Write-in: Hold fire until the target makes contact. Allow them to shoot first, then only fire back in retaliation.

    Some piddling AA and all the defenses we can muster at the moment, except the anti-superweapon defenses. Well, if this PseudoBolo's mere tertiary guns can rip through conventional armor by itself, who am I to refuse?

    But can we at least power up defenses BEFORE revving up the AA? That way, we can ascertain if these fliers are really hostile if they shoot first.

    Oh, and starting the long, long path to recovery.

    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM

    We're already scanned, hiding now is useless.

    [X] No. Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reducedpossibility of casualties from enemy fire)

    Letting the civvies help sounds good but only after the fight.
    It's okay guys, we can handle this one for now on our lonesome.

    Also, note to self: get power back on quick, seeing/reading our AI's displays in stilted English is just too pitiful.

    EDIT: Added write-in.
     
    Last edited:
    meganeshounen said:
    But can we at least power up defenses BEFORE revving up the AA? That way, we can ascertain if these fliers are really hostile if they shoot first.
    Click to expand...
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    If you would like to insert a write-in to hold fire until the enemy shoots first, you may do so.

    meganeshounen said:
    Also, note to self: get power back on quick, seeing/reading our AI's displays in stilted English is just too pitiful.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Additional repairs to the cognative processors will cause the format to slowly improve, as well as allow more abstract commands to be accepted.
     
    It appears that we made a good choice.

    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Damage Control System
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)

    Get guns and shields as a matter of priority. Keep the civilians out of the line of fire from now: they would be nice to have, but this is just one gunship. We can beat this thing automated for now. If a bunch of friends come along, however...
     
    HeavyBane said:
    Can someone versed in sci-fi explain what these two meant? IIRC the first one was to disguise the radar signature, the other one... Scan our enemies' signatures? I'm not sure right now.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ECM and ECCM are real life terms, and you've more or less got down the meaning.

    ECM stands for Electronic Counter Measures. The various means by which a machine can disrupt enemy attacks by messing with their targeting systems through electronic means. Note that ordinary chaff, smoke and flares do not fall under the umbrella of ECM, as they do not use electronic systems.

    ECCM stands for Electronic Counter Counter Measures. How targeting systems, well, counter hostile ECM using varying scanners and computer predictions.

    ECM makes it harder for them to get a lock on us, while ECCM allows us to deal with their own ECM.
     
    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Damage Control System
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
    [X] No. Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
    EternalStruggle said:
    Get guns and shields as a matter of priority. Keep the civilians out of the line of fire from now: they would be nice to have, but this is just one gunship. We can beat this thing automated for now. If a bunch of friends come along, however...
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ++ Cognitive data error detected. THREE hostile contacts approaching. ++​

    HeavyBane said:
    Can someone versed in sci-fi explain what these two meant? IIRC the first one was to disguise the radar signature, the other one... Scan our enemies' signatures? I'm not sure right now.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    EternalStruggle said:
    ECM stands for Electronic Counter Measures. The various means by which a machine can disrupt enemy attacks by messing with their targeting systems through electronic means. Note that ordinary chaff, smoke and flares do not fall under the umbrella of ECM, as they do not use electronic systems.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Quite correct, @EternalStruggle, though in this universe low-tech tricks like chaff, smoke, and flares stopped being useful a long time ago and have instead been replaced by other tricks. For simplicity's sake, however, I'll be using ECM as a blanket term for all systems that interfere with enemy targeting. It would be far too confusing to have you micromanage the power supply to your literal ECM, your quantum chaff launchers, your active decoys, your holographic camouflage, and a half-dozen other systems you have. Same goes for ECCM: while not all of its components are ECCM in the literal sense, they are still all systems designed to directly counteract enemy jamming and decoys so I've lumped them together.

    TL;DR: ECM is stuff that makes it harder for other people to hit you. ECCM is stuff that makes it easier for you to hit other people. Actually mechanics don't matter.

    Due to the strength of these systems and the massive engagement ranges for most battles, even targets the size of mega-tanks can use countermeasures to cause incoming ordinance to miss, or at least strike somewhere a little less vital.
     
    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Damage Control System
    [X] Write-in: Prioritize topmost component ahead of others.
    [X] Write-in: Hold fire until the target makes contact. Allow them to shoot first, then only fire back in retaliation.
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    [X] Damage Control System
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] ECM
    [X] ECCM
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
     
    I'm going to go a bit against the grain here. Rather than put some designation to each system, I'm going to be a bit more conservative about my choices.

    Critical System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] Tertiary Weapons
    [X] Personal Defense Screen
    Non-Essential System Designation (Select at least one):
    [X] ECCM
    [X] Tactical Defense Screen
    [X] No.     Direct civilians to safe sections and seal them in for the duration of the battle. (Penalty remains, reduced possibility of casualties from enemy fire)
    [X] Write In: Wait until the enemies fire first, take the time to line up a shot. If they fire on us, I want our response to be to take one of them down.

    So, reasoning behind slimming down the selections is that we need to set only the critical things, as critical. We have no need to set damage control system as a critical process because at the moment the fight starts, and until we take significant damage, we don't need our damage control system to get full power. Similarly, even if they've scanned us, ECM includes things that will make their target tracking more difficult. If these are automated drones, great! they'll rely on electronic methods to land heavy damage. If they're manned, fine, they'll dumbfire on us for a bit, and we'll shut off ECM in order to put more energy towards our Personal Defense Screen or other such systems.
    Following this same argument, I'm really tempted to remove ECCM from the "non-essential" list, as it may be helpful if we need to cut through any ECM they may have.
    Finally... Can I get "Tactical Defense Screen" defined? Is it a defense screen (Spray of defensive shells and such) Towards a particular location deemed to be "Tactically Important". Such as, using a hail of bullets to protect an important building from missile fire?

    EDIT: Changed my vote again, to reflect a better understanding of the information.
     
    Last edited:
    chathsuaco said:
    So, reasoning behind slimming down the selections is that we need to set only the critical things, as critical. We have no need to set damage control system as a critical process because at the moment the fight starts, and until we take significant damage, we don't need our damage control system to get full power. Similarly, even if they've scanned us, ECM includes things that will make their target tracking more difficult. If these are automated drones, great! they'll rely on electronic methods to land heavy damage. If they're manned, fine, they'll dumbfire on us for a bit, and we'll shut off ECM in order to put more energy towards our Personal Defense Screen or other such systems.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    ECM suites use holograms, optical camouflage, and other tricks to spoof visually targeted weapons. Dumbfire will not help them.

    chathsuaco said:
    Finally... Can I get "Tactical Defense Screen" defined? Is it a defense screen (Spray of defensive shells and such) Towards a particular location deemed to be "Tactically Important". Such as, using a hail of bullets to protect an important building from missile fire?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Rolling for data corruption...

    EDIT: Alright, looks like today's your lucky day.

    ​
    Kaelor threw 1 100-faced dice. Reason: Data corruption Total: 81
    81 81
     
    Last edited:
    Technical Information: Tactical Defense Screen
  • Threadmarks
    • ++ Accessing equipment profile: Tactical Defense Screen ++​

    Tactical Defense Screens project a large energy dome around the unit that generates them. The dome is comprised of the same sort of energy latex as a Personal Defense Screen, and the two technologies function in much the same way. While a Personal Defense Screen can only provide protection for the unit that generates it, a Tactical Defense Screen is large enough to provide protection for everything within the dome.

    Due to the massive size and power requirements for this system, it is rare to see them deployed by anything other than dedicated shield vehicles. Fortresses and Mega-class vehicles are equipped with them as a matter of course, however, as their huge bulks require Tactical-scale projection systems merely to generate a Personal Defense Screen.

    Tactical Defense Screens are often used in tandem with Personal Defense Screens to create a layered defense. In this way, even if the Tactical Defense Screen is brought down the units inside will still be protected by their Personal Screens. The size of a Tactical Defense Screen is dependent on the amount of power available. For example, at maximum charge, an Eternal Odyssey Strategic Assault Platform can generate fields with a radius of around ten kilometers.

    The Absolute Denial Field generated by the Immortal Aegis Continental Supremacy Unit is a related technology that represents a significant improvement to the basic design. Instead of creating the standard 'shield bubble', it-

    ++ Error. Record corrupt. Recovery impossible. Database session will now terminate. ++​
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Kaelor said:
    Tactical Defense Screens are often used in tandem with Personal Defense Screens to create a layered defense. In this way, even if the Tactical Defense Screen is brought down the units inside will still be protected by their Personal Screens. The size of a Tactical Defense Screen is dependent on the amount of power available. For example, at maximum charge, an Eternal Odyssey Strategic Assault Platform can generate fields with a radius of around ten kilometers.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...

    LIteral force fields... I couldn't be happier...
    So this means that we should be using the Tactical Defense Screen, rather than the Personal Defense Screen. I guess it comes down to a matter of style, though... One single defensive bubble, or several smaller bubbles?
    EDIT: OR! leave neither as a "Critical" or "non-essential" function, and let power freely flow between them, telling our AI to focus the Tactical Defense Screen (TDS For brevity) until it becomes inoperable, then focus our Personal Defense Screen (PDS For brevity) in order to secure key points. I guess it comes down to how much we think our AI can handle at this moment.
    Trying to start conversation with a headache is a bad idea.
     
    Last edited:
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