Remove ads

Super Robot Quest G

Reader mode
Koguyra said:
It'd probably lose out on some agility but in turn it might allow for ridiculous ramming attacks through stuff that'd down a Seeker like the Pterawings.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
Just have the Rotary wings collapse into maneuverable turbo jets upon completing the combination. The initial form is low-energy high efficiency transport and the combined form is a high octane fuel guzzler for insane performance in midair
 
And with enough bulk to essentially be a rocket boosted rhino that isn't afraid to get down and dirty at knife range so it's lacking the relative frailty of a regular fighter plane.
 
storysmith112358 said:
So remind me, is Ichiro basically in line for getting two form upgrades this cycle, in the form of two separate Sledders? A standard power booster pack from Lana and the Mega Blaster support pack from the Duo?
Would he potentially be able to use both at once, like the Beowulf's units? (Might need a while to retool...
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

So he's received one - the armor/power augmentation. The blaster mode he doesn't get till next turn.

And he might be able to use both simultaneously, but right now the Duo aren't sure how it'll actually shake out just yet.
 
Basarin said:
And he might be able to use both simultaneously, but right now the Duo aren't sure how it'll actually shake out just yet.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...
In other words, his ability to use both at once without further work depends on how we roll next turn?

Though I expect that even if they can't initially be used simultaneously, we'll be able to research a "compatibility patch" (for lack of a better term) later, like we did for Beowulf.
 
Rolls will come tomorrow.

Till then, an observation: assembling Gunpla and listening to podcasts is a remarkably peaceful way to pass the time. High Grade is a bit fiddly to pose when you're done, though.
 
Remove ads
February, Year Four - SCIENCE! Rolls
  • Informational
    • -Dr. Sam Carlson - 0/2 Projects Assigned
    - ESP Theory - Transmutation Research
    -- Integration into Weapons Systems
    - ESP Theory
    -- Psychic Theater Integration with Crocalisk Scale/Pterawing
    - Dr. Maximiliane Brand - 0/2 Projects Assigned
    - Refinement - Empathic Booster
    -- Remote Applicability?
    - Faedium Crystalline Structures
    -- C-Crystal Refinement. Can Faedium Block Engines create subordinate Crystals connected to the larger power source as well?
    -SCAI-01 'Ivana' - 0/2 Projects Assigned
    - Experimentation - Crocalisk-class Scale Sample
    -- Adapt it to fit the needs of the Funnel project, as a weapon delivery system
    - Experimentation - Pterawing-class Wing Sample
    -- Adapted to fit the needs of the Funnel Project, as a weapon delivery system
    -Zulu - 1/2 Projects Assigned
    - Energy Blaster Standardization / Crystal Matrices
    - Dispersion 'Zone'
    -- Applied to a Shield?
    -Dr. Mary McCullough - 1/2 Projects Assigned
    - Energy Blaster Standardization / Crystal Matrices
    - Faedium Crystalline Structures - C-Crystal Refinement. Can Faedium Block Engines create subordinate Crystals connected to the larger
    -AI-01 'Katarina' - 0/2 Projects Assigned
    - Special Project: Orion Project
    -- Can we use this with our own stuff instead?
    - Experimentation - K-Lung
    -- Empathic Booster Compatibility
    -AI-02 'Melinda' - 0/2 Projects Assigned
    - Experimentation - K-Fang
    -- Integration with Crocalisk Scale for disposable hardened munitions?
    - Experimentation - K-Scale
    -- Shield Effects? Compatibility with Dispersion Field, perhaps?

    Dr. Sam Carlson
    - ESP Transmutation + Weapons Systems = ? : 5, 5, 4
    - Psychic Theater Integration with augment systems (Scale, Wing): 1, 1, 1

    Sam's had a bit of a mixed month. On the one hand, his department's understanding of the ESP Transmutation Effect (he's workshopping a snappier name - it's all about the branding, apparently) has developed far enough that he's confident he can develop things further than just pure chance and 'dramatic effect.'

    On the other hand, incorporating relatively inert augment systems like the Scales or the Wings is not really going anywhere. Apparently some systems are, for lack of a better term, relatively 'deaf,' and require more direct attention from a single MMI system.


    Dr. Maximiliane Brand
    - Refinement of Empathic Booster (Remote Applications?): 3, 3, 5
    - Faedium C-Crystals?: See Mary's Section

    Max has concluded that the Empathic Booster's range, at least as you know it right now, is very short. "A Megas's arm's length" is the best she could describe it. But given the idea that it had a maximum range never came up until now, she's relatively glad you all are aware of it.


    SCAI-01 Ivanna
    - Crocalisk Scale Funnels: 1, 1, 6
    - Pterawing Wing Funnels: 6, 6, 2

    According to Ivanna, Jiro was onto something when it came to using the Pterawing samples as impromptu guidance systems. Both efforts are now effectively feeding into each other, and Jiro's efforts next month will have something more substantial to work with for his prototype.

    The Scales are proving to be a bit more fiddly, but there is real potential as both the delivery mechanism and the barest of room to add a few augment sensors. Jiro will be experimenting with it as well next month.


    Zulu
    - Dispersion Shield?: 6, 6, 5

    When you asked Zulu to see if there was a more viable method of incorporating the Dispersion effect onto a shield, you didn't expect him to come up with this.

    He didn't just come up with the shield, he thinks he's found a way to improve on the initial 'daisy chain' method. More intensive in labor and power draw, but one that might not even need the shield (though it's a nice addition).


    Dr. Mary McCullough
    - Energy Blaster Standardization (locked with Zulu): 6, 5, 2
    - Faedium C-Crystals? (locked with Max - due to overlocking specialties I'll grant a +d6): 5, 1, 5, 5

    Mary has had a productive month.

    The standardized Blaster Cells are now complete - and the Golems have already begun helping to stress test them. Coincidentally, Hotwire and Cavalier have been hanging around a lot more...

    Meanwhile, the Regent has shown to be very intrigued by the Faedium structures, and has also weighed in on seeing if skipping the fabrication portion could imbue more power into a C-Crystal. Mary and Max are hard at work coming to grips with the significance behind it, but they promise results soon. (One Month Remaining)


    AI-01 Katarina
    - Orion Booster Viability: 2, 1, 1
    - Empathic Booster + K-Lung?: 2, 3, 4

    Katarina has had a bit of a frustrating month. Looking at the historical plans for 'Project Orion,' she concluded that nothing you have would make this work. The Fulgur team, on the other hand, might have the raw explosive power to make it work...

    Simulated tests of the Empathic Booster with the K-Lung are a bit more promising. So far, it can prolong the supply of whatever fuel or ammunition is present, but it still cannot create something out of nothing. (Research Option unlocked next turn)


    AI-02 Melinda
    - Crocalisk Scale Muntions Pods with K-Fang Munitions: 3, 5, 5
    - K-Scale Shield: 6, 5, 1

    Melinda's first real projects begin rather smoothly. Taking some notes from Jiro's and Ivanna's efforts, she leans more into using Jiro's earlier forays into blaster technology via short-life power cells designed to be discarded after a single use - and the Scales seem to hold it relatively well, assuming you don't try to strap an engine onto them. (One Turn Remaining)

    She's also rather surprised no one has tried just making a shield out of K-Scale. She's been going through a few models based on different chassis (a Shield is going to look differently for Beowulf as opposed to, say, Ichiro) but the idea is incredibly straightforward.
     
  • Informational
    • Orion Project stuff is disappointing, but giving it to the Getter Robo expies along with a Pterawing cape is very attractive just the same.
     
    Honestly, I'm really curious about all the reactions a certain species is going to have when they find out it was a Drone which developed breakthrough after breakthrough on an extremely effective, if dead-ended before that promise seemingly paid off, technology...

    Oh and there's also the Faedium Crystal things where we're making an intelligence from another civilisation go "How the fuck have you managed to refine one of our most advanced technologies in months without even actually having worked out what that technology really is yet?"
     
    Remove ads
    February, Year Four: SCIENCE! Results
  • Threadmarks
    • Sam Carlson

    ESP Transmutation w/Weapons Systems

    Sam seems pretty confident in his abilities to try for this particular angle. Even so, he's keeping this very, very basic to begin with, with technologies you possess that your pilots vigorously tested in combat conditions.

    To start: the Arc Blade and the Arc Cannon are serving as control tests.

    Even with plans in the works to eventually thoroughly remodel both weapons with K-Fang Materials or other augmentations (such as, say, Zirvitium, if the engineers can learn how to sharpen it), using the basic form of the weapons will be a good test to see if this idea has legs to it or not. And thankfully, initial testing proves that it just might.

    After some modifications to the MMI unit on the test Beowulf stand-in, one of the test pilots was able to ever so slightly change the composition of the alloys of the Arc Blade. It didn't last very long - at most, it lasted for maybe three to four seconds of realtime (it's explained that time dilation sometimes is a 'thing' from the pilot's perspective, and combat stress does do interesting things to your perception) when ideally it needs to last about fifteen at least to land the Spark Caliber's finishing strikes. But all the same, it allows for more electric power to flow through the blade.

    Similar results came about from the Arc Cannon. Here, it is slightly less of an issue, as the moment the properties of the cannon's rail change, the Super Robot just needs to pull the trigger for greater velocities of firing. The same issue results from the Spark Caliber, however - the affected changes just do not allow for the changes to last beyond a few seconds. In some of the more catastrophic tests, the properties were warped enough that the Arc Cannon used for testing simply collapsed on itself (thankfully your corps of engineers had UXO specialists, though you're sure none of them had ever quite gone through a defusing like this).

    In short: it works. But longevity is an issue. One that Sam thinks he might have a solution for, but it's going to require a lot more combined brainpower in all respects.

    New SCIENCE! Option unlocked - Cooperative Venture with Max


    Psychic Theater Integration w/Augment Systems (Wings, Scales)

    On this test, however, Sam has a definitive 'no' for you.

    The original intent of this was to see if the combined power of the Psychic Theater could automate some of the features of the augment systems. K-Scale (including the Mesh), the leather wings of the Pterawings, and as such.

    The answer is a resounding no. And the reason for this makes your head hurt thinking about it, especially since the principles governing K-Class area already extremely specific and sometimes self-contradicting as it is. But the way Sam explains it to you is that while certain systems are receptive to being handled by psychic signals (the entire purpose of the Transmutation, for example), some other systems are, for lack of a better word, psionically 'deaf.'

    In short: these systems have to be controlled or installed manually through 'traditional' computer systems. Now, the MMI by extension can do some of that, but you're not going to get anything fancy from this line of inquiry unfortunately.


    Dr. Maximiliane Brand

    Refinement of Empathic Booster

    "The range goes as far as a Megas's arm's length."

    That's the executive summary you get from Max when she reports in on her progress towards letting the Empathic Booster trigger some remote applications. Even with what sounds like a relative failure to you, Max doesn't see it that way - from her perspective, this has given her a much better idea of what the Booster is and how it works, even more than when they were trying to establish the fundamentals behind it.

    The Empathic Booster, she's learned, is a spike in psychic wave broadcast intensity. Though the Regency would not have put it that way (you're not sure Varulne ever pursued that particular line of thinking - for all you know they got it working through entirely different means with similar ends), the psychic waves intensify in accordance with the emotion being focused on. And that, in turn, carries power that the MMI can work with through specific applications.

    Such as, say, Transmutation.

    Sam and Max both came to similar conclusions apparently, and they have a specific idea of how they can make this work, at least for Finishing Strikes.

    New SCIENCE! Option unlocked - Cooperative Venture with Sam


    SCAI-01 Ivanna

    Funnels: Crocalisk Scales and Pterawing Leather

    Ivanna's efforts have been through a few scale models and an intensive marathon run of supercomputer simulations. Her efforts are made slightly easier thanks to Jiro having already started on his own efforts - she doubts she's going to come up with the solution on her lonesome, but she can at least feed Jiro some data that will make his job of bringing this project to life easier.

    The Crocalisk Scales haven't worked out all that well for large scale projects - but for a simple self-contained delivery mechanism, there's surprisingly little issue with it. It's not exactly easy - most models come off as appearing vaguely egg-shaped, and it seems to resist more aerodynamic shapes. But it's incredibly lightweight, and has just enough room for one of Jiro's directional blasters and some basic rocket thruster units.

    Speaking of rocket thrusters, Ivanna draws from Jiro's lamented 'not rocket science' efforts to see what works and what doesn't when it comes to attaching the wings. Using the wings as directional guidance systems are proving to be rather inspired. The 'shell' has just enough room in theory for unfolding wire-frames with the Pterawing leather woven between them - Ivanna has taken note of birds' wing structure and ran some species' skeletal structures in the simulations as a test.

    She's already fed her data to Jiro, who should have an easier time finalizing the Funnels moving onwards.

    You did not roll spectacularly well for either, but collectively this will give Jiro a +1d6 for his rolls on this project next turn.


    Zulu

    Dispersion Shield

    There are times when Zulu seems exactly as he appears - a relatively straightforward and simple minded (but focused) Drone. But then there are days when you wonder just how many others like him there are in the Free Brother ranks - and if so, you wonder if your newborn Golems may become something similar.

    To whit: you tasked him with coming up with a more effective way to emit the Dispersion Field, with the suggestion that he use a basic shield as a battery and platform.

    Zulu then found said method, and decided that the shield was no longer enough.

    Thankfully, he understand that explaining everything in excruciating detail does you no good, so he breaks it down into much simpler terms, something he's been getting better at lately. Previous methods of the 'daisy chain' method were entirely analogue and relied on hardwiring everything together. The problem with that method was that Dispersion is incredibly fussy, and even a slight unalignment or nudge to the wiring could just render it no longer working. Even through a heavily armored layer or ten.

    So instead, he tried something else:

    'Spraying' the Dispersion into a rough shape through different projectors independent of each other. What this results in is a small, but consistent, Dispersion Field that will last for approximately five or so seconds.

    There are drawbacks to this: rather than the relatively instantaneous Dispersion that came from the 'detonator charges' method from before, the spray method requires some leadup. This means that once an enemy understands what's going on, the method somewhat telegraphs itself rather blatantly. And rather than the full body coverage that Bandit enjoyed, it will only cover a relatively small area (such as say, the Beowulf's torso).

    But it does work. Zulu doesn't even need the shield per se (though it is a very good platform for the spray method) - the engineers could theoretically mount it onto the forearm of a combined Super Robot.

    Dispersion Field understanding greatly increased.

    'Dispersion Spray' to be added to current technology tab.

    New Refit/Repair options available!


    Dr. Mary McCullough

    Faedium C-Crystals

    At this point, you think you've accepted that Earth has all sorts of mad Science that no other species was crazy enough to even consider.

    SCIENCE!

    Yes, that. Thank you.

    Part of it, you rationalize, is because from the other species you have seen, they don't seem to have the history of constantly being at war with themselves. Granted, that might not be strictly true with Varulne (the Regency still hasn't said one way or another), and Mekaen is dealing with its own internal struggles constantly from what Galbinus and the Legion tell you. But if they had to deal with full on total warfare, you're pretty sure they haven't had it in such recent back to back memories as humanity has. And warfare tends to give technological developments a kick up the butt.

    For example, Faedium. If the Union wasn't faced with a low simmering cocktail of existential threats, Mary's project might well have been scrapped or overlooked. But they also would have never considered an official answer to Mercury V or Valiant either. But those conditions do exist - and Faedium Crystals are rapidly becoming a mainstay of the DFRI's equipment due to just how useful it is (even if it can be temperamental if not handled correctly).

    The C-Crystals promise to become another mainstay - but now there is potential for it to synergize with Faedium. The Regency is aware of the theoretical methods to create crystalline batteries and power sources, but to its knowledge it admits it never has seen any species actively pursue it to a tangible state. It's actually quite curious - could the power and 'software' of the C-Crystals be transferred into the Faedium as a substitute for a vessel?

    Mary - and Max - are both working on it. Right now, they don't have too much to show - they're mostly coming up with varying different crystalline structures to see what works and what doesn't. But they should have something next month.

    One Month Remaining


    Standardized Blasters

    Mary and Zulu are finished with their project: packing an Energy Blaster's power into handheld Super Robot and Support weapons platforms.

    In the heady days when you just started, the Beowulf (at the time just a prototype Jackal) and the Timberwolf relied entirely on kinetic weapons based on your understandings of conventional human warfare. So primarily gunpowder and solid slug weaponry (albeit ones that had proven histories behind them). These weapons were never designed or meant to be held by humanoid hands - Wilde and Henry had to create super robot ergonomics for that. And while eventually you were able to uncover how Kausen Energy Blasts worked, those were restricted to heavy weapons packages and the turrets onboard the Pegasus.

    Now?

    Now those same handheld weapons carry Faedium 'bolts' that slide into the chamber from the rear of the weapon (more of a pistol than anything right now). An energy capacitor then draws power from the bolt, and then produces a scaled down, but consistent, blast of power. The effect is very similar to the 'laser bolts' of children's cartoons, and appear more like bright red, almost pink, tracer rounds (albeit larger). And while they do not pack the raw destructive power of the turret based counterparts, a direct hit is enough to scrap a Buckler, and do moderate damage to a production-model Centurion.

    Hotwire and Cavalier, coincidentally, have been hanging around much more. 'Expert advice' to give and all that. You're sure they're there because you've developed a new toy they can use, and are a: enjoying testing them, and b: coming up with evidence to bring back to Galbinus to get his take on it.

    They're also the first to really meet the Golems, an encounter that weirds them out a little even as they're testing the bolt blasters right alongside them in the Proving Grounds. "Valley of the uncanny," Cavalier admits to you. "...why do you have a valley called that, anyway?"

    Eh, close enough to get the gist of it.

    Handheld Energy Blasters developed! Name pending.

    New Engineering Options unlocked!


    AI-01 Katarina

    Orion Booster

    Katarina looked into it, but she cannot come up with a scenario with your existing technology base where this might be useful at present. "I don't think we have the raw power to cause enough explosions to power this," she explains.

    The Orion Booster was a theoretical idea created in the latter half of the twentieth century - create a rocket booster that created small nuclear detonations inside of a sealed frame to create propulsion. However, political and practical considerations canned the idea and ultimately it wasn't revisited. You're not exactly flush with nuclear power yourself, but there was the potential to try and use the power output of the C-Crystals or even Faedium to create the explosive power.

    While this didn't go anywhere for you, Katarina has a suggestion that you immediately pass on to Jenkins - "The Fulgur Particles could probably come up with the power needed for this, couldn't they?"


    Empathic Booster Testing: K-Lungs

    Additionally, the K-Lung is proving receptive to the Empathic Booster. However, it comes with a catch:

    While the K-Lung has remaining 'fuel' inside of it, the Empathic Booster can 'supercharge' the remaining fuel, almost similarly to how the Transmutation process worked with Sam's tests. However, there has to be existing fuel inside. It cannot violate this particular realm of physics (something that gives Ivanna some relief) and create something from nothing.

    But this does give Katarina ideas, which she'll have on your desk next month.

    New Science! Option unlocked next turn.


    AI-02 Melinda

    Crocalisk Scale 'Pods' w/K-Fang Munitions

    Melinda's first real job is thankfully already partially done thanks to Ivanna and Jiro. Aside from trying to fiddle with the Scale's physical structures in simulated tests, she then decided to go with the 'disposable' pods idea, which gave her more flexibility in testing. The Scales prove amenable to simply 'cracking' away midflight - rather than see that as a bug, Melinda treats it as a feature for her purposes, and as long as it remains upright and straight when the frontal shell cracks, that's good enough for her.

    K-Fang, on the other hand, is a bit trickier. Making munitions out of it according to the simulations isn't an issue - they seem to take decently well. The question is what kind to put in there. Melinda's first inclination is for a rocket cluster launcher, but she's doing more testing to see what works first.

    One Turn Remaining.


    K-Scale Shield

    "...uh. Boss? Are you sure no one's done this yet? At all? Really?...okay then!"

    Melinda's honestly surprised that no one's done this yet - so are you, for that matter, but time and energy are your main constraints, and you did focus on more advanced ideas than something so 'basic.'

    The original Sample Zero's K-Class Materials, to your lack of surprise, takes to becoming a shield very well. In fact, the ease in which it takes on a protective arm mounted shield gives Melinda time to experiment more with different models and angles - even a more permanent shield configuration for Perseus and the Phalanxes rather than their disposable model.

    In short, they work really well, and Melinda is happy to pass this on to the Engineers to refine further.

    K-Scale Shields now available!

    New Engineering Options unlocked!
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Finally, One step closer to the Space Battleship Yamato knock off that I've been wanting. Soon we will control space with our FU cannon. Name pending
     
    Frankly, I want to mix Dispersion Shield with K-Fang Shield, for mutual support.
     
    Surprised shield attachment took so long to make, basic Gundams had them, but now we got them and pilots can use them like tactical riot shields and such.
     
    We probably should go back and remake our Arc weapons soon. I mean, they still work fine, but they could be better, y'know? Personally, I'm not particularly satisfied with "good enough," we need to do it right.

    Not really seeing a particular need to name a mass-production weapon, personally (I mean, what's wrong with "handheld energy blasters?"), but I'll go with whatever the majority happens to be on that front. ...Bet Hotwire and Cav are both pestering Galbinus with "hey, the DFRI's got something really cool again, could you try to convince them to cut us in on it?" right now.

    I had the Crocalisk munitions pods pegged as our Claymore Launcher equivalent, but now it's looking more like the Split Missile. Still plenty useful, though! And it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to turn that into a mounted launcher like I'm wanting, though it'd probably work better if it's carried by a Combine Unit instead of directly installed on a Super Robot; those things would really get in the way of Configuration.

    ...How long does it take K-Lung to refuel? And related: Is there any manual action we need to take to refuel it?

    K-Scale shields are good already, but reusable K-Scale shields, especially with Dispersion Field reinforcement? I bet Perseus will love those.
     
    Reader mode
    You must login or register to reply here.
    Remove ads
    Back
    Top