009: Talking Turkey at the Bartizan

[terrymixon]

A nudge please for the hard of understanding is this T'lia and Prerna... or is one of them Polly... or someone else?

T'lia and Prerna, though if Polly--or anyone else--wants to toss something in, they are welcome to.

Prerna blinked and glanced at T'Lia before addressing the doctor. "Um, I don't have anything to fabricate, except maybe my heavy gauss rifle. I like the scout battle dress and the advanced troop vehicle, though."

Maybe T'Lia has something?

Roscoe did ask them to bring something.

"You are welcome to test the battle dress," Roscoe said. "And you can go with Colonel Cross in the G/Carrier if you like. I can make more of the gauss rifles if you don't mind. You'll be able to see how they are all exactly like yours, scratches and all."

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

[helvorn]

Dzofin examines the grav bike with extreme enthusiasm. As the two larger vehicles are taken out for a test drive he speaks up. "Doctor Metz, can I take the bike for a spin?"

[joertexas]

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

[terrymixon]

Dzofin examines the grav bike with extreme enthusiasm. As the two larger vehicles are taken out for a test drive he speaks up. "Doctor Metz, can I take the bike for a spin?"

"You certainly may. Keep in mind that this will shunt the airflow around you, but it is still capable of reaching just below the speed of sound. Keep your extremities out of the airstream or it might rip them off or pull you off the bike. I’ve heard your people are daring, so I must add that as long as you don't lose control or interact with the airstream, you will be fine, but I am not responsible for crazy stunts and their outcome."

You have the stats, and I'll let you describe what you do.

[terrymixon]

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

"I would need to spend a little time at a console with my design software, but yes. I'll set my computer to doing the work and look over the results when it is completed. It won't take long."

I'll need the current stats on it.

[joertexas]

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

"I would need to spend a little time at a console with my design software, but yes. I'll set my computer to doing the work and look over the results when it is completed. It won't take long."

I'll need the current stats on it.

TL-11 12.7x63.5mm heavy gauss rifle
2500m/sec muzzle velocity
Short range: 584m with electronic/laser sights and a bipod (extreme range is 8x that, I think, so 4673m)
Muzzle energy: 50275 joules, or 37,000 lb-ft (holy crap!)
30-round magazine
single shot or 3-round burst
loaded weight - 9.6kg
Length: 85cm
gyro compensator and shock absorbing stock, but still wicked recoil (3, 4 for burst mode)
Cr 3660
ammo: Cr.66/rd
mag wt: .81kg
Yep, it's 50 caliber, but, interestingly, the projectile is only 248 grains from the rules, compared to 335 grains for the 50 BMG. I interpret that as the gauss projectile uses a ceramic shell with a superdense core to keep it from melting at 8000 fps (compared to the 220 Swift, which runs at about 4600 fps).

In use, that means the gauss round can hit a target at extreme range in about two seconds' flight time. That means there is a lot less time for environmental factors to affect the point of aim. In standard gravity and atmosphere, the bullet will arrive at its extreme range in 2.28 seconds, with a drop of 35ft, velocity of 5400fps, and 16,000lb-ft of remaining energy. A 10mph direct crosswind will move the bullet 71in off at that range.

[terrymixon]

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

"I would need to spend a little time at a console with my design software, but yes. I'll set my computer to doing the work and look over the results when it is completed. It won't take long."

I'll need the current stats on it.

TL-11 12.7x63.5mm heavy gauss rifle
2500m/sec muzzle velocity
Short range: 584m with electronic/laser sights and a bipod (extreme range is 8x that, I think, so 4673m)
Muzzle energy: 50275 joules, or 37,000 lb-ft (holy crap!)
30-round magazine
single shot or 3-round burst
loaded weight - 9.6kg
Length: 85cm
gyro compensator and shock absorbing stock, but still wicked recoil (3, 4 for burst mode)
Cr 3660
ammo: Cr.66/rd
mag wt: .81kg
Yep, it's 50 caliber, but, interestingly, the projectile is only 248 grains from the rules, compared to 335 grains for the 50 BMG. I interpret that as the gauss projectile uses a ceramic shell with a superdense core to keep it from melting at 8000 fps (compared to the 220 Swift, which runs at about 4600 fps).

In use, that means the gauss round can hit a target at extreme range in about two seconds' flight time. That means there is a lot less time for environmental factors to affect the point of aim. In standard gravity and atmosphere, the bullet will arrive at its extreme range in 2.28 seconds, with a drop of 35ft, velocity of 5400fps, and 16,000lb-ft of remaining energy. A 10mph direct crosswind will move the bullet 71in off at that range.

As a reloader, I'm quite familiar with different bullet weights and how that can affect things. For example, the lighter bullet weight could mean a ceramic coating but could also mean a shorter bullet. In this case, your interpretation sounds logical, so I'll run with that.

Where is this sourced from?

I'm inclined to say that Metz can reduce the weight by 20% and increase the range by the same amount. He will update the optics to give a DM+5.

Realistically, less weight should mean more recoil, but this is Metz. He will replace the stock components with a grav plate to eliminate 90% of the recoil. It has a replaceable battery good for 300 shots. Without it, the ferocious recoil is even worse.

I don't see damage, but he could bump it by 2D.

[Tiglath]

Skeet / Metz

He looked back at Skeet. "Feeling adventurous, Colonel? Let's go for a spin."

Skeet eyes the red sport grav and growls "Come to Daddy!" Expertly orienting himself at the controls (and appearing to be surprisingly familiar with a TL 16 cockpit) he holds the vehicle at the hover as he winks at Frank and grins saying "Sorry, not sorry in advance". He then calls Bartizan Air Traffic "Tower this is Ghostrider requesting a fly by". The reply comes back "Negative, Ghostrider the pattern is full". Skeet chuckles and says "Well, we'll see about that" he asides to Metz "You may want to buckle up".

The vehicle demonstrates its astonishing acceleration becoming a red blur. Skeet enjoys himself at one point flying through the fortress' (inverted) superstructure. Metz enjoys himself if he likes "fast" and "near death"... or, if he's loaded plenty of pilot skill, appreciates expert piloting.

[Tiglath]

Prerna, T'lia Metz

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

Both very interested and appreciative of the vehicles on display T'lia approaches Prerna and Metz and says "I'll have whatever she's having. If you can duplicate this it would be useful but I really don't need any more than a spare". She hefts a heavy gaussrifle which is the non identical twin to Prerna's having bespoke grips and butt (likely tailored to the shooter).

[shaidar]

Frank Cross

Frank smiles as Skeet takes Metz for a little trip. Frank decides to take the carrier out over the sea, away from traffic, and put it to the test with some high and low altitude manoeuvres.

[Tiglath]

All

Weather update the sea fret has now boiled off (taking with it the worst of the atmospheric taint) for those who prefer flying per the Mk 1 Eyeball.

An Weapons Tech crew arrive in a 4DC "Grunt Class" IFV familiar to SEMC and unload and set up range facilities for "plinking" out to sea from the rim of the flight deck. The 4DC arsenal is on hand for comparison with Metz's upgrade gear.
This includes gaussrifles, "gatling" laser rifles, a sniper variant laser, RAM autogrenade launchers and FGMP 15. Skeet adds his own rifle to the "show and tell". He describes it as a "heavy rifle" for use with battledress being effectively a 20mm electric action gyrostabilised autocannon firing 20 round magazines.

Styx and Lethe put in another appearance as "facilitators" for any who want to try slug throwers/sidearms plus two 4DC high energy weapon instructors for the fusion and laser weapons.

[Tiglath]

Walt Metz Roscoe Tourmaline

Walt leans over to Tourmaline and whispers:

”I doubt the fabricator can repair your, em, item. But I bet Metz, Roscoe, and Bianca can figure out how to patch the leak. It may involve Fabrication…it may not.

If anyone can do it, it’s them. If you stay after, I’ll get them working on it. Let me introduce you. ”

She replies laconically "That would be useful".

She greets Roscoe with a crushing handshake looking him straight in the eye. Metz, once introduced as a scientist, and Bianca get warm smiles

[Tiglath]

Skeet to Metz and the Company (Apologies for slightly getting ahead but I'm going out...).

Skeet now testing battle dress addresses Metz "Doctor Metz a mind like mine confronted with your great discoveries immediately sets to... trying to work out how to protect humanity from... well... people like me. I'll remind everyone that we are outside of Imperial borders for this next piece but I'll ask for the same professional discretion you requested of me. Your fabricator means instant hardware, losses replaced at a stroke and hiring mercs is logical as a training cadre for your virgin worlds' Planetary Defence Forces but do you really need us as a fighting force when you can print battalions to order? Now operating warbots is illegal but I have a friend who might own a platoon of local build that are functional but no doubt laughably basic compared to your attack drone". He indicates Metz vehicle with no crew provision "If you put your mind to improving those would you ever need soldiers once we have you set up?"

(OOC: Perhaps dependent on whether Metz is still speaking to him after the sports grav ride but Metz built the thing and in Red and so Skeet assumed he liked things that "go faster"... ).

[terrymixon]

As an aside before we move too far along, one the vehicles are taken out, there are a few more surprises revealed against the far bulkhead. One large drone (just over 50 tons) and five smaller ones ranging from 2 tons to just over 5 tones. All are obviously weapons platforms, and the big one has the biggest, nastiest looking fusion weapon (based on the barrel size) that anyone has seen on a mobile platform.

[terrymixon]

Skeet / Metz

He looked back at Skeet. "Feeling adventurous, Colonel? Let's go for a spin."

Skeet eyes the red sport grav and growls "Come to Daddy!" Expertly orienting himself at the controls (and appearing to be surprisingly familiar with a TL 16 cockpit) he holds the vehicle at the hover as he winks at Frank and grins saying "Sorry, not sorry in advance". He then calls Bartizan Air Traffic "Tower this is Ghostrider requesting a fly by". The reply comes back "Negative, Ghostrider the pattern is full". Skeet chuckles and says "Well, we'll see about that" he asides to Metz "You may want to buckle up".

The vehicle demonstrates its astonishing acceleration becoming a red blur. Skeet enjoys himself at one point flying through the fortress' (inverted) superstructure. Metz enjoys himself if he likes "fast" and "near death"... or, if he's loaded plenty of pilot skill, appreciates expert piloting.

Metz was ill-prepared and hung on for dear life. The vehicle exceeds Skeet's conception of what a vehicle like this could do. Metz will tell him that the less ostentatious military style vehicle in this for has the same performance, but not the expensive styling. In between trying not to barf.

[terrymixon]

Prerna, T'lia Metz

It takes three minutes to make a pattern and three more to fabricate a dozen heavy gauss rifles that are identical down to the smallest bit to the original.

Prerna picked up one of the rifles and examined it closely. "Can you update the tech on this like you did with the vehicles?"

Both very interested and appreciative of the vehicles on display T'lia approaches Prerna and Metz and says "I'll have whatever she's having. If you can duplicate this it would be useful but I really don't need any more than a spare". She hefts a heavy gaussrifle which is the non identical twin to Prerna's having bespoke grips and butt (likely tailored to the shooter).

He will do as she asks, updating it to the same tech standards now that he has them dialed in.

[terrymixon]

Walt Metz Roscoe Tourmaline

Walt leans over to Tourmaline and whispers:

”I doubt the fabricator can repair your, em, item. But I bet Metz, Roscoe, and Bianca can figure out how to patch the leak. It may involve Fabrication…it may not.

If anyone can do it, it’s them. If you stay after, I’ll get them working on it. Let me introduce you. ”

She replies laconically "That would be useful".

She greets Roscoe with a crushing handshake looking him straight in the eye. Metz, once introduced as a scientist, and Bianca get warm smiles

For this, Metz will use his main fabricator (Bilis). He will have her scan it to try and determine its function before doing anything.



Only if she feels comfortable will he get her to repair if possible or fill in the crack if not.

[terrymixon]

Skeet to Metz and the Company (Apologies for slightly getting ahead but I'm going out...).

Skeet now testing battle dress addresses Metz "Doctor Metz a mind like mine confronted with your great discoveries immediately sets to... trying to work out how to protect humanity from... well... people like me. I'll remind everyone that we are outside of Imperial borders for this next piece but I'll ask for the same professional discretion you requested of me. Your fabricator means instant hardware, losses replaced at a stroke and hiring mercs is logical as a training cadre for your virgin worlds' Planetary Defence Forces but do you really need us as a fighting force when you can print battalions to order? Now operating warbots is illegal but I have a friend who might own a platoon of local build that are functional but no doubt laughably basic compared to your attack drone". He indicates Metz vehicle with no crew provision "If you put your mind to improving those would you ever need soldiers once we have you set up?"

(OOC: Perhaps dependent on whether Metz is still speaking to him after the sports grav ride but Metz built the thing and in Red and so Skeet assumed he liked things that "go faster"... ).

The TL16 battledress is very much like its TL15 forbearer, just a little tougher, a little more capable, and with a bit more room for add-ons. Definitely an incremental improvement here rather than a big step.

"As you can see from the drones I made, I am not averse to having warbots, but I firmly believe that sophants should be in control and the bots are only tools to help them. I don't want to see a people reliant on mechanical devices for their defense. I want to see them do so themselves, though it is fine with me if there are powerful robots standing by to assist. Will we need soldiers? Yes, because we will be a nation of people, not machines."

Then he smiled. "The tank has a swarm controller console and can operate the warbots remotely. You should use them against targets to see how well the perform under human direction."

[terrymixon]

Frank Cross

Frank smiles as Skeet takes Metz for a little trip. Frank decides to take the carrier out over the sea, away from traffic, and put it to the test with some high and low altitude manoeuvres.

When you put it to the test with difficult maneuvers, it responds well and, on the whole, seems very capable. The real test is when it gets shot at by someone determined to destroy it, and a warrior like Frank knows that.

[terrymixon]

All

Weather update the sea fret has now boiled off (taking with it the worst of the atmospheric taint) for those who prefer flying per the Mk 1 Eyeball.

An Weapons Tech crew arrive in a 4DC "Grunt Class" IFV familiar to SEMC and unload and set up range facilities for "plinking" out to sea from the rim of the flight deck. The 4DC arsenal is on hand for comparison with Metz's upgrade gear.
This includes gaussrifles, "gatling" laser rifles, a sniper variant laser, RAM autogrenade launchers and FGMP 15. Skeet adds his own rifle to the "show and tell". He describes it as a "heavy rifle" for use with battledress being effectively a 20mm electric action gyrostabilised autocannon firing 20 round magazines.

Styx and Lethe put in another appearance as "facilitators" for any who want to try slug throwers/sidearms plus two 4DC high energy weapon instructors for the fusion and laser weapons.

Roscoe will try the weapons with interest. He is surprisingly good with them for an amateur, but not more than that.

Ciencia and Aster will again try, doing marginally better than the night before.

Metz will decline but make an offer of his own. "Perhaps we could put the vehicles on internal control and have them make runs at us. They would make excellent targets, and their durability needs to be put to the test, as well as their stealth functionality and evasive capabilities. They will not return fire if instructed to be good little targets."

I'll let Tiglath handle that as I am not as familiar with the rules, and he has the stats.