009: Talking Turkey at the Bartizan

[terrymixon]

AFAIK standard imperial, so TL15? I'm sure Tiglath will correct me if I'm wrong. This is character history prior to the start of our game.

Imperial standard might mean TL13. That's far more common than TL15, which is top of the line. If TL13, these suits are notably better.

[Tiglath]

Where is this sourced from?

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

This is all from TNE's FFS rules.

Ball Ammo is 15D damage, HE and HEAP are 16D.

I just looked at it. The maths! They burn!

When handling high energy maths use the tongs!!!

[Tiglath]

AFAIK standard imperial, so TL15? I'm sure Tiglath will correct me if I'm wrong. This is character history prior to the start of our game.

Imperial standard might mean TL13. That's far more common than TL15, which is top of the line. If TL13, these suits are notably better.

All's in the eye of the beholder of course but for me Imperial standard (on the Marches border) is TL 14

High Imperial is TL 15

"Magic" is TL 16+

Collace rates TL 13 which is the peak for 268 (and about standard for average Aslan and (I think?) Outworld Vargr).

[terrymixon]

AFAIK standard imperial, so TL15? I'm sure Tiglath will correct me if I'm wrong. This is character history prior to the start of our game.

Imperial standard might mean TL13. That's far more common than TL15, which is top of the line. If TL13, these suits are notably better.

All's in the eye of the beholder of course but for me Imperial standard (on the Marches border) is TL 14

High Imperial is TL 15

"Magic" is TL 16+

Collace rates TL 13 which is the peak for 268 (and about standard for average Aslan and (I think?) Outworld Vargr).

So, these are a couple of notches better than what you trained on.

[Thumper]

After the engagement with the Merc groups and when finished with the discussion with Tourmaline about her focus medallion and training the partners in Telekinetics, Walt will investigate the PD Rings a little more.

He knows the rings don’t react negatively when in close proximity to each other as he and the crew have handed non-worn rings to each other with hands that wear rings. He himself wears one on each hand already.

He’ll hold a new PD Ring in his hand and assign it a PD entry and exit command word/trigger. Then he’ll place it on a table and lay an item on it so they touch and say or psionically project the command word and see what happens.

If that activated, He’ll do the same with two rings close to each other but not touching, then two rings touching.

If not contra-indicated, he’ll try activating a ring while holding it and an item in both hands and have them close … then test that again while touching. Then this test again with ring and item held in one hand but neither ring nor item making contact with his worn ring.

Eventually and based on what previously happened, . He’ll think about putting a ring on his left pinky (if not previously contra-indicated) and his current left ring on his first finger (as that is his less dexterous hand) and see what happens.

He has a working hypothesis that two rings touching when one is PD-Entry activated may pull the other in and cause a multi-dimensional problem. He will, therefore avoid activating a worn ring while it is touching another worn ring. Any activations of non-worn touching rings will take place outside of the ship but close enough for anyone injured to be rushed to Bilis or the autodoc and will not be worn.

[Tiglath]

Info Still playing catch up!

The bio linked thigh medi kits are TL 14 and can either be off the peg/standard with 4+ diagnostics or "attuned" to an individual (but no one else - unless reset) diagnosing on 2+ Cr 200,000. The SEMC operated variety have a full range of SuSAG top shelf pharma including medi drugs and the current upgrade of the SuSAG Universal Anti Toxin (which therefore includes their own poisons and nerve agents). The medi kits are also capable of individually preferenced dosing and delivering personally tailored pharma regimes.

In the event of serious (or cumulative) trauma the merc pharma loadout will stand you up and put you back in the fight soldier! i.e. injecting Combat Drug not Medi Slow. This may absolutely put you on "borrowed time". NB If he/she has a medical licence and wishes to retain it your personal physician could not recommend this course of treatment!

[shaidar]

Frank would have had his medikit unit reset to generic (with assistance from T'lia and Prerna who have medical training and are familiar with the devices) before it being put through the fabricator, then restored back to attuned afterwards.

[terrymixon]

After the engagement with the Merc groups and when finished with the discussion with Tourmaline about her focus medallion and training the partners in Telekinetics, Walt will investigate the PD Rings a little more.

He knows the rings don’t react negatively when in close proximity to each other as he and the crew have handed non-worn rings to each other with hands that wear rings. He himself wears one on each hand already.

He’ll hold a new PD Ring in his hand and assign it a PD entry and exit command word/trigger. Then he’ll place it on a table and lay an item on it so they touch and say or psionically project the command word and see what happens.

If that activated, He’ll do the same with two rings close to each other but not touching, then two rings touching.

If not contra-indicated, he’ll try activating a ring while holding it and an item in both hands and have them close … then test that again while touching. Then this test again with ring and item held in one hand but neither ring nor item making contact with his worn ring.

Eventually and based on what previously happened, . He’ll think about putting a ring on his left pinky (if not previously contra-indicated) and his current left ring on his first finger (as that is his less dexterous hand) and see what happens.

He has a working hypothesis that two rings touching when one is PD-Entry activated may pull the other in and cause a multi-dimensional problem. He will, therefore avoid activating a worn ring while it is touching another worn ring. Any activations of non-worn touching rings will take place outside of the ship but close enough for anyone injured to be rushed to Bilis or the autodoc and will not be worn.

[terrymixon]

Just kidding. I'll post on this in a bit.

[terrymixon]

After the engagement with the Merc groups and when finished with the discussion with Tourmaline about her focus medallion and training the partners in Telekinetics, Walt will investigate the PD Rings a little more.

He knows the rings don’t react negatively when in close proximity to each other as he and the crew have handed non-worn rings to each other with hands that wear rings. He himself wears one on each hand already.

He’ll hold a new PD Ring in his hand and assign it a PD entry and exit command word/trigger. Then he’ll place it on a table and lay an item on it so they touch and say or psionically project the command word and see what happens.

If that activated, He’ll do the same with two rings close to each other but not touching, then two rings touching.

If not contra-indicated, he’ll try activating a ring while holding it and an item in both hands and have them close … then test that again while touching. Then this test again with ring and item held in one hand but neither ring nor item making contact with his worn ring.

Eventually and based on what previously happened, . He’ll think about putting a ring on his left pinky (if not previously contra-indicated) and his current left ring on his first finger (as that is his less dexterous hand) and see what happens.

He has a working hypothesis that two rings touching when one is PD-Entry activated may pull the other in and cause a multi-dimensional problem. He will, therefore avoid activating a worn ring while it is touching another worn ring. Any activations of non-worn touching rings will take place outside of the ship but close enough for anyone injured to be rushed to Bilis or the autodoc and will not be worn.

He discovers that they will not function when in physical contact. A finger in between allows it to work, but it's hard thinking to a specific one to drop or store its contents with more than two. DM-1 for three. DM-2 for four. DM-4 for five. DM-8 for six. And so on.

[Thumper]

After the engagement with the Merc groups and when finished with the discussion with Tourmaline about her focus medallion and training the partners in Telekinetics, Walt will investigate the PD Rings a little more.

He knows the rings don’t react negatively when in close proximity to each other as he and the crew have handed non-worn rings to each other with hands that wear rings. He himself wears one on each hand already.

He’ll hold a new PD Ring in his hand and assign it a PD entry and exit command word/trigger. Then he’ll place it on a table and lay an item on it so they touch and say or psionically project the command word and see what happens.

If that activated, He’ll do the same with two rings close to each other but not touching, then two rings touching.

If not contra-indicated, he’ll try activating a ring while holding it and an item in both hands and have them close … then test that again while touching. Then this test again with ring and item held in one hand but neither ring nor item making contact with his worn ring.

Eventually and based on what previously happened, . He’ll think about putting a ring on his left pinky (if not previously contra-indicated) and his current left ring on his first finger (as that is his less dexterous hand) and see what happens.

He has a working hypothesis that two rings touching when one is PD-Entry activated may pull the other in and cause a multi-dimensional problem. He will, therefore avoid activating a worn ring while it is touching another worn ring. Any activations of non-worn touching rings will take place outside of the ship but close enough for anyone injured to be rushed to Bilis or the autodoc and will not be worn.

He discovers that they will not function when in physical contact. A finger in between allows it to work, but it's hard thinking to a specific one to drop or store its contents with more than two. DM-1 for three. DM-2 for four. DM-4 for five. DM-8 for six. And so on.

Cool!

Walt’s standard load out then will be:

Ancients Body Armor- in the form of street or formal clothes.

Left hand: 2 Rings- 1) Staff of Office and 2) Grav Static Sword

Right hand: either Grav Pistol or Fusion pistol depending on where he is and local tolerance/acceptability of Fusion Weapons.

This is, of course assuming these items are limited that enough to be kept in the pocket dimension.

Can rings get filled then removed and stored?

[terrymixon]

After the engagement with the Merc groups and when finished with the discussion with Tourmaline about her focus medallion and training the partners in Telekinetics, Walt will investigate the PD Rings a little more.

He knows the rings don’t react negatively when in close proximity to each other as he and the crew have handed non-worn rings to each other with hands that wear rings. He himself wears one on each hand already.

He’ll hold a new PD Ring in his hand and assign it a PD entry and exit command word/trigger. Then he’ll place it on a table and lay an item on it so they touch and say or psionically project the command word and see what happens.

If that activated, He’ll do the same with two rings close to each other but not touching, then two rings touching.

If not contra-indicated, he’ll try activating a ring while holding it and an item in both hands and have them close … then test that again while touching. Then this test again with ring and item held in one hand but neither ring nor item making contact with his worn ring.

Eventually and based on what previously happened, . He’ll think about putting a ring on his left pinky (if not previously contra-indicated) and his current left ring on his first finger (as that is his less dexterous hand) and see what happens.

He has a working hypothesis that two rings touching when one is PD-Entry activated may pull the other in and cause a multi-dimensional problem. He will, therefore avoid activating a worn ring while it is touching another worn ring. Any activations of non-worn touching rings will take place outside of the ship but close enough for anyone injured to be rushed to Bilis or the autodoc and will not be worn.

He discovers that they will not function when in physical contact. A finger in between allows it to work, but it's hard thinking to a specific one to drop or store its contents with more than two. DM-1 for three. DM-2 for four. DM-4 for five. DM-8 for six. And so on.

Cool!

Walt’s standard load out then will be:

Ancients Body Armor- in the form of street or formal clothes.

Left hand: 2 Rings- 1) Staff of Office and 2) Grav Static Sword

Right hand: either Grav Pistol or Fusion pistol depending on where he is and local tolerance/acceptability of Fusion Weapons.

This is, of course assuming these items are limited that enough to be kept in the pocket dimension.

Can rings get filled then removed and stored?

The gravity static sword masses more than the 4 kg limit, as does the gravity pistol.

Also, I'm pretty sure all places frown on fusion weapons.

[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.

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."

Skeet grins and says "Bring 'em on!" Turning to metz he says "Prof you're a genius an' you make a beautiful sports grav - even though you refused to accept that red ones go faster. But I'm wondering if you're a betting man? Now, my drinks cabinet has reached a sublime state of evolution as has my humidor. So I'll play 4DC... me and these two instructors against one of your tanks and the APC. If I win you replicate my booze collection and I get the sports grav. That very one and not the copy - I've fallen in love. Oh, and you service Mutley - that's not as bad as it sounds. Win or lose I'll throw you a maths problem - I think you like them". He claps his hands and rubs them together "A scenario's the best test. I happen to know the gun deck's vacant.. So, Imperial rules of war, no collateral damage and... every mission... should have a goal...".

Lethe says "No".

Skeet says "Rescue the Princess!" Then adds as an apparently irked aside "It's not "objectifying" if you're an actual objective - I looked it up!" Lethe throws a scowl at Skeet while Styx smoothly purrs "She could be tied up...".

[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."

Skeet grins and says "Bring 'em on!" Turning to metz he says "Prof you're a genius an' you make a beautiful sports grav - even though you refused to accept that red ones go faster. But I'm wondering if you're a betting man? Now, my drinks cabinet has reached a sublime state of evolution as has my humidor. So I'll play 4DC... me and these two instructors against one of your tanks and the APC. If I win you replicate my booze collection and I get the sports grav. That very one and not the copy - I've fallen in love. Oh, and you service Mutley - that's not as bad as it sounds. Win or lose I'll throw you a maths problem - I think you like them". He claps his hands and rubs them together "A scenario's the best test. I happen to know the gun deck's vacant.. So, Imperial rules of war, no collateral damage and... every mission... should have a goal...".

Lethe says "No".

Skeet says "Rescue the Princess!" Then adds as an apparently irked aside "It's not "objectifying" if you're an actual objective - I looked it up!" Lethe throws a scowl at Skeet while Styx smoothly purrs "She could be tied up...".

Metz raises an eyebrow. "Bianca has complete say over any servicing I do, but I'm fine with the bet. Honestly, I expect you to win. I can make robotic brains with skills, but I do not have expertise in this kind of thing. Still, to be fair, I would like to replicate one of your armored vehicles as a control--the default that the other two would be compared to--and I would install the same brain in it to make the test mean something. Yours would make the run first and then my two. We can recover the wreckage and rebuild them, so you won't be out a vehicle. As for math problems, I adore them.

"However, I want an exception to the Imperial rules of war. My vehicles come with 4 Heavy Recon Bots that are part and parcel of the machine. They have to be accounted for as well, and they will make their own attack runs. In exchange, I will put up Roscoe's quite extravagant and sublime collection of alcohol. Copies, of course. I'll even throw in a dinner party with him as the chef. He is exceptionally skilled in that area."

Then he eyed Ciencia. "And I agree to the princess being the goal, though she will have her guards. We have the four and they will maintain her safety."

She sniffed. "Only my husband gets to tie me up. And don't I get a say? If I participate, I want something out of the deal. Win or lose, I get to shoot one of the big guns on a tank. With oversight to make sure I don't destroy the wrong thing."

Metz tapped a finger against his chin. "You have some skill in remote operations, so how about you get to take the big drone against one of our tanks? You'd be giving the order and it would use its onboard skills. I really want to see it in action."

"Deal, if the Colonel agrees."

[joertexas]

I just looked at it. The maths! They burn!

Maybe these will help. The ship design workbook isn't fully complete, and the small arms workbook isn't mine.

[terrymixon]

I just looked at it. The maths! They burn!

Maybe these will help. The ship design workbook isn't fully complete, and the small arms workbook isn't mine.

Thanks!

[Tiglath]

All

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."

Skeet grins and says "Bring 'em on!" Turning to metz he says "Prof you're a genius an' you make a beautiful sports grav - even though you refused to accept that red ones go faster. But I'm wondering if you're a betting man? Now, my drinks cabinet has reached a sublime state of evolution as has my humidor. So I'll play 4DC... me and these two instructors against one of your tanks and the APC. If I win you replicate my booze collection and I get the sports grav. That very one and not the copy - I've fallen in love. Oh, and you service Mutley - that's not as bad as it sounds. Win or lose I'll throw you a maths problem - I think you like them". He claps his hands and rubs them together "A scenario's the best test. I happen to know the gun deck's vacant.. So, Imperial rules of war, no collateral damage and... every mission... should have a goal...".

Lethe says "No".

Skeet says "Rescue the Princess!" Then adds as an apparently irked aside "It's not "objectifying" if you're an actual objective - I looked it up!" Lethe throws a scowl at Skeet while Styx smoothly purrs "She could be tied up...".

Metz raises an eyebrow. "Bianca has complete say over any servicing I do, but I'm fine with the bet. Honestly, I expect you to win. I can make robotic brains with skills, but I do not have expertise in this kind of thing. Still, to be fair, I would like to replicate one of your armored vehicles as a control--the default that the other two would be compared to--and I would install the same brain in it to make the test mean something. Yours would make the run first and then my two. We can recover the wreckage and rebuild them, so you won't be out a vehicle. As for math problems, I adore them.

"However, I want an exception to the Imperial rules of war. My vehicles come with 4 Heavy Recon Bots that are part and parcel of the machine. They have to be accounted for as well, and they will make their own attack runs. In exchange, I will put up Roscoe's quite extravagant and sublime collection of alcohol. Copies, of course. I'll even throw in a dinner party with him as the chef. He is exceptionally skilled in that area."

Then he eyed Ciencia. "And I agree to the princess being the goal, though she will have her guards. We have the four and they will maintain her safety."

She sniffed. "Only my husband gets to tie me up. And don't I get a say? If I participate, I want something out of the deal. Win or lose, I get to shoot one of the big guns on a tank. With oversight to make sure I don't destroy the wrong thing."

Metz tapped a finger against his chin. "You have some skill in remote operations, so how about you get to take the big drone against one of our tanks? You'd be giving the order and it would use its onboard skills. I really want to see it in action."

"Deal, if the Colonel agrees."

Skeet replies "I'll put in one of my 4DC IFVs as my ante. It has a VRF gauss gun for point defence".

When Metz suggests Ciencia's involvement Skeet seems to baulk and disagrees "Whoa buddy - live fire exercise! And to be clear that's solely us live firing per your request and not your tanks! We'll provide Lethe as our stand in Princess. She's played that role before - just... a different kinda "Princess".

Styx overshares softly "She so likes being tied up".

Skeet continues "And no Imperial rules of war? Oh, you guys play hardball!" He glances at Ciencia with feigned surprise and a practiced roguish smile "You let them do that right in front of you? I mean those are your very own rules...". Turning back to Metz he says "So, before we start can I even assume collateral still counts for you guys - military targets only right? So just turning the place to glass is out. Oh and killing the principal is a mission kill - agreed?"

Skeet then turns back to Ciencia "Princess, I'll not have you standing in the middle of a "live fire" with the kit we're about to set off. However, I think that one dance tells me you're a girl who likes speed and who might just like grav bikes. So, what if I suggest you humour me and leave a space on your dance card for now and instead get astride an assault sled of mine that is effectively a three thousand kph grav bike made almost entirely of an RP B rapid pulse plasma cannon? I expect I can have one here before "EndEx" and the range is open".

[terrymixon]

All

Skeet grins and says "Bring 'em on!" Turning to metz he says "Prof you're a genius an' you make a beautiful sports grav - even though you refused to accept that red ones go faster. But I'm wondering if you're a betting man? Now, my drinks cabinet has reached a sublime state of evolution as has my humidor. So I'll play 4DC... me and these two instructors against one of your tanks and the APC. If I win you replicate my booze collection and I get the sports grav. That very one and not the copy - I've fallen in love. Oh, and you service Mutley - that's not as bad as it sounds. Win or lose I'll throw you a maths problem - I think you like them". He claps his hands and rubs them together "A scenario's the best test. I happen to know the gun deck's vacant.. So, Imperial rules of war, no collateral damage and... every mission... should have a goal...".

Lethe says "No".

Skeet says "Rescue the Princess!" Then adds as an apparently irked aside "It's not "objectifying" if you're an actual objective - I looked it up!" Lethe throws a scowl at Skeet while Styx smoothly purrs "She could be tied up...".

Metz raises an eyebrow. "Bianca has complete say over any servicing I do, but I'm fine with the bet. Honestly, I expect you to win. I can make robotic brains with skills, but I do not have expertise in this kind of thing. Still, to be fair, I would like to replicate one of your armored vehicles as a control--the default that the other two would be compared to--and I would install the same brain in it to make the test mean something. Yours would make the run first and then my two. We can recover the wreckage and rebuild them, so you won't be out a vehicle. As for math problems, I adore them.

"However, I want an exception to the Imperial rules of war. My vehicles come with 4 Heavy Recon Bots that are part and parcel of the machine. They have to be accounted for as well, and they will make their own attack runs. In exchange, I will put up Roscoe's quite extravagant and sublime collection of alcohol. Copies, of course. I'll even throw in a dinner party with him as the chef. He is exceptionally skilled in that area."

Then he eyed Ciencia. "And I agree to the princess being the goal, though she will have her guards. We have the four and they will maintain her safety."

She sniffed. "Only my husband gets to tie me up. And don't I get a say? If I participate, I want something out of the deal. Win or lose, I get to shoot one of the big guns on a tank. With oversight to make sure I don't destroy the wrong thing."

Metz tapped a finger against his chin. "You have some skill in remote operations, so how about you get to take the big drone against one of our tanks? You'd be giving the order and it would use its onboard skills. I really want to see it in action."

"Deal, if the Colonel agrees."

Skeet replies "I'll put in one of my 4DC IFVs as my ante. It has a VRF gauss gun for point defence".

"Agreed."

When Metz suggests Ciencia's involvement Skeet seems to baulk and disagrees "Whoa buddy - live fire exercise! And to be clear that's solely us live firing per your request and not your tanks! We'll provide Lethe as our stand in Princess. She's played that role before - just... a different kinda "Princess".

Styx overshares softly "She so likes being tied up".

"Ah. I misunderstood. Apologies."

Skeet continues "And no Imperial rules of war? Oh, you guys play hardball!" He glances at Ciencia with feigned surprise and a practiced roguish smile "You let them do that right in front of you? I mean those are your very own rules...". Turning back to Metz he says "So, before we start can I even assume collateral still counts for you guys - military targets only right? So just turning the place to glass is out. Oh and killing the principal is a mission kill - agreed?"

"I had assumed I wouldn't be allowed to use the fusion guns, and that is the primary armament. If you want to designate something to be blown up in the princess's---ah, Lethe's stead, I think that would work. It would certainly make for a heck of a show. Perhaps they can only fire at something in the water if they make it past the defenders? I don't want to put anyone into danger but we need to see the equipment at full power."

He looked as if he were struggling with something, and then stepped forward to speak so softly that only Skeet could hear. "The superior fabricator aboard my ship can make a pattern of anything and recreate it. Anything, and anyone. If you are concerned about injuries or death in this, we could create a pattern for your people. They would not have the memories from after the pattern was collected, but they would survive. My associates and I have an implant that continually back our memories up when close to the fabricator as well as when recovered from a body.

“We have already had to restore Walt once. You have my word I would delete the pattern once the need has passed. That is very secret information and I've been struggling with offering that as a 'life insurance policy' for those willing to pay but still haven't decided if that was a bridge too far.

"If you would like a demonstration, we could step into the ship, you could shoot me, and I would be back in 24 minutes. I have not died before—and I don’t want to—but I trust in my technology and will put my money where my mouth is. It's easier saying that after Walk died and was brought back to us."

Skeet then turns back to Ciencia "Princess, I'll not have you standing in the middle of a "live fire" with the kit we're about to set off. However, I think that one dance tells me you're a girl who likes speed and who might just like grav bikes. So, what if I suggest you leave a space on your dance card for now and instead get astride an assault sled that is effectively a three thousand kph grav bike made almost entirely of an RP B rapid pulse plasma cannon? I expect I can have one here before "EndEx" and the range is open".

"Done," she said instantly. "And where is our friend with the G/Bike? He's been gone a while."

"Still flying at suborbital speeds," Roscoe said. "He might not be back for a while."

[Tiglath]

All

He looked as if he were struggling with something, and then stepped forward to speak so softly that only Skeet could hear. "The superior fabricator aboard my ship can make a pattern of anything and recreate it. Anything, and anyone. If you are concerned about injuries or death in this, we could create a pattern for your people. They would not have the memories from after the pattern was collected, but they would survive. My associates and I have an implant that continually back our memories up when close to the fabricator as well as when recovered from a body.

“We have already had to restore Walt once. You have my word I would delete the pattern once the need has passed. That is very secret information and I've been struggling with offering that as a 'life insurance policy' for those willing to pay but still haven't decided if that was a bridge too far.

"If you would like a demonstration, we could step into the ship, you could shoot me, and I would be back in 24 minutes. I have not died before—and I don’t want to—but I trust in my technology and will put my money where my mouth is. It's easier saying that after Walk died and was brought back to us."

Skeet stares at Metz apparently reappraising him "You're a good man Professor. That's a rare enough find for me. I don't doubt you and I'll consider what you've said carefully but... in my line of work I'm pretty sure that it's the very fear of dying that keeps me sharp".

Skeet then turns back to Ciencia "Princess, I'll not have you standing in the middle of a "live fire" with the kit we're about to set off. However, I think that one dance tells me you're a girl who likes speed and who might just like grav bikes. So, what if I suggest you leave a space on your dance card for now and instead get astride an assault sled that is effectively a three thousand kph grav bike made almost entirely of an RP B rapid pulse plasma cannon? I expect I can have one here before "EndEx" and the range is open".

"Done," she said instantly. "And where is our friend with the G/Bike? He's been gone a while."

Skeet offers deadpan "If their ears get caught in the slipstream it can make them "zone out" for a bit".

While the preparations are under way all hear "Red Team inbound. You have "DOA Airlines" on finals, flight of three".

Three dagger shaped single seater gravs settle into landing nearby. The green ochre vehicles look like they resent stillness each long shape appears to be a grav tank's main armament... with a saddle. The pilots lie almost prone atop their mounts which are decorated with shark's teeth nose art over the muzzles of the rapid pulse cannon. One pilot has her(?) blond hair flowing free from the back of her flight helmet. The assault sleds have names behind their nose art "Canned Heat" and "It ain't Me" being visible as the flight of three settle to the ground.

[terrymixon]

All

He looked as if he were struggling with something, and then stepped forward to speak so softly that only Skeet could hear. "The superior fabricator aboard my ship can make a pattern of anything and recreate it. Anything, and anyone. If you are concerned about injuries or death in this, we could create a pattern for your people. They would not have the memories from after the pattern was collected, but they would survive. My associates and I have an implant that continually back our memories up when close to the fabricator as well as when recovered from a body.

“We have already had to restore Walt once. You have my word I would delete the pattern once the need has passed. That is very secret information and I've been struggling with offering that as a 'life insurance policy' for those willing to pay but still haven't decided if that was a bridge too far.

"If you would like a demonstration, we could step into the ship, you could shoot me, and I would be back in 24 minutes. I have not died before—and I don’t want to—but I trust in my technology and will put my money where my mouth is. It's easier saying that after Walk died and was brought back to us."

Skeet stares at Metz apparently reappraising him "You're a good man Professor. That's a rare enough find for me. I don't doubt you and I'll consider what you've said carefully but... in my line of work I'm pretty sure that it's the very fear of dying that keeps me sharp".

Metz nodded. “I understand, though the ability to reconstitute your force—and friends—after a battle could be useful to a mercenary—or planetary defense force.”

Skeet then turns back to Ciencia "Princess, I'll not have you standing in the middle of a "live fire" with the kit we're about to set off. However, I think that one dance tells me you're a girl who likes speed and who might just like grav bikes. So, what if I suggest you leave a space on your dance card for now and instead get astride an assault sled that is effectively a three thousand kph grav bike made almost entirely of an RP B rapid pulse plasma cannon? I expect I can have one here before "EndEx" and the range is open".

"Done," she said instantly. "And where is our friend with the G/Bike? He's been gone a while."

Skeet offers deadpan "If their ears get caught in the slipstream it can make them "zone out" for a bit".

While the preparations are under way all hear "Red Team inbound. You have "DOA Airlines" on finals, flight of three". Three dagger shaped single seater gravs settle into landing nearby. The green ochre vehicles look like they resent stillness each long shape appears to be a grav tank's main armament... with a saddle. The pilots lie almost prone atop their mounts decorated with shark's teeth nose art over the muzzles of the rapid pulse cannon. One pilot has her(?) blond hair flowing free from the back of her flight helmet. The assault sleds have names behind their nose art "Canned Heat" and "It ain't Me" being visible as they settle to the ground.

What is the third name?