Page 102

[Nathan_]

Beryl has yet to grasp the human concept of sarcasm...

...and then it will only confirm the Loroi in their opinion that spoken words are a tool of deception.
Heh. Heckuva job for you, Alex!

Yes its for your safety Alex...

[Jericho]

I heard a story once about 2001: A Space Odyssey. In this story, Kubrick had his design team come up with the most realistic spaceship designs they could, based on engineering principles rather than aesthetics. He then made modifications to the designs they created, stripping away almost all radiators and heatsinks. When asked why he did this, he said he didn't want his characters to have to explain to the audience why spaceships would have structures that look like wings.

Ha good one !

Also that shuttle might conceivably be atmospheric.

I think it's stated in the insider somewhere that the highlander is an atmospheric shuttle. But i really doubt vings will make much of a difference with the loroi's level of technology.

Also fins make a ship look more predatory, and the Loroi seem like the type to want their ships to look threatening.

Thats something i'd never considered. But considering that i find the Omega class Destroyer to be the ideal starship design thats not surprising.

Also it's cool.

That i have to agree with you.

Also, we're done with Tempo from now on?

I may be wrong here but i think i read somewhere in the quotation dumps that Arioch had some tea drinking planned with tempo or something .

[Arioch]

I tell you what I would like to see, a deck plan of that shuttle!

I'm currently modeling the interior, so you will eventually get to see a very detailed deck plan. And we'll be seeing quite a bit of it, so you'll get a better look at the various parts of it.

The Highland is a large, expensive "admiral's gig" type shuttle for fast transport of VIP's and important cargoes. It's 50m long with the vanes extended, which is roughly the size of a Boeing 767. It doesn't have a jump drive or artificial gravity, but it does have inertial dampers to allow it to accelerate at full (20g) without harming the passengers. It is streamlined for atmospheric landing and takeoff and has secondary engines for use in atmosphere. The secondary engines have an air-breathing mode, which is why there are shuttered air intakes on the tops of the engine nacelles.

Like most Loroi ships, the shuttle has twin main engines with vanes protruding aft and fins protruding laterally. The vanes are for thrust attenuation (part of the Floater drive), and the fins are to aid in cooling. For craft operating in atmosphere, the fins also have a secondary aerodynamic function, and so have control surfaces on them. In most fighters, shuttles, and other small craft, the fins and vanes are retractable for easier storage.

Query, in modern military, including first world war and second world war type conflicts, during prolonged military actions soldiers, sailors or pilots all receive some time off the front, rest and relaxation away from the chaos and mayhem. What sort of system would the Loroi operate regarding this type of system, i am aware prolonged periods aboard their warships are mostly quiet with short intense periods of high intensity terror, but while ships go to shore for a few days to restock, a space based fleet may not be able to justify the loss of a key warship/battleship, are they more likely to park up the spaceship, or run shifts of crew, where new crew members are brought aboard in cyclic manner to 'refresh' the staff and relieve the outgoing crew in turn?

There are three general tiers of service in the Loroi fleet at the moment: reserve forces, defensive line forces, and raider forces. Reserve forces are usually behind the lines and not in direct combat, and so are usually well-rested and near to or at populated worlds. Defensive line forces are frequently in combat, but are at or near friendly bases and so will have periodic opportunity for shore leave similar to our Navy surface forces. Raider forces will be similar to our submarine forces, in that they will be on duty for months at a time, often far from base. Raider ships are continually being redeployed to interdict enemy incursions, so they are often resupplied in the field and may go long periods without returning to base. Bases near the front lines often have small populations, so there is a limit to how much fun can be had on "shore leave."

Active forces are periodically withdrawn to the reserves for refit and service, during which times the crews may actually be able to leave the front and visit more populated worlds.

In the current situation, ships do not generally swap crews, though individual crewmembers may be replaced if they are suffering from acute fatigue.

[Count Casimir]

I could practically hear Beryl's voice going into super slow-mo in Alex's head.

"Entiire Joooourneeeyyyyy"

Maybe some echo effects too.

Well, personally I won't mind seeing more Reed

[Mikk]

I could practically hear Beryl's voice going into super slow-mo in Alex's head.

"Entiire Joooourneeeyyyyy"

Maybe some echo effects too.

Thanks for the good laugh! Such an easy concept to imagine into a fun mental audiovisual.

Something more earthly to compare to last frame of p#102, It's got folding wings too!
img:

;img
 
Now if we'd figure out air-breathing rocketry…

[NOMAD]

Very nice page arioch. I can see why it took so long to do, the highland shuttle is going to be a very interesting ship for the next chapter.

as for air breathing jets you could also have th turbines running of the main space drives ( electrical power for the turnbines and heat for the air expansion)

[Aygar]

I wonder what type of ship Alex and co are transferring to? Beryl said it was an escort but that could be any thing from a Cutlass Light Cruiser to a Herald Courier Corvette.
My guess would be a Blaze Frigate because it is fast, it is likely to be escorting a supply column, and it is more likely to have space for extra passengers and cargo then a Courier.

What does everyone else think?

Aygar

[Jericho]

I wonder what type of ship Alex and co are transferring to? Beryl said it was an escort but that could be any thing from a Cutlass Light Cruiser to a Herald Courier Corvette.
My guess would be a Blaze Frigate because it is fast, it is likely to be escorting a supply column, and it is more likely to have space for extra passengers and cargo then a Courier.

What does everyone else think?

Aygar

I'm hoping it's a halberd class ship. Just love the design of it and would get all giddy if we where to see it.

[DCR]

Don't worry, Captain Alexander Jardin! Fireblade feels at least as happy strongly about the travel arrangements as you do!

That being said... woo! Update!

Looking forward to more.

[Timefly]

Beautiful ship, Arioch. I admire the power and grace that your designs combine, and the unique styles, too. I can't draw worth crap, and though I've dabbled with 3D myself, I'm forever a mere beginner. Now I feel inspired, however, to try (try!) modeling the Highlander shuttle in Blender, unless you object, of course, as it's your original design.

[Arioch]

Beautiful ship, Arioch. I admire the power and grace that your designs combine, and the unique styles, too. I can't draw worth crap, and though I've dabbled with 3D myself, I'm forever a mere beginner. Now I feel inspired, however, to try (try!) modeling the Highlander shuttle in Blender, unless you object, of course, as it's your original design.

Thanks. Of course, you're welcome to try your hand at it.

[Michael]

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 102!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..........
............
...............
...................

That is all.

[javcs]

I wonder what type of ship Alex and co are transferring to? Beryl said it was an escort but that could be any thing from a Cutlass Light Cruiser to a Herald Courier Corvette.
My guess would be a Blaze Frigate because it is fast, it is likely to be escorting a supply column, and it is more likely to have space for extra passengers and cargo then a Courier.

What does everyone else think?

Aygar

I'm hoping it's a halberd class ship. Just love the design of it and would get all giddy if we where to see it.

Not gonna be a Halberd - those are battleships - I'm sure we'll see them if/when Alex finally gets to Loroi systems.

In no particular order (other than the order they're on teh Insider page in), the possibilities that I see as being the top five: Rapier-class Escort Cruiser, Cutlass-class Light Cruiser, Warhammer-class Destroyer, Curved Knife-class Destroyer, or Blaze-class Frigate. I'd say that a Cutlass is least likely, being the slowest, and apparently relegated to defense fleets, as it's too slow to keep up with the raider fleets
Technically, I suppose transfer to a Hidden Dagger-class Scout or Herald-class Courier are remotely theoretical possibilities as well, however, neither has a shuttle bay, and Arioch doesn't have even a profile image up on the Insider.


Hrmmm ... of my probable top-five, I find anomalies in several.
What's the difference between a "Warhead Launcher" and a "Torpedo Launcher"? The Blaze-class apparently has one of each, in addition to an AMM Launcher. The Curved Knife apparently has two "Warhead Launchers" in addition to its AMM Launcher; the Cutlass has a Warhead Launcher as well; and the Warhammer has a "Warhead Launcher", but has torpedoes on its ordnance list.

Under the presumption that Arioch would have spent somewhat more time, effort, and attention to detail on whichever class of ship Alex is being transferred to ... it would seem likely that he would have noticed such anomalies, although it's always possible that since he knew what it was supposed to say, something slipped through during the editing process.

[fredgiblet]

Raper-class Escort Cruiser

That takes the naming conventions in a slightly different direction...

[Trantor]

Raper-class Escort Cruiser

That takes the naming conventions in a slightly different direction...

Poor Alex - death by SnuSnu.

[javcs]

Raper-class Escort Cruiser

That takes the naming conventions in a slightly different direction...

Poor Alex - death by SnuSnu.

Whups.

[Karst45]

your mouth say, poor him, but your head say: WHY NOT MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

[Trantor]

your mouth say, poor him, but your head say: WHY NOT MEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Ummm...


scnr.

[Absalom]

Not gonna be a Halberd - those are battleships - I'm sure we'll see them if/when Alex finally gets to Loroi systems.

In no particular order (other than the order they're on teh Insider page in), the possibilities that I see as being the top five: Rapier-class Escort Cruiser, Cutlass-class Light Cruiser, Warhammer-class Destroyer, Curved Knife-class Destroyer, or Blaze-class Frigate. I'd say that a Cutlass is least likely, being the slowest, and apparently relegated to defense fleets, as it's too slow to keep up with the raider fleets
Technically, I suppose transfer to a Hidden Dagger-class Scout or Herald-class Courier are remotely theoretical possibilities as well, however, neither has a shuttle bay, and Arioch doesn't have even a profile image up on the Insider.

I'd say Blaze, Hidden Dagger, or Herald. It would presumably be something that would travel with a resupply squadron (or fleet? whichever organizational level would be used for that). Even if it isn't a Hidden Dagger I wouldn't be surprised if there are one or two in-system for resupply of their own (assuming that scouts get used to observe the Steppes, of course). It could also be a Trade Wind tanker, Zephyr freighter, or either a Sojourner or an Anvil transport, though I'd be doubtful of an Anvil.

Beyond that, it would probably have to be a ship assigned to defend the resupply ships, as I don't think that there's any other way to justify a combat ship on anyone but the highest-ranking of diplomats. If there were, then they might not have done the switch-over at the supply convoy.

And don't think too much about whether any of these ships have docking bays, I'm certain that they all have standardized airlocks to transfer crew and supplies through, which should be all that the Highland requires.

Hrmmm ... of my probable top-five, I find anomalies in several.
What's the difference between a "Warhead Launcher" and a "Torpedo Launcher"? The Blaze-class apparently has one of each, in addition to an AMM Launcher. The Curved Knife apparently has two "Warhead Launchers" in addition to its AMM Launcher; the Cutlass has a Warhead Launcher as well; and the Warhammer has a "Warhead Launcher", but has torpedoes on its ordnance list.

As I best recall, warhead launchers fire (duh) warheads instead of being just an ejection system for a torpedo. They can presumably be used for both purposes, but since they're basically mass drivers, and therefor not primary weapons systems, they presumably have lower projectile velocities. I assume that they're primarily used against TTKs and random terrain/debris that the Loroi want to destroy. The Scimitar has one, the Katana two, the Great Sword and Vortex one, and the Halberd two. My guess is that they're utilitarian in purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if warhead launchers are the standard method of "scuttling" a warship for the Loroi. It does look like the Bellarmine's corpse was finished off by a missile, which could be a point in favor of this theory, since it has torpedoes, but no torpedo launcher (not that I recall if Loroi used a torpedo or a missile on the Bellarmine, mind you).

tl;dr: Warhead launchers are probably the lower-performance cousin of the torpedo launcher (and the higher performance cousin of the Mk.1 boot).

[javcs]

Not gonna be a Halberd - those are battleships - I'm sure we'll see them if/when Alex finally gets to Loroi systems.

In no particular order (other than the order they're on teh Insider page in), the possibilities that I see as being the top five: Rapier-class Escort Cruiser, Cutlass-class Light Cruiser, Warhammer-class Destroyer, Curved Knife-class Destroyer, or Blaze-class Frigate. I'd say that a Cutlass is least likely, being the slowest, and apparently relegated to defense fleets, as it's too slow to keep up with the raider fleets
Technically, I suppose transfer to a Hidden Dagger-class Scout or Herald-class Courier are remotely theoretical possibilities as well, however, neither has a shuttle bay, and Arioch doesn't have even a profile image up on the Insider.

I'd say Blaze, Hidden Dagger, or Herald. It would presumably be something that would travel with a resupply squadron (or fleet? whichever organizational level would be used for that). Even if it isn't a Hidden Dagger I wouldn't be surprised if there are one or two in-system for resupply of their own (assuming that scouts get used to observe the Steppes, of course). It could also be a Trade Wind tanker, Zephyr freighter, or either a Sojourner or an Anvil transport, though I'd be doubtful of an Anvil.

Beyond that, it would probably have to be a ship assigned to defend the resupply ships, as I don't think that there's any other way to justify a combat ship on anyone but the highest-ranking of diplomats. If there were, then they might not have done the switch-over at the supply convoy.

And don't think too much about whether any of these ships have docking bays, I'm certain that they all have standardized airlocks to transfer crew and supplies through, which should be all that the Highland requires.

Well, it was said he was going to be transferred to an "Escort". Ergo, not a transport, but a combat vessel, though not a heavy combatant, but a lighter combatant.
While Alex isn't high-ranking from the Human perspective ... from the Loroi perspective, he's the only living example of a brand-new species that evidently has incredible natural Lotai, and he was technically recognized as Plenipotentiary Ambassador. He's the only one who can tell them where he came from, and thus, if they're not an Umiak bioconstruct, the only way to get to them first. He's considered important enough that Fireblade (and two other Marines) are being sent back with him as his guards/first response team to him being a threat.
As for combat ships (escorts are combat ships) with the resupply ships, IIRC, Arioch said (sometime in the past) that we were going to see a Farseer being transferred to/from the Strike Group, plus the resupply ships would require a number of guards.
I'm inclined against a Herald or Hidden Dagger for multiple reasons, the lack of a shuttlebay is only one of them, far more relevant are the need for there to be sufficient space to have Alex in secure and guarded quarters, likely largely isolated from the crew; a more meta-reason is the lack of a profile on the Insider - Arioch has had things planned for long enough where any ships we're likely to see anytime soon are largely fleshed out in whatever degree of detail is necessary.

Hrmmm ... of my probable top-five, I find anomalies in several.
What's the difference between a "Warhead Launcher" and a "Torpedo Launcher"? The Blaze-class apparently has one of each, in addition to an AMM Launcher. The Curved Knife apparently has two "Warhead Launchers" in addition to its AMM Launcher; the Cutlass has a Warhead Launcher as well; and the Warhammer has a "Warhead Launcher", but has torpedoes on its ordnance list.

As I best recall, warhead launchers fire (duh) warheads instead of being just an ejection system for a torpedo. They can presumably be used for both purposes, but since they're basically mass drivers, and therefor not primary weapons systems, they presumably have lower projectile velocities. I assume that they're primarily used against TTKs and random terrain/debris that the Loroi want to destroy. The Scimitar has one, the Katana two, the Great Sword and Vortex one, and the Halberd two. My guess is that they're utilitarian in purpose. I wouldn't be surprised if warhead launchers are the standard method of "scuttling" a warship for the Loroi. It does look like the Bellarmine's corpse was finished off by a missile, which could be a point in favor of this theory, since it has torpedoes, but no torpedo launcher (not that I recall if Loroi used a torpedo or a missile on the Bellarmine, mind you).

tl;dr: Warhead launchers are probably the lower-performance cousin of the torpedo launcher (and the higher performance cousin of the Mk.1 boot).

Logically then, "Warhead Launchers" would have something in the Ordnance list.