Page 134: For Science!

[raistlin34]

For all his competence, Jardin seems like a leaf trapped in a category 5 hurricane. While the story is about him, I wonder how does Arioch plan to make Alex relevant in the Loroi-Shell conflict without turning him in Commander Shepard.

I mean, he is alone, trapped without resources, allies and barely any clue of what is going on behind scenes. What are his options?

[Werra]

For all his competence, Jardin seems like a leaf trapped in a category 5 hurricane. While the story is about him, I wonder how does Arioch plan to make Alex relevant in the Loroi-Shell conflict without turning him in Commander Shepard.

I mean, he is alone, trapped without resources, allies and barely any clue of what is going on behind scenes. What are his options?

Things are looking up for him. He's supposed to be a natural strategist and tactician. Now that he's in the Cockpit of a shuttle under enemy fire, Alex may be the one to find a way out. Talon seems willing to try stuff with Alex.

[entity2636]

Now that he's in the Cockpit of a shuttle under enemy fire, Alex may be the one to find a way out. Talon seems willing to try stuff with Alex.

Hold on a second, we do not yet know what the Umiak are shooting at. Spiral (I assume it's the co-pilot's task to monitor telemetry and stuff while the pilot is piloting) said only that she detected a torpedo launch event, not that a missile has locked onto them. For all we know, the Umiak could be launching torpedoes at the Gora station, Ashrain's squadron or the rest of SG51. I don't think the Umiak would waste high yield ordnance that can be shot down on a small unarmed shuttle while behind enemy lines and still a long way to go without a way to resupply.

Unless they really want the shuttle gone ASAP, which would indicate they know what's on board. That is an improbable scenario unless we have a mole. I don't think the loroi are that dumb to use open channels and wide field transmissions when enemy units are in system.

[novius]

Unless they really want the shuttle gone ASAP, which would indicate they know what's on board. That is an improbable scenario unless we have a mole. I don't think the loroi are that dumb to use open channels and wide field transmissions when enemy units are in system.

They did follow SG51 from Naam, and the Umiak do have reasons to believe that the Loroi picked up something of value from the alien wreck. Something they would have liked to get their pincers on themselves. Or at least deprive the Enemy of it. Now a single shuttle was on its way across Leido Crossroads to meet up with a lone frigate, judging from the trajectories. That alone would be telling.

So it is possible that they either consciously spare the shuttle to pick it up later on when it doesn't have any place to run and hide anymore, or deploy at least some of their missiles to it to maybe get in a lucky shot.

But... torpedoes are usually geared towards big, slower targets. Talon could have a viable chance to outmaneuver incoming torpedoes, though that wouldn't make their fuel situation any better.

[Werra]

Hold on a second, we do not yet know what the Umiak are shooting at. Spiral (I assume it's the co-pilot's task to monitor telemetry and stuff while the pilot is piloting) said only that she detected a torpedo launch event, not that a missile has locked onto them. For all we know, the Umiak could be launching torpedoes at the Gora station, Ashrain's squadron or the rest of SG51. I don't think the Umiak would waste high yield ordnance that can be shot down on a small unarmed shuttle while behind enemy lines and still a long way to go without a way to resupply.

Unless they really want the shuttle gone ASAP, which would indicate they know what's on board. That is an improbable scenario unless we have a mole. I don't think the loroi are that dumb to use open channels and wide field transmissions when enemy units are in system.

You are right, we don't know what the Umiak are shooting. It's likely though that it's either the shuttle or the station. Shooting Ashrains squadron makes no sense, since Loroi PD is excellent and the follow up attack of Umiak ships using that distraction is not happening.

If they're shooting the shuttle they do it likely because a) they know the 51th b) it's Stillstorms personal shuttle and thus likely to carry VIPs. c) they don't have to give it a full fleet salvo.

[entity2636]

@novius - Klicky's fleet that followed SG51 is still tied up at Sala where SG20 intercepted them. But you're right, I forgot about the first wave that attacked SG51, sunk the Wintertide, broke through and disengaged.

[boldilocks]

I doubt clicky is someone willing to do or expend large amounts of his forces on a deep jump, and obviously the shells doing the deep jump had no way of knowing the position of the shuttle when they jumped. It could be that they were trying to saturate the system with ships to have a better chance but that requires them to know or at least suspect that whatever was picked up was being ferried by shuttle and not by something that could outrun them.

More likely, this is just a strategy the shells are employing to overrun the sector (possibly the same way they took the other sectors without alarms going off) and alex' crew happens to have gotten caught in the cross fire.

[fredgiblet]

Since this is apparently a major offensive a deep jump makes sense as the Loroi can disengage at will in most cases. The Umiak probably want to destroy the Loroi, not just push them back. A deep jump means they can cut off escape routes.

The torpedo is probably launched at the station for the same reason.

Talon seems willing to try stuff with Alex.

Obligatory "bow-chicka-wow-wow" comment.

[orion1836]

For all his competence, Jardin seems like a leaf trapped in a category 5 hurricane. While the story is about him, I wonder how does Arioch plan to make Alex relevant in the Loroi-Shell conflict without turning him into Commander Shepard.

*Hugs Beryl* "I'm Ensign Jardin, and this is my favorite Loroi on the shuttle!"



Also...

[novius]

For all his competence, Jardin seems like a leaf trapped in a category 5 hurricane. While the story is about him, I wonder how does Arioch plan to make Alex relevant in the Loroi-Shell conflict without turning him into Commander Shepard.

*Hugs Beryl* "I'm Ensign Jardin, and this is my favorite Loroi on the shuttle!"

Actually, leaves have a bigger chance to survive a hurricane than larger objects which tend to break apart/being smashed into pieces.

Here's another scenario (and with another obvious videogame reference ) - left nowhere to run and running out of fuel, the shuttle is boarded. On being taken captive and frogmarched onto the Umiak vessel, Fireblade pulls a Bastila and buys the others a moment to escape and hide in the guts of the Umiak ship (more chances for Alex/Beryl moments in cramped spaces, too ) - after that it would be up to Alex's very precise sensing of her single mind (while the Loroi are 'swamped' with the presence of the Umiak around them) to pinpoint her and mount a rescue.

[novius]

Since this is apparently a major offensive a deep jump makes sense as the Loroi can disengage at will in most cases. The Umiak probably want to destroy the Loroi, not just push them back. A deep jump means they can cut off escape routes.

I think both the Loroi and the Umiak are already in genocide mode. Especially the Umiak who decided the Enemy is more trouble than its worth keeping alive.

The torpedo is probably launched at the station for the same reason.

With Loroi point defenses as good as they are, rest assured that it won't be a single torpedo. Of course not every ship in the attacking forces is a missile boat, but if it's just about fifty to one hundred of them in the attacking group, each of them carrying maybe ten to twenty missiles at the ready, expect a salvo of hundreds, maybe one thousand missiles incoming.

Talon seems willing to try stuff with Alex.

Obligatory "bow-chicka-wow-wow" comment.

Nah. She might not try on her own. Curiosity is Beryl's trait. But it looks to me that she wouldn't exactly say no if Alex would try something on her. But before that happens, there's already that pleasant science elf and maybe the spooky-business elf already calling dibs on him.

[Scynix]

Alex doesn't really have to be 'commander shephard'. Plenty (most?) of major historical figures didn't actually physically run around commando'ing it up.
That archetype is just something for gaming because you center the player as the hero.

Simply being in contact with the Loroi in a non-combative posture could make all the difference in the world.

Nothing in my life has ever proven to be more accurate a statement than "first impressions matter". And so far, at least contextually, Alex has done fine with his interactions. Even his level of self awareness about his personality flaws makes him a good fit for this situation. Most people aren't aware of their own flaws, or even if they are they don't believe them.

Exactly because of the type of person he is, is the reason he can make a difference even if he doesn't turn into a raging space commando.
There's plenty of more than capable warriors around him apparently. Their situation probably needs an outsider's (ROLL CREDITS) perspective, something that is always useful in tense situations. You can generally never know when you've become too involved in something to see the big picture. The Loroi are fighting 'a war of survival' so from their perspective they don't have to consider anything other than annihilating the Hivers. I mean the clicky-click-click. I can never get myself to stick with 'The Umiak'. They sound like a tasty foreign snack. Deep fried Umiak.

Just my thoughts.

[Warringrose]

I just had a thought while playing through moo2 as humans and noting the usefulness of spies, what if the Umiak somehow stole telepathy and psionics from the Loroi and are using them to sabotage the listening posts and border defenses of the Loroi as they advance? And that Alex's ability to "see" psionic signatures will be the useful ability that Loroi desperately need?

...that and our stimulating, pleasantly warm presence of course

[entity2636]

what if the Umiak somehow stole telepathy and psionics from the Loroi and are using them to sabotage the listening posts and border defenses of the Loroi as they advance? And that Alex's ability to "see" psionic signatures will be the useful ability that Loroi desperately need?

That is the generally accepted theory behind whole divisions of Umiaks becoming invisible to loroi farseers and able to get the jump on loroi interdiction fleets and border guards, it's possible the Umiak have their own farseers now.

Farseers are the most powerful telepaths, as far as we know. Humans, when coupled to a loroi, are able to detect powerful psi users, e.g. an amplified Teidar.

*Surprise Plot Twist!*
When coupled to a farseer, humans could be able to detect other farseers at least a couple of lightyears away. Could be a solution to the Umiak stealth problem, and make humans useful to the loroi as allies, no?

[Arent]

That is the generally accepted theory behind whole divisions of Umiaks becoming invisible to loroi farseers and able to get the jump on loroi interdiction fleets and border guards, it's possible the Umiak have their own farseers now.

Don't know. That would make the Loroi less special. For storyline reasons I doubt that.

Farseers are the most powerful telepaths, as far as we know. Humans, when coupled to a loroi, are able to detect powerful psi users, e.g. an amplified Teidar.

Alex could already detect Fireblade on page 18, without skin contact. Maybe linking "boosts" their abilities?

When coupled to a farseer, humans could be able to detect other farseers at least a couple of lightyears away. Could be a solution to the Umiak stealth problem, and make humans useful to the loroi as allies, no?

Yes, I think it might be something along these lines. Maybe a few humans are psionic, but it is dormant & has to be trained.

[dragoongfa]

The Umiak having farseers was just my worse case scenario about the Umiak Lotai and I put it as plot point in 'Looking forward to the Mirror'

[Sweforce]

The Umiak having farseers was just my worse case their about the Umiak Lotai and I put it as plot point in 'Looking forward to the Mirror'

So you are still polishing that story? Nothing wrong with that, Tolkien never actually "finished" his books and George Lucas many "editions" of his original movies are basically uncountable nowadays with his many "new edit" version. I bought so many of those movies on VHS tape and onward.

[entity2636]

The Umiak having farseers was just my worse case their about the Umiak Lotai and I put it as plot point in 'Looking forward to the Mirror'

I meant the Umiak obviously having somehow obtained psi powers of their own in order hide from loroi psi powers, that or some extremely advanced tech. This has been said by multiple people on multiple occasions. It could, of course, be that all of them have the Mirror in the back of their minds, but even if it is so, it appears to be the most acceptable explanation until proven otherwise by canon.

[Quazel]

The Umiak having farseers was just my worse case their about the Umiak Lotai and I put it as plot point in 'Looking forward to the Mirror'

I meant the Umiak obviously having somehow obtained psi powers of their own in order hide from loroi psi powers, that or some extremely advanced tech. This has been said by multiple people on multiple occasions. It could, of course, be that all of them have the Mirror in the back of their minds, but even if it is so, it appears to be the most acceptable explanation until proven otherwise by canon.

Perhaps they are just all wearing Umiak Psychic Faraday Helmets. Um… tinfoil hats.

[saint of m]

Is it too late to have a picture of Yoda and Say the Ship Wars, They Have Begun?

I love the intimately blown literally apart by incoming torpedo.

As for The Harpy, do you think she may have left an imprint on him somehow, or an mental dent at the very least?