Brutus is contemplating bug hunting on the perimeter.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 973):

Energy weapons are standard issue for Terran explorers, but if you can find a post indicating otherwise, happy to amend. Given the restriction on visibility, however, range may not be an issue.

A number would have hand flamers as backup weapons though.

I can hold before progressing if you want to look back through.

[Private to GM: Remaining Aliens: 230 + 8 Fighters + 80 injured around mothership.]

20 Oct 2186, Hela (2235), Supplies: 3,080 person days (use 10 per day or 40 per day if not using VatFac, 6.4 dTons), $87,520,300

In reply to Fate (msg # 975):

ISW sent me to  Basic Set Characters. ISW says both Vilani and Terran Military perfer slug throwers for their troops until TL 10, when Terra starts to issue laser weapons to troops.  BSC says by TL 9, all weapons are linked to a head mounted computers and sighting program.  FWIW.

I would assume that as a non-combat force, we would have last weeks stuff as much as not.

But I'll play it either way.

Same here.

New thread soon?

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 977):

New thread soon.

I was actually thinking of a post I may have made that specified how many slug throwers you had, but I did not find one, though the search was not so thorough.

Edit: I did find this post concerning Lois Alley at the start of this thread though:


Your exploratory vessel is latest tech, including Vatfacs and automatic manufacturing, so it would make sense you would have weapons that do not require ammunition to be manufactured as standard, though individuals could be different. GISW winds back the computerisation a lot, so the head mounted computers exist, but are not as common as the Tech Level would normally suggest.

Edit: So it would be reasonable to say that 4 storm rifles can be found among the crew, in addition to the 4 magnum pistols and 10 hand flamers, some of which may be carried by individuals in the other small craft.

[Private to GM: Remaining Aliens: 230 + 8 Fighters + 80 injured around mothership.]

20 Oct 2186, Hela (2235), Supplies: 3,080 person days (use 10 per day or 40 per day if not using VatFac, 6.4 dTons), $87,520,300
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:03, Mon 12 Sept 2022.

So which, if any, of the slug throwers can Brutus immediately get his hands on?
(He has none of his own.)
And what will visibility range (due to the smoke) be around the perimeter of our ship?

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 979):

This thread has moved, but I will keep it open for OOC discussion of the fight brewing at the end.

Was the shotgun one of these (from Ultratech p138):

9 Civ Shotgun           18.5mmPC 4d+4 pi++, Acc 3, R100/500, Wt 6/0.75, Rof  3, Shots 5+1(3),   St10, B-5, Rcl 4, $450
9 Close Assault Weapon  18.5mmPC 4d+4 pi++, Acc 3, R100/500, Wt 10/1.5, RoF 10, Shots, 10+1(3), St11, B-5, Rcl 4, $800  ?

And the ammo:
18.5mmPC, 0.092 WPS,  $1.8 ?

======
Storm Rifle            10mmCLR 9d pi+, Acc 5, R1,300/5,800, Wt 10/1.2, RoF 3, Shots 12+1(3), St10, B-5, Rcl 3, $2,700
standard ammo:
10mmCLR, 0.06 WPS, $1.2 ?

======
Magnum Pistol          15mmCLP 4d+1 pi++, Acc 2, R235/2,600, Wt 3/1, RoF 3, Shots 9+1(3), St11, B-3, Rcl 4, $870
APHEX ammo:
4d+1 pi++ (2), follow up attack 1d-2 cr ex [1d-1], 4x cost   ?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Tue 13 Sept 2022.

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 981):

Let's go with the civilian shotgun. It is lighter, and generally suitable for scientists.

OK, TY, I'll take that as a yes on the ammo etc.

New question: Does the Storm Rifle and Magnum have targeting computers analogous to Brutus's on his own bean weapons?
   e.g. Tiny Hardened Targeting computer, +2 Beam(pistol) skill 0.15 lbs  $9000   LC2, 2A/20 hrs

======
Planning on going on a bug hunt/skirmish. I've never ever done this before with ultratech weaponry. (Nearest was the microscopic bit Bonny did earlier.) Could end badly. Fingers crossed.

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 983):

With the space opera theme, targeting computers need to be purchased as optional extras. Hence, given the cost, unless they are specifically included in the description and/or purchase, I would say not.

Radar, which would be standard in vehicle mounts, is unaffected, though the weapons they direct are all lasers that will be effected by reducing the damage by the vision penalty. Hence while the smoke is still distant

Hyperspectral, ladar or PESA sights, the usual ones, have a -10 through hot smoke. However, that would suggest that the Gatling lasers, which does 6dx2 damage will still average 32 damage at 200 yds, and have an acc of 8 even without radar. With the radar, it is still very deadly. But if course with the ship around it, it's range of fire is limited...but the other 2 still flying are not. The same goes for the ships main beams, where their slow rate of fire is more significant than the smoke due to the very high damage they still do (7dx10 -10 is still deadly, but in normal combat the RoF becomes 1 per minute).

Brutus comms the techies, "Based on the ship's scanner records, what was the spread of drop ships, large and small? Putting it another way, best estimates on how many bugs, most likely and probable max, I'm facing off against right now? And same question at thirty minute intervals from now on the assumption they have comms and want to take our ship?"

He pasuses and adds, "Supplemental question - can we detent their comms? Thence to understand or jam?"

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 985):

"Sensors indicate about 200 spread over a wide area. Exactly how many are here could depend on a number of factors, including how fast they move and other likely targets. It is more plausible we will be facing of against no more that 50.

We have not detected much comms to jam, but it is spread. It seems they only used comms to gather, and use something else short range for tactical comms."

"Good. Thank you," Brutus acknowledges. "What do sensors show for terrain and distance around by compass direction?"

======
OOC: *Can we have a map, please?

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 987):

Not much to show for a map. Fairly flat Savannah in all directions, with grasses about 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5m) high in all directions, for at least 200 yds.

Good to know.
Brutus has spent a while considering the enemy, and their likely actions based on a few assumptions. Brutus considers . He applies the best he can in camouflage, including bits of the local plantlife, and is ready to head out trying not to be heard. "Unless you say otherwise, skipper, I'm gonna head out and hunt some bugs. Thin 'em out or drive them back a bit; maybe they rethink. Anyway, it should gain us some time which we do need. If it's goes badly, I always wanted to pass under the skies. And maybe I'll choke one of them. Ha!"

======
OOC: 12:59, Today: Brutus Cartwright rolled 6,9,13,14 using 3d6,3d6,3d6,3d6 with rolls of 2,2,2,4,4,1,6,1,6,4, 6,4.  Strategy 12, Stealth 12, Camouflage 13, Tactics 12
Looks like Brutus may have reached some relevant conclusions (MoS 6) of the what, why & how of the bugs' activities/actions.
Intiially at least he's reasonably quiet (MoS 3) and the camou is slightly successful (MoS 1) but he doesn't have the optimum use of cover..

Gloria did not want him to do this, but he was off before she could stop him.
Curses. She has  WO Sigorney  take control of the local security.

Clicking up the magnification, do the three foes that Brtus has seen appear effectively identical? Anything that looks like heavy armour?

======
OOC: And as a check on envirnmental effects, are the following correct:
a)-10 to skill due to smoke? Or is there a scaleing factor, e.g. -1 to skill per 20 yards but max -10.
b) damage from slugthrowers is unimpeded
c) damage from lasers is reduced by -10 ? or by a scaling factor, e.g. -1 per die, or -1 per ten yards, or halved ?
d) Moving topics slightly, trying to understand grenades: msg #972 says "...most of the ships hand grenades have been distributed (only about 60 HE)...." presumably HE= High Explosive but what does the "60" mean? Qauntity of grenades? or..? Also, in B277 I saw these: Concussion, Fragmentation, Chemical, Stun & Plasma, but no "HE".
This message was last edited by the player at 12:27, Fri 16 Sept 2022.

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 991):

The bodies do appear to be covered by something that appears similar to clamshell armour. They are creatures you have never seen before, so the all look about the same to you.

a) The smoke is currently 100 yds from the ship, so 70 yds from you. There is a -10 vision penalty, -1 per 10 yds of smoke, applied to aiming only. c) Laser weapons, which use light, also suffer the same penalty to damage, but b) slug thrower damage is unaffected by smoke.
d) HE are High Explosive grenades. HEC are High Explosive, Concussion grenades. These are explained in detail in Ultra Tech, where I got the name from, as well as High Tech. HE throw shrapnel and are also known as Fragmentation grenades, and yes, the 60 refers to the quantity on board.

Is it possible to take out multiple foes with one burst from a Storm rifle?

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 993):

If they are close together, yes. Basics (Campaigns) has a lot to say on that. Do you need the reference?

OOC: Thanks. Three combat chapters in Campaigns. I've started at p362 and working my way through..
if you want to give me the pagw number though I'll go straight to it and then re-read the 3 chapters later

Edit: I think it's B409.

New Queries:
a) Are the "Large Arachnids" SM +1 ? Or?
b) As they're wearing what appears to be akin to clamshell armour, does that mean that their heads are not clam-shelled?
c) What sort of speed/movement rate do that seem to be making?
d) Can Brutus call in an aerial straffing run*, left to right across my line of sight, on the arachnid's position? Even if it doesn't nail any/many, it may serve to let Brutus pop up, pot at them and then roll to the left without being detected..

*givining coords for his current position and a bearing and distance therefrom.. (I'm claiming they's be displayed in his HUD


This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Sat 17 Sept 2022.

In reply to Brutus Cartwright (msg # 995):

A) They look about humanoid in size. SM 0.

B) Correct. Heads seem to have a sort of glass helmet, perhaps as they have sa many eyes.

C) They are trying to use cover, O you suspect they are using stealth, but they are approaching at around 10 yds per minute.

D) Sure. The other craft are doing straffing runs in support of you. But they are shooting blind, more like artillery.

Can the ship designate tagets for the strafing ships? Via laser or information transmission?   Thisis currernt earth tech now.

Have the recovery crew managed to get the damaged ship hooked up?
Don't ask me to roll it, as I have no such xkill and wouldn't have a clue as to what I was rolling against. Die roller tends to roll high anyway.

In reply to Gloria Flake (msg # 997):

I have slowed the progression of time to answer questions, so we are not hooked up just yet. But I will roll, either actual dice or secretly, for how long the techs will take, since none of you are directly involved in it.

Yes, you can designate targets using software 'tacnet' through radio link up. Laser link up could be used, but with the smoke, it may not be the best option.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:28, Sun 18 Sept 2022.