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[RAM]

The only appreciable rewards from acquiring one of the natives would be to discern their language and determine their responses to chemical stimuli. The former should be possible to acquire passively by comparing large quantities of predictable data with associated communications, such as satellite transmissions and the responses to them, and hybrids of data and language, such as artificial interfaces and documents pertaining to speculative mathematics. The latter would require a large quantity of subjects in order to obtain useful amounts of data. Neither scenario supplies sufficient information to justify exposing ourselves when we lack the resources to effectively conflict with the native civilisation as a whole.

[GrizzlyAdamz]

I'd say it depends very, very much on the nature of the exposure. We'd be saving ourselves any and all time that would be spent collecting, analyzing & deciphering information pulled from the (semi-)airwaves. And it would do this while providing heaps more information than we could get that way- meanings of slang, jargon, cultural references, history, geography, etc. We can't directly hack into any satellites, we have to rely on listening to what others are already transmitting.
If we could bring one back alive from a bandit vessel that didn't know precisely what happened, doesn't have the means to retaliate and likely not the will to try, and we could be saving ourselves months or more, depending on how valuable the human turns out to be. (woo run-ons!)
-(((This is an academic argument- if we could get one back, I'd be for it. But I don't think we can.)))

-1 grabbing stuff, we can't identify it- it'll raise some human hackles without much/any gain in return, (and some hindrance, as it'll slow our scouts down).
((You specified a computer and a drive-- we don't know what those look like, nor necessarily what they even are, (our race may use very different hardware)))

[wer6]

Look for soem whrring Devices Electronics next to A screen?

[GrizzlyAdamz]

It's going to be in a bank. We'd have to pull it apart precisely how the manual would direct if we want it to be functional/identifiable. Otherwise it'll be a grab-bag of (very)-likely-broken unidentified chunks of machines. Which can be very difficult to identify without frying, especially without any knowledge of their hardware. You feed it a single volt too much in the wrong place and it's a useless hunk of scrapmetal.

[10ebbor10]

Also, most computers tend to have trouble surviving the dominant circumstances on Mars. Ie, low temperature, and extremely low pressure.

[Morrigi]

Also, most computers tend to have trouble surviving the dominant circumstances on Mars. Ie, low temperature, and extremely low pressure.

The real issue is the radiation. That's been screwing with Curiosity's computers since it touched down.

Anyway, back to the game.


Could we build a simple (very simple) land vehicle for the purpose of light cargo hauling and troop transport?

Basic specs:
Open top, unpressurized, most basic possible combustion engine that would allow for its specifications
Capable of carrying a few soldier Kai or about two tons of supplies
Robust enough to survive Martian terrain


I believe that things would be much easier if we had some form of mobility for our ordinary soldier and drone Kai, and we also need some human tech, or a human, or any kind of hard information whatsoever ASAP. It sounds like it would now be prudent to do one of the following:

1. Kill the engineering staff, disable the vehicle, and leave.
2. Just GTFO with the books and such. The Queen and our tech Kai can deal with it when the scouts get back.

It sounds impractical to get a live human back, but what about an extracted brain? That could help, couldn't it?

[GrizzlyAdamz]

Bah, why not just build a bigger, faster soldier?!

Good idea with the brain....(Ross:) how much could we get from it? (it'll be two days old)

[10ebbor10]

Considering brains only survive for a good minute or two, and don't tend to do well if freezedried, I doubt it would be useful.

Also, the radiation tends to be periodical and happens over a longer time, so it's not always a threat.

[RAM]

Do we even know how many coordination organs this specie possesses? The likelihood of extracting anything of value from a long-dead, or recently dead, organ is almost absent. If we had a large number of them then we could test the responses of their vital processes to biological and chemical agents. If we had a single functional sample then we might be able to decipher its language. But neither of these is of appreciable use to us while we lack the resources to act upon such data. We need at least two independent hives before we make any further contact with the natives.

We have little need of a conveyance at this time, as we are quite capable of transporting materials with our current strains. But the production of a pollen-powered conveyance would provide additional options for sustenance, would not require jelly, and would offer valuable insights into the development of such devices. So it is ultimately advantageous to pursue such a thing.

[wer6]

Alright, now lets make this very simple, we'll just leave, if there is ANYTHING interesting, pick it up, but if there is nothing interesting, just leave.

Simple.

[GrizzlyAdamz]

.........define 'interesting'.

[Noxes]

two independent hives

No, do you want to create disharmony within the Hive? We should be concerned with growing but we must be careful with potentially allowing Us to split.

If the contact is carefully managed it need not be dangerous, especially for high value data (language and cultural context is EXTREMELY useful).

[10ebbor10]

Kai have psyonics. Which is basically a nearly untraceable, unstoppable communication system.

However, past 3 Queens it's unlikely that the traditional, top down structure is going to work, so yes, we'll inevitably get some kind of division.

[RAM]

If a hive is dependent upon others then, by definition, it cannot survive without them. We must possess some level of redundancy if we are to survive...

[Rolepgeek]

Posting to watch. Eventually I'll figure out what's going on and make suggestions too.