-snip-
Trading it with heph sounds interesting, but I can't really think of anything they've got to trade me for. Of course, if they could reverse engineer it, we could basically start zapping troops straight into UWM positions, so long as we've got line of sight.
Ohhh, that'd be so yummy! It would finally solve the problem with space boarding action - just hopefully it being scalable. And then it would probably be a real intelligence target for the UWM - as long as we manage not to let it fall in their hands, mass boarding our own ships and space installations is a much more difficult and dangerous project...
I am not a Hephaestian, but, were I one and were it allowed by Piecewise to attempt reverse-engineering it, I'd gladly ship off something nice for you in return - or just a Nyartifact coupon, for a straight exchange.
*I believe that researching and reverse-engineering explored Nyartifacts is allowed, or at least was allowed for certain artifacts (like the Beat-All Tek Ultraregen). I think it is exploring (aka figuring out the effects and the purpose) the Nyartifacts that has been strictly forbidden by Piecewise. Anyway, here is hoping it is decided on case-by-case basis and that this artifact is allowed to be researched into.
Using science crews on them is forbidden, not researching them.
Also, am I the only one thinking that that thing could be incredibly useful simply because it appears to conserve energy? That is to say, it didn't change Pan's velocity, only his position. His orbital velocity on the Sword being different than the orbital velocity of whatever bit of junk he aimed at, and, well, "Unfortunately you seem to have a bit of kinetic energy so you immediately knock into the debris and go sailing off the chunk of hall, spiraling out into open space.".
Imagine if the effect can be replicated... and put into use in the shells of massive cannons like the Sword's.
Puffer, I'd be interested to hear your theory. And by simple mathematical principle regarding the shapes, I meant very early elementary/primary school level. What is one of the first things one is taught about numbers, other than simple order?
(Oh, and Nik - I asked for the information as payment for doing space accountancy, which lay uncompleted for a while at the loss of a flash drive with the data on it and now PW just uses the wiki. I can still buy Nyartefacts, though, should I wish. As for it being boring and bleak, I still get to watch you guys fumble about for the answers, and maybe give a prod in the right direction on occasion.)