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[Sean Mirrsen]

Anton Chernozorov

Anton seems more distracted than usual, with his project to upgrade the soldiers' personal equipment hitting some logistical issues, but manages to keep doing his share of work around the base.

Remotely examine the usable salvage and repairable ships in orbit. If we can spare the manpower, between the things already being built and the expansion of the resource acquisition systems, start proper salvage work on them. Use the two constructor ships to speed things along.

Don't just repair the ships - we have more uses for them than just combat. Strip them of all weapons but the main gun and minimal point defense, and convert them from combat ships with troop-carrying capacity, into armed transport ships - allocate (and extend as much as the FTL drive allows, remodeling the outer hull if necessary) dedicated cargo space, with option of mass personnel transport in stasis chambers. The idea is to have a fleet of FTL transports that could still do some planetary defending if the need arises, unlike the Spirit of Communism, which is a dedicated freighter.

Any salvage that ends up unused, is to be transported down to the planet surface via shuttles, and recycled however such things normally are.

If the above is all possible, ETA for completion?

[syvarris]

Hephaestus management:

1.You say we need an automanipulator for the planetary mass compacting thing.  Can we make it ourselves, or must we import it? 

2.If we must import, can we just have it shipped over, or does the Sword need to have some operatives go on a special mission?

3.When will the spears be done?  You just said that they'll be done 'in time', but they're the only SMF thing that's currently being constructed.  And they're hogging a construction crew.


"Experiment":

4.What systems do we have to disable something contained in the chamber?  Ceiling turrets?  Paralytic gas?  Massive EMPs?  Kinetic locking automanips?  Nothing?

5.If at any time the gun acts dangerously, like shooting an EMP Bomb, or the wall, activate one of the EMP bombs or an in-built containment system that could disable the body.

6.Wait one minute for the gun to respond.  If it doesn't, ask if it is capable of speech, and point out that it's only options are to communicate with us, or to be locked up again, and that I would greatly prefer the former.  If it doesn't respond quickly, mention the fact that it's in a highly secured military facility designed to contain anomalous things like itself.  Wait an hour, and if the gun still hasn't responded, leave and tell the research team that they can handle this.  (I.E. assign them to analyzing this artifact, since you said research teams can analyze mission stuff.)

7.If the gun does respond that it can't speak (through nodding or head shaking or something), ask it if it can write.  If it indicates that it can, say that I will disable the body that it is currently in, then provide it with a new body and a method of writing.  Ask it if it is willing to go through that procedure, then regardless of it's response, disable it, using an EMP or whatever is built into the containment area.

8.Once it is disabled, have the room opened up, then have four robosods enter, armed with goop throwers.  Tell them to goop the disabled bot if it moves, and to not touch the gun.  Behind them, bring in the tied up robobody that had it's wireless comm stuff removed, carried by two unarmed robosods, one of whom has a datapad.  Have them untie the arms, but hold them securely.  Tell the goop sods to goop the unarmed sods, and the robobody, if any of them act aggressive towards any of the goop sods.

9.After containment is reestablished, have one of the unarmed sods force the robobody's left hand onto the barrel of the gun, without touching it himself.  If possession isn't established, try other parts of the gun, but not the grip.  If possession is established, have the other sod hold the body's right arm on the datapad, and explain to the gun that it can use this to communicate with me.

[Parisbre56]

((You might want to propose a way of communication, since it might not be able to use the robot's speakers. You might also want to try speaking in a simpler language or even symbols, in case it doesn't know or has trouble understanding Space English.))

[syvarris]

((Thanks.  I editted the experiment to take massive risks, to provide the body with the ability to communicate.

I feel sorry for PW, having to navigate that network of rushed if-thens.))

[Parisbre56]

((Thanks.  I editted the experiment to take massive risks, to provide the body with the ability to communicate.

I feel sorry for PW, having to navigate that network of rushed if-thens.))

((I meant something simple like those ghost movies where they say "do this twice for yes, once for no" or where they use that board with the letters and symbols on it. But whatever you think is best.))

[Toaster]

Ouija boards would probably be more effective on the ship right now than Heph.

[PyroDesu]

((Guys, could you please keep the OOC out of here? This thread is already updating faster than I can comfortably keep up with at the moment (hopefully that capacity is to increase after this week, what with 2 of my classes ending) and the copious OOC is not helping. Coming back to a post I'm making to see 41 new replies makes finishing that post a pain in the ass - especially since PW has already run 2 or 3 turns, it seems, and at least one of you is taking advantage of him by inserting language into your posts to do things that would seriously piss off Simus and PW should know you aren't allowed to do without talking to her anyways.

*glares at syv

Now I need to try and find my place again so I can post an update before I go to advising.))

[piecewise]

((Guys, could you please keep the OOC out of here? This thread is already updating faster than I can comfortably keep up with at the moment (hopefully that capacity is to increase after this week, what with 2 of my classes ending) and the copious OOC is not helping. Coming back to a post I'm making to see 41 new replies makes finishing that post a pain in the ass - especially since PW has already run 2 or 3 turns, it seems, and at least one of you is taking advantage of him by inserting language into your posts to do things that would seriously piss off Simus and PW should know you aren't allowed to do without talking to her anyways.

*glares at syv

Now I need to try and find my place again so I can post an update before I go to advising.))

gonna postpone the post so our dear leader can catch up. At least for a little bit.

[syvarris]

I've noticed recently that our dear leader, Simus, has been very... distant.  She only intermittently responds to the messages that I send her, sometimes quite late, and I don't think she's been spending much time tinkering or keeping track of our facilities.  In fact, to my knowledge, the only real involvment she's had with hephaestus facilities is her trip to oversee the mining of the future Space Magic Facility.  This is a far cry from Simus' old MO of being very involved, strict, and focused.

I'm messaging you two with a question: Have you noticed similar tendencies with our leader?  If so, this is a worrying change, and I'm not sure what to do about it.  It's likely this is due to late onset stasis catonia, in which case the only real solution is to wait and hope.  Alternatively, and much worse, this could be intentional sabotage.  I highly doubt that's the case, but we can't be absolutely certain an Urban Executor or Shadow Walker isn't here on Heph- especially since Simus was the one who conducted the original search.  That possiblity is the reason I didn't send this message to Simus, by the way.

Here's a second question: In either of those cases, what do you propose we do about it?  My initial thought was that we should ask Steve to appoint a new leader, but I don't think a leader is really necessary with a group as small as ours.  My second is that we may want to improve security on Hephaestus somewhat, because as-is, a UE could all too easily slip between the ranks of our workers, and back into the various automated areas and other hiding spots.

Thoughts?

((OOC note: I'm not meaning to accuse Pyro of anything with this, if it looks like that.  I just think that if Pyro can't keep up-to-date with the thread, we should temporarily have him stand aside- chalk it up in-game to stasis catonia, like all the other inactive players.  When Pyro comes back, Simus comes out of it and gets her position back.

Also, I know that there's basically 0% chance of enemy agents with SM on Heph.  If there were, PW would have already used them to delay the flow of my massive tinker posts.  However, OOC, it does lead to the valid concern of security.  As Unholy pointed out, we don't have much to prevent enemies--whether traitors or UWM agents--from infiltrating Heph and wreaking havoc.))

[Xantalos]

((Oh lord it's TEN Machete Apocalypse all over again.))

[PyroDesu]

To control things, sure. Maybe up to controlling exoskeletons and battlesuits. But I don't like the idea of having my voluntary systems overridden, and I'm sure everyone in a robotic body would agree with me.

And be sure to ask him why he wanted to nuke the command center.

Actually, I'm quite sure that my jurisdiction ends at the Hephaestus system. My job is to ensure that the system remains secure, and that the Sword and other ARM vessels and the soldiers within them are kept supplied, repaired, equipped, and on occasion, updated. If you think that there is something that needs to be recovered and brought here, bring it up with one of the Generals, not with me. As for being the only one with the resources to utilize it, that may be true. But resources to go gallivanting for it and things like it, we do not have. We can't even make jump-capable ships yet, the manipulator facility is still in phase one construction.

Also, we've got a diplomat, and we don't need a soldier of whatever role. If you don't want to send the weapon (and attendant battlesuit) here for study without staying yourself, then I'm not going to force you to send it and not come - it, and you, can stay on the Sword. If you think you can contribute as a STE Officer, like Anton or Saint, then say so and I'll see how you work, then maybe you can come.

((It's not that I can't, it's that you guys end up running ahead of me while I'm still making a response. I don't have the luxury of being able to think as Simus for large parts of the day anymore. Now, maybe I'll find time to post an actual action for today instead of being an answering machine.

Also, the only times people are coming in to Hephaestus is whenever we get a new Science or Construction crew (I have the feeling we might get one of the former if the diplomacy mission goes well), and when someone from the Sword gets to join. So the only real danger is new crews being plants, which is likely nearly zero - especially as they have some time to stay on the Sword before the shuttle picks them up.))

[syvarris]

((@Pyro

I'm posting this here, and not in OOC, because I'm not certain if you read OOC.  Sorry for the clutter.

Anyways, that's my point- you don't have the ability to actually be a leader in any timely manner.  Back when I was asking for authorization from Simus, to send a message to the doctor, I didn't get a reply for at least six days- I think that was what you meant when you mentioned me cursing to get PW to do something?  Awhile later, you asked PW to wait until you could reply to stuff... and then you didn't reply for fourteen days.  Beyond that, you almost never post actions for Simus.

I'm not angry.  I agree that real life is more important than ER,  especially education (which I think is your major timesink?).  It's just that whatever your reason for not posting, I think we should acknowledge that you don't, and deal with it in game.

Spoiler: Lots of text about why I disagree with you about the danger of infiltrators (click to show/hide)

As far as UWM plants... I disagree with you that a plant in a construction crew is unlikely.  In-character, we know the UWM wants Heph back, and very much wants us to lose it, so them trying to get a plant is likely.  OOC, PW likes to mention that he wante Bad Things to happen on Heph, and a plant in a crew would be easy.

I don't think it would be hard for the UWM to do--They have presence on Q'baja, and undoubtably other worlds too--and a single construction crew is fifty people.  How hard would it be to pull some strings and get one of their own agents onto that list?  Or simply bribe one of the people already there?  Worse, it's difficult for us to stop, because we'd need to mindread every incoming worker, and the only person we have that's capable of that is the AM.

Also, while OOC it's not a big risk, when we accept an inmate onto Heph we're accepting a highly insane, possibly criminal, convict.  And giving them nigh-infinite resources.  With minimum supervision.  And allowing them to sleep a few doors away from any given commander's private room.  The only reason it's justified in-character is by the fact we're also literally insane.

@Xan

Except I don't plan on killing Simus, and am perfectly fine with Pyro getting his rank back if he's active later.

It wouldn't even be justified, because Pyro rarely holds up the thread.))

[Empiricist]

Understood. What is your opinion of the value of modifying the peripheral systems of the 'Pawn' SFE prototype weapon (wrist-pad linked firing, wrist-pad controlled turret stand, wrist-pad or helmet linked scope) to be compatible with other weapon systems so that they can be deployed as expendable remotely-operated turrets or act as a means to allow allies to check what they see?

As for the prisoner, I shall attempt to do so, though he has been rather uncooperative to say the least.

I cannot respond with certainty, personal mental problems notwithstanding, as I am indeed rather isolated in my assigned role. However, I can certify that our superior officer has indeed been rather involved with my current assignment. As for her reasons for this apparent lack of involvement, perhaps there are confidential issues regarding this 'Space Magic Facility'? After all, my prior experience with it indicates that it is rather, volatile, to say the least so it would not be peculiar for her to be exceptionally busy with ensuring that the proper safety measures being put in place.

This is all, of course, conjecture on my part, if you two indeed do come to such conclusions and decide to rectify this matter, I have neither the power nor right to stop you. Though I trust that prudence is exercised as to avoid excessively straining relations with our commander.

As for the matter of an infiltrator, I suppose there would, as always, be the possibility of a sleeper agent. It seems unlikely however that an agent may be operating externally to our organization as they would inevitably expend their supplies and thus likely become notice if not caught when they must acquire more food and other necessities. Generous benefits to all workers may work to neutralize a sleeper by proselytizing them to our cause as specialist forces of the UWM tend to display symptoms of psychopathy (diminishment or absence of emotion) if not by nature then by training, symptoms that perhaps may be appealed to.

[syvarris]

Hmm.  Okay then, it's good that you've been seeing things differently- perhaps her work just brings her in contact with you more often than I.  As far as the SMF, I don't think that's a large timesink; I've looked over the plans a little myself, and it's mostly just digging and earth moving.  Not precision work.  Once we get the supplies to build the actual thing, that will require close supervison, but nothing that's being done right now.


As to the infiltrator, I agree that the liklihood of someone still being on Hephaestus without our noticing them is unlikely.  I only brought it up because it could explain Simus' behavioral difference- which could be purely imagined by me.

Also, you're wrong about sociopathy.  Sociopathy is a lack of empathy, not emotion.  Sociopaths still have emotions, they just don't last long, and they're... harder to resist.  Anyway, the infiltrators being sociopaths would make it more difficult to proselytize them, because our revolution is founded on "resisting the tyranny and scientific repression of the UWM" and whatnot.  A regular agent or worker isn't harmed much by that, and a sociopath wouldn't care about the civilians that are harmed by it.

From a logical, unemotional point of view, betraying the UWM to join ARM would be a poor decision, unless we could convince them that we'll likely win the war, and that we'll reward them lavishly.  Neither of which would be easy, to be honest.

((Are you sure Simus has been "rather involved" with Charles, Empi?  A quick scan shows that Pyro has told you something related to hephaestus once in the last thirty days.  I may have missed something, but that's not very involved, IMO.  Maybe you're thinking of Radio?

Also, yay, hephaestus personnel are interacting in-character! ))

[Empiricist]

Ah yes, my mistake. Seems that I've gotten rather rusty, so to speak.

Another option that comes to mind, though morally dubious, would be to have that biological weapon of sorts, Xan create something that can monitor for us. Perhaps some kind of insect-like or parasitic lifeform would suffice for this purpose, something that, for the lack of a better term, neutralizes, intruders and traitors.