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[TricMagic]

Note we can build it on the moon to solve the whole Exit issue. Though I admit it most certainly could manage exit.


HERMES- Halo Event Reaction & Mechanics Estimation Software

This might do for it's computing system. Kinda a small-scale Oracle. Which is something a Boundary Class can fit inside with our engineering/computer experience.


Halo Laser

A ring set on a side. Cyclical Magmagel powers a laser that can concentrate a continual stream of light upon distant targets. Low power, but at the point the light intersects, everything is destroyed from the colliding laser's light.

Needless to say, it needs plenty of continual power, but is low-heat and surprising low cost for something that can eliminate hostiles. HERMES main weapon of choice for being able to predict where a target will be, allowing the colliding light to show it's effects.

Each ring is 6 meters in diameter, with the ring's crystal cover being 1 meter in width. The combined laser fire is thanks to mechanically changing the angle of the energy feed which pass through the cover to become lasers, and the cover's quality. When not in use, Halos are covered with a retracting armor piece like a bug shell. Somewhat obviously a complete upgrade over Claw range of effect, and stronger too, with the effect like being hit by a Talon Blast. Not all that great at point defense though, so Claws still have some use.


LIDAR Detection: Simple pannels on the Boundary which are used to scan for enemies and the area around them at range. Makes full use of the energy Fusion grants to get near infinite range on the LIDAR, allowing perfect detection of solid objects in space and distances. There is a range issue in that at a certain point, it no longer can return though, so no seeing something all the way around Mars. Perfect for spotting something from the moon's orbital line though, or Earth's.

[Chiefwaffles]

Design: ME-SCS-65 AURORA
(Normal) (4+3) = 7: Superior Craftsmanship

Politicians were infuriated when they heard an engineer mention we allegedly played up the scientific utility of AURORA for funding reasons. They stepped down and gave us more money when a few rogue engineers threatened to start writing reports entirely using acronyms. Not that we would ever do that.
Good thing for them, since the AURORA is quite the design. Simple and utilitarian, sure, but effective. Because ultimately, AURORA is a box. A big unpressurized box. Cryogenic LH2/LOX rocket engines propel it at a Slow speed, and you can put things in the box. Including cargo, and places where those darn-atmosphere-needing-humans can live. It has a decent radio for communication too. Absolutely no armor; tissue-paper hull. When thrusters are inactive, Solaris powers everything.


...OKAY, we lied about it being a box. It's more like a relatively thin tube, with modules fitting below and slightly around it. It is a box when all modules are installed! Importantly, these modules can be easily unlocked and unattached. A module slot can also dock a smaller ship to it instead. We have three module slots at the moment. When someone saw a depiction of one of the final revisions, they started babbling about controlling the stars? They're... fine now. For someone in the design division, at least.

This other bit was intentional. We meant to do this. We definitely did not accidentally change the scale of the mock-up drafts down after printing the cargo version. The combat drone is much smaller than the cargo AURORA. Tiny, even! We even made a smaller Ravenmind (no orbital navigation, etc.) for it. And naturally, when you have drones and a big box, you're inclined to ask: what if we put the drones... inside the big box?

The Drone Bay fits 6x AC/DC vessels (Aurora Combat/Drone Cadre). Every AC/DC has an assigned slot, where they are resupplied. Repairs must be done manually by a pressure-suited-human, though. Drones deploy and return to the ship via launch tubes that can quickly "suck in" and align returning drones or fling out deploying drones to avoid a slow launch.

Oh yeah, the Fleetmind. That's a thing. It's a scaled-up improved version of the Ravenmind. Not a human permanently embedded with the ship systems. Why do people keep on asking that when they hear the name? It has all the standard Ravenmind features, but the Fleetmind also has independent course plotting. While it's not (near-)instant like the ORACLE-A, it can plot orbital courses by itself entirely. Fleetmind expertly pilots the ship, to the point where we haven't implemented human pilot controls. Crew, if present, can micromanage to their preferred level but in the end the actual flying is done by Fleetmind. The ship intelligence can communicate with a crude and barely legible but COOL synthesized voice, to keep everyone updated.
Fleetmind is, to a minor extent, capable of judgement calls. Really, all we did at the technical level is improve the prediction ability based on what we've learned (still not ORACLE-A level, but impressive regardless). Then we tried to get it to predict itself. From here, we could just do a bunch of messing around on all levels to eventually achieve our goal. Fleetmind is not a purely reactive entity, and effectively plans ahead towards an arbitrary goal. It does not learn, no.

The base AURORA is not meant for humans at all. Just a few maintenance pathways, but no pressurized areas. Starnauts are resigned to the habitat module, which can hold 8 humans for up to a week. Longer if a cargo module has extra supplies.


Related to this design, the military makes the official decision to consolidate all space-related assets under a new branch. Going along with the theme established by "Starnauts" along with what will naturally happen as a result of this war, it is named "Star Control". That person who talked about controlling the stars may have had something to do with this name, despite our best efforts. Star Control's command structure is located at the MAGMA Starport, formally (and still operating on the side as) a ORACLE-A node.


New variants can be introduced later, along with modules or other improvements. But for now, we have two variants:
AURORA-B(arge). The Barge is equipped with two Cargo modules and one Habitat module, allowing for bulk transport of personnel and materials for either TC or troop/materiel transport. 3 Ore, 2 Oil, and 1 Magmatite, making itCheap. The Barge gives +2 STC that stacks with the Starknight, as they fill different enough roles. No increased region rating, but people have some ideas to accomplish that with the AURORA.
AURORA-C(arrier). Carriers have two Drone Bay modules and one slot left empty to allow for transport of Firestorms/Starknights by docking to it. 4 Ore, 4 Oil, and 3 Magmatite, making it Expensive.

The AC/DC design is considered separate from the Aurora for tracking purposes. It has its own price, which is included in AURORA-C's price.

Spoiler: Designs (click to show/hide)

Transport Capacity: 2/3 (2/2 Oil, 0/0 Ore Imported)
Space Transport Capacity: 2/5 (2/2 Magmatite Imported) (+1 STC from Aratam's ANGEL Project)
Resources: 4 Ore, 3 Oil, 3 Magmatite

Moon Region Rating: 2/2 (Regions Occupied / Max # of Occupied Regions)
Moon Resources: 2 Magmatite (Succesfully imported Moon Resources are included in "Resources" as well)

Weapons

• ME-CLAW-63: Magmagel laser gun. Can be dual-wielded by Bear soldiers. Uses Magmagel canisters inserted into barrel to fire. Has a beam mode and pulse mode -- beam capable of cutting unarmored people in half. Can easily melt through current Aratamite infantry armor, though not instantly. Damage is precise; it can do a lot of damage in very small areas -- best used against vital organs. Beam mode, when concentrated on the exact same spot of a Tank/heavy armor for a few seconds, can melt through the armor and damage directly behind it. Has optional port to pump in/out Magmagel for continuous use. Terrific accuracy at any range, though damage scales with distance (making it Long-ranged). Comes with 3x scope for sniping.
  [Cheap] 2 Ore, 1 Oil, 2 Magmatite
• ME-GWS-63 'TALON': A variant of the ME-CLAW-63 with expanded Magmagel tanks and capacitor arrays, that works on a controlled overload. Takes 5 seconds to charge a laser pulse which turns everything in its path to plasma, then a large chunk of its target to plasma. Needs a 30 second cooldown period between shots, and has an extensive STABIL-ICE cooling system. If cooling is damaged or overheated otherwise, weapon explodes violently. Can shoot 10 times before recharge (which can be done in-field by external connection or by using its host's power supply) Very heavy, and currently only fit for deployment as the primary weapon of a Grizzly.
  [Expensive] 3 Ore, 1 Oil, 4 Magmatite
• UF-MRL-40 'SARUKH': The Sarukh is a multiple rocket launcher, which fires rockets one meter long to deliver 6kg warheads at a maximum range of 12000 meters. The rockets have impressive destructive power, compared to shells they do not need thick metal casings, so most of the weight of the rocket is either warhead or propellant. The rockets are launched electrically off of rails, and the rails are in a 4x2 array. The rockets can be fired all at once, but it takes about four minutes to reload the whole launcher, so the sustained rate of fire is not better than regular artillery. However, a rocket array is extremely light compared to a cannon, and can move very quickly, firing all at once and retreating before fire is returned from the enemy. Accuracy is poor compared to shells; to reliably hit a single target with a volley they should be used within 8km. Currently available as a truck trailer.
  [Cheap] 1 Ore, 3 Oil
• ICE Thrower: 20m-ranged pressurized ICE thrower that can rapidly cool an area in front of the operator to (eventually) lethal levels or outright kill/severely harm those directly hit by ICE. The ICE doesn't naturally react until roughly 10m out from the barrel, though it can hit other things in its way and react with whatever it hits. Prolonged use is discouraged, due to close proximity with ICE and ICE-affected areas being very dangerous even with the extensive insulation operators wear.
  [Cheap] 2 Ore, 3 Oil
• ME-MO-62 "Nameless Death": A large mortar that uses rocket-propelled ammunition to give it a more than respectable range, with the ability for ICE or HE warheads. Its advantage lies in its versatility and ease-of-use: it can be mounted on Bear Armor's rear mount, deployed on the ground, and an automatic version exists for mounting on the Grizzly. Though the infantry version is somewhat hard to use without Bear Armor. Bear Troopers can fire their rear-mounted mortar at any time, without deployment, using a button on the suit's arm, though they have to aim through their posture, and the mortar has to be manually reloaded by another person. Grizzly mech versions are fired via the CAT interface, but are harder to aim and the CAT interface can't do anything other than "fire".
  [Cheap] 2 Ore
• ME-AEM-63 'Shrike': A 100kg missile with a 15kg ICE/HE warhead. Its associated "Birdbrain" computing pod allows for real-time target detection/analyzing, giving pilots a simple holographic reticule overlay in the cockpit and allowing effective tracking of any kind of target. Its warhead can be adjusted in real time by the computer for optimum damage against the selected target (air-bursting,  shaped charge, etc.) and it has high-res sensors with a relatively-thin viewing angle to find targets. On-board missile computer is simple and enacts out orders given by Birdbrain pre-launch, but can wirelessly receive new orders/communicate intel. Not specifically long-range.
  [Cheap] 2 Ore, 2 Oil
• ME-LDT-64 'RAILSTATION': Autonomous WARnet-Ravenmind CLAW turret. Fueled for 12h non-combat, 30min combat. Towed and deployed via WARTHOG (automatic w/ human supervision) or Excavator (manual). STABIL-ICE cooling keeps manageable temps in expectable conditions. If manually calibrated by trained human to a point on our maps, can act as navigational waypoint in its WARnet. Unarmored and fairly large pyramid shape. Sensors convey data across WARnet and allow for independent targeting of hostile ground assets and very rarely ballistic projectiles. 2m tall, 1m diameter, very roughly pyramid shaped.
  [Cheap] 3 Ore, 3 Oil, 1 Magmatite

Armor

• ME-PA-59 'Bear Armour': Powered infantry armor w/ full body COMBAT plating coverage, albeit with fairly frequent gaps in the joints. Lasts 8 hr, charge monitored by dial in the helmet. Stands ~2m tall, with bulletproof glass visor for limited visibility. Pilots boast slightly increased speed and slightly decreased agility over regular unarmored individuals while in the Armour and hold twice the strength of average soldiers. Contains advanced shock/recoil-dampening capabilities in gauntlets. Fit with Magmagel.
  [Cheap] 4 Ore, 2 Oil, 1 Magmatite
  
  • ME-PA-65 SPACEMARINE: Overhauled PA-59; external+internal ceramics protect COMBAT plating from heat and user from melted COMBAT plating. Sealed suit w/ air filter, can last 20m in space without external tanks. Controlled via improved CAT, eliminating small movement of arms due to breathing/etc. and giving more control. As agile as a regular soldier, can run at a consistent 20 MPH / 9 m/s, can carry about 3-4x as much mass. STABIL-ICE cooling keeps user cool in warm temperatures, and floods breached areas to prevent cascading damage from melting COMBAT plating. Coolant can run out with heavy use. User sees via feed from miniaturized cameras on sides of head projected onto internal faceplate with IV capability; internal WALK-TALK allows for handsfree communication and, if near a Ravenmind, highlighting of targets detected by that Ravenmind.
    [Expensive] 5 Ore, 1 Oil, 2 Magmatite
• "Drop Bear" Armor: Bear Armor with 2 large fuel tanks attached to back with nozzles placed around the suit. Launches a Bear Trooper high into the air 50 m forward before landing unharmed. Single-use, and prohibits use of heavy weaponry.
  [Expensive] 4 Ore, 3+1 Oil, 1 Magmatite
• ME-MAS-62 'Grizzly Armor' v2: ~4m-tall mechanized combat suit, based on Bear Armor. Heavy COMBAT plating covering chest - where the CAT-using pilot is, ooking at a fiberscope connected to the head. Mangalloy plating covers external of COMBAT armor. Can tank huge hits, and is relatively agile for something as dangerous as it is. Can equip any vehicle-suited or heavy weapon held by Mereth, an upscaled Bear Shield, or a 6-rocket Sarukh pod in either(/both) of its two arm modules. Fit with Magmagel, and a charging port that allows charging in five minutes w/ dials in cockpit. "Ursine Vision" system has 4 cameras relayed to the pilot (who can choose to ignore them in favor of the fiberscope) as well as a dedicated Handler at the nearest ORACLE-A node, who points out important things, gives tactical advice, and relays intelligence to ORACLE-A. Cameras are obvious targets and delicate, but not essential to operation.
  [Expensive] 6 Ore, 3 Oil, 1 Magmatite
• ME-AGV-64 WARTHOG: 6m-long angular autonomous ground vehicle powered by a Ravenmind. A squadron communicates in very short range "WARnet" to/from a Commander designated WARTHOG receiving general orders from the nearest Node (destruction of Commander leads to 1-3min of interrupted general commands while network rearranges itself). Covered in infantry-grade COMBAT plating, with AWD heavy duty wheels placed relatively far up into chassis for protection. GOFAST engine gives Fast speed, and a WARTHOG has a Very Long (entire theatre) range w/o weapon firing and Short range if deployed for combat. Twin-CLAW turret controlled by Ravenmind is placed on top. Can't track absolute location and must follow a human(-operated vehicle) or stay close to calibrated RAILSTATIONs for general travel. A squadron can coordinate to a limited degree, focusing fire on specific enemies and spots and the like though proper in-squad tactics aren't used. Basic STABIL-ICE cooling allows for continued operation while firing turret. Has foot/hand holds for 4 Bear troopers on outside.
  [Expensive] 3 Ore, 4 Oil, 2 Magmatite
  
  • WARTHOG-H: Variant with heavier cooling systems, external Magmagel+STABIL-ICE tanks, and less armor to mount a TALON turret instead. Does not sacrifice speed.
    [Expensive] 3 Ore, 4 Oil, 3 Magmatite

Spacecraft

• ME-STS-64 'Starknight': Larger completely unarmored variant of the Skyranger designed for space travel. Turbopumped-GOFAST rocket combustion engine powers multiple thruster nozzles all over the craft -- all with good vectoring -- allowing for great maneuverability, speed, and fuel efficiency. Complete VTOL, and can hover at high fuel cost. ICE-cooling and ablative plating allows relatively-low-maintenance atmospheric re-entry. Power provided by engines during burns and auxiliary GOFAST generators otherwise. Panoramic display screen replaces window in cockpit, showing large amounts of data derived by Birdbrain-based "Swallow" guidance system. Cramped pressurized crew compartment allows maximum crew of 6 for up to 2 weeks on its life support. Has 6 integrated CAT stations. Large unpressurized cargo hold has 2 HAUNTERs, 4 SERFs, and 2 GOFAST generators. Has covered ports on outside of hull and on inside of cargo bay to connect Datalink conduits to for ORACLE data uploading/downloading and SERF control. Rest of cargo hold has enough space for ~half a dissembled Excavator. Requires comprehensive flight plan from ORACLE-A via Datalink for orbital navigation. Equipped with radio.
  +1 STC, +1 Moon Region Rating
  [Very Expensive 5 Ore, 5 Oil
• ME-ORMA-64 'Firestorm': Based on the Blizzard, extremely sleek obsidian black & bronze chassis with damascus steel-like details. Blizzard-style wings are placed further to the back, but are much stubbier and feel like an extension of the chassis. Covered in COMBAT plating, with the cockpit canopy having a COMBAT plating shutter. Powered by the "Ravenmind" Combat Assistive Computer which can give likely enemy flight patterns, analyze and target all enemies, assist in flight and maneuvers, communicate with other Ravenminds and ORACLE-A over radio, and give every possible piece of pertinent information to the pilot via the 4-color canopy HUD (where most information is conveyed rather than through physical instruments). Ravenmind controls CLAWs by default, and can control TALON and/or flight systems if allowed. Combat is still very possible when shutters are closed thanks to Ravenmind-provided data. A slightly downscaled nose TALON with minor gimballing can fire to a small cone of fire at the front (air-cooled for poor rate of fire, ICE-cooled for better RoF at cost of re-entry/Mach 3 speed capability before refueling), and two CLAW "bubbles" on the sides with interior mirror gimballing can fire practically anywhere short of 90 degrees in any direction. 4 hours of oxygen and 8 MREs are provided, allowing for extra-atmosphere operations. Full docking with crew, fuel, power, Datalink, and life support 2-way transfer can be made by docking the top of the craft with other spacecraft. Transports like the Starknight can refuel the Firestorm in orbit and transport it to places like the moon, allowing for full orbital fighter operations. Powered by a single multimodal GOFAST-M rocket engine with a primary thruster and powerful RCS thrusters all along the craft. STABIL-ICE cooling and ablative plating for re-entry and Mach 3 speeds, though a max of 5 minutes at Mach 3 is allowed before maintenance will be required to do it again. Mach 2 cruising speeds, Medium range.
  [Very Expensive] 6 Ore, 4 Oil, 4 Magmatite
• AURORA: Thin tube-like moderately sized vessel that works via attaching relatively large modules to itself. Slow speed, Lunar range. By itself, effectively useless. Not built for humans, and is piloted by Fleetmind -- scaled up version of Ravenmind with independent orbital navigation abilities and effectively a mild ability to make judgement calls and work towards a hard-set goal. Has three slots for modules to fit onto (which make it more of a box shape with all 3 modules), but can also dock smaller ships to module slots instead. Can unlock and separate modules at any point. Equipped with Solaris (+1 Magmatite cost) to power itself and modules when thrusters are not active.
  [Cheap] 1 Ore, 1 Oil, 1 Magmatite
  
  • AURORA-B(arge): Two cargo modules (unpressurized cargo and a handful of SERFs to manipulate it internally) and a Habitat module (8x humans for 1 week w/o extra supplies). Good for transporting personnel, supplies, and material. Unloads by unlocking+separating from its modules and leaving them at the destination site.
    +2 STC
    [Cheap] 3 Ore, 2 Oil, 1 Magmatite
  • AURORA-C(arrier): Two Drone Bay modules (6x AC/DC Drones launched/retrieved via launch tubes; automatically resupplied but must be manually repaired) and an empty module slot to carry smaller spacecraft -- e.g. Firestorm/Starknight -- into space. Price includes the price of 12x AC/DC drones.
    [Cheap] 4 Ore, 4 Oil, 3 Magmatite
• AC/DC: Simple cheap and relatively small (relative to, say, Firestorm) autonomous combat drone. Uses Ravenmind-S, which is much smaller than Ravenmind at cost of any kind of orbital navigation and some other cutbacks and minimization. Medium Speed, Tiny Range with its single small GOFAST-M thruster and accompanying tank. Equipped with a TALON and small Magmagel tank as a small amount of ammo. Useless without a carrier entity. This price reflects the price of 12 drones. Does not use resources efficiently.
  [Cheap] 1 Ore, 2 Oil, 2 Magmatite

Air Vehicles

• ME-LRMA-60 "Blizzard": A two-engine jet "Long-Range Multi-Role-Aircraft" based off of the Lightning Streak that uses a 4 "X"-shaped wing configuration via the "Tereshkova Effect" for slightly increased aerodynamics, improved redundancy, and greatly improved coolness. Its two aT-J60gi ICE "freezing stovepipe" ramjet engines allows it to be a fair bit faster than the Lightning Streak. Has one large GOFAST tank and a small STABIL-ICE tank allowing for Long range. Equipped with a single 15° rudimentary CLAW turret integrated with Birdbrain (and a small amount of Magmagel "ammo"), and 8 Shrike missiles.
  [Expensive] 5 Ore, 4 Oil, 1 Magmatite
• ME-EAP-63 "Skyranger": A two-multimodal-propulsion-unit suborbital transport craft. With four wings. It can propel itself out of the atmosphere and "fall" towards its destination at extremely fast speeds, making it a practical fireball (the heat of which is mostly countered through ICE circulation cooling). It can hold a full Bear squad or the equivalent weight in cargo/personnel, and using its suborbital travel method it can arrive anywhere on the continent in ~30 minutes. Its landing is extremely obvious and it requires heavy maintenance, and unless handling very light loads it has to take the long way back home, not using suborbital travel. Uses Magmagel-powered fans mostly in the atmosphere, and Magmatite-GOFAST Rockets/Ramjets at higher speeds and to get sufficient suborbital velocity. Has a CLAW hardpoint that cannot be used if suborbital travel is expected.
  [Very Expensive] 6 Ore, 2 Oil, 3 Magmatite

Navy

• ME-DDG-61 "Chillwind": A Guided Missile Destroyer equipped with a 2x-Bumblebee turret, eight Velociraptors divided amongst both sides of the hulls, all slaved to a 150km aircraft/30km ships radar system. Uses a Mostly Vertical Launch system to house 40 Penguin missile launch tubes - 20 each side - angled 30 degrees down vertically. Crew and equipment requirements mean that only four missiles can be launched and guided at a time. Has a very thin metal hull covered by Pykrete and crisscrossing pipes of STABIL-ICE to keep the Pykrete layer cool and supposedly repair any damage, though it proves ineffective at damage repair and the STABIL-ICE often runs out quickly enough such that a Chillwind's first engagement is usually without any Pykrete armor still intact.
  [Cheap] 3 Ore, 3 Oil

Underground Vehicles

• UT-60 Excavator: A tracked medium-sized tunnel boring machine using GOFAST. Can go down to Moderate and Shallow depths, moves at Very Slow speeds while underground and at Moderate speeds aboveground. Possesses limited (but notable) agility underground. Contains space for 6 soldiers and small amounts of equipment of the equivalent amount of cargo in the back, in addition to the 2 crew in its cockpit. Light armor. Equipped with Earth Ear for basic subterranean navigation.
  [Cheap] 3 Ore, 3 Oil; Provides 1 Ore.
  
  • ME-CM-56 'Instant Roads': A fast-acting sprayable concrete mixture very useful for reinforcing tunnels when sprayed by trailers hooked to a Burrower. Allows use of Burrower tunnels for logistics.
    Provides 1 TC.
• UT-60-L Excavator-L: Variant w/ 8-hour life support and pressurized 2-person cabin. Airtight door can be docked with a temporary inflatable connector.

Other

• GATE/HAUNTER: A large ring-shaped device with surrounding outer transparent chamber of Magmagel that, with assistance of N-Sensitive Volunteer, can create a tear in the fabric of reality (induces insanity if looked at) leading to the "N-Dimension". It must spend time "Locking" coordinates, where Volunteer forces section of the N-Dimension to be stable and known enough to lock it to a position in our dimension where we can enter it. Emerging point in N-Dimension can be up to a mile away from GATE, with instant travel time. Complete ORACLE-A coverage of or very recent Volunteer visit to target area required. 15 min for lock to adjacent position, 2 hours for a mile away. SERF-based Datalink-controlled drone equipped with a sword and thrusters piloted by the Volunteer, the "HAUNTER", travels into N-Dimension where Aratamite astral activity can be located and an attempt can be made to stop/disrupt them. Tear remains open for 15m-1hr depending on Volunteer skill on maintaining N-Scape stability, though Volunteer can break lock prematurely if needed. GATEs are constructed in 2 days on site with premade parts shipped to site beforehand. HAUNTERs can not be recovered after deployment, making design Complex.
  [Very Expensive] 3 Ore, 2 Oil, 4 Magmatite, [Complex]
• GOFAST-Fuel: A special type of more energy-dense and stable fuel. Greatly increases fuel efficiency of anything it's in, doesn't require an oxidizer, and can rarely leak out of compromised containers.
  Adds 1 Oil to cost.
• WALK-TALK: Small hand-held two-way transistor radio.
  [Cheap] 1 Ore
• Electrogel: Thick blue gel that creates and transmits electrical current corresponding to applied pressure applied. The tiny Electrogel motor uses embedded Electrogel to works with power corresponding to Electrogel pressure. A patch of Electrogel can last roughly 8 hours when powering corresponding motor at max power. Can be recharged, taking 3x as long as it took to deplete.
  
  • Magmagel: Uses Magmatite for much better charging and capacity. Probably orange/red.
• UF-SM-57 'Earth Ear' Mk. IV: Sends precise vibrations through earth, computer analyzes what it receives to identify ground+entities in 20km radius. Holographic red/blue cube interface shows and distinguishes between earth, buildings, vehicles, and infantry (allied and enemy). Magnetic disks store data to be fed to ORACLE.
  
  • GASOLINE: Fits onto Earth Ear systems allowing for relative easy surveying of underground oil deposits. Regulations forbid surveying underneath Mereth -- oil found this way has to be imported with TC.
    Provides 1 Oil (Import)
• ICE: A chemical that very quickly reacts with the air to massively reduce heat in the surrounding area, often to the point where nearby things are frozen (ones in the epicenter frozen brittle), vehicles disabled or destroyed, and people killed.
  
  • STABIL-ICE: Variant that only reacts when above a target temperature as set during synthesization.
• C.O.M.B.A.T. Plating: Composite armor plating; thin manganese layer and ceramic layer sandwiching Tungsten-Bronze/Molybdenum-Bronze layer that converts kinetic and electric energy into heat. Outer layers easily melt when tanking particularly impactful hits such as coilgun shots and Lvl3 Tesla blasts, but prevents major injuries. Extra cost nullified by SERF.
• Cerebral Action Translator System wherein a series of jacks are implanted into the upper spine and lower brain -- roughly the neck and lower half of the back head, allowing for mental control of computers. Uses basic "neurogel" to create primitive connection between mind and machine; not 100% precise/natural but still very proficient.
• ME-RID-61 'SERF': Unmanned skeleton derived from Bear Armor, with near-human dexterity and camera-like head. Remote controlled via Datalink connection to CAT; seeing via a television monitor and hearing via speakers. Can "fold" itself into smaller form factor for transport; 30 min to fold and 3 min to unfold.
  Reduces cost of COMBAT plating from 1 Ore to 0.

Operation Plans

• WEREMINE: Establish a live-in base with a semi-permanent team controlling and manning mining operations in the area with Lunar Excavators. Has 3 docks for Excavators for resupply and crew/cargo transfer. Minor ORACLE-A-based "PROSPECT" takes Earth Ear + Core Sample + etc. data to provide predictions on the impossible-but-existing mineral deposits on moon. Makes full use of HOPE, namely upscaled FIG/BREATH for partial self-sustainability and Solaris for power. Has a few RAILSTATIONs at base perimeter connected to power grid. Reliant on shipments from Earth for operation. 2 Starknight landing pads.
  Potentially Provides 2 Ore OR 2 Magmatite
  Lunar Operation, [Construction Cost: 1 Magmatite], Takes up 1 Region

Infrastructure

• Division of Unusual Chemistry: A fully funded department & lab under the Design Division specializing in more unusual chemistry.
• M.A.G.M.A.: A giant very deep borehole used for industry, mining, and housing.
  Provides +1 Ore
• ORACLE-A: Microprocessor-based STABIL-ICE-cooled supercomputer that processes data and predicts enemy strategy. Use of large ORACLE-A "Nodes" across the territory help coordinate logistics, serve as forward bases, and increase the computer's capabilities. Input via keyboard, output via vector screen graphics and audio. Struggling to process so much input.
• H.O.P.E.: A laundry list of things very useful for doing things in orbit, the moon, and potentially beyond.
  
  • Solaris System: Magmatite-enhanced solar panels with attached good energy storage and 20% solar cell efficiency.
    Costs 1 Magmatite to add to a design.
  • Nanoseal Concrete: Variant of Instant Roads; material once applied slowly moves to create airproof seals. Requires multiple applications between waiting for it to clump together into sealed bits. Repairs nano breaches (micrometeroids or smaller), but bigger breaches require re-application. Must be sprayed on a medium/framework, e.g. bricks made from regolith. May cause cancer.
  • B.R.E.A.T.H. Regulates atmosphere in a closed environment, ensuring optimum atmosphere mix. Recycles CO2 w/ good but imperfect efficiency, can electrolyze water for more oxygen. Recycles waste to recover most water, and nutrients useful for plants.
  • F.I.G. Hydroponics module growing plants with nutrients+water from BREATH. Supplements, not replaces, rations.
  • Zephyr Modular airlock with own atmosphere tanks, solar panels, electronics, and sensors. Can be shipped in parts or as a whole (fits nicely as main cargo of a Starknight). Contains two lockers for Polaris suits.
  • A.L.W.V. Ambiguous Lunar Wheeled Vehicle; smallish flat bed battery-powered vehicle with good suspension and 8 wheels. Can fit an inflatable pressurized "cabin" to fit driver and 6 passengers, a cargo hold, a towing system, storage+laying for cables and conduits of all types, tanks for liquid/gaseous substances, etc..
    [Cheap] 3 Ore, 1 Magmatite
  Provides +1 Region Rating

• Embassy "Vast Underground Forenian Embassy": An extensive and mildly luxurious underground Forenian embassy dug underneath around the center of Mereth using improvements in excavation technology designed 100% solely for civilian use and definitely nothing else.

The Revision Phase of Summer 1965 has begun.

[Madman198237]

So by not gaining a Lunar Region Rating we don't need to spend a Magmatite on that (obviously), which leaves us in the frankly hilarious position of staring a HUGE number of cost decreases in the face. However, we could use a Cheap air support option (to overwhelm their ECM-capable fighters and saturation-bombard the ground with guided weapons), so let's cheapen Blizzards.

How we go about that, though, may be interesting. For instance: We may wish to do the following, and revise GOFAST to remove its own Oil cost or reduce the overall Oil costs of things that use it, in exchange for a Magmatite cost (And a boost in power, hopefully, since special resource and the DUC and many turns since the invention of GOFAST).

GOFAST-2, GOING FASTER^TM (Gelatinous Oxidizerless Fuel for Aircraft, Ships, and Tanks, version 2, Greatly Optimized for Improved Nonaerobic General Fuel Applications and Space Transportation of Essential Resources)
Based on GOFAST-M, GOFAST-2 is meant for things that need to Get GOING FASTER^TM. It supplants most of the more conventional compounds that utilize rather limited Oil-based chemicals for additional Magmatite-derived compounds, leveraging all our experience to pack ever more energy into ever less propellant. GOFAST-2 is more efficient that GOFAST-M, allowing various designs presently using more Oil than readily available to use less fuel for the same performance characteristics and endurances. Special care is taken to ensure general capability with all present GOFAST engines and other systems. This increased efficiency is provided mostly by making it, pound for pound, an even better fuel. It has, after all, been some years and many Magmatite (and general DUC) discoveries since the original chemical was formulated. We can do better.

We hope that the DUC is happy to finally be able to revisit their first-ever production, and impress us with their experience to improve the original product to a more suitably modern and powerful one, especially given the enemy's recent unfortunate successes in deploying very powerful drive technologies that we must remain competitive with.

However, if we don't really want to get all that extreme, we can also just try to focus on cheapening and improving Blizzards.

ME-LRMA-65 "Whiteout"
The Blizzard is rather dated, so a comprehensive update program has been aimed at bringing it into the modern era of missiles and large numbers of armed hostile aircraft intent on shooting it down. The design was altered enough, however, that a new designation was necessary as the new aircraft does not quite fill the same role as the Blizzard, and so "Whiteout" was chosen as the new designation. Updated aT-J65gi engines utilize smaller amounts of GOFAST-M and are tailored for more efficiency at the same performance, aimed at reducing its rather burdensome fuel costs. To further cut fuel costs, the range is reduced to that necessary for entirely land-based operations, as we do not expect to be fighting with Blizzards over the open ocean. The CLAW turret is upgraded comprehensively to Firestorm Optical CLAW standards, and instead of a Birdbrain a version of the AC/DC drone's wall outlet mini-Ravenmind is integrated to control the turret and replace the Birdbrain pod in controlling the missiles. The missiles are of course retained and a fast pass over the entire vehicle is done to tighten up aerodynamics and add some amount of COMBAT protection around the pilot and new combat computer.

[Failbird105]

So, to summarize the cost decreases we will be seeing come combat;

Cheap SPACEMARINEs,
Cheap Grizzlies,
Expensive Starknight
Expensive Firestorm
Cheap Skyranger(it should be Expensive currently)

[Chiefwaffles]

Note - it's only somewhat implied, but AC/DCs don't have terrific ammo capability. It's a small package and Magmagel storage is effectively the first to go. It does recharge with alternators in the rocket engine, but not instantly so a bit of delay is introduced on top of the existing cooldown delay. Also relevant is that the TALONs make up a good portion of the drones and thus are more likely to be hit. Which is a problem, considering they tend to explode when that happens.
Finally, they're relatively tiny but not in absolute size. For a super rough estimate since I'm allergic to hard numbers, I want to say about the size of a larger motorcycle.

And now, IC stuff I forgot to wisely didn't for my own reasons, include in the design post:

Our N-Scientists have been investigating sudden widespread reports of unusual occurrences from Volunteers. A sinking feeling was had when we noticed the divided groups of Volunteers -- for more manageable research of the event -- juuuuust so happened to always have 8 members each. Terrific.
Preliminary reports confirm the suspicions which we really were hoping to not be confirmed. In some way or another, every single Volunteer's recollection involves the number eight becoming annoyingly relevant. Why? Who knows! Reality is a cruel joke and we're the butt of it.

A good portion of those affected have not ever gone into orbit or the moon, differentiating this from past surfacing of the number-that-shall-not-be-named. We've narrowed down these happenings at least. The "sightings" happen in a near-simultaneous fashion over the course of an hour and may be vaguely connected to geographical area in who experiences them but otherwise seems random in those affected. We've identified 9 _(HAH!) different events, starting a good bit into this season and as far as we know continuing to this day. When and how the events occur, though? Completely arbitrary. Maybe. As always, we have no actual idea.

None of the N-Scientists think this will end up directly affecting us or Mereth's military for now, but it's worth bringing up.

[TricMagic]

AURORA-A(ssault)

A comprehensive series of defenses, an Attacker kit includes 1 Claw Defense System, 1 Kinetic Cannon for orbital and orbital to ground attacks, and 1 Command Node, which is a combination Control Center and living space.

The Command Node makes use of Fleetmind Command. Put simply, it can contact the Star Command on the ground, as well as other space assets with a long-wave radio. Unlike Fleetminds, it is also capable of calculating orbital trajectories(though not long-term flight plans) based upon input data, which helps it on the defense and offense. Other than that, it can last for 5 days of operation before crew rotation or resupply. It also has combat plating and ceramics for defense against plasma weapons, as well as the new DUC heat sink with ICE cooling..

The Claw Defense System also makes use of the new DUC Heat Sink, which draws heat from weapons effectively for cooling with ICE. This means more fire time for less ICE use, though currently useful only in larger installations. The number of Claw turrets arrayed against an attacking foe is completely withering. Combined with Fleetmind Command, this turns far worse since it can calculate the approaching target's trajectory with the CDS' LIDAR Orbs. The LIDAR Orb itself is a collection of mirror gumballs which can gather a large amount of distance data on a target, along with their speed and rotation vector, using light, a lot of light. The CDS has minimal ceramics tied to the Heat Sink and no Combat Plating.

The Kinetic Cannon is just as the name says. it fires a GOFAST assisted missile from a tube, from orbit to earth, based on local data gathered from Oracle and her nodes fed to Star Command. It will correct it's bearing in flight, and slam  a tungsten gravity-accelerated missile into the target area. Oh, and this module doubles as a ammo bay, containing 10 of these missiles at a time, which can be loaded in by the humans on board in pressurized suits(Or SERFs preferably if it won't compromise the loading process). The Ammo Bay itself has a cargo door for a Starknight to dock to for unloading.
 Note, Kinetic Cannon can strike Orbital Targets as well so long as the data exists for a targeting path. Given most Stops tend to gather in groups, this can be done at the moment so long as we care to try. Or striking ANGEL Space Base. Does not have any armor, as it isn't meant to deal with enemy craft close by. It does have extra rotational thrusters for turning the Aurora it's attached to though, tied into the fuel line of the Aurora.

The best part is probably the fact we already have most of what we need. We just need to put the three modules together into a singular package.
Note that speed has not been adjusted from the base AURORA. These are just modules after all, though the KC module at least gives it better turning in place.
Likewise, Design Team predicts the Command Node may be slightly larger on average that the Habitat module due to increased electronics.



KC=Missile Silo. Data on the surface making it's way to orbit is key, as well as ORACLE-A's predictions of movements. Meteor however is a big target begging a few shots take at it. Or a hundred at once/in a row at the same area. The missiles themselves are only designed to correct trajectory to hit the target area once in atmosphere. Though this will also accelerate them too.

CDS=Laser Grids. Railstations in Space. Call it what you will, but the LIDAR combined with Fleetmind Command predictions is likely to shred anything in front of it. KC can turn so we will be facing the right way.
Don't think we have ever developed LIDAR yet.. We should have it by now, but we don't. Other than that, Heat Sink by DUC. These are the two major innovations. Also has Cereamics for actually taking a hit, if not two. And the CDS is meant to protect the rest in the first place.

Command Node: Fleetmind, but with basic short term trajectory calculations of approaching and distant spacecraft. Also Long-wave radio for coordinates from the grounded Star Command. Who get them from Oracle Nodes direct from the battlefield, as well as give Oracle/Mereth a new option when something needs to be gone already. Like that huge Meteor hanging in the Sky.
Other than that, it's a basic habitat, besides the tech screens and data flow for combat. Without a Command Node, none of the thing will actually work on it's own. Can't program a long-term flight path on it's own though, but it can probably stay up there with minimal work.


Heat Sink by DUC.
Fleetmind Command. Mostly giving it the ability to take LIDAR data and use it for calculating the CDS laser sweep.
LIDAR, finally. Unless we have that already, then tell me. One thing off the list.

Also the simple kinetic missile with correction ability. Which is basic bird programming by this point. The Kinetic Cannon is literally a tube that holds it till it's time to drop, at which point, it can fire up to launch. Stops until in atmosphere once on the right path, and corrects as needed from there. Cannot change flight paths on it's own, but it will hit the area it's designated to hit.

Potential Bonus to the work. GPS. On an 8 maybe. Not actually in the design itself, but it would be very nice later on to get GPS for very accurate orbital bombardment.


As a side note, that Acronym for Going Faster, insane.

[10ebbor10]

Phantom Talon

Magmagel glows. This is hardly a new discovery, but it is one who's implications are underestimated. Many of our engineers just assumed that it's a universal fact of nature, and used the glow for little else than seeing whether or not their prototype was about to exploit.

That glow however represents a release, a waste of energy turned into useless light, and later heat. It is caused by the spontaneous decay of magmagel as result of molecular collisions. The more energy in the cell, the more activity. More activity means more light, which in turn causes more activity. Too much, and you get a runaway reaction that causes the capacitor to melt down. Just enough, and you get a Talon.

Well, no more. Our accounting departement got word of this unjustified enetgy expenditure, and through shear bureaucratic obstinancy forced us to rework the basic principle of our weaponry.

The key is liquid crystals. Under normal conditions, these crystals do nothing, leaving the magmagel to function as it always has. As we add energy to the magmagel  the increasing energization of the gel induces phantom currents that polarize the crystals in all directions. As only light of the correct polarization can pass, this severly dampens the glow, and thus also the wasteheat release and risk of meltdown.

Once the weapon is ready to fire, a single electrical pulse polarizes all crystals in the same direction, allowing our laser through and ensuring that no energy is wasted in a direction not towards the enemy

[TricMagic]

AURORA-A(ssault) Version B

Another design taking advantage of the Aurora's sheer modularity. In this case, two.

The first is a Revamp of the AC/DC. Ceramic Plating, Gofast-M Jets like the Firestorm, Heat Sink developed by DUC that can drain the heat and be cooled by ICE more effectively, and Computing that allows Sky Swarm tactics like a mean pack of birds, nipping at one's heels. Last is of course a Talon Cannon in the nose, and Claw Turrets on the x-wings. The new module can hold 7 of them, but they are long ranged and run off a Command System. One serves as the leader, and if that one falls, command switches to the next down the command list in range.

What makes these a bit different is that like the Firestorm, the AC/DC are used in both Space and Sky. An Aurora-A passes over the target area and releases them, and they head down to atmosphere directly. This gives a very long battle time, only needing to return to an Earth=based landing site near the end of that. Likewise, they are still capable of space combat. We'll call this the Outlet Module. AC/DC are small enough to fit in Starknights to bring up, and sit in the same cargo bay as their predecessor, though refined to handle their big as a sports car size.


The Second is the Kinetic Cannon. Made up of a barrel, an ammo bay, and a GOFAST assisted tungsten missile. The Ammo Bay holds 10, and 5 can be loaded into a Starknight at a time. From orbit, to the area targeted on Earth, with course corrections.

The Kinetic Cannon also has a Long-wave radio that ties into the Aurora, allowing it to contact Star Command on Earth to receive targeting information. They can also use this to bounce communications to other Aurora, becoming a Signal Booster. And combined with Oracle's predictions, and local information brought in from Oracle Nodes, orbital bombardment should work quite well. This is mostly due to triangulation, as multiple points are used. 1 at Star Command, 1 at the Tundra, 1 in the Taiga, 1 in the Mountains, 1 in the Plains, and so on. Combined with data received from other Aurora-As, it allows very good positioning of orbital strikes. Enough to hit the Meteor given enough tries in fact. At the least, Bombardment consists of multiple in a row on a target area, saturation solving the rest.


Last Module is the Habitat, as usual. These three make up an Aurora-A. Though sometimes an Aurora-A would be made up of two of the same module instead. What matters most is a strong attack vector.

Somewhat obviously, Aurora-C also have the new AC/DC Outlets(Though really, just the upgraded AC/DC when costs work out), though those are only for space combat, while Aurora-A are focused on air and ground support of Earth. The only times AC/DC would usually sortie otherwise is for defensive action.


I propose the new AC/DC variant be named Thunderbolts.
Hear the Thunder strike you down!

AURORA-A(ssault) Version B: (1) TricMagic

This is mostly cause of our sheer computer experience compared to them. For the Thunderbolts, they are Firestorms without the Combat Plating or human survival bits. And a fancy new Heat Sink. Along with ceramic plating from our Spacemarines.
Plan Orbital Bombardment, otherwise known as Plan: Down with the Meteor, is tungsten guided missile. Gravity accelerated, programmed to correct. And with the Radio to receive firing vectors from the ground as needed. Hopefully the nets we've built will also help. We just need to hit the general area of the Meteor enough times in succession. If nothing else, it will finally force the thing to be careful. 1 hit is going to damage it, two will put it out for a while, and 3 and 4 could utterly destroy it in a big reactor explosion.
 Note that if we can't deal with 1 meteor, what happens if it ever managed a cheaper version. It may be weaker, but that won't be good for the ground regardless if the Meteor remains with them. But big slow-moving targets make for good saturation bombardment targets. Especially with an Oracle Upgrade being discussed occasionally as a Wonder. That will only make bombardment more effective.

[andrea]

TALON-E(nhanced)

Talon is so far our only heavy laser gun. However, while effective its crudeness limits its implementation. It is prone to overheating, requires long cooldown and it has an unfortunate tendency to explode when damaged. Which we are told is not an uncommon occurrence when being shot at.

Our first order of business is therefore stabilizing it and improving the cooling system. While heat needs to get dispersed at some point, nothing says it needs to be dispersed immediately and that is where DUC comes in. we requested a special alloy with one particular property: it has an extremely high heat capacity, and is therefore able to store an extremely large amount of energy in a compact and relatively light package. A couple of rods of this material are inserted in the gun to work as heat sinks, absorbing heat while staying at a manageable temperature. By doing this, we don't need to stop to cool down the gun during an heated fight, but instead can slowly release the heat during a longer time, at least within some reasonable limits. With excessive use without a rest, even this special material becomes dangerously hot and in case of it hitting critical levels, to the point that the dissipating heat is a danger to the gun's sytems, then the rod is ejected to preserve the gun and its user. Overall, we can expect a significant improvement in rate of fire during engaments, while operating safely.

On the topic of safety, sensors are added to the gun to detect breach of cooling system and disable firing in that case. This system can be overridden, but it most often leads to a fiery death and is only advised as a last ditch effort or in case of sudden need of a makeshift grenade.

FInally, while we are overhauling it we also tweak the lens for longer in space range, and add the equipment to use it as a crewed infantry weapon for our SPACEMARINES, now that it is actually sort of safe to stand near it.

[TricMagic]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Aurora-AV(Assualt Vector), Take 3.

More complaints about how it's two difficult and won't be effective. Merethian Programming is almost at it's peak by now. It's only a matter of time before Oracle becomes.. well.

Anyway,

Kinetic Cannon. Made up of a barrel, an ammo bay, and a GOFAST assisted tungsten missile. The Ammo Bay holds 10, and 5 can be loaded into a Starknight at a time. From orbit, to the area targeted on Earth, with course corrections.

The Kinetic Cannon also has a Long-wave radio that ties into the Aurora, allowing it to contact Star Command on Earth to receive targeting information. They can also use this to bounce communications to other Aurora, becoming a Signal Booster. And combined with Oracle's predictions, and local information brought in from Oracle Nodes, orbital bombardment should work quite well. This is mostly due to triangulation, as multiple points are used. 1 at Star Command, 1 at the Tundra, 1 in the Taiga, 1 in the Mountains, 1 in the Plains, and so on. Combined with data received from other Aurora-As, it allows very good positioning of orbital strikes. Enough to hit the Meteor given enough tries in fact. At the least, Bombardment consists of multiple in a row on a target area, saturation solving the rest.

This again, though with a twist. We can also fire missiles loaded with heavy ICE Warheads capable of freezing around 200 meters by our estimates. Literally just a bunch of ice that an explosion in the middle knocks everywhere.

Likewise, we also have an Overload Fang, Talon, but with nothing but charged lasergel filled with tiny crystals merely waiting to blow up.

Both variants come with LIDAR/Radar suites to know when to go off. Though as a consequence of being mostly filled with gel, they don't have the same kinetic kick of the tungsten missile. They are far better when it comes to taking out ground targets though.

The new Aurora Assault Vector has one of these Modules. The other is a cargo bay storing yet more ammo and some supplies for the crew. And each module is protected with ceramic plating. Last is the Habitat module.



Take 4, AC/DC Thunderbolts

The first is a Revamp of the AC/DC. Ceramic, Gofast-M Jets like the Firestorm, Heat Sink developed by DUC that can drain the heat and be cooled by ICE more effectively, and Computing that allows Sky Swarm tactics like a mean pack of birds, nipping at one's heels. Last is of course a Talon Cannon in the nose, and Claw Turrets. The carrier module can hold 7 of them, but they are long ranged and run off a Command System. One serves as the leader, and if that one falls, command switches to the next down the command list in range.

What makes these a bit different is that like the Firestorm, the AC/DC are used in both Space and Sky. An Aurora-AC/DC passes over the target area and releases them, and they head down to atmosphere directly. This gives a very long battle time, only needing to return to an Earth=based landing site near the end of that. Likewise, they are still capable of space combat. We'll call this the Outlet Module. AC/DC are small enough to fit in Starknights to bring up, and sit in the same cargo bay as their predecessor, though refined to handle their big as a sports car size.

So named the Thunderbolts. Effectively Firestorms without the human element, and the new heat-sink. In an issue where DUC doesn't finish the Heatsink. Needless to say, they're simple, but effective. They are set to serve both in space and the skies. Being sent up to refuel before being in a carrier may seem a wierd move, but they can cycle to their battle locations on earth fairly quickly. They also have a kamikaze option where they overload their Magmagel banks and ram into a target, making them space to earth missiles against targets none of us can take down, like ships and meteors.

Note Thunderbolts can deploy from Earth as well, so its only the space docked ones that cost more. And even then, the old drones are still used on some Aurora-C until we replace them all. Such Earth-based Drones are mid-range at best though.



Take 5, AURORA-S(ilo)

Aruora-S, the Silo. For Longband radio communicating with Starcommand, and a Ravenmind capable of completing it's own objectives given.

First is the Thunderbolt Bay. A bay holding 10 Thunderbolt Missiles ready to be launched. When in position, the target data given to it, it gives the Ravenmind inside the missile it's orders.

Made up of Gofast jet and stubby X wings to control it's long flight down to earth, gravity accelerates it, and it's sensors lock onto the target area. It continues on till it hits the target. Given the fact it is moving at high speed, this is pretty fast. And inside is Magmagel charged to the brm overloading it's core, creating a massive blast of blue light.

Second, Cargo Bay. For more missiles and or cargo.

Third, Habitat. This is where the Longband Radio is. Also where the humans overlooking things sleep and work to load everything.

Thunderbolts are capable of either Earth, Orbit, or Lunar targets. In the case of orbit, Retrograde is used. Also, all thunderbolts have ceramic coating, some ICE, and tungsten tip for penetration into things and max kinetic energy transferred. Cracking wouldn't allow that after all..

It is known that making the Firestorm drive itself is trivial. Therefore, do away with long term costs to create the ultimate orbit to target missile. Hers the fun part though. As costs are reduced, the Silo will turn the cargo bay into another Silo. And once they are reduced again, it will have three, along with full Drone status, commanded from afar. The loading process automated is a goal we are currently working on. Hopefully we finish by the time we launch the first Silo.

Thunderbolts are also slated to be used on Earth for mid to long range bombardment, ground to ground. Since they can in fact fly themselves out of orbit. Oracle is going to have a lot of toys to play with or destroying enemies, as will Mereth.

Ravenmind-S Thunderbolt

The Thunderbolt makes use of the motorcycle-sized Ravenmind-S. Placed near the lower center, it can use basic sensors from LIDAR and radar, as well as visual, to make movement decisions. To a degree, mind you. Thunderbolts tend to have the fuel to reach Orbit and come hurling back down on a target area, making them very good at the whole bombardment thing.

A Thunderbolt does have what it takes to hit space, and continue on a flight path to hit space targets. Though in most cases, it only goes suborbital for hitting ground targets.

As for armor, it's Ceramic of the Spacemarine variety, and a new DUC derived Heat Sink with ICE cooling to make cooling that much more efficient, boosting survivability against plasma and orbital entry/exit. Other than that, GOFAST-M Jet, gimballing from three nozzle thrusts. X wings for decent turning, for a missile anyway. It's made simple, but can fulfill it's duties well.

For ammo we have the usual ICE head, though greatly increased for more freeze range. HE, with added oomph for blowing stuff up, good for space. And Ravenmind-S can in fact be aimed at air targets, carefully. It will hunt them down and explode. Same with space targets really, it is as vindictive as a Shrike. This, mostly means the Meteor for now, but big targets are valid targets for a Thunderbolt.


Overall, an effective addition to solve the whole range issue we have when it comes to bombardment.
For any complaints, please direct them to the attached data below.

ME-EAP-63 "Skyranger": A two-multimodal-propulsion-unit suborbital transport craft. With four wings. It can propel itself out of the atmosphere and "fall" towards its destination at extremely fast speeds, making it a practical fireball (the heat of which is mostly countered through ICE circulation cooling). It can hold a full Bear squad or the equivalent weight in cargo/personnel, and using its suborbital travel method it can arrive anywhere on the continent in ~30 minutes. Its landing is extremely obvious and it requires heavy maintenance, and unless handling very light loads it has to take the long way back home, not using suborbital travel. Uses Magmagel-powered fans mostly in the atmosphere, and Magmatite-GOFAST Rockets/Ramjets at higher speeds and to get sufficient suborbital velocity. Has a CLAW hardpoint that cannot be used if suborbital travel is expected.
[Very Expensive] 6 Ore, 2 Oil, 3 Magmatite

Good?

Honestly, the projected estimates coming from the moon mean we can make this fairly cheaply. So long as we don't mind the high-ish cost. Though what used to be debilitating is now actually within reach.

[Madman198237]

ME-SCS-65b AURORA Kinetic Kill Vehicle
An AURORA combat drone is basically a simple computer bolted to a laser and a rocket engine that is capable of only a few very limited tasks. One of those tasks, however, is steering itself. By removing the laser and uprating the maneuvering jets substantially, we can make a lighter and more maneuverable version of the AC/DC units. Then, we add an ablative heat shield based on the Skyranger's, but not shaped like anything a sane spacecraft designer would normally build. The heatshield is shaped to ensure that the KKV falls heatshield-down and very, very fast. This heatshield is at the "front" of the KKV and is rather minimalistic, just enough to make it through an extremely high-velocity lunar return trajectory to the surface. Launched from a carrier that is returning from the Moon or simply in a highly elliptical orbit around the Earth, an AURORA KKV will receive command signals from the carrier even during atmospheric descent, allowing it to be steered towards a target with...moderate accuracy, anyway. Plasma turbulence is no joke.

KKV missions include being launched at hostile targets such as STOPs or groundside targets. Their kinetic nature makes it much harder to prevent them from scoring a kill; blowing the vehicle into pieces leaves a rapidly-expanding cloud of high velocity metal shrapnel in the vicinity of the original target. KKVs deployed against space targets, however, are required to have their intercept trajectory be relatively far down into the Earth's atmosphere, so that debris decays and burns up as fast as possible.

I'm honestly not sure what to go for; solidifying our space advantage may be a very good idea. We also might want to revise up RAILSTATIONs with some of the new AC/DC computer units to make them more compact and less bad. That would also be one more little step towards computer knowledge useful when we hopefully make ORACLE-DELPHI next turn.

Another alternative, super missiles for use in space and on the surface.
Is this overreaching?

ME-AEM-65 'Peregrine'
A high-power solution to large problems, the Peregrine missile is based on the Shrike with some reworked components taken from a Penguin and used on modified Sarukh trailers. In its simplest form, the Peregrine is a larger Shrike that uses GOFAST-M to get much longer range and carry a larger warhead of 25kg. It also moves many of the essential components of the Birdbrain computer pod to the missile itself, allowing them to be launched from a longer distance and without needing a nearby Birdbrain connected to a human capable of acquiring a target. Instead, the Birdbrain is loaded with the sensor signatures of enemy vehicles and what an actively jamming ECM node looks like, and seeks out those when it reaches a designated distance from its launch platform. The narrow viewing angle of the sensors had to be increased, but since the missile was already getting larger and using a more efficient fuel anyway, this shouldn't be too much of an issue.

The extra fuel can also be used in small GOFAST-M maneuvering jets, allowing this missile to be used accurately in space, and slaved to a Fleetmind or Firestorm's Ravenmind. These jets are used in space to both aim the missile properly and to add a degree of randomness to its course as it closes on a target, making it that much more difficult to shoot down. Any extra fuel available is used to do this as the missile closes on a target, even in the air.

Finally, if a missile has issues acquiring a target as it closes in on the battlefield, it can query nearby Ravenminds for a target, just like when slaved to a Fleetmind or Firestorm Ravenmind.

[TricMagic]

Note, ICBM that can reach orbit to take down space assets. Also sub-orbital trajectory for hitting anywhere we have targeting data.
+ Doable in a revision.
+Will take down Meteor from above.
+All around cool and wrecks our old range limit.
+Balanced by GM, and can be fired from the safety of far away.
+Comes with it's own theme song.

[quote-Votebox v2]
Ravenmind-S Thunderbolt: (1)
[/quote]

Got another idea, but finally taking down that Meteor with it's most clear weak-spot will be great...

 I cannot BEAR to Sea another Meteor in the sky. Much less space somehow.


SHEEP!

SHEEP: Softening High Effect Energy Placement, Sky Ranger Refit

DUC has gone Mad, and it's spread to a design team member in the thick of it. There is talk of... kinetic sheep.

After a few days of high octane experiments, tests, designs one after another, and random launches into orbit and N-Space both, a design has been created.

Rather than use Magmatite for energy, instead, Magmatite was used to create a gateway material. It's a very soft metal made of ore and magmatite, that on an impact, completely absorbs kinetic energy. So long as it has some form of physical kinetic-based energy, it gets absorbed with the material going completely stiff during that, along with any other forces during this also going through it.

Where it goes is described as a sort of Gateway beacon in N-Space made of the same stuff. This effectively causes energy to leave the universe entirely. Overall, it's mad. As is what they decided to do with it.

Meet the Sky Ranger. Outfitted with the new SHEEP liquid metal in it's walls and suspension, as well as receiving great radio systems, sensors to determine landing spots when coming in, ice cooled ceramic plating, and a Claw Turret on top, with Ravenmind-S-based console for it's Sub-orbital flights. When you need to get somewhere extremely quickly, this thing is your ride. Not only that, it can come down hard. Thanks to the liquid metal in it's walls, the flight, such as it is, is completely smooth, as is the landing. the Kinetic energy simply never passes into the vehicle. Likewise, thanks to the high force, it also absorbs Hravity, Em Waves, Ions, anything without full physical form that goes through it simply gets eaten by SHEEP.


This effectively means we can deploy anywhere even better than before. And with SHEEP, it does use a tiny bit less oil. And Starknight's improvements help here. Enough to allow a round trip if we don't mind holding a bit more GOFAST-M. Which we don't. We can land anywhere, from a ship deck to the Top of the Meteor.

Might mention that the Sky Ranger's main duty is behind the lines action. A Claw Turret dropping down does not make for the best time. Te fact it can an will drop directly atop Meteor, leave a nasty warhead bomb strong enough to wipe a hole in the Meteor, and get back out almost immediately is not nice at all. It's turnaround time is pretty insane without Gs to worry about.

CW says something about us always doing the same things with magmetite. Come back to discord to find them talking bout the same Magmatite to electricty stuff.

Magmatite has been stated to be energy.... And has links to N Space..

Right, N-Space Suit next. That is at least Revision, unlike the SHEEP.

[andrea]

pending review

Writing something to maybe use at a later point to try to bridge the gap in power technology.

magmatite reactor

Magmatite is intrinsecally linked with power, be it electricity, light or thermal. That is indeed its first, foremost and most likely only use. However, we have only, quite literally, scratched the surface of its potential. In our electrical applications, we use it to convert between photons and electricity or to hold a charge. This exploits what we could call the "top level" of its energy, an easily accessible layer that is prone to exchanges with the rest of the world. However, the structure of the magmatite itself also holds energy, as is evidenced by the boost given to fuel by adding magmatite.

Studies of the exhaust of GOFAST-M engines reveal that only a tiny quantity of the magmatite actually reacts, disproportionately low compared to the perfrmance enhancement observed. From this we can only conclude that we have only been harvesting the tip of a very big and deep iceberg. If we could force the entirety of a magmatite rock to break down, rather than merely skimming the top or crudely burning it down, we would access a trove of energy an hundred fold as big as anything else we have on stock. But to do so, we would need a very precise way to break the bonds of magmatite on a molecular level. Something powerful, accurate and with which magmatite is prone to react. In other words, a laser.

The magmatite reactor is a simple design, with a magmatite core in the middle of a reinforced chamber and a small laser dedicated to consuming it. The energy released can then either be converted into electricity or used directly for purposes like propulsion or burning down stuff, depending on the design it is mounted on.

[Madman198237]

Magmatite Laser Electrical Generator
Magmatite is intrinsically linked with power, be it electricity, light or thermal. That is indeed its first, foremost and most likely only use. However, we have only, quite literally, scratched the surface of its potential. In our electrical applications, we use it to convert between photons and electricity or to hold a charge. This exploits what we could call the "top level" of its energy, an easily accessible layer that is prone to exchanges with the rest of the world. However, the structure of the Magmatite itself also holds energy, as is evidenced by the boost given to fuel by adding Magmatite.

Studies of the exhaust of GOFAST-M engines reveal that only a tiny quantity of the Magmatite actually reacts, disproportionately low compared to the performance enhancement observed. From this we can only conclude that we have only been harvesting the tip of a very big and deep iceberg. If we could force the entirety of a Magmatite rock to break down, rather than merely skimming the top or crudely burning it down, we would access a trove of energy an hundred fold as big as anything else we have on stock. But to do so, we would need a very precise way to break the bonds of Magmatite on a molecular level. Something powerful, accurate and with which Magmatite is prone to react. In other words, a laser.

The Magmatite laser reactor is a simple design, with a Magmatite core in the middle of a reinforced chamber and a relatively low-power constant-firing Magmatite-based laser firing at it. The laser breaks apart the internal structure of Magmatite crystals, and as they break apart they produce a massive charge differential across the surface. Electrified Magmatite tends to release light (as a laser), and light shone on Magmatite produces electricity. Laser light, at Magmatite's own precise frequency, produces a lot of electricity, at the cost of steadily breaking down the crystal. A spent Magmatite "cell" is pretty much useless, as it's no longer Magmatite, just a collection of atoms and molecules that used to make up a Magmatite crystal. Before the Magmatite is spent, however, we can extract a huge amount of energy.

The first use is the direct replacement of the RAILSTATION's power system with a Magmatite laser reactor, to alleviate its power issues and prove the concept of the laser reactor.

[TricMagic]

M-Barrier

While not known till the storm of madness flew through DUC ealier this week, Magmatite doesn't just do what we think it does. By running an alternating current through Magmatite crystals, a transparent barrier appears based on the crystal(s) shapes and placements. Upon something striking this barrier, wispy red hexagons appears across it, stopping it.


We tested this, and it seems the thing we did to make our lasers blue actually allows it to pass right through the back of this thing. Needless to say, we went ahead and made the barrier blue too, and ran some more tests.

First, the M-Barrier let's Merethians pass through. Seems we're so covered in that blue gel that we register as something allowing passage. Animals can't pass through them from the front. Second, bullets and other solids have a type of love-hate relationship with this thing. From the front, no passage, though some force is transmitted to everything on the other side evenly. Second, does not block solids from going the other way, though if you try pulling back while going through, you will find yourself unable to. This can and will lead to cuts through solid metal and you if you actually keep trying.

Next, energy-based weapons charge the shield, making it more and more visible. While our blue lasers can go through it just fine. Well, they too actually only go through the back, not the front.. Anyway, the M-Barrier charges, becoming less and less see through. It then shatters once enough ener gy is absorbed, forcing a cooldown of the crystals. there isn't a way to speed this up, the Magmatite crystals just decharge after a while. Some people theorize the energy is going somewhere other than this world and tests seem to conclude it vanishing.

Third, no it does not block lava. Anything with both solid weight and high energy goes right through both sides.

Either way, we've gone ahead and issued Spacemarines M-Barrier sheilds. In addition to the barrier, the shield is made of ceramics and combat plating as usual, though a bit lighter and not covering the whole body to make room for the crystals and magmagel rechargeable battery. By this point, the actual shield is a formality in most case, hence the kite design being useful.



I repeat, more electricity through magmatite. I went energy shield instead, on account of being told to diversify a bit. Suddenly a reason for all the blue chemical.
It's also a direct survival boost to our infantry, with options to deploy it to new designs later on.



GO-CRYSTAL(Needs backronym)

By combining a bit of the sleekest oils, and mixing it into a structure of high octane minerals and Magmatite, We create something with more energy per square inch than a Talon Shot.

This Crystal Jelly has an amazing low oil cost in comparison to GOFAST & GOFAST-M. In exchange, it costs Ore to produce in a batch, along with magmatite. So, anything that uses it will have +1 ore cost, though a lower oil cost as a result. Magmatite cost varies based on amount used, though isn't that much higher, strangely enough.

The Sleek Oils are things used to make the Crystal Jelly, and come from the end products of normal oil extraction processes. The more Oil we have, the cheaper it is since it's a lubricant product otherwise. GO-CRYSTAL can be used in any design that can use GOFAST-M, though some modifications will be needed, mostly in greater pressure from smaller tubes. It tends to release it's fuel in drops of jelly over time.

Note, do not place GO-CRYSTAL in a fire, lest you want a FIRE(Focused Infrared Radiation Explosive) equivalent to ICE being released into the air. This may or may not be being tested in warheads to replace HE.

As a side note, DUC has effectively reached the end of this line of research. It's impossible to get more energy than this in a fuel unless you were folding space. Or using something other than GOFAST-line products. It's been a good run from our first product GOFAST.


For the M-LEG, I object to it only being electrical, light, and thermal. There are so many other energy interactions that could be discovered. Like what happens when we mess with N-Space.

Also, something to let us replace oil with other things. Depending on the roll, it may be better for when we get more region rating. At least it is powerful.