R&D

[abugslife]

[Fort Alhambra, the hangar. For some time, Hetepheres' engineering team was working on a project - and it's near its culmination now, as the final testing is going on. The testing consists of Heph standing in between several strange-looking scanners, all of which are connected with cables to Scaraber's currently open cockpit. Several raw-looking, obviously still in construction drones, each larger than a person, are flying around in the air, often accompanied by commanding gestures from the Gebian general.]

Hmm. Phantom limb control could use some precision adjustment... But most of the system is working excellently. The data obtained from the Fort Severn battle turned out to be the breakthrough we needed. How much time will you need until the battle version is complete?

[A Gebian aide nearby chirps something in response. Two other Gebians are sitting on two of the drones zooming around. They seem to be having fun.]

Comments

[star_of_sad]

General?

[Setsuko turns, trying to follow the drones. This makes her spin around almost to the point of dizziness.]

Is this some kind of a new weapon?

[abugslife]

Indeed. The development of it started even before I arrived on Earth; only recently we managed to get over the control issues, however.

[The drones start to move in faster and more confusing patterns. Unintentionally, surely.]

[star_of_sad]

Ahh...

[Setsuko gives up. You win this one, drones.]

Remotely controlled autonomous drones? That seems a bit familiar...

[abugslife]

Carris Nautilus, the Newtype boy you fought, uses similar weapons on his Mobile Suit. Even though he is a Newtype and I obviously am not, analysis of your battle against him helped us reach the breakthrough.

[star_of_sad]

These weapons are so rare... probably because Newtypes are, too. And I don't think anyone else can use them.

If you managed to create a version that ordinary people can use General, then could you perhaps...?

[abugslife]

No. This is not something ordinary people can use. I am able to control this system only because of the augmentation I received. Without it, piloting Scaraber would be extremely difficult - and controlling the Bitles, impossible.

[star_of_sad]

Oh. I see.

It's a bit of a shame, isn't it. But then, your augmentations are there to let you be a better warrior in the first place.

[abugslife]

I suspect the implants allowing you to control the drones will become Earthling-compatible as well, once we clear out various minor obstacles in the way the whole system works. I do not expect them to be as powerful as the bits Bertigo used, however.

This is a support weapon, not a main one. But it should fulfill that purpose excellently.

[star_of_sad]

I see. But it'd still require someone to undergo...

No, nevermind. Even if it's not a main weapon, it should still be really useful, shouldn't it.

...

[A delayed reaction.]

Bitles?

[abugslife]

Yes. Bitles. That is their name.

[star_of_sad]

I see.

Well, that's a good name, isn't it? Very... descriptive.

[abugslife]

It holds a deep and meaningful cultural significance.

...It does not translate well to your language.

[star_of_sad]

I think the significance of this word might be a bit... different, in some Earth languages.

[abugslife]

Perhaps.

[actuallyselfish]

"Ooh! R&D!" Dido says, walking up to Scaraber's cockpit. "Can I help?"

[abugslife]

It depends. How good are you at calibrating standard Gebian three-cubit laser emitters?

[actuallyselfish]

"That depends too." Dido says honestly. "What's the ratio of conversion between megawatts and the Gebian unit of energy?"

[abugslife]

Our base unit of energy is called a candle. It is the equivalent to roughly 80 Watts. You would have to ask one of my engineers for a more specific ratio.

[actuallyselfish]

"Well..." Dido says, scratching her chin. "You are using those laser emitters as comm links for your mobile bit weapons system, right? We don't need to fine-tune the settings of laser comms too tightly, unlike with weapon lasers and fusion igniters."

[abugslife]

Actually, their purpose is to serve as weapons.

[actuallyselfish]

"Hmmm..." Dido says.

"...in that case, can I be an assistant to one of your engineers? You know, fetching tools, checking readouts, fetching objects on high shelves?"

[abugslife]

Do not sell your accomplishments short. I do know well about your work on Solaris' machines; your engineering skills will be very useful here, without a doubt.

...But someone to help them with high shelves would be useful, yes.

[broken_puppet]

[Lamia is watching the bits move in relation to the general's arm movements. She seems unusually pensive in the wake of their revelation and seems most content to stand back with her own thoughts.]

It would appear that the bits used at Fort Severn are not the only ones in use now. Human development of such devices has been delayed by the lack of technology and other threats so the Ashsaber should still have the advantage there but this will need to be noted in the report.


[She seems to be splitting her attention between the movement patterns and Hetpheres' arm movements as if attempting to chart out a pattern.]

[abugslife]

[Poke. One of the beetle-like aliens is standing behind Lamia and looking up at her. The Gebian chirps something questioningly.]

[broken_puppet]

[Lamia looks at the gebian slightly bug-eyed in surprise as she is surprised by the alien. Taking a moment to look and see how she was now more in the open she speaks.]

I apologize for the intrusion. I was passing by when I heard the sounds of work and decided to check it out.

[abugslife]

He is merely asking are you alright.

[A comment from the general, still not moving from her place and commanding the drones.]

You appeared to be mesmerized by something.

[broken_puppet]

I've been involved in some advanced systems development with the Angelg and have seen a few other notes on other proposed weapons systems. I was misplaced in the possibilities to incorporate those control systems to units we develop.

[abugslife]

Ah yes, the Angelg. It has feathery wings, does it not? What are they made of?

[broken_puppet]

They use the same base materials as the armor but the wings are more malleable and conduct heat easier. They assist with flight controls and serve as an additional heat dissipation system.

[abugslife]

What appears to be just an aesthetical measure turns out to serve an important utilitarian function?

Scaraber has a few systems like that. Including the one we are working on right now.

[broken_puppet]

Really? What other systems in Gebian units blend form and function in that manner?

[abugslife]

Some of it are secrets, ones I cannot just share with everyone - even after peace between our species is established, scientific and engineering teams are the ones who should hear about them first and foremost.

But I can tell you about the rest. There are strong comm systems in the horns, for example.

[broken_puppet]

A fairly common adaption even in robots designed in our world. The Gespenst and Huckebein units have antenna reminiscent of rabbit ears and Japanese TSFs use similar horns on their units.

Anyways it would appear that your remote units are working now. The motion controls do seem particularly complex though, would that not interfere with your piloting to control them?

[abugslife]

It would not. The reason for that is twofold; first, it is not full motion control. Thanks to my piloting chip, I am able to move the Bitles around like phantom limbs.

Second, Scaraber itself controls in exactly the same way.

[broken_puppet]

It would appear that the Gebian designs for motion control are different than human ones. Our systems are a much more direct following of the pilot's motions. I guess the cybernetic nature of your body and the implanted systems make for a more efficient transfer process.

[Lamia seems to become more thoughtful as she finishes her statement.]

Not unlike the W Series and the units they pilot.

[abugslife]

The mech follows the movements of the pilot down to the most minute of details. Phantom limbs serve the purpose of controlling parts of the machine the pilot lacks, such as Scaraber's extra arms and wings. And the Bitles, soon.

[caressthedarkness]

[Something about this has Seta mesmerized, specifically, those arm movements.

It's not only her eyes and head that try to follow, but sometimes her body too. Because of where she's standing, this means she's gently swaying side-to-side.]

[abugslife]

[Is that so? Suddenly, Hetepheres snaps her arm with more energy and force than usual, sending all the bits flying in that direction!]

[caressthedarkness]

[Naturally following this one means Seta ends up on one foot, and off balance.

She tips over and falls sideways with a loud crash.]

[abugslife]

Please refrain from being entranced during the testing procedures. There is a lot of sharp metal flying around.

[caressthedarkness]

I...I am sorry...

[Said while nursing the side of her head.]

There are times where I cannot help it...

[abugslife]

Are the Bitles such an interesting sight?

[caressthedarkness]

[She panics for a while as she tries to find a way to explain this.]

Well...when I am relaxed, certain types of movements seem to...catch my attention...easier than they usually would...

[abugslife]

You should watch out among my people. Many Gebians enjoy the spectacle of snake charming.

[caressthedarkness]

I will keep that in mind...

[And by that she means 'how horrible'.]

[break_the_nine]

[Now...seeing those things fly around and having some minor info on what happened at Fort Severn he only has one thing to say.]

BITLES!

[No he does not know its their actual name. But given the Doombas is it hard to expect him to call the Bitles that unironically?]

[abugslife]

Indeed. Did one of the engineering team tell you their name?

[break_the_nine]

Y....you mean that's what they're really called?

[Leos lets out a squee of excitement.]

I was just calling them that because they're bits that look like beetles!

[abugslife]

The name we should give to these drones was subject to a bit of a debate. We decided on one that has deep cultural meaning, in Gebian.

It loses something in translation.