>>22481398

Archive:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=mechengineer+quest

Or search for 'Mechengineer Quest' on foolz.

>>22481398
"You're right, I don't see you as just a coworker.

I like you, I think you're beautiful beyond all reason, you're competent, strong, graceful. You're intelligent as all hell and probably smarter than me when it comes to anything that isn't designing mechs. You have goals and the conviction to see them through.

You also make an astounding muse. I'm not sure if it's romantic to say that you inspire me when I'm designing engines of destruction.

But if you aren't interested I'll drop the issue and never bring it up again."

>>22481398
Although it appears that I am outvoted in my desire for Ilsa, she's still got my vote.
And the response of "I've got no idea, because we've only met a few days ago, and we haven't even really talked much beyond work."

>>22481565

(I don't think anything has been decided yet, much like the actual loadout for the HZP. So feel free to discuss amongst yourselves what you'll have Daniel do.)

>>22481534
This sounds good. Make sure to keep an eye on the doors whilst laying our feelings bare. It would sure be a shame to for either of us to catch a bullet.

>>22481534
>>22481565
>>22481657

(going to let this ride for a bit longer to see if anyone else has input, since this is a pretty big part of character development for Daniel, so only taking 2 or 3 opinions on the matter seems a tad unfair)

Ooh. Do we get salvage rights on any kit we can grab from the pirates?

>Confess
>Friendzone
>Delay
>???

Hmm. I don't really have a favourite, but I think we should delay getting serious until the HZP is done. This way we won't be putting everyone's financial future at risk. Janine would probably appreciate us being responsible anyhow.

Delay

>>22481398
Tell her we like her, we don't only see her as a coworker, that we'd like to go out with her.

Then admit that we aren't good at relationships, we're likely to spend more of our time on HZP than anything else, but we'd still like to go out with her.

>>22481398
We should cautiously confess. Don't commitvto anything. Just let her know that we are really starting to like her in the big way, but we're not going to let it get in the way of work and all that shit, yes answer or no.

We professionals, to.

>>22481534
This, confess, but add that we are not always going to have time for a lot of traditional relationship stuff and that our work is also very important to us.

>>22481750

(you never actually worked that out with the garrison forces, but you'd probably have some legal claim considering it's your depot they are attacking, but the garrison has claim too due to legal reasons and domain, since they work for the planetary government)

>>22481821
>>22481844

Seconding these. We don't want to sound real desperate or freaked out, nor do we want to make things real awkward with Janine later on. Easing into things would probably be the best route now.

>>22481948
Hmm, well we can always use more bits and pieces give our line of work. In exchange I suppose we could offer to fix up the Banshee for them (if we survive) since we probably have the only heavy mechbay on the planet once we get the power fixed.

>>22481927
>>22481844
>>22481821
>>22481657
>>22481534

(Assuming these are all separate people's votes...)

You take out another cigarette, and light it. You take a drag, and exhale slowly, smoke curling from your mouth and nose like a serpent. You sigh a bit, smile, and tell her you think she's a fine woman, and you've caught yourself thinking about her as more than a co-worker, yes. You are indeed physically attracted to her. But you are also married to your job and career, so you tell her that since you're not a master of words, you'll just be blunt: if she wants to take the next step she has to understand that the job is always going to be as important as she is, at least for now.

She reaches over, and takes the cigarette from your hand. She takes a puff herself, and holds it for a moment, then exhales, responding in an airy tone as the smoke escapes her lungs.

"I figured. I don't... really know how to proceed, to be honest. I've had plenty of men who've wanted to be with me, but too many for the wrong reasons. Blood or body, take your pick. I get the feeling you don't care as much about either, but I meant what I said when Vincent was here; I know how I look, so I know there's that going on in your head. I'll be honest, I've buried myself in work ever since I left my prick of a father to his fate, and it's kind of grown on me. I suppose it'd just be like friendship, only closer? I don't even know how that works. I'm not looking for 'friends with benefits'; job-related stress or no, that's not me. I guess I just... care? About you? In some way that I don't about other friends or acquaintances? It's hard to explain."

Janine sighs, and looks at you.

"The shooting isn't making explaining things any easier. Am I a bad person for wishing the pirates would either die already or get in here and do whatever's going to happen to us so I can hear myself think sooner rather than later?"

>>22482143
"Maybe, it'd be nice to get some peace and quiet, and the waiting is hellish.

We're both obsessive workaholics, we care about each other, and we both suck at relationships. But as long as we're honest with each other about what we're looking for we ought to be okay.

I just want one promise from you, we don't try to pull off some secret dating thing that would be better suited to a cheap romantic comedy. It won't work out well. We stay honest about things to each other and to the people we work with."

Seems like we handled that pretty well. brb

>>22482143
Nah. Being inconvenient is what pirates are for.

>>22482270
>>22482367

Janine rustles her hair a bit, scratching her head.

"I agree, but I dunno what it is this even, well, is, let alone how to break it to everyone. I can already see Hatamoto scowl."

You hear the sound of screeching metal and some shouting, and then an explosion that shakes the ground before Janine can continue.

>>22482401
"He already scowls, he won't really care that much as long as our work quality stays high. Ivan will give me loud Russian advice, Ilsa will squee about how adorable we are, Dieter will give us a kindly old man smile and wish us the best, Goddard will call me Champ and tell me to be careful and keep on making Mechs.

We'll come up with a name for it later, think of how to tell everyone, but for now we wait all of this through and hope for the best."

>>22482493

"I guess..." she begins, but is cut off by another explosion, and the doors to the outside being ripped from their hinges by the force of a blurry chunk of armor slamming through them.

"OHSHI-" Janine shouts, diving out of the way, with you doing the same in the other direction.

When the smoke clears, you see a tube of metal sticking out of the wall between the both of you, Janine slack-jawed on the other side of it. The doors and part of the wall alongside them on the opposite wall are now gone, and the wind blows in from outside, carrying the smell of burning.

>>22482634
First, scream "HOLY SHIT!"

Observe the situation, see exactly what it was that slammed into here.

Then say "We should probably find a different place to hide out." And find somewhere else secure to wait out the battle.

>>22482728

Seconded.

Then meekly peek our heads out to survey the carnage and determine if it's safe to flee yet.

>>22482634
Run over to Janine, grab her if necessary, and get to a different room, preferably on the far side of the building from the fighting.

>>22482728
>>22482780

You examine the tube for a moment, and quickly realize it is a rifled gun barrel. It is also very hot, and it is also missing the rest of the gun.

Janine looks too, then you both look outside. What you see is... well, as awesome as it is terrifying.

Missiles streak from Ursula and impact the backside of a huge, misshapen Banshee, its faded purple paint clashing with the different colors of its two lower arms, and left leg. At its feet sits a smoking Annie, the main gun severed from the turret, hydraulic fluid dripping like blood from the edge of a wicked looking hatchet the Banshee is carrying. A few meters away, the Crazy Ivan opens fire with all guns, pelting the left shoulder of the invading 'Mech.

Behind the carnage, you can see the wreckage of another, unidentified 'Mech, and some combat vehicles, all smoking profusely.

The Banshee seems to have its eerie, mirrored-glassteel 'eyes' locked on the Ivan, its body turning slowly.

>>22482881
As cool looking as it is we should go elsewhere with Janine, somewhere away from the collateral damage. If we can see them then there is not enough material between us and the explosions.

>>22482976

Suggest this to her, then find a new hidey spot.

>>22482976

You freeze for a moment, but then snap to your senses and lunge for Janine's wrist, tugging her away from the wreckage and the combat scene outside, and run, nearly dragging her, back to the hallway and out the other side off the building. You know of a parts shed by the edge of the depot; it might make a good hiding spot.

>>22483126
Assuming we don't have any other ideas for good places to get away from the fighting go there.

>>22483136

You tug open the door and duck inside, jerking Janine after you.

You pant, and slide to the floor, back against the wall. The smell of old oil and dirt surrounds you instantly, and you fumble for the light.

"Hell did you see that thing... the fighting... I've. I've.. never seen a battle before."

>>22483323
"Me either."

>>22483323
"Neither have I. It's terrifying but oddly entrancing.

I think we'll be okay, I didn't see anything that the bandits had left other than the Banshee. And the Banshee was not in good shape, Ivan and Ursula ought to be able to finish it off.

We're going to make it."

>>22483376
>>22483407

"I hope so... I also hope no one got hurt. That's a pipe dream though; we'll be burying people tonight I bet."

Janine sighs, and sits down on the cold cement floor opposite you.

"They came for the LosTech, didn't they? That's got to be the reason. But is it really worth all this?"

(dammit 4chan, why are you making posts take 80 years and switching captchas halfway though to make them fail?)

>>22483525
"It would have been if we had abandoned the facility, but I sort of doubt they actually expected us to do that..."

>>22483525
"They very well might have come here for that. And to a lot of people, yes it is.

We haven't made Autocannons like the one we found for 200-300 years, we haven't been able to make them. With proper reverse engineering and learning how it would be worth more money than I can imagine, and that's worth far more than people's lives to some scumfucks."

Whelp, RIP Annie I guess? What vehicles were Annie and Ursula? IIRC one of them was a Wasp and the other was a tank of some description.

>>22483644
Annie is a Vedette Medium Tank. Ursula is a Wasp.

It's only the turret, I bet that can be fixed up later with a lot of work.

>>22483556
>>22483601

"It's really that valuable? I'm going to look at that damn thing weeks from now and thing about how many people died to keep it from getting stolen. That's it. Just stolen. Who really cares? You're going to make us a Battlemech that'll sell well enough to let us live comfortably, and keep Skvorec alive, so what's a stupid gun matter?"

You hear a strange quiet for a moment, and then hear the grinding of stressed metal, and the whine of damaged actuators as the ground shakes more and more violently with what you can only assume are footsteps headed your way.

>>22483685
Is there a backdoor to this place? If so let's use it and get behind something else, if not let's get up against the back wall.

>>22483685
Listen to the steps, do they feel like slow large steps or slow small steps, how fast is it approaching? We might be able to recognize if it's the Wasp, Banshee or Urbie.

"We've got incoming." Tell her which one it is if we can tell.

Are there any better hiding spots, because we're running out of places to wait.

>>22483723
>>22483749

You both edge up against the back wall as far as you can, which is tough because the floor is covered in parts.

The steps are heavy and slow, but they don't feel like the Ivan. They are too heavy. You hear more grinding, and then hear a stutter-step and feel the resulting trembling in the floor as two explosions sound off right in front of you.

Janine is deathly silent.

>>22483834
Hold her with one arm. We're either going to die from the Banshee or it's going to get taken out before it gets here. Nothing we can do about it.

>>22483851

The rumbling footsteps last for a few more moments, then subside.

Janine looks at you, and you back at her. She sighs, as if she were holding her breath this whole time. You realize you've been doing the same.

She's holding your hand quite tightly, and outside you can hear shouts. They sound much more jovial than you'd expect if you'd lost.

>>22483949
"...I think we won."

>>22483949

Poke our head out the door, and tell her to stay behind us. Need to confirm it's our win.

>>22483949
"We're alive."

Kiss her, we had our odd sort of confession a bit ago and we managed to live through this, it seems appropriate.

Then, extremely jubilantly "We're not dead, we're alive, we won."

>>22483999
>kiss
No. Not yet. We're not that brainfucked on hormones yet.

Secure the area. Make sure *we* won.

>>22483971
>>22483990
>>22483999

You slowly stand, and motion for her to stay put. She frowns at you and gets up, dusting herself off.

"You better only hold doors for me and let me go first if I['m carrying tons of files or something. I don't do that chivalry shit."

She joins you in peeking out the door.

Outside, you see the familiar faded blues of your crew jumpsuits, all hugging and shaking hands and cheering. Behind them, Ursula lands from leaping the main building, touching down with a light 'thud'. Some of the crew cheer in its direction.

It seems your hunch was right. You've won.

Janine looks on, and you tug her around and give her a kiss that almost mirrors the famous old picture from the newspaper of the ancient state of America, depicting the sailor kissing a random girl at the end of some war.

After a moment, you let her go, and she can't seem to do much other than stumble back with a stupid look on her face. A few of the crew notice and whistle, and heckle/cheer you on.

>>22484109
Look around and take stock of who's dead, and if we've lost anything important.

Also, we still need to find our CEO.

>>22484109
"I am thinking about getting extremely drunk later, would you care to join me?

For now, we should probably check on everyone, get details on how everything went, what we lost, how many died, what there is to salvage, work out with the Garrison who's getting what, and help the Garrison do what they can to get our idiot of a CEO back."

"This won't set us too far back from schedule, right?"

>>22484171
I think we're still ahead of schedule. I mean all we have left is armor, weapon placement and power allocation. Unless I forgot something, but I don't think I did.

>>22484141
>>22484153
>>22484171

As Janine gets her bearings, you glance around to see if you can tell if anyone is missing.

You see Hatamoto, wearing an uncharacteristic smile.

You see the Ivan limp from behind the main building, its hip sporting a nasty gash.

You see Wanda light a cigar behind Hatamoto.

You don't know most of the crew so it is hard to say who made it and who didn't.

You don't see any pirates, except a small lumbering shape heading toward the horizon.

You turn to Janine, your wits finding you, and smirk a bit, quipping that you hope this doesn't put you too far behind schedule. She responds by punching you.

As you fall, you hear the laughter of the crew ring in your ears, and you wonder if Goddard's jaw hurts this much wherever he is. You hope he's okay as your head hits pavement, and your vision goes blurry for a moment.

A minute later, you are helped to your feet. You stumble, and as your vision clears, you see Janine standing in front of you, expression a mixture of bemusement and irritation.

"Go on and tell me how you didn't deserve that. I'll wait. If you're quite done being inappropriate, we should go talk to the garrison officer about tracking down our boss."

Before you can respond, she kisses you back the same way you just kissed her, to the hoots and hollers of the assembled crew.

You now know that Goddard's jaw is likely in now way in as good a shape as yours right now.

>>22484259
"Worth it."

Light up a cigarette, or see if we can get a cigar from Wanda. Give Janine one as well, and then go see the garrison officer. We have a couple things to talk about, chief among them our boss, second among them, salvage.

>>22484259
worth it

File: 1357718174175.png-(23 KB, 700x375, yodawgIheardyoulikedmyomer.png)

Speaking of work, I did a little more research on penniform muscle architecture. Pennate muscles have shorter fibers attached at an angle to the tendon. This results in a number of different mechanics compared to regular muscles:

- Less "pull" distance when muscle is fully contracted
- Greater number of individual fibers = higher strength
- Slower response time compared to longer fibers

A good example of this kind of muscle would be a crab claw. Very strong for its size with a small range of motion. In the context of building mechs this isn't especially useful to us. It would be fantastic for an industrial mech, but combat mechs rely more on range of motion. There might be a niche for specific muscles like the ankle which need very high strength, but the vulnerable tendon is too big a drawback.

However it did inspire me a little. I was looking for a way of making the outer layer of myomer "disposable" and easy to repair. I wanted to put a layer of armour UNDER them and I had a hard time figuring out a way to do this until I came up with this design. The outer bundle of myomer is divided into smaller strands instead of one sheet. And in between the strands there is a slanted armour panel that fits behind them and ends at the first layer.

This is much stronger than just having flat sheets, and it makes the outer layer much easier to repair because you don't need to remove and replace one entire layer or bundle of muscle.

>>22484343

(actually, this is fine, because the actuators are what flex the joints, the myomer are for pure locomotion, and since you are building a sprinter, the snap-strength of the pennate myomer config means your legs will have a 'spring' that makes them leap-run instead of run like a huge machine, making it ride differently and more like an organic critter.)

>>22484343
That is pretty interesting. It might be a bit bulkier than standard myomer, but it's tough as hell, easy to repair, and Frankensteinian in that even if you damage it it'll keep on going.

>>22484293
>>22484317

You light a smoke and comment that it was totally worth it.

You, Hatamoto, Wanda, and Janine head off to the other side of the building to find the garrison officer, if he is still alive, considering he was in Annie.

When you arrive, you see him dragging another soldier/cop out of the vehicle, his leg appearing to be splinted.

His crew helps him lay the man down, and he rotates his shoulder as if it were hurt. Noticing you, he turns.

"Well if that's wasn't a hell of a fight. Annie, poor girl, she's gonna need a lot of work. Maples is gonna be pissed."

>mechengineer quest oh boy oh boy
>drawn out battle from a noncombatant viewpoint
>tension and budding infatuation and drama
>get punched and then kissed by girl; "worth it", everyone cheers

>next post is long rambling abstract thought on myomer bundles and technical intricacies

>MECHENGINEER QUEST, PEOPLE!

>>22484423

(I can't tell if this is a criticism or a compliment. it's missing bad rolls though, so somebody hurry up and design something)

>>22484420
"If you need help with Annie we can probably help out some, we've got a mechbay and good technicians. It's the least we could do, though we should probably talk to our CEO about it.

Speaking of said CEO, who may or may not be alive, do you have any idea where their base is? I'd like to get him back if possible.

Also, what Mechs did the Eights bring with them? I saw the Banshee, but I didn't get a good look at the other. We might be able to fix them up."

>>22484439
More like poking fun at Daniel's hilarious tendency to disregard victory; acquire tech advances.

No design tonight, we need to wait until the crews are all safe and pay respects for the dead protectors of the garrison, and have drinks with the staff and crew.

>>22484403
Yeah, I don't think it would add that much more bulk. Were not actually adding extra myomer, just shaping it differently. Most mechs have myomer shaped like a thick braided rope, we went for flat sheets bent around the structure. Kind of like a rainbow shape.

>>22484384
Hmm... well the vulnerable tendon is still a problem. What if we put it on the inside? Have one thick pennate bundle (roughly oval in cross-section) under the "rainbow". Bend the flat sheets around it in an arc, then cap it with the final compartmentalized sheet. That would give us that organic "spring" to touch off every step the mech makes. And it would be combined with ridiculous zombie redundancy. Since the pennate bundle is on the inside the mech doesn't have a big exposed achilles tendon that can be cut.

Besides, this thing is FAST. Getting shot in the ankles is about as likely as getting shot in the head.

>>22484475

"Well that's a damn fine offer, but we have a garage and a Master Tech that'd take some serious offense if we let anyone else touch his baby. But thanks."

You bring up the issue of Goddard, and the officer shrugs.

"Best we can do right now is call in and see if we can get a bead on that Banshee and where its going. We affixed a beacon to it after it gave Annie that facial, so we can track it and see where it hobbles off to. We may be backwater cops, but we're not stupid."

He pops his shoulder and continues.

"There's the question of the salvage over on the floodplain there..." he points to the damaged vees and the smoking 'Mech.

"What do you want to do? We'd like something as a kickback.. either the 'Mech or the vees sounds fair enough. Split 'em, up."

You look to Hatamoto, and he nods. "That is fair, Captain. Since we can't do anything till your tracking beacon works its magic, we should discuss plans for the next step as well as salvage rights over a stiff drink."

You notice Hatamoto's bionic arm is damaged and leaking fluid. Wanda's left arm is in a sling, and her shoulder is bleeding a bit. Aside from that, everyone seems alright, at least those that are still alive.

>>22484610
take the mech, the cops would make better use of the vee's

>>22484610
"What type of Mech is it?"

>>22484610
>DOSH
We have no real use for Vees. In any case we should take inventory first. Give us something to do.

We'll take the mech, they the vees. Good help all round.

>>22484663
>>22484675
>>22484689

(your options are as follows. I will provide links so you can see what you want to pick. you can take the single 'Mech, or the three Vees that are salvageable.)

The Vees are:

-Two Packrat APC Scout Cars:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Packrat
-And one Heavy Tracked APC, LRM Variant
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Heavy_Tracked_APC

OR

One Spider, heavily damaged (missing both arms, and 0 head armor, along with other damage)
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Spider

>>22484745
Are the Medium lasers intact?

Either way I choose the Spider. We could use something with major speed and our techs are better with Mechs than vehicles.

>>22484745
Who in their right minds would pass up the chance of a spider.

>>22484745

(Also note that the vees are all incapacitated, with drive train damage or locomotive damage)

>>22484762

(you don't know)

Dat spider!

>>22484745
The Spider is the obvious choice. All of the spider's important parts are located in the centre torso, so it's likely that they survived even if the pilot didn't. The loss of the arms is no big deal, they are just armour and actuators. And I assume they were severed not vapourized, so we might be able to salvage parts.

>>22484745
as long as we have parts to rebuild its arms/head (can't remember what actuators we have), or can easily get them, then my vote is still for us taking the mech and the cops getting the vee's

>>22484842
>>22484775
>>22484763
>>22484762

You discuss with Hatamoto, and agree quickly that the Spider is the better option. At the very least you can salvage the huge fusion core for another projoect, and at best you can have another 'Mech to guard the facility.

The Captain agrees; his garage is only big enough for Ursula anyway, and the Vees are a better option due to cost considerations.

With that done, you turn to the matter of Goddard, and the Captain puts in a call to HQ. They inform him the beacon is working as intended, and when the Bashee stops they will send the Boomerang to go find it.

"How 'bout that drink?"

>>22484912
"That sounds like an excellent plan. And some food, haven't eaten in a while. I don't think I'll get any more work done today anyways."

>>22484912
Well, it's not like we have anything else to do right now other than recuperate and wait.

>>22484933
>I don't think I'll get any more work done today anyways.
HERESY.

>>22484933
>>22484937
>>22484946

You recline in your chair, and drinks are passed around. You toast the fallen, of which you hear there were eleven in all; three garrison members and eight of your crew. Ivan is seeing to their burials personally, which he claims is his responsibility. Ilsa is helping, against her mother's wishes.

The room is pretty silent; all the jubilation of earlier has lead to a sober quiet, as the true nature of what just transpired sinks into everyone's minds.

The spider is really useful, because the spare medium lasers mead we can revert to the original plan for 2 meduim lasers instead of on medium and two smalls.

It's excellent.

>>22485012
Keep on drinking.

"Today has been far too long a day. It could have been worse, but that doesn't make it any better.

What were their names? They died so we could make Hazard Pay, they should be remembered. I'm going to make sure that it's the best damn Mech produced, for them."

>>22485045
indeed

>>22485045
We just need to make three arm designs so that the client and factory can choose whichever fit's their needs. Both arms are the same so we can just mirror it for each side. Mlas, 2xSlas and Flamer all weight the same. I was thinking of working in a machinegun version but the flamer does well enough and has no chance of earth shattering ammo crits.

Since we are going to be producing at least one HZP for ourselves the 2xMlas configuration is definitely the most versatile.

>>22485101

You suggest that the names of the people who fell today be engraved on the chassis of the HZP prototypes, as well as the first ten production models. Everyone seems to think that a damn fine gesture, even the Captain, who appreciates that you'd do that for his men, and he toasts to that.

So it seems like the relationship between us and the local cops is pretty good, especially with our mutual victory.

Is there a way we can spin this into our first supply contract and some legitimate contacts higher up the ladder?

>>22485188
Tell him that it's the least we could do. Also tell him that if he needs a nice Light Mech in the future we might be able to help him get a Hazard Pay, though it won't be named that once it goes into production.

Then keep on getting drunk, and then get some fresh air and a cigarette, maybe with Janine.

>>22485198

(it might be a good idea to foster the relationship, yeah, but they don't get much say in their budget, which is why the vees were so happily taken. the planetary government on the other hand...)

>>22485224

Well if anything, having the local police on our side entrenches us as legitimate and can help make sure that we may be tipped off to any potential surprises early, or any competition may have their shipments impounded a little longer than necessary.

Maybe we can make a deal. Our products will need field-testing anyways.

>>22485220
I honestly think we should keep the name, it suits most soldier sense of morbid humor.

>>22485268
Sure, it suits the soldier's morbid humor. But we're not selling it to soldiers, we're selling it to corporations, professionals, governments, all sorts of people.

We don't want people to raise an eyebrow at the name.

>>22485178
As far as that goes; the flamed option is cool, but 2x ML is so much more effective and efficient than 1x ML+2xSL, it's not funny.

>>22485178
Oh and if you need longer ranged anti infantry power you can always load up some inferno SRMs. They still had those back in 3040 right?

>>22485198
We could get their help to set up some field trials. Play tag with the Wasp. Get their techs to have a go at the internals (since they have no prior experience). Stuff like that. We need testing data and that requires some impartial outside help.

>>22485224
Janine would know how to make some inroads there.

>>22485220
I think we should at least call our first prototype (the one we keep) THE Hazard Pay. Considering what we went through to make it. And engrave the names of everyone who contributed to it in some way on the cockpit dash.

I think Hazard Pay is a fine name for a mech. We came up with Aeneas because we were worried it might not sell. That MIGHT not be a problem, time will tell. Though that does give me an idea. We could make two version of the mech's mask. One is the cryssalid rapeface, the other could be one of those ancient greek/roman golden masks that you see in the old art.

>>22485282
those same corporations and governments that know their soldiers well, not to mention the merc companies where the name will sell even better.

In my mind at least, "Hazard Pay" doesn't really invoke an element of danger in using the mech.

It's more like the person who would use it as a person who does work which contain some element of danger and adventure.

>>22485300

(i had actually wondered if anyone would want to try a gorgon face for the 'intimidating' aspect since skull and whatnot are kinda already done)

File: 1357724059645.png-(228 KB, 784x752, 1345680032659.png)

>>22485332
Well if we go by the source material it's not actually a skull because it represents something alive. Alive and coming for ya. We could represent that by making the teeth obviously inhuman like in this pic.

(Well, even though we're not even at 100 posts yet, I'm going to have to call it here, because it's 1:30am and I've been running for 4 hours. The last few threads haven't hit post limit, so I need to try and figure out what's gone wrong; something tells me its the time of day mostly. If I'm gonna run this late it'll have to be a weekend probably, from now on. I'd like to hear feedback about this to be sure, and as always, going to archive and stick around for a bit for Q&A. thanks for participating all)

>>22485401

(I meant regarding the 'greek-themed' idea)

The other option is the "hero of old" kind of golden mask like this. I remembered this exact picture because it was on one of the history textbooks I used at school.

>>22485406
What went wrong is that this was supposed to be mech ENGINEER quest, and all we have engineered is myomer in over a month.

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>>22485414
>>22485417
Dammit captcha

>>22485406

Tonight was a little late for east coasters.

>>22485406
The quest is always voted pretty high in the archive, so it's obvious that a lot of people can't catch it live and have to read it later.

I could check the dates and times but I seem to recall the early threads didn't start so late.

>>22485406
I'm the east coast on won't be able to stay up till 4:30 starting next week. Due to well, getting my engineering degree. So if you could start earlier it would be splendid. I understand if your job prevents that though.

>>22485418

I'm sorry real life doesn't let me run twice a week anymore, and keeps me to later-night games. Do people really not enjoy other aspects of roleplay as Daniel, fleshing him out as a character? If you're worried this is going to become 'Waifu Quest #98867' then don't; I refuse to run if things get to that level, but I also don't see a problem with 'real' things happening alongside the actual job aspects of it. However, that said, I may run the quest, but this kind of thing is why I do Q&A, so I can get feedback and find out what players want from the experience. I can tell by the manner of responses that this group is a different one than the one that started with the quest. That's not a bad thing in the least, and there are original members, but I feel as though the 'guard' has changed quite a bit, and I'd like to hear why.

So please feel free to share your thoughts, people.

>>22485445
>>22485465
>>22485484

yeah, I want to start earlier. I should try to make time during the day on my days off maybe; run my errands and all that on workdays if I can to make time. I dunno.

>>22485488
I like doing real life things as well as mech design. There's two reasons I can think of for why there's less activity, you haven't been able to start as early or run as long so you miss out on that. And we've been doing real life stuff for a bit and a lot of the posts come from us bickering/debating during the design/engineering parts of it.

Thread is archived, you know the place:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html

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>>22485465
I usually get home about 1/2 to 2/3 through the thread and have other things to do, like eat, so I cath up in the archives, caught to tonight's luckily enough.

pic related is what i picture when thinking of greek myth heltmet hingy, reckon would be cool on a mech.

>>22485488
I have been around since thread 1 and was the one who first suggested the name Hazard Pay and I still enjoy reading the quest and vote it up, but the engineering aspect is what encourages 400 posts of argument over minor mech changes. The narrative is fine, but it is something that can just be read some time later, and doesn't encourage staying up for 4 hours actively contributing to ensure the best result.

>>22485488
Sour grapes from the rollplay crowd mostly, those who hate character interaction.

The interrupt for the whole pirate bit was interesting and fun, investigating, planning and preparing as well as being smart enough to sit out the actual fight.

that all said, waifu quest #668527 would indeed be a horrible thing and I appreciate you avoiding it.

>>22485488
I think showing/playing pretty much all aspects of Daniel are fun, otherwise it becomes CURSE DICEROLLER QUEST: THIS WEEK, NEW BOLTS

>>22485514

You do have a point there about the design-heavy threads being busier. I'll try to get my RL stuff sorted so I can run at more human hours for the east coasters (I was one of you, till last year, so I know your pain regarding west coast timeframes). I hope I can be more accommodating, but I can't sacrifice RL for the quest either.

>>22485522

Not much greek-themed stuff either, and the FWL is enough of a melting pot that it'd fly.

>>22485523
Also this thread just happened to not have any dice rolls.

>the pain
>the joy
>but mostly pain

I don't mind combat personally. If you have ever played the Mechwarrior (and especially the Mechcommander) games half the fun of the game is looting everything and anything you can get your grubby paws on. Speaking of which I wonder who will end up with that Banshee.

With the siege over we will likely get back to obsessing over minute technical details next thread. That will be fun!

>>22485488
Old guard here
Honestly I think their are other way to give daniel character other than "add Waifu" but I also understand that thins is 4chan and that if you tell us their is a hot girl the a majority of us will try to flirt with her.

As for "real" things I'm not opposed to office drama or other things as long as it doesn't interfere with our turning cigarettes and coffee into designs

>>22485552
>can't sacrifice RL for the quest either.

you could if you became a REAL mech engineer, cause I mean, this quest is awesome and all that but seriously, how are we going to make SKORVEC TOUGH a household name? CRUSH THEIR HOUSES WITH OUR MECHS.

>>22485579

The Banshee escaped. They let it go so they could follow the breadcrumb trail back to it's nest, so to speak.

Of course, if you capture it at the HQ, then that becomes an issue.

The pirates probably don't have many forces left. We and the garrison don't either for that matter.

Anyhow let me dig up that todo list.

>>22485592
It's pretty damn beat up, they've got a Garage, we've got a Heavy Mech bay. Maybe we can work out a time share on it.

>>22485580

I honestly think Janine is more of a side note to Daniel's total character; he's proven that he's driven, and will disregard even combat to design his dream. Hell, I'm happy that everyone was pretty firm about 'job first, girl second' being his priorities. He's got an interesting interaction with most of the NPCs I feel, also thanks to all of you, because I put him out there with no personality. /tg/ build Daniel on a chassis I left in the first post of the first thread, and I'm happy how it's gone so far, personally. There have been bumps but it's been generally fun for me.

Todo Tier:
- All the other myomer locations
- Armour
- Rapeface visible under thermal vision
- Power cables
- Mech software
- Ammo delivery links

Planned Tier:
- Passive cockpit red dot sight, combine with limb-locking to alpha strike at 100m, 200m etc.
- Pilot seat shock absorbers. If smashing mechs together in Megamek has taught me anything, pilot checks are the number 1 cause of death.

Useful Tier:
- Compartmentalize outer myomer layers as in pic posted earlier
- Add pennate inner muscle bundle to ankles for more natural mech gait
- Extra cockpit cooling (i think the design we agreed on has a head sink located in the head as well)

Maybe tier:
- Hot water hookup to supply hot water in places without utilities.
- Cup holders

And I think there were a couple of other misc things I forgot.

Alright guys, thanks for coming again tonight.

Next installment will be when I can run earlier; gonna see if not compromising on frequency and instead going for better logistics will make for a more enjoyable quest for all.

Night Battlebros.

OP I'm a newbie with regards to the setting, but I really enjoy this so far.

I fell asleep halfway through the quest but that was because it was 3 AM in the morning.

It was fun, though! But the core gameplay of this is twinking our build, so slightly not as much to do here.

Yet, it does help build up a personality and plot, so it's good to have a mix of the two.