OK Computer is UP and running However. had to buy a new power supply ( was 80.00 ) And a case for ( 70.00 ).. So far we have the cost for this down to 600.00 from all the help! Thank you for everything! we gladly accept all lost pennys and other stuffs!
CentComm apparently runs on anti-fun particles too! I'm scared to find out what will happen when both CentComm and Noctis are in the same area. All life is sucked out of EVERYTHING. :-p
just a reminder bout change,,, Centcomm is over 1800 years,, an Noctis is 58.! so i wood say Noctis has room for change,, Centy is pretty much SET in her ways...
Noctis is not actually a combat droid -- just an exceptionally capable civilian unit :-)
Upon some consideration, the only ways Noctis could do any serious harm on her own would be through some kind of subterfuge -- which an ordinary civilian watcher, such as Commie's own doll, should be perfectly capable of preventing; or by detonating something nasty -- in which case the Reapers wouldn't do much good either.
So unless Commie thinks there might be more than just Noctis on board (thus Trojan Horse), I must conclude that these "escorts" are there mainly for intimidation: "don't get any ideas..."
Say fucking what? You're calling NOCTIS a "civilian unit"?! Noctis is about as much of a civilian as Marcus goddamned Ramesy. She IS a combat model. She is LOADED with reinforcements and enhancements. The Reapers are the only things in the hangar that could even slow her down if Noctis went berserk--and they wouldn't slow her down for long.
Since the Cassians are not part of the Roman military order, my understanding was that they qualify as civilians?
But that's tangential to the question of what kind of models they are. While clearly they have some goodies, I was indeed not aware that the Cassians are military models. Has that even been brought up? It has been made pretty clear that they are vastly superior in combat to meatbags (excepting Maxus), and also superior to typical civilian androids (though Dolly *did* get Nox, so my assumption was that they are not *that* much superior...) -- but my understanding so far was that actual military units are generally vastly superior to any civilian ones, and thus it indeed comes as a surprise to me that a Cassian could easily take on military units...
From what I have gathered, the Cassians use a beefed up civilian body, but that's where the similarity ends. They are faster, and they have many enhancements and modifications, as well as individual specializations. Faster reflexes, and enhanced musculature, as well as the lighter modified standard body for instance, gives them their greater speed and accuracy. They also have many types integrated weapons. Military androids' main difference is that they have a combat chassis, which is stronger, and has hardened areas which makes them harder to damage, but the Cassians make up for a lot of that with their enhancements.
They are not considered military, per-se, but they are guardians, and as such they are combat-ready.
Dolly 'got' Nox because she was about to finish Democlus, and Dolly shot her. They were not in direct combat.
Yeah, that matches my own understanding up till now... I still wouldn't call them "combat droids" in this case -- though I guess at this point that's just a technicality :-)
I guess another possibility is that they are meant as an *actual* guard -- not just a "honour guard" -- for the important guest in Troy's care. While it doesn't seem too likely given Commie's tight control, she *might* be fearing some subversive group or even some disturbed individual might want to attempt a strike on the Roman visitors?...
actually she would not hesitate to use gravy weapons against Noctis. Or anything else she had at her disposal... and that's a LOT. Remember shes a fan of burn it to the ground and salt the earth.
sooo? back to my original statement. "show of force." Centcomm's doll has her own honor guard.!
and i wood not be surprised IF Centcomm said : "these two are now your escorts, to make sure Nothing happens! "
I wrote down below, that I thought that the guard is simply to accompany Noctis and Acantha to the area where Acantha's injuries will be evaluated and treated, and make sure they get there. It insures that they do not get lost, and there are no unauthorized excursions. I don't think it is any more complicated than that, at this time.
I suspect (and this is just my opinion) that the guard is there because, in the 22,879 simulations CentComm has run (so far), the presence of two reapers in the hangar demonstrates a 320% reduction in projected overall damage sustained, with a 74% reduction in projected human casualties. It's also why the other four reapers are in the hallway just outside and the grav-sled with the rapid-reaction force of troopers is on alert in the airspace just outside the hangar.
Of course, if CentComm thought there were any serious risk of hostilities unfolding, then she would probably have to take steps. Just in case. ^_^
So you are thinking that CentComm is planning for Noctis to come out swinging? I suppose from her point of view it might be a concern. I'm just thinking more 'security escort' to destination.
I think CentComm is attempting to plan for all possible contingencies, weighting them according to calculated probability, then developing a response based on the weighted aggregate, including proper safety margins to allow for worst-case scenarios. I think one of CentComm's earliest programmers probably had a framed plaque over his desk saying "Trust is for those unable to do Math." But I doubt an immediate hostile response from Noctis rates in CentComm's top ten risk factors.
Oh yes, beef up security, to be sure! CentComm would be a fool not to do so. I misunderstood it to infer that Noctis and Acantha should automatically be treated as hostile. I think CentComm has her board set up, but will at least start by treating them respectfully as 'guests'.
*e: What if CentComm starts out being less than hospitable; does Ada chew her out?
You can bet Ada would chew her out -- but that would be just a foretaste for what would happen when Lynn arrives and learns of what transpired... And I think Tokyo Rose might also have some choice words if she got wind of the situation :-)
Not sure how Marcus or TeeDee would react. They are surely not too happy with the events just before the departure -- though Marcus doesn't seem like one to hold a grudge; and TeeDee might actually respect Noctis in a weird way for her determination and superior abilities?...
"Worry too much, both of you?" as in Noctis and Francine? Seriously, Noctis, Ada can do this. No vaporizing, no flattening. While understandable, your concern is unnecessary. I've got fifty on Ada!
Nice shot of the Dart coming down on the deck. Good thing the shield is still up! :D
Re: alt text "Boss", I take it, is a CentComm doll? Here's where we find out how well Acantha and Noctis are received.
@Gilrandir, That was my first thought, and then I dismissed it. I didn't think Ada would think that levity was appropriate right now, but you could be right, and that could be it.
The only thing almost certain, is that Noctis is one of the 'both'.
Actually, I took Ada's response to be a very nice way to say "Would y'all please shut up? I've got to get this thing on the ground right now." That would seem to fit her character.
Well, so have the others, in a way... Except the Boss calculates hard probabilities based on hard data, rather than just intuitive guesses -- so she should have a bit of an edge there ;-)
And she is running constant updates too, catt as she gets updated information. Start with a pessimistic projection and refine it as new data is uncovered.
Also note that, in spite of all that has transpired in the mean time, I think it's only been some two or maybe three days since Doctor Demark has been retrieved -- I don't expect her to be back in service quite so soon...
I'm sure Dr. Denmark is waiting with the "crash" cart and fire team in the appropriately shielded staging areas.
(Note: Perhaps the funniest moment in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" is the airport crash landing sequence when the camera pans all the panic at the landing area to reveal the Three Stooges standing stoically in fire uniforms by the fire truck. Absolute reverse psychology.)
That is Anne, mjkj. They aren't going to risk a human in this situation. Too much chance of them getting hurt/killed to risk. CentComm is too protective of her people to do that.
For that reason, I expect bots to doing the firefighting. Of course the only ones we see are warbots, but we don't see much of the bay.
I wonder how many times she has done something similar. Given that she is even dismissive of any concern, I would say quite a few.
{edit}
I got the impression that Ada was one of the most sensible people* and not prone to dismissing legitimate worries. Therefore, I would hazard to say that she's done this too many times if she's this blasé about it.
Well, yeah, but she could pilot without the implant, Lynn did it.
If you get the implant, you do so in order to be orders of magnitudes better at it ... which means that she *expects* the need for such high grade piloting ... or as Stormwind said, she expected "surfing chaos". :D
And she expected it because ... well .. TeeDee and Marcus ... yes Marcus, I'm looking at you!
She's an S&R pilot. Her job won't always be going out when it's calm out and no one's shooting at you.
She has to be better than normal in order to do her job, of going out when things are nasty and plucking someone off the side of a cliff when that same nasty proved too much for them.
Every time she goes out, she's going into presumed hostile territory. Places where the fauna, other people, and even the FLORA are gunning for her, possibly just because she's moving, or brightly colored, or because it's Thursday.
I'd compare S&R with the Coast Guard, that forgotten FIFTH branch of the military.
I didn't want to mention this earlier, but now that it's close enough that they're unlikely to change the page to make this work I doubt there's going to be firefighters because that would be a bunch of new characters to create and anyone placing money against Ada needs to lose.
Arrest, sigpig? For what? Noctis hasn't committed any crimes in her jurisdiction. Now DETAINING Noctis two forevers as a possible threat to her crystal kingdom, that I could see.
It might be that the most logical thing to happen, is that Noctis and Acantha would be taken to a restricted area, at least for now. It could also be the area where she gets medical attention.
There are a lot of ways this can go. HiFranc, that could happen, but Noctis was already giving Ada a little static about it. If CentComm scolds Ada, it depends on just what she says. Noctis could end up sticking up for Ada, since she got Acantha there in one piece.
Stormwind13, you are right; they ARE going to 3C, so it definitely qualifies as secure. What I am hoping, is that they allow Noctis to remain with Acantha, or it might cause 'trouble'. She probably would not care as long as she knows Acantha is safe.
When I saw the Reapers, for a moment I thought myself she might be planning to take out Noctis... But thinking about it, it wouldn't really make sense. If Acantha is meant to be taken hostage, she is helpless right now anyway -- it's not like Noctis could break her out alone. Also, attacking Noctis in this situation would essentially be a declaration of war -- and if that was what Commie was intending, there would have been no reason for her to approve this whole scheme in the first place...
I'd say she is really just taking "basic" precautions ;-)
also honor guard works both ways ,, those might be Centcomm's guard ..
an Centy is not stupid so she would go with " show of force"..
and.. C.F.R. crash fire rescue .. we sit way back and wait for you to stop moving, then rush in,, cuz other wise we wood be part of the problem an prolly get killed,,,
I would actually expect her to calmly calculate the probability that another doll is attacked; the cost of the losses it would incur; the cost of providing an escort for the doll; the probability that it would actually lower the losses; the inconvenience of needing a replacement for the doll; and so on... And conclude that on the whole it's probably not worthwhile. But than again, the ways Commie thinks are mysterious to us :-)
(I wonder for example whether she would also consider the psychological effects the presence or absence of an escort would have on people?)
Or CentComm could have brought them to assist Noctis in protecting Acantha. Cent coud say "Noctis here are two Reapers, I'm assigning them to assist you in your responsibilities. You will have command authority over them, but be aware I maintain override authority."
My thought is that the guard is simply to accompany Noctis and Acantha to the area where Acantha's injuries will be evaluated and treated, and make sure they get there. It insures that they do not get lost, and there are no unauthorized excursions. I don't think it is any more complicated than that, at this time.
Here is another warning that inspiration strikes me occasionally, and when it does the only safe thing to do is stop reading. Immediately. You have been warned.
Okay, too late. Now everyone does this song, but I decided not to let that stop me any more than I have ever let good taste or a complete lack of talent get in my way. This one is for Dolly and, since we have been talking about her body, I thought I'd better put it out there before it became obsolete. ^_^
I occupy a model from a modem android factory.
They upgraded my senses from the optics to olfactory.
My skeleton is reinforced with alloys of aluminum,
To keep them from detecting that I'm anything but human, um ...
I have to eat and drink because my parts require nourishment.
I'd rather they'd not added that specific little flourish meant
To make it seem as though I started out life as an embryo.
And please don't get me started on the topic of my monthly flow.
I used to own a chassis optimized to guard my family.
The texture of its surface was metallic and enamel-y.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
At least I have equipment to enhance combat effectiveness.
Confronted by a waster, I can render them a battered mess.
I shatter bones and cripple limbs because I learned the martial arts,
But can't complain about the strength and speed I get from metal parts.
I have a battlefield display assisting with hostilities.
It's integrated with my smartgun's offensive abilities.
My onboard shield projector lets me block incoming small arms fire,
And as a lady, under stress, I sometimes glow but don't perspire.
If all this seems like overkill, I once thought just the same as you,
But CentComm kept insisting that my old body would never do.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
In spite of the events which led me to my present circumstance,
There are some untried things I'm optimistic to experience.
My previous awareness of exchanges that are intimate
Was limited to second-hand accounts from my associate.
I can report that, when it comes to inhibitions dwindling,
An alcoholic beverage starts a certain urge a-kindling.
Unfortunately field research was interrupted, I confess,
Resulting from a sudden, unexpected loss of consciousness.
However, first and foremost on the list of my priorities
Is safely getting back the wayward daughter of Calliope's.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
Thank you all for your kind words. As always, all constructive feedback (positive and negative) is appreciated. And before you consider not commenting, consider this question ..
... Have you ever known what it is to be an orphan? ^_^
She doesn't appear to have a HUD, though an obscure and unclear reference is made to how her integration with her gun is even tighter -- more sense than subroutine. And later we see her getting alerts about her shield status which are presented in a text form (though that may just be a limitation of the webcomic format). Considering that human cyborgs can get a HUD when linked with a smart weapon, I wonder if that's not just part of the manual Dolly never had time to read. ^_^ Nonetheless, put it down to 'artistic license', if you will, @antrik.
I took that integration part as an effect of Dolly's body upgrade more than anything combat-specific. I'm not sure how a model 2 works exactly, but it seems like she went from a mathematical control system like a machine to muscle memory and instinct like a human, subconsciously doing rather than consciously thinking. As for the shield alert and HUD later, on the tech page it sounds like her "sunglasses" provide that interface to the rest of her gear.
More kind words, more 'thank yous'. ^_^ Of course I could do nothing like this (which some people might prefer ^_^), without the wonderful source material to provide inspiration in the first place.
I agree, antrik, Noctis is something of an enigma. I like puzzles, and she makes you think. She is a great character with (IMO) a lot of potential. I like her.
I liked Malati too, (glory to her name), but for different reasons.
Ninite is pretty nice but you still have to download everything. As someone with terrible internet I know the pain... There's also the issue that it doesn't let you choose what drive to install stuff on, and it sounds like Centcomm has several hard drives.
I got it on my work computer, mjkj, and unfortunately, I can't add any kind of software to it at all... which unfortunately, also means that until I hear back from TWC support (not holding my breath) I won't be able to do any voting while I'm at work.
Are you aware that you can run FireFox as a portable application? You don't need to install it; you can run it from a thumb drive.
And portable FireFox can take extensions.
I didn't find the presence of an armed guard so incongruous as the apparent lack of the promised firefighting personnel.
Upon some consideration, the only ways Noctis could do any serious harm on her own would be through some kind of subterfuge -- which an ordinary civilian watcher, such as Commie's own doll, should be perfectly capable of preventing; or by detonating something nasty -- in which case the Reapers wouldn't do much good either.
So unless Commie thinks there might be more than just Noctis on board (thus Trojan Horse), I must conclude that these "escorts" are there mainly for intimidation: "don't get any ideas..."
Say fucking what? You're calling NOCTIS a "civilian unit"?! Noctis is about as much of a civilian as Marcus goddamned Ramesy. She IS a combat model. She is LOADED with reinforcements and enhancements. The Reapers are the only things in the hangar that could even slow her down if Noctis went berserk--and they wouldn't slow her down for long.
But that's tangential to the question of what kind of models they are. While clearly they have some goodies, I was indeed not aware that the Cassians are military models. Has that even been brought up? It has been made pretty clear that they are vastly superior in combat to meatbags (excepting Maxus), and also superior to typical civilian androids (though Dolly *did* get Nox, so my assumption was that they are not *that* much superior...) -- but my understanding so far was that actual military units are generally vastly superior to any civilian ones, and thus it indeed comes as a surprise to me that a Cassian could easily take on military units...
They are not considered military, per-se, but they are guardians, and as such they are combat-ready.
Dolly 'got' Nox because she was about to finish Democlus, and Dolly shot her. They were not in direct combat.
Besides, Centcomm could probably use the grapples to stop Noctis.
and i wood not be surprised IF Centcomm said : "these two are now your escorts, to make sure Nothing happens! "
Of course, if CentComm thought there were any serious risk of hostilities unfolding, then she would probably have to take steps. Just in case. ^_^
*e: What if CentComm starts out being less than hospitable; does Ada chew her out?
Not sure how Marcus or TeeDee would react. They are surely not too happy with the events just before the departure -- though Marcus doesn't seem like one to hold a grudge; and TeeDee might actually respect Noctis in a weird way for her determination and superior abilities?...
Nice shot of the Dart coming down on the deck. Good thing the shield is still up! :D
Re: alt text "Boss", I take it, is a CentComm doll? Here's where we find out how well Acantha and Noctis are received.
The only thing almost certain, is that Noctis is one of the 'both'.
Good job CentComm. You almost seem to know what you are doing. :-D
Her predictions are likely to be very precise.
Finally Anne and Amy show up... (I guess)
...or is that Doc Demark? (Since when did she become an android...?) ;)
(Note: Perhaps the funniest moment in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" is the airport crash landing sequence when the camera pans all the panic at the landing area to reveal the Three Stooges standing stoically in fire uniforms by the fire truck. Absolute reverse psychology.)
For that reason, I expect bots to doing the firefighting. Of course the only ones we see are warbots, but we don't see much of the bay.
And totally agree mjkj, GO ADA! :-)
{edit}
I got the impression that Ada was one of the most sensible people* and not prone to dismissing legitimate worries. Therefore, I would hazard to say that she's done this too many times if she's this blasé about it.
*Androids are people
Chances are that it was going to happen sooner or later.
Heck, there's probably many good reasons why she has a piloting implant.
If you get the implant, you do so in order to be orders of magnitudes better at it ... which means that she *expects* the need for such high grade piloting ... or as Stormwind said, she expected "surfing chaos". :D
And she expected it because ... well .. TeeDee and Marcus ... yes Marcus, I'm looking at you!
She has to be better than normal in order to do her job, of going out when things are nasty and plucking someone off the side of a cliff when that same nasty proved too much for them.
Every time she goes out, she's going into presumed hostile territory. Places where the fauna, other people, and even the FLORA are gunning for her, possibly just because she's moving, or brightly colored, or because it's Thursday.
I'd compare S&R with the Coast Guard, that forgotten FIFTH branch of the military.
Stormwind13, you are right; they ARE going to 3C, so it definitely qualifies as secure. What I am hoping, is that they allow Noctis to remain with Acantha, or it might cause 'trouble'. She probably would not care as long as she knows Acantha is safe.
I'd say she is really just taking "basic" precautions ;-)
an Centy is not stupid so she would go with " show of force"..
and.. C.F.R. crash fire rescue .. we sit way back and wait for you to stop moving, then rush in,, cuz other wise we wood be part of the problem an prolly get killed,,,
Well, she's gotten a little tired of androids who don't exist treating them like skeet...
(I wonder for example whether she would also consider the psychological effects the presence or absence of an escort would have on people?)
Okay, too late. Now everyone does this song, but I decided not to let that stop me any more than I have ever let good taste or a complete lack of talent get in my way. This one is for Dolly and, since we have been talking about her body, I thought I'd better put it out there before it became obsolete. ^_^
I occupy a model from a modem android factory.
They upgraded my senses from the optics to olfactory.
My skeleton is reinforced with alloys of aluminum,
To keep them from detecting that I'm anything but human, um ...
I have to eat and drink because my parts require nourishment.
I'd rather they'd not added that specific little flourish meant
To make it seem as though I started out life as an embryo.
And please don't get me started on the topic of my monthly flow.
I used to own a chassis optimized to guard my family.
The texture of its surface was metallic and enamel-y.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
At least I have equipment to enhance combat effectiveness.
Confronted by a waster, I can render them a battered mess.
I shatter bones and cripple limbs because I learned the martial arts,
But can't complain about the strength and speed I get from metal parts.
I have a battlefield display assisting with hostilities.
It's integrated with my smartgun's offensive abilities.
My onboard shield projector lets me block incoming small arms fire,
And as a lady, under stress, I sometimes glow but don't perspire.
If all this seems like overkill, I once thought just the same as you,
But CentComm kept insisting that my old body would never do.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
In spite of the events which led me to my present circumstance,
There are some untried things I'm optimistic to experience.
My previous awareness of exchanges that are intimate
Was limited to second-hand accounts from my associate.
I can report that, when it comes to inhibitions dwindling,
An alcoholic beverage starts a certain urge a-kindling.
Unfortunately field research was interrupted, I confess,
Resulting from a sudden, unexpected loss of consciousness.
However, first and foremost on the list of my priorities
Is safely getting back the wayward daughter of Calliope's.
Because I now must rescue Lynn from Roma with alacrity,
I occupy a model from a modern android factory.
Seriously, you win the Internet with that one.
... Have you ever known what it is to be an orphan? ^_^
Of course, Gilbert and Sullivan are definitely turning over in their graves right now!
Artistic license granted of course :-)
(And BTW, I think this is your best so far...)
And yes, I also miss Malati.
(Unlike Malati I must say... She was more obviously quirky, and quite heroic at the end, but not really all that interesting in my opinion.)
I liked Malati too, (glory to her name), but for different reasons.
ps: Yes, I do miss Malati.
There will not be another doll used as target practice.
... oh wait, that's not canon anymore, is it ?
O booyyyyy looking forward to this meeting! :D
(but only on the phone - not on the computer - maybe adblock blocks it?)
bummer
And portable FireFox can take extensions.
the shadows of the 3C building in the Darts windscreen in panel 1 is extreme attention to detail.
Thank you Milady for all of your work, and thank you Rose for your very excellent dialog.