Official "Discuss the latest page" thread

[CygnusX1]

the Thunderbolts also placed the pilot (and center of mass) farther forward from the engines, if I recall correctly, so there were some tradeoffs in the design.

My guess: radiation and heat.
Heat is a huge problem on a spaceship because the only way of cooling it down is to radiate. Space is like a one huge thermos flask, but instead of hot coffee you put people and nuclear reactors together in one can.

[Icedaemon]

One is of the same mind as several others. Why not simply make the updated scimitar design the next model? Probably slightly better in several ways, probably more expensive. It will take a lot of time, especially seeing as the republic is at war, to switch from the proven design that pilots are familiar with to the new craft. Thus, the experimental ship will enjoy sparse use, possibly in special units.

As for the Cirin Alliance, since one fails to see how far-left socialism (as opposed to reasonably functional social democracy, which has enjoyed some success) could function for long without deep corruption in the hands of humans, it is likely that there will be no truly effective form of socialism until humanity itself changes to a grand degree. It is likely that, similar to what happened in soviet-controlled territory, the purveyors of luxury foodstuffs are highly prized as friends and handle under the counter trade of goods as opposed to regular sales when dealing with favoured customers, thus mitigating the effects of their lower pay grade.

[wingsofwrath]

In fact the "Scimtar" redesign is very reminiscent of this guy, proving that there are certain designs the human mind is inexorably drawn to - after all, there are limited ways to strap two engines, some guns and a cockpit together, and so far humans have tried most of them.

Of course, the whole "aerodynamic" look on a starfighter is pointless in any case (unless it is design for atmospheric combat as well), but you really can't deny that, like other successful sci-fi franchises, the technology in Crimson Dark is primarily fueled by the "Rule of Cool" as opposed to scientific rigour, and thus indicative of the softer, fluffier end of the Mohs Scale of Sci-fi Hardness... Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The Cirin Alliance is clearly a stab at pretty much textbook socialism, but we are not told wherever the economy is centrally planned or market regulated and that is a BIG difference. For the former (and pretty much failed) model, the Ur-example would be the Soviet Union. For the latter (and surprisingly viable) system, one has but to look at China... Sure, even China, with her rather... hem... somewhat draconic anti corruption laws is pretty much wracked with the afore mentioned phenomenon, but that is, after all, simply a staple of standard human behaviour. No one can resist a free lunch and if we're talking free cash instead, well...

[Lokekar Kra]

I hope not, mob rule is dangerous. Especially when you are not part of the mob, which is why all democracies have and will suffer very violent deaths. The problem with all systems is that they are made of people. The best part of all systems is that they are made of people. The solution in my opinion lies not in making a perfect system but in making people better. Most obvious way to achieve that is to have an education system that truly educates people to think and to want to understand the world around them. Which explains why I think Educators should be the highest paid, and be competitive based on results.

[wingsofwrath]

Yes, I agree with that view completely!

In fact, after years of being told how some people are just smarter than others and thus destined to lead better lives, it's both frightening and sad to realise that from the sole view of native intelligence (cleverness) most people are about the same level and it's actually "the learning reflex" one picks up from their parents as a young child as well as access to quality education that actually matter.

Even more frightening is the tendency of the educational system in several well developed countries to concentrate purely on job essentials to the expense of general knowledge - most kids in the US are completely ignorant of the world because they were told on purpose it didn't matter and what they should learn instead is how to do a particular task 8 hours a day for the rest of their lives and not ask too many questions. Sure, it makes for a pliant, mainly content general populace, but is it really worth it to "dumb down" your country just so your people can have lower expectations?

As for changing the human nature, well, that is a task for a few thousand years, at last. In fact, it's hard to discern any difference in the human behaviour since the start of recorded history. The more you look back, the more you realize people have been acting the same little roles, repeating the same mistakes, over and over and over again. Sure, some of the bigger ones have been averted specifically because they are thought in school, but most if not all on the local and personal levels will still happen again. And again. And again.

That's why I think that trying to tweak the ruling system first is pretty important, because it's the only thing that has changed regularly in the last few thousand years. It's clear we won't get a "perfect" one yet (if ever), but also I guess it's the inherent instability of any form of government in the face of technological and scientific progress that ultimately is responsible for change. The more we know, the more flaws we will find, and thus add more pressure for reforms.

I'm amazed the quake in new Zealand has had so little casualties. While I deplore the damage done to buildings, it's primarily the loss of life that matters, and so far I've not heard of a single one directly related to the quake (the heart attack was due to a pre-existing condition, after all). As an architect living in a seismic area, I can vouch that the spectre of one is never too far from my mind, especially since the last 7.2 we had (march 4, 1977) killed over 1500 people and injured 11,000.

[matteo861]

Hey, forgive me for being a day or so off (and potentially posting this under the wrong thread) but I gotta say it: Nostalgia aside, that "Scimitar MkII" is a beautiful ship. I agree completely that the original scimitar is iconic, and I'm glad that you didn't put it in Distant Thunder, but that design is just too pretty to throw away. As this is your work, I would overstep my bounds to suggest anything, but I would like to offer a comparison of the vessels and a possible differentiation between the two.

From the Scimitar description in the database: It's heavily armed and still maneuverable, and it's only weaknesses are acceleration and visibility.

How I would envision the second fighter is a short-range light fighter varient designed to address the very few shortcomings of the venerable Scimiter. The bubble cockpit would increase visibility slightly, and with the more streamlined body and different engines, it could pass for an interceptor instead of a heavy fighter. Obviously a smaller weapons payload would be in order, but I believe that the ship would be quite capable as a dogfighter.

Alright, I've made my point and I'll shut up now. I guess when you cut through all my technical blather, I'm just saying that that ship is one of the more beautiful designs I've ever seen. I'd hate to see it confined to the shelves of oblivion.

[Trinten]

On the topic of todays page...

Any thoughts on why Whisper turned/moved in a way that would make her human arm the striking arm?

I figured she would have spun clockwise (it seems she went counter-clockwise) - which would have resulted in the gaurd having to readjust his aim further, and it would set her up to strike with her bionic arm, which we already know is incredibly quick and has the force to rip out someones throat. And she's obviously a fast thinker, I can't imagine that she would have overlooked those points.

If it was to help make sure that Kari wasn't hit, she was taking a gamble - she certainly knew that the weapon would punch a hole through her and hit whatever was beyond her, so if that guard had aimed for center-of-mass (or even just a little bit higher/more center) I think Kari would be missing a leg or a pelvis.... lol

[Alvarin]

I'd say because she's right-handed(?) and this motion came more naturally. Plus, as the guard was positioned in the middle of them, turning the way she did Wisper closed the distance, clockwise would move her out from line of fire, but much further away.

[CygnusX1]

I wonder if during such a struggle the military guy (how should I call them?) is able to communicate and ask for support. He should be able to and more should come in a moment... after all they are fighting in the center of the station, aren't they?

[cbhacking]

There's the answer: Whisper let the guard take her biological arm so that the other (more powerful) one would be available to disarm the marine. Painful as that must be, it's probably the only thing that gives them a chance of winning this little fight. Of course, even if she and Kari subdue this enemy there will be no lack of others...

Random thought: I don't think we've *ever* seen the marines acting in a positive (supports our characters) manner. Occasionally they've stood as guards, but in every case where they've been doing anything they've been the enemy.