CTD - Alien Navigation Systems

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

Please comment.

 

Edit: Updated file. Miceless' double word fixed.

Edit 2: New Update. See posting further in thread.

Edit 3 Updated file. Overuse of polysylablic words fixed

Alien_Navigation.txt

Edited July 20, 2003 by Cpt. Boxershorts

[Deimos]

I like it, on a related note maybe strong psionic races (sectoids and Etherals) should be harder to shoot down due to them having a stronger bond with the craft.

[miceless]

Very nice! Couple of comments...

 

Sensor readings are interpreted

as sight, taste and sound, movement as muscle use, and damage as pain

Does that not mean that the pilot could die if the UFO gets beaten up enough?

 

... well trained navigator can can perform feats ...

A CanCan? Where?

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

Does that not mean that the pilot could die if the UFO gets beaten up enough?

 

I hadn't really thought so, but it's up to the higher-ups to decide. I figured sine it was just sensation, it doesn't do physical harm. It would probably have detrimental psychological effects on a human, but the aliens are probably immune to that.

 

Double word is fixed in original post.

 

-The Captain

Edited July 19, 2003 by Cpt. Boxershorts

[miceless]

I was just thinking of the Matrix. You know, if you die inside you die outside because the brain thinks its dead. Seems like a similar thing would apply here, but either way goes. I just wanted to make sure you think about it.

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

I figured that was what you meant...the idea that if you die in your dream, you die in real life. I think that sort of thing is more of a gameplay issue, although I guess it could be in the text, and not really do anything in-game (like the 3 hour limit I mention).

 

Anybody else like it? I'll be happy to put it in with more votes.

 

-The Captain

[miceless]

I dont mind if you dont put it in, but at least explain it a bit.

[GreatGold]

I like it a lot. I say add it, and we just accept that it has no effect on game-play. Or, if you want to be sneaky and avoid the whole issue, just put in a sentance that is like "Since it would take the complete destruction of the craft to cause irreversable damage to the pilot, there have been no incidents of recorded long-term injury...yet... Because, obviously, if the craft is destroyed, so it the pilot." And then if you wanted to be REALLY sneaky, you could end with "Also, no ejection system was designed with the craft, as it was found that a rapid extrication under stressful curcumstances rendered the pilot braindead." Now, no one can complain about game=play, because the pilot dies whenever you loose a craft.

 

Anything like that would put all questions about game-play to ease.

Gold

[miceless]

Thats exactly what I thought. I say add it, but either way is fine by me.

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

OKay..Here's the latest draft. Added all suggestions above.

 

-The Captain

 

Edit: FIle removed. See first post for updates.

Edited July 20, 2003 by Cpt. Boxershorts

[miceless]

Woohoo, very nice indeed.

 

Last comment. Can i just suggest that you get your thesaurus (sp?) out and lookup an alternative to the second occurance of the word 'conceptually'. Just sounds a tad repetetive.

 

Apart from that great job! :happybanana:

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

No Problem (although there were only two). Can I help it if I like words with more than four syllables?

 

How about this:

 

Fortunately, the alien technology is ultimately not too different from existing X-Corps technology.

 

rather than:

 

Fortunately, the alien technology is conceptually not too different from existing X-Corps technology.

 

-The Captain

[miceless]

I know there were two, that was the problem! And yes, you do seem to like long words.

 

That sounds fine.

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

Updated version available in initial post.

 

Wow, if that's all the complaints, GG and I must done a great job! :happybanana:

 

-The Captain

[Guest Jim69]

Are all the X-net designs gonna be this long? Im not ripping it down I actually prefer it that way, it's one of the (many) things I liked about Rogue Spear. Just a question 2 make sure that there isn't an inconsistancy with the length of paedia entries.

[GreatGold]

Hey -

 

Just check out the CTD Asset List if you want to see some more. I think this is actually on of the shorter ones though...

 

Gold

[Fred the Goat]

I'm sorry, I can't help it - whenever I read anything I automatically comb it for errors. So here's the spellchecked version, I know it's a bit early in the game for it, but what the hey.

 

As for actual USEFUL criticism, lemme see...well, first of all I love it!

 

psionicist - nice word! were you consciously avoiding using the word psychic? If so, I'll shut up. Psion has also been used.

 

contraindicate (bottom of 2nd par.) - contradict? better words (I love thesaurus.com): preclude, inhibit, prohibit. I like preclude.

 

More generally, it's been suggested that the human brain stores information in holographic form (i.e. a single image stored simultaneously throughout the brain). This would probably be really hard to include in any way, as you'd have to first understand it. Well, here's a link, anyway. Do what you will. http://www.ediblebrain.com/holobrain.htm

 

What the heck, here's a good one for ion beam accelerators when we get there (today's Astronomy Picture). http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030720.html

 

And last but not least, here's my rehashed version of Alien Navigation, with fluff text of course (as always, I'm happy to write it and not sad to see it tossed out the window, do as you will).

navigation.txt

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

Thanks for the spell checking...I write them in notepad, and I'm too lazy to copy it into Word. I really like the fluff text, especially if we can format it somehow in the actual display.

 

Contraindicate is actually a medical term (got it from my wife). It's usually used in context with medications, but I was trying to make certain sections sound like they were written by an MD rather than a PHD (which is the look I normally go for).

 

Actually, I pulled both psionicist and psychotronic out of my old GURPS Psionics book.

 

-The Captain.

[miceless]

I liked the different words. It made it sound ... well ... different. They made it stand out a little.

[Fred the Goat]

Actually, I pulled both psionicist and psychotronic out of my old GURPS Psionics book.

 

Sweeeeeet! Okay, keep all the words! Contraindicate actually sounded pretty cool, I'd just never heard of it before. Ah, GURPS, those were the days. Those sourcebooks are great for this stuff, I admit I looked at my old High-Tech book for Kevlar information in my Uniform entry.

[j'ordos]

It's better to remain silent about RPG since Miceless created a poll about it

Moved some posts to P&P D&D in off topic...

[miceless]

Whats wrong with RPG?

[Guest Jim69]

"While the conceptually the same"

 

Change 2

 

"While conceptually the same"

 

Thanx

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

With Jim's extra 'the' removed, and a bit I htought up over the week about integrating it into the alien alloys (bottom of 2nd paragraph).

 

Also trying to color edits. If it doesn't work, I'll remove it.

 

edit: color attempt failed.

 

-THE Captain

Alien_Navigation.txt

Edited July 28, 2003 by Cpt. Boxershorts

[GreatGold]

Hey -

 

I think the latest draft is about where we want it . So when I get home, I'll be updating the Asset List with it.

 

I have only one suggestion. The draft encapsulates the UFO Navigation very well, but we havent really mentioned the human spin-off tech that is used in Human Hybrid Craft. Perhaps if we add a paragraph about that, the entry would be more complete.

 

For instance, we could include somethig along the lines of how the UFO Navigationay Hybrid Unit, to used by humans in craft ( we can't name any, as at this stage none have been researched) is modified to work better with human alpha, beta and theta waves. Likewise, because of this modification, cognitive damage to humans is less likely, and takes longer to occur. The downside is that the hybrid unit allows a less evolved sense of control over the craft. We could also put in something about a conventional backup system still being present for longer flights, as well as flights by pilots who only wish to hook up to the neural interface during combat.

 

I think if we add something like that, it makes UFO Nav more relevant to the player.

 

EDIT: Captain, we posted at the same time. Feel free to use standard HTML tags for color, underline, italics, etc. I knowyou know this, this is more for the knowledge of everyone else .

 

Gold

Edited July 28, 2003 by GreatGold

[miceless]

manuvers

Methinks 'maneuvers' is better.

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

'Maneuvers' changed. ALso added final paragraph describing the hybrid version.

 

-The Captain

Alien_Navigation.txt

[GreatGold]

Very nice .

[miceless]

Hear hear. Very nice.

[Fred the Goat]

Yes! Stick a fork into it, because it is completed. Nail it up, Gold!

[miceless]

I havent got any forks, but i do have a stick...http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/poke1.GIF

[GreatGold]

Consider it nailed !

[miceless]

Nails!? Forks?! What is it with the sharp implements?!

[Fred the Goat]

I didn't even use my sword.

[[Blehm 98]]

10th entry today!

Alien_Navigation_ctd.doc

[Guest Azrael]

ALIEN NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

X-Net://Pegasus.net/Alien/Craft/Components/Navigation

 

More of the Aliens' secrets have been exposed by our scientists; the uncanny methods the invaders use to pilot their vessels have been unmasked.

 

Certain components were discovered to be similar to those of other captured equipment, specifically the control interface. It appears that like nearly all of the Alien technology we have recovered, the craft are psionically controlled. Fortunately, the Alien technology is ultimately not too different from existing X-Corps technology. This coincidence makes it possible to easily adapt the extraterrestrial navigation array to Human thought patterns, and our pilots' combat experience with the XC-1 Gryphon enables them to adapt rapidly to the new technology.

 

While conceptually the same, this equipment is only superficially similar to our own bio-feedback based AlphaWave technology. This psychotronic device appears to be some sort of gestalt network, linking up to five individuals of the same species to a massive psionic amplifier. Even psionically null individuals can be used in conjunction with this device.

 

The device seems to be able to operate with only one psionist of sufficient power, and with multiple weaker individuals being able to function in conjunction with the stronger operator. Unfortunately, including several stronger psionics in the link does not provide any greater advantage.

 

Apparently once the necessary threshold is reached, no further power is needed. One of the participants must be the focus of the psychotronic web; the controller. All other participants are virtually comatose for the duration of the link. When interfacing with the Alien control systems, the controller almost literally becomes the craft. Sensor readings are translated into sight, taste and sound, movement as muscle use, and damage as pain. Fortunately, the painful sensory input from damaged systems does not cause long term physical damage to the gestalt members. However, testing the results of craft destruction sensation is impossible, since the participants cannot survive the break-up of the vessel. All common stimuli from the body are overridden by the sensations of the vehicle itself. The non-operating participants share this flood of sensations, but are entirely passive; they have no control over the vehicle, and cannot even sever the connection to the controller.

 

Unfortunately, our experiments also contraindicate the use of ejection seats, as the abrupt severance of the navigator-craft link causes psionic feedback through the controller's prefrontal cortex, resulting in the equivalent of a high voltage lobotomy. It is theorized that the device actually creates a psionic connection between the operator and the living portion of the Alien Composites that the Alien vessels are made of.

 

The result of this unnatural bond is total control over the vehicle. Even an untrained operator can perform basic manoeuvres that would take months of practice for a conventionally piloted craft. A well trained navigator can perform feats once thought impossible. However, volunteer controllers linked with these devices for too long showed severe psychological problems, ranging from delusions of actually being the craft, symptoms similar to sensory deprivation, to psychological addiction to the sensations.

 

Several of our finest pilots are permanently hospitalized as a result. It is recommended that X-Corps personnel are not linked to the craft for more than 3 hours. Longer exposure to the device will cause permanent damage.

 

While is has proven impossible for our operators to mesh with captured Alien craft due to the differences in brain structure, we have developed a scalable hybrid control array, limited to a single operator. With this prototype, the strength of the sensory input can be controlled, limiting it to basic data during routine flight, but capable of unleashing the full sensory immersion required to combat the invader's vessels. Flying with this hybrid mode reduces long-term psychological damage by eighty-six percent. Unfortunately, involuntary dissolution of even this minor link still causes severe brain damage.

 

“Subject 12q97f - Agent Kong Tianming: Severe damage to the prefrontal lobes in the form of dendritic deterioration, resulting in cessation of all local activity. Subject is stable but entirely unresponsive.

Subject 12q97g - Agent Jonathan Dark Mountain: Moderate damage to the prefrontal lobes in the form of dendritic deterioration, resulting in reduction of local activity. Subject is comatose.

Subject 12g97h - Agent Joan Greene: Acute schizophrenia, in the form of split personality, disorder, delusions, and self objectification. Subject is incoherent.”