Author Topic: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database  (Read 1594 times)

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Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
In the briefing for "A Time For Heroes", Al-Fadil (sp?) explains that it took the Orestes somewhat longer to recharge its jump drives and follow the Temeraire because the Raynor- (now Erebus-)class destroyers aren't as mobile as Titan-class destroyers. (Exact wording: "The Orestes does not have the mobility of the Titan-class destroyer, so it took us somewhat longer to recharge our engines...")

This is rather odd, since the tech entry for the Erebus-class destroyer specifically states that its design goal was to have the speed to outrun Shivan destroyers and the ability to make numerous rapid, precise subspace jumps in quick succession. Given that the Titan-class is both larger and a full-on fleet carrier, Al-Fadil's wording feels a bit contradictory to what we're shown and told elsewhere.

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Secondly, in numerous tech database entries regarding Tev and UEF ships/craft/weapons, the things in question are described in ways that imply that both the GTVA and UEF are expected to survive the current war intact and continue on just fine into the future. It just feels rather...jarring, considering everything going on in the story/campaign/other tech entries. Things like the Karuna-class being expected to be produced well into the future, despite the fact that few (if any?) Karunas have been produced in the last 18 months due to the war. Or the UEF working towards a more generalized warship design, despite the fact that the opposite is actually occurring (Narayanas, once effectively like "Karunas, but somewhat bigger and somewhat more of everything", have become specialized artillery frigates; the three Solaris-class destroyers are each taking their own approach to potential modifications--the Solaris making none, the Eris making ECM/ECCM and adaptive warfare upgrades, and the Toutatis adding some Narayana-class artillery mass drivers into its hull; Custos-class patrol cruisers are becoming modest ECM/ECCM platforms and point-defense supplements; Oculus-class ships are becoming dedicated AWACS and electronic warfare platforms; Karunas are often deployed on independent operations/maneuvers against hard targets--something not often done by other classes of warships, seemingly).
Delenda Est delenda est.

(Yay gratuitous Latin.)

 

Offline Damage

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Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
Sounds like a case of real-life rewriting sections of the plot.  Plans change, new ideas come up later, not everything gets caught and retconned on the first pass.

With regard to the Orestes, it could probably just be changed to something about engine or reactor damage--certainly believable in their circumstances.

The tech entries might seem more problematic at a glance, but we should remember they were written before the war started and updated as things progressed (in- and out-of-universe.).  Both sides are expecting to "win" the war in some capacity.  And the UEF's apparent contradiction can be chalked up as necessities in the conflict--they're altering their own tactics and strategies based on their immediate needs to survive the war.
I didn't feel like putting anything here.  Then I did it anyway just to be contrary.

 

Offline General Battuta

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Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
Neither of these are actually errors, but they could probably stand for some clarification. (Remember that the Erebus tech entry isn't even final yet.)

RE: the second, the tech entries are written from an in-universe perspective, and they reflect expectations for the design from an in-universe source at a particular place and time.

The first is because the Orestes actually doesn't have the mobility of the Temeraire! He hasn't been as thoroughly refitted as the Atreus, which, as the first hull in the series, is slightly ahead of the curve in terms of getting its systems online. There's a degree of (ohhh yeah, tremble and weep) concurrency in the technological maturation of the Erebus.

By the time of War in Heaven the Orestes doubtless has the same capabilities as the Atreus, or nearly. But at the time of Age of Aquarius the Atreus was probably just starting to CEU the sprint drive.

Bei is a far more conservative commander than Steele, too.

 

Offline rubixcube

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Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
Neither of these are actually errors, but they could probably stand for some clarification. (Remember that the Erebus tech entry isn't even final yet.)

RE: the second, the tech entries are written from an in-universe perspective, and they reflect expectations for the design from an in-universe source at a particular place and time.

The first is because the Orestes actually doesn't have the mobility of the Temeraire! He hasn't been as thoroughly refitted as the Atreus, which, as the first hull in the series, is slightly ahead of the curve in terms of getting its systems online. There's a degree of (ohhh yeah, tremble and weep) concurrency in the technological maturation of the Erebus.

By the time of War in Heaven the Orestes doubtless has the same capabilities as the Atreus, or nearly. But at the time of Age of Aquarius the Atreus was probably just starting to CEU the sprint drive.

Bei is a far more conservative commander than Steele, too.
Actually speaking of bei and steele, was their an entry somewhere about them facing off in a practice engagement?
Stuff

 

Offline crizza

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Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
I think it's a conversation between Mhando and Bei, when the latter says...
Just listen: http://blueplanet.fsmods.net/voicepreviews/oldmenconversation.ogg

 
Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
Plus the Sol node traversal was very much untested waters, it'd make sense if the Orestes' jump systems were configured for reliability over performance.
The good Christian should beware of mathematicians, and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of Hell.

  

Offline qwadtep

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Re: Some odd comments in A Time For Heroes and tech database
On the second point, the tech entries were probably written at an early stage where both sides were confident in their ability to win the war, and thus assumed a future where construction would continue. And as for Karuna construction, 18 months isn't a very long time; real-world capital ships typically take a several years to build without being subject to raids by hostile forces.