Links to the previous threads:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21368164/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21423338/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21481062/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21559682/
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21863382/

(Also thanks for the heads up again on Wordwrap. I don't use Notepad usually and for some reason the first several threads didn't have this issue. Oh well, problem solved.)

The difficult part will be getting a factory to build this shit on.

No sane population in the Inner Sphere would agree to host a 'Mech factory because they get raided ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Maybe they'll agree to give you time on a zero-g manufacturing station for endo steel.

File: 1354857474821.gif-(11 KB, 217x241, 1254239147973.gif)

>>21928927
Send a quick email off to Dieter telling him what software we got for our mech, so that he can begin getting the hardware together.

Then it's time to work on the myomer layout.

>>21928972
We already HAVE a factory.

>>21928927
We should probably let Dieter know about that sometime soon. Maybe we'll bring Janine with and play Good Cop, Bad Cop.

But for now as of last time I checked it was midnight, we just worked for 8 hours straight making SKVOREC TOUGH actuators.

So let's send Dieter an email with all the software details and so on, and we'll talk about it more later. Then see who is up and get some food.

>>21928972
We have a nice little factory in the middle of nowhere.

>>21928972

(Well, it helps you already have one. You work for a man who owns an old Star League depot, with five Mechbays, that can be used to produce Battlemechs. Production will be initially slow, but in this time period, a trickle of 'Mechs is all some bigger facilities can produce on a good day, so that's not a huge problem.)

>>21928982
Well then prepare to get raided

>>21929005
We're not gonna get randomly raided, we're tiny and currently unknown.

It's five twenty in the morning, I just woke up, exam in four days time I should really revise a bit more for; let's hit this, cappie style.

>>21929023
What part of STAR LEAGUE DEPOT doesn't scream "getting taken over by every power in the inner sphere"

>>21928982
>>21928996

You pop off an email to Dieter, letting him know to ask Janine for the technical specs on the software if he needs them, and telling him of your desire to have him personally design the mainframe on the HZP.

After that, hunger strikes. As does the urge to see who is up at this ungodly hour, which you know to be Engineer Afternoon.

A quick trip to the commissary produces a mostly empty room, populated by a few crewmembers, and Ilsa, Dieter's niece, and fabricator working under Ivan. You've met her a few times but never really talked to her. You're surprised to see her away from the Urbie.

Available food is PB+J. And coffee.

>>21929042
It's on record as "picked clean several times" no doubt.
Of course, that's not true, but anyone looking for a target isn't going to look here (Until we start making mechs of course)
It'd be like raiding the supermarket a year after the zombie apocolypse.

>>21928972
If you are going to participate in this, at least have the common courtesy to get up to speed.

This also applies to the Battletech virgins who seemed prevalent in the last few threads. Don't comment on technical stuff if you haven't a clue, browse sarna.net or something when you're out of the loop.

>>21929023
That's why we're the perfect target.

>>21929064
>Participate
>in a quest
Haha you're a funny guy
I kill you last

>>21929057
Coffee time nao.

>>21929057
Let's get some food, and chat up Ilsa while we're at it. Ask her if she has slapped any autocannons to that urbie yet..

Let's get some relaxation in, go for a walk, and go take the plans over to Dieter ourselves instead of an email. We'll forward a copy to him too later but we can go over it with him if he has any questions.

Also, check out dat security while we're here. We are sitting on a few million c-bills of weapons, after all.

>>21929057
COFFEE.
And a sandwich.
May as well get to know Ilsa, we'll undoubtedly be working with her on getting the prototype built.

>>21929057
Get some coffee, get a sammich, sit down by Ilsa. We should probably get to know her a bit more, she seems like a nice girl.

We should really get that Urbie armed for security.
Later we can use one or two production models of our own mech for security.

Oh hey, we can set Ilsa the task of rigging up a set of moulds for the scale image of the Hazard Pay.

I'm torn between having a marketing line open for action figures later on and operational secrecy in not showing off design weakspots.

>>21929064

(I agree that reading the archives is a good suggestion for new participants, but I've stated that I don't mind explaining things to newbies, since I want this to be something everyone can enjoy, hence why I have changed some terms and simplified some things.)

>>21929093
>>21929096
>>21929102

You grab some food, and stroll over to the table where Ilsa is sitting.

She looks up from a sketch, and smiles a little.

"Daniel, isn't it? Wanna sit down?"

>>21929116
It's not really our job to worry about security, plus we're out in buttfuck nowhere to begin with. And if someone were to come after our delicious losttech, planting a single Urbie to deter them is.. well, maybe they'll die out of laughter.

>>21929147
"Thanks, don't mind if I do."

Lightly tease her about how we're surprised she's away from her Urbie.

>>21929147
"Sure, thanks.

I've noticed I've been working here for a while and never actually talked to you. Probably because I spend all day cooped up in my office and you have a crush on the Crazy Ivan and never let him leave your sight."

Hey, guy. Instead of pasting a bunch of links for the archived threads, just paste this one.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=MechEngineer%20Quest
The ordering's a little iffy though, last thread first then starting from the oldest after that. Dunno when that happened.

>>21929156
Urbie'd stop pirate raiders. And op security is EVERYONE'S job: only YOU can stop INDUSTRIAL ESPIONAGE AND THEFT!

Also we don't want to get shot.

>>21929163
>>21929170

You give her your best smile and take a seat next to her.

She giggles at your remark.

"I can't help that he's so damn cute... though Ivan wants to put spikes and armor plates and all that all over the poor thing. It's not like I want to paint it pink with unicorns on it or anything, I just... well I've always loved the UrbanMech, you know? It's just so... I dunno. Anyway, yeah... we haven't really meant have we? You spend all your time with your computer and with Janine, and I have the Crazy Ivan, and my work with mom."

She finishes something on her sketch and pushes it aside.

"So how did Goddard find you anyway? Not that I'm not thankful, because Richard was a dick, but he didn't even mention a new hire till... well till you showed up."

>>21929156
Our (And just about everyone else here's) livelihood is entirely staked in this company. If we can do something to stop it burning to the ground as soon as pirates show up, we're obligated to do so.
Of course, arming and piloting the urbie aint our job, but we can still push for it to happen. Mainly by giving them the go ahead to use one of our guns.

>>21929187

(I could also use the foolz link too. Old habits I guess. Thanks though.)

>>21929223
"I have no idea. Apparently he was watching me 'for a while'."

>>21929223
"Hmh, i guess he sort of snatched me the moment i was on my own feet."

>>21929223
"Not entirely sure. He found me after I graduated and couldn't find anything. Apparently he'd been watching me for a while, which isn't mysterious nor creepy in the least.

So, what're you drawing there?"

>>21929233
>>21929191
It's still not our job to worry about every damn thing around here, Goddard is no fool and neither is Janine. We have a mech to get on an assembly hall with a deadline.

>>21929273
Remember to use our best sarcastic tone for the "not mysterious or creepy"-part.

Because Blake's blood Goddard, do you always stalk schools for new hires?

>>21929242
>>21929262
>>21929273

She nods at that.

"I think we all kinda fell into this the same way. It's like Goddard has some kind of... misfit radar that tells him where all the outcasts with talent are hiding. I'm guessing that's because he's one too. He never talks about himself, after all."

She looks to the sketch as you mention it.

"Oh, this? Um... just some stuff. The Crazy Ivan, and some rough sketches of maybe a faceplate and all that for the Hazard Pay... Ivan's not much of an artist so he asked me to sketch up some ideas, since I 'wasted' a year at art college before I followed mom into fabrication work full-time."

>>21929223
"Not really sure. He picked me up at a job fair, right out of engineering school.
"So what's that you were sketching out?"

>>21929313
"An industrial designer? That'd be great; I can make the mech work, but there's a lot of little things that engineering didn't cover, like ergonomics and interface design.
"And of course, making a face plate that'd give an Atlas a run for its money."

>>21929313
"Faceplate, eh? Can i see. Making this little piece of work look truly menacing would do all sorts of wonders."

>>21929313
"Ah, the murderous grin that I asked for. I figure if it already has an intimidating frame I may as well go all the way and make it look like it something out of your worst nightmares.

Being able to draw is a good thing in this profession. I had to take a pile of art classes, though they were mainly drafting, architecture and blueprints, but still."

>>21929316
>>21929345
>>21929360
>>21929364

She slides the paper over to you, and all over it in red pencil are sketches of the Crazy Ivan, with all kinds of different weapon arms on it. You see an large missile rack, a dual-cannon of some sort, and what seems to be a fanciful combination of a shoulder actuator, a length of industrial chain, and a spiked ball spinning like a flail. In that image the Urbie is much more cartoony than the others.

The other side of the paper has seven or eight sketches on it; most of them look like a grinning skull crossed with a Banshee's faceplate. She's not half bad.

"Well? The Hazard is your baby... did I do good? Or should I try a little harder?"

>>21929291
Goddard has his head in the clouds, and Jainie can be a skinflint.

I just want to know if we have a head of security (either someone we haven't met or a character we know is in charge of it).

As someone who does the accounts for lots of small companies, especially startup ones, very often people don't think about things like security, data integrity, keeping stock safe etc.

As long as someone else has the on-site responsibility and we know what to do in an emergency we cam relax and deal with our own stuff.

A pamplet of what to do in case of emergency would also be good. I assume we run away from gunfire.

>>21929400
I don't have the picture handy, but if we can make it look like the rapey chrysalid that'd be great.

>>21929400
Give 'er a big toothy grin. "Rarr. Looks mighty intimidating."

Should we delegate modelmaking to her?

>>21929400
"It's got the right makings.. maybe make the grin more ominous, with big, filed teeth."

>>21929400
"I like it, and it's not just my baby, everyone here has a part is making it come to life.

As long as you keep in mind that it ought to look like the last thing you want to see coming at you we ought to be just fine."

>>21929400
"Very nice! If I can make a suggestion about the Crazy Ivan, though? Go with an armor-piercing, pneumatic harpoon. Like a mech-scale punch dagger. Maybe stick a flamer in the end to cook a mech from the inside out after the armor is pierced. A flail's gonna end with the poor thing smacking itself in its adorable face, badass as sticking a flail on an urbie is."

File: 1354859916122.jpg-(13 KB, 397x487, 1262035649395.jpg)

>>21929400
"The basic idea looks good, but try for a more fiendish rictus. Maybe incorporate the optical sensors into it?"
More like this.

File: 1354859994582.jpg-(4 KB, 238x195, kermit.jpg)

>>21929473

>>21929423
>>21929437
>>21929451
>>21929461

She nods, and smiles.

"Glad you seem to like it okay. It's been a bit since I had to actually apply myself artistically. So I'm a bit rusty. I don't get the chance to sketch much these days. Ivan is a pretty brutal taskmaster, and he doesn't respond to cute."

She smirks and puts the sketch away.

"I'll try to get something better made up for you and email it to you when I'm done. Sound good? Oh, and also, while I'm thinking about it, I wanted to ask you if you, Goddard, and Janine are gonna let us arm the Ivan. I know we have a ton of weapons now, and I'd reeeeeally like to have a shot at putting something on that right arm. I don't have enough tech experience for my liking and Ivan agreed to let me do the majority of the install, but said we needed clearance first. So....?"

She looks at you hopefully.

>>21929497
Uh... What aren't we using that also isn't LosTech?

>>21929497
Sure, maybe get practice on installing a small laser, or one of the AC's.

>>21929497
"Didn't we have a couple of AC2's left? Use those."

AUTOCANNON STRONK

>>21929497
"Well I did already clear the AC2s with Ivan. If you want something bigger I'll have to look through the manifest, though.
Or you could try frankengunning the AC2s into an Ultra. That's about all they're good for, to be honest."

>>21929497
"Sounds like a plan. It'll keep the crews working and warmed up instead of getting bored, and heck, it could even net us a little on-site watchdog. Pitch me a few ideas on what you guys want to put on it whenever you get that far with your plans."

I think we might benefit from giving her some sort of a challenge, just to show that we consider her an asset and appreciate her skills. A well-motivated and happy workcrew is a damned good one.

>>21929497
"I don't have any problems with it Ilsa.

I'm planning on using the SRMs, Medium Lasers and Small Lasers on the Hazard Pay so I'd rather you not use those, but everything else that isn't LosTech is fair game.

The 45mm ACs are fair game, if you want you can even try frankengunning them together.

And for the record, cute does work on me."

>>21929492
What, you don't like urbie knights with flaming lances?

>>21929497
"Sure, sure. If it's not going on the base Hazard Pay build, feel free to snap it up."

>>21929497
The arm probably used to mount an AC-5, so she should be able to mount the AC-2 with the techs' help before we even finish the design. We should tell Goddard and Janice about this soon.

>>21929511
>>21929529
>>21929534
>>21929536
>>21929541

She damn near squees.

"You did?! He never told me, that Russian jerk! Some of the 45mms are spares? That's great! I Switching the linkages and modifying the actuator arm will give me lots of practice, since it's set up for one gun and this will be two!"

She hugs you around the neck briefly and stands up, elated.

"I'm gonna go take some measurements! Don't worry, I won't forget about your faceplate, okay?"

She smiles and runs off, leaving you with a half-eaten PB+J, a coffee, and a smile you can't help but have.

>>21929578
Heh. Kids.
She'll learn soon enough.

>>21929562
It had an LB-10X actually

>>21929578
Finish sandwich, down the coffee, go back to our office.
Put on another pot of coffee, get out a fresh pack of smokes, and let's get to work.

>>21929578
Awww.

Let's finish our sammich and coffee, stretch, get a bit of fresh air and a walk in, see if anyone else is awake at this hour and then get back to work.

We have a lot to do, we have to finish the cockpit, the myomer, the armor, and some other stuff as well.

>>21929578
AC2 STRONK!

And before the AC2 hating sourpuss arrives, fuck you, they are great for Anti-Air work and will mash light vehicles and infantry to pieces. In short, just the thing to deter any bandits.

Yeah, AC2 is not that great vs mechs but is decent enough for a turret to fight off vehicles and the like. We've got em, might as well use em!

>>21929586
>>21929595
>>21929604
>>21929605

You smile, and finish your snack. It's back to work with you.

But first, a walk on the tarmac. You could use the fresh air.

Outside, you light up, and take what you intend on being a brief stroll. The sky is clear, and the Mechbays are lit up brightly with working lights and you see the movement of techs crawling all over them. They still aren't completely ready for production yet, but Ivan is doing a good job getting them ready as far as you can tell.

The Crazy Ivan rests in Mechbay 1, its white paint stark against the dark night sky.

You take a drag and look around as the wind kicks up. It seems the quonset and all the sheds are locked down, and the lights are off. It's pretty damn quiet, so you finish your cig a head inside.

You have a long way to go till D-Day.

Back in your office, you light up again, put on a fresh pot, and sit at your desk. The CAD program is where you left her, and the HZP is as she should be.

What now Daniel?

>>21929672
We started a bit on the Cockpit before we got distracted and did the cool innovative center locking with options thing, so let's get back to that.

>>21929672
Finish up the cockpit design, because Ivan needs it to do the dimensions for the faceplate.

Yeah, let's finish off the cockpit. Nothing too fancy, just extra suspension to give the rider a bit less damage.

>>21929672
>>21929678
>>21929686
Finish the cockpit i guess.. albeit what is there to do? We're not going to try to slap a FHEJ on it. A standard IS light head config.

>>21929692
Agreed on nothing fancy.

Just make it tough, good at absorbing shock and keeping the pilot alive, don't have much of a neck, that's a weak spot, good field of view, good ergonomics.

We need to announce the first monthly Skvorec Armorworks VodkaSoccer Tournament. Played by normal footy rules, except with a mandatory startup of 1 hour of drinking before the game, and 1 shot of vodka for every offside or foul for the players involved, 1 shot for the entire team when scored against, and 1 shot at half-time. Followed by more usual feasting and carousing.

No, seriously. It'll be fun. Instill team spirit and camaraderie in our little family here on Skvorec. We should select a phase of work we want to reach soon. With a big party as the reward for hard work, the lads will work twice as hard.

The only thing was the passive red-dot scope for aiming the locked arms, but that was a bit of a gimmick to begin with.

Still, it shouldn't add to the difficulty really.

>>21929678
>>21929686
>>21929692
>>21929695

Okay, you have some choices to make.

This basic layout influences a lot of things. Where the mainframe sits, the pilot, the lav and the lockers, the location of the head on the chassis, and the articulation/lack thereof.

You have to decide if you wanna go for a roomier, more comfy layout, which makes a slightly larger target but a better ride for the pilot. Or, something harder to hit, but more cramped. Keep in mind you HAVE to include ejection for at least the pilot seat, personal/gear lockers, and a bathroom. Those are not optional. The rest is up to you. You could copy another layout as well, if you wanted, though you might catch flak for ripping another company off. A compromise might be alright too, but it's a tough balance to make.

>>21929743
Bathroom? Who needs a bathroom? Can't we just use a spaceman-esque SERIES OF TUBES integrated into the seat? Or have the seat flip up to reveal a toilet?

>>21929743
Hmh, well our 35-tonner is at the heavier spectrum of lights, so might as well go for the roomy setup. Besides, we're inteding this thing to be a fast mech with a striker role, so getting headshotted means that something went wrong.

>>21929743
Go for a smaller, harder to hit, well-armored cockpit, but because of superior ergonomics, doesn't feel as cramped as it actually is (e.g. cars that feel roomier than others of their class, even though they have the same dimensions). Also good suspension system, to make the ride less taxing on the pilot.
Finally, that red-dot sight (though I think that was actually designed last thread).

>>21929743
A compromise between comfort and size, we don't want it really cramped as that makes the pilot uncomfortable, might make it harder to pilot effectively, and makes it unsuited towards long-term operations, but we don't want them to have an easy shot at the cockpit.

Fortunately the raised sinks might make it a bit harder of a shot to make from the side of the Mech.

Don't copy a layout, we're doing our own project.

Presumably we'd value survival over comfort. But that compromise option is just so tempting...

How do your dice feel today, gentlemen?

Just to remind people, having a roomier setup doesn't suddenly mean that we have an XBOXHUEG head. And we're a fast light mech to boot.

No need to make things cramped. And fuck compromising.

>>21929775
They feel like HUNDREDS, HUNDREDS EVERYWHERE.

What role are we looking to fulfill with this mech again?

>>21929769
Agree with you.

Let's make it roomier on the front/back axis rather than left right. That gives the cockpit less profile from the front but still more room for stuff.

>>21929788
>>21929775
>>21929774
>>21929771

(Seeing pretty close for roomy vs. cramped. The compromise is in the case of a tie, which is a bit tougher but basically functions like >>21929771 is describing, where it's 'roomier than it looks'. you get the advantages of both but the drawbacks of neither.)

>>21929743
For a garrison model, roomier is better. I don't think a compromise here will work for the best.

Toilets in IS mechs vent into the fusion drive, IIRC

>>21929788
How about a relatively roomy cockpit in the chest, and a dummy head cockpit that's tiny?

>>21929814

Let's go for a compromise, I say. SKVOREC TOUGH, SKVOREC COMFORT.

>>21929814
Come on, people. We are a fast light mech, we can afford a bit of room. It's not going to make our head fucking bloated or anything, and headshotting is shit hard to begin with.

>>21929822
Also this.

>>21929824
Chest cockpits are rare and not very well liked for reasons I can't remember.

>>21929824
No room left after guns. And reactor.

>>21929802
It's a versatile and durable 7/11 35 tonner. It's reasonably fast and well armored. It can cover a good variety of ranges, especially if we swap the SRMs for LRMs and/or the two small lasers for another medium. It could work as a Garrison, as a Scout in a Lance or in other roles as well.

>>21929814
Try for roomier than it looks.

>>21929837
I think it's because you can't eject and also you're sitting about 5 feet away from a fusion reactor.

>>21929824
That's dumb. We don't waste space.

It's a garrison mech that's flexible. People will stay in there for a while.

>>21929811

(I don't normally do this but this guy/gal is on to something you all might consider. Getting creative with your layout will help you get what you want out of this, and get you some good modifiers to boot if you are really slick about it.)

>>21929824
CT cockpits are a fucking rare (and mostly hated) niche, no dice there buddy. Where were you going to move the Fusion Reactor and Gyro?

>>21929743
I think ride quality is especially important for the pilot to manage backstab-style movement and attacks. In addition harassing bigger mechs at close range will need a lot of concentration for avoiding or delivering physical attacks. Either compromise or roomy.

>>21929811

This is a great idea.

>>21929814

Seconding roomier than it looks.

Ergonomics and smart design can make up for sheer size.

I think we could go with a roomier design, but one thing we could do would be to use the idea of modular design even in small things - such as building a cockpit that can be refitted with simple part swaps to be ergonomically most comfortable and convenient for the assigned pilot's body.

Basically make the command couch out of... couchmodules that have a wide variety of adjustable and replaceable modes. And heck, maybe we could try to make the electronics as easy to swap as conveniently possible as well, although that's probably going to be for granted.

>>21929811
That actually makes sense, we can place a lot of storage, the toilet, other stuff in the back, it makes it harder to hit from straight on and it's already a bit harder to hit from the sides due to our raised heat sinks.

>>21929811
That would also leave enough room for another person to stand behind the pilot chair, such as an instructor or VIP or whatever.

>>21929846

So.

Instead of a Chrysalid-like Head.

We'll be a Chrysalid with a Xenomorph head?

Notsureifpantsareshat

File: 1354862533047.jpg-(164 KB, 640x480, 1338321780627.jpg)

>>21929873

>>21929873
If it effects the head shape it would just be a little bump out the back, rather than turning it into a giant penis.

File: 1354862568996.jpg-(122 KB, 640x480, 1319770775231.jpg)

>>21929873

That sounds terrifying.

And awesome.

But mostly terrifying.

>operational secrecy in not showing off design weakspots.
HAHAHA IS JOKE RIGHT? Seriously though, if this thing is as well designed as it looks to be no one is going to figure out structural weaknesses from a scale miniature.

>The ordering's a little iffy though, last thread first then starting from the oldest after that. Dunno when that happened.
This happens at the end of every new year. Suptg derps a little and puts december at the top.

If the mech is going to be using its speed for defense at close range it is going to get shot at from the side. Spherical head please.

>>21929863
. . .
Dehehehe, how does viewing work in Battletech? Is it full sensor or straight out of cockpit?

If it is full sensor, why not place the bulk of non-criticals in front, as part of ablative armor?
Which do you prefer to be lost first? The toilet, or your seat?

File: 1354862699250.png-(228 KB, 784x752, Chrysalid2.png)

>>21929873

It'll be a Chrysalid head, that instead of bulging outwards at the crown, will just go further back.

I find it humorous that both of these creatures share our Torso's identifying trait of spiked heatsinks.

>>21929894
Pretty much if it gets shot in the head it's likely dead regardless of what type of cockpit we put in there.

>>21929895

Sensors can't be relied on entirely, as they won't detect powered down mechs or most vehicles, and they CAN be damaged.

It's best to have both.

>>21929895
It's straight out of the cockpit.

Rolled 48

>>21929854
>>21929856
>>21929862
>>21929863
>>21929871
>>21929873

You sit for a long while thinking about how to best use what you have, and compliment it with what you will make. You look at your sink stacks, and it dawns on you that you can make a long, narrow cockpit that will be partially hidden by the stacks in profile, and narrow from the front as well, to reduce overall hitbox.

You get to work on your 'roomy hallway' concept, furiously vectoring and clicking away.

(rolling for design, bonus of 5 to your roll for good idea/creativity while not complicating the layout. lower is better)

>>21929895
It used to be all sensors, with the big "viewports" actually being camera arrays and whatnot.
But then artists kept drawing them as plate glass windows and it stuck.

>>21929913
What is this, you passed the first roll of the thread. Who are you and what did you do with Anontech?

>>21929913
>48 - 5
Eh, good enough i guess.

Cramped cockpit can be dangerous due to pilot shaking about and hitting stuff; compromise with harness over shoulders to prevent rocking.

To give extra legroom a lying down position (55 degrees upright) may be better to elongate the cockpit, pilots will have to look "downwards" but not too much of a problem. Also good for napping in.

Toilet facilities; I'd suggest something that folds out from under but that's fairly horrible. I'd say one can detatch harness and crouch down to reach the cyclers below the seat, squatting over em. The panel opens/closes manually and is locked in place.

Side panel keeps beverages on a straw in it, and also there is a turntable near the coolant system to keep food cold or cook it.

>>21929913

Well, better than your usual rolls.

>>21929913
I'm neither happy nor unhappy about this development. It's pretty average of a roll.

>>21929923
Fuck, took too long writing all that.

>>21929923
I think minifridges are pretty common and cockpit temperatures regularly reach "Thank god I'm wearing this cooling vest and speedo and nothing else" levels.

>>21929916
What's the reasoning behind said design?
Virtual sensor is weak like >>21929910 said?

Ejection problems, etc.?

For posterity, I think this is what we agreed on, right?

Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3040
Cost: 2,921,085 C-Bills
Battle Value: 810

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 245 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 SRM-4s
2 Small Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 58 points 3.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 245 12.00
Walking MP: 7
Running MP: 11
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 HD
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 104 6.50

Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 15
Center Torso (rear) 4
L/R Torso 8 13
L/R Torso (rear) 3
L/R Arm 6 10
L/R Leg 8 12

================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM-4 RT 3 1 2.00
SRM-4 LT 3 1 2.00
Medium Laser LA 3 1 1.00
2 Small Lasers LA 2 2 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) CT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 40

BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 8
7 2 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SOA, SRM 1/1/0

Wait.

We are significantly behind schedule with our design of this mech correct?

We can, if push comes to shove, completely scrap a part we are unhappy with and go at it again.

>>21929946

AHEAD* of Schedule.

Fuck.

>>21929944
I think we were going to stick the Lasers in the Torso as well, but other than that yeah.

>>21929940
Well, heat sensors can't pick up shutdown mechs, but cameras can.

>>21929944
Pretty much, yeah.

>>21929955
What? No. Arm lasers give a whole lot easier time aiming, and we don't want to cramp the already cramped torso any further.

Did we get our Loudspeaker and Creepy-Heat-Grin with the cockpit?

>>21929918
>>21929920
>>21929928
>>21929925

(You can imagine my shock.)

You work well into morning, but by the time the cock crows you have details finished and polished enough to give to Ivan for the faceplate, and you have a fairly ergonomic design that compliments your overall design while using its features to total benefit.

Your cockpit will cause many tilted heads at first, due to the non-traditional layout and dimensions, but your triple-checked measurements confirm that anyone but General Cherenkoff could easily fit into, and offers the comforts of home while off getting shot at for low pay.

You couldn't be prouder. And dawn couldn't be brighter.

>>21929959

Torso is modular, it's meant for weapons to be swapped out with ease alongside conventional repairs.

Our little Garrison 'Mech has the survivability to put a good deal of upper-tonnage Mediums to shame, as far as longevity goes.

>>21929959
So, are all the lasers on the left arm? Why is that?

File: 1354863275512.jpg-(77 KB, 619x595, 131744500907.jpg)

>>21929979

>Our little Garrison 'Mech has the survivability to put a good deal of upper-tonnage Mediums to shame, as far as longevity goes.

I'm so proud.

>>21929913
Sounds good. The art of Chryssalids varies a bit but they all have the egg shaped head. The head doesn't sit on top of a neck the way a human's does. Instead it's a bit inset into the torso and there is no neck.

So if I understand what we made correctly, we have a hunchbacked Chryssalid with three shoulder "humps". The two on the outside are where the heatsink stacks are and the third one in the middle is the "corridor" portion of the head? I can get behind that. It fits with my mental picture which is like >>21929897.

Everything non-essential can go in the back. Bed, lavatory, misc storage etc. Everything else should go in the cockpit if the pilot needs it after he ejects. Arms stowage, survival gear etc.

>>21929972
What else is there that needs designing?
Go to sleep while pondering that.

>>21929944
>>21929955
Yeah I thought the lasers were in the torso too.
>>21929959
Arm gets shot off, no more laser. This is not SKVOREC TOUGH design philosophy.

>>21929980
I think it's a typo, 2 smalls in one, medium in other.

>>21929979
It's not Omni-modular, it justs a general maintenance perk, and makes field jury-rigging similar weapons almost work. Or something. And again, arm mounted helps aiming, and makes sense since we just finished the center-locking system.

>>21929897

Those teeth still make a fuckawesome cockpit design.

>>21929972
Make sure to send off all the measurements to Ivan as well as a video of a cat being cute, and then go to bed.

>>21929938
Thinking of how to minimise space taken up. If you have the fridge and cooker in a wall, it's not so bulky.

The coolant often runs hot, so since we have heatsinks by the cockpit anyway, we put the food in a container that drops down into an armoured slot and cooks there. Then it gets pulled out and is piping hot.

Cooking with heatsinks without compromising the pilot by rerouting boiling coolant into the cockpit.

>>21929992

It needs a slot for tacky hood ornamentations like hula girls.

>>21930007
That's a given. We can even make it locking so your hula girls are secured by SKVOREC TOUGH technology.

>>21930011

>Seven layers of bulkhead
>To protect a snowglobe

SKVOREC TOUGH.

>>21930004
I don't think pilot rations need to be cooked.

>>21929997
If we're not going to utilize the arms properly, then why make a humanoid mech in the first place?

I suppose we could compromise with having the SLs in torso, but at the very least the Medium is going on an arm. Cramming everything to STs, especially after our center-locking thing, and having the arms flap uselessly around is stupid design. And something that our brilliant SKORVEC TOUGH is trying to avoid.

>>21930020

>The Tacky Pod has it's own ejection system with more protection and safety measures than the pilot

SKVOREC TOUGH.

>>21930021
Depends on the ration. Most MREs require at least hot water, but there are some that don't. Regardless, it shouldn't be hard to cook rations in a mech at all.

>>21929997

Speaking from a piloting perspective, having lasers in the arms can allow for some good shots when you're running real fast. Having them in the torso ensures longevity, but having non-swivelling laser fixtures in a fast 'mech can lead to some difficult time aiming them. Especially if you want to aim for a particular part of a 'mech that you're speeding by.

>>21930026
Pick stuff up, punch other mechs in the face, actually be able to stand up if you get knocked over etc.

>>21930002
>>21929992

You pop off an email to Ivan with the cockpit specs, and light a final smoke for the day. It's beddy-bye time in Engineer land, and you've earned your rest.

As you smoke you recollect the advancements you've made in the last few days, and how easily the project has gone from behind schedule out the gate to ahead, and running smoothly.

Anything else before bed?

>>21930026
I think it should SL on the right, ML on the left.

>>21930045
Email Janine our favorite kind of drink, she will owe us two of them real soon.

>>21930045

Lock the door.

Check mail.

Pass out.

>>21930045
Go walk around the factory compound, look at the stars.

>>21930045
Nope.
Engineers occasionally need alternate fuel sources from caffeine and nicotine. In this case it's sleep, but sometimes it's food too.

>>21930045
Congratulate self on job well done.

>>21930045
Pray to ROB and thank them for our good fortune.

>>21930045
Ilsa is adorable, Janine is tough as nails, we should take them apart and fuse them together into one super person. Yeah, our tired ideas are the best.

Then collapse on our couch and wonder when our futon is getting here.

>>21930045

Have the Lady get us a chicken so that we can sacrifice it to the Mech Gods, for further luck.

We don't actually need a separate bed if we make it a lying down cockpit as per >>21929923
I'm thinking harness swings up and down, and you can scramble under the monitor array to stretch or get changed or whatnot pressed up against the glass window. Toilet as per squatting... Drinks and food in a side compartment. What else do you need? Cleaning might be hard. Right near the cockpit window?

There'd be the downside of people looking into your mech to laugh at you showering but fuck em, you shouldn't care about that you pansy!

>>21930059
OR THE BURNING DESIRE TO GET SHIT DONE

HOORAH ENGINEERS

>moto boner

>>21930026
>>21930040

(Arms are also useful for other garrison duties like construction, lifting, and search/rescue. The utility designs all almost universally call for arms, while the 'battleborn' ones that are only really good at combat don't always need them, to save cost, maintenance, and add flexibility due to 'flippy arms' in many cases.)

>>21930045
We are ahead of schedule. Resolve to shower, shave, and have a proper breakfast (Possibly of pancakes?) and a nice glass of orange juice upon waking up - We've damn well earned it.

Couple things.

- How much room do we have in the torsos? One of the original ideas was to put all of the weapons there because that would maximize the benefit we get from the weapon rails. On the other hand arm weapons have better fields of fire and we spent all that effort making the centre lock system.

- There was some talk about putting a heat sink in the head for pilot comfort as well as shock absorbers for the chair. Is that still possible?

- For the cockpit red dot, I don't think we mean an actual holographic red dot sight. More like a red arrow painted on the cockpit glass. How do we correct for parallax error here? What the pilot sees directly ahead is several meters away from where the weapons are pointed if they also face straight ahead. So I assume we got the weapons to converge at a specific point. We could have multiple marks, like three stacked arrows as range demarcations (or whatever they call them for scopes).

>>21930081
>For the cockpit red dot, I don't think we mean an actual holographic red dot sight. More like a red arrow painted on the cockpit glass
What's wrong with, you know, the targeting system that gives you a targeting reticule?

>>21930099
PPC strikes, we want a backup.

>>21930099
We have that, but this could be useful if the electronics took damage or if you've powered everything down and want to pull a snap shot right when you're turning everything back on.

So,
SRM-4 RT 3 1 2.00
SRM-4 LT 3 1 2.00
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
2 Small Lasers LA 2 2 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) CT - 1 1.00

Or

SRM-4 RT 3 1 2.00
Small Laser RT 1 1 0.50
SRM-4 LT 3 1 2.00
Small Laser LT 1 1 0.50
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) CT - 1 1.00

>>21930099

IIRC, the red dot was there in case the 'mech got hit by a PPC or otherwise had some technical failure. That way, you could center the arms to a preset position and still keep firing accurately even when your HUD is on the brink or is otherwise not working.

>>21930099
What happens if when the targeting electronics get shot? What now?

>>21930054
>>21930055
>>21930059
>>21930066
>>21930067
>>21930068
>>21930069

You email Janine a list of your favorite drinks, and a coupon for two free ones you quickly make in Mechrosoft Paint. You think it's extremely witty and cute.

After a quick prayer to the 'Mech gods and another smoke, you pass out on the couch, dreaming of Ilsa/Janine fusions and futons for real sleeping.

Afternoon comes, and for once you are awakened by... you? No knocks at the door, and no groggy 'come in's. You sit up, and rub the sleep from your eyes.

What now Daniel?

Y'know, just because of the intimidation factor, the ease of repair, the durability, and speed of this fucker on top with pilot comfort and room.

We already outclass a metric FUCK-ton of the Smaller mechs out of sheer survivability and, well, versatility.

And this is just a Garrison 'Mech.

>>21930118
>Mechrosoft
Oh you.

Well, compromise about torso built weapon, just like the minor head vulcan that most Gundam designs have, why not stick one or two small Lasers to the torso for close combats that you know you won't need to aim?

Or maybe that flamer head ideas some were bouncing around on the past threads?

File: 1354864170198.jpg-(3 KB, 300x57, image.jpg)

>>21930081
Red dot guy here. Suggested harness to prevent pilot moving round too much and prevent parralax as well as injury.

Also, I keep posting ideas far too slowly. I blame ROM.

>>21930118
>Mechrosoft Paint
Heh.

Either add the cute little enhancements to the cockpit everyone has been suggesting, or get to work on the myomer. Showers can wait until people actually need us to leave the office, and we should have plenty of caffeine left. We can eat at lunch time.

>>21930117
I think you people are overtly optimistic here, if our light mech get seriously PPC'd, it's fucked either way.

>>21930109
I still say we utilize both arms properly for the added benefits it gives for firing weapons, but we can go over this once we get to that stage in the design.

>>21930118
We're ahead schedule so we don't have to dive right into work.

Get up, stretch, smoke a cigarette, check our email.

After that we'll take a shower, shave, brush our teeth and eat breakfast.

>>21930118

Some fucking breakfast is what. OJ and pancakes. A stack of pancakes.

And bacon, oh god, if they have bacon.

It will be.

THE BEST.
MORNING.
EVER.

then back to designing, I think we still need to do actuator and mymoer, yeah?

>>21930118

Become angry that everyone is slacking at their jobs enough to NOT have to wake you up.

>>21930118
Breakfast. Proper breakfast. Like, OJ and Pancakes. Like bacon. Followed or preceded by a shower and a shave, depending on how hungry we are. We've just pulled more than a few all-nighters, we've been sleeping on our couch, and we probably look (and smell) terrible.

>>21930132
It's in the afternoon, it's past a lot of people's lunch time. Besides we haven't eaten since we had a PB&J at midnight last night, which is over 12 hours ago.

>>21930143
We still need to do the arms, armor and myomer AFAIK

>>21930143

Still gotta do limbs.

>>21930118
>check date, time
>food
>wonder out half dressed

>>21930099
>>21930101
Yeah basically it's backup iron sights for the mech. Since we added the centre lock system we know exactly where the weapons are pointed in that mode, so we can add some basic low-tech sights that can't be damaged or knocked off-kilter without destroying the cockpit glass.

>>21930004
Never underestimate the morale benefits of hot food and a good night's sleep. Since the heatsinks are right there having hot and cold plumbing and some kind of heating/cooling device to store food should be easy.

I know this might sound like a silly idea. But do you think we could add an external water nozzle that would let the pilot stand outside on the top of the mech and take a shower? It's such a small thing, but for a garisson mech with long patrols that could be a great benefit.

>>21930152
A question, garrison mech is not typically stationed near an actual garrison that you would actually want to have a shower utility?

>>21930152
What if we fit the hot shower into the cockpit, drawing from the same heating system it uses?

How comfy can we make the seat? Just because the mech is SKVOREC TOUGH, doesn't mean the pilot's backside also needs to be SKVOREC TOUGH.

>>21930152
The ability to get a hot shower on long patrols. The pilots would love us forever.

>>21930163

Garrison is a general term, it could be anything from a Megacity to a deserted backwater that the locals scrounged up enough money and favors to purchase one.

>>21930127
>>21930132
>>21930135

You left your computer on, and see you have no mails yet, so you open CAD and put a few noted about iron sighing/backups and shock absorption for the pilot's seat.

You have a smoke, then decide a shower is in order. Being ahead of schedule means you get to spend less time smelling like Ivan's jockstrap and more time as a human being.

After a good washing and grooming, you head down to see what's going on in the commissary food-wise, as well as person-wise.

When you get there, you see lunch has just ended, and a lot of crew members are filing out back onto the tarmac. It looks like Ivan and Hatamoto are still eating though, and there is still plenty of food left.

We are totally making a solid back-up of our design pretty soon.

>>21930171
Chill with our bros and have a nice mech-oriented chat.

>>21930171
Get pancakes, get OJ, get bacon. Yeah.

We haven't seen Hatamoto for a bit, let's talk to him over breakfast/lunch.

>>21930171
Make ourselves a toasted BLT. With all sorts of extra stuff thrown in. Like cheese. And turkey. And maybe some ham. Ooo! And salami too! And what about...

>>21930171

OJ, pancakes, bacon. If that doesn't exist, BLTs. if there's no bacon, we get beef. If there's no beef... then fuck, we get something.

Wave at Ivan and Hatamoto. Probably should try to talk a bit to both.

>>21930190
You. I like you. We have good taste in food.

Stop samefagging future-me

>>21930149
Okay so for the arms, I guess that would mean MLAS in right, 2xSLAS in left and mounted in such a way that they don't affect the pilots ability to use the hands.

Since both of those weapons mass the same, can't we design one arm for each of them with identical stress tolerances? That would mean whoever makes the mech doesn't need to use those specific weapons, they could use whatever was on hand. An MLAS in each arm or two SLAS in each arm for instance. Preferably designed in such a way that you could, with some effort, replace 2 SLAS with one MLAS.

I also think we should design the arms with weapon rails. Since we already did it once it shouldn't be too hard.

File: 1354864799804.jpg-(36 KB, 370x370, m2320063_Calgar_Powerfist.jpg)

>>21930203
We Marneus Calgar now?

>>21930164
The reason I suggested having it outside was that I wasn't sure the cockpit had room. In retrospect any space we set aside for a toilet will also be big enough to serve as a shower stall. Think airplane toilets, they don't need to be huge and mechs have more room to spare, relatively speaking.

>>21930203
>Rails errywhere
Are...

are we tacticool?

>>21930187
>>21930188
>>21930189
>>21930190

You check for breakfast food, and to your elation there is plenty; since it's cheap you see it a lot for breakfast and lunch. Today you manage to scrounge together a BLT, some waffles, and a salad, and you greet Ivan and Hatamoto.

Ivan waves back and motions you over.

>>21930213
I don't see why not. Though it would make more sense for them to be on the inside of the arm and less exposed to enemy fire.

>hollandaise sarmean
Does hollandaise go well with salmon?

>>21930224
Let's go eat with Ivan.

>>21930152
Kind of a risk thing to have pilots outside mechs. Risks snipers. Trying to work out a design with an internal shower is hard, though.
All I can think of is a below-floor shower that opens up and can be climbed down into near the glass.

>>21930224

Let's go see what Ivan has to say, then!

Also, praise be to whatever gods may exist. Fuckin' bacon. Best bacon.

>>21930228

(I cook for a living and yes it does. Well, bechemel does, which is the same thing with no egg yolk. I'm imagining hollandaise would too)

>>21930228
You know.. if we are going with Chryssalid-like claws for hands, having the lasers be in the palm and fire when the claws open.. you might be onto something.

>We Crab now

Let's put this all in consideration for once we actually start working on the limbs and weapons.

>>21930228
Vancouverfag here - No it does not. It goes terribly with salmon.

>>21930224
Let's go hang out with Ivan, we'll need to talk to Hatamoto once we're dealing with weapon placement and power stuff, but until then Ivan is more related to our current work stuff.

>>21930246
>>21930248
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE

>>21930234
If we have whatever's at the far back of the cockpit fold into the back wall, it can be there with a (normally concealed) grate in the floor and a nozzle in the ceiling. Of course then you have problems with water storage and whatnot.

>>21930217
>toilets

Squatting toilet works fine. Shift off seat, lower pants, squat down, pull back panel, take your best shot, wipe, close panel (activates flush), zip up, sit back on chair.

>>21930234
They make collapsible nylon tents that people can use to take a shower in. It doesn't take much. You could have 3 flat metal panels that fold around the toilet area with a floor drain. That would take almost no space at all.

Now that you mention it outdoor showers are also a problem in hostile environments too. Like the blasted asshole of Antarctica or unbreathable atmospheres.

>>21930258
You must seek your own truth, young one. The truth of others is never yours.

>>21930231
>>21930237
>>21930250

You head over with your mountain of food, and take a seat next to Ivan. He clasps your shoulder and smiles.

"Engineer! You are making little Ilsa very happy woman! Taking care not to make Janine jealous though... she is Steiner, and you are no fool to not know what that is meaning! You told her about the 45mms, and she is excited! Spent all night measuring the shoulder for fittings and modifications. Even putting a smile on Wan's face!"

Ivan laughs, and Hatamoto scrunches his face.

"Ilsa's chittering is little concern of mine, Ivan. I've been very busy making sure the fusion block is ready for mounting; my job isn't all sitting and calculating you know."

Ivan burps.

"Yes yes, it is trimming tiny baby trees and making tea too!"

Ivan laughs again, and Hatamoto sighs.

>>21930273

>Pants

You mean speedos right?

I think swapping out the SRMs for the large laser may be an improvement.

Without getting into the details I think a Large Laser design is better because it does not use limited and explosive ammunition, has greater penetration, and the resulting mech does not have a cheap Free Worlds League alternative like the SRM design has the Mongoose. There must be a decrease in firepower however.

This would be going from:

6.5T/87% Armor; 10 SHS; 1 ML, 2 SL, 2 SRM4 Max heat: 13

to one of the following:

6.5T/87% Armor; 10 SHS; 1 ML, 2 SL, 1 LL Max heat:15

6.5T/87% Armor; 10 SHS; 1 Flmr, 1 ML, 1 LL Max heat: 16

7.5T/87% Armor; 10 SHS; 1 ML, 1 LL Max heat: 13

>>21930299
Do we have any updates for either of them? If so we should talk about it now rather than just sending an email later.

>>21930309
We had our design arguments over the course of 3 threads, we are not starting again.

>>21930276
Condensation is an issue. Don't want mould on SKORVEK TOUGH. And it'd fuck with the controls. A recessed area alone needs to have some better seals than just nylon foldaway. But it'd do.
>>21930224
"Good time for an outdoors brunch, eh?"

>>21930309
While alpha strike heat isn't much higher, prolonged firing would heat that bitch up like nothing. And that's not good. Besides, the current armament gives the mech a good, solid role, and a desirable one at that. A laserboat mixbag light doesn't work as well. And we came to our current configuration over a lenghty discussion, let's stick what we have, a good and fast light striker mech.

>>21930299
Try not to laugh, fail somewhat.

"So, I randomly decided to change what engine we're using."

Give it about 5 seconds for it to sink in. "Just fucking with you, everything's doing just fine. I'll need your help with power distribution for the weapons pretty soon, I'd like for it to be reasonably easy for the power system to let people swap out the two Small Lasers for a Medium Laser."

>>21930350
NO, hatamoto does not have a sense of humor. Be professional.

Are we truly into the Chrysalid imagery design?
Or can we change bits and parts?

I do feel that losing arms yet still having backup weapons might be something to consider.

Do we even have any spare place to put in a weapon in the torso?

>>21930309
>>21930342
Two SRM4s = 4 tonnes = being able to switch it for an LRM5 which is the point of the rails.

>>21930355
You're probably right. It might be worth it to see the look on his face, but not long term. No jokes about choosing different engines.

File: 1354865942375.jpg-(47 KB, 800x579, Goddamnit.jpg)

>>21930367

>>21930355
That's why we segue into business after a joke.

Jeez.

>>21930367
I'm not that into the Cryssalid, at least not fully. Have a head that crudely resembles it, sure.

I prefer having the arms.

>>21930367

>Losing arms
>Battletech

The only mechs that can get away with that are specialized rolls, like the Catapult.

>>21930386
Hatamoto would rip our throat out with his bionic arm before we got the chance to take it back.

>>21930317
>>21930350

You sit, take a bite, then turn to Hatamoto with tthe straightest face you can manage and inform him you need to swap the engine.

You chew, and you can see his face taking on a reddish hue. Ivan looks on, a bit concerned.

You then swallow, inform then your were kidding, and take another bite.

Hatamoto furrows his brow, looking angry. Ivan sniggers loudly behind him.

"I am glad you are so far ahead in your schedule that you can make tome for jokes, Mr. Holdt. If you have need-

You interrupt him and tell him you do, actually. That soon you will be finalizing the weapons layout and you'll need his expertise planning the power routing as well as sinking and other input.

He frowns, and nods curtly.

"Of course. Now if you'll excuse me..."

He excuses himself and leaves brusquely. Ivan wipes a tear from his eye.

"Oh boy... funny. Poor Wan is so easy to making fun of. Feel sorry for him, but then I don't and do it again. Is good to hear you are getting closer. I receive your measurements for cockpit... and I have to ask... are you being sure? They seem... not right to me. Is veeeery long, and not being very wide. Not what I have seeing before."

>>21930367

>Losing arms
Fuck no. That would create a piloting nightmare if you want to hit anything faster than a lyran scout

>>21930399
"Trust me on this, Ivan. I know it looks odd, but the specs come out right and it's a nice compromise in things."

>>21930399
"The heat sinks block sight to the back of the cockpit, giving the pilot move room without increasing the profile of the cockpit. It might not look normal, but it should make the pilot's life a little easier."

>>21930367
I'm guessing you don't have a clue about BT. Could please maybe read up on stuff on like sarna.net or something?

>>21930387

We went into the Chrysalid because our torso ended up being a brick shithouse with spikes coming out the back and above the shoulders as the heatsinks to make room for the modular design.

>>21930399
"Absolutely. Think about it. It's got all the space of a larger cockpit, without having the same giant SHOOT HERE TO WIN box from the front view, plus the rear parts are hidden from side view by the heat sinks. I'm honestly pretty happy with how this thing is coming out."

>>21930399
"Yeah I know it looks odd, but think about it.

The upraised heat sinks provide good defense from the sides and the narrow profile from the front makes it much harder to hit the pilot while still giving plenty of room for storage and making it roomy enough for the pilot not to be cramped."

>>21930424

Hey now, be nice not everyone is familiar with Battletech, or even Mechwarrior.

>>21930440
>>21930438
>>21930416
>>21930421

Ivan strokes his beard for a moment, then seems to have an epiphany.

"So... it is being like dual-cockpit Battlemaster but only for one? Good idea! Hallway cockpit.. this is why you are designer and Ivan is greasemonkey! I would never be thinking of that!"

He pats your back firmly and cheers.

"I also hear from Ilsa that you are asking her to help with faceplate. This is good, I can't draw to save life. Not even stickmen! Also, I am wanting to ask... do you know what kind of armor you are wanting on the HZP? Or are you not thinking that far yet? If you are wanting curves we need to heat treating composite to make it able for bending, and I would want to start that soon, because it is taking much longer than flat."

>>21930489
"Standard armor plates, won't be needing curves. Need to keep things simple, right?"

>>21930489
Curves. Flat is too bullet-trap-y.

>>21930489
"I would like curves. Lasers refract more off of them, bullets don't hit straight on and are more likely to slide off a bit. It's more work but it's worth it."

>>21930489
Trapezoids, easier to manufacture than curves but still sloped.

>>21930489
Fuck curves. Armour is meant for being replaced, and curves aren't going to help with standard armour.

Blocky skorvek tou- you get the idea.

Might use more smaller panels of armour though.

>>21930512
>>21930516
Where are said curves going to be? Again, this is a light garrison mech with ease of maintenance in mind. Having standard armor with standard plates is simple. Making curves is not.

>>21930505
>>21930512
>>21930516

Is curved armor harder to maintain/replace?

>>21930534

Yes.

You have to heat up the materials and then bend them to fit the frame, this takes an assload of time compared.

>>21930489
Use flat plates.

Flat plates, we don't want to negate all the bonus ease of maintenance by having a mech that can't be re-armored.

>>21930542
So angled straight plates then.

>>21930534
Yes. We can slope armor plating at places, but we're not going to slap special curved armor in this that would be a maintenance nightmare.

Simple. Garrison. Light. Mech.

Make it a motto, people.

>>21930558

Pretty much.

Remember, this mech is going to (per standard variant) be up close and personal.

Lasers won't diffract and bullets won't bounce at close range. They'll tear through.
If it were a second line mech, I'd go for curves, but not for a front liner.

>>21930559
>>21930558
>>21930555
>>21930554
>>21930542
>>21930532
>>21930531
>>21930522
>>21930505

You inform him that since you want to have wide market appeal and ease of maintenance, you opted for flat, angled plates. He nods.

"I am fixing and modifying many 'Mechs on Solaris. I agree with this. Plus it gives crew more time to get all 'Mechbays running so we can build when you and Janine and Goddard sell the design. We are wanting to make as many as we can, right?"

He stands up and nods.

"Anything else before I go check on lazy assholes? I bet they are napping while the cat is away. Playing mice while kitty is gone."

Angled flat armor plates.

Any bonuses curved plates would give us are going to be instantly negated at the close range this is going to be at, and they completely DESTROY our attempt to go for Longevity and easy maintenance and repair.

>>21930424
Okay, I think I might have spoken wrongly?
I meant if the arms are destroyed somehow. Or is this impossible in Battletech?

>>21930591
"I think that's all for now, see you later, and say hi to Ilsa for me"

>>21930591
Ask him about rigging up a loudspeaker inside the banshee mask.

>>21930591
"Your command of idiom is impressive and terrifying, and you don't strike me much as a cat.

Can't really think of anything off the top of my head, I'll send you an email if I think of something. Say hi to Ilsa for me."

>>21930612
Oh, that happens all the time. Arms get blown off, destroyed, slagged.

>>21930591
"Who does security around these parts? I want to check where I can store backup data safely.

>>21930612
If the arms get shot off, then it runs without arms.

If we wanted a design with no arms, we should have gone with a chicken-legged torso design from the get-go. But we didn't, we went with a bibedal humanoid design, so arms is what we get.

>>21930247
That gives me an idea actually. How about something like this?

- The index and the thumb of the hands are made more beefy and clawlike by the addition of an articulated armour shell. Not as a weapon per se, but this makes them significantly stronger than the other fingers. If the hand gets shot and you lose the other fingers you can still use the remaining "pincer" to carry stuff. SKVOREC TOUGH
- The claw closes over the laser barrels as a dust and shrapnel cover when not firing. We could rig them to open automatically when the weapon is active or being fired. And yes this would cause them to clack menacingly.


>>21930309
I don't think changing the design this late in the game is a good idea. However we should set the stage for different variants. No reason why we should only offer one version!

We are already halfway there. SRM4 and LRM5 are a direct swap for tonnage, since we have the weapon rails in the torso you could use either of them in the mech. I want to do something similar with weapon rails in the arms so you could swap different sized lasers.