Sci-fi Weapons, Vehicles and Equipment

Okay dumb question about paragravity and all that, would it make more sense to make every single function (propulsion, internal gravity, weaponry, and so on) to be all run from one gravity generator or would it be a safer bet to make different gravity generators that are programmed to do different things, like one is meant to give internal gravity while another is for propulsion.

It's usually better to use redundant systems rather than one central system. Thus one single failure won't be a complete disaster.

Then again, redundancies tend to be expensive so if you want a reeeeeally cheap ship you can do with only one generator and not care about the crew if it breaks down.

It depends on how your AG handwave works. Can you make small generators that give off very localized effects or is the whole vessel sort of encased in an "AG Envelope" from a powerful generator?

I ask because I was going to do a lost technology kind of setting where gravity generators for internal gravity are the most basic and thus easiest to replicate, so that thrusterless ships seem that more alien and impressive.

In that case it makes perfect sense to have one AG system for propulsion and one for crew comfort. After all, they have entirely different output requirements.

I figured power usage would be a good reason, excellent.

So I an idea for a unique sci-fi weapon, and, of course, the input of others is essential in writing. So picture this: The end of the gun is like a taser. When you pull the trigger, an electromagnet or something between the metal tips activates, creating a vertical arc of electricity by "pushing" at the center. Huzzah! A plausible Lightning Gun. Does anyone know of any limitations or errors in this idea?

Well, first a taser is a weapon and product brand that shoots the darts with trailing wires and they also made a shotgun fired a stand-alone dart. What you described sounds more like a stun gun. Some taser units have stun gun prods as well as shoot the darts.

You would need some sort of mechanism to actually launch a current. Devices like the electro laser which uses a Laser-Induced Plasma Channel, to help direct current along a pathway. There are other methods to direct or push a current along but the majority involve directing or projecting something.

Edited by TuefelHundenIV on Aug 3rd 2019 at 8:04:17 AM

An electromagnet will not push a current of electricity out into the air. An electric current might follow lines of magnetic force, but it would have to be an extremely powerful magnetic field, akin to the one the Earth has.

Also, obligatory trivia: Taser is short for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Laser."

Ahh, thank you! Also, I used electromagnet cause it sounded plausible.

Laser starts with a L, are you Japanese?

But on a more serious note, I had an idea for a lightning gun that used super powered electromagnets to create lightning via induction.

Then I realized that all I'd get would be para\diamagnetic effects and scrapped the idea.

Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. Thank you, good catch.

What completes the circuit between the weapon and the target? Or does the discharge happen on the weapon itself and the lightning bolt is merely diverted along the roundabout way via magnetic field?

Because in reality lightning induces a charge at both ends from source to "target". This difference in charge tells you where the bolt will strike. Things that are easier to induce a charge upon (say a metal flagpole) are more predictably hit by lightning than things that are not. This can be affected by atmospheric conditions affecting the plasma channel formed when the lightning bolt discharges, the magnetic field of the Earth itself and the fact lightning discharges can hit two or more different directions at the same time. This can lead to many interesting forms of lightning from forked lightning to cloud to cloud lightning to cloud to cloud to ground lighting to lightning sprites and more.

Edited by MajorTom on Aug 4th 2019 at 6:38:43 AM

Can anyone thing of the practical uses for a pair of magnet like devices that could strongly attract each other from a distance of ten metres but would not affect surrounding metal?

Only one of the pair requires power, like an electromagnet, the effective range is 2 metres maximum and they range in power the strongest being able to move around 2 tonnes.

Replicate Just Cause.

What are some ways to humanize faceless armor?

The context is that in this case the faceless mooks are used by the settings "good guys", and are not an attempt to dehumanize troops....

Rather since they are a multi species alliance, they are trying to conceal what race is under the armor so that any biases or specisim is left at the door, those are your battle buddies, your allies your life depends on them and all that matters at the moment is your both federation troopers so to speak.

If the magnets are powerful enough you could use them to move around equipment or operate doors of various types and sizes. Like lock doors.

Immy: Give them a generic anthropomorphic face. With features that react to their apparent mood and facial expressions. Make sure any vocal utterances that leave the suit carry emotional tones.

Edited by TuefelHundenIV on Aug 5th 2019 at 6:53:50 AM

Stormtrooper helmets. Or something like that. Make em resemble full plate knights and soldiers or summat. Unidirectional polarized visors (think sunglasses) that conceal outward appearance from enemies or ignorant civvies.

Think UNSC gear, particularly for Spartans and ODST's as well. Many of them you'd never know who or what they were ethnically, racially (or sometimes even gender) until they either pipe up and start talking or the helmets come off.

Will War Dogs ever become obsolete or would we simply find more ways for them to do their role?

I’m thinking of maybe some rule of cool cybernetically enhanced canines and I’m trying to justify it to at least acceptable levels.

Dogs used to detect things with smell would keep being used until we can replicate that with technology. Good for detecting terminators anyway. Also if anything they need to detect gives of high pitched noise. Invisible enemy detection maybe? If you want to go full robotic you can have a pack of robot dog that have a copy of the mind of a dog(s) trained for war.

If they have access to high technology (or magic) they could have a display on their helmet that conveys simple expressions by sensing the users facial expressions/mood. The face wouldn't look like anyone species but would be able to convey the users feelings while hiding their species and identity. Voice changers could also be used to further hide identity.

For example in the webcomic Freefall Sam is a squid like creature using facial animatronics to communicate with others.

edit: opps, just noticed ''TuefelHundenIV'' came up with the idea before me.

Edited by MCE on Aug 9th 2019 at 3:17:13 AM

MCE: Lol glad to see I wasn't the only one to think it. Nah I recall seeing something similar in other works just nothing specific. I feel your answer is worth putting down all the same because you list a specific example.

For most working dogs, the first role is tracking and detection. Their various senses are pretty damn good for that role. For more aggressive roles such as attack dogs, you are looking at people more often creating specialized breeds intended for the role. So maybe go with the genetic alteration route. Starship Troopers had genetically modified dogs and they wound up creating a special breed just for helping them hunt bugs.

Realistically? That is a big question mark. Maybe some form of limited cybernetics, armor, and third party sensor systems. Sensors being mounted on dogs such as cameras and body armor systems are a thing now.

Biggest issue is communications between the dog and human. What we've got is damn impressive with humans and dogs easily picking up eachother's body language. However, this doesn't work for abstract information. A dog might be able to tell you there's something in front of you but they won't be able to describe what they're smelling or hearing.

So I'd say first priority would be some kind of communications system.

Re: Making the armored troops not Faceless Mooks, You could find ways to distinguish them, like with customized gear or Nose Art (Starship Troopers: Invasion did this with the Troopers' armor). Easier to do in a visual medium though.

Bel: I mean that’s all well and good but what can a dog do that we can’t invent and automate eventually?

I’m surprised they’re still around in the Middle East if I’m being honest