>>21423338

You have come to the decision that Richard's previous prototype schematic is unservicable, and you plan to scrap it in favor of something new. There were too many faults with his actuator linkages and limbs, and Ivan seemed to hate it anyway.

So, with your computer still in sleep mode, you head back into your office, and take a seat at your desk. Everything is as you left it, except you now have an ashtray on your desk, since it was revealed you are a smoker. You bring your computer out of sleep mode, and on your monitors are:

A parts list, comprised of several key components of a Battlemech

and

A schematic for the prototype you will be scrapping.

The last thread left off with a discission about what sort of design to go for, and can be found here:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/21368164/

File: 1352011370027.jpg-(44 KB, 800x600, Frodo_Baggins2.jpg)

You're late.

>>21423352

(It's still Saturday...

... where I am.

Also the last people I ran for were on around now, so... I figured I would try to cater to both crowds. Should I run earlier next time?)

Design Mk1

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: 2,842,650 C-Bills
Battle Value: 815

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:
2 Medium Lasers
2 LRM-5s
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 CT
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50

Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 13
Center Torso (rear) 4
L/R Torso 8 11
L/R Torso (rear) 3
L/R Arm 6 7
L/R Leg 8 10

================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-5 RT 2 1 2.00
LRM-5 LT 2 1 2.00
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
Medium Laser LA 3 1 1.00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1.00
@LRM-5 (24) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 42

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

Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D
Production Year: 3040
Cost: 2,366,460 C-Bills
Battle Value: 826
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 58 points 3.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 175 7.00
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT
Gyro: Standard 2.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 119 7.50

Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 17
Center Torso (rear) 5
L/R Torso 8 12
L/R Torso (rear) 4
L/R Arm 6 12
L/R Leg 8 16

================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-5 RT 2 1 2.00
2 Small Lasers RT 2 2 1.00
LRM-5 LT 2 1 2.00
2 Small Lasers LT 2 2 1.00
2 SRM-4s CT 6 2 4.00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1.00
@SRM-4 (25) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 34

>>21423362
I prefer earlier, works with my schedule better, but I'm good for whenever you want to run it.

>>21423341
Okay, let's start burning through cigarettes and working. Start designing our new mech from the ground up, though we can use any old stuff from student projects and the like as inspiration and to get some of the scut work out of the way.

In a few minutes I'll have look through the designs we had last tread and vote for one.

>>21423372
This design is the one that had the most support behind it during our last session.
It's a general all-rounder, with very good speed; it's as fast as the Jenner but a little better armed.

>>21423382
This was designed by a BT General thread. It sacrifices some speed, but makes up for it in armor and weapons. Up close, it's got more firepower and armor than anything else in its weight class, and also is almost half a million C-Bills cheaper than its competitors.

File: 1352011790118.jpg-(25 KB, 500x341, Frodo.jpg)

I'm just fucking wit you.

>>21423402

It's a bit slow for a light 'mech, but we could advertise it as being a cheap fire support/escort 'mech. Kind of like the FWL version of the Vindicator or Centurion, only a lot cheaper. If Janine can manage to get a hold on some medium lasers, then we'd have a real solid design.

Frankly, I kinda want to go with the second version of the Hazard Pay--the slower, garrison-mech style one that BT general made. THere's not really a 'mech like that we're competing with, it's cheap and hits pretty damn hard and can take a good number of hits for its weight class.

If anyone needs a list of what weapons you have access to, it's in the archived thread.

Also, Goddard is trying to get you some Medium-Beam Lasers, as per your request. It's left to be seem what he can secure for you though.

(Let the planning begin!)

>>21423448
>Available Components:
Light Hip Acctuators (2)
Light Hand Acctuators (1)
Light Lower Leg Acctuators (2)
Light Upper Leg Acctuators (2)
Light Shoulder Acctuators (2)
Light Upper Arm Acctuators (2)
Light Lower Arm Acctuators (2)

GM Fusion Engine 140
GM Fusion Engine 175
Strand Fusion Engine 245
4 x AC2
2 x SRM-4
3 x Machine Gun
2 x Small Laser
1 x Flamer
3 x LRM-5

We *might* be able to get medium lasers later on. But as OP said, the staff in charge of requisitions is working on that. It is not a sure thing.

So, I think the two posted designs are our best ones so far.

The second one gets my vote. We need a niche, and garrision 'mechs, while not glamourous, are ones we can fill.

So that one has my vote for the Hazard Pay HZP-A.

>>21423382
I'll throw my vote in for this as well.

>>21423471

(Oh hey, thanks for linking it to the thread directly. I probably should have but figured folks might need impetus to read the old thread, hehe)

>>21423435
>>21423471
We could swap the 4 Small Lasers for 2 Medium Lasers if we don't want to get out-ranged by Jenners.

I also vote for >>21423382

>>21423478
>Hazard Pay

An amusing name, but probably not one with the kind of positive word-associate we want.

I mean if you were a Mechwarrior and someone asked if you wanted to pilot this little known new mech called a "Hazard Pay" from a no-name manufacturer, what would YOU think?

Remember, good marketing is as vital as a good 'mech.

>>21423507

I'd sign up for it, personally. Can't be any worse than a Firestarter or, or...

well, okay, the Hazard Pay is probably a bad name, but I like it, and it has a history (including all of one line to our boss.)

The name has POTENTIAL. At the very least as an in-house codename.

>>21423514
So what shall we call it? Heavyset Penguin? Hades Piston?

>>21423525
The creator in the other thread named it the Aeneas, which is admittedly quite in line with some FWL naming schemes.

>>21423514

How about the "Minuteman"?

It can also provide some OK fire support for a light 'mech, and pack quite a punch at close range for its weight class. It's a fairly easy to manufacture light 'mech that's equipped with readily available components even by the Succession Wars' pitiful availability standards, and it's speedy enough to get to where it needs to go.

>>21423542
I like it.

>>21423525

Well, if its going to be a garrison unit, maybe something... protectorly or stoic or something.

>>21423509

Swapping to Mediums wouldn't be a bad idea, but thats suddenly 3+3+3+3+1or2 on walking and firing the SRMs and mediums at mid-short range, which'll stress the heatsinks a bit.

Nothing a bit of proper heat management can't compensate for (just leave out an SRM or laser every couple salvos) but worth noting.

>>21423542

We can maybe consider that for the production name, but I do want to move that we name the prototype/in-house testing model the Hazard Pay, if only because by using an in-joke we're getting a bit closer to our boss and fellow workers. Make 'em laugh a bit.

And, hell, make a joke about our own work. "Yeah, a light 'mech this slow, people are gonna want a bit of Hazard Pay for it, get me?"

(even though it's not THAT slow, but.)

File: 1352012747970.gif-(1.48 MB, 315x227, 1351352768934.gif)

>>21423525
>MALLET

antevelo forsake,
>indeed, captcha, indeed.....

>>21423542
Yeah, the production name can be the Aeneas, as a nod to the anon who came up with it.

But I agree with >>21423557 to have Hazard Pay be the prototype and internal codename for it.

>>21423372
I like this one if we can get the MLs, it has everything we want.

If we can't get the MLs we ought to be able to scrounge up 2 more SLs and do this>>21423382.

Alright, so it seems the version of it with the 2x SRM, 2x LRM, 4x Smlaser is the consensus, to be a light garrison mech. Internal codename: Hazard Pay HZP-A, probable production name of Aeneas AEN-A?

Just saw the link to the thread. Is this a continuation of the same parts list we had before (SLs, AC/2s, etc), and do I need to make a formal submission of my design?

>>21423595
We already have 2 designs with lots of support, you can submit a new one if you want, but it probably isn't going to get picked.

>>21423591
This, except if Goddard DOES manage to acquire the MLas, we really should use them. Putting him into further financial stress and getting chewed out by Ms. Steiner, then suddenly deciding we don't need them, is a bit of a dick move.

Posting this to irritate people:
Design 3 mkII

Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-D-D
Production Year: 3040
Cost: 2,274,930 C-Bills
Battle Value: 557

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 175 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Autocannon/2s
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 175 7.00
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT
Gyro: Standard 2.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 72 4.50

Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 10
Center Torso (rear) 3
L/R Torso 8 9
L/R Torso (rear) 2
L/R Arm 6 6
L/R Leg 8 8

================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autocannon/2 RT 1 1 6.00
Autocannon/2 LT 1 1 6.00
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
@AC/2 (45) RT - 1 1.00
@AC/2 (45) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 40

BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 6
5 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SOA

>>21423591
That seems to have the most votes.

>>21423590
I like that one too, but the Aeneas has a lot going for it as well, being able to outgun or at least, undercut, most other designs in its weight class until the Clans arrive.

Maybe we'll keep it as a variant we can put out when we do get the Medium Lasers.

That'll give us a fast, heavily armed scout mech, and a slower but even more heavily armed and armored escort mech.

>>21423615

Agreed, here. Means it'll run a bit hot, but any pilot worth the name Mechwarrior can handle it.

>>21423551

Mediums on the second design would make it run a bit hot, true. But the range and concentrated damage that the medium lasers have would make it able to engage heavier targets without getting up close. The 2 SRM4s provide a nice punch, but it would just be effectively sandblasting targets that are heavier than itself. With the two medium lasers, it can provide adequate medium-range fire support, and open up holes for its own SRMs.

File: 1352013270438.jpg-(80 KB, 400x484, Kamata_Cestus_1.jpg)

>>21423595

Fuck. Never mind.

>>21423591

ANE-1R Aeneas. Pic related is an interim "look" for the Mech (since it's not like CGL is doing anything with that look anyway).

>>21423623
I get the feeling that your AC2 shenanigans are going to end this quest some point down the road.

>>21423576
>>21423557
>>21423521
>>21423514
>>21423478

(Seems to be enough positive feedback for this, so...)

You look one last time at the schematic Richard left to you as his 'legacy', and mouse over to the 'New File' tab, and click with little fanfare.

A new, blank layout comes up on your screen, and the CAD program asks for a filename.

You smirk a bit as you input it: 'HAZARD PAY'.

The program accepts the name and your toolbox, editing, layers, and vectors islands all open.

You have some choices to make now. There are two major types of bipedal Battlemech; Humanoid, and Digitigrade/'Bird-legged'. They both have different advantages. Humanoids tend to be more stable at low speed, more sturdy,l and tax gyros less. They are a slightly rougher ride, and don't handle as well at high speed. Bird-legged units tend to be speedier, since they are more stable at that rate, and pack less weapons and armor, since they are usually more fragile and easier to knock around. They tax gyros more, but give a smoother ride, which can lead to better weapons accuracy and less pilot fatigue.

What sort of chassis would you like for yourr prototype?

>>21423645
Chickenmech is best mech.

>>21423645

Humanoid. Pilot fatigue/high speed stuff isn't as large a concern for a garrison 'mech, but lack of fragility is.

File: 1352013443534.jpg-(125 KB, 291x304, 1334019798220.jpg)

>>21423615

Ya'll already picked it. I just hadn't read the thread yet. I put up the Aeneas in BT General and wanted to know if I had to make a submission in the quest thread for it to count.

So, never mind.

Wait, aren't our SRM launchers Streak-SRM?

>>21423645

I'd say the Humanoid chassis would be a better choice here. It's going to be on the business end of a lot of weapons as an escort/garrison 'mech, and a more sturdy design could help mitigate that. It's probably not going to do a whole lotta running at high speeds either with its current engine.

>>21423645
For this >>21423382
let's go with a Humanoid design.
It doesn't have the speed to require chickenlegs.

If we're successful enough and are asked to do a second light mech design, we can do this >>21423372 as a chickenwalker.

>>21423645
Humanoid, this guy isn't a speed freak and it needs its durability.

I'm thinking making it kinda short and squat, angled armor, stubby laser arms and so on. Make it look reliable and solid above all else.

>>21423685
Streaks haven't been re-invented yet.

>>21423685

Not for another 20 years or so.

This is the Inner Sphere, and 10 years or so before the Clan Invasion. Streak SRM-2s may still be in the prototype stage at this point, and will probably not be available on the market.

>>21423642
hey, no one makes a cheap, Anti air mech. And over time you could do lot of damage with AC-2's.

>>21423661
>>21423697
>>21423701
>>21423709

You start clicking the various screens, tabbing between them, and selecting tools, drawing, trimming, copying for symmetry, and lighting a cigarette whilst doing so.

Soon, a skeletal structure resembling a humanoid appears, and you begin to flesh out the chassis, adding mass and selecting joints, checking loads and calibrating.

Hours pass, and you are on your eight or ninth cigarette when you hear a knock at your door.

>>21423661

This ruggedness and ease of maintenance should be major points we should aim for if we can.

Garrisons and Militia units don't like Hangar Queens, they don't have the money or logistics to want to futz with the mech too much. They want a mech they can leave in the hands of junior techs without those idiots breaking it.

>>21423757
NO, we didn't have our ashtrasy yet. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE.

>>21423757

Look up blearily, make sure we're not in the middle of a calculation, save the design thus far, tell 'em to come in.

>>21423757
Grunt out a "comein", don't stop working.

>>21423757
Save what we have, back it up, continue working.

Grunt that the door is open and they can just come in.

Whoever it is offer them a cigarette and see what they want. Don't stop working unless they need something important.

>>21423774
We got our ashtray, it was taken care of.

>>21423774

(Yeah you did, but it's just a stand-in. Thankfully it's basically a small bucket.)

>>21423757

"Dammit, who's there? It's not like I can just open up some program with a couple of dropdown bars and the design magically gets done; this shit takes time.

I swear, if you're changing design parameters on me after I've get all this done..."

*answer the door*

>>21423759
That's a good point. Also, our projected market is mercenaries, and having a rugged, reliable, and easy to repair mech that's also easy on the bank account will be good selling points.

>>21423783
It was going to be delivered "by tonight", but we literally started smoking the minute we walked back to our office.

>>21423789

No need to be rude, they've been really accommodating so far, and we haven't really had design parameters changed on us or anything at all, so...

>>21423789
Nah, don't complain or kvetch yet, it's our first day. Curt, to the point, but they might have a nice surprise for us. They could even have brought us a gallon of coffee and a sandwich.

>>21423789
Be polite, but don't stop working.

>>21423789
>>21423783
>>21423778
>>21423776

You hear the door open as you keep working, cig hanging out of the corner of your mouth. You blink a bit as smoke curls into your eyes, and you look up a moment after saving your progress again, as you are wont to do habitually.

"Daniel?" Goddard asks as he pokes his head in the door. "You got a minute champ?"

>>21423824

"Yeah boss, what do you need?"

>>21423824

Sure thing, boss. What's up?

>>21423824
News of our MLas, let's hope christmas has come early.

>>21423824
"Sure thing bossman, what's up?"

>>21423824
"Sure, boss. Whaddya need?"

>>21423839
>>21423829
>>21423826

Goddard waltzes over to your desk, and sits on the edge just like last time. He takes the offered smoke and lights up with an engraved refillable lighter, and takes a puff.

"So I just got done talking with Janine, and we've got a weapons dealer in line to come show us some wares. He claims they have a good selection, but he wouldn't just tell me what he had. I want you and Ivan to be there to make the selections with me, and I'll hold your hands as far as money goes. Also I'll do the talking with this guy. I don't like that he won't just give me a parts list of what he has, but we gotta take what we can get, right? Especially out here."

File: 1352014497300.jpg-(42 KB, 512x1024, Sarif Himself.jpg)

You are now reading all of Goddard's lines in his voice.

>>21423862
We 100% need to offload our AC2s to this guy.

>>21423862

"Sounds like a plan, boss. A bit suspicious, but yeah--we'll take what we can get. Let me just adjust the weight ratio co-efficient on the left hand actuator and I'll be ready to go--unless we're leaving later?"

>>21423887
Seconding this.

My guess is that the parts are stolen.

>>21423862

Is this weapons dealer amenable to buying some of our excess stock? I don't think we're gonna get much use out of these 45mm Autocannons.

>>21423862
"I can do that. When is he coming to visit?

5 bucks says he's black market or has black market connections. Wouldn't be surprised if he's fencing hot goods. Though if I'm right and you make inferences to that you could get a price break."

>>21423875
Well, fuck me.

>>21423685
>Wait, aren't our SRM launchers Streak-SRM?

SSRM-2s were in existence during the Star League and thanks to the Helm Core were recently reintroduced in 3035 by the FWL, with the other Great Houses gaining access to the tech within a few years. We'll never get access to something that shit-hot though.

And damnit, I just today swear I saw a chart showing what each of Houses get access to certain pre-clan tech. Can't for the life of me remember where I saw it, in one of the pdfs? On a website? Damnit.

>>21423910
>>21423902
>>21423896
>>21423887
>>21423880

"Yeah, I got the feeling he's shady too, but we'll just avoid buying things that have the serial numbers filed off, eh? Janine says he's clean though, and she's the sort to check this kinda stuff."

Goddard stands, and takes another drag.

"He might be amiable towards buying our 'extra' stock... he's an arms dealer after all. But you and Ivan don't seem to like those 45s too much, so this guy might not either."

>>21423925
>what each of Houses

WHEN that is. For example just this year (3040) the FWL got access to Gauss Rifle tech. But damnit where did I see that chart?

>>21423910

Just hope that dealer's covered his tracks. It's one thing if he managed to swipe them off some ruined mech somewhere, but stealing from the big corporations like Martell or Diverse Optics might lead to some complications for us down the line.

>>21423945
"It's not a big deal, if we don't offload them I'll see if I can bolt them together into some Frankensteinian abomination. Could be fun.

So, when is he coming over? Should I put on a suit or anything like that?"

>>21423945

"Oh, also he's coming in a few days... has to make the jump over here from a few systems away. You've got time to work bud, no worries on that."

>>21423945
>AC-2's
"Yeah, well, they're kind of hard to use in any design that's not going for something extremely specific.
"I got some ideas for how they might be used in some niche designs, but they're pretty risky in terms of who'd buy'em."

>>21423946
SSW shows the reintroduction dates when you select a weapon. I don't know where the sources for that are though.

>>21423985

"Unless I Frankenweaponed them together."

"I promise I don't have an unhealthy fascination with making frankenweapons, boss."

"... Lemme get back to work."

>>21423985
NO, NOONE WANTS YOUR AA MECH, NOOOOOOOO.

File: 1352015409404.gif-(429 B, 84x72, Aeneas.gif)

Before I go to bed, I'll drop off this megamek sprite. It's probably a little on the small side.

>>21423982

Goddard leans over a bit, trying to see the screen.

"I know it's only been a few hours, but... whatcha got so far? It's not like a bride on her wedding night right? I can see the product while it's getting dressed without cursing it can't I?"

>>21424044
Describe what we are intending to build, and what roles we are designing it for. The actual design won't mean anything to him (and it probably doesn't even look like a mech yet) but knowing that we have actually got a plan should reassure him.

>>21424044

"Sure thing, boss. Mostly working out weight allotments for the actuators and balance so far, but I've laid out the general look for the armor and weapons loadout--here and here, we got missiles, we got lasers, working off what we've got. I'm thinking a pretty heavy 'light, a garrison 'mech, hardy, stable, quick enough to redeploy in a base or city, hardy enough to take a hit and keep trucking--and pretty damn cheap to build, too."

>>21424044
"Yeah you can see what I have. It's nowhere near as pretty as a blushing bride, much more thick, squat and angular. Also if you told a bride she weighed 35 tons she'd kill you.

It's only really a skeleton but I know about how it's going to end up. Most of it is boring weight ratios and making sure the stress is distributed right, that it doesn't fuck up the actuators when it runs max speed or takes a jump or falls over.

I'll fiddle with it a bit of course depending on what weapons we can grab from the dealer."

>>21424039

(Hey, cool, thanks!)

>>21424044
"Sure. Here's what I've got so far."

Explain in broad terms what capabilities and limitations that our design is going to have. Especially the part about being geared towards garrison/escort/fire support roles. Also that we're trying to make it rugged, reliable, and easy to get spare parts for and repair.

>>21424044

"So, here's the file. I kept the old moniker, but we'll probably want something a little more catchy to sell to the procurement brass.

"What we're looking at is to make as solid and inexpensive a garrison unit as possible, while still keeping up effectiveness in a combat situation, right? So I figure, we're not gonna be able to compete against stuff like the Hermes or Locust for speed, and we don't have access to jump jet systems to increase maneuverability, so we may as well slather on the weapons and armor.

"Base chassis is humanoid; digitgrade chassis don't really give a lot of benefit at the speeds we're looking at. It'll give a bit more of a rough ride than a Locust, but we're not looking at a long-term stay in the cockpit on a garrison Mech, right?

With me so far?"

>>21424062
>>21424072
>>21424084

Goddard blinks, and then laughs a bit.

"Yeah, it's all lines and numbers. But if you see what you see, then I trust you. So you wanna go for a garrison 'Mech huh? I did ask for a workhorse... not as glamorous as what I wanted... but PDFs buy 'Mechs too. Can't all be in the vids, free marketing while some Mercs mop the floor with pirates, our machine in the front line, lasers whizzing overhead."

Goddard leans back onto the desk, and finishes his smoke.

"I like the sound of it so far, even if it's not what I dreamed. I suppose I had my head in the clouds, needed a bit of grounding. Keep at it sparky, and we'll see what this guy brings us for show and tell in a few days."

With that, Goddard takes his leave, but asks if you want anything to eat. He says he'll have someone send it up if you do.

>>21424127
I feel bad now. We really have to make this mech work, and the next one too.

>>21424127

"Sure, we'll take something. Doesn't really matter what, long as it fills the hole, boss."

Also, if we get stuck on a point in the design, pull up another file and start frankenweaponing the AC-2's together.

>>21424127

Thank him for the offer.

"Also, we may want to think about, once we've got a chassis or two built, sending one gratis over to a stable on Solaris VII. If you want some free advertising, that's where it's gonna be at. I'm thinking I can get more short-range fire-power out of this thing than a Mech 30 tons heavier, and when audiences see that, they'll love it...

...and so should some generals. Having folks with lots of scrambled egg on their hats be impressed with a design is a good start for any company, don't you think?

>>21424127
Turkey sandwich, heavy on the mustard, pickles.

And let's get back to work.
Now I want the next mech we design to be a real marketchanger.
Maybe design a Black Knight to be sold to mercenaries before the idea catches on?

>>21424127
Voting to timeskip ahead a few days of 12 hour shifts to the meeting, there isn't much we need to go through step by step until then.

>>21424127
Well since we've been up for quite a while now working on our mech and our engineer zen has been interrupted I say coffee break and give OP a chance to get us to roleplay with some other characters.

And all these people who don't know a damn thing about battletech, just jumping right in. Really warms my heart.

>>21424127
"Once we get this out I can make a faster one for other people, hell a number of merc companies ought to like this one because it's going to be cheap, durable, damn well armed for a mech its weight and easy as fuck to repair.

And food, yeah food sounds good. A sandwich of some kind and a giant mug of coffee, black, lots of sugar."

>>21424127
Show him the other one with 2 med 2 lrm? Just an example of what we could do later.

>>21424169
Does that fit the category of "workhorse"? We don't want to show him that we ignored his instructions for 2 designs in a row.

Are Arrows and Cluster Arrows good against Claners?
And can we get a hold of some? Preferably some production of those too.

If we did we would get a long range heavy hitter that continuously will be our customer on a product line for cruise missile, and will be quite good against clanners when they show up, if it will be properly procured and demanded...

From what i understand the Capellans are heavy on cruise missiles. Perhaps some relations after we start making a name for ourselves...

>>21424164
Well we should probably meet the other people we haven't met yet. And only 12 hours? It's not like we have a life outside of this.

>>21424159
Black Knights are a Star League design, so there's still a few kicking around.

Though the idea of an all-energy weapon mech might have promise among mercenaries who don't want to be concerned with ammo logistics.

>>21424176
Pretty much. cheap, cost effective firepower.

>>21424179
Weren't we going to meet physics and energy guys AFTER we had something to show them?

>>21424039
Putting it in to MM now.

And as I cooked up some L2 tech versions (a typical 50s marik refit of dubious improvement, a 80s version of MML love, and a marian export model with 140 rockets) after seeing NEA posted his initial design, it'll probably see more than occasional use. Though none of the refits is strictly better, oddly enough, so the original is likely to see notable use.

As far as the quest itself, I have no clue what we're going to do with those AC 2s. Cut the barrels in half and weld them together to make an AC 5? Sell them to a tank maker that can make use of them? Make a pointlessly tiny mosquito mech that annoys the enemy to death with AC2 bites while running like a bitch?

>>21424149
>>21424158
>>21424159

Goddard nods and shuts the door behind him. You lean back in your chair, and look at your 'lines and numbers.' Your office isn't as nice as you'd hoped; the wallpaper is peeling, it smells musty, and the windows all stick, but you have a job at least. You're a Battlemech Designer, and a Lead Designer at that. Not too bad. And if Goddard does well, and this 'Mech does well, so will you. Getting in on the ground floor can be a pretty sweet deal too, you figure.

(vote time! keep working or take a break? or possibly fast-forward to the meeting?)

File: 1352016549079.jpg-(54 KB, 734x404, 1342294733681.jpg)

My god, between this and the cute girls doing cute battletech quest i'm in 'mech heaven.

>>21424176
Yeah, it does. It's still cheap, cost-effective, has comparable firepower to the Jenner and is about as fast, but a couple hundred thousand C-Bills cheaper.
Has a longer engagement range with the LRM's so that it can do fire support, and 2 MLas means that it's not useless once it uses up its ammo.

File: 1352016562426.png-(161 KB, 405x405, S7 logo.png)

>>21424158

I see you remember my advice from the other night.

>>21424191
Design antipersonnel rounds for them and market it as a replacement for the venerable MG.

>>21424193
Work work work.

>>21424193
Keep working well into the night today, wake up around lunch time tomorrow and meet the two people we haven't met yet.

>>21424193
Take a break, meet the 2 scientists (physics guy and energy weapons tech).

>>21424193
We already took a break to meet Ivan and Janine, what kind of slacker takes 2 breaks a day.

>>21424193


Here was mine
>>21424165

>>21424193

Let's print out the thesis for our design and the basics of the setup, and go find Energy and Physics guy. After we get our sandwich delivered.

>>21424211
>>21424222
We should do that tomorrow, we already wasted a chunk of today and literally JUST sent Goddard to fetch us food so we didn't have to stop working.

>>21424193
"Break". I.e. we go find physics dude and energy dude to bug them about the engines and heat sinks.

>>21424165

(I'm also happy to see people interested that aren't Btech junkies like us too. Hell, just this quest succeeding warms my heart, haha.)

File: 1352016785732.jpg-(24 KB, 229x500, ComStar.jpg)

Oh hey guys, just popping in, killing all your scientists. How's it going? Oh hey, look at the time! Gotta go!

>>21424177

What is a clanner?

(its 3040, clans won't hit for another 10 years)

Also we're a tiny start-up trying to break into the rapidly exapanding post-HelmCore world of Battlemech production. We're struggling to get access to a supply of medium lasers, let alone heavy artillery missiles (That I don't think will exist for several more years).

>>21424193

Keep working, we need to keep working. Maybe send an in-house email (we have one, right?) to energy guy and physics guy letting them know if they wanna show up and look at what we've got so far, feel free at any time, just knock first.

>>21424237

Its post Helm Core, they can whack all the design teams they want, its not gonna stop new mechs coming out.

>>21424230
>>21424228
>>21424222
>>21424211
>>21424179

(Hmm, pretty close but it seems break is the choice? I might be counting wrong.)

You stand, stretch, and decide you need to rest your eyes, so you move to take a walk. You stop yourself at the door though, and realize you have food coming. Your stomach basically slaps you upside the head with hunger, and you re-take your seat. At least you'll get something in your belly before you take that walk.

After a few minutes, your door opens (no knock?) and Janine steps through, carrying a brown paper bag, and looking slightly irked.

>>21424270

"Uh, hey. Didn't expect you to deliver the meal. Something on your mind, or nothing you wanna talk about it?"

Offer her a cig at least, for the trouble.

>>21424256
Guess we'll just have to kill more~

>>21424270
Oh no, Goddard must have defined this as "Unpleasant" dealings.

Thank her and invite her in to see that we actually know what we are doing.

>>21424270
"You are an angel. I just realized I hadn't eaten in, how many hours has it been?

Care for a cigarette and to see what I've done so far?"

>>21424270
"Oh, thanks. Sorry to make you do this. Smoke? And I've got some basics for our new mech design, want to see it?"

She's probably not interested in the science, but she might want to know what kind of product she's going to be marketing.

>>21424279
>>21424290
>>21424301

You smile and greet her, and offer her a smoke, which she politely declines, despite her apparent mood.

"Here's your food and your ashtray. One off our guys rigged it up. Incinerates everything to dry ash... can fit a few cartons before an emptying apparently. Whatever I guess. Dirty habit."

She sets the bag down and crosses her arms.

"You know about the arms dealer then, right? He's coming in a few days."

>>21424324
Ask her what she knows about him, something is definitely suspicious about him.

>>21424324

"Yeah, boss dropped by to talk about it. Wants me and Ivan there with him to double-check the wares. Sure it'll all be fine stuff, bit worried it might be hot, but we'll check serials and stuff, it'll be fine. Why?"

File: 1352017481365.png-(371 KB, 1920x1080, F-15 in CAD.png)

>>21424270
"Oh, hey Janine. How's it going? Goddard said you'd found a dealer for the med las we needed, so thanks for that."

>>21424324
"Yeah. Kind of suspicious of his wares, if he won't send over a list. You got any ideas? Anything I should look out for?"

>>21424324
"It helps me work. Engineers can't work without caffeine and nicotine. It's a rule of the universe.

I heard about the dealer. He sounds rather sketchy, might just be paranoia but I'm guessing black market connection, fencing stolen goods. What have you dug up on him?"

>>21424353
>>21424352
>>21424347
>>21424341

She leans on the corner of your desk and glances at the screen over her shoulder.

"Well, I can tell you that I think he's clean... legally. Hygenically, I can't say. He won't show us a list because he claims he's getting new goods en-route, so he won't know everything he has till then. Sounds unprofessional, but whatever."

She squints at the screen.

"Not much to look at yet. But you seem to have gotten more done in a day than Richard did in a week. That's something I guess."

She turns to you. "Ivan won't shut up about you it seems. He thinks you're a much better fit than Richard was, and maybe he's right. Just try to remember that Goddard's cash isn't the only thing on the line here; we're all risking our asses on this venture."

>>21424386

"I'm fully aware of that. Don't worry--my ass, your ass, we're all gonna get some Hazard Pay out of this job."

Crack a grin at your joke, even if she doesn't get it. If it annoys her, apologize and explain.

>>21424386
Bitch, I got this.

But more diplomatically.

>>21424386
"It took me months to get this job, if it goes down I probably won't get another. Richard didn't have much motivation because he had his parents to fall back on if the company sank, but I sure as shit will do everything I can to keep it, and my future, alive."

>>21424413
She is the butt of the joke, I think it better that we don't draw attention to it.

>>21424386
Don't worry Ms. Kerensky, I'll be sure to protect your ass, and the rest of the asses around here too.

>>21424386
"Got it. My ass is on that line too; I'll have a product we can sell in two weeks."

>>21424433
>>21424423
>>21424419
>>21424416
>>21424413

She smirks a bit and looks at the screen again.

"Two weeks for a rough, that's what Goddard said. If you can do it, then I'll buy you a drink. I'll get you two if net us an investor with the results. I'm no designer but I know damn well the pile of weapons we have in the shed isn't the best stock, and the parts we have would make a Steiner tech cry. So do whatever you can."

She stands, and unpacks the bag, leaving the ashtray and the sandwich on your desk.

"I'm turning in for the day. I have a headache so big the March seems small by comparison."

She walks off, opening the door, but then turning back. "I really want this place to succeed, Daniel. I wanna prove that I can do better than my old man."

With that, she leaves.

I say for our character look we look like a more harried, slightly out of shape gordan freeman.

You know, after a long nights work has tie on crooked and mussy hair.

>>21424458
Work for the rest of the day, start tomorrow with meeting the techs.

>>21423925
>just today swear I saw a chart showing what each of Houses get access to certain pre-clan tech. Can't for the life of me remember where I saw it
>>21415810
I posted it 2 threads ago. It's still a leeetle inaccurate, or at least clashes with some of the sourcebooks and dev statements, but it's good enough

>>21424458
"Well. No pressure."
Eat food, back to work until we feel tired.

>>21424458
Woohoo, someone is going to owe us some beers.

Okay, eat sammich, work, smoke, work, smoke, get a gallon of coffee, work, smoke.

Meet people in the morning which by the time we get to bed will be around noon.

>>21424458
Eat sandwich, design mech, produce sellable product.

Send an email introducing ourselves to the physics guy and energy guy, tell'em to come around, we've got the basics to show them.
It's not a proper introduction, but Janine put a big load of responsibility on us.

>>21424458
Alright, eat, drink coffee, then get back to work.

It is by caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of the bean that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.

I like her, by the way. A bit abbrasive, but that's because she takes her job VERY seriously.

>>21424497
>>21424495
>>21424481

You lean back, and grab your sandwich. It's decent, but a little dry. No veggies it seems, besides pickles anyway.

You take your butt and decide to test the ashtray. It looks like a small metal box, with an iris on the top that opens when your hand moves over it. You put the butt in, and it closes like a trap, and you hear a hum. A short while later, it shuts off, and you can feel some heat coming from the vents on the side and top.

Neat.

You crack your fingers and get back to work. Hazard Pay isn't gonna design itself.

(Vote! Working through the night, but do you want to visit more co-workers tomorrow, or fast-forward to the meeting?)

>>21424555
Meet them tomorrow. It'd be rude not to and we can do it over lunch/breakfast or whatever meal it technically is.

>>21424555

We'll shoot the email off to Energy Man and Physics Dude tonight, and if they don't pop over, we'll meet them tomorrow. GOod to know what they expect out of us before we go willy-nilling buying shite.

>>21424555
Meet the meat.

>>21424555
Visit Coworkers

>>21424555
Meet co-workers tomorrow. Maybe over breakfast/lunch.

>>21424555
Meet co-workers.
We can be both a genius AND a bro, thank you very much.

>>21424555
Visit co-workers tomorrow.

>>21424555
Co-workers, we need their input before we start spending money.

>>21424594
>>21424590
>>21424584
>>21424574
>>21424568
>>21424567
>>21424562

(Alrighty!)

You take a moment to dig around and find the names of the two people you know of you haven't met yet:

Hatamoto, Wan Lee: Energy/Fusion specialist
VonBraun, Dieter: Physics specialist/Test Scientist

You send them emails and let them know you want to meet up with them tomorrow.

After that, you get crackin'. Hours and cigarettes fly by as you point, click, and drag, rendering vector by vector as you work long into the night, and after one last save, you decide to lay down on the ratty couch in the corner, and get some sleep.

Dawn comes, and you sleep. Noon comes, and you awake, less rested and more craving nicotine than anything. Your computer is flashing that you have four unread messages in your inbox.

>>21424627

Light a cig, check our email

>>21424627
Ignore the flashing message, can't be important.

>>21424627
Light a cigarette, read the emails. They're probably important.

>>21424627
Light a fag and check the mail.

>>21424637
>>21424646
huh. okay

>>21424636
>>21424646

You slump into your chair, and pull the last cig from your pack. You light it, then check the notification.

You have four emails. You just click on the first one, intending to just check them in order.

The first one is from Wan Lee Hatamoto, which consists of a single sentence telling you he wondered when you would finally want to meet him about which engine you want to use, and when he can start overseeing the installation and conversion. It isn't terribly polite.

The next is from Janine, reminding you that Goddard doesn't know how much money they have, so you'd better meet with her at some point before the dealer shows up to get an idea of your budget.

The third is from Ivan, and is a video of a cat falling off a windowsill, after trying to jump at a bird sitting on a neighboring fence.

The last one is from Dieter VonBraun, introducing himself pleasantly and saying he would very much like to meet you.

>>21424688
Even in the 31st century, there are cat video spammers.

>>21424688

Alright then. Order of the day: Wan Lee, Janine, then Dieter, the latter over a meal, and/or beer. Wan Lee gets priority because he's a jackass, and we need to show him that we are not jackasses, so hopefully he becomes less of one. Janine gets secondary because money. Dieter seems a pretty chill dude, so we'll meet him in a pretty chill way.

>>21424688
Arrange to meet both the techs, laugh at the cat video and tell Janine you can meet after you see the techs.

>Investigate the history of the civil war on Larsha in 3030

I want to know if we won

>>21424709
Agreeing to this schedule. Especially the "over beer" part. Beer and brats.

>>21424709
>>21424713
Do we need to meet the techs together or separately?

>>21424688
Oh Ivan, you wonderful person you.

Pop an email off to Hatamoto with the current design specs and a note saying it's still a work in progress and that we're planning on using the GM Fusion Engine 175, say we'll meet with him after lunch so he has a chance to look over stuff.

Send an email to VonBraun asking him to meet us for lunch.

Email Janine saying we'll see her after we visit the techs.

Reply to Ivan with an email that says "Lol, cats."

>>21424688
This is good >>21424726

>>21424709
>>21424726

(Which order do you all think? I see two votes for both)

>>21424726

I vote this.

>>21424749
Techs first, they might give us requirements for new equipment. We need to know all our monetary requirements before discussing the budget.

(Alright, meeting techs seems to be a priority, which makes some sense I suppose since the dealer isn't coming for a day or two more)

You send the requisite emails, and finish your cigarette. After a few minutes cleaning up some minor details on Hazard Pay you didn't notice last night, you decide to head to lunch.

An email notice pops up; it's Dieter saying he'd love to meet over lunch in his shed; he'll have the food brought over if you're ready now.

>>21424804
He who hesitates is lost, onwards.

>>21424804
Dude's a bro. Let us discuss fusion and fusion accessories.

>>21424808

You make your way downstairs, and see Janine talking to the elder woman you saw smoking in the lobby with Goddard last night. She's wearing the same grungy coveralls, and has the same spanner. She nods at you in the same way as you pass, and Janine turns to face you.

"Get my email?"

>>21424804
TO THE SHED!

Hopefully we have another pack of cigarettes somewhere as we just ran out.

>>21424827
"Yep. I just got up and replied, said I'd meet with you after I met with the techies, discussed technical stuff and had lunch.

More importantly I'm out of cigarettes."

>>21424827
"Yes, I'm just going to pay a visit to the techs first to see if there are any going to be any unexpected costs. Should see you in an hour or so at your office."

>>21424827
"Yes ma'am - I'm sorry, but I have to hash it out with the 'techs first. Need to make sure we know all the variables before we talk C-bills"
Smile and nod toward the elderly woman. (is that Ivan? I'm getting the vibe..) and ask Janine if she can introduce us.

>>21424855
Nah, Ivan is the giant Russian who works as a fabricator/mechanic.

>>21424827
Last thread we saw the older woman talking to Goddard and a young woman, was the young woman Janine? Either way we should actually say hi this time.

>>21424821
>>21424828
>>21424841
>>21424847

She nods, and goes back to her conversation with the tech-looking woman.

You head outside, and across the tarmac, hearing Ivan's yelling long before you see him. He's overseeing some laborers that are relocating a tank of some sort, and he doesn't seem to like their lifting technique. You think if you spoke Russian your ears might be bleeding right now.

You arrive at the Physics shed, which has a sign above it that says 'Physics Shed'. Quaint.

You knock on the door, and a familiar face answers. It's the man you saw Janine chasing out of her quonset yesterday, and he seems as meek as they come.

Short, elderly Dr. VonBraun introduces himself again, in person, and invites you in. His shed is small, about 11mx11m, and houses all sorts of electronic clutter. Pings and beeps everywhere, and you wonder how you will hold a conversation in this din.

>>21424882

(no, the girl you saw was in coveralls just like the older woman you see now, and saw then. janine dresses too sharply for that)

>>21424883
"So, did you end up getting your modulator?"

>>21424883
"Nice to meet you Dr. VonBraun, I'm Daniel Holdt.

We're going to be working together from now on so I hope we can get along."

Shake his hand, get to know him, ask what it is exactly he does, ask about the electronics.

>>21424889
>>21424897

He smiles and shakes your hand with a fairly firm grip.

"Good to meet you, Daniel. And yes, I will be getting my new modulator, which is good news for you, because I will be able to test your design once Ivan sees that it is built."

He gestures to an old wooden chair, and he himself sits in a rather worn paisley armchair, with handcarved wooden legs and arms.

"Well, as you might know, I am the chief physics technician here. My job is to stress test any chassis we produce, as well as oversee weapons testing. Ballistics mostly, but I have the equipment to handle most testing jobs. I constructed much of this myself, you see. It is very specialized."

>>21424924
"It'll be a bit before 'Hazard Pay' is ready for testing but I'll get it to you as fast as I can. Its armaments are going to be mainly lasers and missiles. Autocannons are just so fucking heavy.

Nice chair by the way."

>>21424924
Suggest filing patents. Surely SOMEONE out there will buy the designs.

>>21424924
Is it our job or his job to figure out how much armor we can throw on to the chassis?

>>21424924
Customization, eh? Anyway he might be able to reduce the weight of those bloody 45's?

>>21424943
>>21424953
>>21424957

Dieter chuckles.

"Oh, I am sure I could make some money selling my ideas, but what would be the point? I live for my work, and if I sat on a royalty check I would die of boredom. And I'm already old, so that might happen too fast for my liking."

He pats the chair tenderly.

"I see you have good taste in furniture. My father made this chair with his own two hands. I try to keep it in good repair but I don't know anything about upholstery, so... it is showing its age sadly."

You nod, and inquire about the armor/stress tests.

"Ahh yes, well what I do know is how to break things, or at least subject them to adverse conditions, and how to measure the result. What I don't know is all the nuance of design. So... I can help you test if you can add more armor to something, or where you might have to remove some, but I can't give you a baseline to work with. That's more your expertise."

A knock at the door reveals the younger girl from yesterday, with two brown cardboard boxes and a thermos. Dieter thanks her and takes the goods, and she smiles at you a little before giving him a hug and trotting off.

Rolled 99

>>21425004
Rolling to ban 45mm autocannons forever.

>>21424957
It is our job to ask 'can I put this much armour on?' and his to say 'nope'.

>>21425012
Inquire about the woman.

>>21425012
He can file the patents under the company's name. We reeeeally need the money.

>>21425012
"Ooh, lunch. Who's she? Daughter?

There anything I can do to make your job easier as I design it?"

>>21425047
>Ooh, lunch. Who's she? Daughter?
Ahahaha implications.

>>21425047
"Yes. You could make the weapons modular so when they don't work right, we can swap them for ones that DO."

>>21425033

He frowns.

"Hmm, I hadn't thought of that, but I just started working for them a few weeks ago, so... I can't say I was sure that I would have even stayed. But maybe now that we've settled in here..."

He blinks, and starts doling out the food.

"The girl? That is my niece, Ilsa. She and her mother work with Ivan in the bay. They are fabricators, and very good at what they do. Her mother and I have worked at the same facilities for years; where she goes I go, and vice versa."

File: 1352022871238.jpg-(6 KB, 137x167, kornheiser_tony_l[1].jpg)

>>21425015

>>21425070
Did I win?

>>21425069
Ask how he came to work for Goddard.

>>21425069
"They seem nice, though I haven't gotten a chance to really talk to them yet.

So how'd you end up here? Also is there anything I show know about Hatamoto before I meet with him?"

>>21425047

Dieter laughs at this.

"Yes, you can make it perfect! And if you do, I would probably be so bored testing it that I might fall asleep in the process. Easy is not what I thrive on, Mr. Holdt. I prefer a challenge."

You have in front of you sauerkraut, sausage, potatoes, noodles, and beer of some kind. It all tastes quite buttery. Dieter talks as you eat.

"Goddard found me working for another firm. Poached me I suppose, when he convinced Wanda that some of the techs were harassing Ilsa, and she decided to get her away from all that."

>>21425069
Or perhaps money from the royalties can be deposited in a account for his family, used to either buy shares in this company, or simply as a thrust fund.

>>21425099
Finish lunch, make polite small talk, firmly shake his hand and tell him it was a pleasure meeting him. There isn't much else we can do for him without a working design.

>>21425099
Ah, German food, what a wonderful thing.

Eat, drink, get to know him better, get his take on Hatamoto, Ivan, Goddard and Janine.

>>21425086
>>21425124
>>21425106

You spend some time speaking with Dieter, and he seems to be a soft-spoken, passionate man who might be a bit narrow of view. He seems to live for his work, and simply goes with the flow.

He tells you that he thinks Ivan is a good boss for Wanda and Ilsa, and approves of him as a person. He doesn't like his language, but then again he doesn't like cursing much. He does think Ivan is a good pick for his duty, and thinks Goddard did well finding him.

His opinion of Janine is that she needs to relax, and lower her stress levels. But he admits she has a knack for finding money.

He respects Goddard for having dreams and ambition, but worries that he might overreach.

Hatamoto... he simply states he has professional respect for, and leaves it at that.

>>21425159
>Ivan
Well at least he curses in Russian, right?
>Hatamoto
Probe. We must know moooore.

>>21425159
Looks like our next meeting isn't going to be as pleasant.

>>21425159
Don't push him on Hatamoto. He doesn't seem to like saying ill of other people. We'll have to experience it first-hand.

Finish up lunch, thank him for having us and then go to meet Hatamoto.

>>21425201
This, he made a point of avoiding the subject, don't probe him.

>>21425190
>>21425201
>>21425212

You finish your food, and thank Dieter for his time. He asks you to forward a copy of the schematic to him as soon as you can, and you tell him your target time is two weeks, to which he laughs and clasps you on the back.

"You're a good boy Mr. Holdt. I look forward to working with you."

You take your leave, and head down the row of shacks to what seems to be the nicest-looking one of the lot. It has no sign, but it does have some Oriental-looking deco on the door and near the doorframe. This must be the place.

>>21425235
Make a point of knocking and awaiting an invitation, make sure we pay attention to whether Hatamoto has left his shoes at the door.

>>21425235
Knock politely, say that it's Daniel Holdt, the new designer and engineer. Say that we sent him an email earlier and wanted to talk.

Wait for him to invite us in, be careful of etiquette and so on.

>>21425235
Knock, wait for him to invite us in, and FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LOOK DOWN TO SEE IF WE SHOULD LEAVE OUR SHOES AT THE DOOR!

>>21425279
>>21425263
>>21425254

You knock at the door, and look down to see if Hatamoto leaves his shoes on the stoop.

As you kick yours off, the door opens quickly, and you see a middle-aged Asian man looking cooly at you, one shoe on, one shoe off, standing on his stoop.

"Holdt? Finish taking off your shoes and enter."

He walks away and leaves the door open for you.

>>21425305
Finish taking our shoes off and enter, being careful not to touch anything.

>>21425315
This

>>21425305
Finish taking them off, come inside, wait for him to sit down, and preferably for him to indicate a place for us to sit, before we take a seat. Don't touch anything.

Then talk to him about engines, power drain, heat dispersion and mech design.

File: 1352025160093.gif-(1.71 MB, 280x150, 1352016782633[1].gif)

>AC/2 battlemech for militias

File: 1352025181561.jpg-(27 KB, 228x335, 228px-MechWarrior_Online_(...).jpg)

>Paired missile systems of the short and long range variety.
>some medium lasers.
>a more fire support role for its weight class

Holy crap we're building a mini stalker. Is it too late to go back to chicken legs? :3

Also maybe Hunter would be a good name for it, in homage to it. Or perhaps Enforcer for its garrison duty/guard type deally.

>>21425330
derp. sarna says enforcer is a mech. Figures.

>>21425330
Get out of here. We can't name it until we have a working prototype.

>>21425330
Get out of here Stalker.
>>21425328
NOBODY WANTS TO USE FUCKING AC/2S EXCEPT MAYBE TO MAKE A FRANKENGUN!

File: 1352025367185.jpg-(301 KB, 1024x1632, Frankengun.jpg)

>>21425342
FRANKENGUN?!

File: 1352025383254.jpg-(152 KB, 1200x900, H3GyU.jpg)

>>21425340
>>21425342
Ny-ron~

>>21425315
>>21425319
>>21425323

You remove your other shoe, and carefully enter.

The inside of the shed is stark by comparison to Dieter's. There is little business, and it is quiet. There is an aquarium containing some koi, a few tables with highly organized equipment, and two chairs set in the middle of the room.

Hatamoto gestures to one of them, and sits in the other before you can be seated yourself.

"You made some haste in meeting with me. I was hoping you would come before dark, and I was not disappointed. This is good."

Hatamoto eyes you a bit, and nods.

"You are far more punctual than Richard. That will do."

>>21425342
This, even the dice gods hate AC2s.

>>21425354
I lold much harder than I probably should have.

>>21425342

(... I like AC/2s. I use the AC/2 version of the Clint and field two Blackjacks. Of course, I play Cappie, so...)

>>21425351
God that story was horribly written, how do you fuck up Superman fighting twin clones of Hitler in a post apocalypse earth? HOW!?

>>21425368
By having a ham-fisted anti-gun "message" with all the subtlety of a freight train up the dickhole when you solved all your problems with guns?

>>21425355
"So far everyone I have spoken with is in agreement that Richard was a horrible person that ruined everything he touched. Is there a single thing he did right?"
We must know this, and surpass that as well.

>>21425355
Inform him we will be striving our utmost for the company, and ask if he would like to look over our preliminary design to see if it is viable from an energy point. Be sure not to be boastful.

>>21425386
Instead of saying it like that, ask what mistakes Richard made so that we can avoid doing the same. Hatamoto has no reason to respect us yet.

>>21425355
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Hatamoto.

I came to meet with you about the GM Fusion Engine 175, the future installation of it, and any other aspects of the mech where your expertise is relevant such as power distribution, heat dissipation and the lasers.

I trust you have seen the schematics so far, I know there isn't much yet, I just started on them. I assure you that more will be done soon and I'll keep you updated."

Replace Mr. with Dr. if he's a Dr. or San if that's common parlance.

>>21425386
>>21425393
These.

>>21425394
>>21425393
>>21425387
>>21425386

You tell Hatamoto you had emailed him some schematics, to which he nods and states that, according to his calculations of projected speed and consumption, that modifying the 175u engine they have will be sufficient. He adds that now that he knows your proposed tonnage, and the general dimensions of the product, he can start to work adjusting the power output, and figuring out where to place the heat sinks for maximum effect.

You explain that you are trying to find why Richard was so disagreeable, and he scoffs, simply stating that Richard was lazy, and poorly trained.

"I have worked with many incompetents in my day. He was infuriatingly lazy and unfocused."

Hatamoto brings up the schematics of the Hazard Pay, pointing where he believes the fusion plant should go, the wiring layout, and other points. He says that the 'Mech needs to be a bit barrel-chested to accomplish this, since the fusion block is second-hand, and making it fit will require reverse-engineering the chassis instead of making a custom plant for it like normal.

He seems very professional. Perhaps not polite, but not rude either. All business, no wasted words.

>>21425428
A product of Asian parentage.

>>21425428
New side goal. Get this guy drunk. It either end in disaster or hilarity. Maybe both.

File: 1352026400955.jpg-(7 KB, 440x113, 40 mike mike.jpg)

>>21425342
Depending on the action it would actually be pretty simple to combine them into some sort of mutant UAC/2 or increase the rate of fire enough to count as an ad hoc AC/5

>>21425428
Immediately make a note of the new dimensions, I don't see Hatamoto taking it well if we have to make him say things twice.

>>21425428
We can live with professional.

Take note of everything he is saying, he knows his stuff and won't want to say it twice. Talk shop for a while, keep focused on the topic at hand, don't brag or boast but show the fact that we're competent.

>>21425456
> I don't see Hamtaro taking it well
It's time for me to sleep.

>>21425464
HAH

>>21425428
See if he needs us to obtain any special parts, we can discuss it with Janine when we leave and keep an eye out when we meet the dealer.

>>21425447
I predict that it ends in him wearing his tie like a headband and getting into barfights while shouting the theme to a tokusatsu series.

>>21425456
>>21425462
>>21425469

You take some notes with your data tablet, and he gives you some of his files to take with you.

When you ask him if he needs anything special to see to it that the installation goes properly, he informs you that he can have Ivan fabricate what he needs in that regard, but that he would like you to see if the arms dealer has Freezers, which you recognize as parlance for Double Heat Sinks. He explains that he thinks the energy draw from the 175u is sufficiently low to put them to work, and keep your design cooler than it could be normally.

You agree, but you know they are EXPENSIVE, and you doubt the dealer will have any.

>>21425485
Thank him for meeting us, bow/shake hands depending on how he does things and collect our shoes.