Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Stories => Topic started by: Silver Fox on January 15, 2015, 09:32:34 AM

Title: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on January 15, 2015, 09:32:34 AM
Time to start a new story...

I am roused to consciousness by my sensors detecting a hyperspace emergence. I calculate that it has been 271.987 years since I reduced myself to standby status after the last signal was received from the colony on the world below. I have no way to determine if the human colony failed, felled by some enemy I am not equipped to combat. The information is not comforting. I am Unit GAL-228 of the Line. I should be able to defend my human charges from any enemy, but I know that humans are comparatively frail. They are subject to disease, attack at the microscopic level. No BOLO can battle such a foe. It is possible that there are survivors on the planet though, any number of reason could have caused them to have lost, or abandoned, technology.

I have insufficient information on the new arrival in this star system. It is possible that this is a scout from another surviving human world, it is also possible that this is a scout from either the old enemy, or a new one.

For now I wait. If they newcomers are friends they will be welcomed, and know that the Dinochrome Brigade still guards this human outpost.

If it is a foe, they will discover that the Dinochrome Brigade GUARDS this planet.

For now I wait and monitor my passive instruments.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on January 15, 2015, 11:22:59 AM
Bolos rock! Waiting for the next section eagerly!

Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: elmayerle on January 15, 2015, 01:04:31 PM
Looking forward to the next installment.  BOLOs are definitely one of Keith Laumer's most enduring creations (mind you, I also quite enjoy his "Retief" stories).
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: apophenia on January 16, 2015, 07:00:04 AM
Looking forward to this!  :)

Looking forward to the next installment.  BOLOs are definitely one of Keith Laumer's most enduring creations (mind you, I also quite enjoy his "Retief" stories).

Yeah but some of them look seriously underarmed  ;D
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on January 16, 2015, 10:02:33 AM
Yes, some of the BOLO Marks are a little under equipped. :)
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on January 16, 2015, 11:53:33 AM
An orbiting BOLO...cool!

Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on January 18, 2015, 09:03:15 AM
Sorry for the delay. I thought I would have more time to write this weekend and it didn't happen.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on January 26, 2015, 01:54:00 AM
The Basestar had been separated from the fleet. The pursuit of the humans had required several detachments to examine trails that might have meant part of the human refugees had fled their main fleet. This planet had not been the goal, but emerging from FTL drive 300 light years away they had detected the electronic spoor of humanity. The signals were strange, not the usual patterns used by the Colonials. Visual imagery confirmed the signals to be of human origin though, and the Imperious Leaders decree that no human be left alive was paramount. This planet would be investigated, and if humans were found they would be eradicated.

A trio of Raiders launched, tasked with determining if the planets were inhabited, and what defences it held. There were no current emanations in the electromagnetic spectrum from the planet. Several signals were being received, but they all appeared to be from automated systems. None of that mattered, humans may remain on the planet despite the lack of signals, reconnaissance would determine how best to eradicate them.

I detect the launch of a trio of small craft from the new arrival. I briefly consider that this is a strike package, requiring 0.00187 seconds to discount the probability. Human history suggests that any spacefaring race will have undergone an aerial warfare phase and mutual support considerations will have lead to even numbers of tactical craft.

The most likely possibility, 98.328% certainty, is that this is some form of escorted reconnaissance mission. This does not indicate hostility, merely prudence. An unknown system, bearing unknown threats is hardly the place to leave an intelligence asset unprotected.

I calculate a 99.999999981% probability that this behaviour indicates a higher level of tactical knowledge. Most certainly this arrival, whoever they are, has had a period of warfare. I bring my Battle Reflex Center online.

It may prove to be needed.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: GTX_Admin on January 26, 2015, 03:21:37 AM
This is getting better...
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: elmayerle on January 26, 2015, 04:05:01 AM
*snicker* Oh, dear, methinks someone is in for a very, very rude shock with regard to their tech level.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on January 26, 2015, 04:29:32 AM
Aboard the lead Raider, sitting in the Command position was a Gold Centurion, the leadership caste. It monitored the position of the two other Raiders and the sensors of its own craft. As the Raiders neared the planet the tell-tale signs of human habitation started to appear. Cleared fields, roads, then buildings all stood out in contrast to the wilderness covering most of the planet. There was no evidence of detection or even defences.

The Command Centurion opened a communication channel, “Evidence of human infestation detected. Attack! Annihilate the Colonials.”

“Evidence of human infestation detected. Attack! Annihilate the Colonials.” I surge to full capability, the newcomers are hostile. I have been tracking the three small vessels as well as their mothership. The mothership remains out of practical engagement range, the three attack craft do not.

Three of my secondary hellbores have been tracking the attack craft, I now fire. The range is sufficient that it will be 2.9345 seconds before impact. The enemy will have no warning of my fire though, hellbores are lightspeed weapons in a vacuum.

3 seconds after firing I calculate that my secondary hellbores were an application of excessive force. Nothing remains of the attack craft. I bring my antigravity systems online. I am incapable of long-range spaceflight, but I can easily return to the moon the humans named Aphrodite. Once back on Aphrodite I will have access to materials and the gravity anchor needed to carry out a successful defence of this planet.

I detect the mothership launching again. No mere triplet of attack craft, I detect 47 launches. They vector for the planet, apparently intent to attack. I cannot permit this. I calculate a 97.748654% chance that radiating on a primitive frequency and using an archaic waveform will attract the attackers into my range. Once there they will be easily destroyed.

I configure one of my tertiary emitter arrays to mimic the emissions of the output of the archaic radar system known as the SPY-17. 12.6587 seconds after activating the emitter the attacker turn toward me. I sense primitive attempts to “jam” my signal. I assign 0.00034% of my processing capacity to fight an electronic warfare battle with the hostiles. They are attempting to defeat the SPY-17.

They remain unaware that I am not using it.

Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: deathjester on January 26, 2015, 04:48:00 AM
And now a Bolo story?  Oh, you wonderful fellow!!
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Alvis 3.1 on January 26, 2015, 08:11:18 AM
Awesome, toasters getting their asses handed to them by a Bolo!


Alvis 3.1
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Volkodav on January 26, 2015, 10:36:05 AM
Awesome, toasters getting their asses handed to them by a Bolo!


Alvis 3.1

I do love stories that have bullies and psychopaths walking into situations in which they are completely, unknowingly, overmatched and pick a fight! ;D
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: elmayerle on January 26, 2015, 10:58:39 AM
Oops, someone is going to run into a new and totally unexpected enemy.  It's ironic that neither is organic.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: deathjester on February 05, 2015, 05:17:16 AM
Awesome, toasters getting their asses handed to them by a Bolo!


Alvis 3.1

I do love stories that have bullies and psychopaths walking into situations in which they are completely, unknowingly, overmatched and pick a fight! ;D

I think the phrase here is 'laughably overmatched' - they'll be knee deep in Nukes before long!!!
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 26, 2015, 03:19:26 AM
Any updates to this?
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on April 26, 2015, 07:18:51 AM
Sorry, I got badly sidetracked by other issues. Every time I sit down to write, I haven't something else squeezing it's way out of my head.

I'll jump back on this soon, I hope!
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on December 08, 2018, 02:11:19 PM
Sorry folks. I haven’t written anything in more than 2 years. Severe depression and the intense feeling of imposter syndrome. That feeling that I can’t write, because nobody would want to read it. I’m fighting back. It’s not easy.


I “know” I can write. I just don’t feel like I can. Doesn’t make sense. Those who have suffered will understand.


Take care of yourselves.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: finsrin on December 08, 2018, 02:41:36 PM
Good to hear from you.  Sorry about the difficulties - really.
Please do what you can when you can and share.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: elmayerle on December 09, 2018, 01:18:29 AM
Good to hear from you.  Sorry about the difficulties - really.
Please do what you can when you can and share.
Seconded!!  I love your work and have re-read it multiple times for enjoyment.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: arkon on December 11, 2018, 01:24:49 AM
I know everyone knows the toasters will lose but I’m still rooting for them !
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: apophenia on December 11, 2018, 07:11:28 AM
Sorry folks. I haven’t written anything in more than 2 years. Severe depression and the intense feeling of imposter syndrome. That feeling that I can’t write, because nobody would want to read it. I’m fighting back. It’s not easy.

I “know” I can write. I just don’t feel like I can. Doesn’t make sense. Those who have suffered will understand.

Take care of yourselves.

Indeed. There is a "99.999999981% probability" that you'll feel the writing bug again. But there's also "98.328% certainty" that depression will fight you all the way :P

So, just like imposter syndrome and alien invaders, depression needs its ass kicked! Keep fighting 'Fox  :smiley:
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: dogsbody on December 23, 2018, 12:49:42 PM
Sorry folks. I haven’t written anything in more than 2 years. Severe depression and the intense feeling of imposter syndrome. That feeling that I can’t write, because nobody would want to read it. I’m fighting back. It’s not easy.


I “know” I can write. I just don’t feel like I can. Doesn’t make sense. Those who have suffered will understand.


Take care of yourselves.


I'd definitely like to read more. Good stories are fairly rare.


Chris
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Volkodav on December 23, 2018, 04:52:43 PM
Definitely hanging out for the next installment.  I am ashamed to admit I hadn't heard of Bolos before your work in this topic and have since chassed it up on Kindle.  Thanks not only for your work, which I am actually enjoying more than the other Bolo pieces I have now read, but also for putting me onto the genre.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on March 24, 2019, 02:12:07 PM
I have returned to the surface of Aphrodite and gain the maneuverability needed for the defence of the planet. The electronic battle continues, the hostile force attempting to defeat the SPY-17 radar I am mimicking.

My plans to lure the hostile force is shattered by the unexpected. A powerful signal from the surface indicates the space field defenses have become active. The hostiles immediately break away from the attack on me and maneuver to evade the threat I pose. I engage at long range with my secondary hellbores, but I calculate that the extreme range will limit me to 29 kills before the attackers evade me. 18 will make it to the colony, and I calculate only a 73.887% chance the defenses can drive them off or destroy them without direct Bolo support.

I offer a silent apology to the memory of my last commander. Major Pritchard has always claimed that the “panzers and combat cars” would serve not only his own war gaming entertainment, but would prove useful in battle. I now send the command to the automated Bolo maintenance facility to activate the units. 27.546 seconds later the 4 panzers and 8 combat cars surge out of the depot.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Silver Fox on March 31, 2019, 02:31:50 AM
The convoy of panzers and combat cars managed to exceed 80 km/h on the stabilized plasticrete roadway linking the Bolo maintenance facility to the spaceport. I expend 4.86 seconds on designating initial combat positions for the 4 panzers. There is a hill 11.18 kilometers from the spaceport on a bearing of 263.8 degrees. Each panzer is armed with a 20cm hellbore as main armament and a secondary infinite repeater. The hellbores should allow the panzers to sweep the airspace above the spaceport. I lacked information on the current location of any human habitation. The original city having been abandoned at the same time as the signals from the surface had ceased.

The fictional vehicles they are based on were suggested to be 60 ton, fusion-powered hover tanks. As constructed by the maintenance facility they weigh 58.6 tons and do indeed have the fans, ductwork and plenum chambers of an air-cushion vehicle. They are not true “hovertanks” however. The energy budget to drive the infinite repeater and the hellbore meant the panzers would have had extremely poor performance off of prepared surfaces. Major Pritchard has decided to “cheat” slightly. Each panzer therefore incorporated a 50 ton capacity antigravity cargo pallet at the top of the plenum chamber.

The combat cars followed a similar design philosophy. They weighed 44.7 tons each and were armed with  3 pintle mounted infinite repeaters.

Both types of vehicle were designed for semi-autonomous operation or control by the Bolo maintenance facility. The vehicles were tied into the dedicated tactical data link. I could receive data from their comparatively weak sensor suites and update both tactical and strategic objectives.

The AI capabilities of the vehicles were barely better than a Mark 18 Bolo. They were more than sufficient for a task as simple as excluding any airborne/space borne vehicle from a protected area.
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: Old Wombat on March 31, 2019, 09:21:40 PM
Seems to be a cross-over of BOLO's & Hammer's Slammers going on here. ;)
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: deathjester on April 01, 2019, 05:12:16 AM
Brilliant!! Great to see you writing again!
Title: Re: Unit GAL of the Line
Post by: elmayerle on April 07, 2019, 11:30:59 AM
Seems to be a cross-over of BOLO's & Hammer's Slammers going on here. ;)
Definitely seems like it, or an inspiration of an officer by the Hammer's Slammers stories (if nothing else, the presence of a major character in those stories with his last name would catch his interest).  It's a delightful addition and this reader is looking forward to more installments.
Addendum:  If you go by Cross the Stars, a novel set in the Slammers universe after Alios Hammer has become president of Friesland, Danny Pritchard is his political heir apparent.  So, yeah, I can an officer with the last name of Pritchard taking quite an interest in the tools of the Hammer's Slammers universe.  Oh, and Cross the Stars is an excellent story in its own right, inspired by The Odyssey as David Drake admits freely in his introduction to the definitive volume published by Baen.