Difference between revisions of "Guardian"

Latest revision as of 06:59, 26 December 2012

Starship Databank Entry

When the Androsynth departed Earth en masse in 2085 during the Clone Revolt, no Human knew of the means to initiate faster-than-light travel. Cunning, imaginative and resourceful, the Androsynth outwitted their human creators by keeping a low profile until their means of escape came to fruition. In retrospect, it should have been no surprise that the pride of their space fleet, the dumpy little blue pod known as the Guardian would hide something more sinister inside its modest packaging, the sight of one quickly becoming the the greatest fear among Human military personnel. Near the the end of the Ur-Quan Slave War, the Androsynth Hit-and-Run squadrons along the Coreward Front occasionally used modified Guardians capable of extended Blazer modes, giving them greater range, mobility and destructive potential.

Propulsion[edit]

The Guardian is quite slow in its normal configuration, though it can still outrun an Intruder even with its low maximum speed. The ship's acceleration is quick, while its turning rate is poor.

Blazer form is entirely different. That is to say, it's blindingly fast. Blazer movement is non-inertial, meaning the ship will instantly surge forward at full speed upon transformation and maintain this speed as it turns. Turning rate also improves significantly in this state, though it remains a bit restrictive while moving at Blazer speed. Instant acceleration yet delayed turning gives the Blazer an odd, jagged feel during maneuver.

Armament[edit]

Primary[edit]

The Guardian's main weapon is a molecular acid sphere launcher. Although chemical in nature, the spheres can track a predesignated target from a respectable distance. The spheres can also distinguish friend from foe and will not damage the Guardian that launched them. Acid spheres are slow compared to other projectiles, but their duration is quite long and a Guardian can launch them in numbers significant enough to cover a wide area around itself. This weapon's erratic homing pattern makes it difficult for enemies to maneuver around. Each sphere will inflict two damage upon contact.

Secondary[edit]

The Guardian can compact into a ball and launch itself like a battering ram at enemy craft. This "Blazer" boasts incredible speed and attack power. Each collision kills three enemy crew, though a Blazer will often crash against its target's hull multiple times in a short period before bouncing off in another direction. Once initiated, Blazer mode will slowly drain the Guardian's energy reserves until they are empty, then the ship will revert back to its normal state and come to a dead stop.

Tactical Overview[edit]

Blazer mode is powerful enough for the Guardian to charge right in and bash most other ships to death. When the Guardian's battery gets low during a Blazer attack, it's best to use that last bit of energy to retreat to a safe distance so as to recover energy in relative safely. Blazer charges are best initiated with a full battery to get as much time to attack as possible.

The Blazer has no wind-up time to speak of, making it quite useful even when low on energy. Low energy blazer hops can be used to hit a nearby assailant by surprise when the Guardian appears vulnerable or to perform a quick leap away from imminent danger.

If a Blazer manages to wedge itself into an enemy ship, that ship will disintegrate almost immediately. Some craft have obvious structural weaknesses which a blazer can wedge into consistently. The back fins of an Orz Nemesis, the wings of a Chmmr Avatar, or the many gaps between Spathi Eluder prongs make for excellent wedge points, for example. Blazer wedging has been known to occur during seemingly normal collisions as well.

A few ships are mobile enough to consistently evade the Blazer. Against these ships, acid bubbles make for a good defensive weapon. When spamming bubbles, it's easier to cover a wide area by activating the weapon in short, separated bursts as opposed to dumping the Guardian's entire battery all at once.

Minutiae[edit]

The Guardian's victory tune is the song 'Mongoloid' by the band Devo. Its crew portrait also resembles the band. Furthermore, the captain will sometimes be named Booji, a reference to the character "Booji Boy" from Devo's mythology.

There was a bug which consisted of the following: When an Androsynth Guardian in Blazer mode is drained of its last energy by a DOGI, the Blazer mode isn't fully turned off; the ship retains it ability to do damage by impact. (bug #283).

3DO	Androsynth Guardian

Basic stats

Crew: 20	Value: 15 pts
Battery: 24	Batt. Regeneration: 0.111 units/frame

Armament

Primary: Molecular Acid Bubbles	Secondary: Blazer form
Refire delay: 0 frames	Refire delay: 0 frames
Energy use: 3 units	Energy use: 2 units

Propulsion

Max speed: 24 (60) world units/frame	Turn rate: 0.2 (0.5) facings/frame
Acceleration: 3 units/frame	Mass: 6

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+[[Image:Star_control_i_androsynth_guardian_databank.png|thumb|306px|Starship Databank Entry]]
-[[Image:Star_control_i_androsynth_guardian_databank.png|thumb|Databank entry for the Guardian.]]
+When the [[Androsynth]] departed [[Earth]] ''en masse'' in 2085 during the [[Clone Revolt]], no [[Human]] knew of the means to initiate faster-than-light travel. Cunning, imaginative and resourceful, the Androsynth outwitted their human creators by keeping a low profile until their means of escape came to fruition. In retrospect, it should have been no surprise that the pride of their space fleet, the dumpy little blue pod known as the '''Guardian''' would hide something more sinister inside its modest packaging, the sight of one quickly becoming the the greatest fear among Human military personnel. Near the the end of the [[Ur-Quan Slave War]], the Androsynth Hit-and-Run squadrons along the [[Coreward Front]] occasionally used modified Guardians capable of extended [[Blazer]] modes, giving them greater range, mobility and destructive potential.
-==Overview==
-When the [[Androsynth]] departed [[Earth]] ''en masse'' in 2085 during the [[Clone Revolt]], no [[Human]] had ever imagined that one could take to the stars at faster-than-light speed. Clever, cunning, and imaginative, the Androsynth outwitted their human creators at every turn by keeping low-key until an opportunity presented itself. In retrospect, it should have been no surprise that the pride of their space fleet, the dumpy little blue pod known as the '''Guardian''', would hide something a bit more sinister inside its modest packaging, the sight of one quickly becoming the ultimate fear of all mankind.
-==Speed and control==
+==Propulsion==
-In its normal configuration, the Guardian is far from the fastest ship around, but it can still beat the pants off an [[Intruder]]. With its turning rated slightly below average and its acceleration only slightly above, the "wow!" factor of this ship is dismal.
+The Guardian is quite slow in its normal configuration, though it can still outrun an [[Intruder]] even with its low maximum speed. The ship's acceleration is quick, while its turning rate is poor.
-However, in [[#Secondary|Blazer]] form, the "wow!" factor soars higher in the sky than an [[Ur-Quan Kzer-Za|Ur-Quan]]-imposed slave starbase. Speed? Faster than [[Fred Ford|God]]! Turning? On the ''edge'' of a dime! Acceleration to full speed? Slightly quicker than the infamous nanosecond [[Syreen]] handjob! The only problem is that its "wow!" leaves as quickly as it comes. Then you're back to being your normal, puny, limping blue pod self. No puns intended.
+[[Blazer]] form is entirely different. That is to say, it's blindingly fast. Blazer movement is non-inertial, meaning the ship will instantly surge forward at full speed upon transformation and maintain this speed as it turns. Turning rate also improves significantly in this state, though it remains a bit restrictive while moving at Blazer speed. Instant acceleration yet delayed turning gives the Blazer an odd, jagged feel during maneuver.
 ==Armament==
 ===Primary===
-The Guardian's main weaponry is an acidic bubble launcher. The acid bubbles themselves are specially engineered with highly-intensified surface tension cohesion in order to survive the rigors of space. pH levels of these molecular space-mines are so acidic that no substance outside a laboratory setting has been able to withstand contact with it.
+The Guardian's main weapon is a molecular acid sphere launcher. Although chemical in nature, the spheres can track a predesignated target from a respectable distance. The spheres can also distinguish friend from foe and will not damage the Guardian that launched them. Acid spheres are slow compared to other projectiles, but their duration is quite long and a Guardian can launch them in numbers significant enough to cover a wide area around itself. This weapon's erratic homing pattern makes it difficult for enemies to maneuver around. Each sphere will inflict two damage upon contact.
-The acid itself seems to sense biological material as it always heads in the direction of the nearest living object! This inorganic-guidance mechanism has been dubbed "Chaos&trade; tracking" by the subject's premier reseachers. On top of that, the Guardian holds a great store of this bubble-creating acid that can be released nearly instantly without destroying the launcher or the vehicle!
-It still baffles scientists today as to how the Androsynth were so ingenious as to not only invent this substance, but to also build a space-faring weapon with such deadly effect to others without any detriment to itself or its crew! It is unfortunate that this secret may now be lost forever...
 ===Secondary===
-There is one of two ways to defeat an enemy in a head-on battle: be stronger or be faster. The Androsynth decided both options were best when they developed Blazer technology, and did they succeed! One tug of a rope and the Guardian sheds its crusty blue cocoon and morphs into a beautiful blazing deadly comet, which just about vaporizes anything it touches! Never mind the G-forces! This puppy gets so fast it can rip an [[Earthling]] [[Cruiser]] into shreds in seconds! Get it wedged into an [[Orz]] [[Nemesis]] and watch the fireworks ensue! Even [[Spathi]] captains try to wedge themselves deeper into their nooks when the big, bad Blazer comes a-knockin'. And they were on [[Battle Thralls|the same team]]!
+The Guardian can compact into a ball and launch itself like a battering ram at enemy craft. This "Blazer" boasts incredible speed and attack power. Each collision kills three enemy crew, though a Blazer will often crash against its target's hull multiple times in a short period before bouncing off in another direction. Once initiated, Blazer mode will slowly drain the Guardian's energy reserves until they are empty, then the ship will revert back to its normal state and come to a dead stop.
-There are a few bugs in the system though. Once the Blazer form has been initiated, it burns up all available fuel until there is none left. And once it does that, it reverts to normal form and comes to a dead stop like it was a space-anchor. And there's no better irony than when a Guardian's captain is peeling his face off the comm-screen after his Guardian ran out of gas, only to find a nuclear missle being forcibly shoved up his exhaust diffusor!
+==Tactical Overview==
-==Layout and design==
+* Blazer mode is powerful enough for the Guardian to charge right in and bash most other ships to death. When the Guardian's battery gets low during a Blazer attack, it's best to use that last bit of energy to retreat to a safe distance so as to recover energy in relative safely. Blazer charges are best initiated with a full battery to get as much time to attack as possible.
-Little blue beetle. Little blue space-buoy. Little blue traffic light. Little blue garbage can. The Androsynth are experts when it comes to being mocked. The humble, modest, petite Guardian is ''indeed'' little and ''indeed'' blue, but it roots are designed with utmost efficency.
-A small red, translucent cylinder makes up a small central crew cabin with enough room to house a minimal host of crew. Surrounded by bluish round discs that probably house the means to create and distribute the Chaos&trade;-tracking acid and topped with a little green acid launcher, the Guardian appears less menacing than an [[Umgah]] [[Drone]]. And don't be fooled by the comm-screen picture of the many Androsynth controlling the ship. It's a simple comm-screen-saver deftly engineered to hide the true Androsynths captain's orders.
+* The Blazer has no wind-up time to speak of, making it quite useful even when low on energy. Low energy blazer hops can be used to hit a nearby assailant by surprise when the Guardian appears vulnerable or to perform a quick leap away from imminent danger.
-Once in Blazer form, fear has a name. Perfectly round and engulfed with glowing red-pink fire, it becomes apparent why the Androsynth tolerate so many insults. It is because they ''indeed'' have the upper hand.
+* If a Blazer manages to wedge itself into an enemy ship, that ship will disintegrate almost immediately. Some craft have obvious structural weaknesses which a blazer can wedge into consistently. The back fins of an [[Orz]] [[Nemesis]], the wings of a [[Chmmr]] [[Avatar]], or the many gaps between [[Spathi]] [[Eluder]] prongs make for excellent wedge points, for example. Blazer wedging has been known to occur during seemingly normal collisions as well.
-==Miscellaneous==
+* A few ships are mobile enough to consistently evade the Blazer. Against these ships, acid bubbles make for a good defensive weapon. When spamming bubbles, it's easier to cover a wide area by activating the weapon in short, separated bursts as opposed to dumping the Guardian's entire battery all at once.
-===The Guardian as a Symbol===
-Below is an excerpt from P. N. [[Hawthorne]]'s ''The Rise and Fall of the Synthetic Empire'', published in 2198:
+==Minutiae==
-<small>
-:When the Androsynth blasted forth into the heavens, humanity found itself in a state of shock. '''How?''' many asked dumbly. '''How could they desert the hand that shaped their face?''' Few had understood why the wretched 'Synths would have taken such drastic action after the years of abuse from their less-than-benevolent "Creators." Off they went into the sky, off into a land where they could control their own destiny, and out of the hands of every human man, woman, and child... supposedly never to be seen again. It was too late for the human race to repent for its sins; the Androsynth were gone. And when their grief finally overwhelmed them, there would be no absolution.  Mankind was not able to ask forgiveness because they was no one left to ask forgiveness of.
-:And when [[First War|war]] came hurtling across the bounds of space and runneth over into Earth's threshold, and when humans were forced to face an unstoppable opponent, lo! it was an Androsynth face facing back. Their eyes shone. Their teeth glistened. They wanted pain! They wanted revenge! And they wanted blood... Their hatred fueled their return, and their cunning bolstered their resolve.
+*The Guardian's victory tune is the song 'Mongoloid' by the band Devo. Its crew portrait also resembles the band. Furthermore, the captain will sometimes be named Booji, a reference to the character "Booji Boy" from Devo's mythology.
-:With Androsynth warships whipping in and out and out and in across the Terran skies, appearing as quick as morning dew and disappearing into the vast darkness beyond, it was too similar to the same manner in which they had left years before! The Guardian became a symbol of true Androsynth independence: the tool with which to defeat their creators! An angelic spear of cometous fury! A Human killer! And we were lost... broken by our own creations... our own tools... our own clay...
+*There was a bug which consisted of the following: When an Androsynth Guardian in Blazer mode is drained of its last energy by a [[Broodhome#Secondary|DOGI]], the Blazer mode isn't fully turned off; the ship retains it ability to do damage by impact. ([[uqmbug:283|bug #283]]).
-:And in the end when the Androsynth disappeared from [[TrueSpace]] altogether, did they blast off into a new realm not only beyond the Earth and beyond the Sun but also beyond all the known Universe -- like a Guardian blazing a new path into the night sky? Or did they overexert themselves into a inescapable pit of [["They"|indescribable vengeance]], whose hatred outmatched their own -- like a Guardian blazed out of fuel directly next to a vengeful [[Scout]]? Or could it be that they have finally transcended and achieved the godliness that we failed at administering?
+{{ShipBox|image=Guardian_icon.png|link=blazer|race=[[Androsynth]]|crew=20|value=15|batt=24|regen=0.111|primary=Molecular Acid Bubbles|prim-cost=3|prim-rate=0|secondary=Blazer form|sec-cost=2|sec-rate=0|speed=24 (60)|turn=0.2 (0.5)|accel=3|mass=6}}
-:I have wondered this for decades, but in vain. Time will never tell, for the book on the Androsynth has been closed to the human race once again. And forevermore.
-:Long live the Androsynth! Long live the keepers of the Guardian!</small>
 [[Category:Ships]]
+[[Category:Androsynth]]