16 replies to this topic

[RL Nice]

I read somewhere that BattleMech neurohelmets can ID whomever straps themselves into the cockpit and refuse to work for pilots that aren't recognized. So, therefore, you can't steal a 'Mech that isn't programmed to be piloted by you.

But in Decision at Thunder Rift, the protagonist does exactly that with a Shadow Hawk.

What happened?

[MechZ1lla]

A wizard did it.

No. Really.




Okay...sometimes, people's artistic licenses should be revoked.

[Pht]

DaTR is I think the ... second... novel they ever published.

it's not surprising to see things in it that don't fall into line. They simply may not have even had the neurohelmet security thing in writing back than ... or have even thoght of it.

[NeuralJack]

Blame the mechanic responsible for maintaining the 'Mech. He must have forgotten to activate the security system and lock the cockpit.

[Dorado]

RL Nice, on 09 October 2012 - 11:20 AM, said:

I read somewhere that BattleMech neurohelmets can ID whomever straps themselves into the cockpit and refuse to work for pilots that aren't recognized. So, therefore, you can't steal a 'Mech that isn't programmed to be piloted by you.

But in Decision at Thunder Rift, the protagonist does exactly that with a Shadow Hawk.

What happened?

Actually... if you read the next book, Mercenary's Star, when he is stealing another mech, he makes reference to that mech security feature in particular, how he used it before to acquire his mech (which was in the repair bay also), and how when a mech is in the repair bay, that feature is typically disabled so techs can work on the mech.

[Barrin]

I can't say much about those books, not read them, I know in later books that they have a pass phrase system to activate the mech fully but again it only works if that system is functional, mech's being repaired tend to have the security sytem deactivated so that the tech's can do their work.

Edited by Barrin, 09 October 2012 - 03:36 PM.

[thelasttrueborn]

Ican explain this quite well actually, you see, there is a lostech mechanism that is sort of like a thin bio layer you lay on your scalp, it muddies the signal going into the nuerohelmet, the computer compensates, this allows another person to get a quick(not perfect) sync with the mech. In order for weapons to be unlocked you still need the privately held code, of which may be a phrase or numeric. i forgot which dark age book had that occur, probably the one where the jade falcons get fought off skye, for the first time mind you.

[Dorado]

thelasttrueborn, on 09 October 2012 - 03:14 PM, said:

Ican explain this quite well actually, you see, there is a lostech mechanism that is sort of like a thin bio layer you lay on your scalp, it muddies the signal going into the nuerohelmet, the computer compensates, this allows another person to get a quick(not perfect) sync with the mech. In order for weapons to be unlocked you still need the privately held code, of which may be a phrase or numeric. i forgot which dark age book had that occur, probably the one where the jade falcons get fought off skye, for the first time mind you.

Actually... he's talking about Book 2 (chronologically speaking, although it was published first) and my information is from Book 3 (which I am currently reading again). Your explanation of what happened is some years down the road on the timeline friend. I am quite sure there was no mention of new fangled gadgetry, clan tech, or lostech in any of the first three books. I am fairly certain Grayson Carlyle only used pure luck and chance (a.k.a. plot device) to acquire both of those mechs while they were in the repair shop.

[Alex Morgaine]

Why now do I want to be able to walk around out of mechs just to sneak into someone's base and haul off their mech, only to get back to base and find my personal ride missing in a most unusual, yet suspiciously similar way?

[Nacon]

I'll tell you what happened.... it's SPOILER ALERT.... he's a clone!


(Actually, I have no idea...)

[ICUBurn]

Frosty Brand, on 09 October 2012 - 03:35 PM, said:

Why now do I want to be able to walk around out of mechs just to sneak into someone's base and haul off their mech, only to get back to base and find my personal ride missing in a most unusual, yet suspiciously similar way?

that was i think the one thing about the MechAssault2 game interesting was being able to exit the mech.

[Vorkash]

The more modern neurohelmets can be used by anyone whereas older neurohelmets required tuning to a particular user to work properly.

Security systems that stop unauthorised users like that also aren't a standard across all mechs, they are a system that mechs can have. So it may have not had a security system and if it did it was probably disabled for the techs to work on it as people have said.

[Pht]

Vorkash, on 09 October 2012 - 04:11 PM, said:

The more modern neurohelmets can be used by anyone whereas older neurohelmets required tuning to a particular user to work properly.

Not true.

[RL Nice]

Pht, on 10 October 2012 - 12:08 PM, said:

Not true.

Want to elaborate?

[Vactus]

RL Nice, on 11 October 2012 - 05:34 AM, said:

Want to elaborate?

Jade Phoenix trilogy. Specifically mentions the need for your own helmet to be tuned to you. Clan tech >>>>>>>>>>>IS tech.

[thelasttrueborn]

Elaborating isnt even nesscesary, just let him go search sarna

[Pht]

RL Nice, on 11 October 2012 - 05:34 AM, said:

Want to elaborate?

See my furthest left signature link.

Edited by Pht, 11 October 2012 - 11:14 AM.