23

Jul 2015

Chapter 7: Page 13 - APERs

Posted by / in Comic / 82 comments

New page!

Unfortunately, Seba is REALLY busy with tons of stuff right now, so we MIGHT not have a new page ready on Monday. We’ll see how much he is able to do this weekend. I may just post the inks or whatever we have ready, or take a week off to let him catch up. Anyone have any preference?

Also, give me your theories about what APER stands for :D

 

  • Amberlight

    APER surely stands for Absolutely Painful Ego Rapist because those robots obliterated Aegis’ ego of the most badass badasses in the world.

    • DrCrazy102

      “Badass Badasses” = Tenzin, I presume?
      Certainly true about Aegis’s ego though at any rate

  • Hornet

    Apparently Aegis has been doing to good a job protecting Minerva to have coddled little pissants like this on the Triumvirate.

    • Xylas Incarnum

      TOO good a job it seems.
      Now where’s that frying pan, Smith needs to get smacked upside the head with it.

      • DrCrazy102

        *Pass titanium frying pan* Tougher than steel, and will allow for more head-smacking ;D

        • Xylas Incarnum

          *Uses Titanium pan to smack Smith into next week.*
          And that one’s outta the park.

    • Honza Prchal

      Amen to both Hornet and Xylas.
      I expect the smirker is running the smrtbot/kosciany droid, and I hope for an end similar to the fictional Soviet sub commander who died immediately after hearing the words, “You arrogant ass. You’ve killed us!”

  • Matt [in Middletown]

    Anti-PErsonnel Robot.

    • Delta-v

      What Matt said. ^^

      • Matt [in Middletown]

        There’s an artillery round called APERS-T, I have never seen it, but they told us about it during AIT at Fort Sill.
        APERS there stands for AntiPERSonnel.
        Never did get told what the T stood for.
        Probably can look it up.

        • Google says it’s an antipersonnel TANK round.

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Weird, but not unexpected.
            Considering it was designed after the Korean war, most of our tanks were 105mm.
            Beehive round, for the win.

          • Pemigewasset ex pat

            120mm shotgun, effectively. Beehive rounds, the one thing the Sheridan with its 155 did well. Stick the muzzle in the front door of a hooch & sanitize the place.

        • DrCrazy102

          Looks terrifying, especially that “do not use over the heads of friendly troops” warning

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Yeah, the guncrews had to cross fingers and hope that FDC had their act together.
            Apers-t is a muzzle action round, it goes off near immediately upon exiting the barrel.
            Everything else, killer junior/senior airbursts, requires tight calculation of flight time to properly control where the airbursts hits.

          • DrCrazy102

            I am really glad that I will never hopefully be near a round like either of those. Jeez, we humans think up the most terrifying ways of killing each other, though some of the Medieval stuff could be on par with these rounds

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Killer junior was just a regular HE fuzed and set to airbursts.
            The M546 was thin walled so the darts would fly out upon functioning of the bursting charge.
            The difference in effect being Apers-t acted like a shotgun with a cone shaped pattern, regular HE sprays a spherical pattern.
            (Now if only they had delayed function m546 so that it could be added through the air to come from above.. Rumor was back in 98 or so that such a rare beast was developed but not fielded.)

          • DrCrazy102

            This is the whole reason why Sci-Fi fans love military tech, right there. The physics, the effects and the conspiracy.

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            A five gun battery lobbing shells onto your position and varying the airburst height can get rather hairy for the receiving end I am told.

          • DrCrazy102

            “Can get rather hairy for the receiving end” - I don’t even know where to find an understatement picture that can portray the understatement that is your statement

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            “Bright sunshiny day” is the song that goes with it at any rate.

          • Pemigewasset ex pat

            autocowrecker… 👍🏻
            Now replacing my nanny/nag

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Even better if it is on your smertfoan device.

        • Delta-v

          A friend of mine saw them used in ‘Nam. They called them “Beehives”, because the flechettes buzzed through the air. He said that it was like 10 Claymores worth of damage, and longer range. If an armored vehicle was being swarmed by the enemy a Beehive round would remove them without doing significant damage to the vehicle-usually.

          The “T” probably stands for “Tracer”.

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            I did get to see a Hera round.
            The Sergeant told me I was not allowed to touch the round.
            Probably my gleeful laughter had something to do with it.
            Saw a mockup of what can only be described as a 105mm copperhead round.
            Wish they could have made those, but 155 vs 105 in destruction power made a 105mm version redundant.
            But, laser guided artillery…*wistful sigh*
            GPS rounds exist as well, but I haven’t seen them myself -only read about them and the tests.

          • Delta-v

            All that drooling probably didn’t help your case much, either. ^^

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            No, it didn’t.
            Also didn’t help my case much when I wandered through the on post artillery museum at Fort Sill.
            Jumping the chain and ogling the artillery, expected of artillerymen, is still frowned upon.
            Even worse when you get officers involved and they too jump the chain to covet the artillery.

          • Pemigewasset ex pat

            It was the disconcerting flapping motion of his uniform blouse hem around his gig line that was the final straw.

          • Delta-v

            :D :D :D

          • Pemigewasset ex pat

            Only cosmetic damage to a real tank, peeling off little delicate bits like tights & personal gear & paint job. Bet it was a genuine threat to the aluminum Sheridan though.

  • Chris Kotthoff

    Smiling? Really?

  • Neil Kapit

    Is a representative from the Glaucus going to speak up about the Aegis and Oculus heads going at it? I can’t say I particularly like either of them.

    • DrCrazy102

      (Glaucus Dean) *Picks up nuke, primes it* “If neither of you can play nice, this goes off, got it?” *Walks out*

      • Matt [in Middletown]

        “I put genetically modified protozoic parasites into the coffee. I am immune to them, you two are not. Play nice or it’s ‘nom nom time’ for my creations!”

        • DrCrazy102

          I can only think of one way to top that:
          Glaucus Dean: ” I’m on good terms with Jane and she owes me a favour. Or rather, she did. Play nice or Jane gets released onto your systems without Glaucus help to remove or contain her. Enjoy your discussion, since Jane is keeping an eye and an ear on you both”

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Cue the Jane “soundboard harassment” of her victi-er.. Charges!
            Fail trombone, flatulence,random boink sounds, cellphone, etc.

          • DrCrazy102

            *Snigger* Jane and flatulence *continues sniggering before seeing Jane pop up on-screen, insta-death from glare*

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Imagine Pres Smith hearing *blaaart* every time he opens his mouth, writes, opens a door…

          • DrCrazy102

            Imagine Sifo though, he’s so serious! It’d be even funnier.
            Sifo (in control tower): Prime the *frrrrtt* … Ahem, prime the *frrttttsqlch* … Go boom! *(what’s the number 3 sound?) ssqlch-spltttt?*

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            “Make them *squipthbbbblrrrrp!*”
            “Uh, what was that, sir?”
            The potential for evil is endless.

          • DrCrazy102

            Smith: I would like to buy some *thlublblubub*, I mean *phlrurur*.

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            “I have in my hand a document that guarantees *phbbbtbtbtblph* in our time!”

          • DrCrazy102

            Smith: You *pbtthe*!

            Sifo: At least I still have a *fftthh*!

            Smith: You need my *plbbplbpl* to work!

            Sifo: You stuck up little *plabplthhlthl*! I only need my *thlublblubub* to work!

            (Fill in the blanks however you may wish ;3)

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            We are SO wrong.
            Lol.
            That would be hysterical.

          • DrCrazy102

            *Innocent look* whatever are you meaning Matt?
            It’s not like they’re in a darkened room with a large table and high emotions … Wait, they are … We may have found the next ship that shouldn’t be happening! ;D And all because of fart jokes!

      • Pemigewasset ex pat

        lol Tres Doctor Who. 😸👍🏻

        • DrCrazy102

          I didn’t even realise, OMG!

          • Pemigewasset ex pat

            Terran/Zygon negotiations, “Day of the Doctor”. LOVE that episode!

  • I really wanna slap that smug smile off his face.

  • Adriano

    Am I the only one to agree with Smith ?
    First of all, Aegis ruled Minerva borders by force and fear, which is the last option (usually used by monkeys or barbarians) to cchoose. Discussion over violence is the ccaracteristic of the wise and the civilizated.
    Secondly, Aegis failed to protect Minerva, and propose as a solution the escalation of the violence.
    Minerva is clearly being tyrannic with its neighbours. It created a situation that now is menacing itself.
    Diplomaty should have been the main priorty of Minerva since it beginning, instead of producinh weapons of massive destruction. By that, I speak either of tactical nukes or other WMD, as of soldiers or war AI.
    For me, Smith is totally rigth.
    But I know many of you readers are soldiers and may not share my view.

    • Matt [in Middletown]

      Don’t forget, Oculus is the shadowy intel group who likes to pull skeevy double deals.
      THey also are the ones who set up the Keleres.
      Basing that guess off of two facts: Aegis went with Oculus intel on Arkjut which painted a rosy picture of “nothing to see here, move on”, then the Oculus satellites were oddly unavailable during the attack by Deathbot.
      I still say we trebuchet this Smith guy.
      Just to be sure.

      • DeNitro

        Personaly agree, this story isn’t about a idillic world where humans existed in peace and harmony until Minerva came along and started shooting and bombing everyone. I thought it was Minerva holding back the lawless insanity in the wasteland, unless I missed something.. If not,, let me help you load that thing ;-)

    • Hornet

      “First of all, Aegis ruled Minerva borders by force and fear”

      Humm. I think the current world standing shows that weak borders and uncontrolled immigration leads to the death of nations, especially those with government sponsored anti-starvation polices. Don’t believe me look at the US, Greece, (actually anyplace south of Germany on the European continent) They are all on the brink of collapse.

      “Discussion over violence is the ccaracteristic of the wise and the civilizated.”

      Depends on whether both parties are interested in Discussion and how much power those talking hold within they’re perspective organizations. Arafat may have been truly interested in peace, unfortunately a week after striking a peace deal the tribal leader down the block would rocket the Israeli’s and start everything back up, Why because Arafat did not have the power to control all Palestinian factions in the strip.

      “Secondly, Aegis failed to protect Minerva, and propose as a solution the escalation of the violence.”

      One Aegis has not failed yet or we would not be talking about their response. Two when you’re enemies escalate there is only one successful response and that is to step up your own game.

      “Minerva is clearly being tyrannic with its neighbours. It created a situation that now is menacing itself.”

      How? Where they attacking settlements outside of Minerva territory? If not protecting what is yours should be a normal response to any and all transgressions.

      “Diplomaty should have been the main priorty of Minerva since it beginning, instead of producinh weapons of massive destruction. By that, I speak either of tactical nukes or other WMD, as of soldiers or war AI.”

      It’s all well and good to be friends with those that are willing to be friendly, But as they say: “Strong fences make good neighbors”.

      • I like that you guys are discussing this, and that there is wiggle room for different interpretations of the same events. Makes me feel good as an author :D

        • DrCrazy102

          Just remember that you may be creating “political parties” of Aegis, Oculus and Glaucus IRL! I think Adriano will be the IRL Dimensional Manager of Aegis at this rate, though he makes some good points, like Mr Smith
          Edit: Nick might be the Aegis IRL Dimension Lieutenant/Officer

        • Amberlight

          You should read Russian discussions too, people are going with tactical nukes most of the time there:D

          • I always do. Google translate normally does a good enough job for me to understand them :)

          • DrCrazy102

            Tactical nukes are the only way to go with solving the problem here. Russians just know this, Westerners are concerned about politics.

    • NickDA

      “First of all, Aegis ruled Minerva borders by force and fear” - when have we actually seen this? Smith “claims” that… but have we ever shown that in the story? Exception: ‘Mirage’

      • Adriano

        It’s written in the lore, Im sure.

    • I actually think the same, Smith has a point. I wouldnt call Aegis barbarian monkeys because I think Minerva survived thanks to its military branch but I also believe that at some point Minerva should use less force and more diplomacy. If Smith is the guy for this its a different story :P

      • Adriano

        True. Smith is too much interested in power

    • Pemigewasset ex pat

      Yup. Peace through superior firepower. Hold out a hand in peace to an aggressor & you’ll lose your hand. Amply demonstrated throughout history, forgotten by those who’ve been too well protected, insulated from harsh reality & the unbiased cruelty of nature.

  • Matt [in Middletown]

    “Unfortunately, Seba is REALLY busy with tons of stuff right now”
    Mental image: Seb is being assaulted by all manner of cartoon peril that came flowing out of the Wacom tablet seeking to “meet the creator”.
    Defeated, he wakes up inside the Wacom being worshipped as a god..

    • NickDA

      rightfully worshiped :D

      • Matt [in Middletown]

        Ah, but would he survive the abuse of being dragged into a Wacom?

        • NickDA
          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Have you seen part 2?

          • NickDA

            Got to keep watching… he’s up to part 4 now.

          • Matt [in Middletown]

            Yup.
            Haven’t watched three and four yet.

    • DrCrazy102

      Jane comes out to mess with the Wacom and to have a few words with Seba!

  • Rawles Roberts III

    If he is so interested in ‘talking it out’, then why hasn’t he already? Diplomacy without superior firepower is a plea bargain. You talk it out because you really don’t want to expend the effort to tear them to shreds and/or preserve the resources of both parties, and they are interested in talking because there is a certainty (from their point of view) of not getting their … eh, tail, handed to them on a golden platter with a side of giblets.
    If Aegis has been doing their job correctly to this point (and it sounds like they have), then WHY hasn’t anyone worked from that superior position to secure allies? Everyone is turning on Aegis like dogs in a cage because the other two ‘factions’ haven’t been doing their job!

    • DrCrazy102

      I think Glaucus has been doing its job which is why neither Mr Smith nor Sifo are attacking the Dean, and why the Dean hasn’t actually attacked anyone. The Dean has simply stayed neutral during this discussion, SO FAR! This will hopefully, and likely, change during the next few strips.
      Aegis and Oculus seem to need a “get along” shirt to wear since they depend on each other’s success to have easy jobs and to succeed. Aegis seems to have been doing the legwork this far while Oculus has seemingly been quite complacent and more focussed on spying on the “enemies”, as well as forming shadowy plans ;p

  • DeNitro

    The view from just reading the story: We are now just getting our first look at three branches of a goverment who where always in distrustful agreement at a moment of crisis. Who is to blame for the crisis we can’t tell, but it’s clear one branch wants to strip anouther of power no matter the cost to those they govern. This in a world that is violent, barbaric, and uncivilised outside the borders.

    • DrCrazy102

      Strip and take their power, Mr Smith is seemingly playing for the big Job of running Minerva as an Emperor/true President

  • DrCrazy102

    Give Seba a Holiday! *creates a picket sign* When does Seba want it?

    APER = A Perfectly Evil Robot
    It has no morals, is purely logical in achieving its intended objective/goal, can take out a team of heroes (Tenzin and Jacqueline/ Arkjut and Valkyries)
    As Matt said, APER = Anti-PErsonnel Robot, due to APERs rounds (see below on “Sort by Newest setting)
    As Amberlight said, APER = Absolutely Painful Ego Rapist since Aegis is no longer the acclaimed “badass Badasses” that they were seen as.

    I’m standing with Glaucus on this “debate”. Staying fairly neutral but pointing out the good points made by both sides.
    Smith’s good points:
    A) Minerva probably needs to learn some more peaceful diplomacy
    B) Minerva can’t JUST use bigger, better, tougher Aegis to fight, the enemy troops are too many to fight head-on even with good strategy
    C) Oculus needs to play a better role
    D) Minerva needs to be in a stronger position, relative to its current status quo to the barbarians, by the end of this war. This would preferably be by having no enemies, or at least buffer allies

    Sifo/Aegis’s good points:
    A) Don’t let Mr Smith win
    B) Don’t trust Mr Smith
    C) Show greater force to keep the enemy forces scared and make diplomacy much easier
    D) Have a better military force than the enemy to make scaring them easier to make fighting any that are “die-hards” (hehe, I’m punny) that much easier
    E) Don’t play nice with the enemy, play to win against them
    F) Minerva can’t have any strong enemies at the end of this war

    Glaucus’s good points:
    A) They’ve listened to both sides and know their track histories allowing for a more informed choice through neutrality
    B) They have showed true diplomacy during this triumvirate and seemingly hold considerable sway due to the armour suits used by Aegis and the satellites used by Oculus, but are seemingly more interested in the common good than either of the other parties because of Glaucus’ neutrality due to working with both sides
    C) It’s always nice to watch a brawl develop so long as you don’t get caught up ;p

    Edit: Aegis/Reason F)

  • Citrus Reaper

    My god! I’ve finally caught up!
    Alright, time for me to cut in on this debate.
    So, Oculus is arguing against the application of military force, and cites that as the reason that they’re in this big old pickle in the first place. I assume that he’s the guy who ordered the “forceful demilitarization” of the Keleres and the others, and as such, I don’t like him.

    • Welcome to the present where the theories fly fast and furious :)

      Or you can join the patreon gang and see the FUTURE ;D

      • DrCrazy102

        But … the theories … and you vigorously defend against spoilers featuring in Disqus … Is it worth it as a fan that loves theorising?

        • Hehe people on patreon are only two pages ahead. ;)

          And those who know REAL spoilers are sworn to secrecy, on pain of both deathbot AND Jane being set on them.

          • Citrus Reaper

            Holy hell! Not Jane!

          • DrCrazy102

            But two pages is enough to probably settle most of the conspiracy theories ATM, no? Or are you that devious as to wind our emotions higher for even longer? (Secretly hopes for latter *fingers crossed*)

            I … yeah, I’m gonna opt to keep my sanity and humanity and not try to picture what would happen if Jane and the D-Bot team up against someone *shudders* That’s just bad joojoo waiting to happen now in actual TDA, am I right? Jane takes over the D-Bot?