Five Earths, All in a Row

[maximara]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

A short gif covering a problem that Earth-1 has to worry about, that we don't... yet. What they would do, accidentally or otherwise, with spirits, we will eventually be able to do with robotics, I suspect (possibly nanomachines). Sure, it wouldn't look quite like that, but it's an option.

The really scary thing is the Cha-Lieh-Chong spell is part of the 3x3 reality. If the spirits using Ayanokoji Pai figure that out then then you have Cha-Lieh-Chong on a stick---also doubles as an umbrella

[Mysterious Dark Lord v3.2]

Originally Posted by Prince Charon

Depending on the sort of person the you that lives on Earth-1 is, 'you' might very well be making them.

Yes, in a facility hidden in the wilderness, with an escape rocket ready for when the Law/local superheroes show up.

[maximara]

Originally Posted by Mysterious Dark Lord v3.2

Yes, in a facility hidden in the wilderness, with an escape rocket ready for when the Law/local superheroes show up.

On Dieselpunk Earth that is a Wednesday. :-)

[Prince Charon]

Originally Posted by maximara

On Dieselpunk Earth that is a Wednesday. :-)

Not quite, but close enough, and Earth 1 is getting pretty weird, as well.

[maximara]

I did a mammoth transfer-reformat of Curtis Handsaker's ([http://forums.sjgames.com/member.php?u=3068 Z09SS]) conversion of 3e weapons into 4e for the 1830-1918 period to the GURPSwiki. Very useful for Steampunk Earth

*Weapons of GURPS Old West 1830 to 1917

*Weapons of World War I 1870 to 1918

Edit:
Finished up the transfer-reformat of Curtis Handsaker's ([http://forums.sjgames.com/member.php?u=3068 Z09SS]) conversion of 3e weapons into 4e for World War II (1925 to 1945) so you now have a bucket load of weapons for Dieselpunk Earth as well

[Prince Charon]

Have an article. Sorry about the title:

Earth-1 American Command Crew Rosters

Largely copied from The Mission Control Model on the Atomic Rockets website, but modified in several places.

These cover both military and civilian vessels. Other Earth-1 nations with large, long-range spacecraft use similar models, though generally not identical.

(The word 'bubble,' in the context of this document, is common spacer slang for an inflatable module; the term is often preceded by the bubble's dedicated purpose, if any, e. g. 'command bubble,' 'crew quarters bubble,' or 'R&R bubble.')

On-board Mission Control:
Mission Commander (MCOM): This is the overall director of the entire operation, the big boss. If there are several spacecraft in a task force, there will only be one MCOM as task force commander, aboard the flagship (frequently called 'Commodore' or 'Admiral' by ex-Navy personnel). In other words, not all spacecraft will have an MCOM on board. If there is only one significant vessel in the 'task force' (e. g. a mobile space force base and its attendant small-craft, or just one big spacecraft by itself) Flight/FCOM (see below) is also MCOM; such craft generally lack a separate Mission Control Room.

Spacecraft Communications (SCOM): The communicator between the MCOM and the vessels under their command.

Sensor Operator (Sense): In charge of monitoring the vessels in the formation, as well as any hostile vessels, other hazards, or anything else nearby that MCOM may need to be concerned about.

In the small Mission Control Module on a Space Shuttle (which also provides cramped microgravity sleeping quarters for the MCOM and staff), there may be only the MCOM, possibly an aide-de-camp, and one or two each of SCOM and Sense, who tend to be crosstrained in each other's jobs. In the mission control bubble of a larger vessel like a mobile space force base, there may be several SCOM and Sense, as well as other staff officers, and possibly the senior NCO of the formation. The vessel may also quarter several shifts worth of SCOM and Sense.


Mobile space force bases and other vessels and stations with large crews:

COMMAND
Flight Commander (Flight or FCOM): This is the director of the spacecraft in particular. They supervise all aspects of the vessel's preparedness and ability to perform the mission given by MCOM. This would be the ship's "captain" (though many FCOMs with ranks other than 'captain' would prefer if the former Navy personnel in the USSF would stop calling them that, especially if their actual rank is higher). There will be several watch officers serving as Acting FCOM for an assigned shift, but only one official 'Flight Commander of record.'

Executive Officer (XO) or Integrated Communications Officer (INCO): This is the supervisor of all exterior and interior communications. They are the bridge between all the spacecraft's computer networks, the ship's personnel, MCOM and Flight. INCO is also in charge of administrative details and discipline among the other departments, and will take over as Flight is the actual FCOM is killed or otherwise incapacitated when too far from home for a replacement to be conveniently assigned. This is reasonably equivalent to a naval vessel's executive officer. On some vessels, the XO may have another job, such as Mission Specialist or security chief.

Flight Engineer (Chief): The supervisor in charge of all ENGINEERING systems. On some spacecraft, this includes some or all of the parasite craft assigned to the vessel.

First Sergeant (First): The most senior non-commissioned officer on a spacecraft's crew, who serves as the liaison between Flight and the enlisted personnel, and generally advises the FCOM. Sometimes serves as chief of security, though in other cases that is a separate post (which is also part of COMMAND). Might or might not have a station in the command bubble.

Fighter Team Leader or Parasite Craft Officer (CAG): On a mobile space force base, the commanding officer of the vessel's assigned unit of parasite craft, of whatever size (e. g. a constellation of space fighters, plus a few utility spacecraft). Due to the relatively small size of modern MSFBs, the CAG generally deploys with their formation, rather than remaining onboard as Earth-1 US Navy CAGs tend to, and thus is rarely found in the command bubble, and may have no assigned station there. On spacecraft with few parasite craft, this is the XO's or Chief's responsibility. 'CAG' is a legacy abbreviation even in the modern US Navy (originally standing for 'Commander, Air Group'); a number of other names were considered for the position, though suggesting that it should have been 'Fighter Unit CommandeR' (or some variant thereof) where the CAG can hear you is generally unwise.

Mission Specialist (MS) or Science Officer (SCI): An expert on the vessel's current mission, and/or the liaison between scientists and other personnel embarked for said mission and the command crew. Also monitors the spacecraft's sensors for mission-related information. Depending on the mission, this position may be part of COMMAND, COMAST, PAYLOAD, or SCIENCE, or entirely absent, with its responsibilities given to another officer or officers. A task force assigned to a mission may have MS assigned to the Mission Control bubble, or have a senior MS there, and subordinate MSs on other vessels.

Any vessel large enough will have three to six semi-complete flight crews, duplicating the positions below (apart from SCIENCE), but not those listed under COMMAND, above. There will be several watch officers serving as Acting FCOM for an assigned shift, and the same is true of the other COMMAND positions (although First and CAG rarely require this, unless First is in charge of security). The personnel Acting in COMMAND will generally have other positions on other shifts, including other posts in COMMAND (e. g. INCO serving as Acting FCOM for Beta shift, while the officer who is GPO (see below) during Alpha shift serves as XO, and the SYS (also below) from Alpha shift holds down the Chief's seat). Sufficiently trained personnel may also have two or more of the positions below in different shifts, reducing the number of personnel the vessel needs to carry (e. g. Alpha shift's STC may be Gamma shift's SCOM or PDRO). Mission Control personnel rarely serve shifts in COMMAND posts outside of emergencies, or when the vessel has no separate Mission Control Room.


COMMUNICATION AND ASTROGATION (COMAST) (subordinate to COMMAND)
Guidance Procedures Officer (GPO, Guidance, or Pilot): They monitor the navigation of the spacecraft, plot and program course changes, ensuring that the guidance control software is operating properly, and keep an eye out for hostile electronic warfare. If manual maneuvering is both necessary and possible, GPO does it.

Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems Engineer (SYS or System): They are responsible for the guidance, navigation, and control system hardware. This includes flight computers, radar, lidar, flir sensors, attitude jets, and all the connections. They direct repair robots and sometimes crew to perform spot inspections. Generally not stationed in the command bubble.

Emission Systems Officer (ESO): The officer (commissioned, warrant or possibly NCO) in charge of using and maintaining the vessel's energy weapons. On vessels armed only with energy weapons, this is the gunnery officer. On vessels with physical armament (missiles and other ordnance), weapons are under PAYLOAD, below.

Sensor Operator (Sense): In charge of monitoring the vessels in the formation (if any), as well as any hostile vessels, other hazards, or anything else nearby that Flight may need to be concerned about.

Spacecraft Communications (SCOM): The communicator between the spacecraft and other ships or stations. Also keeps an eye out for hostile electronic warfare.

Space Traffic Control (STC): On a mobile space force base, or a station with large numbers of smallcraft and/or docking areas, the communicator between the spacecraft and its own parasite craft, or other smallcraft docking with or taking off from it (mainly, but not exclusively, to keep them from running into the main vessel, each other, or both); depending on the amount of traffic usually expected, there may be multiple STCs on duty at the same time, answering either to a senior STC, or to SCOM. On other vessels, this is part of SCOM's job.

[Prince Charon]

PAYLOAD (subordinate to COMMAND)
Weapon Systems Officer (WSO or 'Wizzo,' sometimes 'Bombardier'): This is the officer in charge of firing weapons at hostiles, and other aspects of the weapon systems onboard. Also called Payload Officer (PLO/Payload), due to missiles and other ordnance being part of the spacecraft's payload. On some vessels, a separate Payload Officer and an Emission Systems Officer (see above) report to the WSO.

Payload Deployment and Retrieval Officer (PDRO or "Padro"): In charge of loading and unloading cargo. Robots do a lot (sometimes all) of the work. Also in charge of ensuring that the cargo is stored in a balanced manner so the spacecraft does not fall off its tail. Sometimes called 'quartermaster,' or has the quartermaster answering to them. Generally not stationed in the command bubble.

Maintenance, Mechanical Arms, and Crew Systems Officer (MMACS): Officer oversees the maintenance of all the spacecraft's robots, robotic arms, and associated systems. Generally not stationed in the command bubble.


ENGINEERING (subordinate to COMMAND) Generally not stationed in the command bubble.
Propulsion Engineer (Prop): Officer in charge of the entire fusion-impulse and conventional propulsion systems, from propellant to exhaust nozzle. They also keep track of remaining delta V capacity.

Drive Engineer (Drive): Responsible for the warp drive, heat radiators, and maintenance on related weapons systems; sometimes responsible for gravity, Inertial Dampening Fields, Defence Screens, and so on. Does not exist prior to [REDACTED], due to the warp drive not being available.

Electrical Engineer (EE): Responsible for power plant, power plant fuel supply, and electrical systems. They are also responsible for monitoring radiation if the power plant or propulsion system emits any. On vessels without a Drive Engineer, EE is responsible for the heat radiators and related systems, as well as gravity, Inertial Dampening Fields, Defence Screens, and so on.

Damage Control Engineer (DCE or DamCon): Responsible for emergency repairs and otherwise keeping damage to the spacecraft under control. Sometimes part of COMMAND, but either way has the authority to requisition crew outside of their immediate chain of command in an emergency. Occasionally has a station in the command bubble.


LIFE SUPPORT (subordinate to COMMAND) Generally not stationed in the command bubble.
Environmental Consumables Manager (ECM): This officer ensures that there is enough food, water, heat, and breathing mix to keep the crew alive. Everything from food storage to air vents to water faucets to air scrubbers. Personnel in need of discipline are often told to report to the ECM, or to CELSS, below, for extra cleaning duties.

Closed-Ecology Life-Support Systems (CELSS or "Cells"): Responsible for the hydroponics and algae tanks, if the ship is equipped with such.

Flight Surgeon (Doc): Medical officer. They deal with disease, injury, ship cleanliness, and radiation. Generally are not bricklayers.


SCIENCE (subordinate to COMMAND) Mostly not stationed in the command bubble.
Also called the Mission Specialist department, this is the most variable department on the list. Depending on the vessel and mission, it may be anywhere from the largest department onboard to the smallest, or may not be present at all. Apart from the Science Officer (listed in COMMAND, above), there are no specific personnel to list, as there are simply too many options: Practically any discipline might be important enough to a mission to assign a dedicated expert to it (or several such experts). Depending on the mission, some of these scientists may have a shift rotation working at the Science station or stations in the command bubble. As this department is the only one (apart from On-board Mission Control) not necessary to the operation of the vessel, they are generally not considered part of the flight crew - although specific scientists with the right training and experience may serve shifts in flight crew positions (e. g. a botanist whose normal work period is Beta shift running CELSS during Delta shift). Many NASA scientists will take extra training for exactly this reason.


Space Shuttles and other vessels with small crews, apart from most enhanced aircraft (which mostly use the arrangement that they did before becoming spacecraft):

Flight Commander (Flight or FCOM): The Skipper, and maybe emergency pilot.

Guidance Procedures Officer (Guidance): Primary pilot. Monitors flight computers, does incidental manual maneuvering, and lands the spacecraft during ionization blackout. Also electronic warfare, if this is a military spacecraft.

Flight Engineer (Booster/Chief/Drive): In charge of maintenance, electrical systems, propulsion, and power reactors. Supervises whatever maintenance drones and robots the spacecraft has, if any.

Payload Officer (PLO): In charge of cargo (including proper weight distribution) and weapon systems.

Life-Support Officer (LSO): In charge of consumables, breathing mix, CELSS, toilets, et al. Also the Medic.

The small spacecraft watchbill will have 3 eight-hour Watches staffed by Guidance, PLO and Chief in rotation. Neither the FCOM nor the LSO stand watches; the FCOM is too busy being in charge and the LSO is usually not qualified (though exceptions do exist, which allows the crew four six-hour watches instead). A slightly larger vessel, between the size of a shuttle and a MSFB, could have duplicate flight crews, with three to six each of Guidance, PLO, Chief, and LSO, but still only one FCOM.


Thoughts?

[Prince Charon]

Something I ran across recently, that I don't think has already been posted here: Curtis 1866 Bullpup (a bit under thirteen minutes long). A very Steampunk sort of bullpup rifle. The version on Stp-Earth was developed further (sights, wooden furniture, less awkward to use), and can actually be found at some gun stores, or bought from mail order. I'm kind of wondering how the production version (late 1860s on Stp-Earth) might be statted up, and whether I should start a thread for that purpose, as it could be of interest to more than just this setting.

[ronwit]

Having just read Blue, Green, Orange on the origin of the Lantern rings on info earth, those of us who are desperately clinging to our Composite Superman action figures are just outta luck. I suppose.

[maximara]

Originally Posted by ronwit

Having just read Blue, Green, Orange on the origin of the Lantern rings on info earth, those of us who are desperately clinging to our Composite Superman action figures are just outta luck. I suppose.

Actually no. You do know how Composite Superman got his powers, right? I could see some spirit forgoing the lightning part and people getting power from their statues or action figures. You imagine someone running around with lesser versions of powers of the original He-man?