Quote:The EU buys stuff from China. ^_^ It's not necessary to agree to do business.
But can you imagine the issues with getting earth into the TSAB? No mass based weapons allowed...
Anyway, I think we're largely in agreement about the relative positions and natures of the Midchildian and Terran technical repertoires - I was merely speculating on the specifics of what was different, how, and why. I do, however, think that the TSAB actively monitors Earth using agents in place, electronic means, and quite possibly classified diplomatic contacts. That being the case, it only makes sense that they'd be able to observe and copy the points where Terran technology exceeds their own, as does the likelihood of their using magic to finesse their way around thorny technical problems that stalled the original research.
Incidentally, as a case study, the timing seems right for the genetic engineering responsible for Subaru et al. to have been based on our own. The altered bacterium used to produce human insulin for diabetics was patented twenty-five years ago - Ginga is 17 - and if they had prosthetic implants as long ago as you imply (not doubting, I just don't remember hearing it referenced in anything I've seen), then they'd have a far larger database on rejection issues and be able to identify the genes needed for increased tolerance just by statistical means even if they didn't have other options.
Turning the altered zygotes into living people could be done with surrogate mothers, but I think that some kind of artificial incubator is more likely - whether a Lost Logia or just one of those things a falling society considered useful enough to make the effort to hang onto.
Quote:Type 0 isn't the sort of nomenclature given to a production version, I think, and besides, IIRC Major Nakajima specifically said that the program that created his daughters was shut down before it got beyond the prototype stage. My thinking that That Which Should Not Breathe was involved in that research is, admittedly, speculation, but it makes sense - and even if it didn't, the Conspiracy Of Hitler's Brains was likely behind both efforts and could have given him access to that information.
I doubt that, but Type 0's where mass produced, and I don't think they where desinged by Jail. The higher numbered androids are all unique, I suspect prototypes, and so their construction might not be as optimized, and they are probably not as well tuned. It was stated that the androids had noticeably increased their performance over a few days ago based on the data gathered. That means they are probably still well clear of desing limits and more held back by software limits or someth(ing.)
I'm less certain that the Numbers' upgrades were software only... judging by Subaru's injury, the 'borging process at the very least involves replacement of the arms and can be reasonably assumed to extend to the legs as well. Given Subaru's comment about her sleeping habits, I think it's more likely than not that they're Motoko Kusanagi-style full replacement cyborgs, with the only remaining organic components being their brains and whatever else is necessary for the use of magic.
I'll admit, though, that how the heck the Nakajima girls managed to grow up if that's the case is troubling.
Of course, the other possibility for her apparent relative toughness...
*headdesk*
Duh! We were told that Mach Caliber was being reinforced and upgraded!
...though if that were all, how did she get damaged in the first place?
Anyway. Other reason might be that TSAB's medical and cybernetic resources include a number of technologies not originally intended to be part of a cybermage but suitable for easy adaptation and for whatever reason not available to a clandestine operation like That Which Should Not Breathe's.
Ja, -n
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"I'm terribly sorry, but I have to kill you quite horribly now."