Posts: 2,564
Threads: 324
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
Re: Bug speed
04-19-2004, 03:45 AM
Quote: Note that there is a class of bugrom used as messengers. They are about the size of sparrows. Other than the big transport Bugrom, they are the only ones seen to fly. And one could assume they can move _really_ fast. (What's the fastest flying bug in the real world? Anyone know?)
From this link ufbir.ifas.ufl.edu/chap01.htm
Quote: The insects with the highest reliably measured airspeeds are desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) and corn earworm moths (Helicoverpa zea). These fly at average airspeeds of 33 and 28 km/h respectively (about 21 and 17 mph). Many insects surely fly faster, but their airspeeds have yet to be studied with modern methods. The highest sustained ground speed recorded is that of the black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) which flies at speeds of between 97 and 113 km/h (60-70 mph) (Showers & Sappington 1992). Insect airspeed is affected by mass, size, age, gender, feeding, water content, activity type, temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, oxygen level, ascent angle and even habitat isolation.
The idea does have merit. But a messenger bug the size of a sparrow probably can't have sustained speed faster than a flying boat, because at the size the air would have the viscosity of mineral oil. But if you use a LOT of them all over the place, you'de have better commo and intel than the Alliance.
On the other hand, a combination of both our ideas (i.e telephatic chain of coimmand plus a swarm of scouts) would give the Bugrom a big edge in mobility. Jinnai can run rings around any Alliance forces.
__________________
Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
Posts: 352
Threads: 22
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
0
Re: Bug speed
04-19-2004, 05:04 AM
Don't use messenger bug, use signals (fires, bugs making pyramids, whatever). Especially for simple communication ("the enemy is over here").
They did a study in England to see how effective this could be (given the claim of signal fires used in 1066) and found that you could get the message from Edenburgh to London in ~45 minutes... (Remember, we're talking almost 1000 years ago!)
Offsides
Drunkard's Walk Forum Moderator and Prereader At LargeDrunkard's Walk Forum Moderator and Prereader At Large
Posts: 2,311
Threads: 148
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
0
Re: Bug speed
04-19-2004, 05:45 AM
And, while it's clear-weather only, sephamore towers -can- carry detailed information at comperable speed.
Or borrow a page from McCaffrey and use -big- -honkin'- -drums-.
And, since we don't know anything about Jinnai's extrascholastic activities (he has to have -some-), it's not beyond reason that he'd come up with one or more of them.
Blessed be.
-n
===========
===============================================
"V, did you do something foolish?"
"Yes, and it was glorious."
Posts: 2,564
Threads: 324
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
Re: re Bug Speed
04-19-2004, 05:45 AM
Quote: Don't use messenger bug, use signals (fires, bugs making pyramids, whatever). Especially for simple communication ("the enemy is over here").
As a defensive alarm system, to muster all units at the threatened point in defensive operations, what you suggest is very useful. Not so useful in offensive operations. You also need to find out any enemy force numbers and capabilities and also movement and direction. A loose screen of messager bugs not only as your eyes, but you can have relay of bugs keep an eye on the force that's discovered. Almost as good as RT satellite imaging.
__________________
Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
Posts: 2,564
Threads: 324
Joined: Mar 2004
Reputation:
0
Jinnai's extrascholastic activities
04-19-2004, 05:49 AM
Quote: And, since we don't know anything about Jinnai's extrascholastic activities (he has to have -some-), it's not beyond reason that he'd come up with one or more of them.
Probably reading up of Michiavelli's "The Prince"
plus Musashi's "Go Rin No Sho"
__________________
Into terror!, Into valour!
Charge ahead! No! Never turn
Yes, it's into the fire we fly
And the devil will burn!
- Scarlett Pimpernell
Posts: 27,608
Threads: 2,271
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
21
Re: Re:re: re:re Acts of evil
04-19-2004, 01:59 PM
Quote: but Jinnai's gift is the ability to talk to the Bugrom. but you noticed he's speaking in Japanese and they're speaking in their language.
In the dub (and remember, El-Haz's creator considers the NA dub to be the definitive soundtrack), the Bugrom every once in a while speak French... very badly mumbled and filtered, but it's there. There's a scene where Jinnai is ordering them to attack, and the second or third Bugrom he yells at clearly says, "Pardonnez-moi, apres vous!"
-- Bob
---------
There's no wrong way to eat a Rhesus.
Posts: 27,608
Threads: 2,271
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
21
Re: Bug speed
04-19-2004, 02:02 PM
Quote: And, since we don't know anything about Jinnai's extrascholastic activities (he has to have -some-),
Of course he does. We see them in flashback during the moments when he finally, utterly cracks at the beginning of the first episode -- he's on track, he at least tries to be an artist, he's in student government... about the only thing we don't hear about him being a part of is the science fiction club, which gets mentioned several times.
-- Bob
---------
There's no wrong way to eat a Rhesus.
|