Schlock Mercenary VIII: insAIne in the mAInfrAIme

[factotum]

Say whatever you will about the comic, according to Tayler today is the 18th anniversary, and I don't think he's ever missed an update.

I think he did *once*, but that was down to technical issues on the web server that hosts the comic, not his own work ethic.

[The Glyphstone]

And that includes the day that the server hosting site caught on fire.

[Max_Killjoy]

Say whatever you will about the comic, according to Tayler today is the 18th anniversary, and I don't think he's ever missed an update.

I think he did *once*, but that was down to technical issues on the web server that hosts the comic, not his own work ethic.

And that includes the day that the server hosting site caught on fire.

Yeap.

The comic was late.

Once.

Because the server caught on fire, and burned a hole in the side of the building.

He had backup hosting up and running, and the update posted, that same day.

I envy the man's unwavering dedication.

[Rockphed]

Obviously Flinders has missed her true calling. At some point didn't she write all the reports?

[PraetorDragoon]

The unwavering dedication to updates is one of the reasons I still read Schlock Mercenary.

[Rockphed]

The unwavering dedication to updates is one of the reasons I still read Schlock Mercenary.

It does make it significantly harder to break the addiction when our dealer gets our fix in on time every day.

[Ibrinar]

Them being usually super short helps as well it just takes so little of my time that it would have to annoy me instead of just losing its interesting parts for me to remove it from my feed.

[Drascin]

Honestly, Gugro, for being new at this you're doing okay. You could give Tagon some pointers.

[Rockphed]

Honestly, Gugro, for being new at this you're doing okay. You could give Tagon some pointers.

I'm pretty sure that Captain Tagon was on board with make her a Lieutenant as soon as he heard her threat to Srabben Shipthief.

[Lizard Lord]

Before I was thinking that Gugro would prove herself and latter get promoted to an officer. Especially given the way earlier remark about how Ebby is currently the only non-human in the company equal or above the rank of lieutenant.

I am now thinking she will become a Marshall for real.

[Onyavar]

I am now thinking she will become a Marshall for real.

Someone who once looked at the Tagon 's organigram said: private sector is weird.

[Rockphed]

... comics like today's make me really sad that The Mandate turned into vaporware. I really wanted to slowly fill out my table of organization with the best bits I take from my enemies.

[PraetorDragoon]

At first glance I thought this was another Long Gun attack.

[Onyavar]

At first glance I thought this was another Long Gun attack.

Wow, right. Well, we know it wasn't - but will all observers know?

I imagine the UPA command in total confusion right now: An attack by Tagon, an attack by the mysterious longgunner, or just the malfunctioned warheads that blew up? I doubt that they already understand that they were suborned, unless Elf included a real message somewhere instead of just a message.

[Lizard Lord]

Wow, right. Well, we know it wasn't - but will all observers know?

I imagine the UPA command in total confusion right now: An attack by Tagon, an attack by the mysterious longgunner, or just the malfunctioned warheads that blew up? I doubt that they already understand that they were suborned, unless Elf included a real message somewhere instead of just a message.

I think the way it was set up that they would believe it to be malfunctioning warheads, since the Graveplough is the only ship to have reported malfunctioning warheads. If Claw Six or Fangstorm exploded they would realize it was an attack. I don't think the mysterious longgunner is something that is on the UPA's mind even if they did stop to ask who really destroyed the Maxim 39.

[PraetorDragoon]

Wow, right. Well, we know it wasn't - but will all observers know?

I imagine the UPA command in total confusion right now: An attack by Tagon, an attack by the mysterious longgunner, or just the malfunctioned warheads that blew up? I doubt that they already understand that they were suborned, unless Elf included a real message somewhere instead of just a message.

It was more of an observation that confused myself.

The kitties probably don't even know long guns exist, just that something blew up some ships somehow. This particular ships was blown up by malfunctioning warheads. I assume that Tagon/Elf will leverage this next strip, maybe including Tagon's full title "Killer of Battleplates".

[Rockphed]

Does anyone have a link to a chart detailing what the numbers and letters mean? Considering how much he seems to like using it, I should probably add it to the first post.

[Max_Killjoy]

Does anyone have a link to a chart detailing what the numbers and letters mean? Considering how much he seems to like using it, I should probably add it to the first post.

It's from the Planet Mercenary RPG.

If I get a chance I'll see if it's OK to post it here.

[Rockphed]

It's from the Planet Mercenary RPG.

If I get a chance I'll see if it's OK to post it here.

... Okay, so my search fu leveled up and I found your previous post where you shared it:

Spoiler

Show

From the Planet Mercenary RPG:

Letter Designation	Length
Z	< 10 m
Y	10–39 m
X	40–99 m
V	100–299 m
T	300–499 m
S	500–999 m
Q	> 999 m

Numerical Designation	Firepower
0, 1, 2	Low. What these ships lack in firepower they often make up for in maneuverability and/or hull strength
3, 4, 5	Medium. These ships tend to include point defenses and minimal STS weaponry (e.g. gunboats, freighters, privateer ships).
6	High. These ships tend to include STS weaponry and systems for defeating defensive countermeasures. This is the minimum rating for a ship considered a threat to capital ships or fortified stations.
7, 8, 9	Critical. Affectionately known as the “MOAR GUNS” classes, these ships tend to include gravy guns and appear war-ready (e.g. battleplates, thunderheads, LOTA).

So the fleet from Sunday's strip has one 300 - 500 meter ship, two 500 - 1000 meter ships, 4 100 - 300 meter ships, and twelve 10 - 40 meter ships. That is mostly what I wanted to figure out. The 0 - 9 for firepower makes sense. The descending letters for larger ships also makes sense. I was just trying to remember where the various breaks were.

[Max_Killjoy]

Guess I did post it before. Man time flies.

[Lateral]

Wait, Primus Pethmawhoko?

[Lizard Lord]

Wait, Primus Pethmawhoko?

The fobott'r's (same race as Gugro and Andy) holy army fleet. The Primus Pethmatoko is the flag ship for one of their spiritual leaders.

[factotum]

Why is the classification system missing R, U and W? Is that explained anywhere?

[Rockphed]

Why is the classification system missing R, U and W? Is that explained anywhere?

I assume that U and W were omitted because they look too much like V. Oddly, I think that Q looks too much like O and should have been skipped. I haven't seen anything explain why it is Q instead of R, but I also didn't back the Kickstarter, so I haven't seen much.

[Max_Killjoy]

I guess we're going to find out if the real local fleet is as sad as the pathetic pirate/militia fleet.

[PraetorDragoon]

I guess we're going to find out if the real local fleet is as sad as the pathetic pirate/militia fleet.

I think they have more self-perservation.

[HandofShadows]

And the last few days has really just been the set up for the popping of a balloon.

This page also reinforces that the main kitty govt is NOT at all on board for what the UPA has been doing.

[halfeye]

Now today's is what I call filler.

[Rockphed]

Now today's is what I call filler.

Yeah, the punchline isn't even funny. Now, we may be seeing a multiple part joke, a la the reveal of the chainsaber slicing corporal Oleo, but I think Howard is just off his game on this strip.

[Onyavar]

Now today's is what I call filler.

Personal pet pieve: People proclaiming "Filler".

I'd only cry filler if a comic is on something that isn't related to the story. Today's strip was picturing Tagon pensive, pondering about his past. Poor punchline, but you can't pssibly put platin in every strip.

(I positively put as pany P-words into my post as possible, for punning practice.)