[gurps] Starship Troopers, Ch. 2-5

[Jeff Wilson]

> Message: 4 Date: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:21:21 +0100 From: "Onno Meyer" <Onno.Meyer at gmx.de> Subject:  To: The GURPSnet mailing list <gurpsnet-l at sjgames.com> Message-ID: <20081201202121.171640 at gmx.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Jeff replied to me:
>>> > > The next four chapters contained character development (i.e. 
>>> > > propaganda). One interesting bit is the oath, with the language
>>> > > about non-humans in the chain of command below but apparently
>>> > > not above a human private - are those K-9 canines or aliens?
>> > 
>> > It could be either the genetically and surgically enhanced "Calebs" that 
>> > are dog-descended, or extraterrestrial ally races.
> 
> If it is dogs, fine. If it is allied ETs, I find it extremely telling that 
> the oath covers being placed in command of allies, but not being
> placed under the command of allies ... no equal partnership.

The Federation's philosophy is that the highest loyalty of humans is to 
the human race as a whole, and the Oath reflects that. There's also a 
discussion of how the chain of command excludes civilians, but that 
doesn't mean a nonhuman couldn't be recognized as an allied commander.

>>> > > * Sentries get H-bombs, and that predates the bug war.
>> > 
>> > 	That's not correct, it's a mistaken assumption by one of the recruits 
>> > who is dressed down for his ignorance. Hydrogen bombs are (were) 
>> > strategic weapons and would be fratricidal in the extreme at the scale 
>> > of MI operations.
> 
> I read it differently. Q: "Why do we have to train with knives? 
> Our sentries carry hydrogen bombs, so do theirs, a knife is a 
> joke." A: "Prepare to fight under whatever ROE you get, down 
> to sticks and stones, you're the arm of discriminate terror."
> 
> But it was a mistake that this predates the war. Chapter 10 tells 
> us about the lack of a formal declaration before the shooting 
> starts.

I think the case of MI carrying H bombs is as hypothetical as them being 
issued sticks and stones. Both *sides* have H-bombs, and in theory 
either side's sentries could call for an H-bomb strike, but considering 
the other caveats to the use of tactical nukes ("You *must* get your 
money's worth...", a full load of tacticals is only 4 units, suit reconn 
gear is only good for a few miles while H-bombs have similar or larger 
areas of effect), I don't see the need to consider them being carried by 
a scout, command, or marauder suit.


-- 
Jeff Wilson - jwilson at io.com
< http://www.io.com/~jwilson >