And now we have advertisements. Any way to remove those?

http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=357536]For lo, this is awesome.

- CD, triple nerd score!

ETA: Also on Brickshelf: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2061297]You ain't seen the trap yet, fishface!
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows

The 'or were' is due to the fact I'm in Australia and sometimes we don't get movies at the same time as most of you - we sometimes get 'em before ya! ;D

'Cowboys & Aliens': good, trailer deceptive and so's http://roosterteeth.com/comics/strip.php?id=5750]this comic

Captain America: good. Truckloads better than the other attempts

Green Lantern: Nice try at a franchise launch, lord knows there's enough source material for another movie or two. Just leave off the 3D, it only really worked for the end credits.

Red Dog: It's the best Australian film I've seen this year, not to mention the only Australian film I've seen this year.....no that's not exactly right 'The Kings Speech' is both an Australian and a British film. Meh, does a film you saw near the start of the year count?

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2: watchable. I've never watched a single HP movie or read the book. Thanks to HP fanfiction I'd more clue on what was happening in the movie than my sister who'd watched all of the movies upto then.

Senna: Go see it now! Yes it's an obituary documentary, if you don't care for that just go for the F1's up on the big screen. Sod the tennis & rugby being shown in a cinema, I'd go if they'd a live F1 race on.

Mostly because Jet, as a character, needs a goal in her life. Up until 2015, Jet's just sort of stumbled or been blown forward by outside forces, but what does Jet actually aim for?

While none of this will actually happen in the current season, Jet does start slowly working towards establishing things needed to pull it off, learning and honing the skills she needs, and generally building up the XP required to do it right. It's a little bit rough, mind. And it takes from 7-10 years to actually get it done.

------

The Knight Sabers.

Though far from the first group of hardsuited warriors to use the name in Fenspace, they are the most visible. First appearing with a bang on Genaros station in mid-2025, the Knight Sabers quickly earned notoriety for their handling of the Mia Quincy kidnapping. While the Space Patrol on-station were still negotiating with the terrorists involved, 4 women using Stingray hardsuits and motorslaves stormed the building, handling the terrorists and their cyberdroid heavys with lightning speed.

All five hostages were freed, before the Sabers disappeared into the city night. The rumour is that they were paid by J.D. Quincy himself for their services.

The Space Patrol immediately started a file on the organisation.

What they know is that the organisation is lead by a woman who styles herself as ‘Sylia Stingray', and who prefers to communicate via puppet or Avatar, using the animated face of Sylia Stingray from the original OVA. The patrol believes that this is the same Sylia Stringray who is the registered owner of Stingray Motor Engineering, who bought the shell company off of Jet Jaguar, and turned it into full-blown custom motorcycle production company, though have never been able to conclusively link both identities.

There are also photographs of Jet Jaguar and Sylia Stingray attending events together at the same time, suggesting a strong link between the two. The technology employed by the group is also known to have been originally developed by Jet, notably the hardsuit-designs and the motorslaves are advancements of models introduced by the Roughriders in 2021.

Jet Jaguar has admitted providing technical assistance, claiming them to be part of ‘her fandom'. As the group are not considered outlaws, this line on inquiry was dropped. Jet could not be compelled to testify. Jet Jaguar is also not the only suspected backer of the group.

The Patrol believe that they have one spacecraft under their control; a modified Roughriders-production B1-series, operating under the callsign ‘KnightWing'. The KnightWing itself appears to operate as some form of mobile AWACS for the group, while also providing some aerial fire-support and transport. The spacecraft has not been registered with any recognised ship registry, and is technically considered a pirate vessel. It has been known to fake the transponder signals of other B1-series.

The Roughriders themselves have no record of the craft. It is suspected by some conspiracy theorists that a fire that destroyed two B1 space frames on the production line is the source of the mystery ship. However, the Roughriders have disproven this wild theory beyond the shadow of reasonable doubt by providing the twisted wreckage of the two half-finished space frames for investigators to prod at. Unfortunately, further investigation is not possible due to the Roughriders having recycled the two ruined space frames, citing their long-standing policy to conserve raw materials where possible.

The KnightWing appears to have been equipped with a pair of launch bays and an upgraded crew module, at the expense of armaments. Scans during flypasts have suggested a conventional sensor array has been fitted, and the onboard computer systems appear to be roughly standard for the type.

The identities of the 4 women in hardsuits, or whether one of them is Sylia Stingray or not, is not known. One of them is suspected of being a Senshi, based on behavioural analysis, but they all speak through voice-changing radio systems. It is suspected that they may be former OGJ or patrol members, based on observed tactics. They do demonstrate a competent application of Panzer Kunst training, but there have been any number of power-armour wearers trained by the Gruppe. Another possibility, is that they are ‘wavium AI's, biomods, cyborgs or any combination of the above

The group style themselves as mercenaries, though they do not work for everyone. They are most often hired for work under-the-table, which someone may want performed but doesn't want it know it was them performing it. Such work includes recovery of stolen ‘sensitive' equipment, hostage rescue... or strikes against turnerite bases. They have also engaged in anti-Zwilnik operations.

They are not a registered mercenary organisation and do not report their operational details to the Space Patrol. They cite this as a security measure to protect their member's families and their client's confidentiality. This also means they walk on a knife-edge between merely being a Space Patrol ‘file' and being declared a full blown Outlaw organisation. They have been known to provide ‘assistance' the the Patrol.... they've even been known to wave their usual fee.

Payment is usually in two parts. Half on accepting the job, half on completion of the job. Sylia reserves the right to walk away if the job was not as advertised, or if the client has been in anyway untruthful with her. Or if a change in circumstances endanger the group. They promote themselves as being specifically politically neutral in affairs between factions, though they do appear to have several preferred employers.

Sylia will work alongside OGJ and the Patrol, though will be wary of a trap. Sylia will not work with any Greenwood-related organisation, or for any mundane government. However, these are not absolute rules. Money talks. Sylia will never sell the technical upgrades made to her hardsuit and motorslaves. Knight Saber hardware is not for sale.

They are studious about secrecy, and jealously guard their identities, and their home-base location. Their base, SilkyDoll, is known to be a main belt asteroid, thought it's location and details are unknown. There're countless possibilities, too many to be searched successfully.

Their self-claimed ethos is: “To defend peace and social justice, and rid Fenspace of evil'

-----

The build-up Knight Sabers began when Jet Jaguar built the first Stingray hardsuit in early 2016. Rather than just found an organisation using the name, Jet was determined to do it right, and set about building up the equipment and contacts needed to do it. Jet already had her military and combat abilities, and had learned how to train and lead an elite group of fighters. She just needed the technology, the money, and the connections to do it without getting smacked down. She also needed to learn the lessons of those around her....

Firstly, Jet created Sylia Stingray as an alter ego. Sylia Stingray was a registered resident of Marsbase Sara, complete with full identification papers, a residence, a strong income and a decent social life. Sylia Stingray is also Jet Jaguar. Sylia Stingray is the same puppet-body Jet has used since 2016, with the hair changed over.

Sylia Stingray's ownership of Stingray Motor Engineering began as part tax-dodge from Jet, and part distancing herself from ‘danelaw connections. Jet publicly refused to compromise on her refusal to establish a production line for Highway Star-type motorcycles, so officially sold the shell to someone who was willing.... Sylia Stingray then negotiated licensing with AIC to use the name and designs commercially.

Stingray Motors produces a range of custom motorcycles based on Mazda rotary engines, which sell in decent numbers. The company provided the initial financial backing for the Sabers, and a manufacturing front for some of their equipment.

Jet signed on as a contractor with the Roughriders in 2019, working to develop her technical abilities, while simultaneously providing training support for the A-Team, and acting as a combat operative. Jet tested a number of the training techniques and tactics she planned to use with the A-Team

Jet and Ford built the first motorslaves in 2021 on 37 Fides, and Jet took possession of the KnightWing in 2023, first as a pool-spacecraft,and then registering herself as it's operator. Jet bought it outright under the table, then flew it out into the main belt where it promptly disappeared. This is how Benjamin knows that Jet is behind the Sabers, making sure the transaction details disappeared into Roughriders' classified files.

6 months later, it re-appeared near Genaros, transponderless and wearing stealth-paint.

Their equipment is based off of Stingray hardsuit, but adds an advanced ‘chobham' armour originally developed on Fides for the Roughriders suits, enhanced actuators and properly integrated weaponry. The motorslaves are bigger and tougher, using the same armour upgrades with better main armament, though appear lack the full AI's used on Roughrider systems.

If the Sabers are ever outlawed, they will immediately disband. In practice, they operate with the tacit approval of the Space Patrol, and may have links to Great Justice.

Jet's cover. What Jet's doing herself.

Jet Jaguar herself, after leaving the Roughriders, acquired an exhausted asteroid mine, establishing a martial-arts training centre within the old accommodation blocks. Jet teaches blitzkrieg-school Panzer Kunst, emphasising speed and hard-hitting assaults. At any one time, there can be one or two trainees, and Jet actively bids for contracts to train powered armoured troopers of multiple factions.

Also attached, is the Survival Shot combat simulation centre, based in the old mine workings

Jet uses the mine workings for combat exercises, up to and including being one of the few live-fire capable training centres in Fenspace. Simulating the sort of operations Jet once commanded as leader of the Engel Gruppe, the mine is equipped with a modern sensor array, simulated (and real) point defense weapons and an old Roadrunner that's incapable of flight. Jet aims to simulate a number of other environments within the workings, and is actively trying to acquire another ship's hulk for zero-G combat. It is capable of simulating an entire mission, from the approach in through to the final attack and surrender, with TITANIC automatically co-ordinating the exercise.

Anyone can hire Survival-Shot out. Fees are charged hourly, and based on damage and gimmicks employed. The training centre is available to reputable groups and teaches both offensive and defensive tactics. They also provide for corporate outings, days-out and the like, allowing them to take control of the base defenses against an attack, lead their own assault using non-lethal simulated weaponry, or even hold versus matches.between themselves.

The SilkyDoll, and the hangar for the Knight Wing, are sealed off from the public area of the base. The thermal signature of SilkyDoll is masked within the signature of the training area, hiding the hardware maintenance facilities and the hangar for the KnightWing inside the remains of the old smelting plant, leading off the accessway to the main docking and loading bay.

The four women who make up the Knight Sabers are employees in the training centre, often acting as OpFor wearing standard hardsuits, using production RR motoroids. It helps that training other factions, is perfect training for the Sabers themselves.

A number of non-sapient attack-drones with varying capabilities can make up the rest of the opposing forces. The drones themselves are tied into the Total Information Tactical Awareness Networked Independent Control system which forms the heart of the SilkyDoll, Survival Shot and their computer systems. TITANIC is capable of learning from it's opponents and developing improvements to it's own attack, defense and operational algorithms. The more it uses the module, the better it gets at using it. The more it faces an enemy, the better it gets at defeating any enemy. The more hardware in TITANIC, the faster it runs. Whether TITANIC is capable of gaining sentience, Jet hasn't even considered. It's just a kludged expert system using a heavily modified metaverse protocol that was just sort of randomly assembled and bodged out of second-hand equipment and dumpster-recovered computer hardware mixed with a number of open-sourced expert system modules and conglomerated into something functional rather than designed to any overarching plan.

But lately, there have been.... oddities.... in the system and Jet quietly admits that she really has no idea how the whole lot works anymore, or even exactly how it makes it's decisions... it just sort of does. The name was ‘obviously' intended as a joke.

----

Connecting Jet Jaguar to the Knight Sabers isn't difficult. The technology and tactics they use bear all the hallmarks of being Jet-developed, being basically current technology with added power. Jet is, at the very least, a backer of the organisation, then again she's not the only one. Jet is a known friend of Sylia, but they're exact relationship is unknown.

Outside of work, Sylia Stingray is a somewhat private individual, and it's difficult to find details about her prior to 2016, when she claims to have launched to orbit.

A number of SMoF's know specifically that Sylia is Jet.

The identities of the individual Knight Sabers however, are known only to Jet and a select few she trusts.

The Knight Sabers are generally self funding, with Mercenary missions and high-value bounty-captures generally keeping the organisation going. Stingray Motor Engineering is falling a little bit into the background, while Survival Shot and Jet's 'blitzkrieg' martial arts school are picking up the funding slack. They usually will have enough money to pay for outside hardware, and any unexpected medical bills.
________________________________
--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?

Evidently, Virginia just had a 5.9 earthquake. That had to be a bit unnerving.
Ebony the Black Dragon
http://ebony14.livejournal.com

"Good night, and may the Good Lord take a Viking to you."

Does this count as AMV? Maybe AFMV?

Regardless, Immediate Music takes the concept of EPIC seriously

Found this little beauty unexpectedly:
*hidden by link so folks who don't like PONY don't hafta see it*
Description: Little Fusion Comic that has someone's CoX Toon fighting Silver Mantis... as ponies
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

http://www.thehugoawards.org/]List here.

(At least this year I've heard of some of them - I'm getting back into knowing about current SF, even if I still don't have time to read much of it.)
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012

There are two types of Nicolas Cage films.
The first is the big Hollywood production where he is shoehorned into the Hollywood action role in much the way a Sir-Mixalot approved ass is shoehorned into a pair of jeans that are four sizes too small.  You may be able to make it work, but the bulges are visible and the end result is not particularly interesting or desirable.
The second kind is where someone says.  Nicholas is pretty fucked up.  I'm pretty fucked up.  Let's make a fucking movie!  From here arises such fare as Kick-Ass, Bad Lieutenant Port of Call New Orleans (with Werner Oedipal gerund Herzog no less) and today's film review subject- Drive Angry.
Make no mistake, this is not a good film.  The only way it would get an Oscar is if it stole it - and that would only to be to beat someone to death with it, use it as a sex toy; weld the dented, fluid stained remainder to the front of an engine-heavy performance car as a hood ornament  and drive off into the sunset.  It is an exploitation film - and entirely unapologetic about it, reveling in boobs, blood, car chases, and vehicular manslaughter.
The plot is simple and straightforward.  Cage drives out of hell with a mystic shotgun to save his infant granddaughter from being killed be a cult leader.  He is up against the cult, and 'the accountant' a heavenly (or hellish) collection agent, who is tasked with dragging his nasty ass back to pits.  Take a chunk of the Crow, sprinkle liberally with Steve McQueen, kick the amp up to 11 and add guns, titties and a villain performance that can only be described as 'A young Tommy Lee Jones channels Elvis' and you have 105 minutes of pure B Movie pleasure.
Cage grunts, growls and shoots his way through the titular role; he is joined by a serviceable female lead (who in a nice genre defying touch remains un-serviced by the protagonist) who is just as angry as he is.  The villain plays his role perfectly, and his minions are a  contemptible lot who are crying out for a shot-gun-bumper-9mm-whatever-the-hell-is-handy date with destiny.  The standout performance is 'The Accountant' the supernatural collection agent who steals every scene he is in.  An immaculate badass in a Hugo boss suit.  Oh and the cars should be on the cast as well - this movie loves its four wheeled protagonists - who despite not having any lines have more character and impact than the whole cast of the three recent transformer movies.
The violence is loud and gory, the sex is loud and not to be interrupted by something as trivial as 20 satanic meat sacks in need of ventilation and there are multiple moments of epic coolness.
Easily one of the better films I have seen this year - or at least among the most entertaining.  If you see it cheap in the used bin, it is worth $5.00 of your hard earned.
Shayne

One of the modifications being made to the costume generator in issue 21 is the removal of the 'Masks With Hair' category, given that the standard category is virtually identical, and the parts that are different are getting shifted in anyway. However, I've been testing the costume screen on the beta server, and if your character has a mask with hair, it defaults back to standard, face 1, default hair. To save headaches later, I recommend tweaking your characters at Icon now, rather then after 21 launches.