Appendix Entry #1

Sentinel Appendix
Entry #1: Technology #1: Mech Tech 

Armature – the mechanism used to control the main arms of a mech. The pilot places his/her arms into glove-like appendages built into the cockpit rollcage that offer a 1:1 control mechanism for the mech’s arms and hands. The gloves contain tactile response pads that supply pressure to the fingertips of the pilot, and pressure sensors in the mech's hands pass on that information to the tactile pads in the gloves. If the operator picks up an object, they feel the tactile response of exactly how much pressure they are using to grip the object which allows pilots to perform incredibly delicate operations with the mech arms. In some advanced models, the tactile response is sophisticated enough to pass on even the texture of an object as well as pressure, allowing for even greater control over the machine (ie - slippery, wet, dry, rough, etc).  Pilots using this advanced system often boast of handling eggs, tiny in the hands of their machines, without cracking them.

Information Flow
Object || Finger Pressure Sensor <-> Mech Aritificial Multiplexing Nervous System <-> Pilot's Armature <-> Pilot.

Chapter 28: Power Plays

“Status?” Deckert ordered from the command chair of the Gladius.  Abigail had noticed he’d finally sat down in the chair after the Praetorian had disappeared in a ball of fire plunging into the planet’s atmosphere.  In the few hours since the battle, the repair teams aboard the Gladius had been working at breakneck paces to finish the repairs and get the Gladius fully operational in order to take the Praetorian on again.

Chapter 27: New Friends, New Enemies

“Why the hell would you do that?” Kella demanded.  She didn’t know what the hell this guy’s problem was, but she didn’t have time for it.  It had to be some ploy to manipulate her.  But why?  For what reason?  He had just given up a huge advantage.  He could have marched her all the way down to the brig, and taken back the ship.  Why did he let her go? 

“Because,” he said, shrugging.  “I’ve decided that my current employer does not have my best interests at heart.”

Chapter 26: Falldown

Kella gasped as she got a clear image of the Praetorian from her scanner.  The damage was worse than she had feared.  Half of its PDEs were leaving trails of gaseous discharge indicating severe damage, and several had been outright destroyed leaving large chunks missing from the swept wings.  Moving inward from the wings, Kella also saw ruptures all over the top hull, with long scores of burned metal crisscrossing all over.  It looked as if the plane had been in a catfight and lost. 

Chapter 25: Battles External

Kella zigged and zagged, dodging missiles and lasers fired off from the trio of enemy machines with ease.  The new Scythe was far and beyond anything it had been before.  Gavin hadn’t simply rebuilt it.  He’d reinvented it.  Maneuvers that had once been difficult at best were now smooth and easy.  Her onboard VI interface was fast and accurate, and, Kella noticed, had an avatar that looked suspiciously like Gavin’s camera remote.  She smiled at the thought. 

Chapter 24: Tactical Movement

Kella’s calves were aching by time she reached the fantail of the Praetorian.  The walk had taken longer than she had expected, and the constant effort required to dislodge the boots had drained most of her energy.  She still had plenty of air left, but she felt like she’d just run a marathon. 

“Ok,” she reported in, panting.  “I’m here at the base of the tail fins.”

“Roger that,” Gavin replied in acknowledgement.  “I have a good signal on you.”

Chapter 23: Battles Internal

The Praetorian had been picking its way through the asteroid belt for over an hour.  Gavin had hoped that the density of the field would provide them with enough cover to make a safe exit into slipspace, but instead Gavin kept picking up the Gladius following right after.  Every time he felt safe, it would suddenly loom in the distance.  It was quickly becoming obvious that they would have to fight their way free, and no fake transmission would help them out this time.  Gavin’s mood soured even further as he gave thought to exactly how the Gladius was tracking them.    

Chapter 22: Fall Down

“They’re between us and the asteroid belt,” Kella commented from the commander’s station breaking the harsh silence; the sensor holo glowing over her console. 

“I noticed,” Gavin replied. 

“How the hell did they get ahead of us?  We left them sucking space dust,” Kella asked.

“Recursive Drive,” Gavin mumbled.

“What?”

“Recursive Drive,” Gavin said, speaking up and spinning the remote to face Kella.  “It was only theoretical last time I checked, but, it seems they’ve figured it out.”

“Oh yeah?  And exactly what the hell does it do?”

“To put it simply, it creates slipspace inside slipspace,” Gavin explained.