"...no. That cannot be so." ES was feeling rather down at the revelation that nothing mattered because he was dead, and apparently he had fallen in the most scrub-like of ways. "Is it really pointless, then? If we're inside the Soul Orb, and I think we are, then we can't actually win. We're contained, rats in a trap, and we can do bugger all about it. Well that definitely is a revelation."
Amelia was more thoughtful about things, having since calmed down somewhat. "You know sir, I'm not so sure. We're fighting for a reason. If this Godmodder is really fighting a bunch of Players right now, then he probably doesn't want to split his attention with us. He's overconfident and powerful, not stupid. I think if he could shut down our highly successful group, he would. The fact we're still around makes me think that we can't be removed with a simple flick of the switch."
"I... guess. Although if nothing else this does clear up that you're definitely real, just not a Player. Well, were real. Do we still count when we're dead? I think we do." Everything was as he thought, he'd just dragged her along for the ride because it seemed like a better plan than leaving her alone against the Godmodder and his small army in the real world. So far so plan working out well.
FOCUS - FINISHING TOUCHES
The Overseer AI had, of course, no such introspective grumpiness, because as part of a humble Entity it didn't know these things. Instead, it was frankly quite cheerful. With help from its newly made good friends, the Peacekeepers (if they want anything from the Shipyard's repertoire in return at any point, just call!), it had been able to progress its development just so, leading to it being potentially able to finish its project this round.
Of course, to do that it would have to really go all out in order to keep up the pace. Fire up the forges, light the flame of industry, set the fabricators to maximum overdrive, that sort of thing. Luckily, the Shipyard was not exactly lacking in resources to put such a policy into practice. Additional computational modules specifically coded for multitasking were manufactured and installed, all existing construction drones upgraded and fine-tuned to peak performance with some last few being made, even existing primary manipulator and fabricator arms tending to the Apex that weren't currently in use were upgraded based on data from their performance on previous upgrades.
Everything that could be done was done to ensure that the MTD upgrade would finish, and be finished now. with any luck, it would work.
Then of course there was the matter of continuing to utilize the current single track on further upgrades for the thing.
Ice Runes: No, not an elemental effect on the actual slugs and energy beams. Something far deadlier. By carefully inscribing freezing runes on the barrels of the secondary railgun turrets and the various capacitors and focusing lenses of the primary energy lance turrets, the weaponry of the Apex can be cooled to sub-zero temperatures even when firing flat out. Not that they would be, but it becomes a possibility. Instead, they are kept at a constant room temperature even when firing as fast as possible, which was previously not possible. Alongside tweaks to the autoloading and capacitor charging systems on top of that, the rate of fire of the Apex's weapon systems can be greatly improved. So improved, in fact, that it gains a second attack.
Obviously, since this is effectively a doubling of firepower, this upgrade will likely take quite a while. Still, it should be more than worth the wait.
Amelia was more thoughtful about things, having since calmed down somewhat. "You know sir, I'm not so sure. We're fighting for a reason. If this Godmodder is really fighting a bunch of Players right now, then he probably doesn't want to split his attention with us. He's overconfident and powerful, not stupid. I think if he could shut down our highly successful group, he would. The fact we're still around makes me think that we can't be removed with a simple flick of the switch."
"I... guess. Although if nothing else this does clear up that you're definitely real, just not a Player. Well, were real. Do we still count when we're dead? I think we do." Everything was as he thought, he'd just dragged her along for the ride because it seemed like a better plan than leaving her alone against the Godmodder and his small army in the real world. So far so plan working out well.
FOCUS - FINISHING TOUCHES
The Overseer AI had, of course, no such introspective grumpiness, because as part of a humble Entity it didn't know these things. Instead, it was frankly quite cheerful. With help from its newly made good friends, the Peacekeepers (if they want anything from the Shipyard's repertoire in return at any point, just call!), it had been able to progress its development just so, leading to it being potentially able to finish its project this round.
Of course, to do that it would have to really go all out in order to keep up the pace. Fire up the forges, light the flame of industry, set the fabricators to maximum overdrive, that sort of thing. Luckily, the Shipyard was not exactly lacking in resources to put such a policy into practice. Additional computational modules specifically coded for multitasking were manufactured and installed, all existing construction drones upgraded and fine-tuned to peak performance with some last few being made, even existing primary manipulator and fabricator arms tending to the Apex that weren't currently in use were upgraded based on data from their performance on previous upgrades.
Everything that could be done was done to ensure that the MTD upgrade would finish, and be finished now. with any luck, it would work.
Then of course there was the matter of continuing to utilize the current single track on further upgrades for the thing.
Ice Runes: No, not an elemental effect on the actual slugs and energy beams. Something far deadlier. By carefully inscribing freezing runes on the barrels of the secondary railgun turrets and the various capacitors and focusing lenses of the primary energy lance turrets, the weaponry of the Apex can be cooled to sub-zero temperatures even when firing flat out. Not that they would be, but it becomes a possibility. Instead, they are kept at a constant room temperature even when firing as fast as possible, which was previously not possible. Alongside tweaks to the autoloading and capacitor charging systems on top of that, the rate of fire of the Apex's weapon systems can be greatly improved. So improved, in fact, that it gains a second attack.
Obviously, since this is effectively a doubling of firepower, this upgrade will likely take quite a while. Still, it should be more than worth the wait.