"Yes. The original shuttle prototype was designed for 76mm guns in the nose with 25mm Gats or 40mm multipurpose guns in the forward shoulder turrets as well as in the stern hip turrets, with ring mounts installed in the corners of the hatches for additional weapons. The armaments were reduced probably for cost considerations when they went into production as well as the fact that the mass assaults the shuttles were being involved in by the late period of the war when these Assault boats where being introduced relied heavily on Air support and did not need the heavy armaments on the earlier shuttles. Though they are still equipped with the mounting rings for the heavy weapons as well as the torpedo and missile bays with rotary launchers and outside launching hatches even though they have never been deployed with the weapons loaded as far as the records I have been able to access. The nose turret ring will accommodate up to a 105mm rapid fire multipurpose gun without any modifications while a 120mm and even a 155mm gun would fit with the installation of a larger turret ring. Do you want me to order four 120mm's or 155mm's for the shuttles Mark?" The gun specs flashed up in front of Mark.
"No. while a 155 (6) inch gun would be great for attacking ships. It is a bit overkill for landing on planets. Fact is the slow rate of firing makes it almost useless during o a n approach and landing as does the 120mm (4.7inch). No; go with the 105's (4) inch guns. They have a high rate of fire almost as fast as the 76mm (3) inch guns as well as a variety of plasma shells it can send down at an incredible range on approach from orbit."
"The original study Mark, showed the 76mm (3inch) gun was adequate for the job. Are you sure you would not rather stay with their findings."
"Hey, their findings allowed them to go down to 25mm guns; did you see some of those tanks they have back there? We need something that can take them out as well and the 76 just does not look up to the task. The 40's and 25s should be fine for the side positions but take enough of them to do all 4 of either of the guns on each shuttle depending on missions and the preferences of the commanders of the shuttles. And you may as well include a few of whatever weapons fits in the hatch mounts for the gunners to pick from." Taking a deep breath. “In fact, can we fit a 3 inch gun into the shoulder turrets? A few shots from all three guns at medium long rang as we are coming in should scar the shit out of anyone thinking about fucking with us and be a lot more effective against gun boats if the Assault Shuttles are needed in orbit or deep space.”
“Yes Mark, the turret rings are bigger than needed for the original 40mm turret and will allow the 3 inch nose turret to be installed in the shoulder positions though its field of fire will be somewhat restricted. Though its targeting sensors and computer are vastly superior to the smaller mount’s allowing it to engage targets at 4 times the range while serving as a point defense weapon which was what shoulder mounts were tasked at.”
“Very good, can you get them installed in the next couple hours? I c an ould see plenty of 3 inch turrets from here.”
Looking out across the warehouse towered the end with the shuttles as the platform speeded up zipping down the length of the warehouse in seconds, he turned to Captain Cook. " Captain, Sir; we are going to need you to do one more thing . A Captain , a fter we leave in the shuttles for the other side of the planet . Sir sir ." Studying the Captain as they streaked past the shuttles and slid up to what was now a slightly different and longer boat than the one Mark had piloted to orbit. The transport boat sitting there now was bigger at 450 foot long. The same size as the ones he parked between when he returned from orbit the day before. "After we leave for the attack; I need you to activate 4 of these for the trip to the third moon. The ground crews are already here preparing the shuttles and they can just transfer to these. All you have to do is put together flight crews for them."
The Captain gave Mark a strange look. "Come now Commander. I bet these are the same as the transport you took to orbit and docked on the side of the hulk ship, is it not? We don't need transport boats. I told you that we are already having problems finding enough cargo to lift with your improved engines as it is. No! You can take the shuttles you already have to the 3rd moon." Turning to smile at Mark. "The trip with them will farther solidify our claim on them don't you think. Getting us even more when we return them."
"Sorry Captain, the boat I was trained in was only 300 feet long usually used for ammunition and carrying heavy tanks, these are the 450 foot long version they use for general supplies but whether you want them or not we I still need them. Our only chance with the Military AI on the 3rd moon is if he does not know we are coming. He is in the middle of some kind of big construction project and these transports unaffiliated with the military and our tramp crews in on them, landing with construction materials it has ordered on the manifest, should not only make us some credits but will not draw the attention military shuttles or military crewed transports would from him. Like I said Captain; this little venture on the other side of the planet is just a training exercise. The real battle will be on that frigging moon if I can't talk the financial AI into helping us isolate him."
The Captain looked shocked. "Just wait one moment here. I have not even heard of them needing help with a second AI anyway." Taking a breath the Captain set her jaw. "I think we will have done quite enough helping after this little campaign Mr. Collins. The English can just take care of their own problems after this."
"Sorry Captain but it is in our contract to take care of all the English AI's in this system. I tried to keep it out but the Captain insisted on putting that back in in it . Thank Godstar I got the words “only in this system”, in writing or we could have spent the next year visiting AI's across the English realm. Luckily I think they have already taken care of the 4th AI from what this one has said and it's reaction to the English military trying to visit it. The reason it is scared to death that it will be shut down or isolated or killed as well." The platform touched down next to one of shuttles with crewmen crawling over and in it .
Stepping down off the platform, the Captain turned to Mark. "No damn it! ” Looking at Mark star i ng at her. “ I said No Commander. You can head back for the shipping docks Commander." The Captain took out a sheet from the inner pocket of her uniform jacket and started reading it as she turned away heading for the a A ssault shuttle ’ s open back ramp . Mark did not need Mickey to tell him it was the contract.
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Settling in next to the command post the Captain of marines had set up in the middle of the transport boat shipping building wing with men and old bulky comm equipment and computers screens scattered across the area. One portable console was sitting with its top wide open with parts strung around it on the deck as two marines bent over it. “Mickey don’t the English have some kind of Command vehicle they use for operations in the open away from ships ? . ”
“Yes Mark , a whole slew of them.”
“Good, get one for the marines. Maybe it will even have some equipment in it a little bit more modern than this hundred year old junk. Seems like everytime every time we are on a planet, the marines spend half their time trying to fix broken coms and computers and sensors while and guising what the hell everyone else and half the marines are doing. On a friendly planet that is only inconvenient but in the Outback that could get our guys killed. ”
“Yes Mark. On its way.”
Mark stepped off the platform as a large cart came sliding in from the main warehouse with bucket sized canisters lined up in racks inside the back of it with two techs on the bench seat in front. The cart slowed down for a few seconds with the techs looking around and then the driver spotted the command post and all the brass and made a beeline for it. Stopping next to the platform Mark had just landed, the driver asked. "Ok. Where do you want them?" As if everyone knew what he was talking about?
Mark started to answer knowing what was on the cart thanks to Mickey and the fact that he had ordered them when the Marine Captain stepped out of the back of a tent filled with tables and comm gear, and spoke up. "Wa
nt what?"
The man looked at the Captain not believing he did not already know. "Why the AI's. What ships do you want them installed in?" Looking around getting perplexed. "I don't see any Destroyers or Frigates here."
Mark smiled holding up his hand. "Excuse me Captain but if you please." Then turning to the technician on the cart. "They are not going into ships Sgt." Pointing at the remote tanks scattered around the shipping warehouse. "Follow me. I will show you where you can leave them for our techs to install in the tanks."
"These are combat ship Class 5 AI's. They do not belong in tanks" The tech sitting next to the driver said disgustedly. "And we are the ones that are doing any installations to make sure they are done properly and the AI is not damaged. That is if I approve the ship they are to b e installed in. "
"Check your orders Sgt. They clearly say to be installed in Mk. 12 Panther Leopard tanks and even list the hull numbers."
"Ya but that has to be a typo, a mistake sir."
"Follow your orders Sgt. R r ight this way." A tank came sliding up behind next to Mark as he turned back around from talking to the technician . The front knife edge of the tank s glacis pla te stopping as it touched Mark’s leg to his surprise . In the middle of taking a backward step, Mark fell butt first onto the gradually slopped armor only a foot high as the tank grounded . Shaking his head as he stared at the long gun barrel that protruded from half way up the sloped armored plate . Swallowing Mark looked back at the Sgt. "Well then , you can start with this one. Oh and you do have the Class 4 AI's as well?" Mark used the long barrel to climb back onto his feet trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Yes sir. They are right behind us. Be here in a minute but I do not see any fighters." The tech swallowed as he frowned. "Just what are you going to put those into Sir?"
Ignoring the man's question, Mark stepped to the back of the cart and took out one of the buckets. Lifting it by the handle on top. It was still cold from coming out of long term storage. The cold nitrogen atmosphere was needed to keep the circuits from degrading over time and lack of use.
"Hey!" Exclaimed one of the techs as he jumped up out of the cart. "Leave that alone. It is delicate circuitry there."
Mark turned and handed the bucket to the tech as the marine tech Sgt. that had climbed out of the hatch at the back of the tank’s cramped prone cockpit, stepped up onto the low 2 foot tall hull and started undoing an armored plate on top of the tank now sitting grounded on the deck. The long barrel of its 105mm weapon running through the sharply slanted flat armored plate to stick out a good 8 feet in front of the 12 foot long 12 foot wide gravity coiled single crewman tank. The light tank was getting an instant upgrade from a basic class 1-A.I. mind for doing the majority of the tanks jobs as the single crewman supplied the command and control functions, to a class 5-AI-autonomous ship’s engineering maintenance, weapons targeting, system overlook and navigation control mind that follow ed ing basic verbal human orders from the ships offi cers .
The Marine weapons tech slipped on gloves then unscrewed a plate from just behind the Panthers short central tower with a flat plate pod on top containing a 2mm anti-personnel heavy machinegun beside and a 30mm grenade launcher surrounded by with sensors to each side that looked like eyes . Placing the thick heavy plate to one side, the marine stuck his surgical gloved hand down inside the cylinder that reached down between the single crewman’s legs, twisted another plug a quarter turn to the left (counter clockwise) as a cloud puffed up around his hand with a hiss and pulled up a 5 inch diameter 9 inch tall frame that contained layers of old circuit boards Mark was familiar with on the Star Queen with wires running down its sides to the silver base of the frame. Even to Mark it looked like an old antique as he tried to figure out why they were using equipment that old inside their newest light tank. The marine tech car e fully sat the frame down next to the armored cover plate then grabbed a meter off his thigh and started probing the inside of the hole.
For a good minute the marine concentrated on his work as the English tech looked on holding the bucket he had just taken from Mark. The marine turned around and smiled. "Looks brand new in there. No corrosion or damage anywhere and all the circuits test out to specks." Holding out his hand for the bucket.
"Now wait one second. I am the one installing this." The English tech climbed up on the back of the tank and knelt next to the marine. "Did you check the com 52 receptacles? That idiot piece of shit computer has a habit of burning them out after a period of time if there is the slightest speck of dust or oil on them."
"Yes I checked and it looks brand new. Which is to be expected since we just unpacked these a half hour ago. But why the old outdated computer?"
"Not my job to figure out stupid decisions by the top brass. But probably cost. Though with thousands of those old brains laying around and as hurriedly as they got these tanks into production during the last year of the war , newer brains were probably not available. It takes years to grow good brains and I heard they went from deciding they needed these tanks to production in months. ” Picking up the module in question and looking at it shaking his head. “ Besides , with a human crewman these old things are all they really need.” Pushing the marine out of the way as he tossed the carefully set aside brain module off the tank to bounce across the deck destroying it. “Excuse me if I check the Comm 52 receptacles anyway. I don't know why you are putting ship grade AI's into light tanks but it is not going to have an itch in the com connections if I can help it."
The English tech stuck his probe down the hole for a few seconds. More, so he could say he did it than actually checking anything as the marine unfastened the lid off the bucket . A as a nother cloud escaped with a hiss. Running his scanner over the open bucket and then leaning back so the English tech could get at it. Whistling as he smiled at the new AI being pulled from the bucket. The 5 by 9 inch frame of the old brain was replaced by a glass looking tube filled with a clear fluid and thousands of pins covering the bottom gold end cap. A 1 inch in diameter by 6 inch crystal dowel down the center was surrounded by other smaller dowels with masses of fine hairs floating in the liquid and running between each of the crystal dowls dowels and then the bottom end gold cap with thousands of fine gold pins .
The Second English tech grabbed another bucket as another Panther Leopard light tank floated up and grounded next to the first. A marine with a tech patch next to his weapons and flight patches slid more than climbed up out of the stern hatch and started taking the armored lid off as the other English tech tech that had been driving joined him without saying a word to each other. The Englishman preparing the AI while the marine removed the tanks original AI computer and checked out the receptacle.
A platform like the one Mark had been riding around on came floating into the shipping bay heading straight for the English technician's cart. "Mark; the class 4 AI's are here." Mickey said as Mark was watching the tank AI installations.
Turning around as the cart settled to the deck. Mark yelled. "Sgt . Major if you please!"
The Sgt . Major was already walking up behind Mark. "I am right here Commander. You don't have to yell. What is going on here?"
Going to the cart that just grounded, Mark picked up what looked like a soda can from a rack and turned to the Sgt. Major. "These are class 4 AI's. These will make the Trooper bots autonomous and smart enough to become a marine’s best friend and companion; responding to the orders and actions of the marine each is assigned to. Either as a remote filling in the blanks and misjudgments and delays that are common when operating remotes that I just found out about . Or as a shadow when the marine is in the field. However we decide to use them. The bot is able to go into the dangerous situations ahead of the marine using simple verbal orders." Taking the top off the can as a cloud whooshed out, Mark carefully slide a 1 inch by 4 inch crystal dowel with a gold bottom end plate out of the can and held it out for the Sgt. Major. "These will plug into and replace the bots simple processor on all our remote Trooper bots." Noticing the
Sgt. Major's skeptical look Mark added. "Yes it is going to take a lot of training to figure out the best way to employ them. But we are going to be badly outnumbered in the outback and it is my hope that these bots will be our force multipliers in time as well as taking most of our casualties."
The Sgt. Major took the AI crystal from Mark being careful not to touch the gold end plate with thousands of hair fine pins and looked at it for a few seconds shaking his head and then turned around and went over to the nearest squad. "Sgt. Pearce; start installing these in your two Trooper bots and then unpack bots for the rest of the squad and put these in them ."
Mark looked down at the empty can in his hand and smiled as he threw it up onto the top of the rack of class 4 AI's normally used in star fighters. "Captain Summers is going to have a ninny fit when she finds out about what I am doing with her AI's." He said to himself as Sgt. Pea rce opened up the skull of the first of the two remote bots his squad had been practicing with . Pushing a latch that was under the screw cap he had taken off, the dowel popp ed up for Pearce to slide up and out of the top of the skull . Tossing the dowel that looked not quite as primitive as the tanks core but almost with its layers of chips stacked up with what looked like layers of circuit boards and tossed it to one side across the concrete as the English tech on the tank had done , Sgt. Pierce pushed the new crystal dowel Mark had given the Sgt. Major down until Mark heard a click . Checking that the reddish O ring was soft and clean and still in place, the Sgt. screwed the armored cap back into the back of the bots skull. Mark realizing that the skull was basically an armored cylinder surrounded by cooling fins and sensors shaped like a human skull .
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