A second question involves a component of the main character's CCU (Cerebral Combat Unit). He possesses an internal 'tactical data core'...think of it as a limited AI, designed to assist the transplanted consciousness with data processing and cybernetic systems interfacing. Anyway, I've created a bland personality for this 'core' and intend to expand the concept later in the story. Basically, how would you suggest I handle the internal dialogue between the main character and the core? My current, makeshift format goes something like this:
<You are alone, John Morrow. You have no genetic relations; no friends. You have nothing to lose.>
Yeah. That’s true, but….
<You are alone. You are intelligent, capable, and resourceful. The component of your personality that made you somewhat difficult to control in the past will be removed upon completion of the next procedure. This will extend your capabilities. Prepare for upgrade.>
No…I don’t want an ‘upgrade.’ I like my personality just the way it is.
I've seen similar formats in other novels. The subject is a little tricky, since the core is not really another individual taking part in a conversation. It's an entity within Morrow's mind, interacting on an internal level. Any thoughts on this subject?
Inkwell
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"The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp."
-Anonymous
[This message has been edited by Inkwell (edited May 18, 2004).]
quote:
I'm looking into a recharging power cell and possibly a supplementary energy collection system combination. Any thoughts/suggestions?
I'd probably go with a chemical battery system (e.g. Lithium-Ion, Nickel-Metal Hydride, or some futuristic variant on the theme), as such things tend to be smaller than regenerative power cells, which are (at present at least) quite large.
Or a power cell that needs refueling, perhaps from methanol.
quote:
The subject is a little tricky, since the core is not really another individual taking part in a conversation. It's an entity within Morrow's mind, interacting on an internal level. Any thoughts on this subject?
You could do it like that. Although I might be tempted to go with a format that doesn't make it clear what's Morrow's own thought and what's the CCU trying to communicate, as if Morrow himself was having trouble distinguishing between the two. Could create some quite interesting conflict that way
quote:
Posted by Jules:
I'd probably go with a chemical battery system (e.g. Lithium-Ion, Nickel-Metal Hydride, or some futuristic variant on the theme), as such things tend to be smaller than regenerative power cells, which are (at present at least) quite large.Or a power cell that needs refueling, perhaps from methanol.
I was thinking more along the lines of a hardwired energy reservoir requiring a 'recharge' every seventy-two hours or so (less if the CCU is not in constant motion, combat, etc.). The secondary system would extend those factors in a wartime situation. I'm not sure if I want to go with a regenerative energy system, per se...but it's not out of the question as of right now. I'm also pretty sure I want to stay away from current battery technologies (or things that sound similar), since this story is set in the future...at least one hundred and fifty years ahead of present day.
Inkwell
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"The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp."
-Anonymous
Maybe a Mr. Fusion? No, we'll have those by 2015.
Consider that the rate of technological advancement is generally accelarating. So the power systems of 150 years in the future will likely be more advanced relative to today's power systems than today's are relative to the power systems of 1854.
You mentioned that there would be two energy systems: the primary (general use when re-powering is easily available) and the secondary (for extended use when resupply may be difficult.)
For the primary supply, I think something like a room-temperature high-capacity superconductor coil might work. Feed electricity in, bleed it off as needed.
Or maybe small, vacuum-enclosed, high-density, extreme-velocity flywheels, which have the added benefit of working as gyroscopic stabilizers.
For the secondary power system, no form of nuclear power is acceptable, because if you were going to use nuclear power you wouldn't need to bother with having the primary system. So maybe there are rules against using nuclear reactions in battlefield situations, because that's how things escalate.
For similar reasons, antimatter is right out (as is any form of "zero-point energy.")
A possible secondary power source could be a very sturdy and versatile combustion engine or fuel cell that can use biomass (or any hydrocarbon) for fuel. That would allow the cyborg to scavenge for fuel as needed.
MaryRobinette
[This message has been edited by MaryRobinette (edited May 18, 2004).]
Inkwell
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"The difference between a writer and someone who says they want to write is merely the width of a postage stamp."
-Anonymous
quote:
Maybe a Mr. Fusion? No, we'll have those by 2015.
"On the left, the neanderthal...on the right, a reference to Back to the Future."
God, I miss those.
CVG
Technological advance isn't always on an upward curve. In recorded history, many societies have reached an apex of technological development before either sinking into cultural decline or deliberately rejecting technological development. Although the precise mechanics of this are somewhat sketchy, we could easily do the same. So maybe your future has lost some nuclear science. It isn't necessary to retain a strong understanding of nuclear physics to advance cybernetics and bionic technology, after all. Conventional molecular chemistry, leaving aside any knowledge of controlled nuclear reactions, will suffice.
In any case, the exact terminology used to describe technology 150 years from now would probably be largely incomprehensible to today's technophiles. If you have determined to let the needs of the story dictate the parameters of the power supply, then choose a technology on that basis.
If you are postulating that this is a continuation of our own technological development, I would go with a small fusion reactor for the primary source and a small fission pile for the emergency backup. The fusion device could be a micro tokamak or some type of cold fusion, but it would still require energy input to get the energy out (such is the nature of the beast). A simple fission device--like a small ingot of plutonium heating an advanced thermo-couple or some kind of turbine--would be very reliable, and also quite safe if you weren't demanding too much in the way of performance.
I would reject using an anti-matter annihilator or similar technology to power a small combat unit. Anti-matter reactors tend to blow up rather violently when shot. They also put out a lot more radiation for a given energy requirement. And they are the very devil to shrink to a man-portable size.
As for the conversations with this "CCU", I presume that you have a good reason that it talks rather than simply presenting tactical information directly to his senses (which are, after all, bionic)?
If there is a reason for it to converse, then there must be some instrumentality by which he talks to it. Since your story spans the time during which he is learning to use the system, simply take the reader through that process. From that point on, whatever format you have devised to indicate his communication with the unit should be acceptable to the reader.
Bryan