Page 210
- mention of the "can-airy" factor - an amusing (but distorted) reference to using canaries as sensory warnings in mines (of poisonous gases or whatnot)
Page 210
On Necromunda they use "reactive patches" to detect or alert inividuals to poisonous or noxious dangers.Nowadays you had reactive patches to show up poisons, 'suming you could find or trade or steal some;
Page 211
One of the reasons scouts do not use full power armor (at least iwth the fists) is that their Black Carapaces are still meshing with their nervous systems. This makes sense, although modern sources add in some stuff about having to "earn' it - it could be that such traditions were based initially upon practicalities (since otherwise this may or may not be considered retconned.)Sure, the Scouts had respirators in their kit, ,but they didn't have full armour because their carapaces weren't meshed in to their nerves yet. Thus they were a kind of litmus, ,a kind of can-airy. And by now the full Marines had their visors open so as to conserve their air tanks. So Biff kept a wary eye on the can-airy Scouts.
Normally, he guessed that Lord Pugh wouldn't have sent Scouts on a first foray into such an enviroment. However, the whole chapter was in on this mission to penetrate a trio of the alien vessels.
Page 213
Portable sensor units. On a chain. That can also detect warp stuff (IE wrp sensors.) Probably passive."Lower a sensor down," the Lieutenant odered.
The rune-painted sensor dangled on a fine strong chain like a thurible for burning incense to Rogla Dorn.
Chain ran through Juron's gauntlet as sensor then tether were sucked down through the inner labia of the cyst -
..
"Warp echo here, Sir. This thing's a teleporter."
Page 216
- Fist Lieutneannt recovers an alien gun (the Alien in question came from some other Galaxy the Tyranids conquered, and was 14,000 years old) for "future study."
Page 217
More about marines carrying "coin sized grenades" in dispensers at this time. I do wonder if this could be considered valid, as the Space Wolf novels have them also. Interestingly if these things are as effective as modern grenades, they would be much more compact, and require substantilaly more powerful explosive.Biff tore the skull loose and tossed it away. In rapid succession he thumbed three of the slef-priming, coin size grenades from the dispenser on his plasteel sleeve.
Page 217
Tyranids have their own sorts of compact warp tunnels like the Squats did earlier, or those creatures (as I mentioned iwth the Squats) from the Ghosts novels."Terminator Librarian Steinmuller advises all squads to thrust blast grenades into any floor cysts they come across. The Captain's Warp-sensitive. HE says this creature is a worm-tangle. Most of its body exists in the Warp - he senses dozens of these feeler openings. The worm's tuned to every native of this ship - because they're all keyed to some strange composite mind. That mind's vaster than this ship, he says. It makes him sick to think how big. All the ships are partt of it. "
Also, first detection of the Hive Mind.
Page 230
This iteration of Tyranids created bio-orgnaic analogues (more Vong-like in this regard, although even I suspect they wouldn't try fabricaitng some sort of display screen using diffreent colored bugs.). We might consider these "differences" in design or apporach or tactics by the Tyranids over time. (This would probably be considered the more "subtle" approachYeri stared at the armless searchlight dwarfs in a fascination of disgust-
..
"We breed cyborgs," Biff reminded him quietly.
"Ah, but in the Emperor's service," Yeri retorted lightly.
Also 'Cyborg" obviously refers to servitors. This was before they decided to change terminology to sound more "gothic/archaic" I imagine.
Page 232
Officers (at least) seem to carry lasguns in the field. Whether this is an alterantive weapon, a backup weapon, or something else, we don't know. It doesnt seem like others have the weapon, as Lex does not have his own lasgun.The Lieutenant snapped a lasgun loose from a thigh-holster on his plasteel cuisse. Silver runes embossed the barrel. After adjusting setting and focus deftly with his power glove, he handed the weapon to Lex to do the honours.
..
A searing needle of coherent light lanced from the gun.
Resin cracked.
Resin burst
Slime sprayed.
Steam billowed, assaulting nostrtils with a sour vinegary whiff.
It is an interesting concept though that Astartes might carry lasweapons, and one of the things I like about Ian Watson's stories. There should be no reason whty the Astartes would limit themselves to bolters - they are quite versatile warriors and would natrually employ whtever weapons best suit their purposes, and I'd imagine there are time swhen lasers might be better than bolters.
Given enhanced Astartes physique, its likely this laser weapon is bigger and more powerful than what the Guard uses (like their bolt weapons). It also seems to be quite versatile - being able to adjust more than one quality about it, including the focus (wide beam or fan beam options, perhaps?)
And like all Ian Watson novels of this time using las weapons, its a sustained beam effect (cutting, like in Draco) although this implies that they have searing/vaporizing and shock (cracking/fragmenting) effects as well (which is consistnet with all known las weapon effects in later novels.) Although the steam bit might just be mist or fog rather than actual superheated vapor.
Page 233
More of the lasgun having settings, although in this context it implies that there are noncombat settings as well as combat settings.Lex, who had leapt back cursing in frustration, fumbled with the setting on the lasgun to restore its pristine lance of deathlight.
Page 234
We know bolters might've done this at least, but its possible Lex (using a lasgun) did some of this, suggestng a more explosive setting comparable to what a boltgun might do.At last the Fists ceased fire. Did any of the aliens, savaged in their embalment, remain alive? The ribbed, ,spattered walls were hung with hundreds of wrecked cadavers which might still twitch, but which surley posed no further threat.
Page 235
Tyranid intercepts bolt rounds in mid-air. Assuming reaction times at least as good as an Astartes - anywhere from one twentieth of a second to several times that at least (Space Wolf) - its possible the Warrior may even have better reflexes. Anyhow, assuming between .05 and .01 seconds (1/20 to 1/100th) for the Warrior, and about ~10 meter distance (roughly right.. might go as high as 20 m though - hard to judge) we can estimate a bolt velocity of anywhere between 200 m/s and 1000 m/s (twice that for a 20 m distance.).No bolts reached the sword-wielder, though.
Those razor-sharp horns swished through the air, aglow, in frenzied circuits, as the warrior advanced. Bolts were simply battereda side by the scintillarting aura of force conjured in mid-air.
..
As the humming monomolecualr edges of their [power] swords met those force-field spinning razor-horns in shuddering collision, rainbow energy cascaded.
Tyranid warrior is strong enough to physically redirect them too.
Power swords have monomolecular edges (plus the power field?) while the Warirors boneswords have their own psychic force field (simulating power weapon, one assumes)
Page 236
Lex is probably using a boltgun here, rather than the lasgun, but either way its blowing apart the Tyranid warrior's head (which is goign to be several times larger than a human head.)Lex had circled at speed. Firing upward, Lex shattered that grerat-brained head.
Page 237-238
- introduction of a Zoat, and its use in diplomatic roles. Basically it greets the MArines and offers to be an envoy between them and the Tyranids. It claims that the Tyranids know about the Chaos Gods, and want humanity to join so as to protect themselves against Chaos.
It is tempting to think this is simply a "early" idea of the Tyranids that is retconned out of existence later, but this is not neccesarily required. Remember that the Tyranids are a highly adaptive species, and the Imperium has repelled a number of intrusions by Hive Fleets over the centuries. It could be that the use of "Zoats" and this (relatively) friendlier approach simply reflect some early effort on the parts of the Tyranids to conquer through subterfuge. Its known the Tyranids are quite cunning, ,and they may have figured or hopes they oculd easily trick the sentients of this galaxy into a peaceful resolution (which the Tyranids would take advantage of via ambush.) and the Zoats fufilled that role. Hell, this would be similar to what the Genestealers basically do, and we know they're Tyranid creations (sabotage/subterfuge isn't all THAT different from what tha Zoats probably were for.)
The later, harsher, and more horrific Tyranids of later editions (and years) would simply be the Tyranids using different (and nastier) tactics.
Page 238
Note that the speil of the Zoat echoes very much Genestealer propoganda when they "recruit" - sounding like any number of genestealer cults. This tends to indicate the Tyranids are well versed in propoganda as well as their more direct methods (or their stealthy ones like scouting and sabotage). and that they are more versaitle (and dangerous to underestimate) than we might give them credit for on the surface. Thus, while still essnetially a "human wave tactics" type of enemy (which they do because they can afford to) it is quite possible they can employ other tactics should they wish or noeed to."Thanks be to the Great Mind that guides, ,the Masters are immune to corruption!!"
...
"Under the wise guidance of your new Tyranid lords all flesh shall finally be remoulded into pure tools, serving the Tyranid Overmind, which shall expel and quench all this tarnish utterly. You can never achieve that. For the traits of chaotic tarnish are written within you. We can unwrite what was written. We shall delve for your daemons and expunge them! this is our message to you: withdraw, relinquish, yield, and serve. Your stars shall be saved by the Masters!"
Also note the claim of the Hive mind being immune to Chaos.
Page 239
An interesting implication about the vulnerability of 40K humans (and other beings) to Daemons."
You cannot bind the dire Gods of Chaos. Nor can you resist our fleet. Haa, but we shall give you a useful placec within our homes - and we shall purge all taint. For we can extinguish those daemons by altering all the flesh and minds they feed on."
Page 239
The Lamenters apparently did get absorbed. So at least some of the Tyrnaid fleets have Space Marine DNA to play with in some form or another. This must have greatly enhanced their capabiilities. (nevermind considering Astartes + Ork DNA)"Why should we trouble to learn your language?"
"Yeah, how did you manage that trick?"
"Because Marines have assisted us. The Chapter of the Lambs..."
"The Lamenters??"
"Yes, indeed."
Page 247
Juron apparently has a lasgun too, and is using it to cut openings in their doorways. No real way to calc it though since we dont know how long it was or how it was cut open (aside from implying ot be sliced apart. If we assume at least one slice on a 3 m or so tall door (possibly larger - it likely has to be big enought o allow all Tyranids through without having to crouch down) a 2 cm wide laser beam (established elsewhere), and a door abut 2-3 cm thick, and that it vaporizes the path of the beam.. at least 2-3 megajoules (nearly a kg of matter affected, more or less depending on exact density used, and ignoring the possibility of their ceramic-like chitin). Does not factor in the possibility of cauterization of the surrounding tissue or other secondary (explosive) effects.Running past mobile pouches and snakes, trampling some, knocking other winged scavengers form the air, they arrived at that reluctant, puckered door - and Juron lasered it apartt.
...
A glossy blue chamber yanwed beyond the lasered ribbons of the dying door.
This isn't neccesairly a "per shot" or "per second" estimate, mind.. because we dont know how long they take. Reasonably we could infer that the door is sliced through in seconds to slice through it, so rthe ctual value may only be in the kilojoule range (though still high - hundreds of kilojoules per second output) and we don't know whether there was one slice, multipel slices, or if the door was cut in some other way (like diagnol cuts perhaps. I assume vaporization along the path because its likely a sustained beam (as before, and as I noted with all Watson novels) but one cannot discount the possibility of explosive effects, and the thickness is a guess too, but likely reasonable ones (its less thick than most doors I've seen)
In any case, consider it calc within an order of magnitude or so. Even if I was (somehow) two orders of magnitude off, you'll still get double digit KJ though, which is quite a fucking lot. And this is a one handed weapon, even if Astartes scale (probably).
Its also interesting to wonder why they might be using lasers to slice the odor open rathe than bolts. Fear of overpenetration perhaps, or precision. Bolters are rather indiscriminate weapons (another reson why carrying lasers as well as bolters makes sense.)
Page 249
The Marines had just blasted apart the psychic organ linking the Tyranids on this ship to the Overmind. Apparently this has adverse effects on their psychic abilities (such as not being able to psychically imbue the boneswords. Whether this means they are cut off from psychic powers or whether they simply cannot focus enough to accomplish the effect is unknown.[/quote]Those boneswords weren't glowing with an aura, as the other ones had glowed...
If this is to be taken as true (and was not retconned) tyranids at this point in time, the source of any Tyranid's psychic abilities is linked intimately with its "parent" vessel (or possibly some other creature.) and they do not generate their own inherent warp abilities (rather they'r elike Orks in this manner, rather than being psykers.) Assuming this got retconned though, we may infer the Tyranids merely redesigned things to eliminate this potential vulnerability (greatre reduncancy, a more decentrailized "network", etc.
In any case this does suggest that aside form warp-based communications between components, they might use some sort of warp-based "power tap/transmission", giving us further hints about how their biowank powers itself or matches inorganic vessels (magic, in other words.)
Page 253
A bit of starship porn here. Note that like in Harlequin, we find out Imperial "battleships" are 4 km long (as opposed to 4 miles long in Eye of Terror.. odd that). Plasma bombs and barrage bombs appaarently are also longer ranged than laser batteries (more than hundreds of thousands of km?) which we presume may refer to bow torpedo tubes. Also note the "guided" bit. Given the description plasma weapons seem to be plasm contained in some sort of field (so they probably ARe physical munitions, since you cannot have magic containment fields.) They are likely compressed to have greater explosive effect (developing higher pressures)However, Imperial battleships began launching plasma and barrage bombs at other invading coiled leviathans.
How elegantly those human battleships drifted, pulsing out their seethign balls of plasma. Those were vertical cities, ,spiry and crenellated, ghostly in the light frorm distant LAcrima Dolorosa - cities bonded to spear-blade decks that jutted out for a full four kilometres with underslung warp-keels far of the forrard. Quite as much bulk hung below the poop as soared above so that each vessel seemed alfoat upon it sown reflection in a lake of quicksilvered glass.
Long range guided barrage bombs erupted against the towering alien hulls, cracking chambers open.
Throbs of incandescent ionised gas, compressed in containment fields, burst, bringing inferno where atmosphere g ushed, a furnace blaze that imploded inward.
Yet there were a thousand invaders; and from the gaping mouths of the most gargantuan snail-ships there now began to spew a stream of ominous beaked white baby vessels, each the size of a small corvette.
..
Laser batteries on the decks and towers of the cathedraline battleships opened fire, stitching the void.
In the greater scheme of things we could assume the "four kilometers" is only part of the size and refers to the part of the "decks" of the ship not connected ot the "cityscape" bit, but taken literally its obvious Ian Watson meant that battleships are 4 km long (or at least some are.)
And of course numbers of lasers, at least dorsally munted.
1000 warships that emit "corvette sized" sorts of fighters. Possibly tens/hundreds of meters in length.
Page 253
Implied volume of the battle is "cubic Megaklicks" - or millions of kilometers in all directions. This does imply as above the combat ranges extend to hundreds of thousands if not millions of kilometers (small wonder they used guided munitions initially), since the Imperial fleet is grouped together and the Tyranids are grouped together (rather than idividual close rnge melees - its a running batlte after all.) And theBattle is occuring throughout the passge of the systme.. suggesting durations of hours/days - which can indicate either high acceleration rates, or tremendous durability, or both, depending on the exact timeframe one settles on.Spread over cubic megaklicks, the battle drifted past the jaundiced gas-giant and its pallid moons, in ward.
..
...still so many hundreds of millions of klicks away was their jungle world still. [from the battle)
Page 256
I won't comment, although saying its absurd and hilarious. It makes me wonder how Watson coudl go from this to write Emo-Draco in the latter books.Lo Chang had sat behind a filigree screen, upon a pain-stool - not so much that he should experiencee due anguish at a Brother's admission of shortcomings.. Nay, the constipative pangs induced in the nerves of his buttocks may have been subtly pleasurable... but so that thus he might sympathetically take into himself some of the confessee's misery, then defecate this discomfiture out of his own body, metamorphosed into crass waste matter, fit to be jettisoned.
Page 259
The Chaplain had waddled from behind the screen towards the consecrated Ablutorium cubicle to relieve himself of the freight of Lexandro's confession.
Frankly those two passages were simply transcribed to share the full horror of Imperial Fist confession. Probably no more worse or absurd than any other method of confession though. i merely include this for humor's sake however, since its unlikely tht this aspect of the Fists would ever last into modern editions (hell we dont knwo any of this about Fist traditions which may last. It'll be intersting to see next year when the Fists novel comes out)
Page 261
HERESY! The Imperium does not know of science! only the Machien religion!!! They do not experiment or test!The little chamber was, as he had expected, empty of any surgeon interrogators or techpriests. Scientific attention was elsewhere, focused upon the samples and data which Fists had brought back from the Tyranid nautilus ships.
Page 262
A more subtle sort of augmetic. One wonders if this was retconned, or if its still valid. Its not neccesariyl contradictory. Lex is getting this augmetic back at base, while I've heard of other, cruder ones being more "in the field." Its possible most Marines keep the field modifications simply because they do not care about the looks, or the field one sare more effective, or more intimidating, or whatever.Oh, it would be possible for the Chirurgeons to graft new nervewires and snythmusclefibre and pseudoflesh over that armature so as to rebuild his hand. He wasn't crippling himself in the long term.
I believe other sources have suggested fairly sophisticated augmetic implanst that don't look distinguishable from the real thing too.
