Serinus: Well, that will do for starters.
He turned, and started to lead them deeper into the "Lobby". Where the interface console amid a longish table stood in the center. Like a sturdily designed plinth.
Han: I must say, I was expecting something more dramatic, although I suppose war’s rarely what we expect.
Collins: Oh, give it time. I am sure it will take a turn eventually...::he said with a self-deprecating wink::
Any: RESPONSE
Serinus: It may not look like much, but once we choose a scenario everyone will get the full effect, Major. In the meantime, let me explain the control scheme. ::break:: The middle of this table would generally hold the main map that is gradually revealed as both players gain knowledge of it. Only points of information that are mutually known are shown on the main map.
Han: I assume the consoles are the main interface?
Collins: Ya ever play minis? It's sorta like that?
Quentin didn't think he was explaining it very well.
Any: RESPONSE
Serinus: The touch consoles are where the majority of the gameplay takes place.
He touched the console monitor and awoke it. Terrain, "soldier counts", and piece HP information started to spill up and outward from the consoles. The Chief continued on in "Host Mode", fanning his hand up and around the interface as he continued on.
Serinus: Units are moved by touching them, and then holding down on them, then dragging your finger where you want them to go then releasing. Doing it again, will change course from their current point in transit to a new destination ::He quickly, but not too quickly, demonstrated.:: Holding two fingers will allow you to set waypoints by holding your fingers at each waypoint that you want to assign. ::Once again, he gave a quick demonstration.::
Han: Interesting, the granularity is nice.
Collins: See? I told you the Chief was being modest. It's truly an impressive experience.
Any: RESPONSE
Serinus: These various trackers on the top and bottom of the console monitor overall supply lines, overall morale, weather both current and projected if that is era appropriate and other variables. There will occasionally be pop up messages to draw the players attention to particularly pressing issues. You may also have noticed that the units each have their own supply and morale bars above their unit icon and abbreviated as S and M respectively.
Quentin settled nicely as The Chief finished his explanation. Turning to both him and Major Han as he finished.
Serinus: Any other questions?
Han: How do you handle unit selection, to keep it balanced between sides? Without some kind of structure each person would just try and build the biggest strongest forces and send it at the other person. Assuming we’re not running simulations for specific purposes, like could I have done better at Wolf 359 or something.
Collins: Ooo, that's a good one, honestly.
Serinus: And I thought I was good at feigning humility. ::break:: Great question, though. The morale and supply variables that I mentioned earlier make gathering and staying in one spot for too long a potential risk. Besides that, a commander can subdivide his units into smaller and smaller subunits by holding the unit for a second without moving it. With this, a quick thinker with good reflexes can simulate guerilla tactics, which as you know, have a pretty good record against conventional tactics.
Any: RESPONSE
Han: This is a fascinating program you've developed, Artinus.
Serinus: Thank you. Unfortunately, I can't get by on as little sleep as I used to.
Collins: And he can cook as well!
Quentin crossed carefully to the leftmost interface terminal, cracking his knuckles carefully as he did.
Han: What's the best way to give it a test?
Collins: I must say, I'm not really that eager to lose...
Serinus: I suppose it's best to try out one of the ten premade scenarios I've loaded. When I first showed it off, we played the Second Napoleonic War.
Han: Can’t say I’ve heard of that conflict before.
Collins: GREAT hats.
Serinus: There is, of course, that one. The first one I made was the Magna Roman Conquest of Silesia. Then there is the Mongolian conquest of China on earth. The liberation war of Q'onos against the Hur'q, 4 of the most pivotal battles from earth's Second World War: 1 from each front, an iron age Vulcan war between the Semun and Sifuc, and a bronze age one between Ancient Semun and Gatuz.
The Chief took a slight beat, as if something else was occurring to him, but he continued on all the same.
Serinus: If none of those suit your fancy, we could try creating a custom scenario.
Han: Lets try one of the single battle scenarios, maybe from Earth’s Second World War? I think I still remember some of that from my History of War and Conflicts class at the academy.
Collins: An oldie, but a goodie.
Serinus: RESPONSE
Han: How about the European theater, we went over that theater but my class focused more on the island hopping campaign in the Pacific, it was a better metaphor for a modern Marine campaign.
Serinus: RESPONSE
Collins: I am good with dealer's choice!
Han: I’ll take either side, we probably have comparable background in combat and strategic and tactical planning, but you have a leg up with knowing the programming and the ins and outs.
Serinus: RESPONSE
Collins: Don't puff too much smoke. I'm still very much a novice at this.
Han: Oh, tangent is this something that can be done over a distance? Could I use this program with someone on a different ship or station, a different sector?
Collins: Another tremendous question!
Serinus: RESPONSE
After his explanation, The Chief seemed to decide silently what today's game would be. After a few sure taps on the console's "Game Master" terminal, the terrain and troop placement and count started to shift, assigning Quentin the "enemy" position and Han the other.
Quentin recognized the layout instantly. June 6th, 1944. The Invasion of Normandy. As far as famous battles went, you didn't get much more famous...er. And Quentin had the "defence" position. He thought for a moment and took his first move, immediately altering history with the flick of his wrist. And careful sweep of his flattened palms, taking some chosen units and "hardware" placements and repositioning them to his whim.
Instead of bunching the artillery and pillboxes at the very top of the established beachhead, he started to spread them liberally across the coastline ridge. Arguably leaving sizable gaps in between each of the placement, but extending their areas of fire and sightlines across the beach. He stood back, surveying his work and then casting a mischievous eye up to The Chief and Major.
Collins: Watch, this is going to be the only smart play I have all game...
Han/Serinus/Any: RESPONSE
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TAG/TBC
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Lieutenant Commander
Quentin Collins III
Chief Science Officer
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U.S.S. ARROW NCC-69829
ID: E239512QC0
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F.N.S. CONTRIBUTOR
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