Serrac: I have been granted (forced into) a break. I did not want this break, but everyone appears to be conspiring to keep me locked out of the workshop.
I’ve half a mind to break in, but I’m not that desperate yet.
I need to do work, let me in.
[Picture of what appears to be half of an inkzooka fused to with a rotary ammo compartment. Ink stains everything as what remains of the prototype ammo is lying in pieces]
Serrac: So the new prototype “Thumper” is nearly finished. I say nearly because the ammo I was making for it detonated in my hands. Don’t worry, I’m unharmed.
It’s supposed to be a rapid fire area coverage weapon, but I’m having trouble making shells for the ammo.
I’d synthesize it directly from ink reserves but I’m not sure the Heavy Tank can regen fast enough to keep up with that.
[Video footage of Batio hauling a large, 4 barreled gun into the testing range.
Batio: "It's a bit heavy..."
Serrac's voice comes from off camera. Seemingly through a mic.
Serrac: "You are currently the most weaponized Squid in Inkadia, I think you can handle a bit of weight."
Batio hoists the weapon into a firing position and lets a light burst out, bursting several targets at once.
Serrac: "It's a MACHINE GUN!"
Batio then holds down the trigger, letting loose an absolute storm of ink, quickly coating the entire testing range. Batio clearly struggles slightly with the recoil but manages to get it under control. managing to hit all targets in the range. The motor of the Heavy Tank successfully regenerates ink at almost the same rate that Batio fires at.
Serrac: "There we go! That's a weapon!"
Video footage ends]
Serrac: Test was conclusive, total and utter obliteration of all targets. After footage cut out, Batio proceeded to spend an additional 15 minutes in the range just firing the weapon at different targets. Batio was granted leeway to have fun.
After the test Subject indicated that the recoil had made their arms numb, considering adding additional padding to the weapon's handles to mitigate strain on user. Moving while firing deemed impossible. Weapon remains unnamed, considering taking suggestions. Evie suggests "Sasha".
[A picture of Serrac in his shared room with Evie. Serrac is passed out asleep on the chair. He is still wearing the mask.]
Evie: Never seen him so peaceful before. Usually he's trying to get something done even in his free time. I think getting him off the coffee has done him some good.
(OOC: Those that remember some of my first posts in this subreddit probably know that an image exists of Serrac without the mask, that image is now non-canon, he's being retconned to always having worn the mask everywhere he goes.)
Serrac: Had Batio in again for testing, this time to check the mobility of the new rig which makes it far easier to work with. Thankfully we managed to avoid blowing her up a second time.
The rig works wonderfully in reducing the weight, Batio only stumbled momentarily when the tank was attached but otherwise noted only reduced speed in both humanoid and squid forms. Jumping is the only sticking point as the Tank makes getting any vertical height a conceited effort. Already working on a solution for that.
Batio gave mention about running with the tank feeling a bit awkward. Likely due to the weight causing intense imbalance at high speed. Well relatively high speed anyways. Not much can be done about that.
The weapon being designed for the tank is well underway and should be ready for testing soon. Being able to work around the Heavy Tank's extreme capacity is a boon, this is going to be really fun.
Also someone apparently snuck in my notes that I need to "make it more stylish" What you want me to pour glitter on it? I'm not a designer, someone else will make it look pretty.
[A video of a motor on a bench with tubes connecting two ink tanks.]
Serrac: The variance system is in place and functioning properly now, the Heavy Tank should now no longer have any motor troubles. Though I'm still adding emergency cooling and ejection functions just in case.
I've also developed a rig which should lighten the weight significantly, still only usable by Colossal Inklings but with this it should merely be slightly heavy rather than nearly popping your shoulders off.
I'm debating what to do about the mobility issue though, obviously its far too heavy to allow super jumps. But I need a way to allow the user to gain vertical height during combat without needing a wall to swim up...
[An image of an immensely small, ramshackle weapon. Looks suited for someone way smaller.]
Serrac: I was bored this evening, so I decided to quickly model and create a replica of the Fryblaster from Warroller 40K because I'm a nerd and an engineer.
This is technically functional as a weapon, its not very powerful given that it's Smallfry sized, but it does function. I figure I'll give it to Daniel and Jimmy when they get back from vacation. Would be a funny gift.
[An image of a signed consent form signed by Batio]
Serrac: This form basically says that if Batio gets hurt by the Heavy Tank prototype that the medical expenses will be paid by the NSS.
I'm not a monster (legally speaking)
Serrac: This is testing footage for a new heavy variant of the standard ink tank.
[Video of Serrac wearing a heavy device with two ink tanks on his back, even he appears to be struggling to move. Though he seems to be able to fire weapons for much longer.]
Serrac: This obviously vastly increases the amount of ink that the user is capable of using, though it also has another function. With an experimental feature we are capable of letting the user refill ink while in humanoid form.
[Video of Serrac refilling his tanks while standing, a loud motor seems to be facilitating the process. Serrac makes a few test shots while he's refilling to show that it very quickly gets restored.]
Serrac: Unfortunately this feature is quite loud, as well as extremely heavy. I'd wager that even with modifications with weight in mind only Colossal Inklings will ever be able to shoulder these for extended periods of time.
Serrac: A weapon I was working on experienced rapid unintended disassembly today. By that I mean it exploded.
I was trying to get a prototype working for a handheld Killer Wail, essentially a main weapon that utilized the sound properties of the Killer Wail special. I overtuned it and it exploded in my hands.
I'm fine don't worry, but my ears hurt.
[Picture of a very conspicuous ink trail leading into the vent system]
Grunt: Oh god she's in the vents.
[Anger warning]
Serrac: This is of no insult to people who use sloshers, my distaste is for the weapon itself.
My hatred stems from what they are. In that it's a f@#$ing bucket. Why are we paying weapon prices for a tool you can find in your local hardware store? Yes I know it's likely tuned for better use as a weapon, but it's still a bucket! I could raid the bases janitor closet and come out with a functioning "slosher" in about 30 minutes!
Thousands of G could be saved if you just spend the extra 10 minutes walking to the hardware store and bought the parts individually, because it's a f@#$ing bucket there's only one part!
My second gripe is with modding, you can't mod the f@#$ing bucket. It doesn't have valves, pressure or any normal thing in a weapon. Because it's a f@#$ing bucket. Moreover even if you do mess with the bucket, it is no longer a mod, because you have fundamentally changed the weapon so that it is no longer the same bucket.
You can't segment the inside because that turns it into a Tri-Slosher. You can't add a mixing element to alter the flight path of the ink, because that turns it into a Sloshing Machine. You can't add a pressure tank to it to facilitate higher power shots because that turns it into a Explosher!
I despise the bucket, it torments me to no end.
[Video of a drop rig placed in front of an inkling shaped dummy, an E-liter hangs from the drop rig.
Evie: "Three, two, one!"
Evie pulls a cable and the E-liter is dropped, upon hitting the ground the tank explodes heavily damaging the dummy]
Evie: Ink Pressure is serious business! It can build up if you leave it like that for several days. Remember to depressurize your weapons after battles! Or else an accidental slip can cause some serious damage!
[Image of two round objects with drone fans, alongside an eyepiece that links up with them]
Serrac: Evie's most recent crack project resulted in these. The Orbitars. Developed as close fire support, they as a pair can expand the range of options one has in the battlefield.
[Video of Serrac equipping the eyepiece, the Orbitars immediately awaken and float over his shoulder. The eyepiece tracks his line of sight as he allows them to shoot various targets. The strange projectiles they fire appear to expand with distance.]
Serrac: The Orbitars can function entirely independently as their own weapon, allowing the user's hands to remain free for other purposes. Their true strength however lies in their ability to be paired with other weapons.
[Video of Serrac using a Splattershot and the Orbitars in sync, shooting at independent targets, clearing the range in record time.]
Serrac: With Orbitars equipped a single Squid can provide the firepower of several, greatly expanding their capabilities. Though that's not all they can do.
[Video of Serrac submerging in ink, the Orbitars float just above the surface, as he swims the Orbitars follow and shoot multiple targets before submerging alongside him.]
Serrac: The Orbitars can even cover you in swim form, allowing for even greater mobility while retaining firepower in the battlefield. While only these basic models exist, Evie already has plans for more potential variants on this experimental weapon class.
Serrac: To anyone wondering what that explosion they heard was, that was the sound of about 5 Octorpedoes all going off at once. We keep them in storage away from the main base for that exact reason. Someone probably accidentally set them off. Luckily it should be easy to procure more through my connections, however it is extremely annoying and infuriating to have to do so.
Who ever set them off should probably hope the Captain gets to them before I do.
Grunt: Anyone else intimidated by the Head Engineer? The guy is already taller than most people here, looks like he's ready to kill something and he's completely silent when he moves. I swear the dude can teleport.
I mean, I'm certain he does great work, the guy is just scary. It certainly doesn't help when he just hangs out places with the lights off, so he's just there when you turn the lights on. The worst part is I can't tell if he's getting a kick out of it or not.
[An image of a break room counter, with a busted coffee machine]
Serrac: All the light has left my life, hope has drained from this world and there is nothing but darkness. Is there any real reason to go on? I feel like a part of me has died along with this machine, leaving a hole that will never be filled again…
[An image of a rather gnarly looking shooter, The main barrel is elongated with several hoses coming out the sides. Beneath the barrel is a second one, seemingly belonging to a salvaged blaster. Both are connected to a bulky rear with a stock that wraps around the shoulder. The entire package looks extremely heavy to wield.]
Serrac: One of my personal projects, the Combi-Splatter is a fusion of two weapon types. The main Shooter aspect of the weapon is a high-pressured tool that can overwhelm opponents at significant ranges.
[A video shows Serrac firing the shooter portion of the weapon, a torrent of ink flies out the end and into several inflated targets.]
Serrac: The secondary Blaster barrel on the underside is tuned for coverage and raw damage and is to be used in close quarters engagements. Perfect for sending someone off with something special. Recoil should be kept in mind.
[A video showing the Blaster portion being fired into a group of targets. Serrac braces himself before letting lose, coating a wide area with the blast.]
Serrac: Its extremely heavy, I'm able to carry it with little issue, but the same might not be said for others. Its also not rated for Ink Battles, though I'm fairly certain just looking at this thing is enough to tell you that.
Serrac: F@$%!
Octobot King experienced rapid electrical discharge after a now located wrench completed a circuit unintentionally and lit me up like a Squidmas tree.
I'm fine if a bit frazzed, and the systems appear to be only slightly damaged... got lucky there honestly, Zapfish could have really caused some major damage if it got out of hand.
I... should probably take a break.
[A video featuring a camera pointed at a desk as someone carefully disassembles a Charger by hand and installs mods with a practiced grace. No words are said through the video]
Serrac: Evie told me to chill out and unwind, so she suggested trying making these modification videos to help clear my mind… not too used to it but I feel pretty relaxed…