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... say, those vehicles in the background of panel 1 ... are those fuel trucks, or would that "three barrel design" be a telltale mark of a rocket launcher?
Yes. They're there being all innocent-looking (unless you know what's inside!) After all, Don't They Have A Right To Protect What's Theirs? The Aliens could still be an invasion force!!!
Yeah, probably ... now that I magnified panel 1, I can see that they have four "barrels" each, just like the S-300 TELs.
One of the other vehicles visible on page 210 might be the command post, and I guess they have good reason to hide the mobile radars a bit, but I don't want to think about why they would want to have TWENTY large SAMs at the ready right next to the landing pad ...
Since it would take a loong time even for a hypothetical advanced alien/Alliance of aliens with supreme AI at their disposal , to fully having immersed themselves in a new culture with all of its little details, politics, history, wars, present and previous feuds etc, I would think any message would have to be short & carefully neutral which this one is. It simply recognizes us/others as "sapient and equal" based species.
As long as the troopers does not turn the selectors on their guns to "kill" I would call it a good start.
Since it would take a loong time even for a hypothetical advanced alien/Alliance of aliens with supreme AI at their disposal , to fully having immersed themselves in a new culture with all of its little details, politics, history, wars, present and previous feuds etc, I would think any message would have to be short & carefully neutral which this one is. It simply recognizes us/others as "sapient and equal" based species.
Especially since in 46 They discover that humans have more than one language . (My favorite face so far in panel 8.)
Where Bahin's greeting was "I speak for all humans" even without the consent of all other humans, Zane's was better with "I speak for myself and us" which is far more honest.
I'm also surprised that Zane came down in person, but maybe it's part of his officially irreplaceable duty. I love how he can put his hands on his hips and cross his arms at the same time, for body language that's twice as authoritative!
I still find it incredible that Zane, the expedition leader came down to earth personally, knowing that the first shuttle was shot down. (He might not know that it was the Protagonistani military that shot it down.) This seems incredibly risky. Also, I take it that Quantum is still on the cruiser in orbit? I don't think the shuttle would be capable of sufficiently powering it.
-
Bahin: "Formalites over?! My good sir, We still have to do a photo op, meet-and-greet with El Presidente, passport check, Visa check... You're here on 'official buisiness' right?.. might need a work visa, oh and you'll need to meet with the local religious leader, submit a urine sample, interview with our E.T. coordinator Agent Iskra, and..."
Considering the four Raharrs here-present and equipped with energy weapons that likely go "flash" in a somewhat similar way, that sounds like a really fast method to disassociate the plot from the general's big plans ...
The orbital warship likely had line of sight with the shuttle through its approach. No missile would get within a mile of the shuttle under its overwatch. No launch site or craft would survive the counter attack.
This wasn't risky for Zhane. In fact having comitted to this course, he probably has no option but to be there in person.
The orbital warship likely had line of sight with the shuttle through its approach.
Hmmm, dunno; they'd need to spend a lot of extra fuel (and be all the more visible to surface dwellers) to make that happen. Even the returning Apollo capsules, coming from the Moon and trying to land on Earth as fast as possible, made their splashdown on the face of Earth opposite of the Moon.
I probably never would have noticed if there weren't a patch of sky visible in the last panel ... did the shuttle open doors on both sides simultaneously?
(I'd suggest a Ktak commando, what with their ability to fly away from the shuttle under their own power, but IIRC it's being said that Alliance military spacecraft carry single-species crews so as to allow for strictly standardized quarters / life support systems.)
I'm still trying to guess what they're wearing helmets for (the rest of the pressure suits can be explained as being too bothersome to remove after the atmospheric reentry, representative-mode Zane excepted). Raharrs can breathe Earth's atmosphere just fine, their (military grade) implants should make HUDs and headsets unnecessary, and explosive decompression is rather rare planetside. Do they expect an attempt at gassing them, or do those helmets happen to be bulletproof ... ?
The humans have enough vehicles and people on site that Nea might be present as well, but no guarantees. If not, we'll have to see whether Zane'll go along with "follow us, please" ...
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Comments (31)
There should be some ATGM crews around just incase
... say, those vehicles in the background of panel 1 ... are those fuel trucks, or would that "three barrel design" be a telltale mark of a rocket launcher?
(Not that anyone'd expect some mechanic to walk up to the shuttle to ask "wan' me ta fill 'er up? What octanes she'll take?", of course. )
Yes. They're there being all innocent-looking (unless you know what's inside!) After all, Don't They Have A Right To Protect What's Theirs? The Aliens could still be an invasion force!!!
I think they might be S-300 surface-to-air missile trucks.
Yeah, probably ... now that I magnified panel 1, I can see that they have four "barrels" each, just like the S-300 TELs.
One of the other vehicles visible on page 210 might be the command post, and I guess they have good reason to hide the mobile radars a bit, but I don't want to think about why they would want to have TWENTY large SAMs at the ready right next to the landing pad ...
It's the same pad from which rocked on the first pages was launched, from one of the very vehicles in the background, in fact. Convenient irony.
Those are S400 heavy Russian AA missile launcher
Also,
While I find Bahin's welcome is a bit disingenuous. Assuming gender from aliens and "and all of humanity" where most humans are still unaware.
Zane's greeting is more on the level of the "One small step" speech. I really like it. Makes me wonder what a real first contact speech would be like.
Since it would take a loong time even for a hypothetical advanced alien/Alliance of aliens with supreme AI at their disposal , to fully having immersed themselves in a new culture with all of its little details, politics, history, wars, present and previous feuds etc, I would think any message would have to be short & carefully neutral which this one is. It simply recognizes us/others as "sapient and equal" based species.
As long as the troopers does not turn the selectors on their guns to "kill" I would call it a good start.
[note to self: Do not allow extraterrestrial visitors to verify the "setting" of my electric fly-swatters]
Especially since in 46 They discover that humans have more than one language . (My favorite face so far in panel 8.)
Where Bahin's greeting was "I speak for all humans" even without the consent of all other humans, Zane's was better with "I speak for myself and us" which is far more honest.
46? No way. My favorite is the last panel of 154.
I'm also surprised that Zane came down in person, but maybe it's part of his officially irreplaceable duty. I love how he can put his hands on his hips and cross his arms at the same time, for body language that's twice as authoritative!
I still find it incredible that Zane, the expedition leader came down to earth personally, knowing that the first shuttle was shot down. (He might not know that it was the Protagonistani military that shot it down.) This seems incredibly risky. Also, I take it that Quantum is still on the cruiser in orbit? I don't think the shuttle would be capable of sufficiently powering it.
-
Bahin: "Formalites over?! My good sir, We still have to do a photo op, meet-and-greet with El Presidente, passport check, Visa check... You're here on 'official buisiness' right?.. might need a work visa, oh and you'll need to meet with the local religious leader, submit a urine sample, interview with our E.T. coordinator Agent Iskra, and..."
Zane: "I just want my crewmember back."
Bahin: "Yes, yes, but first, Smile!" *Flash!*
Considering the four Raharrs here-present and equipped with energy weapons that likely go "flash" in a somewhat similar way, that sounds like a really fast method to disassociate the plot from the general's big plans ...
The orbital warship likely had line of sight with the shuttle through its approach. No missile would get within a mile of the shuttle under its overwatch. No launch site or craft would survive the counter attack.
This wasn't risky for Zhane. In fact having comitted to this course, he probably has no option but to be there in person.
Hmmm, dunno; they'd need to spend a lot of extra fuel (and be all the more visible to surface dwellers) to make that happen. Even the returning Apollo capsules, coming from the Moon and trying to land on Earth as fast as possible, made their splashdown on the face of Earth opposite of the Moon.
Well this is a new angle to "angry intro"..also we have a 4 armed "Annoyed and defensive" at the same time.
Someone in the far back better not start fidgeting with his or hers AK47...
No fast movements right now everybody.....no-one sneeze either.
I probably never would have noticed if there weren't a patch of sky visible in the last panel ... did the shuttle open doors on both sides simultaneously?
Yes, the ramp/stairs on the other side also came down. panels 2 & 3.
Looks like both sides opened, yes - you can see the walkway extending down on the opposite side of the craft in panel 2.
Makes you wonder if anyone came off the ship in a stealthier manner....
"Where did that cardboard box come from?"
(I'd suggest a Ktak commando, what with their ability to fly away from the shuttle under their own power, but IIRC it's being said that Alliance military spacecraft carry single-species crews so as to allow for strictly standardized quarters / life support systems.)
Notice all of his associates are armed, like they're expecting trouble and ready for it.
I'm still trying to guess what they're wearing helmets for (the rest of the pressure suits can be explained as being too bothersome to remove after the atmospheric reentry, representative-mode Zane excepted). Raharrs can breathe Earth's atmosphere just fine, their (military grade) implants should make HUDs and headsets unnecessary, and explosive decompression is rather rare planetside. Do they expect an attempt at gassing them, or do those helmets happen to be bulletproof ... ?
Umh. Not very bulletproof, methinks ...
Probably for a little bit more protection (but their image is also more enhanced: "Don't mess with us!")
They might provide protection against energy pulses trying to fry their implants.
He doesn't believe in wasting time, does he? He's pushing to get to the center of things.
Oyy why something tells me that there will be 'little' complications with handing her over?
The humans have enough vehicles and people on site that Nea might be present as well, but no guarantees. If not, we'll have to see whether Zane'll go along with "follow us, please" ...