Interstellar Warfare Wednesday: Banner for the Stars

So apparently some Swede drew up a flag that's supposed to represent all of Earth, and it's taken off like mad because it pushes all kinds of hope'n'change peace and togetherness motifs.

http://www.upworthy.com/the-international-flag-of-earth-is-kind-of-a-big-deal-heres-why?g=2

Bullshit. Representing humanity with a flag preaching togetherness? Blatant misrepresentation of the species. We're warlike assholes, and without a good bit of genetic engineering or a LOT of time, that's not going to change. As we advance unto the stars, we can at least be honest about our nature. Any interactions with humanity if we can get to the stars on a reliable basis will give up the ruse anyway, might as well be up front about it. "Hey, we're kinda jerks, but we've managed to work together enough to get THIS far, so, uh, just be aware alright? We're trying, but we're kind of evolved angry apes, so there's only so far we can go with it..."

Thankfully, there are plenty of examples I've seen that serve much better as a representation of humanity.

The Halo series provides the space command branch logo of a future UN that's actually halfway useful.

The Terran Dominion, while rather dystopian on founding as with most of the governments of  Humanity, both on earth or in the Coprulu Sector, has a sweet logo that leaves no questions about the species militaristic nature.

The United Earth Directorate is the Starcraft world's current gov of Earth. Rather dystopian, but the flag is remarkably similar to that of the UNSC

And finally, the Aquila of the Imperium of Man. Makes the dystopias of other settings look darn Utopian.

The only thing they're missing is the Pale Blue Dot. A friendquantaince mentioned that he thought the Mexican flag would serve as a reasonable base for a space-flag. I'd say something like the Flag of Mozambique would also serve adequately as a basis.

Memorial day

A day for honoring the fallen. I'm blessed to say that despite knowing an immense number of people who are serving or have served, all of them save a few who passed peacefully after a long, good life are still with me. Many aren't so lucky.

To those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, you are not forgotten. Thank you for your service; your sacrifice will be remembered.

Motor Monday: Planes have motors too

Hey look, I'm not dead! I've just been busy and a bit under the weather.

This seems a much more cost effective way for most people to get the view from inside a P-51D, even if it's not quite the same experience. Imagine what it'd be like with an Oculus/etc, though.

Motor Monday: Finally Gave In

Bought a bike.

Honda NC700X, in red, the exact one I said I'd buy if I bought one.

Here's a picture of the bike but not mine, I got a few from right after I bought it but I was missing gloves and it's really glaring and annoying (I rode back across the street to the shop and bought some really sweet gloves that are almost armored enough to potentially be brass knuckles), so I'll have some of those after I've finished collecting the last of my heavy duty armor suit that I'll use when I actually do more than tool around in the apartment complex to remember how to use one of these things.

Things to do/get yet:
Knee Braces, which are traditionally motocross armor, but I like the look and the improved protection (I like my knees to only bend in the one direction they're supposed to).
Hip/butt armor that works with concealed carry. So far all i've found that doesn't have issues with that is motorcycle pants or various types of armored underwear that's way pricy if I want to ride on anything resembling a regular basis.
New boots. My boots are heavy duty leather enough to ride with anyway, but they're old and worn and starting to fall apart and due for replacement regardless of bike-havingness. I'll see if I can't find some nice steel toe combat boot style ones.

Yes, yes, this thread is worthless without pics, I know, I'll remedy it when I have some decent ones. It's like shooting pics without proper safety stuff or weapons handling, just cringeworthy, which is why you don't get to see.

GURPS: Stabnshoot

GURPS has rules for melee combat. That's mostly simple, other than a few quibbles I've mentioned earlier (such as questionable scaling for high strengths with melee weaponry). It has rules for shooting, even contact shooting (+4 to hit, +2 to target's dodge; telegraphic attack with a gun/crossbow/etc).

What they do not have rules for is jamming a gun into someone and pulling the trigger. Weapons with bayonets, hearty revolvers that don't have problems functioning when you violently jam them into the unfortunate in a punchy pistolwhip, etc.

Should it be treated as a Dual weapon attack/combination? One attack as a melee weapon, then a second followup attack with the gun?
Does it count as the telegraphic attack, if it's linked in with the melee smack? If so, is the second attack at no penalty due to the +4 and -4 cancelling, with the defender getting a +1 to parry after the -1 from two attacks on the same target?
My inclination is to treat it as an all out attack (double) or dual weapon attack combo, without the bonuses and penalties for telegraphic attack as it happens "simultaneously" with the melee strike.

It's likely to come up in any setting where there are big beasties or angry people that want to get all up in your business, even moreso in a setting such as the Metro or Monster Hunter campaigns where CQB and enemies disregarding your personal space are the norm, rather than the exception.

Well Done Wisconsin

No more 48 hour waiting period for pistols.

Motor Monday; Want

I do believe that if I decide to purchase a bike, I've selected the one.

Pictured is the 2013, I'll go for the 2015 NC700x DCT ABS. A bit of alphabet soup, but it's an adventure bike (looks like a sport bike, rides like a standard), known for having superb fuel economy despite a moderately large engine, integral storage space (enough for a full size, full head helmet, or groceries on the way home while said helmet is worn. Bet I can fit a pistol safe in there too). The ones I've seen with add on storage gear, be it tank bags, trunks, or saddlebags, all look pretty nice. The model I want costs a touch more, but has antilock brakes and a dual clutch transmission, so I can set it in auto if I feel lazy (Probably use the Sport setting of auto, then just shift manually unless something goes wrong and I must focus on getting the hell out of dodge). Add on accessories for it include extra fairings and reinforcing for them, and more lights because lights=visibility, even during the day. It's even got a hint of that streetfighter look I dig so much. Technically classed as an adventure bike, it's got a bit more ground clearance and can pull offroad duty.

It's missing the airbag off the goldwing. Good news? that whole thing is one easy assembly, with all the electronics and sensors all in a nice neat little package that will be mighty easy to add. Might add on some sport style freeway/crash bars, because as light and easy to heft around as the thing is (local bike shop has one), I'd still rather it didn't fall on me.

2015 model

Otherwise, the new NM4, which shares all the features I'd want off the NC700x, pushes all kinds of the right style buttons, but costs several thousand more and apparently has less useful storage space than the adventure bike, despite coming with saddle bags AND front fairing storage. I also can't find one to sit on, and at 6'3" before any riding boots, making sure I fit is kind of a big deal, especially for a bike at the absolute top end of what I'd consider spending.