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Out of four, I'd guess.

A rational classification scheme wouldn't have an upper bound; it would just scale levels logarithmically, just in case the God-Emperor's grandson turns out to be even more impressive than he is or something.

The Umerians have a dual system: one system of absolute measurement for abilities that are measurable (such as pyrokinesis), and one that tracks esper ability compared to the population at large. This is the "sigma" system I've cited a few times; a sigma-value of X means that you are X standard deviations out from the average when it comes to esper abilities. Measurable powers don't show up until you get pretty far out on the bell curve; a telepathic rating of plus two sigma won't be noticeable except insofar as it makes you a marginally harder target for telepaths than the average muggle.

The sigma ratings are useful because they express the relative rarity of individuals with that kind of ability. High sigma ratings in multiple related fields tend to be strongly correlated, and there is a weighted index of all known psychic abilities that could in theory measure overall 'power'. It's just not very useful outside the literature in our opinion, while the sigma-values and the absolute measurement systems are helpful day to day.

I'd intended for Class 6 to be the highest, as it relates to a compilation of all the observed capabilities of the Esper in question in Class rating scales, in terms of number of abilities and raw capability. Note that Stephen is probably technically a 5 because of his lack of direct telepathy and low-level empathy, but all of his other skills are Class 4 through Class 6 quality and he is an extreme outlier in that he is quite possibly the only observed case of an Esper of Class 6 potential having absolutely no mind-reading capability and only lowly-developed empathic and passive mind-sensing.

What is the classification scheme in question used for, anyway? Is it a legal system, equivalent to the laser safety classifications used by the FDA? It would make sense in that context; for scientific purposes you'd want something that can have decimal points inserted in it, though.

Simon_Jester wrote:What is the classification scheme in question used for, anyway? Is it a legal system, equivalent to the laser safety classifications used by the FDA? It would make sense in that context; for scientific purposes you'd want something that can have decimal points inserted in it, though.

Well, there could be decimals, but the overall rating is in whole numbers.

Yes, which is why I thought of laser safety regulations. The fact that a laser is Class IV doesn't really tell you much about it except that it's powerful enough to damage skin or pose a fire hazard. The numbers are arbitrary and the classes could equally well be "A through D" instead of "one through four;" they're just there to establish which regime of regulations and safety procedures apply to any given laser.

The God Emperor doesn't need any classification. He simply is the God Emperor.

Needs? No. Gets? Yes.

Simon_Jester wrote:A rational classification scheme wouldn't have an upper bound; it would just scale levels logarithmically, just in case the God-Emperor's grandson turns out to be even more impressive than he is or something.

Heh, the love-child of Emperor Heraclius and Empress Haruhi.... *Ducks into Bragcrete bunker!*

Simon_Jester wrote:

Master_Baerne wrote:Much obliged, Simon. You're quite right about ECR being an inspiration; rereading Hull No. 721 was what made me want to write the battle. It's no masterwork compared to yours, though - I do apologize for the syntax.

Actually, it felt a lot like what I'd write if I were in a hurry. My stuff may look all lovely and detailed, but that's because it tends to metastasize while I'm writing it: battles I'd intended to wrap up in five to seven thousand words stretch out to twenty thousand or more.

Certainly understandable, since I was in something of a hurry. I wanted to get it done yesterday, and after accidentally deleting the whole thing and having to start over, proofreading time suffered.

Glad you liked the gunskimmers, Shroom. Fear not; they shall soon be returned to Mighty Bragule... at the BEEEF!

Haha. No refunds.

Hey, if you want, we'd have no problems arming that small country you just discovered. Or arming the pirates out to get them. Or both!

French of all kinds, be they damn Militum monarchists or republicans (which I assume you are), are amoral manipulative SOBs anyway, so I'm sure you'd have no problems dealing with Soviet Space Bears. After all, de Gaulle was all like "we can kill XYZ million Russians" and then later on the French were sending their people to get launched into space by Russians.

Oh, not for refunds, for goodwill! Building Bragulan/Ascendant friendship with the exchange of (non-active) weaponry! With regards to the Voyageurs, should you happen to have somle spare ships, they surely wouldn't say no, but they're MY client state! You greedy space bears can't have this particular pot of honey!

For reference, we're constitutional monarchists, but quite socialist in our internal politics. Keeps everyone happier.

Simon_Jester wrote:Needs? No. Gets? Yes.

Wait until he sits on the Golden Throne which is the most sophisticated psionic amplifier possibly created.

Still gets one. That's what logarithmic scales are for, silly!

Hey Baerne you can add the Voyageurs in here!

Fingolfin_Noldor wrote:

Simon_Jester wrote:Needs? No. Gets? Yes.

Wait until he sits on the Golden Throne which is the most sophisticated psionic amplifier possibly created.

Just don't have him invoke a genuine sense of moral outrage in Stephen Garrett. Though the show would be rather spectacular.

If viewed from a very, very far distance so spectators would actually live to tell the tale.

A psionic amplifier might do more than invoke a sense of moral outrage, it could theoretically attract some unwanted attention from a certain psion loving race.

DarthShady wrote:A psionic amplifier might do more than invoke a sense of moral outrage, it could theoretically attract some unwanted attention from a certain psion loving race.

Well, he does use it, but the Karlacks likely lack the means to attack the Imperium capital itself just to infest the Emperor.

Steve wrote: Well, he does use it, but the Karlacks likely lack the means to attack the Imperium capital itself just to infest the Emperor.

We could try do it (An infested God Emperor would be awesome.) but...it would be a suicide run. The Karlack may be a mindless swarm, but they have self preservation instincts. And a full scale war with the Imperium, as fun as it sounds...would be a rather final event.

Speaking of psionics, thats quite a power trip Steve has.

*contemplates infestation*

"Steve, dearest of all my friends...How would you like to live forever?!"

It would certainly be impractical to try to infest the Emperor without first defeating the Byzantine forces in the field- which the Karlacks might be capable of doing, but only with quite a bit of luck and at immense cost, because it would be a knock-down drag-out total war, with the Emperor only being captured (if at all) at the head of his personal bodyguard in the bombed-out ruins of the last stronghold.

SO not worth it.

Hearing the Karlack hunger for psychics the Hierarchy is incredibly thankful that in this incarnation they have a level of psychic power on par with miss Cleo.

Simon_Jester wrote:It would certainly be impractical to try to infest the Emperor without first defeating the Byzantine forces in the field- which the Karlacks might be capable of doing, but only with quite a bit of luck and at immense cost, because it would be a knock-down drag-out total war, with the Emperor only being captured (if at all) at the head of his personal bodyguard in the bombed-out ruins of the last stronghold.

SO not worth it.

Totally not worth it.

Even If we somehow managed to win the war(highly unlikely considering this is the Imperium we're talking about, and the fact that they have allies, and that some if not most of the other human nations would help them in the case of total war.), most of our forces would be destroyed in the conflict and that would leave the Karlack dangerously exposed. Considering that due to their nature most people fear and hate the Swarm, they would jump at an opportunity to eliminate it as a threat. Cue massive orbital bombardment by the Solarians or others, and its game over.

This is a highly unlikely scenario and it simply won't happen. Well...unless somebody somehow manages to kill all of the Aspects, thus causing the Swarm to run rampant and out of control. And that, simply won't happen.

Darkevilme wrote:Hearing the Karlack hunger for psychics the Hierarchy is incredibly thankful that in this incarnation they have a level of psychic power on par with miss Cleo.

The Karlack hunger for psychics is(I think) a well established fact. They are needed to make Aspects(reasons for which will be revealed in future stories I have planned) and for other more nefarious purposes. Although we are careful with the capturing part of the process. A psion may be an asset but not if we get dragged into a war because of it. If we're already at war with a nation, then its psykers will be hunted relentlessly by bio-forms from a special Brood, creatures created for just that one purpose.

RogueIce wrote:Just don't have him invoke a genuine sense of moral outrage in Stephen Garrett. Though the show would be rather spectacular.

If viewed from a very, very far distance so spectators would actually live to tell the tale.

The God Emperor at best views Stephen Garett a competent opponent.

Simon_Jester wrote:Still gets one. That's what logarithmic scales are for, silly!

If you want a never ending logarithmic scale, sure!

There's really no need to use my avatar's last name when discussing him, y'know.

Haha, Moldy Bragulan. Makes me want to send some IBGV folks over there for the lulz.