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Forum URL: http://www.eyrie-productions.com/Forum/dcboard.cgi
Forum Name: Undocumented Features General
Topic ID: 2103
#0, OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Bushido on Dec-30-10 at 07:19 AM
Given that the actual device is small enough to fit in someone's hand, would it be possible to rig up a harness that would allow the speedsters in UF (Barry Wally and Sara) to use it on their own?

#1, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by mdg1 on Dec-30-10 at 10:48 AM
In response to message #0
Unless time travel is involved, there's evidence in the comics that a Speed Force user doesn't NEED one. :)

#2, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Peter Eng on Dec-30-10 at 12:57 PM
In response to message #1
>Unless time travel is involved, there's evidence in the comics that a
>Speed Force user doesn't NEED one. :)

For the simple business of going through solid objects, no. But since the UF version can be used for "Road trip to Tomodachi, Niogi, and Titan in a '57 Chevy," it might come in handy for a speedster.

My concerns would be computing a path and powering everything.

Peter Eng
--
Insert humorous comment here.


#3, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Bushido on Dec-30-10 at 08:58 PM
In response to message #2
The navigation equipment could be housed in the harness holding the OVERTHRUSTER. As for power, you'd just need some sort of kinetic energy converter to take advantage of the speedster's motion.

#4, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by ratinox on Jan-03-11 at 02:56 PM
In response to message #0
Speed is actually a secondary requirement for use of the oscillation overthruster. The primary requirement is power to run the colliding electron and positron beams and to focus the resulting boson stream on the material target. Buckaroo Banzai's second generation overthruster is quite efficient by any standards but even it requires a reliable power source.

As the beam focal point moves through 3rd/8th Dimensional space ahead of the traveler the matter left behind reverts to its normal state. Speed is required to remain ahead of this reversion front. A speedster may have difficulty navigating through 8th Dimensional space as his propulsion and maneuvering are based on contact with solid mater.

Not insurmountable problems by any stretch but they do mean that it's a bit more difficult than "just" strapping on an overthruster vest.


#5, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Bushido on Jan-04-11 at 06:32 AM
In response to message #4
LAST EDITED ON Jan-04-11 AT 06:32 AM (EST)
 
The overthruster is one of those things where my only knowledge of it comes from UF. I haven't been exposed to or stumbled across the source material for at least a good 50-60% of UF's characters, settings, and background. Some of it I've seen elsewhere in other fanfic but a good bit of it I only know from UF.

#6, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by s3yang on Jan-04-11 at 10:35 AM
In response to message #0
Y'know, as cool as the possibility sounds, it strikes me as more of a driven by necessity thing. (IE. the vehicle with the overthruster on it is disabled somehow, speedster gets crazy look in eyes, juryrigging happens). For standard day to day, or even the usual emergency stuff for a speedster there's very few things that would fall in the gap between 'run really fast' and 'get on a starship'.

#7, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Bushido on Jan-04-11 at 09:36 PM
In response to message #6
I figured it would be something for getting backup to IPO agents or allies while they were on an interdicted planet.

#8, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by StClair on Jan-05-11 at 00:57 AM
In response to message #6
"Would it help if I got out and pushed?"
"It might!"

Suppose the transmission gets wrecked, or something like that. The engine can still power the Overthruster, but can't actually move the truck; something (or someONE) else will have to take care of that...


#9, RE: OSCILLATION OVERTHRUSTER!
Posted by Bushido on Jan-05-11 at 01:22 AM
In response to message #6
It's not so much the need for it that will push someone to make it, it's someone like Corwin, Skuld or Washu doing it just to see if they can.