"Regarding the Paragon mission against a Denver Vegas cruiser, how much do we know about the battlefield? Things like debth of the water, if it is saltwater or freshwater, that kind of information." Joe inquired.

"I'd also like to perform a test on whether or not Swarm's missiles can be repurposed as torpedoes, if dumb-launched, preferably not a virtual simulation.
If that proves impossible, which may likely happen, I would also like to test if some of the missile launchers can be repurposed as torpedo launchers."

[color=8882be]"You won't have to worry about depth: By the time you launch and get there they'll be at the open sea. In addition, yes, some of your NC's missile launching racks will be repurposed for torpedoes for that mission."[/color]

"Lastly, it would be interesting to know how Swarm behaves underwater, and if it can be fitted for underwater combat with submarines. I don't expect the thrusters to be usable underwater, but maybe it can be fitted with air-tanks to gain buoyancy."

[color=8882be]"The Swarm's thrusters, much like any other NC, are a bit too complex for anything like a 'water mode' funtion, and it's a bit too heavy and dense to float, but we'll replace the fuel in some of the fuel tanks for air for the mission as well, in the Swarms' case. You'll be fine using the Swarms' legs to just swim, in all honesty. We could get you some flippers."[/color]

Sophia couldn't resist smirking a little at her own joke.

"Flippers might actually be a great choice." Joe thought out loud. "So long as the rest is fairly hydrodynamic."

[color=8882be]"I suppose I'll tell the engineers to devise a set of flippers for each NC then, for all aquatic missions later on then. Sort of.. amusing, but if it works, it works. And yes, the Swarm, at least, is decently hydrodynamic. It won't be the fastest thing due to its' sheer bulk, but it'll do fine, I'm sure."[/color]

"The lack of a seafloor might pose problems for crashing NCs though, provided any sort of air-tank is damaged, they would sink like blocks of metal, with the water pressure trapping the pilots, possilby even crushing the cockpit."

[color=8882be]"Even the Blur is sufficiently armored for that to not pose too great of a risk, but, if required, you could just force the thrusters to go at full blast anyway underwater. They'll need replacements ASAP since they're not meant to do that, but I'll take that over my pilots dying a slow death on the sea floor."[/color]

"I also assume any sunken ship is unsalvageable due to the debth?"

[color=8882be]"Paragon already said they call dibs on salvaging rights, so that question is pointless. But yes, if they called it, it's doable for them anyway."[/color]

"Didn't they say they would give us a bonus, if they could salvage the main cruiser?"

[color=8882be]"Ah, I thought you meant for the others. Yeah, if you have to fully trash it, they'd be pissed and wouldn't give us that extra money."[/color]

"Well, that gets rid of the easiest way to disable a ship...sinking it, even without damaging any equipment besides its hull."

[color=8882be]"You'll just have to go straight for the bridge."[/color]

"In that case, I'll probably take care of the submarine from underwater, if nobody else wants to have that position desperatly. Swarms' missiles or torpedoes might do too much damage to the cruiser to keep it afloat in the long run."

[color=8882be]"Yeah, submarine hunting is so fun, everyone'll want to do that. Any other questions from you, Joe? About the other missions?"[/color]

"None so far, but maybe another comment or question might bring up one more, ma'am."

[color=8882be]"Very well. Anyone else?"[/color]