Competition: A New Tool

Finished
A New Tool

You have been tasked with making the most useful tool possible. It can be a weapon, a droid, a ship, or just a random tool you happen to make. Describe its uses, its weaknesses, and why you created it.

Will be graded based on fiction rubric. However realism will be weighed at 50% of the total grade.

Competition Information
Organized by
Padawan Tisto Kingang
Running time
2015-05-31 until 2015-06-07 (8 days)
Target Unit
Entire DJB
Competition Type
Fiction
Awards
Second Level Crescents
Participants
12 subscribers, of which 5 have participated.
Results
1st place
Uun Suu
Member
Uun Suu
File submission
Sandrin's_Toy.docx
Placement
1st place
Member
Ranarr Kul-Tarentae
File submission
A_new_tool_comp.docx
Placement
2nd place
3rd place
Kyber
Member
Kyber
Textual submission

MPAD
Modular personal assistant droid

The MPADs primary purpose is to act as a personal assistant to members of the dark brotherhood. Its design is meant to be simplistic and small but may be upgraded with modular assets that improve its functionality.

At its most basic the “droid” appears as a circular black disk 10 inches in diameter with a 1/4 inch thickness at its thinest point. A small dome-shape rises from the center of the droid on either side of the disk. At the widest portion of this dome, the total width of the droid extends to approximately 1 inch. Ultimately this gives it a shape akin to a “flying saucer”.

Around the circumference of the droid are six small camera lenses which allow for 360 degree vision and processing.

The interior of the droid is remarkably simple. A small battery, repulser lift generator, and droid brain occupy the central portion. At present the repulser lift is fairly slow and can only power the droid to move at a walking pace. It is also very weak and cannot carry anymore than the basic frame. The battery itself is also fairly limited and will last only 3 hours of continuous use before requiring recharging. The droid brain is small and contains only limited complexity but comes in a variety of droid classes ranging from 1-4 depending on the needs of the member. While the basic droid has shortcomings however may easily be addressed given its modular nature (explained below).

On both the top and bottom of the droid are four circular “plug points” for a total of eight (four on each side). These “plug points” are key to the droids modular system allowing it to connect to and utilize the modules. Each module is shaped as 1/8th of a sphere with a small indentation allowing for the droids central dome.

These modules vary but in addition to their normal function, most are equipped with an additional battery and repulser lift system allowing the droid to float without slowing it or decreasing its battery life. If the user desires the systems overall performance increased they may instead opt to add in multiple modules containing expansions to the droids most basic functions; large batteries for extended life, more powerful repulsorlift for increased speed/force, expanded droid-braincases for greater processing speed and power, or high-powered cameras for enhanced vision and detection.

However most modules are based around the idea of increasing the droids unique functionality. At present numerous prototypes have been developed and are ready for testing. They have been subdivided into the subsequent droid classes they are most useful for;

Class 1
Medical scanner
Surgical tools
Bacta supply
Atmosphere mask/supply
Rebreather
Genetic analyzer
Centrifuge

Class 2
Maintence arms
Blow torch
Welder
Electrical discharge unit
Computer-access arm
Astromech tred
Hyperspace calculator
Hyperspace mapping system

Class 3
Holonet connectivity
User-input interface
Expanded professorship module;
ancient history
medical information
force philosophies
mechanical doctorines
physics theorems
archive scanner
Universal translator
Holoprojector
Etiquite module

Class 4
Blaster
Ion blaster
Slugthrower
Flamethrower
Tripod
Lightsaber catapult/lightsaber storage (requires two continuous module points)
Targeting computer
Range finder
Scope
Radar
Sonar
Global positioning tool
Mid-range commlink.
Shield generator (self)

Through this modular design and organization, the mpad may serve as literally any droid a dark brotherhood member could desire. Installation of the modules is minimal and requires virtually no prior experience or technical knowledge of droids. Simply take the module, establish that it is facing the proper direction relative to the droid, and plug it in. The droid will automatically register the module, update itself with the pre-programmed software for its proper use and maintenance. To the perception of organics, this update will occur immediately allowing the droid full use of new module.

Lastly, both the soft and hardware of this droid will be released to the dark brotherhood at large allowing for further modules to be designed, modified and manufactured as each member sees fit. It is through this networking of information that we hope to improve the droids functionality, increasing its durability, armor plating, battery life and additional integrated features such as camouflage and star fighter interfacing.

Placement
3rd place
4th place
Magik
Member
Magik
Textual submission

BAW E-5 is Magik's weapon of choice; he is never seen without it by his side. You never know when you could encounter some Jedi scumbags. A most impressive piece. But Magic needed something for the field maybe for hunting Jedi at greater distances. Magik pondered his ideas for quite some time. He had seen blaster rifles on Coruscant, but he wanted one of his own. He decided he would make one for himeself. A tool for of the times. He knew of weapons and weapon making, he knew a long range blaster rifle carried on the back would suit him well. A rifle would do just right.
Magic had an idea of what a rifle should look like. He spent many days and nights laying out drawings and specs for his rifle. He wanted it perfect, made from his own plans. Pages and pages would come together to create the rifle, each page hand drew by Magic. First the the blaster barrel, second the firing mechanism, third the stock. The outer casing combined these three pieces beautifully and it was collapesable into three pieces. The rifle would be night scope ready.The design was complete inside and out. A rifle to fire heavy blaster bolts, capable of firing greater distances than the BAW E-5. The casing was complete.
The fifle was made from carbon, light weight and indestructible, resistant to scratches and adverse weather. You wouldn't want it jaming on you in combat. The trigger was even made from carbon. Magik's plans were coming along perfect, just as he expected. Inside and out the rifle utilized the lastest technology. He spent numerous hours reading up on specifications for the latest blasters. He was on to something. From this he learned the ways of weaponsmithing. The rifle would emit a green blaster bolt, something he had been studying on. With all the pieces laying before him, he started to asemble the rifle. He had been gathering the pieces one by one, to hid exact specifications.
The barrel was the largest piece, made from rich carbon he constructed to precise fit. The centet stock was carbon as well, fitted with the carbon trigger, for easy manuverability in any terrain. Magik fitted the two pieces together tightly and snug. Years of planning and preparation were finally paying off. He was ready to put the last piece together. The back stock, not really elongated, but short for easy aiming and less recoil from the blasts. The butt stock was also crafted in carbon, he snaped it into place buttons and all. Three piece made the rifle, which were fabricated brilliantly. All buttons and casing fit together perfectly, a real weapon.
Ready for some action, Magik thought to himeself. He could have planned for anything better. Not sure how much use he would get out his newly crafted rifle. Its not like he could just start poping off bladser bolts anywhere. He thought to himself, with a little training he could now hunt anything at great distances, as well as lay some much needed cover fire when in heated situations. His dream tool had finally come together. Not like just any blaster, but his own, made from his own specifications. Years of studying and dedication have come together to create a rifle, no better tool. Magik turned an ides into something special. a blaster rifle.

Placement
4th place
5th place
Keiji Suoh
Member
Keiji Suoh
Textual submission

Hacking goggles.
It’s 3 pieces of equipment: The eyewear, The gloves, and the battery pack. The battery pack has a charge of about 3 days but will eventually need to recharge. The way the device works is, the wearer must first touch the device he or she is hacking. The eyewear then projects the code before the user. The gloves can manipulate the code or create a whole new program to insert into the original coding. The gloves can store pre made programs, and then retrieve them when need be. When done manipulating the code, swipe your hand over the eyewear. The new coding will then be placed in the device. Recommended practice. It takes time how to learn this, but is much faster than the original way.
Strengths: Much faster, easier to use, doesn’t have to be at the terminal or device, can be easily concealed.
Weaknesses: Charge running out, takes longer to learn.
Also you might look a little funny with your hands swinging at “nothing”, but your friends will enjoy your work and your enemies will need to upgrade their systems.

Placement
5th place