Ate China...Ano Ba Talaga?

Nakakalito ang mga Chinese na yan. They imposed a fishing ban on Scarborough Shoal yet they sent almost a hundred ships, carting away giant clams and corals as fast as they can. They are systematically ravaging the ecosystem of the area...and for what? Wala pa akong alam na Chinese herbal or traditional medicine na pampatigas o pampatagal sa kama na gawa sa coral (Most of their traditional medicine are always 'to keep the Yang up'...kahit yung kinuha mo e pampaluwag ng hininga o panglaban sa asthma, laging me side effect na titigas etits mo for 35 days or kahit 80 times ka nang labasan e uhaw ka pa sa sex).

Well, seriously, China has been advocating one thing and doing the other at the same time. They asked the Philippines to stand down, but they in turn sent ships upon ships in the area. They even had the gall to hold naval drills on the area as they asked other nations to stand down. And they keep pointing out that they've always been doing these naval excercises. So bakit wala sa balita ng international press yung drills nila for the past years? Kahit anong nation sa buong mundo e kapag gumawa ng naval excercises, news agad yon kahit sa tabloids.

This only presents one thing, walang isang salita ang Chinese government.

They bully others into doing what they order the world to do under the guise of national or diplomatic policy, but the actions they take are very opposite on what they preach. Hypocites? Or just plain greedy liars? They are like the doped up addict friend that you have, that you always end up believing their promises in a hope that they chang their ways and actually are telling the truth. Well guess what, China has always been playing on the sentiments  of everybody. They are playing the world for a fool.

Now they are saying that the naval excercises are just a drill and not a practice into invading another country (a South East Asian country with the area they are doing it in). Maniniwala pa ba kayo?

Random Ideas for the Air Force

Lets face it, our Airforce don't have the capabilities to protect our skies against the top war machines of neighboring nations such as Singapore (which sports an F-16) or Vietnam (with their SU-27s) or Japan (and their locally made Mitsubishi F2), but partnership with our neighboring nations and security agreements with the US ensure that we don't need to.

Remember that our Airforce has mainly a dual role of giving support to our Army and Navy. Provide air support in the incursions of the Philippine Army against the insurgents and bandits, as well as complement the Navy in their operations of ensuring our sovereignty on the seas around our archipelago.

But sadly, the our Air Force is greatly under equipped, given the large area they have to respond to. So I came up with a few random thoughts about augmenting the Philippine Air Force's inventory.

I'm okay witht he planned increase spending for equipment like UH-1's and C-130's because they provide logistical support for all branches of the armed forces, as well as quick response vehicles in the event of a natural disaster.

To support the Army with air support, we need a high speed aircraft for strafing runs or precision ordinance delivery. The story of a humble wooden wonder used during World War II comes to mind; the De Havilland Mosquito. In a documentary, it was said that majority of its components were made by piano makers and wood craftsmen. Considering we have a lot of those manpower available (Taytay alone is home to a lot of these craftsmen) and the resources, and with today's development in laminated plywood and artificially strengthened timber, I feel that there is an opportunity on the following that example. Given enough support for local development, its a short to medium term answer to augment the Air Force's current inventory.

As for its support role for the Navy, patrols and reconnaisance can be provided by unmanned drones. If you look at YouTube, there are a lot of jet powered RC plane designs that shows a lot of promise. Mount them with flight and observation cameras and you got yourself a survaillance platform that saves on fuel and can be maintained with off the shelf parts and components. You can also arm them with a M249SAW or 2.75 rockets and you have a weapons platform that is capable of intervening if needed.

I hope the powers that be in the Armed Forces realize that research and development are also needed within their ranks to enable the fighting elements of their forces a chance to get the job done and get back home alive.

Japanimation: Store for 2nd hand Goods from Japan

I heard through a friend that there's this magical place where there are second hand books, manga, magazines and toys from Japan being sold on the cheap, in fact, he got his picture books of some idols for a measy price of Php100 each. My friend said this place is called Japanimation, a second hand goods store in Quezon City.

I searched the web and found the one and only viable link through a blog. The place is beside the Sto.Kristo Chapel at Road 20, past Congressional road, in Quezon City. It was described as a warehouse with the goods bundled together in boxes or shelves according to their type. Like in other warehouse outlets, its up to you to look for the goods you need. They are not arranged in any order except for their type. So you have to spend some time shifting through the boxes and shelves while looking for that special item that strikes your fancy. And thanks to that post, we were able to prepare the things we need after looking through dusty containers.

The place is reminiscent of various recycle shops that sprouted around Tokyo during the slow decline in the economy. As various electronics are discarded for the new ones, the old ones are collected, or sold, to these recycle shops, a bit reconditioned, and sold at a lower price...much lower. Let's put it this way, I was able to purchase a portable CD player for Php200, MD player for Php100 and Japan release CDs of various Japanese and US artists for Php50.

(racks of J-pop CD's...one day is not enough to sift through all of them)

There are a lot of shoes and clothes on the store front. Just behind them are shelves of second hand audio and video electronics as well as those LD's from the early 90's ( so all you equipment freaks out there who still have their LD players, this is one of the few places where you can get good titles). There are also game console controllers and some old hand held games. The inner warehouse contains the old and recent vinyl records (a nice collection at that), along with music instruments (I saw a Japanese koto there too) and some of the more larger electrical equipment. most of the toys you see sold at conventions are located on the store front connected to the inner warehouse. It has shelves and shelves of figurines, toys, costumes and more.

My son was excited about the boxes of up-to-scale replicas of automatic firearms and hand guns. These air-soft pellet guns are so realistic, up to the magazine release, the cocking mechanisms, and you can put the small plastic bullet replicas on the revolvers. Those were soooo neat. The AR-15 and M4 Carbine replicas goes for Php1800 and Php1300 respectively. Don't think about using them on playing in air-soft courses since they are single pump action type...not those automatic types.

I, on the other hand, was excited with shelves upon shelves of J-pop cds and magazines. I think one day is not enough to look though all the stuff they have in there. Remember that all of these are not arranged in any particular order, so its hard to find what you want specifically. You have to dig though bins and bins of CDs and books.

(volumes of "EVA Slot" are available...)

Looking though their printed material, they have a large collection of Japanese style and culture publications, notably the 'kogaryu' and 'sentaa guy' magazines...along with a few music and car magazines, concert picture books, movie production notes and manuals. For the fans of the Evangelion series, I saw a lot of EVA SLOT mags. Sorry for the legion of Gundam followers, but I got all the GUNDAM DATA FILE mags I could find. If you're looking for some R18 or hentai comics, there are a few. I myself got a fan comic for Gunslinger Girl...featuring Claes.

(just a few of the items I was able to get)

But amidst all the excitement, there is one thing that I was disappointed in. I was told that the items sold here are sold at really low prices, specially the toys and the figurines. But it seems that the owners have wised up and raised the prices...a lot...that they are now at par with shops in malls. I even got to talk with some of the patrons who frequented this place for a long time. Even they noticed the sudden rise in the prices of the figurines. From Php15, it was raised to Php50 each. And the polaroid camera the blogger was talking about which was bought for Php150 is not at least Php250. The main selling point lEft, for me, is that you get Japan quality goods, rather than the 'Divisoria' items sold at a much higher price. And it holds a lot of unique Japan items.

I'm not as excited as before but I still plan to return next month in anticipation for their next batch of goods.

Tales from the USS Hyperion

(note: This story was inspired by the actual turnout of a Star Trek game I played a few years back)

Stardate: 61335.7 "Defeat at Starbase 313"

Aboard the USS Hyperion enroute to Sejanus, a K-class planet in the alpha quadrant. We were told to retreat after the failed retaking of Starbase 313 from the Borg. Initial intelligence from Starbase 313 stated a small colony of the Borg in that sector. Because the Centaurus Prime shipyards were at the vicinity, orders were made to prepare a fleet of Miranda and Akira-class ships for an assault.

Starfleet then dispatched the USS Hyperion and 11 other Sovereign-class ships to the shipyards. The plan was divide the Sovereign-class in pairs to make each lead an attack groupin the assault.

Upon arrival, however, we were dismayed to see the sector overrun by Assimilators and the shipyard under attack. We were able to retake the shipyard but it was in bad shape. They were able to produce a few Akira-class ships but they too were damaged as they were used in defending the shipyard. No matter how much of the Borg we destroy, more kept taking their place.

Instead of dividing the ships as planned, command decided to take the offensive using the remaining Akira-class vessels and all the Sovereign-class in one attack group, with the USS Hyperion as lead attack ship.

As fate would have it, we cannot hold the sector. In the end, we were ordered to retreat with what we had left. Sadly, only us, the USS Courageous and 2 other Akira-class vessels were left to fall back. We had to rescue the crew of the USS Apalachia for all its propulsion systems,warp and impulse, were beyond repair. This mission was not thouroughly planned, I told myself.

We were ordered to rendezvous with the Sovereign-class USS Coburn and its attack fleet at Sejanus to assist the IKS Nong'ng Iv in clearing that sector of 2 Borg colonies. I hope that our luck there would be better that what we had at Starbase 313.

Stardate 61340.9 "Redemption"

As we meet the USS Coburn at Sejanus, we were informed that the IKS Nong'ng Iv has set off to search and destroy Borg vessels in this sector. Our ship, USS Hyperion, were assigned to lead the 1st attack group which would defend the combined Federation and Klingon bases at Sejanus. Considering our failure at Starbase 313, I wouldn't be surprised. The USS Coburn was assigned as lead ship for the 3rd attack group, the fleet assigned to assist the IKS Nong'ng Iv in its search and destroy mission.

After our briefing, we were alerted that the attack group assign to the 'search and destroy' mission was almost decimated and with the IKS Nong'ng Iv without warp and low on shields. The USS Coburn's attack group was deployed to assist.

Due to the gravitational pull of the twin planets in Sejanus, they ventured to the battle site at full impulse. It was too late, they were but just in time to see the IKS Nong'ng Iv blow up. They were left with no choice but to fight off the Borg fleet in that area.

Things were getting grim as the 3rd attack group lost ship after ship under the relentless attacks by the Borg. The Coburn was ordered to retreat as it is the only remaining ship and still under fire. With the torpedo turret field that was recently put online, it would create a safe zone to cover its retreat. The Coburn made it in time with just 2% shields left and operating with just 140 crew, barely enough to keep the ship running at warp 4. And as planned, the torpedo turret field obliterated the pursuing Borg ships.

The IKS Nong'ng Iv lost, the USS Coburn barely operational, things are not looking up for this campaign. The only thing that keeps us from harms way is the torpedo turret field set up around the combined bases. But the Borg are systematically taking out the field one turret at a time. It will be soon that they would be able to break through the barrier.

A plan is then devised to end this conflict. The USS Hyperion is re assigned to the 9th attack group as escort to 12 Steamrunner-class vessels designated as fleet 0. The 1st and 2nd attack groups are then re-assigned to seek and destroy missions to prevent any build up of Borg vessels that might ensue a surprise attack. Our mission is to check out the last transmission of the Miranda-class USS Diligence about the location of one of the 2 Borg colonies in this system.

Coming out of warp a few thousand kilometers from the coordinates, we encountered some borg ships but they just passed by, not doing anything to us. Strange, they don't see 2 Sovereign-class, 4 Galaxy-class and an Agean-class vessel as a threat? Maybe the location of the base was bogus.

After a few minutes, sensors pick up the presence of a Borg Nexus. Nervously we called for the green-light of the assault by fleet 0. It seems odd that the Nexus is unprotected while the 1st and 2nd attack groups are reporting heavy action throughout the system. Maybe they're spreading their resources too thin.

Upon the arrival of fleet 0, they spread out in a line formation while proceeding to the Nexus, just out of reach of its primary defenses. With one command, the Steamrunners unleash a barrage of upgraded photon torpedoes. The fleet now lays siege on the Nexus like a medieval city.

As expected, the barrage roused the hornet's nest and some Interceptors began to attack the Steamrunners. But Interceptors are no match to the weaponry of a Galaxy-class, let alone a Sovereign-class. Wave after wave, they defended the Nexus in vain until there was nothing left of the Nexus but space dust and debris.

The remaining Borg started a hastened retreat afterwards. We are recieveing reports from the 1st and 2nd attack groups that the rest of the Borg are doing the same. This was topped with a report from the Akira-class USS Thor that they found the second Nexus...deserted.

The remainder of the 4th and 7th attack group was sent to gather intel from the second Nexus then proceed with its demolition.

As it turns out, the Borg simply just ran out of resources to complement its assimilation of this sector. They were too busy trying to break through the torpedo turret field and running into ambushes by the 1st and 2nd attack group, that they just...ran out of gas. Resupplying their campaign with drones from their own bases, leaving their production and supply line derilict. And by destroying their back-up fleet, the first Nexus we seiged, their forces are now reduced to ragtag groups of Interceptors and Detectors.

Eventhough it is already considered a victory, there is still much to be done. The 9th attack group of the USS Hyperion is in-charge of the clean-up process.

We have retaken Sejanus. This will give us the opportunity to resupply and regroup. For tomorrow we might venture out again in this continuing battle against the Borg Collective.

In the Eye of the 'Metal Storm'

A terrfying ballistic weapon capable of firing at least 1 million rounds per minute. With its current 96 round configuration, it takes less than a second to fire its entire complement, delivering it entirely on the target. Behold the awesome ferocity of the 'Metal Storm'.

I incidentally found this weapon system in YouTube a few weeks ago as I was loooking into new weapon systems. Its a metal box with 9 barrels in 3x3 configuration, or 16 barrels in a 4x4 configuration. The munitions are lined up in one barrel and fired one by one via electrical trigger. It works on the same principle as the Roman candle where as the first projectile fires, it burns the charge for the next one. The difference is, the firing mechanish is precise enough to encable a single shot for all its load. Not only does it fire bullets but also launch multiple grenades, as a video from the Australian army show.

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Metal Storm firing at 1,000 rpm

Though the development of the system has had its share of funding problems, I still think it has a lot of application and be a possible replacement for some defensive and offensive weapon systems.

grenade launcher configuration

One example is the smoke grenade dispenser mounted on a lot of models of tanks. The Metal Storm would have more capacity and increase its defensive capability.

Another example is for the multiple missle launcher (AT-6 Spiral with its 9K114 Shturm or 9M114 Kokon missles) on any of the the Russian Mi-24 variants, known throughout the world as the flying tank, or simply the Hind. With its lighter configuration, this system could increase the payload two-fold.

But since there is a restriction on the transfer of such weapon technology, its up to the Americans and the Australians to develop a carrier for this weapon system.

As this system is already referred to in many novels and movies. As many are named in Wikipedia, I suddenly remembered the English movie 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', where there's a striking resemblance to its concept with the gut mounted primary weapon for the Vorgon soldiers.

the lovable Vorgons from 'The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy'