Chapter Text
NKCR “Nachtkrähe”
(“Nautisch Kranich Kontrollers Replika “Nachtkrähe”)
(“Nautical Crane Controller Replika “Night-crow”)
[Generation 5]
Naming conventions:
Often go by the names of Vinetan Seas or the names of astrologers, but outliers to this tradition of sorts are common.
Though they are often referred to derogatorily as ‘Snitchers’ or ‘Kranbeere’, Snitches referring to their more intrusive observation tactics, and Kranbeere (Cranberry) from the parallels of their name’s pronunciation.
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Due to the pair system of these units, similar to the groups formed by KLBR units, the serials of these units are somewhat different from usual or standard.
Format: NKCR-(Ship hull number / Site number) – (Unit #)+(A/B of pair)
Example: NKCR-S1-1A / NKCR-S1-1B
Gender: F
Height: 175cm
Chain of Command:
Deployed in groups of two or four, often commanded by their ‘Older Sisters’ (KNCR “Kranich”) if in numbers of four or larger. Answer directly to FLKR units and KLBR Blockwarts, as well as their Kranich sisters.
Frame Components:
The main skeleton is comprised of combat-standard titanium. a rather average shell of polyethylene- if slightly thinner in the attempt to cut weight, while this hasn’t become an outright issue, it is worth noting that the units bruise easily while in full/+ gravity.
Behaviour / Standard Personality:
While well engineered mentally for long periods of isolation from society or chains of command, they have a volatile attachment to a paired unit (See Pairs* bellow), breaking this bond or separating the pair is an effective method to fast-track Persona Degradation.
Main past times include; Astrology Literature, Stargazing and occasionally card games with their pair or peers.
Stabilizing forces; Providing group bunking for the naturally formed groups of NKCR, this is encouraged, as it does cut down on space required on interstellar vessels.
Known Issues:
Negative inclinations include; Gambling, refusing to socialise with command staff (instead only communicating with their peers and pair).
Rarely; After losing a pair, in the slight chance they survive their pair dying (~5% rates), there are single integer counts of units re-pairing with other similarly distraught NKCR units, and rarer still- KLBR units. The later scenario is often a detriment to both units’ ability to perform their duties, though not necessarily.
They are also prone to ‘gravity sickness’ when first transitioning from their usual micro-gravity environments to a full gravity or higher, quickly scaling. They are completely useless in anything above 2.5G, and quickly deteriorate despite their stronger (than Gestalt) build.
Pair system & Bioresonance:
Due to the requirements of the actions setting the stage for the Vinetan theatre, and the growing fear over spies within the maritime factions of the Eusan Nation, a new nation was required, it needed to be:
- Cheaper than KNCR units
- Lighter and faster to traverse stations and interstellar vessels without or in gravity.
- Able to perform gravity operations when required. (Also used as light paratroopers)
- Able to have a surefire way to root out and confirm the identities of spies or agents.
This resulted in the slight stature and lightweight- if strong, NKCR. Alongside this, a drawback, the requirement of a pair system, this serves to both stabilize the otherwise rather individualistic units, while also allowing the combined counterparts to exercise formidable- if narrow- Bioresonance.
When together, they are able to mimic the mind reading of a KLBR unit, even without this combined mental strength, they are well known to possess the ‘ability’ (often called a 6th sense) or ‘tip-off’ to lies, though data suggests they cannot tell who exactly is lying in any given room if crowded.
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While this has proved welcome around guarding ships, supply lines and their ability to find insurgents, it does prove to be a rather expensive risk to send them on ground operations, as if one dies, the other becomes almost useless. (Save for rare cases of re-pairing)
Persona Degradation:
Main causes;
The most prevalent and guaranteed cause of PD is being de-paired with their counterpart unit. Other causes include: Rather standard things, being exposed to excessive pain or deprived of rest and free time for extended periods. Notable exceptions are the two recommended aversions to stationing the units near machining factories or other similar heavy construction yards, as they are easily mentally worn down by high stress environments. It is also recommended to provide them clear instructions regarding their schedules if on guard rotations, not providing this is prone to prompt the units to form their own rotations- leading to more individuality.
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Symptoms; Heavily isolating against other Replika and Gestalt (exception of other NKCR), changing their own schedule without warning as they please, extreme paranoia, spacing out or stargazing when they are on rotation.
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Coping;
Advice for handling NKCR who are undergoing PD or becoming ineffective includes:
We advise not splitting them up with their Pair, this will do nothing positive for either, and may simply result in both quickly deteriorating.
We advise allowing the unit in question some ‘slack’ in regards to their position, and advise their pair to either comfort or correct their counterpart until resolved, or disposing of both units is beneficial/possible.