Shoulder Mount Theory: Flares
From: "Teo Adams" <snatcheroo@home.com>
To: <halo@bungie.org>
Subject: Theories
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 10:00:51 -0700
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Hi
This is a different theory regarding the shoulder mounted items seen
on humans, because I disagree with the posted one.
Although the idea of the shoulder mount being a communications
device of some sort is an excellent theory, I disagree due to these
reasons.
- On the vehicle's there are long antennas present (obvious
communication devices) which tend to show the general type of
communciation broadcasting the the humans use.
- The largest tank (often refered to as a BAT) sports an
antenna as well as a box with holes in it. This box is very
similar to the shoulder mounted unit seen on the marines. If the
box is indeed a communications device then why would the tank
have an antenna as well. Also this box is not present on the
smaller tank or the assault buggy.
- Have a communication device that sticks out at such a
strange location would be very illogical and impractical, say for
example you are scouting an area and a sniper takes a shot at
you misses your body but hits the device. Now, you have been
noticed, the sniper is probably already radioing in that there
are enemies in the area, and you have no way to let anyone know.
Communication devices on soldiers are usually centered, or yes
above the shoulder but not in a configuration like that, the
circuit boards would be integrated into the armor and an antenna
would be exposed.
I agree with the idea that it is not a mini-missile launcher or
something silly like that.
My theory is that the device fires flares (a more practicle theory
than any I've heard of).This makes sense for the large tank as well.
While the buggy would not require such a device because its
passengers are exposed (hence they can fire them off freely without
hitting a ceiling), the large tank makes a perfect candidate, main
passengers are enclosed and if a large fire fight occured the most
likely thing to still be around is the tank, it fires off a couple
flares (if communications are down or the location was confused in
the fight) to signal back up troops. I would think that the small
tank would have flares as well but knowing that it does not have a
machine gun of some sort tends to show that the purpose of the small
tank is for distanced attacks (machine guns on tanks are used for
advancing on ground troups, you take them out with the machine gun
so they can't get behind, beneath or on top of you)(also there are
no handles on the top of the small tank for troops to hang onto,
this is not the type of tank you send to the front lines). Distant
attacks have no real use for flares, although being at far distance
from the battle it is safe to say that ground troops could be around
to fend of scouts or air attacks, so if a need for flares at such a
distance arose the troops could fire the flares or a tank pilot
could exit the vehicle, fire a flare and re-enter with no
significant danger.
I apologize for the length of this and hope it wasn't too confusing
Teo Addams
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