Free story idea

[kengr]

What with the usual "artillery barrage" going on for the last few hours, I got to thinking about solutions (always a dangerous thing to do :-)

I'm picturing someone in Terramagne how is only mildly annoyed by the fireworks themself, but but has friend who have a real hard time with it.

Probably a gizmologist, but other power sets could do things as well.

I'm thinking something that tracks the detonation of ground based items, which would also detect the launch of aerial displays.

Upon detection, a bunch of water balloons (or just bucketfuls of water) are spread out about 8 feet above the site. Resulting in some very wet users of illegal fireworks. As well as thoroughly soaking *them* it'll likely soak their their remaining stash.

Obviously a gray hat solution.

Comments

[siliconshaman]

I'd be careful with that kind of tech. The military could easily repurpose it into a weapon. (replace water balloons with grenades and it's an automatic return fire weapon.)

That said.. I like the idea... Ka-sploosh!

[kengr]

The Military pretty much has it already. Radar directed counter-battery fire is why folks fighting advance nations forces have to only fire once from a goiven position. then move the mortar or artillery


So I figure the target acquisition part is probably repurposed miltech

[siliconshaman]

Hm, yeah.. it's the repurposed bit that's the problem. I can see someone who's more of a blackhat getting a hold of it and using it to make an IED equivalent. Although you're probably right about the target acquisition being repurposed miltech, so who knows. Come to think of it, doesn't NYPD have something that tracks the sound of gunfire? Like a network of microphones everywhere?

Either way.. I kind of wish I had that around bonfire night...

[kengr]

Not just NYC. Several; other cities have that sort of setup as well. And yes, it's a bunch of microphones.

Note that my original thoughts were rather less nice. But I switched to water balloons so as to not add to the objectionable "booms".

[acelightning73]

I hate the kinds of fireworks that "whistle" (an ear-destroying high pitched scream) or just a ground-shaking "KABOOM!" without making pretty colored lights in the sky. I want glowing fuchsia sparkles cascading from above like fairy dust. I want a life-like green palm tree. Never mind pointless noises! (I don't have that kind of PTSD, but I do startle easily.) Even the little firefly-looking things make a crackling or fizzing sound when they burn.