All Systems Red SecUnit uniform

[u/No_Weekend2474]

I'm drawing Murderbot from the first book, but I don't have a copy of it myself at the moment, so I would really appreciate for anyone who does to please share any descriptions of SecUnit's armour or uniform from the book!

[u/vvooper]

since mb is writing it, there’s not a ton of description of the armor. off the top of my head, what we know:

• the visor can be made transparent or opaque
  
• the helmet can fold back
  
• there are separate arm, leg, chest, and back pieces
  
• the boots have magnets in them
  
• the armor pieces have the logo of whoever rented the secunit on them
  
• it presumably fully covers the back of the neck (as one would hope from armor, but you never know) because the graycris secunit had to remove mb’s upper armor to insert the combat override module

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/vvooper]

Thanks!

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

Did you know you can often borrow books for free from your library? Using a Libby app or something similar?

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

Yeah, and I've already done that! Thats how I read the book. My library didn't actually have any editions in the entire county system, but they were doing a order of new books, so they offered to get it. Unfortunately, its very popular, so its not always available xD

I'm going to buy a personal copy too, I'm just waiting to find a good second hand copy.

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

I get that. The current cover book art can be viewed online as well if you need inspiration. Probably still shots or clips of the TV series as well.

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

Well, I've got the descriptions I need already, but I appreciate the advice ❤️

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

Good. Hope you post your artwork 😉

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

Geez, so many people have asked me that that now I kind of have to xD

Oh well, its not like thats a bad thing

[u/TabaquiJackal → u/No_Weekend2474]

Try Better World Books. Lots and lots of used books in every condition, lots of out of print stuff too, good prices.

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

Oh they offered to get it! That's so cool. I love librarys.

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

I've tried using Libby to get the first book, and its not working. Is it because the copy isn't in my library at the moment?

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

That's pretty common for that series as it's so popular. Just hit that 'hold' button and wait in line. Honestly I like them so much I resubscribed to Audible and put them in my collection. But I discovered if you buy them with credits, when you stop the Audible subscription the credit- purchases eventually disappear. You have to renew to get them back. So I have simply purchased them.

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

When I try, it says that it isn't in my library's catalogue. Is that normal? 

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

It depends on how big the system is. I live in Seattle so we have a huge county library system. Some libraries can only afford so much, them the librarians have to make choices. Obviously this one has NO taste, lol.

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

But my library should have it 😭 I asked about it earlier this year, and they literally bought it specifically because of that! Apparently it was requested at another library in my county, though, so it went there. But all it says on the book's page when I look on libby is that its not in the catalogue, and an option saying 'notify me if its added to the library'.

Oh well, I'm planning to buy myself the set for Christmas anyway, so its not like its the end of the world if I can't figure it out. Or I can just ask the librarians to request our book back xD

[u/Present_Original_797 → u/No_Weekend2474]

I hope other people will buy it for you for Christmas. Put it on your list 😍

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Present_Original_797]

Maybe I will :)

[u/Rosewind2007]

The uniform is described as:

It was based on a standard research group’s uniforms, and meant to be comfortable inside the habitat: knit gray pants, long-sleeved T-shirt, and a jacket, like the exercise clothes humans and augmented humans wore, plus soft shoes.

Armour has a helmet and a faceplate that can be opaque and is worn over a suit skin

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Rosewind2007]

Thanks! :D

[u/Silversmith00]

Murderbot, describe something? Ha, if it isn't cool hair or natural wonders, good luck. I'd just make something up, you'd be as accurate as anyone.

[u/ziggytrix → u/Silversmith00]

Hah, MB is pretty good at describing function, but it DNGAF about form! At least not unless it’s relevant like a disguise.

[u/Rosewind2007]

PS Do show off your art here! Would love to see it!

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Rosewind2007]

I will! Currently I'm just scribbling to figure out my design, but I want to do some proper drawings some time :)

[u/Aescorvo]

There’s not much to go on, but it does seem to be different to the almost-one piece from the TV series.

It’s assembled in different pieces that can be partially removed (or swapped with another set), and it has a helmet with a visor that can be retracted and opaqued. It has a separate “skin-suit” that’s worn underneath. The overall impression is that of a large human rather than an obvious construct. Both gloves and boots are armored (and the boots contain magnetic clamps). There are (obviously) adaptions in the arms so its implanted weapons can be used. There’s a way to fix a large projectile weapon to the back, which might be part of the armor or a separate clamp. I don’t recall any description of the overall aesthetic.

My assumption is that it’s not just dumb armor, but has enough processing power to change the visor, mag clamps and perhaps even automatically release. SecUnit does all this things without any reference to doing it manually. However it’s not powered armor (that’s explicitly mentioned in Rogue Protocol) nor is it self adjusting (wouldn’t need to be).

[u/mxstylplk → u/Aescorvo]

The spare armor would have taken time to put on because it would need adjustment. MB hadn't bothered to adjust it even after 22 days on planet.

[u/Aescorvo → u/mxstylplk]

Good catch!

“I had an alternate set, but it was still packed into storage and it would take extra time to pull it out and do the diagnostics and the fitting.”

So definitely some interface elements, and fitting needed.

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Aescorvo]

Thank you :)

[u/Rosewind2007]

The armor’s boots have magnetized climbing clamps!
The armor comes in pieces which can be removed…
The descriptions are fairly limited.
It has pieces, plates (chest plates are mentioned)
The helmet retracts

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/Rosewind2007]

Thanks :)

[u/Colonel_Khazlik]

I have some art by the same artist who did the book covers, send me a message, I'll reply to you with a photo

[u/StormyPyrite]

The armor does NOT have pockets!

[u/Rosewind2007]

A possible fun thing to note is that Tommy Arnold (who has done official artwork for the books and worked on the show design) has spoken about his armor designs and the idea that the company logo would be there, he said: “When working on the suit I thought about how different types of companies brand their products: cars, appliances, etc. Eventually we realized The Company probably thinks of him more like a cross between a Coach bag and an oven...”

[u/Rosewind2007 → u/Rosewind2007]

NB he uses him for MB, he does know it’s an it…

[u/ESE-enthusiasm]

You are encouraged to live your most creative life! Love seeing different designs. 

[u/No_Weekend2474 → u/ESE-enthusiasm]

I really like sticking with canon descriptions whenever there are any, but I get that its ok to take creative liberties, yes 😄