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A platform is a heavy structure, often used as a defensive naval position. It can be on the ground, in orbit or in open space.
As a starbase with planetary shields cannot mount offensive weaponry, a platform is often used to perform the role of aggressive defence.
A platform can be considered to be similar to a starship in many ways, it has internal space in which to mount weapons and support crew to run them. It does however have a number of advantages:
- First Strike - platforms fire on round zero as well as the normal four rounds.
- Can mount Deflectors.
- Can generate Planetary Shields (requires Planetary Shield infrastructure to be integrated and active on the world).
- Can dictate access through Planetary Shields (needs Gate status).
- Has integrated life support - no need for quarters, bunks etc.
- Does not have an integrity rating - no need for patches/maintenance.
- Does not require a blueprint to construct - any platform hulls can be delivered, increasing its internal size.
- Standard platform hulls have 50mu internal capacity.
- Have integrated ISR fields.
- Can benefit from up to two layers of armour - same as heavy hulls.
- Can over mount armour - excess is burnt off faster during combat, but full thickness is maintained.
- Shields are more effective - damage wholly absorbed, i.e. no penetration, does not deplete shield factors.
- They have line of sight to all positions in the same location and if in orbit, to all locations on the surface.
- They provide armour to installed items, making them more resilient to incoming damage.
They do however have a number of drawbacks:
- They cannot move under their own power - once constructed they are fixed to that location unless moved by a large enough ship (they can take however advantage of extra cargo space created by ship docks).
- If moved they have 0% combat efficiency for 2 weeks and shields are discharged
- They cannot scrap hulls except through special actions.
- They cannot use AI's for crew factors.
- They require to be linked to a base with platform control complexes or suffer from reduced crew factors.
Requirements
A platform requires platform hulls and nothing more. It does not require bridges, engines, drives or quarters for the crew.
Items delivered to it will require crew factors to work.
Construction
It is built using 10 platform hulls. Delivering these hulls will increase the size and internal capacity of the platform. There is no upper limit to the quantity of hulls that can be delivered. It is also possible to deliver multiple types of hull providing that they are item type 'platform hull'. Once delivered hulls cannot be removed except through combat.
Platforms can be constructed then transported to a location. However, moved platforms have their shield discharged and combat capability offlined for 2 weeks.
Armour
Delivering item type 'armour' to platforms increases armour depth. Armour depth maximises out at two layers. The amount of armour plates required to achieve this will be dependent on the quantity of hulls present. Further armour plates can be delivered, this is called over-layering.
The overall thickness will be based on the weighted average of the armours delivered. Delivering thin armour such as korondite to a platform that already has maximum armour depth will reduce the overall armour thickness.
Over-layered armour plates are more easily damaged during combat.
Armour stops roughly half the Armour Rating of the platform in damage. Thick armour plate provides less armour rating but burns off slower than its ablative armour plate equivalent.
Damage
Unlike ships, platforms simply lose size as hulls are destroyed. The do not need repairing. The size of a platform though is only recalculated after a battle. During the battle this will mean that penetrating shots have a chance of hitting empty space based on the loss of items from the platform during the combat.
Control and Crewing
A platform requires to be linked to a base with platform control complexes in order to work at normal efficiency. Platforms require their controlling starbase to have a 1 platform control complex per 100 hulls.
Where multiple platforms are controlled by a single base, only the sum of the platform hulls is used.
Having insufficient platform control complexes increases the total crew factor requirements of the platform up to 5 times equating to an efficiency of 20% normal.
A platform can however use excess crew to accommodate the crew factor shortfall.
A new platform uplink only takes effect after the next maintenance day of the platform.
Fighter Bays
Fighters and bombers require fighter bays on platforms to launch as on bases and ships. Fighter bays add cargo capacity to the platform and fighters / bombers are listed in the general inventory for the platform.
Lists
In addition to its own lists, a platform will also use the lists of its controlling base, e.g. if the controlling base has all PIR on the space enemy list, the platform will open fire on pirates even if the platform itself does not have PIR on its enemy list. This allows for quick updates of all controlled platforms without the need to issue orders directly to each platform.
Gate Platforms
The gate platform will be determined by:
-Only platforms controlled by a starbase (not outpost) on the world they are orbiting can be gate platforms
-The controlling starbase must have planetary shields active
-Gate platform are at least 3k platform hulls
-Initially the largest platform (over 3k) will be the gate for the planet (When planetary shields are installed).
-Other platforms can take gate ownership if they are 1500 hulls bigger than the gate. (max increase per week is 1000 hulls)
-The gate owner will receive notifications about other platforms that increase in size.
-Gates in combat will not lose gate ownership during combat or for at least 1 week after combat has stopped (even if below 3k platform hulls).
-Platforms in combat cannot gain gate status. 1 week must elapse between combat and qualifying for gate status.
-Affiliations notified when added to the landing list of platforms
Orders:
Add to Landing list
Remove from landing list
Platform Limits
- Crew requirement of a platform reduce by factor of 2 in the system of the controlling starbase and no reduction elsewhere.
- Can increase a platform size by more than 1000 hulls per week (from last weekly maintenance).
- Gate Platforms weapons ignore planetary shields [not done]
- Platforms are restricted to 25k hulls
Deflectors Arrays
All previous mechanics are still in place with the addition that platforms can mount deflectors.
- Each platform hull provides 10 inherent deflector factors
- Maximum Number of Deflector Arrays = sqrt (deflector factors/1000) rounded up or 8 which ever is smaller.
- Each deflector array has max hitpoints = Deflector factors (To kill a deflector you need to do deflector factors + shield recharge in a round)
- Each deflector array charges from shield generators after shields are at maximum
- Each charged deflector array added +50 to shield thickness of platform
- Only one charged deflector array can be damaged in any one round. Any damage done to the array does not have to penetrate the shields.
- Platform shields and armour are only damaged after all deflector arrays are destroyed.
- Platforms will be proceeded by [x/y] on scans to represent the charged deflector arrays. eg PLATFORM Happy Times (3433) [4/8]
- Damage done to deflectors is calculated before any other armours/scints/shields are applied.
This means that by default a 6000 Hull platform will have 8 deflector arrays and so +400 shield depth. Without additional deflectors items, each deflector array will have 60k hit points when fully charged. The platform might scan as: CIV Considerable Investment [Gate 8/8]
If a 4 ships attack the platform doing 24k damage per round (e.g. using kinetic missiles), then the platform will take no damage but the first deflector array will deplete on the end of round 3. On round 4 the shields will be at +350 shield depth and the next deflector will be damaged. The platform will be scanned a CIV It's Just a Flesh Wound [Gate 7/8].
If 10 ships attack the platform do 60k damage per round (e.g. using kinetic missiles), then a deflector array will deplete every round but the platform will still take not damage however the shields will be at +200 shield depth at the end of round 4 and the platform will be scanned as CIV Stop Shooting Please [Gate 4/8].
This mechanic does not block all damage, if you hit the platform with heavy photon battery it will be 350 (shields + deflectors +armour) vs 400-475 dmg
In turns deflector are represent as:
| Deflectors: 3/8 Deflector Factors: 66000/110000 |
So you have 3 deflectors charged and 66000/110000 deflector factors in the current deflector. When the deflector is 100% charged it converts over to the next one @ 0 factors and starts charging again.
So if the above example charges for a day:
| Deflectors: 4/8 Deflector Factors: 55000/110000 |
The deflector charged by 110000-66000+55000=99000 factors. You will lose some factors in the charging as it only charges one deflector per shield cycle (x4 recharge per day - you can only gain 4 deflectors per day).
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PayPal.Me/creditKJCaccount
Don't forget to include your account number in the message. |
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***Anonymous Submission***
FLZ claim CIV system in the Coreward Arm and try for Another
The FLZ have undertaken a couple of minor scale operation into Xarze and Assanistra systems in the Coreward Arms, claiming the CIV system of Xarze away from local control and have put in a claim in Assanistra to contest that system. When asked the FLZ replied that the operation started as part of their hunting down Pirates (sic)...and then clammed up. Locals have claimed that it is clearly a power grab and imitation flattery.
All CIV claims in Xarze seem to have been crushed by just enough FLZ to effect the claim. Assanistra is sure to follow. Money is on Violet Gate to be the next to come under the claws of the FLZ. These systems coming under FLZ control sees an increasing push by the FLZ to have a reason to go through Damnation Alley and get attacked by the pirates like all the cool affiliations.
***PIR in Fortoon system***
The PIR this last month have attempted to take control of a FEL outpost on Dryfus in Fortoon, sporadic reports suggest an overwhelming force led by the GTT destroyed the hostile PIR ground parties. Questions have been asked of the DNA ability to defend the planet with a number of affiliations offering support
***Noctollis***
The Noctollis system has been claimed away from the DTR by the FLZ Republic with the FLZ announcing the move is at the request of the resurgent DEN affiliation. The AFT have been advised to avoid the Noctollis stargate.
Per the system charter (in addition to the DEN) the KRT, FET, DTR , MOH, and GTT are welcome to continue moving ships through Noctollis to reach their assets in-system or deeper in the periphery.
All other affiliations are advised to avoid using the stargate
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***********An article from Sin Feine Media.......*************
Don't worry, criminals have your back?!?!
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(Fin Saine media video transmission submitted for Sub-Space-Static publication)
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(Hooshie of the Clockworks' appearance can best be described as a naplian ruffian, gang member, or scruffy pirate, but it appears he is also today's host. He does sport a nice Big Golden Classic digital watch though, but surprisingly on the inside of his wrist. Fine craftsmanship with bulky steampunk motifs, and a barn door style protective cover built right in. You know, the type with two doors and the locking bar across when closed?!?! Hand crafted! Great watch!
In what humans have termed a gruff slavic voice, he begins to speak: )
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
Pirates strike palace fo the Emperor
A fleet of twenty PIR flagged warships have attacked the palace of the Emperor in the human Inner Empire. Armed with heavy weaponry the PIR ships penetrated the shields and caused significant damage. Reports indicate that a third of the palace has been left a smoking ruin. The human affiliations loyal to the Emperor scrambled their fleets to catch the pirates, but when the warships arrived the PIR ships had vanished without a trace.
The GTT has already moved to close the borders of the Inner Empire periphery, an act which seems to have already led to a few AFT trade ships getting blown up by the defensive platforms. The message is simple with the GTT PD stating to us "If you are not running any fixed assets in the Inner Empire then you are not welcome".
So far nobody has been accused of running the pirates by either the CIA or the GTT. But this represents perhaps the most serious attack on the Emperor in modern history. Our reporters have noted serious concerns from the human planets in the Inner Empire periphery about this attack. It's not understood how a previously safe area of space that was hard for PIR shps to access has been penetrated by a fleet of twenty warships without them being spotted.
Corewards Corridor sees renewed pirate activity.
After the FET destroyed a number of PIR boarding ships, it went rather quiet with pirate activity almost halting. However, reports have started to come in over the last week that the Scavenger pirates are back in action.
The AFT have reported attacks in Kaygen and Discordia. The GTT have also reported a failed attack in Kaygen.
Be aware, the pirate threat has not been eliminated and all ship captains should be prepared when undertaking long distance trips where they might be exposed to attack.
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
FET strike back at pirates
Several FET fleets including patrols and specialist operations teams have come together and landed a telling blow against the Scavenger pirate band. The FET received intelligence about the location of a PIR Javelin-R Class boarder in Daggern and immediately responded.
Forces deployed consisted of the 8th Pursuit and 35th Battle clusters, supported by the 12th and 18th Striker Trinaries, as well as the 22nd, 23rd, and 36th Battle Trinaries. This culminated in a huge FET force coming across four PIR ships. The pirates attempted to board four of the first warships to arrive and were then overwhelmed by the supporting fleet. PIR Scavenger (7818), PIR Scavenger (4582), PIR Scavenger (4956), and PIR Scavenger (82576) were all destroyed by the combined fire of the warships deployed.
GTT claim key CIV system in the Orion Spur
The GTT have undertaken a large scale operation into Monument in the Orion Spur, claiming the main CIV system in the area away from local control. When asked the GTT replied that the operation started as part of their hunting down IND positions, due to IND attacks they had been the target of. Locals have claimed that it was clearly a power grab.
GTT transports delivered over a million troops and hundred of thousands of tanks to the CIV system of Monument and both IND bases fell quickly. A small number of IND ships fled the orbit, some were destroyed and some escaped. The local population have maintained their strong local claim but so far GTT forces have deployed enough manpower to maintain control of the system.
The system of Monument coming under GTT control sees an increasing push by GTT forces into Orion Spur.
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
Pirates strike in Solo!
After a brief period of calm, with little pirate activity reported, a significant attack has been launched in the Solo system. Piecing together information from several sources we believe that ten pirate ships simultaneously entered orbit of the Solo Stargate and attacked multiple ships from the FEL, FLZ, CIA and KRT. Seven ships were stolen in one day. This may represent the largest organized pirate attack to steal ships we have seen to date.
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Greetings one and all,
The Sub Space Static is undergoing a number of changes including more user friendly ways to submit articles to the Editor. If you have any newsworthy articles or pieces of random gossip the office of the Associate Editors is open and eager to report.
Confidentiality is assured in all submissions.
The Associate Editor |
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
--- Flagritz Special ---
In what can be viewed as another significant long-term cultural shift the promotion and teaching of the more extreme Cliriq and Xenos philosophies has allegedly been banned in all Government, Public and Academic institutions across Flagtitz Territory. Rumors of the execution of dissenting hard-liners abound.
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
Falconians and Felini step up pressure on the AFT.
FCN positions have been seen striking at the AFT in Halo, backed by the FEL who have been observed helping the Falconians. Our reporters have managed to find out that this is the result of long standng issues between the AFT and FCN regarding property ownership. The FCN has been bringing forces into Halo to strike at the AFT, with many of us at the SSS expecting the conflict to end quickly. However, despite the FCN's backing, the AFT has proven itself to be resourceful and challenging opponent. Strikes by the AFT have destroyed and boarded multiple FCN ships in the Halo periphery proving that the AFT is not going to be backing down easily.
GTT claim Solo
Following unheaval in the Empire the NHS collapsed, leaving Solo once again free to become a flashpoint. The GTT moved swiftly to claim the system, promising to bring peace to a system that not only claims to be the centre of the galaxy, but also the centre of political pressure and conflict. Despite initial reservations from many affiliations the privatised Empire security company shipped in a million troops to quell any discontent. At the point of writing this report all the affiliations in the system have backed the GTT's claim with the exception of the DTR, who are continuing to show the Empire that they don't like the expansionist humans reaching out to take such an important central system with key transport links.
IND warships spotted in Yank and Halo
With small time operators that want to stay out of the way of the bigger affiliations, IND flagged positions are rarely seen other than the occasional outpost or freighter. Recently a squad of IND flagged Broadsword warships was seen moving between Yank and the Halo periphery. Nobody seems to know what this fleet of warships is doing or what these ships have been built for, but maybe we are about to see the birth of a new conflict or affiliation.
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*** Inter Galactic News ***
Empire pushes out Free Traders
With ongoing claims of AFT activities moving from it's traditional neutral trade welcome everywhere to more nefarious deeds, the Empire in general and the GTT in particular has taken action to send the AFT a message that their new actions won't be tolerated. Over a couple of weeks the AFT saw all it's registered fixed assets seized within GTT systems. So far there has been no attempt to extend actions and hunt down AFT ships or other positions in any systems outside the Empire, so we are assuming the GTT considers it's actions sufficient to send the once peaceful traders a message. We believe the FEL have also joined in due to exasperation with AFT actions. We contacted the GTT for a comment to be told that the actions had been profitable, the kind of remark you should probably expect from a mega-corp.
Solo becomes pirate hotspot
Our reporters have received numerous messages regarding pirates lately, especially in the Solo system. Since the NHS took the system over from the DTR pirate attacks seem to have escalated. Over the last two months we have been made aware of over a dozen ships being lost to pirates with no doubt more falling victim to the vicious pirates as owners do not want to admit they have taken losses. The DTR have offered to assist the NHS with policing the system, but so far the NHS has not asked for assistance. Large fleets of FET warships have been seem patrolling the system and CIA warships have also been seen accompanying freighters, but so far we have not received any reports that the pirates have lost ships in retaliation. Although the CIA have damaged two vessels enough for them to require serious repairs.
Zaxividani Naru's peacful Deweik
Imagine our surprise when our office learned of the new group of Deweik lead by Zaxividani Naru. What makes this group noteworthy is it's peaceful intentions. For many years the canine based species has been well known for it's love of drinking, fighting and finding itself at odds with the Empire, leading to some massive battles. Even recent history has mention of fleets with over 700 capital ships fighting for the DEN keeping the Empire honest and even pushing them back. So to find that a Deweik group has joined with the Mohache, probably the most peace loving beings in the peripheries, came as quite a shock. We at the SSS wish them well in their future among the stars.
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