[FT] Boarding Torpedo

14 posts ยท Oct 9 2003 to Oct 10 2003

From: Matt Tope <mptope@o...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 11:51:24 +0100

Subject: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

Hi all,

I'm looking for any ideas on boarding torpedo systems for full thrust,
specifically utilising bording torpedoes as a direct fire style weapon for a
non-human, non-tuffley universe species with a radical approach to self
preservation (hence being fired at large lumps of meatal at high g velocities
and maybe missing, let alone hitting, is not an ethical or moral problem).

I have been thinking along the lines of a pulse torpedo that delivers 1
boarding party to the target in place of the normal warhead, but I am unsure
of how the idea stands up to FT's cost/mass/game-mechanics balance. So
any/all suggestions would be welcome.

Cheers all,

From: Roger Burton West <roger@f...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 12:04:19 +0100

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> On Thu, Oct 09, 2003 at 11:51:24AM +0100, Matt Tope wrote:

For boarding in general take a look at
http://www.users.bigpond.com/derekfulton/Beth%20GZG/Bazvo.htm .

From: Germ <germ@g...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 13:10:14 +0100

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> I'm looking for any ideas on boarding torpedo systems for full thrust,

Careful Matt, back in Jan 2002 I suggested something very similar and I'm
still seeking therapy to get over the ridicule dished out by this list
:)

I once said "No well trained Marines would not be wasted in this way. Which is
why I suggested that if your background has either the ethical backdrop to say
use prisoners on these missions as a way to redeem themselves (e.g. The Dirty
Dozen) or you have specially bred clones for just these missions or it fits
within an expendable class of insectoid alien races."

Jeremey

From: Matt Tope <mptope@o...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 13:41:43 +0100

Subject: RE: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

Don't worry Germ, I'm beyond salvation on this sort of thing anyway, the MT
style missiles one of my fleets uses have the brains of
political/military
prisoners in place of standard guidance computers.

As for the species these Boarding torps are intended for, well they are a
friends idea so any ridicule it generates I'll pass his way ;-)

Cheers,

Matt Tope

[quoted original message omitted]

From: Laserlight <laserlight@q...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 09:35:55 -0400

Subject: RE: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

MattT said:
> Don't worry Germ, I'm beyond salvation on this sort of thing anyway,

You've read Saberhagen's "Wings out of Shadow"?

From: Germ <germ@g...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:47:51 +0100

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> Don't worry Germ, I'm beyond salvation on this sort of thing anyway,

That's alright then:) My original idea was not for boarding but involved
launching troops at ships. If they arrived intact then they would act like a
needle beam weapon each round, against the ship they landed on until removed
by the ships PDS.

Jeremey

From: Matt Tope <mptope@o...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:48:07 +0100

Subject: Re:[FT] Boarding Torpedo

> Laserlight wrote:

> You've read Saberhagen's "Wings out of Shadow"?

Nope, afraid not. It just seemed a logical extension of Soviet/Red Army
WW2 style Penal Battalions applied to a Ultra Hardline Communist Military
super state 1600 years in the future.

I haven't actually heard of, let alone read, anything by Saberhagen (much
embarressed foot shuffling on my part). Is it any good? Sounds like it's worth
getting hold of!

Regards

From: Matt Tope <mptope@o...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:48:07 +0100

Subject: RE: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

I had a look at the archive c. Jan 2002 after I recieved your message, I like
the idea (and what is wrong with treating ones troops with reckless abondon
anyway?). However, the species in question would aim to kill the entire crew
of the vessel they boarded for food and breeding purposes...charming little
fellows that they are...

Cheers,

Matt Tope

[quoted original message omitted]

From: Doug Evans <devans@n...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 09:02:40 -0500

Subject: Re:[FT] Boarding Torpedo

***
I haven't actually heard of, let alone read, anything by Saberhagen (much
embarressed foot shuffling on my part). Is it any good? Sounds like it's worth
getting hold of!
***

He's covered things both sci-fi and fantasy, but best known for his
'Berserker' universe, where AI hates life, and includes huge
planet-killing
spaceships. Been years since I read any, so may be colored by time, but you
usually can depend on him for interesting ideas, and a damn good read.

Is Wings Out of the Shadows the one with the historical personality
constructs?

The_Beast

From: Roger Burton West <roger@f...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:03:10 +0100

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> On Thu, Oct 09, 2003 at 02:48:07PM +0100, Matt Tope wrote:

> I haven't actually heard of, let alone read, anything by Saberhagen

Some of it may seem dated to some people, but overall I found him well
worth searching out. I do find the _Berserker_ stories rather better
than most of his other work.

http://isfdb.tamu.edu/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?Fred_Saberhagen

R

From: Matt Tope <mptope@o...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:03:49 +0100

Subject: RE: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

Thanks Roger,

Just checked out the bibliography on Saberhagen you provided...so many books
and still writing and I'd never heard of him...much more embarressed
now...

Cheers,

Matt Tope

[quoted original message omitted]

From: Roger Burton West <roger@f...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:05:54 +0100

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> On Thu, Oct 09, 2003 at 09:02:40AM -0500, Doug Evans wrote:

> Is Wings Out of the Shadows the one with the <spoiler deleted>?

Yes.

R

From: Doug Evans <devans@n...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 09:30:52 -0500

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> Is Wings Out of the Shadows the one with the <spoiler deleted>?

Sorry, all. I'd hoped the ref was obscure enough to pass...

The_Beast

PS I'll be on the road for the next couple of days; further apologies will
probably have to wait until Saturday.

From: John Leary <john_t_leary@y...>

Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 22:27:53 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: Re: [FT] Boarding Torpedo

> That's alright then :)

Another possibility is the use of torp fighters to
carry a boarding party to the target ship.   Each torp

fighter that makes an attack delivers a BP onto the
target ship.   This resolves under the BP rules you
select for your campaign.

Bye for now,