GZGL FT Fast FTL drives.

> Colin Nash wrote:
What do people think of this being a reasonable addition to the FB design
system? Each doubling of FTL drive capacity and points cost, allows double FTL
speed. Is it OK?

It would certainly make sense for a fast courier. The only problem
would be the drastic effects upon any crew that 4-16 jumps per day would
have.
This seems like a good use for robotic/AI control.  Computer programs
jump, shuts down, jumps, reboots, programs next jump & repeats the
process.  It would still be limited to a jump every 1 to 1 1/2 hours
(from the background data in FTFB, it takes time before the computer core can
safely reboot.)
As long as the power holds out, it could cover 40 LY in 50-60 hours (3-4
correction jumps at each end, 2 LY/jump using military jump drive).  I
think this would probably burn out the courier drives, requiring an overhaul
at the end of the trip. This is still an improvement on the
4-5 weeks a normal vessel would take.

Eg. AI Courier Drone (62 pts) Mass: 20 Hull: Very Weak (2) FTL: 4 x Std Main
Drive: 8
Damage Track: [o/*]
Crew: AI
Backup computer & message storage (1m/3pts)
PDS (asteroid/meteorite defence)

'Neath Southern Skies
http://users.mcmedia.com.au/~denian/
*****
They seek him here, they seek him there; Those Frenchies seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damned elusive, Pimpernel.
        - 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', Baroness Emma Orkzy

[quoted original message omitted]

> Andrew & Alex <Al.Bri@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

> Colin Nash wrote:

This doesn't work for me.

The limiting factors for jumps are not engine recharge times, but crew
recovery, positional pinpointing, and new jump calculations (FB pg. 44)

The extra engines are usefull as backups, and you might be able to get a
LITTLE faster with 2 engines working in concert, but generally other factors
eclipse engine performance.

> Colin Nash wrote:

There should be some difference between milspec systems and civilians,
perhaps, but not that much. The limiting factor is crew endurance, not engine
performance. If you can run a ship with AI only, then we should be seeing
drone fighters (which, come to think of it, is high on the Alarishi Empire's
priority list).

> There should be some difference between milspec systems and civilians,

Didn't the fleet book say that the AI warships were too good at it and
destroyed one another. Or maybe I'm thinking of something else...

Regardless, I don't see a problem of information drones that have multiple
jumps per day capability. It could have multiple AI's for navigation and maybe
special computers that have a quicker turn around time. They'd be small
courier sized (or less) ships with minimal crew capabilities (more as an after
thought) and bunches of RAM (I wouldn't even hazard to guess the size:
Petabytes, Exabytes, BubbaBytes).

On a semi related note, how do people handle interstellar communications?
Courier boat, telepaths, ansible, some FTL communication, etc? Is the
official(tm) method courier boat?

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> Eric Fialkowski <ericski@micron.net> wrote:

> Didn't the fleet book say that the AI warships were too good at it and

Something else.

> Regardless, I don't see a problem of information drones that have

The FB specifies that the FTL transition messes up AIs even worse than humans,
and they have to shut themselves down prior to a jump. However, they do
"recover" much faster than their weaker biological counterparts. I can see an
arguement for an automated courier with a much higher speed, but no real
ablilty to react to unforseen events.

> On a semi related note, how do people handle interstellar

I don't think there is any "official" method, but my vote's for courier drones
(Mass 4, engines, computer, and that's it).

> Eric Fialkowski <ericski@micron.net> wrote:

[SNIP]

> On a semi related note, how do people handle interstellar

In my exceedingly "unofficial" (well, it's official to me, dammit...)
background, I use a derivation of the FTL jump drive to allow unreliable

FTL communication. Another race uses a Telepathic Network, yet another uses
courier drones....

And I agree that this last idea seems to be the most sensible for the
GZGverse. It fits with the feel of the bbackground. I would add, however, the
thought that the less advanced nations would probably use manned couriers,
rather than drones. Again, it feels right. Plus, it would allow for some
interesting scenarios.

> Something else.

I guess that's what happens after finals;)

> The FB specifies that the FTL transition messes up AIs even worse than

That's how I would see it. Maybe really good at trying to avoid pursuit.
IF underfire THEN run_like_hell

> I don't think there is any "official" method, but my vote's for courier

That's my vote, too. Although ansible would be second as long as I get to be
Ender;)

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