Return-path: Received: from listmail.aol.com (listmail.aol.com) by DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU (PMDF V5.0-5 #7763) id <01I9QS6SUL2A8WZTZO@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU> for JAE@DRYCAS.CLUB.CC.CMU.EDU; Sat, 21 Sep 1996 14:22:24 -0400 (EDT) Received: from LISTSERV.AOL.COM by listmail.aol.com (LSMTP for Windows NT v1.0a) with SMTP id 2CBF6860 ; Sat, 21 Sep 1996 14:21:26 -0400 Received: from LISTSERV.AOL.COM by LISTSERV.AOL.COM (LISTSERV-TCP/IP release 1.8c) with spool id 5722454 for SW-RPG@LISTSERV.AOL.COM; Sat, 21 Sep 1996 14:14:24 -0400 Received: from psln1.psln.com (psln.com [206.99.118.101]) by listserv.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id OAA23540 for ; Sat, 21 Sep 1996 14:14:19 -0400 Received: from Pentium#1 by psln1.psln.com via SMTP (951211.SGI.8.6.12.PATCH1042/951211.SGI.AUTO) for id LAA03896; Sat, 21 Sep 1996 11:16:37 -0700 Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 15:37:40 +0000 From: Chris Schmierer Subject: DESIGN (Craft): Orca Multipurpose Craft Sender: Star Wars Role Playing Game Discussion Group To: SW-RPG@LISTSERV.AOL.COM Reply-to: chris@psln.com Message-id: <199609211816.LAA03896@psln1.psln.com> X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail for Windows (v2.40) Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Priority: normal Comments: Authenticated sender is ORCA Craft: Orca Multipurpose Craft (Civilian) Type: Submersible/VTOL Aircraft/Starfighter Scale: Starfighter Cost: 130,000 (new) F or R (Manufacter's Suggested Retail Price) Length: 10 meters Skills: Starfighter Piloting: Orca Piloting Starship Gunnery Starship Shields Crew: 1 Passengers: 1 Cargo Capacity: 1 metric ton Consumables: 1 week Hyperdrive: x2 HD Backup x12 Nav Computer: Yes (Bodyless R2 Droid Brain) Maneuver.: 3D (Space and Atmosphere), 2D (Underwater) Space: 8 Atmosphere: 365; 1050kph Underwater: 139; 390kph Hull: 3D Shields: 1D, (No particle shielding underwater, ray shielding only underwater) Sensors: Passive: 25 / 0D Scan: 50 / 1D Search: 75 / 2D Focus: 3 / 4D Weapons: Weapon Name: Launcher Turret (4 tubes) Scale: Starfighter Fire Arc: Turret Crew: Pilot Skill: Starship Gunnery: Any Missile or Torpedo Weapon Fire Control: 2D Space Range: Varies by ordinance Atmos. Range: " " " Damage: " " " Weapon Name: (2) Laser Cannons (May be Fire Linked) Scale: Starfighter Fire Arc: Front Crew: Pilot Skill: Starship Gunnery: Laser Cannon Fire Control: 2D Space Range: 1-3 / 12 / 25 Atmos. Range: 100-300 / 1.2k / 2.5k Damage: 4D each (5D when Fire Linked) ----------------------------------------------------------- Craft: Orca Multipurpose Craft (Military) Type: Submersible/VTOL Aircraft/Starfighter Scale: Starfighter Cost: 310,000 (new) F,R or X (MSRP) Length: 10 meters Skills: Starfighter Piloting: Orca Piloting Starship Gunnery Starship Shields Crew: 1 Passengers: 1 Cargo Capacity: 1 metric ton Consumables: 3 weeks Hyperdrive: x1 HD Backup x12 Nav Computer: Yes (Bodyless R2 Droid Brain) Maneuver.: 3D (Space and Atmosphere), 2D (Underwater) Space: 12 Atmosphere: 450; 1300kph Underwater: 166; 465kph Hull: 3D Shields: 3D (space and atmospheric flight), 3D energy weapons, 2D projectile type weapons (underwater) Sensors: Passive: 30 / 1D Scan: 60 / 2D Search: 90 / 4D Focus: 4 / 4D+1 Weapons: Weapon Name: Launcher Turret (4 tubes) Scale: Starfighter Fire Arc: Turret Crew: Pilot Skill: Starship Gunnery: Any Missile or Torpedo Weapon Fire Control: 5D Space Range: Varies by ordinance Atmos. Range: " " " Damage: " " " Weapon Name: (2) Laser Cannons (May be Fire Linked) Scale: Starfighter Fire Arc: Front Crew: Pilot Skill: Starship Gunnery: Laser Cannon Fire Control: 5D Space Range: 1-3 / 12 / 25 Atmos. Range: 100-300 / 1.2k / 2.5k Damage: 4D each (5D when Fire Linked) ----------------------------------------------------------- Military Upgrade Package Replacement Ion Drive Package (Space Rating: 12) Replacement Hyperspace Drive Package (1x multiplier) Replacement Sensor Unit Package (30/1D Passive, 60/2D Scan, 90/4D Search, 4/4D+1 Focus) Additional Military Grade Fuel Cells and Consumable packs (2 weeks worth more, giving upgraded ORCAs 3 weeks capacity) Fire Control Upgrade/Replacement Package (5D Rating) Cost: 180,000 (Parts) (MSRP) 182,500 (Installed, Calibrated, and Tested by Factory Techs) Availability: 2 F,R (Dealerships, Distributors, and Factory only) Note: The space is already in the frame for all these upgrades. No cargo space need be used for these. With the standard stuff in there, there's a bunch of empty space around the components. Also, as noted later, the size of the power plant is already planned for, no power shortages will be experienced (unless you do something abnormal, strange, against the warranty, or screwy). ----------------------------------------------------------- Notes: The tail of the Orca is actuated with myomers to act like a biological (the tail moves left and right, providing a highly effective propulsion system). The powerplant in the Civilian model only utilizes 75% of it's output, providing a 25% reserve. In the military model, 85% is utilized, giving it only a 15% reserve (reflecting the upgraded systems in the military model and the same powerplant). As well as the "flapper" tail propulsion, the Orca is powered by a pair of tilt rotor turbofan/turbines that work both underwater and in an atmosphere. The ion engines are used only in an atmosphere and in space. (This craft has no repulsorlift unit). The hyperspace computer is simply a R2 brain without a body. Because it is permanently installed, it quickly develops a counterpart relationship with the ship's computer, and it also facilitates the installation of a Vehicle Remote Activation Controller or a CD-12A Droid Autopilot System (The CD-12 at a reduced cost because you already have the brain, all you need is the programming and the wrist activator). One tiny little problem, The permanent installation of the droid brain makes performing a memory wipe on the brain all but impossible. Therefore, if your R2 brain gets a little temperamental.....(No, R2 failure due to psychological problems is not covered in the warranty) On the other hand, if you and your R2 get along, you have a droid with a body that can kick some major butt, as well as saving your own every once in a while. One drawback of having a bodyless R2 is that it can't perform all those niceties that R2s are famous for: opening doors, repairing starships, the works... Although, the company does offer a wrist controller unit that has a universal data interface built into it for use with the R2. Plug it into the data port, tap the comlink button on the controller, and tell R2 what you want. The R2 controls the data interface via a data link between the controller and the shipboard computer, and can perform any function that a normal R2 might be able to perform using the interface (system hack ing, security override, electronic espionage, etc...). Soon to be released is a interface only remote data link module. This module is a "disposable" unit that can be connected to a computer data p ort and left there. So long as the module remains connected, the droid can interface with the data network, at will. Should the module be discovered and removed, all that is lost is the cost of the module (which should be relatively inexpensive). See your dealer or distributor for details. Also, another feature that R2 gains from the permanent mounting is a speech synthesizer, for more rapid and easier communication with other species. The synth' is capable of being programmed with up to 20 different languages by purchasing language software from the company, or any protocol droid can program your synth' for free (if you don't mind having a very proper sounding R2). Features also include an hydro-cracker unit for use underwater. It utilizes a limited amount of power from the fuel cells to "crack" water into it's base elements, and recombine them into elemental molecules. The resulting hydrogen is fed into the turbines and the power plant to power the craft and it's systems. The oxygen gas is fed into the life support system, allowing the extension of the life support consumables. With this system operational and craft submerged, the fuel and vital gas supply are extended by a factor of 500. Regrettably, the techs have yet to design a system to allow the hydrogen and oxygen to be stored, thus submersion will not work to recharge the power or life support cells. The extension factor of 500 takes into account the small amount of power needed to power the cracking cycle. Part of the by-product hydrogen is channeled into a generator that feeds back into the cracker unit, thus reducing power use, but does not produce enough power to effectively charge the fuel cells as well. The same applies to the oxygen by-product. The O2 can be fed into the life support supply, and reduce the amount of draw on the oxygen supply to almost nill, but by doing this, not enough remains to provide any reserve refilling. Also, due to galactic safety requirements, and current designs of the oxygen cells, they cannot be refilled while installed in the craft. They can only be refilled at properly equipped life support fill stations, and then they must be removed from the craft to do so. Note: The entire cracking system is an additional option, available as a factory installed option, or as an add in to be ordered from the catalog. Contact your dealer for prices. If you want to know what this looks like, look at the picture of the Orca on the back of the Command and Conquer: Covert Ops box. It's vaguely like that. Cross that with the Stinger from SeaQuest: DSV and that's what one looks like. I've got some of my design sketches, I just need to scan them in. Contact me, or check the Resource Pool at Drycas. When I get them scanned, I'll upload them there. ----------------------------------------------------------- From a brochure for the Orca. Published by CLS Technologies, Blackwell Station, Sector R793: "Weary vacationers, tired of sitting around your cabin in a slower- than-a-tax-refund-check vacation liner, waiting to get to the next planet so you can get out and do SOMETHING? Homesteaders, got a problem with some pesky local pirates or other pests? Young beings, wanna go out in something with style this nightperiod?" The Orca. A highly advanced space/air/watercraft for the common citizen. The goal of the ORCA project was to develop a personal conveyance pod capable of traveling in any medium. We started with a design for a tilt-rotor turbofan fighter aircraft that failed miserably in it's original purpose. Then, one of our engineers came up with an idea to actuate the tail with a new discovered flexi-duranium and our new artificial muscles technology known as "myomers ", allowing us to transform our design into a graceful creature of the water as well as the air, utilizing it's tail for added speed. From there, we extended the frame and modified it for deep space usage. Next we installed specially designed ion engines, giving it space flight capability as well as boosting it's atmospheric speed. We then decided that if we were going to do this, we might as well make it go interstellar as well, so slapped in a hyperdrive unit into some empty space in the frame. "Weapons! It's gotta have weapons!" one of our engineers ranted. So, just to please him, we tweaked with the design a little more and added a pair of lasers in the "fang" position (just to make him happy). When that was done, we realized what we had, and that it needed just a little bit more. So was born our new "Roto-Launcher Turret", a rotateable set of four (4) multi-purpose launch tubes that we grafted into a retractable turret on the belly between and behind the lasers. When retracted, the turret is completely enclosed by the body, virtually eliminating any drag that would be caused by a protrusion. The only visual cues of the turret's existence is a circular joint that appears, to anything but the trained and informed observer, to be an additional automatic sealing main tenance hatch. We also came to the realization that we had built ourselves a pretty respectable fighter craft that, technically, wasn't illegal for the common citizen to own. (Heck yes, if you own an Orca, you will have fees and need permits up your wookie, BUT.....) It also works as a good "getaround" hyperspace capable shuttlepod. Smaller than a Y-Wing, as fast as an X-Wing and more maneuverable, and with equivalent standard weaponry to an A-Wing; this is truly the common beings's ghondar-blaster. The Roto-Launcher turret has 4 launch tubes in it, and is rotateable 360 degrees to allow it to fire in any direction (in the X-Axis. You can't fire projectiles at targets that are directly above or below the Orca, unless the Orcas is moving in which case you just need to do a Z-Axis "barrel" roll and dive or climb to place your target in the "kill zone". (Disclaimer: Our lawyer droids state that the company will not be liable for personal injury or other liability resulting from "combat-type" maneuvering. Operate at your own risk)) The Roto-Launcher is also capable of launching proton torpedoes, concussion missiles, standard water torpedoes, conventional missiles and rockets, conventional hypervelocity sabot missiles, as well as just about anything else in anyone's inventory, just as long as it is a self propelled weapon. The laser cannons are encapsulated in pods for easy individual replacement should one be damaged. This also allows the pods to be removed and/or replaced with a variety of weapons and utility systems (manufactured by CLS technologies, and available through our catalog or any of our 5 trillion dealers and distributors. There's a CLS Technologies distributor near you! If there isn't one in the solar system where you are, we will load your pre-paid order into one of our fleet of distribution freighters and deliver it to you, wherever you are! (For a minuscule delivery charge) Rush and "Enters hyperspace within 4 hours of receiving your order" delivery options available for no additional charge). For those of our customers with military affiliations (or who can simply get the proper officials to sign on the permit form), we offer the ORCA Military Grade model and upgrade packages. The military grade model of the Orca is simply a Civilian Grade Orca frame w ith a Military Upgrade Package installed. The upgrade package includes faster ion engines (With a space rating of 12, it's one of the fastest ships in the galaxy, also boosting your atmospheric and submerged speeds), a upgraded hyperdrive (1x Military grade hyperdrive), better shields (triple the original shield rating, taking it up to 3D, as well as a modification that allows the shields to b e used underwater), more consumables (upgraded to 3 weeks worth of fuel and biological supplies for longer hyperspace jumps), an upgraded sensor package, and an upgraded fire control package rated at 5D (You can't destroy what you can't hit); all integrateable into our standard frame (we even left the empty space, weight capacity, and high grade powerplant in our civilian model for all you tinkerers out there to do the upgrade from spare parts). Order an ORCA today! Call our friendly operators, and we'll can have one delivered right to your domicile entrance. Credit and Financing Available. Military, Government, and bulk buyers: Contact us for special multi unit prices and terms. Contact us about our "Complete Coverage" factory and on-site service plans. The Orca Truly the best multi-purpose craft in the Galaxy. Yet another innovative design by CLS Technologies. Maker of the Cyberbrain Helmet (which is fully integratable and interfaceable with the Orca), and the Annihilator 2000 Personal Weapons System (If you own an AN2000, see your dealer for a free upgrade to our newer, less error-prone weapon operating system software). ======================================== Ok, this design is by no means perfect. I just got creative a few nights ago, and so I designed this. When I get my design sketches transferred to the computer, I'll upload them to the list or mail them to anyone who requests them from me by _PERSONAL MAIL_. Do not post (send me the graphics) requests to the lists. I've been gone a long time, but I'm sure our beloved empress would be very "displeased" to find people posting "Me too" messages to the list. On the other hand, if you have any suggestions for the design, post them to the list and we can all discuss them. I'll post a final copy of the design when we get done with it. BTW, I used the Starship Construction System v 1.0 that was distributed on the list a long time ago by someone whose name I forgot. On the other hand, I deviated extremely from some of the guidelines in it (for example, the weight limitations). For the most part, however, everything else is correct. Suggestion for gamemasters: The second section of the Notes portion is intended to be a brochure or a sales pitch. Let your players see this before they see the stats. It puts a little more of the Role playing element into RPGing instead of "roll-playing". Chris chris@psln.com ------------------------------------------ Major Michael Blackwell, Alliance SpecForces Commanding Officer, Sharpshooter and Heavy Weapons Expert, Spook Squad "Yes sir, maybe 20 thermal detonators was a bit much to kill one mynock, but we got the nest too! Now about that weapons requisition form..."