Starports

A thread of 2 messages, 8 July 1991 to 9 July 1991, in the order they were sent.

#2546 Starports

Brian Larkin · 8 July 1991

Fellow MT junkies --


  After spending some time over the July 4th weekend at Lambert Field
in St. Louis, I got to thinking what a class A or B starport in the
universe of MT would look like.  I came up with the following kinds of
questions.

o   What kind of facilites are there?  Obviously there are those that
    are stated in the various manuals (construction and repair
    facilities) and hotels and restaraunts.  What else?

o   What kind of people services would there be?  Obvious things such
    as hotels, restaraunts and bars, what else?  How many?

o   What kind of ships would one be expected to see?  A lot of real
    small free trader type ships, or major ships with just smattering
    of smaller ones....

o   What kind of facilities would exist for the small starship
    captain?  Would each ship be awarded a gate to a concourse?  Or
    would they have to park out in a general landing field and walk or
    ride to the facilities in the starport, sort of like how some
    yacht clubs have their boats just anchored out in the water, and
    you need a dinghy to reach the shore.

o   If a smaller ship captain were denied councourse access, I suppose
    that it would mean that these facilities did not exist or were
    being used by larger (more regular) ships?  Are there many people
    transport lines available?  Is space travel more like air travel
    today except longer, or more like ocean-going travel in the past?
    (i.e.  More cargo and less passengers)

o   What approximate size would the average class A or B starport be?
    Both orbital and land-based?  For orbitals, approximate tonnage?
    Also, would it be advantageous for these orbital stations to be
    maneuverable?  I mean more than occasional manuevering to maintain
    orbit, more like changing from a low to high orbit or vice-versa.
    For land-based starports would the size of the starport be
    comparable to small city?  What would be its population?

o   Who would control the starport?  Would it be under the jurisdiction
    of the local government or the imperium, or ruling subsector?  Who
    would be responsible for the investigation of crimes in a
    starport?



    Well, thats about enough questions for now.  I never thought that
    this subject was discussed in great enough detail in the original
    game, and has not been expounded upon in the revised editions
    either.  Any opinions are welcome.

    -- Toucan

#2550 Re: Starports

Rob Miracle · 9 July 1991 · reply to #2546

>o   What kind of facilites are there?  Obviously there are those that
>    are stated in the various manuals (construction and repair
>    facilities) and hotels and restaraunts.  What else?
>

Brian, this spawns a suggestion more than a response to your querys.  Why don't
we spend some time and post some of the facilities that we have created.  This
is the kind of shareing that makes this list great!  They could then be
archived at the FTP site for later grabbing!.

Since I shot off my mouth about posting stuff, here I go :-)

What follows is a description of a dining and entertainment facility that my
wife and I created for Traveller moons ago.  It is the ONLY bit of role playing
I have ever gotten out of her (Sherry is president of WADD, Wives Aginst D & D).
It is appropriatly named after her.

- - --

Shea Sherree's -- Fine Dining and Entertainment at Class A and B StarPorts.

Shea Sherree's is chain of Elegant Dining facilties that have been spreading
throughout the sector.  Upon entering Shea Sherree's, guests are greeted by a
coat/hat/weapon check person.  This person is very polite and asks that all
weapons be checked.  All customers then pass through an elaborate weapons
sensor.  Should someone attempt to sneak a weapon in, a large muscular Host
will see them out.

After passing through the sensor and surviving Guido, the guests are then asked
if they are there for Dining, Dancing, or Refreshments.  The Motif is that of a
Terran 1890's era establisment.  Real Brass and Glass are used for the decore
(expensive, that is why weapons and fighting are not tolerated).

The typical Shea Sherree's is a two story facility.  The dining area is laced
with local plants and is located on the lower level.  Large stained and etched
glass windows look out on the StarPort Mall.  Usually live dinner music is
provided.  The tables are all heavy wood and finely carved.  Upon being seated,
the server hands each guest a hand held computer and stylus.  They select the
meal that they want and the delay before it arrives as well as any drinks,
including special orders.  This information is then sent to the kitchen/bar for
processing.  At the time orders are place, the Credit/ID card is scanned for
billing purposes.

Also on the lower level is the bar/lounge.  This is your typical bar.  Behind
the bar is a large etched mirror, that if it gets broken will cost some one on
the order of 10Kcr.  The wooden tables are supported by polished brass columns.
This lounge is the pass thru area to the twin spiral brass staircases that lead
up to the club.  Also, clear, gas powered elevators travel between the floors.

The Club itself is a modern, high-tech club.  Almost every imaginable high-tech
gizmo is present.  Holographic video displays bring the music to life.  When
a band isn't playing, and videos are running, it is like having the band there
in person.  The floor even supports Gravity control for those Zero-G dances.
The sound insulation between floors is amazing, the lower level is very quiet
compared to the loud volume of the upper floor.

This is a sketchy description, but I hope it helps spawn some others to post
other StarPort facilities.

Rob Miracle