Jim Baranski writes:
> RE: very long file about gravitics.
>
> Very interesting... But it seems like an awful lot of handwaving to explain
> something that should be very simple. I'd much prefer discussion on how to
> make the subject reasonable and simple, then handwaving on how to make it
> complicated... :-)
Well, the simplest method is as follows.
Grav-plates utilise gravity-type forces to overcome the 'real' gravity
produced by a planet, and to provide thrust. Repulsors use similar forces
to keep enemy missiles away. What's their theory of operation? I don't know,
go and ask a gravitics scientist!
After all, how many computer users could give you a detailed account of just
how little lumps of silicon deliberately made impure to create junctions
can do what computers do? Do many jet fighter pilots have any knowledge of
the chemistry of jet fuel? Do many starship pilots really know the inside
story of their manoeuvre drives?
If the PC's want to make life difficult for the referee by going and asking a
gravitic scientist, then the scientist (after giving them an appointment -
he's got more important things to do, after all) gives them a nice long lecture
involving enough 3rd order differential equations to make them sick of
gravitics for the rest of their lives.
Almost all SF has some kind of sufficiently advanced technology to make the
story interesting - in Traveller, it's gravitics, nuclear dampers and jump
drives. It isn't really necessary to come up with long explanations of how it
all works. As far as the PC is concerned, all that is important is that it
does work, or that he/she can apply a suitable skill to repair it if it
doesn't.
Or, if you must invent long explanations for everything in order for it to
be plausible for you, then you'll have to also write long essays on just
what is involved in such skills as Starship Tactics, Demolition, Admin, and
all the rest. And no cheating by saying "Well, such things are understood,
but I'm not an expert".
"Keyboard? How quaint!" - M. Scott
Adrian Hurt | JANET: [email removed]
UUCP: ..!ukc!cs.hw.ac.uk!adrian | ARPA: [email removed]
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