John Bucsek writes:
> The major problem as I see it is the loss of cargo space where you
> have to carry the extra fuel.
Perhaps it is no longer true, but it used to be that you GAINED
cargo space by doing a number of smaller jumps (the fuel usage
can be recalculated based on a smaller ship's mass--if you base
fuel usage solely on hull size, use inflatable or drop tanks).
In addition, you saved space by using a smaller jump drive.
> I disagree that it creates a big problem with the Virus and the
> Regency blockade. The Virus doesn't have the refueling capability
> to move a large fleet by the way of a deep space stop, [ ... ]
Without TNE, I am at a disadvantage. It occurs to me that a
large fleet action would not be necessary, though. Why not
penetrate to the center of the Regency where they are not so
vigilant and "infect" them from the inside out?
> It makes even less sense for merchantmen to use smaller J-drives
> as this increases the travel time and decreases the profit.
This is a reasonable argument, although I believe that most
merchants will not have large jump drives. They are far too
expensive, and less of your ship is dedicated to cargo. They
will likely restrict their trade to nearer stars, except in
special cases, which would justify either the extra expense
or the extra time.
Again, things may have changed, but it used to be that a
large jump drive (and equipment to support it) overwhelmed
the cost of a ship, to the point where it was generally not
profitable to use one in a trader.
> CT and MT ships however would need to carry extra fuel. I agree
> that a deep space stopover is allowable, however it should be a
> MAJOR problem to do so. [ ... ]
> One last point, In Arrival Vengence the ship rendevous with a deep
> space comet for refueling on the way back to the regency. [ ... ]
and David Johnson writes:
> I've always considered that jump calculations use gravity wells as
> `targets'. [ ... ]
I think we are all in agreement. The background states that jumps
to deep space are possible, but indirectly implies that they must
not be easy. We already know gravity affects jumps, why not use it
as a 'target' as David Johnson suggests (perhaps even a mandatory
one)? This is consistent with the Arrival Vengeance using a comet
(it has it's own gravity well, even though it is small). Perhaps
sufficiently dense "dark matter" could even be used, but precisely
locating it might be difficult.
,-----------------.
|Gerald S Williams|
|[email removed]|
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AT&T DSP tools development