An idea! jump gates.

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I invite your comments on the following idea.  Let's get some
discussion going.

It seems reasonable that about TL 13 or so, (maybe higher) someone
would figure out how to create a permanent space-base whose purpose
is to generate a hyperspace field that interacts with the hyperspace
field of a ship.  The result of the interaction is a new field whose
size and intensity are determined by the interaction of the original
two fields.

What this device does is enable a ship to jump with a smaller internal
fuel expenditure.  The remainder of the fuel required for a given
jump is consumed by the jump gate.  For example, if it is 4 parsecs
from system A to system B, and system A has a gate, then by using the
gate, your ship requires only the fuel required for jump 1; the gate
requires fuel for the total jump (inefficiencies).

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notes and thoughts:

Wealthy systems would want to subsidize some of these, and set them on
"standard" routes (that is make nav tapes for the trade lanes readily
available).

They present an interesting military target/opportunity/... Would YOU
be willing to destroy one?  Try to hold it against an invading fleet?

These "jump gates" should be *very* expensive, if only for game balance.
They also would require a *lot* of fuel and maintenance.

Should the output field be controlled by the using ship's computer or
by someone/something on board the gate?

The difficulty of using one of these should the the same as for making
a normal jump of the total distance (not 1), if the pilot AND the
navigator have experience.  The standard non-profieciency penalties
should apply; JOT should not apply.

JOT should apply for learning how to use one of these, though.

Using one of these does not mean a jump 4 cruiser can make a jump 24.
As it says somewhere semi-official, no one has discovered anything
more than a jump 6.  No range benefits, just fuel and possibly time.

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So what do you think?
It would be nice to "flesh this out" and see if it's usable.
Direct e-mail I get on this, I will forward to the list (unless
its obscene or something).

Fare well for now, fellow travellers.
Richard

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Richard Johnson
FPS Computing, Beaverton Oregon			home:[phone removed]
(standard disclaimers)				work:[phone removed]
UUCP: ...[email removed]

either or both are unskilled