			    TRAVELLER Digest 484

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Re: Droyne Mysteries
	by Steven Bonneville <bonnevil@itlabs.umn.edu>
  2) 2300AD
	by erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
  3) 'E' Class starports
	by Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
  4) Re: 'E' Class starports
	by Shalom Zaidfeld <yu145850@YorkU.CA>
  5) "Empress Wave"
	by Bri <bri@teleport.com>
  6) Hi Cynthia!
	by Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
  7) B)Temporary starports
	by "Glenn M. Goffin" <ggoffin@igc.apc.org>
  8) a couple designs
	by Bri <bri@teleport.com>
  9) Re: Grandfather, the Sparklers/Primordials, and Longbow
	by PPUGLIESE@pimacc.pima.edu
 10) Newsflash:  Nilsen no longer with GDW
	by Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen)
 11) More on Nilsen
	by Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen)
 12) TL-8 Eternal Guardian: A nuclear powered plane!
	by lewis@chara.gsu.edu

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 16:40:45 -0600
From: Steven Bonneville <bonnevil@itlabs.umn.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Droyne Mysteries
Message-ID: <199511142240.QAA15031@natasha.itlabs.umn.edu>

Hyphen <library@dss.gov.au> wrote:

>BTW, Can anyone resolve the mystery of the missing planet? In _The Spinward
>Marches Campaign_, p27, this listing appears:
>
>Hex  UPP        B Remarks     Data   Star1 Star2
>2632 X895674-8    Ag nIn An   R201Im F3 V  M0 D

I just happened to notice while looking for a world starting with "A" in
the RSB that there's an entry in the world index for a world in that hex
in 1202 named "Ayordeldold".  I also found this name in the HIWG draft UWPs
when I checked.  Of course, the world doesn't appear in the UWPs or on
the map, as Hyphen mentioned.  Appropriately, it's in Mora subsector just
jump-1 from CP GHOST.  :)  The plot thickens....

About Droyne tech-levels:

There's a comment in Secret of the Ancients that mentions that one of the
errands Yaskoydray ran on his regular trips outside his hidey-hole was to
visit former Droyne worlds and demolish what was left of the Ancients'
industrial base.  I'd think that having Grandfather stop by every time
you started to pick up the pieces and smash you back into the Stone Age
would tend to encourage a pastoral life-style.  He hasn't shown up for
fifty thousand years or so now, and maybe peer-pressure from the other 
starfaring races has got them interested in technology again.

  Steve Bonneville
  <bonn0015@tc.umn.edu>
 

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 16:41:47 -0600
From: erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu (Erich Schneider)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: 2300AD
Message-ID: <9511142241.AA18662@csdl.tamu.edu>

I know it's off topic, but...

David Broussard wrote, about 2300AD:

>Perhaps the finest point of the game is that GDW uses the actual stars
>around Sol to build the universe.  They use a 3D starmap to show the tracks
>humans have taken out to the stars.  

That map's accuracy is questionable, though; at least one well-known
star (either Epsilon Eridani or 40 Eridani) in the region is missing,
for example. Plus, the map's utility is reduced by their renaming
certain stars and not giving present-day equivalents (like "Queen
Alice's Star").

>The aliens are diverse and strange.
>There is only 1 race that has achieved star travel, and they are implacable
>foes.  

Not true! The Pentapods have star travel and the Ebers used to have
star travel.

For my money, though, the truly cool aliens are the Ylii, the Kafer
slave "race" detailed in the _Kafer Sourcebook_ and more extensively in
the four-part adventure in Challenge 49-52.

-- 
Erich Schneider  erich@bush.cs.tamu.edu  http://bush.cs.tamu.edu/~erich

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 06:42:33 -1600
From: Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: 'E' Class starports
Message-ID: <9511142240.AA14061@phq1002.wapol.gov.au>

Could they be erected temporarily ?

Well, if my understanding is correct, yes.  The way I always saw it, an 'E'
Class starport was little more than a cleared patch of dirt, with maybe a
hotdog stand and an old shack that serves as both customs house and bar to
keep it company. (stand and shack optional).

On that basis, I could wander across the road to the local footy ground,
erect a sign saying 'Starport Terra (East Fremantle Downport) - Home of the
Mighty Sharks' and bingo, instant starport.

On second thoughts, I'd need a second sign - 'No starship movements
permitted between 11:00 and 17:00 Saturday and Sunday.  Ships parked on the
roadside are liable to incur a $25.00 fine' and perhaps 'Don't forget,
Tuesday night is Bingo night!'.

Oops, I forgot - I need a beacon.  A few rubbish bins filled with burning
refues should do nicely (I'll stack 'em with South Freo guernsey's, heh heh!).
Michael Bailey (pd82495@wapol.gov.au)

"I was implying that the Honorable Member for Wentworth was like a lizard on
a rock - alive, but looking dead"
	Prime Minister Paul Keating (on former Opposition Leader John Hewson)


------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 18:08:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Shalom Zaidfeld <yu145850@YorkU.CA>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: 'E' Class starports
Message-ID: <Pine.A32.3.91.951114175813.96425A-100000@afep.yorku.ca>


On Tue, 14 Nov 1995, Michael Bailey wrote:

> Could they be erected temporarily ?

I also think that E class ports can be erected temporarily, either 
in emergency cases or starting colony, trying to establish trade..etc. 
 
> Well, if my understanding is correct, yes.  The way I always saw it, an 'E'
> Class starport was little more than a cleared patch of dirt, with maybe a
> hotdog stand and an old shack that serves as both customs house and bar to
> keep it company. (stand and shack optional).

Well, it's more of case to case basis.  For example, for my writeup for 
Apollo (Aubaine subsector) the E class starport is infact an old lab ship 
that was converted by the Admin. Terrotry officals to handle the traffic 
in the system.  E class ports, to me, add in a wide variation to the 
game.  They can be either dirtside: converted ships buried in the ground 
type, a patch of dirt or water-based installition.   Or space-based.  an 
old BB serves as the local E port, an astroid whatever..  

Are there any examples of E class ports in the traveller history (World 
writeups?) 

> On that basis, I could wander across the road to the local footy ground,
> erect a sign saying 'Starport Terra (East Fremantle Downport) - Home of the
> Mighty Sharks' and bingo, instant starport.
> 
> On second thoughts, I'd need a second sign - 'No starship movements
> permitted between 11:00 and 17:00 Saturday and Sunday.  Ships parked on the
> roadside are liable to incur a $25.00 fine' and perhaps 'Don't forget,
> Tuesday night is Bingo night!'.

I like that!  you should add it up to your next RICE paper, eh?

On the same note, did anyone attempt to design a starport installtion 
using FF&S?  Lets say a class-D port? 

Is it worth the work?  

     -Shalom Zaidfeld

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: yu145850@yorku.ca                            |         Toronto, CANADA
"No wind favors those who have no destined port"    |  Anthropology Undergrad
		-Michel de Montaigne                |         York University



------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 16:17:01 -0800 (PST)
From: Bri <bri@teleport.com>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: "Empress Wave"
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951114161523.23074B-100000@kelly.teleport.com>

 The question is: How does the Regency/Strephons Imperium know about this?
 They reported how they're was evidance of combat in the Zhodani 
consulate -via- Project Longbow(Geez, that sounds like something you'd 
see on Sightings), but they don't know the effect.
 Since the ships movement would come after the wave passed, and the wave 
is lightspeed, how can they see the effects before the wave hits 'em?
 Just a little curious here......

Bri <bri@teleport.com> 


------------------------------

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 1995 19:52:46 -0500 (EST)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Hi Cynthia!
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951114195130.30502A-100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>


...Could you give us your opinions of the Regency Sourcebook?  If Steve 
want's to join in, I'd like to hear him out too.

And whatever happened to Steve's TCS game?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alvin Plummer
"Preserve what we created, Norris, and remember what we stood for."
                               - Strephon, 179-1126

Reply to: alvin.plummer@SHERIDANC.ON.CA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


------------------------------

Date:          Tue, 14 Nov 1995 18:56:19 +0000
From: "Glenn M. Goffin" <ggoffin@igc.apc.org>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: B)Temporary starports
Message-ID: <199511150259.SAA18822@igc3.igc.apc.org>

> From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>

> Sorry: I mean that the Red Zone can be errected
> temporarily. Out of curiosity, couldn't "E" ports be
> errected temporarily? (Seeing that they use so little
> equipement anyways..."

An "E" port is defined somewhere as a marked spot of 
bedrock, with no facilities, bases, or fuel present.  Maybe 
there's a beacon.  That sounds like something potentially 
temporary, especially if it's in a jungle.  

Adventure seed: Looking for the "E" starport on a planet,
that has become overgrown with jungle.  "Well, the 1120
IGS chart says that there is a class E starport at map
coordinates xyz.  Because the GPS satellites have long
since crashed, we're not too sure where xyz is, but we can
guess based on terrain, old records, and latitude 
measurements.  Surely it's not under the oceans.  I hope 
something worthwhile is down there."

--Glenn

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 01:46:38 -0800 (PST)
From: Bri <bri@teleport.com>
To: tml <traveller@MPGN.COM>
Subject: a couple designs
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.951115014353.20009A-100000@kelly.teleport.com>

 the gun at the end is designed to work with/in cunjunction with(and 
drawing power from) the LBD, and some things on the gun aren't finished.

Nemisis TL-16 Light Battle Dress

50KG Skeleton
.525MW Fusion PP 75KG MCr0.015 .0525m3 fuel/year
AV:28 plating 126KG MCr0.0233
Helmet Sensor Suite, Chameleon, Looking Glass, Psi-Shield MCr0.05575
30KM PEMS 20KG .002MW MCr0.04
.5KM NAS 5KG .007MW MCr0.02
EMM 10KG .001MW .01m2 MCr0.005
300KM Radio .2KG .01MW MCr0.005
30KM Laser commo 2KG .01MW MCr0.00025
TL-10+ Nav Aids 1KG .01MW MCr0.002
Extended Life Support 8KG .0002MW MCr0.0005
1.875KH LHyD(.5yr)
.925KG free capacity for trooper.

SM   AV  AM   FV   FM   TM   MW   END  SMCr  AMCr  FMCr  OSMCr  TMCr
0.05 28 .126 .075 .075 .251 .0035 .5yr .21  .0233 .015  .1285  .3768
FV: Fusion Plant Vol
FM: Fusion Plans Mass
FMCr: Duh



"Thump Gun"

TL               :16
Ammo             :16x80mm/60
Muzzle Energy    :576KJ (required power 806.4KJ)
Weapon Length    :83.8cm
Weapon Weight    :9.32kg loaded, 8.02kg unloaded ; 45.4KG of HPG in backpack 
Weapon Price     :*
Magazine Weight  :1.32kg loaded, <negligable>kg empty Note: Mag has no 
batteries, it's a DEI MD, requiring .484Mw for SA3
Magazine Price   :*
Ammunition price :Cr1.28
Ammunition weight:32g
Features         :Gyro compensator, SA stock, Laser sight(IR)
                                        -recoil-
Round     ROF  DamVal Pen    Bulk  Mag   SS  Burst  Range
Dart      SA3   50    2-2-2  5     60    3     -    300m
APFSDSBSD SA3   50   .2857   5     60    3     -    300m 

 Note, I'll be out of net access for 2 weeks(ish), so don't expect a 
reply soon. But send anyways.

Bri <bri@teleport.com> 


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 03:34:12 -0700
From: PPUGLIESE@pimacc.pima.edu
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: Grandfather, the Sparklers/Primordials, and Longbow
Message-ID: <01HXNOTM6YP28Y5X91@pimacc.pima.edu>

From:	IN%"traveller@MPGN.COM" 10-NOV-1995 11:00:30.19
To:	IN%"traveller@MPGN.COM"  "Multiple recipients of list"
CC:	
Subj:	Grandfather, the Sparklers/Primordials, and Longbow

Date: Fri, 10 Nov 1995 12:53:12 -0500
From: Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen)
Subject: Grandfather, the Sparklers/Primordials, and Longbow
Sender: traveller@MPGN.COM

As for the Sparklers/Primordials, you'll need to obtain a copy of the somewhat 
rare MegaTraveller Journal #4.  In the letters page, DGP describes what they 
intended to do with this mysterious creatures who apparently make the Ancients 
look like minor leaguers.  Though Dave Nilsen has hinted that he doesn't intend 
to use the Primordials in TNE, he hasn't exactly said he won't for certain.

Personally, I hope the Primordials _do_ play a part in TNE.  I don't buy Dave's 
and other GDWers' arguments that the Ancients should never have been fleshed out
because it "took away the mystery" or whatever.  When you're dealing with the 
depths of space, there's always more mystery.

--Chris
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

IMO, the mistake was not in fleshing out the Ancients, although I've always
believed that the 'Grandfather' ploy was pretty lame, but in not cooking up
a new mystery to take their place. DGP may have been trying to correct this
by introducing the Primordials.

Phil


------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 11:16:48 -0800
From: Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Newsflash:  Nilsen no longer with GDW
Message-ID: <0aa3da40@MailXFER.DMCWAVE.COM>

I spoke with GDW today, and they informed me that Dave Nilsen is no longer with 
the company.  I didn't ask any further questions since I assumed they would 
consider that a private personnel matter.  I also found out that Challenge is 
being put on hiatus after issue 79.

Hmm.  I wonder what this means for GDW in the long term?

--Chris

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 1995 12:30:47 -0800
From: Christopher_Griffen_at_DMC-SJ3@dmcwave.com (Christopher Griffen)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: More on Nilsen
Message-ID: <0aa4f680@MailXFER.DMCWAVE.COM>

Here's a little supplementary information on the Nilsen departure from GDW, 
alley-ooped from fellow TMLer, Harold Hale:

1) Dave is moving to the Fort Knox, Kentucky area.  Apparently he received an 
offer from that vicinity (from whom I'm not sure, but it's a safe bet it's a 
defense contractor, not the government) for more money than GDW could pay to 
keep him on as full time staff.

2) He will still be an associate writer for GDW, and will continue to contribute
to Traveller.  He will in all likelihood (again my speculation) no longer be the
creative guru for the product line.

What do y'all think.  Sounds like trouble to me, especially if it's for 
financial reasons.

--Chris

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 15 Nov 95 16:23:10 -0500
From: lewis@chara.gsu.edu
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: TL-8 Eternal Guardian: A nuclear powered plane!
Message-ID: <9511152123.AA15143@chara.gsu.edu>

TL-8 Eternal Guardian 
   The Eternal Guardian is a massive aircraft.  Its immense size
is dictated by its power supply, a nuclear reactor. It can stay airborne
for over 1 month at a time.  It was originally designed as part of a 
nuclear deterent.  It would be constantly flying, this way it would 
avoid being caught on the ground by a suprise attack. Upon receiving orders
it could enter enemy airspace and deliver its nuclear payload.  It would
deal with enemy air defenses, with tactical nuclear weapons that would
take out entire enemy air fields, and SAM sites.  
   Many TEDs in the wilds have found other uses for such a massive weapon.
It can be used as a propaganda weapon, constantly flying over rebellous
provences and broadcasting propaganda, or jamming alternative viewpoints.
Some Eternal Guardians have been equipped with video broadcasting suites,
to increase the effectivness of the propaganda.  It can also be used 
for its original purpose, to bomb something into the stone age.


TL: 8
Price: MCr 49.44 (Price does not include ammunition, but does include fuel)
Size: 30000 kl (2142 tons)
Mass: 500 tonnes
Power: 105 Mw fission power plant.  50 propellers produce 100 tonnes of
 thrust.
Maintenance Points
Controls: Enhanced Electronic Controls, TL-8 all-weather flight avionics.
2 Flight Computers.
Communications:  3000 km Radio
Sensor: 1000 km Radar, LA IE Scope
Electronic Countermeasures: 1500 km Radio jammer, 250 km radar jammer,
 100 decoys in 2 dispensers. The type can be determined at launch.
Life Support: Extended Life Support. 3 Small Staterooms.
Cargo: 10.2 tonnes.
Crew: 11 (Three shifts of Pilot, Co-pilot and Sensor operator, Flight Engineer
 and Bombardier.  Off duty flight crew act as gunners in times of combat)
Fire Control: Imaging Radar and Ballistic Computers (-2 Diff Mods)
Arament: 5 tonnes of missles in internal bays. 35 tonnes of bombs in internal
 bays.  5 turrets with 7mm rotary autoguns (see TNE rule-book). The autoguns
 are equiped with point defense computers. This allows them to attempt
 to shoot down incoming missles.
Ammo: Each autogun has 2500 rounds.
Maximum Speed: 665 kph.
Cruising Speed: 499 kph.
NOE Speed: NA
Travel Move: 1996.
Combat Move: 92.
Agility: 5.
Fuel Consumption: 20 tonnes of radioactive-s per 37 day period.
Internal Fuel Capacity: 20 tonnes.
Endurance: 37 days.
Range: 437124 km
Takeoff Roll: 5031 m   (2566 m with JATO unit)
Landing Roll: 2414 m
 
JATO: Jet Assisted Take Off 
This is  20 tonne TL-8 solid fuel rocket. It adds 109 tons of thrust
for 2 minutes.  This reduces the take off roll to 2566 meters.  It costs
40,000 cr.
The JATO isn't just one big rocket, probably a collection of smaller ones. 
Ten sounds like a good number, that way they would each weight 2 tonnes.  They
would be mounted on each side of the body of the jet.  They would fall off after
takeoff, and land via parachutes. They could be retrived and resused,
like the Space Shuttles Booster rockets are. 

------------------------------

End of TRAVELLER Digest 484
***************************
