TRAVELLER Digest 510

Topics covered in this issue include:

  1) Long Range Courier by Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
  2) Re: TRAVELLER digest 509 by aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
  3) Long Range Courier by Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
  4) Orrimot-class Ligistics ship - reply by Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
  5) Re: League of the Imperial Way by "Bruce Johnson" <JOHNSON@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>

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

Date: Mon, 11 Dec 1995 11:29:22 -1600
From: Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Long Range Courier
Message-ID: <9512101525.AA25877@phq1002.wapol.gov.au>

Fremantle Shipyards Model 485
'Uiderfowl' Class Long Range Courier (Type S6)

General Data

Displacement:           100 tons        Hull Armor:     28
Length:                 35 m            Volume:         1400 m^3
Price:                  MCr 95.899      Target Size:    S
                            76.719 (vol)
Configuration:          Wedge SL        Tech Level:     15
Mass (loaded/empty):    670.76 / 595.54 tonnes

Engineering Data

Power Plant:            170 MW Fusion Power Plant (170 MW/hit), 1 year dur.
(30 kl/yr)
Jump Performance:       6 (840 m^3 fuel - fuel for 2 jumps)
G-Rating:               2G (50 MW/G), Contra-Grav lifters (10 MW)
G-Turns:                11 (68.1 using jump fuel), 12.5 m^3 of fuel each
Maint:                  22

Electronics

Computer:               3 x TL-15 Mod Fb Computers (1.1 MW each)
Commo:                  1 x 1000 AU radio (inf, 20 MW), 1 x 1000 AU maser
                        (inf, 0.6 MW)
Avionics:               TL-10+ Avionics
Sensors:                Passive EMS 150,000km folding array (5 hexes; 0.15 MW),
                        Active EMS 480,000km (DF capable, 16 hexes, 25.0 MW)
ECM/ECCM:               none
Controls:               Bridge with 2 workstations, 1 other workstation

Armament

none

Defensive:

none

Accomodations

Life Support:           Extended (0.28 MW), Grav Compensators (6G, 7 MW)
Crew:                   3 (1 x Eng, 1 x Elec/Maneuver, 1 x Command/Maneuver)
Crew Accomodation:      2 x Small Staterooms (single/double occupancy, 0.001 MW)
Passenger Accomodation: none
Cargo:                  4.7 m^3, no cargo hatch
Small Craft:            none
Air Locks:              1

Notes:                  Fuel Scoop, purification machinery (1.00 MW),
                        26.43 hours to refine 881 m^3

Damage Tables

Surface

1:              Ant
2-3, 6-7:       Ant
10:             1: AL
18-19:          1-10: Ant

Internal

1:              1-18: Elec, 19-20: Hold
2-3:            1-2: Elec, 3-17: Qtrs, 18-20: Hold
4-15:           Hold
16-19:          1-10: Eng, 11-20: Hold
20:             Eng

Systems

Computer        3 x (2h)
AEMS            (2h)
SSR             2 x (2h)
LS              2H
ELS             1H
AG              1H
JD              1H
PP              1H
MD              (2h)
CG              (4h)
FPP             1H
All Others      (1h)

Battle Rider Card

   S I-1102 Solomani Scout
-                       -1
-                       TL-15
-                       -
-                       -
A:16 P:5                (SP) J6 G2*
AV:1                    -
-                       5

Notes:

In the Regency Navy, knowledge is power, and the ability to quickly transmit
and convey information can mean the difference between a conflict averted, a
conflict won and a conflict lost.  The Type S6 Long Range Courier is
designed with this maxim in mind - to transmit information as quickly as
possible.

The Type S6 crams a Jump-6 drive and fuel tankage for two consecutive jumps
into a standard Scout/Courier hull, allowing a twelve parsec journey to be
completed in 15 days (a full day is allowed between jumps in non-emergency
situations for diagnostics and routine maintenance on the jump drive).  Fuel
scoops and purification machinery allow a third jump to take place in as
little as 12 hours (the remainder of the fuel can be processed while the
ship is in j-space).

Naturally, the drive to extend the Type S6's range has led to some
sacrifices.  The ship carries no weaponry - even the hardpoint socket has
been removed to fit in more fuel.  The ship also has limited endurance in
normal space, with only 11 G-turns (without jump fuel), the Type S6 is not
expected to do anything other than head directly to it's destination upon
emerging into normal space.  Only three crew are present - one maneuver
officer also doubles as the ship's electronics officer, although there is a
dedicated engineer on-board.  Crew accommodations allow four a single
passenger to be carried if required.

In times of conflict, the Type S6 is expected to jump into the outer system,
far beyond reach of planetary defenses, and jump out after burst-tranmission
of it's data cargo to Naval assets in-system.

The Type S6 (aka 'Uiderfowl', after a migratory bird found on Lysen) was
designed by Fremantle Shipyards in 1197 in response to RFT-1195-110 (a
Request For Tender issued by the Regency Navy in 1195).  The first Uiderfowl
was launched on 014-1199, and was commissioned into the Navy in 1200.  After
extended trials, the type entered regular service in 1201, and an extended
production run is anticipated.

To date, 70 examples have been ordered:  22 of these are to be produced at
Fremantle's Number Three yard on Jewell, the remainder will be manufactured
under license throughout the Regency.  The 'Uiderfowl' is not exepected to
be offered on the civillian starship market.  A number of these will be
conversions from existing Type S hulls, Fremantle Shipyards is preparing a
conversion kit to assist manufacturers.

IN NEAR BOOTES COMMONWEALTH SERVICE

The 'Uiderfowl' is not in service within the Near Bootes Commonwealth.

IN REFORMATION COALITION SERVICE

The 'Uiderfowl' is not in service within the Reformation Coalition, or
adjacent space.

IN THE REGENCY

After entering regular service in 1201, eight examples of the 'Uiderfowl'
are currently in service.  Two have been attached to the RQS, and are in
service in Quarantine District 5A as part of RQS peacekeeping duties in The
Islands.

VARIANTS

Althought no known variants are in service, Fremantle Shipyards is working
on a number of variants which will be offered to the Navy.  The Type
S6-ELINT will feature an improved passive EMS array, as well as additional
sensor suites and will be used to gather electronic intelligence in
potentially hostile systems.  The improved sensors comes at a cost of
reduced flexibility - the S6-ELINT sacrifices fuel purification
capabilities, instead relying on it's existing fuel tankage to jump directly
into and out of target systems from a support base.  Fremantle is also
believed to be negotiating with Ling Standard Products Advanced Systems
Division on Mora to produced an improved TL-16 version of the S6.

References:

The Regency Sourcebook:  Keepers of the Flame (GDW 0314, ISBN 1-55878-189-7)
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: Sun, 10 Dec 95 16:22 GMT
From: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk (Andrew Boulton)
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Cc: aboulton@cix.compulink.co.uk
Subject: Re: TRAVELLER digest 509
Message-ID: <memo.82106@cix.compulink.co.uk>

In-Reply-To: <199512092152.QAA08263@Ambassador.MPGN.COM>


  > From: James Kiley <tenzil@io.com>
  > Subject: RC: The League of the Imperial Way
  >
  > As can often be the case, the name of this party is rather innocuous.

  > As one gets past the introductory literature, however, it becomes clear
  > that, to the League, the most important aspect of Imperial life was
  > the human supremacy within the old Imperium.

These guys sound like born-again Solomani.

---===---
Andrew Boulton

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

Date: Mon, 11 Dec 1995 12:28:12 -1600
From: Michael Bailey <pd82495@wapol.gov.au>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Long Range Courier
Message-ID: <9512101624.AA26800@phq1002.wapol.gov.au>

Aaargh!!!!! Bollixed up the fuel calculations...here's the correction.

Fremantle Shipyards Model 485
'Uiderfowl' Class Long Range Courier (Type S6)

General Data

Displacement:           100 tons        Hull Armor:     28
Length:                 35 m            Volume:         1400 m^3
Price:                  MCr 95.899      Target Size:    S
                            76.719 (vol)
Configuration:          Wedge SL        Tech Level:     15
Mass (loaded/empty):    670.76 / 595.54 tonnes

Engineering Data

Power Plant:            170 MW Fusion Power Plant (170 MW/hit), 1 year dur. (30 kl/yr)
Jump Performance:       6 (840 m^3 fuel - fuel for 2 jumps)
G-Rating:               2G (50 MW/G), Contra-Grav lifters (10 MW)
G-Turns:                11 (68.1 using jump fuel), 12.5 m^3 of fuel each
Maint:                  22


Electronics

Computer:               3 x TL-15 Mod Fb Computers (1.1 MW each)
Commo:                  1 x 1000 AU radio (inf, 20 MW), 1 x 1000 AU maser
                        (inf, 0.6 MW)
Avionics:               TL-10+ Avionics
Sensors:                Passive EMS 150,000km folding array (5 hexes; 0.15 MW),
                        Active EMS 480,000km (DF capable, 16 hexes, 25.0 MW)
ECM/ECCM:               none
Controls:               Bridge with 2 workstations, 1 other workstation

Armament:               none

Defensive:              none

Accomodations

Life Support:           Extended (0.28 MW), Grav Compensators (6G, 7 MW)
Crew:                   3 (1 x Eng, 1 x Elec/Maneuver, 1 x Command/Maneuver)
Crew Accomodation:      2 x Small Staterooms (single/double occupancy, 0.001 MW)
Passenger Accomodation: none
Cargo:                  4.7 m^3, no cargo hatch
Small Craft:            none
Air Locks:              1

Notes:                  Fuel Scoop, purification machinery (1.00 MW),
                        26.43 hours to refine 881 m^3

Damage Tables

Surface

1:              Ant
2-3, 6-7:       Ant
10:             1: AL
18-19:          1-10: Ant

Internal

1:              1-18: Elec, 19-20: Hold
2-3:            1-2: Elec, 3-17: Qtrs, 18-20: Hold
4-15:           Hold
16-19:          1-10: Eng, 11-20: Hold
20:             Eng

Systems

Computer        3 x (2h)
AEMS            (2h)
SSR             2 x (2h)
LS              2H
ELS             1H
AG              1H
JD              1H
PP              1H
MD              (2h)
CG              (4h)
FPP             1H
All Others      (1h)

Battle Rider Card

   S I-1102 Solomani Scout
-                       -1
-                       TL-15
-                       -
-                       -
A:16 P:5                (SP) J6 G2*
AV:1                    -
-                       5

Notes:

In the Regency Navy, knowledge is power, and the ability to quickly transmit
and convey information can mean the difference between a conflict averted, a
conflict won and a conflict lost.  The Type S6 Long Range Courier is
designed with this maxim in mind - to transmit information as quickly as
possible.

The Type S6 crams a Jump-6 drive and fuel tankage for two consecutive jumps
into a standard Scout/Courier hull, allowing a twelve parsec journey to be
completed in 15 days (a full day is allowed between jumps in non-emergency
situations for diagnostics and routine maintenance on the jump drive).  Fuel
scoops and purification machinery allow a third jump to take place in as
little as 12 hours (the remainder of the fuel can be processed while the
ship is in j-space).

Naturally, the drive to extend the Type S6's range has led to some
sacrifices.  The ship carries no weaponry - even the hardpoint socket has
been removed to fit in more fuel.  The ship also has limited endurance in
normal space, with only 22 G-turns (without jump fuel), the Type S6 is not
expected to do much more than head directly to it's destination upon
emerging into normal space.  Only three crew are present - one maneuver
officer also doubles as the ship's electronics officer, although there is a
dedicated engineer on-board.  Crew accommodations allow four a single
passenger to be carried if required.

In times of conflict, the Type S6 is expected to jump into the outer system,
far beyond reach of planetary defenses, and jump out after burst-tranmission
of it's data cargo to Naval assets in-system.

The Type S6 (aka 'Uiderfowl', after a migratory bird found on Lysen) was
designed by Fremantle Shipyards in 1197 in response to RFT-1195-110 (a
Request For Tender issued by the Regency Navy in 1195).  The first Uiderfowl
was launched on 014-1199, and was commissioned into the Navy in 1200.  After
extended trials, the type entered regular service in 1201, and an extended
production run is anticipated.

To date, 70 examples have been ordered:  22 of these are to be produced at
Fremantle's Number Three yard on Jewell, the remainder will be manufactured
under license throughout the Regency.  The 'Uiderfowl' is not exepected to
be offered on the civillian starship market.  A number of these will be
conversions from existing Type S hulls, Fremantle Shipyards is preparing a
conversion kit to assist manufacturers.

IN NEAR BOOTES COMMONWEALTH SERVICE

The 'Uiderfowl' is not in service within the Near Bootes Commonwealth.

IN REFORMATION COALITION SERVICE

The 'Uiderfowl' is not in service within the Reformation Coalition, or
adjacent space.

IN THE REGENCY

After entering regular service in 1201, eight examples of the 'Uiderfowl'
are currently in service.  Two have been attached to the RQS, and are in
service in Quarantine District 5A as part of RQS peacekeeping duties in The
Islands.

VARIANTS

Althought no known variants are in service, Fremantle Shipyards is working
on a number of variants which will be offered to the Navy.  The Type
S6-ELINT will feature an improved passive EMS array, as well as additional
sensor suites and will be used to gather electronic intelligence in
potentially hostile systems.  The improved sensors comes at a cost of
reduced flexibility - the S6-ELINT sacrifices fuel purification
capabilities, instead relying on it's existing fuel tankage to jump directly
into and out of target systems from a support base.  Fremantle is also
believed to be negotiating with Ling Standard Products Advanced Systems
Division on Mora to produced an improved TL-16 version of the S6.

References:

The Regency Sourcebook:  Keepers of the Flame (GDW 0314, ISBN 1-55878-189-7)
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: Sun, 10 Dec 1995 12:04:45 -0500 (EST)
From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Orrimot-class Ligistics ship - reply
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.951210101817.1276A-100000@hubble.sheridanc.on.ca>

From: "Bruce Johnson" <JOHNSON@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>
Subject: RE: Orrimot-class Logistics ship
>
> Alvin sez'
> >
> > Date: Fri, 08 Dec 1995 13:35:38 -0500 (EST)
> > From: Alvin Plummer <alvin.plummer@sheridanc.on.ca>
> > To: traveller@MPGN.COM
> > Subject: TL C Orrimot-class Logistics ship
>
> >
> > Every starfleet needs a vast number of these unglamourous ships - although
> > you never seem to see them in "Imperial Stars", "Strike Fleet", or any of
> > the other popular VR entertainment programs in the Imperium.  Never mind
> > that: without thousands and thousands of glorified cargo barges like these,
> > the Imperial Navy would swiftly grind to a halt.
> snip
> > These ships are rarely seen in civilian service: the two large hamster
> > cages used to mimic gravity is rather unpopular among merchants, and
> > civilian fuel stations have rendered tanker jumpships a poor
> > economic gamble.
>
> Actually, since so many thousands (probably millions over the
> years) of them have been made, I'd suspect that they'd be all over
> the place, in most cases, modified beyond recognition.  Sort of like
> liberty ships, or LST's after WWII. The tramp frieghters of the
> spaceways...you know, the ones that leave an oil spots in your
> starport after they leave ;-)
>

Well, the Orrimot is just the oldest and the most primitive of the vast
(an I mean VAST) array of cargo/refuelers that has been built for the
Imperial Navy over the centuries.  "Ugly, stinky, and full of odd grinding
noises" is the usual shorthand description.  Cheap, also, for it's purpose:
discounts on the price may hit 80%, since the basic model's so well
known.  Even it's base price is quite reasonable for a tanker of it's
type, as it lacks expensive artificial gravity.  For the cash-strapped
colonial and planetary navies which need a handy jump-3 tanker/cargo
ship, this is the way to go.

I would feel that it's unpopularity would stem from the hard-to-find
part's and supplies it needs, as it was designed before most of
the modern Imperial Naval Part's spec's were set.  Fortunately, the Orrimot
spec's are usually ancient ancestors to today's spec's, and the
relationship is close enough so that, even if you can't find exactly
what you're looking for, you can jury-rig something fairly easily.

Just don't expect to win any popularity contest with the Orrimot.  Even
the crew of Morraine free traders - who's TL A design isn't exactly
cutting edge technology - enjoy sneering at the Orrimot's obvious hamster
cages
  "Hamster cages? What museum did you rob?  Don't tell me: you
  Solomani/Humans/Imperials STILL don't get artigrav technology, don't
  you?"
ample supply of liferafts
  "Ten liferafts?  Obviously, you don't QUITE trust your pilot - not that
  I blame you, seeing the sorry excuse of a landing approach you made..."
and overall cheapness
  "Yeah, just look for the Orrimot.  You know, the building with
   the stubby wings slapped on it's sides.  Watch out though, the
   crystaliron (giggleSNORT) hull's a bit rusty, chunks of it might lick
   your head if you bang on it too hard..."

However, Vilani with a sense of history and tradition (ie: all Vilani) will
get a kick of crewing a Orrimot, extolling it's solid, no-nonsense
stability and falling in love with it's profoundly ancient control
interfaces
  "Hey, don't you just LOVE these piloting gauges! I mean, they're
   pratically ANALOG!  And I bet the wiring hasn't been changed since the
   Zhutastu Dynasty!"
  "Well, I don't know about this software..."
  "What?  WRITTEN CODE?"  Shoves doubtful captain aside, look over code
  "Yes!  Hold on a minute... maybe it's..." Praticaly explodes with joy on
   the bridge "JUMP TAPES!  Genuine JUMP TAPES, without any of those cheap
   modern upgrades!"
  Captain turns ashen. "You mean we have to buy blindingly expensive
   jumptapes for *every* *single* *system* we want to visit?"
  The Vilani engineer - with a delighted gleam in her eye - replies
   "Absolutely! Just like in The Good Old Days!"
  Captains' eyes roll into her head as she crumples to the floor.

> Never underestimate what people will latch onto as useful transportation.
> If they're so unpopular, surplus ones are dirt cheap,
> probably cheaper than a free trader, maybe even cheaper than a scout,
> but I doubt it. This is what are turned into bannana boats, or copra
> freighters, or those freighters that ply the truly poor backwaters of
> the imperium.

And when we say poor, we mean POOR.

Actually, until Norris upgraded so many systems, there were several areas
within the Spinward Marches where the Orrimot's technology and weaponry
was actually superiour to anything locally produced (speaking of civilian
ships, of course).  Which goes to show why Marchmen were considered the
poor and violent hicks of the Third Imperium - any system that can be
dominated by an Orrimot is DEFINITELY out of the loop.

   Overheard in a Gushemege bar, 1109:
  "The Spinward Marches are so poor, you could conquer half the worlds
   with nothing but a few Orrimot's and ten FGMP-15's."
  "The Zho's seem to have a rough time of it..."
  "No FGMP-15's."

> I almost got to live in a LST (Landing Ship-Tank) that had been
> converted to a coastal frieghter that had been converted to an
> oyster boat that had been converted to a houseboat; but it would have
> meant living in New York Harbor during the winter....yeeeesh.  But
> that's probably what'll get done to most of these things.

In the Spinward Marches (pre-Rebellion), there were far more Orrimot's
being used as refuellers to support C- and D-level ports then were
actually used as cargo ships. (Sometimes, the only difference between them
was that if the Orrimot's fuel refining equipment still worked, the port
was cassified "C": if not, then it was "D")

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

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


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

Date:          Sun, 10 Dec 1995 11:32:43 MST7
From: "Bruce Johnson" <JOHNSON@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu>
To: traveller@MPGN.COM
Subject: Re: League of the Imperial Way
Message-ID: <F485F04A19@tonic.pharm.Arizona.EDU>


> Date: Sat, 9 Dec 1995 08:00:55 -0600 (CST)
> From: James Kiley <tenzil@io.com>
> To: traveller@MPGN.COM
> Subject: RC: The League of the Imperial Way
> Message-ID: <Pine.BSI.3.91.951209075947.4711A-100000@pentagon.io.com>
>
> THE LEAGUE OF THE IMPERIAL WAY
> As can often be the case, the name of this party is rather

Neat! About time we started getting some diversity in the RC.
Remember, during the rebellion this area was under Solomani
occupation for a while; actually, according to the TNS (in Survival
Margin) the Old Expanses voluntarily incorporated into the
Confederation.  Maybe there's an aged, remnant SolSec agent or
agents behind this?

Bruce Johnson
Information Technology/College of Pharmacy
The University of Arizona
johnson@tonic.pharm.arizona.edu


As if this place HAD any opinions...

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

End of TRAVELLER Digest 510
***************************
