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[Terrahex]

I agree, mission number 1

we should name the destroyer the Starjumper.

I have a question. since lazers are basically beams of light that cannot curve and go on continuously into space, when we miss, do we hit something we'd rather not?

[LAAT501legion]

Mission number 1

[Sheb]

I'd choose mission two (You know, the benefits of being on known position, hiding behind asteroids etc etc), but going for mission one would allow us to have an escort, which we may keep depending on the hierarchy's generosity and future plot.

So mission one.

As for the Destroyer, SAS Monitor would be cool. Just because I'd hate to have to face an adversary called that with being named Merrimac and all...

[Xanatos Jr.]

Mission 1, SAS Monitor.

[warhammer651]

You decide to scope out the pirate base you found.

You meet up with your support, the missile frigate Typhoon and continue to the co-ordinates of the base.


By the time you arrive you have worked out two major problems. First off: the area indicated by the coordinates is vast. You have managed to narrow the precise location down to three areas, but any of them could contain the station. The second problem is that there is no such thing as stealth in space. You have managed to come up with two options to (hopefully) avoid detection.

The first option is to operate your engines at a lower output than usual. Hopefully any pirates that detect you will simply think your squadron is just a mobile refinery and a few mining scows.

The second option is to coast your way into the area with all systems except life support and passive scanners shut down. Any pirates will still be able to detect you, but only if they pay attention to anything other than their primary scanners.

You could also just go in without trying to hide, but chances are the pirates will mount an appropriate response.

[Nirur Torir]

Is there any way to triangulate the area further, without getting too close?

If not, I vote we start by heading near the one that our starboard side faces.
I pick option one - With only passive sensors, we'd likely get ambushed.
We should probably move at about half of our standard cruise speed as well, to help with the deception.

[LAAT501legion]

Is there any way to triangulate the area further, without getting too close?

If not, I vote we start by heading near the one that our starboard side faces.
I pick option one - With only passive sensors, we'd likely get ambushed.
We should probably move at about half of our standard cruise speed as well, to help with the deception.

[Vanigo]

Have to turn down the strength of any active sensors, too.

That said, I'm not sure how we'd get ambushed. The 'no stealth in space' thing applies to them, too. I guess if they spot us they could lie in wait in the asteroid field with their own power off, but we could turn our stuff back on as we approach. Of course, that would only work for the first site we check...

[Nirur Torir]

That said, I'm not sure how we'd get ambushed. The 'no stealth in space' thing applies to them, too.

We could get ambushed if our passive sensors are of the sort that can only detect ships that are using their active sensors.

[Vanigo]

That said, I'm not sure how we'd get ambushed. The 'no stealth in space' thing applies to them, too.

We could get ambushed if our passive sensors are of the sort that can only detect ships that are using their active sensors.

And if their passive sensors are not. Which would be a weird combination.

[Nirur Torir]

Depends on how cautious our enemies are.

Bandit: "We're picking up a very low powered reading heading towards our operations."
Leader of bandit defense group: "Roger that. Disabling active sensors and moving to intercept. Keep us informed of any course changes."

[warhammer651]

Is there any way to triangulate the area further, without getting too close?

The tac-map IS the result of triangulation. it's as good as it get unfortunately.

That said, I'm not sure how we'd get ambushed. The 'no stealth in space' thing applies to them, too. I guess if they spot us they could lie in wait in the asteroid field with their own power off, but we could turn our stuff back on as we approach. Of course, that would only work for the first site we check...

That's basically how they would be doing it. in combination with small stations built into asteroids operating on passive sensors (Difference between passive and active: active sensors analyze a lot more data than passive, but emit a distinctive Electromagnetic signature that's fairly easy to identify. passive sensors only look for that signature a few other things. they still emit an EM signature but it tends to be lost amidst all the radiation naturally floating around)

That explanation is probably full of holes, so don't think too hard about it 

[Sheb]

Since we're in space, any momentum will be conserved. So I vote we just head toward the first area and then cut ALL engines, as well as active sensors. They may be able to detect us, but only with active sensors, and then we can detect them too.

[warhammer651]

update will be tomorrow due to unforeseen circumstances.

[techno65535]

I have a question. since lazers are basically beams of light that cannot curve and go on continuously into space, when we miss, do we hit something we'd rather not?

That's actually the other way around. Missiles and torpeedoes would likely have a device in them to force a detonation after a certain amount of time had passed. Lasers and particle beam weapons would eventually dissipate, rendering them useless after a certain range. Railguns on the other hand... They fire a solid iron slug that will keep going and going and going until it is either caught by the gravity of some large object in space and/or flies into a star or it hits some random ship lightyears away years later.