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+--- Thread: [RFC] Defences of Fenspace (/showthread.php?tid=2537)
[RFC] Defences of Fenspace - Cobalt Greywalker - 05-30-2011
Well, seeing as I created the Weapons article, I felt I should put some effort into Defences. It's very much rough draft, so any help or ideas would be welcome. It's been slightly Wiki'd as well.
Oh, and note I haven't added things like Point Defences or Interceptors as they're still weapons used to stop other weapons. Add a Sidebar?
= Defences =
Whilst [[weapons | actively defending oneself] is something that is sadly necessary, there is more than just that threatening the Fen.
== Personal Defences ==
Personal defences break down into two categories: Environmental and Confrontational.
=== Environmental Defences ===
Given that the Fen live in space, the greatest single threat is Space itself. As such, various forms of space survival gear have been developed.
'''Bubble Packs''' are rapidly inflating survival capsules made of a memory plastic. They are good for up to 3 people, fitted with a pressure sensor, emergency beacon, and micro life support system good for up to 12 hours. Un-deployed they take up the same space as a small paperback book. These are reasonably popular as they can be fitted into various large pockets. It does ruin the pocked it was placed in if it activates, so some clothiers (including a few school uniform suppliers) have specific pockets sown into articles for that purpose.
Along a similar line are clothes marketed under '''SpaceSafe''' and similar labels. These are clothes waved to turn into a light space suit in an emergency. It is cheaper to perform this on a complete outfitExplaining why so many Fen have a single 'look'. but it can be done for all clothes from a single manufacturer. They contain memory plastic inserts that cover the extremities whilst bonding to the other parts of the outfit to create a pressure seal. Their main limitation is the lack of a real life support system, only having a rebreather good for 30 minutes without external air. They also wreck the cuffs/collars of the clothes when activated.
For those who work in areas where unexpected pressure loss is more likelyOr the paranoid. (but not enough to need regular space suits), there are '''Undersuits'''. These are counter-pressure body-stockings that can be worn under normal clothes. These have some of the features of regular space suits, including a small life support system good for 18 hours, a temperature regulation system, and water supplies all normally in a camel pack integrated with the back. As these are more expensive, the emergency coverings are replaceable or reuseable.
=== Confrontational Defences ===
When dealing with somewhat annoyed Fen or others, something a bit more substantial is required. However, most like to keep it hidden that they're actually wearing armour.
One thing most don't realise is that SpaceSafe type clothes and Undersuits are reasonably effective against guns and knives, enough to reduce injury in most cases.
'''ArmourCloth''' is the standard for actual concealed armour (for those that 'wave their clothes themselves), and comes in three grades:
* '''SheerSteel''' is the lightest version, and is typically used in Kunoichi-style fishnet bodysuits and 'invisible' covering on some Fuku.
* '''ArmourWeave''' is the regular fabric, covering everything from silks to heavy cotton. Due to a combination of enhanced materials, memory threads, and impregnated nano-particle fluid ArmourWeave is resistant to all common handguns and most military rifles that are not using armour piercing ammunition. This is because the memory threads and nano-particle fluid react to bullet impacts, hardening and spreading the impact over the entire surface.
* '''ProtekLeather'''Or Pleather as some insist on calling it. is for heavier usage. It can take all that ArmourWeave can and more, for longer.
== Combat Defences ==
Given the normal needs of military-minded Fen, all the defensive suits double as space suits.
At the bottom end are '''Skinsuits''', which are basically Undersuits made of lightweight ArmourWeave. These have a proper life support system (72 hours) and include a waste relief system and recycling system. This makes them almost uniformly despised due to the face they are mandated by nearly every armed force in Fenspace, and no-one likes dealing with the 'plumbing connections'. The Fen live with it because of the number of lives they save (along with the fact nearly all uniforms are made of ArmourCloth, which enhances protection discreetly).
Next up are '''BDUS''' or '''Battle Dress Utility Spacesuits''', otherwise known as '''Buds Armour'''. This is (though [[Great Justice | OGJ] standardisation) the basic armoured space suit of the Fen military forces. The specification calls for:
{{quote|A lightweight tactical spacesuit able to withstand standard level weapons, 5 days of life support with liquid rations dispenser, capable of letting the wearer survive in environments from Mercury to Pluto, and mounting all standardised equipment defined by this document.|20px|20px|OGJ Equipment Standards, 2014}}
Every [[Faction Guide | recognised faction] keeps to this basic standard. Depending on the faction, some use the standard mountings to add a light exo-frame.
Above this are ''Personal Armoured Power-Assist Systems''Powered Armour to you and me.. These include '''Silver Sentinel''' armour (Fen versions of the movie Iron Man suits), '''MJOLNIR''' armored suits (used by the Spartans of the Cybers), and '''Hardsuits''' (as defined by the [[Stingray Project]).
Added to these are '''Deflector Plates'''. These are memory metal, energy reinforced riot shields. Normally carried in compact form (a cylinder 30cm/1 foot long by 10cm/4 inches wide), it expands to a 4' by 2' shield.
The next level up are '''Landmates'''. These humanoid tanks are small scale ''Master-Slave controlled Exo-Frames'', and (barely) fit in most Station corridors. However because they are full scale Exo-Frames, they are easy to use by most people and can carry large scale weapons as well as (with flight pack) manoeuvre effectively in space.
== Vessel Defences ==
=== Environmental Defences ===
Normally, the very construction of a Fenship mitigates against all common environmental threats. However, some like to be sure
'''Self-Sealing Hulls''' are the most common protective measure added to a vessel. This is normally a Wavetech foam placed in packets into the gaps between the hull and any internal fittings, or injected between layers of the hull. Thus if the hull is breached by mini-meteoroidsOr weapons. the foam fills in the gap created, keeping in atmosphere.
Some people also install a '''Mag-Web''', a magnetic field generating grid that helps protect against stronger than normal solar winds.
For those that worry about the effects of atmosphere on their paint jobs, there is '''CosmoPolish''' and the like. This adds a clear, non-reactive, semi-ceramic coating to the hull to help protect against corrosive atmospheres and harsher than normal re-entries.
=== Combat Defences ===
While Handwavium allows one to turn the ship's skin into a practical armourAnd it has to, given most Fen vehicles are 'waved cars dashing about the Solar System at a tenth the speed of light., armour plate isn't often used. Most who need it tend to build the vessel with armour skin, so it is normally a quick and temporary enhancement.
When they are used, it is normally an ''ablative panel'' or a ''reactive armour pack''. The former melts or vaporises on impact to disperse the energy of the strike, the latter contains some explosive substance'Waved Mentos and diet soda will work, disturbingly. to disrupt the strike.
Above this is the '''E-Web''' system. A stronger version of the Mag-Web system, it disrupts energy weapons to spread the energy across a larger section of the hull and can deflect some Coilgun/Railgun shots.
Next we have the [[United Federation of Planets | Trekkie] inspired '''Hull Polarisation''' system. This strengthens the hull by using an energy grid to align all the atoms in the hull the same way, temporarily turning the hull into a single molecule. This greatly increases hull strength, but the field can only take so much stress before the hull starts to depolarise. It also takes several seconds for the field to dissipate so that it can be refreshed. Damage to the hull does, of course, reduce the effectiveness of the system.
Finally, we come to '''Defectors''', also known simply as ''shields''. The archetypal energy shielding system, it projects a ovoid field around the vessel to prevent fire from reaching the hull. The main limitations are the large amount of energy needed to run the system, and the fact that low speed impacts (less than 30 mph/50 kph relative) will pass through the field unaffected.
== Notes ==
{{technology}}
[[Category:Fen Technology]
- Dartz - 05-30-2011
I like it. Wavetech foam packets especially sound like useful things to have, even outside of a ships hull. Great things to throw on the ground, pop off and block off entire corridors if they're on fire, full of onrushing liquid wavium or bad guys chasing you.
Point defenses and such would make a good sidebar... sometimes to easiest way to stop a missile hitting a ship is to just throw up a wall of lead and shrapnel. Harmless to ships, but usually enough to knock out light fighters and inbound missiles. And there are always those who believe that the best offense is a good defence. The Mithril System is one such all encompassing ship defense system, capable of tracking over 100 simultaneous targets, and engaging them with either guns or anti-missile-missiles.
________________________________
--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?
- robkelk - 05-31-2011
I'm really not in the right frame of mind to add content to this (because I'm currently re-watching Aria), but I will say that, with the exception of things similar to Bubble Packs (which are issued to guests, worn on the belt, and designed to hold only one person) and SpaceSafe (which Sora invented for Noah during the prologue to Legend of Galactic Girls), Stellvia doesn't use any of this sort of stuff – Noah chose to follow a somewhat different path in this area. (Somebody please remind me in mid-June that I should write up the Stellvian equivalents to all of this; I won't have time before then.)
But don't let that stop anyone else from using this...
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
- Norgarth - 05-31-2011
Quote:Dartz wrote:On my write up for the Starhawk, I believe I included an anti-missile system I called sandcasters. Essentially a counter missile that as it nears intercept, blasts a cloud of coarse sand/small gravel at the incoming missiles to erode the missile's sensors and/or cause a detonation.
I like it. Wavetech foam packets especially sound like useful things to have, even outside of a ships hull. Great things to throw on the ground, pop off and block off entire corridors if they're on fire, full of onrushing liquid wavium or bad guys chasing you.
Point defenses and such would make a good sidebar... sometimes to easiest way to stop a missile hitting a ship is to just throw up a wall of lead and shrapnel. Harmless to ships, but usually enough to knock out light fighters and inbound missiles. And there are always those who believe that the best offense is a good defence. The Mithril System is one such all encompassing ship defense system, capable of tracking over 100 simultaneous targets, and engaging them with either guns or anti-missile-missiles.
Oh, and Cobalt?
Quote:the latter contains some explosive substance'Waved Mentos and diet soda will work, disturbinglyLOL 8)
___________________________
"I've always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific." - George Carlin
- LynnInDenver - 05-31-2011
"So, Jamie."
"Yeah, Adam?"
"While we're waiting for them to move the rest of our kit into this huge bay for the 'wavium show experiment, what say we try something related to the Diet Cola and Menthos special we did a few years ago?"
"Um... OK, sounds good. What are you thinking of?"
****
When Jeph and Nene got back up to the bay with the loading crew, with the supplies for the main experiment, they found the two Mythbusters pouring several cans of the cola into a larger container. Adam looked up from the container. "Oh, great, just who we need. Can you fetch us that remaining 'wavium to add to this?"
--
"You know how parents tell you everything's going to fine, but you know they're lying to make you feel better? Everything's going to be fine." - The Doctor
- HRogge - 05-31-2011
I like the article, but as Dartz said we should add a paragraph about point defense. Many SciFi fandoms have the concept of small guns/lasers shooting down incoming fighters and missiles (maybe except the Trekkies)
Cobalt Greywalker Wrote:Finally, we come to '''Defectors''', also known simply as ''shields''. The archetypal energy shielding system, it projects a ovoid field around the vessel to prevent fire from reaching the hull. The main limitations are the large amount of energy needed to run the system, and the fact that low speed impacts (less than 30 mph/50 kph relative) will pass through the field unaffected.I think the limitations should depend on the deflector type... Warsie "energy shields" will most likely let any kinetic attacks through, while some shields will only stop KE and let all lasers through. Some shields might just slow down or (defocus) incoming fire, others are the kind of "ablative but regenerative" wall you describe.
- Black Aeronaut - 05-31-2011
a lot of this stuff sounds like standard Roughrider's fare. I'll have to see if I can contribute any refinements later on.
- Proginoskes - 05-31-2011
I may be more peculiar than the average forum-goer, but to me "Environmental Defences" sounds like defences provided by your environment rather than defences against your environment. I can't think of a better term for the latter, but I can't help feeling like there is one.
I also feel that we should be sure to point out that this categorization and naming scheme only applies to commercially-produced gear: anybody who rolls their own might get something that combines two or more types, or something that defies this system altogether.
- Cobalt Greywalker - 05-31-2011
RE: Waved Mentos and diet soda - Given that Kaboomite is rumoured to be Waved Pop Rocks and soda, I doubt anyone is using that as a filling.
So, I kinda noticed I'd forgotten about a whole class of defences this morning, so I add something on them and the promised sidebar (as well as other comments) so here's another go.
= Defences =
Whilst [[weapons | actively defending oneself] is something that is sadly necessary, there is more than just that threatening the Fen. Of course, several Fen make their own defensive gear as the situation demands, but the most common stuff is commercial or military.
== Personal Defences ==
Personal defences break down into two categories: Circumstantial and Confrontational.
=== Circumstantial Defences ===
Given that the Fen live in space, the greatest single threat is Space itself. As such, various forms of space survival gear have been developed.
'''Bubble Packs''' are rapidly inflating survival capsules made of a memory plastic. They are good for up to 3 people, fitted with a pressure sensor, emergency beacon, and micro life support system good for up to 12 hours. Un-deployed they take up the same space as a small paperback book. These are reasonably popular as they can be fitted into various large pockets. It does ruin the pocket it was placed in if it activates, so some clothiers (including a few school uniform suppliers) have specific pockets sown into articles for that purpose.
Along a similar line are clothes marketed under '''SpaceSafe'''A Stellvia trademark. and similar labels. These are clothes waved to turn into a light space suit in an emergency. It is cheaper to perform this on a complete outfitExplaining why so many Fen have a single 'look'. but it can be done for all clothes from a single manufacturer. They contain memory plastic inserts that cover the extremities whilst bonding to the other parts of the outfit to create a pressure seal. Their main limitation is the lack of a real life support system, only having a rebreather good for 30 minutes without external air. They also wreck the cuffs/collars of the clothes when activated.
For those who work in areas where unexpected pressure loss is more likelyOr the paranoid. (but not enough to need regular space suits), there are '''Undersuits'''. These are counter-pressure body-stockings that can be worn under normal clothes. These have some of the features of regular space suits, including a small life support system good for 18 hours, a temperature regulation system, and water supplies all normally in a camel pack integrated with the back. As these are more expensive, the emergency coverings are replaceable or reuseable.
=== Confrontational Defences ===
When dealing with somewhat annoyed Fen or others, something a bit more substantial is required. However, most like to keep it hidden that they're actually wearing armour.
One thing most don't realise is that SpaceSafe type clothes and Undersuits are reasonably effective against guns and knives, enough to reduce injury in most cases.
'''ArmourCloth''' is the standard for actual concealed armour (for those that 'wave their clothes themselves), and comes in three grades:
* '''SheerSteel''' is the lightest version, and is typically used in Kunoichi-style fishnet bodysuits and 'invisible' covering on some Fuku.
* '''ArmourWeave''' is the regular fabric, covering everything from silks to heavy cotton. Due to a combination of enhanced materials, memory threads, and impregnated nano-particle fluid ArmourWeave is resistant to all common handguns and most military rifles that are not using armour piercing ammunition. This is because the memory threads and nano-particle fluid react to bullet impacts, hardening and spreading the impact over the entire surface.
* '''ProtekLeather'''Or Pleather as some insist on calling it. is for heavier usage. It can take all that ArmourWeave can and more, for longer.
== Combat Defences ==
Given the normal needs of military-minded Fen, all the defensive suits double as space suits.
At the bottom end are '''Skinsuits''', which are basically Undersuits made of lightweight ArmourWeave. These have a proper life support system (72 hours) and include a waste relief system and recycling system. This makes them almost uniformly despised due to the face they are mandated by nearly every armed force in Fenspace, and no-one likes dealing with the 'plumbing connections'. The Fen live with it because of the number of lives they save (along with the fact nearly all uniforms are made of ArmourCloth, which enhances protection discreetly).
Next up are '''BDUS''' or '''Battle Dress Utility Spacesuits''', otherwise known as '''Buds Armour'''. This is (though [[Great Justice | OGJ] standardisation) the basic armoured space suit of the Fen military forces. The specification calls for:
{{quote|A lightweight tactical spacesuit able to withstand standard level weapons, 5 days of life support with liquid rations dispenser, capable of letting the wearer survive in environments from Mercury to Pluto, and mounting all standardised equipment defined by this document.|20px|20px|OGJ Equipment Standards, 2014}}
Every [[Faction Guide | recognised faction] keeps to this basic standard. Depending on the faction, some use the standard mountings to add a light exo-frame.
Above this are ''Personal Armoured Power-Assist Systems''Powered Armour to you and me.. These include '''Silver Sentinel''' armour (Fen versions of the movie Iron Man suits), '''MJOLNIR''' armored suits (used by the Spartans of the Cybers), and '''Hardsuits''' (as defined by the [[Stingray Project]).
Added to these are '''Deflector Plates'''. These are memory metal, energy reinforced riot shields. Normally carried in compact form (a cylinder 30cm/1 foot long by 10cm/4 inches wide), it expands to a 4' by 2' shield.
The next level up are '''Landmates'''. These humanoid tanks are small scale ''Master-Slave controlled Exo-Frames'', and (barely) fit in most Station corridors. However because they are full scale Exo-Frames, they are easy to use by most people and can carry large scale weapons as well as (with flight pack) manoeuvre effectively in space.
== Vessel Defences ==
=== Environmental Defences ===
Normally, the very construction of a Fenship mitigates against all common environmental threats. However, some like to be sure
'''Self-Sealing Hulls''' are the most common protective measure added to a vessel. This is normally a Wavetech foam placed in packets into the gaps between the hull and any internal fittings, or injected between layers of the hull. Thus if the hull is breached by mini-meteoroidsOr weapons. the foam fills in the gap created, keeping in atmosphere.
Some people also install a '''Mag-Web''', a magnetic field generating grid that helps protect against stronger than normal solar winds.
For those that worry about the effects of atmosphere on their paint jobs, there is '''CosmoPolish''' and the like. This adds a clear, non-reactive, semi-ceramic coating to the hull to help protect against corrosive atmospheres and harsher than normal re-entries.
=== Combat Defences ===
While Handwavium allows one to turn the ship's skin into a practical armourAnd it has to, given most Fen vehicles are 'waved cars dashing about the Solar System at a tenth the speed of light., armour plate isn't often used. Most who need it tend to build the vessel with armour skin, so it is normally a quick and temporary enhancement.
{|{{sidebar}}
|{{tableheader}}|Sidebar: Point Defences
|-
|As the saying goes, "The Best Defence is a Good Offence". Point Defences follow the philosophy that it's better to not get hit at all, and use weaponry to destroy incoming fire. This can include '''Interceptors''' (specialised missile and cannon systems with high explosive warheads to destroy incoming fire), '''Close In Weapons Systems''' or ''CIWS'' (very rapid fire guns to destroy incoming ordinance through weight of fire), or '''FragShot''' weapons (working on the principle of causing the inbound weapon to destroy itself through having a cloud of shrapnel to fly through).
|}
When they are used, it is normally an ''ablative panel'' or a ''reactive armour pack''. The former melts or vaporises on impact to disperse the energy of the strike, the latter contains some explosive substance'Waved Mentos and diet soda will work, disturbingly. to disrupt the strike.
Above this is the '''E-Web''' system. A stronger version of the Mag-Web system, it disrupts energy weapons to spread the energy across a larger section of the hull and can deflect some Coilgun/Railgun shots.
Next we have the [[United Federation of Planets | Trekkie] inspired '''Hull Polarisation''' system. This strengthens the hull by using an energy grid to align all the atoms in the hull the same way, temporarily turning the hull into a single molecule. This greatly increases hull strength, but the field can only take so much stress before the hull starts to depolarise. It also takes several seconds for the field to dissipate so that it can be refreshed. Damage to the hull does, of course, reduce the effectiveness of the system.
Finally, we come to '''Defectors''', also known simply as ''shields''. The archetypal energy shielding system, they project an field around the vessel (normally ovoid for better direct coverage) to prevent fire from reaching the hull. How they do this varies by manufacturer, so some stop fast moving projectiles but are near-useless against lasers and some are the opposite, some try to deflect incoming fire, and some are simply walls that get worn away. The main limitations are the large amount of energy needed to run the system, and the fact that there is normally a simple way through.
== Preventative Defences ==
Depending on your point of view, there are three classes of Defence: Proactive (doing something to stop incoming attacks), Reactive (responding to something that has attacked), and Preventative (stopping you from being attacked).
For the preventative side of things, that mostly means either deception (by making it look like attacking you would be a bad thing or not worth it) or stealth (by making it look like there's nothing there ''too'' attack.
On a simple level special materials, construction techniques, and design can be enough to discourage attack by making you appear as something else. This works both ways because if the military and the public use the same ships, do you want to take the risk the lone tramp freighter hanging temptingly in space before you is not actually a patrol ship with concealed weapons?
Disguise techniques are always in fashion, but one of the new toys coming out are '''Holo Fields'''. In essence they are advanced holographic projection systems optimised to change the appearance of, or to camouflage an object.
Wavetech scanners abound in Fenspace, and as such so do '''Electronic Counter Measures''' (''ECM'') to fool them. These work by either cancelling the sensor signals to prevent a return or sending a false return to confuse the system.
Finally we have the '''Cloaking Device'''. People can't attack what they don't know is there. The precise techniques used vary and are closely guarded secretsSo don't go peeking. but speculation runs from a combination of holotech and ECM, to special fields (like the Deflectors/Shields above) that bend sensor signals and even ''light'' around the object.
== Notes ==
{{technology}}
[[Category:Fen Technology]
- Proginoskes - 06-01-2011
Extremely minor nitpick: "too" is an intensifier. Stealth makes it look like there's nothing to attack.
- HRogge - 06-01-2011
@CG: reads well ! And it might trigger people to write something about mentioned technologies, which will expend the wiki even more.
- robkelk - 06-01-2011
Cobalt Greywalker Wrote:Above this are ''Personal Armoured Power-Assist Systems''Powered Armour to you and me..Stellvia's version of these (such as the one seen in The Second Annual Port Phobos Invitational) are known as Mobile Armored Miniature Artillery Systems, because Kohran insists on loading them up with missile launchers.
(This leads the Humourists to call any joint Stellvia-Supers power-armour operation a "MAMAS and PAPAS concert"... )
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."
- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012
- Star Ranger4 - 06-01-2011
doubly so since they are clearly bringing the HEAVY metal. (Play rimshot.mp3)
Hear that thunder rolling till it seems to split the sky?
That's every ship in Grayson's Navy taking up the cry-
NO QUARTER!!!
-- "No Quarter", by Echo's Children
- Black Aeronaut - 06-02-2011
robkelk Wrote:(This leads the Humourists to call any joint Stellvia-Supers power-armour operation a "MAMAS and PAPAS concert"... )Benjamin's own code phrase for this would be "California Dreamin".
