From the Begining New Chapter Added (9/12/06)

[Starhawk]

Well you could say that since the KE is a non continuous energy force your shields will simply absorb it or shrug it off while a sustained energy beam would prevent the shields from simply absorbing it as it is still "pushing" against the shield.

As far as "chucking enough material" that would require a high rate of sustained fire which would mean BIGGER magazines and a still interceptable weapon, with an energy stream you still need that high rate of fire but not more material to chuck.

Besides a bullet is wasteful as it requires raw material and mass while an energy beam in a sense requires raw material (i.e power and in the case of chemical lasers the chemicals) it does not have any mass and so is far cheaper and more efficient then loading up a ship with tens of thousands of rounds of 18' shells.

Oh and BTW bullet proof vests DO NOT stop knives which is a problem US police have had for years and why the British designed a specialty vest specifically to stop knives. Saw it on a history channel and discovery channel show so I can't point out a web site if your going to bring that up.

To try and explain it the way the guy on the show did a knife actually has more "force" behind it in that once a bullet hits and it's energy is spread out across the vest thats it your done but a knife continues to apply that force and bullet proof armor is designed for that. Or something to that effect.


I never said the shield destroys or creates energy there is a difference between absorbing energy for a limited time and "creating energy" it's just that when two energies mix you can have a "surge" which is basically what I was trying to say with the burn through.

[edit] Oh and how do I vaporize the slug, high speed object hitting imovable object (i.e the shield) kind of like throwing a glass bottle at a wall except at .c fractional speeds that glass bottle would vanish[/edit].

[El_Phil]

These magazines aren't big. Use DU at 19kg/m3 you need a 0.3m3 slug at 0.1c to equal your biggest turrets total 5 second output. That's not alot of space in anyones book, not given the size of the ships.

An energy beam is far more wasteful, radiation losses, blooming and dozens more reasons. Of course as you've hand waved all that away I suppose that isn't a factor.

Here's what I think you mean about shields, your reactors generating at xKW, but the shields charge up, giving a total strength of 3 times x KW or whatever the charge up factor is. In that case surely the slug is more dangerous, all its power is concentrated in one burst, the turrets spread their power out over several seconds.

However given that your first and last paragraphs contradict each other I'm not sure what you do mean.

[Starhawk]

Well the first paragraph deals with what i mean about the Kinetic energy not the slug it's self The kinetic energy is still there even after the slug is not (at least I think that's what you told me).

The last paragraph deals with the slug it's self which would pretty well vanish once it hit that shield no matter.

Now I have a question for you regarding the whole math, how do we KNOW what an object the size you described would do at C fractional speeds unless we've been able to propel an object C fractional and I just don't remember hearing about it lol.

Seriously though do scientists just "round up" from speeds we know about or do they pull it out of the air?

That's like the theory that if you press your hand against a table for a million years your hand and the table will merge, well considering neither your hand nor that table would possibly be there for a million years where did they get that from?



As far as energy loss goes assuming you get energy weapons I'm sure you'd know how to minimize energy loss (i.e focusing lenses and who knows what else) so assuming your hitting someone with 2 TW of power FOR 5 seconds (after whatever minimal energy loss you get) as opposed to hitting it with like 5 TW of power for about half a second.

Oh and I was trying to think of an analagy comparing the shield to the bullet with that brick wall bit not saying the shield is the literal equivilent of a brick wall because if you do that a marshmellow travelling at C fracionals would punch through it easily.

Their shields basically work in this sense (let me try to explain it as best I can) a split second energy burst wouldn't effect the overall stability of the shield, while a "drilling" sort of enery would.

My shields are actually inspired by the Langston fields form the Empire of Man series so I guess I could just flat out use the langston physics instead of trying to use my own lol

Langston fields worked where kinetic weapons were useless because the second it contacted the shield it slowed down so much that there was practically no kinetic force at all so they used fusion torpedoes and lasers a lot.

But they still had to open "ports" to launch torpedoes or fire missiles because the field worked both ways.

[El_Phil]

In which case Langston fields sound equally shaky, you've got to bleed off a hell of alot of KE to bleed off. If you want to use it go ahead, but don't say you can explain it. Or accept your going soft sci-fi. There's nothing wrong with that route.

The particles of the slugs have the KE, you can't seperate the two, the energy doesn't just float around after you vaporise the slug. You slow it down, wonderfull, that takes energy, you through in several very fast slugs at the same time and you can't produce enough power to slow them all down.

Behaviour of a fractional c body, well as I can walk at a fraction of c there's your answer.
Seriously though random atmospheric particles and cosmic rays travel at ridiculously high fractions of c, where Einstinean physics, not Newtonian, apply. Hence I've only suggested 0.1c, above that it's stops being 0.5mv2 and gets more complex.

The table merging is from the depths of quantum mechanics, which is a horrendous field I try and avoid. Consider quantum tunneling: You are trapped behind a barrier, say a prison wall. You could exist either side of that wall, but you lack the energy to get through the wall. However quantum tunneling says there is a chance you could just appear the other side of the barrier.

Of course that is epically unlikely, but possible. You can demonstrate quantum tunneling, (particles not people ) and so test assumptions and constants. It's proveable, demonstratable and repeatable. And mind bendingly complex.

[Starhawk]

Well actually I'll stick to my shields and accept I am going soft sci-fi in that field because I don't want to rip of Pournelle since i like his work and it seems wrong to rip off people who's work you like they did inspire me though since aside from the Harrington (gravity fields) it's the most unique shields I've heard of in sci-fi.

Although I know I won't be able to explain the "exact" physics of how the shields work since they defy our current knowledge of physics I'll explain just generally how they work (non physics department)

Hey look at it this way though as far as my beams that can create a mini fusion explosion that is actually possible I think I'm not sure though.

And you think I am going "soft" sci-fi there is a series involving some group called "The Culture" where they shoot freakin black holes at each other as standard weapons (I mean real full fledged black holes not mini black holes). Or so I've been told, it all sounds a bit strange to me.

Same thing with this group called the 5th Imperium (don't know where it's from just heard about them on the spacebattles forums) where the average ship is the size of a planet and where they shoot unbeleivably outlandish weapons at one another.

[El_Phil]

"The Culture" novels are Ian Banks, who does hard sci-fi. Just because it's super uber powerful, doesn't make it soft sci-fi. You can, with enough power, do almost anything. Throw in very, very advanced AI and some more power and there are few limits. But that's the point, there are limits. Things that still cannot be done, at all.

It's the lack of hand waving and magical components or elements (dilithium crystals for instance ) and the consistency that determine hard or soft sci-fi.


For your story, a throw away line about how projectiles don't work (or work really badly) on the shields and don't pursue it, unless it's relavent to the plot/story. If projectiles work or not should only be mentioned if your main charcters (or minor ) meet an enemy who uses them.

I remember an Asimov book, one of the Laws of Robotics ones, which was awful for that. Plot and other points needed to be established, but it was done by characters telling each other what they already knew. Not all the time, but it wasn't good. However the ideas were new and interesting enough that it didn't matter.

In fact Dr A. is a good example, how the robots work just isn't discussed, unless the story needs it. Even then theres no (or little) extra detail, its distracting.

[Starhawk]

Hey I don't use "dylithium crytals" or anything that "hand wavy"

For that matter I didn't put any "throw away lines" about projectiles in my story just telling you .

And for the most part I haven't mentioned anything "totally" unrealistic except maybe the shields but that's just subjective so you can't really just label mine "soft sci-fi" because you disagree with the one little bit about my shields and then turn around and say black holes being slung at people is 'hard' as that has to violate a whole lot more areas of physics then mine heh.

[Starhawk]

Just for those wondering here is the Status of the Icaran Empire and the United Mantis Kingdom:

Icara:

Systems controlled: 85 (lets call it 82 as there are presently at least three systems totally engulfed in riots)

Planets: 676
Sphereworlds: 5

Population: 919.1 billion

Resources: 29.3 million

Research Points; 634.6k

Intelligence points: 818k

Tech Levels: 360

Units: 11475

Bases: 104

Ships: 1315


Icaran Military Breakdown:
1st Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
1 Picket ship
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,250,900

2nd Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,250,900

3rd Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,250,900

5th Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair Ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,250,900

6th Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
1 Picket ship
Total Crew: 1,250,900

7th Fleet
1 Battlemoon
2 Flag monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,250,900

Home Fleet:
2 Battlemoons
6 Flag Monitors
149 Super Dreadnoughts
2 Repair ships
1 Minesweeper
Total Crew: 1,610,900

(note I only included fully formed fleets minus their ground assualt units as I have not yet assigned troop support to the reforming fleets)


Mantis UK:

Systems: 110
Planets: 888 (1 sphereworld)
Population: 342.5 billion
Ships: 515
Bases: 32
Units 23115

[Starhawk]

2442.6 The first test:
The buzzer woke Admiral William Ross up in the middle of the night; he woke up quickly thanks to spending fifty years in the navy (or in training) but he was still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes when he tabbed the com control and selected non-visual.
“Admiral this is bridge, I’m sorry to wake you sir but our sensors have just detected three cloaked ships moving through the system, we can generate an intercept but we can’t get a clear reading on what those ships are yet.” The voice on the other end of the line was the cold baritone of Elijah Jones and it took Ross a moment to recognize the tone of excitement in the other man’s voice.
“Alright Elijah get Rukia up and tell her to meet me on the bridge in five minutes, meanwhile have CIC generate an intercept course and get us on our way.” William grinned as he allowed himself a second of cruel pleasure at the thought of waking Rukia and returning the favor for her little training exercise the previous day that had startled him out of bed at three in the morning.
“Sir which division commander should I com about providing escort?” The Captain’s asked in a conversational tone.
“I don’t think we’ll need escort to intercept three ships Captain, this ship is supposed to be its own battle group after all.” William’s grin grew as the pause on the other end drew out a few more seconds.
“Yes sir I’ll com Commodore Fujita right away.” Captain Jones cut the com and William dragged himself out of bed and staggered over to his locker to get a fresh uniform out; So three enemy ships under cloak, this should be a pretty easy intercept, let’s just hope those boys back at NavTech know what they were talking about when the designed this ship. he paused a moment to grimace in the mirror as he fastened his collar before he turned to leave his quarters and head for the bridge.

Six hours passed as the Holy Crusade tore through space at 200 gravities acceleration attempting to intercept the three enemy starships that had been detected at long range, finally the massive Icaran warship managed to get within sensor range with their opponents.
“Admiral we have a clear ID on all three enemy warships, CIC calls it one SD, one monitor and one super monitor in formation.” A com tech reported calmly before the main plot flashed for a moment as the three red diamonds representing unknown ships transformed into the fully detailed holographic representations of each of the ships in the enemy formation, two of which were clearly Andermani in design while the super monitor looked like a Sol Coalition design.
Rukia turned to Ross and opened her mouth to say something when suddenly a voice from the tactical section caused her and William to turn around instinctively.
“Enemy ships have changed course, they are reducing acceleration and are apparently turning to intercept us.” The young sensor tech blushed when he noticed an Admiral and Commodore looking at him as if he had a third eye.

“They probably don’t realize we’re Icarans, after all an object 60km across moving under its own power is probably a little shocking.” Elijah Jones said as he watched the three ships closing at around 150 gravities.
“Well if that’s true we can definitely use this.” William turned to face the main plot and saw the distance markers counting down, “Weaps, inform all gun crews to plot minimum distance firing solutions.”
“Minimum distance?” Rukia kept her voice low enough so that only William heard; he nodded slowly and turned to face her.
“If Elijah’s right and they don’t know who we are then we can’t afford to open up on those ships at maximum range, God only knows what kind of weapons they’re packing and they might just have enough power to damage us, note I said damage not destroy but either way we can’t risk it.” His voice was cold as he ran the numbers of enemy crew through his head and came up with about 31,000 people, fellow human beings who would probably never even know what hit them.
“Enemy closing the range, approaching optimum weapons range.” The voice from the tactical section pulled Ross from his thoughts and he grimly turned his attention back to the main holoplot, the enemy was still too far out for an eyeball visual but they wouldn’t be by time the Crusade fired.
“They’ve got us lit, scanners running.” Another voice chimed out from a different section of the tactical department.
“Admiral, we’re being hailed, an Admiral Daniel Smith is challenging.” A com tech said rather icily as she listened to the message “He sounds confused as hell sir, and is telling us to hold position.”

“Almost in range, Admiral, twenty more seconds.” Elijah spoke this time as he checked his display tie-ins. A glowing red sphere appeared around the Crusade, representing the planned firing envelope, and the three ships closing.
“Sir again Admiral Smith is trying to hail, this time we’re getting broad frequency bombardment and multiple languages thrown at us.” The com tech’s voice sounded tenser this time as she too began watching the main plot.
William could almost feel his bridge crew trying to will the enemy ships into the firing envelope faster and realized that he almost felt sorry for this Admiral Smith as he realized that the other man was trying to get in closer to get better scans of his the battlemoon; then all thought froze as the red sphere began flashing and the three ships crossed into it.
“All batteries open fire.” William heard Rukia give the order but he barely noticed because at that instant every forward gun on the Crusade fired and for every shot there was an amber line on the display, and Ross noted with grim pride that it was an almost solid wall of amber connecting his flagship to those three enemy vessels.

Space and time seemed to freeze for the three Mantisoran warships for an instant as an invisible force hammered at them, to the naked eye it seemed as though they simply began tearing apart for no reason as the anti-proton streams washed over their hulls causing massive warping in the materials until the hull plating contacted simply exploded in a ball of plasma.
To an observer using the special sensors that allowed the invisible energy weapons to be seen it was a very different spectacle as a massive wall of green energy enveloped the Mantiosran ships and began clawing at them with a fury unseen in any previous generation or on any prior warship.
The entire “battle” only lasted thirty seconds as the super monitor’s reactors let go and millions of tons of warship simply vanished in a glowing sphere of expanding energy leaving not even a scrap of wreckage. The monitor’s entire forward sections vanished leaving its aft end mangled and torn; the super dreadnought was reduced to a cloud of debris no larger then dust as 26 I-lasers punched through it like it was made of plastic; all of which happened without the Mantisorans even knowing what hit them.

“Are there any life pods?” Rukia asked, not actually expecting there to be any as she watched her displays in shock.
“No ma’am no life pods, or life signs.” A voice answered in tones of equal shock.

Even when a ship took a full broadside from a super dreadnought something was left unless the reactor’s went, but there were so many weapons locked on the three Mantisoran ships that almost nothing remained, even of the two who’s reactors never had a chance to go critical.

“Thirty-one thousand lives gone, just like that.” Ross said quietly as he turned away from the main plot and walked over to where Rukia was standing, “Helm, take us back to the rest of the fleet at full speed.” He patted the still stunned Commodore on her shoulder as he headed for the lift, and back to his quarters trying not to look the least bit nauseated by what he had just done in the blink of an eye.

[Hunpecked]

El_Phil writes: " Use DU at 19kg/m3 you need a 0.3m3 slug at 0.1c to equal your biggest turrets total 5 second output"

The density of uranium is actually 19,050 kg per cubic meter.