this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
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Science Fiction

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Hello Sci-fi fans and writers, I hope that this here is the correct spot to ask this question regarding a conundrum I have come about during my work on a sci-fi short Story.

Outline

In said Short Story, I have some people (Agents) chasing after some other people (Heroes). The heroes stumbled upon some critical information that could damage the faction (Bad Guy) that employs the chasing party. The information got intercepted in time, but to make sure that the information wouldn't be leaked again, they would need to silence the heroes.

Technology

In space there are two modes of flight: conventional reaction based propulsion and a higher speed propulsion which uses a so-called jump drive which flings the spaceship along a predetermined trajectory at high sub-light speeds (max speeds would be 0.5c). There is near instantaneous communications, but you would need to be in coverage of the network itself, which is flaky at best.

Conundrum

So how would agents be able to intercept / interdict the heroes in a plausible fashion? Would it be reasonable to have a micro wormhole generator or some other way to deploy gravimetric wells, which would destabilize the entire star system? Would it be anticlimactic to just have the agents wait for the heroes to finish their jump, as they would know where they would drop out?

I would love to hear opinions and suggestions from you.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@gonesnake

Reading this it's easy to think about the #StarWars Interdictor-class Star Destroyer :

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Interdictor-class_Star_Destroyer

In #Traveller #RPG the referee should think about if the buoy can be carried inside a ship or it can be used only by space stations and other technical issues (energy costs, how many times can be used, etc.)

@nyrath @DmMacniel @swope

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Now that's a great idea, if the buoy can't be transported on a chase ship, space stations only. Making it not always available adds to the drama and keeps it from just being deployed over and over again regardless of its local impact. Even better if only one faction has access to it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@gonesnake

For example, and this can be a secret weapon coveted by many.

@nyrath @DmMacniel @swope

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Raising even more concerns and questions when it's used. Very good.