Stealth Opportunities and Pitfalls of Starships
Complex environments offer an interesting study in stealth
opportunities. The various planets of the Hegemony offer various
environments of interest, but there is little to match the complexity
as a function of volume that is presented in a courier-class or larger
starship. This paper will examine some of the opportunities for
evading detection that are presented in most starships. Also examined
are the characteristics of starships that can make stealth difficult.
Some note will be made as to differences in various classes of ship,
but the primary focus is on those areas of commonality.
Outline:
- 1. Looking at starships geographically
- A. Unused/little-used space
i. Jeffries tubes--
Ease of access to various portions of the ship.
ii. Cargo areas
iii. Unused passenger quarters
iv. Waste containment/reprocessing
v. Little-used control facilities
- B. Areas to avoid
i. Bridge
ii. Barracks and mess halls
iii. Recreational areas
- 2. Sense modes
- A. Visual
Easiest to evade-- Jeffries tubes.
- B. Auditory
Find locations near constantly-working machinery-- engine core,
power control, etc.
- C. Olfactory
Waste containment/reprocessing areas. Hydroponics.
Hermetically-sealed cargo containers (caution: need oxygen source).
- 3. Difficulties
- A. Psi scans
Hopefully not an issue. Best bets are to find a location near a
high-traffic area. Right above or below is good, if the psi
scan is not subtle enough to detect location to that degree of
precision. Other possibilities are, say, inside a fixture in
the middle of a barracks area, or a rec area. Barracks are
especially good if one is able to enter a meditative trance.
- B. Lifeform scans
Similar to the above, but depending upon the available tech,
can also be avoided in areas such as hydroponics, cargo areas
if there are animals being carried, etc.
- C. Full invasive sweep
Evading detection of passive sources is far different from
avoiding an active search when it is known that there is an
intruder on board. A coordinated, invasive search can find even
the most skilled individual. Avoiding this will generally
require moving from place to place. If possible, getting past
the searchers into a section of the ship that's been declared
"secure" is best.
[Out of Game]
For game purposes, this essay is about 5000 words long.
7 successes on stealth.
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