CTD - Gravity Shield Facility

[Ancalagon]

NOTE: This ctd was based on the presumption that xenium-122 only affects gravitational fields within a certain "space-time warp". Without such limitation, the gravity waves cold cause various catastrophic problems, especially since the force of gravity needed to propel an avenger would need to be greater than the force of the earth's gravitational pull.

 

Here goes nothing:

 

The grav-shield uses xenium-122 to create a strong gravitational field which propels UFOs away from it's base. It uses a similar design to the xenium propulsion systems we have developed. A space-time warp first envelopes the alien and then generates a massive gravitational pull away from the facility, overwhelming the alien ship's systems and sometimes starting a "reboot" sequence, allowing the grav-shield to fling the ship away from the base. This allows the base defense systems over 3 minutes to re-arm and launch more attacks against the enemy ships, effectively doubling it's bases defense capabilities. A second space-time warp within the first one prevents the base from flying into the air.

 

The grav-shield consists of three main parts: a power core, a redesigned alien power source, and a reconfigured alien navigation system. The power core is relatively simple, and simply acts as a containment field for xenium-122.

 

The power source is somewhat more complex. Unlike most power sources, which generate gravity within a single space-time warp created by xenium, the power source creates two space-time warps, an inner and an outer warp. Within the outer warp gravity pulls all objects in the direction that the UFO needs to be propelled. The inner warp – which was designed to prevent the obviously drastic consequences which would normally be caused by flinging an x-com base into the air – nullifies the effect of the outer field on the base and the surrounding ground.

 

"In the early conceptual stages, we realized we couldn't separate the space-time warp from the xenium source. We also realized that if we didn't somehow nullify the effect of the gravitational pull on the x-corps base, we would wind up with the military installation either flying a mile into the air and falling, or hovering , possibly over a populated area. You can imagine the kind of disaster that might bring." – x-corps science department head, in an address to the council of funding nations.

 

The "navigation system" is probably the most complex piece of equipment in our arsenal

it has to control the magnetic fields so precisely that no solid objects other than the UFO are both within the outer field and outside the inner field, such an event could wind up flinging rocks miles away, potentially causing tsunamis, landslides, and worst of all, collision with a major populated area. "We almost wound up crushing our own base in one of the early tests" recalls a young x-corps scientist.

 

Luckily, the bugs have all been ironed out and the grav-shield is now a reliable and valuable defensive tool. Our science department recommends installation of the facility along with top of the line base defenses into any base where important operations are being carried out.

Edited December 14, 2003 by Ancalagon

[Gutter Monkey]

Sounds good. The bit about the navigation system is esepialy nice.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

You may want to add "ship" right after that first alien.

[Cartesian]

I always imagined the grav shield not flinging away the attacking craft, but slowing them down so that they could be picked off by the defences over the course of a few minutes.

[Puasonen]

If it flings away the ufo, why can't it do it many times in a row? Does it have some kind of cooling time or something? If so, it should be mentioned.. Edited December 15, 2003 by Nyyperoid

[ShadowHawk00]

Cant it just create a extra dense shield of air that slows down the ufo??

The extra gravity pulls extra air in a bubble causing the ufo to have more friction and thus slowing it down.

This is exactly the same thing that slows down a space shuttle when it reenters so it would be a logical to use that when trying to slow down something. Maby the base defences should also attack the when they try to leave the area once u defeated the ground forces. ( or u should capture the ufo after the base attack )

[Breunor]

First off, I like the text. I seem to remember some discussion about how the grav shield would work, why you got 2 shots off, etc. Because the UFOs can fly so fast, they would speed right up to your base, allowing the automated defenses to get just 1 shot off before they landed. It was suggested that the grav shield could disrupt the gravity propulsion system of the UFO, causing them to lose control for a short while until the aliens compensate for it. Another option was that it created a gravity pull-push, pulling the UFO away from the base, which is pushed away from the UFO, but since the base is in the ground, the UFO gives first. -_- Sort of like a reverse tug of war I guess. This option sounds closest to what you have. You could say it creates a fold in space which is bound to the xenium in the UFO on one end and to the xenium in the shield at the other end. Then the fold is released, flinging the UFO back a few miles. The power required for this pulse of energy requires a recharge rate too long for it to fire a second time.

[[stewart]]

Nothing personal, I don't like the Xenium-122 part. Use an element with atomic number less than Elerium 115, it doesn't feel right.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

So what, Xenium 114?

unfourtnately, the periodic table doesn't have much room for new elements, except super heavy ones.

[[stewart]]

That's fine. Elerium is supposed to be the most amazing substance, the source of the aliens strength. Having anouther element with an atomic number higher, to me, just seems to diminish that. Fusion and Plasma defense require no elerium in the REAL xcom why not just say it elerium as the magic substance for the grav shield too. Calling EVERYTHING with names based on "Xenocdie" just seems silly after a while.

 

Ooo ooo I got it!!!!! Use anouther Isotope of Elerium! The aliens have no grav shield like thing. WE discover this other isotope and find a use for it. Humans pat yourself on the back, I like that!

[Cartesian]

You could say it creates a fold in space which is bound to the xenium in the UFO on one end and to the xenium in the shield at the other end. Then the fold is released, flinging the UFO back a few miles. The power required for this pulse of energy requires a recharge rate too long for it to fire a second time.

perfect IMO. it says what it does, but doesnt explain it in detail, and it totally fits in with the current idea of xenium. if we want to say how the slowing down thing works in the language of bruenor"

 

"You could say it creates a fold in space which is bound to the xenium in the UFO on one end and to the xenium in the shield at the other end. This fold repels the UFO, slowing its descent markedly".

 

 

a gameplay issue: there are differences between flinging the craft away and making it go more slowly.

 

flinging works on one craft then recharges.. that means a secondary craft can slip thru. more generators can fling alternately, meaning that if the recharge time is N, and the time you gain by flinging is n, then N/n=number of generators to be unapproachable since the first will haave recharged by the time the last one worked.

 

slowing down works on all craft simultaneously. lets say it slows down the speed by a fraction, say 1//2. then the speed of all incoming enemy craft will be (1/2)^n where n is the number of generators. note that this is always >0 so they will eventually get there is not destroyed.

 

we can work around these sceanrios by diddling the nnumbers, or limiting the number you can build. just thought id bring it up now for the sake of getting ppl to think about the gameplay when they write the ctd. we shouldnt include the detail in this post in the ctd IMO.

[Ancalagon]

Our internet was down for a while. I'll probably have it rewriten tommorow afternoon american time (Mountain standard time if you want to be specific) if no-one suggests any more drastic changes. It's too late to do it now.

[Breunor]

So your concern with xenium is more to do with the atomic weight Stewart? I don't think there's any issue with it having a weight equal to an existing element, after all it's not from this world. So using something lower sounds good.

[Robo Dojo 58]

Fusion and Plasma defense require no elerium in the REAL xcom why not just say it elerium as the magic substance for the grav shield too.

Well, X-COM was rushed when it was released. Maybe the developers meant to do that, but they never had any time. I always thought it was odd that everything took so much elerium, but plasma, fusion defense, and the grav shield never required any. It would be a nice balancer, so you can't just cheat and give every base fusion defense and a grav shield.

 

As for why the grav shield can't be used twice, you could say that the grav shield puts extreme stress on the surrounding earth. The funding countries would decide that the grav shield can only be used [Once a day], because the stress could cause earthquakes, and maybe even volcanos.

 

"The seismic stress caused during the testing stage was of great concern to scientists and funding countries. To ensure the safety of the population, and to maintain the secrecy of X-Corps , our sponsors have restricted X-Corps bases to one grav shield facility, and it can only be used once per [day, change this as needed]."

Now you can say that the grav shield stops UFOs any way you please! :wink:

[Puasonen]

As for why the grav shield can't be used twice, you could say that the grav shield puts extreme stress on the surrounding earth. The funding countries would decide that the grav shield can only be used [Once a day], because the stress could cause earthquakes, and maybe even volcanos.

 

"The seismic stress caused during the testing stage was of great concern to scientists and funding countries. To ensure the safety of the population, and to maintain the secrecy of X-Corps , our sponsors have restricted X-Corps bases to one grav shield facility, and it can only be used once per [day, change this as needed]."

Now you can say that the grav shield stops UFOs any way you please! :wink:

But when has it been decided to limit the number of grav shield facilities to only one?

[Robo Dojo 58]

But when has it been decided to limit the number of grav shield facilities to only one?

Well, in the first X-COM, no matter how many grav shields you had, you could only repel ufos once. So I thought maybe X-COM bases were not allowed to use it twice, for some reason. I suppose that can always be changed in Xenocide. For example, if two ufos attack, you'd probably want two grav shields.

Sorry for being so presumptuous. I read the arguments over how many times the grav shield can be used, so I thought I'd give a reason if it could only be used once.

 

Baka, baka.

Edited December 16, 2003 by Robo Dojo 58

[fux0r666]

I have a suggestion on the general voice of the article. In order to make it a bit more professional and sciency-sounding, perhaps you could discuss the principal and mechanics of the phenomena (as you have done) but substitute your references to a space craft with the word 'object.' Then explain the practical applications and apparent hazards and shortcomings of the technology by referencing ufos or spacecraft or ships.

 

What do you think?

[Ancalagon]

I think well of it.

 

Anyway, after replacing my ethernet card and realizing it didn't work I moved it to another PCI slot and now my internet is working great again.

 

But that's off topic. I don't think the funding nations would limit use because of siesmic stress. I mean, if x-corps doesn't survive, they're all dead. So how is the once only thing going to work in xenocide? I need to know before I can rewrite the ctd.

[Cartesian]

I quite liked the way the grav shield "really" locked on to the elerium engine in the ufo, and "fought" with that. if thats the case then seismic stuff etc doesnt really apply. but good idea nontheless.

 

we could just make it so that a base can only haave one grav shield 'just because'. if we want to do better we could say that the grav shield consists of a power and control station (the thing you build which takes up a square) and numerous 'satellite' elerium gravity wave emitters positioned around the base (that take no room on the base screen) and if you built another it'd interfere with the working of the first.

[Robo Dojo 58]

Yeah, I agree that the seismic thing wouldn't work, with the way that the grav shield works. Having special sattelites might work. They shouldn't be outside the base, IMO. Maybe the grav shield could lift the "sattelites" to the surface, like the hangars do for the X-Corps planes. Dang, then you could still have as many wave emitters as you want. I hate finding good counters to my own arguments. :crying:

 

And, now to the topic of "Only one?"

Maybe the scientists found the maximum gravity field strength that was safe, and included it all in one facility. Elerium and powersources are small enough, that it could all fit. You could say two grav shields would create a second field so powerful, that the surrounding air would get sucked in. When both grav shields turn off, the air would expand to its normal size, causing a very big, windy explosion. (whoo! Gravity bomb! New X-Corps tech? )

 

"Only one?" argument 2:

I've noticed that there isn't a third field, to protect our satellites in orbit. Maybe you could say that it can't be done. Two fields would create gravity so powerful, that it would knock many satellites out of orbit. With how important satellites are for communication, the funding countries would ban anything that could harm them.

 

--Edit: Whoops, I thought you meant satellites in orbit. Changed.--

--Edit2: Tacked on to "Only one". Whoo, I'm just brimming with ideas. --

Edited December 18, 2003 by Robo Dojo 58

[Breunor]

Why only 1?

 

"Once the (gravity fields/folding properties) of the [grav shield] were stabilized, we worked on improving the system. Our first course was to see how many we could use at the same time, but remarkably there was no benefit. Either the fields are cancelling each other in a way we don't understand, or this property of [Xenium] must be manipulated differently. Future study might yield better results."

 

Just say it didn't work, and that's that. No reason for earth quakes or anything complicated.

[Robo Dojo 58]

Oh, I gave up on the earthquake thing. It didn't fit in with the CTD. My earlier post was about "What if 2 grav shields were too powerful?". Sorry if I wasn't clear on that.

Although, I like that idea better. It gives a nice sense of mystery. I guess X-COM can't be knocking the moon out of orbit after only a few months of study, huh?

[Cartesian]

when i said satellite facilities, i didnt mean things floating around in space, i just meant facilities not part of the main structure, slightly spatially removed from them.

 

i like bruenors idea of not explaining it since it seems like it might be hard to explain.

[Puasonen]

Are you 100% sure more than one grav shield in "ufo defense/x-com enemy unknown" is futile? I should test it but I have no saves that are so far so could someone please test this? I'm almost certain I've had more than one grav shield and they work as many times as I have had those facilitys.

[Breunor]

I'll PM Micah about that point Nyyp, I expect he would know. Unless he says otherwise, I would go on the basis that more than 1 doesn't work for now.

[Robo Dojo 58]

I've tried having two grav shields in DOS UFO, and the PSX UFO. It doesn't work. I based my arguments off of that.

If you want, I'll put up a save, with a base that has two grav shields, and an attacking UFO.

[Breunor]

Micah also concurs, multiple grav shields don't work. He's setting up a game to test it and will let us know for sure.

[Ancalagon]

If Micahs test proves positive, I have an idea that will hopefully please everyone. I'll post it as soon as I'm done rewriting it.

[Ancalagon]

Here it is:

 

EDIT: BTW, I think there is at least one run-on sentance.

 

The grav-shield uses xenium-122 to create a strong gravitational field which propels UFOs away from it's base. It uses a similar design to the xenium propulsion systems we have developed.A space-time warp envelopes the grav-shield facility and the air above the base, significantly slowing the movement of alien ships. Using this system, we can reduce even the largest UFO's speed down to 1/8 it's original amount. This allows a defense system ample time to re-arm and fire another round.

 

EDIT2: I used the 1/8 figure because the defense system is probably armed before the UFO comes and it's bound to take much longer to re-arm a weapon than it does to fire.

 

"During the early stages of research into grav-shield technology, we realized that we could not envelop the space-time warp generated by the UFO with another space-time warp. For some reason, the ‘fold' in space time created by xenium cannot be contained within another such fold. We realized this was similar to the way matter cannot occupy the same space as other matter. We used this property to our advantage by creating a sort of ‘space-time wall'. The alien ship has to slowly plow through this wall as long as it continues to generate the space-time field which is necessary for it's propulsion. The aliens' lack of ‘conventional' drives in their spacecraft prevents them from switching to alternate means of propulsion" - x-corps head scientist, in an address to the council of funding nations.

 

The grav-shield facility is relatively simple. A power source generates a nuetral space time field, which requires a negligible amount of xenium largely due to it's activation only when an enemy ship approaches. This nuetral space time field acts as a buffer, preventing alien ships from moving without massive effort. The grav-shield hardly even requires a control system, other than a hardwired set of instructions which tell the power source how to manipulate the xenium in order to generate the required space-time field.

 

Interestingly enough, there is no way to strengthen the field to slow down alien ships more than it already does. Creating more grav-shields or adding more xenium to the field only makes the shield larger, which is pointless because the shield is already designed to extend beyond the reach of our longest ranged weapons. Our science department recommends installation of exactly one grav-shield along with top of the line base defenses into any base where important operations are being carried out.

Edited December 23, 2003 by Ancalagon

[Breunor]

That sounds pretty good, besides minor grammar my only issue would be that the scientist tells the funding nations, all this info goes straight to you and perhaps a PR liason could relay some info. Perhaps it could say 'our funding nations will be pleased to hear that we are much more capable of defending our expensive bases...' or something like that. Otherwise it looks very good.

[Ancalagon]

I'll fix the grammar etc. as you can see, it was written in 30 minutes (I started writing after I posted that message) so I didn't really have time to comb through it and iron out everything that was wrong with it.

[Cartesian]

I'd change that 1/8th to "a fraction" as that is pretty specific and when spinning cr*p its best to be as vague as possible

 

I like your explaination of the "space time wall" and the rest of the supporting body. Very cool.

[Ancalagon]

thanks and good idea. . . I'll get around to editing it now. . .

 

Here it is:

 

The grav-shield uses xenium-122 to create a fold in space-time which slows down approaching UFOs. It uses a similar design to the xenium propulsion systems we have developed. A space-time warp envelopes the grav-shield facility and the air above the base, significantly slowing the movement of alien ships. Using this system, we can reduce even the largest UFO's speed down to a fraction of it's original amount. This allows any other defense facilities in the base ample time to re-arm and fire another round.

 

"During the early stages of research into grav-shield technology, we realized that we could not envelop the space-time warp generated by the UFO with another space-time warp. For some reason, a ‘fold' in space time created by xenium cannot be contained within another such fold. We realized this was similar to the way matter cannot occupy the same space as other matter. We used this property to our advantage by creating a sort of ‘space-time wall'. The alien ship has to slowly plow through this wall as long as it continues to generate the space-time field which is necessary for it's propulsion. The aliens' lack of ‘conventional' drives in their spacecraft prevents them from switching to alternate means of propulsion" - x-corps head scientist, in a recent progress report.

 

The grav-shield facility is relatively simple. A power source generates a neutral space time field, which requires a negligible amount of xenium largely due to it's activation only when an enemy ship approaches. This neutral space time field acts as a buffer, preventing alien ships from moving without massive effort. The grav-shield generator hardly even requires a control system, other than a hardwired set of instructions which are used to generate the necessary field..

 

Interestingly enough, there is no way to strengthen the field to slow down alien ships more than it already does. building more grav-shield generators or adding more xenium to the field only makes the shield larger, which is pointless because the shield is already designed to extend beyond the reach of our longest ranged weapons. Our science department recommends installation of exactly one grav-shield facility along with top of the line base defenses into any base where important operations are being carried out.

Edited December 27, 2003 by Ancalagon

[Puasonen]

Check this out ppl.. I have one guy on my side with this multiple gravshields thingy..

 

http://www.xcomufo.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3255&hl=

 

Check the last posts in this topic..

[Whitewashed]

Well, it would be realistic that 2 grav shields would double the repelling efficiency. Not that it makes a big deal in the game since 3 defences and one grav shield and 2 defences and 2 grav shields all equal 6 shots anyway.

[Cartesian]

Well, it would be realistic that 2 grav shields would double the repelling efficiency.

, I think the word you are looking for in place of realistic is conceivable.

 

How about we moot this until we get the game running and can test which scenario makes for better/'fun-ner' gameplay? (I know funner isnt a word, but my mad word skillz dont work well immediately after waking). I know there is something for making UFO the way it was made, but there are many ppl with conflicting opinions about what the reality of UFO was/is and what changes there are between versions.

[Whitewashed]

I've really always thought that grav shields are very stupid in UFO. The idea that a grav shield can fire after the cannons and push the UFO back so that all cannons can shoot again but the grav shield can't be used a second time. If it will slow down the UFO so that the cannons can recharge and fire a second time it's better. Anyway if you're able to fire fusion balls on the UFO the UFO should be able to fire back. I never liked the idea of extrenal defenses in a underground base anyway. The aliens should just land outside and the base defense missions could be 2 levels, first you could build some turrets to kill of the aliens rushing for the lift and then you'd kill off the ones that make it with your soldiers down in the base.

[Cartesian]

all good ideas for the lab, however we are recreating ufo in xenocidev1.0.

[Robo Dojo 58]

I've really always thought that grav shields are very stupid in UFO. The idea that a grav shield can fire after the cannons and push the UFO back so that all cannons can shoot again but the grav shield can't be used a second time.

Woah, woah. Dem's fightin' words, there. We're here to discuss how the grav shield will work, not bash it.

 

Hey, you just gave me a nifty idea!

 

I thought (years ago) that the grav shield works by taking those nifty engines of the Avenger, and pointing the business end at the UFO. A large Xenium reactor builds up a charge as the UFO approaches, and the first wave of defenses fire. After the first wave hits, and the reactor is charged, it blasts the business end of all those Avenger engines at the UFO. The UFO, pretty close by now, gets hit, and is flung back a good ways. The base defenses get a chance to fire again as the UFO prepares for a second run. The reactor would take an hour to cool and/or stabalize, so it can't be used twice against the same UFO. Because of strange reactions that occur when the engines are far apart (the gravity waves are neutralized)/too powerful (dangerous disturbances in the space-fold area) the base would be limited to [one] grav shield facility.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Turrets have been discussed frequently, as have two parter base missions. In the lab. Please take all discussions for v1+ things there please.

 

That being said, I feel that the "grav shield slows down ufo" to be a cooler and more sensible idea than "grav shield pushes ufo away"

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

There was actually a lot of talk about the grav shield between GreatGold, tzuchan, and myself during the development of the navigation ctd.

 

Basically, the idea that x-com sicentists spontaneously discover this 'repulsion ray' after building the avenger was just silly. It was suggested that the grav shield would work much better as a psionic disrupter of some sort, interfering with the alien navigation abord the approaching ufo. The ufo is forced to move more slowly to maintain control (the aliens have to concentrate harder to navigate), giving the defenses their second (third, fourth...) shot at it.

 

There was a thread made about it here last august.

 

-The Captain

[Cpl. Facehugger]

That is intresting, although we may have to call it Psi Disruptor or something similar.

 

Edit: Or how about the Psionic Waveform Nullification Device? (PWND!)

Edited January 2, 2004 by Cpl. Facehugger

[Robo Dojo 58]

Basically, the idea that x-com sicentists spontaneously discover this 'repulsion ray' after building the avenger was just silly.

It's not entirely silly. I'll try having a go at this one.

 

 

During the research and testing of the large gravity engines of the Avenger, our scientists made a startling discovery. They found that the large engines were able to control gravity waves for an incredible distance, greater than ever believed possible. The Avenger's engines were capable of generating and controlling a gravity field 10s of kilometers away from the craft, with no known limit. In theory, a large enough land-based Xenium engine could control gravity around an X-Corps facility, and protect it from attack.

 

The "Grav shield", as it's come to be called, was originally designed to protect X-Corps facilities from possible alien bombardment. Research into the alien fusion weaponry has cast a dark shadow over the safety of our underground facilities. If the aliens were to attempt any bombing run with larger versions of the fusion weaponry that we've come across, our bases' integrity would not hold. The original grav shield design would deflect these "fusion bombs", and hold the base together during attack. However, research into this design was put on hold, as testing has shown that an extremely powerful field was required to repel a device of any size, and the huge field of gravity would cause more damage to the surrounding areas than it would protect against.

 

This has led to a redesign of the grav shield. Sixteen* very large gravity engines are laid out in a precise pattern in a 10MX10M facility. They are capable of generating a very powerful and very long distance gravity disturbance, with a minimal net gravity, which is directed at the incoming target. This field inteferes with the alien propulsion systems, causing them to produce a fraction of their power. As well, considerable pilot control and engine resources are required to protect against the powerful tidal forces. This in return reduces the incoming target's speed logarithmically, slowing it to a fraction of its speed. This will allow our slower base defenses to fire at the target with a vastly increased chance to

hit, and will allow ample time to rearm the defenses to fire again, if the target is found early enough. The intelligent targeting computers lock out undesirable targets for these engines, such as rural areas, or the center of an X-Corps facility.

 

Unfortunately, controlling such a large number of these huge engines and keeping them stable stretches the limits of even the best of our Xenium engine pilots. The effect of having extra grav shield facilities active would be catastrophic, as the interference patterns that these engines cause to each other will make them impossible to control. The result would send uncontrollable and extremely destructive gravity waves everywhere, capable of crushing an X-Corps base. We have built in internal failsafes to shut down the field as soon as the second wave is fired, but be advised, that only one grav shield facility can be active within an X-Corps base.

 

As a side note, the tidal forces of the field also cause considerable water condensation in the air. This has led independent contractors of the funding nations to pursue possible weather control technologies using this device.

 

*Change 16 to a number that you feel is appropriate. I personally prefer a perfect square (4X4, 3X3) or a special shape.

[Cpl. Facehugger]

I still perfer PWND! Although yours is very good too...

[Cpt. Boxershorts]

I like it...it explains everything while saying nothing. That's the kind of high tech ctd we need!

 

Just out of curiousity, why the emphasis on limiting it to one per base? In the original, you could have as many as you could afford (I usually went with three grav shields and two or three fusion defenses). Since v1 is a remake, the player will be able to have multiple shields.

 

The baseview graphic for the grav shield has already been completed (see here). You should adjust your description to match it.

 

-The Captain

 

edit: typo

Edited January 2, 2004 by Cpt. Boxershorts

[Cpl. Facehugger]

Now you know why Robo Dojo is in the CTD, right Cap?

[Robo Dojo 58]

Just out of curiousity, why the emphasis on limiting it to one per base? In the original, you could have as many as you could afford (I usually went with three grav shields and two or three fusion defenses).

In the versions of X-COM that I've played, (UFO V1.4 and PSX) you couldn't use more than one grav shield in a base defense. My guess is that the European version did that to make it harder, and since I couldn't do it on the PSX, (or, at least I remember being disappointed about it) I assumed that's how it was supposed to be. -_-

Also, if you can have multiple shields, you'd then have to explain how they work together, and why you can't hold them off indefinately. (Cause 3 shields could work together without breaking a sweat, right? Just use 3 shields and one missile defense...) Then you'd have to explain why your defenses have so much ammo... A good sounding explanation would strain the talents of even the best of Star Trek "Scientists".

Okay, I checked out the grav shield facility, revision 1.2 coming very soon...

[Robo Dojo 58]

And that very soon is now! Here it is... Version 1.3

 

Gravity Shield Facility- V1.3

 

 

During the research and testing of the large gravity engines of the Avenger, our scientists made a startling discovery. They found that the large engines were able to control gravity waves for an incredible distance, greater than ever believed possible. The Avenger's engines were capable of generating and controlling a gravity field 10s of kilometers away from the craft, with no known limit. In theory, a large enough land-based Xenium engine could control gravity around an X-Corps facility, and protect it from attack.

 

The "Grav shield", as it's come to be called, was originally designed to protect X-Corps facilities from possible alien bombardment. Research into the alien fusion weaponry has cast a dark shadow over the safety of our underground facilities. If the aliens were to attempt any bombing run with larger versions of the fusion weaponry that we've come across, our bases' integrity would not hold. The original grav shield design would deflect these "fusion bombs", and hold the base together during attack. However, research into this design was put on hold, as testing has shown that an extremely powerful field was required to repel a device of any size, and the huge field of gravity required would cause more damage to the surrounding areas than it would protect against.

 

This has led to a redesign of the grav shield. A gigantic gravity engine is constructed within a 10MX10M facility. It is capable of generating a very powerful and very long distance gravity disturbance, with a minimal net gravity, which is directed at the incoming target. This field inteferes with the alien propulsion systems, causing them to produce a fraction of their power. As well, considerable pilot control and engine resources are required to protect against the powerful tidal forces. This in return reduces the incoming target's speed logarithmically, slowing it to a fraction of its speed. This will allow our slower base defenses to fire at the target with a vastly increased chance to hit, and will allow ample time to rearm the defenses to fire again, if the target is found early enough. The intelligent targeting computers lock out undesirable targets for these gravity waves, such as rural areas, or the center of an X-Corps facility.

 

Unfortunately, controlling such a large engine and keeping it stable stretches the limits of even the best of our Xenium engine pilots. The effect of having extra grav shield facilities active would be catastrophic, as the gravity wave interference that two engines would cause to each other will make them impossible to control. The result would send uncontrollable and extremely destructive gravity waves everywhere, capable of crushing an X-Corps base. We have built in internal failsafes to shut down the field as soon as the second wave of defenses are fired, but be advised, that only one grav shield facility can be active within an X-Corps base.

 

As a side note, the tidal forces of the field also cause considerable water condensation in the air. This has led independent contractors of the funding nations to pursue possible weather control technologies using this device.

[tzuchan]

The "Grav shield", as it's come to be called, was originally designed to protect X-Corps facilities from possible alien bombardment. Research into the alien fusion weaponry has cast a dark shadow over the safety of our underground facilities. If the aliens were to attempt any bombing run with larger versions of the fusion weaponry that we've come across, our bases' integrity would not hold. The original grav shield design would deflect these "fusion bombs", and hold the base together during attack

 

Err... Just one minor nitpicky problem...

What happens if the aliens haven't shown up with a BB Launcher yet (Or Grav-Imp Rockets if anyone's reading my CTs...)?

[red knight]

Mhhh good point... there is no requirement to have BB Launchers to research the Grav Shield.

 

Greetings

Red Knight