Kyrana Gould
Admiral
Image Source: HERE. Image from game ‘Zeta Fighters’.
Intent: To create a revision of an old type of technology, the Molecular Shield. The Molecular Shield, which strictly speaking would not need a tech sub due to it having been approved on SWRP and being canon, is being submitted here regardless so that its appearance and powers are properly set out. As a powerful variety of shield, these powers, strengths and weaknesses are vitally important to ensure that no writer feels as though they are in the dark.
Of course, the shield is not a magic bullet, and as will be seen it actually has some significant drawbacks which make its use far from automatic. It should be noted that this incarnation of the shield is very different from the canon application.
Development Thread: YES.
Manufacturer: Firemane Research & Technology
Model: SSC-AS1
Affiliation:
Modularity: No
Production: MInor
Material: Standard shielding components. Additional energy receptors to manage and direct absorbed power safely.
Description:
The molecular shield is a piece of technology which has been around since at least the time of the Galactic Empire. In that case, the Emperor had used it to protect and power his machines and techno-beasts for his own twisted ends.
An application of such a shield on a warship was not a new concept, and the Silver Jedi had realised this with the Will of the Force, but there were significant obstacles which had to be overcome before it could be reliably used on a mobile warship.
The greatest strength with a molecular shield is that it not only dissipated energy on impact, it actually absorbed it. This was great for a small application, but for a warship it caused considerable problems. These problems are:
- Diverting this power safely to other areas of the ship.
- Preventing a massive amount of damage from causing an overload in the ship’s reactor. This would be akin to a dam not being able to spill fast enough to prevent itself being flooded.
- Ensuring that the buildup of heat inside the shield did not cause delicate components or the hull to warp. In other words, preventing the ship protected by the molecular shield from being roasted by its own power.
To solve these issues, a Colossus Reactor is absolutely vital. This provides a storage area for the absorbed power to be collected and redistributed safely. To use a water analogy, this reactor acts as the tank collecting the ‘rain’ so it can be used later.
With the power safely stored, it can be directed to a number of places to assist the ship, though only one at a time:
- Shields: Increase shield regeneration.
- Weapons: Increase power of ship borne weapons which use such power.
- Engines: Increase speed and agility.
A sudden influx of damage however, can overload the system. In these cases the power must be quickly vented, or the molecular shields must be deactivated. Both require a bit of anticipation from the crew, but the failsafe of the shielding device is to shut down when it reaches a certain amount.
What This Shield Can Do:
- Absorb some of the damage taken by the ship’s shields and allocate it to other systems on the ship in the next round. In basic terms it allows one of the following in the next round if the ship sustained shield damage in the previous round:
Shields: +5% regeneration. - Weapons: +5% damage output.
- Engines: -2 to speed and manoeuvrability (ie making it faster and more agile).
[*]Vent excess power from the ship through the engines.
[*]Operates as a regular shield for a ship.
What This Shield Cannot Do:
- Absorb all damage, or provide an extra shielding aside from the normal shields.
- Store up power over subsequent rounds or building up over several rounds.
- Be active when special weapons are firing or when ships are being launched/recalled to the hanger.
- Operate when the shields are down, or on the round they are first recovered.
Primary Source: Whilst the Will of the Force has a Molecular shield, this writer did not realise it until late in the piece. Still, it’s safe to note that this write is aware it was used there, and provided a reassurance that the technology was allowed.
OG Section:
Affiliation: Open Market
New Section:
Affiliation:Open Market Firemane Industries & Technology & closed market to approved buyers only.
Affiliation: Open Market
New Section:
Affiliation:
