Well-Known Member
S T O R M C L O U D
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: To create a new countermeasure system for future submissions and role-playing.
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Canon Link: N/A
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PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Visanj T’shkali
Affiliation: Closed-Market / Restricted
Model: Stormcloud Emitter System
Modularity: None
Production: Semi-Unique
Material(s): Magnetic Field Generator, Ion Field Generator, Reinforced Duraplast Housing.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Ships using this system – when operating inside of a planet’s atmosphere – appear like a large storm system, several times larger than the actual vessel at the core, replete with heavy sporadic lightning, strong EMP/ion field-like effects (intensifying as one grows closer to the vessel), and a dense, dark cloud obscuring the ship entirely.
- Ships using this system – when operating outside of a planet’s atmosphere – appear to be a large ion storm moving through space, having the same qualities as said storms.
- Obscures vision surrounding ship, nestling it inside of dense stormcloud to appear as a storm moving through the sky when used inside an atmosphere, replete with lightning and thunder. The effects of this storm are an intense EMP/Ion field, which serves to disable, destroy, and confuse the instruments, propulsion, shields, guidance systems, and weapons of other ships inside of the ‘storm’ as well as blocking sensors’ ability to accurately scan inside of the ‘storm’ from outside of it.
- While in space, the ‘storm’ appears as a dense ion storm, moving through space. Its effects are essentially the same as a naturally-occurring ion storm, both disabling/deactivating/damaging to ships’ shields, instruments, navigation, weapons, and propulsion inside of it, and making scanning from outside inaccurate and difficult.
- Ships and weapons with sufficient EMP/Ion shielding and protection can penetrate the ion storm effect, continuing to operate as per normal. However such shielding needs to be markedly higher than the standard EMP/Ion shielding found commonly in use across the galaxy to be effective.
- Very powerful, dedicated scanners and sensors, like those found on select military-grade ships and installations may have greater success in scanner accuracy and penetration through the storm, however such sensor systems are rare and found only on the largest and most advanced ships, and even then must be specifically dedicated to the task which in many cases causes them to shift focus away from normal sensor operations.
- Ships using this system cannot launch or receive fighters or support craft while this system is in use, as ships of that scale simply cannot be adequately shielded against the effects of the ion storm, thus placing the crafts in question and their crews in danger.
- While using this system, a starship sees a diminished sensor range and effectiveness for its own weapons, slowed speeds, and conventional communications systems may be interrupted or disabled. This does not affect onboard stealth systems or other systems used within the vessel itself.
- Must be mounted aboard ships with significant EMP/Ion/Radiation protection levels far exceeding normal standard levels found in most starships or else risk wholesale and cascading deactivation, disabling, or damage to themselves.
Requiring 1 emitter for every one hundred square meters of hull surface, the Stormcloud system creates a powerful magnetic field around a ship, creating an effect akin to that of an intense ion storm around a starship which is generally 5-6 times the size of the vessel on which it is mounted. (Ex.: A 10km dreadnaught will appear as a 50km storm system, in which the vessel itself is in the center of this storm cloud.)
The effects are simple: In space, the effect appears as a dense and powerful ion storm, moving naturally through space. Inside of this storm, ships (other than the projecting craft) will discover their onboard systems (incl. guidance, navigation, avionics and control) to become disabled or interrupted. Communications may be disrupted, and propulsion, weapons, and shields may not function properly or at all. Further, intense lightning may be seriously destructive or damaging, placing approaching ships, missiles, and probes at grave risk to themselves and their crews/cargo. Inside of an atmosphere, the same may be found, however the storm cloud will appear more akin to a massive and ominous thunderstorm moving over the landscape of the planet below, and cloud-to-ground lightning, high winds, electrical interference, and thunder may be present and damaging to surface elements as well.
An attempt to scan inside of the storm cloud in either circumstance will be incredibly difficult and may be impossible for all but the most advanced and dedicated military-grade sensor systems, and to make possible such scans, those ships using such arrays will likely have to focus their systems entirely on this task, thereby diverting sensors away from normal operations elsewhere.
As a countermeasure, the Stormcloud makes the ship seem to ‘disappear’, enveloped inside a massive ion storm/thunderstorm, cloaking it from sensors and obscuring it from view, while generating a powerful field-like effect in the cloud which can render enemy ships inoperable, disabled, severing communications and disrupting or disabling various systems, leaving them vulnerable to attack and cut off from friendly forces. Additionally, enemy missiles or probes sent against the emitting vessel may become disabled and risk destruction from powerful lightning surrounding the ship, a feature which also poses a risk to starfighters and other small craft inside of the storm. Ion field effects can also weaken or entirely dissipate containment fields around energy weapons bolts or beams fired into the cloud.
Use of this system however, is not without risk or effect to the ship or ships using the Stormcloud. While engaged, the emitting ship may find itself slowed (generally by a factor of 30-50%); unable to access or enter hyperspace due to ion interruptions; energy weapons may be less potent or find their range diminished; and sensors and conventional communications may experience disruption or diminished range also by as much as 30%. A useful tool for avoiding or negating enemy detection or assault (particularly by swarming fighters or volleys of missiles), it is not to be used lightly given the dangers apparent to the emitting ship. It should be noted that emitting ships also cannot launch or receive support craft or starfighters while the system is engaged without placing those ships at the same risks of those ships which may be approaching it. However, while engaged, emitting ships – unlike other ships which may be caught inside or enter the storm – do not suffer loss to internal systems such as navigation, internal communications, guidance, avionics, etc. and the effects felt by emitting ships are usually one half the effect felt by enemy ships.
