The Rebel Faction

Outer-Rim R&D #10

Model (Abridged): Mk. I Graviton Detector, Design Scheme No. 4

Designation: Supplemental Starship Sensor; Auxiliary Targeting Engine

Research Board: Undisclosed – Bureau of Sovereignty Intelligence

Production Rights: Outer-Rim Drive Yards [All] – Secondary Distribution Restrictions Undefined (Military, Commercial, and Otherwise)

Components:
1.) System Core, Primary Interface; Unit [3’ 3’ 5’], 5th Vacant Expansion Block (Standard)
2.) Secondary Interfaces, 3; Unit [1’ 2’ 3’ Min.], 1st Bridge, 2nd-3rd Optional, Varies
3.) Reception Mounds, 3000 Nodes per, 2000+ (Varies with Vessel); Unit [1’ 1’ ½’ Overall], Varies (Equal Distribution)
4.) Integration Circuitry, –Battle Charts –Star Charts –Weapon Systems –Maneuvering Systems; Unit [Length Varies], Primary Line Conduits
5.) Static Relay Link, Linear Transmitter, 6+ (Varies with Vessel); Unit [2’ 2’ 3’ Overall], Varies (Equal Distribution)

Scanning Radius: Standard

Conventional methods of detection beginning to pale in comparison to the stealth technology rapidly reaching the assembly lines of its enemies, the Outer-Rim Sovereignty now must respond to the call for greater efficiency in the sensor capabilities available and “standard” to the vast majority of its fleets. While several previous attempts to remedy the crisis have failed, shown to come up short to the contingency safeguards of the opposition, these unintentional investigations of trial-and-error have gone to forge a new method of detection unhampered by existing masks.

While the system utilizes the newest innovations in engineering to gather and communicate its data, the technique of the collection is untraditional in its own right: the mapping of gravitational fields. Omnipresent in average conditions and, for all intensive purposes, uninfluenced by the behavior of the electromagnetic spectrum, if pinpointed to even an inexact area a graviton, when viewed with clusters of others, can shed “light” on what light cannot.

Recent advances in precision probing and surgery, though making it relatively easy to identify specifics in the attitudes of gravitational energy, can only provide sloppy, convoluted sketches of the fields that form. This information, what is received from the negative pressure calculated to pull on super-sensitive “nodes” contained in environments otherwise cleansed of natural exertions, and then applied to various algorithms detailing the known behavior of gravity, can be simplified, however, by applying the gravitic knowledge of pre-identified bodies of mass. The gravity signatures of nearby celestial bodies and vessels, for instance, can be discounted using the resources of star and battle charts, resulting in a clearer picture of the objects masked from conventional sensors. And, all the while, additional data is obtained from hidden targets employing unstable forms of gravitational masking. Due to the primary need of limiting recognition by means of the electromagnetic spectrum, a “bent space” method usually results in these vessels to bypass the latter while only hoping to bypass the former, leaving a significant loophole: when blotting-out the effects of electromagnetic sensory pulses, slight but detectable distortions surface in the seemingly nonexistent field of gravity (suspected a result of unaccounted for activity). Therefore simple devices equipped to the “mounds” of each node collective rapidly fire and scatter photons to locations inadequately touched by the light of nearby stars.

A final map is then produced by the system incorporating imprecise (albeit with a margin of uncertainty hardly greater than that of standard sensors) but accurate locations of objects hidden from primary scanners, which is then transmitted to weapon systems – automated or manned – and viewable separately or with the combined data of all probes.

Data of any step of the process can be transmitted to other starships capable of receiving standard transmissions, but in the form of more localized – and therefore defendable – signals. Information is sent in the form of “linear transmissions,” broadcast signals a great deal more concentrated, with the advantage of being easily lined with anti-jamming frequencies, however with each “beam” needing a specified target rather than a range. Every array is capable of maintaining such links with as many as 2,000 other vessels, multiple arrays connected to the same receiving target when possible, with blind spots resulting only when a direct line of contact cannot be established from any array of any transmitting starship.

Status:
Research – 20 Days, 12/2
Post-Production Installations – 5 Days, 12/7