Build:Separation Systems
8.3 Separation Systems
Several of Star Fleet’s most advanced ships have the capability to separate one or more parts of themselves from the main section of the ship. This offers numerous safety and tactical advantages.
If a ship has a separation system, it’s important to note the location of every power source, weapon, and other crucial system. That way you can determine the capabilities of the discrete sections after they separate.
(Klingon: The Klingons employ two types of separation systems: the detachable forward module; and the detachable bridge module. They have not, as yet, installed detachable warheads on any of their ships (preferring to simply ram the entire ship into the target), and do not have access to multivector assault mode technology.)
(Romulan: Generally speaking, the Romulans avoid separation systems (though they covet the Federation’s multivector assault mode technology, which they have already tried to steal once). However, some of their ships do have a command hull separation feature, which functions identically, in game terms, to saucer separation.)
8.3.1 Saucer Separation
Cost: 1 x Size; 0.5 x Size if no self-reattachment capability
Power Requirement: 10 Power when used
In emergency situations, some ships have the ability to separate into two discrete units, each with its own systems. This is typically known as saucer separation, since it most often involves separation of a saucer module (such as the one on the Galaxy class ship) from an “engineering” or “stardrive” or “battle” section. This allows civilians and other persons to leave a dangerous area while the engineering section of the ship remains behind to deal with the situation.
A separation system occupies 1 x Size in SUs. Detached ship sections should usually be bought as atmosphere-capable (though not planetfall-capable).
A saucer section must have its own Computer, Impulse Engines, Navigational Deflector (if warp-capable), and Cloaking Device (if applicable). The same rules for ablative armor for ships with multivector assault mode apply (see below). Otherwise, most systems bought for a ship with saucer separation apply to both its “subvessels”; you don’t have to buy them twice. In some cases—such as crew quarters, cargo holds, tactical systems, IDF, and auxiliary power generators — you should divide the system among the two sections (usually by percentages based on how the ship’s Size divides), or assume that one section has the main system (or one of the main systems), and the others lesser “substitutes” (for example, only one section has a full sickbay; the other typically has a first aid station).
Typically, a saucer only has an impulse engine, auxiliary power, and emergency power systems. Therefore it cannot afford to activate shields or use many (if any) weapons. However, since its primary purpose is to get crewmembers and passengers to safety, not to fight, Star Fleet regards this as acceptable. If it serves the dramatic purposes of the story, the Narrator can allow the saucer to activate shields anyway.
If a saucer cannot re-attach to the engineering hull on its own (i.e., it requires a spacedock or similar facility to do so), saucer separation only costs 0.5 x SUs.
8.3.2 Nacelle Separation
Cost: 0.5 x Size
Power Requirement: 3 Power when used
Nacelle separation is used with certain warp shuttles (such as the Class H) to allow them to dock with capital ships without difficulty. It costs 0.5 x Size in SUs. Separating the nacelles, or re-attaching the ship to the nacelles after separation, takes two full rounds and constitutes a Timed Action for the Helm; while performing this action, he can take no other actions. Once separated, the nacelles remain stationary, while the shuttle proceeds on impulse power only.
8.3.3 Multivector Assault Mode
Cost: 2 x Size
Power Requirement: 10 Power per round for 2 rounds
Available: 2375
Beginning in 2375, Star Fleet introduced a new form of ship separation technology known as multivector assault mode (MVAM). An MVAM system allows a ship to split into three separate sections, each with its own systems. An MVAM system occupies 2 x Size. A ship with MVAM may use the SU allotment for a ship 2 Size categories larger without increasing its own Size (this is necessary to install all of the redundant systems required for MVAM use).
Most systems bought for a ship with MVAM apply to all its “sub-vessels”; you don’t have to buy them three times. In some cases—such as crew quarters, cargo holds, tactical systems, and auxiliary power generators— you should divide the system among the three sections (usually by percentages based on how the ship’s Size divides), or assume that one section has the main system, and the others lesser “substitutes" (for example, only one section has a full sickbay; the others typically have first aid stations). Computers, all warp propulsion system components, Impulse Engines, Navigational Deflectors, Cloaking Devices, and TA/T/TS are an exception to this general rule. Each sub-vessel needs its own warp drive or cloak, for example (in most cases, these systems should be the same type in each part of the ship—each with a Class 7/M warp drive instead of two or three different types of drives—but this is not required, only recommended). The MVAM system includes hardware and software which “links” these systems together to increase their effectiveness when the ship links together. The ship must buy them (including their subsystems, like acceleration upgrades) three times. When the ship links together, the best of the three systems applies to the whole ship; however, for purposes of power generation, each impulse engine counts as a separate system (the warp engines typically link to form one unit, and so do not generate power separately).
Special rules apply to shields. Buy shields one time for the entire vessel. When it separates into three parts, each part has the equivalent of a shield with maximum Protection for a shield two classes less than the entire ship’s shield. The subspace field distortion amplifiers are reduced in effect by two classes as well, or to the class providing exactly one-third Threshold for the reduced Protection, whichever is less. The shield grid and recharging or regeneration system do not change.
If it has ablative armor, when the ship separates, each section has an amount of ablative armor equal to the overall ship’s total (for example, if 430 of the ship’s 1000 points of ablative armor have been blown away, each section has 570 points of armor). Once they separate, each section’s armor can suffer separate damage. When the sections recombine, average their ablative armor totals to determine the overall ship’s remaining armor.
A third exception is tactical systems—beam weapons, missile weapons, stored missiles, other weapons, and TA/T/TS. These must be bought individually and their location noted so that when the ship separates, the offensive capabilities of each section can be determined. This also applies to transporters and tractor beams.
If a ship with MVAM has a cloaking device, the section containing the device must be indicated on the Starship Template. That section and any sections attached to it are covered by the cloak when the crew activates the device. Sections not attached to that section are not covered by the cloak.
8.3.4 Detachable Warhead
Cost: 0.5 x Size
Power Requirement: none
Available: 2367
One of the tactical systems developed by Star Fleet in response to the Borg incursions of the late 2360s and early 2370s was a detachable warhead system. A detachable warhead is a small section of a ship which detaches from the main body of the ship and can move under its own power. It is laden with one to six torpedoes and is designed to explode upon impact with an enemy vessel. A character can remotely steer a warhead, but it also has room for a pilot in the event one is deemed necessary. A warhead is equipped with its own miniaturized impulse drive, equivalent to a Class 1 impulse engine.
Typically a detachable warhead is built into a pre-designed “notch” at the forward end of the ship (the Defiant class class Heavy Escort is the best-known example of this). After the warhead is used, engineering crews can install another one at a starbase. Use of the warhead does not change the “parent” vessel’s Size or other characteristics.
A detachable warhead system costs one-half the vessel’s Size in SUs. It includes enough space for one person and two torpedoes. Up to four more torpedoes may be installed in the warhead at a cost of 1 SU (total).
8.3.5 Klingon Detachable Forward Module
Cost: 1 x Size
Power Requirement: none
Source: Ship Recognition Manual, vol. 3: Klingon Empire, p 11
The Klingons frequently build their ships using a “winged shaft” configuration, in which a central shaft attaches to a main hull that flares out to the side to form wing-like pylons for carrying nacelles or weapons. On some vessels, such as the Vor’cha class Heavy Warship, the forward end of the central shaft holds a detachable forward module. This module typically contains the ship’s largest disruptor cannon, and often a torpedo launcher (or other weapons) as well. If necessary, the ship can detach the forward module; this requires a Timed Action by any officer, but does not involve a Test. The detachment process propels the module a few kilometers forward of the ship; any attempt to target it at something specific requires a Challenging (10) Shipboard Systems (Tactics) Test.
Detaching the forward module has two effects. First, by lightening the mass of the ship, it provides a +0.1c increase to Sustainable and Maximum impulse speeds (maximum of .95c). Second, the ship can rig the detached module to explode, either on command or when it comes into proximity with other ships. The explosion does 50 points of damage for every rating of the module’s largest disruptor array (for example, a module with a Type 10 array does 500 SUs damage; one with a Type 12 does 600 SUs damage). The explosion affects all ships in a 1 MU radius. An officer must use a Timed Action to detonate the module on command, or to establish conditions for automatic detonation, but this does not require a Test.
8.3.6 Klingon Detachable Bridge Module
Cost: 2 x Size
Power Requirement: none
Source: Ship Recognition Manual, vol. 3: Klingon Empire, p 11
The Negh’Var class and some other ships can detach their bridge modules, which have the ability to maneuver under their own impulse power. This allows the command crew to escape the destruction of the ship, or sometimes to make a sneak attack against an unprepared enemy. A detached bridge has the equivalent of a Type 3A impulse engine for purposes of maneuvering. This impulse engine, along with auxiliary and emergency power equivalent to those of the full ship, provides power for life support, flight, weapons, sensors, and the like. The detached bridge should be considered to have systems equivalent to those of the full ship.
8.3.7 Taurhai Detachable Segments
Cost: 1 x Size (per detachable segment)
Power Requirement: 5 Power to detach each segment
Source: Ship Recognition Manual, vol. 5: Ships of the Romulan Star Empire, p 7
Some Taurhai ships can detach one or more of their segments (including the command hull), with each segment having the ability to maneuver under its own impulse power. This allows at least part of the crew to escape the general destruction of the ship, or to perform various unusual combat maneuvers.
A detached segment has the equivalent of a Class 4 impulse engine for purposes of maneuvering (or the impulse engine indicated as being part of itself in the Starship Template). This impulse engine, along with one auxiliary power generator and one emergency generator, provides power for life support, flight, weapons, sensors, and the like. The detached segment should be considered to have systems equivalent to those of the full ship, except where the Narrator feels this would be illogical.
A ship may detach a segment and then lose it due to an accident, destruction in battle, or the like. If this occurs frequently enough, it may reduce the ship’s Size for combat purposes until such time as the it can replace the lost segments.