Transporters

Transporters (TL9^)

Transporters function by rotating a subject out of normal space into subspace (dematerializing) where they interact very weakly with normal matter. The subject is then projected along a guide-beam at near light speed to the targeted location along with an encoded burst of information and energy called the transport pattern. At the targeted destination the transport pattern and guide beam interact and the subject is rotated back into normal space (rematerialized). Transports are blocked completely by shields.

At no point is the subject intentionally converted into energy or separate particles, this is a myth created by misunderstanding the terms of dematerialization and rematerialization.

Transport can fail in a wide variety of ways, due to its complex and highly energetic nature. At tech level 9, when transporters are first introduced, they have significant difficulty transporting live subjects and such actions have a -5 penalty. This is solved at later tech levels and transporting live subjects has no appreciable penalty.

Time

A transport takes one minute to prepare, and the dematerialization/rematerialization process takes an additional 10 seconds. The transport can be prepared ahead of time and kept ready indefinitely as long as the operator keeps it continuously ready. Time spent rules apply normally.

Range

A transporter an optimal range of 2,500 km (1,500 miles) at TL9, 10,000 km (6,000 miles) at TL10, 40,000 km (25,000 miles) at TL 11, and 160,000 km (100,000 miles) at TL12. Every 10% increase in range adds -1 to Electronics Operation rolls, up to 100% (-10).

Capacity

Each transport pad is rated for a certain number of persons or cargo. General conversion rate is 1 person per 500lbs of cargo capacity.

Skill Use

Transporters use the Electronics Operation/TL (Transporters) (IQ/A) skill. On a success, the transport happens as intended. On a failure, the transport is either aborted or transports the subject to the wrong location. On a critical failure the subject can suffer injury or death, roll on the transporter critical failure table.

Modifiers

Transport Live Subject -5 (TL 9 only)

Every 10% of optimal range past optimal. -1