Hello all,

Evyn MacDude provided the information that

>1. "MT had a convoluted method of over running the drive."

I believe that the above refers to Digest Group Publications 872 MT Starship Operator's Manual Vol. 1 Maneuver Drive p. 3 Related Topics:

"Lateral Thrust: Since the output of a drive falls to 25% when providing lateral thrust, it would seem that a 4G maneuver drive is requires for a starship to hover above the on a planet with an 1G field. In fact, because a starship obtains full thrust directly aft, hovering is often done in a nose-up attitude."

"Lateral Thrust: second paragraph last sentence: By gradually shifting the direction of thrust, a hovering starship can slowly "fall" forward and settle into a horizontal (that is, lateral) landing position."

"Pushing the Drive Limits 1st paragraph 2nd sentence:Using overdrive is the most common way for a ship with a maneuver drive less than 4G to hover in a lateral attitude, rather than a nose up position.

"Pushing the Drive Limits 2nd paragraph 2nd sentence: The plates may be overdriven by up to 40% for extended periods of time (days) with few harmful effects in the overage is skillfully done.

"Pushing the Drive Limits 3rd paragraph: On the other hand, overdriving the plates by up to 400% (as in the case of an 1G ship trying to do a lateral hover at takeoff or landing) takes the utmost care, and can only be done for brief periods of time (under 5 minutes)."

"Game Rules For Starship Operations" are on the last seven pages of the book. There are three pages for "Normal Space" tasking flow chart. The details in lateral thrust and pushing the drive limits sections do not impact the calculations used to determine how long it takes to reach orbit.

Comparing the Starship Operating Procedures in GDW 0213 Imperial Encyclopedia pp. 92-93 and the Starship Operator's Manual Vol. 1 process does not, that I can find, mention how exactly surface to obit is achieved. Nor does the rules indicate how to handle the overdrive of the maneuver drive.

Getting back to Christopher Sean Hilton original question:

"As a GM, if you would permit the players to over boost their drive by 20%, what penalty would you extract? I'm thinking that the time at 120% normal counts as double time towards this ship's annual or something similar?"

Other than the hint from MT I do not have an idea on how to handle problem. I will also admit to being lazy and go with what is or not covered in the rule books.

Tom Rux