(http://www.geocities.com/djoos5/pn.jpg)
The following information is given for game mechanics purposes only:
Paulson Nebula
Location: in the area of Zeta Alpha and Sentinel Minor, which registers 82 percent dilithium hydroxyls, with magnesium and chromium as well.
Type: Class-C
Hazards: The nebula can be both benign or dangerous to starships; within it ships have been known to register sensor ghosts or to have no sensor function at all; communications are limited to relative short ranges; warp fields can deteriorate within its gases causing ships to drop out of subsapce, sometimes with disastrous results; and Ion Storms may rage at times within its bounds.
Notes: For a long time the nebula has been a hide out for pirate ships and rogue merchants moving contraband. From Star Trek canon, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D took refuge there in 2370 within its sensor-confusing material from the renegade Borg.
Mechanics: The following will be necessary if the Columbia enters the Paulson Nebula:
1- Engineering will need to make a TN 13 Systems Reliabilty test for Warp Propulsion for every 6 hours of warp travel; failure will bring the ship crashing out of subspace with results to be determined
2- Communications are limited to 200,000 KM range and require a Sys Ops TN 15 test to achieve
3- Shields will require a Sys Ops TN 13 for each 3 rounds of Starship combat or each 5 hours of travel to activate and maintain
4- Sensors will be erratic and sensor 'ghosts' are prevelant; any sensor tests will require an additional +5 to the required TN
Note: The Paulson Nebula is 4 light years across where you guys are passing... so at the new speed of Warp Factor 2, that will equate to over 4 months to cross.
The following time will be required by Warp Factor:
WF 4- 5.4 Days (22 RT*)
WF 5- 4.8 Days (19 RT)
WF 6- 4 Days (16 RT)
WF 7- 2.4 Days (10 RT)
WF 8- 1.6 Days (6 RT - but this speed will require more Reliabilty tests for the ship)
*Reliability tests
The Reliabilty TN will not change for the Warp Field integrity, but the potential hazards that may occur will be based on the speed of the ship. higher speeds will obviously cause greater harm to ship and crew if the ship 'falls' out of warp.
Degree of Success will also play a factor in the tests. A series Marginal Success (only) results will reduce the propulsion reliabilty in the following manner.
MS 1: No change
MS 2: -1 To Reliability Test
MS 3: -2 To Reliability Test
MS 4: -3 To Reliability Test
MS 5: -5 To Reliability Test
MS 6: -7 To Reliability Test
MS 7: -9 To Reliability Test
MS 8+: Decrease negative modifier by -2
(http://www.geocities.com/djoos5/miranda1.jpg)