Command : PARADROP

Expert

[##:##] paradrop <TRANSPORTS> <ESCORTS> <SECT> route|destination

The paradrop command is used to sneak troops behind enemy lines, or to drop in unawares on lightly-defended enemy islands or outposts. It represents a complete mission for one or more transports and escorts taking off from one place and returning to base at the end of the mission.

<TRANSPORTS> represents a list of planes which can carry commodities. Only planes which have a transport capacity, belong in a sector which is stocked with gas and military, and have sufficient mobility will be successfully selected for the mission. Only planes with the para ability may be used for paratroop missions.

<ESCORTS> represent a list of fighter planes which are capable of escorting the transports all the way to the target. To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.

<SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector. The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.

Route is a normal empire path specification. You may also give a destination sector on the command line, or at any time while giving the route, and empire will use the best path from the current sector to the desired destination sector.

If the planes manage to fight through enemy air defenses and arrive on-target, each transport in the mission will be shot at by any guns present on the ground. Surviving transports will drop the paratroops they carry, which will attack any enemy military occupying the target sector.

See info Attack for the exact procedure. The sector being air-assaulted will have exactly the same reaction to being conquered as if it were attacked by land.

Note that a plane must be at least 40% efficient before it can leave the ground.

See also : bomb , fly , drop , recon , Attack , Mobility , Combat , Planes