- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Ok, this probably isn't as hot an issue as "Forerunner = human" or "where did Halsey go?" theories but here's my theory on how, exactly, the Covenant plasma torpedos work. Before I begin, I must mention that although they are called "plasma torpedoes," they neither resemble 'plasma' nor 'torpedoes' (in most cases, at least):
- Frigates have 1 plasma turret
- Destroyers have 3 plasma turrets
- Cruisers have 5 plasma turrets (I believe carriers have five as well - I know they have 2 or more at least)
- Flagships have 7 plasma turrets
- From what we've seen in the books, the Covenants plasma is observed as 'collecting along their lateral lines'.
- Also from what we know, the Covenant has a tendency to waste some of the plasma from this supposed process.
- I'm guessing the lateral lines are where their turrets are located, probably on the fore of the ship. It is also my theory that the plasma collects from all the turrets and is then collected into one plasma torp...and then discharged. This is exempt, of course, when one or two of the turrets are damaged.
- There are a few times we have seen ships capable of firing multiple plasma torps at once (the Ascendant Justice and also the carrier during the battle with the PoA).
- We have also read about two different sizes of plasma torps; we've read one plasma torp as being a measly 5 meters in diameter and then on Reach, we saw plasma torps with a diameter of 100 meters.
- We know also how Cortana was able to completely change the very nature of their plasma.
- We also know that the plasma is contained in an electro-magnetic bubble which is then herded by subsequent pulse charges to its target - there is an example when a plasma torp was even able to make a 180 degree turn and continue to pursue the Iroquois.
- We know as well that the Covenants plasma torps can accelerate to c-fractional velocities.
The ease with which cortana is able to completely change the very nature of the plasma as well as the variable sizes and destruction would lead us to believe that it is possible that the Covenant have multiple options when it comes to the creation of their plasma. It's my theory that the Covenant can control how many torps they want to fire or if they want to fire just one or using all of their turrets. I also believe that they can control the amount of plasma in those turrets as well. This leads to my theory that the Covenant has control of the yield of their plasma torps.
Here are two examples concerning the nature of Covenant plasma that leads me to my next theory:
1. Now, there are a couple of examples given where a plasma torps EM bubble was disrupted by the destruction of its ship. When this occurs, the plasma then somehow loses its volatile nature and dissipates into a relatively harmless cloud.
2. Coversely, there are a couple of examples where the Covenants plasma torpedo has stayed its course even after the destruction of its home ship.
The difference between these two examples?
- in example number 1, the loss of the EM stability occurred in ship-to-ship battles.
- in example number 2, the maintained stability of the plasma torpedo, even after its ships destruction, was when targetting a stationary target such as the planetary bombardment of Reach.
- concerning example 1: even though plasma torps are usually able to completely destroy most UNSC ships, there are examples of the Covenants plasma disabling a ship (Commonwealth) or completely melting 7 whole decks of a UNSC ship (Iroquois).
- concerning example 2: during the battle of Reach, a Covenant plasma torp was able to completely melt a SMAC which is much larger than any UNSC ship.
These examples lead me to my theory that the smaller a plasma torp, the lesser its yield (this one is a no-brainer, really). Also, the lesser the yield, the greater control, velocity, or all around manueverability. However, with this extra manueverability comes the risk of losing the plasma torps cohesion once its ship is destroyed.
Coversely, the larger plasma torp gives the Covenant greater yield, EM integrity even after ships destruction but a loss of manueverability and control.
What do you think?
I neglect to mention exact quotes or pg numbers - though if you have a question, I can provide evidence or ammendments.
Edit (already!) - It should also be mentioned that when firing on a stationary target, Covenant ships have only discharged one torpedo at a time.
[Edited on 7/14/2004 11:48:08 AM]