- OrderedComa
- |
- Noble Member
Posted by: Orphius_Rex
Posted by: chickenlittle
I forget where, but I'm certain one of the novels had a quote about what is necessary for successful Slipspace travel. Aerodynamics is a minor role, as there is no atmosphere in space. Shape only matters if it affects the structural integrity of the vessel. That only leaves mass as the biggest factor. As for those Banshees, environment sealing isn't going to do a whole lot to give it more mass. More importantly, where would they fit the Slipspace drive on board the things?
Maybe they slingshot them into Slipspace using the surgical[1] slipspace drives the covenant have. Using larger ships as catapults makes sense, and doesn't require Bungie to shoehorn in a crappy reason why the Banshees can.
A more in-depth explanation of my thoughts:
The Modified Banshees have pods on their wings, like the ones in Halo Wars, so we can assume that they are high power energy weapons, so the Banshee will have to have had an increased output power supply, not only to fire the cannons, but to also provide Life Support for the pilot.
We know nothing of Forerunner/Covenant Slipspace drives, maybe they can be compressed in to a small space, so as to be portable. If the small Slipspace Drive can be fitted on to a Banshee instead of the Banshee Bomb launcher, which is not used[2] in LNoS, then maybe the power supply could generate enough power for a short range jump of one, maybe two Astronomical Units, so that the Pilots can disengage from whatever it is they're doing and investigate a disturbance that doesn't require a Corvette or larger ship.
This opens up the questions: "Why weren't the Slipspace enabled Banshees used Prior to Reach?" and "What's wrong with sending a few Seraphs?"
First Question: The Banshees are just being tested, or more likely, being "run into the Ground" as the newer and better Seraphs are being used. For the second theory to work, you have to understand that the Covenant is big, therefore it will take time to teach new Pilots (Engineers not so much,) and to produce and distribute the Seraphs around the entire Covenant Armada. The fleet that attacked Reach is one of the last to receive the new Seraphs, and they are sending their Space Capable Banshees out to be destroyed.
Question 2: Using the last sentence from the previous question as an example, and some knowledge, we can answer this. Everything in the Covenant is dominated by one thing: Power, and the acquirement of it. If you are a low rank, you have to listen to and obey your superiors, even if it means going to a certain death. From this we can infer that the Banshee Pilots are redundant due to the Seraphs and their pilots being more combat effective, and the Banshee Pilots are being sent as cannon fodder, much like Unggoy are in ground engagements. Seraphs are more valuable to this particular fleet commander, as he may have just received them, and does not want them damaged unless necessary.
I only find one problem with this, in that Seraphs are not "new," and the only way to get around this is to say that the Fleet attacking Reach has only just received it's Seraph complement, but this idea is debunked almost instantly by the fact that the flagship is one of the largest Covenant Vessels.
Bear in mind these are the ramblings of an insomniac...
[1]: I don't recall where, but the Covenant do not "tear" a hole in SF space, but cut one with almost scalpel like precision.
[2]: Correct me if I'm wrong, it's just I didn't see any Banshee Bombs.
Also, if you don't know what SF space is, read you lore some more.
Orphius
I'm kinda using your idea and suggestions as a base here, Orphius.
It could be that the Space Banshees serve more as fighter support for the Seraphs, just like the latter sometime serve a support role to Phantoms. The Banshees are slightly faster and a little more nimble than the Seraphs, so this could a viable possibility, plus it's one more type of fighter you can field.
And the Covie capitol ships "catapulting" the smaller ones somehow makes sense. I really like the idea of the micro Slipsapce drive for short jumps like in Reach would make sense to, that way you can send fighter support ahead of your battle group to try and soften up the defense a bit before you arrive, or to get the enemy fighters distracted so that you can arrive and not have them instantly jumping all over you even if you have the element of surprise.