                              Command : PARADROP

 SYNTAX:
   [##:##] Command: 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 com-
plete mission for one or more transports and escorts taking off from one place
and  returning  to  base at the end of the mission.  Note that if the SLOW_WAR
option is used, you cannot paradrop on sectors belonging to a nation  you  are
not at war with. (see info relations)

<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.

                              Command : PARADROP

<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 sec-
tor.

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.  Paratroops, due to
their vulnerability and lack of heavy equipment,  count  only  1/2  in  combat
against the ground troops in the target sector.

                              Command : PARADROP

The enemy gets whatever mil he has in the sector, plus the defense  values  of
any  units  which happen to be there. Unlike attacking, defending units do not
get to react into the sector, and there is no  offensive  or  defensive  fire-
support, nor do mines help.

If you win, then the target sector is yours and you  capture  any  commodities
and  planes  which happen to be there, although it is probable that any planes
will be damaged by their ground crews before capture.  Hardened missile  silos
are always destroyed prior to sector takeover.

If the SLOW_WAR option is enabled, you will not be able to paradrop on a  sec-
tor  owned  by a country you are not AT_WAR with, unless you are the old owner
of the sector.

See also : plane-types, bomb, fly, para, drop, recon, relations

