                              Command : PARADROP

NAME
   paradrop - Attack a sector from the air

Level: Expert

SYNTAX
   [##:##]% 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.

<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 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.

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

