                              Command : PARADROP

 SYNTAX:
   [##:##] Command: paradrop <TRANSPORTS> <ESCORTS> <SECT> route

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 you  cannot  para-
grop on sectors belonging to a nation you are not at war with. (see info rela-
tions)

<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.

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.

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.

                              Command : PARADROP

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

