Warp Chunnel
Overview
Chunneling is the process where a chunnel initiator (usually a Firecloud Class Cruiser) creates a temporal rift in the subspace time continuum. This rift is a maelstrom of tachyon energy formed in the shape of a tunnel.
To open a warp chunnel the initiator needs to have at least 50 KT of fuel. then change friendly code to the Ship ID number of a chunnel target (ususally another Firecloud). This causes a targeting subspace signal to be generated. The initiator then projects a stream of accelerated tachyon particles that cause a rift in the subspace time continuum. The generation of this high energy beam uses up 50 KT of fuel from the initiator. This rift is anchored to the chunnel target.
Once the chunnel is generated the initiator moves into the chunnel. This causes the chunnel to collapse. As the chunnel collapses it pushes the initiator and (assuming it's not a chunnel self) any other starships that were at the same point in space along in front of it as it collapses. This movement expends no fuel on the chunneling starship(s), since they are being pushed along by the collapsing chunnel (subspace temporal rift).
Side Effects of chunneling
Needless to say, traveling through a high energy rift comprised of tachyon particles can have an adverse effect on your starship systems. Any starship completing a chunnel will exit subspace with its shielding systems inoperative. The chunnel, in effect, strips the starship(s) of their shields for that turn. By the next turn the shielding systems will be functioning again.
How to initiate a chunnel
To start a chunnel, as stated above, the traveling (or initiating) ship needs to set its friendly code to the ID number of the chunnel target. Both ships need to have their warp factor set to zero (0), and the minimum distance must be 100ly. If the warp factors are not set to zero or the either of the ships are under tow, the chunnel will not occur.
For ID numbers 1 to 99 place leading zeros in front of the number. I.E. 001, 023, 099.
Chunneling happens as part of the movement phase of the host. It is the last segment of the movement phase. So it is possible for starships to move TO the initiator (assuming it can chunnel others) before it chunnels and then move with it, shutting down the warp systems during the chunnel.
Cloaked starships moving through a chunnel will remain cloaked.
Foreign ships chunneling
A ship belonging to a race other than the race of the initiator opening a chunnel at the same point in space as the initiator must have a warp speed of 0, be cloaked, out of fuel or have a friendly code that matches the friendly code of the ship opening the chunnel to enter the chunnel (way point setting does not matter). The chunnel ship's race can enter the chunnel at any warp speed as can cloaked ships or ships with matching friendly code belonging to all races.
If fleet of enemy ships that warp onto a planet that is hiding an initiator with its chunnel engaged only the enemy ships with a warp speed of 0 will enter the chunnel. The only ships that can move onto a planet with a warp speed of 0 are ships that are being towed. None of the ships that moved their under their own power will enter the chunnel, but any ships that they are towing will.
A ship may not initialize or be the recipient of a chunnel if ANYSHIP with fuel locks a tow beam on it, the warp speed and waypoint setting of the ship locking the beam does not matter.
