                              Command : PARADROP

NAME
   paradrop - Attack a sector from the air

Level: Expert

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
complete  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

