Oolite Bulletins

Lave Academy OXP


(the non-shader version from my laptop, with apologies to Griff)

Introduction

With the increasing popularity of its flight training courses, Lave Academy have expanded their operation and introduced a new orbiting station offering three new advanced courses. These are available to new pilots, but are also open to existing graduates of the Academy who would like to sharpen up and refresh their skills.

Lave Academy Orbital Station

Unsurprisingly, this can be found in orbit around Lave in Galaxy 1, just beyond the edge of the security zone of the main station. It is a large structure, visible from the main station (it is roughly at right-angles to the station-planet axis, use a side-view and roll your ship to locate it) or by following "A" on your Advanced Space Compass where fitted.

Due to its nature and purpose, the orbital station is fitted with a new prototype docking system to assist trainee commanders. All they need to do is fly into the blue glowing area at the centre of the station and automatic tractor beam systems will guide the ship into the docking bay safely. Alternatively docking computers may also be used where fitted.

As it is an academic establishment, trading of all forms (except for the purchase of witchspace fuel) is not allowed (especially trading in trumbles). In lieu of the normal marketplace, the station offers three training courses and tests (sub-games) via the F8 screen. Once selected, all the commander need do is launch and the relevant course buoy will hail you. Approach the buoy and the test will begin.

The station is also well guarded by the Academy Security patrol, using a small fleet of Viper and Viper Interceptor craft. They do not take kindly to pranks and offensive behaviour, from students or graduates alike.

Gunnery

Always a popular course, the "shooting gallery" as it's colloquially known features fifteen target drones which are launched from the buoy in sequence and which must be destroyed in the fastest possible time. They are grouped into three levels of five, with each level's drones being faster, more agile and difficult to hit.

The test will finish once all drones have been destroyed, or the player leaves the course area (the buoy must remain on your scanner at all times during the test). Each drone has a maximum lifespan of 30 seconds after which it automatically self-destructs. Your best time on successful completion of the course is also noted.

Piloting

This course is designed to test the commanders skills in ship control and astro-navigation. After the test is initiated, you will be hailed in sequence by a number of other buoys which must be approached. These buoys form a 3-dimensional course to be followed. To make things more interesting, the course also contains a number of asteroids which must either be avoided or destroyed (at a cost of a 2 second time penalty each).

Also appearing randomly around the course are some rings. If flown through these offer a 10 second bonus to your time. The course ends once all seven buoys have been approached and you have returned to the main buoy. Again the test is against the clock, and your best time is recorded.

Docking

The final and arguably most tricky test is docking. Once the course has begun, three sets of three drones are launched in sequence, each of which must be successfully flown through to pass.

The first set are simple rings, designed to familiarise the commander with the test. The second set are more tricky, with inserts being placed in the rings of gradually decreasing size (the last drone on level two has a gap equal in size to a standard docking port). The last set also have the docking gap insert, but rotate at gradually increasing speed over the set. The final drone has the same rotation as a standard station, so truly simulates a normal docking experience.

Each drone must be traversed within a 3 minute time window or else it will self destruct and the test continue on with the next one. And the main test buoy must be kept on the scanner at all times or else the test will be aborted. To make things easier all second and third level drones have green glowing indicators (christened the "trail of breadcrumbs" by students) marking the ideal central line through the drone to assist in craft alignment. The drones are also orientated at right angles to the main course buoy, which can be used in lieu of the normal navigation buoy at the main station.

Known issues and notes

• The station is currently not compatable with player ships featuring turrets (e.g. the Caduceus) due to the bug in Oolite v1.72.2 (same issue as with the Fuel Station). Any attempt to dock using one will probably result in a space bar moment.
• Take extra care with the docking test, and fly slowly. The drones are solidly built, and collisions are easily fatal.
• To prevent distracting messages appearing, if the Planetary Information System (Welcome Mat) is fitted to your ship, it is temporarily disabled at the beginning of each test. Upon completion of the test or it being aborted, the system is re-activated automatically.

• Coding and scripting by Thargoid.
• Shaders and skinning of the main station by Griff.
• With thanks to PAGroove and Lestradae for play-testing and ideas.

Kaks wrote:

I had a similar problem with the startup event (mission variables cannot be reliably accessed from that event) I managed to find a workaround way back then, though! .....It's been a while, so I'll need to double check my code... I'll have a proper look this evening & will post back then!

this.startUp = function()
	{ 
	  // one time only code.
	  this.reset()
	}

Thargoid wrote:

Will also look at squashing the mission variables for new Jamesons issue, and will up the drone lifetime to 60s.

Eric Walch wrote:

I think 40 seconds would be enough as it only were a few seconds I missed on those occasions.

1. with score < 16 (ie ranked harmless or mostly harmless).
2. with only pulse lasers as front weapons (if I can find a working way to check the equipment, I guess a hasEquipment check for EQ_WEAPON_PULSE_LASER_FRONT?).
3. without fuel injectors.

Thargoid wrote:

with only pulse lasers as front weapons (if I can find a working way to check the equipment, I guess a hasEquipment check for EQ_WEAPON_PULSE_LASER_FRONT?).

  if(player.ship.weaponRange == 12500)