                              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 to carry the paratroopers to the tar-
get sector.  Only planes with capability para and sufficient  mobility,  based
in  a  sector  stocked with petrol and military, will be successfully selected
for the mission.

<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 or an ally, or you or an ally must have a ship  there.   It  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.

Paradrop missions can be intercepted just like any other  mission.   See  info
"Intercept".

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  "Attacking" 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, Attacking, Mobility, Combat, Planes

