[FT] New Israel - Re: National Differences (Long)

Finally having read the 'Official' FT history (and being mildly shocked
at the 2183 condition of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv) my interests lie (as
might be expected) with New Israel, which I see little info about (other
than its enmity with the Islamics and occasional merc involvement -
which, by the way, I don't think would be in national character) after
the development of the TK drive and establishment of the colony. I've
begun thinking about developing the history of NI more, but don't want
to retread anything that's already been done (officially or otherwise).
Following is a series of somewhat scattered thoughts about NI.

Two things I'm sure about - 
1) After surviving two attempts at total annihilations in a single
century, you know the national mantra of NI is "Never Again," And the
technology and methods of the NI fleets will be geared that way. 
2) Some of the most radical fringe is going to expend resources (and
lives) on living in the heart of the Israeli nuclear wasteland - to keep
the homeland occupied until the inevitable return from the "Second
Exodus".

My initial thoughts about NI world(s)
	- Politics: Friendly with NAC, source of significant monetary
donations and trade resources from remnant communities.
		Neutral towards NSL, OU, and FSE and most minor powers
		Cool with ESU and IC due to continuing alliance with
Japanese
		Cool or Warm to PAU depending on its relationship with
IF
		Hostile to IF
	- Policies: Aggression by NI is only justified if it feels its
safety threatened (though definitions of 'threat' and 'safety' vary
within the NI government). NI reacts swiftly, viciously, and finally in
defense or retaliation. It will not attack civilian population, but it
will excise any active military threat it can find, no matter where it
hides. It sometimes acts pre-emptively, but only after long and careful
internal deliberation and assessment of the cost in lives and resources,
and the ripples it will cause in its foreign relations (usually not
visible to the outside). _Something_ will have been learned from the
political history of Old Israel on Terra. 
	- Planets/bases are heavily (to the point of paranoia) defended.
New Israel itself (defended by bases and the bulk of the NI fleet at
most times) would require a substantial part of a major power's fleet to
take out. It is theorized that the entire IF fleet en mass could do it,
but at a steep price.
	- Ships stress long range weapons (Class 3 beams) and close-in
protection (armor or hull strength and class 1 beams/submunitions).
		Most heavy NI ships are purchased decommissioned NAC and
NSL hulls, massively refitted. Most of these ships have had FTL removed
and guard the home planet and colonies. These comprise about 33% of the
NI fleet
		Lighter ships (Escort cruisers and below) are native
design. Many utilize homegrown tech (see below). About 33% the fleet are
fast raider types, another 25% are slower and heavier designed to secure
and hold areas of space for the short to medium term. The rest of the
fleet are a scattering of light fast scouts/couriers, spyships, and
patrol ships of various public and private designs.
		Rumors occasionally surface regarding a supership under
construction in a secret location. Its purpose is unknown, though
sometimes it is associated with the name "Retribution." Sources differ -
some deny its existence, some swear they have seen the construction
facility, others believe it is a false lead away from other secret
projects, and still others believe it is a disinformation campaign
designed by enemies of the state to stir up distrust of NI.

I also dreamt up a new ship tech specifically for NI that I really want
to playtest - Stealth Tech.
This is actually an offshoot of my stab at Minbari Stealth tech from the
B5 universe work in FT - so it could be applied there too. I see it as
this:

PSB: Stealth hulls and systems prevent lock-on by targeting systems,
though blind firing is always possible. The effect is to reduce
effective firing range of enemy weapons.

Stealth Hull - comes in 2 levels and makes a ship harder to hit. Mass
same as partial and full streamlining. Cost is double. Stealth level 1
reduces enemy  range bands by 1/4. Stealth level 2 reduces range bands
by 1/3.  Same vs. Fighters (i.e. fighters need to be within 4" to attack
a stealth 2 ship). Enhanced sensors tied with Firecon reduce stealth
level by 1 for weapons guided by that firecon, Superior sensors by 2.
Stealth also effects detection. Stealth hulls are passive and the effect
can't be lost by threshold checks. SSD symbol: Black Hexagon next to
Damage track.

Stealth System -  Mass as screen of same level, cost 2x screen.
Threshold checks as any other system. Otherwise same as Stealth Hull.
SSD symbol: Unfilled hexagon represents each stealth system (1
system/level) Extra systems beyond 2 serve only as backup.

Note: If current balance holds, Stealth hulls are more economical for
ships of Mass 42 and below, and equal or less mass for ships of Mass 32
or below. Stealth systems are cheaper for ships 48 mass and above and
equal or less mass for ships of Mass 33 or above (though they still have
the threshold vulnerability).

Stealth Fighter - Stealth fighters are +12pts/group and are the same as
Heavy fighters except for PSB. Super-Stealth (Stealth level 2) fighters
cost +24pts/group and act as having Screen 2 vs. PDS/ADFC/other
fighters. 

Play effect: NI will choose more Class 3 beam weapons and try to keep
encounters long distance, where they can fire and the enemy can't. This
forces the opponent to stay far away or come in close quickly.

Balance: If too weak, change level 1range band reduction to 1/3, level 2
to 1/2 or reduce cost
	If too strong, Increase cost and/or mass of stealth system
and/or hull

NI does not have a significant sponsored merc force. It does hire/loan
out some of its resources at times - primarily in the intelligence
gathering arm. Mossad spyships are quite popular  (e.g the  Ayin or
"Eye" Series).
Ayin: Mass 37, Weak hull, Stealth 2 Hull, Superior Sensors, Thrust 6,
FTL, class 2 beam, 1 FC, 1PDS, 2 Armor, Cost 156)
Ayin Katan ("Little Eye"): Mass 21, Fragile hull, Stealth 2 Hull,
Superior Sensors, Thrust 8, FTL, class 1 beam, 1 FC, 1PDS, Cost 101)
Eynaim G'dolim	("Big Eyes"): Mass 60, Weak hull, Stealth 2 System,
2xSuperior Sensors, Thrust 4, FTL, class 1 beam 2xclass 3 beam, 2 FC,
5PDS, ADFC, 6 armor, Cost 226)

These are first thoughts, in any case. I'd love to refine the ideas (and
playtest the tech).

Noam R. Izenberg		noam.izenberg@jhuapl.edu