Escorting convoys

Perhaps something like the following rules for convoy escort scenarios
would
sort things out.

1.  A ship may screen the convoy ships (much as a fighter group screens
a ship)
  for incoming fire.  (The screening ship must be within 3? inches of
the
  convoy ship, and have a greater thrust rating, for manuevering)
2.  Any fire directed at the convoy ship requires an extra dice roll by
the
  screening ship's owner.  (Who must choose which ship to roll against -
you
  can't screen against a swarm of ships)  If the number rolled is 5+ any
hits
  inflicted are scored on the screening ship.  You may not roll if the
firing
  ship is on the opposite side of the convoy ship.
3.  If the screening ship is physically between the firing ship and the
convoy
  ship, then a +1 bonus is applied to the screening roll.

This reflects the carefully manuevering required to place a screening
ship
in the right place to take the hits for the convoy.  As well as
encouraging
such manuevering on the players part (to get the bonus) and not
affecting
the points cost of anything :)

And a little note.. this should not affect the firing of salvo missiles,

its hard enough to hit the ship that you want to anyway - and any escort
worth a damn should be able to help with the ADFC and PDS anyway.

I hope that all sounds sensible.. as I don't get the chance to play test
any of my ideas,

--
Colin Plummer
Planet Online, UK