Plague Ships

[Timerover51]

This idea came up in another thread: Pondering Another "Traveller as a Setting" Concept.

Does Traveller have any official rules covering plague ships, either in the Imperium or one of the other polities in the official rules. I know that with respect to the Virus, there are ways of dealing with infected ships, but I am looking at more of the biological plagues.

 

[Grav_Moped]

This idea came up in another thread: Pondering Another "Traveller as a Setting" Concept.

Does Traveller have any official rules covering plague ships, either in the Imperium or one of the other polities in the official rules. I know that with respect to the Virus, there are ways of dealing with infected ships, but I am looking at more of the biological plagues.

The primary threat from Annic Nova hit a lot differently in 2020 (due to covid) than when it was first published...

Which is to say, typical player character actions (in the 1980s) would have likely resulted in mass casualties on multiple worlds. However, typical referees (also in the 1980s) would not have realized this, and as such those mass casualties "would not have happened".

 

[kilemall]

2300 had quite a bit on Orbital Quarantine Command, a shoot first policy to prevent biological threats to the earth.

 

[gchuck]

One of the early issues of JTAS I think had an Amber Zone about a plague. But it might have been planet bound.

 

[Condottiere]

1. In principle, quarantine in space is pretty simple.

2. In practice, ensuring that a spacecraft does not dock, nor land, anywhere, until the issue is resolved.

3. And, ensuring that decontamination measures are enacted on all personnel and goods are enacted at any point of entry.

4. One reason, smuggling is illegal.

 

[kilemall]

1. In principle, quarantine in space is pretty simple.

2. In practice, ensuring that a spacecraft does not dock, nor land, anywhere, until the issue is resolved.

3. And, ensuring that decontamination measures are enacted on all personnel and goods are enacted at any point of entry.

4. One reason, smuggling is illegal.

Any kind of reasonable quarantine runs smack into the typical free trader one week port cycle.

Direct planetary landings would be a no no, or at least you are sitting on that pad for a few days.

And then there is the issue of whatever disease might have been incubating within cold berth passengers or animals.

Assuming you want to retain the traditional jump/trade frequency, that would mean potentially curtailed shore leave, a lot of net/radio trading/contracting, and fast load and go last 48 hours.

The better the starport the more off ship quarantine/inspection services can speed the whole process.

Planets have their 10D territory so their customs/health service may be docking for inspection prior to allowing transit to up port much less down port. Extrality starport authorities may handle a lot of that but again likely a function of starport quality.

Counter pressure to facilitate trade especially in the OTU means a lot of barriers will be limited and time streamlined processes. But I can’t see just a wave on through shirtsleeve Acapulco jet vacation being the norm.