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					*FLAK MOD*
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					Version 1.1

Created by Ice Heart
Using .tbl files extracted from FreeSpace 2, created by Volition, published by Interplay
(there, that should take care of all the legal stuff:)

Included in this zip file:
Heavy Defense (a simple, easily completed mission which tests all the modified ships)
weapons.tbl (replaces Subach HL-D with Mini Flak, a modified version of Standard Flak and replaces Hornet D with Mini Flak Mk II, a modified version of Mini Flak designed for use in secondary weapons)
ships.tbl (Edits Ursa, Medusa, Osiris, Alastor, Ankh, Belial, and Seraphim so that Mini Flak is set as default turret weapon.  Also includes a new ship, the GTVXB Thor, a modified version of Osiris.  See below for details)

To use mod:
Place the ships.tbl and the weapons.tbl in the FreeSpace2/data/tables directory.  Thats all there is to it:)

To play test mission:
If you wish to play the simple test mission, place it in the FreeSpace2/data/missions directory.  Then play the mission from the Mission Simulator is the FreeSpace 2 Tech Room.

This mod consists of editted ships.tbl and editted weapons.tbl.
The aforementioned .tbls have been modified so that the turrets on the Ursa, Medusa, Osiris, and Seraphim can carry a slightly modified version of the Standard Flak cannon which can be mounted on capital ships.  This modified flak cannon replaces the Subach HL-D (the dogfight variant of the Subach HL-7) with a weapon designated the 'Mini Flak'.  I selected these ships since they have turrets.  Also, the mod contains a GTSG Alastor, GVSG Ankh, and SSG Belial modified to have their primary weapons defaulted as the Mini Flak (NOTE:  Only two of Belial's four turrets have been changed.).  This makes these sentry weapons a real threat instead of little more than target practice.  The mini flak has slightly slower rate of fire than standard flak and does less damage as well.  However, it is far more effective against enemy ships than the previous weapons mounted on the bombers' turrets were.

Also in the ships.tbl, there is a modified version of the GVB Osiris, designated the GTVXB Thor (Galactic Terran Vasudan Experimental Bomber).  This bomber uses the Mini Flak Mk II as a secondary weapon.  I intend to use the experimental bomber as a heavy defense platform.  It is little changed from the original Osiris, the only differences being that it is slightly faster and slightly longer and was created by cooperation between Akheton and Triton Corporations.  

Feel free to modify this further or include it in other mods, just remember to give credit to yours truly:)

Mini Flak tech room brief (NOTE:  these may be slightly different from the tech room briefs in the .tbls, if there are any differences assume what you see here to be the most recent version):
The Mini Flak cannon is a modified version of the standard flak cannon found on most all GTVA ships of cruiser class and above.  The Mini Flak has been developed in response to the increasing use of the aging Medusa, Ursa, and Osiris designs.  In the wake of horrendous losses of Boanerges, Artemis, Bakha, and Sekhmet bombers in the Shivan attack on Capella, these old bombers are being brought out of mothballs or pulled from quiet garrison posts for front-line duty once again.  To make matters worse, the GTVA's primary manufacturing facilities for the aforementioned bombers were in Capella.  These facilities and most of their tooling were destroyed by a Sathanas juggernaut shortly before the Capella Supernova.  Thus, the Alliance has had difficulty replenishing its supply of modern bombers.  In a time were the GTVA is besieged by hard-line NTF remnants, pirate groups taking advantage of weakened GTVA military to raid commerce, Shivan forces which ran the Vega and Epsilon Pegasi blockades of Capella, and a resurgence of the Hammer of Light not seen since the peak of the Great War; the Alliance needs bombers more than ever.  In answer to it, the older designs have see renewed usage.  However, the older and generally slower and less maneuverable designs are also much easier prey to hostile pilots.  In response to this, GTVA Research and Development has created the Mini Flak cannon.  Designed to be mounted on these older bombers' turrets, the Mini Flak provides a lehal defense against enemy pilots whom are inclined to take advantage of the traditionally weak rear defenses of these bombers.

Mini Flak Mk II tech room brief:
The Mini Flak cannon Mk II was developed shortly after the successful deployment of the Mini Flak Mk I.  It was created in response to a demand for a pilot controllable flak weapon to give a bomber even greater anti-fighter capability.  The Mk II fires its rounds in a more accurate stream, does greater damage, and has a larger blast radius.  However this comes at the expense of a slower rate of fire, decreased range, and an increased payload size with much more limited ammunition.  To help compensate for the lower rate of fire, GTVA R&D has created a burst system wherein the weapon will fire four rounds if set on single fire mode and eight if on double fire.  Though not as effective as a continuous stream would be, this helps ease the problem of the lower rate of fire.  Nonetheless, preliminary tests have been promising, though combat field tests will be the true test of the weapon.
CAUTION:  Do NOT use the Mini Flak Mk II at extremely close range, its blast area can cause damage to your vessel at close range.

GTVXB Thor tech room brief:
The Thor is another collaboration of Terran and Vasudan development.  It is not a new ship in the sense of being a new design, it is little more than a modified Osiris bomber.  However, it is very different from its cousin.  The Thor is slightly larger and slightly faster than the Osiris.  Also, it has greater secondary weapons capacity and is the only GTVA vessel currently able to carry the Mini Flak Mk II.  The Thor was borne of lessons learned in the aftermath of the Shivan attack on Capella.  In combat, some Shivan bomber designs proved themselves to be lethal not only to capital ships but to smaller ships as well.  An example of this is the Nahema, which could outrun every bomber in the GTVA and most fighters as well.  In response to this, the GTVA R&D has initiated a radical program to redesign bombers to be more effective against fighters as well as fulfill their traditional bombing role.  With the Alliance's numbers of Boanerges, Sekhmet, Bakha, and Artemis bombers badly depleted by the heavy fighting in Capella and the shortage further worsened by the destruction in Capella of the primary manufacturing plant of these bombers, R&D has begun retrofitting the older bombers which are now being brought out of mothballs and garrison duty to fill the gap  If combat tests of the Mk II are successful, then GTVA Research and Development will begin work on modified Medusa and Ursa bombers along the same lines as the Thor.

Known Bugs/Limitations:
The Thor and both Mini Flaks do NOT show up in the tech database despite having been flagged as such.
The Mini Flak Mk II does NOT show up in the loadout customization screen if you choose to customize your loadout.  If you alter any of the banks where the weapon is positioned, you won't be able to put it back should you change your mind.

If you wish to contact me with any problems/suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me at:  

vasuda_prime@hotmail.com

I have rattled on for long enough.  I hope you enjoy using this mod as much as I enjoyed making it:)  Now go trash some Shivans!

-Ice Heart  