Ship's Computer Software Clarification

[LiminalMask]

I did quick search but couldn't get a definitive, clear answer. Sorry if I missed it somewhere.

Is computer software such as Jump/x or Fire Control/x required to perform jumps or fire turrets, or simply to allow the computer to do so in the absence of a PC or NPC to do the job? I assume the latter, but the rules aren't clear to me.

Thanks.

 

[Icosahedron]

In CT LBB2 they are required. I haven't read MgT that closely yet, but since it's based on CT...

 

[saundby]

The Jump/x software is required to do a jump of up to Jump x, in addition to the characters with Astrogation and Engineer (jump drive) skills. To replace the engineer and astrgator you'd have to have the appropriate Expert programs as described in the Equipment section entry on software (pg 92). IOW, the Jump/x program doesn't do the job of the astrogator and engineer, therefore you can't do without it just because you have an astrogator and engineer (hopefully that makes sense.)

The rules don't state it clearly, that's for certain. But the Jump/x software is pretty much the interface between the astrogator, the engineer, and the ship for executing a jump.

Fire Control/x is something else. It isn't required. A character can run a turret without a Fire Control program. The Gunner skill applies. The Fire Control program can give a DM to a human-controlled turret, or it can act as an Expert Gunner program to control a turret autonomously. This is briefly described in the software description (page 113) and in more detail under Space Combat (pg 146.)