Loop of Kon Garat

Navigation Stage

Summary

The Loop of Kon Garat is an annual race set in Hebridan space and sponsored by the largest corporation on the planet, the Tech Con Group.

Details

The Loop of Kon Garat is an annual race set in Hebridan space and sponsored by the largest corporation on the planet, the Tech Con Group. The winning pilot is awarded a lucrative contract with Tech Con's deep space explorations project. The winner's ship has to not only arrive first, but arrive intact. There are few rules for the race and sabotage and disruption of other competitors' ships appears to be an acceptable tactic. The Loop consists of four distinct stages - defence, navigation, manoeuvrability and speed.

The defence section includes laser cannons which detect movement and attack each ship. The drones stop firing if a ship becomes disabled, though the drones can be destroyed by participants' weapons.

The navigation stage has the ships flying into the sun's chronosphere. Made up of ionised gases, it intermittently affects communication and navigation equipment. Special shielding is required to fly through what is basically a thick layer of translucent plasma. The heat is so intense that it can vaporise ships. The radiation can be partially blocked by lowering blast shields.

Ship's manoeuvrability is proven in an asteroid field of ice. The size of asteroids range from minor shards to huge pieces the size of large buildings.

Finally, speed is required throughout the race but especially during the final stage. Engine boosters, such as an Ion Propulsion can be fitted to give the ships greater speed.

Coyle Boron (one of the race commentators) has won the race twice.

The 59th Race

The race which Carter takes part in as co-pilot to Warrick is the 59th and she is the first alien participant in the Loop. Only ten ships took part in the race, which La'el Montrose won.

Known pilots and ships in the 59th race: