Nova Bomb

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A Nova Bomb is a type of nuclear fusion weapon strong enough to momentarily disrupt gravitational fields. When detonated inside a star, such a weapon can cause a nova. They basic mechanism of the weapon is not fully understood except by a handful of scientists working for the Gudersnipe Foundation. Various other civilizations have attempted to reproduce the technology, and have been met with very harsh reprisal from the Foundation.

Production

Nova weapons are extremely difficult to produce. Building them requires either the use of super-heavy elements, or a level of precision not easily achieved. Building a simple "nuclear-type" nova weapon follows the same basic principles of an implosion bomb, but requires the uranium be replaced with an element whose atomic weight nears 5,000. While such materials can be produced in super colliders and very small quantities (typically measured in atoms per year), this method is still beyond the reach of most civilizations.

The second method, using extreme precision, requires a fairly standard conventional atomic weapon (N1.5) manufactured to extremely precise standards (far beyond those of even N2). A more potent fuel source is still required than plain old uranium, and the fuel is mixed as an alloy. Nanoscale robots must assemble both the primary and secondary from the molecular level. Only the absolute purest materials can be used, even a single errant hydrogen atom can potentially cause the bomb to "fizzle".

The key to a successful detonation also lies in the sequence of the detonators, which must compact the core in a very particular way so that exotic forms of matter are created in the center. The sequence itself, called a "nova formation" is also a closely-guarded secret.

Deployment

Nova weaponry is very seldom issued within the Foundation. If used in a fleet, typically only the flagship will carry them. When placed in the field, these weapons are used either as a deterurent or in areas where it is felt strategic weapons may be needed. In the entire history of the Foundation, only a very small handful of nova bombs have been used.

A nova weapon is among the few ship-board weapons that cannot be deployed at the captain's direct order. It is the only weapon that requires the agreement of four separate officers: the captain, first officer, tactical officer, and arms master. An admiral cannot directly order a nova launch, and the captain can lawfully disobey a direct order to fire a nova weapon. A captain cannot, however, lawfully disobey a direct order NOT to launch one.

Usually, it requires an order from the Blind Consul to make a weapon available, then authorization from multiple Supreme Commanders in order to release the launch code. Gudersnipe School, which has four supreme fleet commanders, requires all four to be in agreement before codes can be made available. However, it is indicated that in a pinch, most Instructors are able to bypass this process.

Damage

The primary target for a nova bomb is of course a star. Even detonated above the corona, the temporary reversal of gravity will be enough to trigger a catastrophic explosion. Despite what the name implies, this is not technically a "nova" by astronomical definitions, but invariably results in complete devastation of the solar system all the same. First, an immediate, massive ejection of coronal mass will occur. Much of this material will then fall back into the star, triggering an even greater eruption. In observed test detonations, this is enough to shed the outer layers of the star into space, vaporizing any solid materials within at least 30 AUs. In five released nova test deployments, the result was a nebula.

When use on a planet, the actual damage(on a planetary scale) is relatively minor. While the gravitational field holding a rocky planet together will be temporarily disrupted, there is usually not enough force imparted to to separate all of the mass. On a habitable world, this will still destroy all life and severely damage if not outright destroy the atmosphere.

Use against starships has never been tested. The primary function(temporary gravitational disruption) would have very little effect as spacecraft are generally not large enough to rely on naturally-generated gravity fields to hold themselves together. The explosive force released by the detonation, however, would certainly destroy most super-capitol ships at sufficient ranges.

Secondary Effects

The detonation of a nova weapon away from a star or planet still has an adverse-effect on gravity. It has been noted that at a few of the proving-ground tests, even a bomb detonated in the outer solar system effected the orbits of planets in the inner system over the long-term.

The larger problem is the emission of tetrodiaphin radiation; a highly exotic form of beta particle unique to nova deployments. Since the adverse-effects of these particles are usually insignificant compared to the explosion of a star, they are not generally regarded as a serious concern. However, deep-space tests of nova weaponry have indicated that tetrodiaphin radiation is extremely long-lived and dangerous to living tissue, as well as being able to penetrate most naturally-generated magnetospheres. As such, even an outer solar-system detonation could cause an extinction-level event to any planets in a star's habitable zone.