

The following material is an adaptation of the starship design from
MACROSS 7, a sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became
Robotech here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it
as you see fit. All I ask is that you give proper credit to the author and
do not claim that it is your own work. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
RIVIERA-CLASS MARINE RESORT VESSELS
(Version 0.8
- Last modified: Friday, 18-Jan-08 02:59:01 PST)
RPG Stats by DANIEL HENWOOD
(dhenwood@hotmail.com)
Background text by DAVE DEITRICH
(deitrich@mcs.net)
Background info provided by the
MACROSS ONLINE COMPENDIUM

BACKGROUND
The Riviera Resort Vessel is one of the most advanced civilian vessels ever designed for UN Spacy colony missions (outside of the New Macross city vessels). The colony ship is shaped like a giant spiral seashell and contains an artificial ocean surrounded by over 10 km of simulated beachfront property. The ocean provides the citizens of the colony fleet with a wide variety of water sports, including swimming, yachting, surfing, jet skiing, and trolling. Artificially generated waves of varying strengths produce areas of shoreline that are calm or choppy to suit the tastes of the vacationer, while the life support systems keep the temperature of the vessel at a pleasant summer temperature with a refereshing breeze rolling in off the water. The hotels and restaurants along the shoreline are regarded as the most luxurious in known space and are exteremly popular among the colonists.
The Riviera vessels also provide additional services for the colony fleet other than entertainment. Kelp and seaweed are grown and farmed along the bottom of the ocean, while many different kinds of fish are bred and raised to provide the colony with additional food supplies. While not capable of producing foodstuffs on the same magnitude as Sunflower agriculture vessels, the Riviera farms produce seafoods and other delicacies that are highly sought after by the colonists. The crew of the Riviera also engages in ocean research, constantly working to discover new ways to use the sea to produce more for the colonists. In the event that a colony fleet encountered a habitable water world, the Riviera would work closely with Einstein research vessels to determine if the world is suitable for supporting a long-term colonization effort.
Because of the strict environmental requirements of the simulated ocean and the sea life contained within it, Riviera vessels have extremely advanced and fault-tolerant life support systems. The vessels are highly compartmentalized, and in the event of a hull breach or other damage large sections of the ship can be completely sealed off to prevent loss of environmental control in the intact areas. Riviera vessels are linked to Ark Royal-class Escort Battle Carriers in much the same way that the New Macross Battle sections and City sections combine to form one larger ship. The Riviera vessels are controlled from the bridge of the docked carrier, and the carrier's VF squadrons provide protection for the colony vessel in case of attack. The carrier can disconnect from the Riviera if necessary, and the vessel is equipped with an emergency bridge to control the ship when the carrier is detatched. The staff and crew of the Riviera vessels are well trained in crowd control and can quickly evacuate guests to shelters or escape pods in the event of a serious emergency.
Riviera vessels were developed around the same time as the New Macross colony vessels were released, and since 2030 at least one Riviera has accompanied every UN Spacy colony mission. The vessel's entertainment and farming facilities have helped greatly in maintaining colony morale. Only one Riviera ship have been lost so far; the Riviera 05 was captured by the Varuta shortly after landing on the planet Rax and was later destroyed after the captured civilians had been transferred in the Protodeviln's spiritia farms. The Riviera 07 was also captured by the Protodeviln but was rescued during an all-out counterstrike by the Macross 07 military forces. The ship was later repaired and returned to service.
RPG STATS
Government: New Unity Government (Earth)
Ship Type: Long Distance Colonization Marine Resort/Research Vessel
Class: Riviera Class
Manufacturer: ORTEC Company/UN Spacy
- Crew (not including Escort Carrier): 74,300 total (plus tourists)
- Military Crew: 1,000
- Civilian Crew: 3,000
- Police/Civil Defense: 300
- Permanent Civilian Populace: 70,000
- Visitors/Tourists: up to 80,000 max
- Notable Ships of Class:
- Riviera 05 (launched 2034 as part of the Macross 05 colony fleet. Captured and destroyed by the Varuta in 2045)
- Riviera 07 (launched 2036 as part of the Macross 07 colony fleet. Captured by Protodeviln in 2046 but recaptured by UN Spacy forces during the final battle of the UN Spacy/Varuta war)
MDC BY LOCATION:
(1) Main Body 150,000
Projectile Shield (Closed) 100,000
Projectile Shield (Per 40 ft area) 500
(2) Ocean Dome 30,000
(2) Ocean Dome (Per 40 ft area) 200
Small Airlocks/Access Hatches (300) 250 each
Main Airlock 1,000
Outer Hull (per 40ft area) 120
Interior walls (per 20ft) 40
External Engineering/Sensor Spokes (9) 1,500 each
Lower Sensor Spoke 1,000
Connection Joint/Engineering Section 25,000
(3) Main Engines/Power Plant (2) 50,000 each
(3) Auxiliary Engines (4) 7,000 each
(4) Pin Point Barriers (4) 5,000 each
NOTES:
- Depleting the MDC of the main body will essentially destroy the vessel.
All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal
gravity. The colony ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck,
and any surviving colonists (and marine life) must be rescued quickly or
will die from asphyxiation as the remaining atmosphere drains into space.
- In "Shell Up" mode, the semi-transparent ocean dome is completely covered
by the projectile shield. Therefore in order to attack the dome in
this mode the projectile shield must be penetrated or destroyed first.
If the ocean dome is destroyed while in space (1D6x10) percent of the
colonists inside will be instantly killed due to explosive decompression.
- Depleting the MDC of the main engines will force the ship to rely on its
auxiliary engines. Depleting the MDC of the main engines AND auxiliary
engines will leave the colony ship adrift in space. If in an atmosphere,
the colony will crash (destruction of the main engines will render the
antigravity system useless due to loss of power).
- The Pinpoint Barriers regenerate at a rate of 1,250 MD per second (2,500
MD per melee round). If destroyed, a barrier will completely regenerate
within four seconds (2 melee rounds). See the Pinpoint
Barrier System entry for details.
SPEEDS:
- Speed(sublight): 0.16 speed of light (25,600 miles per second)
Speed(Auxiliary Drives): Mach 3
Space Fold: Range Unlimited (1 light year every 6 minutes)
Planet bound:
- Designed to land in a planetary ocean when necessary but not designed to
maneuver in an atmosphere. The Riviera is NOT designed to land on
the ground. If it does so the landing will inflict 3D6x1000 MD damage to
the main body of the spacecraft (the lower sensor spoke will be
automatically destroyed).
- Maximum Range: Unlimited (estimated 30 year life span)
STATISTICAL DATA:
Length (main body): 10,890 ft (3,300 m)
Length (connector/engineering section): 1,650 ft (500 m)
Length (external spokes): 4,125 ft (1,250 m)
Length (overall, including Uraga): 14,355 ft (4,350 m)
Weight: Approximately 10,700,000,000 tons standard
- Power System:
- ORTEC/General Galaxy Main Reactor
- Fold System:
- ORTEC/Shinnakasu/General Galaxy Advanced Fold System Cluster
- Sublight Drive:
- ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster
- Gravity Control System: Internal
Auxiliary Engine:
- Shinnakasu/Shinsei Industries/Agar Nuclear Pulse Rocket Motor Cluster
- Sensors: Standard plus Subspace Mass Detector
DEFENSE SYSTEMS:
-
PINPOINT BARRIER DEFENSE SYSTEM: Originally developed by
researchers onboard the SDF-01 Macross during Space War One, the Pinpoint
Barrier System is a standard defense system on board all UN Spacy
starships and colony vessels, including the Riviera colony ships. The
system generates four small disc-shaped force fields that can be
positioned anywhere along the ship to deflect missiles, energy beams or
projectiles. Each pinpoint barrier is about 200 ft (61 m) in length and
can absorb up to 5,000 MD in damage, which then regenerates within four
seconds (2 melee rounds). The barriers can also be layered on top of
each other to generate a field which provides 20,000 MDC and can even
deflect heavy particle beams (usually).
The four barriers are controlled by operators in the command tower of the
carrier. These operators are instructed to defend (1) any breaks or
weaknesses in the projectile shield and/or ocean dome, (2) the
engineering section/battle carrier docking section, and (3) the main
and auxiliary engines, in that order. The operators primarily concentrate
on defending the ship against larger spacecraft and leave defense against
attacking mecha to the VF pilots from the battle carrier.
- PRIMARY PURPOSE: Defense (the pinpoint barrier system cannot be
used as a weapon)
- RANGE: Up to 300 feet (91.5 m) from the surface of the vessel.
- DAMAGE CAPACITY: Can sustain up to 5,000 MD per round.
Regenerates at a rate of 2,500 MD per melee round.
- RADIUS: 200 ft (61 m)
- DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT: Can move from one end of the vessel to the
other in less than a single round. Trained operators can attempt to
block attacks up to 8 times per melee (counts as a parry) and are at
+7 to block. Untrained characters can parry up to their number of
hand-to-hand attacks with their normal parry bonuses only.
- PAYLOAD: Nearly inexhaustible. Will work as long as system is
functional (see below) and engines are intact. If main engines are
destroyed, the barrier will loose power and not function.
- NOTE: If all four barriers are grouped in a single spot they
can deflect a heavy particle beam attack, such as the one generated
by the Macross Cannon, Zentraedi/Varuta command warships, and some
Protodeviln. However, the beam will completely destroy all four
barriers and put incredible strain on the pinpoint barrier system, to
the point where it may short out. After deflecting an energy beam,
roll percentile dice on the table below to determine additional
effects/damage.
- 01-15: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
- 16-30: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to
repair.
- 31-45: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to
repair (yes, DAYS of work).
- 46-60: Completely destroyed! System can be rebuilt, but
will require new parts and 2D6 DAYS of work to
replace.
- 61-75: Major damage, system will require 2D6x10 hours to
repair.
- 76-90: Minor damage, system will require 4D6 hours to
repair.
- 91-95: Lucked out, system will be operational in 1D6 hours.
- 96-00: It's a miracle! Trivial damage only, system will
be operational again in only 4D6 melee rounds!
SYSTEMS OF NOTE:
- ANTIGRAVITY PROPULSION SYSTEM: The Riviera colony vessels are
equipped with an anti-gravity propulsion system used for planetary landings
and liftoffs. The system is good for vertical ascent/descent only and can
lift the ship at speeds of up to 1,320 feet (400 m) per minute. The system
will function so long as the main engines can supply energy to it.
- HOLOGRAPHIC PROJECTION SYSTEM: The ocean dome and the interior of
the projectile shield both contain sophisticated holographic projection system
which are used to generate images of terran skies. These images help to calm
colonists and make them feel like they are living in a city on Earth and not
on a ship voyaging through space. The holographic system is often used to
divide time on the vessel into day and night segments. During the day the
holographic system blocks the outside view and projects artificial sunlight
over the city, and at night the system is turned off to provide an uninhibited
view of the passing stars.
- HYPERSPACE COMMUNICATIONS: Based on the same technology as the
space fold system, the hyperspace communications relay allows
faster-than-light communication between the Riviera ships and other
vessels or planetary bases. Hyperspace communications are still not
instantaneous, however. Audio/video communication travels through hyperspace
at a rate of about 5 seconds per light year, so messages communicated over
vast distances can still take days, weeks, or months to arrive.
- LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: The resort colony have sufficient life
support to provide breathable air and comfortable temperatures for 400,000
people, plus the entire marine ecosystem contained within the artificial ocean, for up to 30 years. In an emergency the life support
system can support up to 600,000 people for a short time. The ocean's ecosystem can provide food and other necessary supplies indefinitely for up to 1,000,000 people, making it a vital part of the colony fleet's support structure.
- LONG-RANGE LASER/SATELLITE RELAY COMMUNICATIONS: The Riviera
has modest communications facilities that can communicate with up to 250 craft
simultaneously at ranges of up to 900 miles (1,440 km). This range can be
boosted indefinitely by using satellites or other spacecraft as to relay
communications.
- LONG-RANGE RADAR: The radar array of the Riviera is also
modest compared to that of the docked escort battle carrier. The system can
track and identify up to 500 craft simultaneously and has a 200 mile/320 km
range.
- SPACE FOLD SYSTEM: For FTL propulsion, the vessel is equipped
with an ORTEC/Shinnakasu/General Galaxy Advanced Fold System Cluster, capable
of propelling the carrier through hyperspace at speeds up to 3.28x10^10 mps
(5.25x10^10 kmps), or 1 light year per 6 minutes. The range of the fold drive
is theoretically unlimited except by the life expectancy of the spacecraft.
The fold drive is powerful enough to propel both the battle carrier and resort
block through hyperspace when they are connected.
- SUBLIGHT ENGINES: As a backup to the Fold System, the colony vessel
is equipped with ORTEC/Centinel Impulse Drive Cluster engines that can propel
the craft at speeds up to 0.16 speed of light (25,600 miles per second) in
space. Note that these engines are mainly intended for rapid movement inside
a planetary system and are not suited for long voyages between star systems.
In a planetary atmosphere the carrier is limited to speeds of Mach 1 maximum
due to hull stress. As with the fold drives, the engines are powerful enough
to propel the craft when battle carrier is attached.
- SUBSPACE MASS SENSORS: Like the battle carriers, the Riviera
colony vessels are equipped with subspace sensors for early warning of
approaching objects and navigation at sublight speeds. These sensors can
almost instantly detect mass readings and movement of objects up to 1 AU (93
million miles) distant from the carrier which are above 60,000 kg in mass
(which means that the sensors usually cannot detect objects as small as
variable fighters). Readings taken with the subspace sensors are not very
detailed (-25% penalty when trying to identify a detected object) and are
usually used for tracking purposes only.
MECHA COMPLEMENT (STANDARD):
NONE! However, the landing bays in the Riviera has enough room and resources to adequately support up to 3 squadrons (36 fighters) of VFs if necessary.

REFERENCES USED IN THIS DESIGN
- "Doe's All The Worlds' Starship Guide: Riviera Resort Vessel
Entry"
- "Doe's All The Worlds' Starship Guide: Uraga Escort Battle Carrier
Entry"
- Macross 7 TV episodes 8, 48, 49

