ADF Terms

ADF Terms and Phrases

ADF

EWAC

Early Warning Activity Console -- A ship-based warning system that interpreted the returning analysis signals for any unusual activity.

FTL

Faster Than Light. Measured in 'lights' -- one light is equivalent to 52 times the speed of light (real space). Thus, six lights is 312 times the speed of light.

INTEDEC

The INTrudEr DEteCtion Network -- this is an attempt by the Alliance to build a "wall" in space. It doesn't work very well and is referenced in The Waken Incident.

Radar

RAndom Distance ARray. A full-spectrum analysis signal that extends above and below the visible spectrum, not limited by the speed of light, except in certain ranges.

Rank in the ADF

Rank in the ADF is a chart showing the various ranks of the Allied Defense Force.

Shifts

Where there are fixed shifts, such as on ADF Waken, the shift names are Day Shift, Evening Shift, and Night Shift. I originally called these (from my own military background), Days, Swings, and Mids.

Day Shift is obvious - it takes place during what would be considered normal working hours on a planet - 0800 to 1700.

Swing Shift is a term used to describe the shift that swings between days and nights. 1700 to 2400 (Note, this is a short shift, mostly because those working it, if on a base, would not have a life for dating and most evening-based activities. Therefore, the shortened shift is said to "offset" the penalty of having to work the "Swing" shift.

Mid Shift - short for Midnight Shift, the reference pointing toward the starting time for the shift. 0000 - 0800

See also Common Terms and Phrases

Updated April 22, 2007
Updated January 29, 2008