[President_Elect_Shang]

Val, why would you want to make the component tonnage larger? It’s on the outside of the ship.
I see your point with the armor trait, but I would think that a true external component should not absorb enough damage to be considered a form of extra armor. Note that I do agree whole heartedly with the damaged first idea.
Also I would think that if a species is capable of building a massive ship in an even larger space dock (think Star Trek sized) than they would also be able to not have an I-beam from an external mount running through the chow hall. “Hay cookie! Look out for the (thump), never mind.”

[ September 17, 2002, 06:13: Message edited by: President Elect Shang ]