User:Subtank/Mass ejection mine

Mass ejection mines, often referred as ME mines, are self-contained energy discharge devices placed in space and designed to temporarily disable the vessels or to deter movement from entering an area. They are utilised primarily by the Covenant Empire as defense measures against other foreign vessels. These mines, when activated, would release a burst of stream of charged particles, light isotope plasma, and magnetic fields into space which would temporarily render electronic devices functionless, thus disabling any vessel within its discharge vicinity.

Description
While there has been no official design of a standard mass ejection mine, the Covenant employed several few common designs when manufacturing these mines. The most common form, designated i8-3W, is composed of a 16,807 mm (662 in) diameter sphere that is assembled from two hermetically sealed hemispheres. The mine sports ten antennas with each having a spherical radiation pattern, allowing the mine to discharge its content with equal in all directions; making reception of the transmitted signal independent of the mine's rotation.

These mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of or contact with an enemy vessel. They can be used offensively, to hamper enemy vessels or lock them into a harbour; or defensively, to protect friendly vessels and create "safe" zones.

Mechanics and operation
Mass ejection mines would release its content when they are triggered by an approach of or contact with a vessel. Their discharge mechanisms are either pressure points, which discharges the content on contact, or influence points, which are triggered through magnetic or electronic sensors merely by the approach of a vessel. Most mass ejection mines are automatic, by means of pressure points, but some mines, those configured as influence devices, can be turned off to allow transit of friendly vessels.

When under the effects of the discharge, the electronic devices and hardware within the affected vessel would be disabled for a period of seven to forty-nine minutes.