ok, going off of what Emi said about real time salvaging in missions:
what if the DDay device was put as part of this as well?
it could work as such: (and going off of a couple other topics, I think
)
somewhere in the galaxy, 20 reaver fleets will have a DDay device (or just part thereof) and all fleets must be found, conquered, and salvaged. this in turn, upon completion, will make the players mothership (or planet, if the dday device must be put on a planet) as an active part of completing the DDay device. much like signing up to research DDay Device. however, once all 20 DDay devices are found and salvaged, (and consequently researched, switched on, installed on a planet, or whatever other requirement) then DDay phase 1 shall start.
at phase 1: all holders of the DDay devices shall be marked on the map, or the planets thereof, or whatever, and if one of the devices are to fall, then the other commanders will have 10 minutes to recover and re-activate the DDay device. additionally, the commanders who are in possesion of them will be marked on DDay list. if they hold all 20 for 24 hours: (clock stops in 10 minute intercessions)
at phase 2: DDay begins, like it would if it were activated now.
additional notes:
this would mean that a commanders mothership must be attackable at some point on the galaxy view. either that, the DDay devices must be installed on a planet, and are null until then, meaning carrying it on your mothership doesn't do anything.
the main problem:
it will be sadly, until someone has a way to solve it, much, MUCH to easy for someone in top 10 (especially like lammalord, or someone in DDD) to intentionally grab one of the DDay devices, and guard it with everything they have, thus insuring DDay never goes off.
maybe... more then 20 out there? like an additional 20 as well? and every once in a while, one not installed/researched/activated will be secretly stolen and re enter the galaxy somewhere else, in another revear fleet?
hmm... planet shiskabob...