The serco research division has been going into overdrive this week, when some bright spark decided, much to the annoyance of space traffic in the surrounding area, to create an artificial ion storm, without all the glowy bits. Unfortunately his device blew the stations powercore after a meltdown and minor explosion, but not before pulling every ship travelling through the surrounding sectors out of warp.

Although the device was destroyed, it's applications are already being scrutinised by the military division, no word has yet been received from the designer.

Temp.

if I were a pirate, I'd go nuts for this device... All your cargo are belong to us

It's been mentioned before, but its simply too powerful of an effect to put on a ship which can go at turbo speeds. I strongly strongly suggest limiting the effect to capital ships or at least near capital ships (like the Patrol Boat class from the sub-capital ship thread).

Or making it a constructable object like stations (when they are made constructable). Call it "defense bunker", give it warp breaking capability and turrets. Hmm. Maybe I should make a new thread?