Couriers are use extensively in most navies to transport light cargos,
special personnel and even high ranking officers to and from important
locations.
Most Couriers are lightly armed and shields, using speed to avoid combat.
Couriers are also equipped with extensive security systems, both in the main
computer and through out the crew compartments. Couriers are also extensively
used by corporate C.E.O. and owners as private yacht vessels with increased
speed and security. Couriers are sometimes used as light cargo craft.
Most Couriers require only a light crew, often a pilot and engineer, although
specially outfitted couriers may have larger crews. Most Couriers are extremely
comfortable and luxurious when compared to other vessels. Couriers are often
unarmed or have only the most basic defensive weapons, although some do have
powerful shield for a vessel of their size. Couriers are known for their expense
due to their number of specialized onboard systems and luxury accommodations.
Unlike a standard Courier, Diplomatic Couriers are designed to allow
diplomats from other races to easily interact with Ambassadors and corporate
heads. Special communication equipment, luxury meeting rooms, specialized
non-class M quarters and detailed library systems are all standard aboard
Diplomatic Couriers.
Most Diplomatic Couriers have a smaller internal cargo hold, but
significantly more luxurious staterooms. Diplomatic Couriers also have a
securable transmitter system that allows for subspace financial transactions
among other variable worlds. Diplomatic Couriers are rarely armed and are most
often accompanied by armed escorts near hostile areas. Diplomatic Couriers are a
favourite target of pirates, who are often able to transfer moderate sums from
various banking establishments before the couriers capture is detected.
Fuel Transports are one of the most dangerous occupational vessels to
sign on with. Fuel Carriers transport both solid and nonsolid fuel to help
replenish front line starships, bases, outposts and even ground stations with
depletable fuels, such as nutronicol, liquid deuterium and even koranium. The
most highly sought after spoil of war is the Deuterium Tanker Fuel Carrier.
With nearly every space faring race using liquid Deuterium to mix with
anti-deuterium, Deuterium Tankers are extremely valuable. A single tanker can
refuel nearly a dozen vessels for a standard 5 year mission. These ship are
usually carry both deuterium and anti-deuterium, making them extremely dangerous
cargo vessels. Most raiders will avoid firing on Deuterium Tankers, choosing in
stead to attempt to drive off any escorting vessels. Other fuel tankers are just
as volatile, and are one of the least destroyed vessels in known space.
Passenger liners describe vessels that make very regular cruiser runs
between planets and colonies. Passenger liners are designed to provide both
short and long term comfort for passengers of all races. Many passenger liners
are unarmed, and will only ply well established space lanes.
Passenger Liners do have some cargo carrying capability, although this is
limited when compared to Transports. None the less, Passenger Liners are cheaper
for passengers who do not have appreciable cargo to transport. During times of
conflict, passenger liners may be used (for appreciable compensation) as troop
transports or hospital ships.
Passenger liners do not conduct pleasure cruises, although they will stop for
special areas of interest along their established routes.
The term Transport is a generic listing of any passenger and/or cargo
vessel that carries it’s cargo internally under specified environmental
conditions. With 90% of all cargo’s requiring some form of environmental
control, Transports are the most common freight carrying vessels in known space.
Transports are often equipped with some passenger facilities for those who wish
to escort their cargo.
In most space Navies, Transports are moderately armed, but their
un-manoeuvrability makes them a tremendous liability in combat. Transports come
in a extensive range of sizes, from one man shuttle sized craft to 100 man
crewed cargo transports. Most transports do have the ability to change their
hold environment for different cargos, with many having several cargo holds to
allow for a large range of cargo types in a single cargo run. Light Transports
are designed for speed, while heavier transports are built for longer hauls.
Most transports have pre-set cargo runs, allowing for a continued operating
schedule. During times of conflict, Transports are most often used to transport
equipment and special supplies that require special care or maintenance,
including live stock, military vehicles, sensor instillations and other
specialized equipment.
Similar to Transports, Freighters are designed to carry preloaded
cargo containers. Freighters are not as versatile as Transports, but are nearly
as common. Freighters are used more often for raw materials, including ship
building materials, grain and other large bulk cargos. Freighters do have some
cargo hold differentiation, but most often ship only one of two types of cargo
per run. Freighters are usually larger than Transports and considerably less
manoeuvrable. During times of conflict, Freighters are most often used to
transport raw materials for ship construction, ground fortification construction
and other non-environmentally sensitive cargo.
Although the term "support vessel" engenders visions of repair
ships and re-supply vessels, technically, support vessels include transport and
cargo movement platforms. Many "support" vessels are in actuality
civilian ships designed to conduct extremely specific missions, rarely military
in nature. Support Vessels include cargo ships, passenger ships, repair vessels
and other assorted short to long range ships of all types. Most support vessels
can be bought or traded on the open market, and come in an extremely wide range
of sizes and costs.
Nomenclature of a particular support vessel rarely gives an accurate
description of the ships actual size, crew or defensive capabilities. Most
Support Vessels can (and are) modified to some degree depending on the location
of the specified cargo/operation area. Many support vessels operating in hostile
areas will ban together, often escorted by military authorities, on common cargo
or transport runs.
Some Support Vessels are assigned specific patrol areas, while other wait at
a star base or orbital platform until needed. Even robotic ships are common
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