Cargo Ship

(Version 1.00 - Last Modified: 07/17/2004)

As the factions expanded from the original landing sites and came into contact with each other, basic lines of communication were established. The factions that were friendly with their neighbors wanted to remain in contact with each other. As the factions grew, these contacts also grew into trade agreements and trade routes, but their were several early impediments to trade on Chiron. The most important form of trade, over land, was greatly hindered by the lack of developed roads, large patches of Xenofungus, the hostile native lifeforms, and the large areas of uninhabited wilderness. Within a faction's controlled territory, these problems were mitigated by a high population density and the continuous development of the immidiate countryside, but in the wilds of Chrion, over land trade was virtually impossible. The first to solve this problem was Morgan Industries, working closely with the University of Planet. They developed a new aircraft that would allow for cargo to be transported through the air at high speed and over long distances. Unfortunately, the amount of cargo that could be transported at any one time was fairly small, as aircraft have never been the desired method of bulk transportation.

Time passed with few improvements, but with the expansion of the Nautilus Pirates, they encountered the same problem as the other factions in trying to transport large quantities of goods, but for them it was more accute. While the other factions merely wished to trade amoungst each other, The Nautilus Pirates wanted an effecient method of transporting goods within its own faction. This was especially true in moving goods produced Fossil Ridge region to the other cities within the faction. Teaming up with Morgan Industries, the Nautilus Pirates created a design for the first bulk cargo transport ship on Chiron. Based on popular designs from Earth, the ship was massive and relatively slow, but it carried a surprising amount of cargo and with the dangers on Chiron, could be fitted with armor and a few weapons.

The first of these cargo ships Fossil Ridge drydocks in 65 AL under the flag of the Nautilus Pirates. The ship's design was also provided to most of the other factions through Morgan Industries and while only the drydocks belonging to the Nautilus Pirates and Morgan Industries are building the cargo ships, a number of the ships have been sold to any faction that wanted one. By the current day, the cargo ships have become the backbone of inter-faction trade on Chiron and while the Nautilus Pirates and Morgan Industries have the largest fleet of cargo ships on Chiron, most of the other factions have at least one ship flying under their own flag.

While designed primarily for commercial cargo transportation, there is nothing that prevents these ships from carrying military equipment and in fact, the University of Planet used a fleet of these ships to transport and support their army during their war against the Cybernetic Consciousness. To the thinking of the Nautilus Pirates, this made these valuable and expensive ships viable military targets and they were destroyed along with the rest of the University's fleet, leaving the University of Planet without a major commercial asset. Of course, Morgan Industries happily moved in to pick up where the University of Planet's ships had operated, this was one more mark against the Nautilus Pirates in what many felt was an excessive operation to end the war between the University of Planet and the Cybernetic Consciousness factions.

Vehicle Information:

• Vehicle Type: Bulk Container Transport Ship
• Crew: 50; 4 officers, 6 chief petty officers, and 40 enlisted.

S.D.C. by location:

Plasma Steel Armor

• Defense Turrets (8) - 100 each
• Sensor Array - 150 *
• Bridge - 350 **
• Main Body - 1700 **

Armor Rating: 12
Notes:

*	Destroying the sensor array will blind the ship's sensors and knock-out the communication systems. Torpedoes have a penalty of -2 to strike, missiles cannot be guided by the ship, and all other weapons have a penalty of -1 to strike.
**	Destroying the bridge will instantly kill the command crew and temporarily impair the ship while auxiliary command stations are activated throughout the ship. The ship suffers the same penalties as if the sensor array had been destroyed for 1D6 melee rounds. These penalties are added to the penalties listed above if the sensor array is already destroyed.
***	Depleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut down the ship, including life support, communications, weapons, and engine, and will cause the ship to sink in 2D6 minutes.

Speed:

• Water: 20 mph (32.2 km/h / 17.4 knots)
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but the ship generally carries supplies for twelve weeks for the regular crew and has room for far more food and supplies.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 62' (18.9 m)
• Width: 100' (30.5 m)
• Length: 820' (249.9 m)
• Weight: 56,000 tons (50,802 metric tons)
• Reactor System: Micro-Fusion Reactor with a life span of 20 years.
• Cargo: The ship can store up to 18,000 tons (16,329 metric tons) of supplies or cargo.
• Market Cost: Two hundred million credits for an unarmed cargo ship.

Weapon Systems:

1. Defense Turrets (8)
   The Cargo Ship has eight turrets that are used to defend the ship from attackers. Although not extremely powerful, the weapons are needed to help shoot down enemy missiles and native life forms that might attempt to attack the otherwise defenseless cargo ship. Each turret can rotate 360 degrees and has an arc of fire of 90 degrees. Two turrets are located on the front, the back, and on each side of the ship and are based on the Impact Beam technology.
   • Range: 4000' (1220 m)
   • Damage: 2D6x10 per shot
   • Rate of Fire: Each turret can fire four times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited

Standard Systems:

1. Phased Array Radar System
   This system is comprised of a single array on top of the ship. This system is smaller, lighter, and requires less power than a system of fixed panels. If allowed by the horizon, the system can track out to 180 miles (289.7 km / 156.4 nautical miles) and can simultaneously track and identify up to 144 targets at one time.
2. Advanced Hull Sonar
   Mounted under the bow of the ship. The sonar has a range of 25 miles (40.2 km / 21.7 nautical miles). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. The sonar system can track up to 24 targets simultaneously.
3. Combination Radar Detectors and Active Jamming System
   Combination of radar detection system (ESM) and an active jamming system. The system can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting radar. In jamming mode, the systems causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
4. Combat / Targeting Computer
   System calculates, stores, and transmits data onto view screens in the ship's bridge. The computer assists in the tracking of targets. The system also has a data base of targets and has the ability to identify most common targets. Ships operated by the same faction are designed to share data automatically and act as fire control for other ships as well. As a final feature, the computer creates a map of the area based on sensor data.
5. Laser Targeting System
   The system is designed to assist in the selection and focusing on a specific target. The system gives a bonus of +1 to strike using long range weapons but must have line of sight. As well, most mini-missiles are designed to follow the laser beam to the target.
6. Spotlight
   The ship is equipped with four normal spotlights, one at each corner of the ship. Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters).
7. Visual Magnification
   This system allows magnification of x2 to x16 and it displays on a view screen in the bridge. The ship also has data recording equipment for 384 hours at the highest resolution and 1152 hours at lowest resolution.
8. Thermo-Imager
   Range: 2000' (610 m). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables the pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness. System has the disadvantage of being able to be detected.
9. Nightvision Optics
   Range: 2000 ft (610 m). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.
10. Infra-Red / Laser Detector
    The system is designed to detect any infrared or laser beams which paint or target the ship. The ship has special sensors built into the exterior every few inches. Sensors gives the strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if they have been detected from the signal strength.
11. Compass and Clock Calendar
    In addition to other features, the ship is fitted with a compass, high quality digital maps, and a clock calendar. The ship has an inertial navigation system where the computer plots the location of the ship based on last recorded location and speed and course of travel. The computer will attempt to use recorded data from other sensors to refine the location. The computer also can use star positions for navigation purposes.
12. Radio Communication
    The ship is equipped with a long range directional communication system. The system has an effective range of 600 miles (965.6 km). The ship is also fitted with a radio scrambler to prevent others from easily listening in on communications. The ship is equipped with a loudspeaker with an output of 100 decibels and an external audio pickup.
13. Advanced Life Support
    The crew compartments in the ship are reinforced to protected the crew from attacks. The compartments are air tight and is suitable for use in most hostile environments. The ship has a computer controlled life support system with artificial air circulation, gas filtration, and humidifier. The system is designed to be able to recycle the air to keep a breathable atmosphere for up to four weeks. The vehicle also has an independent oxygen supply which automatically engages and purges the interior in conditions of contaminated air environment inside of vehicle. The vehicle displays present atmospheric conditions including toxins in the air to the bridge. The ship has an internal cooling system and temperature control and it can be set to the crew's preferences. The system also keeps track of temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure throughout the ship.
14. High Temperature Insulation
    The ship is made from high temperature materials that are designed to resist temperatures up to 400 degrees centigrade. Normal fires inflict no damage but extremely high temperature fire, such as plasma and magic fire, inflict full damage.
15. Radiation Shielding
    The ship has radiation shielding which is far more effective than what is found on body armor. As well, the ship's armor is equipped with sensors to monitor the amount of radiation that the ship is exposed to. This is displayed to the bridge of the ship.