Timeon Clipper class freighter *
Armed Freight Transport
(submitted by Shadow Shack)

HS:7 HP:56 Powerplant: 3 Streel "Big Bang" Atomic B
ADF:3 MR:2 DCR:50 Crew:8-15
Armament: LB
Defenses: RH, MS (x1)
Communication/Detection: Subspace Radio, Radar
Misc: heavy armor, 2 cargo arms (1/hold)

Computer

Alarm (3), Analysis (4), Astrogation (4), Commerce (1), Computer Lockout (6), Damage Control (3), Drive (5), Industry (1), Information Storage (1), Laser Battery (1), Life Support (1); capacity:15 Maintenance (3)

Cargo Capacity: 7 (3.5 x 2 holds)
Fuel Tankage: 18 uranium pellets, 6/drive
Crew Accomodations: 2 suites (single or double occupancy), 6 cabins cabins (single or double occupancy)
Passenger Accomodations: 0
Ship's Vehicles: Workpod, Large Launch

Streel Shipbuilding designs and constructs these lower end freight haulers. Using a class:7 hull as a starting point, these freighters aren't designed for massive profits as the larger container vessels may reap, but rather their faster nature allows them to enjoy hauling cargoes that need to be there a little quicker than the big barges can travel. Also noteworthy is the extra heavy hull armor plating invoked, allowing the Timeon Clipper to absorb considerably more damage than larger craft can take. Further additions include a single laser battery to help ward off any of that damage.

Obviously anything this high in mass requires a little extra boost to propel it to standard performance levels. To this end Streel's own "Big Bang" line of class:B atomic drives offer superior thrust over the PGC "Eureka's" offered on the Pacific class freighters (eg: the SS Gullwind) with only marginally higher costs, and adding a third drive to the equation also helps retain stock ship performance. The improved efficiency of the Big Bangs along with the increased cargo capacity over the standard smaller freighters sized from class:3 to 6 hulls will maximize profit potential for those independant haulers and greater expansion potential for mid-sized firms with fleets of several ships.

These craft are meant to slip in to the market where larger craft could never operate, such as limited markets where a larger ship would burn up all the profits in her reaction chambers. Aforementioned smaller worlds no longer have to pay premium prices for goods hauled to them. With twice the room of smaller atmospheric capable haulers they will be able to flood the markets with thier own goods and take over the runs they are used on, leaving only the "absolutely positively has to be there right away" market to the smaller craft.

Few owners opt to ditch the single laser battery in favor of improved performance (thereby allowing MR:3), most freight captains enjoy some form of self defense when the nay-sayers show up looking for some free swag to lift. Massive amounts of hull integrity can go a long way in preventing unwanted boarders, but a battery weapon goes even further by adding an offense to an established defense.

*original stats & concept by Parriah
This vessel appeared in Basically Speaking, the online hosted game here at SFus. The SS Stothgard was used to kidnap a memgber of the Royal Family, the valiant crew of the CMS Falcon rushed in to overtake the craft and rescue the princess.