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.
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