The Hale-Bopp

The ShipThorez 3-Class Mid-Bulk FreighterDimensions (LxBxH): 180 x 55 x 30 feet.Tonnage: 2500 tons.Speed Class: 5 cruise/7 hard-burnCrew Complement: 2 officers, 4 space hands.Crew Quarters: 3 cramped single cabins, 5 cramped double cabinsPassenger Capacity: 3 small double cabins, 1 first-class cabinFuel Capacity: 300 tons (600 hours).Cargo Capacity: 750 tons.Gear: Standard 20-ton shuttle

Price: ¢ 75,000 new.

Agi d8, Str d6, Vit d4, Ale d2, Int d2, Wil d6; Init d6+1d2, Life 10. Skills, d2

Complexity: high. Maintenance costs ¢ 4500 a year.

The Thorez 3 is an obsolete class of mid-bulk freighter, known primarily for speed and maneuverability. Early versions of the Thorez class, designed as couriers, were used to provide "surface-to-surface" VIP transport in the early days of settlement. Later versions, built as fast cargo carriers, were popular for use in pre-Alliance navies as an auxiliary or by pirates as a corsair. Few such craft remain in service by the 2500's, as they have been supplanted by more modern designs, and were never considered glamorous enough for collectors to take an interest in restoring them.

Exceptionally fast in its day, it remains relatively swift even by modern standards. The electronics are primitive, and accommodations for the crew and passengers are cramped and inefficient by modern standards. The single shuttle, of a similarly old design to the Thorez itself, is mounted in a recessed fairing on the dorsal surface of the rear fuselage. Cargo is loaded via either a ramp in the front cargo area, or a "bomb hatch" style airlock in the center.

Hale-Bopp Particulars: The Hale-Bopp is a typical example of her class, save for a few modifications. Most of the ship systems have been updated by previous owners, especially the drives. While these alterations have not increased the Hale-Bopp's normal performance, they have significantly increased her sprint speed. In a straight line, she is often capable of outrunning both ASREV's and older Patrol Cruisers under hard burn. Somewhat more modern drive equipment reduced the amount of crew required to run and maintain the vessel. She thus can be run with a crew about the same size as more modern vessels. Because of this, several of the staterooms have been converted to serve as spare storage capacity, or put to other uses over time. Most of the fittings have been stripped out, leaving only spartan accommodations in a few rooms.

In game terms, the Hale-Bopp possesses both "Fast Throttle" and "Seen Better Days" at minor levels... she moves at Speed-8 in hard burn, but suffers -1 to VIT on monthly maintenance rolls, and maintenance costs ¢470/month, due to the rarity of parts and the age of her systems.