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An adaptation of rules by Bobby Cheesesticks
Instead of worrying about the cost of running a fly-by-night cargo hauling service, we're going to make a new Trait called "Business Side of Things", which is rolled each "month" of gameplay to account for the crew's bookkeeping.
Trait Test
As a small and plucky ship and crew, "Business Side of Things" start at a d6. This represents such concepts as cash on hand, monthly billables, and payment for services rendered. It also represents payroll, maintenance, upkeep on the ship, fuel, and consumables like food and ammo. Since you are a crew of Wild Cards, this trait test will include the Wild Die but you may not spend a Benny to reroll (unless you have the Business Administrator Edge). Usually, the Captain of the ship can make this Trait test, though in theory it could instead be made by the "Business Manager". They are most often the same person. The 'Verse of 2525 is a wild, unstable place, and not all fortunes are within the control of the crew. Before the Captain makes their trait check, roll 2d6 and consult the chart below to determine business conditions for the month.
2) REALLY BAD - Big trouble in your path, war breaks out, Reavers attack, an economy collapses. Roll at a -2 penalty.
3-5) BAD - Things don't go smooth... trouble of a smaller, more personal sort interferes with your deals.... roll at a -1 penalty.
6-8) AVERAGE - Just another month in paradise. No bonuses or penalties.
9-11) GOOD - A favorable wind at your back, and no enemies in sight... roll at a +1 this month.
12) REALLY GOOD - The universe smiles upon you. Roll at a +2 bonus, but look over your shoulder - fortune is fickle!
Next, make the actual trait test using the "Business Side of Things" die. You get a +1 if you have Knowledge (Admin) higher than your "Business Side of Things" die.
On a Success, you're able to meet your monthly requirements. Congratulations. Your "Business Side of Things" die type remains the same.
On a Raise, you've got excess cash on hand. Increase "Business Side of Things" by a die type for each Raise up to d12+2.
On a Failure, something bad has happened and you're not able to meet your monthly requirements. Either your monthly outlay has increased for some reason, your clients aren't paying their premiums, the price of AV fuel has risen dramatically, or something else has happened which could potentially bankrupt your company. Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type.
If you're ever reduced below a d4, your ship and crew will bankrupt at the end of the month. You can make one more "Business Side of Things" test using the Unskilled rule (d4-2). You still get your Wild Die. For that month, you've got a -2 on all Gunnery, Repair, Astrogation, and Piloting rolls for not possessing the necessary supplies and maintenance on your ship. Should you fail this roll, your ship will never fly again with you at the helm, and will probably be seized and sold.
Using the "Business Side of Things"
There are a number of things you can do if you have extra funds on hand.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type to upgrade the ship, which provides +1 to "Business Side of Things" for future rolls.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type to provide a +2 on all Astrogation checks for a month.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type to hire or outfit a crew member.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type to conduct minor repairs after a fight.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by two die types to conduct major repairs after a fight.
Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type to buy a hold full of speculative cargo.
Borrowing Money
If you need a boost to your "Business Side of Things", you can take out a loan with either legitimate or nefarious lenders.
Legitimate Lenders
Increase your "Business Side of Things" by a die type for one month. After this monthly Trait test, you suffer a -1 on all "Business Side of Things" rolls for six months as you pay off the loan. If you fail the roll with this loan, reduce your "Business Side of Things" trait by two die types and lose fancy pieces of equipment and personnel as you have to sell off assets and fire people.
Nefarious Lenders
Increase your "Business Side of Things" by two die types for one month. After this monthly Trait test, you suffer a -2 on all "Business Side of Things" rolls for six months as you pay off the loan. If you fail the roll with this loan, reduce your "Business Side of Things" trait by three die types and lose fancy pieces of equipment and personnel as you have to sell off assets and fire people. You probably get beaten up or shot, too.
Speculative Cargo
One way that a ship can attempt to generate revenue in the absence of freight to haul is to purchase goods directly at one point, then ship and sell the good for a higher price elsewhere. This can be risky, as it requires business savvy and the ability to drive a hard bargain. Make a Knowledge (Admin) or Persuasion roll at a -2 penalty. This roll is separate from the regular monthly trait test, but it is checked after it.
On a Success, you're only able to break even. Congratulations. Your "Business Side of Things" die type remains the same.
On a Raise, you've bought cheaply and sold dearly! Increase "Business Side of Things" by a die type for each Raise up to d12+2.
On a Failure, something bad has happened and you've lost money on the deal. Reduce "Business Side of Things" by a die type.
On Double 1's, you've found no buyers, and screwed up badly. You are stuck with a hold full of Chinese Opera bobble-head statues. Reduce "Business Side of Things" by two die types.
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