Starmaster light transport
The most popular transport among independent human traders, merchants and cargo haulers is the Starmaster Light Transport. The Starmaster has been in service for about 50 years, hitting the market before the first war. It has quickly become a hallmark of independence and self-reliance in the Free Colonies.
The Starmaster boasts good speed, a 100-ton cargo capacity, is easily upgradeable and is fairly affordable, especially if bought on resale. For those into more questionable activities, the Starmaster is ubiquitous in the space lanes; meaning it is very easy to hide.
One of the defining characteristics of the Starmaster is that there are virtually no “stock” models, and the range of possibilities includes budget, stripped-down cargo haulers to impromptu gunships. This, of course, can be a nightmare for the authorities, because many pirates and smugglers use stolen or faked transponder signals that beam inaccurate systems information to customs and patrol vessels, requiring a deep scan of any Starmaster they stumble across if they’re on the lookout for a specific ship.
The Starmaster comes off the factory floor moderately armed for a civilian vessel. It has two fixed forward laser cannons and a rear-mounted laser turret. However, it also has two “hard points” built into the hull that make adding two more weapon emplacements easy (-20% to labor cost and -10% on starship mechanics roll). One of these hard points is located on the dorsal hull, at the highest point. The other is located under the “chin” of the cockpit. Kugler-Vaughn Enterprises, the ship’s manufacturer, claims these bays are meant for “improved sensor packages and other non-military upgrades.” The placement of the hard points leads most to believe this was to give the company, which heavily backed the separatist movement in the Free Colonies, a degree of plausible deniability. This has made KVI a sort of folk hero among the more “blue collar” segments of Free Colony society.
Model: KV-7 Starmaster
Class: Light Transport
Crew: Three to eight.
M.D.C. by Location
Forward lasers (2) – 150 each
Tailgun – 200
Engine pods (2) – 300 each
Reinforced Crew Compartment – 250
*Main body – 900
*Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main body disables the vessel, leaving it adrift in space without power or life support and multiple hull breaches. Four two-man escape pods are built into the bottom of the hull, and have enough life support for 48 hours and can withstand re-entry. Each has a powerful locator beacon. Reducing the M.D.C. of the vessel to -200 causes it to explode, doing 6D6x10 M.D. to everything within a 500-foot radius.
Speed
Maximum Sublight Speed: .08 C, or 0% of the speed of light.
Maximum Acceleration/Deceleration: 6 Gs per melee round
Maximum FTL Speed: Cx183 ( ˝ light year per day).
Maximum Atmospheric Maneuvering Speed: Mach 4. Can attain escape velocity on a full engine burn, but cannot maneuver.
Statistical Data
Height: 33 feet
Length: 100 feet
Width: 88 feet
Mass: 200 tons
Cargo: 100 tons
Power
Plant:
Range: 20 light years, or 40 days of consumables
Market Cost: 1.5 million credits
Weapon Systems
1. Forward Laser Cannons (2): These are very basic electron lasers with good range, but limited damage. Most spacers have their power boosted or have the guts swapped out for something more powerful (while leaving it appearing on the outside as if the ship has not been modified).
Primary Purponse: Defense
Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 M.D. each, or 2D6x10 M.D. when fired as a dual blast (counts as one attack)
Rate of Fire: Four attacks per melee round.
Payload: Effectively unlimited.
2. Rear laser turret: This tail gun turret is manually operated and is designed to discourage pursuers. It covers a 60-degree cone to the rear of the vessel.
Primary Purpose: Defense
Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 M.D. Always fired as a pair.
Rate of fire: Equal to hand-to-hand attacks of the operator.
Payload: Effectively unlimited.
Sensors: The Starmaster has standard short-range sensors with a 100,000 mile range, and mass detectors with a range of 2 million miles.
Bonuses: +10% to all starship mechanic rolls when upgrading.
