In a hostile universe, access of legitimate interstellar travel is
limited to Jump Gate Routes. Wealthy corporations can sometimes purchase
Raider hulls to gain access to a working jump drive, but such vessels
are expensive and create suspicion wherever they go. When they wish to
project a safe image, they modify a standard bulk freighter with its own
jump drive.
The Jump Freighter forms the heart of special convoys who must traverse
outside the normal space lanes. Armed similar to the medium auxiliary carrier,
the Jump Ship trades in its medium plasma cannons for Particle Cannons, and the Aft
Hanger Bay for the bulky Jump Engine. However, the power drain proves to
be too much to have both the Jump Engine and Weapon Grid activated at
the same time.
Several smaller powers who lack Q-40 buy several of these vessels as the
core for their exploration and mercantile fleets. These vessels also
make up the backbone of mining companies who must otherwise rely on
Military Support for their operations.
Other Notes:
The lack of power to the ship (-4) will require the player to shut off
one of the particle cannons to maintain sufficient power (or all 4
particle beam cannons, but I figure those are better for intercept
duties)
Reasoning:
Well first off, no civilian craft has a jump engine, and I figured the
bulk freighter would be a good variant to do so. The Commercial
Freighter becomes a Q-ship and a Ore Barge becomes so many neat things.
I also think such a ship could be of use in several campaigns for
smaller worlds. Maybe cost 50% more for non civilian powers to use it,
but it has potential to be one of those weak, but necessary
workhorses.
