Auxiliary Complement of a Merchant Ship
A discussion yesterday progressed into the quandary of what auxiliary units would be carried aborad a merchant ship. Some believed it would carry a similar complement of a starship: shuttlecraft, shuttle pods, and cargo shuttles. I agreed that a Starfleet operated cargo or transport would be outfitted with a similar complement to a starship, however, I felt civilian operated vessels would not; unless operated by someone once within Starfleet, but this would be the exception and not the rule.
Anyway, this got me thinking as to what would constitute the complement of a civilian merchant ship and I came up with:
Two cargo skiffs, a la Star Wars VI, in case the receiver of the goods will take possession of those goods at a location some distance from the downport docks.
Four cargo skiffs, a la a anti-grave stretcher (you know, those things that look like an oversized anti-grav stretcher with a railing round them that have a standing controls at one end and perhaps seating for one or two?), in case the receiver of the goods will take possession at a location closer to, but still not at the downport docks.
Two speeder-bikes, a la Star Wars VI (but less industrial looking and less militaristic), for quick runs around the downport on errands, business or heading to the nearest watering whole, or accompanying the skiffs on delivery runs.
Four pods, a la the Cobra Flight Pod (but less militaristic), capable of atmospheric flight and quick runs around like the speeder-bike, but primarily a workbee–used primarily outside atmosphere (operator wearing a environmental suit) and incapable of entering the atmosphere (unless the pilot wants to be extra crispy). These would cargo-train cargo between two vessels or act as repair pods while in orbit.
One shuttlepod, a la Starfleet, for those times atmospheric entry are needed and you want to avoid the extra crispy of entering in a flight pod.
So, what are you thoughts/ideas. Rejections, additions or revisions?
Steven "redwood973" Wood
"Man does not fail. He gives up trying."