The First Episode

## Ship Types

There are several types of ships available, some cheap, some expensive, and each with a different purpose. The owner of the Ship Yard will gladly inform you on the exact capabilities of each ship.

### Flea

The Flea is the cheapest ship type. It is small, has few cargo holds, a weak hull and no weapon, shield or gadget slots. It is capable, however, of travelling 20 parsecs on its fuel tanks, allowing you to jump over great distances. When you have an escape pod and you need to use it, you can convert the pod, which is basically a Flea without fuel tanks and cargo bays, into a Flea in a few days time for a few credits. This is always worth your while, since the Flea can be sold for a higher price than you needed to invest to build it, and it will allow you to travel off a solar system where you have been dropped off, even if there are no ships to buy there.

### Gnat

The Gnat is the type of ship you start out with. It is a suitable ship for a starting trader. You can carry one weapon and one gadget, and have 15 cargo holds available. The maximum range it can travel on one tank is 14 parsecs.

### Firefly

The Firefly is the poor trader's dream. It is fairly cheap, has no less than 20 cargo bays, one of each equipment type slot, and can travel up to 17 parsecs on a tank.

### Mosquito

Those who aspire quick money by pirating, can do no better than buying a Mosquito in the early stages of their career. It can travel up to 13 parsecs on a tank, has a fairly strong hull, and can carry two weapons next to one shield and one gadget. Its cargo holds are equal to a Gnat's.

### Bumblebee

The Bumblebee is the stronger sister of the Firefly. It has the same amount of cargo bays and same hull strength, can carry one extra shield and one extra gadget, and best of all, has extra crew quarters available so you can take a mercenary with you. It can travel up to 15 parsecs on a tank.

### Beetle

The Beetle is essentially a freighter. It is a difficult ship to use safely, since it has a weak hull, no weapons, and only one shield and one gadget slot. It has, however, no less than 50 cargo bays, three crew quarters and can travel 14 parsecs on its fuel tanks. For those who want to get rich by trading, a Beetle might be an excellent choice, as long as you visit safe systems.

### Hornet

The Hornet in the hands of pirates can make a dangerous opponent. With its fairly strong hull, three weapon slots, two shield slots, one gadget slot and two crew quarters, you better flee this ship when you are still flying a Gnat yourself. It has 20 cargo holds to fill with stolen goods. It can travel up to 16 parsecs on a tank.

### Grasshopper

The Grasshopper is suitable for both pirating and honest trading. It has 30 cargo holds, two weapon and shield slots, three gadget slots and three crew quarters. It can travel up to 15 parsecs on one tank.

### Termite

The Termite is the ultimate trading ship. It has a strong hull, three shield slots, two gadget slots, three crew quarters, and no less than 60 cargo holds. Its weaknesses are its single weapon slot and relatively short travelling distance of only 13 parsecs.

### Wasp

The Wasp is the ultimate pirate ship. It has a strong hull, three weapon slots, two shield slots, two gadget slots and three crew quarters. It can travel up to 14 parsecs on a tank. If there is any weakness to it, it is probably its price. Its 35 cargo holds make it also a suitable ship for traders when they like to travel to dangerous systems.