This armed merchant vessel is produced by LSP of Lunion, and is increasing in popularity due to the current troubles afflicting the Imperium. Since a quick economic analysis of the cargo/passenger capacity and the routine monthly payments of a standard starship mortgage shows that there is no way for this vessel to pay for itself, most of the examples presently flying are under government subsidies. Governments with off-world interests, or that frequently transport valuable cargoes, find that armed vessels can get through situations which would result in the loss of less capable merchants. A privately owned packet would find it necessary to constantly engage in profitable speculative trade to make ends meet, and there would be every temptation to resort to smuggling or outright piracy. With armament equivalent to many military vessels of similar size, the transition from fighting pirates to piracy is an easy one.

CraftID:	Packet, TL13, MCr188.54
Hull:	360/900, Disp=400, Config=4SL, Armor=52F, Loaded=6891t, Unloaded=5698t
Power:	15/30, Fusion=1980MW, Duration=30days
Loco:	18/36, Maneuver=2, 11/22, Jump=2, Cruise=750kph, Max=1000kph Agility=0
Comm:	Radio=System*2
Sensors:	EMS Active(FarOrbit), EMS Passive(Substellar), ActObjScan=Rout, ActObjPin=Rout, PassEnScan=Rout
Off:	Hardpoints=4 Missile=x03 BeamLaser=x04 Batteries 1 2 Bearing 1 2
Def:	DefDM+5 SandCaster=x04 Batteries 1 Bearing 1
Control:	Computer Mod4*3, 3*HeadsUpHoloDisplay, 60*HoloLink
Accom:	Crew=9 (1 bridge, 1 medic, 1 engineer, 3 gunners, 2 stewards, 1 command), Passengers=16, LowPassengers=20, Staterooms=25, LowBerths=20, Env=basic env, basic ls, extended ls, grav plates, inertial comp
Other:	Fuel=1602kl, Cargo=1077kl (79t), Fuel Purifier (18hrs), Fuel Scoops, ObjSize=Average, EmLevel=Faint

Author: R.S.Dean