Product Description
Saturn Syndicate Ascendancy
Hawkings Astronautics (Civilian) HAC-124 Nomad Class Freighter
Hawkings Astronautics cut their teeth on civilian vessels like the obiquitous Nomad. The Nomad is a multi-purpose freighter, designed to carry four of the HAC 1200 series cargo module (models 1200-1260E), which enables it to handle most cargo short of passengers, even bio-hazardous or otherwise radioactive materials. By directly handling the modules, rather than relying on smaller containers, the Nomad is able to be much more efficient in terms of volume to benefit, since most of the 1200 modules do require external power or lifesupport. The Nomad takes advantage of SSA miniaturisation even with the oversized Warp-drive and main engines, is capable of a fair turn of speed for a merchant ship. It's engine power and shielding are equivilent to most heavy cruisers, and it mounts no less than thirty particle pellet guns in turrets (though most of these are automated rather than crewed). It also has several hyper-ray blisters for good measure.
Of course, this extra weaponry comes at considerable expense. However, given the slow recharge and jump distance of contemporary warp-drive, it is a requirement for security purposes. Indeed, the formidable armament of the Nomad keeps them safe from all but determined (and well armed) pirates, and even military starships are wary of engaging one unnecessarily.