Chapter 5: Your Ship, Your Lifeline
"She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts."
Vessels for crews who can't rely on Starfleet support or legal ports.
📖 Modifies STA Core Rulebook, Chapter 5: Your Home Among the Stars
Civilian Ship Classes
Freighters, couriers, and "repurposed" vessels
Light Freighters
- Converted cargo haulers
- Fast courier modifications
- Passenger transport variants
- Multi-role utility vessels
Typical Stats: Small to Medium frame, moderate cargo capacity, basic sensors Common Modifications: Enhanced engines, hidden compartments, upgraded shields Advantages: Unremarkable appearance, good cargo space, reliable Disadvantages: Limited armament, basic life support, maintenance intensive
Heavy Transports
- Bulk cargo specialists
- Mobile base operations
- Manufacturing platforms
- Colony supply ships
Typical Stats: Large frame, massive cargo holds, industrial facilities Common Modifications: Defensive systems, crew quarters expansion, specialized equipment Advantages: Huge capacity, self-sufficient, intimidating presence Disadvantages: Slow and unwieldy, high operating costs, difficult to hide
Fast Couriers
- Message and data runners
- Emergency evacuation
- Reconnaissance platforms
- Racing vessels
Typical Stats: Small frame, high speed, advanced sensors, minimal cargo Common Modifications: Stealth systems, communication arrays, escape pods Advantages: Speed and agility, hard to catch, low crew requirements Disadvantages: Limited space, fragile construction, short range
Salvage Vessels
- Wreck recovery operations
- Asteroid mining platforms
- Construction support
- Mobile workshops
Typical Stats: Medium frame, specialized equipment, heavy construction, basic weapons Common Modifications: Enhanced tractor beams, manufacturing facilities, defensive arrays Advantages: Self-repair capability, valuable equipment, legitimate cover Disadvantages: Slow operation, conspicuous appearance, expensive maintenance
Hidden Modifications
Smuggling compartments, sensor scramblers, false transponders
Concealed Cargo Spaces
- False bulkheads and hidden panels
- Shielded compartments
- Dimensional pocket technology
- Disposable cargo ejection systems
Detection Difficulty: Varies by construction quality and scanner sophistication Capacity: Trade-off between size and concealment Installation: Requires specialized technical knowledge Risks: Structural integrity compromise, life support strain
Sensor Jamming Systems
- Passive signature dampening
- Active jamming and spoofing
- Sensor ghost projectors
- Stealth field generators
Effectiveness: Limited duration and range Power Requirements: Significant energy drain Legal Status: Illegal in most jurisdictions Maintenance: Requires constant calibration
False Identification Systems
- Transponder spoofing devices
- Holographic hull modifications
- Computer system masking
- Registration database hacking
Complexity: Multiple identity maintenance Duration: Temporary or permanent installations Risks: Discovery penalties severe Updates: Requires intelligence network support
Defensive Modifications
- Hidden weapon systems
- Reinforced hull plating
- Emergency escape systems
- Countermeasure deployment
Concealment: Balance between effectiveness and detection Legality: Often violates civilian vessel regulations Cost: Expensive installation and maintenance Training: Crew must know secret systems
Stolen & Salvaged
Ships with complicated histories
Acquisition Methods
- Direct theft from shipyards or ports
- Salvage claim manipulation
- Insurance fraud schemes
- Battlefield recovery operations
Identity Problems
- Wanted vessel databases
- Original owner pursuit
- Insurance investigator attention
- Starfleet security interest
Documentation Issues
- Registration falsification
- Ownership transfer complications
- Inspection avoidance
- Legal liability concerns
Technical Challenges
- Security system removal
- Unfamiliar technology
- Missing technical manuals
- Incompatible crew interfaces
Mobile Operations
Your ship as home, workshop, and sanctuary
Living Arrangements
- Crew quarters optimization
- Privacy and personal space
- Common areas and recreation
- Visitor and prisoner accommodation
Workshop Facilities
- Technical repair capabilities
- Manufacturing and fabrication
- Research and development
- Medical treatment facilities
Command and Control
- Communication systems
- Information processing
- Mission planning facilities
- Secure meeting spaces
Storage and Supply
- Equipment and spare parts
- Food and consumables
- Emergency supplies
- Hidden asset caches
Ship Reputations
When your vessel is known to authorities
Recognition Factors
- Distinctive appearance modifications
- Operational pattern analysis
- Crew behavior consistency
- Mission type specialization
Fame and Infamy
- Successful operation legends
- Failed mission notoriety
- Crew reputation transfer
- Media attention effects
Law Enforcement Interest
- Wanted vessel status
- Surveillance and tracking
- Patrol alert levels
- Inspection priorities
Criminal Network Recognition
- Reputation for reliability
- Specialized capability knowledge
- Previous employer relationships
- Crew skill assessments
Maintenance & Upgrades
Working without Starfleet supply chains
Parts Acquisition
- Black market suppliers
- Salvage and scavenging
- Improvised substitutions
- Stolen component sources
Technical Expertise
- Crew skill development
- Specialist contractor hiring
- Criminal network mechanics
- Self-taught modifications
Facility Access
- Underground shipyards
- Remote maintenance bases
- Mobile repair platforms
- Emergency field repairs
Financial Considerations
- Cash-only transactions
- Barter and trade systems
- Service exchange arrangements
- Credit and loan sharks
Quality Control
- Reliability vs. cost trade-offs
- Safety standard compromises
- Performance optimization
- Emergency repair protocols