[MicroMOC] Cargo Hauler

[TenorPenny]

The Ramos-class Cargo Hauler

The Ramos-class Cargo Hauler is a Second Age era transport ship weighing in somewhere between a shuttle and a freighter. It was produced in large numbers to support rapid human expansion to the stars and became known for carrying a wide variety of cargo. The ship lacked bells and whistles when it was new; the large number that remain in service are spartan and dire affairs disliked by their crews. They are, however, cheap to buy and profitable to run.

The Ramos is utilised by a variety of independent operators – from small-time merchants hauling their wares to pirates stowing their loot. The vessel itself is extremely outdated; the FTL drive is inefficient and the sensor suite clumsy. It also manoeuvres poorly and has minimal defensive capabilities. These failings are outweighed by how cheap it is to operate; low running costs mean larger profits. The fact that the ship was produced in such huge numbers during the Second Age means that models can be found – usually in a state of disrepair – on most human colony worlds. Even if no longer spaceworthy, such ships are readily stripped for spare parts and scrap.

Travelling through the Rim is a risk-laden proposition at the best of times; doing so in a Ramos with no escort is deemed near-suicidal. The ships are known to pay for escort themselves or pay a percentage to join a separate convoy. Adventurous or illicit Ramos operators sometimes pilot the ship on low-power with the hope that they will slip under the notice of prying eyes.

Above: A Ramos collects illegally mined minerals from outside of Sisca VII

The Asian Coalition used the ship as a makeshift troop transport during the Pan-Eurasian War; it’s main advantage included the fact that the cargo ramp was covered by forward projected hull plating. Said plating was thick and simple; providing excellent protection against small arms.