Merlin (Oolite)

ship name::Merlin
Size (W×H×L)	25 m×ship height::4 m×ship length::24 m
Cargo capacity	ship cargo capacity::25 TC
Cargo bay extension	ship cargo extension::N/A
Maximum speed	ship speed::0.555 LM
Manoeuvrability	Pitch: 1.4 Roll: 1.6 Yaw: 1.4 Thrust: 55
Energy banks	ship energy banks::6
Energy recharge rate	Excellent (ship energy recharge::5.5)
Gun mounts	Fore: 1x Rear: 1x
Missile slots	ship missile slots::3
Shield boosters available	ship supports shield booster::N/A
Military shields available	ship supports mil shields::N/A
Hyperspace capable	ship can hyperspace::Yes
OXP or standard	{{#set:ship is standard=OXP}}OXP
Available to player	ship is player flyable::Yes
Base price	ship base price::675,000 Cr

The Merlin Advertisement, the first of many

Overview

An offspring of the Kestrel and same like that craft a synthesis between GalCop technology and the high tech from a mysterious Empire in the unknown regions. While nearly similar to the parent this craft offers a lot more space and therefore made it attractive to smugglers, couriers and pirates. Other careers preferred the Merlin as well, it felt good to be able to take a shower and sleep in a real bed while in space. A hyperjump only in the pilots chair could be exhausting.

Given the source, it didn't come as a surprise to many that the same stabilizer problems as with the Kestrel occurred, just more frequent. While Benulobiweed Inc. tried to downplay the issue GalCop Galactic Health and Safety Executive started their own investigation.

Gossip

Overheard conversation in the Benulobiweed Inc. boardroom which was published by SPACE:

Q. "W.T.F. is that ?
A. "A customer said they wanted a Kestrel with more room for cargo."
Q. "Fat-F**ker looks like it's been on the chips !"
Q. "How much money is the R&D costing me ?"
A. "Nothing ..."
Q. "Nothing ?"
A. "Got one of the boys to take a lump-hammer & a welder to a Kestrel hull ..."
Q. "Those are expensive !"
A. "Not if you do it to a ship already sold to a customer moaning about the lack of space."
Q. "That's my boy. I see it now: 'Fat-f**ker by Benulobiweed.inc, hand-built by craftsmen'."
A. "Catchy ... There's more."
Q. "More ?"
A. "There's less metal and more room for parts in one of these; sooo, cheaper to make & fewer Tie-interceptor parts."
Q. "You know I come over all runny when you mention that !"
...
Q. "Slower ?"
A. "No."
Q. "Handles ok ?"
A. "Nearly as good as a Kestrel"
Q. "Cheaper to make ?"
A. "Cheaper ??"
Q. "What I said ..."
A. "Yes."
Q. "Anyone know ?"
A. "No."
Q. "Yes: 'Fat-f***ker, more space, more features, same price !'."
A. "Catchy... Boss ?"
Q. "Yes ?"
A. "Do you think it needs a better name ?"
Q. "No."
A. "I was thinking: 'Merlin'."
Q. "Merlin ?"
A. "A birdie a bit bigger than a Kestrel."
...
Q. "Ooo-yes & also that chap who did magic ! This could be the spell to get us out of the sh*t with GalCop - what ?"
A. "Very good Sir ..."
Q. "Benulobiweed ?"
A. "Don't mind if I do ..."

• Source: readme.txt Merlin.OXP

Warning

This ship/ships belong to the category Ubership, flying it will make you superior to most core-ships, but some opponents will be much stronger as well.

Credits

• Charlie (author)

Download

• The Merlin is found in the Merlin OXP.
• OR try here: Guide to Unlisted OXPs - the link to Charlie's collection (2006-8) is further down the page

License

This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). To view a copy of this license visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0.

Links

• Kestrel (parent)
• Benulobiweed Inc. (manufacturer)
• Merlin (FFE)