Fer-de-Lance 3G OXP

The 3G(t) version

Presenting the Fer-de-Lance 3G

The Zorgon Petterson Group proudly announce the 3G – ‘third generation’ – series of Fer-de-Lance ships.

The original Fer-de-Lance did not compromise in its pursuit of style, luxury, and engineering excellence. Yet, in other respects, and especially as time passed, the ship left something to be desired. The subsequent NG (‘next generation’) model of the Fer-de-Lance gave the ship the speed that it had always looked as though it had, and increased the rather limited amount of energy banks of the original model; but it did those things at the cost of cargo capacity and weapons systems. Then came the Mussurana Void-Yacht. The Mussurana – which departed somewhat from the aesthetics of the previous models – increased cargo capacity, manoeuvrability, energy, and shield- and missile-capability. But, exciting though it was, the ‘yacht’ was slow compared to the NG and was not quite as fearsome as one might want.

The Fer-de-Lance 3G models, which return to the shape of the original Fer-de-Lance, are the sharks of the Fer-de-Lance ecology. They have a respectable proportion of the NG’s speed but thoroughly outdo the NG, and indeed the Mussurana, in nearly all other respects, including (1) compromise in build-quality; and they are pre-fitted with an impressive range of equipment.

There are three 3G models. The 3G is the standard version. The 3G+ is a superior, and larger, ship. It offers the most capacious hold of any Fer-de-Lance class ship. Moreover: with eight energy banks, six missile slots, an improved energy-recharge rate, shield boosters fitted as standard, and (like the 3G) the capacity for military shield enhancement, the 3G+ can easily be made fully ‘iron-assed’. Finally, and for the commander in search of ‘über-icity’, there is the 3G+(t), which incorporates two side-mounted plasma turrets. Those turrets pack a good punch and fire to the ship’s fore, port, and starboard.(2)

The table below allows comparison of all of the different models of the Fer-de-Lance (except for police and military versions of the 3G+(t), the specifications of which are classified).

(1) The accuracy of the 3G models’ lasers can result in a visual ‘cross pattern’ when firing.

(2) The turrets very slightly reduce the ship’s energy-recharge capacity.

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To do: insert table (maybe as a graphic - but how?) Etc.

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Fer-de-Lance comparisons

	Fer-de-Lance	Fer-de-Lance NG	Mussuruna Void-Yacht	Fer-de-Lance 3G	Fer-de-Lance 3G+	Fer-de-Lance 3G+(t)
Size (meters: WxHxL)	45 x 20 x 85	45 x 20 x 85	35 x 19 x 80	45 x 20 x 85	49.5 x 22 x 93.5	49.5 x 22 x 93.5
Cargo capacity (tons)	12 (unexpandable)	2 (unexpandable)	25 (unexpandable)	22 (unexpandable)	36 (unexpandable)	36 (unexpandable)
Maximum speed (LM)	0.300	0.600	0.378	0.510	0.505	0.504
Manoeuverability	Roll: 3.6; Pitch: 1.0	Roll: 3.6; Pitch: 1.0	Roll: 4.0; Pitch: 1.25	Roll: 3.7; Pitch: 1.4	Roll: 3.65; Pitch: 1.35	Roll: 3.65; Pitch: 1.35
Energy banks	2	3	4	5	8	8
Energy recharge rate	Good (4.5)	Good (4.5)	Good (4.75)	Good (4.9)	Excellent (5.1)	Good - Excellent (5.05)
Gun mounts	2	2	2	4	4	4 - and two turrets
Missile pylons	2	0	4	5	6	6
Shield Upgrades	Boosters & military	Boosters	Boosters & military	Boosters & military	Boosters (as standard) & military	}