Python (Oolite)

Python

Size (W×H×L)	80m×40m×130m
Cargo capacity	100 TC
Cargo bay extension	15 TC
Maximum speed	0.20 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.0 Pitch: 0.8
Energy banks	7
Energy recharge rate	Medium (2.5)
Gun mounts	Fore, Aft Port, Starboard
Missile slots	2
Shield boosters available	Yes
Military shields available	No
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	Standard
Available to player	Yes
Base price	200,000₢

Overview

An outnumbered Blackdog chose to eject

Originally built in Inera Orbit Space by Whatt and Pritney, the mighty Python has been in service since 2700. This is an old design which clearly shows its age. However, it is cheap for its size and extremely robust. Many a trader has slogged it out in a Python to afford a more modern and sexy ship. If maintained correctly, a Python will go on forever.

Notable features

The vast majority of Pythons still in service are working ships with no frills. The Python is perhaps the antithesis of the Mussurana, which by contrast is fast, lithe and luxuriously appointed (not to mention tremendously expensive). A Python in good condition will fetch around Cr.200,000 on the open market, which is remarkably good value for money considering that it can (slowly) shift 100 TC, or 115 TC with the optional cargo bay extension. The Python is easy to find, and virtually all shipyards are experienced in their maintenance, making spare parts easy to find and running costs low.

Description

The first thing one noticed when entering the bridge was how run-down it looked. Frankly, this ship had seen better days. What little paint was left was mostly old and mottled. The bridge was now a scuffed steel plated floor, with hull plating making up the sides and ceiling. Broken illumination panels flickered, and a lone dented locker sat to the rear next to the entry door. Three consoles made up the area all of which looked in various states of disrepair. The front left was for damage control and combat. A single screen showed ship schematics and various gauges, showing the overall health of the ship and her components. (with most parts of the ship in a discouraging yellow, and a few in a rather alarming red.) The front right, where Orin was sitting, contained a condensed version of this on the viewscreens. Front and aft shields, all seven of the energy bank bars, the IFF scanner, and fuel, cabin temperature, and laser temp. readings gave a wealth of information to the pilot. The final console, in the middle rear, was for the captain, and gave a read-out of cargo, licenses, system information, trade route plans, and other much needed trading information.

(Herald's End by OneOfTheLost)

Upgrades

	Compatible equipment for this ship. Factory standard equipment is marked in bold, all other equipment can be added by the player.
Misc. Equipment	Cargo Bay Expansion • Fuel Scoops • Escape Capsule • Docking Computers • Witch Fuel Injectors • Galactic Hyperdrive • Advanced Space Compass • Scanner Targeting Enhancement • Multi-Targeting System • {{{11}}} • {{{12}}} • {{{13}}} • {{{14}}} • {{{15}}} • {{{16}}} • {{{17}}} • {{{18}}} • {{{19}}} • {{{20}}} • {{{21}}}
Weaponry	Pulse Laser • Beam Laser • Military Laser • Energy Bomb • {{{6}}} • {{{7}}} • {{{8}}} • {{{9}}} • {{{10}}} • {{{11}}} • {{{12}}} • {{{13}}} • {{{14}}} • {{{15}}} • {{{16}}} • {{{17}}} • {{{18}}} • {{{19}}} • {{{20}}} • {{{21}}}
Defence	E.C.M. System • Extra Energy Unit • Naval Energy Unit • Shield Boosters • External Heat Shielding • {{{7}}} • {{{8}}} • {{{9}}} • {{{10}}} • {{{11}}} • {{{12}}} • {{{13}}} • {{{14}}} • {{{15}}} • {{{16}}} • {{{17}}} • {{{18}}} • {{{19}}} • {{{20}}} • {{{21}}}

Vignette

We've all read about the heroes and legends. Perhaps some of us are those legends. But what about the little guys? The chaps you fly past - maybe even blast into atoms - without a second thought?

I thought it would be interesting to have a little glimpse into the lives of those around us through a series of letters, articles, pen-portraits and vignettes. Lets start with an urgent communique from Captain Graff Iquarte, Master of the SS Marske Lave. Marske are a major intergalactic freight company with their headquarters in Xexedi. Like many corporate monoliths, the men who command their vessels don't have as much autonomy as lone-wolf Commanders take for granted. However, there is a steady salary and a comfortable pension at the end of an unassuming career.

Here, the SS Marske Lave has been ambushed by pirates on entering a system and following the skirmish Captain Iquarte must report to the Security Division of his company.

URGENT COMMUNIQUE
To : Abbe Starfyre, Head of Security, Marske Galactic Transportation.
From : Graff Iquarte, Master, SS Marske Lave.
Location : Off Witchspace Beacon, RIISER system.

REPORT
At 2084273 23:58:44 GST our vessel - a Python Class freighter, serial 2BLY2 exited witchspace in the RIISER system whilst en route to REBIA from BEENRI, manifest as follows:

3080 grams Gem-Stones (bound REBIA)
660 kilograms Platinum (bound DITIZA)
29 tons Furs (most profitable sale)
31 tons Computers (most profitable sale)
42 tons Luxuries (most profitable sale)

Upon exiting witchspace First Officer Ga Unlarge performed a routine scan of all vessels within scanner range. Two vessels were detected - a Fer-De-Lance class 'PHOENIX' and a Cobra Mk III 'SS INSCRUTABLE'. Our on-board Threat Detection Systems identified them both as having OFFENDER status, and I was summoned to the bridge.

As per company procedure 3734 I immediately instigated a defensive manouevre, placing the hostile craft to my stern and targeting the nearest target 'PHOENIX' with the aft beam laser. This tactic caused 'PHOENIX' to perform a 180 degree turn and evacuate on thrusters. However, 'SS INSCRUTABLE' continued her attack and a combination of laser-fire from both hostiles caused a loss of rear shielding and subsequent hull damage, cargo loss and malfunction of the Witchdrive Fuel Injectors.

The loss of injectors removed the possibility of fleeing, so I turned the ship and began an aggressive approach on the 'SS INSCRUTABLE'. This manoeuvre caused her to evade, but a second burst of laser fire destroyed the target. An escape pod was observed but - despite company procedure 878 (Apprehension of Hostile Targets) - I decided to concentrate on eliminating the remaining hostile.

Once again placing 'PHOENIX' astern I reduced speed and allowed the hostile craft to approach to a range of 8 kilometres before opening fire. This time we were successful in eliminating her. No escape capsule was observed.

Due to the time-sensitive nature of the cargo I have elected to continue with all haste to RITILA system, where we will conduct repairs to the Witchdrive Fuel Injectors before continuing to DITIZA.

As well as the damage to the Injectors we suffered the loss of 2 (two) tons of Furs and 1 (one) ton of Luxuries. Minor injuries were suffered by First Officer Ga Unlarge, and he is currently undergoing treatment in the on-board medical suite.

I recommend an urgent Fleet Safety Circular is dispatched with alacrity, given the potential for further ambushes of company vessels. Hoping you have a pleasant day.

Kind Regards

Graff Iquarte
Master, SS Marske Lave by Benguela (2012)

Variations

Pythons have also been popular targets for conversion since they are common and capacious. One of the most famous Python conversions was the total stripping and remaking of one of these large ships into Woodford's Casino and Bar, which was towed into orbit around Zaonce. It was tolerated for about fifteen years by the Zaonce authorities. However, it soon became clear that it was being used as a money laundering facility and was damaged beyond repair during a Police raid on the operators of the casino. The wreck continued to orbit Zaonce for another year before it was finally scrapped.

Python Blackdog

A less welcome conversion, is to a customised pirate ship. The ease of maintenance and ease of acquisition has also made this a popular ship for pirates to use to haul away their loot. There is somewhat of a pirate tradition to repaint the rather plain factory scheme with a traditional skull-and-crossbones motif. One particularly dreaded variant of these goes by the name "Blackdog". Pirate operated Pythons seldom roam alone; if you find one, expect fighters to be close at hand.

Deviating from the stock Python, the Blackdog can fit a Passenger Berth, Fuel Scoops, comes with a Beam Laser, and can add the Military Shield Enhancement.

Speaking of black dog Pythons, I recall one time I was attacked by one - or the wreck of it, at least!
When I saw it first, I thought it to be just a battered renegade hulk, turrets bristling on the severely breached, rusty hull... It was unpowered and appeared ancient.
I didn't give it much attention, we've all crossed such perennial corpses of a million battles, right?

But I should have, as when I was passing within range the thing suddenly powered up and started firing at me with all it had, hitting me hard. It took me a lot of sweet flying to clear the turret's range, but then I managed to shoot back at the ambushing pirate.

Or not!!!

To my great surprise, the lasers went right by the hulk as if it wasn't there!
"Naa, you just missed", you're thinking, right? So did I, and shot it again and again - to no effect - until I received an audio hailing; a deep and sinister voice mocking me and saying that such a plucky fellow'd fit nicely in his crew.

And his name was... no, I cant!

Oh, how considerate, a drink for the nerves...
...all right, the Captain's name was... Ghost Pirate LeChuck!

Well, as for how it ended: all I wanted was to get away from that thing. I fed my Asp's injectors and the Python kept up easily, I fired my missile to try and slow it down but just got this blood-curdling snickering; finally that got me so shook up I forced a mis-jump on low fuel.

I got lucky and survived, and now I always shoot at any hulk I find before approaching it. And if you kids have any sense, you should, too! From Travellers' Tales, written by Cmdr. Maegil (2008)

Python Eunectes Turbo (ET) Special

Recent developments has seen a more exclusive and expensive model hit the market, namely the Python ET Special. It offers considerable improvements to its predecessor in terms of speed and maneuverability at no expense of cargo space, although its hull is slightly less robust than the classic Python. Pirates who can afford these rides should not be lightly dismissed.

Python Class Cruiser

The Python Class Cruiser was a larger and faster sister ship to the Python, rolling off the production lines at Inera Orbit Space along with the Python, production beginning in 2720, production ceasing at around the same time as Python production ended.

Python Clipper

Bringing the Python right up to date, the Gerege Federation SpaceWorks have recently announced the Python Clipper to complement the popular Boa Clipper. The clippers are long-legged fighting transports, with a trade-off between reduced cargo space and better handling and speed. They come as standard with Fuel Scoops, Heat Shielding and supplementary external fuel tanks containing 4LY of fuel.

Python Courier

The Python Courier is faster, has more missile slots, comes with fuel scoops fitted, and at the same time retains the shape and sturdiness of the original design.