Mining Pod
| Convict Miner Minnow | |
|---|---|
| |
| Size (W×H×L) | 12m×14m×22m |
| Cargo capacity | N/A |
| Cargo bay extension | |
| Maximum speed | 0.24 LM |
| Manoeuvrability | Roll: 1.0 Pitch: 0.5 |
| Energy banks | 1 |
| Energy recharge rate | |
| Gun mounts | Fore |
| Missile slots | |
| Shield boosters available | No |
| Military shields available | No |
| Hyperspace capable | No |
| OXP or standard | OXP |
| Available to player | No |
| Base price | |
Mining Pods are used by Astro Mines.
Most commonly, mining pods travel in formations of four or five, closing on asteroids and blasting them at close range, before peeling off to allow Scavenger Rays to scoop the debris.
Designed to be as minimalist to fulfil their primary purpose, these vessels redefine the term 'basic'. They are literally an engine with a laser and a pilot’s seat; all other systems are pared down to the absolute lowest standards required to maintain life outside an atmosphere. Air is supplied via an oxygen recycler that has an operational lifespan of 12 hours, heating is provided but at the requirement of firing the pod’s mining laser to allow heat to leach through the weapon’s heat sinks into the pilot’s compartment. The main purpose of this ultra-basic fitting is to prevent convicts from escaping. When you only have half a day’s air to breathe and the only way to keep warm is to constantly fire a laser, you learn that escape in a mining pod is futile. The fact that mining pods also have minimal shielding, something that is among many matters of contention with the liberalist branches of the GalCop Security Council, means that even a couple of impacts from a Pulse Laser can breach the paper-thin hull.
‘Accidents’ involving political prisoners and malfunctioning mining pods are common, as are summary executions by Mining Laser. But while the Astro-Gulags continue to be productive, there is little chance that the Party officials will ever consider measures to improve conditions.
Download
The Mining Pod is part of the Commies OXP.
Links
- Ethics: do you help escapees from the AstroGulags (by e.g. opening a wormhole for them to escape to a better system)? Or do you blast them out of existence to add another notch to your Elite Rating?
