Asp (Oolite)

Asp Mk.II

Size (metres, W×H×L)	65 × 20 × 70
Cargo capacity	0 TC
Cargo bay extension	N/A
Maximum speed	0.40 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.0 Pitch: 1.0
Energy banks	5
Energy recharge rate	Good (4.0)
Gun mounts	Fore, Aft
Missile slots	1
Shield boosters available	Yes
Military shields available	Yes
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	Standard (Special is OXP)
Available to player	Yes
Base price	375000 Cr

Overview

The Asp Mk.II began life as purely a military machine, the first production model entering service with the Galactic Navy in 2878. The enigmatic craft was unveiled after a lengthy period of secrecy, and immediately went into battle in the first (and most deadly) round of the Thargoid wars. In other parts of the universe, the ship was used as a patrol vessel. Once the ship was effectively superseded by the Behemoth with a bellyful of Vipers, the ship was produced under license by Zorgon Petterson Group and sold to civilian pilots. The main target market was trader escorts.

Notable Features

The ship has no cargo capacity, and none can be fitted; its only use is as a fighter or courier vessel. It is fast, and with the availability of the full enhancements of military shields and shield boosters allied with a military laser, makes a fearsome fighting ship. This has made it popular with bounty hunters and pirates alike. If you find an Asp alone - watch out - if it's a pirate vessel, it's certain that his buddies are biding their time and waiting to sift through your wreckage after their Asp makes short work of you. That slightly disproportional hexagon seen glinting in the sun can either be your best friend or your deadliest enemy, depending on whose hands it is in.

This Asp Mk.II Special is clearly a pirate!

Zorgon Petterson Group, in a mostly successful attempt to make the ship more appealing to customers made a minor facelift to the ship in recent years, creating the Asp Mk.II Special. Its performance is substantially similar to the regular version of the ship - most of the changes being cosmetic: enlarged heatsinks around the main engine thrusters and a slight cut-out in the front of the ship, exposing more of the laser barrel, has given the ship a more aggressive look. ZPG simultaneously used their expertise in first-class cabin furnishings, leading 'Which Spaceship?' to describe the ship as a 'poor man's Fer de Lance'. Considering a new Asp Mk.II Special costs Cr.450,000 prior to any equipment fit, it is unsure who 'What Spaceship?' is classifying as a poor man.