Adder Speedster

Adder Speedster
Size (W×H×L)	30m×8m×45m
Cargo capacity	2 TC
Cargo bay extension	N/A
Maximum speed	0.299 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 2.4 Pitch: 1.8
Energy banks	1
Energy recharge rate	Medium (2.5)
Gun mounts	Fore
Missile slots	1
Shield boosters available	Yes
Military shields available	No
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	OXP
Available to player	Yes
Base price	80000 Cr

The Adder 2S colloquially known as the Adder Speedster is a budget light transport ship with slight improvements upon the original Adder.

Overview

Forced into action from a position of unprepared market complacency, manufacturers Spalder and Prime realised instantly that they needed to respond to the threat to their market position that came with the introduction of the Anole, immediately initiating the development and subsequent manufacture of their enhanced Adder issue, the 2S. Too quickly, some would say.

Notable features

Stemming from no particular vision of concept beyond, "just make it faster than the snooking Anole!" the Adder Speedster does that and not much else. By way of conventional industrial espionage, the space conserving innovations introduced by the Anole were appropriated, allowing for significant improvements to the engine core with no sacrifice of what little space its predecessor could offer. Making fuel injection standard issue and improving marginally upon the ship's energy recharge rate, was deemed a sufficient progress cutoff for the next stage of the Adder series.

An Adder Speedster at top speed.

Visually there is little to distinguish the 2S from its predecessor apart from the disproportionally large engine nozzles and the altered Speedster symbol.

Response

"We just made her purr like she always deserved", was the low-key company statement upon its launch, "our customers know what's important." What little was done was all that was needed, as the market reception was generally positive. A little extra speed was enough to satisfy a customer base not accustomed to being indulged, who found the modest price increase well acceptable for its rewards. Despite its minimal shielding protection, the model was judged sufficiently speedy for the low-end courier industry, and while still among the cheapest ships credits can buy, in short time the Speedster found broad favour among less affluent customers.

While conceding the small-cargo ground to the Anole, it could be argued that this was never an Adder feature to begin with. While some customers might be lost to the practicality of "the little pickup ship", the strategy proved sound as a visible portion of the market would inevitably trade back their Anoles in favour of a Speedster.

Download

• The Adder Speedster is found in the Iron Ass Vol. 4