Terran Confederation "Free Trader" Transport
Name: Free Trader
Craft: Terran Confederation Free Trader Class
Type: Transport
Scale: starfighter
Length: 83 meters
Skill: space transports
Crew: 4
Passengers: 11
Cargo Capacity: 25 metric tons
Consumables: 15 weeks
Jump Drive: x1
Nav Computer: yes
Maneuverability: 2D+1
Space: 1
Atmosphere: 185; 530 km/h
Hull: 6D+2
Shields: 0D+1
Sensors
- Passive: 20/1D
- Scan: 50/1D+1
- Search: 100/1D+2
- Focus: 2/2D
Weapons
- 17 Flak Cannons
- Fire Arc: (Dual Gun Sponson x4 (Starboard Ahead x1, Portside Ahead x1, Starboard Aft x1, Portside Aft x1; Flak), Dual Gun Barbette x3 (Forward Hemisphere x1, Starboard Ahead/Starboard x1, Portside Ahead/Portside x1; Flak), Triple Gun Turret x1 (Forward OTS; Flak))
Crew: 1
Scale: walker
Skill: starship gunnery
Fire Control: 1D
Space Range: 1-10/20/30
Atmosphere Range: 100-1,000/2,000/3,000
Rate of fire: 15
Damage: 1D
- Electronic Counter Measure Module
- Fire Arc: all
Crew: 1
Skill: sensors
Space Range: 1-13/25/50
Atmosphere Range: 1-25/50/100km
Effects: Enemy Sensors and Fire Control -1D
Gear:
- Matter/Anti-Matter Reactor
- Akwende Drive
- External Docking Port: 2
- Escape Pod: 1 (18 person capacity)
- Ramscoop
- Industrial Manipulator Module: The ship may perform any industrial duty
- Bulk Cargo Module: provides an additional 1,406 metric tons of cargo space
Description: The Free Trader-class Transport was a civilian freighter class used by the Terran Confederation during the Kilrathi War. It is prominently featured in Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi.
The Free Traders were a common sight in the Terran Confederation prior to the year 2669. They were normally civilian vessels, and as such were not very well-armed ships. Like any transport, their main purpose was to ship cargo to and from the frontlines of the Kilrathi War, as well as to civilian depots and colonies. While not military by nature, they could be adapted for a number of military purposes, including top secret reconnaissance missions. Some Free Traders have even been adapted to house a handful of starfighters.
By far the most famous example of this class was the TCS Bonnie Heather, the personal flagship of the distinguished General James Taggart. Taggart rose to fame for his previous services on the ill-fated T.C.S. Tiger's Claw. After retiring from frontline duty, he vanished into the Special Operations Division, where he became one of the Terran Confederation's top spies. He was given command of the TCS Bonnie Heather, which was better armed and better armored than a conventional Free Trader, and was adapted with highly-advanced surveillance equipment, a starfighter hangar, and prison cells. Taggart and the Bonnie Heather were responsible for the rescue of Firekkan hostages in 2656 and the defense of Ghorah Khar. The crew even captured Crown Prince Thrakhath nar Kiranka briefly before he managed to escape the vessel.
It is unknown if the Free Traders remained active after 2669, as the Confederation had begun using the Clarkson-class Transport on a frequent basis.
Source:
- Wing Commander Encyclopedia: Free Trader-class transport
- Wing Commander Information Center: Free Trader-class transport
- The Wing Commander Role Playing Game (page 395)
- thedemonapostle