Type Q Pocket Q-ship "Bait ship'
Hull 2 Standard Hull 4(2) Structure 4(2) 200(100) 2.0
Armor Crystaliron 4 10 1.6
Jump A Jump 1(2) 10 10.0
Maneuver C Thrust 3(6) 5 12.0
Power C 10 24.0
Fuel One Jump 1(2), 3 weeks operation 28 -----
Bridge 10 1.0
Computer M/4 Rating 20 -- 5.0
Electronics Basic military 2 1.0
Staterooms 5 Pilot, astrogator, engineer, gunner, 2 marines 20 2.5
Ship's locker
Repair drones 2 0.4
Weapons Popup turret - Particle beam 3 5.0
External cargo 100 0.1
Software Maneuver/0, Library, Jump Control/2, Evade/2
Fire Control/2, Auto Repair/1 ----- 10.2
Total cost - MCr. 74.8
Life support - Cr.11,000/month
Maintenance - Cr.6167/month
The pocket Q resembles a hauler know as a 'Fast Trader' known for being able to load and unload cargo from it's external units at orbital stations very quickly. These hauler can be numerous in many trade areas and make fine targets for jumpcussers, privateers and pirates. They also become very common sights. These feature made enforcement design a Q variation stripping out some internals for a turret, armor, a larger crew and huge engines.
The bait ship will be assigned routs where piracy profiles are best. They have the ability to move around trade main but often will cruise a planetary trade path looking fat with cargo and defenseless. If no one takes the bait, the Q ship either make a jump or will turn around and head back. One special feature is the variable transponder with many IDs so it seems to be a number of vessels.
When there is a piracy attempt made, the Q lets its target enter the PA turret's optimal range all the time sending distress calls and warning the other vessel to leave. Continued interception or aggression will have the Q ship jettison it's external cargo and reveal the turret. Speed and maneuverability keeps the Q ship's weapon at range attempting to disable the target's engines. A pocket Q ship will attempt to take on even corsairs. Often, Serpent police cutters might follow at a distance until they receive a signal. The external units broadcast a homing signal for retrieval for reattachment at a station.