Trade on the Hierate Route?

[J. L. Brown]

I just figure that it is less efficient using a J-3 ship for less than J-3 jumps than using a J-3 ship for J-3 jumps. Plus, Paal is already covered by the J-2 route.

As a general case, yes -- a J-3 ship prefers to make long trips using as many J-3 as possible; this means fewer days spent on the trip, which minimizes fixed-costs. But in this case, it does not save any time -- and the fuel is 50% more expensive. Nor does doing these extra jumps open up new markets inaccessible to a lower-jump drive; the end points are the same either way.

Although, and I do not remember where I read it at the moment, it says that only the J-3 route is escorted, which means that the Imperial to Aslan escort trade off happens at Tech World. This would mean that the jump to Paal has no escorts, but the jump to Bryni does have Aslan escorts which makes sense since 30% of the population of Bryni is Aslan.

I do not remember that, but it might be the case. It has been a while since I read the materials.

 

[MasterGwydion]

As a general case, yes -- a J-3 ship prefers to make long trips using as many J-3 as possible; this means fewer days spent on the trip, which minimizes fixed-costs. But in this case, it does not save any time -- and the fuel is 50% more expensive. Nor does doing these extra jumps open up new markets inaccessible to a lower-jump drive; the end points are the same either way.

True, that is why I was thinking that the decision may have been more political than economic.