I'm calling that unfolding cargo scaffolding the MULLET system. You've got the sleek, sexy, spaceship... then all of a sudden, the MULLET unfolds and you've got a cargo party going on, just letting it all hang out.
The thing with all the variants is, none of them are so specialized that they can't do the same jobs as the others in a pinch. By getting a variant, you get a ship that is optimized at whatever you're most interested in, but is still capable of doing other jobs as well. Part of what makes the...
Me: Hmm... they're pretty, but I think I'll maybe just stick with the Hull B. I don't need another multi-crew trader.
Rum: Is that what you think?
Me: Oh crap.
I feel like you could heat a small apartment complex off the waste heat from that rig, at least until it blew up. From there, it's either find new heating source, or flee the building as it catches fire from the small nova of computing hubris.
Out in the gulf between worlds, the star gleamed brilliantly. No murky atmosphere caused any fluctuation of their light here; each star was distinctly clear, burning bright and steady in a jeweled mosaic set in a pitch-black firmament. From any mortal perspective, the heavens were frozen in...
I really can't wait to take these ships out for a spin in the 'verse. I own all three variants of the 'lancer, and each one has a special place in my heart. I'm really hoping that these ships are fairly high speed for their class; they definitely seem to hint at it with their streamlined styling...
They also mention the entire Hull series is modularized and flexible. I think it certainly will have the capacity to carry fluid cargoes, but they just pulled out the super tanker because it's pretty much the largest cargo vessel in the world.