McGuffin briefing

RMS McGuffin
Cargo; 33 strikeboats
Escort: none

You are the commander of the RMS McGuffin, a massive bulk freighter transiting the A’den system. For reasons that you’ve decided not to probe too deeply, Jardine Mathiesen have told you that 300 Mtons of “agricultural machinery” are urgently needed “to forestall famine” in the wartorn Sudan system.

Travelling with the “agricultural machinery” are the ugliest bunch of “agronomists” and “aid consultants” you’ve ever seen. They keep themselves to themselves and you like it that way. Nor have you asked them anything at all about the “crop survey scanners” which have been mounted in cargo bay three.

Point of entry to A’den: The Goanbou Kong jump node
Point of exit Paleo Khartoum jump node.

Likely opposition; you’re worried about pirates, but Jardine assures you that they’ve been paid off and will leave you alone. You’re also worried about the UN, who will probably arrest you if they board you and find out that the agricultural machinery is what you think it is. If a UN patrol shows up you plan to pile on the acceleration and pretend your radios aren’t working properly; if you can get to the jump node before they overhaul you, you should be OK. And you’re not too happy about the possibility that the combatants from Sudan might take an interest in you either.

Your vessel - see attached diagram.
Basic stats
Cargo 400 M in four holds
Passenger space 12
Hull boxes 60
M-Drive 2 10% mass 60
FTL 10% mass 60
4 PDS systems
2 Beam 1
2 Fire control
carried weapons 8
Total mass 600 tons.
12 crew factors

main cargo; 330 tons

Also carried
6 crew box equivalents of agronomists
25 ton “sensor package” in cargo hold 3 (aft, topside)

Sensor package contains
rl arc 1 fire control, 3 SMP 2 PDS (rear arc only)
rr arc 1 fire control, 3 SMP 2 PDS (rear arc only)
fl 2 SMP
fr 2 SMP