Zoner transport

[Drake]

Both ships are very sexy. The first one, I agree, doesn't fit with the Zoners very much... But I can see it used as a much-needed 'research liner'. Maybe made by Ageira?

The second one is very nice for the Zoners... But I think it'll be waaay too big if it's made for 5000 cargo. Unless it's designed as something of a 'Whale mk. 2', a bit larger than the current Whale, with 5000 cargo and only 1 gun. And a lot more expensive, and Zoner-exclusive.

On the other hand, if the 4400 cargo limit for Zoner IDs is really a 'done deal', rather than just a suggestion, there's not much point making a Zoner transport with more than 4400 cargo. In that case, I'd say the second could still be a Zoner-exclusive 'Whale mk. 2', except with only 4400 cargo (300 less than the current Whale), about the same size as the current Whale, same maneuverability, a single forward turret (or maybe two, just to make it different), but more armor and maybe a CM dropper (unique in that it breaks the no-CMs on large transports rule). Very similar to the Whale, since Zoners don't generally need a lot of guns on their transports, but upgraded for long-distance transport through the border worlds. The loss of 300 cargo makes room for living spaces and the extra armor/CM dropper.

Edit: If the cargo-cap is going to happen, the Zoners will need a replacement 4000-4400 Whale-esqe ship. The Whale is the only ship in its 'niche', that is a high-cargo transport with no real guns, but smallish size and decent maneuverability. It's the perfect ship for Zoner traders, and fairly popular among them from what I've seen. It even looks very 'Zonerish', in my opinion. But with a cargo-cap, no more Whale for Zoners, so they'd need something different.