X3 while you wait

[Shazbot11]

If you want to set up a decent Sector Trader, buy the following upgrades from the TerraCorp HQ in Home of Light:

Trade Command Software I, II, II
Fight Command Software I, II
Special Command Software

When you have all of those upgrades installed on a transport, move it into a sector of your choice. From the Trade section in the command menu, select "Start Sector Trader" and let it go on its merry way.

The trader will 'hire' a pilot who will then proceed to trade for you automatically within the confines of the selected sector. The more profit the trader makes, the more it will increase in rank; generally, a higher rank means a more competent trader. The best sector to quickly raise the rank of your trader is Empire's Edge in Paranid space. It has the best balance of solar power plants, food plants, and tech plants to keep it busy.

When your trader hits rank 10 you have the option of switching it over to a Universe Trader. To do this you need to buy it a Jump Drive from a Goner Temple (there should be one in Home of Light). Once you have this installed, activate the Universe Trader command in the Trade menu. From this point on, your trader will utilize all explored sectors to trade; higher levels will again increase competency. Your trader will eventually buy a dozen fighter drones for defense, and use its jump drive to escape enemy attacks. Never the less, I would recommend getting the best shields for your trader ASAP; they're an investment and it'd be a shame to lose one because of a pirate ambush.

Personally, I'm a fan of the Paranid Demeter. It has the perfect balance between speed, defense, and cargo space. If you want to try and maximize the amount of trade runs possible, buy a Split Caiman. After Engine upgrades, it's the fastest TS available.

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Maybe some day, they'll see a hero is just a man who knows he's free.