When All You Have is a Cobra...
10 May 2021Shredwick
My attempt with CMDR Ace Kuri to engage in low intensity combat zones was laughable. As I said before, we only managed to take out an Asp Scout or two before we had to bug out or risk losing everything. This got me thinking. Combat scenarios are only going to get more and more difficult from here, minus the occasional underequipped pirate who interdicts me on a supply run. However, if I wished to start earning some real cash, taking on missions where I'd have to take on more dangerous or numerous (or both) targets, then my Cobra MKIII simply wasn't going to cut it.I was a long way from that coveted Krait MKII or Python, as the jobs I could take in the Cobra were low level pirate hunting or transport jobs, with each only paying out between 100 and 200k each. Fuel and repairs meant even less profit, and such expenses are all but guaranteed. The thing about the sidewinder is, yes it's nimble, but the amount of damage it could deal, and take in return, was pitiful. More times than not I was having to evade because my shields were down, meaning I was too busy to even shoot at anything. And even when I was shooting, I was limited to my two medium and two small hardpoints. I needed something with a thicker hull, a beefier shield generator, and something that could fit more weapons, but not necessarily larger.
I was sifting through the shipyard directories, looking at the Krait MKII's pricetag and wondering how many supply runs with my measley 36 unit capacity I would have to do to get there when I saw it.
Now, nobody really thinks "combat ship" when they see it, and yes, I would never take it to a big fight, but the Asp Explorer could be a good stepping stone to getting me into a Krait faster. It has almost double the armor and shields before upgrades, and it has two medium hardpoints, four small hardpoints, and four utility hardpoints. Plus its base cargo capacity is double my Cobra's after upgrades. Sure, it was slow, and not nearly as maneuverable. But it could take way more punishment as I bring my weapons down to bear and unload on a hapless fugitive or presumptuous pirate.
I had enough credits to trade in the Cobra for one and have some left over for weapons and a couple other upgrades, and I've been flying it for a day or so now, and let me tell you, yes, it's an absolute brick. However, the one time I've lost shields in it, my hull integrity barely went under 80% before my attacker was space dust. I've only got a few more upgrades I want to get for it before I coast and let my 80+ unit capacity cargo hold make me the credits to get me into a Krait, or possibly even a Python. Even then, I'm not sure if I'll be trading it in, and if I do, it would probably be for something like a Type-9 or 10, something for those big hauling jobs.
She's got two gimbaled beam lasers, two gimbaled auto cannons, and two seeker missile racks. So far for utility all I have is a point defense turret. I'm still debating what to slot in the other three, or if I should just get another one and leave two empty to save power and mass. It's a work in progress.
I'm going to take on a few bounty hunting jobs to get a really good gauge of how she handles in a hairier fight, as up to now it's just been hapless pirates trying to steal my cargo, not realizing they were trying to rob a tank. Will update with results. Hopefully I made the right decision with this purchase. If I end up regretting it, I'm not sure what I'll do. I don't really want to go back to a Cobra, or something else in its class like a Viper, but I may end up having to bite the bullet and resign myself back to a slower grind. I just wish there was a light, low priced combat vessel with just a couple more weapons hardpoints and cargo space, and room for a beefier shield. Oh well, such is life, I suppose.
Still haven't met up with anyone from the Fatherhood. From what I gather through comms and message chatter is that the majority of them pretty much do their own thing, helping out each other when they can. A good amount of them are fighting for whatever side they want in whatever's going on in Paresa, or going back and forth between the bubble and Colonia. I've done a couple jobs for them in their systems, even prioritizing one or two. I recommended them to Ace, they seem like good people, and I think he may have joined as well.
On a whim I pledged myself to Ed Mahon of the Alliance. Of the big three, and possibly of all the factions, he seems like the most reasonable. I just wish they weren't so decentralized. Realistically, it probably wouldn't make much difference who I pledged to, or even that I pledged at all. I may end up going back independent, depending on how I feel. Like I said, it was more on a whim than anything else. Out here in the black, who sits in what chair on whatever planet however many lightyears away matters very little.
Anyway, I'm gonna rack it out here in Taleo for a bit, might hang around here for a good while. They've been paying good to move goods from one station to another, without me having to even jump to another system. Perhaps I'll be in that Krait sooner rather than later. Hopefully. I'm not sold on this space brick.