Caterpillar

Az egyik legnagyobb, moduláris rakodóhajó a Drake Caterpillar, amely nagy kapacitással és rugalmassággal rendelkezik. Általában a törvényes kereskedelemre, valamint kiterjesztett keresési és mentési küldetésekre használják. Az alacsony költség és a polgári népszerűség miatt azonban a Caterpillar hajókat gyakran használják kalózok, mint az általuk szerzett zsákmányok tárolóhelyeként.^[1]^[2] ^[3]

Features szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Cargo

The vessel's cargo is divided into five compartments. Four have doors on both sides that function as elevators for efficient cargo transfer, each holding up to 124 SCU, with a max container size of 24 SCU. The forward cargo bay features a front door with an airshield, also convertible to an elevator, accommodating up to 80 SCU and a max container size of 16 SCU.^[3]

Command module

The Caterpillar features a detachable Command module that can operate independently, serving as a lookout during cargo transfers or performing other tasks, and can also act as an emergency escape vehicle.^[3]

Tractor Beams

A Size 2 tractor beam station with a terminal allows the ship to direct cargo into the starboard cargo doors. Another Size 2 tractor beam on the Command module serves the port-side cargo doors.^[3]

Defense

The ship has two crewed turrets with two Size 4 gun hardpoints each. The Command module includes two Size 3 gun hardpoints on the front sides and a top-mounted remotely operated turret for two Size 3 guns, but these can only be used when the Command module is detached.^[3]

Habitation

A living space that is minimalistic yet functional has been designed to accommodate a maximum of four crew members which comprises of beds, a bathroom, and mess hall.

Ports szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

S2Command Module

2×S6Manned Turret

2×S4VariPuck S4 Gimbal Mount
- S4CF-447 Rhino Repeater

S4Remote Turret

S2SureGrip S2 Tractor Beam

2×S3Stronghold

S3Stronghold

S1ARMR_DRAK_Caterpillar

2×S3ThermalCore

S3Ginzel

S1Flight Blade

S3Pontes

S3Exodus

S1Joker Defcon - Noise Launcher

S1Joker Defcon Flares Ammo

S2FullSpec

S3ComfortAir Max

S1hardpoint_paint

Thrusters

6×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Retro

8×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Mav_Fixed_Bottom

16×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Mav_Fixed

4×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Mav_Fixed_Top

2×S3DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Aux

2×S3DRAK_Caterpillar_Thruster_Main

Crew Stations

S1DRAK_Caterpillar_SCItem_Seat_TractorBeam

7×S1hardpoint_seat_access

S1DRAK_Caterpillar_SCItem_Seat_Engineering

3×S1Seat

S1Screen

Controllers

2×S1WEAPONS

S1POWER

S1HEAT

S1SHIELDS

S1LIGHTS

S1SECURITY

S1COMMS

S1Controller_CapacitorAssignment

S1Controller_Fuel

S1hardpoint_air_traffic_controller

Other

S1Controller_Salvage_TractorBeamOnly

2×S1hardpoint_bed_hab_lower_left

S1hardpoint_avionics_1

6×S1hardpoint_countermeasure_chaff_2

3×S1interior_rearSection

Cargo Grids

4×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_CargoGrid_Module

4×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_CargoGrid_Module_Walkway

4×S1DRAK_Caterpillar_CargoGrid_Module_Ladder

S1DRAK_Caterpillar_CargoGrid_Nose

S1DRAK_Caterpillar_CargoGrid_Nose_Access

Doors & Hatches

S1Elevator Control

9×S1Door Control

S1Door

Landing Systems

S1Default_LandingSystem

Fuel

2×S1INTK_DRAK_Caterpillar

S1Internal Tank

S2Internal Tank

Systems

S1Self Destruct Unit

2×S1hardpoint_weapon_regen_pool

Docking

S1Door

S1DockingTube_Fuel_Ports_DRAK_Caterpillar

Relays

8×S1Relay

S1Relay

2×S1Relay

Model szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Ship profile szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear	Below

Isometric	Above	Port-side	Front	Rear

Paints szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

"2949 Best In Show"	"ArcCorp"	"Crusader"	"Deck the Hull"	"Foundation Festival"	"Ghoulish Green"	"Hurston"	"IceBreak"	"MicroTech"	"Mistwalker"	"Pirate"	"Polar"	"Stormbringer"

Acquisition szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Buy: Yes
Rent: Unknown
Pledge: Yes

System	Location	Buy	Updated	Version
Stanton	New Deal - Teasa Spaceport - Lorville	11 850 300	2026-08-30	4.10.0

Pledge price history szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Date	Pledge cost (USD)	Insurance	Availability	Sale
2012-11-18	225	LTI	Limited	Kickstarter final day addon ^[4]
2013-09-20	225	LTI	Limited	Caterpillar 72 hours flash sale ^[5]
2013-11-20	245	LTI	Time-limited	2013 anniversary sale ^[6]
2014-11-22	245	2 years	Time-limited	2014 anniversary sale ^[7]
2015-11-21	245	3 years	Time-limited	2015 anniversary sale ^[8]
2016-11-18	295	4 years	Time-limited	2016 anniversary sale ^[9]
2016-12-16	295	6 months	Time-limited	2016 holiday sale ^[10]

Lore szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

In the wake of the Cutlass' success in 28th Century, Drake Interplanetary's CEO and lead designer Jan Dredge was looking for a new project to move the company forward. Although the Cutlass enjoyed some success in commercial hauling, it is more known for its combat abilities. Dredge knew that they should take the same design principles and apply it to something much bigger. The Caterpillar prototype is initially unveiled at the 2871 Intergalactic Aerospace Expo. The ship received a lot of critics for its old design, the negativity almost threatened the whole project. It wasn't until the reports of Caterpillar spread through the Empire, that the tide began to turn. People were floored by two things: the ability to mix and match cargo modules and the price.^[2]

On 2903-06-21 SET, a Caterpillar broke out from heavy traffic, and rammed into an eriesium transport using the front sensor array as hooks to latch onto the hull. The front cargo door opened and pirates leapt onto the immobilized transport and cut their way inside while the turret engaged the shocked security detail. Within five minutes, the security detail had been destroyed, the transport breached and the eriesium taken. The Command Module detached from the Caterpillar and the pirates disappeared back into the spacelane with their fighter accomplices. By the time authorities arrived, they found an image that permanently seared itself into the public's consciousness, a Drake Caterpillar attached to the vented husk of a transport. Despite an exhaustive search through all the system, authorities never figured out who was behind the heist. The Caterpillar was forever tied with criminal element to the present after the event.^[2]

Gallery szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

Development szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

20??-??-??	Originally the Pirate Edition had a dark grey and red livery, but was later changed to a dark grey and dark olive colouring.
2019-11-24	Caterpillar Best In Show Edition implemented in Alpha 3.7.2.
2026-05-13	In Alpha 4.8.0: The Command module became detachable and can now operate independently.^[11] All of the "2949 Best In Show Editions" special editions (of Caterpillar, Cutlass, Hammerhead, and Reclaimer) were removed and were all replaced by their respective liveries. The Pirate Edition were removed and were replaced by respective livery.^[11]

Trivia szerkesztés forrásszöveg szerkesztése

A caterpillar is the larval stage of a moth or butterfly, the second phase in their four-part life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. As they grow, caterpillars show notable variations in appearance, which we can categorise into distinct growth stages. They are often found on their preferred host plants.^[12]
If stood upright, a Caterpillar would be taller than the famed Lumière de L'espoir statue in Odyssa, Borea, near Drake's headquarters.^[13]
It was the winner of the 'Best In Show' event during Intergalactic Aerospace Expo 2949. Caterpillar owners, at the time of the event, received an upgrade to this variant as a reward. The ship was also offered as a stand alone purchase to backers only during the event.^[14]