My thoughts on your thoughts.
My Thoughts:
Would it be economic?
Well, since I think can assume at least some technological advancement in the 800 or so years since the OTU of the Golden Age, I would say yes.
higher tech levels = higher maintenance costs
See above, what was once high tech may well be more common. Also, could be easier to maintain than a standard overclocked fusion plant.
requires higher tech level starports for repairs
Again, I think that there should be some increase of TL over all and thus not quite the issue as in the Golden Age, but that is just me guessing.
is the increased cost maintenance and canopy replacement offset by the lower fuel costs?
I wish Hans were here to field that one, but considering the cost of a tank of gas, seems like it might be. Plus has the advantage of being able to absorb those exotic particles it uses anywhere in space is mighty nice come a misjump to those empty hexes.
Always a bonus, spare tonnage, which in the hands of naval architect is also more components in other systems, like sensors or even defenses. Mmmm, Nuke Dampers and Meson Screens for the Free Trader. Yum.
would this type of run be automated?
Don't see why not if AIs get to be Citizens, they might even be better at it than organics.
post virus
Tenders Carried by the ship or local and waiting at jump in point (assuming no scatter)?
If no scatter then we are taking Jump and Hop only in which case Manuever-1 for emergencies and they sit at their assigned Jump Point and Tenders bring cargo and pax to them.
Why not a direct M-Drive for total Self Sufficiency?
Not sure I understand this one. Could you explain it to me?
would players choose this as a standard player ship?
why or why not?
Depends, I suspect some of my crowd might figure out the utility of the Collectors. These are the same guys who stock up on power cells like they were kids in a candy store and ask wacky questions like "Can I shoot nukes at my own BG to power my Jump Capacitors? And speaking of BGs, can I teleport nukes past them? It's relevant.", so once they figure out what a Collector is and does, and worse the exploit of no jump fuel, yeah, I suspect one of them will opt for a Collector or two.
I am think of putting them on some of my Naval vessels now, thanks to this discussion. Might have to boot up Rob's Shipyard again.
How about higher TL versions? J3 ?
Oops, missed this one. Uh, yes. I mean seems like if you have the TL why not. People think that mining the oort clouds messes with strategic planning Collectors are gonna drive them to the padded cells. :devil:
"Fuel, what is this Fuel you speak of Earth man? my starship is powered by exotic particles, but of that is too difficult to process think of as sunshine and rainbows. *mutters* Primitive."
