MGT Only: How would you like to use a Surplus X-Boat?

[Spinward Scout]

I took my ideas of making a Maneuver drive attachment for a Surplus X-boat and dropped them into ChatGPT.

This is what it spat out after a couple of adjustments.

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M-RING / 50 “RENT-AN-M-DRIVE” SYSTEM​

(Imperial Interstellar Scout Service Licensed Auxiliary Maneuver Drive Ring)
Tech Level: 12
Displacement: 50 tons (external attachment)
Power Requirement: 1 Power Point (drawn from host ship)
Thrust: 1G – 3G (depending on model)
Fuel Capacity: 20 tons (total; 4 weeks @ 1G)
Cost: Not for sale – Rental only through authorized Scout, Naval, or Starport agencies
Availability: All systems with Class A, B, C, or D Starports, Scout Bases, Way Stations, or Naval Yards
Crew: None (automated or depot-controlled)

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(MR-1) Purpose​

The M-Ring/50 Maneuver System is a detachable external propulsion ring designed to convert standard X-Boats (100 tons) — normally jump-only couriers — into fully mobile in-system craft.
It allows detached-duty Scouts or civilian operators to maneuver, orbit, or land prior to the next Jump cycle.

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(MR-2) Physical Configuration​

Component	Description
Docking & Control Collar	Encircles the X-Boat’s center hull; provides mechanical lock, power/data umbilicals, and control hand-off.
Tri-Thruster Array	Three gravitic maneuver engines spaced 120° apart; each with gimbal vectoring; provides 1-3G thrust.
Fuel Tanks	20 tons internal; supports 4 weeks @ 1G, 2 weeks @ 2G, 1 week @ 3G.
Landing Legs (Tripod)	Three fixed duralloy legs between thruster housings; rated ≤ 1.25 G worlds.
Aux Power Cell	Emergency fusion battery (1 hour life support/attitude).
Maintenance Ports	EVA access for inspection, fueling, and manual release.

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(MR-3) Variants​

Model	Thrust	Duration (Fuel)	Rental Rate (per week)	Notes
M-Ring/1G-50	1G	4 weeks	Cr 25,000	Standard planetary ops
M-Ring/2G-50	2G	2 weeks	Cr 30,000	Scout variant
M-Ring/3G-50	3G	1 week	Cr 35,000	Rapid-response unit

(Rates include maintenance, refuel, and pickup.)

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(MR-4) Operational Cycle​

1. Request: Upon Jump arrival, an X-Boat transmits a “M-Drive Rental Request.”
   
   
2. Dispatch: Depot drone or tug delivers an M-Ring.
   
   
3. Docking: Ring locks to aft collar and syncs through Imperial Interface Protocol 3 (IIP-3).
   
   
4. Active Service: Full maneuver capability achieved; planetary landing permitted.
   
   
5. Return: Before Jump, ring detaches and returns to depot for servicing.
   
   
6. Typical Dock/Undock Time: 1D6 hours

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(MR-5) Game Effects​

Attribute	Value
Thrust	1–3G (per variant)
Fuel	20 tons (4 weeks @ 1G)
Power Use	1 PP from X-Boat
Maintenance	Included in rental fee
Landing Capability	≤ 1.25 G worlds
Mass Impact	Adds 50 tons external (ignored for Jump calc when detached)

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(MR-6) Rental Network​

Operated by the Scout Service Logistics Division (SSLD) under the Imperial Rent-An-M-Drive Program.
Depots located at Class A-D Starports, Scout and Naval Bases, and Way Stations along the X-Boat main.
Transactions handled through Imperial Credit Authorization System (ICAS); late fees and damage clauses apply.

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(MR-7) Adventure Hooks​

1. Overdue Rental – Depot demands return of missing ring.
   
   
2. Sabotaged Thruster – Pirates tamper with rented unit.
   
   
3. Illegal Mod – Prototype Jump-1 drive hidden inside.
   
   
4. Depot Dispute – Damage liability questioned after rough landing.
   
   
5. Hidden Cargo – Fuel tank used for smuggling contraband.

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IMPERIAL INTERSTELLAR SCOUT SERVICE​

TECHNICAL DATA PLATE — M-RING/50 “RENT-AN-M-DRIVE” SYSTEM​

Serial Prefix: IISS-MR50-Δ-XXXX-YY
Manufacturer: Spinward Applied Technologies, LIC — Depot Division, Rhylanor
Model Designation: M-RING/50 (Series Δ)
Class: Detachable Auxiliary Maneuver Drive Ring
Imperial TL Rating: TL-12
Registry: Certified under Imperial Transport & Aux Equipment Code 2105-S-MDR-50

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Field	Specification
Nominal Displacement	50 tons (external module)
Propulsion Units	3× Grav-Thrust Vector Assemblies (Tri-array)
Rated Acceleration	1G / 2G / 3G (variant dependent)
Fuel Capacity	20 tons – Imperial Grade A reaction mass
Operational Duration	4 weeks @ 1G / 2 weeks @ 2G / 1 week @ 3G
Power Requirement	1 PP via IIP-3 umbilical
Landing Gear	Fixed Tri-Leg Assembly (≤ 1.25 G)
Control Interface	IIP-3 Dock Control Bus / Auto-Sync v2.4
Docking Collar	Type-X4 Clamp Ring (magnetic + mechanical)
Aux Power Cell	Compact fusion accumulator (1 hr emergency)
Crew Requirement	None (automated)
Operating Temp Range	–40 °C to +180 °C
Inspection Interval	200 hours or 6 months
Maintenance Depots	Rhylanor / Regina / Efate / Core Yards
Rental Authority	Scout Service Logistics Division — Rent-An-M-Drive Program
Insurance Bond Value	Cr 50,000 (refundable)
Safety Notices	DO NOT ATTEMPT JUMP WITH RING ATTACHED — Structural failure risk. Ensure control umbilical secured before thrust activation.

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Authorized Use: Licensed for operation with IISS X-Boat hulls (100 tons) and approved derivatives only.
Unauthorized use violates Imperial Transport Law § 41-C.

Issued by: Imperial Interstellar Scout Service — Technical Bureau, Rhylanor Main
Verification Seal: Imperial Equipment Verification # R-1127-D