Space is not very safe. All pilots are constantly at risk from other craft. Cobras are the favourite target for loners, packhunters, rogues, exam-failures and bounty hunters.
LIKELY BUT QUITE UNLIKEABLE ENEMIES
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Pirates
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Twenty years ago piracy was fashionable and appealed to many new recruits.
Those recruits are now experienced and protect their territory mercilessly.
They are ageing and impatient with newcomers. Thankfully, there are several
ways of identifying a pirate ship. This is an essential process as pirates
will take any ship from a tiny Caiman to the gallant Urutu. These renegades
are feared throughout the universe, but are particularly rife in unstable
Feudal or Anarchic systems. Often their ships are daubed with fierce or rude
markings and hover at distance to a planet. Sometimes these rogues are paid
off to allow safe passage for ships on trade routes. Neither the space
authorities, nor any Cobra pilot should rely on this type of agreement. A
pirate’s word is less trustworthy than his ship is spaceworthy. GalCop
informs us that Thargoids have been sighted flying side-by-side with veteran
pirates.
Thargoids
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Few are more fearless than the pilots of Thargoid vessels. The captains of
this insect race have had all fear glands surgically removed. Individual
Thargoid destructor ships have been known to slaughter whole groups of élite
pilots. Out of combat the Thargoids are infamous for their poor sense of
humour. Cobra pilots have in the past been victim to Thargoids' unfunny phone
calls in which they unleash a string of bad jokes. Most of the Thargoid space
fleet is currently battling with the Galactic Navy. However Thargoid
strike-raids are becoming increasingly common. These rapid ships are fitted
with an anti-missile system and carry many small remote controlled Thargons.
Each of these terminator-craft has a single shield voiding laser. The
Galactic Navy, who are interested in developing their own remote craft, pay
handsomely for any Thargon craft brought to them.
Loners
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Those who as children, indeterminate of race, are singled out for their
snideness and unsociable character, become mercenary loners or bodyguards.
These fighters, often Sidewinders, have one purpose, to exterminate any ship
attacking their employer. Orbit shuttles may appear to be an easy target as
they spontaneously release cargo canisters. However, Sidewinder escorts are
under instruction to prevent theft, by any means necessary.
Bounty Hunters
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Unless a pilot is of fugitive status, bounty hunters are unlikely to show
aggression. High combat ratings will also ward off hunters. In a feeble
attempt at disguise many bounty hunters have used Cobra trade-ships. Do not
be misled, treat all ships as enemies. Professional killers ride the
Fer-de-Lance Lightspeeder, in which they can live for months. This vehicle is
sleek and highly proficient, it should not be pestered. Bounty hunters are
banned from entering certain space stations and can be found outside Orbit
Space. Dangerous worlds act as breeding grounds for these vultures. Hunters
are invariably deadly or élite, they are not known for showing compassion to
the needy or those obstructing them.
Generation Ships
----------------
Before the Berger anti-gravity unit, interstellar travel was made in large
self-sustaining environmental ships - Generation Ships. These ships are
almost comple tely organic and are lined with ancient PlastUminium panels.
Some of these ships are in their forty-second generation. There is a severe
penalty for interfering with such vessels.
Sources linked closely with the Navy suspect that the Ophidian Generation
Ship has been taken over by Thargoids and pirates. This could signal the
beginning of a terrible Thargoid invasion.
Space Dredgers
--------------
Space Dredgers are parasitic. They are found hanging around waiting for
natural disasters or impatiently spacing along the perimeter of potential war
zones. Dredgers are more similar to cities than ships and exist by consuming
debris, biological and chemical by-products and untidy living quarters. These
colossal craft are heavily armed and should be tactfully avoided.
LIKEABLES
=========
Belters
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Traders using asteroid mining lasers and fuel scoops to fragment and collect
asteroids are known as Belters. This derogatory term is often used to insult
weak pilots. The splinters are packed in the hold ready for sale. The
limitation of scanners (they cannot display positions of asteroids) produces
a serious occupational hazard.
By any chance should a Cobra pilot meet a Space Belter at a private party, it
is advisable to be courteous but not talkative. Belters never cease craving
to hear stories; a habit resulting from their mothers' incessant story
telling (some bouts lasting years). This regressive race can be easily
identified by their wide flowering ties. However should one mistakenly tell a
Belter a personal anecdote, jape, joke or piece of intergalactic gossip, an
unsuitable ending may result in alarming consequences.
Rock Hermits
------------
Many outcasts, recluses and ageing bounty hunters enjoy the quiet life by
choosing large fragments of asteroids in which to set up residence. These
types power signal beacons to warn off miners. GalCop protects rock hermits
and it does not appreciate the disturbance of these nature-loving members of
society. Mining these asteroids is quite unrewarding as the majority of the
rock is hollowed out. Harlequin Hermits personalise their asteroid homes
with garish colours painted in cheap Groigan food colouring.
Missionaries
------------
Waves of missionary craft, in huge squadrons of slothful Hognose ships, fly
in the direction of agnostics, Anarchies and violence. Most pirates will
listen to these pacifists for a time, and then send the bible bashers to
their maker. This sick execution is made more difficult by the fact that
missionaries fly in buffalo formation. When one missionary ship is attacked
all other ships will scatter. Individual missionaries pose no threat as the
Hognose is an outrageously pathetic ship with no lasers, missiles or speed.
Crazy craft
-----------
Rich kids and tobacco users will often ride out into deep space and release
Mous control. These fungrabbers allow Mous to be guided by nothing but chance
and accident. Crazy craft are easily spotted by their wild, erratic flight.
Research suggests that these ship-abusers get a kick out of the g’s.
