[TML] [Merchant Shipping] Some ideas I came up with tomake merchant shipping more interesing

[Joseph Paul]

<Jerry protests shutting down the powerplant when docked>


What do modern diesels do in seaports? Run the big engine or switch to a
standby generator? Do they even use the big engine for power or only
propulsion? The fuel still costs credits and cutting every cost to the bone
is in the interests of the crew. As for start up how long are we talking
here? And just what do you use to initiate a fusion reaction and what powers
it if the powerplant is down? That may be a reason for the ship to go on
station power. As for reasons for the ship to be leaving fast it may be in
the best interests of the station to discourage that. It should save on
tracking deadbeat captains and the inevitable docking bay damage that occurs
when Johnny Hotrod forgets to disengage the umbilicals before leaving in a
hurry to escape his latest romantic conquest. Normal ships (as opposed to PC
run travesties of commerce) have schedules and stick to them. They aren't
leaving for two weeks and that is final, Cap'n said so, so go and face the
music Johnny.

Joseph Paul