Caterpillar

The Drake Caterpillar is an affordable modular cargo ship. It is commonly used for legitimate commerce, extended search, and rescue missions. However, because of the low cost and popularity among civillians, the Caterpillar are known for being used by pirates.

First Introduction
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 unreviled 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.

Kesslering Heist
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.

Command Module
The Command Module can be detached from the main hull and use as an independent ship. It can be used to move multiple Caterpillar hulls, or an escape ship, even at some shipping stations, Caterpillar crews have been known to race Command Modules while waiting for their cargo to be transferred. The upper deck contains auxiliary terminals that allow two additional crewmembers to handle comms, running scans, or managaing defenses. The lower deck of the Command Module is outfitted with small crew quarters and an entertainment center in case of extended travel.

Cargo Module
The Cargo Modules are outfitted with side-access elevator that allows all the sections to act as self-contained units, which allows people to add or remove cargo without disturbing any of the other modules.

Front Cargo Bay
The Front Cargo Bay can be used for additional storage and housing open canopy vehicles like Dragonfly. It is equipped with an airshield, which allows crew to transfer pallets and launch small vehicles without decompressing. The module is also outfitted with a manned turret, a cargo lift, and multiple sensors to assist in piloting.

Tractor Beam Station
The Tractor Beam Station consists of a terminal that allows the ship to safely guide debris and even errant cargo directly into the side access doors of the Cargo Modules.