STARTRAVEL IN NCG 7292

RED STAR LINES

Startravel in the Ranan Home Sector is provided mainly by Aquila Red Star Lines, a huge conglomerate formed as a joint venture by the powerful Tetragammetron Corporation of Antares and the Mital Galactic Soviet Socialist Republic. Four classes of passenger accommodation are provided, the usual three plus fourth class 'colonial steerage,' in which eight persons are berthed in a compartment under rather cramped conditions. The accommodations allocated to the various classes are significantly different than in settled regions. Only 5% of the cabin space is High Passage, 10% Middle Passage, 20% Low Passage, and 65% Steerage. Passage rates are quoted for high-speed travel (10-15 LY per day).

A bit of haggling will often get a berth at -6d6% if the space is available, the probability being 25% there is. The same is true for standard cargo. Omicron Corporation employees travel at 75% stated rates when on private business and can transport private cargo at 75% stated rates.

Red Star liners are rather well appointed, with the excellent service associated with Aquila Starlines. The vessels vary from 1000t Free Traders to 50,OOOt liners fitted out as auxilliary merchant cruisers. Average cruising speeds are 12 LY to 15 LY per day. Note that intersector service is also provided. Rates for Terra and also for Tetragammetron's home planet of Augusta to the Antares StarSector are quoted. Other StarSectors are served, and rates are comparable on a per light-year basis. StarShips operating outside Ranan Space will be flying the Aquila Spaceways flag.

REDSTAR FREIGHTWAYS

Also a joint venture of Tetragammetron and the Mitay G.S.S.R., Red Star Freightways offers bulk cargo tug service. Accommodations are at 50% of quoted rates, and all cargo is carried at bulk rates. Cargo in excess of 1000t is carried at 75°/ of quoted bulk rates. The StarTrains cruise at an average of 2 LY to 5 LY, so expect a slow passage, even if the costs are significantly less.

Intersector travel is also available, and rates are at 50% of standard values for long-range travel. A substantial number of passengers prefer StarTrains even when crossing vast distances because of the greatly reduced costs. Again, StarTrains operating out of Ranan Space will be under the flag of Aquila Spaceways.

The crews and service staff aboard Red Star craft will be a mixture of humans and Mit canines, forthe most part, although a few other races may also be present. It should be noted that Red Star vessels are granted extraterritoriality. This means that one is on League territory once inside the entry lock, where League law and the authority of the ship's captain are supreme.

FREE TRADERS

There are a moderate number of Free Traders operating 'tramp' starfreighters in NCG 7292, usually under contract with the Ranan authorities to provide bulk transport of grain, industrial metals, etc. as well as fourth-class 'colonists.' Rates are about 75% of those quoted below, accommodations are inferior, and cruising speeds typically are 5 LY to 9 LY per day, with occasional long stop-overs and no regular schedule as provided by Red Star. When Ranan are aboard in any numbers, 'political officers' will be present among them, and foreign passengers are cautioned to be very circumspect in their behavior.

UNITED STARWAYS

The Ranan operate their own starlines, using obsolescent and obsolete cargotugs for the most part. Passenger and cargo rates are about 45% of those quoted below. Travel United if economy is off the essence, but be prepared for considerable inconvenience. Most passengers will be Ranan, who are notoriously suspicions of outworlders. Cruise speeds are 1 LY to 2 LY per day. The accommodations and food are 'spartan,' to say the least. There is no high passage space available, but a nonRanan will typically be berthed atone or with other foreigners, as the Ranan do not wish their people to coure into close contact with aliens it at all possible. Above all, remember that Ranan 'commercial' vessels are actually transport cran of the U.R.W. auxilliary navy and are crewed by naval reservists, political officers, and at least several members of the dread Kuatempeta or Secret Police.