OSR Review & Commentary - The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter by Michael Johnson With Art by Ian Stead For the Clement Sector Rpg & Cepheus Engine rpg powered games

 "The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter was one of several large Zimm-capable freighter designs that became increasingly widespread throughout colonized space during the First Interstellar Colonization Period and the very early colonization of Clement Sector. It is estimated that two hundred of the Alcyone-class ships were constructed before the increasing adoption of the far more efficient gravitic maneuver drive made them obsolete."

The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter Written and designed by Michael Johnson. Art by Ian Stead. The Alcyone class is a historic interstellar frieghter for both the Clement & Earth sector rpg's. The frieghter was built to fill the ever expanding colonial need for such a starship and this is baked right into the ship's history; "The first interstellar diaspora of humanity began with the German colonization of a planet in the system of Alpha Centauri A in 2181, continuing rapidly until there were dozens of new colonies surrounding Earth. The new colonies, many of which were established on worlds hostile to human life, relied on supply for essential goods and materials that were unable to be produced in-system and delivery of those depended on transport companies operating starships. So great was the need for transports and freighters to supply the colonies that sublight spacecraft were hastily fitted with Zimm drives and pressed into service while purpose-built starships were being designed and constructed. These early freighters were in the main, quickly converted VASIMR (Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket) drive in-system haulers and transports placed into their new role by transport companies and entrepreneurial owner-captains eager to establish themselves early in what was going to be a lucrative trade environment."  ' The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter' is perfect for settling the Clement & Earth sector's history. These starships offered the best chance to settle the Earth & Clement sectors at a time when the Zim drive wasn't the standard.. yet. The Alcyone is pivotal to colonizing the frontier of the Clement sector because of the trails it blazed. These ships are also entrenched in the creation of the interstellar economy because of the resources they provided to the budding colonial interests from ferrying passengers to resources. These early starships had it all.

What makes ' The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter' so useful is the level of detail and well written background that we get on this colonial frieghter. And it's the support history is solidly written. This starship has a bit of it all because technically it could be used with any 2d6 rpg such as old school Traveller or Cepheus Engine. The Alcyone is well done and well written with a great layout, easy to read font, lovely diagrams, & easy to apply plans. The historic details of the Alycone class are well done making applying the ships into a campaign easily done.

For the Clement sector the Alycone class frieghter is key for exploring the historical games of the past of the Clement sector. Wrecked or 'haunted' Alycone ships can be used as wrecked 'wagon' trains for the setting. Or the PC's escorting an Alycone to a museum as a part of a display when something happens. Are two of the hooks for this venerable class of starship. The 'Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter' is a welcome class of starship because it shows a window into the history and rich background of the Earth & Clement sector's on going struggles to settle the Black. There's a ton of potential for this historical class in your 2d6 Cepheus powered campaigns. The Alcyone-class Interstellar Freighter is available  from Independence Games.