With Meridian Transit travelling will be a glamorous adventure
Crusader Industries is proud to present the LH307 Genesis, the galaxy’s premiere narrow-body Starliner chassis. As most frequently equipped, the Genesis-class includes support for forty passengers and eight crew. A fully modular interior allows individual concerns to adapt their ships to the task at hand, with aftermarket options for everything from complete luxury-oriented state rooms to passenger-free cargo configurations!
Before you learn more about this new ship and her systems, we thought you would enjoy a little adventure. It’s time to step into the ‘verse and take a ride onboard one of Meridian Transit’s dedicated Starliners…
I shift my bag over to my left hand and immediately feel relief mixed with pain as my fingers tingle back to life. Glancing down at the web of bright red stripes the canvas straps had imprinted on my palm, I sigh. Why had I packed so much?
The answer was of course that I didn’t know where I was going. For months now I had been saving creds, eating rehydes, working double-shifts at the plant when I could get them. Even had limited myself to going to Bresser’s only one night a week. All for the sake of this trip. Me and Shelley’s big adventure.
As a fourth person bumped into me, trying to move past, I realize that I’ve been blocking traffic. Everyone in the Meridian terminal must think I’m a lost rube. Guess I kinda am.
The pleasant voice on the loudspeaker chimes, “Meridian Transit, where will you go?” The time to decide had finally come. I had put it off as long as possible, not wanting to fully admit that it was my call now. I knew I was going, that was never in question, but I still felt guilty deciding without her.
Another person knocks into me as they hurry to catch their starliner.
For now I better just get out of the way. I cut through the tide of travelers and head towards the relative safety of a small Meridian gift kiosk.
“Can I help you?”
“Just looking,” I tell the bored attendant. She shrugs and turns back to her Glas.
And having a small personal crisis, I add silently in my mind.
Shelley was the one who was supposed to pick where we were going to go. This trip had been her idea. Ever since we were little my sister had talked about getting off of Earth. She had narrowed down the list, but the top choice changed week to week. Somewhere tropical or somewhere cold? Somewhere fancy or somewhere more adventurous? The heart of the Empire or somewhere on the fringe? Even when things had gotten really bad, she would still rattle on about why one place was better than the other. Now, the choice was up to me.
Just pick. It’s not that hard. Okay, where to go? Use the random numgen on my Glas to choose? Follow the most attractive person I saw to wherever they were going? Give up and just go – Wait. Postcards like Shell used to collect. Perfect.
I reach for the display and begin flipping through the locations on the cards, hopeful that one will feel right.
See the Galactic Guide Goss SystemSee the Galactic Guide Castra SystemSee the Galactic Guide Rihlah SystemSee the Galactic Guide Sol SystemSee the Galactic Guide Stanton SystemSee the Galactic Guide Terra System Wow. Looking at those actually helped.
I think I might be ready to decide.
As the locations flicker past on the board, I can’t help but be impressed by how many ships Meridian operates out of New York. Standing here it really did feel like you’re at the heart of the Empire. Makes sense why Shelley picked them to fly with. They went everywhere. Plus it didn’t hurt that they were one of the first lines to use the new Genesis ships. If you’re gonna get your ass dragged halfway across the ’verse might as well be comfortable.
Now, let’s see… I run my sleeve across my forehead, but it barely makes a dent in the sweat that is pouring down my face. Was it warm in here or just me? Glancing at the calm and comfortable face of the elderly gentlemen in the neighboring seat, it is painfully clear that it’s just me.
The ship was almost full now, all the seats near me holding excited passengers. At the ticket counter I had debated if it was worth springing for one of the deluxe berths with a bed, but had opted to go with one of the main cabin seats instead and save the creds for when I landed. The thickly cushioned chair is probably pretty comfortable, but I am too nervous to really tell.
The elderly gentleman leans over and smiles at me, “First time flying offworld?”
I nod.
“You got nothing to worry about. These new Genesis are about as good as they come. You barely feel the jumps.”
“Thanks,” I manage to reply.
His eyes narrow slightly, “You’ll tell me if you’re going to hurl, right?”
Before I can reply, a flight attendant stands at the head of the aisle.
“Greetings, and thank you for choosing to travel the stars with Meridian Transit! Today’s flight will feature a complimentary beverage and meal service about two hours after take-off, but snacks and drinks are available at all times in the Observation Lounge. We’re moments from launching, but before we do, we’d like everyone to use this time to familiarize themselves with our brand new Crusader Industries Genesis-Class starliner and review our safety protocols on their mobiGlas.”
Security brochure Genesis Starline
Glancing up from my mobi, I ask my seat companion, “How often do these things actually get attacked by outlaws?”
“Not as often as they used to, that’s for sure,” he replies with a completely non-comforting wink.
The loudspeaker chirps to life, “Attention all crew, prepare for launch.”
A deep vibrating rumble causes my arm hairs to stand on end, as the starliner’s engines roar to life. It is clear to me now that this is a mistake. I don’t care what I promised Shelley. I start to fumble out of my seat, but it’s too late. A burst of inertia forces me back as the thrusters push us out of the hangar.
I was doing it. I was leaving Earth.
With some difficulty, I manage to swallow.
Weren’t vacations supposed to be relaxing?
Out the window, the blue midday sky turns quickly to black.
About the Genesis starliner With proprietary NeoG engines, the starliner allows for fuel-efficient duration travel. A pair of remote-operated turrets allow for a good defense, and multiple decks can support everything from first class lounges to additional cargo capacity. Whether it’s the centerpiece of a private spaceline or part of a larger system of passenger transports, the Genesis can be used for a variety of support roles. Potential owners and operators can rest easy: the Starliner is a ship designed to pay for itself!
About Crusader Industries Crusader Industries, headquartered in the Stanton System, is the United Empire of Earth’s premiere passenger/freight transport development company. Crusader designs are produced in the Stanton System but are a common sight throughout the galaxy, ubiquitous in both private enterprise and military support roles. The LH307 Genesis is Crusaders’ mid-range passenger spacecraft, which has found success in a variety of roles around the galaxy. Crusader produces a number of other civilian spaceframes, ranging from small in-system commuter transports to high-capacity superliners.
Starliner Philosophy Concept art - Meridian flight attendants One of our dreams when planning Star Citizen was to go beyond the typical space sim experience. We’ve built a lot of ships along traditional lines: fighters, bombers, battleships and carriers all have a natural (and fun!) gameplay role in a world at war. Ships like the Orion, the Carrack and the Reclaimer all come naturally, too: mining asteroids, exploring new worlds and the like are all types of gameplay that fall naturally into our universe. But with the Starliner, we’re introducing something new: a ship that doesn’t have a naturally apparent style of gameplay.
We’ve said it again and again over the past two years: we want Star Citizen to be a living, breathing world. Which means spending resources building out (and building up) ships that would exist in a real world, even when they aren’t combatants or adventurers. Our job with the Starliner was to determine how passenger travel in the ‘verse would be both fun and necessary… and then to build out a ship worthy of that system. Designers have spent a lot of time working on the realism: everything from safety features (detailed below) to a plan for how to make passenger travel fun, interesting and rewarding for those who choose to fly the Genesis! For more information on how Star Citizen will feature gameplay designed specifically for passenger transport (and beyond) please visit tonight’s design post.
Do you have more questions? We will be conducting a series of Starliner Q&As on Wednesday and Friday of next week; have your voice heard on the forums now!
Potential Variants Transit companies use several different configurations for the Genesis starliner, usually classified as luxury, mid-range and essential (bare bones.) Because every starliner is significantly modular, there is no one standard example of each type. More complex models typically carry fewer passengers but with additional amenities (lounges, food options, personal quarters.) The essential model focuses more on bulk cargo and less on crew and passenger comfort. The model available in the concept sale today is the forty-person mid-range class.
Concept art - Wing paintovers Private individuals have also been known to purchase starliners for their own use, most frequently outfitted yacht-style with individual cabins. The frame is frequently used by professional racing teams, who modify the interior to store and repair small racing ships like the M50 and their support equipment.
The United Empire of Earth military also modifies the standard Genesis spaceframe for a number of different roles, including a troop transport, patrol hunter-killer, SWACS/C&C platform (referred to informally as the Starlifter, Starhunter and Starseeker) and even as an advanced aerospace prototype testbed! Imperator One, a highly customized Genesis starliner with added security and luxury features, is used to ferry the sitting Imperator when they travel off-world.
Details of the Sale We are offering these pledge ships to help fund Star Citizen’s development. All of these ships will be available for in-game credits in the final universe, and they are not required to start the game. Additionally, all decorative ‘flare’ items will also be available to acquire in the finished game world. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the persistent universe launches.
The Genesis starliner is being offered for the first time as a limited concept sale. This means that the ships design meets our specifications, but it is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or to fight in Arena Commander. The sale includes Lifetime Insurance on the ship hull and a pair of decorative items for your Hangar. A future patch will add a Genesis poster and then once the in-game models are finished you will also be given an in-game Genesis mini ship model! Each ship will have its own model and poster. In the future, the ship price will increase and the offer will not include Life Time Insurance or these extras.
If you’d like to add one to your fleet, they’re available in the pledge store until Monday July 6. You can also view a detail of the ship in the Tech Overview of the ship page!
Remember: we are offering this pledge ship to help fund Star Citizen’s development. All of these ships will be available for in-game credits in the final universe, and they are not required to start the game. Additionally, all decorative ‘flare’ items will also be available to acquire in the finished game world. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the persistent universe launches.
If you’d like to add one to your fleet, they’re available in the pledge store until Monday July 6th. You can also view a detail of the ship in the Tech Overview of the ship page!