Essentially this game's version of the Tractor Beam.
Installation:
My thinking is that it would be a two part installation
1.) An Ionic Field Generator taking up one small optional internal compartment.
2.) An Ion Beam Emitter using an external Utility Mount.
Missions:
1.) Large Debris Salvage: You know those large hunks of debris left floating around after a battle? You could use this to tow it to the nearest star-port for a profit. Before you dock you put in a request to "Deposit Salvage" in a special holding barge and then request docking. Once you've landed you either turn it in under the Missions Board or a new "Salvage" tab under contacts. Revenue from this comes in 1 of 4 ways:
-Large Scrap Salvage Mission: Hey that's perfectly good material just left out in space and certain factions will pay you to go and get it.
-USS encounter: Similar to the salvage mission. You randomly encounter a destroyed ship in space and decide to take some with you. The price given varies from port to port and you can choose to take it elsewhere for a better price.
-Criminal Investigation Mission: Someone's attacking ships and the police need physical evidence to prove who it was (could be paired with a black box mission).
-Erasing the Evidence Mission: A less than upstanding faction did something less than legal and needs you to bring it back so it can be destroyed (could also be paired with a black box mission).
2.) Rescue and Derelict: This is when you encounter a fully intact ship out in space. Encountering a derelict is similar to the Large Debris Salvage. Rescue however maybe required when:
-The pilot is still alive.
-The ship's fuel systems have been damaged beyond repair making limpets unusable (using limpets is this kind of scenario could even result in mission failure due to the sudden introduction of fuel causing the ship to explode).
-Your own ship born fighter has been disabled and needs a tow back to a safe harbor.
3.) Construction Hauling: There's a new space-port being built, but some of the parts for it are being prefabricated on the next planet over and they need you to ship it to them. Pre-fab items are picked up from a barge similar to what you deposit scrap into.
Linking:
After installing the generator and emitter a new "Ionic Coupler" option is added to your fire groups. Assign whatever button you wish to it. To use the Coupler:
1.) Lock on to what you're trying to link up with. Your computer will tell you if an Ion Link can be established (object size and movement speed can effect this)
2.) Press the fire button to power up the generator and charge the emitter.
3.) Fly toward the object until your HUD changes to something similar to landing display.
4.) Effectively speaking you're going to "land" on the object. When you do you'll hear a loud "thunk" and the computer will tell you "Ion Link Established"
5.) You and the object will now move as one with your haul right behind you.
6.) You will remain linked to the object until you press and hold the fire button again.
Some Things to Consider:
1.) Mass: Once you link up with something you're adding mass to the ship. Everything from jump range and fuel consumption, to sub-light maneuverability are going to effected. It's also possible to take on something too large and have your FSD disabled completely.
2.) Heat: Just because you can make the jump to super-cruise doesn't mean you can keep it up for very long. Pay attention to your heat. You maybe forced to drop out of warp to let things cool.
3.) Interdiction: You are now a big ol'target for pirates and the hit in maneuverability you take while hauling makes you an easy interdiction. Don't be afraid to drop the link and fight. Just don't stray to far from your haul, other ships can easily link up and steal it from you.
4.) Planets: A planet's gravity can disrupt an Ion Link causing you to lose your load and drop from warp. So don't fly too close. It also makes it impossible to take off and land while linked.
Installation:
My thinking is that it would be a two part installation
1.) An Ionic Field Generator taking up one small optional internal compartment.
2.) An Ion Beam Emitter using an external Utility Mount.
Missions:
1.) Large Debris Salvage: You know those large hunks of debris left floating around after a battle? You could use this to tow it to the nearest star-port for a profit. Before you dock you put in a request to "Deposit Salvage" in a special holding barge and then request docking. Once you've landed you either turn it in under the Missions Board or a new "Salvage" tab under contacts. Revenue from this comes in 1 of 4 ways:
-Large Scrap Salvage Mission: Hey that's perfectly good material just left out in space and certain factions will pay you to go and get it.
-USS encounter: Similar to the salvage mission. You randomly encounter a destroyed ship in space and decide to take some with you. The price given varies from port to port and you can choose to take it elsewhere for a better price.
-Criminal Investigation Mission: Someone's attacking ships and the police need physical evidence to prove who it was (could be paired with a black box mission).
-Erasing the Evidence Mission: A less than upstanding faction did something less than legal and needs you to bring it back so it can be destroyed (could also be paired with a black box mission).
2.) Rescue and Derelict: This is when you encounter a fully intact ship out in space. Encountering a derelict is similar to the Large Debris Salvage. Rescue however maybe required when:
-The pilot is still alive.
-The ship's fuel systems have been damaged beyond repair making limpets unusable (using limpets is this kind of scenario could even result in mission failure due to the sudden introduction of fuel causing the ship to explode).
-Your own ship born fighter has been disabled and needs a tow back to a safe harbor.
3.) Construction Hauling: There's a new space-port being built, but some of the parts for it are being prefabricated on the next planet over and they need you to ship it to them. Pre-fab items are picked up from a barge similar to what you deposit scrap into.
Linking:
After installing the generator and emitter a new "Ionic Coupler" option is added to your fire groups. Assign whatever button you wish to it. To use the Coupler:
1.) Lock on to what you're trying to link up with. Your computer will tell you if an Ion Link can be established (object size and movement speed can effect this)
2.) Press the fire button to power up the generator and charge the emitter.
3.) Fly toward the object until your HUD changes to something similar to landing display.
4.) Effectively speaking you're going to "land" on the object. When you do you'll hear a loud "thunk" and the computer will tell you "Ion Link Established"
5.) You and the object will now move as one with your haul right behind you.
6.) You will remain linked to the object until you press and hold the fire button again.
Some Things to Consider:
1.) Mass: Once you link up with something you're adding mass to the ship. Everything from jump range and fuel consumption, to sub-light maneuverability are going to effected. It's also possible to take on something too large and have your FSD disabled completely.
2.) Heat: Just because you can make the jump to super-cruise doesn't mean you can keep it up for very long. Pay attention to your heat. You maybe forced to drop out of warp to let things cool.
3.) Interdiction: You are now a big ol'target for pirates and the hit in maneuverability you take while hauling makes you an easy interdiction. Don't be afraid to drop the link and fight. Just don't stray to far from your haul, other ships can easily link up and steal it from you.
4.) Planets: A planet's gravity can disrupt an Ion Link causing you to lose your load and drop from warp. So don't fly too close. It also makes it impossible to take off and land while linked.