Freelancer

A freelancer, or 'free lancer' refers to a soldier of the Gudersnipe Foundation who does not report directly to Central Command and Control. Freelancers operate from starships usually supplied by the Foundation, and use mostly Foundation-built and designed equipment. Though they may have different regulations and standards, they are noticably lancers.

Freelancers primarily work as mercenaries, though tend to handle any sort of job that pays well. Because they have access to GS equipment and technology

Freelancer Ships

According to regulation, only a Gudersnipe School graduate can command a freelancer ship. Most freelancer ships operate beyond the boarders of explored space, though some roam Alliance territory doing odd jobs.

Freelancer ships can range in Ship Classessize from modified corvettes to smaller capital ships, though the larger vessells must be extensively refit to fight without the aid of a battle group. Multi-roll warships are favored by freelancers, such as those of the Nelson Fleet Revision.

Destroyers and cruisers make the most popular freelancer ships, usually with expanded hangar decks and enhanced weaponry. The destroyer range is particularly prized as they are multi-roll support and troop-transport vessels, with the ability to quickly land on a planet carrying large numbers of troops.

Larger capital ships such as carriers and battleships make poor freelancer vessels as they are specifically designed to rely on the support of a battle group, sacrificing close-in defenses and manuverability for improved offensive and large-scale defensive capability. While a cruiser also suffers some of this, modifications allow them to gain some of the utility required to operate independantly.

Captured warships are occasionally converted to freelancer ships. This typically requires heavy modification and extensive refitting, but is not uncommon. Utopia Gregaria maintains a large cache of captured vessels, usually used for salvage.