View source for Story 7: The Wanderer

= SS Scavenger DX-1017: The Wanderer =
'''Story No. 7 in the official SS Scavenger Universe timeline'''

== Overview ==
''SS Scavenger DX-1017: The Wanderer'' follows the events after the Tonan Civil War, when Captain Elan Drex authorizes the commissioning of a smaller Prosian-built vessel, the '''Wanderer (PR-TU-4012A)'''.  
The Wanderer operates as a support and delivery ship for the *Scavenger*, conducting independent missions while the larger vessel undergoes refits.

The story introduces a new era of merchant independence, spiritual growth, and the blending of Prosian, Human, and Tonan cultures.

== Placement in Timeline ==
* **Chronological Order:** Story No. 7  
* **Preceded by:** ''The Tonan Civil War'' (Story 6)  
* **Followed by:** ''The Horoki'' (Story 8)  
* **Setting:** Annuli 3433–3434 (approx.) — during *Scavenger* maintenance at Scavenger Base, Prose system.

== Principal Vessel: The Wanderer ==
* **Registry:** PR-TU-4012A  
* **Type:** Converted Prosian transport freighter registered at Tulekora  
* **Length:** 100 ft  •  **Beam:** 64 ft  •  **Height:** 40 ft  •  **Decks:** 3 plus crawlspace  
* **Crew Capacity:** 4–6  
* **Primary Role:** Cargo and salvage delivery vessel for Nishalt Transit  
* **Secondary Role:** Support ship to SS Scavenger DX-1017  
* **Sub-craft:** ''Weedhopper'' (PR-TU-2012A-S) — roof-collar shuttle armed with “The Stinger” plasma weapon

=== Layout ===
'''Deck A – Bridge Deck'''
: Raised Bridge Nest (two stations); Captain’s Quarters (Alan & Tanara Dathan); mess area; main water tank aft; sensor and deflector array forward.

'''Deck B – Crew & Cargo Deck'''
: Cargo hold (16 ft clearance); compact passenger quarters; kitchenette and multipurpose room; crew food storage; utility shaft with emergency hatches to A and C.

'''Deck C – Engineering Deck'''
: Janus Hybrid Reactor, shield generators, life support hub; landing-strut wells; 4 ft crawlspace for conduits and strut motors; forward engineering access door.

'''Vertical Links'''
: Firemen’s Pole Booth (sealable for pressure loss); single-rung ladder; narrow two-person lift.

=== Exterior Features ===
* Port Airlock – large, Alliance-standard; can dock directly with *Scavenger*  
* Starboard Docking Collar – small; dedicated to ''Weedhopper''  
* Ventral Cargo Hatch – 18 × 12 ft  
* Hull – industrial “flying box” with greebles and patchwork repairs  
* Markings – stenciled registry (PR-TU-4012A); hand-painted italic name ''Wanderer''

=== Propulsion & Defense ===
* '''Reactor:''' Janus Hybrid Reactor (Thorium–Plutonium–Fusion neutron source)  
 • Normal Mode = full power • Safe Mode = low flux, life-support only  
* '''Engines:''' Twin rectangular sublight thrusters with external conduits  
* '''FTL:''' Prosian-era Phase Drive (spliced, slow but stable)  
* '''Weapons:''' “Pea Shooter” Mk I cannon + 2 modular hardpoints  
* '''Shuttle Weapon:''' “The Stinger” plasma arm on Weedhopper  
* '''Defenses:''' Light shield array; manual neural-link targeting system (headband crosshair interface)

== Crew Roster ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Name !! Role !! Notes
|-
| '''Tanara Dathan''' || Captain || Tonan reborn through Prosian faith; cultivates Prosian flowers aboard.
|-
| '''Alan Dathan''' || Co-Captain / Navigator || Human trader; designer of ''The Stinger''; handles contracts and finances.
|-
| '''Candy Prosek''' || Engineer / Systems Tech || Prosian survivor of Seery pirate attack; sharp-tongued and resourceful.
|-
| '''Tanak Zim''' || Rigger / Deckhand || Prosian from Zurekan; superstitious fisherman’s son turned EVA operator.
|}

'''Crew Dynamic'''
: Candy and Tanak represent city and rural Prosian youth; Alan mentors them; Tanara anchors the team.  
Uniforms are worn for professional calls, casual dress onboard is relaxed and personalized.

== Themes and Motifs ==
* Rebirth and adaptation after war.  
* Cross-cultural partnership (Prosian–Human–Tonan).  
* Independence and faith through the Flow.  
* The Wanderer as a symbol of freedom and humility.  
* Juxtaposition of ''Scavenger’s'' AI (Sariel) with Wanderer’s hands-on crew.

== Related Files ==
* [[File:Wanderer_Spaceship_Technical_Illustration.png|thumb|center|300px|Official Technical Illustration – Wanderer (PR-TU-4012A)]]
* [[File:SS Scavenger – DX-1017 – The Wanderer.pdf|link=]] – Final manuscript (ISBN 9798268558067)  
* [[File:Wanderer_Combined_Appendix.docx|link=]] – Crew & Systems Appendix  
* [[File:Sariel_AI_Profile_Full.docx|link=]] – Sariel AI Profile (Scavenger installation)

== See Also ==
* [[SS Scavenger DX-1017: The Tonan Civil War]]  
* [[SS Scavenger DX-1017: The Horoki]]  
* [[Weedhopper Shuttle (PR-TU-2012A-S)]]  
* [[Sariel AI – SS Scavenger]]

[[Category:SS Scavenger Stories]]
[[Category:Prosian Merchant Corps]]
[[Category:Starships of the Scavenger Universe]]