[size=18][b][u]The Rubber Dinghi[/u][/b][/size]

So you're flying your M2 and want to check out the mission symbol on that station.
Too bad it's 80 km away.
Flying an M2 there is just... depressing.

Sure, M2 can be modded to have docking bays but that takes an enormous effort and has to be incompatible with a lot of mods.

So... what if every M6/M7/M2 could deploy a small unarmed M5? Just to fly around, scout some, maybe pick up a mission?

[list][*] This script adds one [b]Hotkey[/b].

[*] If you press it when flying a big ship, you launch from it in your M5.

[*] It will have some basic equipment for recon flights but nothing you did not have on the mothership.

[*] Pressing the hotkey while flying the M5 will target the ship you launched from.
If that one should not be in the same sector, the closest big ship of yours is targeted.

Doing that while within 5km will dock you with the targeted ship.
If you are farther away, your ship will start following this target.
Effectively it's a semi-automatic "take me home" key.

No cargo will be transferred.

[*] On returning (see above) to your mothership, the Dinghi will return to the netherworld it came from. Most of the intended motherships don't have docking bays to begin with...

[*] If you sent the boat away while staying in the mothership, you can target it with the hotkey.
If the boat is within 5 km you are automatically transported inside.

If it is farther away you can issue a return order with a second press. (the equivalent of a loud whistle)

[*] It would be... wise... to return to the [i]same[/i] ship you launched from.
You are not forced to but... *shrug*

Let's just say that spawning lots of these M5 is not a great money making scheme. =)

[*] This can also be used as an escape pod because you can "eject" with one key.
Many would probably reload in this case but *shrug*...

[*] No tricky background tasks or anything. It does what it does and the script ends right there.

[*] If you also use the Follow me! script (see below), you can use this hotkey to target the homebase of a fighter you are currently flying.
The homebase is not actually shown on the ship stats while you are piloting the fighter but the Follow me! script remembers.

Just like with the Rubber Dinghi, a double tap of the hotkey targets your homebase (carrier) and engages the autopilot for a landing approach.

Pretty convenient if I jump into some fighter on my carrier to kill an annoying M5. No need to look for my carrier when I want to fly back afterwards.[/list]


[i][b][size=15]Recommended[/size][/b][/i] but not required: [url=http://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=230313][SCR] Follow me![/url]