Outposts with "Authorized Personnel Only" docks.

[Mobile_BBQ]

I've noticed that some outposts have single-slot docking bays that have "A.P.O." signage around them. I haven't tried docking there because, well, I imagine getting stuck inside a cage and cattle-prodded to death isn't very fun.
Can I obtain autorizations and how? Do I just become best buddies with the station's controlling faction or is there more to it?

[FightinWelsh]

I believe those are the spwn points for some types of security forces..

[Mobile_BBQ]

Interesting... I hadn't thought of that. I was kind of hoping it was a "member's only" entrance to the high-end room of the outfitting shop.

Well, since I only have a decenlty-fitted Sidewinder at the moment that's not too costly to replace, I might do some more investigating. :) I just hope I don't have to flee the system with the entire police force on my tail!

[FightinWelsh]

you'll just get a loitering warning, and the mag-clamps won't lock you to the pad.. for good outfitting look for hi-tech systems with larger full-size stations.

[Wolf]

I think its for future use in a new DLC at some point :)

[Mobile_BBQ]

Roger that, Welsh. I checked one station and found that the opening was covered by a solid transparent shield. I could see into the stucture but just bounced off. It looked like a neon-lit plexiglass window like the kind one might see at a retro night club in the city.
And here I was, trying to sneak up so carefully in silent running only to derp into a wall. :o lol


*On a side note* I managed to find quite a bit of good stuff for the Sidewinder not too far from the starting system, but now it's a bit heavy. It's not overweight by a long shot - at a nearly 2:1 thrust-to-mass ratio - but it's enough to feel it when turning in the optimal throttle zone.
I don't know if there's any class A gear that has reduced mass, but that's what I'm currently looking for as I'm not willing to skimp on the power plant, thrusters, distributor and shields.

[^^o^^ BatCat]

There are locked stations and systems. There will be Factions in nearby stations with the System name as part of thier name. Do contracts for them, get yer rep' up and get a Permit for that system / station.

Similar to Fed' and Empire leveling and permits but these are kinda "stand alone" things..

[Sapyx]

The "Authorized Personnel Only" doors are for local police/security ships. They're for NPC use only. Sorry.

[FightinWelsh]

LOLOL You think turning is bad now wait til you load up a python... or a conda..



honestly you should upgrade to a hauler or viper (depending on your play style preferences) sidies are just... kinda weak :\

[Mobile_BBQ]

Thanx for the advice guys. ~Salute~

@ Welsh - I know the Sidewinder is weak but I kinda like it. If i have the time - I'm going to kit-out and store as many of the various ship models as I can. The Sidewinder is just the first.

It's not that I think the turning is bad. It's that I did notice the difference adding extra tonnage had in comparison to the stock model. I'd run leaner but without the better components... paper kite. lol
I like knowing that if I'm surrounded by similar-class vessels and need to escape I might have time to charge up and get out of dodge. So far I've escaped every ambush and my only deaths were in biting off more than I could chew vs. AI ships I didn't know the capabilities of.

Besides, (in 1v1 with AI) with a fixed beam laser on one point and a gimballed multicannon on the other as long as the enemy doesn't have rearward firing weapons or the speed to break far enough away, turn and face me, I can park pretty much point blank on them and stab them right between the shoulder blades. The bigger and slower, the better. :)
The only drawback I see is that it's like fighting an enraged elephant with a Thompson machine gun - as well it should be. You still do damage, but not enough to stop it dead in it's tracks and don't dare run out of ammo!
It takes patience and using subtargetting to try to prevent jump drive escapes (they stil happen), but the money on serving local bounties has been pretty good. :)