The “Gopher” was a shuttle craft manufactured by Ketsurui Fleet Yards (formerly Kitsurugi Fleet Yards). It had a nomenclature of Ki-T1 and later Ke-T1 after the manufacturer changed names.

The Ki-T1/Ke-T1 was both KFY's and the Star Army's first shuttle. It was introduced sometime around YE 21 (exact date unclear) and later served alongside the more-capable Ki-T2/Ke-T2 "Kitty" Stealth Aeroshuttle, which wasn't introduced until YE 24. As the T2 become more common, the Ke-T1 was phased out. By YE 27, both the T1 and T2 shuttles were replaced by the Ke-T4 "Fox" Combat Aeroshuttle.

Some Ke-T1 shuttles were sold as surplus so they make occasionally be found around the Yamatai Star Empire and its nearby frontiers.

The Ke-T1-1a “Gopher” was primarily for ship-to-ship transport and had a secondary purpose of being used as an escape pod. It had a travel range of about 2 days at a speed of .1c (~29,979 kilometers per second) or 150mph in atmosphere, and anti-gravity systems that allowed it to hover or slowly rise up through the atmosphere of a planet. The Ke-T1 did not have the ability to travel FTL. It was capable of atmospheric landings, but was not designed for aerial maneuvering. It could carry 4 personnel with gear or 1 person with a full load of cargo. It was unarmed, had weak defensive shields, and was equipped with basic radio and subspace communications.

This article was written by Wes.