Star Traders RPG v5.10.5 Update Released -- New Officer!

[redartrats]

I'd vote for Records, as they can hold information not only about weak points of various ships, but also combat tactics employed by other captains (which helps in predicting their movement pattern so that you can aim ahead). As well as technical details of the make/model of the guns currently installed on the ship so that he can take maximum advantage of their strengths and work around their weaknesses.

The first point especially makes sense to me if you consider that surveillance generates Records: part of the information you're getting might be observing what tactics are being employed by the target Faction's ships in combat.

[poryg]

If the fire commander looked like a scientist, then the records would be fitting. If he is a cool looking hardboiled guy, then perhaps the spice Instead.

[resistor]

I don't really like the idea of his cargo bonus being records. Considering records are valuable to the factions and give bonuses to scout officers, it seems to be implied that records are more about the quadrant itself than the ships of the quadrant. Also, "friendly" military ships inspecting you will loot your records, which can be annoying.

As far as spice goes, it already gives bonuses to pilot and political officer, so spice might become a little too useful there.

I do like the idea of chemicals, though.

[poryg]

They will not loot your records. They will confiscate them. After all, they can contain lots of valuable info about everything from ancient wars to what the Ursae-Thulun princess loves to eat as a snack after a huge dinner full of spicy food, spicy discussions and spicy spice.
And I know the latter too btw.

[Cory Trese]

Records are already super, super useful for Merchants and Explorers just based on class features. Might be cool to stack Gunnery officer on that chain.