[AngleWyrm]

What I did was abstract away the 'essentially free' element from ram scoops/bussard collectors. If there is a componant that ought to be included, and is so cheap (in space, research, money) that every ship will have it, it begins to approach irrelevant, and could just as well be assumed to be in the hull and save everyone a few mouse-clicks. It's mostly the position in hyperspace where one desires the game to reside; is it mostly interactive storytelling, mostly game playing, mostly role playing?

The warp core generates some supplies which helps to balance supply income along the history of the game as technology progresses. It also makes it possible to combine the latest warp core with older nacelles, and thereby make the computer fly ships at a slower speed, conserving gas.