AB-2 "Glue Gun"

The AB-2 "Glue Gun" allows a ship to pull in certain objects drifting in space.

In-Game Description
''The Glue Gun allows pilots to accelerate the collection speed of drifting objects. It can also be used to transfer cargo from crippled ships to your own, though doing so is completely illegal.''

Characteristics
When the player shoots down a ship, or when an asteroid is destroyed, sometimes a container or smaller asteroid is left behind, respectively. However, simply running into it will not collect the object, unlike many videogames with collecting mechanics. Tractor beams do the job for the player, and can be performed at any distance without needing to collide with the object. No other objects than loot containers and smashed asteroids can be collected or moved with any tractor beam.

The 1.8-second lock time means that the targeting reticle needs to be focused on the container or asteroid the player wishes to collect. This is very inefficient during heavy firefights where the player wants to collect all of the loot dropped by his or her defeated enemies while attacking, since they will disappear after a few minutesspecify. On the other hand, this can be advantageous because the more-advanced "Kingfisher" and "Octopus" models, with their auto-lock functions, can interrupt targeting of enemies with the aid of a scanner, especially when operating thermal fusion weapons and missiles.

The large price jump between the "Glue Gun" and the "Retractor" justifies its drastically decreased lock time. Players will clear out an entire battlefield of loot much faster, with consequently less loot disappearing. A tractor beam is required if a player wishes to undertake any freelance mission involving the retrieival of a secure cabin, secure container, or any other important items left by enemies.