General[]
The Usual But Etymologically Unsatisfactory was a Fast Picket ship within The Culture. Originally a Psychopath-class Rapid Offensive Unit, it was later repurposed for more peaceful tasks, including the transport of individuals across the galaxy.
Characteristics[]
The ship resembled a featureless skyscraper lying on its side. Its rear three-fifths was a single, massive cylinder, chevroned with brown, functioning as its engine. Another substantial section held various sensory systems, while the roughly conical section at the front once housed weapons, during its days as an Offensive Unit. The crew section, a thick band on the central spindle squeezed in between the engine and the systems section, was small for its original crew of 30.
Despite an age of approximately 1,500 years, the ship appeared to be in immaculate condition. The ship's avatar was a boxy and practical-looking drone.
Reputation[]
The ship was considered reliable and obedient by those familiar with it. Some suggested that it might aspire to be selected for Special Circumstances, but this was considered unrealistic. It was generally thought to be a good choice for those needing transportation to locations not commonly serviced by the Culture's routine travel arrangements.
Notable Missions[]
During the events of the War in Heaven, The Usual But Etymologically Unsatisfactory transported Lededje Y'breq to Sichult, a journey that was expected to take ninety days. However, Lededje was secretly contacted by the Falling Outside the Normal Moral Constraints and decided to make the journey aboard that ship instead.