It just tells you that loot is in range of your tractor beam.

Hit "B" when you see it to tractor in the goodies.

Edited by - DVX Being Funny on 28-02-2003 15:43:33

Sounds like the "tractor loot" icon, press it to take on board any salvage from the ships you've destroyed (stuff like countermeasures, weapons and such).

Thanks guys...I have tractored many items on board by clicking on the tractor icon in the stat window or hitting the B key..just never noticed the little chest before.

It seems to me that I only saw the little chest when I selected a piece of loot in space. I think it's there to warn you not to shoot what you have targeted.

The Loot icon will come up anytime beamable cargo is in the vicinity. If you run out of space for the specific item that's floating around, the icon won't show up. So you need not worry about missing any cargo, since you either won't be able to hold it or don't need anymore of it.