Unreviewed Canopic-Class Heavy Lander-Walker

[Helix]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To create a heavy landing craft for the Helix Privateers
• Image Source: Link
• Canon Link: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Primary Source: N/A

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Helix Privateers
• Affiliation: Helix Privateers / The Dzara
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: Canopic-Class Heavy Lander
• Production: Minor
• Material:
  
  • Exterior Armor Layer/General Construction: Helsteel / Storm Iron
  • Exterior/Interior Self-Repair Layer: Blightsteel
  • Electronics: Helglass
  • Exterior Camouflage Layer: Shiftsteel

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Assault Lander
• Length: 62 Meters
• Width: 60 Meters
• Height: 40 Meters
• Armament: Average
  
  • Prow-Mounted GHO-884 "Megalith" Storm Cannon (1)
  • Wing-Mounted Twin HCT-440 "Chorister" Phosphor-Plasma Cannons (2)
  • Prow-Mounted 6G6 "Gossamer" Fragmenting Plasma Torpedo Launchers (2)
  • Stern-Mounted Twin-Turreted KQ9 "Cloudburst" Electro-Flak Projector (1)
  • Hull-Mounted BVK-091 "Nightcoil" Boarding Tendrils (20)
• Defenses: High
  
  • HQT "Primacy" Repulsor-Grid Generators (3)
  • Backup ZSR-136 "Phantasm" Holoshield Array (1)
  • Blightsteel Self-Repair Structure
• Hangar Space: None
• Hangar Allocations:
  
  • Starfighters: 0
  • Support Craft: 0
• Single Craft Hangar: No
• Maneuverability Rating: High
• Speed Rating: High
• Hyperdrive: GFG-666 "Redline" Navigation Drive (1)

STANDARD FEATURES

• Helsteel Interior Bulkheads
• Blightsteel Regenerative Structure
• External Storm Iron Reactive Armor
• Internal Cargo/Prisoner Holds
• Integrated Droid Brain

ADVANCED SYSTEMS

• JPJ-230 "Baleful" Omni-Eye Sensor Arrays (2)
• DGG-552 "Chimeric" Cybersecurity Suite (1)
• JNF "Nocturne" Starship Engines (4)
• RZT "Jolly Roger" Macroprojector (1)
• Internal and External ZRB Holodroid Projectors (4 Internal, 6 External)

STRENGTHS

• No Pilot, No Problem: The Canopic is operated entirely by its own internal droid brain, and requires no crew to function.
• One-Man Army: The Canopic is capable of transporting and air-dropping infantry, vehicles, and supplies, and fighting alongside them on land or in the air.

WEAKNESSES

• Specialized: The Canopic carries a primarily short-ranged armament, more suited for fending off fighters and supporting ground forces than engaging in ranged duels with other starships.
• Empty Nest: As it is primarily a dropship, the Canopic carries no strike craft support.

DESCRIPTION

The largest by far of Helix's hangar-portable vessels, the Canopic is the final entry to its particular lineup.

While much of Helix's ancient CIS-era arsenal has long since been replaced, the C-9979 alone stood the test of time. Endlessly repaired and refitted, the C-9979 seemed invulnerable within the Privateers' naval assets.

Unfortunately, this ancient cornerstone's dominance was finally ended by the arrival of the Canopic. Designed to render both the C-9979 and the Dreadhawk obsolete in a single fell swoop, the Canopic falls somewhere between the two in terms of size.

These versatile orbit-to-surface and orbit-to-orbit transports are large enough to carry troops, vehicles, and supplies aplenty. Just a few are enough to rapidly get a full invasion force planetside, and can do so far more quickly than the comparatively-sluggish C-9979. The Canopic therefore fills something of a dual role, fulfilling the duties of a large assault lander and a conventional dropship both.

Thus, it is just nimble enough for the latter role while having something of the large internal capacity of the C-9979. It is capable of transporting large quantities of infantry, armored vehicles, or cargo containers.

As the Privateers now fight alongside organic troops, the Canopic features a far more hospital interior than the vacuum-exposed racks utilized by the Dreadhawk. It can ferry organic or droid infantry with equal ease, or more unpleasantly, contain a hefty quantity of plunder and prisoners for transport back to its carrier.

The Canopic can also provide capable ground support, utilizing a turret-mounted Megalith cannon near the prow. This armament can handily deal with massed infantry or medium vehicles, allowing nearby infantry some breathing room. Its other armaments include a double-barreled electro-flak cannon at the stern, and two torpedo launchers near the prow.

This close-in armament is especially handy when the Canopic chooses to land. Like the ancient Vultures that it somewhat resembles, the Canopic can unfold its wings into a quartet of legs, transforming it into a heavy walker. It is not unusual to see these massive vehicles trundle alongside infantry pushes, offering defense from air power with their back-mounted flak weapons and spraying enemy positions down with their starship-grade weaponry.

Canopics are also programmed for live capture when possible, utilizing their prehensile Nightcoil tendrils to pluck screaming victims from the field for later use.

Perhaps most importantly, Canopics possess both internal and external Holodroid projectors. These enable the vessel to immediately create on-demand infantry within a limited range, bolstering the numbers of nearby ground troops or helping to defend against boarders.