Qae Shena
Super Shaper Puppy!
Courtesy of ~deliciusman of DeviantArt.
Intent: To update a vessel to bring it in line with new Factory rules.
Development Thread: Acquisition of stygium
Manufacturer: Mon Calamari shipyards
Model: Celestial Empress
Affiliation: Qae Shena
Modularity: No
Production: Unique
Material: Durasteel alloy
Classification: Frigate (balanced)
Role: Transport, luxury vessel, home base
Height: 62 metres
Width: 155 metres
Length: 345 metres
Power Core Generator/Reactor: Solar ionization reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: Class 1
Minimum Crew: 75
Optimum Crew: 300
Armaments: 6x triple turbolaser turret, 4x dual turbolaser turret, 8x quad laser cannon, 2x proton torpedo launcher
Hangar: 1x Yun-Harla, 11x Cutter-class interceptor
Non-Combative Attachments: Navigation/sensor/targeting/redundant shielding systems, advanced hypercomm/holonet command suite, stygium cloaking device, thrust trace dampers
Passenger Capacity: 350
Cargo Capacity: 3,000 metric tons
Consumables: 8 months
Sublight Speed and Maneuverability: Class 5.5
With the necessity of modernising vessels and a dire need to downsize and rescale operations in order to accommodate a vastly new lifestyle, Qae de-commissioned the old Sky Dancer II, the Azure Tide and the Aether Dreamer in order to bring all of his space-going vessels into one convenient home. No expenses were spared in creating this vessel using his considerable riches as partial owner of Silk Holdings, commissioned by the lovely folk at the Mon Calamari shipyards in order to create a wonderfully flowing vessel that could cruise the stars. As is Qae's standard design aesthetic, the Celestial Empress is made up of very flowing lines and a slim spaceframe in order to look very much like a graceful creature that surfs the sea of space itself, inspired by traditional Mon Cal design - hence why they were chosen for the vessel's creation and not any other shipyard. Painted in a light blue to complement both the colour of the ocean and the owner himself, this ship is meant to be a visage of peace and serenity.
Much as its predecessor, the Celestial Empress is designed for stealth, utilizing some of the most advanced stealth technology known to the Galaxy. It is equipped with a full stygium cloaking suite and thrust trace dampers in order to facilitate fast getaways without being noticed and quiet trips unhindered by pirates. These stygium crystals were acquired not only from the far larger hull of the Aether Dreamer, but also a few added crystals installed thanks to the acquisition of more stygium crystals through a deal with Spencer Jacobs on the planet Phu. While this backup is purely for the sake of replacing damaged crystals as use later on in an emergency, the backups are certainly worth noting. Coupled with thrust trace dampers and powerful engines, the Empress is certainly a stealthy and light ship, with the intent not to stay in a prolonged battle but rather to avoid it entirely. Unlike the previous version of the vessel, however, the Celestial Empress is given over to more armaments. Its primary weapons are located almost entirely on the ship's underside to make them a little more concealable, but are turreted in order to at least be able to cover most major blind spots and unleash an utterly terrifying forward barrage - its major armaments include its four triple turbolaser turrets, a nod to many of the later Mon Calamari warship designs. In the same vein, it also boasts the standard Mon Calamari redundant shielding package, giving it defence in the case of trouble.
For its passengers, the Empress is meant to be comfortable, as luxurious as its name suggests it may be. Recreation decks, luxurious quarters for everyone from the Captain down, plenty of combat training rooms for those so inclined, recreation lounges, a swimming pool, hot tubs, tap cafes, movie theatres - it seems much more a mobile home for a ship its size than anything else. Indeed, it seems much more a luxury liner in execution than a warship, and that sums up its intent perfectly. Why else would a ship this size be so well designed for comfort? It is a home for the wandering Je'daii Master and his entourage, not a warship, where they can find some solace in comfort away from the troubles and anxieties that the Galaxy brings. Those who are close to Qae are more than welcome to bring themselves and their families aboard, to a safe location where the ship's speed and stealth is their saving grace. Yun-Harla finds herself one permanent berth aboard the ship, as well as having a squadron of fighters for onboard defence. While many of its passengers are meant to come aboard from more permanent berths such as space stations, Qae's friends and allies who wish to make a temporary home aboard the Dancer are more than welcome to. On top of this, it has a few noteworthy additions over the Aether Dreamer and its luxurious internals - for example, a meditation room with grass and fountains, a fully-equipped workshop, a zen garden-esque rock garden, and a hydroponics room specifically tailored to the environs of Yuuzhan Vong biots.
This ship is, literally, designed to be a mobile home for Qae Shena on his quest to find balance, wandering the Galaxy, a symbol of harmony. However, it is his greatest pride, his home amongst the stars he finds so familiar and comforting, that he is destined to wander. Ultimately, the Celestial Empress is representative of a dream of balance, of unity, both for himself and for the people he cares about.
