Ayden Cater
Grumpy Goat
Intent: The create for the Protectorate a handful of advanced multi-role ships
Development Thread:
- The First Step is a Doozy (General Development)
- End of Valen (Rewarded)
Model: Cira-class Frigate
Affiliation: Omega Protectorate / Omega Pyre
Modularity: None
Production: Limited (2)
Material: Pressed Titanium (Hull Plating) Tungsten (Frame), Transparisteel (Viewports)
Description: Designs for what would become the Cira-class could be traced back as far as the Clockwork attack on Fondor. Technical, scientific, and resource limitations at the time prevented the designs from ever pushing past conceptualization. Research was begun, on multiple worlds, to create the technology that would allow such an advanced frigate to be constructed. A number of advancements were made, such as pressed titanium hull plating and advanced shielding derived from non-invasive studies of prototypes found during the so-called Dark Harvest, to afford the ship a level of protection to rival many ship-of-the-line heavy cruisers.
However, one technological chokepoint that hampered further development lay in something basic; power. The advanced weapons and engines required immense power, more than a frigate-class reactor could normally provide. To put a reactor rated for heavy cruiser-levels of power use in a frigate would have spelled disastrous the first time the ship would enter combat. For months, scientists attempted to learn lessons from the reactor acquired at Roche, but found they could not meaningfully replicate its critical success. On the verge of defeat, the answer arrived from the planet Valen. Utilizing cortosis to power advanced reactors, the technology suddenly existed to allow two full prototypes to be built.
Built in secret, these frigates wield the power of heavy cruisers with the speed of frigate. Most of the power draw comes from the six main cannons arranged under each "wing" of the ship; one turbolaser and two ion cannons. Each arranged bank has the equivalent firepower of a full-size cruiser. However, the ship also carries ten powerful dual turbolasers that can withdrawn into the ship, adding to the illusion of a standard frigate. A pair of prototype, miniaturized assault concussion missile launchers are located at the bow of the ship, with another two underneath along with two dozen standard concussion missile launchers. This devastating arrangement was created to take full advantage of the ship's speed. A frigate could swoop in, punch a hole in the shields of a ship before dropping a hellish missile barrage at close range, then zip off.
The frigates possess non-standard engine drives and hull-plating. Though not possessing cloaking devices, the frigates are designed such that they can "fly cold" through most sensor nets. With a non-magnetic hull, internal heat sinks, and photon absorbers, the frigates can practically park on the nose of a target without being detected. Of course this does nothing for visual detection, and the moment it begins firing its weapons and engages in active sensor scans, the jig is up. As well, a focused, high-intensity scanning beam carries the high risk of detecting the ship.
Authorization to launch the two frigates resides with the office of the Lord Protector. Ayden spared no expense in ensuring that these valuable craft could not be stolen out from under him. Each is locked in secure planetary bunkers with rotating passcodes that only Ayden, or the Lord/Lady Protector, has access to. Automation reduces the overall crew requirements, resulting in as easily checked pool of would-be crew members to be checked, double-checked, and authorized for posting on one of the ships. Their use is not something that comes lightly.
Classification: Prototype Frigate
Role: Multi-role
Height: 72 meters
Width: 147 meters
Length: 384 meters
Power Core Generator/Reactor: Valen Reactor
Hyperdrive Rating: 1.0, Backup Class 12
Minimum Crew: 12
Optimal Crew: 45
Armaments:
- Two Dual Heavy Long-Range Turbolaser Cannons (Forward; one under each wing)
- Four Dual Heavy Long-Range Ion Cannons (Forward; two under each wing)
- Ten Dual Heavy Turbolaser Turrets (Retractable)
- Twenty-Four Concussion Missile Launchers (Ventral)
- Four Assault Concussion Missile Launchers (Two forward, two ventral)
- Twelve Heavy Autoblasters
- Twelve Dual Flak Cannons (Retractable)
- Four M32 Agrevant-class Dropships or M47 Illria-class Dropships
- Two CXR-75 Heavy Dropships or M59 Raven-class Dropships
- Advanced Deflector Shield Generator
- Advanced Sensor Array
- Cap Drain Module (x8)
- Encryption Network
- Escape Pods
- Extensive Automation
- Gravitic Modulator
- Holonet Transceiver
- Internal Heat Sinks (Twelve Hour Capacity)
- Long-Range Communications Array
- Photon Absorbers
- Reinforced CIC
- Standard Detention Cells
- Standard Life Support Systems
- Standard Navigational Systems
- Standard Targeting Systems
- TibannaX Drive
- Tractor Beams (x4)
- Tractor Shroud (x8)
Cargo Capacity: 1,000 metric tons
Consumables: Twelve Months
Sublight Speed and Maneuverability: 5
