HK-36
The Iron Lord Protector (Neutral Good)
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To create a unique civilian marketplace space station as part of the Metal Lord stations orbiting Denon
- Image Source: Deviant Art, link here
- Canon Link: N/A
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: Abregado-Rae Combat Shield
- Manufacturer: The Metal Lords
- Model: Space Bazaar
- Affiliation: Metal Lords, Denon
- Production: Unique
- Material: Quadanium Hull, Thick Duranium Blast Doors, Transparisteel Viewports, Electrum and Bronzium Decorations, Durasteel for everything else
- Classification: Commercial Space Port
- Length: 5000 meters diameter
- Width: 5000 meters diameter
- Height: 8000 meters
- Armament: Very Low (Quad Laser Cannons, Enough for protection against raiding starfighters and to make boarding it somewhat difficult, for protection against bigger ships and actual fleets relies on other ships and stations)
- Defenses: High
- Hangar: Multiple hangars for Corvettes or smaller ships and multiple docking bays to accommodate very large numbers of passing ships visiting the station, contains no starfighter garrison of its own.
- Maneuverability Rating: None
- Speed Rating: None
- Hyperdrive Class: None
- Abregado Combat Shield- Although civilian in nature the Bazaar has been equipped with military-grade Abregado Combat Shield systems of the ship and station variant, giving a boost to its protection value as well as near immunity against ionic and electromagnetic attacks or anomalies, should such come in the path of this station.
- Event Space- One of the tiers of the station is dedicated solely to hold large conventions, expos, or galas in Denon's orbit, offering plenty of space to hold either large events or multiple meetings at the same time, completed with luxurious complimentary furnishing brought in by the combined wealth of multiple Metal Lords.
- Docking Bays- The station has a high number of docking bays to accommodate large quantities of ships of various sizes, even being able to accept guests aboard from several Star Destroyers at the same time.
- The Marketplace- At the heart of the station lies the Marketplace level, a large expansive labyrinth of thousands of booths and vendor stands where beings from across the Galaxy, passing by the station and the hyperlane crossroads going through Denon, are free to set up temporary shops and try to peddle their goods or seek out deals and contracts with any possible buyers. This level also houses multiple banks and money exchange stations, accounting for the fact that Metal Lords do not have one single standardized currency and instead each Lord or even planet tends to design their own.
- Drone Crew- Although not making up the entirety of the crew serving aboard the station, Bazaar houses large numbers of various drones serving the will of the Lord Above Denon. While their jobs are mainly as menservants or janitors, should a need arise the drones can act as security and defend the station when boarded or aggravated.
- High Defense- Equipped with a thick and tough hull and military-grade deflector shields, this space station is very hard to take down, giving plenty of protection to the merchants and goods housed within it as well as time for more reinforcements to come through or for its occupants to evacuate.
- Center Of Trade- With the multiple spacious tiers of the station dedicated to commerce and trade, the station is meant to act as a symbol of Metal Lords' wealth and the center of trade in the region. Its elaborately decorated interior, as well as the many furnishings to further the goal of achieving that status, are meant to serve that purpose.
- Large Garrison- Although the station does not possess a garrison of starfighters to defend itself, it contains a large numbers of drones to fulfill menial jobs and act as security. Should the station be boarded, these drones can take defensive actions and arm themselves to serve as the station's infantry garrison and protect its occupants.
- Little Combat Capabilities- the Bazaar has enough defensive quad laser systems to protect themselves against starfighters, missiles, and other small and fast-moving objects. However, it is unable to properly fight back against proper fleets or even single capital ships, requiring protection from other ships or space stations.
- No Mobility- The Bazaar was built directly in the Denon's orbit and is not meant to leave it any time soon, as such the only thrusters the station has are only able to naturally keep it in the orbit but are not strong enough to allow it to escape it and travel beyond Denon's orbit. Just the same the station does not possess a hyperdrive, meaning that if cornered the station has no way of escaping, it is bound to Denon.
- E-War Weakness- Much like majority of Metal Lord creations, the Bazaar, and its drone crew especially, are vulnerable to E-War due to their low intelligence. A skilled enough slicer could take control or destabilize the drone population and even cause trouble for more advanced droids and systems associated with the space port station.
Introduction: Since the Metal Lords first arrived in the Denon sector they begun work on a great project surrounding the planet. A ring of ships quickly formed in its orbit, much to the dismay of Denon's population, however no shots or missiles were fired towards the planet, instead HK lead a representation down to the surface to speak with Denon's government. The droids clarified they were there to construct and not destroy and offered the deal to Denon's government. A bargain was struck that day and in exchange for Denon's loyalty the machines would allow the current government to continue unopposed while they constructed their new kingdom in orbit, one that they would leave behind for Denon should they ever decide to return to their nomadic lifestyle. One of the first stations to be constructed in this momentous project was the Space Bazaar, a giant space port station that was meant to serve as symbol of Denon's and Metal Lords new emphasize on trade and commerce.
Description: The Bazaar differs from the traditional Metal Lord architecture in that it was fabricated fully out of new materials and systems, usually the droids like to re purpose and recycle captured or salvaged stations and ships, pulling them apart and cannibalizing their components to stitch them together into new creations. Much of Bazaar's outer layer has been forged out of tough quadanium, backed further by a station-sized Abregado Combat Shield to offer large degree of protection to the station. Inner hallways and rooms of the Bazaar on the other hand are largely made out of polished Duranium and Durasteel, shining in steel-grey with elaborate decorations crafted out of bronzium or the gold-colored electrum adoring its walls and doorways. Gold standing out in contrast to the more subdued darker color of durasteel or duranium, their national colors and symbol of the way Metal Lords view themselves as bringers of prosperity in the lonely dark void of cosmos, especially to ruined planets. Bazaar can be divided into five major tiers, the lowest one is maintenance where majority of non-vital systems are housed, as well as supply and drone storage along with their charging stations, above it is the docking tier where most of the docking bays and commercial hangars lead to, it's also home to many shipwrights making their home on the Bazaar, docking security, and the dock masters who keep track of vessels coming and going to make sure everything is in order. The next, and largest tier, is the Marketplace, also called the Bazaar, it is a vast labyrinth-like layer where many traveling merchants, inventors, or company representatives can purchase out temporary stalls and shop spaces to peddle their goods and look for buyers interested in their offers. Above the Marketplace is the Conference Tier, second-largest in the station its purpose is to serve as an event-space, able to house multitudes of visitors into single giant gatherings or as guests attending various meetings going on at the same time, completed with complimentary furbishing to suit any needs one would have organizing such things. The final tier is the Command Level on top of the station, underneath the thickest plating this is where the various commanders and officers overlooking the Bazaar conduct their duties, making sure that every need on the station is satisfied and the trade practices are conducted in peace. There are various other levels between tiers, especially the Docking, Marketplace, and Eventspace tier, where many vital systems, like energy core, life support, or shield generators, are housed, using the larger levels as their shields.
Special Features: One of the biggest special features this station has, that can set it apart from other stations of its size, is the Abregado Combat Shield generator, a strong deflector system suited for stations and capital ships that grants a bonus to its defensive capabilities as well as near immunity from electromagnetic and ionic attacks. Another special feature is the Event Space mentioned before, allowing large gatherings or multiple meetings to take place at the same time comfortably, and the Marketplace, where various traders and companies can keep temporary stalls, shops, and offices to use as part of their presence in the Metal Lord territory. Finally there are the vast Docking Bays and commercial hangars that are able to house multitudes of small craft like fighters or tramp freighters coming and going from the station, housed throughout its vast structures and almost on every tier, most of these docking bays are connected to the docking level and attended by the large amount of drones garrisoned on the station, usually used as servants and janitors, these low-intelligence machines can fulfill the role of security and defensive force should it be necessary.
Strengths: Most of the station's strengths revolve around its nature as symbol of commerce and trade in the system. It can house many traders and their vessels, it has space for shops and offices to be set up within it, and it can hold large trade galas and meetings to provide opportunity for more deals and contracts to be signed. Its other strength are the great defensive capabilities of the station, protecting the wealth, goods, and traders housed within it. Forged out of thick quadanium hull and protected by the large sized Abregado Combat Shield, it would take a lot to inflict damage upon the station and people finding refuge within it, should one try to board it forcefully they would be met with its arrays of fast firing quad laser turrets and the large garrison of drones, turned from their role as servants to acting as security and defensive infantry of the station.
Weaknesses: The weaknesses of the station revolve in turn around its dependence on other ships and stations for protection. Lacking larger caliber weapons or proper garrison of starfighters, the station is not able to properly fight back against fleets or even singular ships large enough to not be shot down right away by the smaller caliber quad laser turrets. Just the same the station cannot retreat away from combat as it lacks strong enough thrusters to allow it to escape Denon's orbit, instead just able to maintain its position in the hold of the planet. Finally, many of the station's systems are vulnerable to E-War attacks by skilled enough slicers, from normal systems and low-intelligence drones, to the more sophisticated droid crewmen or even a Metal Lord should one decide to make the station their personal holding.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the Bazaar is the first of many stations constructed in Denon's orbit by the Metal Lords, although not the largest one it is one of the most luxurious stations build by the droids in their pursuit of a better relationship with organics. It is a symbol of prosperity and trade and its structure reflects that, from the thick quadanium hull to the inner halls and rooms decorated with elaborate golden and bronze motifs against more subdued grey of durasteel. Although it is not a military station, and as such holds no garrison of starfighters or weaponry that can properly damage a capital ship, its thick armor plating and the strong deflector shields are able to hold back an attack, hopefully long enough for reinforcements to arrive and save the wealth and traders housed within.
