Alric Kuhn
Handsome K'lor'slug
Image Source: Source
Affiliation: Open-Market
Manufacturer: Vanir Technologies
Model: Varactyl Class
Modularity: Highly
Production: Mass-Produced
Material: Fiberplast, Dallorian Alloy, Durasteel
Classification: Escort Freighter
Length: 34m
Width: 25m
Height: 8m
Armament:
- One VT-Particle Gatling Turrets
- Two Concussion Missile Launchers
- None
- Communications Relay
- One Emergency Escape Pod
- Repulsor Drive
- Ion Engine
- Plush Comfort Seating
- Standard Targeting System
- Standard Sensors
- Standard Shield Generator
- Two Redundant Inertial Compensators
- VT-Nerve Helm System
- Solarium Glasteel Cockpit
Speed Rating: 3
Hyperdrive Class: 1
Strengths:
Agile: The Varactyl Class Escort Freighter is perhaps the fastest and most agile ship of its size that currently exists in the galaxy. The Vessel itself is designed with a whopping six engines, two of them at the very center and four located on the outer 'wings' of the ship. Each of these engines is uniquely positioned for optimum thrust, however two of the largest engines are specifically designed to sit atop the vessel itself. This design choice was specifically added to the vessel to assist with the maneuverability of the ship. Within these two unique engines are two specific pathways. These pathways are routed through vents, and can be switched at a moments notice. This means that the engines can at any point push their thrust to the back, or the front of the ship. This, added with the substantial inertial compensators as well as the strong inner construction of the ship itself means the Varactyl is quite literally capable of turning nearly instantly.
Surprisingly Spacious: Thought the Varactyl's engines make it appear bulky, the ship is in fact quite spacious on the inside. This is mostly due to the same design choice that allows the vessel to be so maneuverable. It's largest and most powerful thrusters do not sit within the super structure of the ship, this of course makes them more vulnerable, but it also gives the vessel much more room on the inside of the ship. This design aspect, along with the unique shape of the vessel allows it to maintain quite a bit on the inside without sacrificing too much maneuverability in the process. This added benefit means that the Ship retains the cargo space of the VCX-820 but also gives it slightly more room on the inside.
Weaknesses:
Light Armor: As is the theme with most fast moving vessels, the Varactyl class is very lightly armored. The ship cuts many standard armor requirements in favor of thinner and more streamlined starship hull. Most of the ships outsides are made of fiberplast instead of durasteel. Dallorian Alloy fittings and slight shifts the to vessels superstructure make the vessel less bulky and more streamlined. The ship itself does not take well to being rammed into things, and it takes most kinetic blows with a little bit of extra oomph. Missiles are incredibly damaging to the Varactyl's systems, most Concussion or fragmentation missiles being able to tear through the vessels hull with a great amount of ease.
Reactor Spikes: As comes standard with ships that use the VT-Particle Gatling the Varactly is prone to reactor spikes. This common weakness in Vanir Technologies ships is not missing from the Varactyl class, though it is mitigated somewhat by the introduction of the VT-Nerve Helm System. The Reactor of the Varactyl must be constantly maintained, watched, and looked after when all of its systems are active. Though these occasions are rare, its entirely possible that through mismanagement the vessels reactor could spike out of control. Unlike in other vessels such as the Gundark Heavy Freighter, these Reactor spikes are unavoidable and will lead to the ships destruction. Luckily, the vessel has an escape pod.
Description:
The Varactyl Class came about in the exact same initiative as the VT-Gundark Class.
Vanir Technologies has begun its expansion into self sustainment. This means that the company is seeking to completely do everything in house or with the assistance of directly owned subsidiaries. In order to do this, and in order to meet every possible need that the Company could have, several projects, including starships, have been created. The Varactyl class is one of these projects.
Instead of being showy or flashy like the VT-Momentum or the VT-Sliver, the Varactyl is instead purpose built to suit the roll of a quick cargo ship that also packs a punch. The vessel was designed after Alric Kuhns one of favorite ships, the VCX-820. The Vessel itself appears to be sleek and comfortable, its hull thin and it's engines giving the impression of a supreme amount of engine power and thrust. A certain air hangs around the ship, one that denotes speed and a certain level of danger that one wouldn't find on an ordinary freighter. Of course this design choice was intentional, and the vessel can generally be found painted in a stark red.
The Ship itself is fast, dangerous, and well armed.
It was created specifically to deliver the more high quality products of Vanir Technologies, such as the VT-Disruptor Lens or the VT-Needle Disruptor. Weapons and pieces of technology that are extremely high value and purchased only in small orders.
Of course to suit this purpose the Varactyl Class was built to be fast but also capable of carrying cargo. As such the vessels insides are deceptively large, holding the same cargo space as the VCX-820 while adding several more features that were not found on the other vessel. The Varactyl comes equipped with two bedrooms, a single refresher, a common room that doubles as a galley, as well as of course the cargo bay. This rather spacious inside would seem rather squished, save for the bedrooms being located within the forward protrusions of the vessel. Vanir Technologies suggest that during heavy maneuvering flights these bedrooms be evacuated, and their contents be somehow glued down.
The Ships cockpit sits at the very center and above the actual housing and cargo bay of the ship. One has to climb a small ladder to sit in the two person cockpit. The 'glass' portion of the screen stretches half back over the hull of the ship. Though this might seem odd, it is in fact a small design feature. The normally transparisteel section of the cockpit covering is instead Solarium Glasteel. This design choice was added by the suggestion of [member="Danger Arceneau"]. The Solarium Glasteel aids in the Varactyls reactor spikes and is also a soft feature within the ships systems that allow it to better survive more dangerous combat situations by blocking light glare that occurs from stars, explosions, and other things in space.
All in all the Varactyl Class is a fast, purpose built ship designed for a specific subset of Vanir Technologies needs.
The ship is open market and purchasable by anyone.
Development Thread: N/A
Intent: To Create a modern equivalent of the VCX-820(My favorite Canon ship)
Primary Source: N/A
