Ova Ziss
President of United Trade Authority
M97 Starhawk - Legacy Mandalorian Starfighter
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To flesh out, once and for all, the make and model of the Unknown Mercenary Ship from Star Wars: Starfighter
- Image Source: UnusualSuspex on Deviant Art
- Canon Link: Unknown Mercenary Ship from Star Wars: Starfighter (2001)
- Permissions: Legacy Lore Item
- Primary Source: Unknown Mercenary Ship from Star Wars: Starfighter
- Manufacturer: United Trade Authority [Current] | Unknown Mandalorian Mercenary Company (Lore)
- Affiliation: Company - United Trade Authority
- Market Status: Closed-Market
- Model: Mark XCVII (97).
- Production: Mass-Produced
- Material: Reinforced durasteel; doonium; plastinium glass view.
- Classification: Starfighter
- Length: 20 Meters
- Width: 18 Meters
- Height: 8 Meters
- Armament: Average
2x Proton Bomb
2x Static Laser Bombardment Cannons
1x Magnetic Harpoon and Tow Cable Kit - Defenses: Average
2x Protiac IV Dash Thrusters
1x Mid Mount Deflector Shield - Squadron Count: High: 16
- Maneuverability Rating: Low
- Speed Rating: Average
- Hyperdrive: 1.0
- Standard starfighter features.
- Deflector Shields: Temporary deflector shields help to keep lasers and projectiles away for a limited time.
- Proton Missiles: The missiles are energy-based and not slugthrowers, so they pack penetrative ability. The explosive splash can often take out more than one craft at once, but no shot placement is perfect. It will require good aim to hit a small enemy dashing quickly.
- Repeating Laser Cannons: The M97 has two static side lasers on either side of the craft. They are reliable and easy to use, even for beginners.
- High Squadron Count: The M97 is thinner than most starships, so more ships than usual can fit into squadron shapes.
- Deflector Shields: The M97 can deflect lasers and projectiles away from damaging the craft using the deflector shields.
- Tow Cable: Ship has a tow cable for taking down walkers. If the M97 can out-maneuver the walker for three turns, the walker is prone.
- Low Maneuverability: The ships take more time to move and coordinate assaults. The larger squadron size contributes to this.
- Fielding Proton Bombs: Once you blast your two proton bombs, that's it. You will need to recharge them via a larger craft before fielding.
- Decidedly Average...and People Don't Like That: The M97 has been deridingly called "the blaster rifle of space ships". The M97 doesn't seem to have any more strengths or weaknesses that any other starfighter has, being merely an average craft. Unfortunately, this reliable and ubiquitous nature gives the false impression given that everyone in Mandolorian space is piloting one because they are "cheap".
- Below-Average Hyperdrive: The Hyperdrive is as legacy as the ship is, having not received an update in an embarrassingly long time.
- Tow Cable Snap: If a walker regains control of its legs after being knocked prone, the tow cable will snap and the walker resumes operation.
The M97 Starhawk has been in use since at least 5BY: a favorite of Mandalorian mercenaries and armies both. It has been used frequently to keep the peace in the Myto's Arrow region of the Tingel Arm. It saw military use both for and also against the New Imperial Order. It has exchanged hands among the Jedi, the Sith, the Mandalorians, and even pirates. Any time that pirates mess around with Myto's Arrow, the authorities can frequently be seen flying an M97. Hilariously, however, the perpetrator can also frequently be found piloting an M97. It's a popular choice for spacers who are just looking to get around and see the galaxy due to its reliability and ease of repair. It has an unfortunate reputation for being "cheap", as it is mass-produced, but it is also a reliable and quality starfighter. The M96 variety of the Starhawk was literally pulled out of the salvage yards of Dantooine by Ova Ziss, a legacy of conflicts past. It was stripped, squared away, and modernized into an effective modular prototype. The Starhawk lives on in the Mark 97, made anew by United Industrial for any lucky customer to enjoy.
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