defy the tyrannous stars
- Intent: To submit a mainline science and exploratory vessel for the Mechanicum fleet, as well as for general purpose CIS use.
- Image Source: Passengers (film)
- Canon Link: /
- Restricted Missions: /
- Primary Source: /
- Manufacturer: Confederacy of Independent Systems | The Mechanicum
- Model: Motive-class Science Cruiser
- Affiliation: (x) The Mechanicum, (x) Confederacy of Independent Systems
Production: Minor
- Material: Durasteel, Solarium Glasteel, Plexalloy
- Classification: Exploration
- Length: 500 meters
- Width: 275 meters
- Height: 250 meters
- Armament: Very Low
Pulse-Wave Cannons - Bio-Energy Array
- Point-Defense Laser System
- RASP Launchers
[*]Defenses: Moderate
- Molecular Shield Generator
- Particle Shield Generator
[*]Hangar: Average: 2 Squadrons
[*]Maneuverability Rating: Moderate
[*]Speed Rating: Moderate
[*]Hyperdrive Class: 1
- Advanced Sensor Array
- Standard Targeting Systems
- Encryption Network
- Hypermatter Annihilator Reactor
- HoloNet Transceiver
- Long-range Communications Array
- Standard Detention Cells
- Limited Life Support Systems
- Tractor Beams (x6)
Apostle Tactical Droid: Each Motive-class is directly overseen by an Apostle, powerful tactical droid brains which directly interface with the cruiser's electronic systems. Capable of not only comparable strategic analysis to Separatist era designs, each Apostle functions not merely as a ship's commander but effectively its entire bridge crew. While a small support team is required for maintenance and certain secondary systems, the tactical droid effectively automates most command level functions.
Molecular Shields: A special form of deflector technology, absorbing energy fire instead of deflecting or neutralizing it so that it may be converted into powering certain critical systems. In addition to being more durable than standard capital grade shielding, this absorption process allows for the starship to maintain reactor power under fire, making it more difficult launch an overwhelming strike that might cripple its shielding. A sustained barrage is the most effective method of attack, although the deflectors are more vulnerable to heavier hitting weaponry like heavy turbolasers and energy torpedoes. They are, however, ineffective against physical projectiles such as HVCs and concussion missiles. A backup particle deflector provides some kinetic resistances, but is not as durable as the molecular shielding.
Stellar Observatory: Almost like a secondary bridge in terms of activity, a stellar observatory is the hub of all scientific research and experimentation on each cruiser. Fine tuned sensors are designed to assist their operators in mapping spatial anomalies and other stellar phenomenon with exquisite detail. On the Motive-class, each observatory also serves as an administrative center for all of the cruiser's modular laboratory suites.
Medical Suite/Droid Workshop: Not only does the science cruiser feature a state of the art medical wing with all the latest cutting edge technology, but it also shares a deck with the starship's droid repair facilities. Kept separate for hygienic reasons, a Motive-class is fully prepared for any form of emergency care, whether the patient be biologic or artificial.
Reconnaissance and Survey Probes (RASP): Nabooian technology adapted to interface with Mechanicum observatories, each cruiser can deploy several RASP launchers for even more detailed analysis of their immediate surroundings.
- Apostle: Instead of a typical bridge crew consisting of individual organic or droid officers, each Motive-class is run almost entirely by a single supercomputer. Essentially a highly advanced tactical droid brain housed inside a static superstructure, this allows the starship to react to stimuli and execute commands with a unity of thought. An Apostle comes with significant benefits to the cruiser's overall command level reaction time.
- Probe Launchers: Each Reconnaissance and Survey Probe is tailored specifically for a variety of roles. From the SIARC probe capable of taking comprehensive scans of enemy forces and dense nebulas, to the hyperspace-capable SUREC probe, these launchers allow the Motive-class to cast a wide sensor net for its stellar observations.
- Mobile Research Facility: Between its state of the art stellar observatory and modular laboratory suites all throughout each cruiser, this starship is fully equipped to host a wide range of scientific projects and long term experimentation.
- Low Armament: Only a sparse number of pulse-wave cannons make up the science cruiser's only real offensive option, with a neutralizing bio-energy array and point defense lasers as defensive countermeasures. Against military grade armaments, the Motive-class would have very little chance on its own in direct combat.
- Ion Vulnerability: Not only due to the starship's focus on automation, but also because of the Mechanicum's high rate of synthetic crew. Ion fire and EMP pulses are just as devastating to an Motive-class as turbolaser or projectile fire, often even more so.
- Fragile Design: The science cruiser's outer hull was not designed to withstand volleys of weapons fire. If its shields are penetrated, there are multiple impact points which could cause catastrophic damage to the starship's structural integrity.
A common sight across Wild Space, both in Confederate territory and unaligned systems, the Motive-class Science Cruiser is one of the Mechanicum's primary methods of knowledge acquisition outside of trade with biologic companies and governments. While each machine cult Forge contains its own advanced institutions of research, being posted aboard a Motive-class allows for more avenues of practical experimentation and firsthand data acquisition.
Featuring an asymmetric and more open outer hull design, as little space as possible exists between the ship's sensor instruments and open void. Making extensive use of both solarium glasteel and plexalloy, a significant portions of each Motive-class are completely transparent, and as with most Mechanicum vessels not all sections make use of the ship's life support system to save on power.
Although more agile than the average ship of its class, the Motive-class is equipped with very little in the way of offensive armament. Its molecular shields are slightly more powerful than average deflector, but this advantage is mitigated somewhat by the smaller capital's lesser reactor output capacity.
In combat the cruiser is only really effective as a scout because of its speed and complement of launchable probes, standard procedure when attacked is for the Apostle to attempt to temporarily disable the hostile vessel and/or withdraw.
