M E A T B A G
Intent: To create a Space Superiority Starfighter for the Golden Company, and later the Thyrsian Hierarchy.
Image Source: Amarr Fighter Bomber - Malleus: Artstation Link.
Canon Link: Solar Ionization Cannon.
Restricted Missions: If required.
Primary Source: Repurposed Canon Articles.
Manufacturer: Republic Engineering Corporation, The Thyrsian Hierarchy, The Golden Company. (Select, and Contracted Foundries.)
Model: TTH/SSF-01 "Horus" - Pattern Space Superiority Starfighter.
Affiliation: The Thyrsian Hierarchy, The Golden Company, Closed-Market.
Production: Minor-Scale Production.
Material: Durasteel, Flexisteel, Armourplast, Reinforced Duraplast, Manganese Brass, Glasteel, Dallorian Alloy, Various Starfighter Components (Internal and External.)
Classification: Space Superiority Starfighter.
Role: Heavy Starfighter, Space Superiority, Escort, Reconnaissance.
Length: 12 Metres.
Width: 8 Metres.
Height: 6 Metres.
Armament: Moderate Rating.
- [2] Solar Ionization Cannons [Fire-Linked, Stutter-Fire Capable.]
- [2] Ion Cannons [Fire-Linked.]
- [2] Rotary Blaster Cannons [Fire-Linked, Chassis-Turret.]
- [1] Variable Warhead Launcher. (Four Warheads per Launcher.**)
Defenses: Average Rating.
- Standard Starfighter Deflector Array (Overlaid Ray and Particle Shields.)
- Standard Starfighter Armour and Hull Plating. (Extreme Small-Arms and Corrosion Resistance.)
- Standard Starfighter Countermeasures (Flares, Chaff, Various ECM, Etc.)
Maneuverability Rating: 80 DPF - Average Rating.
Primary Power Plant: Compact Fusion Reactor.
Secondary Power Plant: Solar Ionization Reactor with Retractable Collection Array(s).
Crew Complement (Optimal): One Pilot, One Integrated Droid Brain.
Crew Complement (Minimum): One Pilot, One Integrated Droid Brain.
Passengers: None.
Speed Rating: Average Rating.
MGLT: 100 MGLT.
Maximum Atmospheric Speed: 1,050 Km/H (Higher speeds possible with Deflector's activated.)
Engine Count: Five Starfighter - Grade Drive Units.
Secondary Propulsion: Retractable Solar Sails and Maneuverable Wing Armatures.
Primary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 1.0 Average Rating.
Secondary Hyperdrive Rating: Class 8.0
Cargo Capacity: 120 Kilograms (Survival and Maintenance Equipment.)
Consumables: One Week.
STANDARD FEATURES
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Sensor and Targeting Systems.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Navigation and Avionics Systems.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Communications Suite. (Encrypted with Thyrsian Military Keys.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Atmospheric Seals and Perfunctory Oxygen Scrubbers (Life Support Capable Flight Suit Required.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Subspace and HoloNet Transceiver(s).
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Inertial Compensators.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] VTOL Repulsorlift Antigravity System.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] High-G Shock and Ejector Seat, with Crash Webbing.
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Homing Beacon (Encrypted with Thyrsian Military Keys.)
- Standard [Military-Grade.] Gyroscopic Cockpit Module (Flight and Landing Positions.)
- Solar Ionization Cannons.
- Integrated Astromech Droid (Droid Brain.)
- Track-mounted Chassis Turret.
- Chassis Turret: In a vast departure from conventional designs, the Horus comes outfitted with a pair of rotary blaster turrets attached to a central chassis mounted turret. While the turret alone would be nothing special, it’s capabilities made it worthy of note. The module was capable of riding along the external plating of the starfighter; attacking threat’s that sought to engage the spacecraft either from the bow or the aft sections. This gave the pilot, and it’s integrated astromech droid, the ability to engage hostile projectiles and intercept them before reaching their fateful terminus.
- Maneuverable Solar Sails: Beginning as a unique spin on the iconic S-foil system, the Horus comes standard with the capabilities of extending a twinned pair of solar sails along its wings, allowing the vessel a secondary method of propulsion - should the Pilot chose to activate the system, or if the fightercraft’s engines were disabled. Not only did this double as an expedient method of travel in systems with a local Star, it allowed for the pilot’s to correct their course - unlike previous starships equipped with solar sails - and to pilot their vessel without wasting precious fuel whilst deployed in friendly systems. Through this secondary method of propulsion, the Thyrsian Engineers managed to find a way to tie their solar collection array’s into the sails, allowing for the Fighter’s reactor to be recharged during operation - a dangerous, but an ultimately rewarding method of keeping the Horus in the fight.
- Solar Weaponry: It was through the use Thyrsian ingenuity, married to Coruscanti artistry, that the Horus starfighter is outfitted with a brace of Solar Ionization cannons; a pair of weapons that allowed the fighter to bypass conventional deflector shields and melt the durasteel plating beneath. This was made possible by the arcane knowledge, closely guarded by the Thyrsian Enclave, which allowed these weapons to harness the raw energy of the Sun and unleash them against their enemies. In addition to this weapon’s power, the Coruscanti technicians installed a stutter module, that could be toggled and which allowed the discharged beam to fire more rapidly - but at the cost of decreased lethality.
- Solar-Based Weaponry: Although the power that Solar Ionization cannons offered was powerful, they were far from the perfect weapon in regards to naval warfare. Through their use, they were highly reliant on being employed within a solar system that contained a Star large enough to emit solar radiation throughout the localized sector. For if they were utilized in Open Space, it was unlikely that the cannons would function for lengthy periods of time, as it would inevitably bleed the reactor’s dry - rendering them effectively impotent until the Starfighter was able to refuel and recharge its systems. Therefore, as the location of the engagement zone was critical and could affect how this Fightercraft was deployed, it was often wiser and recommended that the Horus was restricted to Solar Systems to fully utilize its destructive capabilities.
- Wing Mounted Thrust Engines: Due to the peculiar design of the Horus, it’s primary methods of propulsion were mounted on the exterior of the central fuselage. This presented a critical weakness, once the vessel’s first layer of defence was breached, at least until the deflectors were recharged and restored. Should the fighter be deprived of its fusial thrusters, the craft’s overall combat effectiveness would drastically decrease - as the pilot and integrated astromech wouldn’t be unable to employ the innate maneuverability to its full potential. Instead, the vessel would be forced to rely on its deployable solar sails and run the risk of being rendered totally immobile when the agrinium sails were filled with holes.
- Exposed Solar Collection Array's: While the benefits of utilizing Solar sails were apparent, there came a significant risk whilst they were deployed; one that could possibly render their sails useless. These risks came in the form of running afoul of astronavigational hazards or falling prey to kinetic projectiles. Both presented dangers that would tear the solar-fabric apart and render it incapable of catching onto the solarwinds; effectively leaving the starfighter to drift on its own momentum. However, the Horus was only susceptible to such a fate if it’s primary shielding suite collapsed and the integrated solar sails were deployed.
Of all the starfighters that were to ever be created by the joint efforts between the Republic Engineering Corporation and their Thyrsian attache’s, the Horus was the most peculiar of all their designs. The reasoning behind this aesthetic choice was to match the visual thematics of the Thyrsian Navy and update their overall design in a more modern fashion. This essentially created some measure of harmony between the two ideologies brought to the table, and eventually gave conceptual birth to the first Thyrsian starfighter produced in the aftermath of Eshan’s brutal regime.
Through the Thyrsian’s understanding of technology that was considered exotic to the rest of the galaxy, they saw fit to equip the Horus with a brace of Solar Ionization cannons; that would allow their primary armament to bypass conventional shielding. The process in how these weapons were capable of punching through a hostile fighter’s projected barrier was a closely-guarded secret, but when they tore through conventional deflectors - they were capable of melting durasteel plating. This gave an advantage to the starfighter, in comparison to standard blaster or laser cannons because of the additional after effects.
One that could be used to fuse an enemy starfighter’s outer plating shut, and consigning the pilot to be entombed within their vessel; perishing with nothing but the stars to keep them company.
In addition to the Solar Cannons, the Horus was outfitted with deployable and modular Solar Sails; which supplemented their standard ion thrust engines with another means of interstellar transportation. With the agrinium sails deployed on modular mounts, they were able to alter the starfighter’s trajectory whilst engrossed in the swirling tides of the Sun. These extendable panels allowed for the fighter to conserve precious fuel whenever the vessel was deployed within the bounds of a solar system and offered a cunning method in which to outmaneuver their foes so long as there was a Star to take advantage of.
The Horus was but the first step in the Thyrsian’s Rearmament and would set the stage for their inevitable Reclamation Crusade - which would see their homeworld free from the tyrannical Echani.
