Lightning Interceptor

(Version 1.00 - Last Modified: 09/27/2002)

The smallest fighter developed by the Templar caste, the Lightning Interceptor was developed centuries after the Aeon of Strife as the first dedicated space fighter for the Grand Fleet. The Lightning has gone through many refits since then, but its basic shape and purpose has changed little. While no longer a space-only fighter, the Lightning is generally deployed on the Adun Class Carriers and on military bases.

The Lightning has a dual hull shape, with its main weapons located on the front of each hull. The pilot sits in the middle section where the main reactor is located. The ship is propelled by an advanced anti-gravity drive located on the back of each hull. The main weapon of the Lightning fires a modified plasma charge. This weapon, while individually not very powerful, was devastating when used in large numbers.

M.D.C. by location:

• Plasma Charge Cannons (2) - 120 each
• Cockpit - 150
• Side Hulls (2) - 200 each *
• Main Body - 450 **
• Shield Generator - 550 ***


M.D.C. Armor Rating: 9 (See Mega-Damage Properties for more details on M.D.C. Armor Ratings and M.D.C. Weapon Ratings)
Notes:

*	Depleting the M.D.C. of a Side Hull will destroy a Plasma Charge Cannon and one of the engines, reducing speed and acceleration by 50%.
**	Depleting the M.D.C. of the Main Body will put the fighter out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity.
***	The shield generator creates a powerful shield around the fighter. At maximum strength the shield has 550 M.D.C. and regenerates at a rate of 25 M.D.C. per melee round and can remain active indefinitely. If completely depleted, the shield cannot be recreated for half an hour, after that time it can be reactivated at full strength.

Speed:

• Sublight: Can travel at up to 45 percent of the speed of light (0.45c) and accelerate / decelerate at a rate of 1.2 percent of light (0.012 c) per melee.
• Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum cruise speed is Mach 6 (4470 mph / 7200 km/h) and can enter and leave an atmosphere with Earth-like gravity.
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but only carries enough supplies for the pilot for one week.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 11' (3.4 m)
• Width: 42' (12.8 m)
• Length: 28' (8.5 m)
• Weight: 10.9 tons (9.9 metric tons)
• Reactor System: Khaydarin Crystal Reactor with a life span of 100 years.
• Propulsion System: Anti-Gravity Generator
• Cargo: Minimal storage space that usually holds a suit of Light Combat Armor and the Pilot Survival Kit.

Weapon Systems:

1. Plasma Charge Cannons (2)
   This is the main armament of the Lightning Interceptor is a pair of Plasma Charge Cannons. Each cannon fires a bolt of superheated plasma similar to regular plasma weapons, but each blast is filled with charged particles that cause an explosive chain reaction when they hit the target.
   • Range: 5 miles (8 km) underwater, 10 miles (16.1 km) through an atmosphere, and 100 miles (160.9 km) in space.
   • Damage: 2D6x10 M.D. per single blast or 4D6x10 M.D. per dual blast.
   • M.D.C. Weapon Rating: 11
   • Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand-to-hand attacks (usually 4 to 6).
   • Payload: Effectively Unlimited

Standard Systems:

1. Fighter Bonuses
   The fighter is extremely maneuverable, adding +10% to the piloting skill of the pilot, +2 to dodge attacks from energy and projectile weapons, and +3 to dodge missiles and similar tracking devices.
2. Electronic Warfare System
   The fighter is equipped with a simple EW package that allows it to generate 2 points of ECM and 1 point of ECCM. See Electronic Warfare and EWSs for more details on Electronic Warfare and Electronic Warfare Systems.
3. Communication System
   The fighter is equipped with a Crystal Communicator that has a range of 500,000 miles (804,672 km) with other crystal communicators and a range of half that with other devices.
4. Sensor Systems
   The fighter is equipped with three powerful sensor systems. The first is a powerful radar array that has a range of 50,000 miles (80,467 km) and uses standard radar waves, which are fairly easy to jam, but it is obvious when the radar array is being jammed. The second is a standard gravity sensor that has a range of 50,000 miles (80,467 km). The final system is a magical energy sensor that will detect anything that has more then 100 points of PPE or ISP, is a supernatural creature or creature of magic, or is a dimensional anomaly within 1 light-year.
5. Targeting Computer System
   Connecting the fighter's sensor systems with the weapon systems is the Targeting Computer System. The system is designed to control all of the weapons currently equipped on the fighter. This system can track up to 50 targets simultaneously, providing detailed information about the targets from the fighter's data files. All direct fire weapons receive a bonus of +3 to strike and all missile weapons receive a bonus of +1 to strike. These bonuses are in addition to any previously stated bonuses or penalties.
6. Pilot Survival Kit
   All fighters come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a small mirror, a pocket knife, basic first aid items, water for one week, and nutrition patches for four months.