Ocean Cruiser

(Version 1.00 - Last Modified: 06/29/2004)

For many years, the Combat Foil served all the needs of the Nautilus Pirates and the other factions that were just beginning to explore the seas and oceans on Chiron, but two factors propelled the development of larger and more powerful ocean-going vessels. The first factor was the appearance of larger and more powerful alien creatures like the larger Isles of the Deep and Sea Lurks. These creatures could overpower a simple combat foil and even a small group of them had a hard time dealing with even one of the large Isles of the Deep. The second factor was competition between the Human factions. The Nautilus Pirates were uncertain of the intentions of the other factions and were determined to maintain their independence at any cost, so they began construction of a fleet of cruisers. Through the actions of the Data Angels faction, the plans for the first cruisers was spread to the other Human factions and soon several of the factions were building nearly identical ocean cruisers. Although the cruisers from the Nautilus Pirates was considerably better then the other cruisers, they still represent a major improvement over the small combat foils.

Although called cruisers by the colonists, the Ocean Cruisers on Chiron are approximately the same size as destroyers deployed by the United States Navy in the first parts of the twenty-first century on Earth. Even though the ships are not very large compared to the standards on Earth, they represent some of the largest things built on Chiron by the Human factions. Built as a multipurpose vessel, the Ocean Cruisers are designed for combat against other ships and the alien creatures, as a modest troop transport, and as a landing ship for a single Needlejet. The Ocean Cruisers had a balanced weapons load and they were believed to be more then enough to handle the alien creatures that were their primary enemy. Unfortunately, the planet reacted by creating an even larger Isle of the Deep. These new Isles of the Deep forced the Human factions to begin deploying the Ocean Cruisers in groups, often accompanied by a number of Combat Foils to act as a perimeter defense. Even worse, the Human factions, especially the Nautilus Pirates, had to deploy their cruisers to defend the burgeoning ocean trade that had was being established between the Human controlled continents and the scattered ocean colonies that were being built.

Aside from a few experimental designs, nearly all of the ocean cruisers built by the Human factions on Chiron follow the same basic design originally developed by the Nautilus Pirates. The ocean cruisers have two powerful turrets, one at the front of the ship and one at the back of the ship and they have several smaller point defense turrets on each side of the ship. The ship's area also equipped with a missile launcher that holds medium range missiles and is the primary weapon against other cruisers in times of war. Finally, the ship is equipped with a modest suite of sensors and electronic equipment. Unfortunately, much of it is rediscovered technology that the original colonists had no way of knowing that they would need, so it is far behind the standards of Earth at the time the SS Unity was launched.

Vehicle Information:

• Vehicle Type: Trimaran Ocean Destroyer
• Crew: 120; 8 officers, 13 chief petty officers, and 99 enlisted.
• Troops: Up to thirty people in full combat armor can fit in the cargo section of the ship.

S.D.C. by location:

Plasma Steel Armor

• Primary Weapon Turrets (2) - 250 each
• Secondary Weapon Turrets (4) - 80 each
• Large Missile Launcher - 300
• Small Missile Launchers (2) - 100 each
• Torpedo Tubes (3) - 100 each
• Sensor Array - 120 *
• Bridge - 250 **
• Main Body - 1200 ***

Silksteel Armor

• Primary Weapon Turrets (2) - 300 each
• Secondary Weapon Turrets (4) - 100 each
• Large Missile Launcher - 450
• Small Missile Launchers (2) - 150 each
• Torpedo Tubes (3) - 120 each
• Sensor Array - 150 *
• Bridge - 300 **
• Main Body - 1600 ***

Armor Rating: 14
Notes:

*	Destroying the sensor array will blind the ship's sensors and knock-out the communication systems. Torpedoes have a penalty of -2 to strike, missiles cannot be guided by the ship, and all other weapons have a penalty of -1 to strike.
**	Destroying the bridge will instantly kill the command crew and temporarily impair the ship while auxiliary command stations are activated throughout the ship. The ship suffers the same penalties as if the sensor array had been destroyed for 1D6 melee rounds. These penalties are added to the penalties listed above if the sensor array is already destroyed.
***	Depleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut down the ship, including life support, communications, weapons, and engine, and will cause the ship to sink in 2D6 minutes.

Speed:

• Water: 60 mph (96.6 km/h / 52.1 knots)
• Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by drive system, but the ship generally carries supplies for eight weeks for the regular crew and has room for far more food and supplies.

Statistical Data:

• Height: 32' (9.8 m)
• Width: 60' (18.3 m)
• Length: 485' (147.8 m)
• Weight: 6000 tons (5443 metric tons)
• Reactor System: Micro-Fusion Reactor with a life span of 20 years.
• Cargo: The ship can store up to 500 tons (453.6 metric tons) of extra supplies or cargo.
• Market Cost: Forty million credits for an unarmed cruiser.

Weapon Systems:

1. Primary Weapon Turrets (2)
   The Ocean Cruiser has two powerful primary weapon turrets with one located at the front of the ship and the other at the rear. Each turret can rotate 360 degrees and has an arc of fire of 90 degrees. The actual type of cannon mounted on the turret varies depending on which faction built the ocean cruiser.
   • Rate of Fire: Each turret can fire three times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   
   
   Laser Turret
   The laser turret consists of a powerful, long range laser cannon and is deployed by the Free Drones faction on the few Ocean Cruisers they have constructed.
   • Range: 4000' (1220 m)
   • Damage: 5D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 60,000 credits each
   
   
   Impact Beam Turret
   This turret is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology, which is similar to the powerful particle beams weapons. The Impact Beam turret is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser turrets or the powerful chaos laser turrets.
   • Range: 5000' (1524 m)
   • Damage: 1D4x100 per shot
   • Cost: 70,000 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Turret
   The chaos laser turret consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet. The Chaos laser is a special type of laser that is hotter and stronger, giving it longer range and causing more damage. Shortly after being deployed by the University of Planet, the Cybernetic Consciousness stole the designs for the weapon and has begun to deploy it on its own vehicles.
   • Range: 6000' (1829 m)
   • Damage: 1D6x100 per shot
   • Cost: 90,000 credits
2. Secondary Weapon Turrets (4)
   As with the combat foil, the Ocean Cruiser is equipped with secondary turrets to protect it from smaller attackers, such as combat foils, sea lurks, and airborne attackers. Each side of the ship is equipped with two of these turrets. Each turret can rotate 180 degrees and has an arc of fire of 45 degrees. The actual type of cannon mounted on the turret varies depending on which faction built the ocean cruiser.
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire five times per melee.
   • Payload: Effectively unlimited
   • Bonuses: +1 to strike
   
   
   Laser Turret
   The laser turret consists of a powerful, long range laser cannon and is deployed on police foils, by Nomad groups, and by the Free Drones faction.
   • Range: 2000' (610 m)
   • Damage: 2D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 20,000 credits each
   
   
   Impact Beam Turret
   This turret is based off of the widespread Impact Beam technology, which is similar to the powerful particle beams weapons. The Impact Beam turret is used by all of the factions except those that use the laser turrets or the powerful chaos laser turrets.
   • Range: 2500' (762 m)
   • Damage: 3D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 22,000 credits
   
   
   Gatling Beam Turret
   The gatling beam turret using a specially modified impact beam cannon that fires a burst of energy blasts and was developed and used exclusively by the Spartan Federation.
   • Range: 2500' (762 m)
   • Damage: 5D4x10 per burst of energy blasts
   • Rate of Fire: The turret can fire five bursts per melee.
   • Cost: 25,000 credits
   
   
   Chaos Laser Turret
   The chaos laser turret consists of the powerful Chaos Laser recently developed by the University of Planet. The Chaos laser is a special type of laser that is hotter and stronger, giving it longer range and causing more damage. Shortly after being deployed by the University of Planet, the Cybernetic Consciousness stole the designs for the weapon and has begun to deploy it on its own vehicles.
   • Range: 3000' (914.4 m)
   • Damage: 4D6x10 per shot
   • Cost: 30,000 credits
3. Large Missile Launcher
   The most important armament on the ocean cruiser is the large missile launcher located near the bow of the ship. This launcher provides the cruiser with its longest range weapons and impressive stopping power. Unlike the combat foil, the Ocean Cruiser has a large enough payload to provide a real danger to those that it engages in combat.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Missile
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select two guidance systems.
   • Missile Warhead: Armor Piercing, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Range: 80 miles (128.7 km)
   • Speed: 1800 mph (2897 km/h)
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of missile warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 5, 8, 16, 32, or 48 missiles.
   • Payload: 40 medium range missiles
   • Cost: 120,000 credits for the launcher, missiles must be purchased separately.
4. Small Missile Launchers (2)
   The smaller missile launchers on the ship, with one located on each side of the ship are designed to complement the secondary turrets in providing close range support against smaller targets, which can include enemy flyers like Mind Worm Locusts and Needlejets.
   • Missile Design: General Purpose Missile
   • Missile Type: Multipurpose
   • Missile Guidance Systems: Select one guidance system.
   • Missile Warhead: Armor Piercing, Fragmentation, High Explosive, and Plasma / Napalm only.
   • Range: 6 miles (9.7 km)
   • Speed: 900 mph (1448 km/h)
   • Damage and Blast Radius: Varies with type of missile warhead.
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 3, 6, 12, 15, or 30 missiles.
   • Payload: 30 missiles per launcher, for a total of 60 short range missiles.
   • Cost: 40,000 credits for each launcher, missiles must be purchased separately.
5. Torpedo Tubes (3)
   Beneath the waterline of the vessel are three torpedo tubes, two located at the bow and one located in the rear of the ship. Each is fed from an independent internal magazine by an automatic loader that reloads a torpedo after one has been fired. The torpedo has a similar warhead to a medium range missile, but its range is far more limited.
   • Range: 5 miles (8 km)
   • Speed: 200 mph (321.9 km/h)
   • Damage: 4D6x10 per torpedo
   • Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2 for the forward torpedo tubes.
   • Payload: 20 torpedoes per tube, for a total of 30 torpedoes
   • Cost: 80,000 credits for each launcher and the auto-loaded and 2000 for each torpedo.

Standard Systems:

1. Phased Array Radar System
   This system is comprised of a single array on top of the ship. This system is smaller, lighter, and requires less power than a system of fixed panels. If allowed by the horizon, the system can track out to 260 miles (418.4 km / 225.9 nautical miles) and can simultaneously track and identify up to 288 targets at one time. The system controls missile launched from the ship and can track and guide each individual missile to a different target. If a target is eliminated, missiles are automatically guided to a new target. The system can also control missiles launched from other linked vessels as well and can also act as fire control for gun mounts.
2. Advanced Hull Sonar
   Mounted under the bow of the ship. The sonar has a range of 25 miles (40.2 km / 21.7 nautical miles). This hull sonar system has both a passive and active system built in. The sonar system can track up to 32 targets simultaneously.
3. Combination Radar Detectors and Active Jamming System
   Combination of radar detection system (ESM) and an active jamming system. The system can detect another radar system at 125% of the range of the transmitting radar. In jamming mode, the systems causes -25% to detection but when it is active, other vehicles/ bases can detect that it is jamming, and some missiles will home in on jamming signals. Jamming also causes a -4 penalty to all radar guided weapons.
4. Combat / Targeting Computer
   System calculates, stores, and transmits data onto view screens in the ship's bridge. The computer assists in the tracking of targets. The system also has a data base of targets and has the ability to identify most common targets. Ships operated by the same faction are designed to share data automatically and act as fire control for other ships as well. As a final feature, the computer creates a map of the area based on sensor data.
5. Laser Targeting System
   The system is designed to assist in the selection and focusing on a specific target. The system gives a bonus of +1 to strike using long range weapons but must have line of sight. As well, most mini-missiles are designed to follow the laser beam to the target.
6. Spotlight
   The ship is equipped with four normal spotlights, one at each corner of the ship. Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters).
7. Visual Magnification
   This system allows magnification of x2 to x16 and it displays on a view screen in the bridge. The ship also has data recording equipment for 384 hours at the highest resolution and 1152 hours at lowest resolution.
8. Thermo-Imager
   Range: 2000' (610 m). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables the pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness. System has the disadvantage of being able to be detected.
9. Nightvision Optics
   Range: 2000 ft (610 m). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.
10. Infra-Red / Laser Detector
    The system is designed to detect any infrared or laser beams which paint or target the ship. The ship has special sensors built into the exterior every few inches. Sensors gives the strength of the signal and the computer can often determine if they have been detected from the signal strength.
11. Compass and Clock Calendar
    In addition to other features, the ship is fitted with a compass, high quality digital maps, and a clock calendar. The ship has an inertial navigation system where the computer plots the location of the ship based on last recorded location and speed and course of travel. The computer will attempt to use recorded data from other sensors to refine the location. The computer also can use star positions for navigation purposes.
12. Radio Communication
    The ship is equipped with a long range directional communication system. The system has an effective range of 800 miles (1287 km). The ship is also fitted with a radio scrambler to prevent others from easily listening in on communications. The ship is equipped with a loudspeaker with an output of 100 decibels and an external audio pickup.
13. Advanced Life Support
    The crew compartments in the ship are reinforced to protected the crew from attacks. The compartments are air tight and is suitable for use in most hostile environments. The ship has a computer controlled life support system with artificial air circulation, gas filtration, and humidifier. The system is designed to be able to recycle the air to keep a breathable atmosphere for up to four weeks. The vehicle also has an independent oxygen supply which automatically engages and purges the interior in conditions of contaminated air environment inside of vehicle. The vehicle displays present atmospheric conditions including toxins in the air to the bridge. The ship has an internal cooling system and temperature control and it can be set to the crew's preferences. The system also keeps track of temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure throughout the ship.
14. High Temperature Insulation
    The ship is made from high temperature materials that are designed to resist temperatures up to 400 degrees centigrade. Normal fires inflict no damage but extremely high temperature fire, such as plasma and magic fire, inflict full damage.
15. Radiation Shielding
    The ship has radiation shielding which is far more effective than what is found on body armor. As well, the ship's armor is equipped with sensors to monitor the amount of radiation that the ship is exposed to. This is displayed to the bridge of the ship.

Faction Modifiers:

1. Nautilus Pirates
   The Nautilus Pirates are the masters of the sea and have spent years working on their area of expertise. Increase the speed of their ocean cruisers to 80 mph (128.7 km/h / 69.5 knots) and increase reactor life span to 25 years. In addition, the ship is equipped with a more advanced Phased Array Radar System with a range of 400 miles (643.7 km / 347.6 nautical miles) and can simultaneously track and identify up to 576 targets at one time. Finally, the ship also has an advanced towed array sonar system that is carried behind the ship on a long cable. This sonar system has a range of 100 miles (160.9 km / 86.9 nautical miles), has both an active and a passive system built in, and can simultaneously track 64 targets.
2. Free Drones
   Like with most things, the Free Drones faction are behind in technology. While they can produce a staggering number of oceans in a short amount of time if they chose, their ocean cruisers are not as advanced. Reduce the speed of their ocean cruisers to 50 mph (80.5 km/h / 43.4 knots), and reduce the reactor life span to 17 years.