Blackbird Class Assault/Escort Carriers
History:
Early on during the refitting of the Magnificent Midnight into a proper space ship, Benjamin and Gina both
realized that the sort of force of fighter jocks that Haruhi was talking about simply didn't exist yet. While there was the F-EZigs, they were too small
and too lightly armed to pose a real threat to larger enemy forces and assets. And thus Ben hit upon a simple and elegant idea: we need more Blackbirds.
When Benjamin pitched the idea, the SOS-Dan balked. Haruki, was pleased that Ben was taking his role
seriously, but Kyon mentioned that acquiring the new Blackbirds would be all but impossible without possibly starting a war with the 'Danes. Haruhi is
crazy, but not stupid, and declined the initial pitch. It was Gina, usuing her network, that pointed Ben in the direction of Hephestus. By negotiating a deal
between the Rockhounds (raw supply), Hephestus (parts manufaturing), Gnarlycurl (assembly), the SOS-Dan (not-so-silent partner), and himself, he arranged for
the construction of five non-original wave-tech Blackbirds.
The new Blackbirds do not have the same sort of speed and endurance that the original Midnight does, but they make up for it in combat capability. The most notable difference is in the armory - in addition to
what the Midnight has, the production model Blackbirds have a small VLS system. Despite using relatively small
missiles, the ability to volley the entire payload of fifty missiles can have devastating effects on enemy assets. Coupled with the ships' speed and
stealth, they make for formidable opponents. The ability to carry four F-EZigs per ship just seals the deal.
Registry Number:
SR-####
Base Hull:
All-new design and materials based on the Lockheed/Skunkworks SR-71X Blackbird
airframe.
Drive Type:
Speed
Drive Rating:
0.11C
Owner of Record:
The Roughriders and the SOS-Dan
Primary Manufacturer:
Hepheastus and Gnarlycurl
Purpose:
Strike/Escort Carrier and Heavy Assault Ship
Launched:
TBA
Crew:
1 Pilot
2 Gunners
1 'Airboss'
Supplementary Crew:
None
Faction:
Any
Status:
Inactive
Armaments:
2 60 mm Coil Guns (Chinaries)
2 M61 Vulcan gattling cannons, retractable (dorsal,
ventricle)
2 Vertical Launch System Units, 25 cells (amidships, aft)
Class Quirks
Mother Henned: The new Blackbirds all look upon Midnight as a sort of mother figure and she has, in turn, taken to the position of Matriarch
quite admirably, showing the new kids what it means to be a Blackbird.
ADD: Like any child, these younger Blackbirds are insatiably curious about everything around them and need to have watchful eyes on them during
missions so they don't get distracted. Hopefully this will change in a few years.
Trivia:
Buy Yours Today: As part of the deal struck between the other commercial/industrial members of the Fen, the Blackbird Class is not exclusive
to the Roughriders for purchase. Therefore, any Fen who's got enough money can buy one for themselves. Given the time and the quality of workmanship it
takes to build these things, it is not a cheap thrill. Benjamin only got his five so quickly (three months) because Haruhi pushed for it.
Yeah, I've decided to call my little group The Roughriders, after Teddy Roosevelt's own personally recruited cavalry. Edited as per M Fnord's
quibble and Rob Kelk's suggestion. Help with the quirks and trivia is still very much appreciated.