Following the discussion of granting upper class Capital ships to the Exiles, some random readings on Wikipedia about aircraft carriers, and some newfound free time, I envisioned a new destroyer sized vessel for the underdogs in the Tau systems. The main reason why they (The Kusari Exiles and Gallic Council) get them and not others (BD, KNF, CR) is that they already have many worthy capital ships, and follow a different battle doctrine.
Kusari/Council “Imagawa”-class Light Carrier
[Background/Lore]
During the course of the war with the Bretonians, the Kusari Naval Forces understood the need for a mobile platform that allowed strike craft to operate in regions too far away from controlled bases, and that would enable the release of the Tokugawa-class Battleships for greater frontline actions. Officers and Researchers on the battlefront began collecting data for the creation of a new destroyer class light carrier, that could act as a command and supply ship for small wings of fighters and bombers.
However, the intervention of Gallia and the abrupt changes of the scenario in the Tau Systems prevented the collected data to reach Kusari, and the hastily brokered surrender to Gallia scrapped the need by the Republican Naval Forces of a vessel with such role.
On the other hand, elements of the now dubbed Kusari Exiles kept the incomplete designs, in hope they would become useful once again in their future plans.
The war in Bretonia raged on, and when the Bretonian forces unveiled their Invincible-class Carrier, the Exile forces recognized the potential of having a similar vessel for operations across the vast hostile regions in between their path home. Receiving access to the portable docking and anti-fighter weapon systems technologies, Kusari engineers managed to miniaturize the systems to fit their smaller vessel.
As the final piece of the set, they turned to their allies in the Gallic Council for the remaining capital class systems, and for the installations necessary to build them. The Council agreed, in exchange of modifications on the final design so as to accommodate Gallic technologies, and to make it usable by the Council forces on their own operations in the Tau systems and Gallia.
As per feedback of some people, it would be developed first a prototype edition (a SRP by the Exiles), and later on a production model when the Exiles acquired the means to build them.
Suggested guidelines for the ship creation
[The “Imagawa” is a destroyer sized capital ship (Some say akin to a combat liner), specialized in launching fighter/bomber craft operations deep in enemy territory. Is own offensive capabilities are below par of it’s own class, although it can defend itself against small contingents of enemy snubs.
It probably has the agility of a battlecruiser, and the speed of a destroyer, with an armor rating between those two types.
It has a decent powercore, but weak weapon slots, relying on it’s bomber wing to challenge other capital vessels. With a gunboat escort, it should be almost impervious to snub attacks.
-Can mount docking modules, and perhaps a jumpdrive.
-Likely candidate for the experimental “beam to me” carrier function, and jumpdrive beacon function.]
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Unfortunately, my skills are limited to the creation of lore, having no knowledge regarding Ship Design, or combat balance. Any suggestions critics, and assistance in developing and implementing this concept are welcomed. This thread is open for the discussion of the concept.
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