ALLIANCE WARSHIPS WAVE 1

Xelocian Shantu Class Dreadnought

The Shantu Class Dreadnoughts of the Xelocian battlefleets are some of the largest
warships deployed by the Primate, and some of the biggest Xelocian vessels outside of the
titanic worldships that form the bulk of the Primate Armada.
Xelocian battlegroups serving with Kurak Alliance forces are frequently built around a Shantu
Class vessel which acts as the flagship of the Admiral or War-Captain in command of the
flotilla.
They are powerfully armed, with one of the characteristic Xelocian molecular disintegrators
at their core, backed up with massed batteries of high-energy lasers on each broadside.
Around the disintegrator are clusters of torpedo tubes which provide long-range striking
power before the primary weapon delivers the killing blow. This firepower can cut even the
largest opponents to shreds. The Shantu also has sufficient hangar capacity to house
several wings of Karantai fighter-bombers to provide effective combat air patrols.
Because Shantus are often sent on missions taking them far from the Primate Armada, they
also carry extensive information archives and large teams of Battle-Chroniclers. This
ensures that whatever knowledge they glean can be carefully catalogued for inclusion into
the massive collected stores of the Xelocian race when they return to their worldships.
This accrued knowledge frequently serves Xelocian war-commanders well. The BattleChroniclers will often be able to reveal hidden secrets about the enemys likely strategy or
combat capabilities, which can provide a crucial advantage to the Xelocians in the heat of
battle.

Tarakian Tarl Class Frigate

The ancient Tarakian Conclaves of the galactic north frequently send substantial fleets on
lengthy voyages across the known galaxy. Even before they pledged their allegiance to the
Kurak Alliance, their Citadel Armadas could occasionally be encountered as far from their
homeworlds as Muishkins Rift or the edges of Relthoza space.
The fleets of the Conclave fight in large, impenetrable formations, with squadrons of Sulan
Class Cruisers adopting defensive positions to bracket the mighty Ganak Battleships. The
Tarl Class frigates then surround the major ships of the Citadel Armadas in large, constant
moving swarms. They are ever ready to sweep lighter enemy craft away from the larger
vessels before they can mass in sufficient strength, or combine their power to blast apart
bigger enemy craft that might otherwise be able to carve a breach by themselves.
The Tarl is armed with the same deadly gravity-beam weaponry common to all Tarakian
warships. These weapons when applied in sufficient strength cause extreme gravitational
stresses upon their targets; warping, compressing, stretching and twisting hulls in grotesque,
almost comical fashion until target ships rip apart, spilling their crew and inner workings into
the deadly void.
These are supplemented by long range torpedoes of a most unusual type. The warheads
seem to incorporate the same form of militarised gravity device as their principle weapons.
When Tarakian torpedoes strike a target, they warp an area of solid matter around their
impact point, leaving jagged holes of twisted metal in whatever target they strike.
Tarl squadrons are rarely seen operating alone. Traditions run deep within the Tarakian
military structure, and the frigates almost always serve with distinction in their place of
honour, as the vigilant sentinels of the Citadel Armadas.

Ba'Kash Varnak Class Heavy Cruiser

The ferocious but relatively impoverished BaKash rarely build large warships, and certainly
have never been known to use battleships or their equivalents. However, when two or more
BaKash Clans come together for a massed raid, they will often pool their resources to build
craft larger than the light ships and cruisers that are their usual vessels of choice.
The Varnak Class Heavy Cruiser is the largest BaKash ship that has yet been encountered.
Sometimes particularly successful Clans will use Varnaks as squadron flagships for a group
of the smaller Sharnak Class vessels. However, BaKash Clan confederacies can often
muster the means to field entire squadrons of these simple but deadly warships.
The Varnak is a scaled up version of the Sharnak, with much heavier armament and the
capacity to carry more BaKash warriors to form boarding parties. Like the Sharnak, the bulk
of its weaponry is composed of large-calibre automatic shell-firing weapons, supplemented
by high-explosive torpedoes.
BaKash make up for whatever deficiencies in firepower are caused by their simplistic
weapons by being very proficient at focussing fire on individual targets in order to cripple
them. Once hamstrung by repeated volleys, the enemy is a ripe target to be overwhelmed by
massed waves of fierce and well-armed BaKash assault teams.
The Varnak forms the core of a Clan-Fleets striking power. Many a merchant or incautious
naval commander is destined to feel the rush of dread at the sight of the Varnaks grim
profile as the BaKash sail in support of the Zenian League in the greatest numbers seen for
generations.

Ba'Kash Tashak Class Destroyer

Although most BaKash captains and crews are known for preferring to strike hard, fast and
en masse, this is not the only method of attack employed by the Clan-Fleets. Some BaKash
leaders prefer to take on the role of the patient hunter, stalking choice targets for days or
even weeks before choosing the right time to strike.
These BaKash find their calling as commanders and crewmembers aboard Tashak Class
Destroyers. Whereas many BaKash attacks have been likened to being akin to a school of
sharks in a feeding frenzy such is their ferocity, Tashak squadrons rely on stealth and nearsurgical precision, achieving their goals with the calculated application of deadly force.
Tashak commanders prefer to strike from ambush, and are willing to lie in wait for lengthy
periods until an opportune target presents itself. The destroyers fast-charging powerplants
enable them to go from hanging virtually motionless in space to assuming a fully-energised
attack run, often striking from vectors against which their unfortunate targets cannot
respond.
Most Clan-Fleets incorporate a squadron of Tashaks, as they are still quite simple to build
and maintain, and their tactical applications are valuable. As they are is more effective over
long distances, Tashaks are sometimes used to snipe at enemy craft from long range,
disrupting their formations as the Clan-Fleets heavier ships close in for the kill.

Veydreth Carnivore Class Heavy Cruiser

The Tyvekhna, the shaman-scientists of the Veydreth race, are very inquisitive and
resourceful. They are engaged in almost constant research concerning refinements of
spaceborne weaponry and warship hulls on behalf of their tribes. That this should consume
so much of their time is hardly surprising, for Veydreth tribes are sustained mostly by raiding
and piracy.
Since large numbers of Veydreth communities found employment as mercenaries for the
Kurak Alliance, the Tyvekhna have redoubled their efforts. The Veydreth are now
encountering a much wider range of adversaries in their voyages, and the tribal fleets now
require even more heavy firepower to complement their skill at arms in close quarters.
Such is the principle behind the Carnivore Class Heavy Cruiser. Based on the Prowler Class
Gunship, the Carnivore devotes more of its power output to its drive systems rather than
overcharged weaponry. Although this means a slight reduction in power for its forward laser
batteries, the payoff is much greater speed as well as a loss of the dangerously oversized
powerplants that often led to an increased risk of battle damage.
Carnivores are frequently used as first wave attackers by Veydreth Raider Spearheads, their
high speed enabling them to make vicious slashing attacks with laser fire, coilguns and
torpedoes.
These passes break up and disrupt enemy formations, leaving the stricken foe much easier
prey for the follow-up waves of gunships and assault cruisers to pick off at leisure. Like all
Veydreth ships, the Carnivore also houses large mine racks to discourage pursuit, or to lay
traps for enemies heading into prepared ambushes.
Because the Carnivore is often used to lead attacks from the front and is sturdier than the
powerful but volatile Prowler, Veydreth Akhrana or chieftains frequently employ vessels of
this class as their flagships. Successful chieftains often have detailed murals of their past
battle honours painted on the outer hulls of their chosen ships, to inspire their followers to
greater feats of glory.

Veydreth Stalker Class Assault Cruiser

Although they are proficient spacefarers and highly competent in the very technical sphere of
deep space combat, the Veydreth as a race harbour a love for close-quarters mayhem that
is often very difficult to suppress. Veydreth warriors are large, powerful creatures whose
strength and skill at arms stands them in good stead in the chaotic environment of boarding
actions.
Furthermore, boarding and capturing enemy ships is of paramount importance to the
Veydreth, as this is by far the best means of securing valuable loot intact. Far better, most
Veydreth chieftains believe, to take an enemy vessel whole and strip it at leisure than to
blast it to pieces and be forced to waste precious time sifting through wreckage!
Although it still possesses powerful laser/coilgun main batteries and extensive torpedo
tubes, the Stalkers main function is to overwhelm enemy vessels in savage boarding
assaults. The Stalkers hull houses extensive accommodation for large numbers of Veydreth
warriors, far more than the equivalently sized Carnivore and Prowler class vessels can hold.
The Stalker is a second-line ship, with squadrons closing in to overwhelm targets already
blasted and crippled by the gunships and heavy cruisers. Even a fully operation enemy
warship is often hard-pressed to defend itself against a horde of heavily armed and
thoroughly berserk Veydreth fighters pouring into its hull. Against targets already damaged,
victory for the tribal warriors is usually only a matter of time, especially if more than one
Stalker commits to a boarding assault.

Works Raptor Attrition Class Assault Carrier

Even by the standards of the Directorate, Works Raptor is the most overtly harsh and brutal
of the triumvirate of hyperpowers who govern the corporate domains. Under the leadership
of their partially bio-mechanical and fully sociopathic chairman and CEO Lorenzo Thurm,
Works Raptor has developed into the largest arms company the galaxy has ever seen.
Unlike its partners in governance, Hark Williams and Melcon with their widely diversified
assets, Works Raptor has single-mindedly focused on designing and building the most
destructive weaponry its advanced technology and gargantuan research budgets can
devise.
The most obviously brutal of Works Raptors many lethal products are the line of fearsome
warship designs that form the core of its corporate security fleets. The largest of these is the
Attrition Class Assault Carrier. This huge vessel is an amalgam between battleship and
conventional carrier and is one of the most dangerous ships of its size currently in service.
The Attrition often proves a difficult target to engage at any range, thanks to Works Raptors
signature stealth and electronic warfare systems. For striking power, the Attrition relies on
the Directorates characteristic massed batteries of plasma launchers and multidirectional
torpedo tubes, delivering blistering firepower in all directions. These are supplemented by
hangar capacity for extensive fighter and bomber wings.
Moreover, unlike most Directorate warships Attritions are packed to the gunwales with
assault platoons of enhanced W-R cyborg super-soldiers the best the corporation has to
offer. The Attrition is truly a dread spacecraft to face in combat. To battle or flee are the only
options to beg for clemency from Works Raptors forces is an act of sheer insanity!

Works Raptor Interdictor Class Torpedo Cruiser

Some of Works Raptors ship designs are highly specialised. They are tasked for particular
roles within the corporate fleet and for special missions. The Interdictor is one such craft. It is
a cruiser-class vessel that specialises in torpedo strikes and bombardments.
Possessing the same advanced stealth systems as the Attrition Class, the Interdictor is fast
acquiring a reputation as a creeping terror of the void. Squadrons of Interdictors lurk at
extreme range on the edge of battle zones, or in prime ambush positions. On a signal from
the corporate fleet commander, the Interdictors unleash massive and devastating torpedo
salvoes.
A single strike from a squadron of Interdictors can cripple a dreadnought. Although lightly
armed in terms of conventional weaponry and possessing only a small crew, Interdictors are
frustrating targets to catch simply because targeting them over the long ranges they operate
at is so difficult.
Interdictors are also employed by Works Raptor in a far more brutal and overt role
planetary bombardment. Practically no other vessel can deliver the same weight of ordnance
at such an economical operating cost as the torpedo cruiser.
A single Interdictor can raze an asteroid base, and just three or four squadrons can
devastate a planet the size of Terra in just a few days. This kind of operation is not always
confined to enemy assets. Interdictors are believed to have been employed in covert
bombardments of several Dindrenzi planets to induce them to support the Federation war
effort in the Storm Zone.

Works Raptor Tyranny Class Corvette

Even Works Raptor, which strives for the highest possible standards of lethality and combateffectiveness in all their products, recognise the value of cheap and expendable assets. The
Tyranny Class Corvette is designed around this concept.
The Tyranny is employed by Works Raptor corporate fleets in large numbers as scout and
recon units. Small, fast and agile, they lack most of the corporations more advanced
systems and possess only a small crew.
Their purpose in battle is largely to form defensive screens for the bigger corporate
warships, and to act as a distraction for enemy light forces. Although individually weak, in
large numbers they can be very dangerous, especially to high value enemy lighter assets
such as destroyers.
The Tyrannys simple design and low-cost construction means that the corporation can
afford to expend great numbers of them in achieving its objectives. Indeed, it is often said by
some senior corporate figures that it is more expensive to repair a Tyranny than simply drive
it to destruction. The versatile little corvette is proof positive of the maxim that quantity has a
quality all of its own.

ALLIANCE WARSHIPS WAVE 2

Hawker Industries - Excelsior Class Battleship
Hawker Industries is one of the Terran Alliances oldest and most respected corporations. It
was once the largest producer of spacecraft hulls and systems in the whole of humangoverned space. Ships bearing the Hawker logo carried human explorers and settlers on
their first forays into the Storm Zone and the Outer Reach. But after the Dindrenzi war of
independence and the Terran Alliances economic slump, Hawker fell on hard times.
However, after coming under partial ownership of the Terran state, lucrative contracts to
supply the Alliance space fleets for the Dresden Stream Expansion restored Hawkers
fortunes somewhat. The companys extensive contacts with many alien races made it a key
ally of Anton Kurak, and its intelligence assets proved vital to the cementing of the Kurak
Alliance.
Hawker has also mobilised its security assets to serve as co-ordinators for Kurak Alliance
flotillas. It is not as heavily militarised as its Directorate rivals. But its ships, while rather
elderly, have been extensively modernised and pack a heavy punch.
The Excelsior Class battleship relies on a turret array of modern atomic-powered lasers and
a huge central coilgun. Combined with its large array of guided long-range torpedoes, this
gives it massive head-on firepower to demolish the opposition. Traditional coilgun
broadsides secure its flanks.
Hawkers ships have always been known for their build quality, strong hulls and heavily
engineered internal bracing making them difficult to board. Extensive scanning and computer
analysis systems plus the expertise of their shipboard intel teams, known as Hunters, also
make Excelsiors a key intelligence asset to whatever fleet they sail with.

Hawker Industries - Resolute Class Cruiser

Hawkers principle cruiser design shares the same reputation for structural strength and
resilience as the Excelsior Battleship. While it carries enough coilguns in its broadsides and
turret arrays to make it an effective close-range brawler when necessary, the Resolutes true
strength is as a delivery system for large salvos of torpedoes.
Hawkers weapons development wing has expended considerable effort on developing a
new generation of torpedoes, focussing heavily on improved guidance systems for longrange engagements.
Their warheads incorporate thermal explosive charges derived from Sorylian weaponry, and
were destructive enough to cause heavy damage to even the Directorates advanced
security ships. They saw extensive use during the protracted battles around Hawkers
facilities at Iron Salvage in the early stages of the Dindrenzi offensive.
Resolute Class vessels are most often employed to provide fire support to Kurak Alliance
fleets composed of ships specialising in short-range weaponry. They have also proven
useful in attacking Dindrenzi supply convoys behind the front-lines, their long range
ordnance capable of devastating vulnerable transports at ranges far beyond those at which
escort ships can retaliate.

Ryushi Shautrai Class Battle Carrier

The largely peaceable Ryushi race fell victim to a conspiracy of greed, paranoia and hatred
among the Dindrenzi Federation and some of their rivals within the Outer Reach some one
hundred years before the outbreak of the current war.
An extensive campaign of black propaganda was organised against them by the Rense
System Navy. The RSN suspected that the Ryushi domains within the Stars of Ephemus
and their trade links in Fathoms Reach and the Storm Zone were serving as a conduit for
spies from the Terran Alliance to access the heart of Federation space.
The Illosians, long envious of Ryushi influence and prosperity, were quick to enact their own
campaign of military and economic sabotage against their rivals. Eventually the Ryushi,
deprived of allies, were forced to flee their ancient homeworlds. They found sanctuary in
Fathoms Reach, where they began to rebuild their shattered society.
The Ryushi were among the first alien races to sign up to the Kurak Alliance. They were
determined to protect themselves from a repeat of the terrible betrayal that lost them their
first empire. Although now a largely agricultural race, they brought some impressive military
assets into the Kurak fold, not least of which are the Shautrai Class Battle Carriers.
The Shautrai is heavily armed with large broadsides of railguns based on Dindrenzi weapon
systems, and extensive arrays of forward torpedo tubes. Protection is provided by
substantial shielding and exceptionally powerful point defence batteries.
However, for the Ryushi and the other allies they fight alongside, the Shautrais main asset
is its vast launch bays. Shautrai Class craft are capable of putting huge waves of fighters
and bombers into battle.
Because the Ryushi are very focussed on preserving the lives of their fighting forces, their
strike craft are almost wholly remote controlled, being flown by pilots from purpose built
command chambers safely concealed deep within the battle carriers huge hull. These drone
craft are serviced by large and highly trained deck crews, who ensure a rapid turnover
between sorties.
Even Ryushi assault craft are flown by remote control. However, their assault teams are
made of hand-picked squads of Ryushi warriors. Although mostly placid, Ryushi are
powerful creatures and fierce fighters when roused to anger. However, they are highly
disciplined troops adept at launching pinpoint attacks, comprehensively wrecking a carefully
chosen objective and then making good their escape with minimal losses.

Ryushi Onnisha Class Carrier

The Ryushi spaceborne military forces specialise in the construction and use of large carrier
ships, servicing swarms of remote controlled strike craft. The race has a reputation for doing
everything possible to avoid suffering battle casualties or leaving key assets and resources
to be captured by opponents.
These large carriers are also used as escort ships for the Ryushi mercantile Fleets, whose
huge vessels ply the void shipping valuable supplies to Terran planets and other installations
belonging to the Ryushis Kurak Alliance co-belligerents.
The Onnisha Class Carrier is typical of such vessels. Smaller and rather less heavily armed
than the mighty Shautrai, it nevertheless still ships substantial numbers of automated strike
craft squadrons for its size. The Onnisha is an intimidating opponent for corsairs, BaKash
Clan-Fleets and other opportunistic attackers who think to profit by assaulting the heavily
laden Ryushi bulk transports.
Onnishas have also been deployed to the Kurak Alliance fleets alongside the larger Shautrai
Class vessels. The presence of an Onnisha is always welcomed by the commanders of
other Kurak signatory contingents, as they know that they will be well supplied with defence
against enemy strike craft.
Sometimes, Onnishas and Shautrais operate together within Kurak flotillas. This is a
frightening prospect for any enemy force, as when combined these ships can put up a
veritable blizzard of fighters, bombers and assault craft sufficient to chew through the
defences of almost any large warship.

Kedorian Dei-Nak Class Battleship

The devious Kedorians have held sway over a confederation of lesser alien races in the
densely clustered and wealthy Devonian Systems since before humanity began to explore
the Outer Reach. Today their domains are wholly surrounded by the Dindrenzi Federation,
but the Kedorians have managed to preserve the independence of their domains through
economic manipulation and well-honed political chicanery.
Although the Kedorians have little affection for the Dindrenzi, especially the ever-suspicious
Rense System Navy, theirs was one of the first delegations to sign up to the Zenian League
during the extensive negotiations which established the organisation.
The Kedorians were quick to offer a large portion of their military resources for League use
and free access for Dindrenzi fleets to their key strategic bases in return for additional
representation within the Dindrenzi Legislature. The result for the Kedorians has been an
enhancement of their political fortunes within the Federation; they are the only nonhumans other than the Relthoza who have leave to make direct presentations within the
Legislature without having to rely on human intermediaries.
Quite apart from their bases and economic assets, the Kedorians military forces have
proven to be of considerable value to the Zenian League. The mighty and stately Dei-Nak
Class Battleships form the core of the Kedorian battlegroups serving with the Zenian League
fleets.
Kedorian spaceborne weaponry has been modernised over the years with equipment
sourced from their long-time contacts in the Directorate, as a defence against any
occurrence of Dindrenzi aggression. It is based on the plasma dischargers favoured by the
corporate states security fleets, although Kedorian versions lack the biotoxin capsule
secondary payloads.
However, although generally lower-powered, Kedorian plasma launchers can sustain an
energy flow with more consistency in each salvo. A Dei-Nak unleashing a full-strength attack
is a spectacular sight, as bright beams arc between it and its target, bursting apart hulls,
shattering and burning out vital systems. Kedorian weaponry is also capable of firing in all
directions, even directly aft of a vessel, an unpleasant surprise for anyone unused to fighting
them.
The Kedorians themselves disdain close-quarters combat, and so rely largely on specialised
robot or cyborg troops sourced from the Directorate. These units are launched via special
torpedoes at likely targets, allowing the Kedorian mothership to remain at a safe distance.
To further secure their large but rather vulnerable crews against enemy attack, all major
Kedorian craft have enhanced point defence networks, consisting of more short-ranged but
high voltage electrical discharge vanes.

The Kedorians are, however, effective combat pilots and most large Kedorian warships carry
their own integral strike wings. With their versatile capabilities, Kedorian fighting craft are a
valuable addition to the Zenian League flotillas, which even the RSN grudgingly
acknowledges.

Kedorians Zhou-Nor Class Carrier

The Zhou-Nor is the primary Kedorian carrier vessel. Although the Dei-Nak carries its own
strike wings, the Zhou-Nor devotes far more of its hull capacity to housing deadly Zhou-Zin
type interceptor craft and Zhou-Dak bomber squadrons.
The Kedorians have turned the role of combat pilot into an art form, considering it one of
the few civilised ways intelligent beings may clash in direct single combat. As with so many
aspects of warfare, the Kedorians prefer to engage in violence only from a safe distance
The Zhou-Nors primary role is to prove strike craft capacity to the Kedorian fleets, and its
large attack craft complement amply fulfils this tactical role. Even so, the vessel still has
considerable plasma-beam weaponry for more conventional engagements, although the
Kedorians prefer not to risk these ships in direct combat if at all possible.
The Zhou-Nor carries a fairly large contingent of Directorate-built battle-cyborgs for defence
against enemy boarding actions, and for making its own attacks on crippled enemy
spacecraft using its extensive launch tubes.
Further cyborg units form attack squads for any assault craft among the carriers strike
wings. Although Kedorian Zhou-Kon type assault ships are flown by Kedorian pilots like their
fighter and bomber squadrons, the Kedorians do not risk their own lives in boarding actions
again preferring to utilise Directorate-built battle-cyborgs.

Kedorians Gai-Shar Class Destroyer

The Gai-Shar forms the main battle line strength of the Kedorian fleets. It is the most
numerous Kedorian craft in the Zenian League support fleets and squadrons of Gai-Shars are
in widespread use across the various warzones in which League forces are operating.
Like other Kedorian ships, the Gai-Shar is rather slow and stately compared to similarly sized
vessels built by other races. However, their omni-directional drive systems give them
substantially greater manoeuvrability that other such vessels. Gai-Shars, in common with all
major Kedorian craft can make far tighter turns than other ships of their type.
Gai-Shar commanders and crews specialise in silent running techniques, allowing them to
launch devastating surprise attacks upon unsuspecting enemy squadrons. They carry
powerful arrays of plasma-beam weaponry in channel-mountings covering every bearing.
Gai-Shars are tasked with acting as support ships for the larger Kedorian battleships and
carriers, protecting them from massed attacks by enemy light forces. Their plasma beams
are capable of easy all-round firing, making them well-suited to hunting enemy destroyers
and smaller craft which usually rely on out-manoeuvring opponents for survival. This
ensures that the bigger Kedorian vessels can continue to fight on unmolested.