#arquitens

[spockvarietyhour]

Interception "Guns for Hire"

[etheluu]

Happy New Year 2024!

Render credits here

For new year I did a small stream where I made this render. It ended moments ago and I am mentally exhausted after it so I don't really have much to say

I hope you all will have a good year 2024 and I hope for myself to do more oc content (and pass the exams).

[star-wars-forever]

Arquitens-class command cruiser

[vibratingskull]

Worrisome in the horizon

Part1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

Tags : Space battle, I don’t know, the plot is moving forward

FemaleReader x Thrawn

After your lasting impression after the meeting, you get your orders and departs for Baros. What will you find there?

You’re positively mortified.

Passing out in Thrawn’s arms.

How shining is that?!

The last thing you remember is losing consciousness of exhaustion in your room, in his arms and the first is waking up at the medbay, transfused with something and the meddroïd chastising you about how sleep is important.

You press the bridge of your nose with a sigh. Humiliated. That’s what you are. A chance you didn’t cross paths with Thrawn after, you would either melt on the spot of shame or slap him across the face. But he was already back on the Chimaera by then. 

“Ma’am, are you alright?” You turn your head towards Ryakel.

She looks at you with worry in her eyes. She’s an ensign, freshly arrived on the Relentless. In your humble opinion she chose the wrong way. She’s too sweet and delicate for war, but do her duty with application. You sigh.

“All is fine, ensign.”

“Lieutenant Commander, we are arriving.” The sensor officer warns you.

You shake your head and approach the bay of the cockpit. What are you supposed to do with an Arquitens command cruiser all alone here? It is not a terrible ship by any means but your experience teached you they are more efficient when they’re at least two. 

You shake your head again, it is so rare for a Lieutenant Commander to get to command an Arquitens. You should have got a much smaller ship, maybe Admiral Konstantine knows about your delay in your career and judged you for your experience.

It is useless to tergiversate. You have a ship and a mission, that is all that matters. The rays of light let place to still stars and you arrive in a meteor field.

“Kray spit!” You let escape. “Did we touch anything?!”

The familiar sound of the keyboards resonates for a second.

“Negative! We are just at the border of the field.”

You sigh of relief.

“I want a scan of the zone immediately. Steerman, find a way to navigate through the field.” 

Everyone goes to work and the Sparrow slowly gets out of the field to bypass it.

“Scan completed, Lieutenant Commander! Four ships detected. They are identified as small cruisers and X-wings!”

You frown. That’s definitely not merchants. 

“Approach us. Let’s see what they’ll do.”

The Sparrow gains speed and slowly you come to notice the four ships. The cruisers are linked to each other like they are exchanging something while the X-wings are standing aside at a reasonable distance, like they’re guarding them and surveilling the surroundings.

You press the radio button.

“This is Lieutenant Commander (Y/l/n) of the Sparrow of the Imperial Navy. Identify yourself.”

You wait for a response.

But nothing come.

At the second you finish your sentence, a jolt shakes all the ships like they are taken by surprise. The X-wings start their motors and tilt towards you, the two cruisers seem to detach themself in precipitation, judging by their shudders. The X-wing end their rotations and speed towards you. 

You sigh. Another battle. 

“TIE interceptors, intercept!”

A small flock of TIE leaves your ship and spreads towards the X-wings. Those immediately divert, maneuvering to skirt them. You follow the ballet for a second before going back to the cruisers, they are detaching themself and the bigger one seems maneuvering to escape while the smaller one prepares itself for a fight

“ Turbolasers, destroy the hyperdrive of the fleeing one.”

A ray tears the sky apart and hits one of the propulsor, launching in a spinning frenzy, effectively preventing it from escaping. The smaller one is now fully facing you, deploying its own arsenal. It shoots.

“Shield.” You order.

The ammunition comes crashing against the shield, and other scraps the side of the Sparrow. 

“Lieutenant Commander! We are intercepting a message from the spinning cruiser.”

“Scramble it and decipher it!”

“They already sent it!” She says, a bit panicked.

You frown at her, what are we paying her for? 

“Got it! They call for reinforcement.”

Talk about a news.

“We’ll worry about that later. Focus on the cruiser in front of us”

It’s derivating to the side, it hopes to attack your flank, where your shield don’t protect you.

You have an idea.

“Steerman, dive into the meteor field.”

Just in time. Meteors intercept their fires, actively blocking their assault. Your mind is functioning at max speed. Looks like nothing beats a little vacation at the med bay to be effective once again! 

“Missiles launchers, aim at this large meteors.”

“But Ma’am, the meteor will explode.”

“Exactly!”

They fires at you once again, nothing your shield can’t support and you fire the missiles. They fly straight into a big meteor at their port side. The blow of the explosion projects numerous projectiles into their exposed sides, some hitting their cannon that fold under the pressure. The blow also deports them to the side, away from the explosion. 

“Missiles!”

The light cruisers explode under your eyes. You hear a muffled excited exclamation coming from Ryakel behind you. A thin smile creeps on your visage. It does feel good to succeed.

You check on the Ties. Everything is under control, they slain their adversaries

“Well, it only left this spinning top…” Anyone inside must be sick to the point of throwing up.

As you tract it with your tractor beam a shadow comes to hide the sun. You raise your head. 

It’s the Wyvern.

You’re in a bad spot.

You can’t measure up to an ISD…

All the bridge goes silent

“Let it go immediately…” A phlegmatic voice on speaker warns you.

You gulp.

“This ship is in clear violation of the law. Justice will be done.” You respond.

“What justice? A summary execution?” He continues on a conversational tone.

You make a sign to your communication officer. Quick! Sending a message. Keep making him talk. Gaining time.

“A just trial.” You retorts.

You hear static followed by a genuine crystalline voice. However it is, he takes the situation lightly.

“Who are you to talk about justice, dog of the Empire?” You can clearly hear a smile in the voice, this man is tremendously amused.

“I am the lieutenant Commander (Y/l/n) of the Imperial Navy! Not a dog.” You detach each word with a clear voice, you may be about to die but you won't let yourself be insulted like that.

A moment of silence follows.

“(Y/n)?” 

Every hint of a smile has disappeared. Instead a careful incredulity took place.

You’re taken by surprise. 

“How do you know my name?” You demand.

He remains silent.

“I asked you : How do you know my name?!” You’re losing patience.

For sole response, the cannons of the Wyvern aim at you. Ryakel lets escape a squeal of fear.

“Are we gonna die Ma’am?”

“No. Of course not.” You lie. 

You don’t see any escape, you’re too small for an ISD and you’re entangled in the gravitational force of Baros. You’re losing hope.

A bang resonates behind you. 

You look at the sensor screens. The Chimaera is here. You sigh relieved.

“Wyvern, here is the Chimaera of the Imperial Navy. Leave this territory.” Thrawn’s voice rises.

You can’t say for sure but you think the Wyvern back track a bit.

“Wyvern, this is an order.”

In those positions the only thing possible would be for both ISD to crash into each other. A mutual destruction. Never preferable as Thrawn once said. The Wyvern divert is tip of several degrees, preparing to jump into hyperspace.

“So long, Lieutenant Commander (Y/l/n).”

And like that, disappear.

You release your breath.

“Thank you Chimaera.”

“You’re welcome Lieutenant Commander.”.

_________________________________________________________________

“I am sorry, Grand Admiral.” 

“About what?” He demands softly.

You’re incredibly uncomfortable. The last time you saw him, two weeks ago, you screamed at your superior and lost consciousness in his arms like a virginal figure before a lecherous picture. Your collar is too tight and itches atrociously. You straighten your back to appear as tall as possible.

“About the Wyvern fleeing.”

“Not to worry, Lieutenant Commander.” He smiles. “You retrieved a precious cargo and the imprompt arrival of the Wyvern confirms my suspicion that they are prowling in the region.”

You raise an eyebrow, dubious.

“Imprompt?”

“I knew they would come. Precisely for the cargo you retrieved.”

“What’s that cargo precisely?” You didn’t get to inspect anything, Thrawn took back the lead immediately.

“The Wyvern original crew, or… what is left of it. And a cargaison of doonium and quadranium.”

You open your eyes wide.

“So much? In such little cruisers?”

“They hoped to be more discreet.”

“But nothing escapes you…”

“Rarely.” He nods with a thin grin. “Thank you for the compliment.”

You feel your cheeks setting ablaze. He looks at you with a light smile, eyes sparkling. He doesn’t seem too angry about last time, maybe you will evade a punishment.

“Is it not perfect? I get to confirm the presence of the stolen ISD and you get a victory to your name, everything works out for the both of us in the end. I got a call from Coruscant…”

“So early?” You can’t believe it.

“News flies rapidly in the Empire. I trust you will soon hear good news. Congratulations.” 

You feel your chest puffing up with your inflated ego.

“Thank you sir.” You bow lightly.

You look at each other's eyes, smiling, in silence. You forgot everything, just look at his gorgeous face and him looking at you.

This moment is broke by his comlink ringing. He takes it and read it.

He frowns and look at you.

Your comlink ring. You look up to him for permission. He nods.

It’s Azrel.

“I have a wonderful idea!”

@bluechiss @justanothersadperson93 @al-astakbar @thrawnspetgoose @readinglistfics @twilekchiss @pencil-urchin@ineedazeezee @mssbridgerton @dance-like-russia-isnt-watching @Cortisolcosplay

[empress-violetlight]

Imperial Handbook: Empire of the Hand - Capital Ships of the Navy of the Hand

Another Worldbuilding exercise for my Empire of the Hand AU. See my Ranks document here:

-----------

While it might have began as a small task force under Thrawn’s command and whatever largely Clone Wars era scraps the Empire proper would send their way, as time went on and the Empire of the Hand began to build up the infrastructure needed to build its own ships, the variety of vessels available to it increased.  Here some of the Capital ships used by the Navy of the Hand, including some unique classes.

Renaissance-class Super Star Destroyer  (about 12 km long)

Built:  Kuat Drive Yard’s Spiral Shipyards, Nirauan system.  Officially finished construction in 21 ABY, but Admiral Parck would occasionally make use of its incomplete state before then. 

The Renaissance class is a shorter, wider, heavier-set, ship than the more familiar Executor-class SSDs from the old Galactic Empire, taking several design features from the prototype Eclipse class, including integrated interdiction technology, a complement of over 400 TIE Defender fighters, and a superlaser capable of cracking a planetary crust (or a Yuuzhan Vong world ship). Like other Empire of the Hand designs, the Renaissance-class’ bridge is not located in an exposed tower, but rather deep inside the ship, with cameras and a powerful sensor suite compensating for the lack of viewports.  Borrowing from Mon Calamari designs, the Renaissance-class also utilizes overlapping shield technology.  As well as standard Imperial weaponry like turbolasers, tractor beams and ion cannons, the Renaissance -class also utilizes Chiss Ascendency weaponry such as Plasma ball launchers and breacher missiles.

The main difference from the earlier class (and, the "selling point" that convinced then-Grand Moff Xelarra to sign off on its creation) is the ability of the Renaissance-class to carry up to five Imperial or Spiral- class Star Destroyers on the hull itself, with the smaller (but still capital sized) ships docking on five triangular recesses on the main hull, 3 on top of the superstructure, two below.  The Renaissance-class can thus act as a mobile repair station as well as the command ship.  Its main hanger bay can internally carry ships up to 300 m in length (i.e. the size of an Arquitens-class light cruiser or an Explorer-class research/scout vessel).

The Renaissance also has integrated Interdictor technology, and is equipped with several cloaking devices (necessary because of the ship’s size).  These two systems cannot normally be used at the same time, though Grand Admiral Thrawn remembers a few tricks learned earlier in his career to get around this limitation.  As cloaking devices are double-blind – they protect a ship from detection, but said ship also cannot see outside of it when activated through conventional means, the cloak is most effectively used with the cooperation of an Imperial Knight, who can use the Force to sense outside the cloak.  However, with proper timing and practice the cloaks can be used without the assistance of Force-users. 

As the Empire of the Hand did not sign the Pellaeon–Gavrisom Treaty, they are not prohibited from using cloaking devices. 

Known vessels in the class:

SSD Renaissance        

CO:  Fleet Admiral Voss Parck (19-28 ABY), Grand Admiral Thrawn (28 ABY +)

XO:  Commodore Eli Vanto (28 ABY+)

Starfighter commander:  Colonel Jagged Fel (28 ABY +)

Flagship of the Navy of the Hand.  Displays the same Paccosh signil as the ISD Chimaera on its hull.

Commissioned by Fleet Admiral Parck, in anticipation of Grand Admiral Thrawn’s rumoured return in 19 ABY.  Thrawn (actually his clone, known as ‘Raw’nuru’ until he was ready to retake the mantle of Grand Admiral) did not take command until the beginning of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, after the Evacuation of Lysatra.

Imperial-Class Star Destroyers

These iconic ships were inherited from the Galactic Empire.  Only a few were assigned to Thrawn’s task force in the Unknown Regions/The Chaos, and he chose the leave the ones he did have behind in the Empire of the Hand during his campaign of 8-9 ABY.  The Empire of the Hand has been retrofitting the ISDs when they can with more automation, in order to reduce its crew component from over 37 000 personnel down to 10 000.  As the less crew-intensive Spiral-Class Star Destroyers became more prominent in the Navy of the Hand, the remaining, aging Imperial-Class Star Destroyers were mainly regulated to defensive roles around prominent star systems and installations.  

Differences with standard Imperial Class ISDs:

As opposed to the “mobile base” role that the Old Galactic Empire used the Imperial-class for, Empire of the Hand ISDs are more starfighter-focused, with the majority of their standard ground forces (an entire legion of Stormtroopers, 20 AT-AT walkers and associated vehicles at the Empire’s height) regulated to the Clone Wars era Acclimator and new Nightstalker-class assault cruisers instead, unless the mission profile specifically calls for their inclusion.  With more room that would have been otherwise been taken up by ground vehicles, Hand ISDs have more than doubled the number of TIE –series fighters carried. 

To accommodate the additional TIES, the bridge tower has been reassigned to be a communications tower, focusing on air traffic control.  The actual bridge of the ship has been moved to a far more secure location in the interior of the ship, with cameras and sensors making up for the lack of traditional viewports.  

Known Vessels in this Class:

ISD Admonitor

CO:  Captain Dagon Niriz, then-Captain Voss Parck

The Star Destroyer first assigned to Thrawn’s “mapping expedition” in the Unknown Regions/The Chaos which would grow into the Empire of the Hand.  It later serves as the Hand Fleet's flagship until the Renaissance’s construction is completed in 21 ABY. 

ISD Vengeance  renamed the Resolute once in Hand space

CO:  then-Captain Thrawn (6 BBY), Commodore Karyn Faro (1 BBY +)

This is (officially) the first ISD Thrawn was assigned to as captain, which he used to subjugate the Kaleesh colony world of Oben.  Surprisingly, Thrawn earned the fierce, reptilian aliens’ respect for not just defeating, but crushing them in battle.  After the Battle of Endor, Thrawn personally extends an invitation to the Kaleesh to join the Empire of the Hand.  The say they will consider his offer, but don’t actually join until after Thrawn’s death.  

Commodore Karyn Faro served as Thrawn’s executive officer on the Resolute for many years, before being promoted to commanding officer of the Resolute itself, then climbing ever higher in the Hand Navy. 

The Resolute, along with the Admonitor, were also largely responsible for the creation of “Thrawn’s Cut” -- the hyperspace beacon route through The Chaos stretching from the Nirauan system to the border with the Chiss Ascendency. 

Beacons are modified Imperial probe droids, deployed in small groups that transmit real time astrometrics along a frequency that to anyone other than Empire of the Hand communications networks, appears as regular galactic background radiation.  By deploying the beacons in regular intervals, they form a trail of “breadcrumbs” that subsequent Hand ships can follow, allowing navigation through the Chaos without relying on Force users, though the initial deployment can be quite slow, relying on jump-by-jump navigation to plant the next “crumb” in the trail.  It took nearly a decade to carve Thrawn’s Cut, and the time involved convinced the Grand Admiral of the need for a dedicated exploration and beacon planting corps. 

ISDs the Empire of the Hand wants:

ISD Chimaera, currently serving as the flagship of the Imperial Loyalists (aka the Imperial Remnant)

CO:  Grand Admiral Gilad Pellaeon Possibly the most famous ISD in the Galaxy, the Chimaera served as Grand Admiral Thrawn’s flagship during his campaign to retake the galaxy in 9 ABY, with Gilad Pellaeon serving as his XO.  Both Fleet Admiral Parck and Empress Xelarra herself have made numerous offers to the Imperial Loyalists to acquire the historic ship, including offering the trade several state-of-the-art Spiral-class Star Destroyers for her.  Grand Admiral Pellaeon declines to give up his flagship every time.

Spiral-class Star Destroyers

Named for the magnificent ringed gas giant Spiral, the fifth planet in the Nirauan system, around which the Empire of the Hand’s main shipyards are built, these slim, daggerlike ships are smaller than Imperial-class Star Destroyers  (1.2 km long compared to an ISD's 1.6 km) and take a lot less crew (only about 5000).  As is standard on newer Hand ships, the Bridge tower is eliminated, with the bridge itself nestled deep within the structure of the ship.  They are powerful for their size.  Like a “mini-Renaissance”, (though they are, in fact, the basis for the larger ship) SpSDs are equipped with both Imperial and Chiss Ascendency weapons, featuring banks of turbo and spectrum lasers, deployed in retractable turrets, tractor beams, ion cannons and/or plasma spheres and breacher missiles. Some, though not all (usually 1-2 per battle group) have interdiction technology equipped.   Like the Hand’s ISDs, SpSDs also focus on starfighter deployment over ground forces, even though their TIEs usually consist of hyperspace-capable TIE Defenders.

Spiral class ships are predominantly assigned to Fleet Admiral Karyn Faro's Seeker Fleet, whose primary mission is to patrol the Galactic Rim hunting for any signs of the Far Outsiders.  As an added bit of psychological warfare against the technophobic Far Outsiders, Seeker Fleet ships are usually named after fictional machine lifeforms from a children’s novel and ani-holo series once popular in the Core. 

They also perform limited exploration duties (at least until the dedicated Explorer program is implemented) and plant hyperspace beacons.  They are slowly replacing the aging ISDs to become the premier battleship in the Navy of the Hand. 

Spiral-class ships use the designation “HMS” - “her Majesty’s Ship”, in honour of her Imperial Majesty, Lexx’elarra’nuruodo (Xelarra), Empress of the Hand. 

Known vessels in the class:

HMS Starscream

CO:  Fleet Admiral Karyn Faro (2 ABY +)

Flagship of Seeker Fleet, for a short time Flagship of the Navy of the Hand, during Admiral Faro’s tenure as Supreme Commander. 

One of the first four Spiral-class ships built, and founding member of Seeker Fleet. 

(featured in "Seat of Command" as the site of Thrawn and Xelarra having some "quality time" - NSFW)

HMS Thundercracker

CO:  Captain Rae Sloane ( 5 ABY)

Thrawn’s flagship while assisting the Chiss Expansionary Defense Fleet against Ssi’ruuk incursions (“Reunion”).  Captain Sloan was personally mentored by the Grand Admiral, and is considered Admiral Faro’s protégée.   

One of the first four Spiral-class ships built, and founding member of Seeker Fleet. 

HMS Skywarp

Torguta CO

Equipped with Interdiction technology, its smooth lines are broken up by its spherical, gravity well generators.

One of the first four Spiral-class ships built, and founding member of Seeker Fleet

HMS Shockwave

CO:  Captain Kyra Pyrondi

Captained by a long-time crewmate of both Grand Admiral Thrawn’s and Admiral Faro’s, this ship serves as a testbed for new weapons developments, with Captain Pyrondi herself often participating in the design teams. 

One of the first four Spiral-class ships built, and founding member of Seeker Fleet

HMS Grievous

Kaleesh CO Named for the legendary, deified  leader of the Kaleesh and General of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, specializes in long-range “hunting”, and preemptive strikes.

Victory-Class Star Destroyers, Venator-Class Star Destroyers

Clone Wars-era capital ships, regulated to less-important sectors of the Galactic Empire during the Imperial era as the larger Imperial-class better fulfilled the Tarkin doctrine of “rule by fear”, even if the larger ships were far less efficient in other respects.  Thrawn managed to get a number of these older ships assigned to his “mapping expedition” in the Unknown Regions/The Chaos, mostly because they were undervalued by that point by mainstream commanders in the Galactic Empire.   

Like the Imperial-class, these older ships are slowly being phased out in favour of the Spiral-class, but are still in use – mostly used against known threats in the Chaos (like the Vagaari pirates, and some client species of the Grysts – themselves clients of the Far Outsiders).  While these aging ships may be less effective in Lesser Space, even Clone Wars-era shields and weaponry is superior to most technology that cultures of the Chaos can muster, including the Chiss Ascendency.  Thrawn has a talent for using limited resources in the most effective way possible, and these older star destroyers are no exception.

Arguably, these ships make up the backbone of the Navy of the Hand, and keep the Empire of the Hand safe from the known threats of the Chaos.  Whether they will be effective against the Far Outsiders remains to be seen.   

Known vessels in these classes:

VSD Strikefast

CO:  Captain Voss Parck (19 BBY), Commodore Rae Sloane (10 ABY +)

The Victory-class Star Destroyer which was commanded by Voss Parck when he made first contact with Thrawn in 19 BBY.  While Parck himself was reassigned to the ISD Admonitor, Thrawn did manage to get the Strikefast herself assigned to his “mapping expedition”.   

The Strikefast, under Commodore Rae Sloan, later became the flagship of the Explorer program.  Though the Explorers themselves would later use primarily their own class of ship, modified Arquitens-class light cruisers, the Strikefast remains in service, stationed at Watchtower Station – the space station built at the Ascendency-end of Thrawn’s Cut, and the Explorer program’s base of operations, still serving as now-Admiral Sloane’s flagship (and is to Watchtower what the USS Defiant is to DS9). 

Dreadnaught-class Heavy Cruisers

Pre-Clone Wars capital ships are rare, due to the Old Republic’s anti-military policies.  Nevertheless, Grand Admiral Thrawn managed to discover the location of the legendary Katana fleet during his campaign of 9 ABY.  Though the majority of the 178 ships he acquired were used in his campaign, with surviving vessels becoming Imperial Loyalist property, He did manage to send 30 of the vessels home to the Empire of the Hand. 

Though older, like with the Venator and Victory-Class Star Destroyers, the Dreadnaugts still outgun anything native to the Chaos, as demonstrated by the Chiss Ascendency’s efforts to acquire the six Dreadnaughts of the Outbound Flight expedition.  Surviving Dreadnaughts usually server as auxiliary craft in the Hand Navy, backing up Star Destroyers.  Five vessels, unfortunately, were in such a state of disrepair that they had to be decommissioned and scrapped.  (“Nightfall of the Final Day”).

Like with other Clone Wars and earlier era ships, the Hand is occasionally able to procure additional vessels from Lesser Space scrapyards in the Outer Rim, though as our own shipbuilding capabilities have improved, this has become far less necessary. 

Known Vessels in the Class:

HMS Rapier

Official transport of her Imperial Majesty, Empress Xelarra.  The Empress declines to use a Star Destroyer for her needs, preferring that the newer, stronger vessels serve in “more important” Naval missions.  Instead, she uses one of the Katana Fleet dreadnaughts, saying she has an “appreciation” for such ships.  As the Imperial transport, the Rapier has civilian amenities more typical to diplomatic vessels (including relatively large shipboard library) and is more comfortable than most navel vessels, even for its enlisted crewmembers.  However, make no mistake – it is still a warship, and is perfectly capable of defending itself.

The Rapier features an upgraded Class 1 hyperdrive, stronger shields (even with the typical strong armour of a Dreadnaught) and its nose cargo bay is more accurately deemed a hanger, housing a full wing of TIE Defenders, as well as having dedicated landing spots for both Empress Xelarra’s and Princess Andorra’s personal Lambda-class shuttles.  The cargo bay can also hold the Empress’ personal combat vehicle, the AT-AT Toraton (her Majesty is a qualified reservist AT-AT driver) though it is more usually stationed on the Renaissance, or on Nirauan itself.      While the Empress is on Nirauan, the Rapier serves as part of the capital’s planetary defense fleet, though it can be ready for Her Majesty’s departure within one standard hour.   

Acclamator and Nightstalker-Class Assault Ships

The Clone Wars-era Acclamator, and its “descendant”, the Nightstalker-class, serve primarily as ground troop transports, assault vehicles and landing craft for the Army of the Hand, Stormtroopers and member world elite troops.  As such, these ships will be described in more detail in the chapter on the Army of the Hand.    

Interdictors

Immobilizer-class cruisers 

These rare ships have the ability to project an artificial gravity field, mimicking the mass shadow of a large object (i.e. a planet) in hyperspace, and subsequently pulling other ships out of hyperspace.  They were not built in great numbers, despite being perhaps the best Rebel-hunting tool at the Empire's disposal.  Thrawn saw their potential when pretty much no other Imperial commander did, and managed to get a large percentage of the Empire's Interdictors assigned to him in the Empire of the Hand. 

While Interdictors are usually used to pull enemy ships out of hyperspace for easier capture/destruction, the “Thrawn Pincer” is a space battle tactic developed by Thrawn, where Interdictors are used to pull his own ships out of hyperspace in a specific formation, with a lot more control than would be possible with usual hyperspace jumps.  He uses the technique in his Campaign of 9 ABY to great affect.   

Immobilizers are about 600 m long, looks like a small Star Destroyer with 4 gravity projector domes sticking out from the lines of the hull)

Known Immobilizer cruisers:

Maelstrom

An old Immobilizer scheduled to be scrapped by the New Republic (as they didn't know how to use it properly).  Raw'nuru (Thrawn's clone) joins a band of pirates in capturing the ship, then seizes command himself.  He uses the Maelstrom as his primary vessel while patrolling the Empire of the Hand's borders, taking on privateer missions, recruiting allies, and protecting his Empire from the shadows as he regains the confidence he needs to retake his old mantle.

Between 20 and 28 ABY, the Maelstrom is involved in several notable events, such as destroying a New Republic vessel that attacked them unprovoked without even firing a shot, which subsequently leads to Raw'nuru finally getting to warn Admiral Ackbar about the Far Outsiders, and the start of their "long distance" friendship (fic idea - "Pen Pals").

The Maelstrom is destroyed in the Evacuation of Lysatra, at the onset of the Far Outsiders War, holding off an invading Vong force long enough for the Hand Fleet to arrive.  Most of the crew, however, survives, and rejoin their Captain (now once again Grand Admiral) on the Renaissance.

The Maelstrom is also where Imp Squadron is assigned.  These near-washout fighter pilots are given one last chance by Wing General Soontir Fel to prove themselves, so are given just standard TIES and assigned to "the Empress' favourite privateer" to shape up.  Under Raw'nuru's command, they become an elite fighter squadron, basically the Hand's version of the NR's Wraith Squadron.  They also join their commander aboard the Renaissance.

Other Interdictors (undetermined class):

Scylla and Charybdis

Assigned to the Renaissance's battle group, these two Interdictors are commanded by Devola and Popula, two redish-orange twin Twi'leks who were trained by Raw'nuru on the Maelstrom.  They had originally been slaves belonging to the first pirate captain, who were freed by Raw'nuru when he overthrew and spaced that captain.  He saw their potential, and personally mentored them into Imperial officers.  Both are good friends (sometimes with benefits) of the Explorer Captain Shran.

Some Spiral-class Star Destroyers are also equipped with Interdiction technology, including Seeker Fleet’s HMS Skywarp.  The Renaissance itself is also Interdiction-capable. 

Arquitens-class Light Cruisers 

Considered the Imperial answer to the Rebellion’s/New Republic’s CR90 Corvette (aka the Rebel Blockade Runner, often nicknamed the “Rebel Ass-Hauler” by Hand navel personnel), the 300-metre long Arquitens has been in service since the Clone Wars, and was of the few ships from that era to remain in service in the Galactic Empire for the entirety of its existence.  The Empire of the Hand likewise inherited a large number of these ships.  While most serve essentially unchanged from their roles in the Galactic Empire as support and scout/recon craft, notable Arquitens have become something more. 

Explorer-class research and scout vessels:

Between 10 BBY and 6 ABY, while Thrawn was building up the Empire of the Hand, it became apparent, especially during the decade-long establishment of the "Thrawn's Cut" hyperspace route, that relying on Star Destroyers and other navy vessels to plant hyperspace beacons and for the diplomatic relations with non-hostile civilisations of the Chaos was unsustainable, and frankly a waste of the Navy's time when they need to be preparing for the upcoming Far Outsider invasion.

With the assistance of Xelarra's research into past exploration initiatives in Lesser Space (both historical and fictional), Thrawn began developing the foundation of a new, offshoot from the Hand Navy, to focus on (relatively) peaceful exploration exclusively.

That said, the Explorer ships, while small, needed to be tough and fast, to survive encounters with less-friendly forces, and to eventually transfer to scout duties in the Far Outsider War.

The ubiquitous Imperial Arquitens-class light cruiser (like Thrawn's first Imperial assignment, the Thunder Wasp) would make an ideal basis.

Explorer-class ships differ from their foundation in having even their limited weapons further reduced, in order to make room for science labs, a larger hanger to hold more than two shuttles at a time, and the most advanced sensor suite in the known Galaxy.  The crew compliment is also reduced, to about 200, from an Arquitens' 700.

Explorer ships are not entirely helpless -- their weapons may be limited, but they pack a punch, and can handle nuisances like smugglers/pirates perfectly well.  Standard procedure has the ships in constant communication with the nearest active Navy vessel (as detected over the Hand's hyperspace beacon network), which is obligated to come to the Explorer's aid if called.

Explorer-class vessels are highly modular, and can be easily customized for different mission profiles.

Thrawn unfortunately did not live to see the Explorer program officially start, but after his death, the program was finally pushed through by Empress Xelarra, with support from Admiral Faro. 

While officially under Admiral Faro’s jurisdiction, she delegated command of the Explorer program to Admiral Rae Sloane.  The program is officially based on Watchtower Station, a space station built at the Ascendency end of Thrawn’s Cut, right outside the border with the Chiss Ascendency.  From this point, Explorer vessels begin their deep space expeditions.

Explorers primarily rely on their planted hyperspace beacons, and on their powerful sensor suites to plot jump-by-jump navigation.  If in a hurry to go somewhere uncharted, Explorers will (begrudgingly) hire the help of a Force-sensitive navigator (the Pathfinders Guild has a franchise based on Watchtower Station), or ask for the assistance of an Imperial Knight.  They will not, under any but the most dire circumstances to the Empire of the Hand as a whole, use Chiss sky-walkers, as the Empire of the Hand considers child labour abhorrent, illegal, and basically slavery.  Like all Hand Imperial forces, they will offer political sanctuary to any sky-walker who asks for it, and their immediate family (parents/caretakers, siblings), and will ensure their transport to Nirauan or another long-time (and well-protected) Hand member world.  Explorer-class vessels use the designation “RRS” for “Royal Research Ship”  

Known Explorer ships:

RRS Stargazer

CO:  Captain Rosk’alem’izeq - Kalemi

Commanded by the Chiss Captain Kalemi, a former member of the Rogue Phalanx, who specialises in astronomy and served alongside then-Govoner Xelarra and Phalanx Commander Stent on the Honoghr mission. ("Nightfall of the Final Day") 

Xelarra and Thrawn's son, Shran, is assigned to the Stargazer as a cadet, and is mentored by Kalemi.  It is the Stargazer that first encounters Mara Jade when she goes looking for the Explorers after hearing rumours about them from spacers/smugglers, and she meets Shran, growing more interested in her connection with the Empire of the Hand (upcoming fic “Daughter of the Empire”).

The Stargazer comes under attack from a trigger-happy New Republic vessel in 22 ABY, mistaking it for an Imperial Remnant Arquitens, in complete violation of the  Pellaeon–Gavrisom Treaty.  Mara distracts the NR ship long enough for a Star Destroyer to come to its rescue, then works with Shran to devise an excuse that the NR ship wandered into an old Clone Wars minefield, despite Mara’s attempt to warn them. 

Cadet Shran serves aboard the Stargazer for the first decade of his career as an Explorer, eventually rising to the rank of First Officer, until he gets his own command.

(named after the USS Stargazer, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's first command).

RRS Intrepid

CO:  Captain Mitth’shra’nuruodo – Shran

Notable officers:              XO and Communications:  Commander Dee (human augment - Tattooine)

Helms officer: Lieutenant Cherith Fel (human - Nirauan)

Navigation:  Hex (Tripod)

Chief Engineer:  Commander Gorbash (Draconian)

CMO:  Doctor Jackie Hatch  (human – Lysatra)

Engineering:  Lieutenant Neela Drakesdaughter (Twi’lek)

Quartermaster:  Ensign Sali Vanto (human – Lysatra)

Commanded by Captain Shran a year or two after start of the Vong War.  Involved in many adventures, including tricking a Vong ship into getting sucked into a black hole, and the raid on Ossus.   Visits the Renaissance often enough that the crews of the two ships know each other pretty well.

(“hero” ship captained by Thrawn’s son. Named after the Intrepid-class ships in Star Trek, the most prominent example being the USS Voyager)

RRS Nonsuch

CO:  Captain Davi Cecelia.  (Quarren) 

XO:  <Unnamed Gungan who speaks with a distinguished Core World accent>

This ship specialises in exploration of ocean worlds.  The majority of her crew are from species that can breathe underwater unaided, and the ship itself is specialised to be able to land (and float) on water.

Captain Cecelia is begrunding friends with Captain Shran, and the two ships collaborate more often than they wish, with the Nonsuch backing up the Intrepid during the Ossus raid. 

(named after the Nonsuch, an 18th century merchant ship which explored Hudson’s and James’ Bays, and helped to start the Canadian fur trade.  A replica – which can be boarded and explored by guests – is on display at the Manitoba museum in Winnipeg.)

[jedimastre-archive]

The Open Circle Fleet, also known as the Open Circle Armada, was an armada in the Galactic Republic’s Navy most prominently lead by High Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi and has a major task force lead by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker. Most notable gathering appearances are during the Outer Rim Sieges however they can be found throughout the Clone Wars timeline. By the end of the Clone Wars, the armada had grown to include at least five Republic fleets, including the Fourth and Fifth Fleet.

The distinctive red and yellow emblem can be seen on all Open Circle Armada ships. The yellow circle is formed by two separate semi-circle arcs, one arc representing Obi-Wan Kenobi and the other, Anakin Skywalker. Signifying that while they were both two independent halves, together forming a single entity. Two halves of a whole warrior. 

Jedi such as Obi-Wan Kenobi carry the emblem of the Open Circle Armada as an indicator of his command of the fleet. Even late into the Clone Wars after Jedi began shedding their distinctive modified Clone Armor. Arm guards remained as the last staple to indicate the Jedi's unity with their clone forces.

( It was decided late in the Clone Wars, due to a negative opinions, that the Jedi would start removing their protective armor in favor for their traditional robes seen prior to the war. Hoping to separate the Jedi Order from the Military at large. However this only added to the claims against the Jedi that they were plotting to overthrow the Republic Senate and take over. )

The Armada consists of several units, more predominantly the unit overseen by Anakin Skywalker, who’s task force itself consisted of three Venator-class Star Destroyers including his flagship, and two Arquitens-class light cruisers ( also known as escort ships ).

Other officers were also assigned to the Open Circle Fleet such as Jedi General’s Adi Gallia, Eeth Koth, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Luminara Unduli and Yoda. These designations were given by the Republic Military in order to maintain chain of command and order.

Notable Flagships:

Negotiator

Endurance

Renown

Resolute

Ro-ti-Mundi

Steadfast

Swift Return

Tranquility

Tribunal

Triumphant

Vigilance

Medical Frigate 517

At the end of the Clone Wars, most ships were converted to the standard grey coloring that is most recognized as the Galactic Empire.

[calebdumes]

If interested, let me give a prompt: in the planet Hera and Kanan are on, a full search takes place for a terrorist / jedi (?) Both wondering if they can help the hunted being, and the fear of having Kanan caught by mistake, what will they do?

thank you for the prompt!

fandom: star wars rebels

relationship: kanan jarrus/hera syndulla

rating: t

word count: 3.5k

~

“Hera.” Kanan said, leaning forward in his chair to peer at the massive ship filling the viewport. His stomach rolled at its looming shadow, his palms sweating in his fingerless gloves. The long ingrained instinct to flee sharp on his tongue.

“I see it.” she replied. Her tone was weary but her hands were steady on the controls as she slowly brought the Ghost closer to the spaceport’s hangar. Kanan kept the wedge shaped ship in his sights until the dull metal of the hangar bay closed in around him.

Hera set the Ghost down gently, the ship jolting only slightly to indicate that its landing struts had touched solid ground. There was only one other ship parked in the hangar bay, its engines glowing as it idled before takeoff. Exhaust tubes and empty fuel canisters were scattered around the rusted floor, a dusty orange glow from the overhead lights barely casting enough light to cut through the gloom of space waiting just beyond the yellow magnetic shield.

Kanan had traveled to this shadowport several times in his early years as a drifter, looking for jobs to keep him in drinking money. It wasn’t the safest of places, the lower levels of the station crawling with syndicate thugs and slavers but for a kid on the run, it had been the safest place he could find. 

Kanan didn’t feel the sense of safety anymore, not with an Arquitens-class star destroyer parked outside. 

“Do you want to leave?” Hera asked, turning in her chair to face him. Kanan peeled his eyes away from the viewport to see her green eyes filled with concern. She hadn’t shut the engines off yet, the comforting hum of them still vibrating in his bones. Kanan tapped a restless finger on the edge of the armrest. They could leave, it wasn’t like they would be breaking a contract of leaving a contact high and dry. But they were low on just about everything and desperately needed supplies. If they didn’t stop now, Kanan doubted they would have much say in where they stopped next. 

“No,” Kanan shook his head and forced himself to relax. “We need the supplies. We’ll just be…cautions.” They had been on Imperial occupied planets before, kriff, they had gone up against larger star destroyers before and won. One single ship shouldn’t have him feeling this way. 

Still he couldn’t quite shake the sense of dread that had fallen over him.

Hera watched him for a moment longer, the concern in her eyes not fading away like he had hoped. He arranged his face to look more relaxed and forced his posture to loosen. Cracking a lopsided grin, he winked at her, making the sweetest of color rise high on her cheeks. She frowned but began the shutdown cycle anyways. 

“We could always go somewhere else.” she said as her hand flew over the controls on the dashboard. 

“Running from the Empire seems a little counterproductive to your goals,” he said, standing. He stretched his arms up over his head, the tension in his spine releasing with satisfying little pops. “Don’t you think?”

“A smart rebel knows when and where to pick their fights. Fighting over a place like this,” she guestered out to the dingy hanger. “Is hardly worth dying for.”

“So we don’t die.” Kanan took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “We stay close, get our supplies, and go.”

“You could always stay with the ship.” Hera suggested, her hands finding his hips. Kanan felt his body move closer to hers on instinct. 

“And let you wander around with slavers on the loose?” a sick peel of nausea climbed up Kanan’s throat at the thought. “I’d rather take on the Imps.”

Hera gripped his chin firming between her thumb and finger, tilting his head so she could look directly at him. “I can handle myself.”

“Trust me,” Kanan smirked. “I know.”

She let go of his face, the corners of her mouth tilting up slightly. “Fine, Chopper will stay.” her lekku swung behind her as she made her way to the ladder leading down to the hold. “Hopefully this won’t take long.”

Kanan felt the tension return to his shoulders as she disappeared. His jaw clenched and his stomach twisted uncomfortably. “Hopefully.” he echoed before following after her. 

The halls of Jidla Spacestation were just as dingy as the hangar bay. A thick layer of grime clung to the walls and the neon lights above the plethora of cantinas flashed in uneven, multicolored intervals. Kanan and Hera kept close to one another as they navigated the dirty halls. More than once they had to dive into a shadowed alcove to avoid detection from a roaming stormtrooper patrol. 

It wasn’t entirely necessary, they both had forged chain codes that would stand up to Imperial inspection but there was a nagging sensation in the back of Kanan’s mind that made him want to steer clear. 

Avoid detection. 

Kanan shivered. He felt Hera place a warm hand on his arm as they walked away from the supplies vendor a few thousand credits lighter. 

“Everything alright, love?” she asked quietly. 

“‘M fine.” he muttered as a blurry looking spacer staggered by in a hurried pace. The atmosphere on the station was tense, a far cry from the chaos that usually ruled supreme. Even the legitimate business owners, like their supplier, didn’t linger to chat. You didn’t need to see the stormtroopers to know the Empire was here.

They wandered into a cantina to wait while their requested supplies were gathered more out of habit than necessity. Even there the mood was stifled. The music was as loud as ever but the conversations were hushed, the tension palpable. Kanan slipped onto an empty seat at the bar and waved a hand to get the bartender’s attention. 

A middle aged Twi’lek man with deep purple skin and bright orange markings ambled over. He wordlessly took their order, his golden eyes scanning the room constantly. 

“Any idea why the Empire is here, nerra?” Hera asked as the man slid her glass of jawa juice over to her. 

The bartender’s mouth twisted, as if he was deciding whether or not to say anything before he spoke. “You didn’t hear it from me,” he said lowly, his voice hissing out through his pointed teeth. “But word is, there’s a Jedi on the loose.”

Kanan’s blood turned to ice in his veins. There’s a Jedi on the loose.

Years of practice kept him rooted in his seat, his face a mask of indifference, despite his very urgent and sudden need to run. 

“A Jedi?” he heard Hera question through the pounding in his ears. “I heard they had all been wiped out.”

“So did I but there have been some strange happenings around the station lately.” the bartender continued, running a hand absently down his right lek. “In the lower sectors. Syndicate members turnin’ up dead, slavers gone missin’, and then two days ago, there was an explosion in one of the hangar bays. Killed a bunch of people. That’s when the Empire showed up.”

Hera slid a few credits over to the man in thanks before angling her body towards Kanan. The concern was back in her eyes, but there was something else there too, a look Kanan knew all too well and it was burning with intensity.  

“No.” he said, the ice in his veins breaking with the conviction of his voice. 

“Kanan,” Hera reached for his hand. “If there’s a chance, we have to try.”

“No we don't.” he snapped back. “We need to get the kriff out of here.”

“We can’t just leave them for the Empire to find.” her grip tightened. “You know what will happen then.”

“And if we get caught?” he ground his teeth together, closing his eyes as unwanted memories of blaster fire and smoke flashed across his mind. He did know what would happen if the Empire got its claws in a suspected Jedi. They would be made into an example, their body strung up for the whole spacestation to see, a grotesque reminder of the Empire’s might and the savage brutality that Kanan has somehow survived. 

He had survived it and now Hera was asking him to do it again. Being a Jedi was bad enough but being suspected of helping a Jedi was just as worse. If they got caught, Kanan shuddered, unable to finish the thought. 

But still, there was a part of him that agreed with her, a not so gentle nudge from Caleb, to do the right thing. Even if it meant certain death. 

“We have to try Kanan.”

“Fine.” he growled, his jaw still clenched tightly. He opened his eyes to Hera’s shining face, the pride in her eyes almost too much to bear. She caught the bartender’s attention again and waited until he was standing before him to ask her question. 

“This explosion, where was it?”

The bartender’s gaze flicked out towards the rest of the cantina before looking back at her. “Three levels down, near the Black Sun territory,” he replied. “The Imps have it locked down pretty tight, no one’s been able to get down there or out.” the bartender paused, then leaned in close. “There’s a bounty out for the Jedi if you’re lookin’ to cash in and I’ve gotta tip that might point you in the right direction.”

“What is it?” Kanan asked, his tone sharp.

“A shifty lookin’ character came by yesterday wearin’ robes like the Jedi use do. I had a droid follow ‘em when they left. Looks like they’re hold up in a hangar bay not too far from here.”

“You got the location of this hangar bay?” Hera asked, handing over another credit chip.

The bartender nodded. “This level, hangar bay wesk.” his eyes cut across the room. “Just be careful numa.” he said. “I remember what the Jedi were like before the Empire took over. This one…they ain’t right if you know what I mean.”

“Thanks,” Kanan said tightly as he stood. He forced himself to walk at a normal pace out of the cantina, his limbs vibrating with the need to run. “You got a plan for this?” he asked Hera out of the corner of his mouth as they walked slowly towards the targeted hangar bay. 

“I figure we can just talk to them, as a friend.” she replied, keeping her head forward. “Offer them safe passage out of here.”

“Are the supplies loaded?”

Hera checked her wrist comm, looking through a steady stream of messages from her astromech. “Chopper’s loading the last pallet now and the Ghost is fueled and ready to go.”

“And if we’re wrong? If this isn’t a Jedi?”

“Then we help someone escape the Empire.” she said, stopping to place a hand on Kanan’s shoulder. “I know this is a risk, more for you than anyone but Kanan, we have to try.”

Kanan didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. There were too many emotions welling up inside of him. Fear, anger, hope. Kanan couldn’t bring himself to say anything, so he just nodded and followed Hera’s lead. 

Hangar bay wesk was in far worse shape than any other part of the station. The lights had been blown out, leaving the hallway in near darkness. Trash was piled up outside of the closed blast doors that had a containment leak warning plastered all over it. It made sense that no one had ventured here, seeking the score; it was the perfect place to hide.

Hera tapped on the door control, fiddling with the buttons until the doors began to move, jolting in a rusty groan before stopping half way. 

They both reached for their blasters, holding them loosely as they entered. The inside of the hangar was in the same state of despair, the only source of light coming from the functioning magnetic field holding off the vacuum of space. A single craft sat in the center of the floor, its guts exposed as if someone had been working on it very recently. 

“Hello?” Hera called, her voice echoing off the high metal walls. “Is anyone here?”

Kanan's sense of dread intensified, his stomach twisting into tight knots. Something wasn’t right here. 

“Who’s that?” a voice responded. “Who are you?”

“A friend.” Hera said. “Looking to help those in need.”

“Who says I’m in need?” the voice asked.

“The stormtroopers patrolling the station for one thing.” she replied, keeping her posture loose. Kanan’s eyes swept the hangar, searching for the speaker but they were well hidden in the darkness. He inched closer to Hera, ready to push her out of the way of danger. “We’re no friends of the Empire, we help people, people like you.”

“Who is we?”

“My partner and I.” he felt Hera brush against him. “We’re here to help.”

The sound of trash moving caught Kanan’s attention, his body swinging to face the source of the noise. A figure in a hooded slowly emerged from the darkness, walking carefully towards the center of the hangar. “That’s awfully kind of you, to help a stranger.”

“Not everyone is as vile as the Empire. Some of us still believe in the old ways.” Hera paused. “Some of us still believe in the Jedi.”

The figure tensed, Kanan’s grip on his blaster tightening. He didn’t like this. Something was off and every second they stood here, the more the wrongness he felt grew. 

“The Jedi you say?” the figure asked, reaching up to pull back their hood. The fabric fell away, revealing a Human man with scars cut across his face. Even in the darkness, Kanan could see a strange glint in his eye as he looked at Hera, a hunger that made Kanan’s skin crawl. The man pushed back his robes to rest his hands on his hips, a flash of a blaster holster catching Kanan’s eye. “That’s a dangerous thing to be these days.”

Hera nodded in agreement. “It is, but we can help. I have a ship, we can get you someplace safe, away from the Empire.”

“That’s a very kind offer.” the man smiled, making nausea tear its way up Kanan’s throat. “From a very lovely lady.”

This man was no Jedi. He didn’t need the Force to see it. Darkness rolled off him in inky black waves, his true intent poisoning the air around them, only Hera couldn’t see it. She was blinded by hope that there were more Jedi out there, driven by a desperate need to show him that he wasn’t alone. To prove Kanan wasn’t the last Jedi alive. 

But she was wrong. Kanan’s people were dead and if they didn’t move now, they would be too. 

The man moved quickly, reaching for his blaster and squeezing off a stun blast directed right at Hera's chest. He was fast but Kanan was faster. 

His blaster clattered to the floor and his arms shot out. In the blink of an eye, the Force responded, freezing the stun blast in mid air and wrapping around the man like a vice. He heard Hera’s gasp of surprise before she quickly ducked behind Kanan and out of the stun blast’s trajectory. As soon as she was clear, Kanan released his hold on the blast, sending it flying towards a trash pile where it dissipated harmlessly. He then turned his attention to the imposter that was still frozen in place. 

“Who are you?” Kanan growled, feeling the flames of anger lick his insides. The Force swelled in him, reacting to the rage of his emotions. The last time he had insticutally called on it, it had been to stop a catwalk from crushing Hera. Now, once again it leapt to his aid to protect her again. 

The man, unable to move his limbs, gave Kanan a wicked smile “A Jedi, like you.” he managed to grunt out.

“You are no Jedi.” Kanan hissed in response.

“But you are. You’d fetch me a pretty penny if I sold you to the right people. And your rebel tail head girlfriend too.”

Kanan felt the Force tighten around the man, red filling his vision. 

“So what is it that you do?” Hera said, stepping out from behind Kanan, her face twisted into a mask of cold fury. “Pretend to be a Jedi and sell those you ‘help’ into slavery?”

“Neat trick ain’t it?”

“Except word got around that there was a Jedi on the loose and the Empire came to investigate, didn’t they?”

If the man could have shrugged, he would have. “Price you gotta pay. Nothing a little explosion can’t fix.” he said with no remorse. “Why don’t you tell your little Jedi pal here to let me go and I’m sure we can work something out.”

Kanan acted before Hera could respond. With a flick of his wrist he sent the slaver flying backwards, his body colliding with the hangar bay wall in a sickening thud. The scum was still alive but the temptation to end his life was strong. He had lied, to countless of innocent people in need of help, hiding behind the mask of a Jedi to sell them into lives of slavery and torture. 

He deserved a fate far worse than death and Kanan wanted to be the one to give it to him.

“Kanan.” Hera said, her gentle voice cutting through the violence in his mind. “Kanan, we need to go.”

He breathed sharply through his nose, letting the sensation of the Force leave his system, leaving him feeling worn. 

“Not yet.” he said. He walked over to the ship, ripping wires free from where they were exposed. Kicking his way through the trash, Kanan knelt by the slaver’s crumbled form and tied his arms tightly behind his back. He grabbed the collar of the man’s tattered robes and dragged him back to the ship. 

Hera grabbed her own fist full of wires and used them to secure the slaver to the nearest landing strut. “He won’t be getting out of that.” She said taking a step back. “Now, we really need to go love.”

Kanan nodded, scooping up his fallen blaster and letting her pull him out of the hangar bay. The walk back to the Ghost passed in a haze, Kanan’s mind still steeped in anger. It wasn’t until he felt the lurch of the ship rising into the air that he came back to himself to find the flickering image of the bartender sitting above the dashboard.

“We left him tied up in the hangar bay.” Hera was saying.

“You don’t want the bounty?” the bartender asked, confused. 

“Have at it.” she shook her head. “But don’t expect the full amount. He’s no Jedi, just a common slaver.”

The bartender rubbed his forehead. “Well, it’s still a good score and now there’s one less slaver roaming around thanks to you, numa. Next time you are in port, drinks are on the house.”

“It might be a while before then, nerra.” Hera smiled sadly. “But we’ll hold you to it.”

The image of the bartender flickered out, sending the cockpit into echoing silence. 

“I’m sorry,” Hera said, breaking the quiet after a few moments. “I should have listened to you.”

Kanan sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.” he told her. “There was no way to know who the man really was.”

“It was a bad idea, a fool's hope.”

“We had to try.” Kanan said, reaching for her hand. “Like you said. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself knowing we could have helped and didn’t and I know you’d feel the same.”

There was a rustle of fabric as Hera moved her chair, her hand still linked with Kanan’s. He felt the ship jump to hyperspace, cracking open his eyes to a familiar blue swirl. Hera was looking at him with a frown.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, sitting up. 

“Are you mad?”

“At you? I told you Hera, you have nothing to be sorry for.” He stood, pulling her to her feet and wrapping her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head before resting his keep against the soft fabric of her flight cap. “There’s nothing wrong with having hope.”

“No, not at me.” Hera said, a hand curling around his tunic. “I’ve never seen you do that before, use the Force like that. You looked so…angry.”

“Yeah,” he said softly, a flash of shame slicing through him. “I was angry. It’s bad enough what the Empire did to my people but what that sleemo was doing…it’s almost worse.”

“Do you think..” Hera trailed off. Kanan held her closer, knowing what she was going to ask. “Do you think there are others? Do you think there are more Jedi out there?”

Kanan closed his eyes and breathed in the familiar scent of her. How many nights had he spent thinking that very question? How many hours had he wasted, reaching out into the Force looking for his family, only to find a gaping maw of emptiness. 

“I hope so.” he replied softly. “I hope so.”

[deoxyribovoltaic-acid]

Arquitens-Class Attack Cruiser

As a follow-up to the Pelta-Class Frigate, I've made a UCS Venator-scale Arquitens-Class Cruiser, better known as the precursor to the Imperial Light Cruiser in Star Wars Rebels. It also made an appearance during the Saleucami Clone Wars arc as the ship boarded by Grievous.

Link to Pelta-Class Frigate build! :D

[expedientegonk]

Si os gustan las naves de Star Wars, os dejo aquí un repaso por las principales naves capitales del Imperio. Espero que os resulte de interés

[starskipperrpg]

Admiral Paxton Appointed Sector Governor of the Ordo System

To deal with mounting unrest and rebellion on the world of Ordo, the Moff of Mandalorian Space has instructed Admiral Paxton, a Clone Wars hero, to put down the rebellion on the world. Along with most of the Dxun Garrison being stripped and sent to Ordo, Paxton was given three Arquiten Class Light Cruisers to assist in the task and has confirmed that he will carry out the task given, no matter the strength of the resistance, or the size of his force.

Admiral Paxton was a Clone Wars hero, who led Republic Forces during the Siege of Istic II and captured the planet despite overwhelming Confederate Forces on the planet, trying to hold onto vital mineral deposits. He was seen as a ruthless admiral, and an inquiry into his performance by a Senatorial Committee days prior to the Declaration of the New Order found he had ordered the execution of over ten thousand captured confederate mercenaries and non-droid personnel.

Following the Declaration, any senatorial action against the Admiral was ceased and he was given a post in the outer rim.

[gamergoo]

i guess while we're at it, could you talk about star wars naval vessels? personally i find the first order's starfighters kinda disappointing, though i generally like ties, but i do like the resurgent class and would like to hear your thoughts. ALSO a smaller question, if you had your own starfighter which one would you pick

OUUUGGGHHH this is gonna be a long one…

So first I’m gonna answer what starfighter I’d pick because that’s an easy question, ARC-170 heavy fighter. I’d pilot, and my pals would be the gunners, tight as hell.

Now for other Naval designs!!! My absolute all time fav will always be the Executor class star dreadnought

I’m not even gonna get into the technical specifications of the armament or whatever I’m just gonna leave you with its size, this is 19 kilometers long. It is so impractically large, only the empire could operate one of these but it’s so sexy and all the blue on it with the red engines is just. Mwah!

I’m also a diehard fan of the Venator class star destroyer!

This thing is SO iconic, 1200 meters long with the twin command bridge, that red line splits open to deploy fighters faster than the hangars on the sides can, its use as a carrier/battleship hybrid is just. Ugh republic naval philosophy is so good, the diversified fleet of the Venator, Acclimator, Arquitens, and Consular was so much more versatile and formidable than the Empire was, and the Venator is the backbone of that. Also the way it precedes the other imperial designs is fantastic.

I’m gonna speed through some other great designs real quick:

The Harrower class dreadnought of the sith empire, despite being short at only 800 meters, an iconic iconic ship.

The Resurgent Class Battlecruiser is so beautiful, 3000 meters long, that split open couple decks allows fighters to fully deploy and get up to speed before leaving the ship, and the bridge is less vulnerable than on the ISD or Venator, this is a gorgeous design.

Controversial take here:

The Supremacy, 60 kilometers wide(more than 3 executors end to end) and more than 3 KM long, this is an absolutely inspire design. Star Wars is a world of broadsides and limited frontal firing cones, but the supremacy is designed to subvert that by bringing an entire fleet’s worth of firepower in a frontal assault. I adore this thing and the way they kill it.

The Providence class battlecruiser is an iconic design as well, I just don’t have much to say

And finally we have this absolute hunk, the Lucrehulk class Battleship and command vessel. This thing is purpose built for troop transport because it originated as a heavy cargo ship, and its unconventional design made it very difficult to fight against early on in the war. Its real strength is blockades because it’s more of a station than a ship.

Anyway thank you for the question!!! Clearly I’m a big fan of the star destroyer series but can you blame me? So many iconic designs

[sethodine]

Republic Arquitens Light Cruiser, as seen in The Clone Wars.

[thegrievousone]

The Republic's Navy 21 BBY

Despite the hard start the Republic had in the war in the beginning, and the long road it still needs to travel, the Republic navy did improve in the second of the war.

Changes:

1.V-19s are not as hevily used, as there are other ships that can be used over it.

2.Arquitens-Class Light Cruiser: despite the Republic not lacking in smaller screening vessels, the Arquitens is highly moduler and fits in well with the rest of the navy.

3.Aggressive Reconnaissance-170 Starfighter: This is what is slightly replacing the V-19 as it is a much more formidable starfighter.

Fleets:

1.Defensive:

2.Quick Reaction:

3.Invasion:

4.Superiority:

5.Escort:

[jedirhydon]

Armament: 8 x Dual Heavy Turbolaser Turrets, 2 x Duel Medium Turbolaser Cannons, 52 - 60 Point-Defense Laser Cannons, 4 x Heavy Proton Torpedo Launchers, 6 x Heavy Tractor Beam Projectors, 1 x Ventral mounted Beam-weapon, 6 or more x Deck Guns.

Length: 1,155 meters.

Height: 249 meters.

Crew: 9,400 (7,400 x Officers, Enlisted Crew, Pilots, 2,000 x Troopers).

Complement: 192 x V-19 Torrent Fighters/Alpha-3 Nimbus-Class V-wing Star Fighters, 192 x Delta-7 or Delta-7B Aethersprite-class Light Interceptors/Eta-2 Actis-class Interceptors, 36 x ARC-170 Starfighters, Unknown x Clone Wars era Z-95 Head Hunter Starfighters, 24 x AT-TE Walkers, 40 x LAAT/i Gunships, Unknown x Other/Landing crafts.

Shielding: Equipped.

Nav Computer: Equipped.

Hyperdrive: Class 1 with a class 15 as a backup.

Engines: 10.

The Venator-class Star Destroyer Cruiser Protector served as the flagship of the 101st Fleet and the personal command ship of Jedi Knight/General Rhydon Kenobi and Fleet Admiral Whitney Thomas. The Protector, like her sister ship, the Peace of the 82nd Attack Fleet, boasted the Sapphire Blue colors of the 101st Legion rather than the standard crimson red colors of the Republic Navy and was always seen leading the 101st Fleet from the front. Because of the leading from the front belief of the Protector's commanding officers, many in the 101st Fleet would find inspiration, and many ships would follow behind their flagship, eager to see the mission through. Throughout the war, The Protector would be home to many individuals in the 101st Legion, from Rhydon Kenobi and his wives: Zarina Kenobi, Taylor Smith, and Sierra Sommers, to Rhydon Kenobi's padawan Zayla Secura, Admiral Whitney Thomas, ARC Commander Zeus, and many others.

Continuing to fight through the Clone Wars, the Protector would see action through battles such as Christophsis, Ryloth, Geonosis, Saleucami, Kamino, Sullust, Umbara, Ringo Vinda, Anaxes, Coruscant, and Mandalore. Through each battle, the Protector was flanked by the Venator Battleships North Carolina, Washington, Arizona II, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, California, Tennessee, Nevada, Oklahoma II, Venator Carriers Enterprise, Yorktown II, Hornet II, Wasp II, and Venator Cruisers Baltimore, Bremerton, Arquitens Light Cruisers Brooklyn and St. Louis, Aspis Destroyer Laffey, and Aiwha-class Stealth Ship Nautilus. An aspect of the Protector that made it an impressive ship was the customization that Rhydon Kenobi and Whitney Thomas put into the ship; not only did the cruiser possess a unique color scheme related to its Jedi commander, but the Protector also boasted an advanced shield, armor, and a better weapons system, than most Venator cruisers. This amount of customization to the Protector was seen by many as unnecessary, but Rhydon Kenobi and Admiral Thomas stood by their decision to increase the ship’s combat capabilities.

The downfall of the Flagship Protector would come from several of the final battles of the Clone Wars, in which the ship’s shields were weakened and her armor damaged. This weakened state would come to be stressed to its limit in the Battle of Coruscant, where despite the Protector being kept in the rear of the battle for once, she would still be struck by enemy fire in the battle. Following the Battle of Coruscant, Rhydon and Admiral Whitney recognized that the Protector would more than likely not survive another battle without extensive repairs, but the need to deploy the remaining ships of the 101st Fleet to Mandalore had forced them to put repairs on hold. Rhydon and Whitney’s decision was due to the remaining half of the 101st Fleet, as well as the 332nd Armada, were already at Mandalore, performing a siege operation against the forces of Darth Maul and the Dark Acolyte Zolan Chan.

Upon their arrival at Mandalore, Rhydon had Admiral Whitney transfer any important equipment, as well as any personal items, to anyone aboard the Protector, onto the Enterprise while he led the ground forces to the planet's surface. This would prove beneficial when Order 66 was initiated, causing several clone crew members to turn against the Jedi leadership. Fortunately, the crew of the Protector, and consequently the Enterprise, and several other important 101st Fleet ships, were loyal to the Jedi and refused to follow Order 66, but this would, however, put a massive target on them, as the ships that were going through with the Order, turned on them. As it was, the Protector was situated in the middle of the Fleet formation, and while a good number of the surrounding ships were Jedi loyal, several ships weren't, thus leading to the 101st flagship being fired upon, causing her already weakened state to be further stressed to the breaking point.

Although Admiral Whitney did her best to keep order on the Protector, she would be forced to order the crew and all other clones and personnel aboard to evacuate the cruiser and quickly make her way to an escape pod. In the end, this would come to be the best choice, as the Protector would explode in a massive fireball as the escape pods and vessels made their way to any nearby Jedi loyal ships, the majority of them, including Admiral Whitney's pod, made their way to the Enterprise. Admiral Whitney Thomas would meet up with Commodore Wilhelm Halsey, who served as the commander of the Enterprise, and Jedi General Rhydon Kenobi, who had returned from the planet's surface after being rescued by female clone troopers, alongside his apprentice Zayla Secura, wife Zarina, and the Jedi loyal male clone troopers. After this, the Venator-class Star Destroyer Carrier Enterprise would take up the torch as the new flagship of the 101st Fleet, continuing to honor the legacy of the Venator-class Star Destroyer Cruiser Flagship Protector.

[thecrusadercomrade]

Rebels day. Stealth Strike. Empire having a ship that can pull ship out of hyperspace. Kanan and Rex learning to work together, (I thought we would get a couple episode before they get along) I knew Rex wasn't in dangerous they wouldn't bring back fan favorite just to kill him off. (Cough Cad Bane Cough).Chopper adding to his death count. He probably has the bigger death count then half of Ghost team.

The Interdictor-class Star Destroyer is actually a ship from the old canon that I thought was pretty cool to see come back. I love how willing this show has been to take inspiration from older Star Wars concepts.

It would’ve been nice to see their arc spread out a little more, but ultimately I’m happy with what we got. Nothing like near-death experiences to really bring people together! Plus I’m just happy to see more of Rex in action. And yes, there was no way he’d ever be in real danger there. Not so soon at least.

Chopper took down an Interdictor and two Arquiten cruisers in a single move. He might be one of the most terrifying Star Wars characters of all time. Also, he ran over Ezra’s fingers when Ezra was hanging from the ledge! I swear, sometimes he’s more of a threat to the crew than the Imperials...