Black Market Ships

Originally conceived as a luxury yacht for nobility and the elite, the Harrier-Class was never meant for war—at least, not directly. Its sleek, sweeping hull and engraved paneling made it a statement of wealth, blending form and function with an unmistakable aura of authority. With a 200 dT hull, the Harrier was built for both speed and style. Its Jump-2 drive and Thrust-6 maneuvering systems ensured it could reach distant holdings quickly or escape unwanted confrontations. Though never designed as a warship, it was more than capable of handling minor threats while escorting high-profile dignitaries or carrying out discreet missions for the imperial court. However, with the collapse of the old empire, many Harriers fell into less refined hands. Pirates, smugglers, and privateers found its speed, adaptability, and hidden armament perfect for raiding and evasion. Stripped of their original grandeur—though some still bear faded aristocratic markings—these ships are now feared in the lawless regions of space. The sight of a Harrier emerging from the void no longer signals the arrival of nobility but rather the approach of predators hunting for vulnerable prey.

While its official designation is the Swiftclaw-class Patroller/Raider, few outside military and shipwright circles use that name. Instead, it is almost universally known as the Verminax Corsair, a reflection of its deep association with the nomadic Verminax species. Originally designed as their answer to human patrol cruisers, the Corsair quickly gained a reputation for its speed, adaptability, and aggressive profile. Some found use as secure couriers or high-status transports, but its true legacy is one of infamy along the frontier. In the hands of Verminax corsair bands, the ship became the terror of isolated trade routes, a vessel whose distinctive silhouette alone is enough to send a chill down the spine of any spacer. To those living beyond the reach of powerful navies, a sighting of a Verminax Corsair means only one thing—pirates. Built for speed and aggression, the 400 dT Verminax Corsair combines Jump-2 and Thrust-5, making it ideal for deep-space raids and quick escapes. Armed with beam lasers and missile racks, it can disable prey before closing in for boarding. Its specialized launches, equipped with folding wings and breaching tubes, allow for rapid and brutal assaults, However, this can be replaced with any standard 20-ton small craft.

A ghost among the stars, the Nishemani Corsair is infamous for swallowing 100 dTon ships whole, delivering them to criminal starports where they vanish, stripped of identity, into the black market. This purpose-built pirate vessel fuels one of the most audacious theft operations in history, with millions of credits in stolen ships disappearing without a trace. Its 400 dTon hull features a customized cargo bay/docking hold, allowing it to capture vessels up to 100 dT with frightening efficiency. Once secured, the stolen ships are transported to shadowy ports for dismantling or resale. The true origins of the Nishemani’s blueprints remain a mystery, some whisper of an underworld syndicate, others a rogue shipwright. [Redacted].
What is certain: every major government has issued a destroy-on-sight order, yet the class still haunts the spacelanes. While primarily a pirate vessel, reports suggest some mercenary groups have modified it for troop insertions. Armed with three triple turrets, advanced sensors, 20 low berths, and 10 staterooms, the Nishemani is more than a pirate ship, it is a legend of lawless space. Its mere silhouette is enough to send a chill down any captain’s spine.

while the true origins of this vessel is not known, it has been encountered near ORC space several times. while its unknown if this is a single heavily modified ship or if its something that could be ordered from an illicit starport for the right buyer. though the common consensus among most naval intelligence analyst is that this "Cumulus" is most likely a heavily modified ship, built from some left overs of old imperial warships.