001125 Harrier Class

Harrier-Class Commerce Raider (Modified)

• Current Operator: Shadow of the Blue Rose Corporation (SBRC)
• Original Operator: Star Guard of Drinax
• Displacement: 200 tons
• Configuration: Streamlined
• Jump Range: 2 parsecs
• Thrust: 6G
• Crew: Typically 6–8 (minimum operational: 4)
• Passenger Accommodations: 8 staterooms (4 officer, 4 crew), 8 low berths
• Cargo Capacity: 30 tons
• Armament: 1x Turret Hardpoint, 1x Barbette Hardpoint
• Notable Systems: Advanced stealthy Jump Drive, Miniaturized Drives, Smart Hull Materials

  EXTERIOR DESCRIPTION The Harrier-Class Commerce Raider is a relic of the glorious past of the Kingdom of Drinax, resurrected into the hands of private operators and corporations like SBRC. Its silhouette evokes a predatory bird in mid-dive — a pointed prow, wing-like structures swept dramatically forward, and sleek, contoured hull lines that whisper speed and menace.   The hull, once adorned with the crimson and gold heraldry of the Star Guard, now bears the indigo-black hues and silver emblem of the Shadow of the Blue Rose Corporation. The proud iconography of Drinax has been removed, though a careful observer may still find hidden etchings of its legacy under newly applied armor plating.   Beneath the ship’s prow, cleverly recessed into the structure, are fuel scoops and cargo scoops, allowing the Harrier to refuel from gas giants or skim material from planetary atmospheres. Landing gear retracts neatly into the ventral hull, giving the Harrier true planetary landing capability — rare for warships of its class.   ENGINEERING & SYSTEMS The Jump Drive aboard the Harrier is a marvel of ancient technology. Quieter, smaller, and more efficient than modern equivalents, it allows the vessel to jump closer to gravity wells, enabling high-risk, high-reward escape routes or ambush vectors. Sensor emissions during jump initiation are minimal, making this ship notoriously hard to detect prior to departure.   The Maneuver Drive is no less impressive — compact yet potent, capable of delivering 6 gravities of acceleration, making the Harrier superior to almost any ship of its tonnage in a chase or dogfight.   The hull itself is built from smart materials and advanced synthetic compounds, self-healing to an extent and far tougher than standard Imperial alloys. Damage that would cripple a modern patrol corvette might be shrugged off by the Harrier, assuming the right systems are online.   Defensively, the Harrier is designed to hit hard and vanish. Its stealth profile and low emissions make it ideal for ambushes, piracy, or elite infiltration missions.   INTERIOR DESCRIPTION Step aboard the Harrier, and you enter a ship frozen in time and decadence.   The interior is a study in baroque opulence — every corridor wall is engraved with stylized friezes, gold filigree curling around archways. The air smells faintly of ancient perfume and star-drive oil, a peculiar blend of majesty and machinery. The floors are polished wood or engraved tiling, though many areas now show the scuffs and stains of hard use.   The bridge is a masterpiece of aesthetics and function. Control consoles are carved from dark oak, polished to a gleam, while the controls themselves are composed of brass, crystal, and bone-like composites. Touchscreens are inset subtly, their digital glow blending with the low lighting of chandelier-like sconces. A command throne dominates the center, likely once fit for a noble officer of the Drinaxi court.   The staterooms reflect similar luxury:   Officer quarters boast canopied double beds with deep blue velvet bedding, thick woolen rugs, private lavatories, and even carved wall panels depicting mythic figures of Drinaxian legend.   Crew quarters, while more utilitarian, still provide comfortable bunks, stylized light fixtures, and storage that rivals modern officer quarters.   To the aft, near the cargo bay, sit eight low berths, initially intended for prisoner transport. They remain functional and may be used for emergency cryosleep, escape protocols, or storing backup crew.   CARGO & UTILITY The Harrier boasts 30 tons of cargo space, distributed in modular bays accessible from both the interior and via external lifts. The space is well-insulated and reinforced — designed not just for freight, but for smuggling or sensitive storage. Concealed compartments are rumored to exist, a holdover from its time as a commerce raider and interceptor.   ROLE IN MODERN TIMES Under the command of the Shadow of the Blue Rose Corporation, the Harrier has shifted from noble protector to high-tech predator. In the politically fraught Trojan Reach, the Harrier serves as a privateer, smuggler, assassin’s blade, or rapid-response interceptor, depending on the contract.   Few ships inspire such a mixture of awe, fear, and nostalgia. Even scarred by modern wear and corporate modification, the Harrier retains the soul of a Drinaxian warbird, an icon of a vanished empire now soaring under new, shadowy banners.