Cazador Class Fast Attack Craft

Author’s Note: For gameplay purposes the Cazador class is a slightly modified Harrier Class commerce raider from the Pirates of Drinax campaign.

The Cazador Class Fast Attack Craft is a class of ultralight warship that was produced in limited numbers by Dictys Luxury Shipyards, as a proof of concept for their military shipbuilding programme. Initially utilized as an extremely advanced, and unusually ostentatious class of fast attack boats for use in the system defense fleets of worlds with more money than sense. As was the case with most Dictys designed ships, relatively few of these vessels were constructed, only a few hundred, and as a result it remains one of the rarer vessels in the galaxy. It is presumed that less than a hundred, perhaps only a couple dozen of these vessels are known to be in operation. However, it has an infamous reputation due to its Long Night usage as one of the most dangerous vessels used by pirates ever seen.

The Cazador class was initially conceived of as a fast attack craft, but during the Jred Scourge it quickly found itself in use as a VIP transport for admirals seeking to avoid rather than fight through the numerous Jred spaceborne lifeforms, as the Cazador had very advanced stealth capabilities and was less noticeable to the Jred simply because of its size as well as its stealthiness. Despite this many Cazador class vessels were destroyed during the conflict, leading it to eventually be superseded by the larger and better protected Legate class in its new primary role. After the Great Cataclysm, many Cazador class vessels were seized by pirates who terrorized the void with these vessels. In the following centuries, most surviving Cazador class vessels were destroyed and many more abandoned or left in disrepair, as their advanced design made it very hard to source adequate spare parts.

The Cazador class is unusual for a warship in that they are universally fit with unusually fancy fittings in baroque configurations, even the wartime variants, though more practically constructed than peacetime variants, are still much more ostentatious than is typical for a warship. This often made the Cazador more difficult to operate than other more practically built vessels, and many complained that the ergonomics of the Cazador were designed for a luxury cruise liner than any kind of warship. For some however, this level of opulence is a benefit, as being seen as rich and important is extremely useful in diplomatic negotiations.

Variants

Flight I: The first and most popular of the Cazador class variants, the Flight I is the basic design that was armed with a particle barbette and a missile rack. This variant was power hungry and struggled to provide sufficient power for all of its critical systems. It is sometimes also known as the ‘Stainless variant’ as the finish of the initial production run was made almost exclusively of stainless steel, though later Flight I variant ships were given the golden trim of Flight II vessels and continued to be given these fittings until the end of the Flight I’s production run.

Flight II: The flight II was an evolutionary development upon the Flight I. It possessed a much more ostentatious golden trim than that of the Flight I (though many Flight I vessels were eventually converted), of more consequence however was the replacement of the missile rack with a torpedo rack. It is usually called the ‘Golden variant’ because all Flight II vessels were given mostly golden fittings, and it is considered the most luxurious of the Cazadore class vessels to serve in. The flight II had a very limited production run with only a couple dozen of these vessels ever constructed.

Flight III: The Flight III was a wartime development of the Cazador class that came into service during the Jred Scourge. As the Jred attacked with swarms of smallcraft that would often suicidally direct themselves in front of larger craft, the missile based armament of the Flight III was considered insufficient to task. Their dorsal turrets therefore mounted a fusion gun, with its radiation based attack augmenting the main particle cannon in destroying the spaceborne organisms. To meet the increased need for power, the ship itself was given a more powerful reactor, cutting into the vessel’s storage space. The Flight III eventually replaced the Flight I and II for the remainder of the Cazador’s production run, though only fifty were made before the production of the Legate class began. The Flight III is typically called the ‘Wartime Variant’, and its fittings were generally much more practical and made out of harder wearing materials.

Power Generation

The Cazador class is powered by an advanced last generation Fusion Reactor, with size dependent on which flight of Cazador class a ship is part of. For most vessels, this kind of reactor would provide ample power for all systems. However, the Cazador itself was a very power hungry vessel, and Cazador class vessels routinely struggled to provide power for all its systems. Many operators elected to sacrifice cargo space for a more powerful reactor.

Propulsion

The Cazador class maintains a highly advanced J-2 jump drive. This drive is more capable than most J-2 level jump drives, being smaller, and capable of faster jumps as well as the highly coveted capacity to engage in a stealth jump. In addition to its jump capability, the Cazador class also possesses an advanced, ultracompact, level six M-Drive, that it utilizes for its slower than light travel needs. The Cazador is an extremely maneuverable design, capable of outrunning almost anything it can’t outgun.

Weapons & Armament

The Cazador class is very well armed for its size with two turrets. Its main armament is a Particle Barbette, which can penetrate the armor of enemy warships enough to irradiate crew compartments, causing crippling damage for the unprotected. Its secondary armament depends on the model of the Cazador class vessel being discussed. The Flight I has a missile rack. The Flight II replaces the missile rack with a rack for more powerful, but slower torpedoes, the Flight III replaces the missile rack with a powerful, short ranged, fusion gun.

Armor and defense

The Cazador class is provided with a moderate amount of armor, composed of Bonded Superdense. This armor provides reasonable protection against light weaponry but will not stand up to the weaponry of capital ships. Additionally, the Cazador has a military grade countermeasures suite to defeat incoming missiles. In practice the chief defense of the Cazador is its maneuverability and its stealth, relying on not being hit more than on its ability to take hits, especially from serious weapons.

Sensors

The Cazador class possesses a highly advanced sensor suite, one of the most capable available in the entire galaxy. In spite of these, the more specialized sensor suites are not available for the Cazador class as a stock option, though many add more specialized sensors as an aftermarket modification.

Additional & auxiliary systems

The Cazador’s most famous capability is its stealth, it possesses both an extremely advanced stealthy hull, and its holography which can be utilized to make the ship appear visually invisible or as something more nondescript. This is in addition to the ship’s ability to jump stealthily. The Cazador. Aside from these capabilities, stock Cazadors have a decent sized cargo bay, a cargo scoop, and the ability to refine fuel that it scoops from gas giants. The Cazador also had made for it a number of aftermarket modules that can be slotted into a part of the ship’s cargo bay.

Kown Cazador Class Vessels

Flight I
Flight II

• Venetor

Flight III

• Ranger