Shipyard: Auroran

Auroran technology isn't quite as advanced as the Federation's, and doesn't come close to the Polaris'. However, that does not stop them from having some dangerous ships.

	Firebird back to top
	Firebirds are the main Auroran fighter. Their engines are simple, to say the least. Their task is to protect the Phoenix from attack by smaller fighters such as the Viper, while the Phoenix take on the heavier ships. The Firebird is slower than the Viper, but not by enough to give the Viper a decisive edge. Battles between the two often come down to individual skill. Many a Federation/Auroran border skirmish has come to a halt while the two sides watch a Firebird/Viper dogfight between renowned pilots.
Ship Stats: Speed: 500 Accel: 800 Turn: 80 Shields: 25/6 Armor: 75/0 Guns: 3 (max) Turrets: none Space: 13 tons Cargo: 5 tons Fuel: 2 jumps Length: 8m Mass: 12 tons Crew: 1 Cost: 150000 AI Type: 4 (Interceptor) Strength: 55 Deionize: 3 Max Ion.: 55 Buy Random: 95% Hire Random: 20%
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Notes: Worse than the Viper, in my opinion. The only variant that poses any kind of threat is the Va Themgiir Class, and that's only because I really like the Fusion Pulse Cannons. Chew threw them as quickly as you can, as half a dozen Chainguns pointed at you can do some serious damage after a while, no matter what kind of ship you're flying.

	Phoenix back to top
	The Phoenix is yet another example of the Auroran will to survive. The Phoenix is slow and turns badly. One would think that it would be target practice for enemy pilots. It is, but it has one redeeming feature: it has almost as good armor plating as a Thunderhead. They plough through fire corridors with impunity, and attack in groups to maximize firepower. The Phoenix can wear a missile from an Anaconda, but a Viper will stay on its tail and pound it mercilessly. Suffice to say that Phoenix pilots suffer the greatest rate of attrition of any group in the Auroran armed forces.
Ship Stats: Speed: 440 Accel: 650 Turn: 60 Shields: 30/15 Armor: 120/0 Guns: 3 (max) Turrets: none Space: 40 tons Cargo: 10 tons Fuel: 3 jumps Length: 9m Mass: 13 tons Crew: 1 Cost: 150000 AI Type: 4 (Interceptor) Strength: 80 Deionize: 4 Max Ion.: 75 Buy Random: 95% Hire Random: 17%
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Notes: The Phoenix's (only) good quality is it's heavy payload for a ship of it's size: at least 10 radar missiles (30 on the Frunch'ek variant), when combined with it's tendancy to swarm with other Phoenix and Firebird fighters, can make this quite the capable fighter.

	Argosy back to top
	The Heraan house have always held scientists and scholars in much higher regard than the rest of the Empire. The fertile environment in which Heraan technicians work has produced this surprisingly trim vessel. Built more along the lines of early Federation efforts, the Argosy packs many improvements on even the latest Federation efforts, and is a spritely performer. It sports twin hyperdrive 'nacelles' that allow for more accurate FTL travel, and those selfsame nacelles can fold outward for excellent maneuverability in atmospheric flight.
Ship Stats: Speed: 250 Accel: 350 Turn: 35 Shields: 225/20 Armor: 300/0 Guns: 4 (max) Turrets: 2 (max) Space: 47 tons Cargo: 50 tons Fuel: 5 jumps Length: 30m Mass: 150 tons Crew: 10 Cost: 200000 AI Type: 2 (Brave trader) Strength: 200 Deionize: 15 Max Ion.: 200 Buy Random: 80% Hire Random: 50%
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Notes: A very nice, heavily armed/defended freighter, the Argosy is the perfect ship to use if you need to go through a hostile area. They're fun to pirate, but be care for the Heavily Modified variants.

	Abomination back to top
	Abomination by name, abomination by nature. The Auroran technicians created this monstrous gunship in response to the threat of the Federation Patrol Boat. The Abomination mounts twin FPCs as its armament, which are more than sufficient to rip through the light hull of the Patrol Boat. A severe lack of maneuverability makes it vulnerable to attack from capital ship sized weapons, though, which make short work of its armor. Auroran pilots find the idea of honorable victory against huge odds very enticing, so the Abomination is very popular.
Ship Stats: Speed: 320 Accel: 430 Turn: 40 Shields: 185/6 Armor: 400/0 Guns: 4 (max) Turrets: 2 (max) Space: 96 tons Cargo: 20 tons Fuel: 5 jumps Length: 10m Mass: 50 tons Crew: 1 Cost: 400000 AI Type: 4 (Interceptor) Strength: 300 Deionize: 10 Max Ion.: 150 Buy Random: 95% Hire Random: 15%
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Notes: The Abomination is a great heavy fighter for the Aurorans. It's fusion pulse weapons are very dangerous, while it's speed is high enough that it can dadge missiles if it has to.

	Enterprise back to top
	The Enterprise is the backbone of all Auroran freight movement. Almost as wide as a Leviathan is long, the Enterprise carries a fraction of the cargo, and at much higher cost. Nevertheless, the Enterprise has several advantages over the Leviathan and Pegasus, including integrated FPC weaponry (with room for much more), a higher sublight speed, and the ability (in time of strife) to be converted to a passable military ship. Requires you to register EV Nova
Ship Stats: Speed: 200 Accel: 200 Turn: 25 Shields: 300/20 Armor: 600/0 Guns: 4 (max) Turrets: 2 (max) Space: 74 tons Cargo: 250 tons Fuel: 5 jumps Length: 55m Mass: 255 tons Crew: 35 Cost: 450000 AI Type: 2 (Brave trader) Strength: 300 Deionize: 20 Max Ion.: 250 Buy Random: 95% Hire Random: 80%
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Notes: While the Argosy is the perfectly armed and defended light freighter, the Enterprise accepts the same role, but with a much larger cargo hold. This ship is painfully slow to me, though, so I never use it as a primary ship, only as an escort. It's cargo bay is large enough to hold tons of loot (whether purchased or stolen), and it is strong enough to defend itself against attacks.

	Cruiser back to top
	The Auroran people's first attempt to create a large war vessel is still their most successful. The Aurora Cruiser mounts immense firepower in the form of 100mm and 200mm Railguns, a broadside of FPC turrets, and anti-fighter chainguns. It does have somewhat weak artificial gravity, however, which is compensated for by a rotating living section. It also has the most basic of thrust engines, which produce abysmal top speed and acceleration, even for a capital ship. Requires you to register EV Nova
Ship Stats: Speed: 200 Accel: 250 Turn: 25 Shields: 200/2 Armor: 1650/0 Guns: 6 (max) Turrets: 4 (max) Space: 343 tons Cargo: 75 tons Fuel: 3 jumps Length: 470m Mass: 1200 tons Crew: 150 Cost: 2000000 AI Type: 3 (Warship) Strength: 425 Deionize: 25 Max Ion.: 250 Buy Random: 90% Hire Random: 12%
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Notes: The Auroran Cruiser is a nicely well-rounded ship -- it's speeds is somewhat mediocre, but it's a capital ships, so it's expected. It has Fusion Pulse Batteries and Chainguns for close range, missiles and Railguns for long range, and heavy armor for defense. Two or three sitting in a system, operating as weapon platforms, can be quite dangerous.

	Carrier back to top
	There is an Auroran legend about the creation of the first Carrier. The Auroran lord who first conceived of such a mighty vessel gave these precepts to the shipwright for its creation: "Make me a hand with which I might strike mine enemies!" The keel for the vessel is so large that it has to be laid in a planet-based shipyard. The ship itself is 1.2 km long, mounts deck-guns, and has bays for Firebirds and Phoenix. Requires you to register EV Nova
Ship Stats: Speed: 100 Accel: 130 Turn: 20 Shields: 400/10 Armor: 1800/0 Guns: 4 (max) Turrets: 6 (max) Space: 518 tons Cargo: 50 tons Fuel: 4 jumps Length: 1200m Mass: 1750 tons Crew: 250 Cost: 12000000 AI Type: 3 (Warship) Strength: 475 Deionize: 15 Max Ion.: 300 Buy Random: 80% Hire Random: 10%
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Notes: A heavy ship, to say the least, this ship carries tons of fighters, as well as being heavily armored and having excellent armament (in terms of diserification). It's speed makes it a target for heavy missiles, but it's thick armor means that you'll have to do more than just pound away at it from a distance -- besides, those railguns can take you out if you sit in one place too long.

	Thunderforge back to top
	The Auroran Battlecruiser represents the very latest thinking by the best minds of the Empire. Prompted by Vell-os artisans, the shipwrights of the First Family have created a vehicle with which they hope the Auroran people will wreak their vengeance. The Thunderforge class battlecruiser mounts four heavy FPC batteries, two Storm Chainguns, two radar missile launchers and four 150 mm railguns. Yet even this incredible arsenal pales into insignificance when compared to the Thunderforge's primary weapon system, the TripHammer. The TripHammer is a gattling pattern energy weapon of awesome power. Inspired by the Vell-os, Auroran weaponsmiths attacked the creation of the guns with typical exuberance. With all the Vell-os help, the Battlecruiser can hold its own against any ship in the known universe.
Ship Stats: Speed: 340 Accel: 395 Turn: 20 Shields: 700/50 Armor: 1100/0 Guns: 8 (max) Turrets: 6 (max) Space: 273 tons Cargo: 75 tons Fuel: 5 jumps Length: 500m Mass: 1400 tons Crew: 100 Cost: 14000000 AI Type: 3 (Warship) Strength: 900 Deionize: 25 Max Ion.: 250 Buy Random: 60% Hire Random: 1%
Other Info: Armament: 2 Radar Missile Launchers (136) + 200 Radar Missiles (137), 2 Storm Chainguns (215), 4 Fusion Pulse Turrets (150), 4 150mm Fixed Railguns (172), 4 TripHammers (440) Outfits: 1 Auroran IR Jammer (242) Other AI Behaviors: Slow Jumping, Disabled at 10%, Has Afterburner at High Combat Ratings, Shows Percent Armor, Blind Rear Turrets, Ship Uses Standoff Tactics, AI Ships Replenish Ammo AvailBits: b168 AppearOn: b169 OnPurchase: b8888 OnCapture: b8888 OnRetire:
Notes: Don't pick a fight with it unless you know what you are doing.