Darkstar
scout
History of development
The Minbari Warrior Caste is primarily behind the creation of the Dark Star. Although the ship was technically designed largely by the engineers of the Master Caste, the Warriors worked hard to bring the project to completion.
The main obstacle to the realisation of this ambitious project was the fact that they were using the lessons learned from the study of Shadow technology, which Minbar had taken as spoils of war.
Particle of the Darkness
Secretly, the Warriors collected, studied and stored the found Shadow technologies. Gradually they introduced the idea of the need for research in this direction, and got the Master Caste to lift some restrictions and allocate resources for the then still “theoretical” project. The Warriors promoted the Darkstar as a secret scout ship for the Rangers, thus hiding behind this organisation and its service for the benefit of the Interstellar Alliance, in order to promote research and creation of advanced technologies, in addition to the generally accepted Vorlon direction. As time went on, it became clear that the available Vorlon technologies did not provide the required performance, but some Shadows technologies could help.
In particular, armour and camouflage systems were developed from the ancient enemy’s biotechnology. The Warrior Caste also sought to provide a similar hyperspace transition to that of the Shadows ships, but it failed. The result was a new type of hyperdrive that was able to go to hyperspace and back almost unnoticed.
Technical data
Length
368 metres
Width
215 metres
Height
74 metres
Artificial gravity
Available
Crew
16 rangers
Troop
Only crew
Engines
2 gravimetric engines
Power
1 hybrid hyperspace tap
2 quantum gravimetric reactors
Hyperspace drive
Available
Duration
25 years
Manoeuvrability
Class A-
Manoeuvring in the atmosphere possible
Weapon
- 1 heavy quantum-gravity beam cannon VT-3
- 2 heavy quantum-gravity beam cannons VT-2
- 8 new generation double-barrel rapid-fire pulse turrets
- 5 launchers with 5 missiles each
- 4-barrel retractable turret
Fighters
- 1 Kinsha class multifunctional shuttlecraft
Defence
- 1-8 metres of hybrid multi-layer semi-organic armour
- advanced stealth system
- tractor beams
- jamming system
Exploration equipment
- 4 reconnaissance probes
- 5 autonomous drones
Known
- Ghost / Ninro (flagship)
- Necromancer / Kuuro
- Witch / Lateegna
Weapon systems
Main calibre
The firepower of the Darkstar is very high for a ship of this size. This is primarily due to the powerful adapted Vorlon VT-3 cannon, as well as two smaller similar VT-2 guns. With this armament, the Dark Star is capable of dealing with any enemy. This was intended, as most of the time ships of this class have to spend in autonomous dangerous missions, and the ability to stand up for themselves, or to fulfil any task, is essential.
Defensive turrets
Since the Darkstar has to perform its tasks independently, and its size does not allow it to have its own fighter wing, the ship was equipped with a sufficient number of retractable defence turrets capable of covering the ship from all sides and from any threats.
Rocket launchers
In addition to its powerful power armament, the Darkstar is equipped with missile launchers designed to enhance the ship’s combat mission capabilities.
Presence in the fleet
A total of 3 ships of this class were built. In the first mission they were sent immediately after construction to find out where Aggressor-2338 came from.
Development
Idea: Drond
Model: Dmitry Oshanin
Modification: Henry Pashkov
Year (idea/model/modification): 2009/2014/2022
Description: At first I wanted to create a new variant of the Whitestar, but later the idea was somewhat transformed, and the ship turned into a kind of special forces ship of piece production, not serial, as it was with the Whitestar.