Splugorth / Kittani “Marauder” Assault Shuttle:

In comparison to the Consortium, the Trans-Galactic Empire, and the United Worlds Warlock, the Splugorth worlds are a comparatively minor power, controlling under one hundred worlds. In addition, they are divided into four “kingdoms” who don’t always agree with each other.

Even so, their forces should not be underestimated. They do not often engage in wars of conquest but are often involved in raids against planets, especially independent worlds. In such raids, they often take captives for their slave markets as well as various valuable booty. Over the centuries, they have also fought several major wars against the United Worlds Warlock and have elements working in secret behind the scenes.

The technology used on space ships used by the Splugorth worlds is Kittani in origin. In comparison to major powers, such as the Consortium and Trans-Galactic Empire, the technology of the Kittani in some ways more advanced and in some areas less advanced. With respect to the capabilities of the sensor systems, the sensor systems are considered more on par with those of the Trans-Galactic Empire than the Consortium of Civilized Worlds. In general however, it is generally considered on par with the major powers of the Three Galaxies.

The main assault shuttle used by the Splugorth worlds is known as the “Marauder.” The shuttle is large, larger than either the Consortium Assault Shuttle or the Trans-Galactic Empire “Rain of Death” Assault Shuttle. Unlike the assault shuttles of most major powers, the “Marauder” also has permanent cells for captives which they might capture on an assault.

The troop compliment is considered the equivalent of a company in the Consortium military although that term is not usually used with the Splugorth forces. There is normally what might be considered a platoon of Kittani and a platoon of Kydian troops. Often both the Kittani and Kydian troops may be equipped in part or completely with power armors. Most common designs used by the Kittani include K-Universal, Manling, Serpent, or Equestrian Power Armors. The Kydian are commonly equipped with the Overlord Power Armor. In addition to these more conventional troops, the compliment includes eight slaver barges each with a slaver and six Altara blind warrior women. The leader of the assault forces is usually a Conservator although might be a High Lord as well. In addition, the Kittani and Kydian may be replaced by other troops including bio-wizard juicers and tattoo warriors of various types.

In comparison to assault shuttles operated by most of the major powers, the “Marauder” assault shuttle requires a large crew. Normally the crew is mostly Kittani and Kydians although sometimes might include others as well. Normally these shuttles do not have a High Lord onboard and are commanded by a Kittani. The shuttle has a bridge more like what one might expect from a starships instead of a more conventional cockpit.

With regard to speed and accelerations, these shuttles are some of the fastest shuttle designs within the Three Galaxies. In fact, they rival many starfighters in space acceleration. In the atmosphere these shuttles also have excellent performance with a maximum speed of around mach five under normal conditions. Because the shuttle uses contra-grav propulsion, it is trans-atmospheric. The shuttle itself is designed as a lifting body for better atmospheric maneuverable.

The weapon of these shuttles is mostly centered around self defense with two 25 cm point defense electromagnetic rail guns, four point defense ion cannons, and four mini-missile batteries. The batteries are extremely effective against incoming missiles as well as defending the shuttle against troops. The electromagnetic rail guns are mounted to have effective weaponry against targets which are impervious to energy.

Additionally, the shuttle is armed with two forward firing long range missile launchers. The shuttle carries sixty-four missiles per launcher for a total of one hundred and twenty-eight missiles. Up to sixteen missiles can be fired as a single volley. These missiles launchers are carried to clear a landing zone although they are also effective against attacking fighters. Using long missiles, some enterprising officers have even used these shuttles for raids against capital ships and space stations. However, without force fields these shuttles can find themselves in serious trouble if engaging heavy fighters or corvettes.

Even though the assault shuttles are considered well armored, they do not mount a protective force field and cannot withstand as much damage as many whom mount such force fields. Several modern assault shuttle designs mount either fixed force fields or variable force field for additional protection. Heavy fighter type variable force fields have become popular and require only relatively minor modifications.

However, these shuttles are often expected to raid more primitive planets. As a result, these shuttles are fitted with an alchemical coating making them invisible at long range on radar systems. However, this coating is less effective against the systems of the major powers which rely heavily on gravity and other advanced sensor systems. In addition, any damage to the hull will damage the alchemical coating.

In comparison to designs operated by the United Worlds Warlock, military designs of the Splugorth are mostly conventional technology. The “Maurader” is no real exception to this. Other than the alchemical stealth coating, the assault shuttle only mounts a number of techno-wizard sensors with regards to enchantments. These include the ability to see the invisible and sense auras.

This assault shuttle design uses modified starship speed and weapon range rules. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World / Three Galaxies for more details.

Author Notes:

The power system is fusion not anti-matter because the author’s opinion is that anti-matter is to dangerous to be used in vehicles that may be used in an atmosphere. If a starship powered by anti-matter was to detonate in an atmosphere it would cause huge planetary damage. At GM option, this can also be applied to all starfighters and shuttles or this shuttle can be changed to anti-matter.

The author also suggests using these writeups instead of those in “Rifts: Dimension Book 13 - Fleets of the Three Galaxies.” It is designed to work with previous created designs. However, a second option is to assume that these are the forces of a specific Splugorth kingdom.

Model: KS-AS-2.

Vehicle Type: Assault Shuttle.

Crew: Twenty-Four (24 - Includes four officers but does not normal include a High Lord.)

Troops: 101 [Normally includes 1 Conservator (or High Lord) , 8 Splugorth Slavers, 48 Altara Blind Warrior Women, 22 Kittani, and 22 Kydian (Overlord / Powerlord) troops - Other troops bay be substituted for Kittani and Kydian troops.]

Captives: The ship has the ability to carry up to 400 humanoid sized captives in 20 cells.

Vehicle, Robots, and Power Armors:

Power Armors:

	22	Kittani Power Armors (Maximum - May include K-Universal, Manling, Serpent, or Equestrian).
	22	Kydian Overlord Power Armors (Maximum).

Others:

Slaver Barges.

M.D.C. By Location:

	25 mm Point Defense Electromagnetic Rail Gun Mounts (2):	200 each.
	20 mm Point Defense Ion Cannon Mounts (4)	200 each.
	Long Range Missile Batteries (2, front / sides):	400 each.
	Mini Missile Launchers (4):	160 each.
	Prisoner Cells (20):	500 each.
	Troop Hatches (8):	250 each.
	[1] Cockpit / Bridge:	500.
	[2] Main Body:	3,000.

Notes:

[1] In reality this is how much damage needs to be done for a weapon to hit the bridge through the ship’s armor. Unlike most starships, the shuttle cannot be piloted from engineering. It will be not be able to be operated in space and will crash if in an atmosphere.

[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the shuttle out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The shuttle itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck if in space and will crash to the planet if within the atmosphere. Damage to the main body will also reduce the shuttle’s alchemical anti-radar stealth, for every 10% of damage to the main body, reduce the shuttle’s stealth by 10% of its total.

Speed:

Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.

Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the shuttle to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. The shuttle can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of 1.2 percent of light per melee.

Atmospheric Propulsion: Maximum normal speed is Mach 5.0 (3,806.5 mph / 6,125.4 kph), can enter and leave atmosphere because flight system is using contra grav. Because missiles are in launchers, they do not reduce the shuttle’s atmospheric top speed.

Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by Drive system but only has supplies for crew members and troops for about two weeks (Emergency rations).

Statistical Data:

Length: 225 feet (68.58 meters).

Height: 45 feet (13.72 meters).

Width: 85 feet (25.91 meters).

Mass/Weight: 2,500 tons (2,268.0 metric tons).

Power System: Advanced Fusion with 25 year life span.

Cargo: In addition to troops, these assault shuttles are designed to be able to carry 500 tons (450 metric tons) or cargo and up to 400 prisoners (in 20 cells). The assault shuttle also has storage for equipment and weapons for troops.

Market Cost: Not for generally for sale and would likely cost 400 million if available (Not usually available.) Cost to built is around 200 million credits. Cost does not include embarked power armors.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Two (2) 25 mm Point Defense Electromagnetic Rail Gun Mounts: The Kittani engineers seem to prefer electromagnetic rail gun mounts over gravity rail guns due to being lower maintenance. Otherwise, the rail guns are relatively powerful and fire a fairly heavy projectile. They are used as an anti-starfighter and missile weapon and against targets that are impervious to energy. Each rail gun is in a turret that can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. When used in space, projectiles are fired from rail gun at a significant fraction of the speed of light. When used in an atmosphere, projectile velocities are slower to prevent them from burning up but still are at hypersonic speeds. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities. These rail guns use 25 mm projectiles.

Maximum Effective Range: 20 miles (32.2 km) through atmosphere and 1,000 miles (1,609 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Rail gun inflicts 3D6x10 M.D.C. for an 20 round burst.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

Payload: 4,000 rounds (200 bursts) each cannon.
Four (4) 20 mm Point Defense Ion Cannon Mounts: These cannons fire a stream of ions and are considered a reasonably powerful point defense weapon array. They are effective against both fighters and incoming missiles. Weapon mounts can rotate 360 and has a 180 arc of fire. The weapon system cannot be used to engage targets while traveling at faster than light velocities.

Maximum Effective Range: 2 miles (3.2 km) through atmosphere and 200 miles (320 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: 3D6x10 M.D. per cannon blast.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Two (2) Long Range Missile Batteries: Missiles have a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and have an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship) in space. Whether missiles can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target, launcher, and missiles. When drive goes dead, missiles will continue to travel in a straight line unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting star ships (Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missiles, when unpowered, are at -25% to be detected.) Long range missiles do not have penalties to hit small targets, unlike cruise missiles, and are almost always smart missiles. Batteries can launch on multiple targets each at the same time.

Maximum Effective Range: Long Range Missile range is 3,400 miles (5,470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,897,000 km/9.7 light seconds) in space.

Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details (Fusion warheads inflict 2D4x100 M.D.C. each.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire long range missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) long range missile per melee attack.

Payload: 128 total, 64 long range missiles per battery.
Four (4) Mini-Missile Launchers: These are missile turrets used for point defense against enemy fighters and missiles. Missiles have a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and have an acceleration of 2% of light per turn in space. This is slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration. Batteries can launch on multiple targets each at the same time. Mini-Missiles in the Phase World / Three Galaxies setting are normally smart missiles.

Maximum Effective Range: Mini Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire mini-missiles one at a time or in volleys of four (4), six (6), or twelve (12) mini-missiles per battery.

Payload: 96 per launcher for a total of 384 mini-missiles.
Alchemical Anti-Radar Stealth Coating: The shuttle is covered in a coating which gives a -80% penalty to be detected at long range using radar due to the special coating. As the shuttle gets closer, more target return will allow for easier detection. Only works against radar and this stealth coating specifiable does not work on gravity sensors, neutrino sensors, and tachyonic systems.
Special Bonuses: The shuttle is designed to be extremely maneuverable in an atmosphere and has +10% to piloting rolls and +2 to dodge in an atmosphere.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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