Khukuri (Cord-Hislop ‘Far Reach’ class Frigate)

“Ever seen a squadron of Far Reach frigates at work tearing down on a target? They’ll pick it apart, piece by piece, never letting the enemy get a shot on them. It’s a slow, horrible end for the ship at the wrong end of their cannons.” -Matriarch Lidanya, Commander of the Destiny Ascension
“As an escort, the Far Reach frigates show that they can go just about anywhere our contracts oblige us to travel, and insure our convoys get us there. The speed and agility of these ships allows them to intercept pirates, and give them an excellent chance of getting away even when taken by surprise. That all means good business, because people are more likely to order from a company like Elkoss, even if it doesn’t supply the most advanced or powerful products, that insures that its customers will get their orders on time, and not simply write off pirated shipments as well-insured risks or ‘shrinkage’.” -Ulo Pontus , Elkoss Combine Shipping Director.
“This is a privateer’s rapier, a heart-striker, an assassin’s blade. It’s quick and it’s sharp and it’s more dangerous than it has a right to be, coming from an upstart Earth based company. It shows what reaching out for fresh perspectives, creative minds, unhealthy obsessions with perfection, or a pessimistic view of the future of affairs can turn out.” –Sadran Kuril, turian free trader.
The Khukuri is a Far Reach class frigate, a class of vessels designed more for private after Cord-Hislop was denied a contract with the Alliance due to suspected illicit ties. Though considered a pro-human company, Cord-Hislop made the unusual attempt to study design advancements from both the Asari Republics and Turian Hierarchy. The Far Reach vessels were designed with speed and range in mind, though advancements in military vessels have concentrated in firepower, durability and even stealth.
Though many Far Reach frigates are owned and used by various corporate entities, and even private militaries, where the Khukuri differs is that since Xhuan Setura has been its commander, it has received the benefit of further retrofits and upgrades. Xhuan has maintained the Khukuri’s edge in velocity and maneuverability by installing a Heed Industries Helios Thruster Module propulsion system. Advanced targeting systems stolen from the Turian Hierarchy allow weapons fire at comparatively longer ranges. Further, though the Far Reach has a relatively shallow cargo hold, what space is available has been converted so it may switch between holding standard freight containers, landing craft and/or shuttles, to a pair of fighter craft able to be launched with little advanced warning. Overall, As compared to the Audron, the Khukuri is faster and longer ranged, but has less firepower and is more delicate in design. Of course, if fighters are used, they supplement the combat threat of the vessel.
The Khukuri’s bridge is buried deep inside the nose, and multiple sensor arrays are either concealed inside radiation-transparent blisters, or fold inside armored housings. The ship’s hangar deck and launch bay is amidships. Although armament consists predominantly of mass effect weapons, a dual fire missile system allows for the deployment of tactical recon or scientific investigation drones.
Although sleek, and atmosphere capable, unlike the Audron, the Khukuri cannot hover, and requires advanced landing facilities to put down safely. Planet landing is typically handled by the small craft aboard. Space within is compact, with little room left for ancillaries.
Crew: 75 +20 passengers/Marine contingent
Armament:
(Note: All weapons, except the GARDIAN systems and one long range missile launcher are forward facing)
1 Main Cannon
4 Secondary Long Range Cannons
4 Medium Cannons
2 Long Range Missile Launchers
GARDIAN Defense System
Height: 18m
Width: 90m
Length: 150m
Weight: 7,257t
Cargo: 363t
(Note: the picture and design credit for this ship go to an online poster named taalismn who has designed a number of ships for a pen and paper rpg. Here’s the link: http://palladium-meg...461391#p2461391 )