Owl Missile Cruiser

Fig. 1.1: The F version of the Owl cruiser. This is the single most prolific ship in the V.R.A. fleet, and older versions can also be found in the hands of pirates, mercenaries, and even civilians.

The Owl Missile Cruiser is a mainline battle cruiser with a long and storied history in the V.R.A.. It is a midsize cruiser, and was the first ship created by the V.R.A.

Length:	212.87 meters
Beam:	206 meters
Affiliation:	Vederiction of Resource Alliance
Crew:	300
Armaments:	12 Ararite Missile tubes, six broadside arrays containing 15 cannons each
Power Source:	1 medium fusion reactor
Propulsion:	2 xenon ignition bar thrusters, 4 single xenon ignition thrusters
Role:	Medium-Short Range Battlecruiser
Introduced:	13419 HSY
Current Version:	F
Status:	Active Service

History

Pre-Sigma

Since its introduction in 13419 HSY, the Owl has been one of the most important and enduring elements of the V.R.A.'s fleet. They have been instrumental in several battles throughout the history of the V.R.A., including the First Battle of Bayrco, when a single Owl cruiser, the Longbow, destroyed an entire Zevestivan fleet. Over and over it has been proven that the Owl is capable of producing miracles, but nowhere better than in the Jevoron War, where outnumbered and outgunned groups of Owls were routinely able to overcome long odds and destroy huge groups of attacking ships.

First Zevestivan War

The Owl cruiser was instrumental in a number of battles during the war, including the Battle of Hizeevak, the Second Battle of Bayrco, and the Battle of the Gazon Corridor. Its resilience, versatility, and power have made it a prime choice for V.R.A. commanders, as well as making it a powerful psychological symbol in both the V.R.A. and the Zevestivan Empire.

Interwar Period

Work was done on the next generation of Owl Cruiser during the interwar period.

Civil War

The Owl cruisers were largely successful at defending V.R.A. operations from U.C. fleets during the war, but a number of notable ships, including the Longbow, defected to the U.C.. A large number of Owls were destroyed at the Battle of Horovine, shattering public confidence in the "miracle ships".

The Great Xeno War

The Great Xeno War was the shakedown period for the newest design of Owl cruiser, but this time was cut short by the defection of the crews of all the new ships to the U.C.. All of the plans for the ships were taken or destroyed.

The Aabtani Infestation

This time period was spent trying to recover any data regarding the new Owl design, with little success due to the theft and destruction of the plans for the ship the year before.

Post-Sigma

The Owl continues to serve proudly to this day, and is expected to do so for a long time to come, but its reputation as a "miracle ship" has never been revived following the calamitous events of the Battle of Horovine.

Versions

Due to this being the oldest design in the V.R.A.'s navy, it has gone through many refits and design changes. At the time of the events of Sigma, there had been 6 incarnations of the Owl, and the seventh is completed several years after the end of the war against the Aabtani.

Version A

The first-generation Owl was a much simpler ship than its successors, lacking the computer control systems and heavy broadside guns that are present on the modern ship. However, it set the pattern for the class for generations to come.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 1 small fusion reactor
• Propulsion: 8 single xenon ignition thrusters
• Crew Complement: 75
• Armaments: 6 Arc-Lite Missile launchers, 1 heavy gun

Version B

The B version of the Owl was more advanced than its predecessor, and showed more of the features of the modern ship. It was equipped with a rudimentary computer system, and was the fleet's flagship class for the better part of 10 years.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 2 small fusion reactors
• Propulsion: 1 xenon ignition bar thruster, 6 single xenon ignition thrusters
• Crew Complement: 90
• Armaments: 12 Arc-Lite Missile launchers, 4 heavy guns

Version C

With the introduction of the third generation of the Owl cruiser, the future of the class was practically defined. The "C" variant was essentially a smaller version of its modern counterpart, and examples of it can still be found today among the galaxy's many pirates and mercenaries.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 3 small fusion reactors
• Propulsion: 2 xenon ignition bar thrusters
• Crew Complement: 150
• Armaments: 4 Ararite Missile tubes, 2 broadside arrays containing 10 flak cannons each, 2 heavy guns

Version D

The D version added little in the way of weaponry. Instead, it was used as a testbed for the then-prototypical Battle Analysis/Control Computer (BA/CC), which gave it a role as a fleet command ship, despite the availability of larger, more powerful battleships. The computer system has since been disseminated throughout the fleet.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 3 small fusion reactors
• Propulsion: 3 xenon ignition bar thrusters
• Crew Complement: 170
• Armaments: 4 Ararite Missile tubes, 2 broadside arrays containing 10 flak cannons each, 2 heavy guns

Version E

Prior to the advent of the E version, the Owl was, for all intents and purposes, obsolete. Its weapons were insufficient, and it was horribly underpowered. The "E" version changed that, replacing the small, obsolete fusion reactors of previous version with larger, more efficient ones. Additionally, a good deal more weaponry was added to the ship.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 1 medium fusion reactor
• Propulsion: 3 xenon ignition bar thrusters
• Crew Complement: 235
• Armaments: 8 Ararite Missile tubes, 4 broadside arrays containing 15 flak cannons each

Version F

The F version is the culmination of 3 decades of constant research, both in the lab and in the field. It features a large array of weapons,

Fig. 1.2: The G version of the Owl cruiser.

high maneuverability, and the ability to outrun most

similarly-sized ships. This ship is the V.R.A.'s main offensive weapon throughout the events of Sigma.

Specifications:

• Power Source:1 medium fusion reactor
• Propulsion: 2 xenon ignition bar thrusters, 4 single xenon ignition thrusters
• Crew Complement: 300
• Armaments: 12 Ararite Missile tubes, 6 broadside arrays containing 15 flak cannons each

Version G

The G version is a ship that remains prototypical through the events of Sigma, and only enters service after the conclusion of the war against the Aabtani. This project was delayed significantly by the destruction of the plans and the defection of the prototype ships to the U.C. during the Great Xeno War. Soril Valash's ship, the Feldspar, was the first prototype of this design following its refit in 13451 HSY.

Specifications:

• Power Source: 2 medium fusion reactors
• Propulsion: 4 xenon ignition bar thrusters, 4 single xenon ignition thrusters
• Crew Complement: 350
• Armaments: 8 HDD-M missile tubes, 4 broadside arrays containing 15 flak cannons each, 6 fighter bays

Appearances

• The F version of the Owl missile cruiser is a V.R.A. ship in both skirmish and multiplayer of Sigma. Additionally, the G version of the ship serves as Commander Soril Valash's personal ship in both skirmish and multiplayer.
• The F version of the Owl missile cruiser is a V.R.A. ship in both skirmish and multiplayer of Sigma: Open Rebellion. Additionally, the G version of the ship serves as Commander Soril Valash's personal ship in both skirmish and multiplayer.
• The F version of the Owl missile cruiser is a V.R.A. ship in both skirmish and multiplayer of Sigma: Infestation. Additionally, the G version of the ship serves as Commander Soril Valash's personal ship in both skirmish and multiplayer.