About Pirate Frigates

The Black Condor is the most common type of frigate in the service of the pirates. Standard armament includes a forward firing laser cannon and a quartet of beam weapon batteries. There have been occassions where such craft have been encountered with torpedo systems, but it is not known how common this practice may be.

The standard design is a flexible one. Various degrees of armor have been encountered, ranging from no armor to fleet grade and anything in between. This seems to be random, no doubt based on acquired supplies during the time of construction. Various drive systems have also been encountered, ranging from the occassional ion drives to the more common atomic, many of the latter sporting fleet grade performance.

Crew size is also random. While the design allows for up to 40 members, a skeleton crew of the basic pilot, astrogator, engineer, four gunners, and a captain can make do for basic maneuvers. Such skeleton crews tend to have six to eight troopers on hand as well for any boarding operations, but not always.

The ship's hold can accomodate 2.5U worth of cargo. A frigate is not designed for hauling duty, but such accomodations do allow for some potential loot storage. Generally speaking, the most valuable items are taken due to the small space allotment, and other less valuable items are either left behind or stowed aboard any allied vessels present.

Assuming a full crew of 40, there are no passenger accomodations. But for smaller crews, any vacant quarters can be occupied by temporary guests (read: prisoners). The only vehicles that come standard on a pirate frigate would be the pair of workpods, but additional vehicles can be added either during construction time or along the way.

The Black Condor first appeared during the Volturnus expedition, the black box recovered from the wreckage of the Serena Dawn reveals that the Black Condor was one of two vessels that attacked her during the second expedition to that planet (the other ship being an unidentified freight hauler that docked, thus allowing boarders to spill into the ship). It is believed to have been the capital ship used during the Star Devil's venture in the Zebulon system, and subsequently all future pirate frigates were based on the design. No doubt this very ship whisked the Star Devil himself away prior to the Sathar invasion of that world. The original ship has since been reported in other systems, and is still believed to be in service under the Star Devil faction of space pirates.

"Black Condor" class Pirate Frigate

HS: 5 HP: 25-40 Powerplant: 3 Atomic A
ADF: 2-4 MR: 3 DCR: 35-60 Crew: 15-40
Armament: typically --- LC, LB(x2), IB(x2)
Defenses: RH, MS(x1), ICM(x4)
Communication/Detection Equipment: Subspace Radio, Radar

Computer

minimal programs include
Alarm (3)
Analysis (4)
Astrogation (4)
Damage Control (3)
Drive (5)
Information Storage (1)
Life Support (1)
Maintenance (3)

Weapon programs may include any combination of the following:
 
Laser Cannon (1)
Laser Battery (1)

Other programs can be expected as well, such as the varying security programs for starters.

Cargo Accomodation: 2.5
Crew Accomodation: varies
Passenger Accomodation: n/a
Ship's Vehicles: varies (2 workpods standard)

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sample BC frigate --- deckplans here taken from this vessel

the SS "Dark Tramp"
(Black Condor class pirate frigate)

HS:5 HP:35 Powerplant: 3 PGC "Eureka" Atomic B
ADF:4 MR:3 DCR:50 Crew:up to 40 
Armament:Laser Cannon, Combination Laser/Ion Battery(x4)
Defenses: RH, MS(x1), ICM(x5)
Communications/Detection: SubSpace Radio, Radar, Energy Sensor, WNB, Intercom

COMPUTER
(LVL: fp: sp: )

ALARM (6)
ANALYSIS (6)
ASTROGATION (4)
BUREAUCRACY (2)
COMMUNICATION (1)
COMPUTER LOCKOUT (6)
COMPUTER SECURITY (6)
DAMAGE CONTROL (3)
DRIVE (ATOMIC) (6)
INFORMATION STORAGE (1)
INSTALLATION SECURITY (6)
INTERCEPTOR MISSILE (3)
LIFE SUPPORT cap:24 (1)
LASER BATTERY (1) x4
LASER CANNON (1)
MAINTENANCE (3)
ROBOT MANAGEMENT (6)

Cargo Capacity: 3
Crew Accomodations: 2 single-bunk cabins (officers), 2 two-bunk cabins (crew), 2 three-bunk cabins (additional crew), 2 four-bunk cabins (troops)
Passenger Accomodations: n/a
Ship's Vehicles: 2 Barracuda fighters* 2 workpods, lifeboat, large launch
Misc. Equipment: Deluxe Astrogation, Skin Sensors, cargo arm, camera system

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*"Cloak" & "Dagger"
Streel S-3gt "Barracuda" advanced recon/fighters

HS: 1 HP: 6 Powerplant: twin sub-Solar/Ion A
ADF: 6 MR: 5 DCR: 30 Crew: 1
Armament: PL, IC
Defense: RH, DS(5HP)
Communication/Detection Equipment: Subspace Radio, Radar, Energy Sensor, Auto-Eject Module

Computer
(LVL:3 fp:78 sp:20 )

Alarm (2)
Analysis (3)
Astrogation (1)
Auto Eject (2)
Computer Lockout (4)
Damage Control (2)
Deflector Screen (2)
Drive (3)
Information Storage (1)
Installation Security (2)
Laser Cannon (1)
Maintenance (2)

Crew Accomodations: 1, 3 extra LS packs in storage compartments
Misc Equipment: streamlined, 1/2 camera system