|
“The Morning Bird”
“Swiftly now, to the field, young kits, tend to the flock and crop.
The Morning Bird, she comes.
Have wits about you, lest you be taken.
Obey you, the teachings of your elders, lest you be prey.
Woe is he that is in the nest of the bird that flies with the brisk chill of dawn.”
- Ancient Kharadorn Folk Story.
HISTORICAL & PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW-
Of all of the pre-industrial mythos of the Kharadorn, the Karria, or Morning Bird, is perhaps the most “respected.”
One could say, “feared,” but such an insult would surly insight the Kharadorn listener into a rage. As the Karria is the
most respected of the mythological birds of prey of Reorrlorak, it is also one of the more misunderstood by humans.
In the early days of contact with the Kharadorn Empire, humans believed that Karria was known as the “Mourning Bird”
and, they were purely mythological creatures. Unfortunately, these misconceptions were employed by the Terran
Republic Armed Forces as psychological warfare tools during the First Terran/ Kharadorn war. The Terrans attempted
to liken the Karria with the Earth Eagle, the symbol of the Terran Republic, in the hopes of instilling fear within the
Kharadorn ranks, or at the very least causing confusion and rage, leading to tactical mistakes that could be exploited by
Terran forces. Instead, the Kharadorn soldiers found it quite humorous. Jokes were passed around the Kharadorn
war camps about how the Naggrarago, or “Squealing Monkeys,” worshiped a weeping bird (a bird in mourning, or
Mourning Bird).
Following the war, the Terrans learned that the Karria was indeed a real creature that existed on pre-industrial
Reorrlorak, and that it hunted prey during the early dawn hours, thus, the quite simple and to the point, indeed
Kharadorn, “Morning Bird.” This bird, whose night vision was sub par to Earth Owls and other nocturnal creatures, but
good enough to use the limited light of the dawn, pre-dawn hours hunted only in the morning. As the pre-industrial
Kharadorn children, or Kits, made their way to tend to the livestock and feeding crops, they would become prey for these
large, strong early morning birds. The Karria would snatch the kit, disembowel it in midair and fly to the high rock
faces where it nested. There it would make a gruesome nest out of the carcass within which it would lay its eggs.
The decomposing carcass of the Kharadorn young would act as an incubator for the eggs, and when the young Karria
hatched, they would eat their way out of the rotting corpse. Throughout Kharadorn history Karrias were used as ghost
stories and fairy tales. “Do as your told or the Karria will come and get you.”
As the Kharadorn developed ballistic weapons, and later, a means to fly, the Karria soon vanished into extinction from
Reorrlorak. However, the folk stories, myths and legends still live on in Kharadorn homes.
This newest destroyer, which hails the name of the now extinct, legendary bird of prey, was originally used as a test
platform for their new battleship, the Kreralthra Class. However, its performance during these trial runs had so
astounded Kharadorn designers and invited technical advisors that the vessel was dubbed it’s name and given a
class all it’s own. And with the blooding of the first production vessel of the Karria class, the R.F.D
Gederrekt, the galaxy will never be the same. When this new destroyer emerged from the Kharadorn Royal
Shipyards, it sent shockwaves throughout the Galactic Community. Representing a quantum leap in shipbuilding by
the Kharadorn Empire, the Karria is every bit fitting a name for this new class of warship.
Traditionally, Kharadorn vessels have been rather sub par in performance when compared to the vessels from other
nations, particularly that of their nemesis, the Mauridians and their allies, the Terrans. Instead, they account for this
shortcoming with their space fighter corps. Quick, agile and heavily armed fighters flown by aggressive and daring
pilots more than made up for the tactical weaknesses posed by the heavier ships that carried them into battle.
Not so, now.
The Karria sports many improvements over typical Kharadorn designs. These improvements are unsettling
to their neighbor nations as these drastic alterations are quite unlike the known Kharadorn philosophy of “Tradition
over Change.” However, the tactical quality of these improvements cannot be denied.
Most noticeably is the position of the primary thrusters. Traditionally, Kharadorn vessels mounted their thrusters
outboard, on large wing-like nacelles that acted both as crew workstations and science/ research posts. The
reasoning was that the thruster placement offered the vessel a greater maneuver quotient over other designs.
The drawback was that with an outboard mount, these engines because easily targeted by incoming fire and disabled.
It was simply impossible to employ enough energy shielding or armor to protect the outboard engine enough from
harm. Most other nations mount their thrusters close to the vessel’s hull, offering additional protection to them.
Even the Onadai, who also mount outboard thrusters have them close together and more part of a catamaran/
twin-hull design to provide better protection
The Karria, however, mounts her thrusters close to the hull, neatly under the “winged” workstations and science
ports. She also mounts a unique secondary thrust venting system along the back portion of these wings. This allows
the vessel to maintain the Kharadorn much-lauded maneuverability all the while providing great protection to her
primary thrusters.
Another improvement is the positioning of a pair of Electro-Mag Cannon Turrets onto hardpoints farther out on the
“wing.” These wing-mounted turrets now can fire on targets within a 220-degree across the broadside. This gives the
vessel much greater aft firepower, than other vessels in her class, making excellent use of her greater maneuver
ratio.
PRODUCTION OVERVIEW-
Since the initial blooding of the Karria class in 2932, there have since been two refits to the class. These
refits included engine upgrades, some minor weapons swaps and retooling to accommodate weapons and
equipment garnered from the Terran/ Kharadorn Technology exchange in 2978.
The Karria Class Series A had production dates from 2930 until 2957. Vessels of the class-series remain in
service in system defense fleets and some have fallen into the hands of rogue Nummidian Warlords and privateers.
The Karria Class Series B had production dates from 2950 until 2979. These vessels increase the size and
number of Fusion Missiles on board as well as improved engines and shields. This, again surprisingly, is at the
expense of the unique thrust vents that made the class as remarkable as it is. Vessels of this class-series remain
in service in the Royal Navy and with system defense fleets.
The Karria Class Series C was a direct result of the Terran/ Kharadorn Technology exchange in 2978. It
mounts Terran Particle Accelerator Cannon Turrets, replacing the Electro-Mag Turrets in the wings, as well as new
armor plating. Vessels of this class-series began production in 2978 continuing to this day and they remain in service
in the Royal Navy. There is a Class Series C1 that has shown up as of late, which houses no Terran originated
equipment. It is believed that this class was designed in case of hostilities between the Terrans and Kharadorn
caused the original Class Series C’s to become unserviceable due to the lack Terran spare parts.
NOTABLE VESSELS-
R.F.D Rerrekesst (DD-387)-
This Series A Karria was part of an attack squadron that was operating on patrol near the Kharadorn/
Nummidian demilitarized zone following the Mauridian overthrow of the Nummidian Ruling Families in the early
months of 3014. Answering reports of hyperspace insertions near one of the border systems, the Kharadorn attack
squadron intercepted a number of Nummidian refugees attempting to escape the Mauridian Revolutionists.
These refugees were actually one of the Nummidian third tier Patriarchs and his kinsmen. The Patriarch was
attempting to reach a safe haven within the Onadai provinces and a hasty miscalculation sent his entourage straight
into Kharadorn Territory. At first the Kharadorn attack squadron considered the refugees an invasion force. Such
a misconception wasn’t that surprising given the sizable Loyalist Task Force that accompanied the civilian craft as
escorts.
A harried battle erupted between the two fleets as the exiled Nummidians attempted to recalculate an exit into
hyperspace. Such calculations and de-charge of the Nummidian hyperspace modules would take time. And, as this
time crawled unnervingly, the Nummidian Loyalist vessels put up a stalwart defense of their civilian charges.
Sensing the importance of those civilian vessels, the Rerrekesst’s captain, Kherredekrerroar , took two
other Karrias and made an end run around the Nummidian formation that defended them. Utilizing the
greater mobility of these destroyers, they were able to close on the Nummidian Patriarch’s vessel and cripple it before
the Loyalist defenders could force them away.
The battle ended when the Patriarch ordered the remaining Loyalist vessels to escape to safety. His order came as
boarding troops took him captive. It was at that time the Kharadorn captors realized who he was.
Kherredek received a promotion for his effort and, to this day, the trophy skull of the Nummidian Patriarch adorns the
Royal Hall on Reorrlorak.
R.F.D Noarrskar (DD-902)-
This Series C Karria Class Destroyer, commanded by Neoarlagarerroar, was performing training
exercises with two other Karria-C’s near the Terran/ Kharadorn frontier in 3046. This training exercise
involved using asteroid fields and other stellar bodies to mask approach vectors to fool system defense ships.
They however, mistakenly happened upon the hideout of the infamous Terran Privateer, Grey Beard McKenna.
Although McKenna himself was away, there were several frigate and destroyer sized vessels crewed by his henchmen
still residing in the system.
Both the Kharadorn and Privateer vessels were surprised by each other’s sudden appearance. And, as the Privateer
vessels made way, the Kharadorn Karrias ducked into the nearby asteroid fields. What ensued was a deadly
game of cat and mouse with the Kharadorn vessels attempting to isolate the Privateer vessels in order to destroy them.
This tactic worked well as the Kharadorn youths were given “practical” exercises in the use of stellar bodies to mask
movement vectors. With this and with the Karrias’ superior mobility, they were able to handle the numerically
superior Pirate forces. That was until Grey Beard himself arrived with his new toy, a captured Avatar class
Battle Cruiser, and a sizable raiding force.
While the Avatar was severely damaged during her capture, she still had plenty of fight left in her. And,
McKenna was not pleased at all to find these Kharadorn lap-cats to the Terrans making a mockery of the fleet he’d
worked so hard to assemble.
Now, Neoarlaga had quite suddenly found himself surrounded, outnumbered, and horribly outclassed. Within
minutes, his sister ships were wrecked and the asteroid field that he had used as a haven had turned into a
nightmarish storm of scattering debris, rock and concentrated weapons fire.
Reports are sketchy as to what happened next. Some recounts tell of a terrible bird, whose wings were aflame,
twisting and spewing forth debris and drive plasma striking the Avatar ventral amid ship and cleaving her in
two. Others insist that, McKenna, so enraged, forced the already wounded battle cruiser into a series of complex
maneuvers in an attempt to chase down the fleeing Karria. And, just before McKenna was to pounce on his
opponent, the shear stress from these tight maneuvers tore the Avatar asunder. The resulting explosion from
the massive Terran battle cruiser engulfed the Kharadorn craft as well, sending both into the deep cold of space.
Whatever the case, reports of piracy in that sector have declined steadily and the warriors under Neoarlaga’s
command had been given posthumous bloodings.
Recently, however there have been rumors, ghost stories really, told by salty traders that frequent the frontiers toward
the Kharadorn border. They tell of two vessels endlessly chasing each other through the night sky, one of a Terran
battle cruiser and the other of a Kharadorn Karria.
|
