Tengu Multirole Fighter

The is an advanced multi-role fighter used by the Swords of Sanghelios and their allies. The Tengu is a refinement of many technology used by the Covenant, and free from the technocratic theology of the Prophets. The Tengu represents the new age of the Sword, leading devastating raids against those who would uphold the name of the Covenant. 
==Description==
===Role===
The Tengu is primarily a multi-role fighter, being capable of moving between the roles of fighter, interdictor, or strike fighter, with minimal adjustments. While significantly larger than the Seraph, and with a larger payload, it keeps near parity in terms of agility, and is noticeable faster. However, this comes at a cost of reduced armour. During the opening moments of a fleet battle, the Tengu fighters with deploy in hunter-killer patterns, chasing down enemy bombers, and striking enemy ships in the skirmish line. In atmosphere, they act as long range strike fighters, taking on enemy air power and bombing ground targets. 
===Armour and Protection===
===Weapons===
The primary weapon of the Tengu is it's array of four Suvas Ahn-pattern Heavy Plasma Cannons. Leveraging enhanced knowledge of plasma generation, and cooling, the Suvas Ahn-pattern are capable of laying down withering barrages of fire. Faster firing than the Tevaas Mu-pattern, and with a long period before overheating, it can rapidly shred shielding and armour. The precise gravitic mirrors employed by the cannons allow the pilot to direct fire within a limited cone, using their neural implants, allowing them to rapidly adjust the boresight point without recalibration. 
In addition to the main guns, it carries six weapon pods, with four ventral pods and two nose pods. These allow the Tengu to augment its firepower against various targets.
*Nose Pods
**2 Novox-pattern fuel rod cannons: Twin linked fuel rod cannons, they fire two rounds with limited guidance. Too slow for fast moving craft, they are better used against slow moving ground targets, like armoured vehicles. They are capable of causing considerable damage. 
**1 Skigh-pattern pulse laser: A pair of direct fire pulse lasers, they are used for strafing warships and static ground targets at long range. 
**1 Fhar-pattern focus cannon: A beam weapon, it fires a stream of superheated plasma to cause significant damage, but to aim it leaves the Tengu vulnerable. 
**1 Oukel-pattern Needle Cannons: A weapon refinement design by the Swords of Sanghelios, this fires high-speed tracking needles, devised for anti-aircraft usage. They have a limited internal magazine, and function similar to UNSC missiles, giving unnerving tracking against fast moving targets. 
*Ventral Pod
**1 Stennig-pattern Plasma Charge: A beam weapon, it fires an unfocused plasma beam at a ground target, which rapidly conflagrates into a cloud of plasma capable of incinerating infantry inside. It is used for ground bombardment. 
**1 Jalmav-pattern Plasma Torpedo: A single shot torpedo system, it fires a short range guided plasma torpedo with moderate guidance. The torpedo is magnetically fired away from the craft, before activating its plasma sheath and accelerating away. It is useful against warships and static ground positions. 
**1 Larwenk-pattern Plasma Cluster Launcher: The Plasma Cluster Launcher contains 25 cluster munitions, similar in design to miniaturised plasma torpedoes. Inert at time of launch, they activate shortly after being dispensed, falling to the ground as unguided plasma bombs, exploding shortly after impact. 
**Drone Launcher: A rarely seen unit, the Drone Launcher is devised by the Swords of Sanghelios, and launches a short ranged drone via a magnetic slingshot. The drone type varies, but it can only fire smaller classifications. 
**Akenar-pattern Electronic Countermeasures: Also created by the SOS, the ECM pod is used to protect the fighter, and its compatriots within a short range. It produces a large ECM field that confuses weapon guidance and sensors, making it harder to detect, and to attack. 
===Sensors and Electronics===
===Engines and Powerplant===
==History==
===Development===
The development of the Tengu began as an internal project of the Swords of Sanghelios, kept under strictest guard. Recognising the deficincies of the Seraph, and desiring to create an edge over their rivals, they began recruiting expert pilots, experienced fighter designers, and first-rate engineers. Initially, this secret think tank began rough drafts on improvements to the existing fleet of Seraph fighters. It was only the discovery of fragmentary data recovered from an ancient archaeological site that spurred on the development of a new fighter. The development team eagerly observed Human fighter developments, and worked with Merchants of Quikost for materiel needs, while only giving them small inklings of what they were making. 
The Tengu program came under great external threat, with the Covenant Remnant learning of it's design and attempting to steal the plans. This itself was manipulated by The Demiurge behind the scenes. While thwarted, the Demiurge stole fragmentary elements of the ship design for their own purposes. Nonetheless, the program continued, producing the Tengu fighter. So pleased with the results, the SOS immediately sought to outfit as many warships with the Tengu.
===Use with the Swords of Sanghelios===
===Export Use===
The Tengu become an extremely important fighter with the Sword's allies, being provided to the nascent Warbound and Tyraxus Tribe. Initially provided small amounts in parts, they later ramped up to shipping complete units, then finally providing the assembly data, allowing their allies to produce their own. The Warbound, Freeholds, and Second Empire of Koroku would go on to produce their own variants of the Tengu. 
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==Variants==
===Tengu Ultra===
Manufactured at a low rate by the Merchants of Quikost as a special pattern for aces, and elite units, the Tengu Ultra improves the existing cannons with enhanced weapons that release tremendous explosions on impact. With this, it can bury an enemy fighter under a hail of fire, intending to shred them that much quick. It also improves its abilities in strafing. 
===Crow===
The Type-66W Crow is a specialised variant of the Tengu used by the Warbound. The Crow uses enhanced electronic countermeasures and has improved pilot protection. Such fighters are used by elite Warbound squadrons in their endless wars. 
===War Tengu===
The Type-66F War Tengu is an extensively modified variant for Freehold use. The War Tengu features new Freehold avionics, their new pattern neural interface and nanolaminate blends, and compatibility to Freehold weaponry. 
===Tengu-Kor===
Used by the Second Empire of Koroku, the Type-66K Tengu-Kor has been somewhat cheapened in, with less expensive sensors and armour, while maintaining the engines and weapons. Much of the cockpit has been altered for use by Unggoy pilots, who prize it as a top interceptor. 
===Heavenly Wrath===
The ferocity of the Blooding Years, and the wars that followed, have etched a deep scar on the Sangheili's psyche. Should a Sangheili turn his sword on his brother, then the heavens themselves will bring down wrath. Devised as a hasty refit for anti-guerrilla operations, the Heavenly Wrath features improved receivers for detecting surface-to-air weapons, and improved ventral armour for surviving such attacks. The unique silver struck livery has seen actions against many would insurgent. 
===Long Fang===
A cornered Quillick is more dangerous than a Helioskrill. Sword fleets often found themselves on the back-foot, and often under siege. During one such siege, several damaged Tengu were cannibalised to keep one flying. Flying thanks to the sacrifice of its comrades, the Long Fang continued to bite back, it's distinct 'Quillick Grin' nose art, and battle tallies making it noticeable in battle. Despite being shot down no less than seven times, the Long Fang has always returned to service, repaired and battle ready. 
==UNSC Remarks==
==Notable Squadrons==
*Cherub Squadron
*Hope Squadron