Archon Class Cruiser

### Armament

- 1 x Class 3 coaxial railgun- 14 x Class 2 Railguns, 8 in Mk.4 Turrets, 6 in Mk.3 Turrets

- 40 x 105mm Bolters, in 20 twin mounts

## Technical Information

### Armament

- 1 x prototype Class 4 coaxial plasma beam- 60 trident Class Cruiser Missiles

- 6 x Class 3 railguns, in 3 Mk.2 Turrets

- 2 x Class 2 Type 2 Plasma Cannons, in 1 twin mount

- 4 x Class 2 Type 4 Rapid Fire Plasma Pulse Emitters, in 4 single mounts

- 32 x 105mm Bolters, in 16 twin mounts

- 8 x point defense lasers, in 4 twin mounts

- 14 x Close in Weapons Systems

## Usage

### Role(s)

- Experimental Weapons Platform- Mainline Warship

## Design and Mk.1

After the Pan-Galactic Council was formed funding for new technologies dropped off, but that didn't stop our scientists and engineers from examining salvaged Imperium ships and weapons. These technologies were reverse engineered over time and eventually culminated in advanced shields and weaponry capable of being produced domestically instead of having to buy from other factions. RCN command finally gave funding for a new class of warship. It would be a cruiser sized vessel fielding the latest technology before it would be fitted on our Monarch Battlecruisers. Development of the ship was slow as there was no dire need for such a ship at the time. The first Hull was laid down in 3692C.E. and construction went at a snails pace. It wouldn't be until 3697C.E. that the CX-01, R.C.S. Montante would finish completion and come off the line only to sit for another year before receiving her crew. Early tests showed the effectiveness of the new weapons and shields vs Imperium era ships to be exceptional. 3 more ships of the class were ordered to test further and at the same time the Monarchs received retrofits for the new technologies. All 4 ships of the class would be fully operational when the events of Calamity began.

## Calamity

When Calamity began the fleet was put on high alert. When a distress call came in and the scouts failed to report a Cruiser task force with the CX-03, Tulwar as the lead ship was sent to investigate. Upon arrival to the system the fleet consisting of the Archon, a Arbiter and 5 Noble class ships was met with overwhelming firepower from only a quartet of small unknown ships. 2 nobles DD-027, R.C.S. Trathen and DD-018, R.C.S. Miller were both destroyed with a single shot each from an advanced plasma weapon. Quickly regrouping around the new advanced cruiser the remaining ships returned fire with minimum effect. Only the coaxial railgun on the **CX-03** managed to cause significant damage to the unknown foes. Knowing this, she was quickly focused down and only survived a short time, taking concentrated fire from the enemy ship. We weren't sure at the time if the loss was due to lack of combat experience on the new ship or just the advanced alien foes. This question was answered shortly after when another task force containing 2 of the cruisers was met by an overwhelming swarm of Xsotan resulting in their destruction along with 5 more Nobles and 3 Forerunners. The last was pulled from the front line to preserve it, but a deep strike from another wave of Xsotan in 3714C.E. saw the last of the class destroyed.

## Mk.2

With the finding of the Xsotan Decimator in 3758C.E. the Scientists and engineers were once again put to the test, but this time time was of critical importance. Even though all available resources were being thrown at the project progress was slower hoped as the technology was way out of scope of anything we had seen before. R&D worked for 3 years before a ship was finally created to field the new technology.

In 3761C.E. the CX-05, R.C.S. Kirpaan came into service. and her performance was far beyond expectations. Estimates put her capabilities far above even the retired Monarch Class Battlecruisers in a frame less than 1/5th the tonnage. Many ships would come from the technologies pioneered on the Mk.2 and help turn the tide against the might of the Xsotan.

Test firing of the prototype plasma beam. The erratic nature of the beam is due to inadequate power regulation.
## External Links

Mk.1 - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1668040991

Mk.2 - https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2207247804