Archer Class (Hydran)

A development of the Yeoman Class Frigate, the Archer lacks her progenitors spinal Hellbore Cannon, but mounts powerful sensors and Electronic Warfare Equipment. She serves as a scout, explorer and is known as the eyes and ears of the Hydran Royal Navy.

## Development

During their long exodus in the Lost Colonies, the Hydrans realised that if they were ever to retake their ancestral home from the Klingon and Lyran invaders, a variety of light support ships would be required in addition to the heavy Capital Ships in so desperately short supply. These Screens would also be required in the short term for more mundane activities during their exile, such as policing duties (as alas, even the Great Cloud was not bereft of pirates), border patrols, scouting and the like. Agents of Hydran Military Intelligence also reported that light military starships were starting to find favour in the combat tactics of other powers. The initial problem for a Hydran light warship was a suitable weapons system. Both the Hellbore Cannon and Fusion Beam Emitter were too powerful to mount on such a small frame conventionally, and an armament of only Gatling Phasers would leave such a warship underpowered.

The solution was a rather unorthodox one. Rather than building a light starship and mounting weapons to it, Hydran engineers took a Hellbore Cannon and built a Frigate-class starship around it, using the cannon as spinal ridge. The result was quite unlike other Hydran designs, which resembled Klingon warships in their planform for the most part, but proved remarkably effective in trials. A pair of Gatling Phaser Emitters rounded out the armament of the new warship, and she entered service with the Hydran Royal Navy in 2258.

Initially employed as Police Cutters, Yeomans were gradually integrated into the Hydran Royal Navy as new tactics were developed for their use. In mock engagements, Yeomans would support the flanks of Knight Class Destroyers and Regent Class Light Cruisers with volleys of Hellbore fire to soften enemy shields before the larger ships commenced their attack.

Shortly after the introduction of the Yeoman Class, it became apparent that with a few minor modifications, including the omission of the spinal Hellbore Cannon (with a structural spine in it's place), the basic structure of the Yeoman could serve as a Scout Frigate, a much needed class of ship in the Hydran Royal Navy. The new Scout Frigate design, bereft of the Hellbore Cannon, carried powerful long range sensors and Electronic Warfare Equipment. She entered service in 2260 as the Archer Class Scout Frigate.

## Operational History

Immediately the scouting capabilities of the Archer were put to good use by the Hydran Royal Navy, who ever since the beginning of the Great Exodus had found operating in the Great Cloud somewhat difficult. Whilst intended to support military operations, the Archer also found great use in exploratory missions and science surveys, both before and after The Return.

In military service, the Archer served in the Hydran Royal Navy through all their campaigns from their return in 2285, the Organian Conflict, the War of Pacification and the General War. Seeing little actual combat, the Archer used her speed and manoeuvrability to avoid enemy contact as much as possible, relaying valuable sensor information to the Home Fleet.

## Apocrypha

Although increasingly outpaced by sensor improvements as the 24th Century dawned, the Archer remained the dedicated fleet Scout Frigate of the Hydran Royal Navy. She remained in service until the end of Hydran independence in 2323, even seeing combat in the final climatic battle in the Targreth System. (See the "Battle of the Last Alliance")

## Specifications

* **Class:** Scout Frigate
* **Hull Type Designation:** HFS
* **Length:** 124m
* **Crew:** 55
* **Warp Nacelles:** 2

* **Maximum Sublight Speed:** 4250 k/s (42.5 Mk/s)
* **Cruise** **Warp Factor Speed:** wf 7.2
* **Safe** **Maximum Warp Factor Speed:** wf 8.8
* **Hull Rating:** 190 HSF
* **Shield Rating:** 290 FSP

* **Sensor Rating:** 1000 SRU

* **Armament and Equipment:**
	+ Primary
		- 2 × Hydran Type Gatling Phaser Emitter
	+ Secondary
		- None
	+ Heavy
		- None
	+ Advanced
		- None
	+ Equipment
		- Tractor Beam Emitter
		- Plasma-Detecting Probes
		- Electronic Warfare Equipment

## Ships in Service (2292)

HMS Archer

HMS Longbow

HMS Dart

HMS Spear

HMS Harpoon

HMS Arrowhead

HMS Boltshaft

HMS Fletcher

HMS Strengthbow

HMS Strongbow

HMS Skirmish

HMS Guardsman

HMS Strongaxe

HMS Strongblade

HMS Stronghand

HMS Commando

HMS Poignard

HMS Rapier

HMS Foil

HMS Epee

HMS Sabre

HMS Broadsword

HMS Cutlass

HMS Falchion

HMS Dagger

HMS Knife

HMS Dirk

HMS Morningstar

HMS Mace

HMS Hammer