Atriedes-class

The ***Atriedes*-class** is a family of advanced exploration, commerce-raiding, picket, and power-projection vessels primarily built by the Ikaros Conglomerate in the Republic of Kleitos. Developed in recent memory using ancient techniques maintained and guarded by Kleitians, *Atriedes* is a living link to some of the vestigial technologies and capabilities which survive from the late imperial period.

The vessels sport long and sleek profiles, powerful engines, high logistical efficiency, and advanced technology which allows them to sustain high accelerations for extended periods without harming the crew. They are highly automated ships, with an advanced AI cores capable of fulfilling many functions and assisting a smaller crew in various capacities. As with most Kleitian ships, the weapons are primarily photon burst cannons with a strong emphasis on forward-facing fire, giving the ship a highly aggressive fighting style.

Several *Atriedes* variants have been developed to fit various roles, including one boasting heavy enough shields, armor, and cannons to qualify it to serve in grand battle. Other variants do not include the armor in favor of emphasizing *Atriedes'* speed, stealth, and capability as a lone or wolfpack roamer. Most useful, perhaps, is the class' role as an ideal exploration and expeditionary ship. Its III variant comes with a shuttle bay, enabling it to deploy planetary away missions in distant systems without infrastructure, while the *Atriedes'* endurance and relative crew comfort allow it to operate in far reaches of the galaxy for extended periods.

## Variants

* Variant I: Ship of the Line
* Variant II: Light Ship Killer
* Variant III: Explorer
* Variant IV: Explorer II

***Atriedes I*** is classified in Kleitos as a fourth rate ship-of-the-line, the smallest type of ship which the Kleitians judge capable of slugging it out with battleships. It boasts hypersteel armor and a powerful shield matrix, as well as more powerful photon cannons and (unique among variants) is capable of generating a pulse lance emanating from its deflector array near the bow with a 175 degree arc of fire in two dimensions.

*Atriedes I* was intended to be used to counter smaller capital ships, such as gunboats and various types of frigates which were in service in earlier eras of Seltenian history. They were intended to protect capital ships from such vessels and to provide fire support to larger vessels. They were also used in deployments requiring capital ships extensive endurance, which Kleitos' fleet of heavy ships of the line were never capable of. Like all Kleitian ships of the line, *Atriedes I* did not carry its own point defense and required escorting by other ships with that capability.

***Atriedes II*** is classified in Kleitos as a fifth rate frigate, a workhorse ship intended for various non-grand battle duties. Notable for its ability to outrun most light vessels, *Atriedes II* was intended for use in roles where this capability would be required often, such as anti-piracy, commerce raiding, and anti-missile ship operations.

In order to fulfill this role, the ship was outfitted with fast-firing photonic pulse cannons which have an easier time tracking fast-moving targets and wreak havoc against light shields and unarmored ships. When all cannons are on target, *Atriedes II* is capable of delivering devastating, continuous, and sustained photonic salvos. Having no native point defense, *Atriedes II* vessels rely on stealth, evasion, or escorts to defend against missiles and strike craft.

***Atriedes III*** is a variant more suited to expeditionary missions and missions requiring different kinds of utility, such as reconnaissance, jamming, planetary transport, or other capabilities which might be provided by different shuttle models. It sacrifices some of its armament in favor of a small shuttle bay, located in the ship's ventral section, capable of carrying and servicing one shuttle.

Atriedes III is outfitted with fast-firing photonic pulse cannons which have an easier time tracking fast-moving targets and wreak havoc against light shields and unarmored ships. When all cannons are on target, *Atriedes III* is capable of delivering devastating, continuous, and sustained photonic salvos. Having no native point defense, *Atriedes III* vessels rely on stealth, evasion, escorts, or its shuttle to defend against missiles and strike craft.

***Atriedes IV*** is a variant more suited to expeditionary missions and missions requiring different kinds of utility, such as reconnaissance, jamming, planetary transport, or other capabilities which might be provided by different shuttle models. It sacrifices some of its armament in favor of a large shuttle bay, located in the ship's ventral section, capable of carrying and servicing two shuttles.

*Atriedes IV* is outfitted with forward-facing fast-firing photonic pulse cannons which have an easier time tracking fast-moving targets and wreak havoc against light shields and unarmored ships. *Atriedes IV* is unique due to the fact that its full weapons complement faces forward, reducing its overall firepower but allowing it to deliver a full broadside while presenting a minimal profile to the enemy. Having no native point defense, *Atriedes IV* vessels rely on stealth, evasion, escorts, or its shuttle to defend against missiles and strike craft.
## List of Known *Atriedes*-class ships

* *Sirion*
* *Revenge*
* *Ajax*
* *Leviathan*
* *Defiance*
* *Thunderer*
* *VRV Seeking Chiroptera*

## Trivia

* *Atriedes*, especially *Atriedes III*, is an ideal hero ship.
* The in-universe shape of the *Atriedes* resembles the SSV Normandy from the Mass Effect series, though with a sleek, metallic exterior which can be painted various colors.