Maiden Of Mercy

Drawing of the Maiden of Mercy

***Maiden Of Mercy*** is a destroyer, most famously used as the flagship by the pirate Billy Roberts. Although the date and place of the ship's construction are unclear, it is believed it was built in the Pomar system around 2445. The first reported raids by the ship were reported in 2446 at the Pomar 4 shipping lanes but reports mention the ship up to a year before this.

## History

The vessel is believed to have been built around 2445, specifically as the flag ship of Roberts. It is a custom build, seemingly not based on any other ship design so its exact armament and capabilities are unknown.

In 2446 Roberts started plundering trade and shipping routes near Pomar 4. Shortly after this, on February 10 2447, the firepower of the ship became apparent after it destroyed 2 Teero class armed transports (*Dönitz* and *Jüge)* guarding an imperial cargo ship (*Horrowitz)* transporting rare metals.

In the early 2450's, Roberts expanded out of Pomar after a severe military presence appeared on the trade routes in the system. Many of the surrounding systems such as Terel and Yryll have fallen victim to Roberts' vessel.

The ship is still active in the systems surrounding Pomar often appearing with fleets of up to 10 ships.

## Description

*Maiden Of Mercy* is a custom built destroyer. It has a cylindrical area at the rear which contains the core systems such as: shields, engines and weapons. The crew lives in the front half of this cylinder and the bridge is also located here. On the port-side, connected to the cylinder is a large area of unknown use, most likely storing stolen goods. Out of the cylinder extends a long 'neck' that has a giant skull at the end. This is what is used by the ship to ram other vessels, with men exiting through the nose and eye holes of the skull. At the rear of the ship are 2 sublight and warp capable engines, likely salvaged from another ship.

The ship is a rusted colour with silver sections across the hull. There is a black spade with a 'Jolly Roger' in the centre and some unknown symbols next to it. The ship flies a flag that also has the 'Jolly Roger' on it. These features are most likely used to cause fear and panic in the ships victims.

### Weaponry

The ship has 1 gimballed three-barrel heavy laser cannon above the centre of the cylinder section, with 2 torpedo tubes mounted beneath, 3 gimballed three-barrel burst laser cannons extending out towards the port side of the vessel, all capable of firing independently, and 1 flat pivot mounted two-barrel burst laser cannon attached to the port section.This totals to 5 guns with 14 barrels and 2 torpedo tubes and is most likely the largest armament of any private ship.

## Battle Tactics

Roberts drops his ship out of warp dangerously close to his target vessel and will immediately engage the escort vessels (if any) and simultaneously destroy the engines of the cargo ship. After destroying any escorting vessels, Roberts will ram his ship into the cargo ship and board the vessel, taking any cargo he sees fit.

Roberts cares little for the lives on the escorting vessels but often claims "Just give me the goods, I don't want to hurt you" after having boarded the cargo vessel.