Cloak of Mercy

The Cloak of Mercy, soon after destroying the Mariana

The ***Cloak of Mercy*** is a lightship of the Holy Advari Empire. In the year 0304 PCU according to the Centran Calendar, it made first contact with vessels from outside the CDC-41-Gamma nebula. In a brief exchange with the *Mariana* and the *Guinevere*, failed communications ultimately led to the destruction of the *Mariana* and the *Cloak of Mercy* being damaged in an exchange of fire with the *Guinevere*.

## Design

### Propulsion

Like all known Advari vessels, the *Cloak of Mercy* makes use of a solar sail-like lightsail propulsion system.

### Armament and Utilities

The *Cloak of Mercy* travels armed, with several weapons systems unlike any encountered before by humans. These resemble high powered energy blasts and are capable of destroying a Frontier Union *Florencia*-class Outrider, and heavily damaging a *Tripathia*-class Third-Rate Ship of the Line.

The ship also has a communication array that was badly damaged during First Contact with the *Guinevere*. Furthermore, the vessel has the capability to tow objects, though by what means (whether mundane or esoteric) is unknown.

## History

By the year 0304 PCU according to the Tantalus Cluster calendar, the *Cloak of Mercy* was one of a number of ships that reported to Lord Cardinal Hastus Arvannis of the Faith Eternal.

During a patrol of the Rim of CDC-41-Gamma, the *Cloak of Mercy* came upon the *Mariana*, a ship of the Avalon Exploratory Initiative sent from the Tantalus Cluster, embedded in an ice body. Both ships attempted to communicate with one another, before the *Cloak of Mercy* opened fire on the heavily-damaged craft. The craft then identified another, smaller vessel, the *Guinevere*, with which it exchanged fire, causing catastrophic damage to the *Cloak of Mercy*'s communication array. However, the vessel continued firing on the *Mariana*, destroying it and forcing the *Guinevere* to flee.

In the coming days, the *Cloak of Mercy* was able to tow the wreckage of the *Mariana* to Deacon's Post for analysis. The vessel then rendezvoused with Inquisitor Castian Vadric, who had arrived to inspect the alien craft.

Months later, the *Cloak of Mercy* was stationed at the Aegis of Invia, guarding a captured Tantalus Gatehauler that carried the final component needed for the Return Gate. There it engaged in combat with the *Guinevere* once again, along with the CSV *Shabeyev* and the Union warships *Tserakai* and *Hotstepper* as they effected a retrieval of the Gatehauler, ultimately failing to stop them.

## Crew

* Revion Jedrish Carradin (presumed commanding officer)

## Behind the Scenes

In "Inclement Weather", Empress Valendra the Sixth refers to Cloak of Mercy as a "Lightship". In real life, a lightship or a lightvessel is a ship that acts as a lighthouse. They are used in waters that are too deep or otherwise unsuitable for lighthouse construction. Lightships are typically not armed in real life.

In the Q&A after the Season 1 Episode 2 Listening Party, Sound Designer Kennedy Phillips referred to the *Cloak of Mercy* as an "Alien Cutter".

## Appearances

* "*The Cold Divide*"
* "*Inclement Weather*" (mentioned)
* "*Yesterday's War*"

## References

1. ↑ *The Cold Divide*
2. ↑ *Dust and Shadow* confirms that "solar sail" propulsion systems are common on Advari vessels.
3. ↑ In *Theirs Not to Make Reply*, Vadric implies that the propulsion method of Tantalusian craft is highly unusual, suggesting the Advari are unaware of nuclear propulsion.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *The Cold Divide*
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Yesterday's War*
6. ↑ *Inclement Weather*