T.N.F. Auxillary Ship Class 'Thalassa' Mk.I

”Its bulky shape, two gray boxes connected by a black spine full of visible machinery, held several large containers in claw-like protrusions. Hjalm recognized it at once. It was a Thalassa-class auxiliary ship, and a closer look would reveal a triangle with a winged, upright sword beneath a ringed planet somewhere on its outer hull. The mark of the Trans-Neptunian Fleet.” -From The Fleet Beyond Neptune

The Thalassa is a dedicated resupply ship which provides repairs and replenishment during Fleet operations. Most Fleet warships carry their own utility drones and production equipment, but acquiring resources by themselves while underway is a time-consuming business. Add to this the usually limited cargo space and maximum mass restrictions due to atmospheric flight, and the need for a resupply vessel becomes apparent.

The Thalassa can carry up to 1,3 megalitre of ore, ingots, ammunition or components, and transer these to warships through connectors. It also carries several oxygen generators, and can easily replenish a warship’s hydrogen and oxygen stores. Its two refineries and several assemblers can also speed up ore processing and components production. It also carries a Ceres Mk.IV Mining Drone and Welan Mk.II Utility Drone. This makes the Thalassa very heavy, and it should not enter a gravity pull of above 0.10 G.

When necessary, the Thalassa can detach its cargo containers and let them fall to the surface of a planet. As long as there is an atmosphere, the container’s parachute will deliver it safely to the ground. If faced with danger, the Thalassa can detach several decoys while defending itself with its handful of turrets. It can then jump to safety, with a range of approximately 2300 km depending on its current mass.

Cargo Container Pod Drop: -Make sure your target planet has an atmosphere (or else the parachutes will not work). -Enter the planet’s gravitational pull, level the ship with the gravity, and descend to 0.10G. -Look through the sights with the aiming camera (1 and 2 on toolbar 3). Aim directly at the point you want the container to be delivered to. -Release the pod(s), they will now free-fall to the surface and land within a reasonable distance to your target.

General characteristics: -Crew: 6 crewmembers total -Length: 140 m -Width: 72,5 m -Height: 50 m -Maximum cargo volume: ca. 1,3 megalitres -Mass (empty): 3,7 kilotons -Mass (standard equipped): 6,3 kilotons -Block count (with smallcraft): 5176 blocks

Armaments: -6x 25mm Gatling Turrets -12x 5,56mm Light Turrets

Features: -Has four detachable cargo container pods (with room for 3x3 block containers), and sorter system. -Carries an Adeona Mk. II Transport Shuttle. -It also carries a Ceres Mk.IV Mining Drone and a Welan Mk.II Utility Drone for resource gathering and repairs in space. -Robust hovering thrusters for operations in atmosphere. - Eight Jump Drives with a range of 2300 km. -Several bridge stations with displays showing the ship’s status using MMaster's LCD 2 script, Whip’s Artificial Horizon Script and Floor Plan Script by Alysius. -An internal projector to aid in repairing the ship. -Solar panels and various production equipment. -Airlocks compatible with all T.N.F. ships and stations. -Has several oxygen generators and assemblers, to aid replenishment of other ships. -Can detach decoys. -Contains fuel, ammunition and components – tested in survival.

Known issues: -None at the moment.

Acknowledgements: ▪ The radar panel uses Whip’s Turret Based Radar script by Whiplash141. ▪ The information screens use MMaster's LCD 2 script. ▪ The screen showing the ship's heading is using Whip's Artificial Horizon Redux script by Whiplash141. ▪ Diagnostics screen is using the SIMPL|Ship Integrity Monitoring Program Lite script by Whiplash141. ▪ The doors and airlocks are operated by Whip's Auto Door and Airlock Script by Whiplash 141.

For those who like the setting and lore surrounding the Fleet: consider reading The Fleet Beyond Neptune, my book about the conflict between the Fleet and the Alliance.