"Steel in the shadows, fire in the night."
The Karas-Class Shadow Corvette is a versatile and elusive warship designed for fleet support, patrols, and hit-and-run operations under the Shadow Collective banner. Smaller than a cruiser but larger than a heavy fighter, the Karas fills the intermediate role: transporting enforcers, escorting raiding parties, and engaging lightly armored enemy ships or renegade vessels. Its modular design allows it to shift between combat, transport, and stealth missions with minimal refit time, making it a favorite among Shadow Collective operatives.
Armor: Moderate – Reinforced durasteel hull optimized for quick engagements, not prolonged sieges.
Shields: Medium – Dual-layer energy deflectors can withstand small- to medium-scale attacks.
Speed: Medium-High – Thruster array allows rapid interdiction or retreat.
Maneuverability: High – Agile enough to dodge larger ships’ weaponry while maintaining stable firing platforms for escort missions.
Stealth Systems: Advanced – Hull and engine systems can partially mask sensor signatures; full cloaking requires engine and shield suppression.
Crew: 120–250 – Officers, engineers, gunners, boarding squads, and specialized Shadow Collective personnel.
4x Medium Wurm Blasters – Mounted along the hull for broad coverage against fighters, frigates, and small craft.
2x EMP Turrets – Secondary weapons to disable enemy shields and systems in conjunction with Vorn-Class interceptors.
2x Modular Missile Launchers – Configurable for anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, or specialized incendiary warheads.
Optional Anti-Fighter Laser Arrays – Deployable for dense fighter engagements or protecting convoys.
The Karas-Class Corvette serves as a patrol and interdiction vessel, enforcing the Shadow Collective’s territorial dominance. In typical operations, Vorn-Class fighters act as skirmishers while Karas Corvettes provide cover fire, electronic warfare, and troop transport for raids. They are commonly deployed to escort convoys of slaves or contraband, and can operate independently for hit-and-run attacks against rival syndicates or empires.
It’s also the backbone of pirate strike fleets, forming the core around which smaller ships and fighters maneuver. With modular interiors, the ship can be fitted for medical, smuggling, or boarding operations depending on the mission’s priority.
The Karas-Class is sleek, angular, and painted in matte black or dark gray, often adorned with crimson or green streaks indicating Shadow Collective allegiance. Its hull features recessed hangars for 4–6 Vorn-Class fighters or small dropships. The bridge protrudes forward like a predatory jaw, with narrow observation ports and scanning arrays providing excellent visibility and sensor range.
Hangar Bays: Hidden behind sliding armor panels, capable of rapid deployment of small craft.
Flight Deck: Reinforced for landing fighter escorts or troop shuttles.
Weapon Turrets: Swiveling on hydraulics for maximum firing angles.
Karas-T "Transporter" – Focused on moving troops, contraband, or high-value targets; features enhanced internal cargo space.
Karas-S "Stealth" – Advanced cloaking and sensor-jamming systems, issued only to elite Shadow Collective strike teams.
Karas-R "Raider" – Enhanced firepower for direct assaults, with additional missile racks and reinforced plating.
Karas-E "Escort" – Optimized for protecting convoys or high-value shipments; incorporates advanced anti-fighter arrays and electronic countermeasures.
The Karas-Class Shadow Corvette is the Shadow Collective’s mobile enforcement platform, combining stealth, firepower, and transport capacity to dominate local systems. Its ability to operate independently or alongside Vorn-Class fighters makes it the core of any Shadow Collective strike fleet, feared across the galaxy by both legal authorities and rival criminal organizations.