Post by Sojourner on Apr 12, 2004 15:01:19 GMT -5
Here's my crack at it, to start with...
The Eldar craft designated by the Imperial Navy as the Manta-class Yacht was first encountered by the Dauntless-class light cruiser xxxxxx in xxx.M39 on a routine patrol close to the coreward edge of the Sargasso Gulf, Anargo Sector. Unusually for an Eldar-Imperial encounter, the Eldar vessel initiated communications, and although terse, the exchange did not immediately result in confrontation. However, upon the Imperial vessel's second encounter with the Manta three weeks later, the Eldar ship sprang an ambush on the xxxx, hiding within a dense field of wreckage before darting out and launching a volley of small warheads against the cruiser's engine array. The Eldar vessel then retreated to the Imperial's port stern, disengaging at startling speed and dropping into the webway as the Imperial vessel overcame the confusion of the surprise attack.
However, Naval scholars speculate that the maneuvre was a desperate tactic rather than a planned assault, utilising the vessel's meagre arsenal to stun its pursuer long enough to make its escape. It is theorised that the vessel is some form of light scouting or conveyance craft, used when access via the Webway to a desired location is impractical, or in the case that psychic projection cannot provide clear intelligence data.
These hypotheses were confirmed later in that decade as a different vessel of the same class was run down and destroyed by a Rapid Strike Vessel belonging to the Frostwraiths chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. Analysis of the recovered wreckage yielded the following information:
The Eldar craft designated by the Imperial Navy as the Manta-class Yacht was first encountered by the Dauntless-class light cruiser xxxxxx in xxx.M39 on a routine patrol close to the coreward edge of the Sargasso Gulf, Anargo Sector. Unusually for an Eldar-Imperial encounter, the Eldar vessel initiated communications, and although terse, the exchange did not immediately result in confrontation. However, upon the Imperial vessel's second encounter with the Manta three weeks later, the Eldar ship sprang an ambush on the xxxx, hiding within a dense field of wreckage before darting out and launching a volley of small warheads against the cruiser's engine array. The Eldar vessel then retreated to the Imperial's port stern, disengaging at startling speed and dropping into the webway as the Imperial vessel overcame the confusion of the surprise attack.
However, Naval scholars speculate that the maneuvre was a desperate tactic rather than a planned assault, utilising the vessel's meagre arsenal to stun its pursuer long enough to make its escape. It is theorised that the vessel is some form of light scouting or conveyance craft, used when access via the Webway to a desired location is impractical, or in the case that psychic projection cannot provide clear intelligence data.
These hypotheses were confirmed later in that decade as a different vessel of the same class was run down and destroyed by a Rapid Strike Vessel belonging to the Frostwraiths chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. Analysis of the recovered wreckage yielded the following information:
- That the Eldar vessel was combat-capable but specialised for stealthly maneuvering rather than armed confrontations, though equipped with some sixteen large flank laser batteries, three dorsal Distortion cannon and an array of sonic warhead launchers mounted on its keel
- The vessel was equipped with sophisticated sensory apparatus and intelligence-gathering hardware, even by Eldar standards. The vessel carries a large, intricate array of sensor probes of as-yet unfathomable working, which were found stowed within covered recesses on the vessel's prow and lower flanks
- The vessel recovered carried a crew of twenty-eight individuals, including one believed to be a low-standing Warlock of somewhat decrepit physiology. Berthing positions and facilities were reconstructed for fifty-three Eldar.
- The vessel carried thirteen Spirit Stones, mounted in an extensive and intricate Infinity Circuit within the vessel. This feature is common to all Eldar vessels and structures, but this level of Matrix connectivity is somewhat uncommon for a vessel of the Manta's size