Python-Class Destroyer

The Python-class is an ancient design of swift and light escort vessel whose origin has become uncertain due to the turmoil of the Age of Strife, with Forge World Novae IV claiming it and the claim being contested by a few others including the famed Jovian yards. The Python is an highly effective precursor to the common and cheap Cobra-Class ubiquitously produced among many Forge Worlds and is used by a variety of groups, but is especially common among the Obsidian Wyrms Legion. The Python can serve as a dangerous torpedo boat in support of larger fleet engagements just as well as it can scout ahead of friendly forces or hunt down pirates and raiders with its mix of torpedo and missile armaments.

Core Components
At the center of the Python-class is a Class-2 Novae pattern Plasma Drive. While they lack the armored reinforcements and battle redundancies common in the expeditionary fleets of the IInd Legion, they are very efficient, managing to muster more thrust than the average Class-2 Jovian, and doing so with a considerably more compact assembly. This Drive, the Command Bridge as well as the weapon systems are all interlinked with extensive Cogitator systems increasing overall efficiency and weapon accuracy. For faster-than-light travel, a Miloslav G-616.b Warp Drive is mounted and allows the ship to navigate the warp as quickly as it does realspace, which is complemented with Emergency Gellar fields capable of automatic deployment in the event of unexpected exposure and anomalies.

The Python is equipped with a Repulsor-type single Void Shield generator which provides modest protection against hostile fire. Their greatest asset however is their finely-tuned frequencies which allow the ship to maneuver with little loss of speed or agility in debris or particle fields by repelling them from its path. Despite the much more fragile design compared to larger crafts, a Clemency-pattern Life sustainer is still present, providing large numbers of emergency shutoffs and voidsuits for damage control in case of depressurization. Like all ships from Forge World Novae IV, the accommodations of the crew are somewhat more generous and the voidmen are more loyal and motivated as a result. Finally, a Mark-201.b Augur Array provides the Python with marginally enhanced sensor augiries for scouting purposes.

Weapon Systems
The Primary weapon system aboard the Python is a Novae-pattern bank of Torpedo tubes, which carry fewer ordnance but is more resistant to battle damage and less likely to suffer catastrophic detonation than its contemporaries. In addition, its torpedoes launch more quickly and benefit from the extensive cogitator network to increase the warheads' accuracy. For short-to-medium range engagements, the Python is fitted with large, traversing Jovian-pattern missile batteries along its back, which are capable of withering salvoes in every arc, but suffer from a long reload cycle.

In order to supplement its all-ordnance weapon complement, the Python also features a large Munitorum deck which allows it to store additional torpedoes and to stock heavier payloads for its missile batteries, at the expense of being vulnerable to hostile penetrating hits. Finally, sets of augmented retro-thrusters increase the already exceptional maneuverability of the Python further.