Only the
second most controversial defence project in Fleet Commands history behind
Project The Next Day. The replacement for the veteran
Heathen class battleship has been in development since late GR2013. This would lead to two more iterations of the Heathen in the intervening four years until a true successor would finally emerge.
The
Nemesis Dreadcruiser is part of a new class of intermediary warships between the Super-Dreadnoughts and Juggernauts that rule the spaceways, and the Battleships that form the backbone of every major stellar navy. Packing a massive and flexible arsenal of weaponry,
Nemesis is able to outrun, outgun and outlast an
Exodus-Class Dreadnought.
The designers of the vessel insist their reasoning for waiting four years was sound.
Nemesis is the first production vessel to feature RARCom's
Infinite-Entity Engine, originally developed for the
Universaerium Infinite. This engine can provide an everlasting supply of power to the
Nemesis. This sets the tone for the vessels design philosophy. The class was not built to fight in Nehellenium, Omegalon or Magikallenic. Rather these vessels are designed to push the boundary of where Fleetcom can engage a target. While no confirmation has been given, it is speculated that these vessels are capable of intercepting the Immortal invasion fleet, or possibly even reaching the Immortal home galaxy.
Aiding this is a switch from plasma weaponry to a laser based arsenal. Ten "Extinguisher" batteries compose this weapon system, providing a massive upgrade to the "Fire-Torrent" plasma batteries used on the
Heathen. These weapons are supported by a stockpile of 96 "Seabiscuit" warp-capable interstellar ballistic missiles. Each missile topped with 12 fusion warheads capable of independent planetary re-entry.
These weapons pale in comparison to the two "Obliterator" antimatter accelerator cannons mounted on the vessels bow. These weapons were made possible by experimentation with the
Universaerium Infinite that found the drive capable of producing antimatter. The creation of this terrifying weapon was a byproduct.
Praetorian shipyards are ramping up production in anticipation of the new class. It is ironic then that the
Nemesis are not expected to fully supplant their predecessors. Over the years a massive fleet of
Heathens have been produced, with experienced crews fully trained. But when needed these new warships will be ready to meet any challenger.