The SSSD Sovereign, future Flagship of the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet...
(Photo: E-Mailed by RA Anakin, 1996...scanned from Dark Empire
Sourcebook, Michael Allen Horne, West End Games, June, 1993, p. 91)
NEW EMPEROR'S HAMMER FLAGSHIP COMING SOON...!
FLEET COMMANDER'S NOTE:
Below are presented the proposed specifications for the new SSSD Sovereign, flagship
of the Sovereign-class...The Fleet Commander was recently notified via tight-beam
transmission by Grand Visier Pestage that the Emperor's Hammer was to get this
"gift" from the late Emperor to further the Imperial cause and provide a fitting
flagship for the Fleet. It is anticipated that this vessel will take 1 to 2 months to
transfer to the Aurora System, along with the three Support Platforms (the Triad)
required to tend the SSSD Sovereign. It should also be noted that the Grand Visier
has informed the Grand Admiral that the other Sovereign-class vessels will serve as
flagships for other promising Fleets throughout the Empire. However, the Emperor's
Hammer is to get the first ship in the class. Until this time, the SSD Avenger will
continue to serve as the Flagship for the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet...
The Sovereign-Class Super Star Destroyer (SSSD), as excerpted from the
Dark Empire Sourcebook; Michael Allen Horne; West End Games;
June, 1993; pp. 87-89)...
A less powerful design of the Eclipse-class has been created named the Sovereign-class (it still
overwhelms the original Super Star Destroyer design). The Emperor envisioned a fleet of these
vessels. The first of the line is the Sovereign. Other potential ships in the line include the
Autarch, Despot and Heresiarch.
Unlike the Eclipse, the Sovereign-class only carries 35 squadrons of fighters and five of
Bombers. [It should be noted that the Emperor's Hammer will be making some slight
modifications to the Sovereign to allow a total of 42 TIE Squadrons...(7 Wings of
TIEs...!).]
There are also 75 AT-ATs, two full legions of stormtroopers, and 5 full garrison bases stowed
on board to meet any planetary assault needs.
The Axial Superlaser
The main weapon aboard the SSSD Sovereign is the axial superlaser...a spine-mounted
superlaser modeled on the main weapon of the Death Star itself. The Death Star's prime
weapon was composed of eight individual lasers that could focus together, generating enough
power to destroy an entire planet. By comparison, the Sovereign carries only a single laser,
but recent focussing and generator advances make this ray much more powerful than the units
used on the Death Star. The beam packs enough destructive power to shatter the most
powerful planetary shields and sear whole continents in a flash.
The axial superlaser can be fired up to eight times per day at nominal charge and once per day
at full charge...A full charge would destroy any planet in the Galactic Empire...
Imperial Gunners are some of the best trained fixed-mount weapon specialists in the Empire.
Their advanced tactical combat training and enhanced targeting systems in their helmets make
them extremely accurate and deadly foes. It takes one full regiment of Imperial Gunners
(approximately 1,000 gunners) working simultaneously to fire the Axial Superlaser under normal
combat conditions.
Craft: KDY's Sovereign-class Super Star Destroyer
Type: Super Star Destroyer
Length: 15,000 meters
Crew: 601,670; gunners: 4,075; skeleton: 86,000
Passengers: 130,100 (troops)
Cargo Capacity: 400,000 metric tonnes
Consumables: 5 years
Weapons:
Axial Superlaser
500 Heavy laser cannons
500 Turbolaser batteries
75 Ion cannons
100 Tractor beam emplacements
5 Gravity well projectors
The following was created by the Fleet Commander to supplement the above information...
An engineering marvel unto themselves, the three Support Platforms required to keep the SSSD
Sovereign fully operational are known as the The Triad. These platforms consist of the PLT
Hades, PLT Corona and PLT Charon. These battlestations dwarf the largest support
platforms in the Imperial Navy. Each is completely dedicated to support of the Sovereign and
can perform few other command, support or control functions. In fact, the TIE hangar bays
only allow a maximum of one standard TIE fighter squadron per PLT for defense. The
remainder of available space is reserved for SSSD support and supply.
Although each PLT is specifically designed to perform a particular support function, each can
singly support the SSSD in times of emergency for a limited period of time (1-2 months).
However, it should be noted that the SSSD Sovereign has its own internal repair and supply
capabilities which can keep it combat operational for 2-3 years and a maximum of 5 years. Full
operation of all 3 PLTs is required for extended operation of the Sovereign. The primary
functions of each PLT are detailed below:
PLT Hades
PLT Hades serves as the main command and control platform for the SSSD Sovereign. From
here, all navigational and communications equipment can be monitored, repaired, upgraded
and/or replaced. Although these support and repair functions are relatively easy to perform on
an Imperial Star Destroyer at a standard Imperial platform, this is not the case with a 15
kilometer long "floating city". The cavernous bays within the PLT Hades can accomodate the
large corvettes and transports used to ferry equipment and parts to and from the SSSD. The
technicians and engineers on board the PLT Hades are some of the best trained in the Empire.
PLT Corona
The PLT Corona serves as the ship and weapons systems repair center for the SSSD
Sovereign. From here, weapon reloads, ion and blaster gas, weapon replacements and
Imperial Gunners are staged for use on the SSSD Sovereign. Like the Death Star Superlaser,
the Sovereign Axial Superlaser is manned by the finest Imperial Gunners in the Empire.
In addition, PLT Corona serves as the primary repair center for the SSSD should it ever suffer
battle damage. Although this PLT has seen little use in the past, its crews, repair droids and
parts stockpiles can be used to practically rebuild the SSSD. Redundant systems and highly
advanced automation make this possible. Several dozen transports and shuttles can be utilized
by the EVA trained crews in their spacetrooper-based repair armor to perform minor exterior
repairs on the SSSD. In the event the Sovereign suffers extreme damage, requiring drydock
capabilities, the Triad can be brought within close, syncronous orbit of a habitable planet. The
combination of the three platforms and a rapidly constructed planetside facility can be used to
approximate drydock conditions. If this won't suffice, then the SSSD would most likely need to
be scuttled...However, it is hard to imagine what force in the Galaxy which could inflict such
damage on the Sovereign...
PLT Charon
The PLT Charon serves as a recreation center for the crew and officers of the SSSD
Sovereign. In fact, the crew likes to think of this as Charon's sole function, rather than as an
Imperial Naval support station. Entire divisions of troopers and Wings of TIE pilots are rotated
through Charon only a monthly basis except when the SSSD is ordered into combat. PLT
Charon offers some of the more "exotic" forms of recreation the Empire has to offer without
being within the oppressive confines of the massive Sovereign. In fact, the holotheatres,
gladitorial contests, restaurants, bars and gambling dens of the Charon are legendary in the
inner circle of the old Imperial Court. The PLT Charon also has enough consumables to keep
itself , the rest of the Triad and the SSSD operational for approximately 5 years without
resupply.