Ruma-pattern light carrier
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Identification: |
UNSC Three-letter code: DDS[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Operators: |
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In service: |
Eighteenth Age of Doubt - present[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Ruma-pattern light carrier[2] (UNSC three-letter classification: DDS-class carrier)[1], is a heavy warship within the now-defunct Covenant fleet. During the empire's heyday, the Ruma served as a second-line vessel for reserve fleets - rarely encountered far from harborages and naval depots.[2] Although formally classed as light carriers, Ruma-pattern ships may sometimes colloquially be referred to as "supercarriers"; this is an informal term that can be applied to Rumas alongside larger assault carriers and supercarriers to distinguish three types of gargantuan carrier warship from their much smaller cousins.[3]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
Unlike the larger and more powerful assault carriers and supercarriers, the Ruma is not intended for service on the front lines of a conflict. It measures 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) in length[1][2] - just over double that of the smaller, unidentified light carriers and just over half that of an assault carrier. Its form consists of three distinct prongs, similar in nature to a destroyer.[6] The shieldless nanolaminate hull of a Ruma-pattern carrier is capable of withstanding heat of up to 300oC, with no actual damage done to the carrier's structure. Only at extreme temperatures of over 1,700oC does minor hull tearing and conduit melting occur.[7]
The ship has a single strikecraft launch bay located on the ship's belly, capable of storing at least six Seraph starfighters - and wide enough to accomodate a C709 Longsword.[4] The hangar's interior layout is broadly similar to that of other Covenant ships such as the Ket-pattern battlecruiser, with excessively high vaulted ceilings, low and indirect lighting, and purple walls stenciled with faintly luminescent geometric patterns. The back of the hangar contains a single, broadly hexagonal, door, which itself leads to the main corridor linking the hangar to the ship's bridge. The ship is also fitted with numerous engineering corridors for Huragok use - too small for a Sangheili to fit through. The engineering corridors share a vent that connects to a small corridor fitted with escape pods, which in turn serves as an alternate (albeit unintended) means of accessing the bridge. Under normal operating conditions, the escape pod bay is classed as an emergency system.[8]
The bridge is circular in nature, and roughly 20 metres (66 ft) in diameter. The centre of the room has a raised platform ringed with holographic control surfaces, hovering over a pit in the floor. The walls of the bridge are coated in floor-to-ceiling displays showing the ship's status for the crew.[8] Twenty decks below the bridge is the engineering deck containing the ship's pinch fusion reactor, which is linked by a series of intervening corridors and an elevator shaft. The reactor is ten metres high, and the centrepiece of the cavernous engineering bay.[7]
The ship's borer is considered fairly slow for ships of its mass - something which reinforces its reserve status.[2]
Complement and crew[edit]
The Ruma carrier Ascendant Justice had an official crew count of 3,000; consisting of a hundred Sangheili, a light company of Unggoy, and majority of the crew being Huragok.[8] It is unclear whether this represents a standard crew for other ships of the class. In more standard operation, Rumas serve as troop carriers, strikecraft tenders, and a posting for pilots. Their pilots are rarely stationed on a Ruma for long, as fresh pilots are frequently rotated to other ships and replaced by battle-weary units coming back from the front for rest and recuperation.[2]
The shipmaster of a Ruma is generally a junior officer, placed into such a role to gain experience and have their skills, devotion, and patience tested in a non-critical role. If successful, they are promoted to more prestigous commands.[2]
The ship's ventral hangar is capable of hosting and launching at least six Seraph fighters.[4