Editing Keljiric-pattern Tarasque

{{Title|''Keljiric''-pattern Tarasque}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship class infobox
|name=''Keljiric''-pattern heavy strike fighter
|image=[[File:Tarasque Art.png|300px]]
|manufacturer=[[Achoem Weapons]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=289}}
|class=[[Space fighter|Heavy fighter]]{{Ref/Game|Id=h3|H3|Armor customization (Halo 3)|Armory|Detail=[[Flight harness|Flight]] - Helmet Description|Quote=Sealed helmet equipped with hyper-wave link for cleaner craft interaction; mouth piece retains multi-port for use in older TARASQUE heavy fighters and GIGAS fighter-bombers.}}
|role=Bomber{{Ref/Tabletop|Id=fb stats|HFB|Tarasque Bomber}}
|length={{Convert|137.8|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|width={{Convert|83.3|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|height={{Convert|40.4|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|mass={{Convert|94.5|MT}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|power=
|engine=[[Impulse drive]]
|slipspace drive=
|hull=
|armament=
*6 [[Plasma bomb]] ports{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2 [[Heavy plasma cannon]]s{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*2 [[Plasma torpedo]] launchers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|complement=10 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|crew=
*1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
*1 gunner{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|passengers=
|othersystems=
|era=*[[Human-Covenant War]]{{Ref/Reuse|fb stats}}
*[[Blooding Years]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HGC4|HGla|Chapter=4}}
|introduced=
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|fb stats}}
*[[Servants of Abiding Truth]]{{Ref/Reuse|HGC4}}
}}
The '''Tarasque heavy fighter''' is an older [[Covenant]] [[Sangheili]]-manned [[space fighter]].{{Ref/Reuse|h3}} It may be used as a bomber, strikecraft, or [[dropship]].{{Ref/Reuse|fb stats}}{{Ref/Site|Id=CF100|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sweet-centennial|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Sweet Centennial|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}

==Overview==
===Design details===
The Tarasque has historically been considered one of the Covenant's premiere fighters, and a heavier alternative to the ubiquitous [[Seraph]]s. The ''Keljiric'' [[design pattern]] as such, is considered the standard by which most Covenant strikecraft control systems are measured. The craft itself has spawned a number of cousins and successor models, including the infamous [[Phantom]] line of armed [[dropship]]s. This lineage can be most evidently seen in the Tarasque's overall profile, with the central airframe bearing a great resemblance to the Phantom's, and even allowing for the fighter to carry a complement of ten passengers.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

===Armaments===
The Tarasque is outfitted as a heavy fighter,{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} though may also be used in a limited bombing capacity against full warships.{{Ref/Reuse|fb stats}} To serve the bombing functions, the fighter is equipped with two [[plasma torpedo]] launchers and six [[plasma bomb]] ports, alongside two [[heavy plasma cannon]]s for general use.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}

==Operational history==
The Tarasque served in the [[Covenant military]] as one of its many varied strikecraft options for a large period of the empire's history, and was used against both the internal and external foes of the empire - particularly notable for its use as an envoy in [[High Charity]]'s conversion and compliance fleets.{{Ref/Reuse|CF100}}{{Ref/Twitter|Halo|1182642253476421637|Halo|Quote=The Tarasque heavy strikecraft has long served as a deterrent to those who would dare stand in the way of the Great Journey, acting as envoy for the conversion and compliance fleets which put new species on the path to salvation. #FictionFriday|D=13|M=04|Y=2022}}

Following the Covenant's end, the Tarasque became less ubiquitous, but the success of its design pattern cast a long shadow over its successors and cousins. Many [[Sangheili]] [[flight harness]]es are produced with the interface jacks and cyberlink translators necessary to synchronize with these craft.{{Ref/Reuse|h3}}{{Ref/Reuse|CF100}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} By [[2553|January of 2553]], the [[Servants of Abiding Truth]] had acquired two Tarasque fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|HGC4}}{{Ref/Reuse|CF100}}

==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
===Covenant Tarasque Bomber Flight===
*'''Flight slots:''' 1
*'''Movement:''' 14"
*'''Damage track:''' 2
*'''Systems loadout:''' None
*'''Weapons:''' vs. wing targets
**'''Range:''' Contact
**'''Dice:''' 1
*'''Weapons:''' vs. element targets
**'''Range:''' Contact
**'''Dice:''' 2

==Trivia==
The [[Wikipedia:Tarasque|Tarasque]] is a monster of [[French]] legend.

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
File:Covenant_Starfighters_Art.jpg|A squadron of Tarasques and Banshees.
File:HFB - Covie T Bomber.png|A Tarasque depicted for ''Halo: Fleet Battles''.
File:FB TB.png|Tarasque token for ''Halo: Fleet Battles''.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 3]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Covenant Atmospheric/Exoatmospheric Vehicles}}

[[Category:Space fighter classes]]
[[Category:Covenant ship classes]]