Varric-pattern heavy cruiser

Varric-pattern
Class attributes
Identification:	UNSC Three-letter code: ORS
Operators:	Covenant
Manufacturer:	Primary Assembly Forges
In service:	Third Age of Conflict-present
General characteristics Type: Examiner Heavy cruiser Length: 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) Width: 1,450 metres (4,760 ft) Mass: 200 million tonnes Power plant: Forerunner shrine-cores Pinch fusion reactor Maneuver drive: 3 repulsor engines Slipspace drive: Borer Crew: 16 Superiors 70 Engineers 1,200 Menials Troops: 400 Obedientaries 6,000 Warriors 8,500 Thralls Hull: Nanolaminate plating Sensors: Sensor vanes Armaments: 1 Phar-pattern superheavy excavation beam 1 Ventrax-pattern heavy plasma lances 3 Felo-pattern plasma beam emitters 48 Melusean-pattern heavy plasma cannons 16 Qur-pattern plasma torpedo silos 16 Fet-pattern plasma bombardment mortars 80 Ferriel-pattern pulse lasers

The Varric-pattern heavy cruiser (UNSC three-letter classification: ORS-class heavy cruiser) by the UNSC, is a capital warship classification within the now-defunct Covenant fleet. It is used for planetary occupation and naval command, as well as to support Covenant flagships. Following the Great Schism, these ships have become invaluable to independent warlords.

The "O" (for "Ordained") in the cruiser's three-letter classification code indicates that the class has been improved upon with Forerunner technology, specifically a weapons core. The "R" (for "Reverence") denotes that the cruiser is capable of conducting reconnaissance missions and is capable of excavating Forerunner artifacts. The "S" (for "Salvation") indicates that the cruiser is a dedicated warship. Accordingly, these vessels have on occasion been referred to as "Reverence-class" warships.

Overview

Design details

The Varric-pattern is the largest known cruiser classification in Covenant service, at a length of 3,000 meters (9,843 ft). Visually, it resembles the smaller Ket-pattern and Maugen-pattern cruisers with a more bulky profile and four sensor vanes located on the ventral surface of the ship's head. The middle portion of the ship contains a ring similar to the lower ring of the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette, while the overall profile bears some resemblance to the larger carrier classes.

Crew and complement

Compared to other Covenant warships, the Varric-pattern heavy cruiser is labor-intensive and difficult to operate, requiring about 1,286 hand-picked personnel to be effectively manned. These are led by sixteen Sangheili, with seventy Huragok for maintenance duties, and Menials make up the rest. The reason for this is because these cruisers are old, dating back to the Covenant's early centuries. Special interpreters and scholars are required on the warship's bridge, as many of the ship's controls and data feeds only display now-cryptic m