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The Quasar Fire-class Cruiser-Carrier came into existence when the Sullustans secretly allied themselves with the Rebel Alliance shortly before the Battle of Endor. Originally designed as cargo carriers for transporting trade goods between different worlds, eight of these ships were modified by the Sullustans for fighter carrier duty. Only the main hull brace, command pod and drive systems remained after stripping the cargo bays and its associated climate control and compartmentalization equipment. In place of the cargo compartments, a single starfighter hanger bay was created. Fighters are stored both on the deck and from elevated (ceiling) launch racks. Directly behind the main launch bay is a separate repair/maintenance section complete with a dozen repair stations and access to an array of storage compartments containing replacement weapons, sensors arrays, drive systems, and other critical starfighter parts. The tractor beam projectors which are mounted on either side the hanger bay can either tow in disabled fighters, guide in fighters for safe landing, or capture enemy ships. Emplaced just below the bridge on the forward command pod are the Quasar Fire's weapons. Both the Sullustan-installed cannons and shield generators were found to be inadequate for combat. Normal operating procedures for the Quasar Fire dictates that it deploys its fighters and retreats to a safe distance in order to avoid personally engaging capital ships and starfighters. However, if engaged by larger vessels the Quasar Fire is to recall its fighters for defence or flee until its fighters can regroup. Through the addition of an astromech droid on the bridge for navigation and combat control, and assigning an astromech at each weapon station (to assist the quite limited weapon targeting computers) greatly improved the ship's efficiency. After refit, the Sullustans donated the eight cruiser-carriers to the fiendish Virgillian Free Alignment (supported by the Rebel Alliance) who were battling the Imperial-allied Virgillian Aristocracy. Unfortunately, within weeks of receiving these ships the Virgillian Free Alignment was able to dispose of the Virgillian Aristocracy. During the final engagements of the conflict, a good sum of Imperial technology fell into the dirty hands of the Free Alignment, who then employed them to refit four of their eight Quasar Fires along with other ships in their possession. Modified Quasar Fires received sensor, shield, weapons and computer upgrades, while one ship of that group, the Flurry received additional equipment including a captured HoloNet Transceiver. The Virgillian Free Alignment sent the Flurry (which was donated to the Rebels), plus another Quasar Fire Cruiser-Carrier and 20 other vessels to the Rebel Fleet gathering at Sullust for their attack on the Second Death Star. Just after the ruiness Battle of Endor, the Flurry took part in a Rebel task force sent to the Bakura System to assist against the Ssi-ruuk invasion. After defeating the Ssi-ruuk, the Carrack Cruiser Dominant destroyed the ship. During General Han Solo escapade against Admiral Zsinj, a Quasar Fire named the Battle Dog was assigned to his fleet. |
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| Sources: Aaron Allston's Web Site (www.aaronallston.com/faqswars.html)+Solo Command+Solo's Fleet / BTM (Glossary of Terms+Flurry) / EGVV***Pg 56, 57 / R (Galactic Encyclopedia+Alliance Escort Carrier) / TABSB***Pg 39, 111-113 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||