The Soo'Rak (sOO-rŏk)

The Soo'Rak is a Light Cruiser warship first built for military service in 29,480RA for the Rookery Parlimentary Navy, originally christened as the Toa'Sais, it patrolled the waters around the Rookery Mountains chasing away pirates for twelve years before it was very suddenly decommissioned by a recent gathering of the Parliament, citing budget reasons for the retiring of the vessel. Its retirement did not last long, as only few weeks after it was placed into dry-dock, it was seen again on the Aurrus Sais, but now flying an independent flag, with a new captain, and a new name painted on her hull... The Soo'Rak.
Now commanded by Captain Khuu'rric'Hoo'Scree'Lei. She is still sometimes seen sailing the golden waves near Nibiru , but such sightings are never good news. She now operates as a pirate vessel, and has been involved on numerous raids, kidnappings, and other acts of piracy.

Construction

The Soo'Rak is an otherwise unremarkable light cruiser, nearly identical in construction to many similar such vessels in service. Since re-emerging as the Soo'Rak, Captain Khuu'rric has made very few alterations to the vehicle beyond the name itself. More perching lines for Cha'Ari crew have been added, and the twin 6-inch guns in the main turret have been painted to resemble an angry Cha'ari head.

Tactics

As a light cruiser, the Soo'Rak was designed for merchant convoy escort, scouting, and harassing duties. She does not have the firepower or armor to get into a direct fight with military targets above or even at her weight class. Though she has an impressive top speed, it takes time to bring the engines up to the temperature necessary, and traveling at that speed for too long runs the risk of damage to the engines. She is too long for the maneuvers a more agile ship might make during a firefight. However, none of this her from being a serious threat to those she encounters thanks to the tactical skill of her Captain. The Captain favors an aerial ambush attack strategy that leaves his ship half a horizon or more away, acting as if they are simply passing each other by as to not raise suspicions in the enemy ship. Crewmembers still aboard will use signal lanterns or semaphore flags to signal a normal greetings, asking for any important news or hazards in the seas ahead. While this signaling takes place, however, the boarding party is getting into position. The Captain and and Crew, being almost entirely Cha'Ari, are fond of flying up to attack enemy ships from the air with the sun to their backs so that they cannot be seen on approach by enemy lookouts. Once mustered in the sky, the raiding party swoops down in a fast-attack ambush, often overtaking the crew and seizing control of the ship before the enemy even has the chance to raise an alarm.

Questionable Allegiances

Though the Soo'Rak is registered as an independent ship, flies an independent flag, and is commanded by an independent Captain, it is something of an open secret that she is rarely hostile to Cha'Ari ships flying a Cha'Ari flag, and she is crewed almost exclusively by Cha'Ari that have all recently "separated" from the Military. Despite these rumors, representatives from the Cha'Ari Parliament deny any involvement or association with The Soo'Rak.

Power Generation

The Soo'Rak is powered by two large steam engines located deep within the lower decks at the center of the ship. These steam engines are connected to two screw propellors at the aft section of the ship which provide propulsion.

Weapons & Armament

The Soo'Rak has eight 4" cannons spread across the main deck, and two more at the bow section just below the main deck. She has a forward double-gun turret above the main deck which houses a much larger set of twin 6-inch guns. She notably does not have any typical pirate weapons or equipment to disable or foul enemy machinery.

Lithograph of the Soo'Rak departing from Bell Harbor on 15B, 12,501RA

Captain
Khuu'rric'Hoo'Scree'Lei 

Width

42 ft

Length

300 ft

Height

Overall: 36ft
Draft: 13ft bow, 18ft aft

Speed

25mph

Complement / Crew

225

Battle Flag of Captain Khuu'rric