Basilisk

The Crimson Fold's Basilisk-class Starfighter

The Basilisk is the Crimson Fold crime syndicate's newest and deadliest starfighter. The design incorporates the lessons learned from the years of combat experience against Sierran starfighters. The Basilisk also rectifies many of the shortcomings found in the Crimson Fold's Mauler-class fighters. When the Mauler first débuted it proved to be a formidable adversary for the Sierran Rapier Mk.7. However, operational experience revealed that the Mauler was at a severe disadvantage if combat persisted against the much more nimble Rapiers. The Mauler's guns were tied directly to the fighter's engines, which, while yielding exceptional power for short bursts, proved to be technically problematic. Prolonged combat often resulted in dangerous engine surges, and the guns were prone to overheating. It was not uncommon for both the guns and the engines to short each other out, leaving the Mauler defenseless, or worse, resulting with the fighter exploding. The Mauler soon found itself totally outclassed with the advent of the powerful Rapier Mk.9.

The New Basilisk is technically much more advanced than the Mauler. It is much faster, better armed and with far greater endurance and combat persistence, although it trades armour for performance and it's not quite as tough as the Mauler. The Basilisk concentrates its weapons; four heavy rapid-fire pulse cannons, four lighter cannons and two warhead launchers in a tight grouping, providing devastating firepower. In fact, The Basilisk is the most heavily armed fighter of its size and class. While the Basilisk is still no match for the Sierran Rapier in terms of sheer agility, it is tailored carefully to the Crimson Fold's fast run-and-gun tactics. It has been rumoured that The Crimson Fold's Crimelord personally supervised the Basilisk's design. The Basilisk will soon become the backbone of Crimson Fold forces, with the Maulers reassigned to a support role.