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| Idiot’s Array
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Corellian Engineering Corporation
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Baleen-class heavy freighter
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Bulk freighter
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675,000 credits (DJB)
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ID 47131
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426 meters
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Tractor beam x 2
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6
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2
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15 to 30
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- Rescue and Recovery
- Supply Freighter
- Medical Support
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Background and Layout
The Idiot’s Array, also known as '"The Idiot", is a Baleen-class heavy freighter formerly used by the Wildcards.
It has since been recommissioned into the OUSC 3rd Medical Fleet. The cavernous hangar bay allows the Array to engulf damaged vessels for rescue and recovery. Large enough to fit several YT-1300 Light Freighters with room to spare, it also has refuelling and repair stations.
Beyond the hangar bay, the Baleen is the main cargo area. This area has large detachable containers, and are able to hook to other ships via umbilical. Previously these pods were permanently attached to the ship, after the Naval refit, they are once again detachable.
While the ship is slow at sublight speeds, it does have a highly upgraded hyperdrive as well as a heavy-duty shield generator that can withstand most fighter bombardments. It lacks any exterior weaponry but does have a few surprises. Inspired by seeing a Star Destroyer crash into a planet, Takota designed a crude kinetic weapon system. Several of the cargo containers are filled completely with water. These containers can be detached and aimed via targeting computers. Even while at slow sublight speed these containers hit a target at a fraction of light speed. At full shields, even a Star Destroyer will not escape unscathed.
Tasks & Schemes
Formerly a vessel used for illicit schemes, bounty hunters, and illegal refitting services the Idiot's Array has a storied history and still maintains some air of its former owners, despite becoming a haven ship among the Medical Fleet. Some of the upgrades installed by the previous crew have been left or upgraded upon, allowing the Array to refit and repair stranded vessels or break vessels safely for passenger extraction.
Upon recommissioning the Idiot’s Array, the OUSC Naval Yard began refitting the bulk freighter, once again, evacuating the various denizens of the Bazaar, and refitting the bay. Inside the cavernous landing bay, you can find refuelling, repair, and refitting equipment and droids. The bay also allows the Array to swallow the damaged hulls of other ships for rescue, recover, or salvage operations. Further back into the cargo containers, one could find a variety of shops in several of the containers. These ranged from small cantina’s, gambling houses, and short term quarters. These businesses were owned by members of the team, or by third-party vendors under the agreement that a fair portion of their income is given to the team.
Locations & Locals
While some of the major renovations and actions of the previous crew did not survive The Idiot's Array's return to Naval service, the legends of it's crew did, as did the ad hoc names for some of the locations and services throughout the ship, paying homage to the original Plankowners and the history of the ship.
The Bolthole
Situated at the port side of the main hanger, The Bolthole is an informal name for a cluster of repair bays and workshops built into the main deck plating.
Repair Bay 01 is reserved for heavy corvettes and larger ships, with much of the deck redesigned, the floorplan has been expanded encroaching on the level below. Capable of storing and working on most ships up to light bulk freighters, a number of telescopic holding arms and repulsorlifts keep the ship aloft over various mechanical workshops, assembly stations and power outlets. This effectively allows Nadeich's workers to treat the Bay as if it were a miniature deep dock, using small repulsorlift platforms and emplacements to easily access any part of the ship's exterior for rapid heavy duty repairs. Some of the more extreme cases have seen the Bay being used to partially disassemble large segments of ships to repair severe structural damage, only to reassemble them upon completion. It also serves the dual role of a disassembly yard, breaking down salvage on the few occasions it is brought in to the ship.
A vertical platform built into one wall, Repair Bay 02 is a contrast to its opposite, better suited to to starfighter or smaller pleasure yacht repair. This platform utilises a similar set of grapples and repulsorlifts to lift ships off of the deck, and then uses multiple tool-equipped mechanized arms to repair, refit, deconstruct, or scrap as needed. Repair Bay 02 Maintains it's R4 agromech droid Droid Brain built into the platform, but, now has a dedicated support staff, increasing the turnaround time on work, and increasing the Bay's overall ability to handle workload.
Somehow Verdu Nadeich, a Sullustan engineer, and former member of the New Republic navy, has remained in control of The Bolthole and as an active servicemember of The Idiot's Array even after the ship was recommissioned by the OUSC Navy. Now a Chief Warrant Officer, Nadeich has put considerable time and effort into upgrading its systems. Often sourcing Imperial and New Republic technology according to what will best serve their needs while on the outlook for what most engineers would write off as little more than engineering legends, she has ensured that pilots resident to the 3rd Fleet have an edge over their competition.
The Fortunate Few
Supply and demand is a basic rule of the galaxy, and a place like the Idiot's Array is no exception. The Fortunate Few was the name of a group who once carried out requisitions and trade for the vessel when underway. In its modern incarnation, The Fortunate Few serves as the name of the Requisitions and Exchange, servicing the needs of the Sailors and Passengers afloat. Whether delivered by the Logistics fleet or requisitioned during port calls, the purpose of The Fortunate Few exists to keep spirits and material supplies high, in keeping with the storied history of the band of brigands and merchants who once roamed the vessel's hallowed halls.
Previously the ship had served as a self-governed nation of smaller, individual, interests, which lacked the facilities to sustain itself. Food only arrived via infrequent shipments and parts to keep the ship flying often proving to be in short supply, action was taken to ensure its future. The Fortunate Few became the group who saw to these needs, acting out of their own initiative, at first, before officially organising into a structured coalition of individual vessels and their captains. The idea behind the group was simple: Through occasional meetings, communications and updates, each captain would see that a resource they were short of was supplied to the Array. Those in the best position to obtain what was needed would then claim it and bring it back as required.
The need for these supply runs rarely superseded the smugglers' own goals, but would be seen as an additional objective. While hauling a hold full of spice, a captain might be expected to procure a number of power converters compatible with the main reactor of a Baleen heavy freighter, or, in other cases, they might even liberate spare parts from a salvage yard while taking a haul for themselves. While the group had no overall hierarchy or distinct leader, its members remain devoted to its goals out of the understanding that their service was necessary to maintain their way of life.
The benefits of being a member of the Few stem largely from a degree of protection granted due to their role. While the costs of procuring any items are covered by each Captain in question, repairs to their ships are often prioritised by local mechanics and handled at a discount. Each was usually ignored by the groups who steal, rob or swindle individuals for their worldly goods, and even the resident small-time crime lords turned a blind eye to their activities, so long as a member of the Few didn't push their luck, they were be able to tend to their needs without the usual risks associated with hives of scum and villainy. Well, most of them, anyway.
Plankowners
This is the list of the founding members of the Wildcards BT and the first crew of the Idiot.