Mass Effect Transcendence/Assets
Detailed here are the mission assets that Penumbra can bring to bear on an operation.
MSV Scalpel
The flagship and mobile command centre of Penumbra Securities is the frigate MSV Scalpel, registered as a private transport.
[image: ship]
History
The Scalpel has a checkered history that extends beyond Penumbra's relatively short period of ownership. Commissioned in 2155 as the Systems Alliance Space Vessel Salamanca, it was a wolfpack frigate designed to act in concert with it's companion ships to screen the lead cruiser of it's pack. State-of-the-art in it's time, the Salamanca was part of a patrol fleet dispatched in response to the turian attack that initiated the First Contact War in 2157. Holed during a skirmish with a turian fighter wing and left stricken without power, the order was given to abandon ship. The charges set to scuttle the vessel failed to go off, leaving it a drifting derelict, all but forgotten about after the war.
It was rediscovered almost quarter-century later in 2181 by agents of the Spectre Nihlus Kyrik. He dispatched his trusted companion Kirroe Tuditan to recover the ship, legally if possible, invoking Spectre privileges if necessary. He never expanded on his reasons for wanting that ship specifically. Word of the find spread quickly, and in response retired Alliance officer Hector Ortiz (who had been a bridge officer aboard the cruiser Kinshasa leading the flotilla at the time the ship was lost) mounted a rival salvage operation with Alliance backing. Kirroe reached the vessel first, but it lay in Alliance-controlled space. The vessel was still intact in spite of the battle damage and the Alliance laid a case before the Council that they needed to protect military secrets.
Lengthy negotiations ensued involving expensive lawyers on both sides. Eventually it was a burgeoning friendship based upon mutual respect between Kirroe and Hector that broke the deadlock and allowed a mutually beneficial agreement to be reached. The conditions agreed stipulated that the spinal mass accelerator would be removed, as would any proprietary military technology and any codes or ciphers in the VI core. The repair and refit would be carried out by the Alliance before being turned over to Kirroe, and Spectre status did not need to be invoked. A brief decommissioning ceremony was held at Arcturus Station in 2183 to formally retire the SSV Salamanca from Alliance military service.
With the death of Nihlus on Eden Prime, his will granted ownership of the vessel to Kirroe. Reviewing her options, she resolved upon negotiations with the original four principals of Penumbra Securities, finally joining their outfit and formally incorporating it. Ownership of the vessel was transferred to Penumbra Securities upon it's inception in 2183, where it was christened the MSV Scalpel.
Layout
The Scalpel retains the standard three-deck layout of Alliance frigates of it's class.
Top Deck - Additional Quarters
The removal of the main gun created a great deal of internal storage space on what was formerly the gun-deck, which was repurposed as additional living quarters and leisure facilities. The principals each have their own personal quarters, as does the Executive Officer and space is also reserved for visiting clients. In addition there is a gymnasium, fully-stocked bar and virtual firing range.
Middle Deck - Command and Quarters
The layout of the middle deck is broadly unchanged. To the fore is the cockpit and immediately behind it the bridge/CIC and mid-deck is the communications/briefing room. To the aft are crew quarters, mess hall and medical bay. It is also where the escape pod hatches are located.
Bottom Deck - Engineering and Storage
Similarly, the layout of the bottom deck is unchanged. Engineering and the drive core housing utilise a proportion of the space, though less than is the case in the SSV Normandy, which has an outsized core and heat sinks. Towards the aft is the hangar, armoury and a modular storage area which can be configured for cargo or additional crew quarters.
Capabilities
The Scalpel has military-grade ablative armour, kinetic barriers, propulsion and sensors. These have been updated with the best commercially-available after-market packages.
While the spinal mass accelerator cannon was removed, it retains GARDIAN point-defense lasers and disruptor torpedo tubes. This means that while the Scalpel could no longer feature in a line of battle, it can still protect itself from fighters and torpedoes and engage other vessels at "knife fight" range. Removal of the main gun also reduces heat generation and power draw, allowing more energy to be directed to other systems in battle.
For internal security, there are four dormant Mk III Orcus-class combat mechs which can be activated to repel boarders.
Vehicles
The Scalpel's hangar carries a number of vehicles which enhance the force projection and operational capability of Penumbra. These include:
- Two multi-role A-61 Mantis gunships able to provide air support, rapid extraction and orbital fighter cover. Designated Raptor One and Raptor Two.
- A UT-47 Kodiak Drop Shuttle for bulk transport. Armed with door gun. Designated Umbra One.
- A [unspecified rover] for on-planet ground transport. Upgraded with kinetic barrier and mass accelerator machine gun.
Additional vehicles may be hired on as required.
MSV Prism
Following the conclusion of a number of successfully executed contracts, Penumbra has been able to expand its fleet to include a support ship, the MSV Prism. This is registered as a private transport.
[image: ship]
History
The Prism began its service life in 2156, commissioned as the PFS Brasimene, a fleet support frigate designed to act as a command and control hub. Its role was to co-ordinate surveillance, sensors and communications between ships of the fleet and provide countermeasures against enemy electronic warfare. After 25 years of active service, the Brasimene was decommissioned and prepared for sale.
Agents working for Kirroe Tuditan secured the purchase of the Brasimene for Penumbra Securities in 2184. It was christened the MSV Prism on completion of the sale.
Layout
The Prism retains the standard three-deck layout of turian frigates of it's class. Aside from cosmetic refit and alterations of internal space, the layout is largely unchanged.
Top Deck - Command and Enhanced Sensor Station
In the bow of the command deck is the cockpit with the pilot stations. The bridge and CIC are towards the rear of that section, as is the turian style. To the aft of the top deck is the communications and sensor station, an area almost as large as the bridge featuring all the enhanced capabilities.
Middle Deck - Laboratories, Medical Suite and Quarters
In a regular turian fighting frigate, the middle deck would be dominated by the spinal mass acceleration gun, but support vessels are designed to utilise the space differently. To the fore are a pair of laboratories with full quarantine protocols. Next is an expanded medical suite able to support ten care beds and its own dedicated medical lab. The remaining half of the deck is the habitation space, living quarters, crew sleeper pods, mess hall and escape pods. At the stern is the senior crew quarters and captain's cabin and office.
Bottom Deck - Engineering and Storage
The bottom deck houses the engineering section with the drive core and an expanded computing room. Towards the aft is the hangar, armoury and main cargo hold.
Capabilities
The Prism has military-grade ablative armour, kinetic barriers and propulsion. These have been updated with the best commercially-available after-market packages. It also boasts an enhanced sensory array and communication suite, with the latest e-warfare packages and significant data processing capacity.
GARDIAN point defense lasers provide close protection from enemy torpedoes and fighters in "knife fight" range.
For internal security, there are six dormant Mk V Orcus-class combat mechs which can be activated to repel boarders.
Vehicles
The Prism's hangar carries a number of vehicles which enhance the force projection and operational capability of Penumbra. These include:
- Two multi-role A-61 Mantis gunships able to provide air support, rapid extraction and orbital fighter cover. Designated Raptor Three and Raptor Four.
- A UT-47 Kodiak Drop Shuttle for bulk transport. Armed with door gun. Designated Umbra Two.
- A UT-47 Kodiak Drop Shuttle configured with advanced sensory, communications and e-warfare suites, able to act as a mobile command post and drone operating base. Designated Aegis.
Additional vehicles may be hired on as required.
