Cataphract (Weaponry)
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A cataphract, sometimes referred to as Spearhead, Iron Fist, or The Boot, is a weapon used in space combat. It is a large, metal structure typically mounted on the bow of a spaceship. The cataphract gained notoriety for its pivotal role in the Battle of the Forge, where its use by the Republican forces helped them secure a pyrrhic victory against the Coalition.
Description
A cataphract is a large metal structure, usually mounted on the bow of a spaceship. Its basic form consists of a pyramid shape resting on a rectangular base. The shape and dimensions of the base—such as length, width, height, and weight—as well as the materials used in its construction, vary depending on the type of ship it is designed for, the manufacturer, and the intended purpose. For example, cataphracts used by the Republican Navy after 2260 tend to be longer and taller with less dense alloys to prioritize penetration and cost-effectiveness. In contrast, legacy models were shorter and constructed with much denser alloys, delivering a devastating impact but being prone to being outmaneuvered and excessively expensive, which is why they are now mostly found on decommissioned ships.
The interior of a cataphract houses up to four engines that power the thrusters on the exterior. Typically, there is one large main thruster located at the bottom of the base to provide forward thrust, accompanied by 4, 8, or sometimes up to 16 smaller side thrusters to facilitate semi-complex maneuvers. Most models store fuel in the center or even the front portion of the cataphract, often alongside other combustible materials. The design of this fuel storage is intended to cause significant internal damage to the ship if the initial impact doesn't suffice. Some variants of the cataphract feature a timed or manual detonation mechanism to control this effect; however, in most cases, the sheer force of impact is sufficient to ignite the fuel and other materials, leading to fires and, in some instances, causing the targeted ship to be split apart.
The name cataphract is derived from the armored heavy cavalry of ancient warfare. These cavalry units were used as shock troops, often delivering a devastating blow during an initial attack. This principle is applied to their modern-day counterpart in space combat. Despite its form, position, and use, a cataphract should not be confused with a naval ram. The key difference lies in the mass and momentum involved in modern space battles compared to ancient naval warfare. If a spaceship used a cataphract to ram another ship, both the ramming and rammed ships would likely sustain massive damage from the impact. This potential for mutual destruction, along with the high manufacturing cost, is why the cataphract is regarded as a "last resort" weapon, rather than a commonly used tool of warfare.