Mobile Suit Capacity: 72 (Usually half this number)
Primary Equipment:
Mega Particle Cannon x 8: A double barreled high energy weapon system positioned along the station's hull. Primarily suited for naval combat, they are not very effective against faster mobile weapons. These weapons rise out of armored hatchways when in use, covering various attack angles and offering a powerful surprise for unwary foes.
Point Defense Beam Cannon Turret x 48: Typical beam cannons that have been mounted into ball turrets along different sections of the hull. Each cannon has a limited range, but packs a fair amount of firepower. Besides direct assault, they often double as a means of clearing away space junk, asteroids, or shooting down incoming warheads.
Anti-Ship Torpedo Launcher x 16: Fixed firing ports located along the station's hull, routing energy directly from its energy cores. Actually a form of energy cannon, the launchers fire hefty bolts that emphasize their concussive effect. While effective in smashing through the defenses of another ship, they are terrible against mobile weapons.
Missile Launch Port x 36: Rectangular missile racks are located the station's hull. Each is loaded with several dozen heavy missiles that break apart into a wide spread of smaller warheads. Effective against mobile weapons, they can have their "split" feature deactivated when used against a larger target.
Brief Background:
Operae Pretium Est is certainly a worthwhile product of the Grand Cross' growing military might. Originally a research station, constructed for a long-term space flight to the solar system's edge, it was confiscated by the colony forces in the opening days of their revolution. Since then, it has been redesigned and converted into a massive mobile base and staging area. Though too large and too slow to be included amongst the Grand Cross'
frontline fleet, Operae has proven itself to be a welcome presence near any battlefield. Currently, the gigantic facility has been moved to Lagrange Point 1, relatively close to the neutral colony Ark Nova. From here, it serves as a waypoint and headquarters for Grand Cross forces operating in the Luna Theater (L1 and the moon).
It still retains many of its old facilities, and even has the capacity to repair
and refit a battleship, if necessary. Since the beginning of the Grand Cross civil war, the station has become a base of operations for the Nobles faction.
