Source: Technical Readout 3057
Mass: 100,000 tons
Armament:
10 Medium Lasers
Overview:
The Behemoth is the largest DropShip ever constructed and is larger than many JumpShips. Nearly twice the size of the Mammoth, the Behemoth Class DropShip is incapable of atmospheric operations or planetary landings. Instead, it either docks with an orbital cargo station or uses shuttles to move its cargo to a planet�s surface. This extra stage in its loading operations increases the vessel�s operating costs considerably, limiting its usefulness for most merchants.
The Behemoth�s massive drive system occupies several of the lower decks and alone weighs more than three Union Class DropShips. This massive system can provide the Behemoth with approximately 1.5 Gs of acceleration, but running the drive at this level causes stress cracks in many components, which are very expensive to repair. As a result, most vessels rarely operate the drive above half capacity.
The bulk of the Behemoth comprises 20 cargo decks, each of which can accommodate nearly 4,000 tons of cargo. A set of lifts in the central support spoke provide access to each deck. Four decks for equipment and personnel are located above the cargo decks. The lowest of these contains the life-support system, parts storage, and the Behemoth�s small-craft bays. The second deck houses the majority of the vessel�s 50 crew members in comfortable individual rooms. In the center of the deck, surrounding the support spoke, are the main lounge and mess, which can accommodate the entire crew. An exercise room and the ships medical facility occupy the rest of the deck. Deck three contains the officers� quarters and the Behemoth's hydroponic garden. The deck also contains a small lounge and officers� mess facility. The top deck contains the bridge, main computer and sensors. The sensitive nature of these systems results in very tight security on this deck. Unless special permission is given by the captain, the security guards on duty will deny entry to all personnel, with the exception of the bridge staff currently on duty. The bridge deck also contains an independent life-support system and emergency batteries. This arrangement makes seizing control of a Behemoth nearly impossible.