Phantom

Phantom-Class Stealth Development

The war table flickered with holographic schematics, casting a cold blue light over the gathered officers. Major Nathan Vale stood at the head, arms crossed, his face unreadable as Aegis fed the latest projections directly into the room's display. Across from him, the lead engineers and tactical officers scrutinized the data, their expressions shifting between concern and determination.

"We don't have the time or the resources for a full fleet," Commander Raiel, chief engineer, muttered, scrolling through the production estimates. "At best, we can fabricate a single prototype before the Xel'Thir reach Zeta-9."

Vale exhaled sharply. "Then one will have to be enough."

Aegis' voice resonated through the command chamber, precise and unwavering. "Phantom-Class is an evolution of the Wraith design. Stealth optimized, built for prolonged independent operations, and carrying enough firepower to disrupt enemy formations. Its mission is not survival—it is to sow chaos in the Xel'Thir fleet."

Phantom-Class: 72-Hour AssemblyZeta-9 Orbital Shipyard – Emergency Construction Protocols

The shipyard was a frenzy of motion. Automated assembly drones zipped between scaffolds, welding armor plates into place. Engineering crews worked in shifts, running on stimulants and adrenaline. Every second counted.

"Power core stabilization in progress!" an engineer shouted over the noise. Sparks rained down as plasma torches sealed the Phantom's reinforced hull.

"Structural frame at 85%! We need reinforcement on section C-12!"

Raiel wiped sweat from his forehead, eyes darting across multiple holo-displays. The timeline was impossible, but they had no choice.

"This isn't a ship, it's a miracle in progress," muttered one of the techs, adjusting the calibration on the FTL rail-cannon turret.

"Less talking, more building," Raiel snapped.

Raiel's brow furrowed. "If we add a micro-hangar, it's going to impact mass balance and power distribution. The FTL Rail-Lance and Nyx-1 system already demand a lot of energy."

Aegis interjected, "Solution: reroute auxiliary power from the Wraith when docked. Additionally, the hangar will operate on a retractable bay design, reducing exposure when not in use. The Nyx-1 torpedo launchers will be powered by a dedicated capacitor bank, minimizing overall draw."

Raiel rubbed his chin. "That might work... but it's going to push the ship's reactor to its limit. We'll need a dedicated engineer monitoring power allocation at all times."

Vale's smirk returned. "Then we'll find the right hands for the job."

A heavy silence followed as the full weight of the mission settled over the room. They weren't just building a ship—they were betting the survival of the entire Zeta-9 system on a single prototype.

Raiel finally broke the silence. "Alright. We're not sleeping for the next seventy-two hours. Let's build a ghost."

Vale nodded. "Then let's make sure the Xel'Thir never see it coming."

Hour 24 – Skeleton Frame Completed

The Phantom's core structure was finalized. Its stealth hull plating, a hybrid composite of reflective alloys and nano-layered polymers, was installed at a record-breaking pace.

Hour 36 – Reactor and Drive Systems Online

Aegis directed power flow calculations, adjusting outputs in real time. The ship's dual-core FTL drive was integrated—highly experimental, untested under combat stress.

"We'll find out if it works when we jump," Raiel muttered.

Hour 50 – Weapons Integration

The Nyx-1 torpedo bays were loaded. The dual FTL rail-cannon turrets were mounted—modified from existing Wraith-class weaponry to fit the Phantom's sleek frame.

"Turret mobility check… locked in."

"Calibration set—systems green across the board."

Hour 65 – Cloaking System Finalized

The Active Cloaking Veil was the last component. Its matrix required precise tuning to synchronize with the ship's energy signature.

"Cloak is stable, but prolonged use might burn out the core," one of the engineers warned.

Vale, overseeing from the command station, only nodded. "We'll worry about that later."

Hour 71 – Crew Boarding & Systems Check

With the shipyard's artificial gravity stabilizers disengaged, the Phantom-Class floated free from its construction scaffolds. The last bolts sealed into place as final diagnostics ran.

"All systems operational. Phantom-Class is ready."

Vale stood on the bridge, staring at the viewscreen. The impossible had been done.

"Launch sequence initiated," Aegis confirmed.

A moment of silence passed.

"Then let's take our ghost into the dark."

Phantom-Class: Complete.

"If we had a year, I'd say this was damn impressive." Raiel tapped the schematics. "But we have days."

Vale locked eyes with the engineer. "Then let's make every hour count. Walk me through it."

Phantom-Class Stealth Frigate

Role: Stealth support, deep-space infiltration, and multi-role combat operations.

Description: These multi-role stealth frigates will serve as the backbone of the fleet's deep-space strike capability. Equipped with a Hybrid Rail-Lance System, extended FTL range, and advanced cloaking technology, the Phantom-Class is designed for precision operations and high-risk missions. The frigates also feature a Micro-Hangar Bay, allowing them to deploy Wraith-Class Corvettes or Recon Drones on extended operations. These ships are ideal for hit-and-run tactics or infiltrations within enemy space, evading detection and delivering precise damage to key enemy infrastructure.Crew: 12 personnel.Special Features: Hybrid Rail-Lance System, Nyx-1 Torpedoes, multi-vector ECM systems, active cloaking veil, and drone dispensers.

Rael sighed and leaned forward. "With only one ship, we need the best people onboard. No second chances."

Vale nodded. "We already have the crew. Aegis, run the roster."

Phantom-Class Crew Configuration:

Captain (Vale) – Command and strategic oversight.

XO (Executive Officer) – Second-in-command, manages crew operations.

Pilot – Handles maneuvering and evasive tactics.

Co-Pilot/Nav Officer – Jump calculations and stealth operations.

Weapons Officer – Operates primary and secondary weapons.

Tactical Systems Specialist – Oversees ECM, cyberwarfare, and intelligence gathering.

Drone Operations Officer – Deploys and manages recon/combat drones.

Chief Engineer – Manages FTL cores and ship integrity.

Support Engineer – Assists in real-time damage control.

Medical Officer – Handles crew health and emergency medical response.

Sensor Specialist – Monitors battlefield data and enemy signatures.

Communications Officer – Maintains secure transmissions and counterintelligence ops.