Paranok-class cruiser

The Paranok class cruiser was a ship in the Montrosh fleet.

Characteristics
The Paranok class cruiser was one of the first ships encountered by Jorian forces, on the planet Caldrus. It was designated a light cruiser by most galactic forces. Most of the ship had a slightly arcing top and side hull,with a flat belly area. It terminated in four thermal-thrust engines. The fore section of the ship had four curving 'mandibles' that emerged from the front of the ship.

Two of the mandibles emerged from the bottom, while the other two emerged from the top. The bridge of the cruiser was situated in between the mandibles at their bases. Each mandible held a hangar bay, from which they launched their fighter squadrons and dropships. Each mandible had ten heavy guns on the outside, and twenty point defense cannons.

The bridge of the Paranok itself was remarkably undefended. A well placed turbolaser barrage, or a few missiles could annihilate the bridge itself. Because of this, the Paranok relied on its starboard and port weaponry to destroy any threats before they could assault the bridge.

The Paranok cruiser was equipped with thermal shields, made to absorb the energy rounds from standard galactic starships. In addition, the thermal shields could disintegrate projectile weapons, like proton torpedoes, debris, and asteroids. Therefore, the ship, like all Montrosh ships, were invulnerable to proton torpedoes and missile fire until its ships had been overwhelmed by turbolaser fire.

Armament wise, the Paranok had 120 point defence thermal cannons, and 80 heavy thermal cannons. As the thermal cannons lacked the ability to fire the highly ionized plasma of most ships, they relied on brute force. The kinetic and heat from the cannons slowly wore down the shields of enemy vessels. Though, once the thermal blasts got through the shields, they dealt much more damage than the standard turbolaser cannon. They were capable of melting through hull plating and multiple decks beyond.

The Paranok cruiser was able to perform hyperspace jumps. At sublight travel, it could move as fast as most ships in its class. The cruiser was also capable of atmospheric travel, and frequently entered the atmosphere of worlds after planetary defenses had been neutralized.

History
The Paranok cruiser was first seen during the conflict between the Galactic Interplanetary Alliance, and the Jorian Sovereignty. Commander Jarick Kiovosk noticed the ship leaving the atmosphere of Caldrus after deploying a drop pod.

The ship was described as an arm like shape with four curved pincers. It resembled the Reaper-class frigate of the Droid confederacy, also with frontal 'pincers'. Though, it lacked the heavy armour and the bridge was in different location of the Reaper-class. This was discovered when one of the Paranoks was destroyed by a single volley of turbolaser fire that punched through the cruisers hull and ripped it in half.

Dozens of Paranok cruisers were present at the battle of Anduil, deploying troops to the surface. A Paranok cruiser was also seen at Tarvis, deploying hundreds of troops on the planet. It was later destroyed by the Sword-class star destroyer Dragonfire. When the Montrosh invasion began to spread throughout the rest of the known galaxy, Paranok cruisers became more common sights. They were capable in one on one fights against cruisers and smaller ships, though outmatched in terms of durability.