Fatem

One of the simplest Fatem creations, and the second ever seen by mankind, the Strix is an elegant machine about 7 meters long. It's tiny Aeternitas Engine is housed between two razor-sharp serrated wings. Overlapping rotary blades hang beneath its reinforced prow, making them a deadly prospect in close proximity. They are not known to possess any other defensive systems. Strix fly in orderly V-shaped formations of three or more, and bear down on their targets with speed and precision, tearing through everything from I.A.F. fighters to small fortifications. Some pilots refer to them as 'Swans', in light of their elegance and agility. Though theorists believe the Strix has its roots as a simple mining drone, it remains a dangerous foe. Do not believe otherwise.

Nicknamed the 'Bumbleclock' by Asgard Defense pilots lucky enough to survive encounters with them, Pyrobolus drones are closer to a piece of ordnance than an actual ship. They can be recognized at a distance by the distinct shape of a clock face on their prow and the crackling hum of their twin tesla coils, lending them their name. Slow and bulky, Bumbleclocks discharge powerful arcs of static electricity at metallic objects that venture into their path, ticking away as they move in on their chosen target. Once they're close enough, the clock face whirs to life, and the Pyrobolus' heavy Aeternitas Engine begins to rapidly overload itself. The results are devastating. An inward pulse of incredible magnetic force tears the Bumbleclock apart, shredding plating off of anything unfortunate enough to be near the blast. Smaller objects are simply sucked into the implosion and crushed under the force of the collapsing Engine. Like the Strix, scientists believe the Pyrobolus started as a mining tool, not a machine of war. Regardless, the end result is an armored, flying bomb complete with its own defenses. Engage at a safe distance. Once their detonation sequence starts, evade at any cost.

Encounters with the Fatem armada have puzzled I.A.F. tacticians for a number of reasons. The Trygonus is one of them. Bearing a passing resemblance to the Strix, the Trygonus' most obvious distinction is its tactics. Rather than plunge directly at foes, it prefers to stay at a distance, bombarding them with salvo after salvo of metallic debris. The projectiles are fired from a magnetized pair of gears in each wing that launch them with surprising force, and take the shape of twisted clock hands and other Fatem components. Unlike the Strix and Pyrobolus, which have apparent non-combat applications, the Trygonus seems to be exclusively an instrument of conflict. Speculation continues on the exact nature of, and reason for, its unconventional ammunition.  

The Pendulum is a somewhat bulky Fatem contraption, similar in size and weight to the Pyrobolus. It also fits easily into existing human ship classifications, maintaining the role of tactical bomber in the Fatem armada. The Pendulum's strange ordnance resembles a miniaturized version of the Pyrobolus' Aeternitas Engine. These weapons overload with horrific electromagnetic force upon impact with a target, doing considerable damage to anything nearby. No one knows how many 'bombs' a Pendulum can carry, so its best to assume they can partake in an extended dogfight without the need to re-arm. It is not the Pendulums' weapons, but their unique defense systems, that lend them their name. A large, humming electromagnet swings in arcs across the prow of the ship, curving most particle weapons and slowing magnetized projectiles to the point of harmlessness. The swings are harmonized with the Pendulum's own firing sequence, allowing it to attack from behind its strange shield with impunity. Pilots should consider these resilient craft priority targets in any engagement.