F-38 Talon

F-38 Talon
Type	Light Fighter
Primary User	Militia
Additional Users	Church of Man, Pirates
General Characteristics
Length	181 meters
Crew	1 (Pilot)
Performance
Maneuverability	Good
Acceleration	Very Good
Velocity
Maximum	400 kps
Afterburner
Maximum Afterburner	1000 kps
Armament
Guns
3 Mass Drivers (2) Particle Cannon (1)
Mounts	3
Default Missile Loadout
1 HS Missiles (2)
Mounts	1
Components
Jump Drive	Yes
Defense
Armor
Front	9 cm
Rear	8 cm
Side	7 cm
Talon, as discovered in the Tri-System circa 2790.
Source	Gemini Sector: An Overview

The Talon is one of the most common fighters on the Terran-Kilrathi frontier, owing to the 2654 illegal sale of the fighters by Gemini Sector Governor Menesch to the Church of Man. For the fifteen years following that event, Talons became not only the primary vehicles of neo-luddite terrorism, but also common tools of pirates, mobsters and any other sort of illegitimate operation that might benefit from a fast, cheap fighter. Further complicating the matter, many frontier militia units also use the craft. In short, space is full of Talons.

In 2790, a disabled Talon was discovered at Nav Point #190 in the Tri-System. The CIS issued a Code 3 Top Priority call for the destruction of the ship and the capture of its pilot. The Papagod Clan deployed a pair of Temblers to capture the ship for themselves. At this time, it is unknown why the appearance of an antique fighter caused such a serious reaction.

Variants

Variant	Max. Speed	Afterburn	Weapon	Weapon	Shield level	Fore armor	Aft armor	Side armor	Source
Talon (Militia)	400	1,000	Mass drivers (2) Particle cannon (1) HS missiles (2)	Mass drivers (2) Particle cannon (1) HS missiles (2)	Level 7	80	70	60	Wing Commander: Privateer
Talon (Pirate)	400	1,000	Mass drivers (2) Particle cannon (1) HS missiles (2)	Mass drivers (2) Particle cannon (1) HS missiles (2)	Level 6	70	60	50	Wing Commander: Privateer
Talon (Retro)	400	1,000	Laser cannons (2) Mass driver (1) DF missile (1)	Laser cannons (2) Mass driver (1) DF missile (1)	Level 10	70	60	50	Wing Commander: Privateer

Gemini Sector: An Overview

The Talon is probably the ship you will encounter most often in Gemini. Flown by numerous different factions, it may appear in slightly different designs but its weapon loadouts and dynamics remain the same. You should take extreme care to keep the Talon away from your rear, since it is equipped with numerous HS missiles. If you are an accomplished pilot, you should be able to take out a Talon with relative ease, especially if you are flying a Stiletto or a Centurion, since its armor is extremely weak. Try to avoid its particle cannon, since a hit can inflict sizable damage.

Your Guide to the Universe

Unknown Ship

No record of this class of ship is available through the CCN, and no statistics for it could be found. However, reports of a ship fitting this description have been increasing. If you sight a ship resembling the picture to the right, please contact the office of Jak Synaslew, CIS Director of Vehicle Indentification and Classification.

_{1. As depicted in internal models for Privateer 2: The Darkening.}