Retaliator

The Retaliator, once the symbol of Messer’s iron fist, has transitioned along with the company to become an all purpose spacecraft design. With over two centuries of design evolution, modern day Retaliators barely resemble the original model. Built first as a ground-based strategic bomber, the Retaliator is capable of delivering a heavy payload of bombs to a planetary target or an array of shipkiller torpedoes to any size of capital ship. It was exactly this modularity that allowed civilian pilots to adapt the Retaliator for their own purposes: adaptable bomb bays could be swapped for after-market living quarters, cargo racks or other, more exotic options. Added to this was the vast quantity of surplus Retaliators stored in low-humidity conditions around the galaxy, making them a cost-effective option for pilots looking to make a start with a larger crewed spaceship.

The resulting ‘do it yourself’ nature of Retaliator ownership has caused an interesting, ship-specific culture to flourish. Though they come from all walks of life, civilian Retaliator pilots have formed something of a brotherhood around their love of their “Talis.” So-called ‘bomber boys’ organize Retaliator conventions and compete to find the most interesting new uses for the spacecraft. BB gatherings may bring thousands of the ships together at once, and provide an interesting sight for anyone caught in the middle.

The Retaliator is the United Earth Empire’s premiere, if aging, jump-capable heavy bomber. Massive formations of these spacecraft running long-range strike missions is not an uncommon site around the fringes of the empire. With a distinctive elongated silhouette that is dotted with turrets and carrying a massive bomb load, the Retaliator is an effective symbol of Imperial might. As such, they are the frequent centerpiece of Space Force recruiting posters. Retaliators are ground-based, with all but the largest carriers unable to operate them effectively. Heavily modified Retaliators are becoming commonplace on the civilian market as the design ages and earlier production runs are sold off en-mass. Outfitted to carry cargo instead of antimatter bombs and with the waste turret positions typically swapped for makeshift living quarters, they make a good medium freighter or a basic explorer. Some have even been converted into long-hop passenger spacecraft!