Ship: SSBx-02 “Firewatch” Surface Support Base

Overview 

The SSBx-02 “Firewatch” is an orbital forward operating base designed to facilitate planetary invasions and long-term surface support. Built as a capital-class carrier, it provides logistical operations, troop deployment, and sustained planetary bombardment capabilities. With its extensive cargo holds, reinforced hangar bays, and integrated command centers, the Firewatch can support large-scale ground operations over extended campaigns.

Ship Image

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Specifications 

Others (Technical Fluff)

Armaments here is what is physically mounted on the ship, for what weapons the ship can utilize in combat, see under Armaments (Game Mechanics)

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Armaments (Game Mechanics)

Defenses (Only on Military Ships)

The Firewatch’s multiple hangars and runways allow it to rapidly deploy a variety of craft—ranging from troop transports and heavy cargo shuttles to VTOL gunships and atmospheric fighters. These bays are heavily reinforced, featuring magnetic clamps, pressurized docking seals, and advanced cargo management systems that swiftly cycle assets into combat or retrieval operations.

Carried Crafts: RX-01 Support Craft Jupiter Mech Dropship SR-12 Space Superiority Fighter BR-33 Fleet Defense Fighter E-11 AWACS Aircraft

Thebe Assault Mech Metis Siege Mech Ganymede Scout Mech Io Self Propelled Artillery Mech

Ariadne Corvette

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Operational History 

The SSBx-02 “Firewatch” has participated in multiple engagements along the Betelgeuse frontier, providing orbital artillery support during planetary assaults and serving as a command hub for surface operations. Its presence has been a decisive factor in securing beachheads and maintaining supply lines in contested territories.

In the tense years of the Kryx Nebula Cold War, the Firewatch and sister SSB-class vessels have been deployed as both deterrents and strategic assets. Often stationed in high orbit above contested worlds, they function as “watchtowers”—overseeing peace treaties, monitoring neutral trade routes, and silently reminding regional powers of the Terran Hegemony’s influence. In certain “diplomatic missions,” the arrival of an SSB can act as a subtle nudge for planetary governments to engage in negotiations on Terran terms.

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Typical Missions 

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Story Hooks 

• Sabotage on the Firewatch: Rumors suggest that a high-ranking officer has been compromised by a rival power. A series of “maintenance mishaps” aboard the Firewatch threaten critical systems just before a major invasion. The PCs must root out spies and avert disaster before enemy troops on the surface gain the upper hand.

• Hostage Diplomacy: The Firewatch orbits an independent world undergoing tense peace talks. When dignitaries are taken hostage planetside, the ship’s command must balance brute force rescue attempts with delicate diplomacy. The PCs might join infiltration teams or handle negotiations, as the enemy dares them to risk civilian lives.

• Treasure of the Frontier: A hidden vault deep in the Firewatch’s cargo holds contains ancient alien relics—booty from a long-forgotten campaign. As a strange energy begins to affect crew morale and onboard systems, the PCs scramble to contain the artifact’s influence before mutiny or madness breaks out.

• Against the Clock: The Firewatch’s short-warp core fails in the midst of a crucial redeployment, trapping it behind enemy lines. With hostiles closing in, the crew must initiate emergency repairs, bargain with rogue traders, and call in old favors. The PCs could be tasked with securing vital warp field components on a hostile moon below.

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Additional Details 

All SSB-class vessels, is designed to carry Terran Special Forces Mechanized Infantry divisions. These elite troops utilize advanced Mech Suits—bipedal armored walkers suited for urban combat and hazardous environments. Deployed from specialized launch bays, these mechanized units form the spearhead of planetary assaults, leading charges through twisting city streets or dense jungle terrain. They rely on the Firewatch’s orbital overwatch for timely recon data, pinpoint artillery strikes, and rapid resupply, ensuring that ground campaigns maintain momentum even under the harshest conditions.