Database and Lore

The N’Jip Mark 1 Class Light Assault Carrier

*Spoilers if you haven't read past Gabatrix: The First Peace arc* “It’s a quaint little ship, capable of taking us to all portions of T’rintar clan space. They are everywhere and do their jobs right.” A UHN marine that traveled in a N’Jip. The venerable N’Jip is a carrier design that has survived the tests of time. It is an outgrowth of the famous Jip carriers used in the past for the Yutilians. Many have often commented on the beauty and majestic look that the ship has. It’s more than capable of performing its job while serving as an assault platform for deploying troops and aircraft. While many can easily say that it isn’t on par with the Shal’rein heavy carriers, it isn’t something to laugh about either. Design The N’Jip design is almost an exact duplicate of the older Jip class carriers. For the Yutilians, the Jip carriers became a favorite that was embraced by three of the Yutilian kingdoms long ago. They were cheap, efficient, and capable of performing its job. It is a simple cylindrical frame with two enormous wings stuck to it. The vertical thrust modules allow the vessel to hover over large terrain while it can rain down a flurry of micro missiles at the target. Many UHN analysts compare the Jips as the modern rocket launcher transports. They can sweep in and deploy their missiles, obliterating large concentrations of enemy defenses while still having basic CIWS gun armament to defend and provide cover fire for troops and vehicles alike. The powerful rapid fire mortar system is still kept that can pummel enemy targets and fortifications from a distance. The wings are also designed to serve as landing platforms in a thin but viable landing strip for planetary launched aircraft. On the sides of the wings are slot tubes for launching the aircraft, along with a cramped but accessible hangar bay. The fighters and interceptors can be deployed to provide support for the carrier and ground forces alike. The carrier is not designed to operate in space indefinitely as it lacks a rotating centripetal ring. Instead, they are deployed from planetary and moon bases to intercept or invade ground targets of opportunity. The vehicles and troops are deployed from the rear when the carrier lands, although soldiers and personnel can still disembark from the front side hatches. In full- scale battles, it’s not uncommon for the carrier to do a 180-degree turn so that troops and vehicles can leave straight from the rear to the fight, although the rear entry can also help serve as a shield for incoming fire. Initially, the Jip class carriers would often be used against the Emphra. However, it was intended for the vessels to be retired for the newer Tiltra class Heavy Assault Carriers. The major issue for the Yutilians was the fact that the carriers were too small for the Shal’rein to operate inside. For one, the vessels were already cramped as it was unless you were inside the primary internal storage compartment. Much like the Aksren light assault carriers, there was simply designed for the smaller statured Aksren. The Yutilians had a similar issue. They didn’t have the storage room to carry the immense Shal’rein battle tanks that served alongside them. History The N’jip wasn’t originally going to be introduced ever again. However, it all changed when the Itrean Civil War broke out. In 2339, the Yutilians simply needed new vessels to challenge the other Itrean clans. The new N’jip class would help fill in the roles that the Tiltras were being hard-pressed into. Even if they weren’t viable or robust enough, it didn’t stop the fact they could still use them. The entire ground force of the T’rintar didn’t consist of Shal’rein, and the smaller statured Yutilians and T’rintar Aksren would still be able to crew them. Construction and revitalization for the N’jips were in full production. Much like the past, these vessels could be manufactured in huge numbers and they were beneficial in a variety of roles. Zilik’s Disease did nothing in halting the production of the light assault carriers. If anything, it was almost the exact opposite. The N’Jips orders were heavily increased because of the dire need for them. The Tiltra assault carriers were old and more designed for a full onslaught of a planetary invasion. However, the N’jip had more viability in other roles. In space, they could intercept pirates or criminals and serve as enforcement vessels. Against smaller enemy vessels, the carrier’s missiles could be used to overwhelm their defenses. The ships served as logistical roles, carrying personnel and equipment to different locations and could work alongside the Tiltra carriers. They helped alleviate the need to send battleships to stop a band of thieves or criminals. The N’jip hasn’t been used in planetary offenses due to the T’rintar clan’s defensive policy. However, in cases of that role, the N’jip has worked for the most part. Against the Aksren clan counterparts, the light assault carriers are adequate but are obviously no match against the Shal’rein assault ships. The T’rintar light assault carriers are strong but fragile when a withering fire is poured against them. While capable of carrying and deploying planetary fighters, many new pilots complain about the dangerous recovery actions that have plagued the Jip carrier’s past. The thin landing strip places little margin of error when the fighters try to land in the carrier’s wings. Early usage in joint training exercises with the UHN has also proved to be pragmatic. The N’jip was just enough for humans to operate inside. The central internal storage bay is more than adequate, but other sections were difficult to navigate and traverse. Once again, the Tiltras are still held in a more prized and viable role in the case of large-scale planetary offenses. This places the N’jip in a support role rather than a pure attack ship. Even then, the N’jip’s success has warranted its famed roles throughout T’rintar clan space. Despite its disadvantages, this hasn’t stopped the ship from doing its everyday part. If a dangerous transport job is needed, then the N’jip can be called forth to do it. If something small needs to be ferried over then, a N’jip is pressed to do it. In recent years, the carriers were sometimes called the “Kala’tru’lor,” or the “Grand Interceptors,” since they would be launched from planets to pursue and engage any foe that gets in their way.   *Spoilers if you haven't read past Gabatrix: The Magenta Racer arc* It wasn’t much of a surprise that a N’jip class Light Assault Carrier was chosen to serve as a transport ship for the racing competitions of the UWALVR. The internal rear compartment was already designed to house and carry the smaller T’rintar hovercrafts and assault vehicles. Due to the importance of providing protection for the staff and personnel, the “Kyra *Click*” was chosen to perform the ferrying duties. The ship could easily land on the vestiges of water or any planet to deploy the staff and vehicles to safety. Many of the crew onboard the vessel have stated the pleasure of serving as the “Racing Sports Carrier” to the UWA and T’rintar clan. As a beginning tradition, the carrier is expected to perform the same mission again in the following UWALVR events to come.