C-Monst

The Loki class is actually a “catch-all” class of several different types of transports that have been modified as Q-ships. Although it is the Navy’s sacred duty to protect Imperial commerce, there are too many trade lanes to defend, and too few warships to do so. In addition, many pirate wolfpacks will stay away from heavily defended convoys, waiting for weaker prey. Q-ships offer the Imperium a way to turn the predators into the prey. Disguised as helpless merchantmen, they actually pack powerful macrobatteries and even lances. Their favoured tactic is to heave to at the first sight of a pirate, pretending to surrender without a fight. When the raider is close enough, they run out their guns and give them massed broadsides at point-blank range. Although this can often defeat their opponents in a single crushing broadside, most Loki-class ships are still as slow and unwieldy as other merchantmen—not designed for sustained combat.