Sa-Matra

Ur-Quan Topics Species Ur-Quan Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah History Sentient Milieu Slave Revolt Slave War The Words Doctrinal Conflict Second Doctrinal War Personalities Kzer-Za • Kohr-Ah Philosophies Path of Now and Forever Ur-Quan Hierarchy • Battle Thrall • Fallow Slave • Oath of Fealty Eternal Doctrine Death March Doctrinal Conflict Ships Dreadnought • Marauder • Sa-Matra Science Excruciator • Slave Shield • Talking Pet

The Sa-Matra is the name given to the awesome Precursor Battleship discovered by the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za thousands of years ago. It is the very symbol of Ur-Quan dominance; a virtually invincible war machine that guarantees that the Ur-Quan species will never need know fear of anything.

History

The Sa-Matra was discovered by chance during the first Doctrinal Conflict and turned the tide of that battle in favor of the Kzer-Za.

It was employed against the Alliance of Free Stars at the end of their war with the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za and their Hierarchy of Battle Thralls. It quickly broke the Chenjesu/Mmrnmhrm lines, incinerating conventional vessels at far beyond their own weapon's ranges. Very soon after the Sa-Matra entered the battle, the Alliance surrendered.

Some wonder as to why the Kzer-Za did not use the Sa-Matra sooner. Suspicion is that the ship holds such a strong, almost spiritual, significance that it was kept out of the fight as a symbol. Bringing it in at the end of the war was likely a decision made in light of the Kohr-Ah's imminent arrival, winning the battle quickly so that the Kzer-Za could prepare for the upcoming ritual war. Another possiblity is that the Kzer-Za were simply taking their time, confident in their eventual success.

Among the Ur-Quan, the word "Sa-Matra" means "Great Trophy", for that is what it is to them. It is the prize given to the race, Ur-Quan Kohr-Ah or Ur-Quan Kzer-Za, who wins the Doctrinal Conflict. The Kzer-Za have always wondered whether the Kohr-Ah philosophy was right and dictated that the Sa-Matra would be the prize for the greater Doctrine when the two races met again.

Description

Physically the vessel is huge and blue, with claws, spikes and similar sticking out of it. It has a large core-like sphere in the middle. It is surrounded by various force fields and defenses. Its weapon systems are the dreaded Repulsion Sphere, intellingent homing weapons that send ships flying away from it, and the dangerous Plasma Destruction Totoid, fireballs that surround and destroy any ship in seconds.

To attack it means almost certain destruction. Its ability to keep enemies at bay combined with the an unfathomable weapon range make it unassailable. Its impenetrable defenses allow it to face a hundred ships and continue fighting.