Abyss-class Veil Monitor

Abyss-class Veil Monitor

"All we had to go on was a grainy image taken from almost two astronomical units away. It was massive, and slowly moving across the face of the planet. This didn't look like any Covenant ship we'd seen before. If anything it looked... Forerunner in nature. We've only seen these things at their core worlds, suggesting they're holding it back for defence, or its intended for defence from the beginning. Whatever the case, we're going to have to fight them, one way or another."

- Command *REDACTED*, reviewing surveillance imagery of Demiurge staging planet.

The is a colossal Demiurge warship, and one of the unique Veil Ships deployed in service to The Demiurge. Operated purely by a Thrall Intelligence, the ship is normally used for defensive warfare, hanging in orbit over the core worlds. Heavily armed, and heavily armoured, the ship is hampered by a lack of agility, making it sluggish, but ideal in the defence of planets.

History
The Abyss-class has its origins in the creation of the Decimator-class Veilship. Built from unfinished prototypes left by the Prophets, the Abyss class was an experiment in utilising the technology in a different manner. At this time of upheaval, the Demiurge needed their expeditionary fleets for rapid growth, leaving their home worlds vulnerable. While the Decimator could cover a large area, individual worlds remained vulnerable. Demiurge scientists adapted some of this technology to another unfinished project they had prepared, the dissection of an abandoned and damaged Forerunner Guardian.

Shortly after the deployment of the first functional Decimator-class warships, the first Abyss-class began finalisation of development. The first operational prototype was deployed a number of years later.

Layout
Compared to most warships, it operates a highly unconventional design. Arranged vertically, rather than horizontally, the ship resembles the Guardian that inspired part of it's design, though lacks the Forerunner panelling and designs. The ship is roughly in the shape of a diamond, with a head like structure, and a ring positioned behind the main structure. The ship has few decorative external flourishes, aside from the Demiurge crest forming the 'face' of the ship.

Internally, the ship is largely made of a honeycomb of armour, reactors, weapon assemblies, self repair systems, or other structures. The ship itself only has limited life support, which is relegated to the internal bay containing the Thrall Intelligences that operate the ship. There is a single service corridor for them, and a sealed loading bay.

Ships of the line

 * Core Defence Squadron