{"data":{"id":15248,"title":"Important Announcement from Esperia, Inc.","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/comm-link\/transmission\/15248-Important-Announcement-From-Esperia-Inc","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-links\/15248","api_public_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/comm-links\/15248","channel":"Undefined","category":"Undefined","series":"None","images":[{"id":4697,"name":"Blade_003.png","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/5xooskwmby8fsr\/source\/Blade_003.png","alt":"","size":1785519,"mime_type":"image\/png","last_modified":"2016-03-18T17:41:35+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4697","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4697\/similar"},{"id":4698,"name":"Blueprint.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/9ymf3v9r16sksr\/source\/Blueprint.jpg","alt":"Blade Blueprints","size":445759,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2016-03-18T15:59:23+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4698","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4698\/similar"},{"id":4699,"name":"Warning2.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/cisr4uxvkjl7hr\/source\/Warning2.jpg","alt":"","size":444261,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2016-03-18T03:46:50+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4699","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4699\/similar"},{"id":4700,"name":"BLAGE_002.png","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/74us5lke2csy3r\/source\/BLAGE_002.png","alt":"","size":1861337,"mime_type":"image\/png","last_modified":"2016-03-18T15:11:17+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4700","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4700\/similar"},{"id":4701,"name":"Blade3.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/vhngwk5fqugl4r\/source\/Blade3.jpg","alt":"","size":7365066,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2016-03-18T04:05:14+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4701","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4701\/similar"},{"id":4702,"name":"Blade2.jpg","rsi_url":"https:\/\/robertsspaceindustries.com\/media\/f82qwpplirqj9r\/source\/Blade2.jpg","alt":"","size":2410797,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","last_modified":"2016-03-18T04:05:06+00:00","api_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4702","similar_url":"https:\/\/api.star-citizen.wiki\/api\/comm-link-images\/4702\/similar"}],"images_count":8,"translations":{"en_EN":"Ship Details\nThe Esperia Blade is a Vanduul design produced by Esperia for military use. The Blade will be available as a concept sale from March 18, 2016 to March 28, 2016. Originally designed as an aggressor for Squadron 42, this Blade sale will allow it to be adapted for human flight in Star Citizen! The Blade is the Vanduul armada\u2019s lightest fighter, focusing on maneuverability over shields and weapons. The Blade is the first concept ship of 2016 and the only additional\n\nVanduul ship currently being adapted for human flight. Watch for more concept ships from familiar manufacturers starting next month!\n\nAbout the Blade\nWith over a quarter-millennia of recorded encounters, the Vanduul Blade is both one of the first of the species\u2019 spacecraft encountered by the United Empire of Earth and one of the most common. A dedicated light fighter and skirmisher, earlier models of the Blade took part in the first raids on Human colonies in Orion. Although aspects of the design have been upgraded over the decades (and like all Vanduul ships, vary slightly from clan to clan) the modern variant has retained an extremely similar silhouette with improved control surfaces and more modern weapons attachment points. Tens of thousands of individual Blades have been destroyed over more than two centuries, and countless others have been tracked by Naval intelligence.\n\nWhile the Blade\u2019s more advanced cousins, the Scythe and its offshoots, have become iconic symbols of present-day Vanduul terror, the light fighter remains a hugely important supporting element of the Vanduul frontline fleet. The most notable feature of the Blade is its shifting wingspan, which \u2018cuts\u2019 between a streamlined travel mode and a more expansive battle mode. When in travel mode, the Blade lacks significant offensive punch but improves its direct speed and maneuverability; when in attack mode, the pilot has access to three forward-firing gun positions and a pair of missile racks.\n\nFor some decades, United Empire of Earth aggressor squadrons have operated replica Blade fighters produced under exclusive contract by Esperia, Inc. These spacecraft, produced in great quantity, have been used to train generations of fighter pilots for Vanduul engagements. Today, Esperia manufactures Scythe and Glaive clones for training and testing purposes, with most former Blades having been returned to the manufacturer for storage and disassembly. The so-called \u201cEsperia Boneyard\u201d (location classified) contains hundreds upon hundreds of used examples in varying states of disassembly. In the wake of the recent attack on Uriel, many of the Blade trade-ins produced in the past decade are being outfitted for frontier defense use, part of an extremely controversial program aimed at better-arming those threatened by alien attack.\n\nAbout the Sale\nThis ship is being offered for the first time as a limited concept sale. This means that the ship design meets our specifications, but it is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or to fly in Star Citizen. The sale includes Lifetime Insurance on the ship hull and a pair of decorative items for your Hangar. A future patch will add a poster and then once the in-game model is finished, you will also be given an in-game scale ship model! In the future, the ship price will increase and the offer will not include Lifetime Insurance or these extras. Until the Blade is available in-game, owners will be granted a Vanduul Scythe loaner ship.\n\nThere will also be two Q&A posts next week: one on Wednesday and another on Friday. You can post your questions about the Esperia Vanduul Blade here.\n\nDisclaimer\nRemember: we are offering this pledge ship to help fund Star Citizen\u2019s development. The ship itself and all decorative \u2018flair\u2019 items will also be available to acquire in the finished game world. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the persistent universe launches.\n\nGreetings Citizens,\n\nThe text below is the same content included in the \u2018news story\u2019 images above. We are including the raw text here to assist backers who might have difficulty viewing the images, and those who wish to copy the text for their own reference.\n\nESPERIA SUPPORTS THE WAR EFFORT\nShip manufacturer vows to turn the enemy\u2019s own weapons against the alien threat\n\nKUTARAM, Terra, March 18, 2946 (Spectrum Link) \u2013 The recent horrific Vanduul attack on Uriel left thousands of Humans dead and missing, bringing fear to the heart of the Empire. With the Navy fighting bravely on the front, concerned civilians are looking to their own safety at home.\n\nEffective immediately, Esperia, Inc., known for their accurate xeno-reproductions, will be making available their entire warehouse stock of \u2018Blade-class\u2019 aggressor fighters available for purchase by qualified members of the general public.\n\n\u201cThe Vanduul War is not some distant threat,\u201d Esperia CEO Charlotte Hussion stated, \u201cto paraphrase Admiral Bishop: it is at our door. Vega. Now Oberon. Who knows what system could be struck next? Citizens and civilians need to be able to protect themselves against the Vanduul, and they need to be able to do it now before it\u2019s too late. I am thrilled that Esperia has the ability to facilitate this important effort. These Blade light fighters are not only effective defensive tools, but more importantly, they are ready and available for purchase today.\u201d\n\nWith the Empire\u2019s safety and well-being in mind, Esperia will be selling the Blade at a steep discount, and have promised that a large percentage of every sale will be donated to the UEEN Veteran Relief Fund.\n\n\u201cWith every purchase, Blade owners are not only helping to protecting themselves, they are helping to protect the brave starmen that are fighting for our way of life. Esperia may not have the resources of some of our competitors, but we have identified a very special situation where we can benefit the whole Empire\u2026 and give those Vanduul monsters a black eye or two in the process.\u201d\n\nThe Blade\nThe current crop of Blade spacecraft available were manufactured between 2930 and 2940 under a lease agreement with the United Empire of Earth\u2019s military. Per Esperia\u2019s Naval contract, Blade have been returned to Esperia\u2019s care as more advanced aggressor designs are manufactured at a 1:1 basis. While each of these Blades is already a veteran of Humanity\u2019s war on the Vanduul, each has been restored to factory settings and features a full manufacturer\u2019s guarantee.\n\nClassified as a light combat fighter, Vanduul Blade are thought to exist in great numbers due to their more simplistic design and the more limited weaponry they mount when compared to craft such as the Scythe, Glaive and Void. For further information on the design, please see the series of declassified UEE naval review images attached to this press release.\n\nAbout the Company\nEsperia, Inc. is the Empire\u2019s only dedicated manufacturer of wholly alien-designed spacecraft whose technical crews are the best in the galaxy at decrypting and piecing together xeno-technology. The company has provided half a dozen aggressor spacecraft models for UEE use, with manufacturing runs from several dozen to several thousand depending on need. In addition, Esperia\u2019s line of exquisitely reconstructed Tevarin ships, like the Prowler, are lauded the Empire over by exacting connoisseurs and collectors.\n\nContact\nJayce Lassiter\nDirector of Communications\nEsperia, Inc.\nCL#446\/99\/A ROOM L\nAsox Tower\nKutaram, Terra, Terra\n\nTerra Gazette \u2013 EDITORIALS, March 18, 2946\nOPINION: PEOPLE PLAYING WITH BLADES ARE GOING TO GET HURT\n\nBy Donald Wilfong, Editorial Board\n\nReplica Vanduul Blade fighters provided at cost to certified frontier pilots? It seems like a win-win situation for all parties involved: much needed weapons for those under the Vanduul knife and a massive public relations victory for Esperia, Inc. Not so fast.\n\nArming unqualified civilians does not make the frontier safer. If these Blades aren\u2019t wanted by the Navy then they should be melted down for raw material resources and not sold to unqualified private operators. Esperia tried this before, making surplus Glaive ships available to extremely qualified pilots\u2026 and look what happened (See 10.22.2945 article \u2018Civilian Killed Flying Glaive\u2019). Sure, some of those pilots went on to hit back at the enemy\u2026 but a whole lot of others ended up killed at the hands of incredibly complex spacecraft with a natural bullseye on them. If these new Blade pilots don\u2019t get themselves killed during flight orientation, they\u2019re going to be prime targets for both enemy vengeance raids AND friendly ships that panic at the sight of their silhouette. Even the Traffic Safety Board warns of this risk. What good is a defense that is going to get you killed in the process? The truth might hurt, but it\u2019s as clear as day: not everyone should own a Vanduul warship.\u201d","de_DE":"Schiffsdetails\nDie Esperia Klinge ist ein Vanduul-Design von Esperia f\u00fcr den milit\u00e4rischen Einsatz. Die Klinge wird vom 18. M\u00e4rz 2016 bis 28. M\u00e4rz 2016 als Konzeptverkauf erh\u00e4ltlich sein. Urspr\u00fcnglich als Angreifer f\u00fcr die Staffel 42 konzipiert, wird dieser Klingenverkauf es erm\u00f6glichen, ihn f\u00fcr den Menschenflug in Star Citizen anzupassen! Die Klinge ist der leichteste K\u00e4mpfer der Vanduul-Armada und konzentriert sich auf die Man\u00f6vrierf\u00e4higkeit \u00fcber Schilde und Waffen. Die Blade ist das erste Konzeptschiff von 2016 und das einzige zus\u00e4tzliche Schiff.\n\nDas Vanduul-Schiff wird derzeit f\u00fcr den Menschenflug adaptiert. Achten Sie auf weitere Konzeptschiffe bekannter Hersteller ab dem n\u00e4chsten Monat!\n\n\u00dcber die Klinge\nMit mehr als einem Vierteljahrtausend aufgezeichneter Begegnungen ist die Vanduul-Klinge sowohl eine der ersten Raumsonden der Art, auf die das Vereinigte Reich der Erde trifft, als auch eine der h\u00e4ufigsten. Fr\u00fchere Modelle der Klinge, ein engagierter leichter K\u00e4mpfer und Gefechtsmann, nahmen an den ersten \u00dcberf\u00e4llen auf menschliche Kolonien in Orion teil. Obwohl Aspekte des Designs im Laufe der Jahrzehnte verbessert wurden (und wie alle Vanduul-Schiffe von Clan zu Clan leicht variieren), hat die moderne Variante eine \u00e4u\u00dferst \u00e4hnliche Silhouette mit verbesserten Steuerfl\u00e4chen und moderneren Waffenbefestigungspunkten beibehalten. Zehntausende von einzelnen Klingen wurden in mehr als zwei Jahrhunderten zerst\u00f6rt, und unz\u00e4hlige andere wurden vom Naval Intelligence verfolgt.\n\nW\u00e4hrend die fortgeschritteneren Cousins der Blade, die Sense und ihre Ableger, zu Symbolen des heutigen Vanduul-Terrors geworden sind, bleibt der leichte K\u00e4mpfer ein enorm wichtiges Unterst\u00fctzungselement der Vanduul-Frontlinie. Das bemerkenswerteste Merkmal der Blade ist ihre bewegliche Spannweite, die zwischen einem stromlinienf\u00f6rmigen Reisemodus und einem umfangreicheren Kampfmodus \"schneidet\". Im Fahrmodus fehlt der Klinge ein deutlicher Angriffsschlag, verbessert aber ihre direkte Geschwindigkeit und Man\u00f6vrierf\u00e4higkeit; im Angriffsmodus hat der Pilot Zugang zu drei nach vorne schie\u00dfenden Gesch\u00fctzpositionen und einem Paar Raketenst\u00e4ndern.\n\nSeit einigen Jahrzehnten betreiben die Aggressorgeschwader von United Empire of Earth Replikate von Klingenj\u00e4gern, die im Rahmen eines exklusiven Vertrages von Esperia, Inc. hergestellt wurden. Diese in gro\u00dfer St\u00fcckzahl produzierten Raumschiffe wurden verwendet, um Generationen von Kampfpiloten f\u00fcr Vanduul-Eins\u00e4tze auszubilden. Heute stellt Esperia Scythe und Glaive Klone f\u00fcr Trainings- und Testzwecke her, wobei die meisten ehemaligen Klingen zur Lagerung und Demontage an den Hersteller zur\u00fcckgeschickt wurden. Der so genannte \"Esperia Boneyard\" (Standort klassifiziert) enth\u00e4lt Hunderte und Aberhunderte von gebrauchten Beispielen in verschiedenen Demontagezust\u00e4nden. Im Zuge des j\u00fcngsten Angriffs auf Uriel werden viele der im letzten Jahrzehnt hergestellten Blade Inzahlungnahmen f\u00fcr den Einsatz in der Grenzabwehr ausger\u00fcstet, Teil eines \u00e4u\u00dferst umstrittenen Programms zur besseren Bewaffnung der von einem au\u00dferirdischen Angriff Bedrohten.\n\n\u00dcber den Verkauf\nDieses Schiff wird erstmals als limitierter Konzeptverkauf angeboten. Das bedeutet, dass das Schiffsdesign unseren Spezifikationen entspricht, aber es ist noch nicht bereit, in Ihrem Hangar ausgestellt oder in Star Citizen zu fliegen. Der Verkauf beinhaltet eine Lebensversicherung auf dem Schiffsrumpf und ein Paar dekorative Gegenst\u00e4nde f\u00fcr Ihren Hangar. Ein zuk\u00fcnftiger Patch wird ein Poster hinzuf\u00fcgen und sobald das In-Game-Modell fertig ist, erh\u00e4ltst du auch ein Schiffsmodell im Spielma\u00dfstab! In Zukunft wird der Schiffspreis steigen und das Angebot wird keine Lebensversicherung oder diese Extras beinhalten. Bis die Klinge im Spiel verf\u00fcgbar ist, erhalten die Besitzer ein Vanduul Scythe Leihschiff.\n\nN\u00e4chste Woche wird es auch zwei Q&A-Posten geben: einen am Mittwoch und einen am Freitag. Hier k\u00f6nnen Sie Ihre Fragen zur Esperia Vanduul Blade stellen.\n\nHaftungsausschluss\nDenken Sie daran: Wir bieten dieses Pfandboot an, um die Entwicklung von Star Citizen zu unterst\u00fctzen. Das Schiff selbst und alle dekorativen \"Flair\"-Elemente werden auch in der fertigen Spielwelt zum Kauf angeboten. Ziel ist es, zus\u00e4tzliche Schiffe zur Verf\u00fcgung zu stellen, die den Spielern beim Start des persistenten Universums eine andere Erfahrung und keinen besonderen Vorteil bieten.\n\nGr\u00fc\u00dfe B\u00fcrger,\n\nDer untenstehende Text ist derselbe Inhalt, der auch in den Bildern der \"News Story\" oben enthalten ist. Wir f\u00fcgen den Rohtext hier ein, um Geldgeber zu unterst\u00fctzen, die Schwierigkeiten beim Betrachten der Bilder haben k\u00f6nnten, und diejenigen, die den Text f\u00fcr ihren eigenen Gebrauch kopieren m\u00f6chten.\n\nESPERIA UNTERST\u00dcTZT DIE KRIEGSANSTRENGUNGEN\nDer Schiffbauer schw\u00f6rt, die eigenen Waffen des Feindes gegen die au\u00dferirdische Bedrohung einzusetzen.\n\nKUTARAM, Terra, 18. M\u00e4rz, 2946 (Spectrum Link) - Der j\u00fcngste schreckliche Vanduul-Angriff auf Uriel lie\u00df Tausende von Menschen sterben und vermissen und brachte Angst in das Herz des Reiches. Da die Marine tapfer an der Front k\u00e4mpft, suchen die betroffenen Zivilisten nach ihrer eigenen Sicherheit zu Hause.\n\nMit sofortiger Wirkung wird Esperia, Inc., bekannt f\u00fcr seine pr\u00e4zisen Xeno-Reproduktionen, seinen gesamten Lagerbestand an Angreifern der Klingenklasse zur Verf\u00fcgung stellen, die von qualifizierten Mitgliedern der \u00d6ffentlichkeit gekauft werden k\u00f6nnen.\n\n\"Der Vanduul-Krieg ist keine entfernte Bedrohung\", sagte Charlotte Hussion, CEO von Esperia, \"um mit Admiral Bishop zu sprechen: Er steht vor unserer T\u00fcr. Wega. Jetzt Oberon. Wer wei\u00df, welches System als n\u00e4chstes getroffen werden k\u00f6nnte? B\u00fcrger und Zivilisten m\u00fcssen in der Lage sein, sich gegen die Vanduul zu sch\u00fctzen, und sie m\u00fcssen es jetzt tun k\u00f6nnen, bevor es zu sp\u00e4t ist. Ich bin begeistert, dass Esperia in der Lage ist, diese wichtige Aufgabe zu erleichtern. Diese leichten Klingenj\u00e4ger sind nicht nur effektive Verteidigungsinstrumente, sondern vor allem auch bereit und k\u00f6nnen heute noch gekauft werden.\"\n\nMit Blick auf die Sicherheit und das Wohlbefinden des Imperiums wird Esperia die Klinge mit einem hohen Rabatt verkaufen und hat versprochen, dass ein gro\u00dfer Teil jedes Verkaufs an den UEEN Veteranenhilfsfonds gespendet wird.\n\n\"Mit jedem Kauf helfen die Besitzer von Blades nicht nur, sich selbst zu sch\u00fctzen, sondern auch die tapferen Sternenmenschen, die f\u00fcr unsere Lebensweise k\u00e4mpfen. Esperia hat vielleicht nicht die Ressourcen einiger unserer Konkurrenten, aber wir haben eine ganz besondere Situation identifiziert, in der wir dem gesamten Imperium n\u00fctzen k\u00f6nnen.... und diesen Vanduul-Monstern dabei ein oder zwei blaue Augen geben k\u00f6nnen.\"\n\nDie Klinge\nDie aktuelle Ernte der verf\u00fcgbaren Schaufelradsatelliten wurde zwischen 2930 und 2940 im Rahmen eines Mietvertrags mit dem Milit\u00e4r des Vereinigten Reichs der Erde hergestellt. Gem\u00e4\u00df dem Marine-Vertrag von Esperia wurden die Klingen an Esperia zur\u00fcckgegeben, da fortgeschrittenere Angreiferdesigns 1:1 hergestellt werden. W\u00e4hrend jede dieser Klingen bereits ein Veteran von Humanity's Krieg gegen die Vanduul ist, wurde jede dieser Klingen auf die Werkseinstellungen zur\u00fcckgesetzt und verf\u00fcgt \u00fcber eine vollst\u00e4ndige Herstellergarantie.\n\nDie Vanduul-Klinge, die als leichter Kampfj\u00e4ger eingestuft wird, gilt aufgrund ihres einfacheren Designs und der begrenzteren Waffen, die sie im Vergleich zu Schiffen wie der Sense, dem Gletscher und der Leere anbringen, als sehr zahlreich vorhanden. Weitere Informationen zum Design finden Sie in der Serie der deklassifizierten UEE-Marine-Review-Bilder im Anhang dieser Pressemitteilung.\n\n\u00dcber das Unternehmen\nEsperia, Inc. ist der einzige engagierte Hersteller von vollst\u00e4ndig au\u00dferirdisch konstruierten Raumfahrzeugen im Empire, dessen technische Besatzungen die besten in der Galaxie sind, um die Xeno-Technologie zu entschl\u00fcsseln und zusammenzusetzen. Das Unternehmen hat ein halbes Dutzend Aggressor-Raumsondenmodelle f\u00fcr den UEE-Einsatz bereitgestellt, wobei die Produktion je nach Bedarf zwischen mehreren Dutzend und mehreren Tausend St\u00fcck liegt. Dar\u00fcber hinaus werden die exquisit rekonstruierten Tevarin-Schiffe von Esperia, wie die Prowler, von anspruchsvollen Kennern und Sammlern als das Reich bezeichnet.\n\nKontakt\nJayce Lassiter\nDirektor f\u00fcr Kommunikation\nEsperia, Inc.\nCL#446\/99\/EIN ZIMMER L\nAsox-Turm\nKutaram, Terra, Terra, Terra\n\nTerra Gazette - EDITORIALS, 18. M\u00e4rz, 2946\nMEINUNG: LEUTE, DIE MIT KLINGEN SPIELEN, WERDEN VERLETZT WERDEN.\n\nVon Donald Wilfong, Redaktionelle Leitung\n\nReplikat Vanduul Blade J\u00e4ger, die zertifizierten Frontier-Piloten zum Selbstkostenpreis zur Verf\u00fcgung gestellt werden? Es scheint eine Win-Win-Situation f\u00fcr alle Beteiligten zu sein: dringend ben\u00f6tigte Waffen f\u00fcr die unter dem Vanduul-Messer und ein massiver PR-Sieg f\u00fcr Esperia, Inc. Nicht so schnell.\n\nDie Bewaffnung unqualifizierter Zivilisten macht die Grenze nicht sicherer. Wenn diese Klingen nicht von der Marine gew\u00fcnscht werden, dann sollten sie f\u00fcr Rohstoffressourcen eingeschmolzen und nicht an unqualifizierte private Betreiber verkauft werden. Esperia hat dies bereits fr\u00fcher versucht, indem sie \u00fcbersch\u00fcssige Glaive-Schiffe f\u00fcr hochqualifizierte Piloten zur Verf\u00fcgung stellte.... und schau, was passiert ist (siehe 10.22.2945 Artikel \"Civilian Killed Flying Glaive\"). Sicher, einige dieser Piloten schlugen dann auf den Feind zur\u00fcck.... aber eine ganze Menge anderer wurde durch die H\u00e4nde von unglaublich komplexen Raumfahrzeugen mit einem nat\u00fcrlichen Bullseye get\u00f6tet. Wenn sich diese neuen Blade-Piloten nicht w\u00e4hrend der Flugorientierung umbringen lassen, werden sie Hauptziele sowohl f\u00fcr feindliche Racheaktionen als auch f\u00fcr befreundete Schiffe sein, die beim Anblick ihrer Silhouette in Panik geraten. Auch das Traffic Safety Board warnt vor diesem Risiko. Was n\u00fctzt eine Verteidigung, die dich dabei umbringen wird? Die Wahrheit mag wehtun, aber es ist so klar wie der Tag: Nicht jeder sollte ein Vanduul-Kriegsschiff besitzen.\"","zh_CN":"Ship Details\nThe Esperia Blade is a Vanduul design produced by Esperia for military use. The Blade will be available as a concept sale from March 18, 2016 to March 28, 2016. Originally designed as an aggressor for Squadron 42, this Blade sale will allow it to be adapted for human flight in Star Citizen! The Blade is the Vanduul armada\u2019s lightest fighter, focusing on maneuverability over shields and weapons. The Blade is the first concept ship of 2016 and the only additional\n\nVanduul ship currently being adapted for human flight. Watch for more concept ships from familiar manufacturers starting next month!\n\nAbout the Blade\nWith over a quarter-millennia of recorded encounters, the Vanduul Blade is both one of the first of the species\u2019 spacecraft encountered by the United Empire of Earth and one of the most common. A dedicated light fighter and skirmisher, earlier models of the Blade took part in the first raids on Human colonies in Orion. Although aspects of the design have been upgraded over the decades (and like all Vanduul ships, vary slightly from clan to clan) the modern variant has retained an extremely similar silhouette with improved control surfaces and more modern weapons attachment points. Tens of thousands of individual Blades have been destroyed over more than two centuries, and countless others have been tracked by Naval intelligence.\n\nWhile the Blade\u2019s more advanced cousins, the Scythe and its offshoots, have become iconic symbols of present-day Vanduul terror, the light fighter remains a hugely important supporting element of the Vanduul frontline fleet. The most notable feature of the Blade is its shifting wingspan, which \u2018cuts\u2019 between a streamlined travel mode and a more expansive battle mode. When in travel mode, the Blade lacks significant offensive punch but improves its direct speed and maneuverability; when in attack mode, the pilot has access to three forward-firing gun positions and a pair of missile racks.\n\nFor some decades, United Empire of Earth aggressor squadrons have operated replica Blade fighters produced under exclusive contract by Esperia, Inc. These spacecraft, produced in great quantity, have been used to train generations of fighter pilots for Vanduul engagements. Today, Esperia manufactures Scythe and Glaive clones for training and testing purposes, with most former Blades having been returned to the manufacturer for storage and disassembly. The so-called \u201cEsperia Boneyard\u201d (location classified) contains hundreds upon hundreds of used examples in varying states of disassembly. In the wake of the recent attack on Uriel, many of the Blade trade-ins produced in the past decade are being outfitted for frontier defense use, part of an extremely controversial program aimed at better-arming those threatened by alien attack.\n\nAbout the Sale\nThis ship is being offered for the first time as a limited concept sale. This means that the ship design meets our specifications, but it is not yet ready to display in your Hangar or to fly in Star Citizen. The sale includes Lifetime Insurance on the ship hull and a pair of decorative items for your Hangar. A future patch will add a poster and then once the in-game model is finished, you will also be given an in-game scale ship model! In the future, the ship price will increase and the offer will not include Lifetime Insurance or these extras. Until the Blade is available in-game, owners will be granted a Vanduul Scythe loaner ship.\n\nThere will also be two Q&A posts next week: one on Wednesday and another on Friday. You can post your questions about the Esperia Vanduul Blade here.\n\nDisclaimer\nRemember: we are offering this pledge ship to help fund Star Citizen\u2019s development. The ship itself and all decorative \u2018flair\u2019 items will also be available to acquire in the finished game world. The goal is to make additional ships available that give players a different experience rather than a particular advantage when the persistent universe launches.\n\nGreetings Citizens,\n\nThe text below is the same content included in the \u2018news story\u2019 images above. We are including the raw text here to assist backers who might have difficulty viewing the images, and those who wish to copy the text for their own reference.\n\nESPERIA SUPPORTS THE WAR EFFORT\nShip manufacturer vows to turn the enemy\u2019s own weapons against the alien threat\n\nKUTARAM, Terra, March 18, 2946 (Spectrum Link) \u2013 The recent horrific Vanduul attack on Uriel left thousands of Humans dead and missing, bringing fear to the heart of the Empire. With the Navy fighting bravely on the front, concerned civilians are looking to their own safety at home.\n\nEffective immediately, Esperia, Inc., known for their accurate xeno-reproductions, will be making available their entire warehouse stock of \u2018Blade-class\u2019 aggressor fighters available for purchase by qualified members of the general public.\n\n\u201cThe Vanduul War is not some distant threat,\u201d Esperia CEO Charlotte Hussion stated, \u201cto paraphrase Admiral Bishop: it is at our door. Vega. Now Oberon. Who knows what system could be struck next? Citizens and civilians need to be able to protect themselves against the Vanduul, and they need to be able to do it now before it\u2019s too late. I am thrilled that Esperia has the ability to facilitate this important effort. These Blade light fighters are not only effective defensive tools, but more importantly, they are ready and available for purchase today.\u201d\n\nWith the Empire\u2019s safety and well-being in mind, Esperia will be selling the Blade at a steep discount, and have promised that a large percentage of every sale will be donated to the UEEN Veteran Relief Fund.\n\n\u201cWith every purchase, Blade owners are not only helping to protecting themselves, they are helping to protect the brave starmen that are fighting for our way of life. Esperia may not have the resources of some of our competitors, but we have identified a very special situation where we can benefit the whole Empire\u2026 and give those Vanduul monsters a black eye or two in the process.\u201d\n\nThe Blade\nThe current crop of Blade spacecraft available were manufactured between 2930 and 2940 under a lease agreement with the United Empire of Earth\u2019s military. Per Esperia\u2019s Naval contract, Blade have been returned to Esperia\u2019s care as more advanced aggressor designs are manufactured at a 1:1 basis. While each of these Blades is already a veteran of Humanity\u2019s war on the Vanduul, each has been restored to factory settings and features a full manufacturer\u2019s guarantee.\n\nClassified as a light combat fighter, Vanduul Blade are thought to exist in great numbers due to their more simplistic design and the more limited weaponry they mount when compared to craft such as the Scythe, Glaive and Void. For further information on the design, please see the series of declassified UEE naval review images attached to this press release.\n\nAbout the Company\nEsperia, Inc. is the Empire\u2019s only dedicated manufacturer of wholly alien-designed spacecraft whose technical crews are the best in the galaxy at decrypting and piecing together xeno-technology. The company has provided half a dozen aggressor spacecraft models for UEE use, with manufacturing runs from several dozen to several thousand depending on need. In addition, Esperia\u2019s line of exquisitely reconstructed Tevarin ships, like the Prowler, are lauded the Empire over by exacting connoisseurs and collectors.\n\nContact\nJayce Lassiter\nDirector of Communications\nEsperia, Inc.\nCL#446\/99\/A ROOM L\nAsox Tower\nKutaram, Terra, Terra\n\nTerra Gazette \u2013 EDITORIALS, March 18, 2946\nOPINION: PEOPLE PLAYING WITH BLADES ARE GOING TO GET HURT\n\nBy Donald Wilfong, Editorial Board\n\nReplica Vanduul Blade fighters provided at cost to certified frontier pilots? It seems like a win-win situation for all parties involved: much needed weapons for those under the Vanduul knife and a massive public relations victory for Esperia, Inc. Not so fast.\n\nArming unqualified civilians does not make the frontier safer. If these Blades aren\u2019t wanted by the Navy then they should be melted down for raw material resources and not sold to unqualified private operators. Esperia tried this before, making surplus Glaive ships available to extremely qualified pilots\u2026 and look what happened (See 10.22.2945 article \u2018Civilian Killed Flying Glaive\u2019). Sure, some of those pilots went on to hit back at the enemy\u2026 but a whole lot of others ended up killed at the hands of incredibly complex spacecraft with a natural bullseye on them. If these new Blade pilots don\u2019t get themselves killed during flight orientation, they\u2019re going to be prime targets for both enemy vengeance raids AND friendly ships that panic at the sight of their silhouette. Even the Traffic Safety Board warns of this risk. What good is a defense that is going to get you killed in the process? The truth might hurt, but it\u2019s as clear as day: not everyone should own a Vanduul warship.\u201d"},"links_count":2,"comment_count":425,"created_at":"2016-03-18T00:00:00+00:00","created_at_human":"10 years ago"},"meta":{"processed_at":"2026-05-09 07:06:00","valid_relations":["images","links"],"prev_id":15247,"next_id":15249}}