"Angelic Guard, displaying beauty in protection."

Some controls:
Throttle and Yaw for movement.
Roll and Pitch for turret movement (using a flightstick or “use mouse as joystick” is recommended.)
All guns have movable turrets, with cameras to help you aim.

To use the 20mm “Projectias” Autocannon:
Press group 1, then use LaunchCountermeasures to fire (on computers, the key is V)
If you want to de-activate the other countermeasures (when firing), press group 8 to de-activate them.

To use the S-Type Intercipias CIWS:
Press group 2, then fire like any gun.

To use the 7.9mm “Ictus” guns:
There are two on the boat, so press groups 5 or 6, then fire like any gun.

To use the REFLEX missile systems:
Press group 3, instantly lock, then fire to your heart’s content (missiles are rapid-fire).
Anti-Air range is about 2mi. Anti-ground range is about 1 mi.

To use LONGBOW missile systems:
Press group 7, wait for the lock, then fire. Range is about 25mi.

The Archangel Class Heavy Patrol Vessel is the primary water-based defense unit of the Commerce Nexus. Situated on a series of islands on a watery planet, the Nexus holds valuable corporate assets, including the embassies, research centers, and trade centers of nearly every major design firm. To protect these assets, Nexus personnel contracted a private design firm for blueprints and specifications of a watercraft that could intercept and destroy intruders, in return for a hefty payment. The Archangel Class was the result of this transaction, and around 5 to 10 units were produced as a result.

Controversy surrounds the vessel; many claim that heavily armed aircraft would occupy the Archangel Class’s niche in a more efficient fashion – Naval technology at the time was obsolete, as air-based battleships became the new norm. However, the vessel certainly created a profit for the Nexus, as an advertisement campaign involving the vessel’s flashy and extravagant design yielded astronomical sums of revenue for Nexus-based design firms. The revenue generated was higher than development and production costs, and therefore, profit was the result.

The Archangel Class supports a variety of combat styles. When intercepting a target, specialized LONGBOW missiles allow the ship to destroy a target from about 25 miles away, with the tradeoff of long locking times (10 seconds max). For close-range fights, REFLEX missiles instantly lock on the target, at any given angle, allowing for a fast-paced fighting style involving evasive maneuvers. The Archangel Class also supports gun-based combat styles with its use of 7.9mm “Ictus” guns, as well as its highly effective 20mm “Projectias” Autocannon. The 7.9mm guns provide support against smaller and faster targets, while the Autocannon allows the vessel to engage with large targets. A bold commander can also use an interesting torpedo-ramming combat style, which involves discharging the ship’s “Praeses” torpedo system when charging at a target, and then, of course, avoiding the resulting explosion.

As for countermeasures, the Archangel class has no shortage of anti-missile defense systems. Countermeasures such as the S-Type Intercipias system, as well as the ship’s unique missile disruptor towers, were specially designed for use on the vessel. The S-Type system is notably different from the original Intercipias system, as it uses sound energy to disable incoming missiles, as opposed to the light energy of its original. This change increases the energy efficiency of the gun, but does decrease performance. The system is only effective on ground-based missiles. For commanders who do not like to use the Intercipias system, the Archangel class boasts four towers that, when activated, emit radiation to break or prevent missile locks. These chaff-like systems are often used in intense combat situations, as they are much easier to use than the Intercipias system.

Other than usual patrol duties and law enforcement, the Archangel Class proved its effectiveness in the expulsion of T-Corp from the Nexus. On grounds of exploitation and malpractice of business, T-Corp’s Nexus-based embassy was targeted by Nexus authorities. Seven Archangel Class Patrol vessels lay siege on the embassy. Aside from a few destroyed Sol:Agressor fighters, almost no property damage resulted from the conflict. T-Corp surrendered, and then moved to the Badlands. The orange paint of the embassy was re-painted to be white, and the building was repurposed as an embassy of SPEcorp’s PROJECT division.