As demonstrated in SFB Module Omega 5, the "volatile warp" technology first developed by the Federal Republic of Aurora (for prototype Interceptors) and further reined by the Mæsron Alliance into true PFs was gradually passed on (along with samples of first-generation advanced technology) to other Omega empires, as a desperate bid for mutual survival in the face of the Andromedan and Souldra invasions.

The Omega timeline notes that these technologies reached the Hivers (along with the Worb and others) in Y199. While it's as yet unknown how long it took for the Worb to field their first X-ships, their first PFs did not enter service until Y204. (Although the Worb PFT was in service from Y202; perhaps the Worb used Interceptors, or would-be Broad Worb phaser PFs, in the interim?)

To get back to the Hivers, it's noted that in Y202, some of the Hives had new X-ships, in time for them to be countered by the "Sig-Tech" ships then being deployed by their Alunda rivals. This may, or may not, be related to the parallel deployment of Hiver "volatile warp" units.

But this leads to a broader question: exactly how would the Hivers use "volatile warp" technology; by what methods would they be deployed; and how would the logistical aspect of all of this be handled by a Hiver economy in dire need of rebuilding?

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To answer the first question, one needs to consider the uniqueness of the Hiver fleet, and how both "voltile warp" and X-technology might be implemented.

Hiver ships are two sizes smaller than average: their heavy cruiser is the size of most empires' destroyers. Depending on how the Mæsron first-generation X-template pans out, one could perhaps envision Size Class 3 and 4 Hiver X-ships. Indeed, one could even picture a "Barb-X", akin to the Stinger-X developed over in the Alpha Octant.

But in the case of the Hiver destroyer {(OR10.12)}, I'm not sure if a would-be "DDX" would be advisable, or even feasible. While it is noted that a "destroyer leader" exists (though it has yet to be committed to print), I might wonder if it would be preferable (or perhaps obligatory) to oblige the Hivers to turn in another direction.

Thus, I would suggest that the Hivers use "volatile warp" technology to develop an Interceptor-sized "battle destroyer", and a PF-sized "war destroyer". Unlike in most cases (but as seen with the Baduvai exiles out in the Lesser Magellanic Cloud), I would permit the Hivers to deploy both sizes of unit in the same flotillas.

The usual set of variants - leader, scout, survey, and so forth - would presumably exist, at least for the war destroyer.

Weapons-wise, the initial focus should probably be on the "orthodox" Hives' use of wide-angle phasers and sting torpedoes. "Heterodox" Hives, which use particle phasers, particle beams, and/or tachyon guns - whether or not that also includes the ill-fated Unihive - should probably be looked at only after the "orthodox" versions are decided upon.

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Another side of the equation would be in how these units would then be deployed.

Unlike the Hiver DD (which is not deployed using tenders or mech-links, and which has no formal deployment organization), the limitations of imported "volatile warp" technology may be such that even the Hivers would need to make certain adjustments to get by.

There would probably need to be dedicated tenders in order to carry these units into combat. (Perhaps the Hivers could even create a space control ship out of their DN.)

For those which, in other empires, would be equipped with special sensors, the Hivers might make a jammer/JPR refit available. There would still be a use for "regular" sensors on tenders tasked with hunting Andromedan RTN nodes or Souldra dark matter caches; though the need to face various other opponents, such as the Alunda and the Echarri Dynasty (one of the "Omega's Lost Futures" empires, against whom the Hivers go to war later in the Seventh Cycle), might encourage the use of jammers and JPRs instead.

Over time, one could also envision the kind of ground bases and planetary control bases adopted by other Omega empires which adopted "volatile warp" technology.

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So, for those with an interest in the Hivers, how might you wish to see them make use of "volatile warp" technology - or is there some other means by which you would prefer they advanced their Size Class 5 options going forward?