AUTHORIZATION CONFIRMED: TRANSMISSION BEGINS

Thanks to our recent contact with the Sa'Vasku, we have been able to obtain quite a bit of information on our newest adversaries, the Kra'Vak. The Sa'Vasku have given us an overview of Kra'Vak society, which will hopefully allow us to gain a greater understanding of these dangerous enemies. Also included in this database are two new Kra'Vak warship classes: the Ko'Dek class strike carrier, and the Ti'Nar class heavy patrol cruiser.

Kra'Vak Society

As we already know, the Kra'Vak are a highly aggressive race. The Sa'Vasku have given us a brief overview of the shape of Kra'Vak society. From what they have told us, we now know that Kra'Vak society is highly martial, and is regulated by a strict caste system where warriors are exalted above all others. Their devotion to battle has led them to seek conflict with us.

The Kra'Vak race is led by an Emperor, who in turn appoints a High Priest of War to head the warrior caste. The High Priest is appointed from one of the seven Great Warrior Houses of the Kra'Vak warrior caste. The heads of each of these houses serves on the Council of War, along with the High Priest and Emperor. This council has all of the power in Kra'Vak society. There are also more than 200 Lesser Houses, all of which have sworn (mostly due to coercion and use of force) fealty to one of the seven Great Houses. There is also a loose hierarchy among the seven Great Houses.

The Sa'Vasku have no information on what the titles associated with each of the 'mirkhas mean, although they speculate that they could go back to the founding of the Great Houses themselves many thousands of years ago. Of the seven Great Houses, the bloodlines of the six Lower House have stayed the same for thousands of years. The Imperial Line, however, has changed with relative frequency, as High Priests of War occasionally exterminate an Emperor's bloodline and create a new one by declaring themselves Emperor.It is also important to note that there are only two members of the I'mirkhas at any one time; the Emperor and the High Priest of War. The Emperor's heirs belong to the Y'mirkhas, while the High Priest's offspring belong to his Great House. Unlike the Emperor's position, the position of High Priest of War is not hereditary. When a High Priest dies, the Emperor appoints his successor from the most worthy warriors in the Great Houses. Strangely enough, members of the Emperor's bloodline are rarely appointed to this position, instead serving in the Emperor's household forces (apparently the most ferocious and most elite troops the Kra'Vak have). The best warriors from the Great Houses are also offered positions in the Emperor's household force, ensuring that the Imperial House can maintain order whenever necessary through superior military prowess. Each house has its own military forces, and there are skirmishes between them, although they will work together whenever the Emperor commands.

As promised, this database includes data on a pair of new Kra'Vak warship classes; the Ko'Dek class strike carrier, and the Ti'Nar class patrol cruiser. Both of these vessels have been encountered during the 31st's contacts with Kra'Vak fleet units.

The Ko'Dek class carrier is a very formidable opponent. Superficially identical to the earlier Ko'San class, it packs more anti-ship firepower, but carries only five fighter groups. Our data also has led us to the conclusion that it has a slightly higher mass than the Ko'San; 100 versus 96.

The other class of warship encountered, the Ti'Narclass heavy patrol cruiser, is also a dangerous opponent, but nowhere near as capable as other Kra'Vak designs. It is basically a very large heavy cruiser, although it has the firepower of a lighter vessel. However, it does carry a fighter group. These ships have most often been encountered as the command vessel of a small system patrol force.

If you have any further intelligence to add to this database, please contact the commmander of the 31st OS, Rear Admiral James Moore