Type: Julius Caesar–class battlecruiser (Minerva-class variant)
Origin: Etrusca
Affiliation: Compact Navy
Status: Destroyed by sabotage during the boarding of the CNV Queen Maria Sophia
Overview
The Marcus Aurelius was a next-generation battlecruiser of the Compact Navy, constructed on the core world of Etrusca. A Minerva-class variant of the Julius Caesar class, it reflected the cutting edge of Etruscan naval design: massive, heavily armed, and optimized for high-maneuver combat. While later Minerva-based ships would incorporate warp capability, the Aurelius did not; it relied instead on traditional Projection Drive systems, albeit with exceptional performance for its tonnage.
Its size and armament made it one of the most intimidating vessels in the Compact fleet, fielding multiple keel-mounted railguns and advanced energy weapons. Despite its lack of warp capability, the ship was fast and nimble enough to reposition mid-battle, a rarity for ships in its weight class.
Destruction
The Marcus Aurelius entered orbit over the planet Mud in response to an unexpected appearance by a Realm warship. In a stunning display of force, the Aurelius fired kinetic rods before finishing its repositioning maneuver, followed by energy blasts that crippled the alien vessel. It was accompanied by diplomatic personnel, including Queen Widow Reiko of Bonaparte, for the extraction of King Edward Windsor from the battlefield.
Later, the Aurelius was designated as the evacuation point for Windsor and other dignitaries during the sudden and violent boarding of the CNV Queen Maria Sophia by an unidentified force. However, before the transfer could be completed, the Aurelius was destroyed by internal sabotage—suggesting a broader operation to eliminate both command and key Compact figures. Its destruction occurred while the Sophie was still under siege, leaving the survivors, including JT Austin and Mitsuko Yamato, scrambling to escape aboard a Falcon shuttle.
Appearances: Checkmate