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| SDCX Escapade | ||
|---|---|---|
| Registry | HSC-133 | |
| Class | Escapade-class | |
| Ship Type | Exploration Corvette | |
| Affiliation | Final Frontier Project | |
| Commissioning date | March 11th 2100 | |
| Status | Retired | |
The SDCX Escapade, known by its registry HSC-133, is an experimental Escapade-class exploration corvette. It was constructed by Stratford Shipyards on Mars in the 2090s and officially commissioned on March 11th, 2100, making its maiden voyage on the same day. The Escapade is known for being one of the first warp-capable vessels within the Final Frontier Project and the first manned vessel to travel faster than light. Operationally, the Escapade was nested under the Odysseus Fleet of the Sol Defence Corps and is one of the only unarmed vessels within the SDC naval fleet.
The Escapade served as a testbed for an early form of the Alcubierre drive, designed from innovations in negative mass theory and dark matter. The Alcubierre drive allowed the Escapade to propel to faster-than-light speeds without violating the laws of relativity. It was first activated on March 11th, 2100, and traveled a distance of one light-hour, proving the viability of the Alcubierre drive and cementing the ship's position as the primary extra-solar exploration vessel within the fleet. It was specially fitted with scientific technology to accommodate this purpose.
In addition to the Escapade's role in testing the Alcubierre drive, the ship was also equipped with an early form of long-range superluminal communication technology, developed to ensure the vessel can remain in contact with the closest starbase on the solar frontier, the SDCSS Charon. The testing of long-range superluminal communication technology by the crew of the Escapade allowed for its widespread deployment among the rapidly growing fleet of the Final Frontier Project.
The SDCX Escapade returned from its final voyage on April 12th, 2112. While its lifespan was relatively short compared to its brethren, the decision to retire the ship was made due to the fact that it had fulfilled its dual role of exploration and testing long-range superluminal communication and Alcubierre drive technology. The Escapade currently resides within a special exhibit on Gateway Spacedock, Earth.