X289 Rolalda
- "Simple laws of physics makes this thing the deadliest weapon ever created by conscious life. Aim carefully. If it misses its target, it will hit something else in ten thousand years."
- ―An engineer commenting on the Rolalda's mechanics
The X289 Rolalda is a Universal Positioning System guided munition propelled with a ygsium drive allowing it to travel at FTL speeds and hit virtually any target within the UPS grid. The weapon is named after a sword from Vaikan legend said to only be wieldable by a boy of pure hearts.
Description
Rolalda has a theoretically infinite range so long as its target exists within the UPS grid, as onboard AIs allow it to utilize jumpgates to reach other destinations. The missile must be fired from a land cannon from the Houfnice series or from a railgun as the same amount of energy a starship uses to travel at FTL speeds is required for the missile to be launched. The missile's payoff contains enough destructive force to decimate entire cities or space stations in one shot.
It is possible to intercept the missile through extremely precise calculations. As such, if one of these missiles is fired, it becomes a race to out-calculate the opponent in a fierce cyber battle.
History
The munition saw development at the Rock Fortress military installation as a means of ending long standing war with a collection of pirate factions. After the war was ended, the simple presence of the missile became adequate means of defense for a system.