The Collegium-class X-1 Covert Research Cruiser is a 600-meter long experimental Cruiser retrofitted from the Vindicator-class Heavy Cruiser and engineered to be an advanced research and experimentation vessel. Hyperdrive capable, this vessel has average maneuverability and great speed, with heavy armor and heavy shielding. It was designed by the Aurora Collegium with the help of defecting scientists from the Severian Principate and both funded and manufactured using a vast amount of resources from Arx Captial Exchange as the ultimate research vessel, leading to its high price tag. There are only three ships of the class in existence, each with its own unique research capabilities that comprise most of the vessel's front half. All three ships feature the same advanced optimizations such as automation, new stealth and countermeasure systems, an advanced sensor and communications array in the center of the vessel, and heavy-duty shielding technology. The hangar bay has been downsized to accommodate additional research areas. All three are mostly de-armed with the exception of some standard turbolasers on the underside, some point-defense weapons, and an experimental rail gun at the fore to act as a deterrent and defend the Collegium's research.

Armament
1 experimental kyber-powered rail-gun
8 light turbolasers
5 point-defense laser turrets
5 point-defense ion turrets
1 tractor beam

Complement
1,250 crew for full effectiveness
700 passengers
800 metric tons of cargo
1 squadron of starfighters

• 1 Starfighter Hangar slot of capacity 1, allowing items of type Squadron
• 1 Capital Ship Upgrade slot of capacity 8, allowing items of type Capital Ship Upgrade Reward, Capital Ship Upgrade I, Capital Ship Upgrade II, or Capital Ship Upgrade III
• 1 Auxiliary Hangar slot of capacity 1, allowing items of type Flight