Display MoreThe wing Commander movie club gives The Dark Crystal a thumbs up! It's an impressive, elaborately made production with visuals that continue to impress throughout. And it's distinctive part of a vanguard group of 'dark fantasy' movies from the early 1980s that aren't so directly influenced by Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons like many films today. It seems like what is essentially a puppet show with no human actors would drag… but it's quick run time vanishes quickly and leaves you wanting more.
And The Dark Crystal is certainly full of Skeksises! The strange bird/lizard/dinosaur creatures are the story's major antagonist and they are perhaps one of its most distinctive elements. In their honor, we've done a deep dive into their pair of namesake ships from Privateer 2! To that end, the PL03 Skecis-class medium fighter is as middle of the road as you can get; truly the midpoint in Privateer 2's pantheon of medium fighters! They have been in service for at least nine years and cost 85,000 credits unconfigured. They are available on all of the major planets except Anhur.
Skecsies appear in only one mission: CIS Good Time Gang - Dispose of Gang / CIS Good Time Gang - Dispose of Military. The CIS hires Lev Arris to eliminate a convoy of illegal goods being transported by the Good Time Gang. The gang offers him the option to double cross the CIS. Their convoy include two Skecis (SK 5) flying as escorts.
The CCN database lists two Skecises, A364 452B (turquoise) and X867 347H (red).
REG No: A364_452B
OWNER: Private Craft
TYPE: Skecis Class
BACKGROUND: Private vessel, licensed to travel anywhere within confederation non-restricted space. 9 years service.
REG No: X867_347H
OWNER: Private Craft
TYPE: Skecis Class
BACKGROUND: Private Vessel, 5 Years service. Licensed to travel in Hom System only.Here are its combined specifications:
PL03 Skecis
Class: Medium Fighter
Price: 85,000 credits
Max Speed: 360 kps
Afterburner Speed: 719 kps
Max Turn Rate: 70 dps
Agility: 5
Acceleration: 54 kps^2
Performance: Average
Strength: Low
Shield: 435 units ("Light")
Armor: 730 units ("Medium")
Random NPC Spawns: Sk 5
Guns: 4
4 Flux I
Missiles: 4
2 Snipe (3,3)
1 Brute I (5)
1 Brute II (7)
Modules: 5
1 Decoy I (1)
1 Hi-Ex mine (3)
1 Shield Gen I (5)
1 Signal Filter (7)
Here's a visualization of a fully loaded NPC Skecis:
While the original Skecis is very plain, PL3A Skecis MK II-class medium fighter is very interesting! The design of the ship changes significantly, with 'fins' added to the sides. They were introduced in 2785 or earlier and are not statistically an upgrade so much as a cheaper model: the Skecis Mk II is only 80,000 credits. They're available on every major planet except Crius.
Skecis Mk IIs can appear in five different missions:
- Tamessa Ames - if you fail or refuse to accept the mission you are hunted by six Skecis Mk II (SK 6) sent by Senator Veklyn Ames for revenge.
- Xavier Shondi 1 - if you fail the mission you are hunted by six Skecis Mk II (SK 6) sent by Xavier Shondi to retrieve your advance payment.
- Tri-System League of Hunters - Count Ramius Shaft pits Lev Arris against the Tri-System League of Hunters in the "Heaven to Hell" challenge fighting members of the league between Hermes and Hades. Stella Widowmaker (SK 6) flies a Skecis MK II and intercepts Arris at NAV 19 with Pablo Danerkiel and Sken Calvuchi.
- Good Ol' Boys Haulage - Mercenary Ronnie Rocket attempts to ambush Lev Arris by posing as a ship in distress. His force includes a Skecis MK II (SK 6).
- CIS Terrel Wounded Convoy - The CIS hires Lev Arris to intercept a Jincilla convoy and destroy any ships carrying contraband. The convoy's escorts include three Skecis MK IIs (SK 6).
The CCN database lists two Skecises, D239 756K (red) and X465 435E (orange).
## BBS SHIPSHere are its combined specifications:
PL3a Skecis Mk II
Class: Medium Fighter
Price: 80,000 credits
Max. Speed: 360 kps
Afterburner Speed: 720 kps
Max. Turn Rate: 65 dps (60 in guide)
Agility: 4
Acceleration: 60 kps^2
Performance: Average
Strength: Medium
Shield: 630 units ("Medium")
Armor: 500 units ("Medium")
Random NPC Spawns: Sk 6
Guns: 3
3 Flux II
Missiles: 5
2 Snipe (3,3)
1 Brute I (5)
1 Brute II (7)
1 Python (9)
Modules: 4
1 Decoy I (1)
1 Hi-Ex mine (3)
1 Shield Gen II (5)
1 Signal Filter (7)
Additionally, one of the game's aces, Vicksen Aurorela (SK4), flies a Skecis Mk II.
Here's a visualization of a fully loaded NPC Skecis Mk II:
Both Skecises seem to be part of the "PL" series of ships which may all represent models from the same manufacturer. They are the PL01 Straith, the PL02 Velacia, PL03 Skecis/PL3A Skecis Mk II and the PL04 Kalrechi/PL4B Blade.
We also couldn't help but notice how similar the hobbling Skekis leader holding his staff as his throne room crumbled around him looked like the Emperor from Wing Commander III's final comments. Of course, the Wing Commander III Kilrathi are descendents (or at least cousins) of Henson's creations!
Sully's review of The Dark Crystal? SLURP.
